Happy Birthday X 3

Triplets, Amy, Jo and Jess are turning six. What present should each one buy for her two sisters? When those decisions are made and the gifts are wrapped, what will each of the girls think?

Clancy's Long Walk

Mum and Dad say Clancy is too young for the long bush walk to Steamers Beach. He's fine on the walk in but on the way home only clever thinking by his older brother, Sam, can keep him going.

It’s 1956 and the Olympic Games and TV have come to Melbourne. When bullied at school, Ray swears his cousin is working on the ABC TV Broadcast van. Now he has to prove it. A novel for junior readers.

David is a timid English orphan who starts a new life in Sydneywith relatives he barely knows. In his diary he records daily life in this harsh colony, as well as more dramatic events such as the Rum Corps rebellion.

Hannah is the youngest of three girls and feels constantly left out by her older twin sisters. The family is going camping and all Hannah wants to do is learn to skate but her parents say that skates are not essential and there is no room for them. Hannah is determined to succeed. Illustrated by Ann James.

Review: This disarming story of warm but sometimes prickly family relationships rings true. Skilful use of language with flashes of vivid imagery brings family interaction and the seaside bush campsite into sharp focus.'

When Hannah discovers that there is a new baby on the way, she fears that it will be twins and she will be caught between them and her older twin sisters. At the same time, she is in trouble at school and must face up to the dreaded detention. Illustrated by Ann James

Awards:Winner, Family Award, 1997
Winner, Australian CBC Awards, Fiction for Younger Readers, 1997

Review:
'Hannah Plus One is a delightful, funny, finely crafted and beautifully observed study of a child who cannot articulate what she feels but whose behaviour sends clear signals to everyone she meets. · well paced narrative, is written with a marvelous economy of words, zappy dialogue and a finely tuned understanding of school and family relationships.' Reading Time

Hannah is preparing to move into her new room, leaving her twin sisters at last. Then the family realizes that Grandpa is ill and must stay with them and that means he gets the new room. Hannah is determined to get rid of him and schemes to make his life miserable.Illustrated by Ann James.

Awards:Honour Book, Australian CBC Awards, Fiction for Younger Readers. 2000

Review:
'Libby Gleeson writes with heartfelt eloquence of family frictions and her solutions are always so reasonable and dignified makes Hannah and the Tomorrow Room one of the best Australian novels this year.'

Meet Hannah again in this fourth story. Everyone in the class is the best at something - except Hannah. What can she do to be famous - even in the world of the classroom. And are Annie and Tui still her best friends or is the new girl, Linda more important to them?

A young boy is ignored as the family celebrates sister Gina's starring in the school play. All he can do is help in making her costume, her spaceship and help her learn her lines. When Gina is struck down with chicken pox, only he can save the play.Illustrated by David Cox.

Awards:Shortlisted Australian CBC Awards, Fiction for Younger Readers

Review:
' a delightful introduction to the novel for a reader just starting out - lively interesting characters and a plot that is realistic, involving an end with a nice twist.'Adelaide Advertiser.

This is a novel for younger readers. Lizzie's teacher has great admiration for a new writer so Lizzie and her friend Joanne decide to invite the writer to the teacher's birthday party. This will be during Book Week and the library will be the setting. The new casual teacher, Miss Smith promises to help but she is not exactly as she seems. illus David Cox, Puffin.

Awards: Young Australian Readers Award (YARA)