The Man Booker Prize is one of the best known international literature prizes. The Man Booker Prize for Fiction is awarded each year for the best original full-length novel, written in the English language, by a citizen of the Commonwealth of Nations, Ireland and Zimbabwe. The winner is assured of international renown and success. Therefore, the prize is of great significance. The winning title for 2010 was “The Finkler Question” by Howard Jacobson

The novel is set in present day London and follows two major themes; the present state of Jewish identity in Britain and how it interrelates with the gentile population and male friendship. This is all played out with Jacobson’s unique sense of humour.

The story is built around three friends: Julian Treslove at one time a BBC employee; Sam Finkler philosopher and television personality and Libor Sevcik an elderly ex-Hollywood journalist in mourning for his lost wife and at one time, a teacher to both Treslove and Finkler.

One day, while walking near Broadcasting House, Treslove is mugged, and the mugger calls out “You Jew!”  The thought of being the victim of an anti-Semitic attack, when he is in fact a Gentile begins to worry Treslove. As Treslove’s two friends are Jews, he is already familiar with all things Jewish. He begins to think about anti-Semitism, reading of attacks on Jews around the world. Slowly, the mugging begins to take the form in his mind of an “atrocity”, and as the novel unwinds, poor Treslove begins to question whether he is in fact Jewish.

Howard Jacobson uses the jewishness of the novel as  a metaphor to invite the reader to look at human culture in general or as a way for the reader to unearth the deeper questions of society and human culture.

Mr Thornton

Rating: 4 out of 5

Reading level:  Year 11 – Adult

In late August fifty Xavier students from Years 9, 10 and 11 attended the Melbourne Writers Festival, an annual event in Melbourne which showcases not only a large number of Australian authors but also international authors.

One author who featured at the festival was Stephen Herrick. Stephen is very well known for his verse novels for both primary and middle school readers. His prose novels are humorous and are a great introduction for students to poetry. The poems in the novels are written for adolescents and children and feature humorous aspects of life to which children and adolescents can relate.

He has just completed his first prose novel, Slice.  This is a very funny novel which follows the adventures of Darcy, a sixteen year-old teenager who can cope with all the highs and lows of teenage life. However, he has one problem – he cannot keep his mouth closed! A very funny, easy-read novel, especially for students who are reluctant readers.

Rating: 4/5

Reading level: yrs  7-10

Another author included Jostein Gaarder, who is the author of the popular novel Sophie’s World.  Gaarder, who is a lecturer in philosophy, uses the novel format to introduce readers to the main schools and thinkers in Ancient Greek and Western Philosophy. The novel is great introduction for secondary students and adults in philosophical thought. The reader gains an exceptional insight into philosophy.

Rating: 4/5

Reading level: yrs  9 – Adult

 “Jasper Jones” is the second novel by Australian author Craig Silvey.

The novel is set in a small West Australian country town in the 1960’s. The central character is a bookish adolescent, Charlie Bucktin. Charlie is a precocious teenager, an only child, who spends most of his time in the world of books, reading and writing. His best friend is Jeffrey Lu, the son of Vietnamese refugees. 

However, this quiet world of Charlie’s changes on one hot summer’s night when the town outcast, Jasper Jones comes to Charlie’s window and he needs help. Charlie follows Jasper into dense bush by an old dam and what he discovers will change his life forever. In the weeks that follow, as Charlie struggles with the secret that he carries, the disintegration of his family, the racism directed at Jeffrey and first love, Charlie seeks to find truth and peace. 

“Jasper Jones” is a brilliant novel which blends tragic events with romance and humour. Set in a small town, against a backdrop of true events in the 1960’s, including the Vietnam War, the disappearance of the Beaumont children and Doug Walters’ test cricket debut, the author manages to create a believable setting for his tale and to draw the reader in to the lives of Charlie and his friends. 

“Jasper Jones” is an unforgettable novel which draws the reader into the lives of the characters. A very worthwhile reading experience.

Mr. T
4 out of 5
Years 10 – adult

Mister Monday by Garth Nix

Arthur Penhaligon, 12 years of age, has just moved into a new town. He’s trying his best to fit in, but everything is hard when no-one knows you. His life is made harder at school, where he suffers an asthma attack during a P.E class.

 But a mysterious, key-shaped object appears and saves his life. The key is given to Arthur by Mister Monday, a strange man who Arthur thinks does not belong on Earth. After several more unusual occurrences, Arthur suddenly realises the true meaning of the strange key. He is the only one who can save planet Earth from the menacing creatures of another strange world, known as The House, by overpowering each of the seven Trustees of The House. 

 Mister Monday is an adventure-fantasy book written by Garth Nix. It is the start of the seven book series, “The Keys to the Kingdom”. Its fascinating plot, unique characters and sudden climaxes make you never want to put the book down.  

Recommended for students aged 10 and over.

 V.N

SHORT LISTED BOOKS

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OLDER READERS 
Stolen by Lucy Christopher
The winds of heaven by Judith Clarke
Liar by Justine Larbalestier
Jarvis 24 by David Metzenthen
A small free kiss in the dark by Glenda Millard
Loving Richard Feynman by Penny Tangey

YOUNGER READERS 
Matty forever by Elizabeth Fenshaw
Darius Bell and the glitter pool by Odo Hirsch
Running with the horses by Alison Lester
The whisperer by Fiona McIntosh
Pearl verses the world by Sally Murphy, illus by Heather Potter
Tensy Farlow and the home for mislaid children by Jen Storer

PICTURE BOOK
Isabella’s Garden by Rebecca Cool
Schumann the Shoeman by Stella Danalis
To the top end: our trip across Australia by Roland Harvey
Mr Chicken goes to Paris by Leigh Hobbs
Fox and fine feathers by Narelle Oliver
The hero of Little Street by Gregory Rogers

EVE POWNALL  BOOK OF THE YEAR 
Prehistoric giants: the megafauna of Australia by Danielle Clode
Australian backyard explorer by Peter Macinnis
Polar eyes: a journey to Antarctica by Tanya Patrick
Lost! A true tale from the bush by Stephanie Owen Reeder 

EARLY CHILDHOOD
The wrong book by Nick Bland
Kip by Christina Booth
The terrible plop by Ursula Dubosarsky
Clancy & Millie and the very fine house by Libby Gleeson
Bear & chook by the sea by Lisa Shanahan
Fearless by Colin Thompson