Claude is back!

Do you remember Claude?

Of course you do! 

Hello, Claude!

Claude and his best friend Sir Bobblysock starred in 

and

and 

and we are very excited here at the Younger Sun because Claude and Sir Bobblysock have returned in

Hooray!!!

Join Claude and Sir Bobblysock on their day in the country. Together they visit the cake stall, dress the pigs for the Most Beautiful Pigs competition and herd the sheep. But what will happen when someone makes the cranky bull very angry?

Claude is back!

Remember Claude?

Well, look what we got!

Claude on Holiday, Alex T. Smith, Hodder

In this fabulous new adventure Claude and Sir Bobblysock are off to holiday at the beach. Claude makes sure to pack his tambourine and some underpants, a lampshade and some sticky tape.

At the beach the sun is bright and while Claude quite fancies a tan, he makes sure to wear sunscreen as sunburn would make him clash terribly with the wallpaper.

--clare&kate--

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Philip and Erin Stead, Allen and Unwin

Amos McGee has a routine. He wakes up to his clangy alarm, puts on his uniform, has his tea and oatmeal and hops on the 6 o'clock bus to the City Zoo.

There are plenty of things for Amos to do at the zoo, but he never neglects his friends. There are games of chess to be had with Elephant, races to be run with Tortoise and a quiet sit to be had with shy Penguin.

Until a terrible cold brings about some unexpected happenings.

This is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous and my favourite new picture book.

--clare--

Forever, Maggie Stiefvater

The Wolves of Mercy Falls: Forever, Maggie Steifvater (Scholastic)


Not only incredibly exciting, fast-paced and very romantic, The Wolves of Mercy Falls series have the most beautiful covers. You should own them in hardback because you will treasure them forever.

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other.

In Linger, they fought to be together.

Now, in Forever, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death closes in.

Now in stock at the Younger Sun.

Great New Picture Books!

Bugs in the Garden, Beatrice Alemagna (Phaidon)

We loved Bugs in a Blanket and know you all did too. Unbelievably cute fluffy, crafted wee bugs in blankets, all wonderfully presented in a sturdy hardback book, perfect for small hands that are beginning to be a bit gentler with their books (!) Now, in Bugs in the Garden the bugs have left the house and are playing in the garden. It's just as cute, and a little bit more energetic.


Some Dads, Nick Bland (Scholastic)

He's prolific. He's GREAT.

Some Dads is another fab book from Australia's own Nick Bland (author of The Very Cranky Bear and The Wrong Book). A whole bunch of little sons and daughters - all animals - interact with their dads in the most beautiful and hilarious ways.

And it rhymes.


Hattie and the Fox, Mem Fox and Patricia Mullins (Scholastic)

25th Anniversary Edition (in Board Book!)

We're big fans of the classics here at the Younger Sun and we're so happy to be able to stock Hattie and the Fox for you all, in a perfect-for-toddlers hardy board book, but still big enough to really enjoy the pictures. A lovely story about Hattie the chook who protects all her farm friends from the fox.

Nog arrives at the Younger Sun!

Nog and the Land of Noses, Bruce Whatley, Scholastic

Nog lives in the Land of Noses, where spectacular noses are the norm. There are noses that go up, some that go down, some that are curly and some that can be used to catch fish.

Sadly, Nog's nose does not do anything special.

Or does it...

Clara in Washington

The new book by Younger Sun-favourite author Penny Tangey (she wrote Loving Richard Feynman) is here!

Clara in Washington is a fabulous new Young Adult novel:

Washington D.C. is meant to be all glamour, politics and great conversations but what do you do when you don't have the words to join in? Or the knowledge to ride the subway? Or you're scared someone will mug you?

Joining her mother on a trip to Washington is Clara's end-of-school adventure and a chance to be someone else other than the studious geek she's always been. Although, starting an adventure is hard to do when you won't leave the house.

But Clara didn't count on meeting Campbell and his anarchist group and she didn't count on her new discoveries threatening to unravel all her plans.

Will she still be the same after Washington?

Review coming very soon!

Beauty Queens

What's that?

A book about a plane full of teenage beauty queens crashing on a deserted* island?

Is that you I hear in the background shrieking hurraaaaaah?

Oh wait, that's me.

Hurraaaaaah!

Now, I'm sure you all remember Libba Bray from the thoroughly excellent Going Bovine? Or perhaps from the Gemma Doyle series?

Even if you don't, I'm sure you are all very eager to absorb her latest offering, Beauty Queens. Not only is the cover entirely appealing,

(does anyone else also now want a sash like that?) the story is rawther fab also. And it is worth reading just for The Peacock and General Good Times.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was an easy, fun read, but also had an interesting social commentary lurking in the background. Recommended!

*Perhaps not entirely deserted. But I shall say no more here. Apart from that there are some REALLY BIG snakes. And they are a bit sparkly. AWESOME.

-clare-

Sequels

Two sequels have arrived in the shop this week. They both have really beautiful covers!

First off, Red Glove by Holly Black. The sequel to White Cat.

Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else.

That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does.

When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone—least of all, himself?

Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.

Then Passion, by Lauren Kate, the third book in the Fallen series.

Luce would die for Daniel. And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way...

Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime...going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel...and finally unlock the key to making their love last.

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history.

Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames...forever.

CON-NERD

At the Younger Sun, we love Oliver Phommavanh. His first book:

...was hilarious and fabulous. Lengy's parents own the local Thai restaurant but Lengy just wants to eat normal food. But when he starts year seven all his new mates think it's really cool that Lengy's Thai.

And now! Introducing:

IT'S ONE SMALL STEP FOR NERDS, ONE GIANT LEAP TO BEING COOL.

Mama tells me I'm gifted and talented. But I know the truth. I'm just a nerd.

Kids call me Con-nerd - half Connor and all nerd.

I'm supposed to become a doctor but i have this deep, dark secret: I want to be a cartoonist.

And all of a sudden my mega-cool comics are getting noticed at school - I might even get into a special art class . That would sure impress this girl I'm keen on . . . and it might just be my chance to show the world my true destiny.

But I'm not sure Mama will see it quite that way . . .

Little Sister Blog Tour

To celebrate the launch of her second novel for young adults - Little Sister - Aimee Said has departed on a Book Tour of some great blogs where she'll be chatting about her book over the course of this week. Check it out:

Monday: inkcrush
Tuesday: My Girl Friday
Wednesday: Literary Life
Thursday: In The Good Books
Friday: right here at The Younger Sun blog!

Little Sister:

There are just thirty-eight days until Al's smark, pretty, popular and perfect-in-every-way sister Larrie finishes Year Twelve.

Thiry-eight days until everyone at Whitlam High will stop seeing Al as Larrie's little sister and start appreciating the real Al Miller.

But when rumours about Larrie start spreading, Al discovers that having a sister everyone is talking about can be even worse than having one everybody loves.

We've read it now, and we love it. Al is funny and ever-so hard done by, desperate to shine like she's never shone before! Maybe even go out with the gorgeous Josh Turner... But when the rumour mill starts churning, people are gossiping about Larrie, Al has to work out what to believe and how to deal with it. You'll love it.

Then, on Saturday 14 May, Aimee will be at the Younger Sun (well, actually, over in the Sun Theatre) to have a bit of a party to celebrate. We'd love everyone to come along and join us!

RSVP on 9680 0661 or info@sunbookshop.com

May Madness!!

New Look -- Go Girl

We love the new-look Go Girl books!

and red galoshes

A girl. A boy.

A pair of red galoshes...

and a great big dollop

of imagination.

With such beautiful illustrations and gorgeous whimsical words you can't go past this new book from favourite author Glenda Millard - The Naming of Tishkin Silk, Isabella's Garden - and illustrator Jonathan Bentley - he did the pictures for that beautiful book Duck - did you love that as much as us?

Come in and have a little look. You won't be disappointed!

Cryer's Cross

Cryer's Cross, Lisa McMann (Harper Collins)

Kendall is pretty freaked out when Tiffany, a girl from her school goes missing. So are the rest of the townsfolk of sleepy Cryer's Cross, Montana (pop. 212- now 211). While the disappearance doesn't do Kendall's obsessive-compulsive disorder any favours, life must go on, and gradually things get back to normal. Until Kendall's best friend (he would say boyfriend) Nico disappears too.

Just what is going on in this tiny little town? Is it just Kendall's OCD talking, or is it more than a coincidence that both Tiffany and Nico were using the same old wooden school desk when they disappeared?

For those that feel like some absorbing creeeeeeepyness with their young adult romance.

--Clare--

Where She Went, Gayle Forman

Where She Went, Gayle Forman (Doubleday)

The sequel to Forman's 2009 fantabulous debut tear-jerker If I Stay.

We pick up the story three years after the car accident that killed Mia's family - and this one comes from Adam's point of view. His band has exploded onto the world stage, he lives in LA with a movie star girlfriend, smokes and pops pills to stay calm. He hasn't seen Mia in three years.

Then one night, alone in New York, he happens upon a concert by a young cello virtuoso. The very same Mia. The past is going to be explored, over one New York night (one of our favourite things to read about, here at the Younger Sun) as Adam has to confront his demons and try to understand why she left him.

A romantic, little bit heartbreaking story. Highly recommended 15+

--Kate--

Three Great New YA Releases

Dragonborn, Toby Forward (Walker Books)

In a world where magic has become wild, and evil is afoot, can the forces for good prevail?

When Flaxfield the great wizard dies, his apprentice Sam is left without a master. As the wizards gather for his Finishing, Sam does not know whom to trust and whom he should fear. He sets off alone with only his dragon Starback for company, little realizing the perils that lie in wait. This powerful opening book of the Flaxfield Quartet is an adventure story told with great lyricism and power.

Chasing Odysseus, S D Gentill (Pantera Press)

#1 IN THE HERO TRILOGY

1st book in the exciting new Hero adventure series for young adults. Four young heroes in a quest against myth, magic...and betrayal.

1 girl, 3 brothers... 4 daring young heroes...

Treachery, transformations and a deadly quest.

A thrilling adventure of ancient myth, monsters, gods, sorcerers, sirens, magic and many evils...the fall of Troy and a desperate chase across the seas in a magical ship...

Hero and her three brothers - Mac, Cad and Lycon go on this exciting and dangerous quest to prove their murdered father's honour, the betrayal by King Odysseus and the loyalty of their own people to the conquered city of Troy.

Triple Ripple: a fabulous fairytale, Brigid Lowry (Allen & Unwin)

The Writer begins with a sparkly good idea for a fabulous fairytale.

A girl called Glory is sent to work in the Royal Palace, where the queen is planning a grand ball and a bad-tempered princess is sorting through jewels and tiaras. And, unknown to Glory, the threads of her destiny are coming together.

Nova is reading the fairytale. Fairytales are not usually her thing, but right now she's feeling a bit messy and lost. Her best friend has gone away and bitchy Dylan is hassling her. Still, Nova is curious to find out why Glory's mother is scrabbling under the bed for an old magic book.

Can the Writer make everything turn out happily ever after? Will the princess find true love? Will Glory escape a secret curse? And can Nova smooth out the lumps and bumps in her life?

Meet Marshall Armstrong...

Marshall Armstrong is New to Our School, David Mackintosh

Marshall Armstrong looks different to me...

He has spotty arms.

He stole his glasses from another boy

and his laces are straight, not criss-crossed like mine.

His freckles look like bird seed on his nose.

He has lips like my tropical fish, Ninja.

But Marshall Armstrong is A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

The Unidentified

The Unidentified, Rae Mariz (Text)

Fifteen-year-old Katey, aka Kid, goes to school in the Game—a ‘school’ run by corporate sponsors. Social networking is as natural as breathing, your online profile is everything, and striving to get ahead in the popularity stakes involves a careful navigation that could go wrong at any turn.

The corporations watch the students to spot the next trend and the kids vie with each other to be noticed and sponsored by the corporations. Being ’branded’ means celebrity status, not to mention financial freedom.

But what kind of freedom is it when you’re always being watched? And how important is it to be the coolest and most popular kid when your identity is owned by a corporation?

When Kid witnesses a mock suicide staged by an anonymous group calling itself the Unidentified she begins to ask herself those questions.

The Unidentified is a book about identity, freedom and integrity, a book that will lead readers to discuss the power of marketing and the media, our desire to fit in and be popular, and the importance of making a stand for what you believe in.

We're all reading this one here at the Younger Sun. It's very, very interesting. We'll pop a review up on the blog soon, once we've thought about it a little more.

For now, here's the author, Rae Mariz, talking about her book...

New(ish) paranormal YA

The Iron Witch, Karen Mahoney

Freak.

That's what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic, which branded her hands and arms with iron tattoos. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the vicious wood elves - the darkest outcasts of Faerie - abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries-old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend - even if it means betraying everything her parents fought to protect.

I've only ventured a little way in to this, but so far so good. It's got family secrets, attractive boys and killer fairies.

Hold me closer, Necromancer, Lish McBride

Meet Sam, just your average guy rocking that fast food career.

Meet Douglas, not just your average guy but a powerful and violent necromancer who immediately recognises the threat Sam poses to his control of the Seattle paranormal scene.

Suddenly Sam's life takes a distinct turn for the weird. He has an undead friend on his hands, powers he's not sure how to use and a family history that's all news to him.

What's a grill cook to do? With the help of his new were-hound girlfriend, a bratty harbinger and a skill set he never knew he had, Sam battles it out to the bitter, crashing end.

Sherman Alexie's quote on the front sums it up perfectly; This is a SCARY funny book OR a FUNNY scary book. In either case, it is a GREAT book. I LOVE it.

Bleeding Violet, Dia Reeves

Love can be a dangerous thing….

Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna’s tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home.

But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she’s far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe.

This was weird. But fun. I liked it! For the fans of atmospheric paranormal stories with a comic twist.