Candlewick Books, 2018. ISBN 9780763660369
(Age: Older adolescents - Adults) This powerful novel, epic in
scope, presents an undiscovered world that seems to be both
predictably human and terrifyingly inhuman. Seeming to fall into a
new world through a blue glass window, five imaginative siblings
find themselves caught in an unexpected place where what they have
known as normal does not exist. Their aim is to escape but they
cannot understand how they have been caught in the new world, so the
possibility of leaving seems to be physically impossible.
This is a world of upheaval, violence and fear, a world where the
inhabitants are oppressed, bullied and subjugated to rules that
dominate their lives. They are largely unaware of a possibility of a
world that offers freedom, peace or love. We are aware that Gewirtz
subtly suggests changes in our world that mimic that of her
dystopian society, such as control of free thought, of liberal
education, or of equality and justice. Both disturbing and violent,
this world suggests that some of the present and past worlds that we
have known or inherited are the result of the potential for human
beings to allow those with power to overrule others to the extent
that all known freedoms cease to exist, and dominance, in all
aspects of life, to quash the spirit.
In this dystopian world, the inhabitants, strange-looking and with
quite different ideas about life, seem to follow many of the ways of
the children's own world, yet their world runs on different rules.
It ought to be terrifying but the children seem to find the strength
to analyse the way this world works and the strength to resist
further exploration, and to realize the power of their own
individual strength. The power of their minds to dream up a scenario
seems to be one avenue of enabling change, as they discover, and it
is this positive thinking that offers escape but, paradoxically,
alerts the inhabitants to their presence and endangers them.
This novel is about the power of goodness, decency, kindness,
intelligence, and the capacity of the human spirit to overcome
extreme repression. It speaks of aspects of societies that our world
has known, but placing the children in one such world evokes both
our empathy and our fear of the power of thought and persuasion. I
found it disturbing and unsettling to read, with such young people,
unable to reach their own family and known world, plunged into such
a harsh and violent world. The characters, somewhat ingenuously,
appear to not realize the actual threat of that world, and their
strength of character, loyalty and love, appear to enable them to
find the means to flee.
Qualities such as persistence, kindness and decency are important in
the interactions of the children, both within their little group and
with the locals. Their return to their family home is a satisfying
ending, but plunging such young people into such a violent and
oppressive world evokes a disturbing response in the reader.
Beautifully written, this book is suitable for older adolescents or
adults.
Elizabeth Bondar
The Champion Charlies: The Mix-Up by Adrian Beck
Ill. by Adele K Thomas. Random House, 2018, ISBN 9780143791249
(Age: 6-9) Themes: Soccer, Sports. "The Champion Charlies" series
has been developed in partnership with Football Federation Australia
promoting teamwork and the enjoyment of the game.
When Principal Swift announces that football is cancelled twenty
minutes before the first training session starts, everyone is
shocked. Charles 'CJ" Jackson and Charlotte Alessi, captains of the
boys' and girls' teams can't believe this devastating news. Last
year, both teams had worked hard and won their grand finals, CJ and
Charlotte's photo had appeared in the local paper under the heading
'the Champion Charlies'.
What was the principal doing? The whole class discussed the dilemma
during Science with Mr Hyants (Highpants). They decide to start a
petition demanding that their favourite sport is reinstated. The
principal explains that several families have moved and there aren't
enough students left to make a boys' and a girls' squad; the only
solution is a mixed team.
Both Champion Charlies must get over their personal rivalries and
work together to help form a new Jindaberg Primary football team.
After Principal Swift and Highpants announce this new plan at the
Alessi house during a girls' team party, (which CJ has crashed) the
competition is on. CJ presumes he's the new captain planning
training sessions whilst Charlotte is determined she will be in
charge.
"The Mix-up" is full of excitement, games, humour and pranks, plenty
of football tips and family fun. With a coach who loves karaoke,
dads who love dancing and performing during half-time and an enemy
determined to stop the Jets from winning, this is a great story for
young sports fan. Adrian Beck's easy-to-read style, great characters
and Adele Thomas' humorous cartoons reinforce positive messages of
working together, active listening and valuing each other's skills
and abilities. A great start to a new series focused on sport and
sportsmanship.
Rhyllis Bignell
Seed Magic by Natalie McKinnon and Margaret Tolland
The Spider series, Starfish Bay, 2018, ISBN 9781760360313
(Age: 5-7) Themes: Plants - life cycle, Anxiety, Friendship. Natalie
McKinnon's story "Seed Magic" draws elements from the Aesop's fable
of the ant and the grasshopper. She is passionate about educating
young children, to develop understandings of where food comes from
and their relationships with the natural environment. Here, she
explores the rhythms of the seasons, the life cycle of plants and
the magical qualities of seeds.
In a quiet corner of the garden, shy Little Spider hides in her
comfy leaf, listening to the everyday sounds. She hears the peaceful
garden song, the tap drip-dripping and the owl family hooting.
However her peacefulness is disturbed by Anxious Ant's refrain
'hurry, scurry, worry-worry,' as he rushes about gathering his
stockpile of seeds. He counts each seed out aloud, determined to be
ready for winter. Wise Little Spider understands the importance
leaving seeds in the ground ready to germinate in Spring-time.
She offers to spin a silky warm scarf for the ant in exchange for
five seeds. This exchange leads to a special friendship as they
observe the seasonal changes brought by the warm Spring sunshine and
rain, watching these seeds sprouting, the plant growing and then
producing juicy fruit. Anxious Ant learns about seed magic.
McKinnon's modern fable has an ecological message, take only what
you need or the balance of nature is compromised. Her detailed
descriptive story is beautifully captured by Tolland's painted
garden scenes, with native New Zealand red blossoms and natural
tones. "Seed Magic" is suitable for Junior Primary Science classes
observing plants and their life cycles.
Rhyllis Bignell
We are not most people by Tracy Ryan
Transit Lounge, 2018. ISBN 9781925760040
(Age: 17+) Themes: Identity, Relationships, Faith and faithlessness,
Marriage, Abuse. This story weaves between the unfortunate stories
of two young people separated by continents and thirty years; both
damaged by childhood circumstances and thrust into the strange world
of cloistered vocations. The reader goes on the journey of discovery
as Kurt and Terry age and explore an array of experiences that shape
their future. They are 'not most people' and their personalities are
not standard colourful stereotypes of young people of their age and
times. The story thread and the connection for the two individuals
occurs tenuously in the classroom; Kurt is the teacher who does his
job without great success and Terry is the young female student who
yearns in silence for this man. When he disappears from her life,
she takes a cloistered route, not unlike Kurt's own, in order to
find a sense of meaning and to fill her void. When they reconnect
many years later, their relationship is impaired by history, by the
torment of memory and their own flawed selves. Even though they are
loving, they must struggle through the strain of the poverty and
pain of their experience of love. This book does explore the painful
experience of sexual abuse as it occurred within a European Catholic
Seminary, and it does reveal marriage relationships that are flawed
in their expression. Kurt, even when divorced and alone, remained
close and strangely connected to his first wife, and maintained this
connection even after the much younger Terry entered his life. The
complications of this expression of relationship are felt in a
peculiarly distant way, with pathos and uncertainty for everyone.
Although this book has a frank and raw honesty and a beauty that is
poignant, it is not an uplifting story. It does not reveal hope or
joy, and leaves an incredibly sad pervasive flavour. With each
character's story and the time-line twisted and wrought in the early
part of the book, there is a degree of uncertainty in the direction
of the plot, but it is well-managed by Tracy Ryan. The maturity
required to deal with the discussions of abuse and sexual or marital
dysfunction, demand that this be read only by mature readers,
despite the early chapters dealing with the younger lives of the
central characters. The haunting quality of the writing and the
literature references that are scattered through the book would best
be understood by a well-informed or mature reader. Sad and sombre
books can make you contemplate serious ideas and the directions of
life that can be thrust upon people, and not everyone is alike.
Recommended (for the quality of the writing), to readers aged 17+
Carolyn Hull
The last peach by Gus Gordon
PenguinViking, 2018. ISBN 9780670078912
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Decision making, Food, insects,
Discussion. Two bugs making a decision about eating a peach they see
in a tree, will hold the readers' attention to the last funny page
as they prevaricate from one suggestion to another, finding fault
with each as they proceed.
Two bugs discover the lat peach on a warm summer's day. It hangs
above them just out of reach, shimmering in the sunlight. The
firstly tell each other just how beautiful this peach is, the last
of this year's summer. They debate about what to do, whether to just
admire it or eat it. They are about to eat it when a grasshopper
stops them telling them they cannot eat the last peach. Again they
talk and decide to eat it but another bug comes past and warns them
that its looks may belie what is inside.
By this time the readers will be laughing out loud at the
indecision, and changing of minds of the little insects by passers
by. They look again and think that in eating it they may get a tummy
ache which neither wants. They look at sharing the peach with their
friends, and one of them writes a poem to the peach.
Each suggestion has a counter suggestion, making it very funny to
watch the insects having their debate.
The brightly coloured wonderful illustrations incorporating collage
will appeal to the audience as they read of the plight of the two
insects and perhaps see parallels to their own moments of
indecision.
The last page will bring a gale of laughter as the readers see just
how baseless the whole debate was.
Fran Knight
In-between things by Priscilla Tey
Candlewick Press, 2018. ISBN 9780763689834
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Words. Adventure. Curiosity. A
sumptuously presented picture book which humorously plays with the
word between, inviting readers to see what is in-between the
everyday. Between marvelously attractive end papers, a cat and a dog
romp through the pages, asking the reader to look in-between with
them. The chair is between the parrot and carpet, while the carpet
is between the chair and the floor, but looking between the carpet
and the floor they find things that they would prefer stay there: a
dust ball, fur ball and clump of hair. Going down the stairs into
the cellar reveals a pile of things between the two floors, while
over the page, the idea of between separating two things is
proposed, showing examples of several things that certainly need
something between them.
Each page shows the two animals exploring their domain, pointing out
the importance of things in-between.
With stunningly luminous illustrations, Tey presents a book that
younger children will adore, searching out all the between things on
each page, making connections between the everyday things they see.
Tey loves word play and in this book she gives full reign to those
words to do with between: middle, inside and outside, words to do
with household objects, and some about warm and cold, night and day.
For younger readers this will be a treat, learning new words as they
read of what is between, and having it read a loud, will invoke much
discussion.
Fran Knight
A thousand perfect notes by C.G. Drews
Orchard Books, 2018. ISBN 9781408349908
(Age: 13+) Recommended. The Maestro reigns in Beck's house in much
the same manner as Miss Trunchbull does in Roald Dahl's, Matilda.
An internationally acclaimed and now incapacitated pianist, the
physically imposing matriarch intimidates her son to strive to be a
concert pianist like herself. Beck doesn't rebel despite hours of
piano practice every minute that he is not at school. His hands ache
and so do any other body parts if he speaks up. But he cannot leave
Joey, his baby sister, whom he cares for almost entirely due to his
mother's neglect.
When his teacher pairs him up with August for an assignment, bit by
bit, the free spirited girl forces him to let her into his life. As
the friendship grows and as a date with destiny approaches in the
form of a possible internship with his famous Uncle Jan, his
dysfunctional home life is exposed. Sadly, as so often happens
outside of books, the characters are not galvanized to act until
someone gets really hurt.
A light romance on the one hand, but a very dark and we hope
anachronistic story of domestic violence. Unfortunately this may not
be the case and many abused children and teenagers may continue to
feel so isolated that they have no one to turn to. The role reversal
of the physically and verbally abusive mother figure highlights the
added shame for a powerless male victim. C.G. Drews infers that
women are not exempt from bad character, nor men from taking the
roles of victim or rescuer.
Natural dialogue and Beck's juxtaposed stream of consciousness helps
young adults to appreciate that neglect and oppression are problems
too serious to bear alone. Thank goodness for August and of course,
the villages and authors who give such characters life.
Deborah Robins
The lemonade problem by Jennifer Oxley and Billy Aronson
Peg + Cat series. Candlewick, 2017. ISBN 9781536200614
(Age: 3-6) Themes: Problem solving. Girls. Cats. Small business.
Mathematics. Peg + Cat is a popular animated cartoon series
for pre-schoolers that features a little girl and her indigo cat
working on mathematical challenges using their problem-solving
skills. Through their series of picture books and television
programs, Jennifer Oxley and Ben Anderson's goal is to encourage
pre-schoolers' curiosity about maths in their daily lives and
creatively solve everyday problems.
In The lemonade problem, Peg and Cat decide to start a small
business selling ice-cold lemonade to people passing buy. Instead of
coins, the little girl decides that one cup costs ten marbles. Peg
always keeps her special marble under her hat. Decorated with
balloons and bunting they eagerly wait for their first customer. Can
the young reader see what is missing? After the teens arrive on
their skate boards, they bargain Peg down on her prices until 1 cup
costs two marbles. Unfortunately, Peg forgets the cups and Cat is
sent off to trade cookies for them. Their friend Viv even draws a
bar graph to help Cat understand the maths problem. More exciting
exchanging occurs as Cat's focus becomes diverted with dancing and
red peppers. Of course, just as Cat arrives to save the day, the
weather changes and no-one wants their cold drinks. As the story
line twists and turns, Peg and Cat use their problem solving skills
to work on a better solution, manage their business and then all is
right in their world.
Oxley and Aronson's characters are sketched with pencil on paper
first with simple shapes and lines drawn on a bright patchwork town
that stands out from the graph paper backgrounds. Mathematical
symbols, signs and shapes add interest, as the concepts of comparing
numbers and reading bar graphs are revealed intrinsically. The Peg
+Cat series have a 'transmedia approach' just right for the
preschool audience, with enjoyable books, animated cartoons and an
interactive games website.
Rhyllis Bignell
The mystery of the colour thief by Ewa Josefkowicz
Head of Zeus, 2018. ISBN 9781788546492
(Age: 12+) This is the story of a girl called Izzy, a cygnet called
Spike and the power of feathers gathered from strong winds. It is a
beautifully written debut about hope, healing and new beginnings.
First there was the accident, then came the nightmares and the
mystery of the shadowy thief who steals all the colours from Izzy's
world... a mystery that needs solving.
This is a beautiful story about a girl's struggle to overcome her
guilt for supposedly causing a car accident that left her mum in a
coma. Izzy's world appears to be falling apart in front of her very
eyes - her best friend is being incredibly mean to her, her dad is
distancing himself from her and school is awful. The author has very
cleverly used the colour thief to steal all hope from the young
girl's life - as she begins to unravel the complexities in her life
the colour slowly begins to return. Izzy sees similarities in her
own life in that of her new friend Toby, who was recently paralysed
from a skateboard accident. Toby brings hope to Izzy's life and
allows small glimmers of hope to appear. This is an emotional read
covering themes including families, friends, challenges at school,
belief, self-belief and most importantly empathy. Suitable for
children aged 12 and it will certainly be a welcome addition to the
collection.
Kathryn Schumacher
Ocean lullaby by Sally Odgers
Scholastic Australia, 2018. ISBN 9781742769110
(Age: 3+) "Ocean babies in the deep. Waves are rocking them to
sleep. Listen as the deep-sea sighs, that's the ocean's lullaby. From
the creators of Outback lullaby, Bushland lullaby and Rainforest
lullaby comes this soothing tale. Ocean lullaby is the perfect
bedtime companion." (Publisher)
The very talented Sally Odgers has done it again with this book. The
rhyme and rhythm in this book works beautifully. The descriptive
language used is captivating and the double page illustrations draw
the reader in. The watercolour illustrations are so detailed and
the reader could spend literally hours studying them and continually
finding new discoveries. My favourite would have to be the
seahorses. This will be a welcome addition to the library or make a
wonderful gift.
Kathryn Schumacher
A shout in the ruins by Kevin Powers
Sceptre, 2018. ISBN 9781473667785
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. Powerfully written and well crafted,
this novel draws together two strands, one set during the cruel
times of slavery plantations and the American Civil War and the
other, ninety years and more later, as George Seldom sets out on a
path toward some kind of atonement. It is a complex weaving of
personal stories - the clues holding it together are a faded note,
an elkhorn handled knife, and a pair of cracked blood veined
glasses. The lives of slave owner Bob Reid and his teenage daughter
Emily, and the ruthless Frenchman, Levallois, are inextricably
intertwined with those of the slaves Rawls and Nurse, two lovers
that will never know freedom. Rawls is a 'runner' a would-be
escapee, and is hobbled to pay for it, his two big toes chopped off,
but he continues to hope that one day he will find the young girl,
Nurse, named for her wetnurse duties. The day they finally meet
again is a moment of silent overpowering emotion, neither of them
daring to speak. Can there be any chance of happiness for them in
the lawless violence of the times?
Author Kevin Powers served in the Iraq War, he obviously knows war
first hand, and it is depressing to realise that the violence he
describes must be written from experience, that men continue to
torture and kill each other now just as they did back then. However,
despite the horror and carnage depicted in the novel there are
glimpses of hope, people strive to love and care for each other, and
perhaps one day find a kind of peace.
I read this book, and then turned to the beginning and read it
through again. It is a complex book, the language is rich and
poetic, the story harsh and cruel, but not without hope. I
thoroughly enjoyed reading it - it is a rewarding read, and adds to
the understanding of what we are as human beings.
Helen Eddy
Cloud conductor by Kellie Byrnes
Ill. by Ann-Marie Finn. Wombat Books, 2018. ISBN 9781925563344
(Age: 3-6) Highly recommended. Themes: Imagination, Seasons, Sick
children. "Cloud Conductor" is a beautifully expressive story,
filled with messages of hope, courage in adversity and the power of
the imagination to bring happiness.
Frankie is a busy girl, full of life; she loves to ride her bike,
play with her neighbourhood friends and inventing incredible things.
'Sometimes, though Frankie loves to just sit and watch the clouds.'
Her imagination takes flight and she conducts cloud symphonies,
listening to the loud roars of the thunderous clouds. When Frankie's
dark days come and she falls sick, even while resting in bed Frankie
conducts cloud symphonies.
Through her window she observes the seasons changing, spring brings
blooming flowers and a playful dog playing in the white fluffy
clouds. In her darkest moments she creates beautiful images of
shimmering waves and children splashing in the shallows. Frankie
visualises a courageous cowgirl riding in the autumn sky. As the
season changes, she lays in her hospital bed and seeks inspiration
and comfort from the wintry sky. This young girl is truly
inspirational giving hope to other sick children, teaching them to
become cloud conductors too.
Kellie Byrnes lyrical story conjures up imaginative word pictures,
her alliterative and descriptive phrases are a delight to read
aloud. Anne-Marie Finn's layered illustrations combine cartoon
sketches with bold outlines, layered on photos of grass, sky and
everyday objects. She seamlessly captures the emotive text,
transforming the sky scenes into Frankie's cloud symphonies. Using
seasonal tones she portrays the autumn scenes in red and gold hues
and adds delicate whites and blues for the summer's day. Even on the
darkest days, she paints Frankie with her arms uplifted conjuring up
the lightning storm.
"Cloud Conductor" is full of courage, an inspiring story that stirs
up a child's imagination. Frankie's resilience and her ability to
rise above her illness is an important message. Students and
families will enjoy becoming cloud conductors, using their
imagination to create their own stories and to find hope even in
difficult times.
Rhyllis Bignell
Tin Heart by Shivaun Plozza
Penguin, 2018. ISBN 9780143786276
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Themes: Organ transplants. Family relations.
Grief. Survivor Guilt. Humour. Marlowe has received a heart
transplant and feels that she really needs to thank the donor's
family, even though they don't want to meet her. Perhaps then she
will be able to stop being 'The Dying Girl' and prevent her vegan
mother from being so over protective and her little brother from
embarrassing her with his weird dress-ups. When she meets the cute
butcher's apprentice in the shop next door and tries to track down
her donor's family things get complicated.
Plozza writes with flair and humour as she traces the steps that
Marlowe takes while trying to discover the members of her heart
donor's family. The reader is taken on a voyage of discovery, and
begins to identify with how a recipient of an organ donation would
feel, and can empathise with the donor's family who don't want to be
reminded of their loved one's death. Marlowe's attempt to move on
from being a very sick young girl is hampered by her desire to find
out about her donor, but she does get to know Leo the butcher's
apprentice as she plays some very funny pranks and draws graffiti on
his shop and readers will chuckle aloud at the funny dialogue
between the two. Another source of humour and interest in the book
are the antics and lovely personality of Pip, Marlowe's little
brother, who comes up with the most original ideas for dressing up -
can you imagine a cyborg Rob Roy? However, there are also many
moments of heartbreak too that will bring tears to the reader's
eyes, as Plozza explores the effect of a death in a family and how
difficult it is to move on.
Great characters, an unusual family with many strengths and
weaknesses and a heart-warming romance make this an absorbing read
that has enormous appeal.
Pat Pledger
Stink: Hamlet and Cheese by Megan McDonald
Candlewick Press, 2018. ISBN 9780763691639
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Stink: Hamlet and Cheese is a
great way to introduce Hamlet and Shakespeare to younger readers.
The main character, Stink, may not be too happy about being the only
boy at Shakespeare camp but it sure beats being stuck at home
without his friends.
Stink's friend, Sophie, makes Shakespeare camp sound amazing. Stink
likes the idea of acting and loves the idea of sword fighting.
Unfortunately, Riley (a girl from school) is also at camp. She is so
annoying and Stink is worried about all of the kissing talk. Does
Riley really want to kiss him? Yuck! Thankfully, Stink's sister and
Sophie help him make a shield. At least he has one way of blocking
any potential Riley kisses!
Despite the kissing threat, Stink still enjoys camp. He gets to see
a Shakespeare play, learns how to insult like Shakespeare and learns
about the words we use today that were actually created by
Shakespeare. As the Saturday performance approaches and family and
friends get ready to attend, Stink starts to worry about that kiss.
Will his anti-kiss shield be enough? Stink: Hamlet and Cheese is a fun and easy read. It has some
funny moments and great characters. The author has included elements
of Shakespeare's plays making them easy to understand. the story
will teach readers about the mysteries behind Macbeth, the famous
quotes and the new words we wouldn't have without Shakespeare. This
book is highly recommended for readers aged 8+.
Kylie Kempster
Peter Rabbit: Hello Peter! by Beatrix Potter
Warne, Puffin Books, 2018. ISBN 9780241324332
(Age: 1-3) Highly recommended. Board book. What a wonderful
introduction to Peter Rabbit and the delightful illustrations by
Beatrix Potter. This board book is for very young children, but
adults reading the rhyming words and looking at the drawings will
also be engrossed and enchanted as they go through the book.
The rhymes are gentle and easy to read aloud. An example is: Peter loves to jump and play,
Peter's had a busy day.
Each rhyme is accompanied on the opposite page by a gorgeous
illustration. Young children will love pointing out the carrot that
Peter is kicking in the air as he plays, and will laugh at the
snoozing Peter after his busy day. There are colourful flowers,
birds and butterflies adorning the pages in soft pastels and the
final two pages are winners: Peter's mother wants to cuddle
Before it's time to sleep and snuggle.
This is sure to become a firm favourite with young children and
their care-givers.
Pat Pledger
