I have recently consumed ‘On the Jellicoe Road’ by Melina Marchetta. It was like a puzzle I had to patiently pursue as the pieces came together. There were times I felt I had no clue what was going on and I had to reread parts as I knew I’d missed something important. It was worth it though. I felt I had been on a real reading journey when I finished and I found the resolutions satisfying. After finishing it, I am unsure why it wasn’t predictable but I know I didn’t realise the obvious because of the crafty way the author revealed the character’s.
I loved her first book. This was different from Looking for Alibrandi
Stealing Stacey by Lynne Reid Banks
My latest YA read involved a child from London being kidnapped, without her own awareness for most of her ordeal, by her grandmother. She is taken to outback Australia and introduced to many new experiences. I enjoyed it as a light read. It was a fun read and quite a pleasant break from some of the heavier books I’ve read lately. There were some interesting characters.
Latest YA Reading #2
Have just completed a couple of books quite quickly really. My son recommended to me Will by Maria Boyd. He loved it and I can see why. It was funny, current and dealt with grief. He (my son) quoted from it at a family dinner discussion when he felt I was stereotyping. I love it when he does that kind of thing. Makes me feel he is literate:-). I enjoyed it too.
The other book was Helicopter Man by Elizabeth Fensham, which won the Children’s Book Council of Australia award this year for younger readers. It had a similar theme as No Worries in some ways. I won’t go into it and spoil it for would be readers, but it too was enjoyable.