Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9781408894989
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Martin Turner is good looking, funny, and
the leader of his Gang of Three, which also includes his mates
Matthew and Mark. He also has a girlfriend, Natalie, who he has even
kissed. The four kids make up the main characters in the story, who
are all aged about 15. The author writes the characters' speech using
a lot of colloquial language that was popular at the time, circa
1985, including homie, guy, man, as terms of endearment and poxy,
geezer as insults. This aspect of the novel felt a little
stereotypical and didn't add a lot to the storyline.
Martin and his friends are out late one night at a dance party.
Here, the reader will learn a little about the under-age drug
problems of East London in the 1980s. When offered drugs from
over-age sellers, the three lads decide to leave and are offered a
lift by an ex-school friend. Unbeknownst to them, the driver is high
and out of his mind on heroin; the vehicle is stolen and soon they
are pursued by the police. Martin and his friends are all involved
in a high-speed crash and he wakes two days later in hospital,
suffering deep partial thickness (3rd degree) burns to his face.
The novel then takes on a different aspect. The author, having done
a lot of research, writes about burns recovery and Martin's
experiences with facial reconstructive and skin grafting surgeries.
The language used here is descriptive and well-written, particularly
Martin waking up after the accident and eventually looking in a
mirror.
Martin's return to everyday life is well documented by the author.
Martin works through his feelings of aggression with the help of a
clinical psychologist, Alan. Martin begins to understand the idea of
everyone managing grief and loss differently, despite the unfailing
support of his family. His former friends withdraw; Mark leaves the
gang to form a new one where he is the leader; Natalie, now seems
vain and self-obsessed.
Most refreshingly, the author has found a way to write about
discrimination that is outside of the norms. Martin learns to
respond to tormentors and bullies by being honest - I'm still me /
I'm not disabled / I can still do everything I did before. He
rekindles his passions and interests and makes new friends who don't
see him for the facial disfigurement. Readers will enjoy and
celebrate as Martin finds his confidence and identity post-accident.
While I would recommend this novel for readers in secondary school,
the content is appropriate for capable readers who are younger - 12/13
years.
Clare Thompson
The Poppa platoon in World War Chew by Danny Katz
Ill. by Mitch Vane. Omnibus (Scholastic) 2018. ISBN 9781742769189
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Themes: Humour. Illustrated novel. War. Brave
Major Poppa takes his granddaughter, Abbie, and grandson, Flynn, to
the Royal Show. One hilarious day transpires as Major Poppa and his
platoon weave their way around all the exhibits, attack Hamburger
Hill only to find their lunch a greasy bit of meat stuck in a stale
roll and navigate the House of Horror Ride. As time goes by the
clock must be watched because they have a bus to catch at 4.59. But
they still have one place to negotiate before they leave - the
Showbag Pavilion to get a particular showbag, the Chunky Choc
CherryChew bag. Major Poppa plans their attack with precision, but
does not take into account the fierce opposition. Their foray into
this place of hell allows Mitch Vane to use his hilarious cartoon
style deliciously ensuring the audience will laugh out loud at the
scenes portrayed before them, linking it to memories the readers
have of their trips to the show.
Major Poppa gives Abbie a rendezvous point in case they loose each
other in the throng of large bums, and off they go, hell bent on
their target.
A very funny tale replete with equally funny illustrations will
ensure kids pick this up in a school library or on the bookshelf.
The whole sings with memories of show visits in the past, using
battleground words to describe this trip to hell, and warns of some
of the pitfalls of going to the show. But the excitement and fun of
going to the show is all there, enticing readers to read the story.
Fran Knight
Bobo and Co. : Shapes by Nicola Killen
Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9781408880517
(Age: 2+) Recommended. Board book. This is the fun story of Bobo the
panda and his friends as he explores the things around him and what
shapes they are in a lift the flap book.
Bobo is celebrating his birthday, and his new tent is a triangle,
his pass the parcel is squares; what other shapes does he find
during his party?
This book can be used to encourage the reader to look at what other
shapes they can see in their immediate surroundings as well as
looking at everyday items and identifying the shapes that are there.
The flaps in this book are large so that little fingers can help
turn them.
I recommend this book for 2+
Karen Colliver
Bobo and Co. : Opposites by Nicola Killen
Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9781408880500
(Age: 2+) Recommended. Board book. Bobo the Panda and all of his
friends are exploring the concept of opposites in this lift the flap
book. This is a simple story about opposites with great
illustrations. It explores the concepts of in and out, small
and big, down and up, slow and fast and loud and soft.
This book is a fun way to explore with Bobo and his friend's
opposites and see what they get up to.
The flaps in this book are a good size for small children to be able
to help with opening them.
I recommend this book to 2+.
Karen Colliver
A school day smile by Zanni Louise
Ill. by Gillian Flint. Tiggy and the magic paintbrush series.
Five Mile, 2018. ISBN 9781760680404
(Age: 5-6) Themes: First day at school. Friendship. It is Tiggy's
first day at school, and although she is very independent, she uses
her secret, magic paintbrush to paint on a confident smile.
Unfortunately it also means she is silent! Making friends and
communicating with your teacher is very hard with a 'painted' smile.
Eventually she works out how to solve this problem.
It is written simply, for early independent readers, with simple
cartoon style illustrations by Gillian Flint. This is not a chapter
book (more like a miniature picture book), but it has a fun and
appealing personality that will appeal to readers aged 5-6.
Carolyn Hull
Monash's masterpiece: The Battle of Le Hamel and the 93 minutes that changed the world by Peter FitzSimons
Hachette, 2018. ISBN 9780733640087
(Age: Senior secondary) Recommended. The name, Monash, is common in
parts of Australia, linked to a University, suburb and street names.
However, for the reader of this book, the importance of Sir John
Monash is brought to life by Peter FitzSimmons.
Almost 100 years ago, the World War I, Battle of Le Hamel,
encapsulated the imaginative thinking, meticulous planning and
outstanding leadership of the Australian commander, in what has been
described as the first modern battle. Infantry, tanks, artillery and
aircraft operated together as a coordinated force. Unlike other
battles of the war, for the first time each infantry battalion was
accompanied into battle with a tank, preceded by a careful artillery
barrage and supported with supplies by air drop. The results of the
93 minute battle were devastating for the enemy and Australian (and
American) losses were relatively low. Monash said: 'A perfected
modern battle plan is like nothing so much as a score for an
orchestral composition, where various arms and units are
instruments, and the tasks they perform are their respective musical
phrases'.
FitzSimmons writes with verve and passion about Monash and his men.
He scorns the commander's detractors and highlights the momentous
importance of the victory of the battle for ending the war, the
introduction of American soldiers, use of technology, importance of
planning, organisation and communication. The stories of ordinary
soldiers and their incredible bravery are also embedded in the
account.
The book is researched from a wide variety of sources and is
accompanied by excellent maps and photographs.
Paul Pledger
1918 by Libby Gleeson
Australia's Great War series. Scholastic. 2018. ISBN
9781743622513
(Age: 12+) Recommended. This is the last book in the Australia's
Great War series. Each book concentrates on a different year
and the series has had a variety of authors. 1918 written by
Libby Gleeson, concentrates on the final year of WW1, where it is
obvious that fatigue and the toll of war has had a deep effect on
the soldiers in the fields.
Based in the Western Front, Ned and his mates will be part of the
battle at Villers-Bretonneux. It is through Ned's eyes that we
experience the final months of battle. The conditions in the
trenches and the horrifying injuries and loss are described by Ned
who longs to return to his home in Australia. The great enthusiasm
that Ned experienced signing up to fight has been replaced by
fatigue and a hope to survive.
It is through correspondence between Ned and his family that we get
a glimpse of his former life on the farm at home and the impact the
war has on his family. There is obviously a larger issue between Ned
and his brother Jim who has had to stay behind. The mystery of why
Jim did not join up and Ned's guilt over his brother is slowly
revealed during the novel.
Lighter moments are when Ned and his friends are on leave and meet
young Australian nurses who have to cope with the bloodied and
disfigured men who continually pass through their care.
Although I have seen this novel recommended to 9 year olds and
older, I feel that this book would be more appropriate from 12 years
on.
I recommend this book to students in upper primary and high school.
Jane Moore
Armistice by Ruth Starke
Ill. by David Kennett. Working Title Press, 2018. ISBN 9781921504914
Highly recommended. On Sunday, November 11 2018 at 11.00am the
world will stop and remember that after a long, gruelling, deadly
war that shaped both history and nations alike, the guns finally
stopped a century ago.
The centrepiece of the Australian commemoration at the Australian
War Memorial will be the installation of 62,000 knitted red
poppy flowers, each representing an Australian life lost during the
conflict. While those 62,000 voices have been silent for a century,
this new book, a companion to My
Gallipoli, brings together the voices of many who waited for
the inevitable outcome. From the Chief Allied Interpreter, soldiers
and civilians and even Corporal Adolf Hitler, lying wounded in a
military hospital, the events and the emotions are given a human
side rather than the stark words on the pages of history books or in
the mouths of modern dispassionate commentators.
While the guns were silenced on November 11, 1918, the talking
continued for seven months until the Treaty
of Versailles was finally signed on June 28, 1919 and the
reader learns not only of the changes that were made to the world
itself but also the conditions that meant that a second world war
was inevitable.
With endpapers that show the political changes that occurred in
Europe between 1914 and 1925, thumbnail sketches of those whose
voices have been quoted and comprehensive teachers'
notes available this is a remarkable book that will help our
students understand the significance of the time and its centenary.
It is a must-have in any collection relating to World War I.
Lest We Forget.
Barbara Braxton
Undercover by Mark Powers
Ill. by Tim Wesson. Spy toys book 3. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN
9781408870907
(Ages 7-9) Themes: Toys. Spies. Espionage. Undercover is an
action-adventure story in which a cast of misfit creatures, a doll,
a teddy bear and robot rabbit join forces and return to solve a new
dilemma. Overnight the entire Chimpwick's Chocolate factory has
disappeared, and the Department of Secret Affairs is called in to
help. Mysterious Auntie Roz calls on the assistance of Dan the
superstrong Snugaliffic Cuddlestar bear, Arabella the angry
Loadsasmiles Sunshine Doll (who doesn't like children) and Flax a
custom-made police robot rabbit to discover who is behind this
terrible situation.
Auntie Roz believes Paula Dimple a disgruntled ex-employee, now
working a science teacher, is the troublemaker. Dan, Arabella and
Flax are equipped with unique disguises, android bodysuits and sent
in to Water Shrew Lane Primary to investigate. Arabella's anger and
attitude lead her into some amusing confrontations. After school the
trio ride across the wasteland on rocket-powered bikes with the
Science Club kids to the Learnatorium, an abandoned museum. Here evil
Penelope Spume, leader of SIKBAG a secret society for brainy kids,
shares her diabolical plot to rid the world of four factories
responsible for children having fun instead of learning. Her special
teleporting device moves the Snaztacular Ultrafun Factory to the
Sahara, and has targeted the Bogey Cola a fizzy drink factory and a
kids' television studio.
Flying on an A4 hexi-silicone paper plane, Arabella and Dan fly off
to Paris to rescue their captured friend Flax held captive at a
secret SIKBAG location.
Tim Wesson's over-the-top comical illustrations compliment the
action and brings the strange characters to life. With plenty of
action, humour, ridiculous characters and crazy inventions, Mark
Power's Undercover is an easy to read novel for the newly
independent reader.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Dream Bird by Aleesah Darlinson
Ill. by Emma Middleton. Wombat Books, 2018. ISBN 9781925563337
Picture book. George was a day child - he loved to run and play in
the sunshine and light. But it was a different story at night time
when it was time to snuggle down and sleep. No matter what he did,
he could not sleep. Even following the suggestions of his family
like counting 100 sheep backwards and drinking hot milk did not
work.
Deciding to try something new, he crept into Gran's room but her bed
is cold without her cuddles to make it cosy. But as he slips
forlornly to the floor, she slips into the room and tells him a
story about a magical bird that will help him sleep and have the
nicest of dreams...
This is a most intriguing story, one that has many layers.
Certainly, on the surface, it celebrates the power of the bedtime
story as an essential part of the nighttime routine and it also
opens up discussions about the importance of sleep and the ways we
can help ourselves drift off. But what is Grandma's secret? Is she
alive? Did she die in her sleep making George scared that that will
happen to him? Is it her 'ghost' telling the story of the Dream
Bird?
The contrast in the illustrations between George the day child and
George the night child using the softest palette and increasingly
ethereal lines, the transition between the two parts of the story is
perfect, and even though Grandma is the youngest looking grandma on
the planet (probably appropriate given George's age), it all goes
towards making this another Darlinson delight that will entertain as
much as it intrigues.
Barbara Braxton
The poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2018. ISBN 9781405291460
(Age: Older teens) Highly recommended. Verse novel. The Poet X
is a novel which grabs a reader by the heart and transports them
into another world. Poet X takes us on an emotional, heart-rending
journey through a tumultuous time in her young life and every moment
of joy, agony and discovery, is powerfully communicated through her
unique mix of prose and poetry. The other players in her life are
finely drawn and authentically portrayed; Mami is truly formidable
and Twin, in contrast, is sensitive and loving; Ms Galiano is the
caring English teacher we all wish we had in our lives and Caridad
is the perfect friend, critical when it counts but supportive when
it's needed most. But best of all, Xiomara, affectionately dubbed
Poet X by the adoring Aman, is passionate, feisty and strong in the
face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles (her Mami), it's
impossible not to fall in love with her. Transfixed by the power and
magic of her words, the reader can only cheer her on as she strives
to find her voice and empathise with her very real, adolescent
struggles.
I loved this book. While at first I was apprehensive about its
'verse novel' nature, it wasn't long before I was totally hooked by
Elizabeth Acevedo's protagonist and her gorgeously articulated
story. Every page offered a new lyrical adventure and there were
times when my heart alternately burst with love or was gripped by
anxiety and shared pain. Acevedo's way with words is magical and
addictive. Teenage and adult readers alike will be mesmerised by the
power of the language and the desire to devour just one more
delicious page . . .
I would highly recommend this book to older teenage readers. It
shares its place with other 'coming-of-age' novels but for me was a
much more candid, intense and genuine portrayal of very real,
contemporary issues than some.
Jennifer Cross
My new best friend by Meredith Costain
Olivia's Secret Scribbles. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN
9781760277062
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. My New Best Friend is the
first story in a new series called Olivia's Secret Scribbles.
Olivia is excited. She has a brand new bedroom in the attic and she
is ecstatic that she got something before her older sister did - a
room with stairs. Olivia is an inventor and a detective. She has
also lost her best friend who has moved away and someone keeps on
sneaking into her room. Thankfully, Olivia's inventing skills are
pretty good and she comes up with a way to catch the thief. Olivia
also likes to write about her day in her diary and the story is told
through the entries she makes. Olivia is all ready for a new school
year despite her best friend not being there and has a great first
day. Another surprise is the new family next door has children and
the daughter is in Olivia's class. Matilda is friendly but a bit
mysterious. Why does Matilda lie about digging holes in her garden?
Does Olivia really want to be friends with a fibber? My New Best Friend is a lovely story about friendship and
independent young girls. Olivia's family is just like any other -
annoying brother and sister, a mum who helps you out - and Olivia is
like any other girl - independent, creative and imaginative. The
story moves quickly and is easy to read. The text and accompanying
images make it a fun read and will engage young girls who are
starting to read their first novel. The vocabulary is descriptive
and the diary style is great for encouraging readers to start their
own diary. This book is highly recommended for girls aged 7+.
Kylie Kempster
Feed by M. T. Anderson
Walker, 2018 (2002, 2012). ISBN 9781406345209
(Ages: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Dystopian fiction. Future. I
reviewed this book on its rerelease in 2012, and said: "about to be
released as a film, this republication of the award winning novel by
American author, M. T. Anderson, Feed will engage a new generation
of readers as they like me are amazed at the predictions shown in a
dystopian future written 10 years ago. Uncannily many of these are
now part and parcel of the Y Generation's lives. Feed, is a word
describing the constant marketing material pumped into their brains
through an implant inserted at birth. Some 'unlucky' ones have this
done later in life, and so Violet, who was home schooled and has odd
parents, is outside the usual thirst to be connected 24 hours a day.
It is she who when her implant begins to fail, see things
differently from the friendship group she has just formed and as an
outsider, pulls Titus along with her.
On the moon for an experience, the group is invaded by a virus which
makes their feeds malfunction. It is fascinating to see them all
cope without the feed, just as Generation Y today cannot cope
without their mobile phones and internet access. Anderson was
certainly right on target with his prophecies about the future, and
his darkly ironic story is most engaging. For an older spectator
like me, the images created along with the ideas of a whole society
simply being fed information, music, advertisements 24 hours a day
was alarming, but to many not so. Being 'tuned in' or wired, is
given a whole new level of meaning in this stunning book. Not only
advertisements and information, but a transference of texts rather
like emails is sent and received between the teenagers, allowing
them to chat to each other without a third person knowing. It is
incredibly unnerving, foretelling an appalling future.
An informative web
site gives further facts about the book and background
information as well as a discussion of its impact. The book won two
major awards in the US in 2003." And it has appeared on my desk for
a third time (2018) with comments on Walker Books' website showing
why it has been republished. It is reissued in paperback with an
appealing new cover, in conjunction with reissues of Thirsty
and Burger Wuss and with the publication of Landscape
With Invisible Hand. It is the winner of the L.A. Times Book
Award and a National Book Award Finalist, and is a classic of YA
dystopian literature, still relevant after 15 years. And it
certainly is. It still astounds me that this was written 15 years
ago.
Fran Knight
Dingo by Claire Saxby and Tannya Harricks
Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781925381283
(Age: 4+) Recommended. This book is a combination of story and fact.
It can be read as the story or with the information intertwined into
the story. It is a lovely story about a night in the life of a
dingo.
Dingo wakes as dusk is falling, she needs to find food to feed her
pups. She stops to sniff, listen and look at the world around her to
determine where she can find food for her pack. She chooses the prey
that she is able to successfully catch on her own to take back to
her pups. The pups are still too young to go hunting with the pack
so they wait behind.
At the end of the story there is some further information about
dingoes.
I recommend this book for 4+.
Karen Colliver
The shepherd's hut by Tim Winton
Penguin, 2018. ISBN 9780143786115
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. The voice in this novel is Jaxie
Clackton. He is 17, ok maybe 15, and he is tough, and distrusting of
everybody. And he has reason - his father, regularly drunk, beats
him unconscious; his long-suffering mother has died; he has no
friends; he is the kid always in trouble at school. The only person
he cares about is his cousin Lee and she is far away from him. But
whilst Jaxie cares about Lee, he is also secretly scared that maybe
he's not good for her, he has the same temper as his father, he gets
into fights, maybe their relationship would become the same as his
parents, maybe it's in his blood.
A violent incident finds Jaxie suddenly alone, and there is nowhere
else to go, but head north, across country on foot, to find Lee.
Although he is tough, the country is tougher, and thirst, hunger and
exhaustion lead him to a confrontation with another outsider, Fintan
MacGillis, a man with a secret, condemned to living in complete
isolation in the bush. Jaxie knows enough to never let down his
guard, never trust, never give too much away. But need forces them
into an uneasy relationship.
It is easy to get caught up in this story, Jaxie's voice is so real,
so brutally honest, we know all his doubts and fears, and we are
drawn into his conflict. The pace carries relentlessly to its
terrible climax. The shepherd's hut is yet another brilliant novel by Tim
Winton; the characters are very real, you can hear their voices as
you read the words, and you want to know what is going to happen. No
hints about the ending, but it doesn't disappoint; you will be left
thinking about it all after you've finished the book.
Helen Eddy
