Reviews

House of Dragons by Jessica Cluess

Random House, 2020. ISBN: 9780593305447.
(Young Adult). Recommended. Any reader who likes dragons, misfits, intrigue and Game of Thrones will enjoy Jessica Cluess' new novel, House of Dragons. Pivoting away from her previous Victorian-era London fantasy books, Cluess introduces us to the kingdom of Etrusia, a world where humans and dragons coexist. Etrusia's emperor has died and a representative of each of the five royal houses will compete for the throne. However, instead of sending the house heirs who have spent their lives training for this competition, five mistfits and outcasts are called to battle. Emilia, a scholar hiding her dangerous magic, Lucian, a reluctant soldier, Vespir, a servant and dragon trainer, Ajax the thief, and Hyperia, a noblewoman who will stop at nothing - even murder - to claim the throne.
The teenagers and their dragons compete in a series of challenges set to test their skills and knowledge, knowing that one of them will be crowned and the other four will be killed. Despite their initial animosity however, the five eventually begin to work together to try and expose a dangerous plot that threatens Etrusia and all of its people.
While Cluess has clearly been influenced by George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones for the premise of the novel, the story is appropriate for an older teen audience - with a content warning for violence and assault. Each of the five protagonists is given a character arc so chapters are short and the novel's point of view switches constantly. This may be an issue for some readers but extensive world-building and a fast-paced, interesting story will more than make up for it. Themes: Dragons, Magic, Conflict, Royalty, Danger, Friendship.
Rose Tabeni

The other side of the sky by Amy Kaufman and Meaghan Spooner

Wow – I wish that I had picked The other side of the sky up earlier. It had been sitting in my to-read pile for quite a while and once I got started, I couldn’t put it down. It is told in two voices, that of Nimh, the living goddess of her people, and North, a prince of a home in a city high in the sky. Nimh’s world is being overtaken by a terrifying mist and some of her people believe that the Sentinels that guard the villages should be destroyed and a safe haven constructed for the lucky few. Meanwhile North is inquisitive and has found old records of technology that has been lost and invented a glider. When he loses control of it, it plummets to the earth below where Nimh finds him, convinced that he is the Lightbringer, the one who will end the world.

Kaufman and Spooner do a great job of collaborating. The dual narrative ensures that the reader really gets to know North and Nimh, their feelings and their beliefs. North, who believes in science,  really struggles to understand the magic that Nimh takes for granted. He also finds the religious beliefs on Nimh’s world strange and the idea of living gods too weird to be true.

In the teacher’s notes Meaghan Spooner writes that one of the inspirations for the book ‘was the idea of writing a romance between characters who couldn’t touch’ and this certainly has repercussions for the feelings that the two have for each other.

The suspense is kept alive as another young woman, Inshara, claims to be the true goddess and her party try to capture Nimh and North. With a dire murder, betrayal of trust and unexpected twists and a cliff-hanger ending, The other side of the sky is a riveting read, and readers will eagerly wait for the second in this duology. Readers who enjoy books by Laini Taylor and Scott Westerfeld are sure to enjoy this.

Themes Fantasy, Science fiction, Romance, Science, Religion.

Pat Pledger

Country, kin and culture by Claire Smith

Wakefield Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781862545755.
(Age: Senior secondary/Adult) Highly recommended. Dr Claire Smith writes that slowly over the years since 1990, after many visits in a research capacity, she and her husband and son have become a small part of the extended community of the Barunga-Wulgularr people of the Northern Territory. Encouraged by elders to write a history of the group, her book acknowledges the input of Phyllis Wiynjorroc, Petrer Manabaru and Jimmy Wesan.
In telling the story of the Barunga-Wulgularr, Smith has had by necessity to document the many policy changes that applied to Aboriginal people across Australia, and so her book becomes a documentation of the long history of government impact on Aboriginal lives, from colonial violence to the policies of protectionism and then assimilation, the cruelty now known as the Stolen Generations, to the contemporary movement towards self-determination and reconciliation.
The thing that is so refreshing about this book is that it is not just another history book about Australian Aboriginals, it is a book that includes their voice and their stories, sharing their experience, so that readers may begin to understand just how intrusive government control has been and how devastating the consequences for people's lives. That intrusion, that lack of respect, continues today despite the findings and recommendations of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Strait Islander Children from their Families, and the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Aboriginal socio-economic disadvantage continues.
I found Smith's thoughtful examination of the role of alcohol in Aboriginal social life, and her inclusion of Aboriginal comment on it, to be a particularly insightful approach that dispels stereotypical views.
Smith writes that despite all that has gone before, a distinctly Indigenous world view has survived. The culture of the Barunga-Wulgularr has adapted to include respected elders of other groups in their society following the government dispersal of people from their lands; they have developed a unique language, Kriol, to communicate between groups; and they have embraced art as a way of sharing without revealing the secret knowledge within ceremonial painting. Aboriginal culture and Aboriginal systems of knowledge have endured; that's something to celebrate.
Themes: Aboriginal history, Aboriginal culture, Dispossession, Discrimination, Stolen Generations, Survival.
Helen Eddy

The secret life of the Savoy and the D'Oyly Carte family

Headline, 2020. ISBN: 9781472271761.
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) The author has extensively researched the origins of the Savoy Hotel, London (opened in 1889) and its lasting impact on British customs and the Hotel industry. The book embodies the story of three generations of the D'Oyly Carte family. Richard D'Oyly Carte, an enterprising and enthusiastic musician started the empire by his establishment of theatres and commissioning Gilbert and Sullivan to write shows, making himself a fortune and them famous. Among his clients were Whistler and Oscar Wilde. His son Rupert and granddaughter Bridget continued both theatre and hotel businesses.
At a time when people did not dine outside of homes, the establishment of a luxury hotel with bathrooms, lifts, electricity, excellent wines and food (Escoffier was persuaded to become the Chef and Cesar Ritz the manager) attracted royalty, rich Americans, famous writers and actors, business magnates and politicians (even Robert Menzies was a guest!). Women were able to dine in public for the first time. Most famous people of the twentieth century are mentioned - Churchill, the queen, princess Margaret, Hemingway, Kennedys, etc are just a few. Its luxury and inflexible standards became a part of its lure. The Beatles and the Rolling Stones were apparently denied entry to the Bar as they were not wearing ties.
I enjoyed reading the book. It could be of use as a case study of the establishment and success of a business empire which still exists over a hundred years later. While the book is about the Savoy hotel and theatre, it is more a biography of the Carte family and their personal as well as business problems and achievements.
There are extensive notes and an index.
Ann Griffin

The wild way home by Sophie Kirtley

Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526616289.
Recommended for primary and middle school students. Charlie and friends, Lamont and Beaky have been playing in Mandel Forest since they were small, and while playing a game of hunters and hunted Charlie finds a deer tooth with twelve marks on it. This seems auspicious as not only is Charlie about to turn twelve but a much longed for baby brother or sister is about to be born. When Dara is born with a serious heart condition Charlie runs away from the hospital and distressed parents, escaping into the woods, led by a bird to someone lying face down in a stream. Not stopping to think Charlie rescues the person who turns out to be a long haired boy with a head injury wearing nothing but animal skins. Not only does the boy look and sound strange but the forest has changed and when Charlie tries to find the path to go and get help, it is not there. However, familiar landmarks like Pinnacle Rock and the Spirit Stone are recognisable, suggesting to Charlie that this is another version of the world, another dimension. There is no time to dwell on this as they try to survive in this Stone Age wild world of wolves, bears and lynx, courageously facing challenges and sharing laughter.  They discover that instead of difference, Charlie and Hart boy are struggling with the same fears for their families. The setting is evocative with all the features of the Stone Age, cave paintings, spears and flint tools and the wild forest with its deep spirituality is the perfect place for an adventure.
Readers will find it easy to identify with Charlie's hopes and fears especially as we are left guessing as to her/his gender and appearance. We can hold our breath at the well-constructed moments of tension, laugh and cry as the adventure unfolds and identify with the characters' need to escape. "If only we could wish things away just by not thinking about them". p. 187.
A lovely first novel with echoes of Stig of the Dump by Clive King and Skellig by David Almond. Wouldn't it be good to have a similar story set in ancient Australia?
Themes: family, Stone Age, adventure.
Sue Speck

Beware! Ralfy Rabbit and the secret book biter! by Emily Mackenzie

Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781408892091.
(Ages: 3-7) Recommended. This is a follow-on book from the previously published Wanted! Ralfy Rabbit, Book Burglar. As seen in the first book, Ralfy simply loves books. But reading becomes a bit more difficult when his new baby brother arrives. Where can he go that is quiet and peaceful? Things get even worse when he starts discovering holes bitten in his books. Who could be behind the biting?
Emily MacKenzie's stories are quirky and refreshingly original. Her colourful, humorous illustrations are joyful and character-driven with a beautiful fuzzy quality. From the titles of Ralfy's books (Char-lie and the Chocolate Carrot, George's Marvellous Lettuce) to the annoying things his little brother does to interrupt his reading, this story will have the whole family amused. Children with younger siblings will identify with Ralfy's consternation at Rodney's noisy play, constant crying and food throwing. When Ralfy discovers that it is Rodney who has been biting his books Mum explains that it's probably because his teeth are growing and he has sore gums. Instead of being angry Ralfy thinks about what he could do to help and returns with a board book for Rodney that he can both read and chew on.
This is a beautiful story about the sometimes messy nature of family life and how these experiences make relationships stronger. Ralfy is still young but he is learning to be patient and to appreciate his little brother and the fun things they can do together. This will be enjoyed by all young children, but especially those with younger siblings and those who just love to read. Themes: Books, New siblings.
Nicole Nelson

A crocodile in the family by Kitty Black

Illus. by Daron Parton. Hachette Australia, 2020. ISBN: 9780734419507.
(Ages: 3-7) Recommended. When a family of birds decide to take an abandoned egg home with them they don't really know what to expect. They sit the egg up on a gold-tasselled cushion to watch television with them and watch with anticipation as it begins to crack. When a bright green crocodile pops out they are positively thrilled . . . but the other bush animals are astonished. Why would they want to keep him?! He is green! He could eat you! As croc grows his other qualities start to become clear. Do you keep him because he is beautiful?, they ask. Is it because he is helpful or fun? He is all of those things, say the bird family, but that isn't why we keep him. It is 'because he belongs with us, and that's that.'
This is a heart-warming story about families and how people within them can be different in all sorts of ways. A useful starting point for discussions about family diversity that could be applied to adoption, unique characteristics within families and societal perceptions of family differences.
Parton's illustrations are bold, bright and filled with humorous detail. The other Australian animals depicted each have their own distinctive personalities that could also spark further conversation. Themes: Family, Belonging.
Nicole Nelson

The evening and the morning: the prequel to The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Macmillan, 2020. IBSN: 9781447278788.
(Age: Secondary/Adult) Highly recommended. Follett has set his prequel in Anglo-Saxon England in the years from 997 to 1007. It is a turbulent time for all the population, but even more so for the peasants and slaves. Vikings raid seemingly at will, sacking and burning villages, slaughtering, raping and taking the young as slaves. England has a king but his rule is dependent on the major landholders and the church to support and enforce his rule.
The saga revolves around Edgar the son of a boat builder whose life changes after Viking raiders kill his father and the woman he was in love with. His mother and two older brothers are left without any means to earn a living, but are offered the chance to farm a small plot at Deng's Ferry. They have little option but to try and eke out a living from the poor soil and lack of any livestock. Luckily Edgar's mother Mildred, is a canny hardworking woman who keeps the family together despite the hardships.
The Lady Ragnhild, daughter of Count Hubert of Cherbourg in Normandy, is another main character whose story runs parallel with Edgar's. She encounters Wilwulf, earldorman of Shiring in Cherbourg when he comes to bargain with the Count about the Vikings who used the port as an easy staging post to raid across the channel. She is attracted by this large confident Englishman and he finds the young beautiful Ragna very distracting indeed. After hearing nothing for a month or two his brother bishop Wynstan arrives to ask for her hand in marriage on behalf of Wilwulf.
Ragna travels to England, and after an awful sea crossing and uncomfortable journey to Shiring she marries and finds that life is very different in England. She cannot converse in Anglo-Saxon and her new family speak little French. There is also a power struggle, she must find ways of diluting the power of her step mother-in-law and her sons Wynstan and Wiglem. This is especially important when Wilwulf is away during Viking raids. Who rules in his stead?
Edgar meanwhile has been busy. He is an intelligent problem solver who is a skilled craftsman. He has made a far more useful ferry at the river crossing to replace the log canoe, built a brew house from stone to lessen the chance of it burning down and has ideas for a bridge, has made repairs to the run down church and has ideas to make the transport of goods to Deng's Ferry much more efficient as well as providing extra income for the family farm.
Both Ragna and Edgar are seen by those who hold power as trouble makers and there is much scheming to deny their hopes for the future. When Wilwulf dies Ragna's position and that of her children is in peril. Edgar sees his future in Normandy learning the stonemason's craft. That the two main characters come back together is a given , but as to the how and the tribulations they endure I shall leave to the reader.
Follett's prequel is a weighty tome of 817 pages, but it is a page turner. The insight into the Dark Ages in Anglo Saxon times, the roles of Church, King, nobles and peasants is fascinating. It is a harsh time when life after death was seen by many as more important than the existence in the present no matter how unfair or brutal. The relationship between Edgar and Ragna is rather hard to accept at such a time, when difference in social class was huge and romantic love would have been almost unheard of. However those who have enjoyed The Pillars of the Earth will eagerly devour this addition to the saga.
Theme: AngloSaxon England, Historical novel, Vikings, Power struggle, Medieval times, Stonemasons.
Mark Knight

Diamonds by Armin Greder

Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760877040.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Greder confronts his audience with the truth behind the diamonds people wear, showing the levels of cruelty and greed which umbrella the industry. From the slave conditions in which men, women and children in Africa dig the gems from the earth working in squalid mines unrestricted by any safety concerns, to those above ground who deal with the diamonds, passing them from hand to hand, trading guns and money, funding religious discord, civil war and unrest, supporting wealthy men to amass more, the diamonds eventually reach the manufacturing jewellers where they are cut and polished, set and sold to equally wealthy men for their wives and sweethearts.
Greder presents his powerful and questioning work through a young girl, Carolina, who innocently asks her mother about the diamonds she is wearing as she prepares to go out for the evening.
Greder wonderfully connects the girl's question about the people working in the mines to her nanny, Amina, also from Africa, and the girl has a nightmare, trailing Amina through the night to the mines where she digs the gems from the earth. Greder distils the wider story of diamond mining to a particular person, Amina, driving the reading audience to feel compassion with this person, seeing her as emblematic for a whole group of exploited people.
The link from Amina to the underground workers passes over several pages as we see their endless toil, digging for the people who control them. The faces above ground are more specific, detailed, hard and cruel as they pass the gems from one person to another, eventually ending up with suited businessmen, hungrily assessing what they have in their hands.
This book is a powerful parable of the corruption that exists, further dividing and undermining any push for equality and justice, the pursuit of wealth by the few being the main driver behind the search for diamonds.
Afterwords by journalist, Francesco Baille and Riccardo Noury from Amnesty International in Italy, set the scene and add more factual context to this already emotionally charged book.
Greder's illustrative technique is distinctive reflecting the chasm that exists between miner and buyer, using his charcoal and pastels to perfection, stressing the disparity between rich and poor, haves and have nots. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes: Inequality, Diamonds, Exploitation, Corruption, Civil war
Fran Knight

Dharma the llama by Matt Cosgrove

Koala Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781760669201.
(Age: 3+) Recommended. The picture of big eyed Dharma on the cover will delight younger readers as they reach out for the next incarnation of Cosgrove's wonderful llama series of books. Dharma is number six of an especially enticing series of stories about this odd creature, introducing a new animal to younger readers as well as a sound bit of advice through the story. This time it is about being yourself, as Dharma has to ignore the sneers and jibes from the herd as they go about their together things, pushing her to join in. But Dharma likes being herself: she likes to pick flowers and read for ages, sleep in after she lies awake at night reading, but above all to read. When reading she can involve herself in a book, being a pirate or adventurer, a witch or an astronaut. One day as the herd passes by jeering, so involved in looking crankily her way, they neglect to see a sign warning them of a cliff. They all tumble over, finding themselves stuck in the mud below.
It is up to Dharma to rescue them. She uses all the things she has found out about in her books to get them out of the mud: she swings on a rope like a pirate, lowers herself like an astronaut to rescue some others, then makes a rope ladder - she also reads non-fiction, to secure the rest.
Everyone is happy to be rescued and throw Dharma a big party, but of course, she is reading and neglects to go.
Cosgrove's rhyming pairs of lines will thrill younger readings, who will eagerly predict the rhyming word, and by the end of the book will have learnt several lines enabling them to join in. Recognising the books she reads will be another adventure for sharp-eyed readers, and finding Dharma in the end papers will add an extra layer of interest to the story.
And dedicated to all librarians 'who share their love of books and spread the joy of reading', what library will be without this book on the display shelf.
Themes: Llamas, Behaviour, Being yourself, Bullying, Self awareness.
Fran Knight

Fair Warning by Michael Connelly

Jack McEvoy Book 3. Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760877989.
(Age: Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended. Fans of Michael Connelly's journalist hero, Jack McEvoy, will be thrilled at his return in Fair Warning. With very current themes of the use and misuse of DNA and the need for consumer awareness, readers are in for a treat as Jack, a suspect in the murder of a woman he had had a one night stand with, begins to investigate and finds that he may have a serial killer in his sights. As he delves deeper into the case, he finds that there have been several unusual deaths from a broken neck and the one thing connecting them is the fact that they have all had their DNA tested by a small company that sells the DNA to other companies.
This reads well as a stand-alone, as Connelly gives enough background information about Jack, his past and his difficult relationship with Rachel, the woman he still longs for. Jack is now working for FairWarning, a news site reporting on consumer issues (in an Author's notes, the reader discovers that this is a real site and the editor Myron Levin is a real person.) Although a flawed character, Jack does recognise the things that he could improve, and the reader will feel empathy for him. Connelly's depiction of the skills necessary for working as a team member add to the interest in the story as Jack finds it difficult to collaborate with Emily, another member of FairWarning, and also to trust Rachel and her relationship with the FBI.
The misuse of DNA will scare anyone who has had DNA testing done to trace relatives as will the lack of oversight by authorities of the use and on-selling of DNA in the USA. There are lots of twists and turns, a vivid description of the process that Jack and his team go through to find out what is happening, and some scary moments as the serial killer starts to stalk Jack.
This is a compelling mystery that may well find readers who enjoyed it going back to read the others in the Jack McEvoy series, The poet and The scarecrow.
Pat Pledger

Puffin book of big dreams - stories to spark your imagination

Penguin, 2020. ISBN: 9780241438206. 409p.
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. A week-long festival surrounded the launch of this book in the UK to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Puffin in publishing. In June 2020, #PuffinDreamer invited the faithful to live-streamed author readings and writing activities on social media.
Puffin's hardback tome compiles excerpts about dreams or aspirations from the most lauded books published since 1940, under the little bird's brand. Many short stories, reflections and poems by contemporary writers and children, link the anthology to the present and the future. Allegories like, King of the World by Charlie Higson and Doris the Chicken who Saved the World written and illustrated by Mini Grey, bolster dreams beyond personal ambition and reference popular culture to envisage a better world.
Ballet Shoes and The Borrowers represent some of the timeless classics, and we are delighted anew with the anthropomorphism of Charlotte's Web and the Sheep-Pig. Our imaginations continue to soar with the BFG and Truckers and we remain touched by the profundity of Stig (of the Dump) or Wonder by R.J. Palacio.
Puffin's prophets are assembled in a mighty tribute, not only as a legacy but to show tomorrow's children the importance of reading, writing and dreaming, to enrich our lives. The piece most indicative of the spirit of this important sampler of children's literature is The A-Z of Amazing. Rashmi Sirdeshpande shows kids and adults alike, how a life must be lived to the full in this succinct primer. Undoubtedly, a life without Puffin's books would be a very poor life indeed.
Dreamers are too many to mention but anticipate: Helen Oxenbury, Roald Dahl, Dick King-Smith, Patricia Forde, Sam Copeland, Clive King, Jill Murphy, Michael Morporgo, Nazneen Ahmed, Raymond Briggs and dozens of the A-list authors and illustrators signed by Puffin. Puffin also acknowledges the social context when selecting, so it's not surprising to sample quotes and motivational pieces from brilliant leaders, scientists and actors.
Thank you all at Puffin for 80 years of big dreams, or seeds of dreams and perhaps the impetus for achieving our own legacies and a better world. Keep handy, it's bound to help the patron deciding 'who' to read next, or a captive class with only a few minutes for literature appreciation. And to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Puffin, throughout the month of September 2020, you'll be able to score your very own Puffin water bottle for FREE! All you have to do is visit your local bookstore and purchase two Puffin books of your choice to receive your water bottle - at participating bookstores while stocks last.
Deborah Robins

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Penguin, 2019. ISBN: 9780141338484. Board book.
(Age: 0-5) Highly recommended. This big board book of a favourite that has stood the test of years will delight another generation of children. First published in 1969, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has delighted children and adults over the years and having it in a sturdy, hard wearing large format will make it even more attractive for the very young child.
The very hungry caterpillar starts out as a tiny little egg on a leaf. Then the sun comes up and out pops a tiny and very hungry caterpillar who proceeds to munch through different fruits for each day of the week. On Saturday he eats through so many inappropriate foods that he has a stomach-ache and then must eat a lovely green leaf to recover. Ultimately, he makes a cocoon for himself before he turns into a beautiful butterfly.
My 11-month-old grandson loves this book and is happy to hear it again and again. The holes that the little caterpillar makes intrigue him and he enjoys putting his fingers in them while looking at the bright pictures. The eyes on the caterpillar are another feature that fascinate, and he likes that the board pages are strong enough for him to turn over himself. And of course there is a lot of subtle learning going on as the caterpillar eats: the names of days of the week, the names of different pieces of fruit, their colours and counting up to five, as well as a warning that overeating can give you a stomach ache. And of course, there is the whole life cycle of the butterfly, leading to lots of investigation of caterpillars especially in Spring when they are often in the garden.
A perfect gift for a new baby and a wonderful book to have in any library. There are others in the hungry caterpillar series, too including: Where is the very hungry caterpillar?, The very hungry caterpillar's hide and seek, and The very hungry caterpillar's birthday party. And to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Puffin, throughout the month of September 2020, you'll be able to score your very own Puffin water bottle for FREE! All you have to do is visit your local bookstore and purchase two Puffin books of your choice to receive your water bottle - at participating bookstores while stocks last.
Pat Pledger

A long petal of the sea by Isobel Allende

Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526615909.
(Age: Senior secondary/adult) Highly recommended. In the late 1930's, Civil War rages in Spain, Franco's forces push the remnants of the opposition back to Catalonia, and Victor Dalmau, a Republican army doctor marries his brother's lover, Roser, so that they can both leave Spain for Chile. A ship, SS Winnipeg has been organised by Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, for 2200 refugees to leave the detention camps hastily assembled by the French to accommodate the Spanish refugees, and Victor, knowing his brother is dead and wanting to save the life of his almost sister in law and her unborn child, marries her to board the ship. War is about to be declared as Franco and Hitler work together in defeating the spent Republican army.
Against the background of war, of stinking hospitals and dead and dying young men, Allende builds her story of a family surviving through the carnage, detention camps, life on board the Winnipeg then settling in Chile with its own problems, leading to the overthrow of President Allende in 1974. Victor has links to the poet, who organised the Winnipeg and these links continue after arriving in Chile, and through his life we see the problems of the country laid before us. He is friendly with a large group of people, some supporting Allende, a popularly elected president, with whom Victor plays chess, as well as businessmen and financiers supporting the wealthy who do not want a socialist government. The political intriguing behind the scenes is explained through the family, making it so much more accessible without the formality of a textbook.
Allende's introduction shows why she wrote the story, meeting Victor as an older man in Venezuela, the place he goes to after getting out of a concentration camp in Chile, sent there after the military coup because of his links to Allende.
Isobel Allende's father was a cousin to President Allende, killed after a right wing coup in 1973, officially by his own hand, and so she and her family had to flee Chile, relocating to Venezuela. Her story of Victor is a heady mixture of fact and fiction, resulting in an entertaining, informative and highly readable historical novel, one which will have readers heading to the internet to satisfy their curiosities.
Despite the pragmatic beginning to their marriage, love between Victor and Roser develops, and their relationship gathers strength after the coup placing Pinochet as president. A family saga covering three generations and set against the Spanish Civil War, World War Two, the flight to Chile by Spanish refugees, then the eight wing coup, the story leads us to the present day as the pair grapples with old age as their country starts anew.
Theme: Civil war, Spain, Chile, Franco, Allende, Pinochet, Detention camps, Concentration camps, Refugees, SS Winnipeg.
Fran Knight

Humpty Dumpty sat on the slide by Tony Wilson

Illus. by Laura Wood. Scholastic, 2020. ISBN: 9781743834770.
(Age: 3+) When Humpty Dumpty comes down the slide he sticks as he is too wide, and no one can help him, certainly not the king's horses and the kings' cows. Everyone laughs, and Humpty Dumpty laughs along with them. So begins a parody of the well known Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme, the readers expecting the rhyme to go in the way they know but being surprised when it takes a different tack. The readers will listen intently to see where each line goes, and laugh with Humpty Dumpty when he falls, although when it happens over again children will be very sympathetic with the bullied egg. This comes to the fore when the group is playing a game and Humpty Dumpty is not invited to join in: he simply watches from the sidelines, and with his composed good nature cheers them on. Children will feel sorrow for the neglected egg and think about what he could do or what they would do in that situation.
The crunch comes when he goes along to a birthday party and the group tells him to go away as he is not invited. Fortunately the birthday girl stops them and takes him as her special friend, telling them all that he has been invited. The group then has a great time at the party, particularly Humpty Dumpty who even when he falls, finds that the king's horses and the king's men cannot separate him from his friend.
With simple rhymes, asking readers to anticipate the rhyming word, and seeing how differently the words scan compared to the known nursery rhyme, this story has broad appeal as it encourages children to think about exclusion and isolation, about friendship and being in a group. The bullying that occurs represents things they see every day, and readers will see how Humpty feels about it and so sympathise, seeing themselves and others in that situation, and thinking and talking about a way out.
Themes: Parody, Humpty Dumpty, Friendship, Bullying.
Fran Knight