Thursday 29 October 2015

The Nest

The Nest
The Nest
By Kenneth Oppel



Steve is a boy with deep anxiety, obsessive tendencies and nightmares.  His very caring parents have tried to help him cope.  But when they arrive home with Steve’s new baby brother, Theo, their attention becomes focused on the baby.  Theo has many medical problems and may not survive. 
  

In the face of this new family reality, Steve begins to delve into a fantasy world that sustains him… at first.  He dreams of an angel, who promises that she can heal Theo and make everything better.  The angel soon reveals herself as a wasp with a hive of helpers, much like the large wasp nest on the side of Steve’s house.  

Now the story becomes more sinister and the line between fantasy and reality becomes blurred.  The wasp has convinced Steve that she can help Theo, but only if Steve will help her.  After he agrees, he discovers the wasp’s real plan.  Can he stand up to this creature and do the right thing?

The Nest asks readers to consider the idea of human perfection.  Is it achievable?  Is it desirable?  Or can we be lovable and “good enough” just the way we are?

The book can be quite frightening at times and is not for every child.  Those who enjoy some suspense will be pleasantly surprised.

Wednesday 21 October 2015

Fuzzy Mud

Fuzzy Mud
Fuzzy Mud
By Louis Sachar


Tamaya attends Woodridge Academy, an exclusive private school.  She’s a good student, has good behaviour, and would never do anything to break the rules.  Tamaya has been walking to school with Marshall for several years, and both can be counted on to come straight home.

But when Chad Hilligas starts bullying Marshall, life for Tamaya is disrupted.  To avoid a fight with Chad, Marshall takes a new route home: through the woods.  Everyone knows the woods are off limits to students but Marshall is desperate.  Tamaya, having promised to stick with Marshall, enters the woods too.

The woods are more than they seem.  Tamaya notices that all the mud puddles are coated in fuzz.  She tries to be cautious around the fuzzy mud but when Chad turns up in the woods wanting to hurt both her and Marshall, she ends up in one of the puddles.  But Chad is in worse trouble: he gets completely coated in fuzzy mud.  Tamaya and Marshall escape Chad, but Chad does not go home that night and soon the school and the police are searching for him.  All of this eventually leads an investigation by the U.S. senate.

Touching on the subjects of bullying, standing up for yourself, helping those who are in trouble, and even pollution and environmental protection, Fuzzy Mud is a real page turner.  If you liked Holes, you’ll love Fuzzy Mud!