Ruby Redfort, Take your last breath.

Hi, it's me. Scarlett, after months you have probably forgotten me. But now I am back, with more books than ever to tell you about. 

Yesterday I went to my dad's work and I had heaps of time to read. I read this book called Ruby Redfort, Take Your Last Breath. This book is the 2nd book in the Ruby Redfort series by Lauren Child. Lauren Child is famous for her Clarence Bean books as well.

Now I will tell you about the book:

Ruby Redfort has been in Spectrum for 6 weeks. If you had asked Ruby what Spectrum was 6 weeks ago she would have had no clue.

Spectrum is a secret agencey, Spectrum tries to prevent bad things happening and every time something goes wrong that something is harder to stop than the something before it. It gets harder every time.

Follow Ruby in her adventures and meet lots of odd and mysterious characters along the way. For example: LB (the head of Spectrum), Buzz (the telephone lady), Hitch (the undercover butler), The Sea Whisperer (for you to discover), Keoka (the Spectrum swimming agent), Clancy (Ruby's best friend) and Francesco Fornetti (not so crazy after all!).

I hope you get a chance to read Ruby Redfort for yourselves!

Have fun reading. And always remember to have a book up your sleeve. You never know when you may need it. 

The Old Seafarers' Legend

They say it can lure a child to a watery grave, that it can strangle the breath from the strongest man. Some say it can persuade a stranger to tell his deepest, darkest secret.

Jumping for Joy - a short story

Hi, Scarlett here. As you know I have been blogging about books but today I wanted to try something different.
I though I would share a short story that I wrote. This story is dedicated to my Auntie Libby. It is called Jumping for Joy. I hope you enjoy it :)

Jumping for Joy!

By Scarlett Weston-Cole

What if…

“Isabel!!!” snapped the teacher. “Are you daydreaming again?”

“What, no,” I replied. “Well then,” said Ms Carlic “Where were King Arthur and his knights sitting?” “At a…” I stammered “A um… table!” “What type of table?” asked Ms Carlic. “A normal table.” I said. I muttered “obviously” under my breath and then waited for Ms Carlic to say I was a good listener and that I was not a daydreamer. Even though I am. “Well” started Ms Carlic. I was waiting for her to apologise for saying I was a daydreamer but instead she said, “Now Isabel we all have proof that you are a daydreamer!!!” What, this was not the plan. What had I said wrong? “Pearlie?” asked Ms Carlic “Can you please tell us the right answer?” Pearlie was the teacher’s pet. She was Ms Carlic’s favourite student. She was really mean behind the teachers back. Most mean girls are like that. “A round table.” Said Pearlie. And of course she was right.

What if…

“Isabel, I really do hope you were not daydreaming just then!” said Ms Carlic. “No I wasn’t” I replied. “Ok then, here is your homework,” said Ms Carlic. I looked on my desk, what I could see was a thick stack of papers. “Uh huh.” I said and looked over at Pearlie Smith. She didn’t have any homework, then I looked at everyone else neither did they, why was I the only one with homework. “This should prove to you that being a daydreamer is the most horrible habits. I would like you to complete this, and if you have any problems you can ask Pearlie for help,” said Ms Carlic and then she said (to everyone) “Class dismissed.”

I hated school. It was the worst thing for me at the moment.

I have an amazing idea… (but before that I have to tell you one of my secrets. And you have to keep SHHHHH!) I have amazing ideas all the time. (Which is good.) Except that my amazing ideas tend to get me into a bit of trouble. (Which on the other hand isn’t so good.)

When I got home I ran up to dad. “Daddy.” I asked “I hate school can we move away.” “Yes, I think we should.,” said Dad. “I have had some problems of my own.” “What?” I said “what do you mean?”  “It doesn’t matter to you.” said dad. “When do we leave?” I asked dad. “I guess in a few days.” said dad.

Did that just happen? I am so happy right now! One of my amazing ideas actually worked. This is crazy. Goodbye Pearlie Smith and Ms Carlic and goodbye Windor Middle School! At the back of my mind something was tugging on a little string, it was something against going to live far away. Whatever it was it was strong and soon I felt very unsure about the whole thing.

That night I tossed and turned and at 11.34 I had the answer, mum and Sarah. They lived 3 blocks up. Mum and Dad had had a fight when Sarah and I were little and then one-day mum moved out and she took Sarah with her. If I wanted to leave then I wouldn’t be able to see mum and Sarah again. And twins are unsplitable; everyone knows that, even if they did live 3 blocks apart. I needed to tell dad. Before he got his mind set on it. Because when that happens nothing can stop dad! But, 12.02 was definitely not an appropriate time to tell dad my worries.

“Ring, ring, ring, ring!!!” ringed my alarm clock, “tweet, tweet, tweet.” chirped the birds. “Plop, plop, plop.” went the tap in the bathroom and “clunk, clunk, clunk went dads feet on the floorboards, then… “Bring, bring, bring.” went the phone. For one to wake up to this much noise, you probably think, how could you survive?  But I am here to say, that it’s easy to survive. Its normal, it wouldn’t be normal if this didn’t happen. Then a cog turned in my mind and I remembered what I had to do. Well here goes, I thought and I open the door to the kitchen.

“Hey, dad.” I said, “I have something to say to you.” “Ok honey, go ahead.” replied dad his head still in the morning newspaper. “Well you know how we were going to move away” I started but I never got to finish. “I too have something to say to you,” interrupted dad, “We won’t be moving away.”  What!!! I thought. “Well at least we wont be moving away alone.” said dad. What did this mean? my head was spinning, “I have a little surprise for you” he said and then the door opened and there was mum and Sarah. “We are moving to Paris with your mother and sister.” exclaimed dad happily.

Yay, now I am jumping for joy. Because maybe if you dream a dream that you wont let go of, it just might come true.

Anne of Green Gables

Hi, Scarlett here.

Have you ever been in a bookclub? My mum made up a mothers and daughters reading club and the first book we read was Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery is a very well known classic. 

My mum read this book when she was little and she still loves it now so it is really for girls all ages.

L.M. Montgomery illustrates the life of an orphan girl who has a wild imagination and when she comes to Aveonlea to live with Marilla and Matthew she spreads her imagination all over the little town.

Join Anne on her adventures and if you love it you can read the next 11 books about Anne.

When you read this book you will fall in love with red haired Anne and relate to her in so many ways like I have.

From your trusty blogger,

Scarlett

Clarence Bean: Spell Trouble

Hi, Scarlett here.

I would like to tell you about my most recent read, Clarence Bean: Spells Trouble by a very well known children's writer Lauran Child.

This book is very funny, from The Sound Of Music to Grafity on the school wall, you never know what is coming next.

Imagine if everywhere you turned and everything you did was always causing trouble. Well that's Clarence Bean for you!

Clarence Bean: Spells Trouble is one out of three fantastic reads the other two being Clarence Bean: Utterly Me and Clarence Bean : Dont Look Now.

This book is exceptionaly good for children 7-12 and even older too.

This book is unputdownable, meaning when you read it you cannot put it down. ( and also you don't want to) 

Hopefully you don't get into trouble all the time like Clarence Bean.

Thankfully I don't get into trouble that often, but sometimes I like to think of cheeky things to do, I guess this is why I really loved this book. As I sort'ove get to live vicariously through Clarence Bean.

See you next time.

Scarlett.

  

H2O: No Ordinary Girl

 Hi, it's Scarlett. Sorry I haven't posted a blog for a while. I have been reading loads of books. One I have most recently read is H2O: No Ordinary Girl. This book is the first of a thrilling series called H2O. When an accident boat trip to Mako Island sends Cleo, Rikki and Emma into spiralling events which causes all 3 to turn into mermaids, they find out hiding this mermaid business isn't as easy as expected. What if they are taken away to be studied and they become lab rats? 

Can you imagine if you or I just became a mermaid, it would be so exciting and so scary all at once.

This book is a great read for girls from 8-14 and when you start reading you can't put it down! Have you ever felt excluded, forgotten or left out? Well I can't say I really have but imagine what it would be like for these girls now they can't go near water.

But one things for sure this isn't all bad, if you could control water and swim with dolphins you would be pretty happy. Wouldn't you?

If you ever feel like a fun, soothing tale then No Ordinary Girl will do exceptionally well.

From your trusty blog writer Scarlett.

Stay where you are and then leave.

Hi, Scarlett here.

I have just read a fantastic but saddening story.

It is called Stay Where You Are And Then Leave by John Boyne, a well known author who also wrote The Boy In Striped Pyjamas and Noah Barly Water Runs Away.

If you enjoy sad story's with quite happy endings, Stay where you are and then leave is a great book for you.

Based on a war time story. Young Alfie didn't know the truth until he became a shoeshine boy and when shell shock hits lots of soilders Alife knows something is not at all right with his dad and his best friend Joe.

When a 9 year old boy can do so much to help his mum and dad it helps them to see that Alife is capable and old enough to do much more than they thought he could.

 

When Alfie does something no 9 year old would ever do he realises that he can do anything if he try's to.

A great book that is sure to pull on your heart strings and maybe even make you cry.

From your trusty blog writer, Scarlett.

Alice in Wonderland

Hi, Scarlett here!

When I was a little girl I used to love watching this movie called Alice In Wonderland a well known classic. I felt like reading something a little bit different to what I usually read so I decided to read Alice In Wonderland. As you probably know this book is by Lewis Carrol.

If you have not read the book before I will tell you a bit about it: When Alice follows a mysterious out of place white rabbit down his burrow her adventures begin. While playing croquet with the queen, listening to a Mock Turtles rather sad story and having tea with rather mad people (and animals) Alice never knows what will happen next if she will be sentenced with "chop off her head" by the queen or grow so big she will burst a roof and make a lake of tears just by sobbing.

Join Alice in an adventure through Wonderland and be intrigued by what will come next. This classic book is a joy to read.

 

Remember you can always count on Alice's adventures to be exciting!!

Love your trusty blog writer Scarlett. 

Anastasia

Wow I have just read another awesome book called Anastasia. It is about a grand duchess of Russia who is named Anastasia. While reading this book I learnt all about Anastasia's life and her thoughts on her life. Anastasia is the second youngest child in her wealthy family. Her father is the Tsar of Russia and her mother is also a grand duchess. She lives in happiness with her three older sisters and one younger brother. Her day to day life is a little different to mine she spends lots of her time on holidays and she learns by having tutors come to her palace to teach her. But she does do some things a bit like me, she reads and does gardening. She enjoys her good but privileged life until one day something doesn't go to plan. A war has broken out and her father is forced to leave home and fight to save his country. While battling for Russia some terrible things happen. Will Anastasia's father have to give up his place on the throne to survive? And will Anastasia's life be changed forever.

I am glad I live in this time not a few centuries ago as I don't think I would have enjoyed living with Anastasia.

The book has a very sad ending but it is still great to learn about this history even if it is a little sad.

It is from a great series called My Royal Story and another series like that called My Story.

The series is by all different authors Anastasia was by Carolyn Meyer. 

If you ever feel like a well written book with a tint of sadness then Anastasia is just the book for you!

Love you trusty blog writer Scarlett.

Escape From Cockatoo Island

Hi, it's me again, Scarlett.

Have you ever heard of a place called Cockatoo Island? It is an island in Sydney Harbour.
 Cockatoo Island used to be a boarding school for orphan girls, it isn't any more though. 
You can camp on Cockatoo Island and there is a festival you can go to called the Cockatoo Island Film Festival.

I recently read a book called Escape From Cockatoo Island by Yvette Poshoglian. I wasn't sure that I would really like the book. So I put off reading it for a little while... But when I started, the excitement of adventure kept me turning the pages.

In this story there is an orphan named Olivia who dreams of having a home of her very own. While she is at Cockatoo Island she improves her reading writing and sewing. But when parent after parent come and go and take more lucky girls with them Olivia wonders if anyone will ever want her.

While at Cockatoo Island Olivia meets lots of new friends, the one she admirers most is a runaway boy who manages to escape with her help. Olivia begins to raise her hopes, but when day after day pass with no news of any parents she loses faith again.

Will Olivia ever escape from Cockatoo Island???

I thought I would find it hard to relate to Olivia because I am not an orphan and the story takes place in 1879, amazingly Olivia is such an interesting character that I connected with her immediately. This book is great.

This thrilling story is from a series of books called My Australian Stories. And remember historical stories are just as good as your favourite fiction books.

Just Peachy By Jean Ure

Hi, its me again

Sorry its been a while, I recently changed schools. Have you ever changed schools? If you have you will know what I mean when I tell you its a big decision. As I was making the decision to changed schools I had to think of the travel and leave my friends. Would my new school offer me opportunities to be myself?, would I make new friends? would i like my teachers?

Now I am at my new school and I am really enjoying it, I already have heaps of new friends and yes the teachers are nice. This reminds me of a book I recently read called Just Peachy by Jean Ure. The main character Peaches McBride is the quietest member of her very loud family, when she speaks up everyone stops to listen. Peaches is very shy and quiet. She is struggling at her current school because
she is being over shadowed by her siblings, she doesn't fit in and she doesn't like the acting and singing classes. Peaches desperately wants to go to a new school where no one knows who she is or who her family is. She is hoping to find a life of her own. Peaches is a character full of hope she really wants to find her own path in life away from everything she has ever known. Her Grandma is her confidant, the only person she can trust with her hearts secrets.

I don't personally relate to Peaches because I fit in really well in my family, I am loud and whatever school I have been at I have never felt lonely for long. Even when I have been a bit lost and scared I managed to fit in to the school environment. Even though I don't really relate to Peaches it doesn't mean I don't like her, I love her and I love the book.

I guess the next thing to ask is, will Peaches get to go to a new school like she has always hoped she would? Peaches journey makes her realise that sometimes the most unlikely friends can be the best friends and that dreams come in all shapes and sizes. If you want a fun enjoyable read go to your local bookshop or library and borrow Just Peachy, by Jean Ure, I can assure you if you love fun crazy books you will love it... see you next time

Hating Alison Ashley

Hi it's me again Scarlett, 

Have you ever been in a bookshop and seen a book that had a terrible front cover and you thought I don't want to read that? Then your best friend comes up to you and says that is such a good book. Then you look through the front cover and find it's an excellent book. That is a bit like the book I have recently read call Hating Alison Ashley by Robin Klein, it's about two girls at school and one of them  hates the other one because she's popular, lives in a big house and is rich. But then Erica looks through Alison's front cover and sees tha Alison is actually kind. In this book you learn that being popular isn't the most important thing, popularity should never come before true friendship. It's also a very funny book in some parts like when they go on school camp and have drama night... But you will have to read it to find out why! There are some big lies but they are forgiven in the end. So if you ever need a book to read borrow Hating Alison Ashley from your local library and remember never judge a person or a book by their cover. Bye for now I am off to read another book.

The Cupcake Diaries

Hi Its me again Scarlett, I have been busily reading a mountain of books and I'm here to tell you about one of the books I have recently read. It is called Mia's Baker's Dozen. It is from a Series of yummy books called the Cupcake Diaries by Coco Simon I really enjoyed reading it. I had never heard of Coco Simon before but it looked good so I borrowed it from my local library.

It turned out to be really great. If you have not read Mia's Baker's Dozen I will tell you a little about it:

Mia and her friends Emma Katie and Alexis formed a club(The Cupcake Club). After raising the most money at a fundraiser they start a business. They get asked to bake cupcakes and get paid for it- great.

But after Alexis discovers they are not actually doing very much business with there cupcakes anymore Mia finds a way to sort things out. It's not just all about cupcakes, there are some not so secret secrets too. They are just ordinary girls living in an ordinary world so I find it very easy to relate to them and I think you will too. It reminds me of a time when I had a cupcake stall with some friends, we were raising money for TEAR, have you ever had a stall? It's also about friendship and learning how sometimes trusting others leads to success.

Anyone who loves fun exciting stories, cupcakes and friendship will love Mia's Baker's Dozen.

Pocket Garden

'A book is a present you can open over and over again' this was a verse I read at my local library and I really liked it.

'A book is like a garden carried in the pocket' Chinese Proverb

Hi, I am Scarlett and I absolutely love to read, my life is a paper back life, everywhere I go I take a book, there is nothing better than loosing yourself in someone else's story. I am 9 years old I love to share my love of books with friends, write stories cartwheel, climb trees and draw.  I live in the beautiful Blue Mountains along with my favourite author Emily Rodda.

Emily Rodda is my favourite author because her books are so intriguing, my favourite series is ..... Deltora Quest... have you read them? We'll if you haven't let me tell you about them, 

It's a series about two boys who set off on a quest to find gems so they can restore them to the belt of Deltora. In the forest of silence ( the 1st book. ) they meet a girl who joins them on the quest. On their journey they meet strange and horrifying creatures some of them are more evil than others, they are almost like the keepers of the gems, making it hard for the girl and boys to get the gems. The adventure is full of danger and fun, it very scary and exciting. If you haven't read them, I really think you should....

Well this is my first ever blog, I hope you enjoy my reviews, story's and other stuff, I am looking forward to sharing my paperback life with you. :)