Petrina's Personal Reading Log 4

After reading Terry Pratchett’s fantasy, The Wintersmith (for older students and adults), I have eagerly sought out more of his works to enjoy.  I am particularly taken with his hilarious characterisation and dialogue. My favourite characters are the Feegles – while they are willing to journey to the underworld to save their ‘Big Wee Hag’ and release the world from an eternal winter, what they most fear is reading!  I can recount the ending without spoiling the novel:  ‘He had to be a hero.  Ah’m feelin’ guid about this readin’,’ said Rob Anybody.  ‘Bring it on!’  And he read Principles of Modern Accountancy all morning, but just to make it interesting, he put lots of dragons in it.’ (p.339)

A second book for my log this week is Poems by Young Australians (vol. 2), which is a collection of the best entries submitted for the 2004 Taronga Foundation Poetry Prize. I was amazed by the insights and artistry contained therein.  These works may be used to inspire other young people to engage with poetry, and model examples of the high standards that young people can achieve through this mode of expression.