Fans of a good adventure story that you cannot put down will be thrilled with the story of Fable, a young girl who has been abandoned by her father on the island of Jeval. Here she survives as a dredger, a diver who goes after precious gemstones found deep in the waters around the coral reefs. It is a precarious and dangerous life and Fable desperately wants to get off the island and claim her rightful place on her father’s ship. A young ship’s captain West has been buying the gems she harvests from the sea and when things become too dangerous for her on Jeval, she manages to escape aboard his ship.
Young’s world building is beguiling. It is easy to imagine the life that Fable leads, the things she must do to survive and the life of the young crew on board West’s ship the Marigold. The sights and sounds aboard an ocean-going sailing ship come alive, while the underwater mining that Fable excels at is vividly described. And the excitement and danger that Fable faces in this action-packed story will keep the reader rivetted as they follow her adventures as she tries to get back to her father.
Fable is a strong, feisty clever young woman and West and the crew of the Marigold are all strong characters that the reader will enjoy getting to know. Then there are the villains, including Zoya who is a cruel captain, the terrible harshness of punishment on the high seas, and the tortured relationship between Fable and her father Saint, all of which make for a gripping story. Themes of abandonment, family and the meaning of home are all explored, and the slight touch of romance will be enjoyed by fans of that genre.
Readers who enjoyed Six of crows by Leigh Bardugo are likely to enjoy Fable. It certainly deserved being a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2020), and 2021 Best Fiction for Young Adults, and with a truly frightening cliff-hanger ending, the reader will immediately want to read Namesake, the next in this duology.
Themes Sailing, Diving, Abandonment, Family.
Pat Pledger
Hold on! Saving the spotted handfish by Gina M. Newton and Rachel Tribout
Where the Derwent River spreads out to meet the Tasman Sea on the southeastern coast of Tasmania lives Handstand, a spotted handfish and one of just 1000 left of a species that the dinosaurs would have recognised. A species of anglerfish, Handstand lures prey using a fleshy growth on her head, which acts like a fishing rod and lure, even including a "light" that attracts the worms and crustaceans on the deep sea floor. But even more amazing is that she has hands - pectoral fins that have adapted to allow her to walk along the seabed because without a swim bladder, she can't swim.
This is just some of the information contained in this remarkable book, told by Handstand herself, and introducing this highly endangered species to young readers. Being one of the first marine fish species to be listed on the IUCN Red List , and one of just 14 species from the hundreds that used to be in the oceans (all of which are Australian). not only does Handstand raise awareness of her species for those looking to investigate a not-so-familiar endangered species, but she conveys a strong message of the need to protect and conserve both the marine environment and those that live within it.
Presented in a way that engages the reader with Handstand's story entwined and embedded with facts and accompanied by biologically-correct illustrations which have a childlike appeal, this book has been shortlisted for both the CBCA Even Pownall Award for Information Books for 2021 and the Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children's Literature: Non fiction 2021, both accolades that are richly deserved because not only is the spotlight thrown on the future of the spotted handfish, but there is also a raised awareness of the needs of and threats to the ocean environment generally. If climate change, chemical pollution, rubbish, fishing nets and invaders like the Northern Pacific Seastar are threatening this tiny creature, then others must be at risk too.
Using a variety of graphic techniques that students could adopt and adapt to bring their own reports to life, this is a book that as well as deserving its award nominations, definitely deserves a place in the library's collection.
The “Rock Oysters” Band love to sing all day and are now performing a song to help all the sea creatures fall asleep. Their “lullaby” is so silly it has the opposite effect and makes everyone laugh.
Jelly flubber! Wobbly gong! Bong, this is a silly song. You’d be crazy if you think This song helps you sleep, wink, wink.
Everyone is enjoying the song and laughing along with the tune except for young Fred, a turtle hatchling who just wants everything to be quiet.
Children will love the effect of the song on the different sea animals, Hermit Crab laughs off his shell, Pufferfish is overblown and Sea Sponge squirts a tiny wee!
The illustrations are vibrant and appealing and have the same sense of joy experienced by the happy sea creatures. I love the colours and detail and readers are encouraged to search for a list of sea creatures in both endpapers.
Another sturdy board book introduces young readers to the Coelophysis, a dinosaur that loves to run and is very fast. She has long, slender legs and a pointed tail that helps her speed along like an athlete. Sometimes she annoys the other dinosaurs with her speed, whizzing past Dinosaur Flap and waking up Dinosaur Flap, the poor Oviraptor, distressing it so much that she tripped over her nest. When the mean Spinosaurus called Dinosaur Snap, chases Whizz, she is so fast that she manages to get away.
The rhyming text is a joy to read aloud, and young children will enjoy following the adventures of Whizz as she races from one place to another. Finding different dinosaurs and learning how to pronounce their names could be a fun activity, while the double page spread at the back with facts about Coelophysis will reinforce what has been learnt about this dinosaur. Vocabulary will also be extended through this page and the narrative. The dinosaur facts have been verified by Dr. Paul Barrett of the Department of Earth Sciences at the Natural History Museum in London.
The illustrations are cute, with Dinosaur Whizz drawn in bright red. She has sharp pointed teeth and a happy expression on her face, and children will want to find the three grasping claws she has on each hand. The pictures of Dinosaur Snap and Dinosaur Stomp will bring shudders of delight as Dinosaur Whizz evades danger.
Children are sure to want to find out more dinosaur facts in the rest of the Dinosaur Roar! series.
Themes Dinosaurs, Coelophysis.
Pat Pledger
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Hufflepuff edition by J.K. Rowling
The final book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the culmination of Harry's years at Hogwarts and follows on from the shocking end of the 6th book in the series. Join Harry and his friends as they fight against Lord Voldermort and his Death Eaters who have taken over the wizarding world. Instead of returning to school where Harry would be arrested and handed over to Voldermort, Harry, Hermione and Ron set out to try to change things. They face perilous challenges as they race against time and their enemies to bring about the balance to end the wizarding war.
This new Hufflepuff edition of the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series is brilliantly bright with its vibrant yellow cover and yellow page edging, which is essentially an odd juxtaposition to the dark and heavy story contained within its pages. That being said, loyal and true Hufflepuffs will love the edition, as it is the Hufflepuff House Edition, and includes special additions of Hufflepuff illustrations, Hufflepuff information and a quiz on Hufflepuff history! And of course, the epic story contained within the cover - the beloved characters, the mystery of the Deathly Hallows, the relationships, everything that makes the Harry Potter series so loved and well read worldwide. Fast paced and action fuelled; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will answer all the questions readers have regarding the series. Hufflepuff Potterheads will be proud to add this edition to their collection, and as always for a book in the Harry Potter series, the book is well worth the read.
Themes Fantasy, Magic, Wizards, Witches, Friendship, Love, War, Loss, Good versus Evil, Choice.
Addie and her sister are about to embark on an epic road trip to a friend's wedding in the north of Scotland. Not long after setting off, a car slams into the back of theirs. The driver is none other than Addie's ex, Dylan, who she has avoided since their traumatic break-up two years earlier.
Dylan and his best mate are heading to the wedding too, and they have totalled their car, so Addie has no choice but to offer them a ride. The car is soon jam-packed full of luggage and secrets, and with three hundred miles ahead of them, Dylan and Addie cannot avoid confronting the very messy history of their relationship.
Will they make it to the wedding on time? And, more importantly... is this really the end of the road for Addie and Dylan?
I really loved the time jumping chapters, going from the beginning of Dylan and Addie’s relationship to the awkwardness of their present situation. Add onto that, the changing narration from Dylan to Addie, it sounds like it would be difficult to keep track of, but the story and timelines were easy to follow and added an element of anticipation.
Addie is quite the enjoyable female protagonist. It is easy to relate to some of her attributes, particularly in the way she handles conflict within her relationship. This book does cover the idea of toxic friendships and includes a redemption arc of one of the main characters. This may not seem realistic to some; however, it ties up the end of the novel nicely. The character of Marcus is one that pushes a lot of buttons, in the end I despised him. That in itself is a testament to good writing, to make the reader feel such emotion towards a character requires a special talent. The love between Addie and Dylan was so strong and I was shipping them the entire way through, hoping for a happy ending.
Overall a thoroughly enjoyable novel that romance readers will definitely enjoy!
Themes Alcoholism, Friendship, Jealousy, Love, Loyalty, Point of View, Relationships, Romance, Stalking.
Following the string of successes beginning with Oi frog! (2014) comes an alphabet book with a difference, introducing many of Frog’s friends to the appreciative reading audience who will laugh uproariously at the way words are used to rhyme with the animal nominated for each letter. And most of these animals are usually overlooked in the many alphabet books available.
The lugubrious cat and questioning dog follow the story, adding comments along the way, questioning and suggesting, encouraging the reader to do the same. Like the animals selected, the words chosen to rhyme are often unexpected, adding thrills to the reading, and a lot of laughs from the audience.
Frog invites the aardvark, cat and dog to check out his new book: My all new alphabetty botty book, which he is writing. Of course, cat derides it, questioning the first rhyme - cardsharp for aardvark. From then on, fun comes hard and fast as the words dot the pages, the animals all paired with something to sit upon.
I laughed out loud at the Elk sitting on a whelk and the giraffe in a bath, while the iguana has a rough time sitting peacefully on a fish bowl of piranha. The look on the iguana’s face is priceless. So too, the kudu sitting on, well, poo will gain credibility from the kids, but asked whether another word could be used, I can imagine lots of guesses.
Kids will love this new book, full of humour and celebrating some unknown animals, while encouraging lots of fun with words. Jim Field’s lively illustrations add another level of fun and humour, and I loved following the looks on the animals’ faces as they sit on their pairing word.
A whole heap of fun.
Themes Humour, Animals, Alphabet.
Fran Knight
Tiger Warrior: Attack of the Dragon King by M. Chan
Nine chapters of high-octane adventure begin with an action-packed Prologue set in the Jade Kingdom. Simultaneously in our realm, Jack’s aging grandfather, Yeye, unwittingly believes it is a good time to pass the Jade coin onto his grandson, effectively anointing him the next Tiger Warrior. The coin not only enables Jack to travel to and from the Jade realm but allows him to harness and ultimately commune with the superpowers of each of the animals in the Chinese Zodiac – particularly the Tiger.
With minimal practice in transforming and accessing powers such as the Tiger’s firebombs, the Ox’s strength, the Snake’s invisibility, the Rooster’s ability to fly etc. Jack is encouraged to go and explore the Jade Kingdom. Upon materializing there, he quickly learns that the Jade Emperor has been imprisoned under Mystic Mountain by the Dragon King. Aided by Li (the emperor’s daughter/magical Phoenix) this first day on the job is a baptism by fire.
Jack is by birth the new Tiger Warrior, but he relies on his magic and martial arts video game expertise more in the beginning to help Li battle the Dragon King and his minions – no doubt a welcome message about the practical usefulness of gaming.
Will he be any help in freeing the Jade Emperor? Will he make Yeye proud, as the new Tiger Warrior? All answered questions for young readers who will be turning pages faster than a Ninja. Author and Chinese Englishman, M. Chan has concocted a uniquely stimulating text for an early/middle school reader – particularly boys. With Jack transforming into powerful Zodiac animals and battling the various dragons unleashed by the Dragon King, we remain on the edge of our proverbial seats until the final scenes. Highly recommend Vol 1, in what promises to be an extremely popular adventure series in the league of those written by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson) and the various authors known collectively as Adam Blade. (Beast Quest)
Themes Action, Adventure, Martial Arts, Family, Chinese Zodiac.
Deborah Robins
Dinosaur Whack! The Stegosaurus by Peter Curtis and Jeanne Willis
This sturdy board book will delight fans of dinosaurs with its colourful illustrations and rhyming verse. Dinosaur Whack is a stegosaurus who is very clumsy. She has a very long spiky tail which scares her friends and sometimes even knocks them over. Poor Dinosaur Chew (an iguanodon) and Dinosaur Whixx ( a coelophysis) get whacked and Dinosaur Boo (the deinonychus) is bopped. It is not until some juicy foliage is stuck on her spikes that the other plant eating dinosaurs can see some use for her tail.
The rhyming verse make this a great read aloud for younger children, and emerging readers will enjoy the rhythm of the narrative, while learning much about the stegosaurus and see other dinosaurs as well. The illustrations are cute and colourful and will appeal to the young audience.
A double page spread gives interesting facts about the stegosaurus and will introduce new vocabulary to the reader/listener, with words like 'quadruped', 'bony plates' and 'plant eater' explained. The book was produced in association with the Natural History Museum, with facts verified by Prof. Paul Barrett of the Department of Earth Sciences, so parents and teachers can be sure that the young reader is gaining accurate information.
This is a fun book that will bring pleasure and great dinosaur facts to the very young who will want to read others in the Dinosaur Roar! series.
Getting to know the narrator, Evie Thomas, is an experience. She is disillusioned, cynical, clever and tough. She no longer believes in love and has thrown out her romance novels in disgust. Evie is in her final year at school, with no clear idea of where she will go from here – her life has imploded.
Yoon sets her novel in Los Angeles and the La Brea Dance studio. She expertly holds the reader in the closed position and leads through the story to reveal passions, slow dances, courage and self-awareness. The reader will fall in love with the characters in this novel. Yoon has infused her characters with a vitality and depth that intrigues and captures the reader’s heart. While unashamedly a romance, this book has depth and invites the reader to question the meaning of life. Should you say yes to everything?
There is a lot of wisdom and pain in this book. Overall, the reader reaches the last page immersed in hope. While there is evidence that life does bring misery and adults are imperfect, the joys of relationships and life surmount them all. This is an uplifting book that you will want to read in one sitting.
Xander Maze is a sensitive 15yr old whose #1 person is his terminally ill grandmother. Nan attempts to distract Xander, by instructing him to write a new list titled, “100 remarkable feats of Xander Maze.” He naively believes that achieving all the items on the list, some only remarkable for pushing Xander’s limits, will help her recover. Can Mr Remarkable really gain confidence, shed his anxiety and man-up to #100 - Save Nan?
But Nanna intentionally leaks the list naming his love interest amongst other embarrassing details, with the entire online world. The list is printed unabridged as are shorter lists throughout the novel.
#2 Make a Friend, #3 Make a Best Friend, #10 Kiss a Girl … are just the beginning. #28 Go to a party, #58 Get a job (any job), #87 Learn to keep secrets – all earn him initial put downs and worse from school bullies, Tyson and Corey. However, a surprising number of new friends and community members show up to help him at all the wrong or right moments.
Lily, sometimes assisted by Lachlan, encourage him daily but so does Andy (a cool senior) and her peer group including Chase and Johnny. His Mum is the main barrier – concerned that Xander is not accepting the inevitable. Running alongside Xander’s story are plenty of good deeds and problems to be solved, which enable the friends to tick off multiple “feats” from Xander’s list. Mr Abramowitz has agoraphobia, Sean Emerson (school senior) has been missing for months and Lily is struggling with her own secrets.
There are more than a few laugh-out-loud moments, but readers will love Xander for his can-do attitude despite his lack of worldly experience. Xander has moments that are definitely neurodiverse and he visits Dr Way occasionally for support. The writing is too raw to be saccharine. Comber is a rising YA talent having introduced a very likeable antihero to Australian readers. Teacher’s Notes are available.
Themes Bildungsroman, Grief, Palliative Care, Family, Neurodiversity.
Deborah Robins
Do you know where the animals live? by Peter Wohlleben
Peter Wohlleben, the author of The Hidden Life of Trees has written another attractive and appealing non-fiction book which clearly showcases his passion and enthusiasm for the animal world. The book begins with an introduction ‘Let’s go on a journey of discovery’ which is followed by seven chapters covering the topics of where animals live, what they eat, babies, how they grow up, survival techniques, the language they use and animal emotions. The chapters are not long and the information is clearly set out in bordered segments interspersed with colourful photographs. There are “Look!” or “Try this!” headings as well as a simple quiz at the end of each section. The answer to each quiz is on the same page but may be missed as it is in miniscule light coloured font.
The interesting and wide-ranging information is written in an easy to understand manner and may encourage further investigation. A thought-provoking fact especially as areas of Australia are suffering from a devastating mouse plague is that one pair of mice can produce up to two thousand offspring a year and that young mice can begin to have their own babies at three weeks old. There is important information on human garbage and the care that must be taken to ensure animals do not suffer from it being left lying around. At the end of the book are photo credits and a very detailed index.
Another welcome addition to a home, school or public library.
Themes Animals, Habitats, Survival, Nature.
Kathryn Beilby
How to Make a Pet Monster: Flummox by Lili Wilkinson. Illus. by Dustin Spence
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760877392. (Age:7-10)
Artie and Willow have the means to create their own monsters. They own a spell book called “The Bigge Boke of Fetching Monsters”. The spells contain unique items, so Willow creates the latest monster by getting as close as possible to the ingredients. The adaption of the spells can create some wildly unusual creatures.
In the first book in the series a monster called “Hodgepodge” was created. He is Artie’s monster and Willow wanted a monster friend for herself. She does create a new chicken like creature called Flummox.
Willow and Artie’s plans to spend time with the spell book and their monsters are thwarted by the arrival of Arabella-Rose who needs to wait at their home waiting for the late arrival of her uncle. Willow does not enjoy Arabella-Rose’s company and things get difficult when Willow and Artie try to hide the monsters from their unwelcome guest.
This is a light-hearted novel involving magic and friendship. The pages contain many black and white illustrations by Dustin Spence and his cartoon style makes the story more exciting and easier to read. It is interesting to see the interaction between Artie and Willow who are now part of a blended family and Arabella-Rose’s introduction adds to the drama of the situation.
I was able to pick up the storyline from the first book (I did not read) very easily and it is obvious from the novel’s ending that there are more characters and stories to come.
This is a good fit for 7 to 10 year olds.
The Allen and Unwin Facebook page have some little videos advertising the series. Teacher's tips are available.
Black girls together, solidarity! At least that is what Nella hopes, when a new black girl gets an editorial assistant position in the same publishing house where she works. Up until that time, Nella has been the only black person in the all white Wagner editorial team, struggling to highlight diversity issues in the manuscripts that come across her desk. But then the threatening notes start turning up, ‘LEAVE WAGNER NOW’, and Nella has to wonder if Hazel, the new super confident achiever is behind them.
The author Zakiya Dalila Harris spent nearly three years working in the editorial department at Knopf Doubleday, beginning work on this novel at her desk, so the scenes exposing the hierarchies within a publishing house, the tension around raising issues of racism, and the competitiveness between editorial assistants wanting to rise up the ladder, all has the ring of authenticity. Nella wants to help new young black writers to get published, and also ensure there is a genuine black voice in the literature that Wagner promotes. But she finds that she is increasingly being sidelined, Hazel is becoming the favoured black spokesperson . . . and the threatening notes keep coming.
Interwoven with Nella’s story are occasional chapters set in a different timeframe, so the reader needs to pay attention to the dates at the beginning of chapters. New characters and scenes are introduced, and it is not until well over half way through the book that we start to understand what they are about. The novel starts as a modern day social commentary, mixed with elements of the thriller, and then takes a disconcerting sci-fi turn. Perhaps younger readers will not be put off by this twist.
The novel is well grounded in black politics, and black culture, the characters are convincing, and the writing keeps the reader engaged. Readers who like a mix of genres will enjoy this book.
Themes Black writers, Racism, Deception, Control.
Helen Eddy
Red vs Blue by James Tedesco. Illus. by Heath McKenzie
Pan Macmillan Australia, 2021. ISBN: 9781760982928. (Age:7+) Recommended.
James Tedesco is a popular Rugby League footballer who plays for the Sydney Roosters. The Roosters' website describes Tedesco as “one of the best players on the planet”. He grew up in the Menangle/Camden area of NSW and his writing is based on his own footy-playing childhood. His main character is himself, nicknamed ‘Teddy’.
Red vs Blue is Tedesco’s second book (following Hat-Trick Teddy which was published in April 2021) and does follow on from where the story left off in the first instalment but can be easily understood as a stand-alone.
Red vs Blue details the birth of a second Under 12s team for the Camden Rams. With two teams in the same age division a showdown between them is inevitable and both teams are desperate to win. But first the new Camden Blues need more players, so the boys get to work on a recruiting strategy. Their strategic thinking on how to target the skills they need is impressive.
The resulting team is a mixture of kids from diverse backgrounds and with various body types and skill levels, but with 12 out of 13 being boys. The language around the consideration of a girl starts “we can’t have girls on our team!” and “she couldn’t play our standard of footy”. It’s disheartening that (unlike any of the new male recruits) she must prove herself to the team, but to their credit the boys then freely admit they were wrong and welcome her whole-heartedly.
There’s a side-story about a blossoming romance involving a girl who owns a goat, with the goat appearing as a fun little flip-the-pages picture, jumping page numbers. The showdown between Camden Red vs Blue is saved till the end and is detailed play by play (as for several other games during the story).
For young rugby fans this book will be a delight – the chapters are short, the illustrations are cartoony, and there are tips at the end of each chapter on how to succeed at footy as well as in everyday life.
Themes Teamwork, Integrity, Resilience, Rugby League Football.
