Reviews

Three dancing frogs by Leigh Hardingham

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Soft watercolour illustrations accompany this poetic and magical tale of a bushland ballet performance. As the day grows old the Aussie bush animals are all preparing for the show: 'possums and geckos are filling the spaces; Bilbies and beetles are taking their places'. The rest of the cast include cicadas, fruit bats, emus and spiders. Some of the animals make up the audience, while others are providing musical accompaniment; there are flutes and harps, cellos and violas. But it's the three little frogs who take centre stage. Their movements are rhythmically described: 'through ribbons and reeds, with lightness and ease'. Little ballet dancers will love the inclusion of ballet language such as arabesque and plie. It starts to rain but 'the audience is silent, lost in romance' and as the lightning strikes and the thunder rolls the three little frogs reach the crescendo of their performance.

Patrick Shirvington's (Can you Find Me?, Can You Find 12 Busy Bees?) illustrations are stunning and dreamy with soft edges that work to immerse you into the page. Along with these superb visuals, vivid imagery and rich description of the music and the dance lead the audience right into the performance, creating a dramatic feast. The way it describes the visual and musical elements of performance is reminiscent of A Guinea Pig Nutcracker. This will be adored by young ballet dancers and those with a love of performing! Teacher's notes are available.

Themes Ballet, Australian animals, Rhyming story.

Nicole Nelson

The gilded ones by Namina Forna

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Sixteen-year-old Deka cannot wait for the Ritual of Purity. On that day she will finally be able to prove to her family, friends and community that she belongs. When she is cut by the priest, she is sure that her blood will run red. She cannot bear to imagine what will happen if she bleeds gold . . .

When Deka's village is attacked during the ceremony by the violent and fearsome deathshrieks, Deka saves her loved ones but is revealed as a gold-veined 'demon'. Subjected to torment and torture and forced to die over and over again by those she once considered family and friends, Deka is finally rescued by the enigmatic White Hands, a woman who promises absolution if Deka will join the Emperor's newly formed army of girls as impure as herself. Whisked away to the capital to train as a warrior, Deka discovers troubling secrets about her growing abilities, her past and the empire she has sworn to protect, that may change everything she is working towards.

The Gilded Ones is an excellent debut from Sierra Leonian-American author Namina Forna. Weaving together elements of fantasy and traditional West African society, Forna has created a compelling and unique world for readers. Young adult fantasy by African authors is gradually gaining more traction in a genre heavily dominated by European and North American fiction. The Gilded Ones is a worthy contribution to this growing group. It must be mentioned however that Forna does not hold back on her portrayals of the abuse and trauma suffered by women living in patriarchal societies. Readers should be aware and keep this in mind when determining whether to read this book.

Themes Identity, Oppression, Gender Inequality, Misogyny, Trauma, Womanhood, Demons, War, Warriors, Friendship.

Rose Tabeni

The mother fault by Kate Mildenhall

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This riveting new book opens to a sense of tension as Mim, the mother of two young children, is washing her hands while trying to calm her mind as she considers the inherent problems that she has been made aware of: that her husband is missing. He has been working in a mine in Indonesia – a cooperative venture between China and Australia. Questioned as to what she knows, which we know is really not much, she sits drinking tea in her home with the offer of help from the visitor from The Department, visiting her with an offer of support, but actually there to discover if she knows anything about her husband, which is nothing. As they leave they decide to take all three passports, hers and those of the children. The era is one of great oppression, The Department ruling with an iron hand and enforcing rules that are obeyed or the consequences are dire.

We are immediately plunged into anxiety, drawn in by her fear, her awareness of being a geologist in this new era, a time of great oppression and regulation overseen by powerful, manipulative governments. A decision is vital, she believes, and she sets off almost immediately, telling nobody of her plans. She travels up through the Northern Territory, and thence, she hopes to find a way to go to Indonesia by seeking a fairly innocuous fishing vessel to take her and the children. Her second dangerous decision, to cut out the micro-chip from each of their palms, is one that she considers terribly risky but she believes that it offers the only possibility of their not being able to be traced as they journey from Australia.

It is a terrifying narrative in many ways, full of fear and exploring how difficult it is to live with her deep anxiety about both her husband’s future and saving the lives of her children and her own life. A deep and terrifying tension underlies the narrative, and we are caught up in her fear, sometimes unsure of her decisions, and choices made, but understand clearly her terror and driving need to alert her husband to the questions that he is likely to face.

This book would only be suitable for adults and older adolescents as neither its topic nor the level of tension, are appropriate for younger readers.  

Elizabeth Bondar

Stand up! Speak up! by Andrew Joyner

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Andrew Joyner is a master at saying a lot with few words. His playful illustrations (in black and white with pops of green), combined with carefully chosen words call children to action and instil them with agency. This is a call to arms, letting children know that they do have the ability to change their world, as well as reminding adults to support them (and join them). It is poignant that it is the adults listening to and following the lead of the children, as this is what we have seen happening around the world (Greta Thunberg being just one example). Some of these young people are profiled in the back of the book, highlighting what they are speaking out about and how they have got people to listen.

The text itself is made up entirely of two word sentences, the second word of which is 'up'. From 'wake up' to 'meet up' to 'think up' to 'listen up' it chronicles a short period of time in a young girl's life. After attending a climate change demonstration she watches the environmental degradation shown on the evening news. A sleepless night leads to her taking action: thinking, writing, sharing with others and initiating change. Not only does the book champion speaking out but it shows practical actions that can make a big difference: recycling, cleaning up our beaches, walking rather than driving, growing our own vegetables and swapping clothing. The illustrations also depict a wonderfully diverse community.

This is a hopeful and important book that can and should be used to initiate rich discussions about sustainable practices. Fans of Joyner's similar title The Pink Hat (about marching for women's equality) will be particularly happy. 

Themes Climate change, Social activism.

Nicole Nelson

The forest of moon and sword by Amy Raphael

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This adventure, with a hint of magic, is set in Scotland in 1647.  It is told by Art Flynt and begins when she has to hide in the ceiling from English soldiers.  Her mother and other women are being arrested for witchcraft and sent for trial in England.  Suspects usually have no chance of surviving and most of the women really just have extensive knowledge of the healing powers of plants.  Art sets off on her extraordinary horse, Lady, with the aim of finding and freeing her mother.  On her long journey she must ride through forests and be on her guard.  However, she is also helped by a mysterious woman.  After Art saves a teenage girl called Mercy from death, the two become friends and plan to free Art’s mother from a castle.

This has many pleasant illustrations and is written in present tense with short sentences. It is easy to read and has a lot of action, but you aren’t emotionally bound to the characters. It is based on a real person, the WitchFinder General, and it is interesting to learn about the travesty of his witch trials. However, the reader needs to suspend their disbelief when it comes to many of the events in the story, omens, thought transference with animals and the implausible skills of the girls. For example, how could Art make such a long journey (600km) in such a short time? Historical endnotes would help young readers have more context regarding the truth, since these aren’t the witches of modern fantasy. Nevertheless, Amy Raphael has made teenage girls the heroes in this medieval world, which is unusual in books for this age group and may appeal to readers of fantasy.

Themes Strong female characters, Medieval history.

Jo Marshall

Be not far from me by Mindy McGinnis

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A Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults 2021 suggests that this is an outstanding read and I certainly could not put it down. It has all the ingredients for an enthralling story, engrossing plot, terrible odds and wild forest and a  great heroine in Ashley. After a fight with her boyfriend and drinking too much at a party in the woods of the great Smokey Mountains, she flees through the trees and becomes lost. She pushes herself to her absolute limit, trying to find her way home, determined to survive against the odds even though her foot is badly injured, and she has little food or water.

The book is divided into three sections by an atmospheric illustration of the trees and Smokey Mountains, and little illustrations appear at the top of each chapter as well. Told in the voice of Ashley, the reader is carried along on her harrowing journey (some incidents are not for the faint-hearted), while at the same time learning much about Ashley, her ability to run, the poverty that she endures and the friendships that she realises mean so much to her. Davey Beet, who taught her how to survive in the wilderness when she was at summer camp, is another character who adds tension to the story. After disappearing somewhere on the mountains because his girlfriend had broken up with him, the reader is left wondering whether he is still alive.

Readers who enjoyed Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter and Nowhere on Earth by Nick Lake will be happy to move onto Be not far from me, and I am looking forward to reading more books by Mindy McGinnis.

 

Themes Survival, Poverty, Adolescents.

Pat Pledger

10 naughty numbats by Grace Nolan. Illus. by Nancy Bevington

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An easy to read catalogue of Australian animals numbering from one to ten will quieten the loudest of kids as they get into the rhythm of the words, predicting the last line of each double sentence, learning to recite lines along with the reader and laughing at the antics of the animals illustrated with such humour and panache.

From one playful platypus, to wobbly wombats and perky possums, the alliteration will also draw readers' attention as they note the repetition of the first letter. Prediction, repetition, alliteration will be learnt as children read this poem, using familiar Australian animals.

Some may not have heard of some of the animals, so they will learn about a few beyond their experience and ask questions about them.

The colourful images of the clothed animals will have readers laughing out loud as they spot the swans with their water wings, the echidnas in glasses, koalas in pyjamas.

And learning to count to ten will be made much fun by looking for the animals on each page. At the end of the book are a few pages asking questions of the reader, having them show what they have learnt.

Themes Counting, Australian animals, Verse.

Fran Knight

Murder on Mustique by Lady Anne Glenconner

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Lady Venessa Blake returns to her holiday home on Mustique to organise the birthday celebrations for her goddaughter Lily. She has received a phone call from her which unsettles her, Lily is not her usual self. The island which has always been tranquil and private is giving a different vibe. Perhaps it is because many of the villas are empty, their owners having returned to their other lives, or perhaps it is the threat of the looming Tropical Storm Cristabal.

The island's only police officer DS Solomon Nile’s usual quiet life is jolted by the disappearance of the Heiress Amanda Fortini. The islanders can offer no helpful insights, but Lady Vee as she is known by her intimates on the island soon offers her help and local knowledge to solve the mystery.

The peace of the island is certainly shattered when the Fontini luxury residence is torched and is destroyed. Then the body of the main suspect is washed ashore. He has most definitely been murdered. Pieces of dead coral are being left with strange symbols carved into them. Lily’s work on regenerating the coral reef seems to be a major factor. But who could be trying to sabotage such a beneficial scheme?

DS Nile is suspicious of a large yacht anchored off shore, but oddly he has been warned off boarding or searching it by his superiors. Things come to a head as Cristobal nears the coast and Lady Vee, Lily and Nile count themselves lucky to have survived.

Anne Glenconner is old school: an aristocrat who loves to name drop, and of course Mustique gives many opportunities for Princess Margaret’s name to be slotted into the narrative. Of all her characters, DS Solomon Nile, is the one who resonates most with this reader. Lady Vee has the utmost confidence in her own abilities and in her position as “lady of the manor”.

A good read when lying on the beach or killing time in the airport lounge.

Themes Crime, Mustique, Caribbean Islands, Aristocracy.

Fran Knight

Bluey: The pool

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Based on the Bluey episode of the same name, this is a humorous look at how the boring things in life are often important for ensuring a fun time. It's a hot summer's day at the Heeler household and the kids don't want to brush their teeth. 'Boring things are important too', says Mum. As Bluey fans will know, Dad can be a bit of a big kid sometimes. He bursts in with the pool noodles and the water guns and declares a trip to Uncle Stripe's pool. 'Don't forget the swim stuff', calls Mum. But everyone is already out the door. A comedic sequence follows, wherein Dad, Bluey and Bingo realise they are missing all the boring but important things that make a pool outing enjoyable: thongs, sunscreen, rashies, hats, floaties...and snacks. Luckily Mum arrives just in time, with all the stuff they left behind. A fun family outing ensues. 'So boring things are important sometimes then?' asks Mum. 'Yes!' agrees Bluey. 

This accompanying title will be much loved by children already familiar with the accompanying episode. Parent knowledge of the episode will also aid in making it a successful read-aloud, allowing them to use the intonation and distinctive vocal style of the characters. There is a beautiful message here about families working together and of appreciating the different qualities that each person brings to the group. It's also a handy line of reasoning for parents to use too: boring things are important too! - remember when Bluey and Bingo went to the pool without all the things?!

Themes Family, Swimming pools.

Nicole Nelson

Growing up disabled in Australia by Carly Findlay ed.

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The thing that comes through most strongly in this collection of personal stories is each writer’s pride in who they are. Being disabled is not a failing to be normal, it is another variety in the amazing array of life. It is ableism that makes mainstream society see people with a disability as something different, something less. There are many difficult struggles recounted in this volume, but each of the writers asserts their right to be themself. That strength of spirit, that message, holds something for everyone, regardless of ability or disability, regardless of life experience.

I must admit when I first picked up this book I was a little daunted that there were so many stories drawn together in this collection. There are 46 altogether, selected from over 360 submissions. But as I started to read one account after another, I just wanted to read more. There are so many interesting people, so many interesting lives, that I didn’t want to put the book down.

My understanding of disability has been expanded. Reading about conditions that one might not usually associate with the label ‘disabled’, has exposed how inconsiderate our society is, how much everything is tailored to such a narrow idea of diversity.

The book provides insight into the ‘social model of disability’ in contrast to the medical model of disability where disability is seen to be a problem that needs to be fixed. The social model seeks to change society to recognise that people with disability have an equal right to be fully participating citizens. You can read more about the social model of disability on the website of People with Disability Australia

The voices in this volume assert their right to be appreciated for who they are at the moment, their uncorrected selves; stories of amazing people with something to offer to everyone.

Themes Disability, Ableism, Identity.

Helen Eddy

Moonlight mums by Laura Stitzel

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When this little girl goes to bed, Dad tucks her in under the blankets, reminding her that her mother will be in soon to give her a kiss goodnight. Mum is working away form home, and is very busy but will always make time to give that final kiss goodnight.

The verses found on each page remind the readers of the routine at night time and the hugs received before drifting off to sleep. Each refrain repeats words preparing the child for sleep, showing other animals that wait for their mothers to return. The soft illustrations surround the reader with warmth and love as the offspring: human, animal or bird is enfolded within a mother’s arms. I love the image of the mother coming home to her child, shown at work, then the feet coming down the path, reaching the front door, then the door to the bedroom, and then kissing the child goodnight. These images are reflected by the bird flying back to her nest or the wombat going down into the hole where her baby is sleeping: each animal is radiating a mother’s love.

The lines are simple enough for a child to predict the rhyming word and perhaps learn some of the lines to read along with the adult as they hear the book.

This will be a comforting book to read as a child goes to bed, reading aloud as the child falls asleep.

Themes Sleep, Family, Verse.

Fran Knight

Rise of the Mythix: Flight of the griffin by Anh Do

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 Flight of the Griffin by Anh Do is the third book in the exciting and page-turning Rise of the Mythix Series. Central to this story is the arrival of Jimmy the Griffin. He has been hiding his special skills and biding his time as one of the golden–haired Elite in order to free his parents from the evil William James otherwise known as the Collector. He ensures the release of Kelly the unicorn, Minh the Minotaur and Stanley Solomon who are imprisoned in the Collector’s castle. Unfortunately all does not go according to plan due to Minh's uncontrollable rage. Minh and Stanley are separated from Kelly and Jimmy and ultimately Minh is turned into a painting. His canvas is eventually taken by the others after a fierce battle and the four begin a long trek to the source of Kelly’s power, Mount Atticus. On the way Kelly learns she has healing powers and finds that the plateau at the top of the mountain holds special memories for her. She is able to bring Minh back to his original self but the Mythix is still in danger. They are continuously under attack from the KG and it takes all their powers to finally fight them off. Just when they thought they would have a breathing space from the malicious Collector, their very presence in the town of Greenfall brings terrible danger to the townspeople. They are forced to present themselves to William James but just when they think they will be able to outwit him, he unleashes a terrifying beast. What will happen next? Book four will hopefully be out soon.

Once again Anh Do cleverly maintains his readers' interest with the right mix of action, suspense and triumph over evil.  He understands the need for his characters to be young humans in their responses as well as develop their friendships throughout the course of the book. The graphic illustrations by Chris Wahl provide a visual link to the text and will strongly appeal to middle-grade readers

Themes : Fantasy, Myths, Legends, Dystopia, Adventure, Power, Good vs Evil, Friendships, Prophecies.

Kathryn Beilby

Beneath the trees by Cristy Burne

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Sisters Cam and Sophie are visiting their cousins who take them to a very rainy rainforest in the hope of seeing a platypus. The small troop of children set off without adult supervision and the rain becomes torrential and the normally calm river is raging.

There is a sense of foreboding early in the story as cousin Jack tries to reach a swimming platypus, in dangerous situation with an unknown foreign object tightly fixed to its neck. Of course, Jack’s bravado in reaching the distressed animal quickly turns into desperation as he slips on the eroding muddy riverbank, falls into the wild river and is swept away. While Liv, another cousin runs for help, both Sophie and Cam also find themselves carried away by the river and the adventure begins.

This is a rollicking ride for both the main characters and the reader. It is action after action as the three children have to deal with being lost in a muddy, wet, leech ridden rainforest. The individual personalities of the children become evident as they try to problem solve their way back to safety.

This is a small 100-page novel that crams in a lot of story. I was captured by the children’s tale from the beginning to the end of the book. The dedication page infers that this story is based on the true experience of three children.

This is the third in a series of high adventure stories, the others being The Lighthouse and Off the Track. Teacher's notes are available.

 I can highly recommend this novel to students aged 6 to 10 years. This book would be a great read aloud too.

Themes Sustainability, Resilience, Wildlife conservation, Rainforests.

Jane Moore

Iceberg by Claire Saxby. Illus. by Jess Racklyeft

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Superb images of icebergs fill the pages as Saxby tells readers about the iceberg and the animals that live on or near it, all the while a ship somewhere in the distance shows the continuing presence of humans and this encourages readers to think about their affect on this once pristine environment.

With a mix of collage, digital illustration along with watercolour, pen and ink, Racklyeft instills each page with the vastness of the landscape: its cold permeating the reader as each page is turned. The ice blues and luminous whites dominate the pages, but eager eyes will pick out minor details, dwarfed by the size of the iceberg. And they will all be stunned at the fold out pages showing the huge expanse of this environment.

As the iceberg shears from the glacier after the light display in the sky, the sea birds know it is the Antarctic summer and make their way south. A range of birds is mentioned: terns and cormorants, while humpback whales and squid hunt for krill, and the birds dive for the squid. The iceberg keeps wandering with the current, the wind and sun affecting its upper reaches, currents lapping at its base, until by autumn it is smaller, becoming a floe, a place for seals to lie on, a place for krill to hide out the coming winter months below the surface. Each stage of the iceberg's life is mentioned, illuminating the life cycle of this mountain of ice, reduced to just a floe by winter's end. Now spring, an iceberg calves and settles into the sea, the cycle starts again.

The lyrical prose directs readers' attention to the colours of this environment: the animals that live there, the events which herald changes for the animals, the movement in wind, tide and storm, the slow melting of the ice berg over the twelve months. Sentences in Saxby's spare prose will initiate more discussion as ideas are planted: what has ash to do with the iceberg, what is the ship doing there, and children will stretch out their arms to see how wide the cormorant spreads its wings, and ponder the information given on the last page about this amazing environment, reminding us all of our responsibility in protecting this place.

This stunning visual treat begs to be read and reread, discussed and talked over, while many will want to research further. 

Themes Icebergs, Arctic and Antarctica, Environment, Man's impact on the environment, Animals.

Fran Knight

Super fake love song by David Yoon

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Sunny Dae (and yes, that is his name!) is the ultimate bullied nerd. He impresses no one, is Asian-American in a wealthy Californian suburb and is comfortable only with the two other game-play nerds that similarly are tagged as losers within their school environment. Sunny’s older brother, Gray Dae (!) has left home to pursue his rock star career in nearby Hollywood; his parents are 24/7 work and screen focused and Sunny is…. just average and ordinary.  When a female family friend, Cirrus, enters Sunny’s arena he fakes his identity by borrowing his brother’s clothes and career interests to impress her and attempts to become the cool ‘Rock-star’ kid that he thinks she might like. The lie grows and his faithful friends are pulled into the whirlpool he has created and must form a Rock band and perform. Lies are seldom easy to maintain forever, but Sunny really wants to continue being Cirrus’ boyfriend… but will she forgive the lie?

This joyful journey into teen romance is written with a refreshing voice and with insights into the world of teens engaged in Cos-play and gaming and their attempts to find their people. The crossover to the world of music and life in an American highschool adds some quirky elements. But David Yoon’s writing is not cliched or lame, rather it is clever and insightful while still being joyously cynical. This is a young person’s story, but it is clever and invigorating and quirkily fun. All readers will love Sunny and his friends.

Themes Coming-of-age, Romance, Nerds and Bullies, Truth and lies.

Carolyn Hull