Random House, 2022. ISBN: 9781529100921. (Age:16+) Recommended.
The final book in the trilogy that began with A Deadly Education and The Last Graduate sees Galadriel 'El' Higgins determined to re-enter into the hell which is the Scholomance to find Orion who she suspects has been eaten by a maw-mouth. She and the other People in the Scholomance had managed to escape but Orion stayed behind and El is heart-broken, knowing the never-ending suffering that he will face inside the maw-mouth. Her mother is unable to console her, but she is shaken out of her depression by her friends who want her to help save the London enclave and the other enclaves that are disintegrating. El knows she needs much mana before she can face the maw-mouth in the Scholomance, so she sets off with her friends to solve the mystery of the destruction of the enclaves and gain mana on the way.
The golden enclaves is full of action as El and her allies face the real world. Her life with her mother who is such a calm person, is described, and could not be more different to life in the Scholomance. The readers sees what it is like to live in an enclave and experiences the difficulties of the people who work for the wizards but are excluded from their lifestyle. It is easy to understand why El wants to build golden enclaves that will include these outsiders. Meanwhile the prophecy that her grandmother had made about El’s dark magic destroying enclaves seems to be wrong as she works out what happens to ensure the security of the enclave and makes some difficult moral decisions on the way. There are many surprises for the reader especially about the New York enclave and the magic of Orion’s mother, and El must face some hard truths in her quest to rescue Orion and her desire to build golden enclaves.
I look forward to reading any future novels by Novik, the author of The Temeraire series, Uprooted and Spinning silver.
Themes Fantasy, Good and evil.
Pat Pledger
Growing up in flames by Zach Jones
Text Publishing, 2022. ISBN: 9781922458360. (Age:14+)
Having recently lost her mother to a bushfire, Kenna has moved from her home to her uncle's in the small town where her mother grew up - somewhere she's never been, and isn't sure she'll fit in. Her uncle's young family has welcomed her in, but Kenna feels like an intruder - in the home, in the town, everywhere. One night, Kenna spots a fire in the distance, and goes to see what's happening. She stumbles across the general store, on fire, and a boy watching it burn. Realising he has a petrol can, she intercepts him when he tries to leave, and ends up with his bag. The bag, belonging to Noah, is full of items desperately needed. As their paths cross again and again, while Kenna learns that there was more to her mother than she knew, Noah and Kenna might be able to help each other - or something might end up in flames instead.
This hard hitting, honest contemporary novel full of complicated relationships and mystery covers a number of different topics and emotions, ranging from loss, mental health, control and trauma to anger, guilt and longing. Swapping from present day to the past, from Kenna's perspective to Noah's, along with characters from the past, the story moves seamlessly despite these constant shifts. As the story unfolds, readers will be able to lose themselves in the well written depiction of a small Aussie country town. Where everyone knows each other and history runs deep. Jones has done a great job of writing about family relationships. With some topics having the potential to cause some readers to be triggered by traumatic events, it might be advisable to make this available only to older readers. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Contemporary, Family & Relationships,Trust, Loss, Tragedy, Country Town, Family History, Mental Health, Control, Trauma.
Alice Sun attends a highly prestigious academic school in Beijing. She’s the only scholarship student among her rich, elite peers and she often feels invisible. Then, to her surprise, one day she actually turns invisible! She can’t control it and it usually only lasts a few hours. She decides to benefit from this strange circumstance and creates an app, with the help of her academic rival, classmate Henry, in which students pay her to uncover secrets, or keep information hidden, completely anonymously. Alice is hopeful she can earn enough money to pay her upcoming school fees. However, her ambition and desire to rise out of poverty means her morals start to slip and she is soon accepting unethical jobs that have real world consequences. Meanwhile her rivalry with Henry soon develops into something more romantic.
This book grapples with self-identity, morals, class division and what it means to be successful. Alice is a sympathetic character, who grapples with knowing right from wrong. The backdrop of China provides a beautiful insight into Chinese culture and the slow romance building between her and Henry, while predictable is very endearing. This book is great for ages 13+.
Themes Magical realism, Romance, Coming of age, Multiculturalism.
Jade Goudie-Hall
Moon sailors by Naomi Woodward and Rachel Gregg
Ford Street Publishing, 2022. ISBN: 9781922696182. (Age:3+) Recommended.
Inspired by her experiences of marvelling at rock pools on the Mornington Peninsula as a child, Naomi Woodward has created a charming tale of rock pools on the moon.
Using the bed sheets and straw broom as mast and sails, the children set sail for the moon. They find moonshells and press them to their ears, listening to the sounds of the planets. They follow the snail trails and find oysters and pearls, cockles buried in the sand, clamber over the rocks, to find clams. The tide is out so they seek out the smaller creatures hidden in the rocks: octopus, necklaces of seaweed, abalone and urchins.
The dreamy illustrations are enticing, making any reader feel that they are there, on the moon, searching through rock pools. Children’s eyes will dart amongst the seaweed looking for a variety of creatures, excited at their find. They will be transported into this fantasy world, along with the two children, until they return to earth before the sun rises, and fall in bed asleep. Rachel Gregg’s pencil and water colour illustrations shimmer, reflecting the moon’s glow as the children speed towards it in their craft. The understated colours are magical, redolent of the fantasy world the children occupy. I love the touches of sea creatures in their bedroom, and readers will love checking out the array of sea creatures seen in the night sky. More can be found about Rachel Gregg here.
Go to Ford St Publishing for a drop down menu of their authors and illustrators for further information about the writing and illustrating of this book. This is a lovely story, enticing and beguiling as the children go on a magical tour before they sleep. Activities are available.
Smarty Pup: Friends Fur-ever by Anh Do and Anton Emdin
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526399. Recommended.
Life is a little ordinary for Lily right now, particularly as she has lost her mum, but things change when her Dad decides they could be a family of three again by getting a dog - something both Lily and her mum had wanted for ages.
At the animal shelter, Lily chooses JJ, who is kind of clumsy, but something about his smiley face makes her really happy inside. They change even more when Lily discovers that JJ can talk and is actually super smart. He can speak a number of languages, and knows the answers to maths and geography questions. This could be the answer to her constant dilemma about having something interesting for show-and-tell, but then things get complicated. It's one thing to be the centre of attention for a few minutes, another to be accused of something you didn't do.
Anh Do is one of Australia's most popular and prolific authors, and this new series is somewhat of a cross between a picture book and a novel. Told by Lily herself, highly illustrated in colour with conversations in speech bubbles and different fonts, it is an ideal stepping stone between basal, instructional readers and the novels newly independent readers are aspiring to. The story is grounded in the familiar situation of what to share for Show and Tell, and the characters are relatable, although of course there is the usual Anh Do twist. Reading a popular author loved by older peers and siblings is an added bonus!
A new series that will have a lot of fans and followers.
Themes Dogs, Show and tell.
Barbara Braxton
The very hard book by Idan Ben-Barak and Philip Bunting
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526221. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
A book to deter readers from turning the pages, a book which encourages them to stop and think about what they are seeing, to talk about the words and images on each page, and pause to reflect. From the Escher style construction on the front cover to the invitation to the gallery as the book is opened, to the last endpaper containing a glossary of all the things seen in the book, this is an incentive to think, to muse, to inspire, to stimulate, to think about the thinking that goes on when a word and image is placed in front of them which confuses, delights, intrigues and befuddles. Can you be in an empty room, or be somewhere else for a minute, do something you don’t want to do, create a new colour? All of these and more are placed in front of the reader, stimulating them to think about their response and how they got to that response. Can you not think about purple turtles, or stop thinking for a minute, or stop you hair growing. All of these will stimulate discussion amongst the readers, strengthening their own metacognition, helping them to think about their own thoughts.
The last endpaper contains a catalogue of what the reader has seen in the gallery with further discussion prompts.
Philip Bunting’s illustrations will tease and delight, as readers follow the small creatures with antlers that lead them through the pages. Each page demands attention with its quirky illustration and pithy comment. It challenges the reader to take notice, not to turn the page but stop, sometimes laugh and think about what they are reading and seeing. Brain food in a book, designed to enhance the thinking skills of younger readers will also help to calm them, as quiet moments rule.
Themes Metacognition, Thinking, Mental health, Thought processes, Humour.
Fran Knight
Wild is the witch by Rachel Griffin
Fire Reads, 2022. ISBN: 9781728257617. (Age:14+) Recommended.
Lovers of books about witches and wildlife will be immediately drawn to this story about 18-year-old Iris who accidentally casts a spell that could have dire consequences not only on Pike Alder, the annoying intern at the wildlife refuge, but on the surrounding countryside. Iris has been hiding her ability as a witch after her best friend’s magic was taken away from her by the Witches’ Council, and her father refused to move away with her and her mother. Now settled happily working with animals and birds, the only thing that upsets her is Pike’s attitude. She is used to getting rid of her frustrations by writing curses and sending them into the earth but when writing one about Pike, an owl swoops down and flies away with it. She knows that she must recover it by following the owl’s flight path, and her mother insists that she takes Pike along as a companion on her journey.
The story follows the familiar trope of enemies into friends as Iris and Pike find out about each other’s fears and strengths as they hike through mountainous country. Readers who enjoy romance in their reading are sure to like the growing feelings and understanding between the pair.
The author has cleverly joined the fantasy aspect of witchcraft, spells, and magic with the reality of working in an animal refuge, while creating a world that feels real to the reader. The owl and Iris’ wolf, Winter, are appealing characters, too, while Iris’ relationship with her mother is strong.
This is an easy-to-read fantasy. Older readers might enjoy Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher and The lost witch by Melvin Burgess.
Imagine opening a page in a book and finding yourself staring into a lifesize eye of a baby blue whale. There's not much more of the whale on the page, but nevertheless, it gives an idea of its overall size.
From the tiny baby honey possum about the same size as a fullstop, young readers are taken to visit various animal babies all portrayed in the same scale so they understand the difference in size, inviting them to think about how they compare with these amazing creatures. From baby zebra seahorses that look like comma-sized squiggles on the page to the amazing four-page spread that is as tall as a baby elephant, young readers can compare themselves in all sorts of ways suggested by the text as well as learning the concepts of measurement and scale as they work out the dimensions of the adults using the book itself as their measuring tool.
This is one of three in this fascinating series which includes Dinosaurs (already published) and Deadly Animals (due April 2023), each of which is intriguing in itself but also an opportunity to show how the library can support the maths curriculum making them relevant to a much wider audience than early readers. Imagine a collaboration between older and younger students where they actually mapped the real sizes of creatures, first using the book's size as suggested, and then converting this to more formal measurements. As well as bringing the concept of scale to life in a meaningful way for the older students, they could compare the babies to the adult versions and determine which grows the greater amount both in proportion and percentage, and compare that to human growth. Younger students would have lots of fun consolidating the vocabulary of measurement beyond just comparing themselves to their peers, as well as mapping their own growth since birth or comparing the length of their bones or even trying to find an accurate way to measure around their head.
The value of books like this that go far beyond their intended purpose and audience, including building connections between children, cannot be underestimated. IMO, this a must-have.
Themes Baby animals, Size.
Barbara Braxton
The sun and the mayfly by Tang Tang. Illus. by Zhang Xiao
Little Steps, 2022. ISBN: 9781922678041. (Age:5-8) Highly recommended.
The Sun and the Mayfly is a beautifully written story about a curious mayfly who begins and ends life in a single day. She is the happiest of creatures and when she sees Sun rising in the sky she begins her questioning of Sun and all whom come into contact with her. She is keen to learn as much as she possibly can about everything around her. She tells all that she interacts with in nature that she only has one day to live as they tell her about their own life cycles. Mayfly asks Sun to tell her what it is like living beyond one day and Sun explains about night and day, the seasons, the weather and the whole world. Mayfly realises that her time is running out and she tries to fly to the sun.
The illustrations in this story are quite stunning and brilliantly complement the text. There is so much that can be discussed and shared in this gentle story especially about finding the positives in every day. A worthwhile book for a school or public library. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Mayfly, Sun, Nature, Questions, Positive Thinking, Life Cycles.
Gus’s mum, Delphine Able has a gift; she can see and talk to dead people. However, her bullying boyfriend Troy has been exploiting this gift, taking money from people keen to communicate with their dead relatives. The whole experience leaves Delphine distressed and anxious so when she bundles the family into the car and blocks the boyfriend’s number, Gus knows they are not going back. Big sister Alice seems to take it all in her stride and little brother Artie is only concerned about leaving his Transformer toy behind, but for nearly 12 year old Gus, that was the 10th house she could recall and she dreads going to yet another school where she won’t fit in, afraid to make friends she will inevitably lose. This time they drive north for four days until, at a service station their mother spots an advertised position at Calvary, a small town surrounded by sugar cane fields. The job is to manage the Starlight Drive-in Cinema, a run-down venue with a caravan for them to live in. They set about cleaning and sprucing up the place which was established in 1956 with an update in the 1980’s and Gus settles in to the local school where the big event will be the coming of 'Rileys Comet', seen in the sky every 70 years. Working on a science project on the comet helps Gus settle in and planning the re-opening of the drive in absorbs the whole family. Gus is to be the projectionist and when the owner’s father, Henry, who is supposed to be dead, helps her out Gus assumes she has the family gift of being able to talk to dead people. In spite of the first opening being far from successful the family settle in to the place and gradually win the support of the community but there are many hurdles to negotiate and unexpected insights to be gained.
This is an appealing story about family and finding a place to belong, the main character bravely faces challenges and takes responsibility for the success of their venture. The first half flowed well but then got more tangled and complicated. There was little character development with a stereotype of a vegan family and the comet story was confused. A quick read with a nice family feel.
Themes Family, Friendship, Ghosts.
Sue Speck
Finding you by Robert Vescio and Hannah Sommerville
New Frontier, 2022. ISBN: 9781925481495. (Age:4+) Recommended.
A story of few words that pulsate with meaning and layers of interpretation, Finding you tells the tale of a boy and a dog coming together. Either character could be the focus of the story, someone lost and friendless finding another to be with, to be safe, to feel at home.
The boy sees the lone dog in the crowd and the two create a bond, walking the city together, roaming thought the parks and gardens. Sometimes others are friendly, sometimes they are shunned. They find each other, playing together until night falls and a decision has to be made. It is here that the twist in the story develops which children will find absorbing, turning the story on its head, making them want to read it again with clearer eyes.
The story of refugees, of abandoned children, of newcomers, of people in need will bubble to the surface in classrooms where this tale is read.
Differing perspectives will intrigue readers as they realise that the story can be read on different levels of meaning, and applied to many people in our society who many of us chose to ignore. Be it the homeless, marginalised people, refugees or those new to the country, each deserves our compassion and support, just as the dog owner shows to the dog’s friend.
The dreamy illustrations, created with water colour and gouache using digital techniques will appeal to readers as they delve into the lives of the two characters, seeing what they see, using the city as their home.
More can be found about Hannah here. While more can be read about Sydney author, Robert Vescio here. Teacher's notes are available.
Just as Ana and Louis are about to sit down after a long day at school and watch a new episode of their favourite movie, Mum rushes in all dressed for action. Just five minutes she pleads wanting her children to play Battle with her. They are exhausted but are willing to give her five minutes, reminding her that she must be careful, because last time she broke the vase Dad gave her. As she parries across the couch she bangs her knee. Not to be daunted she invents a crane move to accommodate her wounded knee, and keeps them to their promise. But they become testy with her as the rules are changed and she dons new personas with different sets of skills, making it hard for them to keep up. Exasperation written all over their faces, the children put up with Mum’s battling until she begins to tickle them, breaking a rule they all agreed to. When Dad comes home, the two look to him for help, but he is definitely not helpful as he rushes to the bedroom to put on his new Battle clothing to join the fun.
Fantasy Battle has begun in earnest as the pair roams through space firing their lasers at each other.
A laugh a minute, the sight of Mum looking in the mirror, imagining just what she looks like in her Battle gear is infectious as are her eye rolls at her children’s indifference to joining in the fun. The tables are turned in this hilarious outing for the family, as Battle is a fantasy game that Mum wants to play, much to the chagrin of the children. And just when they think Dad will help them, he becomes involved as well.
High paced fantasy illustrations will entertain the reader as they watch the antics of the children and their parents, noting the variety of fantasy creatures in the background.
Themes Play fighting, Family.
Fran Knight
Mrs Turtle becomes a Grandma by Julia Hopp. Illus. by Michael Lee
Little Steps, 2022. ISBN: 9781922678720. (Age:3-6) Recommended.
Mrs Turtle is so excited that she is to become a grandma. She knows she will love the new hatchling more than anything. However, Mrs Turtle worries that she may not be quite good enough as she is not just an ordinary turtle. Mrs Turtle is not a good swimmer or diver, does not like basking in the sun without sunscreen, has excellent teeth, loves being surrounded by friends, enjoys being fit, travels the world, has excellent vision and loves listening to rock music. All of these special traits make her very unusual in turtle world. Will she be the right type of grandma? When baby turtle finally arrives, she knows all will be well.
This is a very engaging story about being true to ourselves. The illustrations are bright, colourful and very appealing. The reader might just see turtles in a new light! This book could be a great gift for anyone becoming a grandmother for the first time.
Themes Turtles, Grandmothers, Family.
Kathryn Beilby
Violin and Cello by Catherine Greer, Joanna Bartel and Alexander Lau
EK Books, 2022. ISBN: 9781922539274.
While a high brick wall might separate the balconies of the two apartments and prevent the players from seeing each other, it doesn't stop the music. One played a violin and the other a cello, and while each practised alone and at their own pace, both lonely, the music mingled. And then the violinist had an idea and sent a secret message to the cello player.
Cello from a backpack. Violin from a case Each musician still played at their own pace. It was tricky. It took some time. Then music flew from the violin and from the cello, too.
And then the cellist made a paper plane and sent her own secret message to her new friend. And together they played music from their balconies and connected many more than themselves.
Learning and playing music can be a solitary activity, bringing pleasure to the music-maker but even greater isolation than has been enforced over recent times. With between 45% of children (Australia) and 70% of children (UK) currently playing a musical instrument and even more (as many as 9 out of 10) wanting to learn - most beginning their classical music education with piano, violin or cello lessons - this is a story that will resonate with many young readers and show them that music is indeed a universal language and can indeed "act like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens" as Maria Von Trapp declared in The Sound of Music.
The score for the allegro and adagio movements of "The Mystery Friends", the music which brings the children together, is an original duet for violin and cello composed for the book by Australian composer, Alexander Lau, are printed in the book as well as being available via the links in this review. Thorough teachers' notes are also available so that even the most non-musical person like me can bring this book to life well beyond the words and pictures on the page.
Themes Music.
Barbara Braxton
Tulips for breakfast by Catherine Bauer
Ford Street Publishing, 2022. ISBN: 9781922696199. (Age:12-17) Recommended.
Tulips for breakfast could be read as a companion novel to The Diary of Anne Frank. It is a very similar story covering similar content though the outcome is different. Told in the first-person voice of Adelena, whose character is loosely based on the real-life story of Hannell Goslar-Pick (a friend of Anne Frank) Tulips for breakfast draws on research and first-hand accounts of "Hidden children" for historical and emotional authenticity. The author, Adelaide based Catherine Bauer, was inspired by her father’s stories as he recounted his life growing up in a Catholic, non-Nazi supporting family in SW Germany during WW11.
The confinement of children, the risks that their protectors took and the work of the resistance during the Nazi occupation are fascinating topics that simultaneously horrify and inspire young people with the question always being, “What would I have done in this situation? Would I have been brave or would I have been a coward?”
Adelena is a fully rounded character. Through her eyes the reader shares the range of emotions as she faces varying experiences and grows from a child into a young woman. This window of time is WW11 in Amsterdam. Adelena hides in the home of her music teacher because her Jewish parents believed that she stood the greatest chance of survival if she did so.
Catherine Bauer describes the fears and privations of the time - hence the title Tulips for breakfast. Amongst the dreadfulness there are moments of intense demonstrations of the power of the human spirit which gives one faith in the overall goodness of human beings even within the realm of an evil regime. The occasional, accidental meetings of Adelena and Officer Hass provide a thread of hope for humanity. The ending is powerful and enigmatic… especially for young people who love romance…
Tulips for breakfast is a book about the importance of hope, friendship, loyalty, being smart, staying alive, being strong, reliable and courageous even under the toughest possible conditions where your mistake or your cowardice could cost the lives of others. Teacher's notes are available.
Recommended.
Themes WW11 Amsterdam Nazi occupation, "Hidden Children", Jewish Holocaust.
