Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson

Recommended for all ages.

Danger, adventure, mutiny, buried treasure - Treasure Island was everything I expected it to be and more. This classic had been on my 'to-read' list for a long while, owing to my love of Stevenson's writings and pirate literature. And Stevenson does a marvellous job - the narrative is smooth and fast-paced and the writing is clear (allowing for its age), but it is the characterisation that will blow you away. From the creepy blind beggar (Pew) to wily Long John Silver and clever cabinhand Jim, Stevenson brings his characters to life as only a masterful storyteller can.

If you haven't read Treasure Island, here's your big chance. Particularly if you like reading good yarns about pirates. And it's squeaky-clean (unlike a lot of young peoples' fiction today).

Just in Case: How to be Self-Sufficient When the Unexpected Happens - by Kathy Harrison

Recommended for ages 8-adult.

Just in Case is a factual book about how to prepare for and survive pretty much any unexpected event. I was prompted to pick this off the library shelf after reading an email from a student in Japan. The Japanese seem to be remarkably resilient in the way they are rebuilding their lives and communities following the deadly earthquake and tsunami which hit the country in early March. How many Australians would be able to take care of themselves and their families following any kind of disaster?

Fortunately Harrison's book means we don't have to wonder about that very question. With her simple guides, lists and instructions everyone can learn the 'know-how' to keep their household rolling in the event of a disaster. I even know how to make a solar cooker in case the electricity is off for a long period of time!

Heidi - Johanna Spyri

Recommended for all ages.

Heidi is a gorgeous classic kids book. It is written in the old tradition of kids books about sunshine and roses and adventure and friendship, and contains many beautiful messages about thinking of others and trusting in God. I'd always teased my sister for reading it as a child, but since rediscovering it on the library shelves I was pretty impressed. It's very well-written, fast-paced and full of vivid description. It will make you want to go to the Swiss Alps.

A lot of children's fiction today features disfunctional families and disempowered protagonists. It's a relief to read something so uplifting and soul raising. Heidi the girl is an admirable protagonist who makes the best of what she's got and works miracles in the process. If only more kids could aspire to be like Heidi!!!

People of all ages would do well to read Heidi, although it is more geared towards younger readers (say up to year 8).

Ranger's Apprentice: Book One: The Ruins of Gorlan - John Flanagan

Recommended for ages 8-18.

Ranger's Apprentice is a great fantasy series which follows Will as he learns the craft of being a Ranger and then proves his courage hundreds of times. Book One is full of mysterious creatures and sets the reader up for later books in the series by tempting us with snippets of information about Morgarath (the evil guy).

Although the prologue didn't draw me in at all, after the first chapter I was hooked. I didn't want to put the book down at all because it's so fast-paced and interesting! The characters have wonderful depth, the plot is pretty clear (for the most part) and the protagonist (Will) has so many qualities I could relate to.

Grab a copy of Ranger's Apprentice from your local library if you're a fantasy buff in need of some good reading.

PS> It's not as dark as the cover implies.

Recent reads

I've read a few good novels recently but none really deserve a post of their own. They are all young adult fiction and are fairly similar in their construction and writing style (although they concern very different subjects).

Cherub: The Recruit by Robert Muchamore is book one in an exciting series about underage intelligence officers. It's a fast, entertaining read and presents an honest portrayal of young adolescent life.

The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman is a novel set in a new world where everything is controlled by Earth Mother and her minions. Honour's family fight against this usurpation of their rights, pay the ultimate price, and then (of course) join a successful revolution. Quite the entertaining read.

Peak by Roland Smith tells the story of Peak Marcello who has the opportunity to climb and summit Mt Everest with his long-lost father. It's a lovely coming of age story that ends with Peak making a massive sacrifice and learning the real nature of his relationship with his parents.

Each of these books was interesting in content and fast to read, but they are symptoms of our modern literary culture which appreciates pared-down writing, writing devoid of all complexities, the kind of writing that you can read much as you would sit in front of the tv - mindless reading.

The above books would be enjoyed by kids aged 8-18, and are great choices for boys or not-so-avid readers.

The Secret River - Kate Grenville

Recommended for ages 15-adult.

FINALLY! A meaty, complex book that is well-written. Although I'm starting to tire of books about the colonisation of Australia due to overexposure, this novel really is one the best fictional accounts of the subject.

The Secret River follows the story of William Thornhill - sentenced to the colony of NSW for theft. William's wife Sal accompanies him, and over time the family claims their own piece of land in the Hawkesbury. The bulk of the novel, however, explores Thornhill's interaction with the local Aboriginal tribe and the other white settlers. Indeed the power of this novel lies in the complexity of Thornhill's character and the nature of the relationships he forges. His ability to commit atrocities against the local inhabitants is described in a way which highlights the uncertainties of every settler's mind.

This is an engaging and powerful read which will linger with Australian readers long after - a lot of us can claim such characters as ancestors. Because of the infrequent use of dark language and the major themes of this book, it's best to be savoured by kids over 15. Adults will take much more from it.

The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga

Recommended for ages 15-adult.

Normally I don't enjoy reading books with an Indian narrator. There's both personal and stylistic reasons for this which I don't need to go into here.

The White Tiger however, featured a really engaging Indian narrator - "Servant, entrepreneur, philosopher, murderer". It also features a fast-moving, somewhat cynical plot ('Slumdog Millionaire-esque' style). It tells the story of how Munna raised himself out of the poverty and discrimination of his local Indian village and made something of himself (albeit in a non-recommendable way). It tells the stories of corrupt police and politicians, of the confusing modern interpretation of caste, of the relationship between India and the outside world.

It was, in short, more engaging than I had anticipated. It is also very cleverly crafted.

This novel gives the reader a general sense of what it means to live in India today - of the courage, determination and disrespect for ignorant cultural rituals that is necessary to break free of social and familial expectations. Better saved for older readers so they can appreciate Adiga's powerful use of understatements.

Stormbreaker - Anthony Horowitz

Recommended for ages 8-18.

Stormbreaker is an example of an excellent graphic novel: it has a rocketing plot, its characters hold your attention, and the illustrations merge perfectly with the text to tell the story. Like other graphic novels, it's a fast read, and makes a great intro to graphic novels for readers new to the genre.

The story itself focuses around Alex Rider - a regular kid who is suddenly plunged into the dangerous world of spies and secret agencies. I'm not going to say more, other than this: if you want a fast-paced, action-filled story then this book is for you!

Animal Farm - George Orwell

Recommended for all ages.

Animal Farm - A Fairy Story is a classic book. It's politically insightful in its allegorical nature but also enjoyable as a tale about how even the most noble goals can be usurped by a cruel leader. Succinctly written, Orwell has created a timeless story which will make anyone empathise with the (non-pig/dog) animals.

At its most basic plot level Animal Farm tells the story of a bunch of animals who decide to overthrow their cruel human master and rule themselves. After the initial joys of success, the animals are manipulated into giving all power to the pigs - who then abuse that power and re-enslave the animals.

I skipped the introduction, preface and foreward (I hate that so many wreck the story or give away major plot elements like I just did in paragraph 2), though if I had read them I would've learnt that Animal Farm is an allegory about the Russian Revolution (which could have been interesting). Next time.

This is a great book for kids of any age - even young readers will feel a sense of injustice at the treatment of Boxer.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick

Recommended for all ages.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a really interesting book. It's a beautiful coming-of-age type narrative about Hugo Cabret, an orphan, who becomes involved with a family who run a little toy shop. At the heart of this involvement is the curiously immobile automaton (representative of Hugo's dad) who is somehow connected to the toy shop owner and his goddaughter. After working hard to get the automaton to move again, Hugo and Isabelle (the goddaughter) are amazed and confused by its message and have to do some good old sleuthing themselves to discover its meaning. The message ends up being liberating for everyone.

Mystery and adventure, secret tunnels and compartments, a curious machine - this book has everything to pique your interest. And the best bit? Over half the story is told in pictures! (That's what makes the book so fat!) I'd love to do this book with a junior class (year 7 or 8) - it's got great links to visual literacy and cinema, plus the kids would get just as much kick out of finishing such a long book as I did!

PS. Check out the fan site http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/index.htm for some neat behind-the-scenes stuff!