Through my eyes series. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN:
9781760637286.
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended, Myanmar, Rohingya, Islam, Buddhism,
Survival. Through my eyes, a series of marvellous books set
in contemporary war zones where children live in peril, offers a new
book, Hasina, set in Myanmar. Here the Rohingya are refugees
in their own country, many spilling into neighbouring Bangladesh to
avoid the bloody raids by government forces. The noise of
helicopters cuts though the reader when on page one, Hasina is
transfixed by their attack, only taking shelter when her aunt Rukia
pulls her inside. Her aunt and cousin have left their own southern
village in search of shelter after riots four years go, the Buddhist
Burmese turning against their Muslim neighbours.
But when the men come at night, murder in their eyes, Hasina, her
brother Araf and cousin Ghadiya escape into the Rakhine forest,
returning to the village days later where they are confronted by a
quiet ruin, houses burnt down, their families gone.
The story of their survival is gripping and real, readers taking in
the reasons for this conflict, nationalism mixed with greed,
religion mixed with past grievances, power struggles taking
precedence over conflict resolution and peace.
Michelle Aung Thin was born in Myanmar, in the year of the military
coup and left with her parents when she was an infant. She grew up
in Canada, has worked there and in London, now living in Australia.
Series editor and series creator Lyn White has extensive experience
as a primary classroom teacher, teacher-librarian and EAL teacher.
Her work with refugee children motivated her to create the acclaimed
Through My Eyes series of books set in contemporary war
zones. Lyn also created and edited the Through My Eyes - Natural
Disaster Zones series that pays tribute to the courage and
resilience of children who are often the most vulnerable in
post-disaster situations. Lyn continues to teach EAL and is an
education consultant and conference presenter. (Allen and
Unwin series website)
Fran Knight
Funny Kid Slapstick by Matt Stanton
Funny Kid book 5. HarperCollins, 2019. ISBN: 9780733339486.
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Funny Kid Slapstick by Matt Stanton is Book 5
in what seems to be a very funny series. The main character Max has
the ability to make anyone laugh, especially when times are grim. He
really is the Funny Kid and I think, a very loveable character.
In this book, Max and his friends have been forced by their teacher
Miss Sweet (who definitely isn't!) to join the ice-hockey team. They
aren't the best team, they are younger than their rivals the Redhill
Rhinos, and they have Mr Armstrong for a coach (who hates Max). It
seems that things may not be very funny at all, but in actual fact
Max still made us laugh!
My 9 year old son scored this book first and really enjoyed it. He
isn't a huge fan of reading in general, and for him to read an
entire book in a reasonable amount of time IT HAS TO BE GREAT! He
started reading and every night continued until the end. He said his
favourite part was the whole thing,'but I really really loved the
pictures! They are so funny and good for the story'.
I must agree with him. I enjoyed Matt Stanton's style of writing, I
liked how he asks questions of the reader to engage them and I also
picked up on the level of literacy required for this book (and I am
guessing the series). I think that purposefully he has written using
words that are familiar and easy to decipher meaning that struggling
or disengaged readers will feel a sense of confidence when sitting
with this Book. My favourite part, as is my son's, is the pictures.
They are simple black line drawn cartoon characters but my goodness
they add SO much to the story! Their facial expressions are spot on,
they are well placed within the story and do not obstruct the reader
too much.
If the reader enjoys Diary of a Wimpy Kid then they will
love this series. It would be best given to readers 8+, and
especially those who are not confident or a little behind their
peers.
A great book, and I would suggest series!
Lauren Fountain
Mr Walker and the perfect mess by Jess Black
Illus. by Sara Acton. Random House. Australia. ISBN: 9780143793113.
77p hardback.
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Themes: Family, Independent Reader. Mr
Walker and his hotel family scramble to deliver an important
function under the marquee whilst continuing regular services to
guests. To make matters worse the staff need to organise a surprise
farewell gift for their beloved groundskeeper, Josephine. Everything
was more or less going to plan until the heat wave caused a power
failure, followed by a thunder storm. During the blackout, Henry and
the others make good use of Mr Walker's problem solving skills.
Our hero, introduced to us in The
Tales of Mr Walker, is a real-life labrador who is the
ambassador for Guide Dogs Australia at the Park Hyatt hotel in
Melbourne. Out of all Jess Black's characters, none are more
charming than Mr Walker, for whom one master or one nuclear family
is not enough.
Every adventure is made special by both Sara Acton's stylized
rendering of Mr Walker and the hard cover, which is as solid and
safe in our arms as a half grown puppy. Mr Walker is young at heart
but exemplifies persistence and grace, instinctively bringing out
the best in Jess Black's human characters and readers.
Mr Walker demonstrates his expansiveness and service by being a
valuable member of Henry Reeves' staff and the stalwart of the
Hotel. Mr Walker and the Perfect Mess, is another life
lesson from Mr Walker that will embrace younger readers, most of
whom love stories about dogs. Let's be honest, we each want to be
the person, Mr Walker believes us to be. Activities
for the series are available.
Destined to be in demand, titles in the series include: Mr
Walker and the Dessert Delight, Mr
Walker Gets the Inside Scoop and Mr
Walker Braves the Night.
Deborah Robins
Dumazi and the big yellow lion by Valanga Khoza
Illus. by Matt Ottley. Scholastic 2019. ISBN: 9781742994116.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Fable, Lions, Africa, Folk
tale. When Dumazi walks from her village to the waterhole, a
calabash on her head she hears a lion bemoaning its fate in the
bushes. He has been caught by a hunter's rope trap and cannot get
out. He promises Dumazi that if she releases him he will not eat
her. She releases him only to find that he intends to break his
promise. She takes him to see some other animals to see what they
say about the lion eating her, but each that she sees, has their own
reason for telling the lion to go ahead and eat her. The giraffe
recalls that Dumazi is a human and humans are responsible for
setting things on fire and building fences which have restricted the
animal's jungle home. She asks the elephant, and the elephant shows
her his half sawn off tusk, taken by poachers, so tells the lion to
go ahead and eat her. But the monkey derides the lion, saying he
will tell all the animals that the lion was caught in a rope trap
and laugh at him. He then cleverly gets the lion to show hm the rope
trap and how he was caught, so entangling himself again. The clever
monkey slips back into the jungle warning the lion not to make
promises he cannot keep, and deploring his behaviour towards Dumazi
who saved his life.
This wonderful tale full of the sights and sounds of Africa, will be
adored by all readers, intrigued with the brave Dumazi wanting to
release the lion but cautious lest it try to eat her. Her solution
of finding what other animals think reveals the problems humans have
brought to this land, and the cleverness of the monkey in trapping
the lion over again will bring gales of laughter from the audience.
Ottley's wonderful illustrations depict a broad sweep of Africa,
with smaller animals and insects at Dumazi's feet. The drawing of
the lion completely helpless in the path of the stampeding buffalo
will evoke sympathy in the reader, despite his duplicitous behaviour
towards the Zulu girl. Ottley creates images from a different
perspective, uses shadows to create interest and drama, and enfolds
much of the book in a glorious sun shiney golden hue. I loved every
page. Fran Knight
The Unlisted by Justine Flynn and Chris Kunz
Lothian, 2019. ISBN: 9780734419552.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Themes: Action thriller, Brainwashing,
Dissent, Families. What a roller-coaster ride, The Unlisted
is a great read and also an ABC TV/Netflix tie-in! Dru Sharma hates
the dentist and persuades his twin brother Kal to take his place
when he is supposed to have a compulsory school dental check-up.
When Kal begins to show signs of super strength and their friend Tim
goes missing, Dru realises that something is terribly wrong. The
Infinity Group is aiming to take over the thoughts and actions of
kids everywhere and it's only the Unlisted who can withstand the
brainwashing. Can Dru and his companions keep out of danger and stop
the spread of Infinity Group's control?
This is an action packed novel that has everything that the
adrenaline junkie reader could wish for - the short chapters and
cliff hanger endings that push the reader to continue on, dangerous
situations, villains, mystery and surprises. In addition the main
characters are likeable and their family is a hoot, with a
grandmother who rules the roost and feeds them well and an aunt who
might be part of Infinity Group's conspiracy. The Unlisted will have immediate appeal with its dark cover
showing the twins and an Unlisted group deep underground and its TV
tie-in. Reluctant readers may be drawn to it, and readers who enjoy
an action suspense story will be eagerly waiting to grab the next
books in the series. Reading notes at the conclusion of the book are
a welcome addition.
Pat Pledger
Ninja Kid 4: Amazing Ninja! by Anh Do
Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760662837. 186p. pbk.
(Age: 6+) Recommended. Themes: Action/Adventure. In Ninja Kid4:
Amazing Ninja! we can look forward to Anh Do's winning
formula. From the first pages, we know that Dr Kane will be menacing
Duck Creek and Nelson will somehow need Grandma Pat's best ever
invention - an animal translator helmet. Anh Do's comedic skills
endow him with perfect timing. He knows too well that his verbal and
visual foreshadowing will provide readers with both the plenitude
and humour to keep them coming back for more.
In this episode, Neilson and Kenny, aided by Sarah and Tiffany, are
determined to perfect their circus acts, to win the chance to
perform in the circus, soon to be passing through Duck Creek.
Charles, the Mayors son, and a mysterious man with an amazing
breakdancing rhino, prove stiff competition. The children are not
disappointed, rather they are excited to witness the next rhino
performance. Of course things quickly get out of control.
But when does Dr Kane become involved and just how will Nelson and
Kenny use the Animal Translator to protect the citizens of Duck
Creek?
Anh Do writes and draws the events in the plot with his usual blend
of mirth and vigour - and most importantly, without giving away the
identity of the Ninja Kid! In Amazing Ninja!, fans of the
Ninja Kid can anticipate more word play, exaggerations, and hilarity
from the whole Kane family, minus one - Kenny's absent Dad. Don't
leave Kenny alone to ponder the paradoxes shrouding his Dad's
disappearance. Ninja Kid 4 sees Kenny developing his Ninja
Kid persona.
Deborah Robins
First encyclopedia by DK Publishing
DK, 2019. Australian edition. ISBN: 9780143795025.
(Age: 5-8) Highly recommended. Highly illustrated with easy to read
text, this is an ideal reference book for younger children. DK
consistently publish well researched and beautifully formatted books
and this is no exception with its 168 pages of beautiful photographs
and interesting information.
The book is divided into the following sections: Contents page which
refers to World regions, People and society, History of people,
Living world, Science and technology, Planet Earth, and Space and
the universe. The last heading, Reference section, contains a quiz,
Glossary, index and key to measurements among other subheadings.
Each sub section is divided into a double page spread that gives
easy to understand information, and details like record breakers,
and a question on the bottom of the left hand page and the answer on
the right, but printed upside down. Some of the sections refer the
reader onto to associated parts of the book; for example the reader
is sent from Rainforests to 'turn and learn' to pages about Plant
life, Trees and forests, and Climate and seasons. Some of the
sections also give a historical background: for example, in Science
and Technology, the section Flying machines, informs the reader
about the first plane, as well as more modern aeroplanes.
Young readers will find a wealth of information between the covers
of First encyclopedia, and will have fun browsing through
the pictures and reading the interesting snippets of information.
They may then go on to pursue further in-depth knowledge of things
in which they are particularly interested.
Pat Pledger
JT, the making of a total legend by J. Thurston and J. Phelps
Harper Collins, 2019. ISBN: 9781460758618. 236p.
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Themes: Autobiography. No
self-respecting North Queenslander could bypass this autobiography
for children, even though we've read the adult version, Jonathan
Thurston - the autobiography. Or have we? James Phelps has
shifted gear for younger readers in helping JT reveal less of the
professed sook and comedian and more of the
insecure-delinquent-turned-mindful-hero, intent on 'showing up'
anyone who labelled him too small or too unorthodox to become a
professional NRL player. Phelps and Thurston tease out the details
of JT's self-made sports stardom by deconstructing his methods and
alluding to his many character strengths for want of academic
strengths. Thurston has a degree of curiosity and humility, when as
a young player he doggedly sought to learn the finer points of a
particular skill firsthand from more proficient players. Equally, he
exhibited a choreographer's ability to practise chunks of his
performance in stages, piecing them together incrementally with an
indomitable brand of persistence.
Equally, and unlike Thaiday in Rise:
The Sam Thaiday Story - co-authors JT and Phelps, are honest
about the details of JT's brush with delinquency. Whilst apologetic
and to some extent mortified, JT clearly describes events involving
his car stealing screw driver and the reasons for his both his
foolishness, and his salvation. No allusions or vague admissions
like, 'I did a bad thing' with no context, as in the Thaiday story.
By comparison, we must admire the respect and transparency that JT
affords the legions of children who have admired and will continue
to admire, his considerable sporting achievements. JT, the making of a total legend is JT's acknowledgement that
family and community must be part of our life's journey. His
managers, parents, wife and wider family invariably counselled him
to make the best personal, career and legacy decisions and he had
the open heart and good sense to realize that integrity and
responsibility are equal privileges and opportunities for those with
both extraordinary self-belief and talent. Congratulations
gentlemen, the world is going to love this forthright and fun
narrator so much more than your first JT autobiography. Readers of
any age won't regret meeting JT in this book. The details are his
alone to tell, and what little is left out, is somehow absorbed as
unspoken wisdom. An awesome ride of an autobiography - perfect for
one of the greatest-of-all-time sporting legends.
Deborah Robins
The long call by Ann Cleeves
Two Rivers book 1. PanMacmillan, 2019. ISBN: 9781509889570.
(Age: Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended. Themes: Mystery and
suspense, Detectives, Down syndrome. Fans of the Vera and Shetland
series are in for a real treat with Cleeves' new series starring
Detective Matthew Ven a quiet introspective man who is leading a
team in North Devon. When a man with an albatross tattooed on his
neck is found dead on the beach, Ven finds himself uncovering
secrets from his past and present. Then a young woman with Down
syndrome disappears and Ven has more than one mystery to solve.
Cleeves builds up a slow, comprehensive picture of Matthew Ven, his
background as a child in The Brethren, a strict evangelical
community, his subsequent denial of that community and his gradual
coming to terms with himself. The beaches and dunes, small villages
and The Woodyard, a place for disabled and mentally impaired people,
are all described meticulously and the reader gets to know the area
very well. The long call is a character driven novel. Not only does the
reader get to know Matthew, but Jonathon his partner. The two
detectives who are Matthew's off-siders, Jen and Ross, each have
strengths and weaknesses as detectives and as people and their
background stories are fleshed out as well. The women, Lucy,
Christine and Rosa, all who have Down syndrome, are portrayed
sympathetically and in depth and play an important role in the
story.
Cleeves wraps everything up neatly; the reader is able to reflect
back on the clues that she cleverly put into her narrative, but
which are easily overlooked. A very satisfying beginning to a
series, which will be sure to have many followers in the future.
Pat Pledger
Amazing dogs with amazing jobs by Laura Greaves
Penguin Australia, 2019. ISBN: 9780143796879. 288p.
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Themes: Dogs, Working animals. I must
start this review by saying that I absolutely LOVE this book! It is
literally a book about awesome dogs that do amazing things - and
they are all true stories!
'Dogs have been living with and helping humans for around fifteen
thousand years. All those years ago dogs were either hunters or
guardians, but today, dogs can do all kinds of amazing jobs.'
This book just really ticks lots of boxes for me. It contains 30
stories about a variety of dogs, each one written with a young
audience in mind. It asks questions of the reader and links
experiences from their lives to that of the amazing dog. I really
liked this aspect as when I read chapters to my 9 year old he was
able to find topics he could relate to, he also liked working out
which countries the dogs came from and where they were located in
the world!
Each amazing dog has a 'Dog File' which gives a quick overview of
the breed, skills and positive parts of the job. This part also
helps give the reader an idea of what is to come, and if they would
be interested in continuing to read.
It is hard to pinpoint a favourite dog, as they really are all so
amazing! But the ones to mention are Bailey the 'Assistant Director
of Seagulls' who keeps seagulls from pooing on historic ships,
Caesar the Canine mascot for an AFL team and Montgomary who is a
doggy blood donor!
This book is not only a fun read, but it has also taught me a whole
heap of new things that dogs can do! They can donate blood, they can
be artists, actors, assistance dogs, and even owl detectors. It has
really given me a new appreciation for canine abilities.
I must commend Laura Greaves on a really well written book. It is
full of questions, interesting facts, and sentences that are just
written with humour. We give this book 5 out of 5, and is a great
book to be read to younger children (5 years +) or be read by
readers 8 years and up.
Lauren Fountain
Toffle Towers : Fully booked by Tim Harris
Illus. by James Foley. Penguin, 2019. ISBN: 9780143795421.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Theme: Humour. Ten-year old Chegwin
Toffle, is a daydreamer of the most advanced kind, who, out of the
blue, inherits a hotel. He is determined to make this run-down hotel
into a success.
A super fun laugh-out-loud story Fully booked is action
packed with loveable characters. It depicts thinking outside the
square, using your imagination, the importance of friends and
family, with some mystery thrown in.
An engaging plot, funny conversations, pages filled with thought
bubbles, lots of word play, and lists and letters will captivate
younger readers. It is very well written and the setting is depicted
so that the reader can easily visualize what is happening.
Wonderfully illustrated by James Foley, it has cartoon-like
illustrations throughout the book, such as 'strange things people
might inherit'. Teacher's
notes are available.
Donna Isgar
Leaping Lola by Tracey Hawkins
Illus. by Anil Tortop. New Frontier Publishing, 2019. ISBN:
9781925594591.
(Ages: 2-5) Dance, Rhyming Story. Lola is a brown Jersey cow who
just loves to dance. But Lola is a milk cow, not a black and white
cow; Jersey cows just aren't built to dance, her mother says.
Regardless, Lola cannot help it, she clip-clops her hooves, flicks
her tail, pirouettes here and spirals there. With the help of her
friend, she disguises herself and slips into the Black and White
Ball. She's just getting warmed up when . . . splash! A downpour of
milk washes her mud disguise away, exposing her for the brown cow
she really is.
There are lots of movement words in the story, making it a fun and
rollicking read aloud, but the story itself lacks a sense of purpose
and the ending doesn't resolve everything as nicely as it could. Teacher's
notes are available.
Nicole Nelson
Is it Halloween yet? by Susannah Chambers
Illus. by Tamsin Ainslie. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN:
9781760297404. 24 pg.
(Age: 4 - 6) Recommended. Themes: Halloween, Family, Humour. What
fun to read about a warm and loving family and the tricks and
dressing-up for Halloween! Emily is a little girl who is very
impatient for Halloween to come. She wants to make a Jack-o-lantern;
she spots a vampire bat in a tree and paints her cat black to make
it into a witch's cat. As she creates havoc with her creations, her
patient mother looks after her baby brother while doing household
chores and working on her daytime job. Grandma is also around,
gardening and making a Halloween costume for Emily.
Tamsin Ainslie has perfectly created a warm, loving, busy and
creative family with her delightful water colour illustrations that
abound with humour and warmth. There are lots of fun details for a
reader to pursue, especially the myriad of bats and little ghosts
that are strung throughout the house. Readers will laugh out loud as
they see Mum wrapped around with toilet paper with Emily say 'Are
you SURE it's not Halloween yet . . . Mummy?'
The narrative is delightful, with Emily often asking a question or
making a statement on one page and her busy mother replying and not
noticing just what Emily is up to. This is a really enjoyable book
for both children and adults and is one that would become a family
favourite when read aloud. And a bonus page at the back contains
instructions for making an origami bat that will be welcomed by
families and teachers alike.
Pat Pledger
A different land by Paul Jennings
Illus. by Geoff Kelly. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760528720.
128 pg.
(Ages: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Migration, Resilience,
Courage, Loneliness, Difference, Persistence, Cultural acceptance.
The snake on the front cover of A different land, slithering
its way through thick bush, will immediately grab the attention of
readers who will want to know what happens to the three figures in
the background. And they won't be disappointed in this short tale of
Christopher, his mother and Anton who have travelled 12,000 miles to
Australia and then made a long train journey in hope of employment.
When the trio arrive though, they find that the pub is very run down
and they have to live in a caravan smelling of dead pig.
Jennings explores what it is like to be a migrant in a new and very
strange land. Christopher is lonely and missing his familiar
homeland, but knows that his mother Pat believes they will have a
better future after leaving their bombed home town and the deaths of
his twin brother and father. He is determined to find out about
Crayfish and his wife Peggy and what he is doing in the bush and at
the same time must learn to fit in.
Humour and pathos permeate this story, a companion to A
Different Boy and A
Different Dog. It would be an ideal read aloud or class novel,
examining the aftermath of war, the resilience of new migrants
coming to Australia and the courage and persistence of all who try
to make a living in the bush. The slight reference background to
Anton's story of running away from a boy's home could also be
researched by curious readers.
Illustrations in strong black ink strokes by Geoff Kelly add to the
atmosphere of the book and give readers an in-depth feel for the
bush setting, the wooden buildings, the waves and the boat.
Scroll down the page for teacher's
tips from the publisher.
Pat Pledger
The Iliad - a graphic novel adaptation by Gareth Hinds
Candlewick Press 2019. ISBN: 9780763696634.
Themes: Ancient Greece, myths/ legends. Homer's epic poem, about the
tenth year of the Trojan War, fought around the twelfth century BCE,
has endured as one of the greatest war stories of all time, but it
is more than a war story, it is one of human heroism and failings,
and the interference of gods. To help understand the work, all in
beautiful fine watercolours, Hinds presents us with an illustrated
cast of characters, important Achaeans, mainly in blue (Greeks) and
Trojans, mainly in red, explaining that each character's initial can
be found worked into his armour. The other important players are the
twelve Gods who are depicted in semi-transparent pastel shades.
A prologue sets the scene, explaining the modern day location of the
warring armies, how the war started and the involvement of the Gods.
The story picks up as the battle weary Achaeans, camped outside the
fortress of Troy make offerings to appease the Gods who have brought
sickness to the camp. It is seen that the Gods are angry about the
refusal to ransom the daughter of Apollo's priest, taken as a war
spoil by Agamemnon, the leader of the Achaeans. He agrees to give
her up but claims Achilles' woman Briseis in return. A well placed
footnote explains that the army had been raiding allies of Troy and
that men and women became slaves, valuable 'spoils of war'. Achilles
is furious and withdraws his support. The war continues with the
upper hand shifting backwards and forwards between the two armies
often influenced by the Gods who struggle to exert dominance over
each other. Brave men die on the battlefield, their names recited,
ensuring everlasting fame and honour for their families.
The famous finale between the Trojan hero Hector and Achilles is
gripping, it is a bitterly fought battle vividly brought to life in
the illustrations. The author's note at the end reflects on why we
still read the Iliad. 'Humanity is on display with all its nobility
and pettiness and violence and tenderness, it is, simply, a powerful
story.'
Introducing a new readership to some of the most important works of
Western literature has been the goal of Gareth Hinds' wonderful
adaptations of classics such as Beowulf, the plays of Shakespeare,
and this companion volume to The
Odyssey. The adaptation retains the essence of the original
with helpful maps and notes but some students may find it long and
challenging. However, the characters are the original superheroes
and the story compelling, while senior students will find it
rewarding it will also appeal to action graphic fans of all ages.
Sue Speck
