noosa youth reads

Long time between reads

2010-09-22T19:32:00.002+10:00

Working, living, and making time for reading don't always come together easily. This week, I'm determined to get back to reading, and I've started with "Knife" by R.J. Anderson. Knife (her chosen name) is a faery living in "Oakenwyld", where clearly the population is threatened with extinction. Knife is the rebel - as the series title "Faery Rebels" suggests, and is determined to find he lost

Voices on the Coast

2010-06-08T21:07:00.008+10:00

The past two days saw thousands of young readers meet some of their favourite authors at Sunshine Coast University, and meet a few they didn't know but will remember for a long time! Libraries are now checking out books by Queensland authors John Danalis and Prue Mason, while renewing interest in books by Christine Harris and Garth Nix. But let's not ignore new writers like Kirsty Eagar! Her

Been away ... back again

2010-05-22T17:33:00.002+10:00

I've been away from the blog world, dealing with small children. Now I'm back and reading through the CBCA Book Awards short list. So far I have read most of the books for Older Readers - and they are all good. My favourite to date? Not telling!

Author! Author!

2009-09-14T20:12:00.026+10:00

Tomorrow I'm going to meet an author. His name is Craig Silvey, and he wrote a book called "Jasper Jones". Hyberbolic reviewers have tagged it "the Australian version of To Kill a Mockingbird", and the author "the next Tim Winton". This uber-praise puts a lot of pressure on a book (and its author) and misrepresents the book to potential readers.Anyhow ... Jasper Jones is a terrific book.

Queensland Premiers Literary Awards

2009-08-24T21:36:00.001+10:00

"Australia's most exceptional literary talents, both well known and aspiring, were recognised at the 2009 Queensland Premier's Literary Awards shortlist announcement" Friday 21 August.

CBC Awards Announced

2009-08-24T21:03:00.007+10:00

Since Inky was announced I haven't had time to think. Meantime, the Children's Book Council have come out with theirs, and Shaun Tan has won! Have a look at the full listYou young readers might also like to check out books in all categories from the short list,

Inky Awards Long List

2009-08-20T22:08:00.002+10:00

Quick note - Inky list is here.More later

Butterfly by Sonya Hartnett

2009-04-30T21:20:00.013+10:00

Currently "reading" this new book in the car as I drive to and from work. The publishers say: "Butterfly is a gripping, disquieting, beautifully observed novel that confirms Hartnett as one of Australia's finest writers." Have a look yourself and see if you agree.

The Cybils are announced on Valetine's Day

2009-01-08T06:52:00.004+10:00

I looked deeper into the tangled web, and found details on how Cybil works.

Cybil's Short List of YA titles

2009-01-08T06:40:00.005+10:00

Cybils (judged by YA book bloggers) has announced a short list. Here's a brief look at some of them. I haven't read any, but do recognise most of the authors. One of them is Australian Melina Marchetta, of "Looking for Alibrandi" fame (for Jellicoe Road). Not sure when the award is announced, but watch this space.

Had enough of the heavy sighs?

2009-01-07T19:04:00.002+10:00

Well, five happy winners walked off with their copies of "Twilight" just before Christmas. Enjoy! And from what I can gather the rest of you enjoyed the chilling atmosphere in cinemas around town to see the movie. (I'm referring to the air-conditioning!)Well, now I have something to really scare your ...ts off! It's a book called "The Beckoners" written by Canadian author Carrie Mac. Here's

With "Twilight" still on our minds ...

2008-12-09T17:24:00.004+10:00

... here's yet more suggestions for fangtastic reading over summer. The librarians have been searching and checking, and so let's see how they shaped up. Vampire fiction list, from Cairns in North Queensland, plus a Read-Alike list , and a few fang sites to check. Oh stop! that's quite enough!

Dead, dying and undead - booklist

2008-11-27T22:05:00.003+10:00

If you're thirsting for a bit of ghoulish reading, or just need something to fill the hours (days) till you can read the Twilight trilogy right through, maybe you should get your fangs into some of the titles on this quite long list. And you may be happy to know that it's not all about vampires.

Twilight competition announced

2008-11-26T16:00:00.011+10:00

With the movie soon to be released, and with over 110 readers waiting for their chance to read the 20 library copies, we have decided to give some away. That's right, we have 5 copies of Twilight by Stephenie Meyer waiting for 5 lucky readers to win. All you need to do is tell us, in 25 words (or fewer), why you would like to win. Competition starts on December 1st, and closes on December 22nd

Twilight series

2008-09-27T16:43:00.002+10:00

Have you got the latest in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer? Readers are already telling me they don't know what they'll read once this is over - it's that good! Unfortunately, I will have to save up and buy them, because the library copies are still in such demand. I've been doing some checking, though, and will start a list of the "readalikes". Meanwhile, if you can suggest any books

THOSE AWARDS, AND MORE ...

2008-09-07T11:11:00.003+10:00

So, those Book Awards were announced - some weeks ago! And the winner is ... "Ghost Child' by Sonya Hartnett. It would have been a difficult choice as all of the short list were great. But, moving on, it's time to choose the "Inkys" - Australia's only teenage choice book awards. The long list was announced on insideadog.com.au. There are 10 Australian books in the list, going for the gold

BLACK WATER by David Metzenthen

2008-04-17T20:49:00.008+10:00

Reading my way through the CBC shortlist, I have started with the "watery" titles. So ...David Metzenthen's "Black Water" - It's set in the period of the "Great War" (WWI) when many Australian teenagers enlisted for national service, went to Gallipoli, and didn't come back. Their main motivation, being innocents, was to biff the enemy, and they had little idea who they were. In this story,

BOOK AWARDS ON THE WAY

2008-04-01T20:38:00.006+10:00

Australia's biggest book awards in young people's literature happen in August every year. Today the short list was announced by the Children's Book Council. From this list the winner will come. In the Older Readers category the following books have been selected:Author Title Publisher FRENCH, Jackie PHARAOH: THE BOY WHO

Aurealias Awards

2008-02-04T14:51:00.000+10:00

The Annual Aurealias Awards recognize Australian writers of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. The 2007 winners have just been announced, and one of my favourite authors, Anthony Eaton, has won the Young Adult fiction category for Skyfall the second part of his Darklands trilogy . Here are the winners and the judges comments. While you wait for the book to come in to the library, you could

Your quest ...

2007-12-24T10:04:00.000+10:00

is to read the whole summer long - whether lazing in the shade or staying out of the rain, here are are few reviews from a "reader in residence".The Quest for the Sun Sword by Belinda Murrell is the first book in the The Sun Sword Trilogy and I found it to be a wonderful book!The Quest for the Sun Sword enthralled me because of the way the childrens’ lives became entangled together, all because

Need to read

2007-10-10T22:57:00.000+10:00

When you want to get away from thingsWhen you need to be aloneWhen the TV is on the blinkYou may need to read. What is your pick for times when the reading bug gets you?Let us know now.

Inkys Shortlist announced!

2007-09-27T21:10:00.001+10:00

Check out the Inside a Dog website for the next installment in the INKY awards. Vote on your choice of the best young adult book of the year. Read the books at Noosa Library. Make sure you have your PIN up to date to reserve new titles.

Sick of being told what to read?

2007-08-21T21:19:00.000+10:00

Have a look at this from Insideadog.They have started the first ever book award for teenage readers. There is currently a long list from which judges will select 3 Australian and 3 International books. Then we all get to vote. Voting opens 24 September.Check back at the Insideadog website for progress reports.

Books of the Year 2007

2007-08-18T17:35:00.000+10:00

Crikey! It's August already, and book week has hit. The winners were announced on the CBCA website - here.

Voices on the Coast - coming soon

2007-04-29T16:10:00.000+10:00

The Youth literature festival is back again for the 11th year. See their website and go if you can. Many schools will be taking students. Noosa Library will be participating by taking a community bus with 20 lucky people to see and hear their favourite authors. Highlights include Isobelle Carmody, John Boyne (author of "The boy in striped pyjamas") and Gregory Rogers whose book "Midsummer

Will

2007-03-22T21:18:00.000+10:00

Looking at this blog, I realise that nothing has been written for ages, so I must add some news about reading materials. The YA novel I have at my bedside now is "Will" by Maria Boyd. It opens with a fight scene in a school yard. Actually I haven't read much beyond the first 2 pages. So anyone who has read it already, don't tell me. More later, when I've had a chance to read more. If you

Holes, by Louis Sachar

2006-11-15T14:15:00.000+10:00

Only one person is responsible for Stanley Yelnats going to Camp Green Lake, himself. Or at least that's what the camp counselor tells him. But Stanley, accused of stealing the used sneakers of baseball champion Clyde Livingston, is innocent. He knows that himself being at the camp (a juvenile detention center for boys), is just part of the curse that has plagued his family for generations. His

Soldier, Soldier ...

2006-10-25T18:54:00.000+10:00

George from Auckland, holidaying in Noosa, has left us with his enthusiastic remarks about a book he read: "Boy Soldier" by Andy McNab. Here it is.Danny Watts, aged 17, is trying to get to his lifelong dream to become a soldier. But one news story is the end of his career - "SAS HERO TURNS TRAITOR".Danny's Grandfather, who he's never met, SAS hero Fergus Watts, was suppposedly selling to

Colin Thiele

2006-09-05T21:00:00.000+10:00

On September 4th, Colin Thiele died from heart failure. Colin was a teacher and an author of some very Australian children's fiction. Storm Boy was the most well known, but I really liked Blue Fin - a very powerful book about a fishing community. Both books were made into movies and it would be pretty difficult to find copies of them in video stores today. Colin Thiele's website gives some

The winners ...

2006-08-27T09:49:00.000+10:00

Australian Children's book awards were announced on Friday 18th August - here's the full list. Australian young people are very lucky to have such a wide range of excellent books to enjoy. And, as James Moloney mentioned to us last week, the most important people in the world of children's books are ... the readers. Find information about JC Burke here. Elizabeth Fensham, who wrote Helicopter

2006 Book of the Year Awards Short List

2006-04-05T13:53:00.000+10:00

The Children's Book Council 2006 Shortlist & Notable Books were announced today in Sydney. You can see the complete list at their website: http://www.cbc.org.au/notables06.htmWe'll be running a competition at the library to see who can pick the winners in each of the categories, so why not get reading and see if the judges agree with you!

Holiday Reading - more

2006-01-11T21:09:00.000+10:00

After dipping into some fairly blokey books, with the boys in my family, I took some time to seek out some interesting female characters in teenage fiction. Here are some of them:"Denial" by David Belbin is not a new book, but I found it interesting because the cover and title don't give away the real story inside. The book explores the relationships between students and teachers, but with a

Holiday Reading

2006-01-11T20:17:00.000+10:00

After such a long break from blogging - much too busy with work - it's great to get away and just read, read, read. Aren't the holidays terrific? Here's a selection that I noticed over the holidays:"Lost property" by James Moloney - a renowned Queenland writer of books for young adults. The book has lots of symbolism around the "lost property" theme. Josh has a holiday job at Sydney railway

ROCKtober

2005-10-15T22:02:00.000+10:00

Saturday October 15 - 3pm.The regular library crowd shuffles reluctantly out as teenagers start to take over the library for the afternoon.Inger Fountain of Sealight Books, brought a big exhibit of Graphic Novels from which to choose titles to include in the library collection. She also had comics to give away. Young cartoonists took advantage of the chance to see a wide array of quality comic

Pop Fiction

2005-10-12T21:53:00.000+10:00

We've just spent a day with Sarah and Chris making Pop Fiction. That's where we take a story, define some characters and make an animation online at bumble.com.auStudents from Sunshine Beach State High School took time out from their busy day to attend a morning workshop at Noosa library. While they were doing this, their artistic colleagues were preparing for the school's annual Arts

Youth take over the library

2005-10-03T18:58:00.000+10:00

Saturday October 15th from 2:30-5:00 pm. Local new bands will raise the noise levels of a quiet Saturday afternoon at the library while teenagers enjoy a range of activities. Try your hand at cartooning - a cartoon workshop run by Joanne Brooker owner of Purple Spider Studio, and member of Artists without Frontiers. There'll be theatre games, with director and acting teacher Mary Anne Vale from

EXTREMES

2005-09-21T22:45:00.000+10:00

Desperate to get another entry in before two months pass between...Many of us have been reading and talking over the holidays, and we're seeing some extremes in our interests. Like those who like Darren Shan versus those who are thinking about reality! The library will host some very grounded meetings with author Anita Bell during October, and if you're interested in money (and who isn't?) you

fav ... ourite books ... the lists

2005-07-27T20:54:00.000+10:00

fave books ... the lists

Greeting YPLibbers!

2005-07-19T06:58:00.000+10:00

Sorry I can't be at the meeting in Ipswich today. However, I'm with you in spirit, as they say. If you have had time to look at my new experiment - you'll be looking at it right now! Here are some points I have noticed since beginning this blog. Hope it makes some sense.1. Blogs are very easy to maintain, once the initial set-up is achieved. I experienced the same frustration as new users of free

Golem

2005-07-19T06:12:00.000+10:00

Golem: n. a human image brought to life; a robot; a shapeless thingGolem, a five-part series written jointly by three authors, has been called a " funny, scary and streetwise techno-thriller". I'm half-way through the second book and I must keep reading ...The series hosts a multitude of characters whose perceptions of the "golem" phenomenon all differ and overlap. There's Majid, who began it all

Chasing Charlie Duskin

2005-07-19T05:30:00.000+10:00

Cath Crowley's second novel about teenage girls, their trials and triumphs, "Chasing Charlie Duskin", has finally reached the top of my enormous mountain of books that must be read. Cath Crowley's characters have many talents - they just need some help discovering them. In "The life and times of Gracie Faltrain" Gracie's passion is soccer. With Charlie Duskin it's music. Charlie's story is told

Coming soon ...

2005-07-03T14:18:00.000+10:00

I’ve been looking at some new books to add to the library’s collection. Here’s a preview of some things to come. You can click on the title to go to the Noosa Library catalogue, then use your library card number and PIN to reserve the book when it arrives.Glint by Ann Coburn. “Glint blurs the boundaries between our world and another with two fantastic adventures

Just in from the UK

2005-06-30T20:47:00.000+10:00

Writers talk books. A selection of reading choices recommended by leading YA authors. What do writers do when they have a break from writing? Just what we do when we take a rest from work – or study. They read!Well, some do, and the choices of some of Britain’s best known authors of books for young adults are explained on this website.If any of them give you the nudge; if you want to read them

Holiday reads to beat the wet weather

2005-06-29T12:03:00.000+10:00

While you're languishing in the last days of school holidays, here are a few books that could brighten up your life, or at least give you something to think about."Lost bullet" by Malcom Rose. In a future world, London is overrun with snakes, society has changed, and the Authorities maintain strick control. Luke Harding is a sixteen year old forensic investigator who uses his instincts as much as

Queensland Authors promoted

2005-06-27T19:53:00.000+10:00

In June 2005 a trade delegation to the USA has been promoting Queensland authors of books for Young Adults. Some of these authors are well known to us. Have a look at the list the Queensland Writers' Centre has displayed in their June 2005 newsletter. ( If you're interested in news from the writers' centre, you can subscribe for free.) Our own Sunshine Coast authors, Pat Flynn, Gary Crew, and

2005-06-27T18:00:00.000+10:00

READING ROCKS Poster invitation ...This poster was made for us by 15 yr old Henry. If you would like to add your version, depicting an interpretation of the "Reading Rocks!" theme, send us an email or drop in to the library at Wallace Park Noosaville. Mobile Library customers, just climb aboard and give your brilliant art work to a driver.

Reading Rocks!

2005-06-27T14:39:00.000+10:00

Book Week 2005 has the slogan "Reading Rocks!" and to give a voice to teenage readers of our fantastic books at Noosa Library, we have decided to begin this weblog. Every year the Children's Book Council of Australia chooses a list of high quality books from the previous year's publications and gives awards in Book Week in August. The Shortlist for 2005 can be found at their website.