The Penalty - Mal Peet

Dug out by... Dave

This is the second Paul Faustino novel, Faustino being a South American sports journalist. He's supposed to be resting, but he gets drawn into the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a teenage football star, El Brujito.

The story takes us into a world of slavery and the occult, showing how the past can influence the present.

It has been long-listed for Carnegie 08.

Postbag - may contain spoilers

Dave ~ Having read the book, my feeling is that it won't make the short list this time. Like Tamar it deals with the undeniable link between us and our history, but there are no significant young characters in the story - El Brujito appears at the beginning and end, but in between it's mostly an adult story.

Sure Fire - Jack Higgins with Justin Richards

Dug out by... Dave

Tightly written with action coming thick and fast from the start. I liked the switching of viewpoint to show the various parties involved. It's a pacy read.

If you liked this, try...

Robert Muchamore's Cherub series, Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider books or the Young Bond books by Charlie Higson

Postbag - May Contain Spoilers

Dave ~ Actually, I didn't like it much in the end, despite noting down at one point that the tightly-written prose reminded me of Hemingway. It was just too much action for me. Relentless. But then, some readers will like that.

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Crusade - Elizabeth Laird

Dug out by... Dave


A historical novel with a thoroughly modern clash of civilisation going on. The viewpoint writing in this book is excellent with the two protagonists, Salim and Adam, showing themselves to be supremely likable whilst flawed by prejudice and misinformation.

There are great descriptions of people and places, thanks to excellent historical research. The camp at Marseilles and the city of Acre are vibrantly brought to life. This book has a timeless theme. It made the long list for the Doncaster Book Award 08 and has also been long-listed for Carnegie 08.

If you like it, try...

Oranges in No-Man's Land - Elizabeth Laird
Nathan Fox: Dangerous Times - L. Brittney

Postbag - Empty

Twin Freaks - Paul Magrs

Dug out by... Dave

Eunice and Helen are not quite making it on all the TV talent shows they audition for. They're an odd couple of sisters. Helen's not got the looks and Eunice is lacking a voice, but together they've got what it takes. So their mum's new boyfriend comes up with a ridiculous plan - to pretend to be Siamese twins.

It can't possibly work, can it?

Satirising one of our modern scourges, there's some funny stuff in this book. Long-listed for the Doncaster Book Award 08, voted for by children.

Postbag - Empty