Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406375893
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Ruby in the Ruins is a
beautifully illustrated story depicting life in the ruins of London
after World War Two. The war is over and Ruby and her mum are
eagerly awaiting the return of Ruby's dad, a soldier. Ruby and her
mum have survived the bombings of London while dad has been fighting
in the war. Ruby and her mum huddled together, waiting for the bombs
to finish falling and praying for their house to stay safe. When the
war was declared over, many families celebrated and waited for their
husbands and fathers. Ruby was excited but did not recognise the man
in her home. It had been a long time without him. Ruby's family is
now different and London is very different. Ruby and her friends
explore the ruins around London and it is during one of these
explorations that Ruby realises just how much she needs her dad.
Many of the stories published about the war are from the perspective
of the soldiers or about the returning soldiers. Ruby in the
Ruins is from the perspective of a child. Readers will see how
London was damaged without the gruesome details of war. Each
detailed picture will create a discussion and encourage the readers
to ask questions about this period of time. The text is aimed at
readers aged 8+ but could still be read out loud to younger children
as it is descriptive but simple. It is highly recommended for
readers aged 8+.
Kylie Kempster
Dark angels by Ron Thomas
Harbour Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9781922134318
(Age:16+) Recommended. Set in Darlinghurst in the 1930s, this story
centres upon Gilbert Maggs, a young teenager who is chased from the
family home by a knife wielding drunken father. His only refuge is
the streets which are controlled by ruthless criminals who don't
hesitate to reach for a hand gun or slash with a cut throat razor to
win a fight or enforce their will. Well known historical characters
appear in this tale.
Without protection and support, Gilbert becomes so desperate that he
steals some bananas from a shop, is apprehended and finds himself
facing the infamous Guido Calletti of the Darlinghurst "Push" or
gang.
Fortunately for Gilbert, the shopkeeper from whom he stole takes
pity on him and provides work and a place in the back of his shop to
sleep. Gilbert enjoys being well fed and safe for the first time in
his life and is a loyal and hardworking employee.
Sadly however, a very realistic situation develops whereby having
received a favour from Guido, Gilbert is expected to reciprocate.
The fifteen year old finds himself becoming involved in criminal
activity which is initially petty and relatively harmless, yet
insidiously continues, gradually becoming more serious and violent.
Gilbert's conscience troubles him greatly. For him there is no
escape via ignorance or self-delusion and he readily understands
that he makes a choice to profit from immoral behaviour.
Adolescent readers should readily identify the parallel of Gilbert's
situation with that faced by those in the current era who join gangs
to fulfil a sense of belonging, yet find they can't dissociate when
activities become extreme. Similarly Gilbert's forays into criminal
activity mirror those of youths dealing drugs. Initial experiences
may appear daring or exciting yet often lead inexorably to a point
of no return where what is owed to those who control them ensures
that they cannot escape increasingly threatening behaviour.
Gilbert's dilemma is portrayed very well in this story. He wants to
lead an honest life but struggles to avoid the attention of both
Guido and the thugs who compete with him - men with no respect for
law who don't hesitate to destroy property and maim people to
achieve their goals.
Gilbert fears for the safety of those he has befriended and must
tread warily on the road to becoming the man he wants to be.
Rob Welsh
The book of answers by A. L. Tait
An Ateban Cipher Novel. Hachette Australia, 2018. ISBN
9780734417695
(Age: 10-12) Highly recommended. "Gabe and his companions journey to
a remote mountain citadel where they learn the secret of the
mysterious encrypted book that he has been tasked with protecting.
But their enemies are close behind them, and new dangers lie ahead.
As Eddie seeks to regain his crown, and Merry and Gwyn race to free
their father, Gabe will discover the answer to his own great mystery
- his true identity." Publisher
This is the second book in the series and ideally they should be
read in order. The book is full of adventure, mystery and danger and
sure to be a hit with children aged between 10-12. The story takes
up from the cliffhanger that ended the previous book, The
book of secrets and answers a number of questions. With
so many twists and turns throughout the plot and the connections to
medieval times the reader will be kept on the edge of their seats.
Strong lead characters representing both genders and resonating with
Robin Hood and Rangers apprentice what is not to like
about this series. A must have for the collection.
Kathryn Schumacher
The new kid! by Tim Cahill
Tiny Timmy series book 7. Scholastic, 2018. ISBN
9781742993188
(Age: 6-9) Recommended. Themes: Soccer. Teamwork. Friendship.
When the new kid, Ricardo, arrives at school he comes with soccer
credentials from the Representative team that means he is a rival
for the 'best kid on the team' status. At first it appears to Timmy
that Ricardo will not be a team player and will just be trying to
claim all the glory for himself. Timmy is not impressed. After an
equipment disaster and a team fundraiser, Timmy discovers that
Ricardo is not so bad after all. Being new can sometimes just be
very difficult, and talking to one another can often clear up any
misunderstandings.
With quirky cartoon illustrations (including action flip pictures in
the corner), this will be enjoyed by young sports lovers who have
transitioned to chapter books. The social dilemmas of young team
mates have an added spark of humour laced through the important life
lessons.
Carolyn Hull
See hear: a beginner's book of senses by Tania McCartney
Ill. by Jess Racklyeft. EK Books, 2018. ISBN 9781925335675
"If I stop and look around, I can see so many things."
In this sequel to Smile cry, Piglet, Bunny and Cat are
looking closely at the world around them and then using their words
to describe what they see - the crawling spots on the ladybird; the
squiggly rain down the window, the heavenly horses in the clouds.
Then flip the book over and they explore the world through its sounds
- baby birds tweeting in the nest, a page being turned, the sizzling
of carrot chips in the pan. And then the two sides meet in the
perfect observation - the endless stars and the endless quiet of
outer space.
Young children find out so much of what they know about the world
around them through their senses - they're not yet old enough to
consult books, watch David Attenborough or search Google - so
teaching them to really look and listen is such an essential skill.
But also essential, and what Tania McCartney does so well, is to
teach them to express what they see in words that create pictures
and memories, to use all their senses to evoke and provoke emotions.
Will you ever hear thunder again and not think "calamitous clouds"?
While on the surface this looks like a book for the preschooler,
imagine how it could be used to encourage young writers to bring
depth and richness to their words, to explore the world of metaphor
and simile, to really look and listen and feel and taste and then
share that with their readers. Start by having each contribute a new
page for the book, making the common uncommon; the stereotype
original; the banal beautiful. Watch their writing grow!
Such riches in an exquisite combination of author and illustrator
that goes so far beyond the usual 'eyes see, ears hear' books for this
age group.
Barbara Braxton
The little mermaid by Alex Field
Ill. by Owen Swan. New Frontier, 2018. ISBN 9781925059816
In 1837, Hans Christian Andersen gave the world his classic story of
Ariel, The
little mermaid who falls in love with a human prince and in
exchange for legs so she can walk on earth with him, she gives up
her voice. It is very much a tale of 'Be careful what you wish for.'
Retold many times and in many formats, probably the most well-known
version being that of Disney, this is a new retelling that goes back
to the original without all the 'trimmings'. For younger readers who
are emerging as independent readers, it is retold simply in a
straight-forward manner with beautiful new illustrations in
watercolour and coloured pencils.
While teachers'
notes are available, it could be used as one of a number of
versions of this story to compare and contrast additions,
alterations and omissions that the various retellers have chosen to
make. Others in this series include The ugly duckling, The
princess
and the pea, Little Red Riding Hood and Beauty and
the beast.
Barbara Braxton
I have lost my way by Gayle Forman
Simon and Schuster, 2018. ISBN 9781471173721
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Themes: Mental illness. Friendship.
Homosexuality. Diversity. Gayle Forman the author of the bestselling
If I
stay and the sequel Where
she went among others, has done it again. I have lost my
way is a powerful, memorable and engrossing stand-alone story
that delves into the lives of three young people, all who have
problems. Freya, on the verge of becoming a star, has lost her voice
while recording her first album, Harun is running away from his
boyfriend, too afraid to come out to his family and Nathaniel has
come to New York totally alone. When Freya falls on Nathaniel in the
park and this is witnessed by Harun, the three unite and while
taking Nathaniel to the hospital the reader finds out their stories.
All have lost their way.
The book is written from different points of view and the reader
gets to know each character in depth and is able to sympathise with
their crises and with their backgrounds. Freya has not only lost her
voice, she has lost her sister who she once sang with and her father
who has returned to Ethiopia to live. Harun has been so successfully
in hiding his sexuality that he is being sent off to meet his bride
and Nathaniel, that brave boy, has lost his grandmother and his
father, who he has cared for over many years.
This is an unforgettable story. Each character is so well described
that you feel you know them very well and can relate to their
problems and applaud their strengths. The power of friendship shines
through this book and will be a beacon for readers who see how
friends who are there for you can make a huge difference. Other
themes like mental health, children who are left to be the main
carers of adults, manipulation by the music industry and suicide all
make it a book not to be missed.
An article from Publishers
Weekly notes that Forman had lost her own way before writing
this compelling story. She had started seven projects, none of which
satisfied her and finally decided to face her problem by writing
about it. This article also links to a recording of A
little white dress, a song that resonates for Freya in the
story.
This is a very satisfying and uplifting story, sure to become a firm
favourite for many readers.
Pat Pledger
Nobody real by Steven Camden
HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9780008168384
(Age: Older teens and young adults) Recommended. What an unusual
style for a novel, loaded with great imagery and poetry.
I found this novel difficult to understand at first as I was
challenged with following who was narrating at different times. Once
I started to recognize how the different fonts related to different
characters and scenarios, it became easier to follow.
It has a very unique storyline of imaginary friends and growing up
in a society where young people are expected to follow the usual
'future paths' - school, university, university debt, work; where
imaginary friends are not only real to the creator, but real in
another world. The creativity and 'make believe' of artists and
authors perhaps are fueled by not only their imagination but also by
the strength that they feel from someone 'not real'.
The overall story is relate-able to today's young people - full of
references to up-to-date technology and the way that young people
use these in their social interactions. The issue of broken
families, abandonment and surviving with guilt and grief, lends this
novel to perhaps help readers and others to gain perspectives and
empathy for people who experience these very real issues.
The characters are realistic and I felt that I could easily depict
various 'real' people that I know as the characters. Thor and the
other 'non real' people, are also very realistic with their thoughts
and reactions. The only 'unreal' aspect of the imaginary people are
their descriptions (bear) and their super powers (flying). They
suffer, feel and react just as real people would which makes them
more credible as 'imaginary FRIENDS'. No friend wants to be
forgotten and just fade away from the memory of someone who is dear
to them.
Steven Camden as an author, has been brilliant in his ability to add
poetry in a teen novel which enhances the important focal points and
which (I think) promotes the power and beauty of poetry as a
literary creative art form.
Maria Burford
Go Go and the silver shoes by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker
Penguin Viking, 2018. ISBN 9780143785521
When all your clothes are the hand-me-downs from your three wild
brothers, it is important to make the most of what you have. Even
though they were fourth-hand, Go Go had a knack for making them
interesting and wore them proudly even if "friends" like Annabelle
made unkind comments. And when the only new things you get are your
knickers and sneakers, then it is especially important to choose the
most beautiful you can find. So when Go Go chose a pair of silver
sneakers that sparkled in the sun she wore them everywhere. She
loved them and was so proud of them, even if they were a bit big to
last longer. But disaster struck the day the family went on a picnic
and while Go Go and her brothers were having an adventure down
through the rocks in the river, one of the precious shoes is lost.
Go Go is heartbroken and very cross as her mum points out that
perhaps she should have worn older shoes that day.
But undeterred and despite her brothers' suggestions for what she
could do with the remaining shoe, Go Go is determined to wear it
still - even if it means teaming it with an odd shoe and facing the
jeers of Annabelle. This is a decision that leads to an unexpected
friendship as both Go Go and the lost shoe have their own journeys
to make.
There is so much to love about this story - as the grandmother of
one who never wears matching socks and is so unaffected by a need to
be trendy, I love Go Go's independence and confidence in creating
her own style and being a bit different; as one who grew up in the
middle of eight boys (all but one cousins), I love that she is me
50+ years ago and all the memories that evokes; and I love Anna
Walker's illustrations that are so subtle and detailed and tell a
story of their own. And I love the ending - you just never know
where or how lasting friendships are going to happen. From its
sparkly cover to its stunning endpages, this is a unique story that
had me enthralled to the end.
So many will identify with Go Go and draw strength and confidence
from her independence and ability to get to the nub of what being a
child is about without all the frills and fripperies.
Barbara Braxton
Lyla: Through my eyes by Fleur Beale
Through My Eyes Natural Disaster Zones series. Allen and
Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760113780
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Themes: Earthquakes; Disasters;
Mental Health; Resilience; Loss and grief; Overcoming difficulties.
This series is an amazing chance to step inside a disaster zone
(something that no one really seeks) and to develop empathy for
those who have really experienced the circumstances of that
disaster.
We walk alongside Lyla, a Christchurch teen, who survives the horror
of having her city and her life shaken violently. Her amazing story
of resilience and fortitude, and the incredible responses to what
was a truly horrifying piece of New Zealand's recent history is both
challenging and honest. The horrors of the original ground-shaking
horrors, the initial damage and the liquefaction, when even the
'sold ground' was no longer to be trusted as secure, are brilliantly
related. Lyla and her family must make so many adjustments, while
experiencing the repeated uncertainty of after-shocks and building
destruction. The honesty of this book is such that we recognise the
need for support to those who have experienced great trauma, even
when they seem 'to be holding it all together'.
This is a book that is full of great characters who are adjusting to
change and the cracks that have opened up as great chasms in their
life. With no control over what they are experiencing and with such
incredible change that most of us would have no idea how to find any
sense of normal, these characters are quite inspiring. Fleur Beale
has written this in very compelling way, showing great understanding
of the circumstances and of teens in general, and there is humour
and personality in every chapter despite the awfulness of the quake
zone and the struggles of the main character.
Recommended highly to young readers aged 13+.
Note: mental health issues are discussed . . . not surprisingly
considering the circumstances.
Carolyn Hull
Dig, dump, roll by Sally Sutton
Ill. by Brian Lovelock. Roadworks series. Walker Books,
2018. ISBN 9781760650056
(Ages: 2-5) Themes: Construction vehicles. This new instalment in
the Roadworks series (Roadworks, Demolition
and Construction) will delight young lovers of big vehicles.
An eye-catching front cover with black and yellow construction tape
and large, bold, heavy text matches the theme of the book, as do the
bitumen endpapers. Each page gives the sound the machine makes (eg.
"Crash-a-rumble smash-a-grumble") and some clues (picture clue as
well as a clue about what it does), asking "What's at work?". The
featured machines, all favourites of small children, are bulldozer,
digger, dump truck, roller, concrete mixer and builders. As we find
out at the end, a school is being built, "just for you". This does
seem a little strange when the interested audience will mainly be
pre-schoolers. In addition, the sounds are a little odd and when
said aloud they don't particularly sound like the machine they are
trying to emulate. The repeated rhyme "What's at work? Here's a
clue: it will . . . for you" is great and young ones will love
joining in with the simple refrain (e.g. "Digger, Digger, Coming
through!".
Quite realistic, detailed pictures show the machines in profile,
making it easy to compare and contrast the features of each. The
last page showing labelled pictures of the machines is a fantastic
feature as it uses proper terminology such as boom, swing gate and
piston, although this could be a bit more detailed for this age
group.
Nicole Nelson
The story of Tantrum O'Furrily by Cressida Cowell
Ill. by Mark Nicholas. Hodder Children's Books, 2018. ISBN
9781444933802
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Cats. Survival. Stories.
Cautionary tales. When Tantrum pads across the roofs in search of
food with her three hungry kittens in tow, they ask for a story. So
she tells them a story about Smallpaw, a pampered kitten living
comfortably in a house where no stories are told. She has a lovely
bed but each night after her tea, she presses her nose at the window
and wonders what it is like outside. Mrs Worrykin, her owner, has
told her that outside is full of dangerous stray cats, bad cats that
fight with each other and with dogs. Smallpaw tries hard to be a
good cat, but she is bored, so one night when the cat flap is left
unlatched, she creeps outside. There a fox talks to her, encouraging
her to take another step and hear his story. She comes closer until
he leaps upon her telling her he will eat her. Suddenly another cat
comes out of the gloom and fights off the fox. The stray cat tells
her that she can write her own story, all it takes is courage.
After that Smallpaw is allowed outside and a saucer of milk is left
for her, but she only drinks half, leaving some for the brave cat
that saved her.
With that, Tantrum climbs down and shows her kittens the saucer of
milk, half full, left for them.
This delightful fable of good and bad, a cautionary tale encouraging
children to see beyond the words, would be a great read a loud,
children joining in with the conversations between the fox and the
cat, or between the cats when the kitten is rescued, and calling out
when the fox attacks.
With the wonderfully ingenious illustrations washing across each
page, the brush making sweeps of colour evoking movement, children
will be entranced as they see the animals that make up the story and
recognsie danger when they see it. This modern fable tells us all
that being aware of the dangers is good, but these fears cannot rule
our lives, it takes courage to take that first step.
Fran Knight
How to be a fashion designer by Lesley Ware
Ill. by Tiki Papier. DK, 2018. ISBN 9781465467614
The world of fashion, with its perceived glamour and glitz, always
appeals to a certain number of students who care about what they
wear and have the ability to make the proverbial sack look good.
Sadly though, enduring emphasis on body image continues despite all
that is done to combat it and many soon realise they don't have "the
look" to be a top model and turn away. But in this
easy-to-read manual other avenues in fashion are explored,
particularly those of the designer and the stylist. "While
designers create their clothes, stylists know how to put them
together."
Using themed double-spreads students are taken through the basic
steps with typical DK layout pizzazz, illustrations galore, tips and
challenges that encourage them to start designing now. The
last 20 pages offer opportunities to design a t-shirt, trousers,
skirt, hat, shoes and accessories with outlines already provided so
new knowledge can be applied immediately as the reader learns about
colour, texture, patterns and shape while being encouraged to be
inspired by the event and the environment. Recycling and upstyling
are explored so not only is waste minimised but even those with few
dollars do not need to be deterred.
Ware believes that those who can "speak up with fashion" have the
courage to speak up in other ways too so as teachers we should look
to those who dare to be different as being more than clothes
horses. A close-to-home example is a student I taught a few
years ago who always made the compulsory school uniform a personal
statement, who was a whizz at design puzzles like tangrams and who,
at 17, starred in a local show in a country town and then six months
later in 2017, had her designs on the catwalk
in Vancouver and more recently, Nassau in the Bahamas! Her story
alone should give students confidence to continue.
Written to support a STEAM curriculum, the suggestions in this book
offer an entire term's curriculum for those with this sort of
interest but even those who aren't particularly interested in
fashion can learn how to step out with a bit more style to give
themselves a confidence boost.
Barbara Braxton
O horsey by Christopher Barnett
Wakefield Press, 2018. ISBN 9781743055212
(Age: Adult) Once described as 'The greatest Australian poet you've
never heard of' (The Conversation, 2013), Chrisopher Barnett is a poet from
Adelaide who has lived in France since 1990. His previous work When
they came/ for you: elegies/ of resistance which received
critical acclaim, was about the violent and political death of
Turkish American activist Furkan Dogan.
Angleo Loukakis describes Barnett's latest work O horsey as
a "work of raw, brutal power", "a battle for the soul, for
survival":
"All the while the sense is of one standing alongside the teller,
listening as he proclaims what the edge of life and the threat of
the void ahead most utterly feels like".
There are references to the Maralinga bombs, nuclear weapons, war
and death, as the words of the poet describe devastation and ruin.
He cries in out despair, longing, hope, to the beautiful ebony horse
- the cover shows the divinely bred immortal horse of Greek
mythology. The words of the poem are powerful and intone with many
emotions - well suited to performance poetry, and to repeated
readings, to gradually add layers of understanding.
Helen Eddy
The walkabout orchestra by Chloe Perernau
Quarto, 2018. ISBN 9781786030795
The orchestra have an important concert to play - but all the
musicians have gone walkabout! But each has sent a postcard to
the Maestro saying where they are. So the challenge for the reader
is to help him and his faithful assistant find them using the clues
in those postcards.
From Reykjavik to Rio young readers will enjoy this search-and-find
tour of the world that introduces them to the instruments of the
orchestra as they test their powers of observation using the
pictures of each in the introductory pages as a starting point.
With busy pages that test the eye (although not quite as busy as Where's
Wally?) this book encourages readers to examine the details in
things rather than just glancing quickly at them and moving on. To
add to the mix there is a little yellow bird on each double-spread
with his own quest that adds a further challenge. All eventually
come together in a concert hall with some interesting audience
members, and for those who just can't find them, an answer key is
provided.
While this ostensibly introduces children to the instruments of the
orchestra, it works better as a search-and-find book which is much
more fun and informative.
A great addition for those who have pored over Where's Wally
and who are looking for a new challenge in that collaborative
reading activity that is so important to emerging readers,
particularly boys.
Barbara Braxton
