Great new mystery series recommended by a teen reader

Gilgandra Library is fortunate to have some great teenage customers, and some of these keen readers have been helping us out by writing some terrific book reviews for us. Here is our latest review, prepared by Catherine, in which she reviews a book she has particularly enjoyed.

Private ~ Kate Brian

Private, written by the ever capable Kate Brian, tells the story of fifteen year old girl Reed Brennan who finds herself in one of the most prestigious schools in the country, after winning a scholarship away from her dreary life in Pennsylvania. But the instant she steps on campus, she is choked with realization that she is way out of her depth. Everyone here is prominent with intelligence, sophistication not to mention rolling in money like a casino.

And when she thinks she has no chance of fitting in, she meets the Billings Girls.

They are beyond the most gorgeous, modernized and intellectual women Reed has ever laid eyes on and she is determined to become one of them. Their superiority radiates around campus like an atomic bomb, and everyone treats them like goddesses instead of students.

And then there’s Thomas. The handsome taunting unfathomable Thomas Pearson has Reed wrapped around his finger, and she knows it. Can she manage to become a Billings girl, at the same time juggle every aspect of her life without losing herself?

The Private series has been written with flair and the unexpected twists as well as inexplicable personalities leave you in the dark wanting more action. My recommendation to anyone who loves a good high school drama/mystery is read Private. Because you will never believe what happens next…

Read more on the Private Series website.

"North Child"- book review by a teen reader

“North Child” by Edith Pattou follows the life of an ordinary girl call Rose, who was born into a family with a superstitious mother, thus being called Ebba Rose after the East point of the compass. The story recounts Rose’s life growing up, with Rose being an adventurous child who only sat still to do weaving and sewing. As time goes on, her family becomes poorer and one of Rose’s sisters falls ill. So when an enormous white bear shows up on their doorstep promising an improvement in the family’s fortune and her sister’s health, Rose agrees to go with the bear, who takes her to a castle buried in the side of a mountain. Life is good for Rose, who except for suffering from home sickness, is well looked after. Like most other fairy tales, this one also contains a curse to overcome, so when Rose makes a mistake, will she be able to break the curse and win her prince? Based on the Norwegian tale “East of the Sun and West of the Moon” this tales also loosely relates to the story of “Beauty and the Beast”, and will leave you wanting more.