Ill. by Nathan
Hale. Bloomsbury, 2008. ISBN 9780747587439
(Age 9+) Highly recommended. If you like feisty heroines, adventure and
a touch of humour then the graphic novel, Rapunzel's Revenge is the
book for you. In an unique take on the fairytale Rapunzel, Shannon and
Dale Hale have produced a wonderful story about a girl who has lived in
a walled castle with Gothel, the woman she thought was her mother. She
has a happy life, learning rope tricks from the guards and swinging
from trees. When she discovers that her real mother works as a slave in
the mines and questions the evil Gothel; she is imprisoned in a
hollowed-out room at the top of a tall tree for her insubordination.
Finally she escapes using her long locks as a rope. And then her
adventures begin as she sets off to rescue her mother and save the
country from the cruel Gothel.
The authors haven't portrayed a beautiful princess waiting in her tower
for the handsome prince to come and rescue her. Instead Rapunzel is a
hair-toting cowgirl who uses her braids as lasso and whip and manages
to outwit guards, outlaws and ornery old codgers out to get her. With
her companion, Jack and his goose, she uses her long locks as a weapon
to ward off evil doers.
Nathan Hale's illustrations are a visual feast that make the heroine
come alive and give a vivid background to the story which is full of
witty asides and laugh aloud humour. Combine this with a droll
retelling of the fairy tale, lots of action and a touch of
romance and you have a winning combination.
Pat Pledger
I'd tell you I love you, but then I'd have to kill you by Ally Carter
Cammie goes to the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, but it's not your usual run of the mill elite school. On the curriculum is kickboxing, learning how to disarm bombs and plan covert operations. Yes! It's a school for spies. Cammie thinks she's got it all under control until she falls for a regular town boy, Josh. Action packed adventure follows with forbidden late night excursions, spying on the local townspeople, and keeping her cover as a home-schooled girl because the Academy isn't held in high regard in the town.
It is a light hearted spy adventure story but it contains enough strong themes to keep the reader interested. Cammie is a feisty heroine dealing with the trauma of her father's death and being in a school where her mother is the headmistress. The romance contains enough angst to move the story forward and there are great action scenes.
This is good escapist reading that girls will enjoy. Fans will be happy that there is a sequel, Cross my heart and hope to spy.
Themes Spies, School.
Pat Pledger
The resistance by Gemma Malley
Allen and Unwin, 2008.
At the end of The declaration, the stunning thriller set in a
dystopian
future world where people take longevity pills and live forever,
casting aside the need for children, Anna and Peter, two Surplusses,
have escaped and joined the underground movement. But they are
discovered, and Peter, the grandson of the company CEO which develops
the pills, is taken in by him to join the company, Pincent Pharma
Corporation. But Peter and Anna cannot forget their pasts, and so their
new lives are entwined with the underground movement and the detractors
of the new order.
The sequel, The resistance details their lives as they try to
resolve
what their next moves will be and work out who they can trust. Peter,
working for his grandfather must sign the Declaration to prove his
loyalty to the company. Anna on the other hand, at home caring for her
baby brother, is befriended by a woman with photos of children, some of
whom she knows. But where can they turn for help? Into this mix comes
Jude, a computer nerd with attitude, intent on using his skills for the
underground, but again, his plausibility wears thin, and even the
underground movement does not trust him.
A creepily real world, the links to our world are everywhere;
disenchanted children, poverty of the underclass, age denial, women
cracking the glass ceiling because they do not have to take time out
for child bearing and rearing, disapproval shown to people with
children taking up more resources, energy crisis, disapproval of
refugees and so on. Molloy has cleverly tapped into the 21st century
spectres, and used them to weave a tale wholly credible and convincing,
one that is hard to put down.
The climax sees all strands of this startling story come together, as
Peter has been blackmailed by his grandfather to sign the Declaration
in front of an audience, but the underground is in the building,
causing havoc, with Jude hacking into the system to close it down, and
Peter and Pip searching for the girls imprisoned upstairs for their
stem cells. With all the adrenalin pumping bravado of a fast paced
film, this is a story not to be missed.
There is an amazing rash of books around this theme at the moment.
Readers will love the ideas and notions presented in these books,
questioning medical experimentation and the use of stem cells and body
parts. Books such as Unwind by Neil Shusterman, the prequel to
this
one, The declaration by Gemma Molloy, as well as The other
side of the
island by Allegra Goodman all expose a misuse of medical science.
Fran Knight
The trouble with dogs by Bob Graham
Walker 2007.
(Ages 3-7) A must for all dog lovers or for those who would like to own
a dog, Bob Graham's sequel to Let's Get a Pup! is full of warmth and
quiet humour. 'The trouble with dogs,' said Dad 'is that they take over
your life.' With two dogs in the house Dad should know, especially as
one of the dogs, Dave, is small and wild and exuberant. After many
misadventures the family decides that Dave needs some training so they
bring in the Pup Breakers. The Brigadier, a man with a loud voice and a
choker chain, comes to help, but the family isn't sure that he has the
answers.
The illustrations are gorgeous. With vibrant watercolour pictures, Bob
Graham has brought the little family and its two dogs to life. Each
person and animal is so well drawn that readers will feel that they
know the characters. Mum has a tattoo and a nose ring; Dad lazes in a
chair and little Rosie is very industrious. Rosie is so placid and
little Dave is a dynamo of a dog that the reader can't help loving them
both.
This is a warm hearted story that will resonate with dog owners and
appeal to children because of the subtle messages that it sends about
the joy of life and family love.
Pat Pledger
Ghostscape by Joe Layburn
Frances Lincoln, 2008.
(Ages 8+ ) Highly Recommended. This is a gem of a book - a short
novel with a big impact. Modern day Aisha, a Somali girl finds herself
face to face with 1940s schoolboy Richard when she travels back in time
to war torn London during the Blitz. Aisha herself is no stranger to
war. Her own father was killed by soldiers in her native Somalia and
her relationship with her mother has clearly suffered as a result.
School life is difficult too thanks to the school bully. Aisha is tough
- she has to be, but meeting Richard gives her the possibility of
friendship and the welcome relief of being looked after. When she
discovers the horrifying events that took place in her school during
World War Two she sets out to save her new friend and his grandfather
from certain disaster.
Joe Layburn, himself a teacher, clearly understands children and
schools. Ghostscape has a strong sense of place, but Layburn
eases off
on description in favour of plenty of action and dialogue. The link
between Aisha's experiences and Richard's is understated and it is a
clever ploy to connect the horrors that Aisha has witnessed with the
turmoil of World War Two. The twist at the end will leave you with a
lump in your throat.
In just over a hundred pages Ghostscape may not have the depth
of
Goodnight Mr Tom, or The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas but
Layburn has
created a story that will capture children's interest and give them
plenty to think and talk about. I would promote this among able but
reluctant readers.
Claire Larson
The minister for traffic lights by Tony Wilson and Andrew McLean
Lothian, $28.99 hb, ISBN 9780734408075.
(Ages 3-7) In a beautifully illustrated picture book, Tony Wilson has
created a story about a warm and loving family. It has a most unusual
theme: Dad is the government Minister for Traffic Lights but is never
heard of because traffic lights 'hardly ever make the news'. He is
obsessed with traffic lights and has six traffic light ties in red,
green and amber; his house is decorated in the same colours and a flag
of Cameroon hangs in the bedroom because it has the same colours as
traffic lights. When road rage becomes a problem, Dad comes up with a
new colour and law to solve the dilemma.
The strength of this book is its portrayal of family life. McLean has
drawn a loving family with all the accoutrements of family living and a
bespectacled father that many children will be able to identify with.
There are pictures of Dad cuddling his two children on the couch, a
messy living room with papers and socks littering the floor and even a
cat drinking out of the toilet. Close examination of the illustrations
with their touches of gentle humour will bring smiles to the faces of
the reader.
The whimsical story, with its original premise, is not easily
forgotten: Tony Wilson, on his website
, says that it is 'a personal crusade to teach kids about the
colour mauve and the way parliamentary bills enjoy passage into law'.
It could also be useful when discussing careers and families with young
children.
Pat Pledger
The fatal fire by Terry Deary
Terry Deary's Roman tales. A and C Black, 2008. ISBN 978071368970
9
(Ages 6-10) The Horrible Histories writer is now targeting younger
readers with a series of short novels telling a fanciful story of some
aspect of ancient times. In this, Mary, the slave to Master Tullus, is
waiting for him to finish watching the games from which she is
excluded. From her vantage under the table, she sees a familiar man
throw a frying pan of fat against the wall setting it alight. She
hurries to tell her master and together they flee Rome as the buildings
burn around them. As he leaves she sees Nero, the emperor and
recognizes his face as that of the arsonist.
A story which gives its readers a huge amount of information about Nero
and his place in Rome's history, Deary speculates on how Rome began to
burn, thus making Nero's plans to build a new palace able to be put in
place. Deary gives the readers titillating facts about Nero's life and
times, and by making Mary the focus of the story, allows the reader to
empathize with the fate of some of the poorest of Rome's population.
Fran Knight
Nocturne by Diane Armstrong
Fourth Estate, 2008
ISBN 9780732284305
(Ages 14+) There is no doubt that Diane Armstrong has the ability to
capture and hold the reader engrossed, as she relates her story of
courage and cruelty set in one of the most horrendous periods of our
history. The overall quality and design of this paperback, with
good sized print, makes reading this 560 page book fairly easy.
Readable with a clear continuity of plot and setting, Armstrong brings
us a story which remains embedded in our memories.
Nocturne is based on historical events which took place during
and
immediately after the Second World War. Part 1 takes the reader
from the start of war in Poland to the end of the Warsaw Ghetto
uprising, with the heroine Elzunia emerging safely, after losing most
of her family and so many of her friends to the Nazi onslaught.
She has met Adam, a young Polish pilot, at the beginning of the war -
indeed he rescues her in an ambush - and it is this memory which drives
her ambition to make it through to the end of the war. In Part 2, Adam,
now a valuable member of the Resistance, goes to London to petition for
help, meeting words of acknowledgement and empathy, but not action on
the part of the Allies. In the final section of the novel the two
characters meet after months
of hardship and adversity.
Armstrong is the author of two powerfully written non-fiction works and
a novel, Winter Journey, each based on Polish history and
heritage.
She brings to Nocturne, a wealth of meticulous research, part
of her
family's background and stories of real players in this country's past.
There is a strong sense of political feeling running through the novel
- Armstrong believes that all nations denied the Jews in Poland their
freedom, closing their eyes to the unfolding disaster. She
explores this issue, revealing to her readers the courage and
independence of a people determined to fight for freedom. The world of
the Ghetto is real, and we become emotionally involved in the lives of
its inhabitants. The human qualities of loyalty, bravery,
sacrifice and endurance emerge as the people face insurmountable odds.
At times the language is clumsy and overly wordy - it may be that
Armstrong is better placed as a writer of memoir, for she frequently
includes historical details in the narrative which seems contrived;
however, the strong sense of place and authenticity of subject excuse
her from this weakness.
Here too is a valuable addition to the field of reads for 'connected
texts' work in Years 11 and 12.
Julie Wells
If you're reading this, it's too late by Pseudonymous Bosch
Allen and Unwin, 2008
(Ages 10+) Highly recommended for boys and girls. Part of The
Secret
Series with a third title promised shortly, this book follows The
Name
of this Book is Secret. Cass the survivalist and Max Ernest, her
faithful side-kick, partner up again; this time to search for an
ancient terrifying creature - a homunculus. Cass is the keeper of the
Sound Prism, a role which both mystifies and excites her. The dangerous
Ms Mauvais and evil Dr. L relentlessly pursue them both, resulting in
some very exciting chases and captures.
While not essential that the first in the trilogy be read, the
continuity between the two books works well. One becomes
accustomed to the intrusions of the narrator as he keeps an ever
present eye on the young ones, frequently commenting on the action and
probable resolutions. This interaction provides extra opportunities for
negotiating the storyline, and adds great humour to the story. This
style reminded me a little of Lemony Snicket's voice in The Series
of
Unfortunate Events.
The plot is fast-paced throughout, with a wonderful range of
entertaining, likeable characters and wicked, criminal types. The
action is tightly controlled with a good feel for place. We
follow Cass and Max-Ernest from home to school, to the Magician's
Museum, and to sharks at sea; followed by camp sites to graveyards -
it's all part of finding the secret!
This is a most enjoyable read, and bound to appeal with its
action-packed episodes and author interjections.
Julie Wells
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Adapted and illustrated by
P. Craig Russell. HarperCollins, 2008.
Highly recommended. I came to the graphic novel adaptation of Coraline
with trepidation as I had enjoyed the original so much. Could the
illustrated version match up to the story that lingered in my mind?
Would pictures enhance the story or spoil the images from my
imagination? Would it be able to send chills up my spine? The answer is
yes to all three questions. It is a totally engrossing and powerful
read that will captivate the reader who comes across it first, and
enhance the experience for those who have enjoyed the novel.
Coraline is an intrepid heroine who discovers a strange door in her new
home when exploring. She opens it and enters an alternative world, with
an 'Other mother' and 'Other father'. At first she enjoys 'all the
remarkable things in there she'd never seen before' but eventually
decides to go home. However, her 'Other mother' is evil and when
Coraline's real parents disappear into the other world she decides that
she must try and rescue them. What an adventure she has!
Russell's illustrations perfectly complement the story. Coraline is
portrayed realistically as an ordinary girl dressed in shorts or jeans.
This contrasts with the horrendous pictures of the black button eyes of
the people, and the red eyed rats that inhabit the 'other world'.
There are enough thrills to please the fans of horror. It is great to
see a feisty heroine discovering that being courageous is doing
something when you are really scared, and then having the ability to
come up with brilliant and tenacious solutions to her problems.
Pat Pledger
The way of the warrior by Chris Bradford
(Young Samurai 1) Puffin, 2008.
What an unusual but original book! No wonder it has been long
listed for the Carnegie.
I picked this up because I was lucky enough to meet the author
recently, and as I used to play Judo, we began to chat. His book
sounded so interesting that I bought a copy as soon as I could lay my
hands on one, and have since bought a few more!
Jack is the only survivor when a group of Ninja pirates attack his
dad's ship. He is taken in by Masamoto Takeshi, and, after saving
his son's life, is treated as his son, and sent to warrior school.
However, he's an outcast there, and his new 'brother' treats him in the
same way as all the other students - as a foreigner, someone who cannot
be a real warrior, and give him a hard time. However, Jack
brought something with him from the ship. Something the ninjas are
trying to get hold of and will quite happily kill for. Can Jack keep
hold of his 'treasure' and finally win the respect of his peers?
This book is brilliant, and teaches you much of Japanese culture and
martial arts. It's a story that mixes fiction and history together
beautifully. Book 2 is already being advertised on his website, and the trailer for
book one is absolutely awesome!
Nikki Heath
When I was given the book to read, I thought that it would just be like all the other books aimed at teenage girls, but as soon as I started to read the novel, it had a really intense story line about a girl growing up, drastic changes and tragedies she had to face and learning to trust people. Right from the beginning, although I started with a negative approach, it had me intrigued and I really had no idea where the story line was going, it kept me guessing and I honestly couldn't put it down. It was intense and the way that the book was written, it really gave you details in a way that gave you the ability to really feel as though you were there, feeling the intensity of her situations. The story line was really in depth and because of my age was one I could really relate to, especially when she was out travelling the world alone. Bec White, student
Themes Cyberbullying, Friendship, Stalking.
Necropolis by Anthony Horowitz
Walker, 2008.
This book seems a long time coming, but boy, was it worth the wait! It
continues the tale of Matthew Freeman and the Guardians, a good versus
evil saga that began 4 books ago.
The last of the Guardians is discovered in the shape of Scarlett, a
year 11 girl, who is totally unaware that she has powers and that
people are trying to kill her, until she goes through a door into
another world and goes 'missing' for almost two days. Once both sides
become aware of her and who she is, there's a race to get to her
- but will Matt and crew beat the Old Ones? Why are they trying to lure
the Guardians to Hong Kong and can they do anything to halt the horror
and destruction that awaits them? Read on to find out, and prepared to
be reading by torchlight as this is one book you will NOT want to put
down!
Nikki Heath
My candlelight novel by Joanne Horniman
Allen and Unwin, 2008.
(Age 15-18) This novel is written as a companion to Secret Scribbled
Notebooks and gives an insight into the life of a teenage single mother
and the challenges that face her in her quest for a life of her own.
Sophie lives in a boarding house with her sister Kate and Lil, the
woman who took them in when their mother and father could no longer
cope. She has an almost one year old daughter Hetty. When Kate heads to
university Sophie decides to continue her education and because she has
a love of books enrols in a literature course at a local university.
The novel explores the people Sophie meets and the experiences she has
as she ventures back into the wider world having been sheltered from it
whilst caring for Hetty.
The novel is written in two parts and although not equal in length help
the reader to explore in greater depth Sophie's life and experiences.
Tracy Glover
The First Escape by G. P. Taylor
(Dopple Ganger Chronicles 1). Saltriver, 2008.
WOW! WOW! WOW! This is such an amazing book!!
The story itself is fabulous - mischievous twins Saskia and Sadie
Dopple cause chaos yet again at Isambard Dunstan's school for Wayward
Children and are split up, seemingly forever. One is sent to live with
Muzz Elliott, a woman who doesn't seem to be very nice at all, whilst
the other is left behind at school. Upon arrival at her now
'home' Saskia discovers that previous children have disappeared.
It turns out that Muzz Elliott has an evil twin, thought dead, and that
there is some long 'lost' treasure hidden somewhere in the house.
However, her evil twin sister isn't dead at all, and has infiltrated
the house, working with the staff, intending to find the treasure,
murder the nice twin and take her place. Meanwhile, Sadie, along
with Erik, the dogsbody at the school, escape, and set off to rescue
Saskia. Sounds great, eh?
The story itself is fantastic, but what really complements this book it
its layout. It's a 'marmite' book - you will either LOVE it or HATE it.
(I'm sure which side I'm on, which is strange as I HATE marmite!)
Every page is set out differently. The pages all have a black edging to
them, and you get a mixture of words, pictures, some black and white,
some colour, and then you'll have a few pages of MANGA like drawings,
then back to words. Some swirl, some fall, and some are white on black.
It's as fascinating as the story itself, as you genuinely do not know
what you will get when you turn the page. The text is at the same level
as that of the Philip Pullman's Northern Lights series, yet it's
accessible by ever the most reluctant of readers due to the way your
eyes dance all over the page! The layout has been deliberately been
designed to be dyslexia friendly.
How popular has it been in my library? Well, I bought my own personal
copy after meeting the author last month. I read it on the hour long
journey
home. I took it into school to show a few of the students and had 10
reservations for it within 30 minutes. So I am now lending out my own
copy to keep up with demand.
Nikki Heath
