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Author: Anthony Eaton

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Petah Fishburn

This term Year 8 will be visiting the NSW State Library where they will listen to visiting author Anthony Eaton. He will be explaining to the students the many facits of being a writer, where he gets his inspiration and what hints he can share with them so that they can use to become better writers themselves.

Anthony was born in Papua New Guinea but mostly grew up in Western Austalia. When he finished university he worked as a literature and drama teacher at Trinity College, Perth. As he dabled as a writer during this time, it was the success of his first novel, The Darkness, that encouraged him to continue writing.

These are some of the books he has written:

Into White Silence  

Shortlisted, Book of the Year for Older Readers, Children’s Book Council of Australia 2009

 

The Darklands trilogy

 With the first book, Nightpeople, being recognised by Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Australian Children’s Book, 2006, Shortlisted – Aurealis Awards for Australian Speculative Fiction, Best Adult Fantasy, 2006, Best Young Adult Fantasy 2006

Book 2 – Skyfall           Book 3 – Daywards

 

 

Nathan Nuttboard Trilogy

Nathan Nuttboard Hits the Beach was the first book in this hilarious series was shortlisted in the Western Australian Premier’s Awards for Children’s Fiction 2003.

 

 

 

Nathan Nuttboard Family Matters won the West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award, Hoffman Award for most popular book by a W.A Author, 2007.

 

 

Nathan Nuttboard Upstaged won theChildren’s Book Council of Australia Notable Australian Children’s Book, 2009.

 

 

 

Fireshadow was awarded Honour Book, Book of the Year for Older Readers, Children’s Book Council of Australia 2007.

 

 

New Kind of Dreaming was awarded White Ravens International Catalogue of Notable Young Adult Books, 2002.

 

 

As this list shows Anthony Eaton writes to a varied range of readers…

Year 8 students may like to add their reflections of this writer following the day …

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Author Study: David Metzenthen

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Petah Fishburn

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Author of the Year 8 English Novel

“Boys of Blood and Bone.”

Author website :

http://www.scholastic.com.au/common/books/contributor_profile.asp?ContributorID=55

Posted in Resources, Year 8 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Great Book Swap

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Petah Fishburn

Imagine an Australia where all of our children are able to discover the page-turning delight of reading? An Australian where all of our children have access to books? An Australia where all of our children have sound literacy skills?

 This is an Australia that is within our reach. However, with over one third of 15 year old indigenous students without even basic literacy skills, it’s clear we have some way to go.

 Reading skills are critical for indigenous children to ensure thay are afforded equal access to the benefits of education. Literacy provides Indigenous children with a tool to enable and empower them, to realise their potential and to enhance the life choices available to them.

 To support the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, we will be participating in the Great Book Swap. Students are asked to bring pre loved books that are in good condition to the Library during BOOK WEEK… August 22 – 27. Our aim is to build a mountain of books in the Library.

 On Mission Day … August 31 … these books will be “swapped” for the price of a gold coin. All money raised in this event will  go to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

 All donations will be greatly appreciated.

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The Red Wind

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Petah Fishburn

By Isobelle Carmody

In this captivating first book, brothers Zluty and Bily live happily in their little house in the desert. Every year Zluty journeys to the great forest while Bily stays to tend their desert home. And every year Zluty returns with exciting tales of his adventures. But then a devastating red wind sweeps across the land destroying everything in its path. And each brother must fight for his survival. A magical new series for younger readers from the award-winning author of Little Fur.

PRC 5 – 6

Read the book then write a comment …

Posted in 2011 Australian Book of the Year nominations, New books, PRC Years 5 - 6 | Leave a comment

Toppling

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Petah Fishburn

by Sally Murphy

A moving and triumphant illustrated verse novel about childhood illness and support for friends. John is obsessed with dominoes. But not with playing the traditional game, he is obsessed with toppling.

 When John’s friend Dom falls sick and is diagnosed with cancer, it is John and his friend’s worlds that fall apart.

Can they face Dom and support him through this uncomfortable illness?

It’s hard for all at first but John and his friends find a way to comfort Dom and laugh with him again.

 They even find support and understanding from an unlikely source within their class, the school bully.

PRC 5 – 6

Read the book then write a comment …

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The Midnight Zoo

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Petah Fishburn

By Sonya Hartnett

Her muzzle wrinkled, and Andrej saw a glimpse of teeth and pale tongue. ‘They smell the same, ‘ the lioness murmured. ‘My cubs smelt as she does. Like pollen.’ She breathed deeply again, and Andrej saw the missing cubs returning to her on the wings of the baby’s perfume. ‘All young ones must come from the same place,’ she said: then sat down on her haunches, seemingly satisfied.

Under cover of darkness, two brothers cross a war-ravaged countryside carrying a secret bundle. One night they stumble across a deserted town reduced to smouldering ruins. But at the end of a blackened street they find a small green miracle: a zoo filled with animals in need of hope.

PRC 7 – 9

Read the book then write a comment …

Posted in PRC Year 7 - 9, Uncategorised | Leave a comment

Life of a Teenage Body-Snatcher

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Petah Fishburn

by Doug MacLeod

Thomas Timewell is sixteen and a gentleman. When he meets a body-snatcher called Plenitude, his whole life changes. He is pursued by cutthroats, a gypsy with a meat cleaver, and even the Grim Reaper. More disturbing still, Thomas has to spend an evening with the worst novelist in the world.
A very black comedy set in England in 1828, The Life of a Teenage Body-snatcher shows what terrible events can occur when you try to do the right thing. ‘Never a good idea,’ as Thomas’s mother would say.

 

Read the book then write a comment…

Posted in 2011 Australian Book of the Year nominations, New books, PRC Year 7 - 9 | Leave a comment

2011 Australian Book of the Year nominations

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Petah Fishburn

The following titles have been shortlisted by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) in the following categories. The winners will be announced the weekend prior to Book Week which is held 20 – 26 August, 2011.

Older Readers Category

The Piper’s Son         by Melina Marchetta

The Midnight Zoo     by Sonya Hartnett

Six Impossible Things     by Fiona Wood

Graffiti Moon       by Cath Crowley

About a Girl         by Joanne Horniman

The Life of a Teenager Body-Snatcher     by Doug MacLeod

Younger Reader Category

Henry Hoey Hobson      by  Christine Bongers

Just a Dog     by Michael Gerard Bauer

Violet Mackeral’s Brilliant Plot     by Ann Branford & Sarah Davis

The Red Wind     by  Isobelle Carmody

Duck For a Day     by Meg McKinley

Toppling     by Sally Murphy

Picture Book Category

Mirror     by Jeannie Baker

Why I Love Australia     by Bronwyn Bancroft

Hamlet       by Nikki Greenberg

Two Peas in a Pod     by Chris McKimmie

My Uncle’s Donkey      by Tohby Riddle

Family Forest     by Kim Kane

Early Childhood Category

Look see, Look at Me!     by Leonie Norrington

Aussie Nibbles: The Deep End     by Ursula Dubosarsky

Maudie and Bear     by  Jan Ormerod

Noni the Pony     by  Alison Lester

The Tall Man and the Tweleve babies     by  T.Champion & K. Niland

It’s Bedtime William!     by Deborah Niland

Information Book Category

The Return of the Word Spy     by Ursula Dubosarsky

Theme Parks, Playgrounds and Toys     by Nicolas Brasch

Drawn from the Heart: A Memoir     by Ron Brooks

Zero Hour: The Anzacs on the Western Front     by Leon Davidson

Wicked Warriors & Evil Emperors     by Alison Lloyd

Our World: Baardi Jaawi: Life at Ardiyooloon     by One Arm Point Remote Community School

COMMENT PLEASE:

Read these titles an nominate the book you believe should win!

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Author : Scott Westerfeld

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Petah Fishburn

With Year 8 studying Louis Lowry’s book “The Giver”, perhaps you would like to look at another writer of Dystopian societies. Scott Westerfeld is an American author who has written award winning science fiction books for young and older adults.

The Uglies series consists of 4 books based on a society where looks are everything …. not just for some but for everyone.

In the first book “Uglies” at the age of 16 teenagers undergo an operation that will change them into “pretties” – but it is not only their looks that are changed.

But Tally and Shay want something different …

The series continue with

book 2 … “Pretties”

book 3 … “Specials”

book 4 … “Extras”

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2011 Premier’s Reading Challenge Update

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Petah Fishburn

With the completion of exam week and winter vacation time just around the corner, now is the time to return to good reading routines.

Year 7 and 8 students in particular are encouraged to look for books on the Premier’s Reading Challenge Booklist.

Titles that are available from Oxley Library are listed in the Reading List section of OLIVER – students will be reminded of this over the next 2 weeks when they visit the Library.

It is essential that students record the titles they have read on the website below after login in. Other titles of interest can be found on the David Wright Library page on Oxley Learning .org. under “Good Reading.”

For more information please access the website below or contact Mrs Fishburn.

2011 Premier’s Reading Challenge

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