Holiday Reading 2003

Fiction for Older Readers

Aiken, Joan Midwinter nightingale
The Wolves Chronicles continue as Dido and her friend Simon, Duke of Battersea, have many perilous adventures trying to protect the ailing King James from the plotting of the evil Baron Magnus who is determined that his brutish son Lothar will be the next king of England.
Almond, David The fire-eaters
'There he was, below the bridge, half-naked and eyes blazing - with a pair of burning torches.' It's Autumn and the winds of change are blowing for Bobby Burns. His new school is a frightening place, World War III might be imminent, and then there's the strange fire eater, a devil called McNulty.
Ardagh, Philip Heir of mystery, or, four legs good
The second in the Unlikely Exploits trilogy sees the remaining McNally children - Jackie, Le Fay and the twins Josh and Albie – being mysteriously drawn to Fishbone Forest and a forgotten crumbling mansion. Here they meet the terrifying, teddy bear-clutching Mr Maggs.
Booth, Martin Doctor Illuminatus
Brother and sister Pip and Tim move to an ancient manor house where they discover Sebastian, the alchemist's son. Bound to continue his age-old fight to foil the plan of the evil alchemist - to create an homonculus to further his sinister designs - Sebastian has two new recruits.
Broome, Errol Gracie and the emperor
For as long as Gracie can remember, she has been told stories of Napoleon Bonaparte, who would stop at nothing to rule the world and plant the French flag on the Tower of London. Now, the most famous and most dreaded man is coming to the very island where she lives.
Byng, Georgia Molly Moon stops the world
Sequel to Molly Moon's incredible book of hypnotism Orphan Molly Moon has vowed never to use her amazing hypnotic powers again but when she learns that a megalomaniac master hypnotist called Primo Cell is rumoured to be controlling the minds of famous movie stars, she has to intervene.
Colfer, Eoin Artemis Fowl, The eternity code
Twelve-year-old villain, Artemis Fowl, is the most ingenious criminal mastermind in history. His bold and daring plan is to hold a leprechaun to ransom; but he's taking on more than a bunch of fairies when he kidnaps Captain Holly Short of the Lep-Recon (Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance Unit).
Corder, Zizou Lionboy
Charlie Ashanti can speak Cat. He takes it for granted, but when his mum and dad go missing, the Cats are the only friends he can turn to. Setting out to find his parents, Charlie stows away on a circus ship. On board he meets six lions who need his help. They embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Creech, Sharon Granny Torrelli makes soup
With the help of her wise old grandmother, twelve-year-old Rosie manages to work out some problems in her relationship with her best friend, Bailey, the boy next door.
Crossley-Holland, Kevin King of the Middle March
Final in the Arthur/Merlin trilogy. 'Destined,' said one critic, 'to become a classic.'
Crum, Shutta Spitting image
In the small town of Baylor, Kentucky, twelve-year-old Jessie K. Bovey and her friends confront some of life's questions during their summer vacation in the late 1960s.
Cushman, Karen Rodzina
A twelve-year-old Polish American girl is boarded onto an orphan train in Chicago, fearful about travelling to the West and a life of unpaid slavery.
DiCamillo, Kate The tale of Despereaux: being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread
The adventures of Desperaux Tilling, a small mouse of unusual talents, the princess that he loves, the servant girl who longs to be a princess, and a devious rat determined to bring them all to ruin.
Dickinson, Peter The tears of the salamander
Mount Etna towers above the remote villa where Alfredo lives with his uncle after a fire wipes out his family. Deep within Etna swim the magical salamanders, and Alfredo must use his strange powers to protect them, destroy his uncle and control the explosive rage of the volcano.
Dunmore, Helen The silver bead
It's the last summer holiday before Katie and Zillah go to secondary school. Zillah can't wait, she's desperate to be grown up. Katie isn't quite so keen. Everything seems to be changing so fast, but at least she'll have Zillah's friendship to hold onto although even that doesn't look so certain.
DuPrau, Jeanne The city of Ember
The city of Ember was built deep underground as a last refuge for the human race. Two hundred years later, the great lamps that light the city are beginning to flicker. When Lina finds part of an ancient message, she's sure it holds a secret that will save Ember. She and her friend Doon must decipher the message before the lights go out forever.
Ellis, Sarah The Several Lives of Orphan Jack
When twelve-year-old Jack finds out that his apprentice job working for a bookkeeper does not involve keeping books safe, he leaves for the market city of Aberbog, where he peddles ideas, notions and concepts, and wins the heart of the town. Nominated for the Canadian Governor-General's Literary Awards.
Fleischman, Sid Disappearing act
After their archaeologist mother fails to return from Mexico and they discover that someone is stalking their Albuquerque house, twelve-year-old Kevin and his opera-singing older sister flee to Venice, California, where they hope that new identities will keep them safe.
Forde, Catherine Fat boy swim
Jimmy Kelly is obese, and bullied mercilessly for it at school. He hides a secret he's sure would make them laugh still more - he's a talented cook.
Funke, Cornelia Inkheart
Mo, a gentle bookbinder with an extraordinary secret, and his daughter Meggie love books, yet he has not read aloud to her since her mother disappeared years ago. After a mysterious stranger visits them, Mo tells Meggie they must go into hiding. But why, and from whom?
Gantos, Jack Jack Adrift: fourth grade without a clue
When his father rejoins the Navy and moves the family to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, ten-year-old Jack becomes confused by a crush on his teacher, contradictory advice from his parents, and a very strange neighbour.
Gleitzman, Morris Toad away
The uplifting tale of one cane toad's heroic journey (with his sister and cousin) across oceans, continents and some really busy roads. Sequel to Toad rage and Toad heaven.
Gleitzman, Morris Teacher's pet
Ginger's allergic to cats – and possibly her family as well.
Gliori, Debi Pure dead brilliant
Third in the series.
Gray, Margaret The ugly princess and the wise fool
When plain-looking Princess Rose longs for the beauty to snare handsome Prince Parsley, and the wise fool Jasper longs to restore wisdom to the kingdom, they end up working together and find they must face the magical Godmother Board of Trustees.
Gwynne, Phillip Jetty rats
Hunter, the witty, cynical narrator, and his crumbling bay side town feature in this tale of sadness, laughter, funeral homes and fishing.
Haddix, Margaret Peterson Among the Barons
In a future world of false identities, government lies, and death threats, Luke feels drawn to the younger brother of the boy whose name Luke has taken. Sequel to Among the betrayed and a title in The shadow children series.
Henkes, Kevin Olive's ocean
On a summer visit to her grandmother's cottage by the ocean, twelve-year-old Martha gains perspective on the death of a classmate, on her relationship with her grandmother, on her feelings for an older boy, and on her plans to be a writer.
Herrick, Steven Do-wrong Ron
Ron always does the wrong things at the wrong time, or the right things at the wrong time, or the wrong things at the right time. Like kicking the winning goal - for the other team. Or forgetting to add water to the cordial. But when he adopts a guinea-pig called Charlie, at least he's not so lonely any more.
Hirsch, Odo Bartlett and the Island of Kings
Bartlett, Jacques le Grand and Gozo set out to find the last in a chain of volcanic islands. No one greets them when they arrive, yet the next morning their canoe has disappeared.
Hirsch, Odo Think smart, Hazel Green
When Hazel sees that Mr Volio, the baker with the walrus moustache, puts a sign in his window – 'Closing down' - she decides to help her friend save his business.
Hoffman, Mary Stravaganza: city of stars
Georgia loves horses and hates Russell, her step-brother. It seems Russell's main aim is to make Georgia miserable. When Georgia finally saves up enough money to buy the little model of a winged horse she has admired in an antiques shop, she knows she has to keep it out of Russell's way. Sequel to Stravaganza: city of masks.
Jacques, Brian The angel's command: a tale from the castaways of the Flying Dutchman
Ben and Ned, a boy and dog gifted with eternal youth and the ability to communicate with one another nonverbally, encounter pirates on the high seas and rescue a kidnapped prince from a band of thieves. Sequel to Castaways of the Flying Dutchman.
Jacques, Brian Loamhedge
While a group of adventurers from Redwall seeks out the ancient abbey of Loamhedge in hopes of curing a young haremaid's paralysis, Redwall is besieged by vermin. Illustrated by New Zealand artist David Elliot.
Kay, Elizabeth The Divide
Felix is a special sort of hero: he is brave and resourceful, but has a heart condition that threatens his life. When he visits the Divide with his parents, he finds himself in an amazing back-to-front world where mythical creatures are real and humans and science are just rumour and legend.
Leeson, Robert Onda - wind rider
Onda is a sprite who longs to know what she looks like, but she can't unless she becomes human and gives up her spirit powers.
Laird, Elizabeth The garbage king
Inspired by the true story of an African childhood lived on the edge of destitution, this novel concerns what happens to Mamo when his mother dies and he is abandoned in the shanties of Addis Ababa, stolen by a child-trafficker and sold to a farmer.
Laird, Elizabeth A little piece of ground
12 year-old Karim Aboudi and his family are trapped in their Ramallah home by a strict curfew. Israeli tanks control the city in response to a Palestinian suicide bombing. Karim longs to play football outside with his friends. But in this city there's constant danger.
Lowry, Lois The silent boy
Katy, the precocious ten-year-old daughter of the town doctor, befriends a disabled boy.
McKay, Hilary Indigo's star
It's two years since Saffy found her angel and now her brother Indigo, the only boy in the Casson family, has a quest of his own. He's helped by his new school friend and of course his ever-resourceful younger sister. This is the sequel to the award-winning Saffy's Angel.
McNish, Cliff The silver child
Six children leave home and are drawn to Coldharbour - an eerie wasteland of wind, rats, gulls and rubbish. Each of them has a unique gift, but they must learn to use their skills fast. Drawing ever closer in a maelstrom of fury is the Roar, something vast and dreadful that wants to destroy them.
Masson, Sophie The tempestuous voyage of Hopewell Shakespeare
Hopewell Shakespeare, a young London apprentice, is bored with his lot and besotted with the Globe, where his cousin William is already famous. Inspired by the plays he sees there, Hopewell sets out on a pirate ship in search of adventure, landing on an island just like the one in 'The Tempest'.
Mayne, William The animal garden
Against a background of skirmishes between rebel and government forces, Philip and Shanya meet while travelling to visit their scientist fathers camped in the desert studying a ruined city. Waking to find the camp deserted they make for the city and find a group of talking animals named 'Pugs'.
Morris, Gerald The ballad of Sir Dinadan
Though he would rather pursue his talent as a musician, eighteen-year-old Dinadan is forced to follow his older brother Tristram's path and become a knight. Set at the time of King Arthur.
Myers, Walter Dean The dream bearer
During a summer in Harlem, David relies on his mother and a close friend and on an old man he meets in the park to help him come to terms with his father's outbursts and unstable behaviour.
Nix, Garth Mister Monday
First title in a new fantasy series called The keys to the kingdom.
Kids' night in: a midnight feast
edited by Jessica Adams, Nick Earls and Juliet Partridge This anthology follows in the footsteps of the best-selling Girl's Night In books. Many of Australia's most popular children's writers and some very famous people from Australia and overseas have contributed never-before-seen stories, poems and illustrations. This is the considerably longer 'down under' edition of the Kids' night in anthology first published in England – some pieces are included in both vesions - and includes five New Zealand contributions.
Pierce, Tamora Trickster's choice
Alianne must call forth her mother's courage and her father's wit in order to survive on the Copper Isles in a royal court rife with political intrigue and murderous conspiracy. First instalment in the Daughter of the Lioness series.
Pow, Tom Scabbit Isle
The first time Sam sees the mysterious figure of Janet she vanishes into the deserted fields beyond the town where nothing has ever been built. Sam learns that centuries before this was the place to which plague victims were banished - Scabbit Isle - a place of terror.
Pratchett, Terry The Wee Free Men
A young witch-to-be named Tiffany teams up with the Wee Free Men, a clan of six-inch-high blue men, to rescue her baby brother and ward off a sinister invasion from Fairyland. A story of Discworld.
Reeve, Philip Predator's gold
Fleeing from an anti-tractionist sect, the Green Storm, Tom and Haster are left drifting in the frozen Ice Wastes, slowly dying of cold after the Jenny Haniver's engines have failed. They are saved at the last minute, finding Anchorage, a once-beautiful ice city that has fallen on hard times. Sequel to the acclaimed Mortal engines.
Rodda, Emily Rowan of the Bukshah
Latest in the Rowan series.
Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and the order of the phoenix
Sachar, Louis Stanley Yelnats' survival guide to Camp Green Lake
Based on the award-winning novel Holes this is a guide book to life at Camp Green.
Said, S. F. Varjak Paw
Mesopotamian Blue cat Varjak Paw has never been Outside before, but Varjak is forced out into the city when the sinister Gentleman and his two menacing cats take over his home. With help from a mystical ancestor, he manages to overcome the challenges of survival, but can he save his family?
Spinelli, Jerry Milkweed
Captures the hardships and cruelty of life in the ghettos of Warsaw during the Nazi occupation of World War II, through the eyes of a Jewish orphan who must use all his wits and courage to survive unimaginable events and circumstances.
Ten of the best school stories with a difference!
edited by Wendy Cooling
Ure, Jean Bad Alice
Duffy is staying with his Nan for the summer, and it looks like it's going to be a long boring summer until he meets Alice, the girl next door. Everyone thinks she's mad, but reading her stories about "Alice in Wonderland" Duffy discovers that her adoptive father is abusing her and tries to help.
Woodson, Jacqueline Locomotion
In a series of poems, eleven-year-old Lonnie writes about his life: the death of his parents; being separated from his younger sister; living in a foster home; finding his poetic voice at school.