Just for the kids

Armouron: Lying Eyes,
by O.B. McGann, Random House, $16.99
This book is an excellent quick read if you just want to sit down and relax. It has lots of adventure, humour and out-of-the-ordinary stunts.
Weird and wacky creatures and unimaginable machines are revealed descriptively. This is a book for all ages. I like that every character has a different personality - they have strengths in different areas. Oddball and Tealeaf can disarm any bomb and pick any lock. I recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure.

Amy Williams, age 11

Me and You

by Anthony Browne, Random House, $36.99
A familiar fairy tale is modernised with another version unfolding in smaller pictures on the opposite pages.
Adults will enjoy the deeper story while young kids enjoy the familiar story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
We loved how mum worked and was the brave one leading the way up the stairs to find the visitor.
Anthony Browne excels again in his illustrations. We always enjoy his picture books.
Jane Milne and Bella Milne
Spook's Nightmare
by Joseph Delaney with Illustrations by David Wyatt, Random House, $29.99
This book is the seventh and one of my favourites of the Wardstone Chronicles.
These books are the personal account of Thomas J. Ward's apprenticeship to the local Spook, Mr John Gregory.
Being a Spook apprentice is a hard, lonely, back-breaking and often terrifying job.
Especially defending the light from the ghosts, ghasts, witches and all manner of creatures from the darkest dreams. But someone has to do the job.
The old spook's powers are fading. The Darkness seems to be growing in strength. Enemies old and new are springing up on all sides. Will Tom be able to save the day this time when he carries his own terrible dark secret?
It's not necessary to read the previous books as the author has kindly given a character profile at the beginning of the book and the first two chapters cleverly outline the relevant story line while allowing the nightmare to unfold.
It keeps you turning the pages and guessing to the end. Totally gripping.

Zac Rowe, age 11
Armouron: The Armoured Ghost
by O.B. McGann, Random House, $16.99
This book is about the future, when earth is ruled by a power-seeking man called the Chairman. The only people who can stop him from lying to the citizens about his gladiators are the armouron knights, supposedly killed off by the armoured ghost. The main characters are: Rake, Snow, Oddball, Hoax, Tealeaf and the Chairman.
I found this book exciting with a good plot. I recommend it for ages 7 up.

Ricardo Mendes da Costa, age 12

Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex
by Eoin Colfer, Penguin, $28
This book is about a young mastermind called Artemis Fowl. He is currently in Iceland doing a deal with Holly Short, his commander. Next thing you know, Artemis Fowl is blabbering about princesses and dragons. Has Artemis finally gone mad? Find out.
I enjoyed this book because it had some really funny bits such as when he goes crazy. You'll enjoy it if you like action and fiction.
Jade Morris, age 12