Corporal Ron's Borneo Warrior Rescue

Corporal Ron’s Borneo Warrior Rescue is an adventure story that should appeal to boys aged 10+, as well as eco-warriors. It is a unique, fast-paced story about a fascinating country and a long forgotten “secret” war. Featuring Ron, a Royal Air Force radio operator, working amongst the Dayaks of Borneo, the story follows the perilous mission that Ron and two young warriors undertake through the rainforest. Along the way they must each face challenges while learning about the others cultures and the ways of the jungle.

This story is also a great introduction to one of our rare rainforests: Borneo and its people, flora and fauna. This well-researched war-time story has drama, wit and fun. Information panels, at the end of each section, highlight the plight of the endangered species such as orang utans.

The story is a work of fiction by Sandra Arthur. It was written as a tribute to her father. As a child, Sandra lived with her family in Singapore, while her father worked in Borneo. She has since lived in various cities in the United Kingdom, briefly spent time in Canada and travelled extensively around North America, Europe and Asia, including Borneo.

She is passionate about Borneo and has devoted much of her free time to promoting and raising funds to assist the endangered orangutans. To learn more about Sandra, click here.

CHEETAH

With great admiration and respect, I highly recommend CHEETAH. This refreshing book is by Suzi Eszterhas, an award-winning wildlife photographer based in California. Best known for her work documenting family life on the African savanna, she has undertaken commissions and led instructional photography tours and workshops everywhere from Antarctica to the Arctic and Alaska to Montana. Suzi is a member of the prestigious International League of Conservation Photographers, and her books encourage children to respect and appreciate wildlife. Her books feature a list of organizations and websites where children and educators can find more information on how to protect wild cheetahs and gorillas. Suzi's photographs have been published in books, magazines and newspapers all over the world and she is a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers.

To learn more about Suzi's published work, click here.

Interference

Have a boy who loves hockey? Canadian author, Lorna Schultz Nicholson has a wonderful series of hockey books. The first in a series of eight books is INTERFERENCE.

In INTERFERENCE Josh has finally made it to an elite hockey team and is determined to play as well as his older brother Matt. But Josh is so tired all the time. Little does everyone know, Josh’s undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes is working against him- and getting more serious by the day. This story has a great inner and outer goal for Josh, our protagonist. I highly recommend trying this series with a boy who loves sports, but is a reluctant reader. The subject matter is appealing to boys and the reading level is challenging enough, but not too hard for struggling readers. It's very important for us to serve up many reading choices for boys.

These awesome hockey books are written by Lorna Schultz Nicholson. Lorna grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario, and as a child loved to read and write. But then athletics took over and she put it all aside to be a jock. She even went so far as to get her B Sc. in Human Performance from the University of Victoria. With her degree, she worked as the Fitness and Recreation Co-ordinator at UVic where she also coached rowing.

To learn more about Lorna Schultz Nicholson's books, click here.

The Haunting of Nathaniel Wolfe

Few writers get recommended by Philip Pullman, and Brian Keaney is one of them. I actually sensed the ghost of Dickens within the first few chapters. If you're looking for a new writer, I highly recommend Mr. Keaney.

Below is what the The Haunting of Nathaniel Wolfe is all about:

Up there on the stage beside his father was a shadow, a shape, blurred at first but becoming clearer with every passing moment until finally he was looking at the figure of a woman, dressed in a long white robe. Her eyes were the palest blue and they were fixed directly on him. With every fibre of his being he knew her for what she was: a ghost. Hers was a life that had departed its earthly body but was not yet prepared to release its grip on the world for ever. There was unfinished business she yet had to perform. But why, out of all the millions of individuals on the face of the planet had she chosen him for her haunting?

1862. London. Outside a dingy theatre in the East End of London a line of people waits silently. It is cold enough to chill your bones, but they are not deterred. They have been drawn here by the promise that on this night the dead will speak from beyond the grave.

Twelve year old Nathaniel sits in his place by the door taking their money. For him it is just a job. He does not believe in spirits. But he will soon be forced to change his mind for when the hall is full and the doors are shut Nathaniel’s life will change forever.

Click here to learn more about Brian Keaney.

Julio's Magic

It's hard to find books that appeal to hispanic boys. Julio's Magic is the perfect choice for boys and girls.

Julio and his friend Iluminado, an older, master wood-carver, find ideas in the forest where they gather wood. Musicians, angels, and amazing creatures of all kinds hide in every curving branch.

This year there is a contest with a big prize for the best carving in the land, and Julio wants to enter. All through the Mexican village where Julio and Iluminado live, people are saying that the carvings Julio is making for the contest are great. When Julio sees how hard times are for Iluminado, whose eyesight is failing and whose crops are not good, Julio has some decisions to make about friendship and generosity.

Julio's Magic was written by Arthur Dorros. He's a prolific artist with more than thirty published titles! He writes on his website, "Working on each new book is exciting for me. I've found a wide range of subjects and experiences surfacing in my work, from interests in science to high-flying adventures, from the usually unseen—trees growing, to the unlikely to be seen—flying grandmother and granddaughter. I believe that everyone has stories to tell. I've enjoyed visiting children in hundreds of schools around the country, helping them find their own stories. Part of writing and illustrating is like being a detective, with senses as alert as possible, always on the lookout for new ideas and pieces that help put the whole story together."

Click here to learn more about all of Arthur Dorros' books.