Latest Review 
Dec 03 2020
Aster's good, right things by Kate Gordon
Riveted Press, 2020. 189pp. ISBN: 9780648492573.
(Ages 11+) Highly recommended. Aster is an 11-year-old girl who
attends an alternative style school in Tasmania. We soon learn,
through her first-person journal, that she is troubled and on the
outer and more importantly we know what she is thinking in contrast
to how she is acting. She also has an interest and passion for
flowers and their symbolism. Aster is convinced that the only way
she can survive is by doing good, right things for others but she
rarely feels accomplishment or joy for herself.
She volunteers most
of her school breaks in the library but one day she finds refuge in
the school yard and meets Xavier and his rabbit Hollyhock. Their
friendship grows through their openness about their mental health
and Xavier's quirky dress and behaviour. Another important character
at the school is Indigo who thwarts her need of love and rescuing
behind aggressive behaviour. On the home front Aster's mother has
left her and Aster's loving father. This has a huge impact on them
both and Aster blames herself. Fortunately, her Aunt Noni supports
them and then Indigo as well. Gradually Aster develops a group of
like-minded friends around her and we have hope for their futures.
Ultimately intelligent communication and love heals all their lives.
There are certainly other stories with characters experiencing
anxiety and depression, family breakup and friendship issues.
However, this story is deeply perceptive and true. It is right to
acknowledge that all mothers don't love their children and that
adults can be selfish and unwise. Kate Gordon captures the
physicality of anxiety and the need to hide away. Gordon really gets
into the mind of an 11-year-old and short unflowery sentences convey
Aster's astute thoughts well. Sometimes these strings of thoughts
are quite poetic.
Stories like these are so important for developing
empathy for others. It suits a middle years audience well because it
is not too graphic and shocking. Although it is a serious book it
does have a whimsical quality which matches Aster's personality.
Teacher's
notes are available.
Jo Marshall
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Dec 03 2020
Kitty is not a cat: Bath time by Jess Black
Hachette, 2020. ISBN: 9780734419798
(Age: 5-7) Highly recommended. Bath time is one of a series of
junior fiction books based on the popular animated television series
Kitty is not a cat produced by BES Animation based in
Melbourne. The TV series has screened in over 85 countries... more
Dec 03 2020
The naked farmer by Ben Brooksby
Pan Macmillan, 2020. ISBN: 9781760981068.
(Age: 17+) In 2017, Ben Brooksby posted a photograph of himself on
social media. The photograph showed him lying naked on lentils in a
truck. At first, he thought that his followers might learn about the
importance of agriculture, but his own... more
Dec 02 2020
Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760878283.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. A reprint tying in with the Netflix series,
readers will be sure to enjoy the original book first printed in
2010. Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have again produced a sparkling
collaboration, with two main characters,... more
Dec 02 2020
Slinky Malinki's Christmas 123 by Lynley Dodd
Puffin, 2020. ISBN: 9780143775355.
(Age 1+) Highly recommended. Right from the front cover, with its
cheeky little black cat, clutching a toy Santa and surrounded by
Christmas decorations, any young reader will be enticed to open the
book and see what Slinky Malinki is up to. Turning the... more
Dec 02 2020
The wizard in my shed: the misadventures of Merdyn the Wild by Simon Farnaby
Hodder & Stroughton, 2020. ISBN: 9781444954388. 323p.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Merdyn the Wild was the world's greatest
Warlock in the 6th Century before the showdown of Chapter One
wherein his nemesis Jerabo discredits Merdyn in King Paul's eyes,
before casting Merdyn into the rivers of... more
Dec 02 2020
The Carbon-Neutral Adventures of the Indefatigable Enviroteens by Andrew Martlew
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760526122.
(Age: 10-13) Cover indicates the author as: First Dog on the Moon.
This is a nonsensical adventure that is a cross between a cartoon
spoof adventure and a 'wimpy kid' exploration of climate change. At
no stage is it a serious attempt to address... more
Dec 01 2020
Bindi by Kirli Saunders
Illus. by Dub Leffler. Magabala Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781925936667.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Seedlings. Cinders. Sprouts. These
are the three sections of this beautifully written heartwarming
story of Bindi, a young girl living on Gundungurra country, learning
from her Elders,... more
Dec 01 2020
Harry Potter: Christmas at Hogwarts: a movie scrapbook
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781526628244.
(Age: 8+). Highly recommended. Fans of the Harry Potter
phenomena will be thrilled to receive this latest offering to add to
their collection. Christmas at Hogwarts takes the reader on
an intimate and fascinating journey... more
Dec 01 2020
Tashi and the stolen forest by Anna and Barbara Fienberg
Australia Reads. Illus. by Kim Gamble. Allen and Unwin, 2020.
ISBN: 9781760878566.
(Age: 5-8) Highly recommended. Tashi has become a classic character
whose stories have been around since 1995 and have won a place in
the hearts of many children around the world. This book was part... more
Dec 01 2020
Instant karma by Marissa Meyer
Macmillan, 2020. ISBN: 9781760983468.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Prudence Daniels is the eldest in a family
of five children named after Beatles songs. The family own a shop
that sells vinyl records, and music features throughout the story
through references, Karaoke sessions and the title... more
Nov 30 2020
The boy, the wolf and the stars by Shivaun Plozza
Penguin Random House Australia, 2020. ISBN: 9781760893453.
(Age: 9-12) Highly recommended. Bo is a young boy, abandoned by his
mother at an early age and taken in by an old woodcutter. But to the
nearby villagers Bo is looked upon as cursed because he survived a
night in the dark without... more
Nov 30 2020
The book collectors of Daraya by Delphine Minoui, translated by Lara Vergnaud
PanMacmillan, 2020. ISBN: 9781529012323.
(Age: Adult) Highly recommended. How do you even begin to describe
this book? For most people, Syria is a far-off place in the midst of
a war that not many could say what it is about. We just know that
cities are being destroyed and its people are... more
Nov 30 2020
Little Jiang by Shirley Marr
Illus. by Katy Jiang. Freemantle Press, 2020 ISBN: 9781925816471.
(Age: 8-10) Recommended. After moving from China to the small town
of Honeywood, in Australia, Mei Ling Pang and her parents are
struggling to fit in. Her father's sight is failing, and her
mother's health also seems to be... more
Nov 30 2020
A Guinea Pig Night before Christmas
Guinea Pig classics, photographed by Phillip Beresford, sets
made and designed by Tess Newall. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020 ISBN:
9781526613561.
(Age: All) Recommended. Guinea pigs photographed in cute costumes
are the feature of this rendering of the classic Christmas story... more
Nov 30 2020
The werewolves who weren't by T.C. Shelley
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781526600806.
(Age: 10-12). Recommended for mature readers who have read the first
book. Follow up to 2019's The
monster who wasn't, which is a must-read before picking
up... more
Nov 27 2020
How to make a bird by Meg McKinlay
Illus. by Matt Ottley. Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781925381894.
(Age: children to adults). Highly recommended. How to Make a
Bird written by Meg McKinlay is a poignant and striking
picture book that would be suitable for readers of any age. The
story is of a young girl who... more
Nov 27 2020
The Greatest Inventor by Ben Brooks
Hachette Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781786541123.
(Age: primary) Recommended. This is a quirky story, full of whimsy.
Many children already know Ben Brook's books through the very
popular Boys who Dare to be Different 1 and 2 and Kids
who Dare to be Different.... more
Nov 27 2020
Rise of the Mythix: Mighty minotaur by Anh Do
Illus. by Chris Wahl. Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760876401.
(Age:10+) Recommended. The second in the series which began with Golden
Unicorn, has a heady mix of legends and myths; the
unicorn, griffin and... more
Nov 26 2020
October, October by Katya Balen
Ill. by Angela Harding. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN:
9781526620491
(Age: 10+ ) Highly recommended. October is a girl who thinks of
herself as a wild wolf living in the woods with her equally wild
father. In the woods she is confident and self-sufficient. She
spends her days... more
Nov 26 2020
Heroes next door by Samuel Johnson and Hilde Hinton
Hachette Australia, 2020. 213pp. ISBN: 9780733646362.
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Heroes next door is a collection of
40 true human stories ranging from a short three pages up to ten.
The book was written by Samuel Johnson, a high profile actor, who
has worked to raise money for a... more
Nov 26 2020
The dressmaker's secret by Rosalie Ham
Picador, 2020. ISBN: 9781760982027.
(Age: Adult) Tilly, the dressmaker is back! She is in hiding in
Melbourne slaving away for the demanding Mrs Flock at the Salon
Mystique, her talents in dress design gaining favour as everyone
prepares for the grand social occasion of the 1953... more
Nov 25 2020
A dog's perfect Christmas by W Bruce Cameron
Pan Macmillan, 2020. ISBN: 9781529010114.
(Age: Secondary/Adult) Highly recommended. Winstead, a nine year
wolf hound becomes aware one day that his Daddy is sad. His owner
gets up in the morning with aching bones and crooked fingers, and
turns to the pillow next to his where his wife... more
Nov 24 2020
Christmas is murder: a chilling short story collection by Val McDermid
Sphere, 2020. ISBN: 9780751581775.
(Age: Secondary/Adult) Highly recommended. In a few pages, award
winning crime writer McDermid is able to create a scenario,
characters and a crime, enticing an already enthralled reader to
keep going, wanting to see where the story heads. Twelve... more
Nov 04 2020
Santa Jaws by Mark Sperring
Illus. by Sophie Corrigan. Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781408897812.
(Age: 2+) Highly recommended. Shelly the shark is all set to make
this Christmas a very festive one. She turns her cave into a Santa
grotto and invites the little fishes to come in, but they are very
wary and swim away.... more
Nov 04 2020
Tinsel: The girls who invented Christmas by Sibeal Pounder
Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526619273.
(Age: 8+) Highly Recommended. Tinsel: The Girls who Invented
Christmas is a cleverly written book by Sibeal Pounder, author
of the popular Witch Wars and Bad Mermaids series.
What if history had it all wrong and Christmas and... more
Nov 02 2020
Rudie nudie Christmas by Emma Quay
ABC Books, 2020. ISBN: 9780733338342.
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Following Rudie Nudie (2012) which
was shortlisted for the CBCA picture book award, comes another look
at that time between bath time and bed time, when many kids allow
their bodies to be left uncovered. The fun of... more