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Jul 04 2008

The ice-cream man by Jenny Mounfield

Ford St. 2008 ISBN 978187642680
(Age 11-14) What a great thriller. This book kept me on the edge of my seat wondering if Marty, Rick and Aaron were going to stay alive as the ice-cream man decides to come after them because they hassled him for not stopping to sell them an ice-cream. After all, why wouldn't the ice-cream man be annoyed because he got the fright of his life when a kid in a wheelchair flashes in front of him on the road, and when another kid writes 'Freak' on his van. When Aaron receives a threatening email from the Grim Reaper the boys learn that it is not a good idea to play stupid games. The stalking continues and Rick is terrified when he sees the van parked outside his house in the middle of the night. A weird phone call on his new mobile (and no one is supposed to know the number) has Marty getting worried. Then Rick disappears and the tension mounts.

Add a wonderful mix of characters who are each coming to terms with difficulties in their lives to the thrilling story and the book is a winner. Marty is a great character. He has cerebral palsy and he uses his wheelchair to demonstrate that he can do all sorts of things and leaves the reader breathless with his dangerous escapades. Aaron faces constant beatings from his bullying stepbrother, while Rick is trying to keep it all together after the death of his father, while his mother drowns her sorrows in drink.

I found this book hard to put down and would recommend it as a good way to get readers hooked on the thriller genre. Teacher's notes are available.
Pat Pledger

Jul 04 2008

The changeling by Sean Williams

Angus & Robertson, 2008. ISBN 9780732284749
(Age 11+) What would you do if your starving family was prepared to sacrifice you to get rain for their drought-stricken farm? When Kuller, a weather-worker, arrived at the farm to lay a charm to bring back the rain, Ros, influenced by Escher, a voice he hears continually in his head, decides that he must leave before his blood is shed. Fleeing into the desert, he learns about a magical force called the Change, and meets Adi, a girl from a nomadic group. When disaster strikes, and even powerful mages can't help him, Ros is forced to examine everything that has happened to him and he returns home to find reasons for these terrible events.

Williams has created a wonderful imaginative world where weather-workers can manipulate the heavens, Stone mages have powerful secrets and grotesque creatures, like the crabblers, drip venom from their pincers.

I was engrossed with the dry landscape, the stark characters and the dilemmas that Ros faced and look forward to the two novels that follow. The dark cover was not as enticing as the story and it may not encourage readers to pick it up but the story is so taut and well written that it should be promoted as quality fantasy. Recommended.
Pat Pledger

Jul 03 2008

The Awakening by Bevan McGuiness

Harper Voyager, 2007. ISBN 0732285496 565p. (The Triumvirate: Book 1)
As with most in the fantasy genre, The Awakening deals with the rising up of old powers. Alden, Hwenfayre and Shanek all have their place in the old Empire, but their beliefs, status and stability are all shattered when they become increasingly aware of the powers they possess.

Shanek has been born to rule and he accepts this birthright. He is arrogant, cruel, intelligent and at times oddly uneasy. Alden is part of a small village, accepted but not embraced, is aware of why but bears no ill feeling to any of his fellow villagers or his drunken, unhappy mother. Hwenfayre is a little like Alden, but she is shunned by all around her. She is different and just doesn’t fit in - her fair hair, pale skin and violet eyes of her birth set her apart.

As McGuiness' tale unwinds we find out more about the Empire on land and the groups on the sea - the Children of Danan and the Southern Raiders. Each group has a struggle to endure, to survive as well as make a decision about their future direction. Will they stay within the old ways, accept a life without the old lore, or will the old make decisions for them?

In the first book, the separation of land and sea means the Empire and the Children of Danan and the Southern Raiders are ignorant to a large extent, each of the other. I'm sure these will converge in the subsequent books. I for one eagerly await book 2 to find out whether the destiny hinted at for Shanek comes to fruition. Will he and his former bodyguard meet again? How will Alden fit into all of this? And what part does the triumvirate play? All will be most intriguing.
Mark Knight

Jul 02 2008

My Story: Road to War by Valerie Wilding

Scholastic, 2008.
Wealthy, upper class Daphne has been brought up to believe her role in life is to learn how to run a home. However, after the First World War breaks out, her father is killed in action and her brother declared missing. Daphne is determined to do her bit for the war effort, but bored with knitting socks and rolling bandages she joins the FANYs – the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry and finds herself driving ambulances at the front line.

Written as a war diary we are offered a dramatic contrast between Daphne's privileged home existence and her dangerous exploits at the front. This is a valuable record of the changing role of women in an unstable world. Small details such as how daring it was for a girl to cut her hair (long hair had a habit of getting oily when leaning under ambulance bonnets) are sensitively portrayed.

However, the characterisation remains rather flat. Daphne is a pleasant, jolly girl, but her experiences don't tug at the heart strings and although much of her diary is written from the front line you don't feel as though you are there with her. One saving grace is that this book does not offer a stereotyped ending. I had a feeling that Daphne's brother would be found alive – but at the end of the book he is still missing, presumed dead, a poignant reminder of the millions who lost their lives.

This book does not have the same impact as Private Peaceful (Michael Morpurgo), but it does offer an insight into the changing role of women and would be a useful addition to a topic box. The historical notes and photographs contribute greatly to the overall picture and I was fascinated to learn that the FANYs still exist today and worked with the London police in the aftermath of the 7/7 bombings in 2005.
Claire Larson

Jul 02 2008

Perky little penguins by Tony Mitton and Guy Parker-Rees

London, Orchard, 2007. Picture book.
An enchanting look at penguins, this picture book written by Tony Mitton and illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees is sure to delight its audience, whether reading independently or listening to the wonderful language. Perky little penguins go on a fantastic trip, 'skimming through the snow, slipping on the slidy ice' and having fun wherever they go.
The rhythm, rhyme and alliteration in this story make it a great read aloud and the illustrations add lots of vivid colour as well as giving the reader many chuckles as they follow the antics of the penguins.
As the penguins say:
'Wheeeee!…What a whizzy ride'.
Pat Pledger

Jun 30 2008

The equen queen by Alyssa Brugman

Ford St, 2008. ISBN 9761876462598
(Age 10+) Alyssa Brugman has made an exciting start with her first fantasy novel The equen queen, the second in the Quentaris – Quest of the lost city series. Tab Vidler is once more faced with saving Quentaris, this time from the threat of a trader world, which initially appears to be friendly, beguiling the inhabitants of Quentaris with gems and the promise of an equen that can heal people. Tab is appalled to discover that her magic seems to be disappearing and that she is having difficulties talking to animals. How is she to help overcome the screeching Loraskians when they come marauding and looking for their gems? And what will happen to the equen queen when she is returned to her home planet?

Tab is an strong, engaging heroine whose exploits keep the reader totally enthralled as she plunges from one adventure to the next. The tale of Melprin the dragon and her egg melds well with the sorrow of the equen queen who has been separated from her herd. Readers who enjoy horse stories will recognise some of the traits of the equens and identify with the determination of Tab to return her to her native world.

This was an enjoyable and satisfying story with original twists and turns and challenging ideas. It could be read as a stand-alone, although as many of the characters were first introduced in The spell of undoing, the reader will have a better understanding of relationships if they read that first. Teacher's notes are available.
Pat Pledger

Jun 30 2008

The spell of undoing by Paul Collins

Ford St, 2008. ISBN 9781876462536
(Age 10+) The first book in a new series of Quentaris – Quest of the lost city – sees Quentaris uprooted by a wicked spell and sent flying through the rift-maze. Tab Vidler, a young orphan member of the Dung Brigade, unknowingly witnesses the magic spell of the icefire gem and finds herself a key person in the fight to save Quentaris from the rival city of Tolrush, which has also been hurled into the universe. With her friends, Amelia and Philmon, she sets on a quest to grow as a magician who can speak to animals, while facing great danger, a fiercesome dragon and exciting battles.

The spell of undoing is an enticing start to the series. The characters are very likeable, the illustrations add to the charm of the story, the cover art is attractive and the reader is sure to want to read further adventures of Tab as her powers grows and Quentaris faces many perils in its search for its home.

This can be read as a stand-alone, although the reader can gain further information from the Quentaris website.  Fans of the original series will welcome this new addition, and new readers will be tempted to go back to the original series. Teacher's notes are available.
Pat Pledger

Jun 30 2008

Midsummer Knight by Gregory Rogers

Allen and Unwin, 2008
Bear slumbers in his boat upon the river, and when it bumps into the bank, he disembarks, exploring the forest beyond. Chased by some bees, after raiding their honey, he spies a door at the bottom of a large tree, and runs inside. At the end of the tunnel is another world, one where he is a tiny hatchling compared with the mushrooms, butterfly and mother bird nearby. The bird takes him on her back to another tree with a tiny door at its base, and entering this door, the bear finds he is in a castle, but one where bad things are happening. Thrown into the dungeon he spies the imprisoned king and queen and together they devise a way of escaping, then taking back the castle and restoring the monarchy to its rightful place.

All is told in a wordless graphic book of incredible detail. Bear, with his Cromwellian hat and little cape saves the day in rumbustious style, fighting all and sundry who attack him. The movement and colour on each page draws in the reader, entreating them to take a closer look at everything that is happening. From the Elizabethan king and queen, to the knights in shining armour, the Shakespearian look-a-like for the nasty usurper with his paunchy stomach and goatee beard, the court jester and all, each character is an individual, with his own characteristics and fighting manner.

It is a joy to watch all that is happening and then go back to the beginning taking a closer look at each individual character. A closer look also brings the eye to catch small details, otherwise missed; the fairy ring at the start and end of his adventure, implying perhaps a magical story, the wings on the characters in the forest, the windows in the tree trunks, the people like cushions of the royal couple. Children and adults will delight in this magical story of Bear's adventure one midsummer night, and take time to look and ponder all the allusions given by the artist.
Fran Knight

Jun 25 2008

Indij Readers for little fellas, for big fellas

various authors, (series) Indij Readers, Rockdale, NSW, 2008
A series of small guided readers suitable for primary school people, but aimed at low reading ability students particularly Aboriginal students, this series is delightful. Each of the books is well illustrated, has bold large print, and 16 – 24 pages long. Each has a simple premise, but is told with charm and insight. Each of the stories aims to explore a contemporary Indigenous issue, and so support the idea of Reconciliation.

Our Aunty Sharon (by Chasity Prior, Kelli McIntosh, Philip Murray, Sharon Hughes and Karen Briggs) tells the story of Aunty Sharon who is a volunteer in the classroom, helping the kids read, plays football with them, gets cross with them but is always their Aunty Sharon. There are about 10 sentences, each with a variety of words and sounds, and each page has another question at the bottom of the page, so offering a range of sentence structures.

Firewood and Rabbits (by Ron Jackson and David Leffler) tells the story of Ron Jackson's early life when he lived at Balranald on a mission station. He and his brothers used their father's axe to fashion a raft out of the roof of an old FJ Holden to get across the river to find wood. It is a story about making do, and families and working together.

Dreamtime at the 'G (by Alinta Hayes and Andrew Nelson) will have huge appeal to middle school students, with its history of the AFL and the games played at the MCG in Melbourne. The book shows the development of the game from Gaelic and Marn Grook, to racism in the game and Aboriginal players over the years. It's a winner.

Lake Mungo, our story (by Johnno Mitchell, Leanne Taylor, Naomi Carr, Raeleen Berriman, Ron Jackson, Roslyn Thorpe, Vanessa Dyke and Wendy McDougall) This wonderful little book uses a variety of fonts and design to present information about Lake Mungo. It presents the flora and fauna of the area, and shows the erosion, the fossils and talks about the finding of Mungo Man and Mungo Woman, buried in the area.

Each of the books is most interesting to read and a set of these will add to the guided reading boxes in the classroom. A Teacher's handbook comes with the set, giving ideas about using the series, as well as information about what to look for in each book. (info@indijreaders.com.au or visit www.indijreaders.com.au)
Fran Knight

Jun 24 2008

The Seventeen Secrets of the Karma Club by Karen McCombie

Scholastic, 2008
(Age 9+) The story of Kezzy and her new best friend Nell who establish the Good Karma Club, which aims to spread a little happiness among friends and acquaintances. Initially keeping the club secret makes the whole process quite exciting, until their secret good deeds spiral out of control and Kezzy's Mum makes an announcement that shocks Kezzy and Nell to the core and threatens their perfect friendship.
A fast paced story with likeable characters and a believable plot.Some more serious issues are touched on including the value of friendship and the importance of having a social conscience. McCombie also makes a point of challenging stereotypes as Kezzy's Mum is a tattooed knitting fanatic and her Dad a nursery nurse! Ultimately this is a lighthearted, humorous story with plenty of action and a satisfying plot that reveals one of the seventeen secrets in each chapter. This is a 'chick-lit' novel that would cater for primary aged children. Although our heroines are 13 there are no teen-issues that would worry parents and preclude younger children from enjoying it. Ideal for confident readers, 9 + who don't want to work too hard.
Claire Larson

Jun 23 2008

The Other Book by Philip Womack

Bloomsbury, London. 2008
(Age 10 – 14 years) Philip Womack explores the supernatural in The Other Book, a new fantasy for young readers. At boarding school in modern-day England, twelve year old Edward Pollock discovers an old book in the school library; it is cursed and waiting for an opportunity to weld an evil magic after being lost for three hundred years.

After discovering the book, Edward gradually becomes more bewildered and realises he must control some dark power which tries to overcome him at every turn. His strength of character, and sense of duty and trust are constantly tested. With the help of a knight who appears mysteriously, Edward learns that the future of his world depends on his ability to withstand the evil power at work.

Edward's story is a series of exciting confrontations with those who wish to take the book back from this young 'carrier'. Lady Anne, Mrs Phipps, Dr Spawforth and Reverend Smallwood oppose all moves by Edward to restore its power. These are great characters and the story rolls along very well. There is plenty of action as Edward's courage is constantly tested; it seems that there is no one he can trust.

For a first novel Womack successfully lures the reader into his imagined world, and the array of characters weave a great story. Numerous editorial errors are annoying and the language style is clumsy at times but The Other Book has a sound sense of place and time and is an absorbing read. This book is recommended for younger readers, however, often the line which divides reality and the supernatural becomes blurred and so some images are disturbing.
Julie Wells

Jun 18 2008

Tales from outer suburbia by Shaun Tan

Allen and Unwin, 2008.
ISBN 978174114917 3
A story and picture book for adults and children alike, Shaun Tan draws a mirror to the face of Australia, with lonely people, houses where constant bickering between parents causes the boy to sleep on the lawn, communities where people use the missiles in their yards for practical purposes and an exchange student who lives in a house where little exchange takes place. Each story provokes thought about how we live and entreats the reader to give more serious consideration to our lives and the lives of those around us.

His incredible pictorial style, making references to art from the Renaissance world, Raymond Briggs, Geoffrey Smart, as well as nodding to Terry Gilliam, among others, gives an intellectual layer to the illustrations, urging the reader to reflect and ponder on what they are viewing. From the dog on the TV (dog on the tuckerbox?) to the car of people, looking for a place to sleep amongst a crowd of hotels, all showing a 'no vacancy' sign (Mary and Joseph perhaps?) each offers a suggestion of what is going on in outer suburbia. Tan's observation of life around him, particularly growing up in an outer suburb of Perth has given him a rich field from which to draw his stories.
To choose several stories from the wealth offered in this book is difficult, but I loved Grandpa's story which tells of the trials of a marriage, where after almost insurmountable difficulties, resulting in a no holds barred argument, the two find they must work together to find the common goal. Eric, too resonates with ideas.
For a perceptive look at the Australian suburban lifestyle, interjected with humour, pathos, allegory, and an amazing array of detailed illustrations then this book is a marvelous addition to anyone's library.
Fran Knight

Jun 18 2008

Rain by Kate Le Vann

Piccadilly, 2008.
This novel by Kate Le Vann is set in London over a summer holiday when 16 year old Rain goes to stay with her trendy young grandmother in the house in which her deceased mother grew up. Here she uncovers her mother's diaries, written when she was the same age as Rain, and believes she has discovered that her mother had an affair with an older pop musician and became pregnant before ever meeting the man Rain believes is her real father. Is she his 'love- child' and if so how will Rain deal with that and how will it affect her close relationship with her scientist academic father?
Throughout this crisis in her life she develops an increasingly close relationship with Harry, a student who has been employed to help her grandmother sort out her house in Notting Hill before selling it. He helps Rain in her quest to uncover the truth but jealousy rears its head as she assumes Harry and a fellow student have a close relationship already and that her growing feelings for him are misled.
Switching between emails, the personal diaries of Rain and those of her mother, written 20 years before, as well as the narrator's voice makes for a slightly difficult tone but I was gripped and had to read on and find out if true love triumphs in the end. This is a sensitive, perceptive and complex exploration of the nature of love explored via the intense feelings of a 16 year old girl discovering her independence for the first time in a new environment.
Laura Taylor

© Copyright Pledger Consulting 2007

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