Fiction 6-8 Chapter Books

Swedish Writer and Illustrator

Rose Lagercrantz, illustrated by Eva Eriksson

When I am Happiest

Gecko Press 2015   $19.99pb 128pp

ISBN 978 1 9272 7189 6

Themes: Chapter Books/ Fathers and daughters/ Friendship/ School holidays/ Sequels/ Single parent families.

It is the second to last day before the long summer break and Dani is SO HAPPY. Everything is good and there is so much to look forward to. Then, the principal puts her head round the classroom door and asks Dani to come to her office. Dani’s father has fallen from his bike, been run over and is unconscious in the hospital. With lightening speed everything turns from Happy to Black Gloom. This is a simply written story told with a light touch and with  (like the other two in the series about Dani) a wide range of emotions - especially the power of friendship. The text is brought to life by charming and engaging illustrations.

Years 2-4/ Ages 6-8

Fiction - 6 years and up

(Here I am back in business as it were after an unbelievably complicated week of setting up a new computer. Of course it isn’t really set up properly yet as all my files need to be moved including the file for this Blog. Hopefully this won’t cause still more disruptions.  BM)

UK Writer and Illustrator

Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Nick Sharratt

The Butterfly Club

Penguin Random House 2015  $34.99pb 372pp

ISBN 978 0 8575 3318 0

Themes: Bullying/ School life/ Survival/ Triplets

Tina, who tells the story, is one of triplets but she is the small and rather sickly one of the group and doesn’t really look like her sisters. Now they have turned seven they have ‘graduated’ to Junior School and all the rough and tumble this entails – especially the attentions of the class bully. Tina, who has never been separated from her sisters, is seated next to the bully but with the establishment of an intriguing and colourful butterfly garden in the school grounds, The Bully turns into her Best Friend.  This is Jacqueline Wilson’s 101^st book and is (understandably as there are only so many plots to explore) the mixture as before.  However, Jacqueline Wilson’s worldwide fans will adore it and will read it to pieces. Note that it is, in spite of its length and size, intended for a younger audience.

Year 2 up/ Age 6 up