Wednesday 19 August 2009
Our program was the Literature Extension Program presented by 11 girls from Years 9 and 10 at Strathfield Girls High School. The program was introduced by Paul White and is the 4th year we have the privilege of this presentation.
6 books are short listed by the Children’s Book Council of Australia which is volunteer run, not for profit, organisation that was established in 1945 and is comprised of branches of individual members who are passionate about children’s and young adult literature.
Chairperson Rebecca Quee told us how the evening would progress.
Stefanie Valakas gave the introductory speech about the importance of reading. Reading is pleasurable, relaxing, allows ones imagination to run, imparts knowledge and passes the time.
Michelle Lynn gave an explanation of the judging process - storyline, cover, blurb, relevance, characterisation and language. A good book allows the reader to ‘see’ and ‘hear’ the characters.
Mechelle Lynn reviewed the first book - Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta. Mechelle described this a very simply written novel of love, fate, hope and death but nothing special.
Irene Xu reviewed the next book - Kill the Possum by James Moloney. Irene said this was a well written book revolving around the emotional cruelty displayed towards 3 teenagers by their stepfather.
Catherine Eelep reviewed the next book - Into White Silence by Anthony Eaton. This was described as a fictional novel based on facts of the disastrous voyage of the Raven to the Antarctic in 1921 where one by one the crew desert or die.
Aaditi Padhi reviewed the next book - Rose for the Anzac Boys by Jackie French. Aaditi described this as a fictional novel based on fact about Rose setting up a canteen with 2 friends at the time of the first world war. It tells of the bittersweet experience of the journey from youth to womanhood revolving around love, war, friendship and death.
Christine Ding reviewed the next book - Monster Blood Tattoo by DM Cornish. The storyline revolves around a young boy fighting an imaginative monster. Christine felt this book was more suited to 8 - 12 year olds.
Lavanya Tummi reviewed the final book - Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan. This book is described as a ‘Picture Book’ and comprises 15 short stories each with a different perspective involving such diverse topics as discovery through to ignorance.
Lucy Napoli then announced the judges decision that the winner was Tales form Outer Suburbia followed by Sylvia Luo who gave an evaluation of the Literature Extension Program with appropriate acknowledgements and finally Staff member Gabrielle Correy presented certificates to all participants.
PP Ray McCluskie thanked the teachers and students from Strathfield Girls High School
