The Ivies is a YA boarding school murder mystery firmly set in well-to-do America. The plot hinges on the importance of excelling in entrance essays, exams and extra-curricular activities, if a student wants to gain entry into an Ivy League college.
A group of five girls at exclusive $65,000/year Clafin Academy have been plotting to ensure their admission to the colleges of their choice, mainly by sabotaging their peers’ efforts with cut-throat competitiveness. This backfires spectacularly when one of the ‘Ivies’, as they are known, is found dead after receiving notice of her acceptance into Harvard.
Feeling that the police are incompetent and school administration corrupt, Olivia the narrator teams up with her co-editor of the school magazine in an attempt to discover her friend’s killer. In the process they unearth illegal scams, IT hacks and underhand sabotages that the Ivies have perpetuated on classmates and even on members of their own group.
A number of the aspects of how the school is run border on the unbelievable if not illegal and the ultra-rich lifestyles of the students is over-the-top, but if you can overlook or revel in this, you have an easy-read thriller with so many red herrings that one-by-one most of the main characters fall under suspicion.
There are potentially interesting subplots concerning racism and class differences but these are not explored in any depth. However, having worked informally in college admissions consulting, Donne understands how high-stakes and involved this is. She has used this knowledge and experience to write a fast-paced YA novel, based on the antics of a gang of entitled girls.
Warnings: Drug use, language, death, bullying.
Themes Boarding school, Thriller, Mean girls, Murder mystery.
Margaret Crohn
Bad Grammar: a school for gentlemen by Nathan Luff
Bourkely Boys Grammar, aka Bad Grammar, is hardly a school for gentlemen, more likely a school for thugs, as Marcus soon finds out when his parents and his teacher determine to send him there, mistakenly driven to this extreme measure by Marcus's obsessive preoccupation with computer gaming. On the bus, before he even arrives at the school, he has a run-in with the hardened bully ‘Scarface’, and it is not long before Scarface has found the way to blackmail Marcus into subservience.
But Marcus is not beaten. His computer gaming experience see him step up to the challenges that face him, and with his sidekicks, Fred and Trent, he sets about finding a way to escape from the prison he is in, defeat the monsters that beset him, and solve the mysteries of Bad Grammar.
This is a rollicking read for junior readers, fast paced and very funny. The chapters are titled Level 1, Level 2, etc, as the Marcus advances through the game world he creates out of his situation. In the end, Marcus, formerly Marcus No Friends, finds out what it takes to be a true warrior, leader and good friend. It’s a lot of fun, and is certain to be a winner with readers who are looking for the next level up from Luff’s Nerd Herd books.
Ant Stevenson muses on what it takes to lose your virginity if you are a boy who likes boys. There are 5 levels he defines but he muses that he has done all five, could still be a virgin and knows what loneliness means. The reader must imagine the key words in the list because they are blacked out, as he tells his friend Charlie, “It’s that kind of story. Certain words are necessary because this is real life, but you can’t actually show ‘em because we’re too young to read about the stuff we actually do, yeah?”p10. Ant, Charlie Freddie and Jack are old friends, always seated together alphabetically at St Michael’s Boys school, but Jack has recently re-joined the group in year 11 after 7 years away. Ant and Charlie play football together but Freddie is now trying to persuade Ant to play rugby with him. Jack is physically smaller and does drama and choir, falling into the stereotypical ‘camp” classification by the other boys. But all is not as it seems, Charlie and Ant have been secretly having sexual encounters; Charlie insists they are ‘just goofing around …just a release until we get girlfriends”p32 but Ant would like to kiss him, something Charlie will not allow. When Freddie keeps asking Ant to join him for Rugby training encouraged by Jack, Charlie’s jealousy gets the better of him and things fall apart. This short novella is beautifully illustrated by Tea Bendix but, disappointingly, I didn’t find the images enhanced the text. There was a nice feeling for adolescent boys and classrooms but the pictures didn’t line up with the characters except for a sulky looking Charlie. The redacted words were a bit gimmicky, a distraction as the reader imagines the forbidden words and there is no such restriction on the use of homophobic expletives. But overall this is an interesting exploration of the enduring power of friendship and acceptance in the face of jealousy and betrayal. Fans of Patrick Ness's books will embrace this one. The book treads a fine line where school libraries are concerned, the words might be removed but the story and illustrations are still about young people having sex.
My first Gruffalo: Gruffalo Growl by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Macmillan, 2023. ISBN: 9781035004591.
The first in the Gruffalo range of books being produced by MacMillan under the series name, My First Gruffalo, is sure to win hearts in the younger age group targeted. A strongly bound board book with a securely robust button to press to make the growl, will engage all children eager to turn the pages to find which animal makes the growl they can hear. A group of animals is represented, the question being asked on each double page whether it is that animal that makes the growl. Each is dismissed until the last page reveals the Gruffalo.
Children will love repeating the lines with the reader as it is read out loud, take turns pressing the button and join together in making the real noise which the animal on each page makes: a snake, an owl, a fox and a mouse. Each animal begs for its noise to be heard as they ask what is making the growl they can all hear. What fun when they find it is the Gruffly, with the last page asking them to growl like a Gruffalo, and leading them to Julia Donaldson’s other books about this famous creature.
The illustrator, Alex Scheffler, adds a humorous note to the images of the clutch of animals he presents and more information about this illustrator can be found here.
Information about Julia Donaldson and her work can be found here.
After a bit of a slow start, with many pages building characters and recreating issues and events of the late 1980s, the plot of McDermid’s latest novel does become more interesting as Allie, an investigative journalist, uncovers corrupt drug trials and begins to crack a kidnapping plot in East Germany. Not crime fiction as much as a depiction of the many issues of that era: the Lockerbie bombing, the response to the rise of AIDS, Western dealings behind the Iron Curtain, East Berlin on the brink of revolution, beginnings of climate change action, the Hillsborough football stampede. All of these events are viewed by a female journalist trying to assert her place in the demandingly competitive world commanded by media moguls comparable to Murdoch.
At the heart of the book, there is a mystery to be solved, and Allie is up to the challenge, ably supported by her loving partner Rona. It does all take its toll on Allie, and their relationship is stretched a little as their separate careers take them in different directions, to the point that Allie sounds like she wants to take a break from investigative journalism. But she’s said that before, and I don’t think any reader will be surprised if there is another Allie Burns story. Readers of 1979 and 1989 would expect another slow burn of a story, supported by a thorough research of the era depicted.
Themes Journalism, World events, Iron curtain, Media empires, 1980s.
As a fan of The Story of Owen : dragon slayer of Trondheim, and That inevitable Victorian thing I was interested to pick up Aetherbound, a novel located in space. 17-year-old Pendt has lived aboard the interstellar freighter, Harland, all her life. Because of a mutation in her genes she is considered worthless, and given just enough food to stay alive. Unlike her siblings she has no star sense or skills that are needed on the ship, and is bullied and given the most menial tasks. Determined to find a better life rather than being forced to give birth to children for the ship, she stores up calories to give her enough energy to survive and creeps out of the ship during a space landing at Brannick Station. The Brannick twins, Ned and Fisher, left to manage the station when their parents were taken hostage by the Hegemony the ruling empire, see Pendt leave the ship and catch up with her in a bar. Together the trio hatch a plan helping each other gain the destinies that they most crave – Pendt able to use her genetic skills, Ned to join the rebels and Fisher to control the station.
Johnston writes a heart-wrenching and complex story in a relatively short 241 pages. The life that Pendt lives on board the Harland is described so vividly that it was easy to become immersed in her tribulations, imagining the hunger and fear that she feels all the time. The only person on board the ship to show her any kindness is Dr Morunt, who quietly tries to teach her about her genetic skills and allows her use of the library. Once on Brannick Station, with enough food to sustain her, she is able to use her intelligence to achieve remarkable things. She makes a deal with the twins to provide a male heir who can operate the Y chromosome-locked Net on the station that only Ned can do. In order to do this, she marries Ned, allowing him to join the rebels. Fisher does not have the Y chromosome, but does has the organising skills to run the station, and when Ned leaves, Pendt and Fisher’s feeling for each other grow steadily.
Aetherbound is a story that fans of science fiction and space opera would enjoy, as would readers who like complicated plots and heroines who overcome enormous odds. And readers might like to sample books by Anne Mccaffrey and Lois McMaster Bujold.
Themes Science fiction, Survival, Space opera, Women.
Pat Pledger
F is for feminism: An alphabet book of empowerment by Carolyn Suzuki illus.
This little hardcover book, brightly illustrated, makes a powerful punch. Using the twenty six letters of the alphabet to bring inspiring thoughts and information ensures that the information is short and snappy but very thought provoking. As well as defining what Feminism is ('Fighting for equality between girls, boys and everyone') ideas such as equality, diversity and justice are given definition. And then there are the action words, like 'activism', 'compassion', 'galvanise' and 'initiative' which will give the reader some impetus for action and motivation. The following are sure to make the reader stop and think: 'Activism: trying to change something important by making your voice heard Initiative: The ability to do something useful without being told what to do Momentum: When something you're doing gets bigger and more powerful No: What you say when you don't want to do something' Bright bold illustrations showing a range of people enhance the pages. This would make a very useful book to have in a school or class library and would engender much discussion. It could introduce some very big ideas to young children and on the way may inspire both girls and boys to take action when they see injustice.
Themes Feminism, Activism, Empowerment.
Pat Pledger
The killing code by Ellie Marney
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526535. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
Wow! Ellie Marney has done it again. I read The killing code in one sitting, drawn into the lives of four young women who are Government girls, working as code breakers in Washington in World War 2. Kit Sutherland, once a maid, has assumed the identity of her former employer, and is one of the code breakers. When her best friend Dottie does not come home from a dance she enlists the help of Moya, glamorous supervisor of the girls, to find out what has happened. She discovers Dottie drugged, but even more horrific, finds the body of another young woman who has been murdered. Determined to uncover the identity of the killer, she joins forces with Dottie, Moya and Violet, a young woman from the segregated section of the facility and they use all their code breaking powers and intelligence to bring the killer to justice. All the while Kit must keep the secret of her identity concealed, while hiding her attraction to Moya.
Marney has written a fascinating murder mystery with themes of feminism, racism, class inequality and queer romance all blended smoothly into the story. The friendship of the four girls stands out and their ability to help each other out in times of crisis and to cooperate together to solve the identity of a serial killer is a highlight of the book.
I love the historical background of the story. It is fascinating to read about Arlington House and to discover that it was a real place where young women played a very important role in deciphering enemy codes, leading to many lives being saved in World War 2. At the beginning of each chapter is a quote about the decoding process from women who worked there at the time. It is evident that Marney spent a great deal of time researching the lives of these women, their clothes, and how they lived and worked together, and it certainly has made this a stand-out read for me. Marney has also included two puzzles for those who enjoy codebreaking at the end of her Author’s Note. An interview with her can be found here.
Fans of the Bletchley Park series and The enigma game by Elizabeth Wein will love the code breaking aspects of The killing code, while readers who enjoy unravelling clues may like to read the Inheritance games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and The Westing game by Ellen Raskin. And of course all those fans of mysteries like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson will delight in this well told, intriguing thriller. Teacher’s notes are available.
Themes Historical Fiction, Young Adult Mystery, LGBT.
Pat Pledger
Ming and Flo fight for the future by Jackie French
Jackie French can tell a story with incredible flair! In this tale there is time travel for school girl, Ming, who unexpectedly is given this capacity when she meets the mysterious Herstory. Herstory reminds Ming that History may have been told of the achievements of men and in the voice of men, but that did not really mean that women and girls did not make a difference. Ming gets the chance to travel into the life of Florence, embodying her as a Eurasian girl living in hardship in rural circumstances with limited rights prior to Federation. Her life mirrors Ming’s life only in their shared mixed heritage, but otherwise Ming is profoundly aware that Florence is powerless and her future is bleak. Can Ming make a difference and point Florence into a different pathway and change the world? Florence/Ming get the opportunity to move beyond rural life and meet an Aunt who is active in the Suffragette movement and keen for Australia to become a truly federated country and an identity in its own right. Florence/Ming also give opportunity to a poor orphan who might also change the world, or at least have her own world changed.
This is a powerful tale, with its insights into the stories of women from the past. But in Jackie French’s inimitable style there is humour woven through the insights. Discussions of clothing expectations, social mores and survival threats and problems for people in poverty are revealed alongside the power struggles, race issues, gender issues and expectations of the time before Federation. But always there is lightness and hope and Florence/Ming do want to make a difference. The book ends with a return to the classroom, but Herstory sends Ming (and now her brother Tuan) off for another journey back in time. Another book is coming! I can’t wait!
Themes Women’s rights, Time travel, Suffragettes, Racism, Power, Pre-Federation history, Women's place in history.
Carolyn Hull
Zarifa: A woman's battle in a man's world by Zarifa Ghafari and Hannah Smith
There have been a number of recent biographies/ autobiographies of inspiring women leaders; I’m thinking of Becoming by Michelle Obama (2021), Know your place by Golriz Ghahraman (2020), Jacinda Ardern by Madeleine Chapman (2020), The last girl by Nadia Murad (2017), Hillary by Karen Blumenthal (2016). The latest is Zarifa, Zarifa Ghafari’s account of her struggles against the brutally oppressive patriarchal system in Afghanistan. She was born in 1994 in the time of her country’s civil war, and raised during the Taliban’s first regime, and yet she became a radio broadcaster and the first female mayor of Wardak province, west of Kabul, fearlessly confronting male prejudice and determined to stamp out the corrupt practices of the past.
It was not without cost. There were numerous attempts on her life, and one incident left her horrifically scarred on her hands and her feet following an explosive fire in her home. But the worst was the murder of her father. Finally with the withdrawal of American troops, and the takeover by the Taliban, Zarifa and members of her family joined the throngs of people desperately clamouring at the gates to the airport. But once her family was safely housed in Germany, Zarifa felt compelled to return to her country to continue her work to help empower women and children suffering in poverty.
It is the story of a very brave and determined woman; she learnt icy detachment, and the ability to control her anger, to put her arguments forcibly, with an appearance of confidence and entitlement. Many times she challenged the thinking of men used to infantilising and disregarding women. She encourages other women to ‘take courage, and push back the boundaries, little by little’. She says that she knows ‘we will win, eventually, because women can no longer be ignored in Afghanistan… I will keep reminding women that they have a voice, and can raise it.’
Zarifa Ghafari received the 2022 International Women’s Right Award at the United Nations Geneva Summit, among other awards and accolades. But, movingly, she remembers the whisper of an Afghani worker at Kabul airport ‘So many of us are proud of you’.
Themes Afghanistan, Taliban, Women, Human rights, Activism.
Author and illustrator Phillip Marsden has written a second book following on from the success of Boss Ladies of Sport. This brightly illustrated and informative non-fiction book is once again presented in a picture book style with each page presenting a short paragraph about the female scientist, a graphic-style illustration, and a personal quote from the scientist.
Scientists from all fields of Science are discussed including Dr Merritt Moore from the USA who is a quantum physicist, Dr Catherine Green and Professor Sarah Gilbert are British vaccinologists and Norwegian Dr May-Britt Moser who is neuroscientist. Professor Veena Sahajwalia is an inventor and materials scientist from India now living in Australia and is passionate about recycling. Also residing in Australia, is British-born Professor Michelle Simmons who was Australian of the Year in 2018 and believes that ‘Women think differently and that diversity is invaluable’. Both these scientists join well known Australian scientists, Professor Emma Johnston, a marine biologist, Professor Fiona Wood, a world-famous plastic surgeon, Professor Elizabeth Blackburn who partnered with Dr Carol Greider to win a Nobel Peace Prize and Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley who advises the government on all thing’s science related. In the author’s words… 'this makes her the Boss Lady of Science for the whole country.'
The appeal of this book is the diversity amongst the scientists who are from all over the world. They have excelled in their chosen fields and offer young readers an insight into what it might be possible to accomplish. In the words of Kirsten Banks, an Indigenous Australian astrophysicist, 'I want to show everyone that you can achieve your dream no matter what!'
Votes for Women! written and illustrated by Mark Wilson, is a wonderful factual introduction for primary-school aged students to the difficulties faced by women to gain the right to vote. The Suffragette movement was gaining momentum in South Australia and in the story, three strong and dedicated women worked tirelessly, along with others, for the benefit of other women in South Australia. Rose Birks, Treasurer of the Women’s Suffrage League in South Australia along with her stepdaughter Nellie and Mary Lee, Secretary of the League, may be unfamiliar to readers both young and old but gave their all for the cause.
The story begins with a brief introduction to Nellie born in 1869, a young girl whose mother had passed away, and her stepmother Rose. Rose was a determined and forthright woman who freely spoke about women’s rights and safety. Nellie enjoyed listening to these conversations and began to join Rose at the meetings and provide support. In 1888, the Women’s Suffrage League was formed with Mary lee as its Secretary and Rose as its Treasurer. South Australia was in the midst of difficult times with widespread poverty and unemployment. Conditions for women were particularly hard. Public meetings, letters to newspapers and magazines, discussions with politicians and 10,000 signatures on a petition were all involved in the gaining of the vote. The vote, and the suffrage movement, were not without their opponents and public meetings were often marred by violence.
However, in 1894, on December 18, South Australian women were given the right to vote. South Australia the first state in Australia to give women this right, and it was also the first in the world to give women the right to stand for election to parliament.
Votes for Women! is an important book to be shared in all school and public libraries with striking paintings inspired by the French and Australian impressionist painters, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, Fred McCubbin and Arthur Streeton. A wonderful read. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes History, Voting, Women’s Rights, South Australia.
Kathryn Beilby
Instructions for a teenage Armageddon by Rosie Day
Wren & Rook, 2021. ISBN: 9781526364319. (Age:13+)
Rosie Day is an actor, director and writer. She is only in her twenties and as a child actor has appeared in numerous well known British films and TV series. In lockdown she began writing a one girl play with the same title and it had a good season. It was suggested that she could run a podcast empowering teenage girls but then this idea turned into a book.
The work is a call to arms, as the title suggests, with Rosie Day introducing the subject, before including letters, comments, observations and advice from a large number of contributors, including doctors, psychologists, actors and activists. Lively illustrations in graphic comic style add to the appeal of course. Each of the 5 sections, addressing a range of topics from mental health, friendships, relationships, families, consent and boundaries, is rounded off with 10 Top Tips which relate, for example, to mental health and stress. Lists of online resources and references are included at end of the book; keeping in mind though, that this is an English publication and the contributors largely unknown to us. The subject is universal however and the book timely, as our attention is so often drawn to student well-being, the impact of social media and the dramatic rise in teenage sexual assault and suicide. It is a book which recognises the challenges for teenage girls and acknowledges the confusion and difficulties of these years, but it is full of good advice and reassurances; a book all about protecting mental health.
Best of all, it is appealing, interesting, positive and modern - a far cry from the usual self-help book. It is a book to inspire, a book for girls to read and realise their potential to bring about change. The writer says that she would love to write a version for boys with male contributors; her work with a teenage mental health charity could make this work too.
Themes Mental health.
Julie Wells
Grandma's guide to happiness by Andrew Daddo and Stephen Michael King
Daddo’s text is full of surprises. Many lines have an internal rhyme which sings, some lines are totally unexpected while other lines are unforgettable, and every line calls out to be read aloud, again and again. The line, 'How happy is swinging from a tree in the sun?' for example, had me doing just that, recalling times spent as a child simply swinging, and the link to happiness is the point of the story. It is not necessary to have things, objects, devices, toys etc to make you happy. Happiness is in the simplest of things: walking through a puddle, making mud pies, stripping off and getting muddy, taking tea in a fairy garden, spending time with Grandma. All of these things require no great effort, experience or expense, they are there for us all to share and be involved with.
Finger painting, flying a kite, swimming in the pool, making a daisy chain, running into the wind, making your cheeks blow in and out. All of these things are done with Grandma, making happy feel like drinking hot chocolate - feeling warm from the inside.
This is a wonderful revelation of spending time with Grandma, doing the little things that she would have done as a a child, before they were put aside by modern technology. With a concentration on being outside, the things which make her happy are unchanging, things that can be done by anyone, using the environment and imagination. As a showcase of what can be done with small children, this is a treat, as spending time is at the base of everything being done, and who has more time to spare than Grandma.
King’s illustrations are evocative of the place a Grandma has in a child’s life: someone who spends time with the child, being outdoors with them, showing the possibilities that imagination can evoke, doing things that the parents may not do themselves, all the time giving their undivided attention to the child. There is a little taste of doing the forbidden in the puddle sequence as Grandma looks around to encourage her grandchild.
I love the detail and humour that King captures in his work: the fairy garden is endlessly fascinating, the outside kitchen, Grandma’s swimming costume, the long scarf, the footwear (so many different pairs), the dog and the teddy bear popping in and out of unexpected places, and the birds, from a clutch of chooks to the endless parrots. All create a complimentary adjunct to the story, and eager fingers will trace the story on each page while listening to the words said aloud.
King also presents the unexpected: Grandma is the one being pushed on the swing, Grandma is the leader splashing through puddles, Grandma is on one of those darned scooters. And Grandma loves water: readers will be amazed at the number of times Grandma is playing with water. And everyone will be happy after reading this book, the audience aglow with smiles of recognition and an urge to try out some of the activities for themselves.
A wonderfully vibrant homage to all mums is given in this engaging, brightly illustrated picture book. The front cover with two animal hugging sets the tone for the read, full to the brim with love, humour, family and care. It is an acknowledgement of all the different mums in the world and the relationship with their offspring.
Lots of different animals are shown, with mum being a hide and seek mum, ferreting out the last lost piece of Lego, or an applauding mum supporting her budding musicians, a mum who never lets you down, a snuggly mum and a fussy mum. Each mum is pictured with their offspring, acting out the text, causing recognition and laughter from the readers. Children will recognise their mum’s work on each page, while adult readers will laugh at recognising themselves.
Mums repair things and share things, drive busses, have bubble baths, and double up when needed to turn the skipping rope. All of these things are humorously illustrated and the text has a rhyme that is infectious. Children will love turning the pages to see the illustration on the next page and laugh at the image shown, while predicting what the lines may say. All in all, the best mum is the one at home, giving the best of hugs and being your very own.
A warm enticing story which will appeal to the very young, reiterating the place that mums have in their hearts, and emphasising the love that is shared.
You can find out about Farshore books by going here.
