New Books on the Block Term 3 2012

Jock Logan and the Sea Devil
Brent Leslie
Brentleslie1@gmail.com
RRP $18.50

A NZ Society of Authors choice for the Frankfurt Book Fair, the most feared German of World War One crosses paths with a 12 year old New Zealand boy, Jock Logan, in a seaborne adventure that will change Jock’s life.

Such was Count Felix von Luckner’s fearsome reputation, he paralysed Allied shipping in the Atlantic and earned for himself the grim alias, the Sea Devil. After capture in Fiji, he was interned on an island off Auckland, but with fellow Germans soon made his escape in a passing log scow. Jock is on that boat and finds himself caught up in events that are centred on the battlefields of France.

What happens when a boy who knows little of the world, is held prisoner by a man reputed to be a ruthless killer? The outcome is surprising.

“… a high standard of both writing and production…a cleverly woven blend of fact and fiction as a young boy’s tale of adventure; fun and easy to read” – Ashton Wylie Awards judges (2012).

Ratburger
David Walliams
Harper Collins
RRP $24.99

The newest book from the fastest-growing children’s author in the UK is touching, hilarious, and cements David Walliams’ position as the Roald Dahl for this generation

Ratburger introduces us to uber-villain, Burt, who will undoubtedly go down in children’s books history as the character all children love to hate. The new story tells the tale of little lonely Zoe and her ice- cream loving Dad. Zoe must rescue her newly adopted rat, Armitage, from the clutches of Burt but will she be successful?

This exciting adventure is packed full of zest, jeopardy and classic Walliams wit, and line illustrations by world renowned illustrator, Tony Ross.

The Edge of Nowhere
Elizabeth George
Hachette
RRP $24.99

The first novel in Elizabeth Georges young adult series. This novel combines Elizabeth’s flair for mystey and suspense with the paranormal.Becca King and her mother are on the run from her stepfather who has used Becca’s talent for hearing ‘whispers’ to make a large and illegal sum of money. On Whidbey Island, Becca finds refuge in the home of her mothers childhood friend while her mother continues on in search of safety. But on her first day in town Becca meetssixteen-year-old Derric, a Ugandan orphan adopted by the town’s Deputy Sheriff. Derric has a secret that no one on Whidbey Island knows. Derric and Becca form an un-severable bond and Becca is convinced that she’s the only person who can truly help him.Elizabeth George is the author of highly acclaimed novels of psychological suspense.

Secret Kingdom Series 1 -6
Rosie Banks
Hachette NZ
RRP $12.99

Enter a magical world of friendship and fun! The first book in the Secret Kingdom series introduces Ellie, Summer and Jasmine, who are the very best of friends. One day they find a magic box which whisks them away to a fantastical world! Can the friends help Trixi the pixie save King Merry’s 1000th birthday party from Queen Malice’s spiky thunderbolt

Secret Kingdom is a brand new series full of the things girls love most: special friendships, secrets and magical adventures. Newly confident readers will be swept away by the magical stories of three children whose courage and

resourcefulness save a fantastical land from disaster .

How to Seize a Dragon’s Jewel
How to Train Your Dragon # 10
Cressida Cowell
Hachette
RRP$19.99

A brand-new hilarious Hiccup adventure in the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ series. The story continues in the tenth volume of Hiccup’s memoirs. When we last left Hiccup things were getting very dark indeed. The Dragon Rebellion has begun. Snotlout is the new Chief of the Hooligan Tribe. Stoick has been banished and given the Slavemark. And Alvin the Treacherous has EIGHT of the King’s Lost Things, and has been proclaimed the new King of the Wilderwest. But what can Hiccup do, now all alone and in exile, hunted by both humans and dragons? Can he find th Dragon Jewel, mankind’s last and only hope? And if \he does, what will he do with it?