Nelson City Council

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3 Great books checking out

Reviews by Mary Menzies

The Dark Blue 100 – Ride Bus Ticket by Margaret Mahy

(Senior Fiction)

Carlo and his mother Jessica are given a free bus ticket by a strange old woman in the supermarket. They use the ticket to catch the Number 13 blue bus and find themselves whisked off to the wonderful Supermarket at the End of the World. Thus starts their adventures as what began as fun and laughter becomes dangerous. Carlo and his new friend Pearlie have to muster all their courage if they are to defeat the horrible Dowlers threatening the supermarket.

I particularly enjoyed the friendship between the children Carlo and Pearlie and their respective parents as they combat evil and explore the magical and surprising new world they have found.  surf to the catalogue

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

(Senior Fiction series)

I have now read the first three in the series and am eagerly awaiting the next. These books would appeal to those who like Harry Potter. A young girl hooks up with a living skeleton and finds she has inherited some special powers from her sorcerer ancestors. They combat evil (of course) on earth but in a parallel world. This is action, action, adventure, fantasy and more action.

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Kenny & the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi

(Junior Fiction)

Kenny is a book loving rabbit who lives in the village of Roundbrook. Grahame is a dragon who also likes books, enjoys poetry, music and dessert. Kenny's father discovers a dragon in their fields, so Kenny goes to investigate and becomes great friends with the dragon. Then one day the simple folks of Roundbrook discover the dragon, too. Everyone believes that all dragons are no-good and that he must be slayed. Kenny believes he knows better and decides that he must save his friend. He thinks creatively and comes up with a clever plan involving the fabulous mythical battle between St George and the Dragon.

Kenny is such a courageous character, that I am sure any young reader would idolize him. This is such a captivating story that it's hard to put down - even for reluctant readers!  Surf to the catalogue