The Sequin Star by Belinda Murrell

Over the last few years I have enjoyed discovering Australian writers and one who has captured my attention is Belinda Murrell. She has written a number of brilliant junior fiction novels mainly for girls where she combines historical events in ways that capture the imagination and make learning Australian history fun. Not growing up in Australia or learning Australian history at school I have discovered so much from her books. Murrell has also written a children’s fantasy series that I’m enjoying at the moment.

The Sequin Star

by Belinda Murrell

The Sequin Star is a fun timeslip novel about a modern day teenager experiencing life in the 1930s. The Depression years in Australia were anything but amusing and yet there were those who tried to alleviate the struggle at least for a short time.

In the present day Claire is struggling with her life; her parents are strict and she isn’t sure that she wants to continue with her ballet lessons. Maybe it would be more exciting to hang out with her friends. Claire finds a mysterious star brooch amongst her wealthy grandmother’s possessions and wonders why she keeps such a tattered, obviously fake and cheap piece when most of the jewels she owns are exquisite gemstones.

The brooch transports Claire to 1932 where she meets a troop of circus performers. The mysterious Princess Rosina of Romani and cheerful Jem take her under their wing and introduce her to a menagerie of circus animals. They also meet sophisticated Kit, son of a wealthy businessman.  

Claire witnesses the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. She celebrates famous Australian racehorse Phar Lap winning the world’s richest horse race. And sees first had the difficulties of life during the depression when tens of thousands lost their jobs. Families were evicted from their homes and forced to live in shantytowns.

Claire’s life in the 1930s is complicated enough with the uncertainty of whether she will ever get home but the mystery deepens as she begins to wonder if she has a far greater connection to Princess Rosina and Kit than just friendship. The chance to perform in the ring under the big top, a kidnapping and a circus fire all add to the exciting adventures Claire has with her friends.

The book is so entertaining and packed with interesting historical facts that bring the past to life. The book is perfect for kids aged 9-13.

Have fun reading!

Binny Keeps a Secret by Hilary McKay

What can I say about Hilary McKay? She writes beautiful books that are so funny and tender hearted. I was first introduced to Hilary McKay novels while I was doing a writer’s course and I’ve tried to get my hands on as many as possible. The Casson Family series is beautiful and I highly recommend it. 

In this post, I’m going to talk about another McKay novel that I found so hard to put down once I started it.

Binny Keeps a Secret by Hilary McKay 

Binny has a problem, she sees things that no one else does, particularly things that get her into trouble.  

Binny’s family have just moved to a new town. Binny is stuck in the middle. She bares little resemblance to her lovely mother, beautiful older sister Clem and younger brother James, who is so gorgeous he has to tell people not to kiss him as soon as they says hello.

Flung into a new town, new home and new school Binny is awkward and shy. She puts her foot in her mouth so many times that after the first day of school everybody hates her and she’s resolved that homeschooling is the only option.

When a freak storm blows the roof off their new house Binny’s family moves into an old family estate. Binny discovers a secret. A secret that she has too keep or else it might just disappear.

One hundred years before Binny is even thought of live Rupert, Peter and Clarry. Every summer holiday the cousins converge on their grandparent’s cottage. One year they decide to make a natural history museum. Rupert is fast growing up and wanting to do anything but be at school, Peter thinks he will die if he is sent to board school and Clarry just wishes everything would stay as it is.

The past and present converge as events from 1913 affect the present.

Hilary McKay is a brilliant writer. She does such an incredible job of portraying family life in a hilariously poignant way.

This book is great for 9-13 year olds as well as adults who love a good children’s book.

Happy reading!

Read, Read, Read

I have been told that one of the best ways to become a good writer is to read and read and read and
read. Well, anyone who knows me knows that I love reading!

So, I’ve decided to share some of the beautiful books that I have been reading. Hopefully it will be a benefit to someone who might be looking for good books to read and also to help me with my writing.

The first thing you’ll notice about my reading list is that most of them are children’s books. Probably, the most obvious reason for this is because I write children’s books. I also know children’s books can be brilliant.

Madeline L’Engle, who wrote ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ said, “If the book is too difficult for grown-ups then you write it for children.”

Of course, not all children’s books are worth reading or writing about but I hope to share some of the books that are, in my little and very biased opinion, gems.

I’ll start with a book that I randomly picked up at the library and absolutely loved.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

 

The Penderwicks are lost, they are on their way to a new holiday destination and their beloved dog, Hound has eaten the map.
This beautiful novel about the adventures of four sisters one summer holiday will have you nestling down and getting lost in their world.
The Penderwick girls are as different to each other as the four seasons. Rosalind, the eldest feels it is her duty to care for everyone in the family, particularly her four-year old sister Batty. Batty was born a couple of days before the girl’s mother died of cancer and Rosalind was given special care of her baby sister. Sky, who comes after Rosalind has her head entirely in the mathematical cloud that surrounds her. Jane can think about only one thing, the story she’s writing. As different as the girls are, their loyalty to their family comes first.
When they have to change their holiday plans at the last minute the family sets off to a little holiday cottage in the mountains. What they find there is a grand mansion with sprawling gardens, runaway rabbits, grumpy bulls and a boy whose life they help change forever. Now if they can only steer clear of Mrs Tifton and rescue poor Jeffery, the summer will be perfect.
The Penderwicks is a hilarious, gentle, heart-lifting story. It will delight readers from ages 8-12 and adults. If you love it, you’ll be thrilled to know that it’s the first in a series of five.