Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408889947
(Age: 8+) Recommended. A dog's nose is more than 1 000 times more
sensitive than our nose. That's why if you do a bottom burp in a
dog's face it will go cross-eyed and fall over. Imagine a sausage
dog's dilemma when it's eating sausages - the resemblance of this
tasty snack to their Granny is uncanny! Uncover top tips for feeding
goldfish and avoiding a mini tsunami in your house causing dinosaurs
to evolve from your carpets! Discover some of the rarest dog breeds
in the world, like the Jack Russell Sprout . . . but remember,
they're not just for Christmas.
This is truly one of the funniest books I have ever read. Campbell
have very cleverly mixed fact with fiction and will be a real hit
with the young readers (8 and up) - especially the advice that is
given to convince parents to allow them to get just the pet they
want. It has a mix of quirky illustrations, sign posts indicating
what directions you can choose and text. It is a little like a
choose your own adventure book, whereby you can choose what you want
to do. It is not a book that has to be read from cover to cover. I
sneakily gave it to one of my Year 6 reluctant readers and he could
not put it down - he was very keen to borrow it. I can also see
myself using it to fill in the odd five minutes - picking it up and
reading a couple of pages. A very lighthearted book that is a must
have.
Kathryn Schumacher
Goal Power by Meredith Costain
Ella Diaries series. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781743818060
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. "Goal Power" is another instalment in
the "Ella Diaries" series. It is a standalone read, and new readers
to the series can start with this diary themed novel. Ella tells us
about her daily life in a diary, complete with labelled diagrams.
She looks at her life in a fun and positive way and changes words to
help her describe everything. From 'fantabulous funerous fun' to
'desperating despair', Ella's (and the author's) play on words
creates a fun and engaging text.
In "Goal Power", Ella and her friends start a girl's only lunchtime
soccer club. Ella is so excited and can't wait to be a striker.
Unfortunately, Ella struggles to learn the skills to be a striker so
she has a go at being a defender. This doesn't work out either. Will
Ella find her place in the soccer team?
"Goal Power" is all about friendship, positive female characters and
finding what you are good at. The author portrays Ella as positive,
adventurous and a bit dramatic which makes the story funny. Ella's
diary entries and diagrams are great to read and easy to comprehend.
This novel is engaging for younger readings and is reminiscent of
the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (but not so embarrassing). "Goal Power"
is highly recommended for readers aged 8+.
Kylie Kempster
Changing Gear by Scott Gardner
Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760631468
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Themes: relationships, family,
self-discovery, nature. Year 12 is over and Merrick Hilton has two
weeks to study for his final exams. He tells his amicably separated
parents he is staying at the other's place and takes off on his
restored postie bike. Since the death six months before, of his
grandfather, his rock and mentor, Merrick has been disengaged with
life, slipping through the space between the two families, and the
road trip is a spur of the moment decision. "If you feel like shit,
don't just sit around; make something, clean something, smash
something - Grandad" p 33. Leaving behind his broken phone and
forgetting his wallet, Merrick gathers up his swag, a handful of
muesli bars and some cash he had stashed away and rides. Life on the
road is challenging in many ways but the constant movement and
passing landscape meets his needs, challenging his entrenched habits
and when he reaches Little Desert National Park the slower pace
required by sandy roads allows him to observe nature more closely.
When the chain breaks on his bike Merrick reaches a low point. "I
needed boobs, but there were none. I needed food. Proper food, not
just muesli bars and bruised fruit. If I'd given this trip more than
a moment's thought before I barrelled out the gate, I'd be in a much
better place right now." p 69. On the remote desert track Merrick is
forced to push his bike a considerable distance until he meets an
old man walking the track who reminds him of his grandfather. Victor
makes a temporary repair to the bike chain but it soon fails again
and they walk together towards the nearest town. Somehow slowing
down to a walking pace has grounded Merrick and the two find
companionship while facing the challenges of the road.
Merrick's road trip is more than a simple coming of age story; it
canvasses a wide range of issues including grief, relationships,
real versus internet/media experience, values and a philosophy of
life. The vast empty beauty of the land and the walking pace allows
for a clarity of thought rarely possible in our modern world.
Merrick is not afraid to listen and to learn to respect the land as
he pursues his life-affirming inner and outer journey. This is a robust and
engaging story recommended especially for boys fourteen and over.
Sue Speck
Natural born loser by Oliver Phommavanh
Penguin Books, 2018. ISBN 9780143505730
(Age: 10+ ) Highly recommended. Natural born loser is an
inspiring, funny story and promotes being yourself rather than
following the crowd. Raymond is a typical year 6 boy who loves
soccer and being with his best friend but he doesn't see himself as
a leader. He sees himself as a follower and does follow his best
friend around. He isn't all that good at soccer (in his eyes) even
though he practises all of the time. Raymond's school has a bad
reputation for bullies and principals who always leave. But, a new
principal has arrived and he is ready to shake things up. First, the
new principal introduces the idea of prefects to give the students a
voice at school. Raymond and his best friend - Zain - are chosen as
well as two others - Ally and Randa. The new principal wants them to
work as a team and gives them the chance to show leadership and
organisation skills as well as back anything they want to do for
their fundraising efforts. From a dare-a-thon to a car wash to a
sports day, the school and the community really get behind the new
prefects. Can the bullymon (the bully) of the school finally get on
board or will his antics continue to cause chaos? Natural born loser is a fun and an easy to read novel, told from
the perspective of a year 6 boy. It is extremely relatable to
children around this age - from the issues at school to the feelings
Raymond has. Raymond doesn't come from a rich family. His parents
work hard and he goes to the local school. The themes of
multicultural Australia, teamwork and community are prominent. The
multicultural content gives children from different cultural
backgrounds a character in a story that could be just like them. The
idea that the prefects need to work together and lead together
rather than have a captain in charge is relevant today. Natural
born loser has all of the emotions and moments of a great story.
More importantly, the reader sees Raymond change, as the story
progresses, into a leader.
It is highly recommended for readers aged 10+. The underlying themes
would also make it a great novel to study in the class for year 5 to
year 6.
Kylie Kempster
Crossing Ebenezer Creek by Tanya Bolden
Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781681196992
(Age: 13+) Recommended. In the latter months of 1864, during the
U.S. Civil War, General Sherman of the Union led a huge army through
Georgia, freeing slaves, plundering goods and destroying property of
the vanquished. Many ex-slaves chose to accompany the advancing army
on the march. Many would have seen the Northern soldiers as
saviours, some depended upon their rations and some undoubtedly
wanted to participate in and witness the defeat of the Confederate
South.
The Union army was glad to have the labour from thousands of willing
workers for transporting equipment, foraging food and building
pontoon bridges to replace those destroyed by the retreating
Confederates. Accompanying the principally male ex-slaves engaged in
military support were the women, children and elderly from their
families or dependants from their previous life of servitude.
This story centres upon Mariah, a young woman whose main focus after
being freed is the protection of her intellectually disabled young
brother by establishing a home on one acre of land, upon which she
can grow food. From her recollections, the reader comes to
appreciate some of the abject misery and brutal cruelty endured by
slaves in the American South. It is difficult to imagine conditions
in an era when those who considered themselves part of civilised
society might sell children away from traumatised mothers, would
inflict barbaric, degrading punishments for the slightest of
perceived misdeeds and could ultimately end a slave's life.
Liberated from tyranny, these ex-slaves rejoiced in freedom but
faced the fact that they were ill prepared for life ahead, having no
land or property and usually no education. When Mariah meets Caleb
(a skilled black man working for the Union Army) she recognises his
kind, gentle and decent nature and a romance develops which would
have been realistic under the circumstances.
The climax of this story involves an historically accurate event
which should be shamefully acknowledged and remembered, yet appears
to have been buried and forgotten in the mists of time.
Young readers may be confused by the opening sequences of this
story, especially if they have no knowledge of slavery in the
American South. It may be difficult for those unfamiliar with
plantation life and conditions to understand the various characters
who are introduced in the early passages, yet if they persist, they
will be better for learning about this profoundly important chapter
of history.
Recommended for readers 13 years+
Rob Welsh
Bonkers about beetles by Owen Davey
Flying Eye Books, 2018. ISBN 9781911171485
(Ages: 6-adult) Highly recommended. Themes: Beetles. Non-fiction.
What a wonderful encyclopaedic book about beetles, I read it from
cover to cover, loving every piece of information given, observing
the pictures with glee, scanning the layout and clear design
features with admiration.
After a contents page, each double page fastens on one topic, well
illustrated with clearly defined drawings, using colours that
reflect the places the beetles dwell. Each page is covered with
highly arresting information, distinctive and finely detailed
illustrations which will enrapture the readers.
The first two double pages inform the reader about the basics of
being a beetle: what they are and where they live. Readers will find
that there are over 400,000 different beetles species, and that they
can be terrestrial or aquatic, and herbivore, omnivore, predator or
decomposer. While over the page is a magnificent drawing of a beetle
with body parts numbered so that the reader can easily see what part
is what, and read how each part is useful to a beetle. From there
each double page concentrates on one aspect of the beetle: wings,
food, disguise, defence, and camouflage while other pages
concentrate on one beetle, like the ladybird and the horned dung
beetle.
The last two double spreads show the beetles in mythology and
conservation being made on the beetles' behalf. It will surprise
readers to find out that although there are over 400,000 species of
beetle, some are under threat, and Davey explains just what these
beetles do and how we can help in their conservation.
All in all a sparkling look at beetles, and a book I will go back
to, as will many readers who love gathering bits of information or
who are potty about beetles, or just love the design of the book.
Flying Eye Books has published three other books by Owen Davey that
use the same entertaining style of both information and
presentation: Mad about monkeys, Smart
about sharks and Crazy
about cats. All four of these books will gather a wide
excited audience from primary people.
Fran Knight
Angry Cookie by Laura Dockrill
Ill. by Maria Karipidou. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406383089
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Anger. Friendship. Confronted by an
angry Cookie from the start, the reader will be in no doubt about the
theme of this book. We are told in no uncertain terms, not to open
the book, not to turn the page, and not to try to do anything about
his anger. With that, Cookie escapes up the stairs to his bedroom.
But then he peeps around the door, apologetically, a little
chagrinned about his outburst. Over the next few pages we find out
why Cookie is angry. His best friend, the cactus, plays his recorder
badly, a pigeon tries to snack on him, he has had a bad hair cut,
his toothpaste runs out and he must use his parent's toothpaste
which is not to his liking, in fact, his whole day goes awry. But he
peeps again at the audience and realising that we are all still
there listening to him, deduces that things can't be that bad. He is
surprised that the reader keeps coming back despite his bad temper
and anger, and concludes that the reader is there because he is a
friend and that's what friends do. Young readers will readily
empathise with Cookie, recognising the bad events that can happen to
them all.
The humour behind the illustrations will have broad appeal to the
reader, the simple Cookie expressing his emotions with small changes
in the mouth, eyebrows, and eyes. I loved looking at the pictures
first to see just how Cookie is going to react on each page before
reading the story. Young readers will enjoy Cookie's exploration of
what makes him angry, and like him, realise that a friend can make
all the difference to how you feel. This is a perfect conduit to
class discussions about feelings, anger and friendship.
Fran Knight
Melowy: The night of courage by Danielle Star
Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781338151787
(Age 7+) Recommended. The night of courage is book 3 in the
Melowy series and will be enjoyed by any pony lover aged 5+. In
this book, readers meet the Melowies, magical ponies who are
at school together. They come from a variety of Melowy worlds and
display skills and powers accordingly. The Melowies have been
challenged to spend a night in the woods. Their teacher expresses
the need to learn to not fear making mistakes as the fear stops you
from trying something new. The trip starts well despite another
Melowy being added to the group of friends, a Melowy who isn't
normally nice to the group of friends. The girls build a successful
shelter together but in the search for something to eat, Elektra
goes missing. Will they find Elektra? Will Eris ruin the chances of
the friends being reunited? The night of courage is a simple narrative built around the themes
of friendship and not being afraid. The storyline moves quickly and
it is easy to read and understand. It is a short novel, making it
ideal for younger readers moving into being independent readers. It
would also make a great read for before bed whether independently or
being read by an adult. Sections of the story could be linked to the
Child protection and Health curriculums when discussing teamwork,
problem solving and friendship. The night of courage is a fun read and is recommended for
independent readers aged 7+.
Kylie Kempster
I had such friends by Meg Gatland-Veness
Pantera Press 2018. ISBN 9781925700015
(Age: Teens) Themes: Death. Grief. Suicide. Bullying. Depression.
Prejudice. Love. Loneliness and coming of age issues. Homophobia.
Sexuality. Sexual identity. Abuse. Neglect. Alcoholism. Domestic
violence. Child sexual abuse. Self-confessed loser Hamish Day lives
with his parents on a small cabbage farm in an Australian seaside
town. His whole school is in shock after their top student, Charlie
Parker, is killed when his car swerved to avoid a dog; his
girlfriend, the also popular Annie Bower, survived the accident.
Hamish, also in year 12, wasn't friends with Charlie; his only
friend is Martin, a computer geek from an affluent family. Both boys
are studious and conscientious but relentlessly bullied at school so
it is a great surprise when Peter Bridges, one of the popular
footballer boys, offers Hamish a lift in his beaten up car. A
friendship develops between this odd couple, the tall, strong
confident Peter and the skinny, weak, anxious Hamish who so wants to
impress his new friend that he wags school and nearly drowns after
jumping off a rock into the sea. "I was worried about looking like a
wimp in a situation where I could have died." (p 37) Hamish is no
less surprised when Annie Bower, the most beautiful girl in his
year, asks him on a date. Bewildered, but hopeful, he opens himself
up to love and friendship. Hamish has some rapport with Annie's
survivor guilt as his little sister died in a tragic accident at
home and he lives in a home filled with grief. But both Peter and
Annie's problems go deeper and Hamish's introspection is challenged
as his new friends confide in him and he seeks to comfort them. In
doing so Hamish discovers more about himself and the people around
him than he thought possible. Appearances can be deceiving and
people he thought were most to be envied for their perfect lives
turn out to be holding on emotionally, mentally, physically, and
financially out of sheer desperation. The dark underside of country
life is explored and the feelings of hopelessness and isolation felt
by teenagers who don't fit in are confronting. The homophobic rage
and the actions of the teenagers against Peter and Hamish are
horrific to read. It is possible the author tries to tackle too many
big issues in the last half of the book ending up not doing them
justice but there will be many boys who will relate to Hamish's
insecurities and need to discover his identity. The story requires
some emotional maturity but all teens should read this, if only to
be made aware of the damage caused by bullying.
Sue Speck
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
