Kensy and Max, book 3. Random House, 2019. ISBN:
9780143791904.
(Age: 9-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Brothers and sisters, Spies,
Mysteries, Missing persons. After a week's intensive training in spy
craft, eleven-year-old twins Kensy and Max return to their London
home to begin the new school term. Kensy's unsettled and distracted
behaviour, thinking of her missing parents and grandparents, leads
to an unfortunate explosion in the school laboratory. When a second
blast destroys their grandmother's seven storey house, Kensy and Max
are packed off to Sydney to escape the espionage.
Granny Cordelia sends the twins to far away Sydney, Australia from
the danger; their new mission focuses on uncovering the troubles and
problems their grandmother's best friend's family are facing. They
are sent to infiltrate Van and Ellery Chalmers' posh private school
and watch the children. With Song the butler and Fitz as their
guardian and protector, Kensy and Max soon settle in to Sydney life.
Secret coded messages from their parents encourage the children to
keep on going. Fitz is disguised as the new PE teacher and the twins
placed in Year 5 and 6, Van and Ellery Chalmers' classes.
Counterpoint to this main story, we gain insight into the
whereabouts of the missing grandparents and their captivity. Kensy
and Max's spy skills come in to play, with the accompaniment of
their affable next-door neighbour Curtis whose knowledge of
transport and locations is very beneficial. Max's discovery of his
cricket skills also proves valuable. The reasons behind Mrs
Chalmers' secretive behaviour, hiding resources to help her escape
with her children also become apparent.
Jacqueline Harvey's 'Undercover' delivers another fast-paced story.
She is the master of creating exciting characters, set in the
backdrop of her familiar home-town Sydney. She is not afraid to deal
with bullying, industrial espionage, chemical warfare and domestic
abuse. The author continues to develop significant themes of
friendship, sibling loyalty, creative problem solving and personal
growth. Undercover is another brilliant read, complete with spy craft
and code cracking, proving to be another winner for the preteen and
young teen audience.
Rhyllis Bignell
Ivanhoe Swift left home at six by Jane Godwin
Ill. by A.Yi. Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760631864.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Adventure, Growing up,
Independence. Ivanhoe is determined to see what lies over the hill,
to travel to places unseen, to explore the world beyond his home.
His parents are concerned as they watch him pack. But Mum sings him
a song as he walks off, wishing him well on his journey but
reminding him that home is always there.
He has many adventures and meets a new friend, Maisie Jane. Together
they cross the fast flowing river, calm on top, but moving quickly
beneath and find an apple tree where they can eat their fill. Maisie
Jane discovers a little house and asks Ivanhoe to stay with her. He
tells her he still has more of the world to see. He sings a song to
himself as he walks through the dark forest and his kite is torn by
a group of bullies, but still he journeys on.
He reaches the sea, a place of wonderment and awe. He sits down to
mend his kite but the fierce wind carries it away. Cold and wet, he
recalls his mother's song and falls asleep. He wakes to find Maisie
Jane and together they walk up the hill until Ivanhoe recognises
where he is, and invites Maisie Jane home to tea. He tells his
parents of his journey, singing the new songs he has learnt, and
settling down to sleep, telling them that his adventures are over
for now.
The subtlety behind Godwin's simple story of gaining one's
independence will not be lost on its audience, as they all try out
new things everyday, stretching their worlds, pushing beyond what is
known.
Ivanhoe's journey is most satisfying; he meets new people, avoids
the bullies, can see for himself the dangers beneath the waters,
learns to sing his own songs and knows that his home is always there
for him to return.
Supported by the wonderful light touch of A. Yi's illustrations,
readers will love exploring Ivanhoe's world with him, seeking to
find out what lies beneath and over the hill as he does. Her
illustrations are full of life, moving with the boy as he explores
his world, taking him to places he has not seen before but evoking a
solidity with his parents through the words of his mother's song,
written across several pages.
Fran Knight
The Curses by Laure Eve
Faber and Faber 2019. ISBN: 9780571328048.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. The Curses, sequel to The Graces,
follows The Grace children and their recently resurrected friend,
Wolf. Wolf is the first person who has ever been resurrected but
something's off with Wolf, is it just that he'd been dead and come
back or is he completely changed? No longer wary of the love he and
Fenrin share, the pair grow closer and more reckless. Meanwhile,
Thalia grows close to Nathaniel, their dead cousin's boyfriend who
only seems to be encouraged by Thalia and Iona's resemblance. Is it
only Summer that can see something's wrong? And how does the Grace
family curse play into all this?
Strange things have begun to happen in town and it seems witchcraft
is never far away. With River's power and the handful of other
amateurs trying their hand at magic, it's up to the residence
witches to reign in the magic before anyone else can be harmed. With
the help of River, the wealth of Marcus' supernatural knowledge, and
a great deal of initiative perhaps Fenrin, Thalia, and Summer can
clean up their mess before their parents find out.
With magic and plenty of mischief, Eve's novel explores grief,
greed, and making mistakes. This coming of age novel shows that
everyone has a lot of learn, regardless of their age with not only
the children but also the parents being shown as complicated and
conflicted beings. I would recommend for lovers of fantasy twelve
and up.
Kayla Gaskell
The Runaway by Jane Smith
Tommy Bell Bushranger Boy book 7. Big Sky Publishing, 2018.
ISBN: 9781925675894. 111p.
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Historical, Speculative. Francis is
'that' friend who has a knack of getting his mates into trouble. He
wasn't even supposed to go on holiday to Carly's place in Queensland
with Tommy and Martin, who had set aside their time-travelling
cabbage-tree hat and boots for the time being. That is until Francis
inadvertently sends Tommy back into history.
One good deed leads to another in the bushranging days, but Tommy is
recognized by his enemy - Frank Gardner. Frank has turned over a new
leaf as the proprietor of an Inn, in Apis Creek. Frank locks Tommy
up to deal with him later but the mysterious old hat is on the
blink. Trapped, Tommy settles down for the night. Frank has bigger
problems as it seems the Police are closing in, without Tommy's
help.
Tommy and Martin make several trips back into the past to find out
what happened to Frank and his girlfriend, Kate. The Runaway has the same printing hallmarks as Jane Smith's
earlier books about the 'bushranger' boy. Smith has appended three
additional sections after the last chapter: An Historical Note, Q
and A with Archibald Craig (a minor character) and About the Author.
No doubt there are more instalments to come as the author leaves the
ending open for another adventure. Teacher's
notes for all Jane's books, including relevant links to the
Australian Curriculum English Language Arts are available.
Deborah Robins
Happy Camper! By Shamini Flint
Ill. by Sally Heinrich. The Susie K Diaries. Allen and
Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760528287.
(Age: 7 - 10) Recommended. Themes: Camping, Life skills,
Problem-solving, Friendship. The idea of going on a school camping
trip is very stressful for the main character, Susie K., who is much
more comfortable sleeping in her own bed with her skeleton and the
school goldfish.
She feels pressure from her mother to succeed on this trip and she
uses her excellent problem-solving skills and her reading to help
her out on this new adventure.
This is the fourth book in this series and a brief introduction of
the main character at the beginning means it can stand alone as a
good read for younger readers.
Written in cartoon style with predominantly pictures and speech
bubbles telling the story, younger readers will find this an easy
read that maintains a good pace.
Susie K. develops well as a character and assists the other students
during the first part of the camp and an unlikely friendship is
formed when she is separated from the group with a girl who is not
usually in her circle of friends. The goldfish provides amusing
comments that add to the story.
This book is not one that can be read aloud to the class as it
relies on the illustrations to tell much of the story. It would be a
good introduction to the Graphic novel genre for younger students.
If read by a group, it could provide an avenue to discuss trying new
things and expanding horizons for children who find it difficult to
get out of their comfort zone.
Gabrielle Anderson
Love lie repeat by Catherine Greer
Penguin Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780143791225.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. All Annie wants is to be loved. By
Trip. By Ash and Ruby. By her parents. Even by her dead aunt,
Margaretta, who ruined everything.
Following the friendship ins and outs of Annie, Ash, and Ruby, three
'it' girls or 'sirens' in Sydney's rich Upper North Shore, Love
lie repeat shows the addictiveness of lies and manipulation
when you've got something to hide from everyone, including yourself.
Following Annie and her budding relationship with Ash's step-brother
Trip, a notorious fire-starter from Canada, the reader delves into
Annie's mind and her past to discover just what has soured this
beautiful and self-assured teenager.
Intoxicating and addictive, Annie, Ash, and Ruby's friendship is
half dream half nightmare. With sweet lies, broken trust, and
manipulation Annie keeps her best friends in line, carefully peeling
them away from her unfaithful boyfriend with little lies, spilled
secrets, and punishment. Meanwhile Trip romances each girl in turn
in different ways. A flirt and a liar, Trip is made for Annie. But
what is Annie protecting by endangering her friendships and her
friends? Love lie repeat will keep you on the edge of your seat as you
try to uncover just what is driving Annie's need to be loved. Her
tumultuous relationship with her parents and her memories of the
aunt everybody loved are sprawled throughout the novel reminding
readers that Annie's life and this story isn't just about Annie and
her friends. Highly recommended for girls twelve and up. Teacher's
notes are available.
Kayla Gaskell
Baz and Benz by Heidi McKinnon
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760523688.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: Friendship, Visual literacy,
Humour. A story promoting friendship despite the annoying behaviour
of one, will find a place in every classroom as friendships and
their resultant disharmonies take up a lot of classroom time. How
opportune to have this book on hand which promotes friendship and in
a humorous way lets readers know that we are all different and
despite being the best of friends, a friend may some times be
annoying. Baz in asking questions tests the boundaries of their
friendship, and the things which make friends, friends.
With two owls sitting on a branch staring out at the reader, Baz
asks Benz to confirm that they are the best of friends, and when
Benz tells him that yes they are the best of friends, Baz then
details a few things which might make a difference to their
friendship. Will they still be friends when he is purple, or purple
with spots, or if he says Meep all the time? Each time, Benz answers
positively although the look in his eyes starts to question.
When Baz then says Meep all the time, Benz tells him that this is
really annoying, and asks him to stop.
Baz then disappears, but returns to say that he may be a bat. Benz
tells him that this would be scary, and that he would be afraid.
Despite all this, Benz tells him that they would still be friends.
Told with humour, the look on both faces on each page will titillate
the readers as they can easily see just how each is feeling,
encouraging facial recognition.
McKinnon's bold use of blocks of colour, like screen printing,
encourages the readers to focus on the action of the story, watching
for visual clues on each page.
I laughed out loud at I
just ate my friend (2017) and this one is just as funny,
exploring the limits of friendship and encouraging visual literacy.
Fran Knight
Blabbermouth: Oops, I've done it again! by Chrissie Perry
Illus. by Pete Petrovic. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760660956.
(Ages: 8-11) Recommended. Themes: Personality, Communication skills,
Reputation. What happens when you're nervous and you can't help
blurting things out, even other people's secrets? Chrissie Perry's Blabbermouth
is a fun, easy to read story with lively and amusing cartoon
illustrations that chronicle Amelie Anderson's life as she starts
Year 5. The author captures the school dramas and friendship highs
and lows of this super sparkly, friendly girl.
Amelie is very aware of her biggest problem; she's a blabbermouth,
she just can't help it, it's embarrassing for herself and her
friends. In her friendship circle Pepper, Charlie and Sophie
understand her ways, even when she sometimes goes a little
overboard. Meanwhile, one of her friends from Year 4 camp has
changed, Paris has become her frenemy, choosing to ignore and not
include her.
Being a Year 5 student means more responsibility, helping out with
the little buddies at play time and also has the privileges of
sitting on the west benches. All the girls like to watch Magnificent
Miles Lancaster, who's the state high jump champion and Sophie's
especially keen on him. When he reminds the girls about helping out
with the younger students, only Amelie replies, everyone else is
tongue tied!
Amelie seeks out an opportunity to prove she can change and secretly
becomes Ava the advice columnist for the school newspaper. She
learns to write with compassion and understanding developing her
responses from knee-jerk reactions to more considered and caring
responses. Everyone at school is surprised when they read the paper
and try to discover who Ava is. Blabbermouth explores emotional resilience, friendships and
finding your place in the upper years of primary school. With
different font styles and sizes and Pete Petrovic's fun characters -
Amelie with a real zip on her lips - this a great novel for hi-lo
readers. Perry worked with students from Years 4-6 to inspire her
and she presents a genuine understanding of Amelie's personal growth
and her willingness to change.
Rhyllis Bignell
Queen of air and darkness by Cassandra Clare
Dark Artifices book 3. Simon and Schuster; 2018. ISBN:
9781471116704. 880p; p/b.
In this third instalment in the Dark Artifices series of
Shadowhunter novels, Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn must deal
with the loss of Julian's sister and the Inquisitor, as well as the
oppressive machinations of the latter's replacement. Even more so
than usual for sequels, Queen of air and darkness is hard to
get into at the start, being part of a well established series and
spending a lot of time at the start dealing with the events of the
previous book. However, once the reader's caught up and the new plot
kicks into gear, there's plenty to like. While the antagonist's
racist agenda is a bit one-dimensional and old hat, it's not the
real focus, serving as a backdrop to explore troubled romances and
the coping of loss, which it does well.
The prose is descriptive and engaging, and Clare proves she knows
how to keep some levity in a grim situation without adversely
affecting the tone. Fans of Clare's other novels will find this just
as fantastic and enthralling as her other titles. The book makes use
of a diverse range of character representations including
transgender.
Some readers may be put off by the size of the book and due to the
vast thickness of the novel, this is recommended for avid readers,
lovers of Clare's other novels and bookworms. Although the sheer
engaging and impossible-to-stop reading way Clare writes for her
audiences, the story will seem like it is over quickly.
Vincent Hermann
Pearl the proper unicorn by Sally Odgers
Illus. by Adele K. Thomas. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760661854.
(Age: 6+) Themes: Magic, Unicorns. Sally Odgers continues her
delightful magical series in Pearl the proper unicorn.
Colourful pages, borders, and magical words, make this an
easy-to-read and share story, just right for young unicorn fans.
Pearl loves making special treats for her friends, Tweet the
Firebird and Olive the Ogre. Sometimes muddled combination of words
accompanied by her head tossing and hoof stomping creates unique
results. She's interrupted by an excited Tweet who flies in and
lands on Pearl's horn announcing a special visitor to the kingdom.
Pearl is surprised to meet Prince Percival the Positively Perfect
Prancer with a sparkling horn and gorgeous long tail.
He's surprised by Pearl's magical spell casting. He stands perfectly
still and doesn't wiggle or muddle up the words. Unfortunately, he's
not impressed with Pearl's friends, a horrible noisy ogre and a
small firebird. When stinky gobble-uns take over the pond turning it
into a smelly place, the colour of pea soup, Pearl has to make a
decision. Will she follow perfect Prince Percival's advice and try
proper magic or will she use her hoof tossing, tail swishing and
flicking song?
Problem solving, valuing friends and believing in yourself help
Pearl to grow and believe in herself.
Adele K Thomas' fun, pink, grey and black pictures show both Pearl's
magical world and add sparkle to Sally Odgers enchanting story. Pearl
the proper unicorn is just right for young unicorn lovers
stepping from picture books to early chapter stories.
Rhyllis Bignell
Gorski's Bitemare by Robert Favretto
Illus. by Danny Willis. Gorski's Bitemare. Ford Street
Publishing, 2019. ISBN: 9781925804164.
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Humour, Family, Vampires, Adventure,
School, Consequences. Gorski, his sister Drusella, and their parents
turn into vampires when night comes. Both Gorski's parents work
night
shift in human jobs -his dad as a phlebotomist (someone who takes
blood) and his mum as a photo developer who works in a dark room.
While they are at work Gorski and Drusella go to the Belfry Academy
which is
a school for all kinds of bats.
After meeting their new teacher, the very scary Dr Acula, Gorski and
his best mate, Bram decide to escape school to search for mosquitoes
to feast on at the local swamp. While on their adventure, Gorski is
bitten
by an officious student fruit bat and it sets off a chain of events
in motion including detention from Dr Acula as well as a devastating
change to Gorski's bat body. Dr Stoker is called into treat Gorski
but it seems that
there is little hope unless they can find a miraculous cure.
Gorski is a mischievous character who is always planning his next
adventure. He keeps the reader amused with his antics which will
appeal to many younger students. The author has cleverly included
bat facts and humorous bat language throughout this book. The
detailed illustrations are spaced throughout the book and set the
scene for this light hearted story.
Kathryn Beilby
Enchantee by Gita Trelease
Macmillan, 2019. ISBN: 9781509895977.
(Age: Young adult) Recommended. 8.5/10. Themes: Young Adult -
Fantasy, Romance, France and Paris 1789. An exciting fantasy tale
where the illustriously rich King Louis XVI, Marie Antoniette and
the image conscious aristocrats living in their palaces or the inner
courts of Versailles, are starkly presented against the diminished
poor peasants and their hovels. Arrogance and disregard for
humankind is contrasted against courage, persistence, fortitude and
devotion to the well-being of loved ones.
Orphaned seventeen year-old Camille strives to care for her frail
younger sister Sophie while learning to move away from an older,
abusive brother Alain, addicted to glamour, money and position. So
poor and desperate, Camille resorts to her limited knowledge of
inherited maternal 'magic' (Magie - dark margic) in order to make
money. After some surprises about her past and her abilities,
Camille learns that the magie will offer hope of a future of
security in terms of food, housing, health and safety. However, with
this lure, Camille begins to pursue grander schemes for herself and
her sister. Is she fast becoming addicted to gambling, like her
desperate brother? Is she quickly becoming addicted to magic as she
slowly loses herself?
Amongst all of this, Camille makes friends with aristocrats (a group
of people who she resents). Camille finds unexpected romantic love,
but is he attracted to the-true-to-herself Camille, or to her alter
ego the Baroness de La Fontaine? Double identities exist and will
slowly be exposed.
HOPE - is presented to her in the form of a new invention devised by
a small group of forward thinking gentlemen - to fly and be free.
Hope was instilled in Camille by her father who was a printer. He
taught her about the importance of freedom of the press. She learnt
the value of the word in print - 'It was a kind of magic. A magic to
alter the World'. This hope is what France needs in order to bring
about change, revolution - to begin to balance the massive divide
between the rich and the poor, between those with positions and the
common people. Enchantee is a wonderful debut historical fantasy novel by
Gita Trelease (who states that she is searching for a secret portal
to take her back to Versailles). This novel has so many messages for
readers who are looking for a story which enlightens while providing
page-turning entertainment.
Maria Burford
Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard
The Witchlands book 3. Tor, 2019. ISBN: 9781447288855.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy, Witches and warlocks,
Battles. Fans of the first two books in the Witchlands series, Truthwitch
and Windwitch,
will welcome the story of Bloodwitch Aeduan, who has joined the
Threadwitch Iseult and the strange little girl, Owl to fight the
raiders who are destroying the countryside. However he will have to
come to terms with the actions of the Raider King, his father.
Meanwhile the Windwitch, Merik, is held by the Fury and must try to
save his friends' lives and Safi the Truthwitch is with the empress
who is trying to uncover a rebellion in her kingdom.
The world building in the Witchlands series is fascinating:
it is easy to believe in the court life of the empress that Safi
serves as well as the bleak countryside, the awful slaughter and the
strange monks and monastery. The cover too, will have instant
appeal.
These books need to be read in order as each follows the other and
builds on the motivations, courage and perseverance of the main
characters. There is action aplenty in this complex series and the
growth of the characters' understanding of what each stands for and
believes in, stands out. The author brings the series to a
satisfying conclusion, but not without some surprises and
heartbreak. This series will have broad appeal to readers of
fantasy.
Pat Pledger
Hop little bunnies by Martha Mumford
Illus. by Laura Hughes. Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781408892930.
(Ages: 0-3) Recommended. Themes; Bunnies, Lift the Flaps, Rhyming
Story. This comes after the similar title We're Going on an Egg
Hunt and is based on the popular Hop Little Bunnies
song. UK illustrator Laura Hughes's work is delightful, making the
book an instant visual winner. Her work is beautiful and young
children will love lifting the multiple flaps on every second page
to wake all the sleepy animals (they are sleeping on the front of
the flap, then awake underneath). The same format, illustrative
technique and text type was used for We're Going on an Egg Hunt
and it works so well. 'See the little bunnies sleeping till it's
noon. Shall we go and wake them with a merry tune? Oh how still, are
they ill?' There is lots of repetition here, favourite animals of
young children (sheep, chicks, bunnies, etc.) and animal sounds that
they will love joining in with. At the end we sing the animals a
happy bedtime song and they all go to sleep.
This will be a real favourite that can be read or sang at bedtime or
any other time of the day. Little ones familiar with the song will
probably even be up and hopping themselves!
Nicole Nelson
Ombria in Shadow by Patricia A. McKillip
Fantasy Masterworks series. Gollanz, 2014. ISBN:
9781473205741.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Themes: Fantasy, Sorcerers, Princes
and princesses.
World Fantasy Award for Best Novel (2003), Mythopoeic Fantasy Award
for Adult Literature (2003). This award winning novel is a feast for
the fantasy lover, one for those who wants a challenge and something
different. Ombria is a strange place with a palace riddled with
secret passages and rooms. Buried beneath the city is a shadow city,
inhabited by ghosts and Mag, a waxling created by Faey, a powerful
sorceress. When the Prince of Ombria dies he leaves only a very
young son, Kyel, and Domina Pearl, a ruthless old woman, takes over
the kingdom as regent. She expels Lydea, the Prince's mistress,
leaving her to die. But Mag saves her and together with Ducon, the
prince's bastard nephew, they try to overcome Domina Pearl's evil
intentions and save Kyel.
Written in beautiful prose, Ombria in shadow brings to life a
strange world on many levels. The reader is taken on a wondrous trip
through dusty passages with strange doors in the palace, and on a
further journey through the city with Ducon as he draws shadowy
doors and eerie buildings. There is mystery about the worlds that
McKillip describes; there is even mystery about the ending and the
reader has to pause and reread to find understanding of the
connectedness of the worlds and of Mag and Ducon's role in them. And
the magic described is original and fascinating.
The love that Ducon and Lydea have for young Kyel is central to the
book and glows throughout. It is refreshing to have the love for a
child as the main theme rather than romantic love. The idea of
loyalty to those who are loved is also one to explore and ponder
over, especially that of Mag and Faey, who discovers love for her
waxling.
It is easy to see why Ombria in Shadow is still in print
after so many years. It is a perplexing, demanding and lyrical book
that will keep the reader thinking long after it is finished.
Pat Pledger
