Lowly’s Book Blog

Every now and then in my job I encounter a book that every person dealing with adolescents ought to read. And this is my most recent.

Avalon is 14. She has been raised in a country town in WA, but suddenly her parents find new jobs in the city and Avalon finds herself in a new school. This is scary enough for any 14 year old, but Avalon’s first day is a disaster. Within days she finds herself at the centre of a vicious cyberbullying campaign. She gradually begins to emerge, but then the focus turns to one of Avalon’s few friends, with tragic results.

Cyberbullying is the latest catch cry in education. I never thought much about it, assuming it to be the latest variation on classic schoolyard bullying. However, this book demonstrated to me that cyberbullying is even more invasive and destructive because the victim can never get away. Either the mobile phone, or the internet is always with adolescents today.

Reading this book made me think again about websites like myspace where young adults spend so much time. Do these sites encourage self expression or provide another whole dimension to peer pressure, thereby stifling any individuality.

I love it when a book presents a new idea.

Once again Black Dog Books has a winner. I really would like to meet their talent scout because again this is a book by a first time author. One of my personal guides to the quality of a book that I have read is how long the story line sticks with me. Since I read a book a day on average, a plot that sticks is important. And this book has it. Several time in the past few weeks I have reached to recommend it as ‘just the right thing’.

This book appears on the surface to be a true condemnation of private school education, especially boarding schools. However the situations that are found at this school can also be true of many workplaces or other communities that are found in our society.

David has been attending Hamilton College since year 7. He has learned the rules, don’t dob, keep your head down, say nothing to attract the attention of the bullies (teachers or senior students) and work on your rugby because that will give you an edge. Just before he is due to start year 11, his parents decide to move to the country and a new job. David begs to be allowed to board, and his parents relent. His new roommate is Simon, the son of a rugby great. But Simon is no rugby star, in fact he is the ideal victim. When the bullying begins, Simon looks to David for support and friendship, but 5 years of training by the school has taught David that interference is useless.

To say much more would be to spoil the story. And that would be a shame. Just accept my recommendation. This book will make you think about violence in our society, real and implied.

Every now and then you find a book that will keep you up half the night reading. This is my latest 1am turn the last page discovery. The scary thing is that you really only understand the subtlety in the writing on the second reading. And as yet I haven’t had the time to read it a second time.

Michael Terny is a troubled boy. He has been to seven schools in four years. His mother died when he was young and his father does his best. But Michael is overweight, bullied and incredibly lonely. This book is the story of Michael’s first week at school number 7. Sounds simple and straightforward but it isn’t.

Michael also believes he can lucid dream. He can control events from his dreams and even use them for out-of-body experiences. This almost supernatural ability empowers Michael as he struggles to deal with his daily existence.

Jonsberg is an English teacher in Australia’s far north. In all his writing he has successfully captured the voices of young adults today. Kiffo and Calma have become well known characters to many of today’s upper secondary students. But Dreamrider is different. It is a much stronger text and a more powerful, even frightening setting. The surprise ending is delivered with a punch, and then the reader realises that the hints were there all the way through the story. Certainly I for one was too caught up in the moving plot to stop and recognise the clues.