Sonya Kantor has spent the last decade locked in the Aperture, a prison on the outskirts of the city after the Delegation fell - the Delegation that she was the Poster Girl for, her face with the slogan 'What's right is right', all over the city. The Delegation and its constant surveillance through the Insight, an ocular implant that tracks every word and every action, rewarding or punishing by a rigid moral code set forth by the Delegation. Then the revolution - the Delegation fell, and its most valuable members were locked in the Aperture. Everyone else, now free from the Insight's monitoring, went on with their lives. Ten years of being imprisoned and a new law is passed, releasing those who were children under the Delegation. Sonya falls just outside of the age limit having been 17 when imprisoned, however the new government, Triumvirate, offers her a deal - find a missing child stolen from her parents by the old regime and earn her freedom. Going out into the world she has been shut out off for a decade, that has changed drastically, she will have to dig deep into the past to find the missing child.
Roth, author of the popular dystopian Divergent series, has created another dystopian world in which readers can easily see themselves. Technology has merged with humans and everyone is heavily reliant on it, and the government observes every move you make. Well written and evenly paced, this stand alone novel is a great dystopian mystery, perfect for fans of both genres. Given the character's age, 27 years old, and the content of the story, this novel is more suited to an adult audience. There are flashbacks to when the character is 16 and 17 years old, but the majority of the story occurs when Sonya is 27.
The Wish sisters: The pet wish by Allison Rushby. Illus. by Karen Blair
University of Queensland Press, 2023. ISBN: 9780702265952. (Age:6+) Highly recommended.
A little Imp….a bit of magic….and lots of chaos!
The Pet Wish is the fourth book, and another delightful addition to the popular new series, The Wish Sisters. Cleverly written by talented Australian author Allison Rushby and beautifully illustrated by Karen Blair, this delightful tale follows the enchanting escapades of the Wish family, whose lives have taken an exciting turn since Granny Aggie gifted her granddaughters, Flick and Birdie, with a magical Imp.
But, there’s a few hitches and glitches! The Imp only listens to Birdie, the youngest, because Granny Aggie said her Grandbabies, not Grandchildren. Birdie is only a baby, who can’t even talk properly. So, nobody even knows what she is going to wish for, until it appears! On top of that, the mischievous little Imp always adds a delightful adaptation to each wish cast and the biggest problem is that the family must keep their Imp a secret.
So, when Flick is super excited, as it is the Pet Play Date event, what could possibly go wrong. The community are trying to raise money for animals and home unwanted pets. Her only troubles is if Birdie decides to make a wish things could be a disaster.
Throughout the novel, the Imp's antics are humorous and entertaining. Allison Rushby's writing style is engaging and an easy read for those younger readers; entering into the chapter book world. Karen Blair's illustrations bring the characters and their magical world to life and complement the storyline beautifully.
Full of magical twists and turns that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages. The Pet Wish is a success and a series to add to the list of must reads for the younger audience!
Themes Magic, Animals, Family, Problem solving.
Michelle O'Connell
Traced by Catherine Jinks
Text Publishing, 2023. ISBN: 9781922790125. (Age:Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended.
I am a fan of both Jinks’ adult thrillers (Shelter, The attack, and her children’s stories (A very unusual pursuit,The reformed vampire support group), and am always keen to pick up another book written by her. Traced is set in the time of COVID, with Jane MacDonald working as a contact tracer who knows that there are people who don’t want to be contacted, because of varying reasons, one of them being domestic abuse. When Jane realises that one of the contacts is the man, Griffin Clynch, that she and her daughter Tara have been hiding from for years, things begin to become very difficult for her. She knows that she must warn Clynch’s partner to leave him but is also appalled when she realises that he lives very close to her. She must protect her daughter and herself.
Jinks takes the reader back and forwards from 2014 to 2020, relating the events that have led Jane and her daughter to change their names, occupations and location. The author is an expert a describing domestic abuse and coercive control, describing the stages that Clynch goes through with Tara, Jane’s daughter. He is initially charming, but gradually he manages to isolate his victim from friends and family, getting her to change jobs, lose confidence and eventually live in fear for her life. The feelings of the helplessness of Tara and his latest victim, Nicole, are described vividly, and it is easy to see how they could become ensnared by him, too afraid to ask for help. However, Jane is a strong person who battles to save her daughter and Jinks brings to life the feelings of a mother pushed to her limits.
The build up of suspense kept me reading to finish the book in a couple of sittings, as I feared that the abuser would find Jane and Tara and dreadful things would happen. And the terrifying climax could well keep readers up at night!
People who enjoy novels by Jane Harper may like to add Jinks’ repertoire of psychological thrillers to their reading list.
EK Books, 2023. ISBN: 9781922539380. (Age:9+) Highly recommended.
A magical pen can fix anything…. right???
Ruby and the Pen, written by David Lawrence weaves a heart-warming story of courage, friendship, and the power of creativity. This middle-grade novel captures the essence of a twelve-year-old girl's journey through loss, self-discovery, and the unexpected consequences of her newfound magical ability.
Ruby is relatable, endearing, funny, clever, and a budding young artist who loves to draw. Tragically she lost her father four years ago and now lives with her mother and her mother's boyfriend, “Dodgy Dave”. Ruby finds great comfort in drawing, but when she stumbles upon a seemingly ordinary fountain pen, could its magical properties change her life forever or could this pen’s magic go too far?
With Dodgy Dave sending Ruby to boarding school, Ruby faces bullies, cruel teachers, and her inability to play soccer doesn’t help her cause. But Ruby’s sense of humour and loving memories of her Dad help her make the best of each situation as they arise. Even school bullies, Sasha and Miranda, can’t knock her resilience and courage, and finding a friend in Fav is just what she needs.
When discovering some secretive activities by Dodgy Dave, the local council person and her new headmaster, Mr Lemon, Ruby needs to take action. But is it a magical pen that Ruby needs to solve her problems, or will there be other methods that are more effective?
Filled with enchanting black and white illustrations by Cherie Dignam, this novel is a visual treat that captivates readers of all ages. Lawrence delivers a touching story that celebrates the strength of young minds, the importance of resilience, and the value of true friendship and teamwork. With twists and turns to keep everyone on their toes, this narrative is beautifully paced and will keep every reader engaged from beginning to end. The author's ability to build suspense and create genuine emotional connections with the characters is commendable.
Magical, motivating and amusing ‘til the very end. Definitely worth a read!
The wonderful Julia Donaldson and talented Rebecca Cobb have paired again to produce this wholly inviting lift the flap book. This funny rhyming story will have all kids sleuthing to try and find the correct house. Readers will love lifting the flap and opening up the pages as the boy explores each house.
Dan invites a boy in his class to come and visit him in South Street, but neglects to tell him the number of the house. The boy peers at the array of houses in the street and must select which one is Dan’s house. Each house looks different from its neighbour, and each has a particular resident.
House Number One has wonderful smells coming from inside and the boy looks through the window and spies a cook. Not this one.
House Number Two has a horse in the front yard. Could this be Dan’s house, not when the boy peers through the window and sees a knight. House Number Three has round windows and from the inside the boy can hear the words ‘yo ho ho’. And a wooden leg hitting the floor. Not this house, he says as he presses on to number four. House Number Four does not look as inviting as the others did. Here he hears a chain, and loud wails inside the dismal place. And he peers through the window to spy something he did not wish to see. Definitely not this one. At House Number Five he stands by the door and feels rain on his head, looking up he spies Dan with a watering can. At last he has found the right house. Here they play together at being a knight, a cook and a pirate.
The gentle rhyming encourages younger children to predict the rhyming word, offering perhaps their own words to the lines. The cute illustrations invite the readers to look more closely at the detail given on each page. I loved checking out the windows, doors and front yards of each house, implying the sort of resident who might be inside.
Top Speed is the second novel in the Furball series created by Adrian Beck. With more Dad jokes than you could ever imagine, this novel will have your eyes rolling, and then desperately wanting more. Be entertained by the silliness, as our famous spy team are at it again.
Furball and his friends, Jade and Kit, are part of Meow-6. Each mission they encounter is dangerous, nerve-wracking and risky; but with evil villains out there, there is no time to waste!
After briefly conquering Grandma Grassy Pants, from the evil organisation, Klawz, Meow-6 are now hot on the tail of some gold stealing thieves. Sent on their mission to Egypt and entered into a death defying bike race, can the team from Meow-6 capture these bandits before it is too late, or will evil finally win?
Filled with loads of cool black and white cartoon pictures, speech text and action; this book is sure to be a hit. In a style mixed between graphic and standard novel, this will certainly target a wide audience and appeal to many as they read along and follow each escapade that unfolds.
With wit, humour and ingenuity, this story will keep its audience captivated until the very end. Fun and light-hearted, this is an enjoyable read that will tantalise every readers’ tastebuds; even those reluctant ones. If you like a little adventure and enjoy a huge laugh, Furball and the Miow-6 crew will keep you thoroughly entertained. Containing short chapters, large easy to read print and a really fun layout, this is a great story for all ages. This novel is similar in format to Adam Wallace’s series, FARTBOY and Tim Harris’ series Ratbags. So, if you enjoyed those, then this one will be right up your alley too.
If you love a laugh, and loads of corny jokes, then this book will be PAWSitively PURRfect!
Themes Cats, Crime, Villains, Adventure, Egypt.
Michelle O'Connell
I am Lupe by Sela Ahosivi-Atiola. Illus. by Yani Agustina
Lupe feels different from her classmates at school. She and her family have moved from a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, the first people to see the sunrise each day.
Other children ask her who she is, because her skin is brown and hair is black and curly and her eyes are brown. She asks her mother and is told that she is Lupe: a daughter, big sister, and a friend who helps others, she is kind and funny, and fearless. Mother tells her that we can’t always be the same, that our differences make us who we are.
She reminds her that she is unique, there is no one else like her. So the next time someone asks her who she is, she can say that she is Lupe.
This delightful insight into a child who feels different because of the way others see her, is reassured by her parents that she is many things, all of which are positive and empowering. They assure her that she is not defined by how she looks but what she does. Her interaction with others, her relationship with those around her, is the important thing.
The arresting illustrations underline the theme of the book that we all have differences that make us unique.
Tongan Australian author, Sela lives in Sydney and more about her can be found here. More informant about Singaporean illustrator, Yani Agustina can be found here. Teacher's activities can be found on the publisher's website.
Violet Sorrengail has been trained as a scribe and is happy to work in the Archive s like her father before her, but her mother General Sorrengail, demands that she join the war academy, training to become a dragon rider. The training is deadly, many cadets do not survive and die during the course, and it is even harder for Violet, as she has a frail physique and little previous training. Cadets who are the children of rebels, and led by wing commander, Xaden Riorson, the son of the separatists’ leader, also hate her and want her deadbecause her mother ordered their parents to be executed. Violet knows that the odds are stacked against her from the beginning.
Yarros is an experienced romance writer, and her expertise in writing engaging characters, an enemy-to-lover trope and building up suspense is obvious in Fourth Wing. Although her prose is sometimes jarring, with modern teen language (‘So. Freaking. Beautiful.’) feeling inappropriate for a high fantasy, she sweeps the reader along building up suspense as Violet faces dangerous trials and death threats. Violet is a very likeable character who uses her intelligence and knowledge that she has learnt as a scribe to compensate for her lack of physical ability. She never loses her compassion and willingness to help others. She gradually learns to trust herself, and not to give in, even though her friend Dain is desperate for her stay alive by leaving the academy. And her growing feelings for Xaden will keep romance lovers glued to the page. There are many breathless moments as the suspense grows, and the action is relentless as the reader follows Violet, desperately hoping that she will make it as a dragon rider.
This was an enjoyable escapist read, with a surprise ending that leaves the reader wanting to grab the next in the series. Those who enjoyed Fourth Wing, may want to read more complex fantasy by authors like Robin Hobb, Lois McMaster Bujold and Juliet Marillier. Fourth wing may not be suitable for younger YA readers as it contains explicit sexual scenes, murder without consequences and some swearing.
Themes Fantasy, Romance, Dragons.
Pat Pledger
You’ve got yoghurt in your nostrils by Bethany May Clark and Sara Acton
Debut South Australian author Bethany Clark has written a delightful rhyming picture book exploring the fun and often messy experience of baby’s first foods. Each busy page is beautifully illustrated by Sara Acton and shows baby having a great deal of enjoyment with all sorts of different foods. Within this engaging book, each pair of four-lined rhyming stanzas are broken up by two short singsong three-lined stanzas with a clever surprise twist at the end.
You’ve got yoghurt in your nostrils, avocado-smeared hair, bacon in your bellybutton, and toast crusts on your chair.
You’ve got egg all down your elbow, pumpkin between your toes, ricotta on your knee bone, and spaghetti….who knows!
Learning to eat is such a massive feat- for a tiny baby, whose fingers work, maybe!
Learning to eat is such a messy treat- squash it on your fingers, throw it on the timbers!
Those readers who have experienced the pleasure of introducing new foods to their baby or toddler will love sharing this wonderful picture book with their own children or gifting it to new or soon-to-be parents. A very entertaining read.
Themes Babies, Food Experiences, Family.
Kathryn Beilby
Super Sloth: The shar-wolf of New York City by Aleesah Darlison. Illus. By Cheri Hughes
Big Sky, 2023. ISBN: 9781922896537. (Age:7-10) Recommended.
A love of Sloths and Super Heros inspired Aleesah Darlison to create an amusing new series for young readers that is exciting and full of adventure. This first book contains the origin story of her main character, Romeo Fortez, a pygmy sloth, born on a wild and stormy night on isolated Escudo Island off the coast of Panama. On the night of his naming ceremony a once in a millennium event occurs that gives him special powers of speed, intelligence, dashing good looks and a thirst for adventure. He also learns to use what he calls his super cute sloth hypnosis mode, which allows him to calm and control the angriest of animals to get them to forget why they were upset.
Of course, an island is too small to keep a Super Sloth like Romeo happy, so he decides to move to New York City and quickly encounters trouble with a strange, giant creature called a Shar-wolf – a mixture between a shark and a wolf. While rescuing a girl from its clutches he befriends a crime-fighting group consisting of Tulip, the tough street-smart Cheetah, Hamilton Porker, the Vespa riding pig and headed by Beth Castlemaine, the confident and assertive daughter of a very wealthy banker. Together they hunt down the source of the strange genetically mixed creatures that have started wreaking havoc in the city and bring the culprit, Professor Ian Weird-Warp to justice. The book is peopled by a myriad of animal characters, woven into everyday life and makes for an exciting read. It provides readers with thrilling adventures which also portray teamwork and positive values. The pace of the action and the inclusion of some full page illustrations will also make them appealing to most reluctant readers.
Themes Sloths, Genetic engineering, Monsters, Superheroes, Good and evil.
Gabrielle Anderson
When clouds touch us by Thanhha Lai
University of Queensland Press, 2023. ISBN: 9780702266225. (Age:8-12) Highly recommended.
This middle grade verse novel is the follow up to 2011's popular Inside out & backagain. The first novel covered a year in the life of 10-year-old Ha and her family, fleeing Vietnam as refugees in 1975. They left behind Ha's father, missing-in-action as a soldier in the Vietnamese army. The family faced much hardship including racism and bullying in their new small town in Alabama, before finally starting to feel settled and at peace.
This new novel takes up the story two years later – it is not necessary to have read the first novel prior to this one as background/context is provided as the story unfolds. Ha’s mother suggested she repeat her first American year of school, which means she is a year older than her classmates, who think she’s just turned 11. “No-one at school knows my secret age so I’ll never again appear dumb”. Ha and her friend, Pam, share a fantastic 'rolling shoe' birthday party before Ha's family must move again. This time they move to Texas (which none of them can pronounce) for a better job for mother, and more options for Ha and her three older brothers.
The absolute highlight of this story is that it is written in the first person and so we connect easily with the way Ha makes sense of her feelings as well as the world around her. The words and descriptions she uses gives real insight into how confusing, overwhelming, ridiculous, delightful and strange she finds the new world around her.
The novel gently explores a range of issues facing refugees, using simple language in an age-appropriate way, and ending with a real hope for the future and possibilities ahead. Ample white space on each page helps make this novel appealing for reluctant readers as well. Excellent teacher's notes are available, making this a good choice for a class novel.
Themes Refugees, Vietnam.
Kylie Grant
Two sides to every story by Beck & Robin Feiner
ABC Books, 2023. ISBN: 9780733341618. (Age:3+)
Attempting to give two sides to each story, sees the author and illustrator, Beck and Robin Feiner present humorous pages of opposites, of comparisons, of thought provoking ideas which some readers may not have heard of. A page spent on love of sciences and what scientists do is followed by a page about historians and the impact they have on us. The two are not mutually exclusive, but complement each other, so readers will have lots of thoughts about which is the most important and what each does. Another double page on cats and dogs is far more black and white. As is a page on what to eat for breakfast very funny as Oscar tumbles around the pages. Another double page offers the pros and cons of living in the country as opposed to living in the city. Turning the page gives the positives and negatives of swimming at the beach or in the pool.
The coming schools' public speaking competition sees many decisions having to be made about how to dress, and what to say.
Oscar dresses in a suit for the competition and presents the reasons why it is good to be dressed up, but also tells about feeling more casual and at ease when dressed in an old t-shirt. After the debate the team decides to go the cinema but then another decision needs to be made. The most important of these is what to buy at the candy bar.
So lots of mental gymnasts is involved reading this book, seeing that each offers a debate about which is best and if reading in a group, readers will hear that most of their group will have opposing ideas. This will encourage younger readers to accept that points of view need to be accepted not derided.
Funny illustrations will enthral the readers as they follow the tumbling Oscar through his voyage of discovery.
Themes Debate, Opposition, Discover, Humour.
Fran Knight
Ember and the island of lost creatures by Jason Pamment
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761067488. (Age:8-12) Highly recommended.
South Australian author/illustrator Jason Pamment, whose debut graphic novel was Treasure in the Lake, has once again provided primary to middle grade readers with an exciting adventure story in the same format.
In this story, main character Ember is a tiny child all alone in a world of giant people. He is desperate to make friends and when he tries to be friendly with a giant child he is placed in terrible danger. After his escape he meets a kind and wise sea turtle named Lua who transports him to an island for lost creatures so he can attend school and meet others. On the island he encounters an incredible array of characters, all lost and alone, and is welcomed by the stern and serious Mr Cultivar who takes every opportunity to encourage his assortment of students to learn from each situation they find themselves in. Friendship does not come easily for Ember as some of the characters are not prepared to reciprocate but eventually after some dangerous and frightening experiences, the students are beginning to connect and respect each other.
The illustrations in Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures are both vibrant and visually stunning. The incredible detail in the graphic images will allow readers to explore each page deeply. This is an enjoyable fantasy adventure with interesting scientific facts cleverly shared throughout. Teacher's notes are available from the publisher.
Darkhearts is a teenage band that began with three boys, David, Chance and Eli. Only, David got ditched after one of their frequent arguments, or at least that is the story as he tells it. That the band went on to become famous without him, builds a deep resentment within him. It is only after the death of Eli, that David and Chance gradually renew their friendship. But Chance is now rich and famous, leading the life of a super pop star, whilst David is still back at school. Is a friendship even possible given the different paths their lives have taken?
The central character David, or Holc as Chance calls him, is a deeply flawed person, knit with self-doubt and jealousy. It takes a long time for him to realise that he is repeating the same mistakes his mother made when she walked out on their family: the things he blames her for, are the same things he does to his friends. It is that horrible teenager time where a kind of tunnel vision blinds him to his own failings and the blame is always somewhere else. Yet Chance Kain seems willing to give him another ‘chance’.
Reconnecting with Chance becomes one of those hate turns to love situations, but Sutter describes the gradual steps towards intimacy so well, so authentically, that the reader feels all the awkward moments, but also the humour, that the boys share. There couldn’t be a better depiction of the tentative sharing of consent.
I was thoroughly wrapped up in this story, never sure where it was going to go. I’m glad it didn’t disappoint. It isn’t a ‘happy ever after’ ending, but a very realistic portrayal of people learning to negotiate and trust again after a difficult time.
For more insight into the motivation for the book, read Sutter’s own review of it on Goodreads. I liked his message about “learning to just be comfortable with who you are - queer or straight, rock star or otherwise”. Darkhearts is YA fiction at its best.
Themes LGBQTI+, Jealousy, Romance, Self confidence, Consent, Boy band.
Helen Eddy
The champ vs the Werewolf Warriorz by Anh Do. Illus. by Dave Atze
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761065637. (Age:8+) Recommended.
Super sporty when she is a champ-in-disguise Summer is searching for the perfect present for her brother Carl. He confined to a wheelchair, and he desperately needs a new phone. While out shopping Summer sees an opportunity to enter a Runaround Games Competition at the Rockstone Autumn Fair with the chance of winning the mobile phone Carl would love to have.
The Fair turns out to be more than anyone bargained for. To organise enough money to enter each game, Wilbur and Summer decide to have a stall selling photos of pets in fancy dress. Travis Trole and his offsiders change the price of the photo shoot causing customers to walk away, cheat throughout the games and eventually steal Summer’s winning tokens. Meanwhile the evil Marcia the Book Witch is plotting the downfall of her nemesis The Champ. With the games in progress and the bully, Travis Trole in the lead, Marcia causes mayhem with the popular toys Werewolf Warriorz brought to life and destroying the fair. Travis is captured by Marcia, and it is then up to The Champ and her trusty sidekick Icecream Boy to save him and the day. Will Summer be able to defeat the Werewolf Warriorz and win the smart phone for Carl?
The action-packed pages will engage young readers and hold their interest. Highlighted key words break up the text and the graphic images by South Australian illustrator Dave Atze add to the drama of the story. Book 4 is on its way!
