Ill. by Sally Heinrich. The Susie K Diaries. Allen and
Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760523701.
(Ages: 7-10) Recommended. Themes: Performances, Friendship, Life
skills, Schools stories. A talent show is always a source of stress
for most ordinary children, but for Susie K. it means coping with a
mother who has entered Susie and truly believes she will be the show
stopper and win the competition. The story follows Susie's attempts
to find her one true talent with funny results. Susie K. shows great
tenacity in this story to solve the problem caused by her lack of
performance skills and not disappoint her mother at the same time.
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. It is a good introduction to the
Graphic Novel genre for younger students but is not one that can be
read aloud to the class because of its structure.
This is the third book in this series but because there is a brief
introduction of the main character at the beginning of the book this
means readers can pick up this book without reading the first two
books in the series - Life of the Party and Game Changer.
However, I suspect they will be keen to read the whole series as
this is a very likeable character and the stories will appeal to
this age level who really enjoy following a series.
Gabrielle Anderson
Let me sleep, sheep! by Meg McKinlay
Ill. by Leila Rudge. Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781925381887.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: Sheep, Sleep, Humour. Young
Amos is trying to get to sleep. He begins by counting sheep, but
when he hears a thud in his bedroom, he is shocked to find two sheep
on his floor, complaining vigorously. They were each in the middle
of something, Felix eating his dinner, Walter being shorn, and it
was inconvenient to be called into this bedroom.
Handling a pair of cantankerous sheep is not what Amos needs before
bedtime, and to then be told their names and that several others are
on their way is beyond belief. But Felix insists that they need a
fence to jump over, and so Amos begins to design and then construct
a fence for them to leap.
Of course, his attempts at building a fence causes more derision
from Felix, until the right one is made. But when they demand music
and a drink before the big leap, Amos is flummoxed, so much so that
he lies down and falls asleep.
This book is an absolute stunner. A well known piece of advice on
how to get to sleep is turned on its head. The story becomes a
treatise on sleep and how to get there, a funny story about counting
sheep, a laugh out loud look at the silliness of having a pile of
sheep in your bedroom having a party. Readers will enjoy discussions
about how they get to sleep, sharing tips on reaching the land of
nod more quickly, and sharing ideas about their sleep patterns.
The mixed media illustrations are hilarious; the looks on the sheep
faces amazingly playful, as just a small change in a hair line, ears
or eyes, lip line or length of snout says so much! The detailed
background of Amos' room will have eager eyes poring over each page,
while the design and construction of the walls will entrance
readers. Activities are available in Walker's Read
to Us! Story Time Kit!
Fran Knight
Brindabella by Ursula Dubosarky
Illus. by Andrew Joyner. Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN: 9781760112042
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Single parent family,
Friendship, Australian bush, Farm life, Australian animals, Hunters,
Adventure. Pender and his father live in an old farm house hidden in
the Australian bush. Pender's father is unwell and spends his days
painting in a small hut with his loyal dog, Billy-Bob by his side.
Pender is free to roam the bush and while he is alone, he does not
feel lonely.
On one particular day Pender hears the sound of guns from hunters
who are illegally shooting kangaroos. Pender creeps towards the
noise and discovers a joey in a dead mother's pouch. He rescues the
joey and takes it home to his father. Pender persuades his father to
let him look after the joey, Brindabella, and raise it in the
farmhouse.
However Brindabella is no ordinary kangaroo. She has the ability to
communicate with the other animals and the reader is drawn into
these dialogues particularly between Billy-Bob and Brindabella. She
eventually returns to the bush to have her own adventures. While in
the bush Brindabella meets other animals, although she does not
listen to their advice and has many close encounters with danger.
Pender is a quiet, yet brave character who thoughtfully cares for
his father, the animals and the bush. He is in complete contrast to
Brindabella, a strong-willed and impulsive character. The chapters
move between Pender and Brindabella which gives an interesting
outlook for the reader. Throughout the story, the author gives the
reader a wonderful image of the bush through the clever use of
descriptive imagery. Andrew Joyner's creative yet simplistic
illustrations provide a balance with the text.
Kathryn Beilby
The Dyasters by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Pan Macmillian, 2019. ISBN: 9781760554163. paperback, 308 pg.
(Age: 11 - Young adults) Teenagers who can control the elements
(air, water, fire and earth) are being hunted down by a mad
scientist that genetically engineered them to do this while in their
mother's womb. What is there not to like in a paranormal book?
The story is about Foster and Tate and how they are drawn together
with their element of air which they never knew they had until they
turned eighteen. Their relationship and bond grow as they learn to
live together in hiding because they are being chased by the Core
Four of Eve, Luke Matthew and Mark. The Core Four are sent by Dr
Stewart the mad scientist. Foster and Tate are two of eight
teenagers that the Core Four are hunting down. It was good to meet
Charlotte and Bastien with the element of water.
It is definitely a YA (Young Adult) novel with some action but
mainly relationship stories. I found some cheesy but did enjoy
reading the book. The graphic pictures were good and helped you
visualise what happening.
Overall, I think readers are going to enjoy reading this series with
the quirky characters and romance. The paranormal aspects of the
elements add some action into the story. Looking forward to meeting
the next four teenagers with the elements of fire and earth and what
will happen to the Core Four with Dr Stewart.
I think it's aimed at females 11 to young adults.
Maria Komninos
Grace on the court by Maddy Proud
Piccolo Nero, 2018. ISBN 9781760640330. 228 pages, paperback.
(Age: 9-14) Grace on the court is a story about Grace
Parker, a netball nerd transitioning from primary school into high
school. She is very passionate about netball and her aim is to make
it onto her high school team. But that isn't going to be as easy as
it seems. A new rival Amber Burns is trying out for the team as
well. Her twin brother Gus didn't make his team and is devasted,
Grace's older brother Tyler is now ignoring her too. And to top it
all off a certain boy is now suddenly paying attention to her.
Maddy Proud herself is a professional netballer and is currently the
youngest player ever contracted into the Adelaide Thunderbirds at
sixteen. With netball being her main theme, Proud focuses on the
other topics of friendships, crushes, high school rivalry, sibling
issues and family. With this being very netball focused, Proud has
written things in a way that makes it easy for the reader to follow
along with. I found this very helpful as someone who knows little
about the sport. But with that being said the flow of the story is
still balanced with Grace's day to day life and the issues she
faces.
The target audience for this book is 9 to 14 years of age, perfect
for new highschoolers into netball or sports.
Kayla Raphael
Bright young dead by Jessica Fellowes
Mitford murders series. Hachette, 2018. ISBN: 9780751567205.
(Age: Older adolescent - Adult) This is undoubtedly a book set
firmly in the era of The Wealthy and The Rest of the World. The
children of The Wealthy are educated, erudite and spoiled, yet they
also expect that they will contribute, in an intellectual sense, to
something as exciting and challenging as 'solving a murder'. So,
reading this book demands, of the ordinary reader, a certain
positioning that forgives the idea of the wealthy as deserving of
their status and their intellect when it comes to something as
exciting as a murder, particularly when it happens in their large
residence.
Interestingly, there seems to be little feeling for the loss of a
human being, but plenty of interest in solving the murder. So,
forgiving them their sense of entitlement is necessary if one is to
enjoy the book, and it is quite a good murder mystery. The events
are credible and the interactions well-explored, giving us a clear
sense of the situation and living arrangements of the time and how
people felt and lived in England in that era.
This book would be suitable for older adolescent and adult readers
as Jessica Fellowes has constructed a good, strong and intriguing
storyline as well as believable situation and characters. In fact,
her characterization is deft, interesting and credible.
Elizabeth Bondar
Queen Celine by Matt Shanks
Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781760650346.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Beach, Power, Environment.
Celine loves coming to the beach. Here she can be the queen of all
that she surveys, wanting to build a rock wall to protect and keep
safe all the animals that she sees in the rock pools. She builds the
wall, and helps the little creatures come inside. Here they are safe
from the vagaries of the sea, safe from the other creatures who may
want to eat them, safe from the marauding seagulls always hovering
overhead.
She surveys her kingdom, stunningly shown in soft watercolours,
insisting that she is the best leader the world has ever known, and
pleased that in her world things will never change.
But the water becomes murky, the seagrass no longer waves, some of
the creatures move out.
Queen Celine looks at the other kingdoms on the beach. The leaders
are happy and joyous, their subjects happy and laughing and she
notices they do not have a wall or fortress, hers is the only one.
She begins to demolish her fortress, pulling down the stones, and is
surprised to see many creatures coming along the beach towards her
kingdom. She welcomes them all, and as other children on the beach
come to play with her, she welcomes them as well.
When she returns home she leaves a sign on the beach saying that
everyone is welcome.
A cautionary tale of the perils of isolation, the building of the
wall on the beach actually harms those inside the wall, not only
repelling people outside the wall, but by stopping change within
undermines life for those inside.
A wondrous parallel for the isolationist policies seen around the
world, readers will recognise the ideas of openness and being
welcoming to people coming to their shores, and be aware that some
countries are building physical walls, while others have more subtle
restrictions about their borders.
Readers will love looking at the range of creatures illustrated on
each page, recalling their own adventures when visiting the beach.
Scroll down for activities
from the publisher.
Fran Knight
52 Mondays by Anna Ciddor
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760523480.
(Age: 9-12) Recommended. Themes: Family life, Jewish peoples, Dolls.
Anne Ciddor's 52 Mondays is a gentle evocative middle-grade
novel set in the 1960s. She reminisces about her childhood, her
family's Jewish heritage and celebrations and everyday life with her
three younger sisters. Central to the story is Anne's desire to own
an antique doll and her mother's willingness to fulfil her wish.
Ciddor's memories draw from the sights, sounds and smells of her
youth; she vividly paints school and home life, scorching summer
days, sliding across the hot car seats without seatbelts, warm
bottles of milk at recess, and days filled with simpler pleasures.
Annie's love of antique dolls comes from being enthralled with 5Hitty,
Her First Hundred Years, an historic book told from the little
wooden toy's point of view. The idea for visiting the auction house
weekly stems from the final chapter of the 1920's story. Each
Monday, Anna's mother bundles up the three sisters and off they go.
Anna's anguish, desperation and desire to own her own doll drives
the narrative.
High days and holidays, Friday night meals, families sharing the
Passover story, Anna lovingly describes her religious upbringing.
The glossary explains the Hebrew and Yiddish words and phrases used
throughout. Buying ice-creams for half a penny, and trying Deb
instant mashed potato bought from a big supermarket instead of a
local store are fun new experiences. Even Nana Nomi's Shabbat meal
cooked with kosher chicken sold plucked and cut in pieces and served
with packet noodles show the changing times.
Anna Ciddor's semi-autobiographical novel is an enjoyable and
gently-paced read, sharing her insights into ordinary family life,
schooling and after school activities. Gorgeous sensory descriptions
of preparing and sharing meals, hairstyles and clothing, sibling
fun, birthday parties, even the effects of the mumps is creatively
presented. 52 Mondays opens up the history of Australian
life in the 1960's to a new generation. It also gives opportunities
for older family members to share and reminisce about their
childhoods.
Rhyllis Bignell
Liars: No survivors by Jack Heath
Scholastic, 2018. ISBN: 9781742761930. Paperback, 235 pg.
(Age: 8-14) Highly recommended. Wow! What an action packed book
right from the opening page where a plane crashes into a house in
the little known town of Kelton. The accident is a mystery and there
are no passengers aboard the plane. What an amazing way to start a
book that is aimed for reluctant readers between the ages of 8 to
14. Mind you, everyone who picks up this book would love this
adventure. No Survivors is part 2 of a 5 book series.
Jack Heath manages to take you on a modern day, tech-savy, STEM and
danger-filled adventure which any reader will lose themselves in. It
was filled with action and many plot twists which kept me reading
till the end and now am so hanging out for part three of the series.
The main character Jarli is a very likeable boy. He invented the
Truth app in the first series. Everyone has downloaded the app and
many do not like, that people are using it everyday. Jarli's life
has been in danger since the app went online especially from an
unknown villain called Viper who is out to get Jarli. There are many
likeable characters but I must say that Bess, Jarli's best friend,
is one of my favourites especially since she doesn't let her
disability slow her down. In this series both kids befriend Doug who
is another STEM-savy genius.
I found No Survivors a very easy read that I couldn't put
down. I just had to know what would happen next. I would highly
recommended it to school kids.
Maria Komninos
Fish Kid and the Lizard Ninja by Kylie Howarth
Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781760650810.
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Themes: Humour, Marine Biology, Environmental
Issues, Ocean Life, Adventures, Friendship, Problem Solving, Fish
facts. Young Bodhi lives an enviable life on a boat with his
parents, a marine biologist and an ocean photographer, who are
passionate about saving the marine environment. Unfortunately for
Bodhi he has an aversion to the ocean and the creatures that dwell
below the surface. He is home schooled but would much rather be in a
traditional classroom on land.
This trip, Bodhi's parents are researching and studying slimy sea
cucumbers. Emely, the skipper's daughter, in yet another prank,
decides to introduce Bodhi to sea cucumbers disguised in a green
smoothie. What happens next is highly entertaining as Bodhi succumbs
to illness but in the process gains secret powers. Bodhi and Emely
eventually find themselves alone on a desert island in the company
of Guapo, an intelligent marine iguana, who joins the children on
their quest to safety.
Bodhi is initially a quiet, nervous and mild character while Emely
is the feisty one. However with Bodhi's newly developed secret
powers he is able to lead both himself and Emely out of their
predicament and save Guapo. Throughout the book Kylie Howarth has
included clever illustrations and fish facts which help create a
visual context for the reader. The story is a fast moving and an
enjoyable read. Teacher's
activities are available and there is a second book coming soon
in this series, Fish Kid and the Mega Manta Ray.
Kathryn Beilby
The great Shelby Holmes and the coldest case by Elizabeth Eulberg
Illus. by Matt Robertson. The Great Shelby Holmes series,
Book 3. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2018. ISBN: 9781408871515.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Friendship, New York, Family
Issues, Separated parents, Mystery, Detectives, Problem Solving,
Figure Skating Champions, Diabetes. The newspaper calls them
'Harlem's Smartest Sleuths' and so enters 9 year olds Shelby Holmes
and John Watson on their next exciting case to solve.
After being contacted by Tatiana, the coach of a world famous figure
skater Jordan Nelson, Shelby and John are drawn into a highly
complex case involving difficult codes and intimidating characters.
Both of these young detectives must go undercover to earn the trust
of the champion figure skaters. Neither Shelby nor John can figure
skate and this provides some entertaining moments as they avoid
getting on the ice or spending as little time as possible going
through figure skating routines. Through deductive reasoning and the
deciphering of clues, the two friends eventually solve the case.
Throughout the story, Shelby's addiction to sugar and the fact her
parents have banned neighbourhood shops from selling it to her,
creates some light-hearted moments as Shelby thwarts this ban with
clever solutions. John, on the other hand has diabetes, and is very
careful with his diet. John is also dealing with his father visiting
from out of town and his passionate wish that his parents would
reunite. At times Shelby's whirlwind and single focused nature seems
insensitive to John's angst and naturally cautious disposition but
she surprises the reader with thoughtful actions in the end. There
are clever illustrations dotted throughout the book which complement
the fast paced action and enjoyable storyline.
Kathryn Beilby
The house on the mountain by Ella Holcombe and David Cox
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760636968.
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. The House on the Mountain is a
deeply atmospheric story that follows a family's journey as they
rebuild their lives after the devastation of the Black Saturday
bushfires. Ella Holcombe draws on her most difficult memories, the
loss of her parents at Kinglake, Victoria on the 7th of February
2009. The build up to the bushfires and the aftermath of the
harrowing events is told in a beautifully lyrical style: there is a
rawness and honesty portrayed. Sights, sounds, smells are
realistically portrayed. 'The sky looks strange, dark and glowing,
and there is a distant roaring sound, like an aeroplane
approaching.' The author writes of hope rising from the ashes as the
family slowly rebuilds their lives. She explains the range of
emotions, the rawness and numbness at times, as the little girl
experiences grief, loss, anger, wonder and despair.
She begins simply with the children playing in the bush, splashing
each other in a cold bath, while the parents quickly prepare and
pack their essential emergency items. Fleeing to safety as the smoke
surrounds them and debris hits their car, the family watches from
the safety of the oval as the mountain is covered in fire. Photos of
teachers and students who lost their lives, displayed in the school
corridor are constant and confronting reminders for the other
students. Community and state supportive services, art therapy,
music sessions, counselling, well-wishers from near and far provide
comfort as well.
Life goes on, the family lives with their nana in her little white
house, where her brothers fight more often, Mum and Dad argue and
Ruby the dog follows them everywhere. This a new kind of normal,
nothing will ever be the same. Day by day as the plants' green
shoots appear and their mud brick home is built, hope rises from the
ashes.
David Cox's evocative illustrations capture the family's life in
small vignettes and then the power of the raging fire as they travel
down the mountain, surrounded by smoke. He captures the emotions of
Emma's story with dark earth tones of brown, black, greys and
purples. Light shines in the darkest times, the camp lantern's glow
and the yellow moon and twinkling stars representing hope.
The story concludes with Emma Holcombe's personal recount of losing
her parents, her dog Brittany and their home on that fateful day. The
House On The Mountain is an inspirational picture book, an
important one to share with families and classes with readers from
seven plus; opening up dialogues about life and death, hope and
despair, natural disasters and the power of the human spirit to
rebuild.
Rhyllis Bignell
A great escape by Felice Arena
Penguin Random House, 2019. ISBN: 9780143794042.
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Themes: Berlin Wall; Freedom; Escape.
Felice Arena has created a story about life for a young person at
the time of the separation of West Germany from East Germany during
the Cold War era. With the creation of the Berlin Wall, families
were separated and with no way to get back together, many East
Germans chose to prepare escape plans at the risk of their life. For
Peter, the young boy left behind while his family went to the
Western region of Berlin, the risks are high. With the only family
left in the East with him, his Oma and his stroke-impacted Opa, the
pull of his immediate family and the brief glimpses of his parents
and sister through the barrier create incredible tension for him. If
only he could fly over the barrier. This is a sad story about a
period of history that many Australian children know very little
about.
Written simply and with very short chapters, this book is accessible
for young readers who enjoy history and adventure. Even older
readers will be able to connect to the difficulties faced by the
young boy and the struggles of the friends around him. This is
certainly a book that could be recommended to readers that have
enjoyed Felice Arena's other historical books Fearless Frederic
and The Boy and the Spy, but also readers who have enjoyed The
Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. The naivety of young Peter and the
unfathomable circumstances of the times reminds current readers of
the difficulties that children have faced in the past.
Highly recommended for readers aged 9+.
Carolyn Hull
TC and the stinkiest story ever (in the history of the Universe) by Dave Hartley
Illus. by Peter Baldwin. Scholastic Australia, 2019. ISBN:
9781742991870.
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Themes: Friendship, Aboriginal culture,
Family, Bullies, Mystery, Humour. Set in a country town in
Australia, this light-hearted story covers the mystery of a missing
dog, daily issues children face such as earning pocket money and
bullies, all intertwined with aspects of Aboriginal culture.
TC and his best mate Lockie go in search of a missing dog, Polpetta,
owned by Mrs Mucci, the champion pizza maker of Warner Creek. In
order to track down the missing dog, the two friends use the most
obvious clue - stinky poo! The reward for finding the missing dog is
free pizza for a year! With a suspect in mind, the two boys spend
their time searching for clues and trying to solve the mystery. On
their journey they are chased by the school bullies and outwit them
along the way.
Younger readers will enjoy the reference and use of technology
during the course of the story. These include the x-box, iPad and a
very useful drone. Some of this technology is put to good use by the
boys and is vital in solving the mystery with the support of their
mob. Interwoven throughout this story is information regarding
aspects of Aboriginal life which is described sensitively and gives
the reader a further understanding of their history and culture. The
simple illustrations strategically placed throughout the story add
to the story and creates visual images to support the younger
reader. This is an enjoyable read, fast paced and action packed and
will appeal to younger readers, in particular boys.
Kathryn Beilby
Superman : Dawnbreaker by Matt De La Pena
Random House, 2019. ISBN: 9780141386867.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Themes: Science fiction, Superheroes, Good
and evil. Having grown up with superman movies and comics set in the
50s, I found this version very refreshing as it is set in current
times. Mobile phones and laptops are common and there is no mention
of phone boxes anywhere.
Clark Kent is 17 and still discovering what he is capable of. New
powers seem to manifest themselves during times of need or stress,
though he sometimes lacks complete control over them.
In this well written and easy to read novel, Clark learns that he is
not of this world and while he wrestles with the implications of
being an alien and the super powers he possesses, he comes to
realise that he has a purpose and responsibility to earth and its
people. All this as he deals with the normal teenage issues of first
love, friendships and High school. He and his close friends uncover
an evil plot to take control of the most vulnerable in his town and
turn them into monsters against their will. This ends with Clark
having to show his true self in front of the people of Smallville to
save his friends and the day; an exciting fight ensues including
bombs, guns and taking control of a helicopter all described in
vivid detail.
In this book you will learn about some of his special powers and how
he discovers them. What his costume and cape is made of, its own
special powers and why he definitely needs it. He meets Lex Luther
for the first time in this novel, although Clark is always
suspicious of his motives they are working together in this story.
But Lex is destined to become one of Clark's most formidable
adversaries.
I enjoyed reading this story as I learned a lot about Superman and
what he can do and how he came to adopt his principles of trying to
avoid killing anyone at all costs. It kept me interested and
entertained and I would recommend it to anyone 10 years and older.
Joyce Crawford
