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Young Adult Book Reviews Archive
	Rosie Black Chronicles - Genesis Book Review by Sally Hall Author: Lara Morgan Publisher: Walker Books Australia Set 500 years in the future, the world is definitely a different place. An environmental disaster named 'The Melt' has sunk most of the cities and a different world has been created in its place. There's a new social order and technological advancements (including space travel) but there are also new diseases and threats everywhere. When Rosie and her friend Juli find an unusual box they have no idea of the trouble it will lead to. The authorities want the box and it's contents and they will kill to get it. To protect her family Rosie must rely on the help of two strangers, but can she trust them or will they betray her? While running from her would-be captors Rosie must learn the truth about the contents of the box to save her family and her very life. I enjoyed reading this fantasy thriller aimed at 13+ year olds. Rosie is a tough but likeable character and the tension created by her discovery propels you quickly through the story. I wanted to know if she would survive and what would become of her friends and family. The new world created by Lara Morgan is very thought provoking too. Let's hope that 'The Melt' remains in the realms of fiction rather than reality. I look forward to reading Book 2.
	Six Book Review by Sally Hall Author: Karen Tayleur Publisher: black dog books One car. One after-party. Six people, six points of view. But only one outcome. The story begins and ends with a terrible car accident. Six people and only five seatbelts, a late night party and an inexperienced driver. How did it come to this and who will survive? Six takes us into the lives of six teenagers in their last year of high school. Relationships are changing as they grow toward adulthood and face the pressures of Year 12 and beyond. When the body of a young girl is discovered in the woods near their homes it affects them all very differently. Told primarily from Sarah's point of view the plot cleverly weaves its way around the six characters and their lives. I got so involved in their stories that I almost forgot about the car accident mentioned in the prologue until it appeared suddenly. Karen has produced a very clever, intriguing tale that will keep you hooked to the end.
	Gamers’ Quest Book review by Jesse, Age 16 Author: George Ivanoff Publisher: Ford St Tark and his friend Zyra are both thieves. It’s what they have to do to survive. Survival in their world is a daily challenge. As if having to thieve wasn’t enough, there is magic and illusion everywhere. They are always on guard, always aware that nothing is quite as it seems. There are rules for the likes of them, rules that preclude them ever becoming more than friends. Tark overcomes a dragon in his quest for riches, but inadvertently sets off a chain of events when he is challenged by the dragon’s wife. Simultaneously, Zyra upsets The Fat Man and the pair are in even more danger. All they really want is a chance to visit Designers Paradise for a short while, to experience a ‘normal’ life. Gamers'Quest Book review by Kerry Rae, Teacher Librarian, Lake Illawarra High School. The two main characters in this book are Tark, a male, and Zyra, a female. They are both aged 16 and their world revolves around stealing. They need to acquire enough gold to gain entry into Designers Paradise which is a much more desirable way of life. But if they get there will they be as happy as they had hoped or will all their efforts be in vain? This is a fantasy book and an adventure story and there is some violence but it isn’t too gruesome. The characters are likeable and this book should appeal to students that enjoy computer gaming. There is a lot of action and the reader is kept guessing the storyline right until the end. I feel that this book would be suitable for students in year 5, 6, 7 and 8. This book was names the Winner 2010 Chronos Speculative Fiction Award. Gamers' Quest is on the Year 7 & 8 booklist for both the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge and the Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge. For more information see these websites: http://www.gamersquestbook.com http://www.georgeivanoff.com.au
	Dare You Author: Sue Lawson Genre: Young Adult Fiction Publisher: black dog books Khaden, Sas and Ruby have been friends forever but as they get older things are changing.  Sas and Ruby are competing as teenage girls do and it’s causing a rift.  To top it off Khaden and Sas are developing feelings for each other.  Everything is turning on its head and the only thing keeping them together is their shared childhood. To escape their reality they begin a game of Dare, which starts with small, seemingly harmless challenges and escalates into terrifying dares with horrific consequences for the trio. Written in turn from the perspectives of Khaden, Sas and Ruby Dare You details the lives of three teenagers facing different but equally painful secrets they don’t even dare confess to each other. This contemporary story will appeal to both boys and girls.  Its short, sharp chapters reveal the plot in bite size pieces that keep you turning page after page desperate to see where the game will end. For more information see Sue’s website at www.suelawson.com.au.
	Boofheads Author: Mo Johnston Genre: Young Adult Fiction Publisher: Walker Books Boofheads reveals the lives best mates Ed, Casey and Tommo.  Typical teenage boys, they are into footy, chicks and parties but they are slowly finding they have less and less in common.  Casey is dealing with the breakup of his family, Ed is on the verge of a professional football career and Tommo has a secret job doling out advice for a women’s magazine.  Their lives are about to take very different directions but for now they just need to survive the weeks ahead.  Can friendship survive from childhood into adulthood or will it get destroyed in the process of finding out? Boofheads deals with multiple themes but they are prevalent and seem natural and seamless in the telling of the tale.  It is well written with the male perspective captured brilliantly.  It will appeal to not only teen boys but girls wanting to find out more about ‘secret men’s business’. For more information check out Mo’s website at www.mojohnson.com.au.
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