From Stella Street to Amsterdam and everything that happened by Elizabeth Honey
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781865084541. 424pp.
(Ages: 12 - 15) Highly recommended. This story is the very welcome
return of Henni Octon but this time she leaves Stella Street and
accompanies elderly and feisty Willa to Amsterdam. The neighbours of
Stella Street have raised funds so that Henni can undertake this
important role on their behalf. Willa has not been back to the
Netherlands since the end of WW2 and is returning for a family
wedding and also to contend with unresolved family issues. After a
frightening flight to Dubai Willa behaves strangely and alludes to
important secrets. Henni loves bike riding back home and soon buys a
bike on which she can escape but also explore Amsterdam. This is the
area where Anne Frank hid away in WW2. Henni learns more about
Willa's family involvement in hiding Jewish people and she battles
with the responsibility of knowing this secret information. At times
she feels unwelcome by the family, however she also makes a good
friend who introduces her to the world of younger people in the
town.
Honey has created an admirable 3D character in Henni who is often
wiser than adults and cares about a fairer world. The book serves as
Henni's journal and in this way we understand Henni's self-doubts,
humorous observations and emotional growth. Also, since Henni
(Elizabeth Honey) is a poet and illustrator, there are great
sketches, jottings, poems and photos. Emails and text messages bring
conversations from family and friends back home in Stella Street.
There are very sad poignant scenes and a few amazing coincidences in
the plot, but that's fiction! You get to learn a about Amsterdam's
cobbled streets, canals, red light district and architecture. You
also learn how to pronounce many Dutch words. Readers who enjoyed
the Morris Gleitzman Once series or Anne Frank's Diary
of a Young Girl, may enjoy this book. It is quite long but a
compulsive read. This is suitable for young adult readers because of
its more mature emotional themes. Teacher's
notes are available.
Jo Marshall
The World of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl
Penguin, 2020. ISBN: 9780241447970.
Highly recommended. The World of Roald Dahl is a fabulous
book for anyone who thinks that Roald Dahl's books are wonderful
(and who doesn't!) and also those who love activity books.
This book is 95 pages of laughter, interesting facts, amazing
illustrations, and anything else you could imagine to be written
about Roald Dahl. There are fascinating pieces of information such
as how he only wrote on yellow lines paper and hated beards! And
even a section dedicated to teaching readers how to be a storyteller
just like Roald.
I also enjoyed reading about Quentin Blake, the illustrator who at
almost 90 is still illustrating the new editions and writing his own
books. His pictures are on every page and that makes this book
unapologetically all about Roald Dahl and his famous style.
The book has pages where readers can add in their own information;
such as what they would do if they had their own giant peach,
tallying up how many books they had read, make their way through a
maze and using a special code to make up their very own Wonka style
chocolate bar.
On top of all of that there is a delicious sounding chocolate cake
recipe and a 30-question long Roald Dahl quiz. This book really has
it all and covers so many of his wonderful books, characters and
curious facts that go along with it.
This is a really great addition to any library, or as a gift, as
Roald Dahl is one of those authors that seems to have the ability to
reach out to so many children at so many stages of their reading. He
is funny, quirky, and a pleasure to read about.
4.5 out of 5.
Lauren Fountain
Sunflower by Ingrid Laguna
Text Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 9781922268754.
(Age: 8-12+) Recommended. Sunflower by Ingrid Laguna is the
second story with Jamila as the main character. In the first book Songbird,
eleven year old Jamila has arrived in Australia and has difficulty
settling in until she joins the choir and it is realised that she
has a beautiful voice and a gift for song writing. In this first
story she makes firm friends with Eva and it changes her life. In Sunflower
Jamila has been in Australia for six months and with her closest
friend Eva at her side is finally feeling like she is starting to
belong. The two girls do so much together and support each other
through life's obstacles. Jamila is excited to learn that her best
friend Mina from Iraq is coming to Australia to live nearby. She
imagines that Eva, Mina and herself will form a fast and cohesive
friendship. However that does not happen and the three girls have to
learn to work out their differences. Mina is struggling with a
terrible sadness from her time in Iraq and language barriers. Eva is
also going through a tough time as it is the birthday of her
deceased mother coming up. Jamila feels frustrated as she is trying
to appease both girls at the same time. The Year 6 class including
the three girls travel to a school camp in the Australian Bush and
it is there that the friendship issues are eventually sorted out
after a worrying situation develops.
The author Ingrid Laguna has a deep understanding of issues
surrounding refugees in Australia and a strong sense of friendship
complexities of this age group of girls. This story is sensitively
written and will interest readers in the primary years 3-6. Teacher's
notes are available. Themes: Friendship and Friendship Issues,
Iraqis in Australia, Refugees, Singing, School Camp.
Kathryn Beilby
Ninja Kid 6 : Ninja Giants! by Anh Do
Illus. by Anton Emdin. Scholastic, 2020. ISBN: 9781743835135.
(Age: 6+) This is the most recent humorous story in the Ninja
Kid series. Nelson Kane who lives with his mother, grandma and
cousin Kenny, was a nerd for the first nine years of his life. On
his tenth birthday he developed Ninja Powers and his whole life
changed after he became the Ninja Kid. Cousin Kenny is his sidekick
H-DUDE and they spend their super hero moments stopping Nelson's
evil uncle Dr Kane from destroying the town of Duck Creek. In Book 6
the school students will be attending the Duck Creek Halloween Fair.
Nelson and Kenny are hoping to be tall enough this year to go on all
the amazing rides and of course cannot resist trying out grandma's
latest invention - The Size Converter - even after they were told
not to play with it. Instead of becoming taller the boys' size is
halved and that poses hilarious complications for them to deal with.
While at the fair Dr Kane unleashes his two evil companions Einstein
and Ultimate Ninja on the unsuspecting crowd and mayhem takes place.
The T-Rex Tail of Terror ride becomes alive and stomps all over the
fair ground. The other students are hoping the two anonymous super
heroes will arrive but as they are half their size they will have
little effect on the damage. Fortunately grandma arrives just in
time with a recharged Size Converter and zaps the boys to a
different size. An exciting battle takes place between the
superheroes, Einstein and the Ultimate Ninja with the boys
eventually triumphing. At the end of the battle Nelson confirms a
suspicion he has had about the identity of the Ultimate Ninja and
talks it through with his mother and grandma.
Throughout the story the bold text and graphic illustrations add to
the enjoyment of the story for readers of all ages. Themes: Humour,
Friends, Fair, Good vs Evil, Super Heroes, Inventions.
Kathryn Beilby
The world's worst parents by David Williams
Illus. by Tony Ross. HarperCollins, 2020. ISBN: 9780008430306.
(Age: 6-10) Highly recommended. The plot of this book is all about
introducing you to terrible parents who are either embarrassing or
mean to their children.
My favourite character is: Terry Tech, because when he sees queues,
even queues of only one person, which isn't really a queue until you
join it, it is so funny.
My opinion/rating out of 5: I'd say 5/5.
I liked this book because: The parents are sooo funny.
My favourite part of the book was: When Miss Tutelage kicked Mr.
Slab into the air and he landed in the bin.
I would recommend this book to: anyone between 6-10.
Adella, aged 8 years
Knowledge Encyclopaedia: Ocean! by DK
DK., 2020. ISBN: 9780241412886.
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Knowledge Encyclopaedia: Ocean!
is a really great resource for students to have access to, as it
covers a variety of topics surrounding oceans. It is split into 7
sections encompassing Ocean science (How oceans are formed, ocean
life evolution and tides), Open ocean (food chains, jellyfish and
the various ocean zones), Shallow seas (animals from the sunlit
areas), Seashores (turtles, rockpools and seabirds), Polar oceans
(all things ice related), Oceans and us (human impacts) and Ocean
maps.
All of these sections are filled to the brim with excellent
information that can be read or accessed by children aged from
approximately 7 years old. There are lots of diagrams and charts
which explain various concepts such as tropical cyclones, salt
marshes, and how a fish farm works (an underwater view). Each of
these (and all images) are well labelled and split into smaller
sections so that that the reader knows which part that information
is specific to but also, so they do not get too overwhelmed by the
text.
I really think that this book would be a huge benefit to any
library, but also to any animal or ocean loving child as it really
is just filled with information. My 10-year-old (who has a long
history of loving animals) thought that this book was amazing. He
had it next to his bed for a week and read it every night in bed. He
would come out and tell us all the cool facts he learnt and has now
begun trying to remember all the interesting words and their meanings
from the glossary.
This is also a great non-fiction book for students to use and
practice their skills using a contents page, glossary, and index.
I give this book 5 out of 5 - another winner in the DK range.
Lauren Fountain
Kitty is not a cat: Lights out by Jess Black
Hachette Children's Books 2020 ISBN 9780734419750.
(Age: 6+ years) Recommended. Kitty is not a cat: Lights out
by Jess Black is one of four books being released this year by
Hachette. The book series is based on the Australian animation
television series which has been sold around the world. The story
begins with a brief introduction to the characters and an
explanation of the context of the story. Kitty is a girl who is
dressed in a bright orange costume with ears, a tail and paws. She
joins the clutter of cats that live in the mansion on the hill. Each
cat has its own name and special qualities it brings to the group.
In this story the cats settle down to watch scary movies. While
watching the movies, the cats hear a loud "MEOW" from Kitty's room
where she is having nightmares and wakes up frightened. The cats try
all sorts of ways to comfort Kitty and let her know that nothing can
hurt her in the house. They realise in the end that her night light
is missing and create a new light to help her sleep and feel safe.
During the night Kitty wakes and hears the lullaby from the night
light and finds it in a surprising place.
This book is a very simple, enjoyable story that will entertain
young developing readers who are ready for short novels. The fact
that it is a series will also appeal to those students who will
benefit from word repetition. The book contains very detailed
illustrations and highlighted text where emphasis on a specific word
is important to the flow of the story.
Themes: Cats, Friendship, Scary movies, Nightmares
Kathryn Beilby
Aunty Lee's delights by Ovidia Yu
Singaporean Mystery book 1. HarperCollins, 2013. ISBN:
9780062227157. 288pp.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. A perfect book for mystery lovers to read in
these troubled times, Aunty Lee's delights introduces the
intelligent Rosie Lee, who owns a restaurant in Singapore featuring
her delicious home cooking. When two young women who had dined at
one of her dinner parties are murdered, she turns her hand at
solving the mystery, with the aid of her domestic Nina and Police
Commissioner Raja.
The large cast of people involved are introduced at another dinner
party as well as the spicy food she prepares. There is her stepson
Mark and his rather obnoxious wife Selina, Lucy and Frank
Cunningham, an elderly couple visiting from Australia, Harry
Sullivan an expat trying to make his way in Singapore, and an
American looking for the two young women. Interwoven are
descriptions of the mouth-watering Singaporean food, which is an
integral part of the plot.
This could be described as belonging to the cosy section of the
mystery genre. There are no lingering descriptions of the murders,
other than a memorable section when one of the bodies was discovered
in the water. The story concentrates on Aunty Lee's preoccupation
with solving the mystery of the deaths. As she says, if people have
eaten her food, she considers them as family. Themes of gay love,
the treatment of foreign domestics, and women striving to climb the
social ladder are all dealt with subtly and with compassion.
Easy to read, with often amusing asides, this was an enjoyable story
with a great setting, diverse characters and lots of food! I am sure
to pick up more by this author.
Pat Pledger
My dog is a winner by Elizabeth Fensham
University of Queensland Press, 2020. ISBN: 9780702262951. 194pp.
(Ages: 9 - 12) Highly recommended. This is a heart-warming story
from the point of view of "nine-and-a-lot" year old Eric. Although
it can be read alone it is the third in a series. Eric has an
amazing dog called Ugly who has the ability to empathize and care
for various characters who need him. Ugly visits Eric's class once a
week along with Eric's wise Grandpa and provides assistance to
students. Firstly there is Barnaby, an autistic boy, who now speaks
and rarely has meltdowns since he was allowed to read to Ugly. Then
a young Syrian refugee girl called Maryam arrives. She has
experienced major trauma and has difficulty starting school in a new
country. Ugly helps her adapt and settle in. However the dilemma
which provides the main thread of the books is Gretchen, Eric's very
cranky and unhappy nearly twenty year old sister. Even Ugly seems to
be getting overwhelmed by the problems he has to deal with. Eric
devises a courageous plan to help Gretchen make friends. He also has
high hopes that Ugly will win a heap of prizes in a Pet Show he has
organised at his school.
Fensham is really successful at creating believable characters. The
language is funny and simple so that Eric's insights and
observations come across as authentic. Ugly is believable and not a
caricature. There are many true tales of dogs which are capable of
supporting people when needed. In fact there are successful programs
like 'Labs 'n Life' where
dogs are used in schools to help students experiencing difficulties.
It was heartening to read in the acknowledgments that Fensham drew
on her own research and experiences of visiting schools where there
are therapy dogs Through Eric's voice Fensham also tackles the tough
issues of depression and ageing in a non-overly dramatic, nuanced
way. The touching exchange in the Principal's office was beautifully
imagined. This story could be read aloud in a classroom setting and
provide interesting discussion.
Jo Marshall
Bunnygirl: the first adventure by Holly Jayne
Berbay Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 9780648785118.
(Age: 5+) This is the first adventure of Bunnygirl by debut author
and illustrator Holly Jayne. Bea is a young girl who enjoys being
kind and helping others. She and her best friend Woofs the dog
always try to find caring things to do but Bea feels she needs a
super hero costume to be a super friend. She tries all sorts of
outfits but nothing just feels quite right. Bea and Woofs rescue an
injured and lost bunny and take care of it. They then try to find
the bunny's home in the dark woods and encounter a river but clever
Woofs helps Bea solve the problem. While Woofs does not talk he
always seems to know what Bea needs. They eventually find the
bunny's family and friends and the animals are so grateful to Bea
for helping the lost bunny return home that they leave a surprise on
her doorstep. Finally Bea will have her wish for a super hero
costume granted. Bunnygirl is a perfect introduction for young emergent
readers to the graphic presentation format with clearly illustrated
panels providing simple text and images to engage the reader. This
would be an excellent book to be shared between an older reader and
younger child with directions for reading the panels very important
in understanding the story. Themes: Friendship, Super Hero,
Kindness, Animals.
Kathryn Beilby
The Lost City by Amanda Hocking
Pan Macmillan, 2020, ISBN: 9781529001303.
(Ages: 12+) In this Urban Fantasy where Trolls walk amongst us,
Ulla, abandoned as an infant, is desperate to know more about
herself and her heritage. After spending her youth in the care of
the inn owners where she was left as a baby, and her teen years as a
nanny to a family with six children, Ulla embarks on an internship
at Mimirin located in Merella (the capital city for Trolls hidden
from humans). On the way, she discovers a stowaway - the eldest
daughter of the family she nanny's for! Having travelled too far to
return Hanna home and arrive to Merella in time to start her
internship, Ulla has no choice but to travel on with Hanna. Upon
arrival in Merella, Ulla attempts to navigate the intricate
political nuances that thrive in the capital. Meeting Panuk at her
internship, she learns more about the prejudice that she, Pan and
other TOMBs experience - that is, Trolls of mixed blood. Adventure
in the form of a lost and often confused young Troll, Eliana, adds a
new level to the story, while creating more depth to each of the
characters.
Similar to Harry Potter or Percy Jackson series, The
Lost City is about a magical/mythical Earth where Trolls walk
amongst us. The start of a new series, this book is mainly
political, setting up the histories and traits of the various Troll
tribes, and setting up the next book. The story starts slowly, but
is eventually well paced and very descriptively written, with a
variety of characters, including the mysterious Eliana. Throughout
the story, food plays a significant role, while readers are
introduced to intricate Troll history. Located at the end of the
book is both a glossary and a tribe guide.
Themes: Prejudice, self discovery, mystery, folklore/myths and
legends.
Melanie Phillips
Blood Moon by Lucy Cuthew
Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781406393446.
(Age: Teenagers) Highly recommended. This novel looks at some hard
topics that teenagers deal with including their first sexual
experience, periods, the internet, the importance of friendship and
having someone to talk to.
Frankie thinks she is just an ordinary high school student, until
things take a dramatic change for her. She has her first sexual
experience with Benjamin, which she is excited about until someone
turns it into a horrible meme that starts to affect her whole life,
on top of this she has a huge fight with her best friend leaving her
with no one to talk to and she finds herself dealing with all of
these horrible things alone.
Frankie doesn't want to talk to her mum as she is worried what she
will think of her, she longs to be able to talk to her best friend
but that is just not going to happen.
As things continue to get worse Frankie confronts Benjamin and he
explains what happened and that he is trying to help, he also showed
her that her best friend was not involved in all the horrible things
like Frankie had thought.
Frankie becomes overwhelmed by everything and tells her mum about
everything that has been going on. Her parents leap into action to
try and help her.
Frankie is finally aware that her best friend did not have anything
to do with the horrible meme, and they talk. They come up with a
plan to stand up for themselves at the school assembly in front of
everyone.
This is a great novel that all teenagers should have the opportunity
to read.
As a teaching text this novel confronts some serious issues in a way
that can open up discussion and look at how something that someone
thinks is just a bit of fun can get out of hand and have a huge
impact on someone else's life. Also the importance of having someone
you trust that you can talk to when horrible things happen is
emphasised. Teacher's
notes are available.
The format in which the book is written adds another layer to the
story.
I highly recommend this book for teenagers.
Karen Colliver
A room made of leaves by Kate Grenville
Text Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 9781922330024.
(Age: Senior secondary) Highly recommended. 'Our nation rides on the
sheep's back' and John Macarthur was supposedly the 'father of the
wool industry' but, as Kate Grenville points out, the merino sheep
were largely developed whilst Macarthur was actually in England for
two lengthy periods being prosecuted for crimes in Australia.
Grenville suggests that perhaps the Father of the Wool Industry was
actually the Mother of the Wool Industry, his wife, Elizabeth
Macarthur, a figure lost to history. What remains in the historical
record, the letters of Elizabeth, reveal very little, but a closer
more clever examination of her written words, could present an
entirely different picture of the life of the Macarthurs. It is this
idea that Grenville pursues. She imagines the life of the forgotten
Elizabeth, as another example of the neglected contribution of so
many pioneer women; for history only tells us of the exploits of the
men. Grenville imagines the discovery of a memoir, and shares it
with us, as an alternative picture from a woman's point of view.
Grenville's novel examines the limited prospects for women, denied
education and dependent on marriage for security. Elizabeth fails to
heed the warnings to 'keep herself safe' and her moment of
wilfulness leads to a necessary marriage to the taciturn Captain
Macarthur. Then it becomes the problem of how to manage his moods,
and make some kind of life together in New South Wales.
A strong theme throughout the novel is the idea of false stories:
from the need for women to protect their reputation, to the
colonialists' versions of the conflict with the Aboriginal people,
to the innuendos about the astronomer William Dawes' relationship
with young Patyegarang. It just depends on who is telling the story.
Life in the colony managing a sheep farm, alone for long periods
without her husband, could be imagined as one of hardship and
loneliness. However for Elizabeth, thrown on her own resources, it
actually becomes an opportunity to discover her true self.
Grenville's book is well researched and she even makes use of
Elizabeth's own words from her letters to suggest a hidden
alternative interpretation of her life. It is historical fiction but
perhaps creates a more true understanding of the past.
Themes: Women, New South Wales colony, Aboriginal people, Conflict,
False stories.
Helen Eddy
Ling Li's lantern by Steve Heron
Illus. by Benjamin Johnston. MidnightSun Publishing, 2020. ISBN:
9781925227673.
(Age: 6+) Recommended. Beautiful lanterns in soft creams and reds
greet the reader on this impressive front cover, enticing the reader
to turn the page and read about the girl, Ling Li, the face peering
from behind one of the lanterns.
She and her two brothers are given coins from their father, Da Zhi
with the instruction that each should use the money wisely to fill
one of the three pagodas by the river. Each goes off to do their
task. The first brother, Jingming, harvests bamboo and fills his
pagoda with the bamboo stems, heaping the leaves on the top. His
father is pleased that he has made a sound investment.
Miao the second child sets off for a nearly village where he buys
feathers and down from the duck farm. He fills his pagoda with soft
pillows of feathers and down and his father is pleased, telling him
he has been wise.
The third child, Ling Li is not sure what to do. She wanders through
the village. She spots a crying child who has lost the eggs he was
sent to buy. Ling Li buys some eggs to replace those lost. She sees
a child at the market who has lost its mother. She settles the child
with a bowl of rice, using a little more of her money. She gives
some money to the old ragged magician trying to make a living in the
marketplace, and hands over a little more to the old woman unable to
sell her necklaces. By now it is almost dark, and Ling Li has not
used her money to buy something to fill the pagoda. She spies a
lantern seller and with her last two coins purchases a lantern to
take home. Usually the lanterns are three coins but having heard of
her goodness through the day, the seller takes her two coins.
Arriving home she is saddened that she only has the lantern, but her
father is pleased because he has heard of her deeds in the village
and her lantern fills the pagoda with light. The light from her
heart is indeed the special wisdom that he wants for his children.
This beautiful story, reading like a fable telling us of the true
nature of wisdom, the things learnt from the tale reflect Ling Li's
traits; compassion, sharing, empathy, and these outshine those of
her brothers only interested in making a sound investment.
The stunning illustrations reflect the setting with bridges,
pagodas, people working in rice fields, marketplaces, village
squares and people in all their colourful costumes. Readers will
love picking out the detail in the background on every page.
Theme: Compassion, Task, Family, Wisdom.
Fran Knight
Dark Blue Rising by Teri Terry
ISBN: 9781444957105.
The Circle Trilogy book 1. Hachette Children's Books, 2020.
9781444957105.
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Fans of suspense will be sure to enjoy this
thriller from the acclaimed author of Contagion and other exciting
stories. Our heroine is Tabby, a teenager living with her mother
Cate, moving from place to place hiding from an unknown threat. Then
one day Tabby finds that her whole life has been a lie. Cate is not
her real mother, instead she is arrested for kidnapping her as a
child. She finds herself with a whole new family and finding it
difficult to adjust, turns to swimming and the ocean where she feels
at home. Spending the summer at a swim school, she uncovers some
startling facts about the Penrose Academy which has been treating
her since she was a baby. Totally isolated and locked inside the
training compound, Tabby desperately seeks answers to the mysterious
DNA found in her blood.
Told in Tabby's voice, a high level of suspense is maintained right
through the book. Tabby is a self-contained, intelligent young
woman, who is not prepared to blindly accept what she is told and
always attempts to work out things for herself. Readers will
empathise with her search for friends and people she can trust and
be prepared to avidly follow her quest for answers about the
mysterious Circle that Cate had warned her to beware. The mixture of
the genres of fantasy and science fiction will also intrigue as
Tabby dreams of beings in the ocean, and grapples with the knowledge
that her DNA is different.
I am a fan of Teri Terry's character driven suspenseful stories and
enjoyed trying to work out the mystery of was happening to Tabby,
her relationship with the ocean and dolphins and the sinister
Penrose Academy. The subtle theme of climate change in the
background also kept me guessing and I look forward to the next book
in the series.
Themes: Genetics, Ocean, Climate Change, Science Fiction, Fantasy.
Pat Pledger
