Illus. by Laura Wood. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760666446.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Counting, Colours, Sheep. Before the
pages are opened all readers will have the nursery rhyme, Baa
baa black sheep, running through their heads. And this funny
turn on the well known rhyme will have children reading along,
smiles on their faces as they recognise the different hues used for
the wool, and the clever rhymes used by the writer. And reading the
story they will notice the repetition of the refrain, the colours
used and the numbers counting back from nine to three.
Two people are arguing over the bags of wool. A well dressed master
pipes up that he wants all the nine bags of blue wool, because he is
'a blue kind of guy'. But the dame also wants the bags, and in the
end they fight over them only to see the bags of wool roll into a
ditch. Next comes the purple wool. The dame wants the eight bags but
the master disagrees so they fight and the purple wool is torn
apart. Then the red wool is fought over, and the yellow and the
green, until finally the little boy who lived down the lane puts a
halt to the proceedings and they work out a compromise.
I loved the way this rhyme uses the original Baa baa black sheep,
and readers will recognise elements of the original nursery rhyme as
they read this.
Recognition of rhyming words, prediction of words that rhyme,
laughing along with the reading out loud, a shoo-in to talk about
nursery rhymes that are well known and perhaps even some attempts at
turning a well known rhyme around, will all emanate from this cute
tale.
The digital illustrations cleverly reflect what is happening in the
text, and readers will love searching out the parallels between this
tale and the original Baa baa black sheep.
The endpapers with their balls of differently coloured wool will
initiate some talk about wool, sheep and knitting and perhaps
encourage some classes to try knitting or any wool crafts for
themselves.
Fran Knight
Movie time! by Anh Do
Illus. by Dan McGuiness. Hot Dog 6. Scholastic, 2019, ISBN:
9781742997872.
(Age: 6-8) Themes: Films, Play, Movie making, Friends. Hot Dog and
his best friends, Kev the cat and Lizzie the lizard, return for
another fun adventure in Movie time! They love playing cops
and robbers especially when Kev's loot bag is filled with muffins.
After the game, they grab an icecream and notice some special
posters, 'Actors Wanted - a Hero Ninja, a Brave Ballerina and a
Volcano Monster' with try-outs soon and free food as an incentive.
The new movie called 'The Volcano Monster' sounds thrilling,
Hotdog thinks he's perfect for the ninja (with a little practice),
Kev wishes to star as the ballerina (lots of practice needed) and
Lizzie wants to be the volcano monster (she's afraid of heights,
though).
With only a week until the auditions, the friends need to practise
their skills and train really hard, if they want to stand out from
the others keen to be in the movie. What great friends they are,
encouraging, guiding, helping and creating challenges to hone their
skills. Hot Dog's ninja chopping skills create a perfectly sliced
fruit platter, although leaping over a wobbly line of tree trunks
with spiky porcupine obstacles proves a little tricky. Kev looks
gorgeous in his tutu, but his spins and leaps need finesse. Hot
Dog's especially helpful adding a layer of rubber to Lizzie's shoes
at each training session to help her overcome her fear.
At the auditions, the friends try their best and are given special
roles, which come in very handy when the real volcano erupts!
Books in Anh Do's Hot Dog series are jam-packed with humour,
slap-stick comedy, cheesy jokes and loads of fun. He focuses on
friendship, teamwork and caring for others, while creative and
imaginative play is encouraged. Some of the animals' actions need to
come with a word of caution, especially the volcano rescue and
dealing with the lava and flying rocks.
Dan McGuiness continues to capture the humour, fun and crazy actions
of the characters. The brussel sprout icecream, Lizzie's unusual
practice volcano and the spiky porcupines add excitement. Red is the
predominant colour, making the illustrations stand out, bold key
words, and differing text styles and sizes make this another easy to
read story for readers from six and great for hi-lo readers as well.
Rhyllis Bignell
Jack and the beanstalk by Matt Ottley
Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760660581.
(Age: all) Highly recommended. Themes: Classic tales, Fairytale,
Giants. The classic tale of Jack and the beanstalk has been retold
and illustrated by award winning author/illustrator Matt Ottley. The
first page shows an impoverished family, thin and ragged, with a
poor cow so starved that its ribs are obvious, having to make a
decision about their most precious possession. From there the
illustrations cover the pages as they tell the tale of Jack and his
cow going to the market. Children will sympathise with the decision
that has to be made, wondering what they would do in Jack's place.
Along the way to town, Jack is waylaid by an old man who exchanges
three magical beans for the cow. Jack's mother is incensed and
throws the beans out of the window, sending him to bed. But the
beans are magical and a beanstalk grows up into the sky. Climbing
the beanstalk, Jack finds he is in the giant's grip and must escape
doing so with the giant's magic singing harp and golden egg laying
hen.
A well known fairytale, Jack and the beanstalk has been revisited
many times since it first appeared as The story of Jack
Spriggins and the enchanted bean in 1734. The story was
published in 1807 as the The History of Jack and the beanstalk,
and then Joseph Jacobs included the most well known version in his English
Fairy Tales in 1890.
A story of a poor boy winning against a huge giant will always win
friends as readers pit themselves against the giant, willing Jack to
succeed and return home with something good for his mother. His poor
family is enriched by the fabulous hen and can enjoy the music
played by the harp. The giant is a nasty giant, eating Englishmen so
deserves to fall from the beanstalk. His refrain will cheer the
hearts of the readers as they practise the small poem, repeating it
as the giant comes into the story.
Ottley portrays his characters with a great deal of humour. I love
the images in the giant's house of necessity looming over the tiny
Jack, the giants' feet and hands, large, gnarled and lumpy coming
out at the reader. Readers will love looking at the detail included
by Ottley, the shadows, the cow's eyes and eyelashes, the castle,
the giantess' thongs, the bones under the table and the bright green
endpapers, and ask for the story to be read again.
Fran Knight
The Good Son by Pierre-Jacques Ober
Illus. by Jules Ober and Felicity Coonan. Candlewick Studio, 2019.
ISBN: 9781536204827.
(Age: Upper primary +) Highly recommended. Themes: War, Patriotism,
military history, toy soldiers. A story from the First World War
told in miniature as the sub-title suggests this beautiful
picture book re-creates realistic scenes from the First World War
using miniature soldiers. Also it tells the story of the little
soldiers in the Great War, caught up in a conflict where they joined
as patriots, to make their families proud but as the war progressed
it became clear they were pawns in a larger game. The monochrome
images of the war torn countryside and the narrative ribbon stating
the bleak facts about WW1 bring us to young Pierre, locked up in a
barn. What unfolds is his story from when the world had colour, with
emphasis on the red white and blue of the French flag. He joined up
to stop the Germans, and marched through the beautiful countryside
dreaming of glory but when they finally saw battle 'we won . . . it
was terrible.' Pierre has a friend, Gilbert, who stands by him
throughout. When the Colonel comes and tells Pierre he will be shot
for desertion it is Gilbert who brings him food and companionship.
His commanding officer is sympathetic but tells Pierre morale is low
so he is to be made an example of to deter others from walking away.
Pierre's crime? To slip away for three days to be with his mother
over Christmas. He writes a letter to his mother recounting an
incident where he was commended for bravery he felt he didn't earn,
whereas he is to be shot for desertion for wanting to spend two days
with his mother. He promises to wear the socks she gave him 'Maman
those were the best two days of the war.' Gilbert comes before dawn
bringing food and comfort and he talks of a younger brother killed
in the first week of the war. Gilbert promises to deliver the letter
to Pierre's mother.
In a note from the author we learn that the idea of using WW1
figurines to create a series of images was originally a gift for his
father's 80th birthday and the centenary of the start of WW1. The
project 'developed into an homage to all the men who fulfilled their
patriotic duty unprepared for the horror unleashed upon them'.
A highly recommended but harrowing story that would make an
excellent history teaching aid for upper primary or middle school
students, younger students might need to read this with a
grandparent or adult.
Sue Speck
The guardian of lies by Kate Furnivall
Simon and Schuster, 2019. ISBN: 9781471172328.
(Age: 16+) Historical fiction. Furnivall's novel is set in 1950s
France during the Cold War. American air bases are being established
around the country to protect Europe from the growing threat of the
Soviet Union. France is divided between those who view the American
presence as a necessary protection against the reach of Communism,
and those who resent American capitalism and the development of
nuclear weapons.
Wanting to follow in the path of her elder brother Andre, Eloise had
applied to become a secret agent with both the French Intelligence
Service and the American CIA but following rejection by both, she
embarks on detective work in an agency run by Clarisse Favre.
Eloise's detective skills are turned to her personal life after her
faulty decisions see her brother crippled in a car smash and she
learns that her father has sold part of their precious family
property to the American air base in the south. The burning
questions are: Who tried to kill her brother? And why would her
father part with the land that he loves?
Returning to her home in the Camargue, Eloise is drawn into a
tangled web where it becomes hard to work out who can be trusted and
who is an enemy. Someone is leaking top secret information about the
American secret weapons to Soviet Intelligence, the MGB. And someone
is determined to stop Eloise from finding out what is going on.
Caught in the lies and deception, there seems to be only one person
she can turn to - her childhood friend Leon Roussell, now the local
police officer, but how much can she tell him without endangering
members of her family?
Eloise is a strong determined woman, extremely resourceful and well
trained by her brother to consider the evidence . . . and then to
also consider the impossible. But as she gradually uncovers the
secrets, she knows that she herself is drawing closer and closer to
danger.
Readers will find themselves carried along with the fast moving
plot, wanting to know who is the spy and who the counter-spy, but
also ultimately which world view one should trust.
Helen Eddy
The happy unicorn by Sally Odgers and Adele K Thomas
Pearl book 4. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760664275.
(Age: 6-8) Themes: Unicorns, Magic, Ogres. Pretty in pink, Sally
Odgers continues her delightful magical series in The Happy
Unicorn. With bright colourful pages, borders and magical
words, this is another easy to read and share story, just right for
young unicorn fans.
Sometimes Pearl has problems with her magic, instead of stopping the
rain, it may turn pink or even create a towel that helps for a short
while. Tweet the Firebird and Olive the Ogre enjoy the pink rain, it
makes them happy. Olive's busing practising her loudest roars for
the upcoming Ogrefest. Pearl and Tweet want to attend, and with a
little help from Olive and Granny Ogma's ogre-lotion mixed from mud
and leaves, they are disguised as ogres.
Pearl's talent is flicking her tail and stomping her hooves, while
Tweet the Firebird can compete in the fire lighting competition with
the flick of her tail. The Ogrefest is loads of fun; ogres from all
over the valley gather to sing, roar and share piles of snacks. Each
day is filled with laughter and fun, contests, activities and plenty
of eating. Pearl wishes she could use her magic to help her friend
Olive win, but that's not allowed, until the gobble-uns invade the
festival. When their stinky magic fills the air, Pearl's had enough,
she stamps and stomps, swishes her tail and down comes the magic
pink rain which washes the gobble-uns clean and clears the air. What
a wonderful outcome and a special conclusion to a difficult
situation!
Sally Odgers continues to explore the themes of problem solving,
valuing friends and believing in yourself. Adele K Thomas' fun,
pink, grey and black pictures showcase both Pearl's magical world
and add sparkle to the enchanting story. The Happy Unicorn
is just right for readers venturing into early chapter stories.
Rhyllis Bignell
The last Balfour by Cait Duggan
Harper Collins 2019. ISBN: 9781460757017.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Cait Duggan's first novel follows the
witch hunt phenomenon of 19th century Scotland. With rich imagery
and a cast of interesting characters, this novel is a welcome escape
from reality. Incorporating spells and songs from historical texts
as well as charms and pagan traditions, Duggan pays homage to the
healers of old and those who were persecuted in the Scottish witch
trials.
Iona is only fourteen when her aunt Grizzle is convicted of being a
witch and burned at the stake. Her powers have not yet come in yet
her sister is unconcerned with the danger they are both facing.
Blinded by her love for her husband, Gregor, Ishbel refuses to act
until it's too late. Under her aunt's instructions, Iona must set
off through the forest for Edinburgh with little more than her wits
and a family jewel. With a witch-finder in hot pursuit she must let
go of all that is dear to her, even the neighbour's boy, Daziel, who
has returned from his studies to help her. Making new friends along
the way, Iona must come into her magic and gather all of her courage
in order to survive. But will that be enough?
The novel explores Iona and Ishbel's strenuous relationship
following Ishbel's marriage and subsequent infatuation with someone
her sister cannot stand. Dealing with issues of trust, secrecy,
betrayal, and the power of intent, The last Balfour tells us
to be careful who to trust and why.
Highly recommended to young people twelve and up, particularly those
interested in Scottish history, witchcraft, and the supernatural. Teacher's
notes are available.
Kayla Gaskell
The time travel diaries by Caroline Lawrence
Time Travel Diaries book 1. Piccadilly Press, 2019, ISBN:
9781848128002.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Themes: Time travel, Boys, Roman Britain.
'There are three rules of time travel, a naked entry and exit, only
drink don't eat and keep interactions to a minimum!' Billionaire
inventor Solomon Daisy needs a willing subject to travel back to
Roman Britain and find the blue-eyed girl with the ivory knife. Only
pre-adolescent children without piercings or fillings can enter the
portal and twelve-year old Alex Papas fits the criteria. He loves
Latin Club and can speak the language too, it's like Greek which he
speaks with his grandma who cares for him, as well.
Alex weighs up the consequences and considers the benefits of the
million pounds reward, four million extra, if he finds the blue-eyed
girl. (Daisy's fascination is borderline obsessive.) Alex uses his
wits, prior knowledge of Londinium to navigate out of the dark
Temple of Mithra into the streets. Chased by a mad woman, traversing
the Thames in a coracle, stealing a knife, sleeping beside a warm
kiln, losing Dinu, the first day and night is problematic for Alex.
At the marketplace, he uses the tune of 'Greensleeves' and his
schoolboy Latin to inform the crowd of his goal.
Fortuitously, Lollia the knife-carrying girl finds Alex. She is
pretty but rather spoilt and treats her slave girl, Plecta, badly.
There's a budding romance that develops when Dinu reappears, as he
falls for Plecta. Do the boys return unscathed to modern day London?
How does Alex ensure the safety of the girls as well?
Carolyn Lawrence's rich background knowledge of Roman life, the
nitty-gritty, sights, smells and sounds, make this a thrilling
novel. She includes 'Ten Things You Didn't Know About Roman London'
to ensure the readers understand the differences between the
realities and representations glamorised in Hollywood movies. The
time travel diaries is a fast-paced junior novel perfect for
sharing with classes studying Ancient Roman history.
Rhyllis Bignell
The sharp edge of a snowflake by Sif Sigmarsdottir
Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9781444935301.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Themes: Nordic mystery, Thriller, Iceland,
Murder, Social media, Sexual abuse. Lovers of Nordic noir and
mysteries will be thrilled to pick up this gripping thriller set in
the snowy cold of Iceland. Hannah has been sent to live with her
father, a man she barely knows after the death of her mother. She is
to work as a trainee journalist at her father's paper. On the way
from the airport she witnesses the body of a man who has been
murdered and becomes embroiled in finding out what has happened.
Meanwhile Imogen Collins is also coming to Iceland. She is a social
media influencer and works for a company that manipulates sales. She
is also haunted by the man she calls the Beast. Hannah and Imogen
meet and secrets start to spill out as the action speeds up.
This book was very hard to put down. It ticks all the boxes on many
levels - the mystery of the murder is quite riveting, and is central
to the story, but the background of both Hannah and Imogen give the
story depth and interest. What has happened to Imogen in her past?
Will Hannah inherit the mental problems that plagued her mother?
Both young women are feisty characters that readers will identify
with, while the manipulative aspects of social media are thoroughly
explored and Hannah's comments on Instagram are amusing and
relevant.
This is a really engrossing mystery with psychological overtones and
is sure to appeal not only to teens but to adult mystery readers as
well. And the unexpected cliff-hanger at the end suggests that
readers may see more of Hannah's investigative powers in the future.
Pat Pledger
The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle by Sophie Green
Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9780733641169.
(Age: Adolescent - Adult) This delightful novel plunges us into the
lives of four women at different stages in their lives. Meeting at
one of Sydney's beaches for a daily swim, named as Shelly Beach in
the novel, the four women discover a lifting of the spirit,
supported as they are by the growing understanding, interest and
care of the others. The issues that the women face are very much at
the heart of coping with the changing world of today, and, even more
so, of recognizing the challenge of the roles that each plays.
While on the surface this may appear to be a 'light read', Green's
gentle persuasive tone lures us into the lives of these women and we
are caught up in their growing friendship and daily lives. While
Green explores the complications that the four women have in their
lives, she also draws characters who are able to change, developing
greater strengths to face their challenges. Each discovers that the
caring support of others enables them to face their lives with a
more positive stance and stronger determination to complete what
they have begun. Focussing on each one's issue in the individual
chapters, Green draws us into the increasingly important shared
times swimming in the beautiful, deep waters of the bay, and what
that offers each woman. We realise that, for the women, this
recurrent meeting enables a deeper exploration of the complexities
of their lives, and we begin to see the strength of the circle that
can support them.
Leanne, a nurse, offers support and care to patients but is
alienated from her family. Swimming with the others, she experiences
the 'magic' of the sea. Marie lives alone, surviving on the age
pension. She finds the friendship of the others and the freedom of
the water exhilarating. Elaine moved to Sydney from England with her
Australian husband, a doctor who works long hours, and has begun to
use alcohol while spending much time alone. Theresa is married with
two young boys, her husband having left her. Her mother,
delightfully spirited and supportive, helps in the home while
keeping her own 'room' in the garden shed.
Ultimately this story is a lesson to all of us in these busy worlds
that we inhabit, that giving and receiving kindness, friendship and
support can bring about change in our lives, especially in our level
of well-being. This is a book for both adults and adolescents who
are curious as to the decisions they might make as adults. Indeed,
it is probably a woman's book, but would be a salutary lesson for
all genders as the modern world is shown to present difficulties,
intruding and sometimes alienating us from what matters in life.
Elizabeth Bondar
Impossible music by Sean Williams
Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760637156
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Simon is a young musician with his
own band. He loves creating music, it means everything to him. He
wants to go on to study music at university. And then one night he
is struck deaf, by a stroke that destroys the part of the brain that
hears. He has cortical deafness, an extremely rare form of
sensorineural hearing loss. He becomes obsessed by what that means
for music and sound - can there be music without hearing? Can he
create music that is silent? Williams explores these questions in a
way that intrigues without being too difficult to understand.
Simon gradually develops a friendship with another newly deaf person
- George, a girl, whose deaf name is the sign for the letter G with
an extra twist evoking her love of coffee. She has the inverse
problem to him - tinnitus, so loud and so obtrusive, that it wipes
out any other sound - another form of deafness. Simon thinks he is
being the helpful understanding friend, giving her space to adjust,
but gradually comes to realise that perhaps he is the person most in
need of help and support in adjusting to his new circumstances.
Williams' descriptions of relationships is so authentic: the
tentative newly budding romance between Simon and G, Simon's
relationship with his confrontative struggling sole-parent mother,
his relationship with his opted-out equally music obsessed father,
and his annoying but caring sister, Maeve. Every reader can relate
to these situations.
I can highly recommend this book as a story of finding one's
identity in overwhelmingly changed circumstances, the struggle to
reach better understanding of relationships with the most
significant people in one's life, and also an insightful portrayal
of what it really means to be deaf. Williams is a skilled writer;
the chapters are short, each adds another layer to the story and
carries you along to a conclusion that is positive and optimistic.
Helen Eddy
Moving your body by Beci Orpin
Lothian Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780734419415.
(Age: 1-3) Recommended. Boardbook. Themes: Movement. A brightly
coloured boardbook Moving your body concentrates on the many
different ways that small children could move. They could run with
their legs, fly with their arms, smile with their mouths and so on.
Each vibrantly illustrated double page has simple language written
in easy to read black type against pink and yellow, blue and green
backgrounds to describe different movements that the body makes.
Gorgeous little people are drawn showing the movement described and
giving the reader the idea of how the body can move. I particularly
liked the 'Float on your back' page that shows a little person with
floaties on a deep blue background. And of course the final page
'Hold with your hand' is heart-warming. Little children will have
lots of fun trying out the different movements as the book is read
to them as well as having the opportunity to learn parts of the
body.
There are children of all colours and genders, which makes Moving
your body a very inclusive board book that is ideal to share
with the very young, and its sturdy board format will allow for lots
of use by little hands.
Pat Pledger
Land of fences by Mark Smith
Text, 2019. ISBN: 9781925773583. Wilder trilogy, book 3.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended, Crime, Future, Dystopia, Asylum
seekers, Virus. The third in the Wilder trilogy sees Finn
and Kas leading a carefree lifestyle near the town where Finn grew
up, in the lands beyond the control of the Wilders and the
No-Landers. They hunt and fish, swim and surf, play with the dog and
talk to Ray. They are beyond the reach of those who would hunt them
down, but Kas' implant is always there. She is a siley, a slave, an
asylum seeker, one of the band of people blamed for the virus which
spread across Australia, causing absolute chaos when millions died,
allowing small groups of thugs to take control, and the encroaching
presence of those thugs means that Finn and Kas must move on.
Fixing an old radio has them hearing a transmission from the army,
now controlling the area nearby and asking all who have survived to
give themselves up. They know this will mean separation and the fear
of what may happen to Kas impels their leaving their haven.
A sense of foreboding permeates the book as we follow the pair, now
accompanied by two others who have escaped the farm where they were
forced to work. But Kas' implant vibrates and they are caught and
find that Ramage, their old enemy is now in charge of the area, and
his word is law. But needing a doctor, Finn is taken to a woman who
proves to be a siley as well, one of the qualified people who must
be used despite their lowly status.
Through her, Finn begins to hope that there is resistance and he
holds onto that idea. This again is a heart stopping read. The
situation is dire, and Smith cleverly parallels life in Australia
today with what it could be, with increased suspicion of smaller
groups, of people who are different, of asylum seekers, allowed free
rein. All the mistrust between the groups comes to the fore when the
virus hits, with some using the mayhem for their own ends.
Stomach clenching episodes may cause some readers to have a break,
as I did, finding it hard to cope with the threats imposed by Ramage
and his crew, fearful of the fate of Finn and Kas. Smith's involving
writing and ever present threat of intimidation, harm and worse will
keep readers hooked to the last pages. A shockingly good dystopian
story, it has warnings of what will happen when societies become
zenophobic, insular and inward looking.
Fran Knight
The good thieves by Katherine Rundell
Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN 9781526608130.
(Age: 9+) Extremely highly recommended. Themes: History, Family,
Friendship, Acceptance, Thieves, Disability and Disadvantage.
Vita Marlowe's grandfather's house has been taken by a conman and
she is determined to get it back. After arriving in New York by boat
from England, Vita sets out to get her family home back for her
grandfather. Although Vita, a master planner is the main character,
she enlists the help of some unlikely children: Arkady, whose father
runs a Russian circus, dreams of working with animals; Samuel, the
apprentice to the circus's animal trainer wants to fly; and Silk who
just wants to belong, fit together in an unlikely group. Although all
of the members bring special skills to the group they also bring
their backgrounds in prejudice and this helps them to work together
to stand up for themselves, fight against the prejudice each faces
and challenge the status quo that stops them from following their
dreams.
As the story progresses, the reader is pulled into the lives of not
just the children but the people around them as they are confronted
by the worst that society has to offer and the problem of being a
child in an adult world. This is a brilliant book for all children
and will not disappoint those who have read Rundell's other novels,
as it is exciting, adventurous and thrilling while still showing
that just because you are different doesn't mean that you can't do
what you dream about doing.
Mhairi Alcorn
Contender: The chosen by Taran Matharu
Hodder Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781444938975.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. The chosen, first in the Contender
series by Tara Matharu (author of the Summoner
series) was a convoluted trip to a world where the suspension of
disbelief is entirely necessary. With a higher power taking control
of the lives of six boys from reform school and the evident
resurrection of more than a few prehistoric species, Cade Carter's
world is about to change irrevocably.
Convicted of a crime he didn't commit and losing not only his
full-ride scholarship but the trust of both of his parents, Cade is
sentenced to twelve months in a detention facility with other
delinquent juveniles, forced to live in fear and silence - anything
to keep the target off his back. But things are not as they seem
when he is wrenched yet again from life as he knows it and
introduced to a never-before-known level of terror - that of being a
contender. Just what that means, Cade doesn't know and he doesn't
have much time to think given he's too busy fighting for his life as
monsters emerge from the deepest recesses of his mind. Seeing living
dinosaurs might be a palaeontologist's dream, but for a boy
desperate to keep his life it's more of a nightmare. Separated from
the others, Cade must exercise his intellect as well as his physical
endurance in order to save his own life, and possibly even that of
the Earth itself.
With high stakes and misunderstood young offenders, Matharu presents
an action novel very similar to a video game. As the novel goes on
the characters become more fleshed out and their problems more
familiar. Eric, the broodiest and most frightening guy in the school,
softens, revealing his story and how he ended up in the misfit
school. Jim, always having been under Finch's power, finds the
courage to stand up for his beliefs. Cade, always blending into the
background in an effort not to be noticed, assumes the role of
leader - his intellect and strength guiding forces for the group in
the battle to come.
I would recommend to boys aged twelve and up interested in video
games and history.
Kayla Gaskell
