Ill. by Anil Tortop. Lothian Children's Books, 2018. ISBN:
9780734418395.
(Age: 4+) Themes: Australian animals, Possums, Bats, Competition,
Humour, Problem solving. In rhyming verse, Moses tells young
children the story of a possum, Meek, her siblings and friends, all
living an idyllic life in a large sprawling paperbark tree. But a
hiccup comes along in the form of a bat. Not just any bat, but a
cantankerous, noisy and squabbly bat who hangs upside down from the
tree's top limb.
The bat spits, poos and tells the others crossly that they must
move. Meek and her sisters move to the lower branches where they
cannot sleep, because they are watchful away from the safety of the
higher branches. In the morning some of the birds ask Meek to do
something about the bat, and she comes up with a clever idea of how
to move him on.
Richly illustrated with Australian flora and fauna, readers will
delight picking out the details of the animals they spy in the
branches, picking up some facts about their habits. I love the use
of the wheelie bins, seen in such abundance in Australian cities and
towns, and the lights of the big city, and the terrace houses near
the beautiful paperbark tree.
The story of the bat reminds readers of the problem many of them are
now causing in big cities where colonies move in and take over large
areas of native trees. Recently in Adelaide a colony moved into the
Moreton Bay Fig trees in the Botanic Gardens and caused considerable
damage.
The urban sprawl imposing upon animals' habitats is a clear theme
which children can think about and discuss after reading this book.
Fran Knight
Gandhi by Dianne Bailey
DK Life Stories. Dorling Kindersley, 2019. ISBN:
9780241356333.
(Age: 8-13) Recommended. Themes: Gandhi; India; Civil resistance.
The life story of Gandhi is well documented, but this book will
introduce the younger generation to his life and work. Insights into
the life of Gandhi are explained in this book, and his non-violent
approach to creating political change have been an encouragement to
many other lives and continue to be an inspiration to the world.
Bailey has written a very basic explanation and overview of the life
and peaceful journey of this humble man whose desire to make a
difference for those who had experienced discrimination. He also
worked for the independence of his home country, India, to release
the country from colonial rule by British authorities.
This non-fiction book is easily read, using uncomplicated language
and will be a good addition to school libraries. The presentation of
the information includes quotes, sidebars to explain terms, and
photographs and cartoon-style illustrations. A time-line and
glossary are also included at the end of the book.
Recommended for readers aged 8-13.
Carolyn Hull
Duel at Araluen by John Flanagan
Rangers Apprentice: The Royal Ranger Book 3. Random House,
2018. ISBN: 9780143785927.
(Age: 11-15) Highly recommended. Themes: Adventure; Battle; Royalty;
Heroism. As the third book in the Royal Ranger series it is
apparent that much has gone before, leading to the incredibly
capable Princess Cassandra having to defend her injured father, King
Duncan, and the remnant of soldiers in the Castle, while trapped
high within the fortified south tower. Her husband, Sir Horace and
the Ranger Commandant, Gilan, are similarly trapped in an old hill
fort, but far away, and unable to provide the rescue the Princess
will need to remain in power. The orchestration of this two-pronged
attack on the ruling authority of Araluen is down to Dimon, and it
looks like he has the upper hand. His engineers have also devised a
rather interesting device to launch an assault. If nothing else he
just needs to wait until all food and water is used up within the
Castle and the other fortress and he can take control of Araluen on
his own. But, he has no idea that he will be brought undone because
of a young female apprentice Ranger (Princess Cassandra and Sir
Horace's daughter, Maddie) and the Brotherband of Skandians who,
with their intense fighting skills, will be a formidable and
surprise force to be reckoned with.
John Flanagan knows how to write an exciting and dramatic adventure,
and even though I have not read all of his books, those I have read
I have not been able to put down. (Younger readers devour every book
in each series!) There is fighting, tension, incredible 'warrior'
strategy and some odd moments of humour from the interesting
characters. It would be unusual for anyone to dislike this book in
the spin-off series from the standard Rangers Apprentice
series. (Note: Book one in the Royal Ranger series was
originally published as Book 12 in the Rangers Apprentice
series. The Brotherband series is a stand-alone series, but
the two become linked at various points.)
The delight of this book is the heroine Maddie rising to reveal her
training as a Ranger has not been in vain, and her ability to lead
and strategise to solve problems in conflict is only matched by her
skills to evade detection.
Highly recommended for readers aged 11-15. (Both male and female
readers will love the action and adventure.)
Carolyn Hull
Lucky and Spike by Norma MacDonald
Magabala Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781921248177.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Aboriginal themes, Animals, Feral
cats, Environment. Another story about Lucky the spinifex hopping
mouse will enchant readers, absorbing another story about this
animal, first introduced in Spinifex Mouse (2013). He and his
brother, Spike, peer out from their burrows as night falls, going
out to search for food. First they must watch out for other feeding
animals, particularly those that like to feed on them. The coast
clear, they hop off to the people camp where they know women are
grinding spinifex seeds into flour, dropping a few seeds on
the ground that they can eat.
But a feral cat is on the prowl and spots them, chasing them into
the crowd of dancers. A camp dog joins in and chases the cat up a
tree. Here a barking owl sits watching for small prey and swoops
down to the spinifex where Lucky and Spike are hiding. But the cat
sees the owl and pounces. The owl is too quick and flies back to its
tree, while the cat cuts itself on the spinifex and races off into
the night, leaving the two mice to retreat, thinking themselves very
lucky indeed.
This tale not only teaches children to be careful when out by
themselves, but also teaches about Aboriginal people who live in the
spinifex areas, giving small details about life for desert animals
and information about the feral animals that prey on the native
animals. This book would make a wonderful teaching tool, a
springboard for many discussions about life in Australia for people
and animals, the introduced species and the devastation they cause.
Children will be able to recognise flora and fauna that live in the
desert, and locate the area where the tale is set. The soft
illustrations by MacDonald give an air of authenticity to the tale,
and her use of flowing text full of movement, with highlighted words
increases the interest to the eye.
Information at the end of the book tells about the feral cats and
the damage they cause, and relates a potted biography of MacDonald
and her painting.
Fran Knight
The croc who rocked by Laura Casella
Starfish Publishing, 2018. ISBN: 9781760360528.
(Age: 4+) Themes: Crocodiles, Humour, Acceptance, Friendship,
Difference. A clutch of crocodile eggs, deep in the jungle, hatch
and each little crocodile goes its own way, scampering off into the
bushes. But one little crocodile loves to bop. Happy, he snaps his
jaws and sings loudly, the noise echoing around though quiet jungle.
The other animals are not happy, and tell him to be quiet. As he
grows so his snaps becomes much louder, but still no one is
impressed, so he slides into the water and goes away. Two little
birds land on his tail looking for some big teeth to clean, and in
talking to the sad and lonely crocodile decide to teach him how to
tweet so that the other animals are not upset. The others accept him
happily, joining in with his new sounds, making tweets through the
jungle. Croc is so happy that he forgets his new sound and reverts
to his old snappy sound, and once again, the other animals reject
him.
Singing sadly to himself, other crocodiles come around him,
impressed with the sounds he is making, and wanting to know where he
learnt them. Croc is happy again, with his new friends, singing
along with them, and teaching them his sounds. He has found a group
of friends who accept him for who he is.
A neatly resolved tale of acceptance and finding your place, this
book with its striking cut out illustrations will entice eager
readers to try the techniques for themselves, with paper, scissors,
paint and sponges. I love the repetition of the crocodile on the
endpapers, which will fascinate the younger readers as well as the
sprinkling of a few facts about crocodiles.
Fran Knight
Henry VIII and the men who made him by Tracy Borman
Hodder and Stoughton, 2018. ISBN 9781473649897.
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Recommended. Tracey Borman has
created a powerful story of the life and times of Henry VIII, King
of England from 1509 to 1547, reflecting the value of both the
historical authenticity and the collection of writings, legal and
other documents, from which Borman draws her historical narrative.
Supported throughout by numerous references, this novel describes
Henry's interactions with the men, and to a lesser extent the women
(who were really considered to be tools to producing the necessary
male heir), using historical records, and photographs of paintings
of Henry and other people important to the narrative. Additionally,
we are able to grasp the significance of the works of the writers
who have studied and documented Henry's life, particularly in the
references to the effects of the religious upheaval at that time. As
would be expected, the story is based deeply on the times and
revolutionary ideas of the Reformation in England and Borman has
created a strong sense of that period: the political, social and
religious events that brought about such great religious and social
change during Henry's lifetime.
We read how Henry was always determined to have his way, but when
thwarted, would exact violent punishment as his revenge, most often
almost immediately accomplished by killing the perpetrator, or
incarcerating those who displeased him. Reading this book in the
modern world, and knowing that so many had been 'removed' when they
upset Henry, or interfered with his plans, it seems to be remarkable
that anyone was prepared to work for him, and certainly that anyone
was prepared to challenge him. While Borman details how some of the
damned would plead their innocence, or implore forgiveness, even up
to the day of, or preceding, their 'removal', we gather that there
was almost never any chance of remission. For the men who did not do
as he demanded, or his wives, who were removed because they failed
to produce the male heir he wanted, or he had grown tired of them,
he found no reason why they should not be punished with death.
Indeed, Henry's cold and dispassionate slaughtering of those who did
not do, or produce, what he wanted, is the most abiding theme
throughout this magnificently researched tome.
Plunged into Borman's vibrant world of political intrigue, we see
the rivalry of the men who surrounded Henry, the reactions to and
change in beliefs of the new religion, and the growing antipathy, in
England, to the unsettling events of the rejection of the previously
dominant European-based Roman Catholic Church. Interestingly, it is
difficult to keep in mind that this narrative is based on truth, its
accuracy detailed in Borman's extensive bibliography, her
references, notes and index, all of which take up over sixty pages.
Captivating, commanding and beautifully written, this novel will
leave the reader with a sense of horror that this man could see
himself as above all human codes of decency in his ruling of a
country by birthright, and in his pursuit of an heir. Borman's portrayal
appears to interpret his responses, choices, actions and
interactions with others as driven by his determination to wield his
power, as he becomes the man who destroys those who displease or
disobey him. In fact, men whom he liked seem to have suffered the
same fate of needing to be killed when their actions displeased him
or when they failed to do what he demanded, even though he appeared
to be slightly saddened by this fact. This novel would be a fine
study for senior English history students and a compelling read for
anyone who is interested in this era.
Elizabeth Bondar
Dog Man: Brawl of the wild by Dav Pilkey
Dog Man book 6. Graphix, 2019. ISBN 9781338290929.
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Themes: Humour. Crime. Dog Man is back
with another outrageous adventure which fans will devour. This time
he is sent to the pound for a crime that he didn't commit and finds
that he doesn't have a place with the dogs or with people, a real
dilemma for him. His faithful friends work hard to prove his
innocence with action and fun galore for the reader.
Readers new to the series will quickly pick up the main threads of
the Dog Man series with George and Harold's recap of the story so
far, telling of Dog Man's origins, his awesome allies and the evil
villains The Fleas. A nod to Call of the wild by Jack London
will create much hilarity for those who have read it. I loved the
drawings of the dogs pulling a sled laden with dog poop and kids of
all ages will follow the illustrations and story often laughing out
loud.
Li'l Petey continues to frustrate his father with his senseless
jokes, while at the same time coming up with a narrative to help him
try and be good and the pages where the reader can do their own
flip-o-rama, making sound effects for extra fun, add to the
originality of the plot and the general hilarity of the story.
This one won't stay on library shelves for a second and there is
sure to be a very long waiting list for it!
Pat Pledger
Emergency contact by Mary H.K. Choi
Simon and Schuster, 2018. ISBN 9781534425934.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Fiction. Penny and Sam, two complete
strangers at first, have an unforeseen encounter that results in
them becoming each other's emergency contact. With their growing
friendship being entirely through each other's phones, they skip the
awkwardness of social interactions at first. But as they get to know
each other and their trust in each other grows, life seems to twist
their stories together in an unusual and rushed series of events.
Penny sees herself as awkward and different from everyone around
her. She understands the social customs of teenage life and
friendships. But still, she has difficulty performing them, not
feeling comfortable enough in her own skin and feeling alienated
from others. Her character is surprisingly self-dependent and very
set in her own way of thinking. Sam, on the other hand, has a funny
way of knowing how people tick and is able to fit in with most. His
character has an adaptive personality and is a very easygoing person
at first. But he too has personal struggles that he faces as well.
With each other's help and through their texting they are both able
to help each other in a way that is surprisingly supportive.
Choi has written a story that is both detailed and easy to read. The
text conversations fit into the story appropriately and help to give
you more of an insight into Penny and Sam's personality. The
chapters are also divided into Penny and Sam's perspective and is
used smoothly to tell both of their stories. Overall this story is
interesting and a great read for teenagers and young adults.
Kayla Raphael
Helen Keller by Libby Romero
Ill. by Charlotte Ager. DK Life Stories. DK, 2019. ISBN
9780241322932.
(Age: 8-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Helen Keller. Biography.
Disability. Blindness. Deafness. Helen Keller's life is revealed in
this accessible biography for younger readers. Helen's disability
and her relationship with her teacher Annie Sullivan are described
with simple detail. Her later life is also explained, along with her
opinions and service for others, all demonstrating her amazing
capacity; she was never limited by her disabilities but used her
talent for overcoming obstacles to inspire others.
The presentation of this book is delightfully appealing for readers
aged 8-12. The cartoon style illustrations are interspersed with
photographs, and decorated text boxes are used to explain
terminology and ideas for the benefit of the younger audience. With
colourful chapter headings, a family tree, a summary timeline of
Helen's life, a quiz, and a glossary the book is a wonderful,
appealing non-fiction book. The text is not complex and this book
would make an excellent addition to a biographical collection in a
primary school library.
Highly recommended. Ages 8-12
Carolyn Hull
A diamond in the dust by Frauke Bolten-Boshammer, with Sue Smethurst
Simon and Schuster, 2018. ISBN 9781925685084.
(Age: 15+) This is a wonderful story of a strong woman who was
prepared to follow her husband from country Germany to Kununurra, in
the north-west of Western Australia, in April 1981. He wanted to
make a new life there and she agreed to leave her extended family
and her beloved homeland to follow his dream. Her agreement to go
with her husband was a very difficult one, but she supports him and
moves to one of the most arid parts of Australia. This book is
suitable for all ages, from adolescent readers through to adults,
and is a heart-warming read.
The struggle to survive in the outback of the north-western corner
of Western Australia is all-encompassing. The couple establish a
farm and all seems to be going well, until one day when,
unexpectedly, it all becomes too much for Friedrich. They have, by
then, had 4 children and Frauke is determined to make a success of
the life that they had planned. Due to her fascination with the
diamond industry, she decides to open a shop selling diamond
jewellery, stocking some of the most beautiful diamonds mined in the
area.
After her husband's death, Frauke struggles to face life by herself
and the children, but she is determined to carry on their work.
Unexpectedly, she faces a tragedy that would break many people,
twice, and she has to decide, once more, how she can face life and
her business. Her devotion to the children and her work in the shop,
designing and selling unique and beautiful diamond jewellery,
enables her to survive, and she becomes well-known both in Australia
and in the wider world. We are entranced by the loving kindness of
her second husband, and she is so happy in her choice, and delighted
with the respect and loyalty of their children.
This is a really strong story that is captivating, uplifting and
rich in detail, both about the family, the people who surround them,
and the area in which they live. Telling the true story of a woman
who finds strength when many others would have collapsed, especially
having faced not only one tragedy, but more unthinkable events. As
we see how her spirit imbues this narrative, we notice that she
draws on her determination to face life even when tragedy strikes
more than once, and we understand her desire to love and support her
children, to be a good, loving partner to her second husband, and to
make her business successful, all of which she achieves. Despite the
terrible times in her life, her seemingly boundless love and
resilience, the love and strength of her family, and her ambition to
make a good life for her family, enable her to create a resoundingly
successful business and to have a second chance at a life lived with
love and friendship.
This book is suitable for older adolescents and adults.
Elizabeth Bondar
The slightly alarming tale of the whispering wars by Jaclyn Moriarty
Kingdoms and Empires, book 2. Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN:
9781760297183.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. This is a quirky, fun story told by
two narrators. Finlay the boy from the Orphanage School and Honey
Bee who goes to the exclusive Brathelthwaite Boarding School. They
both live in Spindrift, a town that has a collection of ordinary
townsfolk mixed with witches, gnomes, pirates and sirens.
The story starts with a race, the Spindrift Tournament, which brings
the two schools into conflict and highlights their different school
cultures. The children begin a 'tit for tat' series of pranks, which
evolves into a school against school battle until the threat of real
war, the 'Whispering Wars' begins.
There is a dark side to the Spindrift as children are being abducted
and a deadly magic flu is spreading through the town, having drastic
effects on the health of the townsfolk. The Orphanage and
Brathelthwaite children decide to work together to discover what is
happening and try to free the captives. There are some scary mind
controlling and life-threatening adversaries to deal with and it is
only when the two groups of children cooperate that problems start
to be solved.
This is another novel in the Kingdoms and Empires books
which can be read as a stand-alone but has a very clever connection
to her previous novel, The
Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone
(2017).
The use of two narrators gives an interesting insight into their
personalities and viewpoints and Jaclyn Moriarty cleverly challenges
first impressions and stereotypes as the story progresses. It is
through listening to other people's stories that understanding and
compassion develops. Prejudice, war and friendship are strong themes
of the book.
I highly recommend this book to students 10 years and older.
A book trailer is available here.
Jane Moore
Things that will not stand by Michael Gerard Bauer
Omnibus Books, 2018. ISBN: 9781742997582.
(Age: 13+) A quick, optimistic read for year 9 or 10 boys and girls.
Themes; friendship, identity, first love, trauma. University open
days allow year 11 and 12 students a chance to learn more about
courses, university life and maybe imagine changed pathways beyond
school. Sebastian, unsure of what he wants to do, is looking at a
course in town planning, a 'safe choice' endorsed by his parents.
His best friend Tolly is interested in science and medicine so they
split up and at a lecture Seb sits next to an attractive girl, who
borrows his pen. They have a brief conversation about a classic
movie showing after the lecture so he buys his ticket to Casablanca
and waits in the foyer hoping to meet the girl again. When she
doesn't turn up he tries to give the ticket to the next girl who
enters the foyer, Frida, looking like a character from 'Frozen' with
a part shaved head and piercings. She guesses he has been stood up
and challenges him on his reasons for offering her the ticket. Just
then the first girl enters the foyer but it is soon apparent that
she is seeing another movie with her boyfriend. To save him from
embarrassment Frida spins a story about them being best friends
since he saved her life in kindergarten and they see the movie
together. After they drift into getting to know each other over
lunch and when Tolly joins them the quick, creative banter takes
off. Sebastian's 'safe choices' are challenged by Frida and somehow
they find themselves joining her for a theatre sports event. When
Tolly leaves for an interview Frida continues to quiz Seb about his
life while giving little away about her own. Things come to a head
when a boy from her school harasses her and after he is brilliantly
put in his place by Tolly, Sebastian challenges Frida to tell him
the truth about herself. However she would rather leave the reality
of her life behind and try out different versions of herself in this
new environment. As they get to know more about each other Sebastian
is sure he wants to get closer to the real Frida regardless of her
background, a challenge for both of them before the day ends.
This funny, appealing story emphasises the opportunities offered,
post school, to leave aspects of your life behind and re-invent
yourself. The characters are witty and hopeful; their motivations
commendable.
Sue Speck
On the first day of school by P. Crumble and Dean Rankine
Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781742999807.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Music, Rhyming story, First day of
school, Friendship, Families. With a CD (sung by Penny McNamee) in a
slip cover inside the front cover, and rhyming lines taking up each
page, what reader will not sing along as the story builds with the
things a child will encounter at school. All told with a laugh out
loud set of illustrations detailing what is going on in the text and
more, children will love having this read aloud to them, or have the
CD on to sing along with, or learn sections to be able to sing out
loud themselves. The book and CD lend themselves to a variety of
uses in the classroom for those first days at a school, where
perhaps some children are a little nervous.
At the end of each refrain is the line, 'raise your hand if you have
to do a wee' which will not only cause lots of laughs from the
audience, but also underline the importance of telling someone if
you do need to go to the toilet.
A plethora of activities await the new children: show and tell,
playing with paints, eating lunch, singing out loud, story time and
finally packing up to go home, while many rules within the classroom
are given: no calling out, wear hats outside, listen for the bell
and don't pick your nose. Each double page adds to the developing
list of things done in school, and will allay those concerns that
some new students may have.
Children will love learning the sequence of the activities,
predicting what one will come next when they sing along with adults,
just like in a Kim's Game where a number of things are learnt and
recalled.
Fran Knight
Finding Kerra by Rosanne Hawke
Beyond Borders series. Rhiza Press, 2018. ISBN:
9781925563474.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Themes: Staton life, Outback,
Pakistan, Women. Beyond Borders is a Young Adult series about Jamie
Richards' life in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Australia. The four
novels are: Dear Pakistan (2016), The War Within
(2016), Liana's Dance (2017) and Finding Kerra
(2018).
The quartet, following Jaime's journey from Pakistan to Australia,
fitting into a country so alien to her, then returning to Pakistan
only to find she no longer feels safe in the land of her childhood.
Jaime is kidnapped and held by terrorists in book two. In the third
of the series, Jaime tells the story of her friend, Liana, as she
tries to help children kidnapped from her school. The fourth book in
the series has Jaime back in Australia, and tells of her time spent
on a station in the outback.
Jaime meets Blake at school and opens up to him about her past. He
invites her to spend some time on his family's staton for the
holidays, a quiet place where she can be at peace. But as soon as
she arrives, she feels tension in the air between her host and his
son, between Blake and his sister, Kerra, while the young girl from
the next station seems hostile to her. Jaime cooks and watches over
Kerra, and as the weeks unfold she learns more about Kerra and the
secrets she holds.
Hawke uses her background in Pakistan with absolute surety. The
story has flashes of the three preceding novels showing the lasting
effects of the trauma suffered by Jaime, but at the same time, Jaime
recalls the wonderful stories from the land of her childhood and is
able to tell them to Kerra, a soothing time for this troubled child.
Kerra seems to take stories to heart, and often asks Jaime to tell
her again of Liana.
It is through these stories that Kerra develops the courage to
finally tell her brother that she wants him to be just that, a
loving brother, bringing their distant relationship to a head,
making this a fitting concluding story to this wonderful quartet.
Hawke's stay at a northern cattle station brings a background of
truth to the tale of this dislocated girl, looking after another
just as disoriented as herself. I love the way Hawke brings in
touches of the Aboriginal, Afghan and Cornish heritage of this
state, using them to tie together a modern story.
Fran Knight
Limelight by Solli Raphael
Puffin Books, 2018. ISBN 9780143793762.
(Age: Upper primary, Lower secondary) Recommended. Limelight
gives great insights into how to create and perform poems by a
young, passionate poet, Solli Raphael.
Solli is a thirteen-year-old slam poet. Slam poetry is a form of
performance poetry. The poet performs in a competition with other
poets and five random audience members rate the poetry on a scale of
0 to 10.
When he was only 12, Solli was the youngest winner of the
'Australian Poetry Slam' held at the Sydney Opera House every year.
His poems are powerful and have a strong message of social equality
and environmental protection.
Part 1 of the book deals with the art of poetry writing and
performing, while part 2 contains over 30 original poems.
The title of the book comes from one of the featured poems,
'Limelight' about performing poetry onstage and trying to make a
difference to the world. He is challenging his audience to be a
gamechanger. Seize this moment, live it and own it, and if you leave the
'um' till the end of the moment, you might just create
enough momentum.
To take flight to great heights on a stage to speak your
truth in the limelight.
'Australian Air' is Solli's most famous poem which has been seen 3.5
million times on Facebook. It is an inspiring poem of speaking up
and making changes to society.
You can watch Solli perform this poem on YouTube.
Solli is the 'gamechanger' he speaks of. An inspiring young man who
can successfully talk to the world but in particular to his own
generation.
I recommend this book to upper primary and lower secondary students.
Jane Moore
