Reviews

The story of Eva Carmichael by Gary Crew

Ill. by Paul O'Sullivan. Harbour Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9781922134103
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Themes: Shipwrecks. Loch Aird. Migration. Victoria. Subtitled, "The wreck of the Loch Aird", this informative, sumptuously illustrated picture book will have readers delving into the delights of the internet to verify the truth behind the tale. The wreck of the ship along Victoria's infamous Shipwreck Coast is certainly true, and many visitors stop and wonder at Loch Aird Gorge during their trip along the Great Ocean Road. Crew imagines the young survivor (one of only two) of the shipwreck, Eva Carmichael, later recalling her life and in particular, the shipwreck.
Through his narrative, Crew fleshes out the reasons why her family emigrated, details life on board the ship, and the horror of that night, her rescue and life after the shipwreck. As with the book which burst on the young adult scene in 1990, Strange objects, this is a mix of fact and fiction, so seamlessly entangled that Crew has created a credible and entertaining story about one girl's life, built up around a true event, shocking in itself, but sure to carry every reader with it.
Strange objects saw many people debating whether his hero was a true character or fictional, whether the shipwreck had actually occurred, and I remember fielding many questions about the book in schools. So it will be with this book, many will debate the reality of Eva's narrative, wanting to find a diary in the state archives, others marvelling at Crew's ability to reveal the mind of this young woman with such empathy.
Part of the magic of this book is brought by the illustrator who uses his pencils to detail the ship and its rigging, the high seas and the shipwreck. Each view of the seas brings a different breathtaking perspective to the eye of the reader, and they like me will eagerly search each page, breathing in the details, admiring the way O'Sullivan draws the seas and its animals, the cliffs and the debris left by the shipwreck. I love the image of the girl on the front cover, contrasting with her image as an older woman in Ireland at the end, and the famous Peacock on display in Warrnambool's museum.
This is a wholly satisfying historical picture book which will ensure readers will inquire further, adding to their knowledge of an incident in Australia's past.
Fran Knight

The survival game by Nicky Singer

Hodder Children's Books, 2018, ISBN 9781444944525
(Ages: 12+) Mhairi is a child displaced and desperate to return home. The world is changing around her and she is caught in an exodus as the people of Africa flee north, praying for a chance at survival now Global Warming is taking its toll.
Parentless, traumatised, and alone, Mhairi knows that if she can just make it back to Scotland, to the Isle of Arran where she was born, everything will all be okay again. But the walk from Sudan is long and treacherous and she isn't sure that she will ever be free from the memories which haunt her. Regardless, Mhairi is determined to survive, even if that means abandoning a mute boy who tries to join her. But he's more persistent than she expects, and they soon become friends. Travelling alone had its benefits, particularly when it came to crossing borders but it's clear to Mhairi that the boy has no papers. He's an illegal. But he's just a boy. A mixture of compassion and guilt drives Mhairi to adopt the boy as her brother, causing even more problems than before. Will Mhairi's determination get them home? And will they be safe there when they arrive?
Singer provides a dystopian (and quite realistic) take on increasing global temperatures and explores the options humans might have in order to maintain their current lifestyles. Preservation and survival butt heads in this novel, yet it also weaves a tale of compassion and determination.
Kayla Gaskell

The heart of a whale by Anna Pignataro

Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781743817629
(Ages: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Whales. Loneliness. Melbourne author and illustrator, Pignataro has drawn and painted since a young child, culminating in a career of over 40 books, often nominated in prestigious Australian book awards. Her Agatha series, like this book, The heart of a whale, has a layer of poignancy which endears the books to readers.
Whale sings his song so that the whole ocean can hear. His song helps the newly born seahorses go to sleep, his song calms the wriggling octopus and cheers the sad urchin.
But even though his song reaches all the depths of the seas, there is no song to fill his empty heart. The sea creatures hear his sigh and it travels through forgotten seabeds and sleeping turtles to seek out another whale and his wish is granted.
In spare prose, Pigantaro weaves a wonderful tale of shrugging off loneliness as the whale is able to tell of his sorrow and find company.
Despite his ability to bring happiness to all those around him, he has an empty heart and craves company.
This is a beautiful tale to read aloud and discuss with children, promoting the issue of mental health amongst younger people. The story encourages younger readers to talk about their friends and friendships and the way friends support each other.
The watercolour illustrations support the view of the whale in the water. Each page is full of blues and greys, with touches of colour, replicating what can be seen underwater. Younger readers will love recognising the animals and plants they can find on each page and cheer with the whale when he finds a mate at the end. And on the last page are facts designed to further delight the young readers.
Fran Knight

How to Ninja: Activity book by Marcus Emerson

Diary of a 6th grade Ninja series. Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760523824
(Ages: 7+) Recommended. Themes: Ninja. Adventure. Humour. For those who have loved every edition of the funny series, Diary of a 6th grade Ninja, then this book is sure to add to their pleasure. An activity book, it has all sorts of games, puzzles, activities of all kinds to keep readers amused.
The first five pages offer thumbnail sketches of the main protagonists in the series: Chase, Brayden, Faith and Zoe, then their opposite numbers, Wyatt, Olivia and Carlyle. Two pages follow showing readers how to draw Chase, and he tells how to be a Ninja. After that are 'spot the difference' pages, and some more art activities. The pages are filled with an array of things to do about Chase and his Ninja friends and foes, and readers are invited to answer questions, draw Ninja fashion, complete word searches and mazes.
In between are pages of articles about each Ninja, full of humour and interest to those already hooked on the series, and complete enough to hook new readers.
For those who wish to see if they have answered all the questions correctly, answer pages follow the activities, and after these are two pages depicting the front cover of the ten books in the series, and a page about the author, Marcus Emerson.
Great fun for those already fans of the books, but also designed to increase their following, the humour is infectious and will draw readers in to read it from cover to cover and enjoy the activities.
Fran Knight

Dinosaur day out by Sarah Acton

Walker Books 2018. ISBN 9781760650049
(Age:4+) When the children go off to the museum with Dad for the day, they are hoping to go to the dinosaur exhibition, but today that gallery is closed. So Dad buys a book about dinosaurs from the museum shop and they head off to the park instead. Here he tells them all about dinosaurs as they climb trees, hang from the branches, go on a train ride, have lunch, look at the harbour, look into the lily pond then catch the train back home. But the illustrations will capture the readers' attentions as they see what really happens as Dad keeps talking, reading the book and eating.
The tree they climb is a diplodocus, a pterodactyl hangs from the brach next to them, they spy a spinosaurus in the harbour, while a sarcoshucus is lying in the pond and a tyrannosaurus follows them to the train. Dinosaur lovers (every child) will scream with laughter seeing the contrast between the words and the images, and revel in the information about each creature.
I love Acton's illustrative technique (search out The unexpected crocodile for a laugh). She combines watercolour and pencil with a smattering of collage to depict these amazing dinosaurs, ensuring every reader sees some of the characteristics of these beasts, while cherishing the relationship between Dad and the two children as they spend the day together, Dad with his nose in his book, and eating at every opportunity, while the kids roam the park, being involved in outdoor activities and seeing things that pass him by. The underlying humour is infectious and ensure this book will be a firm class favourite.
Fran Knight

The Scoop by Terrence J Quinn

Simon and Schuster, 2018. ISBN 9781925640045
(Age: Senior school - Adult) Jonno Bligh, an award winning journalist seems to have it made. However there is a problem. Jonno has developed a habit for cocaine, which has turned a shy, socially timid guy into a party machine.
After earning an Oscar for the screen play for his latest book, Jonno decides to buy a luxury yacht which he names "The Scoop Jon B", and intends to sail around the islands in South East Asia. He and an old sailing mate, Cody, from his youth, set off on the adventure of a lifetime.
Jonno has promised Cody he is off drugs, but is too self absorbed to consider anyone else. He continues to use drugs despite the dangers of having drugs in countries that have the death penalty for even small amounts of banned substances. Cody does the only sensible thing and leaves him at the first port of call. Jonno is incensed and can't believe his mate would leave him in the lurch, and after a bender and one night stand he finds he has gained the notice of the police who then search his vessel. Luckily for Jonno his stash has been cleaned out by his pick up and he decides it's better if he moves on even if he has to sail the yacht single handed.
He eventually comes to his senses with the words of his mentor Percy providing sound advice and goes cold turkey. Dangerous when sailing single handed but throw in a tropical storm and the adventure is just beginning. He finds a little bit of tropical paradise in a secluded lagoon, that is hidden from the open sea, to start his rehab.
This is soon interrupted by the arrival of pirates who use the nearby bay for a bit of R and R. In this case some very nasty stuff happens on the beach when two women taken hostage are raped by the crew and then left to die. Jonno is able to rescue and save Annie but her friend is dead. Jonno has someone else to think about now, someone whose needs are far greater than his. He is able to nurse Annie so that she is stronger physically but emotionally, of course she is a wreck.
Jonno has also found the pirate leader's stash, which Annie and he decide to keep, and this charts a course for a very rough ride indeed.
The Scoop is a ripping boys' (mans') own adventure. An easy to read page turner with sex, danger and daring do aplenty. Incredible, fast paced and slick this is a great airport read.
Mark Knight

The Finder by Kate Hendrick

Text, 2018. ISBN 9781925603811
(Age: Adolescent) Highly recommended. This is a stunning new book that draws the audience into the world of a young woman who is determined to follow her dream as a 'finder', someone who will do the research that is needed to locate those who have become 'lost'. As a child, she lost her sister - who simply disappeared on a picnic, and, as an adolescent girl who cannot forget her sister, she cannot forgive herself, and cannot live with the guilt that she feels as a daily penance. Her parents have resorted to a rigidly organized structure for their large family, overseeing the progress of their children at school, ruling all of their lives through an unbreakable strict routine for eating, homework, activities and chores around the house that might seem to blank out their loss, but is clearly only distracting on the surface.
Having found a young runaway and been rewarded by the immense gratitude of the family, Lindsay has decided that it is a matter of close attention to her variety of sources of information, via internet sources, and particularly public posts, considering what she would do if she were to 'disappear', and following up on her hunches that have brought her the reward of becoming a 'finder' of some notability in the city. We are drawn into her world, and when she disappears to reside in an empty house - found through careful observation - she devotes her attention to her next challenge. When Elias, an extrovert, a wild dresser who is realizing that he is attracted to boys, asks for Lindsay's help to find his birth mother, she is ready to work with him, and finds him an unexpected good friend.
Written in a captivating style, Hendrick's narrative demands our attention! We are positioned to see the the world through Lindsay's eyes, and it is indeed an insightful depiction of today's world - of the pressures on adolescents, and of the interactions with their peers, and of modern family life. Highly recommended reading.
Elizabeth Bondar

Pearl the Magical Unicorn by Sally Odgers

A cardboard palace by Allayne Webster

Midnight Sun publishing, 2018. ISBN 9781925227253
(Ages: 10+) Highly recommended. Themes: Homelessness, Paris, Child trafficking, Crime. A Notable Book in the CBCA 2018 awards, an enlightening interview with Allayne Webster can be found at http://www.justkidslit.com/interviewbybook-with-allayne-webster/ which underlines her credentials for writing a book about homeless youth in Paris. In 2010, she found herself watching a young boy slip his hand into her husband's pocket and that scene helped develop her character, Jorge, a homeless boy in Paris, used by Bill, along with a number of other children to skim, scam and steal from people in the streets. And this is not random, the children are taught to target likely suspects, confuse and steal from them, then pass the money onto Bill.
At night these children live in cardboard shanties on the outskirts of Paris, some, like Jorge, hopeful that they will be able to leave this life, but most simply living from day to day, grateful to be fed and housed. Many of them are waifs, or bought from parents believing they will be given work, or homeless children taken up by adults who use them to make money.
In an unflinching story, Webster reveals the lives these children live, many not yet in their teens, never going to school, avoiding the police, aware all the time of the power of the men who control them, living in abject poverty and often trafficked.
At times reading like a modern Oliver Twist, Webster has given this theme a modern showing, revealing the children forced into this life, exploited by others, forced sometimes into marriage, abused and neglected.
The story comes to a head when the children find that their homes will be bulldozed by the authorities and Jorge's friend, Ada is about to be forced into a marriage she does not want. With help form their Australian cook friend, Sticky, they take matters into their own hands and survive the brutal lives they have endured.
This is a revealing story about desperate children exploited by adults in one of the major cities in the world and it is a salutary reminder to its readers that this is not just a Parisian problem.
Fran Knight

See Monkey by Sophie Masson

Lttle Pink Dog Books, 2018. ISBN 9780994626981
(Age: Pre-school) Recommended. "See Monkey" by Sophie Masson is a cute, easy to read story about a young child and his favourite toy Monkey and all the adventures they go on during the day. The book is filled with lots of illustrations showing what monkey is doing and would be absolutely perfect as a sharing book with a young child, where you could do the actions with them or their favourite toy too.
Monkey often gets into trouble and causes havoc with the family - which often happens with very young children and their toys! Monkey also gets told off a few times in the story, which many parents and children may relate too.
As a story book to read to a young child around 1-2 years old I think this would be excellent. The pictures are engaging, bright and accurate for the actions in the text. It would also make a great book for mimicking and even a group activity. In saying this - my 4 year old listened happily and pointed to the illustrations telling what Monkey was doing and what she could see. This shows its versatility across the younger age ranges.
I also liked this story for its ability to engage and draw in young children who have a really special toy that goes with them everywhere.
Overall I give this book a 4 out of 5, and think it would be a great addition to a young child's library or even in an education setting such as a childcare.
Lauren Fountain

Angel: A novel by Zoe Daniel

Through my eyes: Natural disaster zones series, Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760113773
(Ages: 10-14) Recommended. Themes: Natural disasters. Typhoons. Author Zoe Daniel has worked for many years as the ABC's South East Asia correspondent reporting on the devastation of wars and the aftermath of natural disasters. In Angel: A novel she has written from her first-hand knowledge of the devastating effects of super Typhoon Haiyan which struck Tacloban in the Philippines in 2013. She realistically portrays the plight of Angel's family and friends, the measures some people are forced into in their search for food and water and the resilience of others willing to provide aid and shelter.
Angel's thirteenth birthday is special, her mother and father give her a special pearl necklace, a talisman that will help her through the most difficult of circumstances. She lives along the sea wall in a simple house with her fisherman father, mother and younger twin brothers. Their livelihood depends on the seas and Angel enjoys helping her father catch the fish. As the family listen to the weather forecasts, they are unaware of just how dangerous the next typhoon will be. The magnitude of water, the depth of destruction, loss of homes, shops, separation of families is unbelievable. Angel stays with her father whilst her mother and the boys travel to Samar to help their elderly grandparents.
Angel struggles to survive as the typhoon hits; she clings to a pole with their old neighbour Mrs Reyes and helps her find shelter with her friend's family. The sights, smells, destruction and people's fight to survive are eye-opening. The problems caused when aid, food and water is delayed is unbelievable. Angel's determination to find her family and seek medical aid for her ill neighbour shows her toughness and inner strength.
The Through my eyes: Natural disaster zones series showcases the courage of children faced with almost impossible situations. Zoe Daniel's novel is suitable for confident readers who enjoy realistic fiction. Angel: A novel is suited to Year 5 and 6 classes studying Geography and Environmental Science researching the cause, effects and characteristics of extreme weather conditions.
Rhyllis Bignell

Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart

Hodder Children's Books, 2018, ISBN 9781444941951
(Ages: 12+) Highly recommended. Unexpectedly brilliant, Grace and Fury brings together the stereotypical expectations of women and those traits of the outspoken and questioning. The novel is dystopian in nature, however it interrogates the place of women both in the Banghart's fantasy world, and in our own.
In a world where women are only objects, where they are silenced, and forbidden education... In a world where simply being caught with an open book could send you to exile. Two girls leave the comfort of their provincial home for the capital, Bellaqua, where the elder, Serina, has been selected as a potential Grace for the Superior's Heir. But things go badly wrong when it is not Serina who is selected, but her sister, Nomi. With their roles reversed for the first time in their lives, both sisters are terrified and lost. Separated and thrown into opposite worlds they are forced to learn their new roles, will either of them survive? It's time for the rebellious Nomi to stop her madness and douse her fire, but that fire is just what Serina must find if she has any hope of survival. Nothing she learned preparing to be a Grace could prepare her for her new life.
Grace and Fury interrogates both the role and the power of women through a dystopian context. It shows not only are women beautiful but also powerful. By reversing Serina and Nomi's positions as rebellious and submissive, both girls are taught the power of being both and the importance of picking the correct moments to rebel against oppression and when to play the game.
Kayla Gaskell

We all sleep by Ezekiel Kwaymullina and Sally Morgan

Fremantle Press, 2018. ISBN 9781925591538
(Age: Pre-school) Highly recommended. Board book. Themes: Animals - Australia. Aboriginal literature. Native species. "Acclaimed mother-and-son team Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina take readers on a journey through a day, celebrating the interconnectedness of people and animals in lyrical language and sumptuous colour". (Publisher)
This is a simple story about a variety of Australian animals and the different things they do. In the end we all sleep under the same stars.
The illustrations in this book are vibrant and tie each part of the story together. On each page you will find the animal the page is about and somewhere the animal that is coming next. There is a child and a blue bird are on every page.
I highly recommend anyone to share this book with their children.
Karen Colliver

Spinning silver by Naomi Novik

Pan Macmillan, 2018. ISBN 9781509899029
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Highly recommended. Themes: Fantasy. Fairy tale retelling. Novik has once again written a compulsively good tale, a sister book to the award winning Uprooted. In this fabulous nod to the fairy tale "Rumpelstiltskin", Novik brings to life three girls. Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders and when her ability to collect money and turn silver into gold catches the eye of the cold Staryk Winter King she finds herself in great danger. Wanda is the daughter of a mean alcoholic who beats her and her brothers and she is desperate to leave her home. Irinushka is a duke's daughter and she has been overlooked all her life until she starts wearing the jewellery that has been made from the Staryk's silver.
Highly complex, but equally engrossing, Spinning silver follows the three girls' paths as they negotiate their family lives and their difficult marriages. All the characters are fully fleshed out and each narrative voice is distinctive and easy to follow. Miryem's story is pivotal to the tale and she is the main character, but everyone, including the secondary voices of the mothers and the husbands and other family members, come across as strong and individual, and each is memorable.
The fairytale setting is very atmospheric - the cold of the Staryk homeland, the castles that Irinushka lives in and the desperate poverty of Wanda's home are vividly described and provide a wonderful backdrop for the story.
This is not an easy book to summarise and its themes are equally difficult; magic, domestic violence, alcoholism, forced marriages, death of parents, duty to the realm, usury, family isolation but the empowerment of the three young women, and the warmth of Miryem's loving parents shine through the story making it ultimately uplifting.
Pat Pledger

Amazing acrobats by Meredith Costain and Danielle McDonald

Olivia's Secret Scribbles bk3, Scholastic, 2018, ISBN 9781760277086
(Ages: 5-7) Themes: Sisters. Diaries. Acrobatics. Olivia's secret diary is an exciting recount filled with all things acrobatic. She loves racing out to the playground at recess and lunch with her friends and having fun on the playground equipment. Her daily journal entries focus on her friends and their activities on the monkey bars, hammock swing and climbing frame. Her positivity is delightful, her ability to creatively use everyday things like oranges for juggling or old sticks and bandages for stilts add to the fun of this easy to read story. Her best friend Matilda is willing to go along with most of Olivia's ideas with one exception, she's afraid of hanging upside down.
Fortunately, there's a free Circus Skills Holiday Workshop in the local Sunshine Centre and both girls are delighted to join. Each day brings new skills and equipment, Hula Hoop Tuesday, Slippery Silk Wednesday and Wriggly Worm Thursday. Practice makes perfect, there are lots of fun activities, group games, individual challenges and a special Spectacular Show for family and friends. Matilda gains confidence as she develops her skills with encouragement from Olivia.
Meredith Costain's third story in the Olivia's Secret Scribbles series is an excellent introduction to chapter books for young girls. There is a brightness and bubbliness to Olivia's point of view, that is presented in any easy-to-read format with aqua-coloured bold text. Danielle McDonald's cartoon illustrations add to the excitement and enjoyment of the story. Amazing acrobats is just right for readers from 5-7.
Rhyllis Bignell