Smackdown Books 2021

Ordinary Hazards
We Dream of Space
If These Wings Could Fly
We Are Not Free
The King of Jam Sandwiches
All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team
The Companion
Punching the Air
Show Me a Sign
Land of the Cranes
Furia
Dragon Hoops
When Stars Are Scattered
Snapdragon
The Radium Girls: The Scary But True Story of the Poison That Made People Glow in the Dark
American as Paneer Pie
Tune It Out
The Gilded Ones
The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
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Friday, December 1, 2017

OCDaniel beats out Orphan Island

Orphan Island vs OCDaniel

Orphan Island is a beautifully written novel about 9 kids who are mysteriously put on an island. Every year, at the same time, a child arrives and a child leaves. No reason is given for why the children are picked, which leaves me hoping for a sequel! The island feeds them and sustains them. The eldest child is the leader and cares for the newly arrived child. The pictures this author paints and the setting of the island make this an easy to read book with some deep thinking ideas. The book is told from Jinny's point of view. She has just lost her best friend, he had to leave, and gained a care that she now has to teach how to survive, at the same time figuring out how to be leader. It is an awesome book that explores the topic of prepubescent and the angst, confusion, worry, and a feeling of larger world that can come along with it. Unfortunately for this wonderful book the lack of answers has us voting for...

OCDaniel is about a 13 year old boy who has undiagnosed OCD. It is written from his point of view and talks about his struggle with OCD, trying to fit in, trying to hide his "zaps" from everyone and playing the back up punter on the school football team. It talks about the struggle and exhaustion that Daniel experiences while going through his daily routines and the fear that if he doesn't do it just right, death may come knocking. One night he spends up to 4 hours doing his bed time routine. It is part autobiographical and the author does such a wonderful job of filling us in on the real struggle with OCD and the real consequences and panic attacks that can come with it. It is also about how a family, wanting a "normal" child can turn a blind eye to what is going on. This is a wicked book that talks about a subject that is not normally written about. As if that's not enough, the author throws in a little murder mystery and humour. 

Both books are awesome for div 2 and up. 

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