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Artemis Fowl’s criminal ways have finally got the better of him

Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex
Author: Eoin Colfer

Young Artemis has frequently used high-tech fairy magic to mastermind the most devious criminal activity of the new century. Now, at a conference in Iceland, Artemis has gathered the fairies to present his latest idea to save the world from global warming. But Artemis is behaving strangely – he seems different. Something terrible has happened to him . . .

Artemis Fowl has become nice.

The fairies diagnose Atlantis Complex – that's obsessive compulsive disorder to you and me – dabbling in magic has damaged his mind. Fairy ally Captain Holly Short doesn't know what to do. Because the subterranean volcanoes are under attack from vicious robots and Artemis cannot fight them. Can Holly get the real Artemis back before the robot probes destroy every human and life form.

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Lockie Leonard returns (in Oz)

Nine’s award-winning children’s series, Lockie Leonard, finally returns with 26 new episodes next week.
Based on the books of Tim Winton, it first aired in 2007. It won the 2008 Logie Award for Best Children’s Series, and the AFI Award for Best Children’s Drama Series. Star Sean Keenan (Lockie) was also nominated for the Graham Kennedy Award For Most Outstanding New Talent.

More details >>>

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Young Australian to play Judy Moody

Twelve-year-old Australian actress Jordana Beatty has snagged the title role in family movie Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer based on the popular children's book series. Read more ...

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Rick Riordan’s latest

The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid

Rick Riordan

Carter and Sadie have nothing in common but their parents: their father Dr. Julius Kane, a brilliant Egyptologist, and their mother, a famed archaeologist who died under mysterious circumstances when they were young. The siblings barely know each other, but one night, their father brings them together at the British Museum, promising a 'research experiment' that will set things right for their family. His plans go horribly wrong. An explosion unleashes an ancient evil - the Egyptian god Set who banishes Dr. Kane to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives. Now orphaned, Carter and Sadie must embark on a dangerous quest - from Cairo to Paris to the American Southwest, to save their father and stop Set from destroying everything they care about...

http://bit.ly/cdYyhF

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Why Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is my favourite read

from Alison Croft

I love Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling for many reasons. There are a lot of little things that add up to make it a fantastic book but I’ll pick three big reasons.

Find out ALison's three reasons

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Books into Movies – Tomorrow when the war began

Tomorrow, When the War Began (The Tomorrow Series #1)
by John Marsden

Australian teenager Ellie and six of her friends return from a winter break camping trip to find their homes burned or deserted, their families imprisoned, and their country occupied by a foreign military force in league with a band of disaffected Australians. As their shock wears off, the seven decide they must stick together if they are to survive. After a life-threatening skirmish with the occupiers, the teens retreat to their isolated campsite in the bush country and make plans to fight a guerilla war against the invaders. Writing in a distinct voice and showing rare intelligence and sensitivity, Ellie recounts their courageous battles against the Goliath in control of their land. She also records her feelings and observations about the romantic partnerships that develop within her small circle of friends, and shows how they mature and blossom during this time of crisis. Though readers are left wondering whether these heroes and heroines will survive (one is severely wounded at the end of the novel), Ellie's uncommonly honest and clear narration makes this coming-of-age adventure a story they won't forget. Fast-paced and provocative, it's a natural for book talking.
Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A gripping tale, told with Marsden's customary incisiveness.

The movie is due for release on September 2nd 2010

Teaching with Tomorrow when the war began
Introducing and teaching Tomorrow, When The War
Year 10 Context study: Close study of a novel and its author
Tomorrow When the War Began Booktalk
2007 Student Essays Tomorrow, When the War Began

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Judy Moody books to be adapted for the screen

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Precious' producers adapting 'Judy Moody'
John Schulz to direct pic based on popular book series

"Precious" producers Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness have selected their next project: family pic "Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer," based on the popular childrens book series.
John Schultz ("Aliens in the Attic") will direct from an adapted script by Kathy Waugh and Megan McDonald, author of the books. Schultz begins lensing in August in Los Angeles.

Read more ...

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Children’s Books – This week’s bargain – The Battle for Skandia

This is Book Four in the Ranger's Apprentice Series by John Flanagan.

The Review in Booklist:
Following Will and Evanlyn’s escape from slavery in The Icebound Land (2007), Halt determines that the Temujai mean to attack Araluen and decides to help the Skandians defend their land. Rejoining Halt, Will and Evanlyn become warriors in the stronghold where they had recently been captives and use their wits and skills to fight the common enemy. The story plunges forward with irresistible narrative drive toward the climactic battle scene. Even readers drawn to the series for its deftly drawn characters and setting may find themselves caught up in the action. A fine entry in the increasingly popular Ranger’s Apprentice series.

Amazon has identified copies as "Bargain books" books that are new but could include a small mark from the publisher and an Amazon.com price sticker identifying them as such. They are selling the paperback for $3.20.

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Books are dead? Ask Rick Riordan …

From Publisher's Weekly ...

Rick Riordan's Big Year
The bestselling author has two brand-new series and a film of his first boo

With two new trilogies launching this year, Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan stands likely to boost his already (ahem) Olympian output—and sales. On May 4, Disney-Hyperion will release one million copies of The Red Pyramid, first in his Kane Chronicles series inspired by ancient Egyptian magic. And in October it will publish an as-yet-unnamed Percy Jackson spin-off, which will combine familiar characters with some new half-human, half-Greek-god kids.

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This week’s bargain book: The Demigod Files

DemigodThe Demigod Files (A Percy Jackson and the Olympians Guide)

~ Rick Riordan

This slim volume is clearly intended as a stop-gap product to tide eager readers over until the final volume of the series is released. In addition to three previously unreleased short stories about Percy and his companions, it also includes such filler as interviews with the same, along with word games, portraits of some of the Gods and their half-blood offspring, and the inevitable sneak preview of Book 5. The short stories are the meat of this book, and are filled with Riordan's trademark anachronistic humor. The first one puts Percy and his enemy Clarisse, the daughter of Ares, on the same team as she tries to retrieve her father's chariot, which has been hijacked as a prank by her two immortal brothers. The second story relates an incident that occurred during one of Camp Half-Blood's infamous Capture the Flag games, when Charlie Beckendorf, the camp counselor for Hephaestus, is captured by a horde of giant, poisonous ants, and has to be rescued with the help of a mechanical dragon. The final story brings Percy, Thalia, and Nico, the son of Hades, together at the request of Persephone to help retrieve Hades's stolen sword, the loss of which could be deadly to the Gods, and the resolution of which forms a lead-up to the probable events of Book 5. Despite the fact that this is more of a marketing package than anything else, the quality of and interest in the three stories likely justifies its purchase.

List price:  $12.95    You pay:  $5.18