Simon Pulse, 2009. ISBN 9781416971733.
(Ages 10+) Recommended. Excitement,
extreme adventure and thrills start on page one and don't let up until
the last
page in this latest blockbuster in the steampunk genre. Riding machines
that
are fuelled by living creatures, with talking lizards taking messages
between
crews, the Darwinists (the Allies) are about to be embroiled in a war
with the
Axis powers (the Clankers) who still use only mechanically driven
machines. It
is World War One, taken to a whole new level.
The
Archduke and his wife have been shot; their son is fleeing for his life
on the
magnificent Stormwalker, and is holed up in a castle, especially
prepared for
him, in Switzerland. Landing badly nearby, a whale airship, powered by
bats,
called the Leviathan, the most magnificent beast in the British fleet,
is
stranded and dying. After Alek skis down to aid the wounded man, the
captain
and particularly Dr Barlow, turn for help from him and his small crew
at the
castle. Each has a hidden agenda, and if Alek can help the airship at
least
clear the ground then the hope of continuing its mission to
Constantinople will
be realised.
Alek,
the son of the Arch Duke, and Deryn, an imposter aboard the airship,
trying to
make it as a crew member, and hiding her sexuality, become friends, and
so the
adventure begins.
Readers
will be enthralled at the beasts themselves, whether they be the
mechanical
giants of the Axis powers, or the part animal beasties of the Allies,
the
descriptions are fascinating, made more so by the scatter of drawings
through
the text and the engrossing drawing of the map of Europe on the end
papers. The
publication of this sublime novel, of which there is at least a sequel,
is
handsome. Hardback, a sumptuous cover with tactile lettering and raised
pictures, the end papers are illuminating as are the descriptions added
by
Westerfeld at the back of the book. Everything about this book screams
a
pleasurable experience, and the reader will not be let down.
Fran Knight
Ten little hermit crabs by Lee Fox and Shane McG
Allen and Unwin, 2009. 9781741757392.
(Ages 2-5)Recommended. 10 little hermit
crabs live on the seashore.
One by one they disappear. A seagull swoops one up, a shark gobbles
another,
one gets hooked on a fisherman's line. In a satisfying conclusion, one
little
hermit crab alone on the pier finds nine little crabs on the beach each
in its
distinctive shell.
An appealing counting book, Ten little hermit crabs is a
great read aloud because of its rhyming words, alliteration and
repetition of
every second page with the rhyme:
Hush says the
seashore.
Shh, says the sea
How many hermit crabs will there be?
This repetition allows the young listener or
reader to think
about numbers and predict how many crabs will be left and what will
happen to
them. There is factual information at the beginning about hermit crabs
taking
second shells as their homes and each crab has a beautiful different
shell.
The glowing yellow, blue and green colours of the illustrations
by Shane Mcg make each page a delight to turn over. Children will love
the
little eyes on stalks and the comical expressions on the faces of the
crabs and
their predators.
Pat Pledger
Little Bird by Camilla Way
Harper Collins, London 2009. ISBN 978000
7242375
(Ages 16+) Highly recommended. 'It took one second to snatch the child'
was the
dramatic
opening line of this novel set jointly in London and France and New York.
Three year old Elodie Brun
was
taken from her pram outside a boulangerie in France in 1985. The baker
heard the horrifying scream of
Therese, her mother, and knew that 'in the same brief moment Therese
and
all she
was and might yet still have been was taken too.'
Elodie was stolen and hidden away in the Foret de
Breteuil
by a mute man. She soon forgot the few words she knew and her old way
of life.
Instead she learnt how to mimic birdsongs and to fish and gather edible
food
from the forest.
Ten years later, as Elodie is entering adolescence,
her
kidnapper commits suicide and she runs out of the forest and into
civilization.
Because she only communicates through grunts and bird whistles she is
nicknamed 'Little Bird.' She isn't
returned to her
mother but taken under the wing of Dr Ingrid Klein, an expert in
psycholinguistics. Amazingly she learns to speak but again finds
herself hidden
away from society, this time as the doctor's 'laboratory specimen.'
At age fifteen Elodie pushes Ingrid away in the
kitchen
causing her bad injuries from which she ultimately dies.
Elodie flees once again, manages to change
her identity and survive in Queens
and even
settle down in the workforce.However
Elodie is always looking over her shoulder fearing that she will be
recognized
and exposed. Eventually the anonymous phone calls come whispering her
former
name. Whom can she trust?
This is a multi-faceted book with many subtle side
themes
examining relationships, prostitution, and drug taking as well as how
we learn
to speak. Useful adjuncts include a Q and A section with the author and
ten
other books set in London.
Intriguing from beginning to end Little Child is highly
recommended
for
secondary students and would make an excellent senior study novel.
Kay
Haarsma
Operation Storm City by Joshua Mowll
Walker Books, 2008.
ISBN: 9781844286478.
(Age: 10-14) Book Three of the Guild
of Specialists trilogy; books one
and two were Operation Red Jericho and Operation Typhoon
Shore. This handsome hardback looks appealing; photographs,
documents,
water colours, diary extracts and pencil sketches capture exotic India
in the
1920s with its maharajan palaces, temples and characters. Fold out
pages describe intricate devices and
mechanisms created by long lost civilizations involved in the good v
evil world
domination struggle, as well as the interiors of the Zeppelin and the
maharaja's personal luxury train. History and fantasy blend in this
'Alex Rider
meets the da Vinci Code' swashbuckling adventure which has it all -
secret
societies, codes, flame throwing Cossacks on horseback, tsarist
plotters,
swordfights, tattooed lips, not to mention mysterious Chinese warrior
sects.
Teenage superheroes Becca and Doug Mackenzie return to
their old family home in Lucknow, India, searching for clues to their
missing
parents' expedition route and the fabled city of Ur Can, known as Storm
City,
in remote Sinkiang. They embark on a journey to the Takla Makan desert,
racing
against the enemy by steam train, riverboat and Zeppelin airship across
the
Himalayas! They often escape death by a hair's breadth, as when Liberty
pilots
an aircraft out of a doomed airship. Becca and Doug possess amazing
skills such
as navigation and sword fighting and whilst they act like modern
children they
are fantastic creations.
It would have helped to have read the first two books in
the series as the siblings meet up again with a bewildering array of
characters
from the first books and prior knowledge of the sects and societies
involved
would have made it less confusing. It's action all the way and one for
the fans
of this genre. The presentation and packaging make it a keepsake and
are the
distinguishing features of the book. One thing seemed strange to me was
how
reticent the children were on meeting their long-lost-given-up-for-dead
parents
- no joyous reunion to find them alive! Perhaps it's a British thing!
Kevyna Gardner
Lessons from a dead girl by Jo Knowles
Candlewick Press, 2009.
This short, easy to
read
novel follows the relationship between two young girls, Lainey and
Leah. Having names a bit more different
would have made
it easier! Laine / Lainey, the awkward
and shy type with boyish looks and short hair struggles to make
friends. Leah, on the other hand is good looking,
smart and outgoing. The storyline is
recounted by Laine after Leah invites her to join the 'in' crowd and
they
become best friends.
The need to be
wanted is an
overwhelming one as illustrated by this quote from Lainey: 'Any time I
start to wonder why on earth
Leah Greene wants to be my best friend, I tell myself not to think
about it... I
feel so deliriously happy ... I'm not no one anymore.'In
fifth grade Leah writes 'FF', meaning
friends forever in permanent ink on their hands. This childhood promise
emerges
again and again in the years ahead to trouble Lainey, as she tries to
come to
terms with becoming an individual in her own right.
The relationship
soon becomes
more complex as Leah introduces secret sessions in Lainey's closet
where they 'play house' kissing and touching all over to 'practice for
when we are
older'. Afterwards Leah taunts Lainey
that she really likes this physical contact, and that is she is
abnormal. However it is Leah that always
initiates
these sessions while Lainey allows it to maintain the friendship.
Leah's controlling or bullying actions
increase even though she gives little friendship back.
Lainey starts
seeking new
friends by going to a lot of parties where binge drinking is the main
activity.
Along the way she meets Web and Jess who teach her the real meaning of
friendship. However this forces the
controlling Leah over the edge and she reveals all about their physical
relationship to all the guests. Leah, while fleeing the party with
Lainey
driving after, crashes to her death.
Lainey then has to
face
feelings of guilt as she had grown to hate Leah and secretly wish her
dead.
Some issues like
the binge
drinking and sex at parties are glossed over rather than explored as
the author
focuses solidly on the dysfunctional
friendship between the two major characters. The physical nature of the
sexual contact isn't depicted in
detail so it
shouldn't offend. Many teenagers will relate to some of the controlling
and
bullying type of behaviour. Teenage girls are largely the audience for
this book,
but it could be useful as a secondary text for health classes, with its
interwoven
themes of friendship, sexual abuse and guilt.
Kay
Haarsma
Cooking with Grandma by Rosemary Mastnak
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2009. ISBN 9781921564192.
(Ages 2-6)
Recommended.
Following Dancing with Grandma, comes this delightful picture
book
featuring Anya
and her grandmother. Anya goes to stay
with her grandparents for a week, and she and Grandma make a different
treat
for each day. There are toast soldiers and
boiled eggs on Monday, scones on Tuesday and a chocolate cake on
Saturday. Then
they set it in special places to serve to special people, culminating
in a
wonderful party on Sunday.
Mastnak celebrates family life with this warm
hearted story.
I loved Grandma. She is so modern, with her floppy hats and beads and
is such a
loving, happy go lucky person. Anya is a treat and Grandpa and other
family
members are great too.
The illustrations fit the story perfectly and
bring alive
the different characters and the wonderful settings for cooking and
serving Anya
and Grandma's cooking. The kitchen is a pleasure and the garden with
its large
gum tree is beautiful.
All the recipes are ones that would often be made
at home
and could be duplicated by a grandmother who might like to read a story
and
then follow through with the food.
Pat Pledger
A history of cricket by Catherine Chambers
Black Dog Books, 2009.
(Age 10 +) Today cricket is a highly organised,
international
sport but its origins lie in the villages of 14th century
England.
The journey has been rich in history, shadowing the British Empire
which ensured
the game's spread around the globe. It is a story of fascinating
anecdotes, champions,
humour, controversy, tradition and change.
Catherine Chambers has told that story in a book which
resembles a paperback novel. A wealth of detail is carried along in a
fast-paced
narrative, driven rather than slowed by dot-points and brief
biographies of
famous players. Headings entertain with alliteration and rhyme. Quotes
from
those who were mystified by the game and those who loved it provide
voices from
the past. For the novice, there are explanations of the rules,
technical terms
and positions. Devotees can pore over the timelines, batting averages
and match
results. Everyone can enjoy the social history which influenced the
sport's
development. A comprehensive index is a welcome addition in a title
which is
tailor-made for both research and reading for pleasure.
The writing style is breezy and colloquial. The attempt
to be entertaining is largely successful but is marred occasionally by
cultural
stereotypes. All the photographs are in black and white. Recent
pictures of
cricketers in action have been chosen for their drama and maintain
their impact
despite the absence of colour. A history of cricket is a light-hearted, enjoyable
and informative sequel to the author's previous title - Goal! How
football
conquered the world.
Elizabeth Bor
A Necklace of Raindrops by Joan Aiken and Jan Pienkowski
Jonathan
Cape, 2009. ISBN 9780224083805.
(Age
7+) Recommended. Joan
Aiken's delightful collection of short stories, first published in
1968, has
been reissued just in time to enchant a new generation this Christmas.
These
fables and fairy tales are the product of such unbridled imagination
they
cannot fail to please. Aiken rolls up her sleeves and wades straight
in, wasting
little time on scene setting and build up. The power of these stories
lies in
the continuous dramatic action, making them ideal to read aloud.
Nevertheless
there is still plenty for young readers and listeners to ponder. One of
my
favourites is The Elves and the Shelves where a privileged
little girl,
the
recipient of many material possessions, feels lonely and realises a
friend is
worth more than all the toys she could wish for.
Jan
Pienkowski's illustrations are a sumptuous partner to Aiken's stories.
The
contrast between intricate silhouettes and splashes of rich colour work
a treat
and serve as a reminder (if you need one) of his amazing artistic power.
Perfect
for calming frayed nerves during a fraught end of term, and a welcome
addition
to Christmas stockings.
Claire Larson
Fire by Kristin Cashore
Gollanz, 2009. ISBN 9780575085121
(Age 14+) Highly recommended. Judged by US
Publishers Weekly
as one of the Best Children's Books for 2009, Fire is a
companion novel
to
Graceling, the winner of the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for
Children's
Literature
2009, and one of YALSA Teens Top 10.
Monsters live in the Dells. They take the shape of
living
creatures but are exceptionally beautiful to look upon and have the
ability to
entrall anyone who sees them. Fire is
the last of the human Monsters and she is feared because of her beauty
and her
ability to control minds, especially as her father Cansrel has grossly
misused
his powers as advisor to the King.
The world that Cashore has created is complete and
fascinating and her characters are well rounded and memorable. There is
a slow
paced romance and lots of action, fierce battles and court intrigue,
but it is the
moral dilemmas that Fire faces that make this book so outstanding.
Should she use her powers to help in the war
that is developing? She longs for children but she knows that if she
continues the
human
Monster line, there is the possibility that any children she has may
misuse
their power in the same way that her father did. Cashore subtly drew me
into
considering the difference between right and wrong and the use and
misuse of
talent, and has left me thinking of complex issues long after I
finished
the
book.
This novel can be read as a stand-alone. It is set
in a different
kingdom to Graceling, and has only one overlapping character, a
boy
with
different coloured eyes. Fire is outstanding fantasy. Beautifully written,
with a
strong heroine, compelling characters and plot, it is a book not to be
missed.
Pat Pledger
Cupid's arrow by Isabelle Merlin
Random House, 2009. ISBN 978174166 4379.
(Age 12+) Recommended. An intriguing and mysterious plot,
extremely well
written
and full of fascinating twists and turns. Fleur Griffin's mother
inherits a library of a renowned French
collector.She and her mother travel to
the ancient town of Avallon to find the author murdered and the scene
is highly
influenced by the obsession with the legends of King Arthur.
Fleur meets the fascinating Remy who lives in
the woods with his hermit mother.
Descriptions of the country side, the sweet smelling arboretums,
the
venerable historical buildings bring the French countryside to life.The
mystery deepens but Fleur and Remy use
wile and the internet to find the person who committed the murders.It's
a gripping read.Early
senior school girls particularly should enjoy it.
Sue Nosworthy
Envy a Luxe Novel by Anna Godbersen
Penguin
Books, 2009. ISBN 9780141323381.
(Age 15+) It's
the year 1900 and the Holland family of
No. 17
Gramercy Park South are Manhattan
society's favourite family. However tragedy has befallen them over the
last
year with the father dying, their money disappearing, and daughter
Elizabeth
having her new husband shot and killed. Her
sister Diana has lost her virginity and heart to some-one now
unattainable.
In
the same town Henry and Penelope Schoonmaker have become the city's
most prominent
couple. But despite their recent marriage, the newlyweds are barely
talking to
each other and the marriage remains unconsummated. A certain gossip
columnist
seems to be receiving very good inside information about the goings on
in high
society much to the annoyance of the participants.
This is the third book in the Luxe novel series but it can be read as
a stand
alone title. The 1900 setting brings
with it many historical lessons such as the different classes in
society and
the huge discrepancies in their living conditions. There is envy not
only
between the classes but within them. The richer set must 'be mindful of
appearances' and act with 'propriety', with the females offering
'passive acquiescence.'
However, even like today's youth, the decorum disappears when they are
away
from the public eye.
The
language used is not only rich in description but also full of phrases
rarely
encountered in the 21st century.
Terms such as pedlar of secrets, well kempt gentleman and
cordial
manners will send many of today's students searching for their
dictionaries. Nevertheless the themes of
wealth, love, beauty and betrayal and the fast paced storyline will
keep them
turning the pages to see what happens next. Suitable for upper
secondary
students.
Kay
Haarsma
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Doubleday, 2009. ISBN 9780385618021.
(Age 15+) A boy
seventeen-year-old
Lucinda was with has died in suspicious circumstances. She
is sent to the grim Sword and Cross School,
a place for teens who have been in trouble by the authorities. Across
the courtyard she spies a gorgeous boy, Daniel, and is instantly drawn
to him
although he rejects her. She discovers
that Daniel is a fallen angel and that they have spent generations
loving and
losing each other. Dark forces are at work. Will they ever be able to
be
together?
There are all the ingredients in this book that
publishers
seem to think that teens want - a three way romance with a happy boy,
brooding boy and passive girl, fallen angels in place of vampires,
cheery
friends and boarding school. However
after reading a few books with these ingredients, they begin to
feel very
stereotypical. Robin Mckinley and
her fabulous vampire book Sunshine is a good example of an
intelligent vampire story for more
mature readers.
Luce is a fairly engaging main character. I liked
the way
she relates to her family (although I couldn't understand how two
loving
parents could possibly leave their daughter in reform school with no
contact
with her). I kept hoping that she would show more initiative other than
spending her time moping over Daniel, or going around with Cam, but
that is not
the case. Her friend Pen has more going for her, is normal, intelligent
and
proactive about making enquiries into Daniel's background. Neither
Daniel nor Cam seemed fleshed out enough
for me to
fall for either one, but then I'm not a teenage girl.
There is plenty of action towards the end of the
book,
although some of it seems a bit disjointed. I found Fallen
entertaining
but not
thought provoking. Other than Daniel not being able to kiss Luce, or
she would
die, the pair didn't seem to face any real personal or moral dilemmas,
which
would have brought the story alive for me.
Pat Pledger
Fly away Peter by Frank Dickens
Ill. by Ralph
Steadman. Pavilion
Children's Books, 2008. ISBN 9781843651222.
(Ages 5-8) This charming
picture book story of a giraffe with a short neck,
Jeffrey, and his friend, Peter, the bird who cannot fly, and who get
together
because they are different from their peers, will delight smaller
children as
they read of their friendship. The two animals get together as they
have no
other friends, and relish in playing games with each other. During a
game of
hide and seek, Peter hides behind a rock, but Jeffrey cannot find him.
Eventually he looks down the rabbit hole and becomes stuck. Peter comes
to his
rescue and realising that he cannot pull him out by himself, he must
get help.
But his brothers and sisters are out of reach so he struggles to fly to
them.
His success means that many animals come to Jeffrey's rescue and help
pull him
from the rabbit hole.
Originally
published in 1963, Steadman's illustrations
have been reproduced from his original drawings, with a few more added
that
have hitherto been unpublished. Together this story of friendship,
belonging
and struggling to overcome difficulties is as fresh today as it was 40
years
ago, and will find a wide readership. An astute teacher or parent will
be able
to find links with creation stories from around the world.
Fran Knight
Fly away Peter by Frank Dickens
Ill. by Ralph Steadman. Pavilion Children's Books. (Ages 5-8) This charming picture book story of a giraffe with a short neck, Jeffrey, and his friend, Peter, the bird who cannot fly, and who get together because they are different from their peers, will delight smaller children as they read of their friendship. The two animals get together as they have no other friends, and relish in playing games with each other. During a game of hide and seek, Peter hides behind a rock, but Jeffrey cannot find him. Eventually he looks down the rabbit hole and becomes stuck. Peter comes to his rescue and realising that he cannot pull him out by himself, he must get help. But his brothers and sisters are out of reach so he struggles to fly to them. His success means that many animals come to Jeffrey's rescue and help pull him from the rabbit hole. Originally published in 1963, Steadman's illustrations have been reproduced from his original drawings, with a few more added that have hitherto been unpublished. Together this story of friendship, belonging and struggling to overcome difficulties is as fresh today as it was 40 years ago, and will find a wide readership. An astute teacher or parent will be able to find links with creation stories from around the world. Fran Knight
The billionaire's curse by Richard Newsome
Text Publishing. ISBN 9781921520570.
(Age 10+) Recommended. A rollicking whodunit with Gerald
Wilkins as the hero. His English great
aunt, whom he has never
met is dead and has left Gerald twenty
billion pounds! He and his parents
travel in a private jet to England where, following the funeral, his
mother and
father conveniently go holidaying in his great aunt's private jet while
Gerald
is caught up in the mystery of the theft of the world's most valuable
diamond. With his new friends Ruby and
Sam whom he met at the British Museum, a fascinating search for the
diamond
ensues. Gerald and the twins follow the
mystery through an unused train station, an unusual old bookshop, to a
tower of
a ruined church and finally to the crypt at Avonleigh.
There awaits the priceless diamond protected
by deadly booby traps!
The story
envelopes the reader who joins in the search for the villain. It's an
exciting and entertaining read.
The font enables the reader to read easily
and quickly.
Sue Nosworthy
