The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne

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This is a tale of friendship and innocence. It is the story of a 9 year old boy named Bruno, whose father is a Commandent for "The Fury". Bruno's life is transformed when his father is transferred to work in "Out-with", and his family must move in with him. Life is pretty boring for Bruno, until he discovers a new friend named Shmuel, who lives on the other side of the fence with all the other boys and men wearing striped pyjamas.

Bruno and Shmuel are both oblivious of the harsh reality of their circumstances, and their innocence becomes shattered when they finally realize what really happens at "Out-with".

Very moving and beautifully written, this has become another one of my personal favourites.

A Stone in My Hand - Cathryn Clinton

This wonderfully-written, historical fiction novel, documents the lives of 11 year old Malaak and her family living in the late 1980's during the first intifada in Palestine. We see the warn-torn community through Malaak's eyes, as she deals with the tragedies that surround her. Her father has ben missing for over a month since he left Gaza city to look for work, and her older brother Hamid is planning on joining an extremist resistance group. It is up to Malaak to somehow bring the family closer together and stop her brother from doing anything stupid....

It is a beautiful story that addresses the themes of war and peace, family unity, and finding strength to rise above obstacles. A very moving and captivating read.

Son of a Witch - Gregory Maguire

Taken from http://weread.com/review/Son+of+a+Witch+%28Wicked+Years%29/2261999

The best-selling sequel to "Wicked" continues to the story of Liir, the illegitimate son of Elphaba (also known as the Wicked Witch of the West). An account of his adventures in trying to find his long lost half-sister, his near-death experience after being attacked by dragons, winning and losing love, and trying to find his place in the world.

Surprisingly, I found this sequel better to the original "Wicked", although, I must say I'm more partial to the musical version of it than the actual novel version. The only disappointing thing with this novel is that it ended so abruptly, and still left you with the unanswered questions from the 1st book.

I hope to get the chance to read the 3rd book, "A Lion Among Men"; hopefully, all the loose pieces will start to fit together in that one.

Slumdog Millionaire - Vikas Swarup

Taken from http://weread.com/review/Slumdog+Millionaire/2356079

Originally published as "Q&A", this book was almost just as good as the movie it inspired! However, do not think the book is anywhere near close to the movie plot. The basic storyline seems to be the ONLY connection between the book and the film. The various scenarios that happen to Jamal (in the book his name is Ram) are either very loosely based on the events described in the book, or they are different entirely. Even the ending is completely different to the movie version, but has a sudden unexpected twist that startles you so much that you really don't care anyway.

"Slumdog Millionaire" has a complex storyline which confuses you when you first start reading, but as you start to get into it, all of the mysteries in the beginning of the novel begin to unravel nicely.

Vika Swarup writes in such a way as to keep you at the edge of your seat up to the last page. A very good read indeed....