The Storm Keeper Trilogy: Book 3. Bloomsbury, 2021. ISBN: 9781526607966. (Age:12+) Highly recommended.
This is the final episode in the trilogy involving Fionn Boyle – the reluctant hero and Storm Keeper of Arronmore, first introduced in The storm keeper's island. In this final story set in Arronmore, he must rally the islanders to overthrow Morrigan, the evil sorceress that leads the soul stalkers and is keen to take control of all the islanders. She has no idea that the loyalty of the islanders is stronger than her evil power…. But first Fionn must summon all his newfound magic to give them any chance to win the final battle. This is action-packed and steeped in magical forces swirling in and through the young Fionn.
This story has parallels/similarities to a Harry Potter story with the reluctant and brave young hero having to overcome his own personal insecurities and draw on the strength of others – older islanders and his friends, in order to have any hope of overcoming evil. The battle is both sad and intense and yet the smallest hope wins against the hopelessness of evil. Because it is the ultimate part of the story it is assumed that readers have come to the storyline by reading the previous two books in the trilogy. There is not a lot of introduction to the world of the Storm Keeper or Arronmore in this book, but it is a wonderful and inspirational tale when the trilogy is read in total.
A short recap of events so far is included, so it works as a stand-alone book for those who haven’t read books 1 and 2.
For ‘crimes against poomanity’ (that is, an epic poo and vomit explosion earlier in the series) Timmy has been sentenced to life in ‘The Pits’ deep below the Earth’s surface. He is horrified to learn he doesn’t have phone reception, let alone access to his manager, fans or any special treatment.
Timmy is selfish, vain, thoughtless, rude and obsessed with farts and poo. His greatest fear is becoming unfamous as he believes he is special and deserves adoration.
The story follows Timmy as he tries to escape from The Pits. For readers 7+ it’s highly illustrated and packed full of silliness. There are a LOT of poo and fart references, including pictures!
But there are serious themes too, mostly to do with Timmy’s loyal sidekick aptly named Ol’ Faithful. Timmy does not appreciate him, but Ol’ Faithful is a gentle and wonderful character. It’s Ol’ Faithful who says “It’s kinda nice to not be noticed. To just be able to live out your days quietly without seeking approval. To feel good about yourself without the rollercoaster of ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’”. He also talks about loving ‘nobodies’ as they need love the most, and makes Timmy think about whether it’s possible for someone to love him just for who he is, rather than what they could get from him.
In the end we are left with a cliff-hanger – to be continued in the next instalment. The hilarious Magda Szubanski has done a great job weaving together ridiculous and thought-provoking content, including appealing to kids and adults. And the two-colour illustrations by Melburnian Dean Rankine are an absolute highlight.
Themes Humour, Fame, Friends, Ponies, Adventure.
Kylie Grant
Fantastically great women scientists and their stories by Kate Pankhurst
Kate Pankhurst, the author of the Fantastically Great Women picture book series, has now written a new series for older readers in a novel format. This first book is a compelling read and shares stories of women who have achieved amazing things in Science from space travel to volcanoes to botany. These women all fought against the odds in a white male-dominated world yet through perseverance and resilience they have been able to leave their mark and become role models for future generations. The story of Mae Jemison, the first Black American woman in space, is one of absolute dedication, racism and persistence. Her brilliant mind and obvious talent in many areas led her to achieve so much. As a young child she was curious about everything which led her to become a medical doctor, an astronaut and finally she started a company that would find ways that science and technology could support ordinary people. The story of Janaki Ammal who was born in 1897 and became a botanist is one of a strong Indian woman overcoming traditional expectations to achieve quite impressive things. During her life journey she was discriminated against, one for being a woman, also from being from the ‘untouchable’ class in India as well as having to travel to other countries at times to fulfil her yearn for research and learning.
As well as providing insightful information about the women discussed in the book, the author has also been able to provide an historical perspective of social conditions of the time. Throughout this book there are black and white graphic-style images, speech bubbles, maps, changes in text style, darkness and size all which add to the engagement for the reader.
This very worthwhile read would be a wonderful addition to any home, classroom, school or public library.
Themes Women, Scientists, History, Biography.
Kathryn Beilby
Fauna: Australia’s most curious creatures by Tania McCartney
NLA, 2019. ISBN: 9780642279545. (Age:Primary and secondary students) Highly recommended.
This engaging book provides excellent insights into the lives of some of Australia’s unusual animals. As explained in the introduction, Australia is one of only 17 ‘megadiverse’ countries. It has more animal species than any other developed country and many of the animals are found nowhere else on earth. Unfortunately, some species are endangered and very little is presently being done to reverse the losses.It’s very important that we should get to know and value our natural treasures.
Beginning with it’s startling cover, the reader is drawn into the book. Double page displays describe each important animal. As if viewing a museum display window, creatures are described in short segments that highlight location, scientific name, size, unusual features, feeding habits, and reproduction. The author uses humour, short notes and simple well designed illustrations to explain how each creature adapts to its environment. My 18 month old grandson was delighted by the illustrations, and I loved the reference to ‘drop bears’, a kangaroo wearing sunglasses, and young cassowary going to ‘daddy day-care’.
Tania McCartney has designed a beautiful book, with additional features such as descriptions of groups of fauna: birds reptiles, invertebrates, marsupials and megafauna. Creatures are given a conservation classification, extinct animals are highlighted, and a useful animal family tree explains classification. The conclusion of the book includes views of early discoveries of Australian wildlife as ‘curiosities’, an index and a glossary. The reviewer was disappointed not to see the Australian Sea-lion or the word ‘goanna’, minor oversights in a delightful book that will appeal to readers of all ages.
Themes Animals - Australia.
Paul Pledger
Building a Reading Culture: A Selection of Articles from FYI & Synergy by Susan La Marca & Pam Macintyre, compilers
School Library Association of Victoria, 2021. (Age:Adult) Highly recommended.
When finishing this wonderful collection of articles published in FYI and Synergy, I found myself enthused about the importance of promoting reading in schools and really enjoyed the historical overview given by the articles ranging from some written in 2000 to those written in 2020. The book is divided into three sections, Research and Reflections, Practice and Organisations. The Introduction by Dr Kasey, Senior Lecturer in the School of Information Studies at Charles Sturt University, summarises the contents of the book in a masterly manner and gives an excellent overview of what the reader will find in each section.
Readers coming to Building a Reading Culture could examine all the articles or, as many may do, can select articles that are pertinent to them at the time of need. What stood out for me and challenged my ideas in the Research and Reflections section was Current and historical perspectives on Australian teenagers’ reading practices and preferences by Dr Jacqueline Manuel and Don Carter (2016) which showed the genres that teens most liked to read and emphasised the importance of the English teacher on selection. This was echoed in Teen reading in the digital era by Leonie Rutherford (2017) showing top genres as Fantasy, Contemporary realistic, Science fiction, Autobiography and Biography and Action/Adventure. In Myths about children, teenagers, books and reading by Margaret Merga, the myth that all reading is equally beneficial made me think and sent me off to Merga’s website where I found many useful articles. Anatomy of a dissertation: What Emily discovered about gendered literacy by Carol A. Gordon (2015) also emphasized the importance of free voluntary reading but advised not to label books according to boy/girl in reading lists.
SLAV have chosen to make the Practice section into a print and e-book (ISBN: 9780909978037), which will be perfect for those who are mainly interested in improving their practice. In this section it was hard for me to pick articles that stood out as all were very helpful. Windows and mirrors: visibility and representation in Australian LGBTQIA+ YA fiction by Nell Day (2019) gives ideas and book lists to grow a more diverse collection. Banned books week by Sue Bursztynski was inspirational: with a limited budget, students filmed readings from banned or challenged books, engendering much enthusiasm. Practitioners would find many gems among the advice ranging from building a whole school reading culture and the importance of using data in a reading program, boys’ reading and book clubs, setting up a collection based on genres with the help of students, the use of e-books and print collections, to guidance on starting a literary festival.
In the Organisations section, more ideas to inform can be found. The importance of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation is described, and Victorians will learn about the Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre, while some school libraries may wish to take the opportunity to join the Stella Prize School’s Program or the ISLM bookmark exchange project.
The Contents page is clearly set out and titles of the articles give an indication of their subject matter. Bibliographies for all the articles are extensive and will provide scope for the reader to move onto a more in-depth perusal of the subject matter.
Building a Reading Culture will validate the programs that many school libraries are conducting, stimulate staff with new ideas, challenge them to improve their practice and give them access to articles and research that will be invaluable in presenting ideas to principals, staff, and parents. And it will be a boon for those updating their qualifications at university. For me it was an inspiring read, encouraging me to continue organising and promoting books through fiction reviews.
Themes Reading, Research, Reading culture, School libraries.
Pat Pledger
Move that mountain by Kate & Jol Temple and Terri Rose Baynton
A very clever back to front book which reads one way, first page to the last, and quite differently when read from the back to the front, this is a worthy successor to an earlier book, Room on our rock (2018). Room on our rock showed what happens when people reject others wanting to find refuge and when the book is read from the back, a welcome is given to those seeking shelter. So too with Move that mountain. Read in the usual way, the story ends with the puffins giving up trying to move mountains. But reread the other way, the puffins unite to form strength enough to move the whale from the beach. The problem is immense but together the puffins are able to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Told in verse form, the story can be read aloud with great effect, children predicting what the rhyming word will be, and easy enough to learn lines to read along with the teacher or adult reader. Kids will love the way the same words can mean something quite different, depending on how they are read and in what context, and rejoice at the combined strength moving the whale at the end (beginning)
The lovely watercolour illustrations will draw the children’s eyes to the detail of the animals shown and the background against what they are placed, impelling them to o come research about the place these animal live. The swirling endpapers reprise the movement of the sea and the lines on the puffins and the whale, giving a continuity of line throughout the book.
Children will be able to see that together they have a voice, that they can do something momentous by working together. Climate change is at the fore of many children’s thoughts at the moment and this book promotes a team effort to solve one of the world’s pressing problems.
Themes Climate change, Creating change, Compassion, Team work, Problem solving, Kindness, Resilience, Determination.
Fran Knight
Fourteen wolves by Catherine Barr and Jenni Desmond
This beautifully illustrated non-fiction book begins with an introduction to Yellowstone National Park USA. A vast wilderness spanning 9000 kilometres, it is home to thousands of different wildlife species and is visited by four million people each year. However over nearly one hundred years ago wolves disappeared from the park through over-hunting and the natural balance of the ecosystem began to break down. Fourteen Wolves is the story of how scientists and conservationists in 1995 began the long project to turn the park back to its once pristine condition by rewilding fourteen wolves from Canada. The story is fascinating to read and while the size of the font is rather small it does not distract from the information as it is complemented by the stunning visual images. Part One tells the journey of the wolves from Canada and the cycle of life. Once the wolves are acclimatised and then released, they move in packs and their survival begins. Their prey are the elk which have grown in number and disrupted the ecosystem. The return of the wolves has now begun to balance the ecosystem. Part Two discusses the Rise of the Wolves beginning with an explanation of the food chain. The results of the wolves’ hunting provides the reader with an understanding of how important the key predator is in maintaining the natural balance for birds, animals, plants and landscapes. Part Three conveys an awareness of How Nature Works and is followed by information about rewilding and conservation.
While this book focuses on a particular place in the USA, it gives the reader a greater understanding of how important it is for humans to carefully consider the impact they have on the environment. This book is would be a perfect addition to a home, school or public library.
Themes Rewilding, Wolves, Yellowstone National Park USA, Conservation, Environmental impacts, Ecosystems, Science, Life Cycles.
An interesting narrative, non-fiction book that tries to convey the important role faeces plays in the world and how scientists are using it to help animals and the environment.
Heather Montgomery is a passionate scientist who takes the reader along with her on field trips and to Zoom meetings as she investigates what can be discovered from faeces (or feces if you are in the USA). She has packed a huge amount of information in this novel-style book in which she uses different scientists to help her to understand aspects of their work in this field. From an inventor of a biogas powered streetlamp that uses “doggie do” as its source of fuel to identifying where poachers are hunting using the DNA found in Elephant scats.
The author injects plenty of humour through her very funny footnotes on each page, which are then fully annotated at the back of the book. It also contains a full index and a glossary of Waste Words. The cover is bright and colourful and is as attractive as her other book written within this theme called Something Rotten: a fresh look at roadkill.
The text is fast paced with a strong sense of the author's voice and is interesting enough for an adult or high school student to read from cover to cover. I am not sure younger children would bother to read it through as I did. So, my worry with this book is who is the audience? I think the form of the book could have been more carefully considered. The illustrations are only small line drawings on a few pages in each chapter. A fully illustrated non-fiction book with photographs, tables, charts etc. may have had a wider audience.
Themes Faeces, Animal droppings, Environment.
Gabrielle Anderson
Do animals fall in love? by Katharina von der Gathen and Anke Kuhl
The author of Tell Me: What Children Really Want To Know About Bodies, Sex, and Emotions (2020) has written another book focused on sexual reproduction but this time it is all about animals. Katharina von der Gathen is a German sex-educator who writes with both honesty and clever humour. This non-fiction book has a very detailed contents section with the chapters divided into three main headings: The Art of Seduction, Mating and The Babies Arrive. Within each chapter are further categories with headings such as Dance with me, When love hurts and Difficult births. The opening introductory page begins with a series of handwritten questions in speech bubbles such as Do Animals have sex too? Can animals be gay? How do elephants have sex? The introduction then continues with an explanation of the book and covers the following topics:
How they find and compete for mates The unusual ways they have sex How animal babies are conceived How they make their way into the world.
The information presented to the reader takes them on a very interesting and wondrous journey with amazing facts shared. The author uses correct terminology throughout so for many readers this may require explanation. For example the male silverfish fertilizes the female by weaving fine gossamer threads over the floor where he deposits his sperm capsule alongside. When the female silverfish detects the threads she opens her ovipositor to take up the waiting sperm.
This book is full of informative material that children will enjoy browsing through and sharing with their peers and adults. The colourful graphic-style illustrations provide an important visual and often humorous connection. This book would be a worthwhile addition to any home, school or public library with the possibility of guidance and support for younger readers.
Three highly eccentric characters, different ages and backgrounds, somehow find their paths come together, and the thing that ultimately unites them is the world of bees. Jake is a trumpet playing teenager with a mohawk haircut, his life shattered by a stupid accident that leaves him paraplegic. Alice is a middle-aged loner, trying to contain her surging grief for her dead husband. And Harry is a young misfit with social anxiety, who is always being conned by the wrong people.
Alice is a beekeeper. A panic attack whilst driving, sees her send Jake and his wheelchair off the side of the road and thousands of honeybees buzzing from upturned hives in her truck. That eventful night is the beginning of an unlikely friendship between the two. Alice comes to provide an escape for Jake from his abusive father. Jake discovers a special talent; his musical ear can recognise the sound of a happy queen in the hive. And it is true! I had to check on Google. The queen bee makes a different sound to the rest of the bees, less of a buzz and more of a piping or tooting sound!
Eventually the outcast Harry also joins their home, despite his fear of insects, and contributes his woodworking and problem solving skills. They work together to care for the bees, expand the hives and fight the corrupt insecticide company that threatens their lives.
The music of bees is a truly heartwarming story of friendship between three unlikely people. And along the way you will painlessly learn all about the lives of bees, the dedicated workers, the queen, and the amazing community that bees make up.
Themes Friendship, Outsiders, Bees, Beekeeping, Caring for the environment.
Helen Eddy
Cuckoo's flight by Wendy Orr
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760524913. (Age:10+) Highly recommended.
Lame Clio longs to ride her horse again. She spends more time with Grey Girl than she should, neglecting her duties in the pottery but while on the hillside she spies a black sailed ship. The Lady consults the Oracle and sends the men of the village off to early market while bolstering their defences lest the ship brings war. Clio is of an age where she may be sacrificed to the goddess to avert disaster, but her aging grandmother fashions a ceramic goddess dressed in the fineries of the Lady as an offering in her place. She puts all of herself into the piece and dies when it is finished, hoping her granddaughter will be spared.
Clio and her family’s lives are wrapped around the clay and their kilns, making pottery for the village as well as for sale at far flung markets, where Hector, Clio’s father is now headed.
Clio is determined to ride her horse again, and Hector fashions a chariot to be drawn by the horse allowing Clio the movement denied her. But the process is being watched by the outcasts of the village, Dymos, and his sister, Mika. The lives of the two girls intersect after Clio uses her crutch to save the younger girl from the river.
This marvellous historical novel, with overtones of Greek Classic tales, reminded me of the best of British historical novels, Sutcliffe, Lucy Boston, Llewellyn Green, Rundell and Morpurgo to name a few combining marvellous story telling with wonderfully astute characterisation and incomparable settings.
Set in the Eastern Mediterranean the story buzzes with nods to the Greek myths, firmly rooted in the Bronze Age when metal was first smelted and stone fashioned for implements. A worthy companion to Dragonfly song and Swallow’s dance, the trio combines verse with the text adding flair to the narrative.
Entering his sixth year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter faces greater challenges than ever before. The whole magical world knows that Voldemort is back, and everyone is looking to Harry as 'The Chosen One'. Harry is having private lessons with Dumbledore, and his friends are dealing with their own issues - hormones and feelings! Add on to all of this, Harry's suspicion of Draco Malfoy - is he up to something? Will anyone believe Harry?
Harry Potter came out when I was in high school, and the last few came out when I was in my late teens/early twenties. To think I'd ever be reviewing a Harry Potter book is crazy, and I didn't think there'd be much more to it than the original book I got back in the day. I was wrong. The Hogwarts House edition of The Half Blood Prince is stunning. The coloured edges, the dust jacket, the illustrations, the extras in the book. Amazing. Readers can now have house pride while reading the series, learning even more about their particular house - this version is the Gryffindor edition, which has extras that include an introduction to Gryffindor house and quotes from a famous Gryffindor. Readers will be even more immersed in the world of Harry Potter than ever before with these delightful extras, along with the thrilling story, covering everything from friendship and love to war, heartbreak and loss. There's a reason the Harry Potter series has remained popular - the story, the characters, the magic. Potterheads will need to have the house editions in their personal collections, and libraries might like to vary the series by having a selection from each house!
Themes Fantasy, Magic, Friendship, Love, Relationships, War, Loss, Humour.
Melanie Pages
Florence & Fox by Zanni Louise and Anna Pignatoaro
Florence and Fox are the best of friends but when Fox wants to use the hammer from her tool kit, she decrees that it is not Sharing Day. Fox is perplexed. He has never heard of Sharing Day and asks if he can use it tomorrow. But he is told that tomorrow is not Sharing Day either, and the next Sharing Day could be hundreds of days away.
Fox is taken aback, but does not say anything. Later that day while playing in the sandpit, Florence asks Fox for his bucket. Fox is again unsure and he reminds Florence that she has said that this day is not a Sharing Day. She replies that sometimes things can be shared when it is not the right day to do so. Fox thinks about this, then gives her his bucket, intrigued about the odd sharing that is going on.
He then asks her for her spade, but is again reminded that this is not a Sharing Day. Later when Fox sits down to dinner a knock at the door reveals Florence with her bag of tools. She gives them to Fox, telling him that today is actually a Thank You Day.
Both parties are then reconciled with sharing going on despite the name of the day, giving children the opportunity to talk about sharing along with thanking someone for sharing.
Each character will delight younger readers as they watch their interaction, modelling the interaction they have with their friends, and allowing them to ask questions about what sharing is all about.
The delightful illustrations, produced with pencil and coloured pencil, watercolour and college will intrigue readers as they take in the detail offered each page. The endpapers with their flowers and grasses make a neat rounding off for the book.
Aussie Stem Stars: Georgia Ward-Fear is the autobiographical story of an Australian reptile biologist and explorer who is passionate about animals and conservation. This narrative non-fiction novel tells the story of Georgia’s journey from childhood to her world-renowned research. The story is an honest account of Georgia’s life, disappointments, hopes and dreams and talks about her love of nature above all else. The story begins with Georgia and her family holidaying in the Blue Mountains where their home backed onto a forest. It was here Georgia’s love of nature was nurtured. Eventually the family moved into their holiday home permanently and much to Georgia’s disgust, she had to change schools and life as she knew changed completely. The bush and the creatures inhabiting it provided Georgia with much needed space and solace. When circumstances changed again, the family moved to Lithgow where Georgia attended secondary school and then was accepted into a tertiary Science Degree. However Georgia took a gap year and travelled overseas where she worked and took holidays in other countries. During her time away Georgia was always observing the wildlife of the particular area she was in and how the climate, the people and the animals were all connected to each other. Eventually Georgia returned home to Australia to begin her University course. From then her life journey and passion for nature and conservation was on the way to being fulfilled.
This is an engaging and well-written story and would be suitable as an independent read or class novel especially for those students for whom nature and animals have a strong appeal. There is a contents page at the beginning, detailed glossary at the end, simple illustrations and highlighted facts throughout.
Themes STEM, Autobiography, Reptiles, Conservation, Adventure, Nature, World Travel, Science.
Such an apt title! Whereabouts brings together little scenes from a woman’s life as though piecing together a picture of who she is and where she belongs. Each short chapter presents a place: on the sidewalk, on the street, in the office, at the trattoria, in the waiting room… each almost a little story in itself. They present insights into other people’s lives, but the connection between them all is the woman herself, her thoughts and feelings. She seems to have many friends, even lovers, but the overall feeling is of a solitary person moving slowly through the world around her. And there is a sense of melancholy, of loneliness, and lost moments, missed relationships.
Originally written in Italian, by a London born daughter of Indian migrants to the United States, the novel reflects Lahiri’s sense of dislocation, and has its nascence in her love of Italy and the Italian language. The setting of Whereabouts is an Italian city, probably Rome, where one can wander from a bar to a trattoria down narrow winding roads, an observer of daily scenes, reminders of moments in one’s own life.
It is a beautifully written novel, poetic in the way that with just a few words it creates scenes, feelings and memories. It is one to pick up and read again and ponder.
