Kids into Books: Two Weeks with the Queen

Author: Morris Gleitzman

Illustrator: Nigel Buchanan

Publisher: Macmillan, $12.95

Age group: 8-10 years


Colin saw Mum and Dad swap a little glance that he wasn't meant to see.

they knew. they actually knew what he was busting for and they'd still given him shoes. Boy, wait till he had time to write that anonymous letter to the child welfare department.

Luke came over and held out the MiG in a skinny hand.

'Wanna go?'

Colin shook his head. that's all he needed, charity from an eight year old.

Luke's pale brow furrowed for a second, then he was away, inflicting serious artillery damage to an already battered cane chair.

A gust of scorching wind swept in from the Western Plains and made the plastic branches of the Christmas tree flap wildly. something in the kitchen started to bang.

'Col, shut that screen door, old mate,' said Dad.