You're crushing it: Positivity for living your REAL life by Lex Croucher
Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781408892473.
(Age:15+) Recommended. Lex Croucher is an English vlogger whose
videos cover a range of topics including feminism and animal rights.
She uses her influence to advocate for empowering women and girls.
In this book Lex makes use of her extensive experience with
technology and social media to explore the nexus with real life for
teenagers. Immediately relevant to young people are topics such as:
family and friends and creating that team of supporters;
relationships (familial, platonic, romantic, jealousy), body
confidence (acceptance, self-care) and mental health (dealing with
negativity, goals and asking for help). The writing avoids
preachiness and provides a healthy insight into the pitfalls and
pleasures of living in or through an online world. There is hope in
this book. Lex reminds us all that the offshoots from the path we
had mapped out can become the new map. These offshoots can lead to
opportunities that were not dreamed of and yet are just right for
you.
As a common sense guide to being comfortable in your own skin this
book excels. The formatting, anecdotes and the humour will appeal to
the teenage reader but it is the hope and positive examples of ways
a young person might engage with real life that make this book an
unexpected joy to read.
Linda Guthrie
One careless night by Christina Booth
Black Dog Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781925381856.
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Themes: Thylacine, Extinction,
Environment, Tasmania. The image of the last thylacine in its cage
in Hobert is monumental in encouraging people to understand that
extinction means that these incredible animals are no longer on this
planet.
This emotionally draining picture book showing the plight of these
animals, unique to Australia and last seen in Tasmania in the early
years of the twentieth century, will force readers to ask questions
about how this was allowed to happen, and help them take steps to
prevent it happening again.
The stunning cover sets the scene with its dark shades camouflaging
the rear of a thylacine walking in its forest. The arresting cover
forces readers to pause and look before opening the book, gleaning
information about the animal before they proceed. Readers will be
ale to see why it was called 'tiger', its doglike features, its
habitat, while in awe at the skill of the illustrator in referencing
the animals's demise as it walks off the cover.
Each page will draw gasps of wonder as the journey of one thylacine
is followed from her home in the Tasmania bush to her capture and
incarceration in the Hobart Zoo, where, one careless night the
keeper forgets to lock her away and she dies of the cold.
Her days in the forest are spent hunting, teaching her cub how to
survive, running from the shapes that come into the ancient woods to
kill, encouraged by the government bounty on the tigers's head. But
the hunters capture her and she is taken to the city where she is
surrounded by a forest of metal, where she must rely on a keeper to
bring her food and lock her up at night against the cold.
Booth's skill at using digital techniques are nowhere as perfectly
realised as with the illustrations in this book. They are simply
breathtaking, making the reader stop on each page, drinking in the
image presented, looking for the tiger and absorbing clues about its
life. The sparse text accentuates the stunning illustrations, the
words placed on the page contrasting with the images, the font used
impelling the reader to read and think about the words presented.
The author's note at the end followed by the government advice about
the bounty round off an emotionally stunning book, forcing readers
to think more carefully at how easily things are lost forever. Teacher's
notes are available.
Fran Knight
Jaclyn Hyde by Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White
HarperCollins, 2019. ISBN: 9780062954626.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Themes: Science; Perfectionism; Jekyll and
Hyde; Mystery; Personality. Jaclyn Hyde is a girl whose desire in
all of life is to be as perfect as she can be. Mostly she is quite
successful at being perfect, but as is the way with some
high-achievers, she always dreams of more success. The discovery of
a science recipe for a Perfection Potion in the rather scary
abandoned Enfield Manor leads to a series of transforming moments.
With more than a passing nod to the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde story,
Jaclyn Hyde transforms into her 'bad' alter-ego, Jackie. Jaclyn's
best friends, Paige and Fatima, work alongside her in trying to
resolve the disaster that is unleashed at school by the
Jaclyn-Jackie confusion.
This is a wonderful, funny story with some endearing, subtle (and
sometimes more obvious) humour and some explosive moments! Set
within a USA Middle School context in fictional Fog Island, there
are moments of insight into psychological issues for the young
characters, but mostly this is just a fun reconstruction of the
Jekyll and Hyde story. A performance of a school musical has some
positively ridiculous moments involving a Moose costume! Male and
female readers will enjoy the hilarious journey.
Carolyn Hull
Girl running, boy falling by Kate Gordon
Rhiza Edge, 2018. ISBN: 9781925563528.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Themes: Suicide, friends, family,
depression. CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers notable 2019.
Academic, talented, with the lead in the school musical, good
friends and a part time job at Woolworths, it would seem that Tiger
has everything a 16 year old girl from a small Tasmanian town could
want. However, with absent parents, she feels fragmented, hiding the
broken part of herself by filling her days, running from one thing
to another, proving herself. Raised by a loving aunt and
grandparents, Tiger has been in a tight group of friends since
primary school. Best friend Nick Wallace, Wally, a star football
player, son of a star football player tragically killed when Wally
was three, is expected to be selected to play AFL and leave to play
on the mainland. He shares a more sensitive side with Tiger, quoting
poetry, making her feel special and she starts to wonder if he will
ask her to go with him or if he too will go away. The chapters are
interspersed with letters to 'Dear Dad' and later 'Dear Mum'
revealing the writer's innermost thoughts, when Wally suicides, the
ultimate abandonment, her friends try to help but she pushes them
away. With the help of a friend outside her closest circle she
gradually comes to terms with her losses and gets help with her
grief. The stand out character is her Aunt who is always there for
Tiger, sensitively supporting her with unconditional love, willing
to wait until Tiger is ready to do what no one else can do for her.
The story has a strong sense of place and Aussie flavour with a lot
of recognisable references and I like that Grandma's chook shed is a
special place. I found friend Melody a bit over the top, 'Sometimes
people don't want to live inside a feminist echo chamber' p. 12.
also some of the food stereotypes, vegemite sandwiches and steamed
buns. There were some characters who seemed as if they would have a
role to play but were left behind. A quick read which will be
devoured by middle school girls. There are many like books
which could be read with this, I enjoyed I
had Such Friends by Meg Gatland-Veness.
Teacher's notes are available.
Sue Speck
Cheeky dogs: to Lake Nash and back by Dion Beasley and Johanna Bell
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760528119.
(Age: 5 to adult) Highly recommended. Themes: Aboriginal themes,
Aboriginal stories, Autobiography, Outback Australia, Communities,
The Lands. A wonderfully inventive chronicle of one man's life
unfolds as pages full of those well known cheeky dogs punctuate his
journey from Lake Nash to Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Elliott,
and all places between in the eastern part of the Northern Territory
abutting Sandover Highway. Here Dion was born in 1991, his mother
going to Alice Springs, but returning to Lake Nash after his birth.
From there he travelled all over the area, Soapy Bore, Elliott,
Ampilatwatja, Canteen Creek, with his mother, finally living with
his grandfather at Mulga Camp after her death. Each place has a mix
of cheeky dogs coming in all shapes and colours. Once when Dion went
to the shop several big angry dogs surrounded him and scared him.
But now he loves riding his mobility scooter around the town of
Tennant Creek where he lives with Joy and her husband, Tony, feeding
the dogs and collecting rocks and images of dogs for his artwork.
Joy, an old white woman, took Dion in when his grandfather died and
is now his carer. Being profoundly deaf and contracting muscular
dystrophy has not stopped this young man taking life as it comes,
greeting every new day with purpose as he feeds and watches the
dogs. His memoir is full fo life and humour and is intoxicating in
its portrayal of a life lived so far from the cities where most of
us live.
His lively illustrations are full of the dogs he sees in all the
places he has lived and on each page readers will spot the dogs - on
the roads, travelling in packs, fighting, surrounding the edges of
the page. Beasley's marvellously naive style documents the many
places he has lived, with his flat maps of the communities and
camps, drawings of the houses, swimming pool, shops, images of the
environment as well as drawings and photos of his journey through
the footpaths and laneways of Tennant Creek. Readers will learn of
the remote townships where he has lived and the life he lives now in
Tennant Creek, of the events which fill his day. This is an
absorbing look at one man's life in remote Australia, his affinity
with his environment, his love of family and the place called Lake
Nash.
Fran Knight
My name is NOT Peaseblossom by Jackie French
Angus and Robertson, 2019. ISBN: 9781460754788.
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Themes: Shakespeare; Love and power;
Fairies; Midsummer Night's Dream. Jackie French has written over 100
books, and each one contains its own magic. This book though
contains a healthy measure of fairy magic and the essence of
Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream - a potent and
enchanted mixture to entrance the reader. Told from the perspective
of Peaseblossom, a servant of the Fairy Queen Titania, with his
fairy relative Puck as his guide and mentor, we discover the
fairies' perspective of the love stories and lives that are woven in
the Shakespearean tale. The characters of Lysander, Demetrius,
Helena, Hermia, Hippolyta and Theseus appear, with the rule and
authority of Oberon and Titania; but we are also introduced to other
participants in the fairy kingdom and the fantasy powers of fairies
(including the tooth fairy), selkies, vampires, banshees and other
assorted magical creatures that inhabit the world. (Note: even Elvis
Presley makes an appearance in this world in the lead-up to
Midsummer night! Are you lonesome tonight? and Love me
Tender are crooned in the background!)
The essential story of love and power, and freedom and
responsibility, is told through the dramatic tale of love when
Peaseblossom, posing as Pete, discovers the entrancing Gaela (a
selkie) who makes the best pizza in the world. Will the discovery of
love create chaos in the controlled fairy world? And should
Pete/Peaseblossom defy the rule of the Fairy Queen to pursue the
love that he has found for himself?
Even without a prior knowledge of Midsummer night's dream,
this book is accessible for young readers, but the occasional
inclusion of a direct quote from the play may confuse some. This
book has its own joys and delights, and the inimitable Jackie French
has explored and untangled some of the threads of the Shakespearean
play in a way that will be enjoyed by both Shakespeare-focused
readers and those who have only a passing knowledge of his work. And
the world of fairies has a wonderful charisma with time-travel
adventures and magical potions, as well as the ability to paint the
world with colour!
(The author's notes at the end of the book imply that this is the
last of the Shakespearean literary excursions . . . unless of course
some fairy dust settles and compels another!)
Carolyn Hull
Anna of Kleve, Queen of Secrets by Alison Weir
Six Tudor Queens. Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9781472227737.
(Age: Adult - Adolescent) This compelling work vividly recreates the
rule of the iconic King Henry VIII. Anna is forced by her brother,
Wilhelm, ruler of the duchy of Kleve, to marry the English King
Henry, in order to align their countries. Henry had liked her
portrait and finds that he likes her, but cannot make love to her to
produce the important extra heir to the English throne. In this new
historical novel, part of her series Six Tudor Queens,
Alison Weir has vividly recreated Anna's story from the surviving
historical documents. This was a time when alliances were being made
by those who supported the growing Protestant movement, a time of
great upheaval in Europe where Catholicism had been dominant for so
many years.
Weir's narrative is richly detailed and deeply thought-provoking.
She raises the issue of planned alliances, with the 'right' marriage
considered as useful in healing rifts and cementing support among
the many countries of that world. Yet we are aware of the fear of
those who are involved in withholding truth and of those who do not
do what Henry wants, that they may be jailed, beheaded or hanged for
their perceived crime. Anna's secrets make her fear for her life.
While Henry cannot understand his inability to love Anna as he had
planned, her intelligence gives her an advantage that is outside the
realm of her questionable sexual attraction. When Henry decides that
she is a good friend to him as a dear 'sister', her fear begins to
lessen, although the secret that she keeps from him is never far
from her mind, as is her fear that the truths that she conceals will
be her undoing.
This is a compelling story, one that is indeed hard to put down.
Written for those who love history, particularly when the writer
recreates the world of the text so brilliantly, this novel is
powerful, its characters and issues staying in the mind long after
the book is finished. It is appropriate for adolescent and adult
reading, particularly for readers who enjoy the vivid recreation of
the life and times of such an iconic king as Henry Tudor.
Elizabeth Bondar
Nits! by Stephanie Blake
Gecko Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781776572243.
(Age: 3-7) Highly recommended. Themes: Nits, Friendship, Kindness.
Another book featuring Simon, the cheeky rabbit from I
can't sleep, Poo Bum, Super Rabbit and
others, sees Simon falling in love. He loves Lou but Lou loves
Mamadou and he is very jealous and doesn't know what he can do about
it. But then Lou gets nits and even Mamadou teases her. Simon is
steadfast in his love for her, and the reader can guess what will
happen when she kisses him for being so kind.
The bold colours, bright pinks, blues and yellows of the
illustrations are just gorgeous. Each individual rabbits has a
unique personality while Simon stands out from the rest of the
group, because he is a wearing a blue mask. The little hearts that
hover above the head Lou of the rabbits are really cute and make her
stand out as well.
The text is printed in a bold black and its sparseness makes for a
great read aloud, but it is also a book that newly independent
readers might like to tackle for themselves.
The story is a lot of fun to read and children will have plenty to
think about as they watch the growing relationship between Simon and
Lou. Nits are a common problem in schools and Blake will calm
readers' fears about catching them when she has Simon reassure Lou
that her mother will fix it. The humorous illustration of Lou
kissing Simon will also demonstrate just how easy it is to get nits,
regardless of how clean one's hair is. The kindness of Simon,
staying true to Lou and not joining in teasing or isolating Lou, is
a message that comes across strongly in the book.
Pat Pledger
Nullaboo Hullabaloo by Fleur Ferris
Puffin, 2019. ISBN: 9780143787143.
(Age: 8-12) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy; Fairies; School; Country
and farming communities. Gemma's science project is to research an
insect, but her initial field research on the school grounds leads
to a chance encounter with the hidden fairy community that lives
there. Living under the threat of the local silver spiders, the
fairies are desperate to survive. The revelation to the world of the
reality of fairies happens without Gemma's approval, and before long
the fairy community and Gemma and her family face another menace
from a bigger threat. Gemma's concern for the fairies and her
resolve to save them leads to a country community rising to
demonstrate their caring nature. The environmental concern of the
local rice growers is a parallel story that has its own stresses and
strains.
This is a different fantasy story, and the revelation of the fairy
world, their traumas and their limited magical attributes is handled
with a light touch and in an intriguing way. Young readers will be
delighted by the possibilities of having fairies at the bottom of
the 'school garden'. The pressures of the Government department that
is dedicated to eliminate the fairy world will add interest and
tension as the story unfolds. Sparely illustrated by Briony Stewart,
the line drawings add interest throughout the book.
Carolyn Hull
Sick Bay by Nova Weetman
UQP, 2019. ISBN: 9780702260322.
(Age: 10-14) Highly recommended. Themes: Friendship; Sickness;
Diabetes; Fitting in; Grief and Depression. Nova Weetman has written
another delightful friendship story that weaves a saga in and around
the difficulties of Year 6; struggling with grief and depression in
a family; and coping with the constant diligence of Diabetes Type 1.
The Sick Bay is the location where Meg finds solace from the world,
but also the place that feels more home than home since the death of
her father and the slide into deep depression for her mother. Meg is
constantly hungry and needs to cope with far more than just school.
Her only friend is her brown paper bag - ready to be used in case of
a panic attack. School is mercilessly unkind to her, but Lina - the
'queen bee' of the 'cool' girls seems to be the unkindest of all.
Dash is a regular visitor to Sick Bay because of his asthma, but it
is new girl Riley who creates waves for Meg. Riley is coping with
her own dilemmas as she is trying hard to be independent and yet fit
in, but her diabetes means that she is either misunderstood by her
peers or smothered by her mother's concern. The connection between
these two girls seems unlikely at first as Riley has become one of
Lina's sidekicks, but slowly Riley finds more in the Sick Bay than
just a place to take her blood sugar readings. The girls become more
than just Sick Bay refugees and understanding grows.
School based drama and friendship difficulties are part of the life
of most year 6 students, but the success of this book is that there
are layers of difficulties for the central characters that most kids
would never even consider. Creating empathy and understanding will
be the result for readers of this book. The book is written from the
perspectives of Meg and Riley in alternating chapters, and so we
hear their inner dialogue and concerns. There were moments when I
was almost brought to tears as I considered how difficult their
lives had become, and although adult intervention seemed distant (it
was there, but understated) this is probably reflective of how the
young see their lives.
Carolyn Hull
The Poppa Platoon in Saving Private Rabbit by Danny Katz
Illus. by Mitch Vane. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781742769257.
(Age: 6-9) Recommended. Themes: Birthday parties; Friendship;
Humour. Tapping into the current trend for comic stories, Danny Katz
(of Little Lunch fame) has created a 'mission' to attend the
Friendship-Bear birthday party for Abbie. Her Poppa is the
responsible adult to accompany Abbie and her friends on the risky
manoeuvres through the local shopping mall to the Friendship-Bear
party store. The dangers and problems that beset the young troop
will be understood be all who have attended a large shopping Mall!
Poppa is perhaps the one who suffers the most from this excursion
into 'danger'. . . but the party is important. And when Private
Rabbit goes missing, Abbie demonstrates extreme bravery and
leadership.
This book is full of kid-friendly humour and illustrations, and
although there may be some indirect references to 'military'
procedures that will pass over the heads and understanding of the
youngest readers, the inclusion of the booger on the end of the
finger of the Boogey-Woogie Booger Boy will amuse the young.
Illustrations by Mitch Vane are in a messy cartoon and almost
caricature-style and are quite amusing. This is not a book for
thinkers, but will be enjoyed as light-hearted entertainment for
young independent readers.
Carolyn Hull
Where Dani goes, happy follows by Rose Lagercrantz
Illus. by Eva Eriksson. My happy life series. Gecko Press,
2019. ISBN: 9781776572267.
This book by Gecko Press publishing house that promises 'curiously
good books' from around the world, will have readers enthralled at
Dani's journey, willing her to find her friend but not a little
concerned for her safety along the way. The book touches on themes
not usually shown in children's books. Her father is depressed over
his wife's death, his parents not a little unhappy at being called
in to help, and the irrepressible Dani is travelling alone to
Northbrook. She runs into trouble on the way which she must contend
with.
Dani is a strong young girl and this the sixth in the series will
delight younger readers who love her character, but also those new
to her stories.
Dani has been left again with her grandparents while Dad goes to
Italy to stay with friends. Dani is not impressed and when she
realises that tomorrow is Ella's birthday resolves to be her present
and be with her old friend on the day. But no one can spare the time
to take her so she is allowed to go by herself on the train. Armed
with a mobile phone and knowing that Ella's family will be there to
welcome her when she arrives, Dani sets off. But hurdles beset her:
there is no one at the station, it is cold and snowing, the
stationmaster leaves her in the waiting room where she is accosted
by two youths and a dog, who take her phone, and someone walks in
when she is hiding under the bench so does not see her.
Each incident will have readers thinking about what they would do in
that situation and admire Dani's handling of her misfortunes. It is
a strength of this wonderful read that Dani although a child is
having to face more mature problems. In simply wanting to surprise
her friend, she takes steps which go awry, but there are people
there to help.
The illustrations show clearly the sort of young girl Dani is:
resourceful, playful and generous, wanting to see Ella again, but
also realising that there are other people to consider. She learns
more about her father even though he is in Rome, as well as his old
girlfriend, Sadie and her new friend, Cushion, and in going on this
journey to see her old friend, Ella, realises that things change and
accepts Cushion as her friend.
Fran Knight
Don't follow Vee by Oliver Phommavanh
Penguin, 2019, ISBN: 9780143505747.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Themes: Social media, Families,
Mothers. Oliver Phommavanh's novel Don't follow Vee looks at
the current trend of parents to overshare on social media and the
positive and negative impacts on their families in a fun and
insightful way.
Vee's mum has recorded every moment of her daughter's life since she
was a baby. As her thirteenth birthday approaches, Vee needs to make
some big decisions, to continue with 'The Chronicles of Vee' or come
up with an alternate plan. The plan includes becoming anti-Vee
making her life unfollowable and turning her mum's focus onto her
pursuing new activities. Vee has boundaries as well; she protects
her friendships by not posting any of their photos. When her mum
breaks the Golden Rule, Vee really begins to question the realities
of constant posting.
Every morning she wakes to her mum snapping a picture to add to 'The
Chronicles of Vee' - an account her mum started when she was a baby.
They have 100,000 followers and Mum has found sponsors who provide
their products to promote. Her pencil case is stocked with the
latest Typo products. Mum has themes for different day, Saturday
becomes Fiturday as they train for the Colour Run. When her mum
starts doing things like making up stories that get Vee unwanted
attention at school, and breaking Vee's golden rule of not posting
pictures of her friends, Vee starts to wonder if maybe it's time to
stop.
Vee values her best friend Annabelle's close relationship; things
change when her mother adds her photo to Vee's posts. Vee's anti-Vee
antics including dyeing her hair bright red have repercussions at
school and home.
Oliver Phommavanh's humorous novel is character-driven as Vee, her
mother and her close friends both guys and girls grapple with their
own and their on-line personas. Themes of growth and resilience,
self-perception, peer pressure and the realities and consequences of
creating and maintaining social media personas are presented in a
humorous and easy to read style. What impact now and in the future
will the one billion users of Instagram in May 2019 have? Don't follow Vee is an inspiring story, perfect to share with
Upper Primary students engaging with social awareness and digital
communication.
Rhyllis Bignell
Raising Readers by Megan Daley
UQP, 2019. ISBN: 9780702262579.
(Age: Adult) Recommended. This is unashamedly a book about books,
the subtitle How to nurture a child's love of books clearly
places the author among those for whom books are a passion they want
everyone to share. However, instead of a lot of 'motherhood'
statements the first part is full of well researched information
about the mechanics of reading organised along developmental stages
with multiple strategies for enhancing learning and dealing with
issues as they are encountered. The difference between educational
readers and recreational reading is explained, stimulating different
kinds of learning in the child, one without the other will leave
gaps. Equally the importance of comprehension along with word
recognition is explored. Asserting the need for multiple strategies
for children learning to read, the author has included are many
first-hand accounts from experts and 'literary friends'.
Particularly valuable are the book recommendations which
refreshingly feature Australian books. Parents and educators need to
offer children a balanced literary diet but can unconsciously do a
disservice by selecting books with a gender bias. Marketing is often
quite gender specific and in one of the very interesting
contributions author Jacqueline Harvey talks about the frustrations
of adults making decisions that her books are not for boys. The
second part of the book looks at the features of different genres,
as a fan of graphic novels I was pleased to see them discussed and
valued. The chapter on multimodal and digital reading suggests the
decoding skills necessary for reading can be transferred
successfully into computational thinking, 'thinking logically,
decomposing into smaller parts, looking for and recognising
patterns, abstracting ideas, designing algorithms and making
judgements' p. 150. Computer coding is a language and learning it can
enable children 'not just to use digital technologies, but to read,
comprehend and create them p. 151. Making and creating are integral
parts of a reading strategy, from making book week costumes to
library makerspaces and the research skills acquired, the link
between enjoying stories and creating responses to them whether it
be written, oral or visual are not forgotten. Some of the more
subtle aspects of reading; mindfulness, sustainability and diversity
are discussed and there are some useful 'How to' guides at the end
of the book. Comprehensive end notes and contributor biographies
make this a surprisingly concise, readable, useful and inspiring
addition to any parent or teacher's library.
Sue Speck
Mr Walker gets the inside scoop by Jess Black
Illus. by Sara Acton. Mr Walker book 2. Penguin, 2019, ISBN:
9780143793090.
(Age: 7-9) Recommended. Themes: Dogs, Hotels, Therapy Pets. What do
you do with a wonderful dog who's been trained by Guide Dogs
Victoria, whose larger-than-life personality makes him too lively to
assist vision-impaired people? Mr Walker now lives with his official
foster carer at Park Hyatt Melbourne Hotel. Author Jess Black has
written an engaging series of junior novels based on Mr Walker and
his engaging interactions and encounters with both staff and guests.
Hotel manager Henry Reeves and his family are the official carers of
Mr Walker, Labrador Ambassador. With the family off on a holiday
cruise, the friendly dog is left in the capable hands of the staff,
Omid Abedini, porter Thomas Glover and Elvis Head of Housekeeping.
Cue the drama, Jamie Gibson, hotel reviewer whose critiques are
often scathing is planning a visit, as well as a new hospitality
student from the country is arriving for a week's work experience.
The hotel staff go all out, cleaning, and tidying, making their
beloved hotel sparkle for Jamie Gibson. Poor Mr Walker is very
confused, not understanding Omid's figures of speech, 'Let's get all
our ducks in a row. What ducks?' Hoping to help he takes the
hospitality student under his wing and show her just what happens
behind the scenes. His attempts to help are comical and cause
troubles for the staff and Jess Black creatively handles the mix-up
between the student who is treated to a five-star stay and the
reviewer's time at the hotel.
With a beautiful hard cover and Sarah Acton's charming water-colour
illustration of Mr Walker fetching a paper, and black sketches of Mr
Walker's antics throughout this junior novel it is just right for
readers aged seven to nine.
Jess Black has created a loveable character who's valued by his
hotel family, and Mr Walker Gets the Inside Scoop is another
appealing addition to this fun to read series.
Rhyllis Bignell
