Reviews

School of fish by Louis Shea

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Superheroes come in different shapes and sizes in this funny graphic novel set in Shipwreck Primary – a school for fish.  Great white sharks, octopus and sea cucumbers are part of the teaching staff, and the students are various aquatic species all trying to survive normal school dilemmas. The new kid though seems to be of a different class of creature and Finn and his sea-creature pals try and work out why she seems to be different and a little bit elusive. This revelation is not saved to the end, and their new friend proves to be a speedy and potential rival to the bully Blake Kraken in the annual Great Ocean Race.

With quirky humour and beautifully illustrated graphic frames this will be a delight for lovers of the graphic novel genre. Between the narrative chapters are humorous profiles of the teaching staff. With hints of a super-hero 'Fintastic Four' friendship team and the inevitable conflicts with bullies and teachers, this is just a fun-tastic light-hearted and visually delightful underwater splash. Slightly older readers will recognise the visual humour and satire. A second book in the series is hinted at too!

Themes Graphic Novel, Fish, School, Friendship, Competition, Bullying.

Carolyn Hull

Sky dragon : Fly free by Anh Do

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Sky Dragons: Fly Free written by Anh Do is the second book in one of the author's latest series for upper middle grade and reluctant teenage readers. Once again Amber is on the run. She has caught the attention of the evil agents and relies heavily on her power over insects and ability to transform seemingly into a dragon to protect her from dangerous situations. However the Firefighter, known for his abilities with fire, has been sent to hunt her down. They meet and engage in a challenging fight where both are wounded. As Amber glimpses the scars on Firefighter's body a memory is triggered and she begins to wonder about his true identity. Amber escapes and Firefighter is taken to hospital where he is told he is no longer on the mission to capture the Skydragon. He begins to question what Agent Ferris has in store for him especially as triplet secret agents are given the tasks that he would normally have been responsible for. The capture of Amber is the predominant goal of the agent and no stone is left unturned. Fortunately Amber is continually on the move and with the amazing support of insect colonies she is able to outwit her enemies until the triplet agents bring about her downfall. Before this occurs Amber briefly reconnects with her neighbour in order to follow her instinct as to the identity of Firefighter. Amber also learns that her friend Justin has been trying to find her and she is able to have a passing meeting with him.

This second book continues to provide the reader with the perfect blend of excitement and danger. The graphic style illustrations by James Hart provide the readers with visuals to maintain their interest in the story. As with the first book, the ending leaves the reader wondering what will happen next and hoping that the third book in the series will be out soon.

Themes Insects, Fantasy, Conflict, Danger, Mystery, Evil.

Kathryn Beilby

Wombat by Christopher Cheng and Liz Duthie

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Wombats are close to my heart. These rotund little creatures are fascinating and are important to my home state, as the Hairy Nosed Wombat is the SA animal emblem. I was predisposed to enjoy this book and it did not disappoint.

This picture book give lots of insight to the life and habits of the Common Wombat. I knew about the wombat's strong digging skills, their square shaped poo and nocturnal habits but I didn't realise that they have teeth that continue to grow forever or about the generosity of wombats in sharing their burrows for resting. They are territorial creatures and use their bony bottoms as an excellent defence barrier against predators, such as dingoes.

Christopher Cheng has created 2 text types which feature on each page. There is a narrative explaining the wombat's activities and informational text (in a different font to highlight the difference) for straight facts about wombats.

The appealing close up illustration of a wombat looking out from its burrow is a strong feature of the front cover and makes the book's topic very clear. The illustrations by Liz Duthie are a highlight of the book and spread from edge to edge on each page.

There is extra material about wombats at the end of the book and an index to help select different key words or topics.

This book can be read for information or just enjoyment. Teacher's notes are available.

I recommend this book for primary school aged students and all devotees of wombats.

Themes Wombats.

Jane Moore

Aussie Stem Star: Fiona Wood by Cristy Burne

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Aussie Stem Star: Fiona Wood is the true story of Australian plastic surgeon, Fiona Wood, who came to prominence during the Bali bombings in 2002. Her life story is one of triumph over adversity. She was born into a poor mining family in a rural village in Yorkshire but was blessed with hard working parents who encouraged their children to strive for their very best and follow their dreams. As well as a champion athlete Fiona was also highly academic and was fortunate to attend an expensive school for her final years of schooling when her mother was able to secure a position there. Fiona had her sights set on becoming an astronaut and knew that she would have to work very hard to achieve high grades and then win a scholarship to university. While at university, Fiona came to love science and maths and followed her older brother in to the study of medicine. In 1987 Fiona and her husband moved to Australia where she was able to eventually continue her works as a plastic surgeon after a number of obstacles were overcome. In 1992 she began growing patient's skin in order to treat a burns victim and in 2002 her hard work, training and determination was put to the test in the treatment of multiple burns victims from the Bali bombings. Fiona Wood has won numerous awards including Australian of the Year for her work with burns patients.

This very interesting and well-written story makes compelling reading either independently or as a class novel. There are detailed teacher notes. There are also another four books in the Aussie Stem Stars series with more to be published in the future. Perfect for a school or public library.

Themes STEM, Auto-biography, Medical Techniques, Burns victims, Persistence, Resilience.

Kathryn Beilby

Dirt circus league by Maree Kimberley

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I was hooked right from the Prologue as I read about the Surgeon grafting the eyes of birds onto the forehead of a young man. The action then turned to Asa, a bitter young woman on her way to live with a father that she did not know. She is angry and afraid, but willing to make a fresh start in the tiny outback town of Dirt Creek. Her neighbour Karen helps her to fit in but when the Dirt Circus League arrive, she is mesmerised by Quarter the leader of this notorious band of fighters and the thought of belonging to a family of teenage misfits.

Dirt Circus League is a fascinating mixture of thriller, coming of age and climate change activism. When violent fights, a very strange and dangerous cult worshipping Gaia and a heroine who has a touch of the sight is added to the mix, a gripping and unique story results. It is not for the faint hearted. The descriptions of the fights, the Surgeon's procedures, and the beliefs of the cult about The Time of the Return when no one lives beyond the age of 20 are quite frightening as is the Meat House where the Surgeon lives, described in the author's blog.

Asa is seeking resolution to her anger and her desire to belong. Hints are gradually revealed about why she is so angry and why she is living with her father who is more interested in going to the pub than getting to know his daughter. Karen offers her a home and a chance to understand connection to country, but Asa decides to join the Dirt Circus League. It is here that she finds her voice and courage to tell the truth about the cult's beliefs and try and rescue some of the members. She must fight her anger and her attraction to Quarter and be true to her inner integrity. One quote that caught my eye was the view that if you could fall in love, you could join a cult, and Asa is astute enough to realise that acting on her attraction to Quarter may not be the best outcome for her.

Extensive teacher's notes give insight into the novel which could be a challenging book for a class or small discussion group with its themes of belonging, power, anger management, science and ethics and connection to country. Readers interested in cults may like to read Boundless sublime by Lili Wilkinson.

Themes Cults, Science and ethics, Belonging, Connection to country, Violence, Fighting.

Pat Pledger

Circus of wonders by Elizabeth Macneal

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1865, southern England. Nell lives a quiet life, attempting to blend in despite having birthmarks that set her apart. Jasper Jupiter's Circus of Wonders comes to town, but Nell has no interest. The same cannot be said for everyone else, including her father, who sells her to Jasper. Betrayed and hurt, Nell cannot believe what has happened. But when Jasper tells her he can make her grand, she wonders if maybe she can be someone. Jasper's brother, Toby, is always by his side - through childhood, through the Crimean War (Jasper a soldier, Toby a photographer), and feels indebted to Jasper. But Nell has caught his eye, and things may be about to change.

Circus of Wonders is a different kind of historical fiction, where power is up for grabs, women are featured prominently and the circus is the centre of it all. Fans of the movie, The Greatest Showman, will enjoy this in depth exploration of the lives of the troupe who perform in the Circus of Wonders, with the story being shown from the points of view of Nell, Jasper and Toby. Macneal has created a realistic historical circus, complete with performing animals, spectacular acts and 'wonders of nature'. With flashbacks to the Crimean War, readers will be immersed in the past and 'present' of England in the 1800s and the Crimean war. Throughout the book, the underlying current of 'who owns/runs my life' is present for all the characters, something that many readers will find relatable.

Themes Historical Fiction; Circus; Romance; Ownership; Power; Beauty Perception; War.

Melanie Pages

The treehouse joke book 2 by Andy Griffiths. Illus. by Terry Denton

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The Treehouse funsters have collated and illustrated a collection of jokes and riddles designed to tickle the fancies of their young readers. Most of these jokes are 'oldies, but goodies' that new generations of children will discover and share. I can see this book flying off the shelf and giggles being shared! With an array of knock, knock jokes and word play as well as slightly longer jokes this is not a reading challenge, but it will be enjoyed by readers aged 6-10. Terry Denton's cartoon illustrations are again a quirky delight.

Themes Jokes, Humour.

Carolyn Hull

Nerd herd by Nathan Luff and Chris Kennett

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This story will keep you laughing until the cows come home! The Nerd Herd is a hilarious and highly entertaining story, featuring a quirky and rambunctious lamb named Baarnabus; who likes to go by the name of Barny with one 'a', to be more precise. He, along with his two best friends Shaama Llama Ding Dong - a llama and Billy the Kid - an angora goat, live on a petting zoo type farm. After reoccurring incidents with the other overbearing farm animals, Barny decides they should create a gang to rule the farm and take charge. His friends are not so keen on the idea, but like true friends they support him in this adventure. As the 'gang' work together to reduce the chances of being beaten and bullied, they see another opportunity to reach hero status. But just when they think they have succeeded; they realise they have actually inadvertently created a further and more ferocious dilemma.

The storyline is fast paced and exciting, leaving the reader captivated and engrossed in how these three woolly friends will go in their endeavours to reach for higher farmyard status. The continual and clever play on words and puns throughout the story will keep you laughing out loud, as you turn each page. Both children and adults alike will be thoroughly entertained by this short novel. The engaging illustrations, comic panels and speech bubbles bring extra connection for the reader; enhancing their enjoyment, appealing to a broader audience and diversifying the reading level. If you enjoy genres like the Real Pigeons, you are sure to love The Nerd Herd too! When you reach the last page, you are left wanting more, and can't wait to go and get the next book in the series to see what happens to Barny and his friends.

Themes Teamwork, Friendship, Relationships, Humorous, Animals, Problem solving.

Michelle O'Connell

A class full of lizards by Alison Hart

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A sequel to the very funny School rules are optional, sees Jesse bemoaning the first day of the last term at his primary school as the group goes on tours of the local high schools to select where they will do their grade seven.

He and Alex have been friends for ages but Alex seems very cool, not waiting for him to walk to school together, making excuses about where to spend recess and simply not being there. Jesse has some serious problems at home as well: his parents have gone on a health kick. Not only does Dad wear the most inappropriate clothing, he buys an expensive bike to go with it and is often out cycling. Both parents have installed a healthy eating regime and Jesses is saddled with cardboard to eat for lunch.

At school he has a group project to finish for the teacher, Mrs Leeman, and the wannabe well being officer, 'call me Ian', keeps popping up to check they are all well. Jesse's buddy from the year before, finds his company more acceptable than kids his own age, so hangs around at breaks.

Jesse joins an early morning running group because they offer breakfast, he eats at friends' houses for proper food, and tries to swap food at breaks, even offering his healthy food to the semi tame lizard which inhabits the wall where they sit.

The finely detailed observation of school life will cause moments of hilarity and recognition, as the children and staff interact. And it all rolls together for a wonderful conclusion.

A class full of lizards : Grade Six Survival Guide 2, is often hilarious and always good for a giggle. The perfectly observed classroom will have readers laughing out loud recalling similar accidents that classrooms are plagued with.  

A pleasing, funny, character filled story that will draw in readers of all persuasion, A class full of lizards is a wonderful foil to the over the top gungho, adventure filled series that  seem to be swamping the shelves at the moment. 

Themes Animals, school, Friendship, Family, Diet, Humour.

Fran Knight

Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

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I loved Beyond the bright sea by Lauren Wolk and when I saw that her latest book Echo Mountain had been shortlisted for the 2021 Carnegie Medal, I immediately grabbed it from my local library. Lovers of historical fiction will be immediately engaged by the story of Ellie and her family, who after losing everything in the Great Depression, flee to Echo Mountain and begin a new life, building a log cabin, growing vegetables, and bartering for goods. Ellie loves the life and is intrigued by the beautifully little wooden animals and flowers made by an unknown carver that she finds around the countryside. When her father lies in a coma after a terrible accident, she is left to take over many of her father's jobs like hunting and chopping wood. She loves roaming in the woods and one day she is led by a large hound to an isolated part of the mountain where she finds the hag, Cate, and a wild boy named Larkin.

Life in 1934 Maine is vividly brought to life. Ellie has an affinity for the feelings of animals and other living things and finds it difficult to kill for food, but this is the only way that her family can survive. She is determined to find a way to bring her father out of his coma and her problem solving is most unusual. However, she is a determined girl who takes risks and is prepared to learn by doing, learning from her mistakes and she seems to have an innate ability to heal. It is fascinating to read of the remedies that were used to help the healing process, including putting maggots on wounds and potato poultices on sores.

The author describes in lyrical prose the natural beauty and dangers of the mountainside and brings Ellie's family to life. Her mother is burdened by poverty and feels unable to play her mandolin or bring any music into their lives, while her sister Esther longs for her old life. Little brother Samuel's outlook on life and quaint sayings add some humour to the story and the dogs, Captan, Maisie and Quiet are all important characters.

Readers will learn that first impressions are not necessarily the right ones and will celebrate the resilience of the mountain folk and the determination of Ellie. This would be an interesting book for a class novel and readers who enjoy a survival story may enjoy Nowhere on earth by Nick Lake.

Pat Pledger

Displaced by Cristina Sanders

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This book begins in England in 1872 and follows the Sansonnet family ready to begin their new life in New Zealand. Our thoughts of a harrowing long-haul plane flight pale into insignificance when compared to the hardships of sea travel in the late 1800s. The family is moderately comfortable in England, so they do not have the indignity of the assisted passengers in steerage class, instead able to easily socialise with others on the upper deck. The steerage class includes many poorer Norwegian families also keen to begin a new life, but with far fewer resources. But sea-sickness, illness and tragedy do not know a social divide on the trip and Eloise’s family suffers enormously. If it weren’t for the opportunity to share her griefs with Lars, one of the Norwegian travellers, Eloise might have gone under emotionally. Even after they land on the New Zealand shore they must undergo continuing hardship as Mother falls into a deeply depressed melancholy, Father leaves to find an income, Billy must deal with blindness and Martha continues to deal differently with life (portrayed with characteristics of Asperger’s Syndrome) and Eloise is effectively alone holding the pieces together. Were it not for Serenity, the Minister's daughter who travelled with them on board ship, who has her own faith-filled ministry and benevolence to share with them, Eloise's life would have foundered on the rocks of her new home. Things do not go well for the family, and it is clear that life for new settlers was hard.

This historical fiction, winner of the Tessa Duder Award, is based on the circumstances for new settlers in New Zealand and it gives a compelling reminder that the early years for immigrants was not easy. The opening chapter reveals the depths of loss for the family. The relationship with Maori indigenous people is portrayed within the context of those who had some contact via Christian missions of the early years. Faith and faithlessness, and love and cruelty are woven together in this book and it is a reminder that the success of a country is built on the hardships and hard work of those early settlers, but that fear, failure, poor choices and discouragement were never far away. This book will be enjoyed by those who love historical fiction with a touch of romance, and there are situations that reveal that not everything was virtuous in this rough beginning for the family.

Themes Historical fiction, Immigration, New Zealand, Family, Romance.

Carolyn Hull

Perfect on paper by Sophie Gonzales

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Darcy Phillips has a complex life and family. Her parents are separated, her older sister is a creative transgender and Darcy is actively involved in the Queer and Questioning Club at her USA school, identifying as queer. Darcy has had a long-term crush on her best friend Brooke, but it has never been realised as a romance, but the friendship is warm and close. Because her mother is a teacher at her school Darcy has regularly waited on campus after school and this provided the opportunity to take 'ownership' of a locker which has become her mailbox for her 'Relationship advice service'. Despite her youth, she has become remarkably knowledgeable and wise with her advice which is well-researched and psychologically balanced, as well as being quite lucrative and she has managed to keep her identity very secret. When Alexander Brougham, a wealthy and good-looking former South Aussie, who has his own relationship and family predicaments, discovers her identity as the 'Agony Aunt' he pays well for good advice. The secrecy her service demands and the lies she once told to keep Brooke unattached will one day come back to haunt her, but along the way she also swings in her affections and discovers that Alexander Brougham is more than just a client to her. The complexities of life and romance for the coterie of teens is quite charming.

Because this book is openly written as a Queer Rom-Com, it could have been quite opinionated, but the author (who has a psychology role as well as being an author) has just created a well-written romance story with a plethora of LGBTIQ teens populating the very normal dramas of teenage life and romance. The advice to problems of the mostly heterosexual clientele is given as email responses scattered amongst the narrative and is extraordinarily rich in its wisdom.  There is a light touch in the way relationships are discussed, balanced insights into relationship complexities and an almost comedic deftness in dealing with Darcy's own ironies as she struggles to work out her own relationship dramas while successfully solving the problems of others with ease. Maturity will be needed for readers, but LGBTIQ young people will appreciate seeing themselves in YA literature.

Themes LGBTIQ, Romance, Relationships, Lies and secrets, USA schools.

Carolyn Hull

Puffin Little Environmentalist: Gardening

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Puffin Little Environmentalist: Gardening is another welcome addition to the cleverly written Puffin Little Series. Gardening has always been an important pastime for both adults and children and during the recent COVID pandemic it reached new levels of popularity. This little book provides the younger reader (and perhaps older ones too) with information to successfully plant and maintain their own garden. As with all the Puffin Little books, the reader is given a personal welcome to join the little puffin, this time in its garden. The book gives an important introduction to gardens, how plants grow with information on photosynthesis, germinators and pollinators and how to plan and care for your garden. In these chapters ideas about watering, climate, light, shade, garden beds, compost and tools are shared with the reader. The final three chapters discuss garden wildlife, planting a native garden and growing a kitchen garden. One important fact shared is that by returning green space to our backyards and balconies new habitats are provided for wildlife especially bees and birds. As in the other books in the series, at the end is a fast facts page, glossary and quiz.

Plants are an important part of the Australian Curriculum Science component for a number of primary school year levels and this very comprehensive yet easy to read and explore book will be a welcome resource for both students and teachers.

Themes Gardening, Plants, Compost, Insects, Environmental issues.

Kathryn Beilby

Spot visits his grandparents by Eric Hill

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Another book in the favourite Spot the Dog series will be welcomed by small children who delight in the cute spotted dog and his adventures. This time Spot is visiting his grandparents and children will love the front cover showing Spot, with a happy grin on his face, carrying a gift basket and flowers on his way their house. This is a study board book, with the familiar drawings of lovely spotted dogs. It is not difficult to distinguish Grandma and Grandma just from the size of their noses and their expressions show how happy they are to see Spot.

The lift-the-flaps are lots of fun. Spot gets into a cupboard that has cookies; another flap reveals Spot ready to garden with a spade and fork, and children will giggle when another flap reveals poor Grandpa being hosed by Spot. Each double page spread has one sentence or question in big bold print and the other page contains the lift the flap that complements the text. Older children will find that this is an easy book to memorise and may begin the road to recognising words on a page.

Spot also has fun finding things like a ball that his mother played with as a young pup and children will relate to this and may be able to tell of toys that they have found at their grandparents' home. This would make a lovely gift for a child before they go on a trip to their grandparents, or a book for grandparents to keep and read when their grandchildren visit.

Themes Dogs, Lift-the-flaps book, Grandparents.

Pat Pledger

House of earth and blood by Sarah J. Maas

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House of Earth and Blood, by prolific fantasy romance writer Sarah J. Maas, is another entertaining offering for fans and new readers alike. House of Earth and Blood is the first in a new series titled Crescent City, set in the world of Midgard where humans, Fae, angels, demons and other magical creatures coexist. The novel follows half-human, half-Fae Bryce Quinlan, a carefree young adult living her best life until a tragedy changes her world forever. Two years after her best friend is brutally and inexplicably killed, Bryce finds herself at the centre of a murder investigation that will have far-reaching consequences for both herself and her community.

Unsurprisingly for a Maas story, there are plenty of characters with painful and tragic pasts; every protagonist is damaged and traumatised in their own way. However, unlike Maas' other recent release, A Court of Silver Flames, Crescent City is saved from being a tedious cliche by Bryce's characterisation. Bryce is a strong, determined and sassy leading lady. She is less helpless, less forgiving of misogyny and prejudice and more assertive than many of Maas' other female protagonists. Maas appears to be more self-aware as an author in House of Earth and Blood, seeming to poke fun at some of the romance genre tropes she has heavily relied upon in the past.

Maas' worldbuilding has also improved in this novel. The world of Midgard is an intriguing mix of Ancient Roman and Celtic architecture and mythology and modern technology and culture. Woven throughout are the magical elements that anchor the book to the fantasy genre.

Like all Maas novels, House of Earth and Blood has a long, bloody and sexy narrative that, at times, can veer into the overdramatic. Overall, however, it is an entertaining and enjoyable read which bodes well for this new series.

Themes Friends, Family, Death, Grief, Crime, Fae, Angels, Demons, Magical Creatures.

Rose Tabeni