Ms Ritchie’s Book Suggestions

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Reading really does take you on adventures to far off worlds.  It allows you to walk in the shoes of another being and read their thoughts, their feelings and their perceptions of their world and experiences.  Reading allows you to escape to countries you may one day be inspired to travel to and to safely move between your own world and the those of the books you are reading.

My best advice for reading is never read one book in one sitting.  You need to STOP and WONDER.  When you are in the depths of the most exciting part,  put your book mark in and leave the book waiting for you.  This is the time you will wonder about the story: predict what you think the main character will do next, imagine what will happen with the main problem and how you think the author will resolve the situation,

Here are some fave books I’d like to share.  I can’t wait to hear what you think and for you to share your suggestions here too.

 

Two Wolves by Tristan Bancks 

http://www.tristanbancks.com/2013/09/two-wolves.html

‘An old man tells his grandson one evening that there is a battle raging inside him, inside all of us. A terrible battle between two wolves. One wolf is bad – pride, jealousy, greed. The other wolf is good – kindness, hope, truth. The child asks, ‘Who will win?’ 
The grandfather answers simply, ‘The one you feed.’ 
This is a gripping book; a real page turner.  I had to force myself to put this book down so I could try and put myself in Ben’s position and work out what to do.  Definitely a fast-paced mysterious adventure with family secrets exposed and many questions about integrity and doing what is right for family.
Recommended for aged 11+
The Tuckshop Kid by Pat Flynn
https://patflynnwriter.com/pats-books-2/the-kid-books/
Hungry? Need Lunch? Mum’s packed you curried banana and pickle sandwiches again? Only got $1.25 to your name? Then you need to see Matt, because Matt has an amazing talent… Some kids are good at footy, or handball, or tennis. Not Matt, though. Matt is an expert at Tuckshop. ($1.25 = sausage roll and small choc milk, by the way…) In the dog-eat-pie world of the playground, someone like Matt can go a long way. But of course, being the best at anything does have its problems. Even tuckshop.
This is a great book about finding your talent and working out how to play your strengths.  It isn’t a lengthy book yet still gets to the heart of what life is like for a primary age boy dealing with some tricky situations.
Recommended for age 9+
Felix and Zelda Series – Once, Then, After, Soon and Now by Morris Gleitzman Image result for the felix and zelda series image
http://www.morrisgleitzman.com/
This series is definitely for mature readers who enjoy reading about the war genre and want to get an insight into the world of those who lived this heart breaking period in history.
Recommended for age 10+ (After and Soon have very mature themes age 13+)
The sixth and final installment in the series Maybe is scheduled for release September 2017 so get ready for Morris Gleitzman to work his writing magic again.
My Life as an Alphabet by Barry Jonsberg 9781743310977.jpg
http://www.barryjonsberg.com/books/younger-readers/10/

This isn’t just about me. It’s also about the other people in my life – my mother, my father, my dead sister Sky, my penpal Denille, Rich Uncle Brian, Earth-Pig Fish and Douglas Benson From Another Dimension. These are people [with the exception of Earth-Pig Fish, who is a fish] who have shaped me, made me what I am. I cannot recount my life without recounting elements of theirs. This is a big task, but I am confident I am up to it.

Introducing Candice Phee: twelve years old, hilariously honest and a little odd. But she has a big heart, the very best of intentions and an unwavering determination to ensure everyone is happy. So she sets about trying to ‘fix’ all the problems of all the people [and pets] in her life.

This book does explore mature themes and the reader is expected to have a sense of maturity.  It is also very funny in parts and made me think about authentic friendships.  Recommended for age 10+

War Horse by Michael Murpurgo

www.michaelmorpurgo.com

War Horse illustrated by Rae Smith

WOW!  This book is absolutely incredible in my opinion.  Michael Murpurgo is a master of the craft of writing and has written this book from the perspective of the horse, Joey, and the journey he goes on from farm to World War I with all of the tragic and powerful experiences and perspectives.  This book has been made into a movie and stage show.  Apparently the stage show, using massive puppet-style mechanical horses, was outstanding (Monica saw it and can give you more of her impressions plus youtube has some footage).  For me, the movie was not nearly as powerful as the book, when you read a book first then you are the director of your mind-movie and the book is always better!

May I recommend any of Michael Murpurgo books – this Englishman is truly an inspirational writer across many genre for both children and adults.

Recommended for age 10+

 

 

Where is you favourite place to read? Is it a chair with lots of cushions?  The couch with your pet by your side?  Or perhaps reading in bed is the place you go to escape with your book.

 

Do you have a book recommendation to share?  Provide title, author, genre, age recommendation and a blurb with a note of 3 reasons why you are recommending this book.

 

As Dr Seuss wrote

                           The more you read, the more you know,

                        the more you know, the more places you go.

So go forth and read, travel on adventures and live the life of your protagonists.