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Feb 08 2010

Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children by Jen Storer

Penguin, 2009 . ISBN 9780670073399
(Ages 10 and up) When Albie Gribble collects a basketful of linen from the front of the hospital, he finds instead an abandoned baby, and his life takes a dramatic turn. Crossing the River Charon, Albie sees a 'skriker' and the lorry he is driving tips into the water. He follows the urging of his guardian angel, saves the orange headed baby from the water and takes her home. Although he loves the orphaned Tensy, she is later taken into The Home for Mislaid Children.
Tensy's adventures begin in earnest when, after having been adopted, she is returned to the home. With attacking ravens, Watchers being ever present, the appearance of angels who may or may not be trusted and a bald headmistress, Tensy's life is certainly never boring and it seems she may have a destiny to fulfil.
Matron Pluckrose and her problems provide a certain amount of humour, as does Mrs Gribble after her death. This serves to balance the evil in the story. A glossary would have made the book simpler for younger children to grasp. This novel is an engaging and well written read for competent readers and would also work well as a read aloud.
Jo Schenkel

Feb 08 2010

Gamer's Quest by George Ivanoff

Ford Street Publishing, 2009.
(Age 10+) Zyra and Tark are teenage thieves in a world created by the Designers. Everyone in this world struggles and fights to gain enough money to get a 'key', allowing them to escape their reality briefly and become avatars in Designer's Paradise. In their quest they encounter other characters and must figure out if they are to be trusted or defeated. Upon reaching Paradise however, Zyra and Tark discover something is wrong, and that their Suburban avatar existence is flawed. Eventually they are faced with the thought that their world may not be all it seems.
With a fast-paced plot and some interesting twists, this is an enjoyable book, however I did find the language used by the characters of Zyra and Tark somewhat irritating. Students with an interest in gaming and alternate realities will be very excited about this book which has been shortlisted for the 2010 Chronos Awards.
Donella Reed

Feb 05 2010

The penguin who wanted to find out by Jill Tomlinson

Ill. by Paul Howard. Egmont, 2009. ISBN 9781405230414.
(Ages 6-9) Recommended. It's wonderful to see a picture book that is full of information, while stimulating the imagination with great characterisation and beautiful illustrations. Otto is a baby penguin chick who lives on his father's feet in the Antarctica. He wants to find out about lots of things: Why hasn't he fallen off since he lives at the bottom of the world? What is a blizzard? And what is the funny feeling he has in his tummy? As Otto grows and begins to leave the safety of his father's sheltering feathers and feet, he learns that the only way for penguins to survive in this harsh environment is to look after each other.
Paul Howard's illustrations are an excellent accompaniment to the text, following Otto as he discovers a blizzard, looks after the other little chicks, learns to toboggan and torpedo out of the water. The deep blues of the Antarctic sky and seas contrast with the whites of the snow. The penguins are washed with a pale gold and they stand out perfectly against this backdrop. The care that the penguins show each other comes across strongly in both the text and pictures.
This is a perfect book for those children who are making the transition from picture books to chapter books as it has more complex sentences than many picture books. I found the factual information about emperor penguins that I discovered from inquisitive little Otto quite fascinating and unforgettable. What a lovely way to learn!
Pat Pledger

Feb 05 2010

Bright girls by Clare Chambers

HarperCollins Children's Books, 2009.
(Age range: 12 - 16 / Secondary) Rachel and Robyn are sent to stay with their Auntie Jackie in Brighton after an incident at their house causes their father to be concerned for their safety. Auntie Jackie runs a ball gown hire business out of her ramshackle terrace house. When Auntie Jackie fails to meet them at the railway station as planned they hop in a taxi and arrive at her home just as she does in a police car. They meet Adam a uni student who lives next door and who is attempting to look after his frail and forgetful grandmother, and Charlie, Aunt Jackie's lodger who is a musician and various characters that visit Auntie Jackie to utilise her skills.
The girls experience the difficulties of finding a respectable job, the interest and confusion involved in having 'boy' friends, the excitement of utilising musical talents, the consequences of bad choices and the up and downs of being a hero.
The author has woven an interesting and eventful story based on two quite different sisters and their adventures when faced with what appears initially to be a life threatening situation. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to readers.
Tracy Glover

Feb 04 2010

Top reads for 2009 by Pat Pledger

Teens
Fire by Kristin Cashore. Fire is the last of the human Monsters and she is feared because of her beauty and her ability to control minds. A companion volume to Graceling, this is fantasy at its best, with a strong heroine, plenty of action and a low-key romance.

Along for the ride by Sarah Dessen. Auden's sleep patterns have been disrupted ever since her parents' divorce. The quest she goes on with a fellow insomniac will change her life. If you haven't tried Dessen's novels before then you are in for a treat.

Vulture's gate by Kirsty Murray. The story of Callum, a young boy kidnapped by the dangerous Outlanders and Bo, Roboraptor Girl, who has survived alone in the desert since her grandfather was murdered.  A Science fiction survival story set in outback Australia, with overtones of Mad Max.

The ask and the answer by Patrick Ness. Todd has taken the dying Viola into Haven but it has been made into the stronghold of his enemy Mayor Prentiss. The first in the series, The knife of never letting go had gripping tension, high adventure and thought provoking themes and the second is even better!

Exposure by Mal Peet. A star footballer, Othello, meets a beautiful pop singer Desmerelda at a celebrity party. They fall in love and quickly marry much to the delight of the media. Wonderful expose of fame based loosely on Othello.

Beatle meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams. Beatle, named because his name is John Lennon, meets Destiny at a tram stop in Melbourne one Friday night and from then on the reader is led into a hilarious story of young love, astrology and weird art projects.

The uninvited by Tim Wynne-Jones. For Jackson Page, the little cabin is a place to compose in. For Mimi Shapiro the snye in the wilds of Eastern Ontario is a perfect hideaway and for Cramer Lee, it is a place where he can spy on Jay. In an exciting thriller Wynne-Jones keeps the reader guessing right to the end about the uninvited visitor who is stalking Jay and Mimi .

Middle school

Waterslain Angels by Kevin Crossley-Holland. Ten year old Annie, an independent and risk taking young girl, joins up with Sandy, an eleven year old asthmatic geek, on a summer quest to find the missing carvings of angels that once adorned their Norfolk church and which haven't been seen since Cromwell's time.

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur. A terrible thing has happened to Aubrey. Now she is all alone with only her new fish Sammy for company. A memorable tear jerker.

Loblolly boy by James Norcliffe. The loblolly boy can fly wherever he wants and has eternal youth. He also has the power to Exchange - to swap places with others who are Sensitive and can see him. Margaret Mahy describes this as a new classic and it is certainly memorable.

When you reach me by Rebecca Stead. Winner of the Newbery Medal. Miranda gets a message that says "I am coming to save save your friend's life, and my own." This book is an intriguing puzzle that will have its readers following clues until its explosive conclusion.

Angel fish by Lili Wilkinson. Gabriel believes Stephan when he says that children can save save the Holy Land. Will his faith sustain him on the perilous journey that the Children's Crusade undertakes?

Picture books


Sarah's heavy heart by Peter Carnavas. Sarah has a heavy heart that she carries all the time, on the bus, in the playground, at the park.

My silent world by Nette Hilton and Vincent Agostino. A deaf girl has a rich inner life. She knows about everything, but she is afraid of the unseen monster that fits in her ear - a cochlear implant.

Isabella's garden by Glenda Millard and Rebecca Cool. Isabella's garden is a place where the soil is 'all dark and deep' and where Isabella and her friends plant the seeds that emerge into a glorious garden, changing with the seasons until Jack Frost comes and all that is left is a well-feathered nest and a handful of seeds.

First the egg by Laura Vaccaro Seegar. The book looks at how things evolve. First comes an egg and on page turn, the reader sees the egg change into a chicken.

Feb 04 2010

Surf Ache by Gerry Bobsien

Walker Books, 2009.
Recommended. Finally, a teenage book without angst, dysfunctional families or spoilt brats! What's left to write about? Well, Gerry Bobsein's passion for surfing shines through this novel about Year 9 student Ella Alonso's move from Melbourne to Newcastle and her discovery of surfing. She has had to leave behind her best friend and her boyfriend and it gets complicated when she soon makes new friends who get her hooked on surfing. She has to make choices about friends. Surfing clashes with her passion for ballet and as she excels at both she has to make a choice here too. Plus her mum was a former surfing champion whose career ended mysteriously. Mum understands all too well her daughter's surf-ache - a 'state of being where all one can think about is getting back onto the waves'.
There is the requisite bitchy rival but here friends and family are warm, caring, and likeable. It is interesting to note Ella and her friends are not hung up on clothes: Ella "never quite had all the right gear. Mum and Dad refused to fork out for the latest this, that or the other. Ella was used to it". (p110). The confidence and happiness of these kids comes from being able to follow their passions in a supportive environment.
The characters are real as well as likeable, with romance and competitions keeping the pages turned. There is much on the art of surfing which may lose some, but you learn a lot about it. We have come a long way from Puberty Blues - the guys and girls are on equal footing here.
My only quibble is that the language of surfing is not explained; a glossary would help. What is a rashie?
Kevyna Gardner

Feb 04 2010

I am not a serial killer by Dan Wells

Headline Publishing Group, 2009.
(Age range: 14 - 16) John Cleaver has an obsession with serial killers. His mother and aunt run the mortuary and his estranged father was also a mortician. John has grown up exposed to dead bodies in one form or another. When random killings begin to happen in Clayton County, the town where he lives, he is determined to solve the case as to who and why they are happening.
John has been seeing Dr Neblin a psychologist for some time to try and sort through his strange fascination and in doing so has established rules for himself to try and maintain a hold on his emotions and actions.
This becomes increasingly difficult as the killings continue and he gets closer to the killer. Unleashing his dark side John establishes a plan to trap the killer, however in doing so is frightened by what he is becoming and the lengths he will go to and the people he will inadvertently involve.
John has few friends and those he has at the start of the story are soon alienated by his strange and peculiar behaviour.
This is a thrilling story not suited to everyone as it contains quite gruesome and frightening events. It is advertised as the first book in a darkly comic new series from debut author Dan Wells. Mr Monster the next title is due for release in the UK in March 2010.
Tracy Glover

Feb 03 2010

Agent Alfie: Licence to fish by Justin Richards

HarperCollins Children's Books, 2009.
(Age 7+) Alfie is a student at Thunder Raker Manor, a school for children whose parents are spies or secret agents. Alfie's a bit different though - his dad's just a postman. The students learn all the regular school subjects, as well as Special Agent Training subjects including surveillance, code-breaking and sabotage. So it seems a bit odd to Alfie when a new class is announced - fishing. The students head along to their first lesson, and Alfie immediately begins to suspect that the evil organisation SPUD might be hatching a new plan. His suspicions are confirmed when he spots a giant rubber duck and a metallic sea monster swimming in the school lake.
This is the second Agent Alfie book after Thunder Raker (2008), with a third, Sorted, also released in 2009. With a fast-moving plot and packed full of puns, it is a very enjoyable read.
Donella Reed

Feb 03 2010

100% hero by Jayne Lyons

Random House, 2009. ISBN 978171663969.
(Age 9+) Although part of a family of werewolves and 'the second greatest werewolf ever', Freddy Lupin has a problem. At some full moons, he transforms into a black poodle and not a wolf. With the arrival of his father Flasheart's distant cousin, Chester Pucely and his daughter, things start to go wrong as Freddy tries to impress the 'perfect' Priscilla. When his father is captured and taken to zoo, as a result of Freddy's actions, the young wolf sets out to rescue Flasheart and keep the family secrets. In the meantime, he is sent off to camp, where he has to learn to dance ballet. He befriends several other students who are also misfits and manages to solve the family's problems.
I found that the style of this book did not provide the engrossing read for which I had hoped. The author's humour was definitely of the 'bottom' variety and sadly did not appeal to me as much as it may to the younger male readers. Made up names and words in this text somehow did not gel and I found this novel a challenge to complete. Perhaps, for disinclined boys, it will still hold some appeal. Whilst there may be some underlying themes which could be brought out for the student, I found this a disappointing read and certainly not a text.
Jo Schenkel

Feb 02 2010

The wheels on the bus ill. by Mandy Foot

Lothian Children's Books, 2009. ISBN 9780734411174.
(Ages 3-6) The classic song, The wheels on the bus is given a whole new look by Mandy Foot as a host of Australian animals go on a journey around Australia. What a trip the kangaroos, emus, frill-necked lizard and koala have as they travel to Coober Pedy, Tasmania, Bondi, Philip Island, Daintree, Great Barrier Reef, the Pilbara, Blue Mountains Darwin and the Opera House in a red and white bus.
The book is a visual feast. Starting with a map of Australia showing the places that the bus will go to, it is then up to the reader to follow the word clue sticker on the bus and the animals and plants of the place to work out where it is. There is also a tiny green gecko on each page that the reader will have lots of fun trying to find.
The illustrations of the animals are fabulous with cartoon type faces, brimming with good humour. I especially liked the expressions on the babies as they went Wah! Wah! Wah!
Such a familiar song will be a boon for beginning readers and parents and teachers will enjoy sharing the song as they make an Australian trip. There is a website that gives information about all the places that are visited. This could be a very useful site if doing a unit on journeys or famous places in Australia.
Pat Pledger

Feb 02 2010

Outside In by Chrissie Keighery

Hardie Grant Egmont, Victoria. 2009.
This Australian novel is about teenagers' angst but serves as a stark contrast to the often slick American versions. The boys and girls here are all struggling to cope with family or self esteem issues. We have parental separation, anorexia and bulimia, teenage crushes, and loneliness.
The difference here is that the group members are supportive of each other and it is this which enables them to survive and grow. Parents are often remote or absent. We get inside the kids' heads and understand their confusion. Jordan and Jack realize they have in common spending part of the week with their fathers, Sam is mortified when a girl tells him he needs to shave, talented Cecilia feels she must be perfect, Meredith laughs too much to cover up her inadequencies and Renee is the outsider.
Whilst it feels all too authentic, sadly, there isn't much plot, nor much fun either. It seems to be aimed at either reassuring certain teenagers they are not alone or educating/confronting others about the plights of their classmates. Either way it offers insight into why people behave as they do.
It's just that neither the cover nor the blurb call out to be picked up and there is nothing particularly distinguishing about any of the characters. The 14 year old I gave it to enjoyed it, but found the ending too sudden and vague. The book does finish on a positive note and emphasizes the healing power of friendship.
One for the library; teachers and librarians could direct certain students to it.
Kevyna Gardner

Feb 02 2010

Why by Lila Prap

WilkinsFarago, 2003. ISBN 09585571452.
(Ages 3+) A whole book devoted to the question why will have kids and adults enthralled as they ponder the questions asked. Each doulbepage spread asks a question about the animal portrayed, starting with Why do hyenas laugh? And going on to delicious questions about  crying crocodiles, long necked giraffes, pouched kangaroos and maned lions. Each question has many answers; some of which are very funny indeed and will have the listeners and readers grinning with delight. In answer to the question of why camels have humps, for example, some of the responses include, because they didn't sit up straight, to confuse their riders and out of habit, while the real reason is written in full somewhere on the page.
I can imagine children from 3 to 10 getting a thrill out of reading this book, initially with help, but then alone, gaining information as well as fun out of the book. An astute teacher or parent will encourage the reader or class to imagine many other reasons to add to the ones on the page. The drawings add to the fun of the book and the style could be used as a basis for work in the classroom to add some more animals to the book.
Fran Knight

Feb 01 2010

Ctrl-Z by Andrew Norriss

Puffin, 2009.
(Ages 8+) Alex's godfather always sends fantastic presents and this year's birthday gift is a laptop that allows Alex to travel back in time to correct any mistakes he's made. All he has to do is input the time he wishes to return to and press Ctrl-Z. This is not just an amazing present, it's also rather useful, especially when you have an accident prone best friend called Callum. When Alex first uses Ctrl-Z he successfully reverses a nasty accident involving Callum, 43 helium balloons, a garden chair and a barbeque.
Alex is so delighted with his laptop that he decides to experiment a little. He is only ten but has always wanted to drive his Mum's prized classic car and now he can. When he smashes into the gatepost he can simply press Ctrl-Z and travel back in time to before he climbed into the driving seat.
Ctrl-Z allows Alex to go back in time by a maximum of 23 hours and 59 minutes, but that's still enough to have plenty of fun. However, when the two boys use the laptop to win every prize at the School Fair things do not go according to plan, and then Alex finds himself having to use Ctrl-Z to try and reverse the growing rows between his parents.
This is an entertaining story, ideal to read aloud to lower juniors. There is plenty of humour, excitement and cliff-hangers to keep young readers on the edge of their seats. The central message, that it's good to make mistakes because that is how we learn, is emphasised and hopefully children will enjoy the fun and absorb the message too. My only grumble is that Ctrl-Z would have been even better with illustrations, but I guess that would have cost more; perhaps the credit crunch is biting publishers too!
I've always enjoyed Andrew Norriss's funny, pacy books, and if any of your readers are glued to Horrid Henry or Captain Underpants, Ctrl-Z may encourage them to spread their wings.
Claire Larson

Feb 01 2010

Someone like you by Sarah Dessen

Hodder Children's Books, 2009.
ISBN 9780340997482.
(Age 14+)Recommended. When Halley gets a phone call at summer camp from Scarlett telling her that Michael, Scarlett's boyfriend, has been killed in an accident, it is the beginning of a change in their relationship. They had been best friends for years, with quiet Halley in the shadow of popular Scarlett. When Scarlett finds that she is pregnant with Michael's child she really needs Halley. Can their friendship survive through the trouble that Scarlett faces and the boyfriend issues that plague Halley?
Dessen has written a book that immediately strikes a chord with the reader. Told from Halley's point of view, I became engrossed in her life, her battles with her mother as she tries to become independent and her growing involvement with bad boy Macon. At the same time she is the main support for Scarlett, who has decided to keep her baby.
Friendship is the central theme of the book. With a trusted friend to support them and to talk things over with, it is clear that both Scarlett and Halley will get through their struggles. Dessen also cleverly explores the relationships between mothers and daughters and the roles that they play in each other's lives.
All the characters are so richly developed that their stories seemed totally believable and it was hard to leave them at the end of the book. Although first published in 1998, this beautifully written coming of age story has a timeless quality that will keep readers enthralled.
Pat Pledger

© Copyright Pledger Consulting 2007-2009

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