Found in Melbourne, a counting adventure by Joanne O'Callaghan
Ill. by Kori Song. Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760523411
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Melbourne. Numbers. Also published in
Simplified Chinese, this book about Melbourne reflects the visitor's
eye looking at a new place, using a map to find their way around,
visiting the iconic places that make up that city. Two mid-years
children navigate their way past many known landmarks in Melbourne.
Carrying an umbrella (it is Melbourne, after all) they begin with
the one and only, Luna Park. Setting off for the Concert Hall there
are two people on the stage, and three trams are spied along St
Kilda Road. Each page is illustrated with a place in Melbourne, and
two rhyming lines describe the scene beginning with a number;
starting with one for Luna Park, then going sequentially up to 12,
Twelve fancy cakes at the Hopetoun Tea Rooms is reached. Thereafter
the numbers increase to 100 for the butterflies at Melbourne Zoo,
1000 triangles at Federation Square and 1,000,000 stories in the
State Library of Victoria. Melbourne is showcased in this remarkable
book for younger readers as the two visitors stroll around the city.
They take the tram, walk, ride a bike, take the Puffing Billy, visit
the MCG, Art Gallery, Zoo and Concert Hall. Each of the
illustrations takes in a view of the place visited, giving an array
of detail sure to catch the readers' eyes.
The illustrator, Kori, lives in Hong Kong while the author, Joanne
once lived there, now residing in Melbourne. The two share their
love of Melbourne in this book, bringing a Chinese perspective to
the city and its attractions. At the end of the book, a double page
has a thumbnail image of each of the illustrations with a paragraph
of information about each of the places depicted in the book.
This would be a most useful book to have in the library for leisure
reading, work about cities and tourism and along with the Chinese
edition, a worthwhile pair of books to use to promote language
study.
Fran Knight
I am Sasha by Anita Selzer
Penguin Books, 2018. ISBN 9780143785743
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Themes: Holocaust. Identity.
Survival. Resilience. Born in Poland before the Second World War,
Sasha lived on his own with his mother after his father's early
death. This sadness was not the only difficulty that he would face.
The advent of the Second World War added another level of challenge
to their lives as Jewish citizens. Family and friends were in
constant states of fear as the juggernaut of the German advance came
ever closer to their lives in Poland. Sasha's mother Larissa is
incredibly strong and resourceful as she seeks to protect her young
son from the horrors of war and the anti-Semitic response displayed
by soldiers and fellow citizens. Eventually she has a plan to
protect her young son from detection as a Jew - she convinces him to
dress and masquerade as a girl, so that he cannot be exposed 'with
his pants down'. Suffering the indignity of giving up his identity,
Sasha must learn to hide his true self in order to survive. Family
and the resistance movement provide some additional support, but
there is always hunger, threat and inescapable fear. This is an
amazing story based on the real-life survival of Sasha and his
mother, written by his daughter. The sadness that so many died in
horrific circumstances pervades this story of survival.
This is an awesome story for those who do not want the terrible
truths of our global past to be swept under the carpet. What happens
when humans act inhumanely towards one another is always horrible,
and remembering should help to prevent a repeat of the actions or at
the least to provide an opportunity to examine one's own prejudices.
Although the horrors of World War II are not hidden, there is not
too much detail to make the story too graphic for a younger reader.
Highly recommended for age 13+
Carolyn Hull
Uncle Gobb and the Green Heads by Michael Rosen
Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408851340
(Age: 7-9)
Uncle Gobb is that really annoying relative who's overstayed his
welcome. Poor Malc and his mother have to endure his constant
roaring, his interfering ways and his opinions about everything from
learning history, to poetry and education. Uncle Gobb and the Green
Heads is the second over-the-top story that sees Malcolm, his
peculiar Uncle Gobb, their family and friends off to America. Malc's
dad lives there and he really wants to reconnect. Along the way
Uncle Gobb's genie 'Doctor Roop the Doop' and Malcolm's genie who
streams out of his nose provide comedic moments and varying levels
of assistance. Both protagonists have ulterior motives for
travelling.
At school, Malc suffers episodes of Blurting Out and Big Trouble;
with his best friend Crackersnacker they endure History and provide
creative answers for the Timeline Book. Brenda the Mender offers the
family her millions of air miles so they can travel overseas. More
bamboozling and confuzling action follows, as Malcolm and his best
friend, his mother, Uncle Gobb and the Weasels, Aunty Brenda the
Mender leave to fly to America. While Malcolm is planning to get rid
of Uncle Gobb, his relative also has an epic plan to get rid of his
nephew.
This is definitely a lighthearted story, where questioning an
adult's actions and motives aren't priorities. What a convoluted
plot, with stream of consciousness asides, absolute silliness,
jokes, fun chapter headings, and fact-filled text boxes interspersed
with Layton's bold cartoons. This book is suitable for the younger
reader who enjoys this humourous style of writing and silly
characters doing crazy things.
Rhyllis Bignell
Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2018. ISBN 9781760127152
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Highly recommended. Themes: Romance.
LGBT. Young adult. Contemporary drama. Australia. High school.
Sydney, Australia, in 2016, is set for all to see in this brilliant
new age novel by Erin Gough. This story was loosely based on a hoax
that the author and two other students created in their senior year
of high school, however their series of 'pranks' were not political
like the novel but more mischievous.
For senior student prefect at Rosemead Grammar, Harriet Price, life
was forever changed when she ran into Will Everhart, the social
justice trooper at an after school hours' detention. Through a
concerning comment both girls witnessed their PE teacher make that
goes unnoticed, the girls united and the odd duo was born. They
formulate a feminist plan during the detention where they combined
Will's art skills and Harriet's literature abilities to create a
cartoon to be submitted to the school newspaper under the pseudonym
Amelia Westlake, calling out Coach Hadley's obscene remarks. After
the girls get a taste of victory they decide to start calling out
more problems within Rosemead Grammar, and get to know each other
better. We watch their relationship blossom, while they try to
overcome their fears, decipher what they want from this hoax and
re-evaluate their current situations. But with not being entirely
careful with their plans, having the principal on their tails, and
risking their education, how will they pull through? This emotional
but well written journey of the two girls gives the LGBTQ+ youth a
solid platform to relate to.
Emily V. (Student)
Alma and how she got her name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Candlewick Press, 2018. ISBN 9780763693558
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Ancestors. Family.
Names. Upset over her very long name, Alma questions her father
about why she has been given a name that doesn't fit on her page. He
then explains, showing her where each of her names comes from and
why she has been given that name. He takes a photo album from the
bookshelf and shows Alma some of the reasons she has her names: Alma
Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Cabdela.
Sofia is for her grandmother, a woman who taught her father how to
read. Esperanza is for her great grandmother, a woman who loved to
travel and could not, following her son's voyages on her map. Jose
is for his father who taught him to paint and how to to really see
people. Each name has a tale to tell, as Alma comes to see the
importance of her names and her naming. Each name shows a different
aspect of her family and her forebears, and she can see how she gets
some of her characteristics, handed down from generations of people
who came before her.
Each page is built up with graphite images, enhanced with coloured
pencil and print transfers, all done on handmade textured paper.
The paper, not quite white, suits the idea of generations coming
before, of continuity, of family. I love the repeated stripey
trousers that Alma wears, paralleled with one of her ancestors, and
the predominance of paintings and books which litter the pages
underlining again the continuity of interests and skills which make
up her family.
The author's story of her own name follows in an afterword,
stressing again the ideas behind the picture book. A wonderful book
to use when talking of families and their similarities.
Fran Knight
The Paris seamstress by Natasha Lester
Hachette, 2018. ISBN 9780733640001
(Age: 16+) Recommended. In 1940, young Parisian Estella Bissette finds herself unwittingly
drawn to help a dying man, and becomes the courier of secret plans
to the French resistance. She passes them to a dark mysterious
stranger, a spy, in an encounter that will change the course
of her life. Because of her actions, she has to leave France, and
finds herself on the last ship to New York, an escape route
available to her due to American birth papers that her mother has
kept secret and only now reveals. Estella has to leave her mother
behind and set sail to start a new life in a foreign land. She wants
to carve a career for herself as seamstress and designer with the
help of her friends Sam, a cutter at a fashion house, and Janie, an
adventurous Australian model.
In 2015, young Australian Fabienne Bissette attends the New York
exhibition of her grandmother's fashion line Stella Designs. She
also has a chance encounter with a two people she feels strongly
attracted to. Somehow the lives of Estella and Fabienne are
intermeshed with secrets that people have kept buried until it is
almost too late.
The story is one of dark secrets and family shame, but also of drive
and achievement by strong female characters, set in the context of a
burgeoning fashion industry in America during the war and post-war
years. The historical background has clearly been thoroughly
researched and author Natasha Lester, previously a marketing
executive for L'Oreal, shows her inside experience of the fashion
world and her knowledge of fashion history. Also, her intimate
knowledge of those iconic cities, Paris and New York, shines
throughout the novel. Less detail is provided about the third city
in the story, Sydney, but it is refreshing to read a historical
novel set in Europe and America with Australian characters leading
the story.
The novel maintained my interest throughout with its mix of romance,
war history, fashion world, and mystery. It would appeal to readers
of historical fiction, but especially to those interested in
fashion.
Helen Eddy
Trouble at school by Chris Higgins, illustrated by Emily McKenzie
Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408868850
(Age: 6+) Recommended.
Themes: School stories. Friendship. Problem children.
Chris Higgins brings best friends Bella and Magda back in Trouble
at school an amusing story about first days, dealing with a new
teacher and difficult classmates.
Before the start of term, perfectionist Bella sets her school bag in
order and prepares her new uniform, she even organises her younger
brother Sid. Unfortunately when they stop to pick up Magda she ends
up with her friend's breakfast spilled all over her. To make matters
worse, Bella stays and helps in Sid's class for the whole morning
and Mr. Smart, her teacher, is not impressed. He's all about neatness,
order and discipline. As Bella's first day continues there's more
issues, some caused by Magda and some by troublemakers Claudia
Cleverley and her friend Hetty Snoop.
Magda's view of life, her fun and cheekiness help Bella to gain
confidence. There's the banter with the dinner ladies, Magda's
always wanting something exciting and the creative way they sort out
Claudia and Hetty. Miss Pringle the arty relief teacher brings a
totally different energy to the girls' class. Her unique teaching
style provides an opportunity for Bella, Magda and their classmate
Tom to express themselves. Emily McKenzie's comic illustrations are
fun and add humour to the story especially with the cow painting
reveal! Trouble at school is just right for a young reader beginning their
chapter book journey; with themes of friendship, developing
confidence, problem solving and growing in independence.
Rhyllis Bignell
Oma's buttons by Tania Ingram and Jennifer Harrison
Penguin Viking, 2018. ISBN 9780143786573
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Buttons. Memories. Grandparents.
Family life. Sharing. While playing hide and seek at Oma's place,
Ruthie comes across a small tin under her grandmother's bed.
Asking what the buttons are for, Oma tells her that each of the
buttons reminds her of someone she loves. The first button is her
mother's, and Ruthie cannot understand how a button can remind her
of a person. But Oma explains that this button is from her apron and
every Sunday morning the two would make strudels for the family,
until the whole house smelled of cinnamon, so reminding Oma of the
importance of family. A brown button is from her father and reminds
her of him taking her to the beach and learning to swim, a safe,
comfortable man who taught her many things. A blue button is from
her husband's suit, who taught her that love never dies while
another is from the first jumper she knitted for her daughter, who
taught her about caring and laughter.
Finally Ruthie finds a small button at the bottom of the box and
holding it up is told by Oma that this was from her coat, a warm
snuggly coat, and she gives it to Ruthie to keep for her. But Ruthie
loses the button, and Oma finds a way of giving Ruthie an even more
precious button to remind her of her grandmother.
Redolent with love and family, this will be sighed over by many
readers as they learn of the ties that bind families together over
generations.
The photographic style illustrations suit the sentiment of the story
well.
Fran Knight
Fearless Frederic by Felice Arena
Penguin, 2018. ISBN 9780143786757
(Age: 9-14) Recommended.
Themes: Courage. Paris. Floods. Friendship. Adventure.
Frederic's father would like him to develop his boxing and sparring
skills. Who knows where this will lead? But Frederic is not sure.
Does he just lack the fighting instinct and the bravery needed, or
is his desire to work with horses a stronger influence? Sadly, a
tragic event leads Frederic into circumstances where bravery is
tested. And the floods of Paris in 1910 create a scenario where
friendship is found amidst the flooded streets and the new trio of
young heroes work together to fight against the dilemma of disaster
that the flood has brought. They also give Frederic support as
courage is needed to deal with the past and the responsibility of
fighting for justice.
This book's adventurous drama will be enjoyed by young readers, and
its historical setting of the Paris streets will intrigue those with
an interest in the past and European culture. Young readers aged
9-14 years will enjoy this story as it is action-packed without
being crowded with detail. Younger readers will enjoy the exploits,
and older readers (especially Francophiles) will connect to the
references to French literature and culture. Regardless of the age
of the reader, they will recognise the naive quality of the trusty
trio and the hint of humour in their risky endeavours.
Carolyn Hull
Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian
Pan MacMillan, 2018. ISBN 9781760555504
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Fantasy. The Queen is dead, the people have been enslaved, and princess Theodosia might as well be too. Confined to a pretty jail and watched constantly by three men, her shadows, since the castle was taken ten years before, Theodosia is now the obedient Lady Thora, and bears plenty of reminders to remain so. With every move of the resistance comes fresh pain and the familiar itch of skin knitting itself back together. She is an expert at surviving. When Ampelio is captured, everything changes. The man is familiar, and while Thora tries to ignore them, Theodosia's memories return. This man, who speaks hastily in Astrean, a language which has long since been forbidden, is her father. Unable to stay quiet, Thora mis-steps, speaking out in Ampelio's defence. The Kaiser, being a cruel man, rewards this disobedience not with a whip, as Thora expects, but with charging her with the execution. As the life floods from Ampelio she must decide whether surviving in this alien world is enough.
As the spark of rebellion grows into a flame, Thora/Theodosia is joined by three renegades who have replaced her shadows. Of the three, one is a childhood friend, Blaise, who is determined to see her safely away. But Theodosia is not finished. She can't leave without any retribution. Quickly, a plan is hatched to kill the Kaiser's right-hand man, the Theyn, and Prinz Soren. But will Theodosia be able to commit such cold acts when these are people she has been raised to admire? Can she, a young woman, rid Astrea of it's invaders?
While slow in places, the novel is overall a fun read. Recommended for fans of adventure fantasy twelve and up.
Kayla Gaskell, 22
Growing up Aboriginal in Australia edited by Anita Heiss
Black Inc, 2018. ISBN 9781863959810
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended.
This is a collection of short stories that can easily be picked up
and read whenever there is a spare moment - they are life stories
drawn from around Australia, from different walks of life, but all
with a heart-felt story to share about what it is like to grow up
Aboriginal in Australia. There are stories from people you will
probably recognise - Deborah Cheetham, Adam Goodes, Miranda Tapsell,
as well as stories from 'ordinary' people not encountered before. Some
titles may draw you in - 'This is Nat, she's Abo', 'White bread
dreaming', 'Black bum', 'Nobody puts Baby Spice in a corner' -
but each story selected brings its reward, a deeper
understanding of personal experiences, often extreme hardships and
suffering, but also of strong family connections, love and good
humour. Somehow despite the hardships, the voices of these writers
have a strength and resilience that draws respect and empathy. There
are sad stories though, of people lost, but they are still
remembered with love as special people not to be forgotten. All in
all, it is a wonderful collection of inspiring stories of people who
have survived adversity and kept their spirit.
I recommend this book for every school library.
Helen Eddy
Rory Branagan detective by Andrew Clover and Ralph Lazar
HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9780008265830
(Age: 8+) "Hello. I am Rory Branagan. I am actually a detective.
People always say, 'How do you become a detective?'
And I say, 'Ahhhh... you don't just FIND YOURSELF suddenly
sneaking up on baddies, or diving out of the way as they shoot, or
hurtling from an open plane towards the ground! You have to want
it.'
And what made ME want it? I needed to find out what
happened to my dad... "(Publisher)
What a highly entertaining book to read. Children 8 years and up
will find this a highly entertaining read and will be proud of
themselves for reading such a lengthy novel with it having in excess
of 300 pages! Don't be put off by this - there are large
illustrations interspersed between the text with some pages only
containing a sentence. Rory and Cassidy are strong lead characters
and have many likeable traits. This is the first book in a series of
seven and the authors have successfully mixed crime with humour. Themes
such as suspense, mystery, determination and friendship are
developed throughout the book. It would make a fantastic read aloud
and one that would be enjoyed by boys and girls alike. A welcome
addition to the collection.
Kathryn Schumacher
Car, car, truck, jeep by Katrina Charman
Ill. by Nick Sharratt. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408864968
(Age: 3-5) Recommended. Themes: Cars. Rhyming story. Sing along.
Read aloud, Nursery rhyme. Machines. Sung to the tune of 'Baa baa
black sheep', this funny story will delight its younger readers,
listeners and singers. In bright primary colours every possible form
of wheeled transport is shown and included in the rhyming couplets,
starting with
"Car, car, truck, jeep
Have you any fuel?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three tanks full" children will quickly learn the rhyming sequence and
participate in the sing along, predicting the rhyming words at the
end of each pair of lines. There is a tank full for the red bus, one
for the train and one for the jet plane. From there, mum and the
kids go down the lane past the tractor, then see a motorbike weaving
its way amongst the traffic, they pass another train, see a
hovercraft, then a helicopter, a truck, a yellow taxi, a dumper
truck, police car and ambulance, until finally they are amongst a
lot of traffic all headed home, tired out by the day's work.
Each page will have children hunting out the things described in the
verse, commenting on what each does or sounds like, participating in
the rhyming lines and making appropriate sounds. A whole heap of fun
for younger readers and teachers alike, along the way discussing
with them what they can expect to see on the road and how useful
each of these machines is to our lives.
This may even lead to discussions about road rules and safety on the
road and in these machines.
Fran Knight
Wild asparagus, wild strawberries by Barbara Santich
ISBN: 9781743055335.
(Age: Adult) Recommended. Food writer and historian Barbara Santich recounts her experience as a young mother of twins, moving to France with her husband in the 1970s and then immersing themselves in French village life. Brave enough to do as a young idealistic but penniless couple, but even braver with two babies in tow! The book provides fascinating insight into French provincial life, the trips to the local market, and the experiments with traditional cuisine - rabbit, mutton, fish soup, quail, partridge. For those who would like to try, there are recipes for pot-au-feu and other iconic dishes. I'm going to try the Potato gratin, one of the recipes from the time where the family had to subsist on 30 kilos of potatoes when their money transfer failed to turn up from Australia. Wild asparagus and wild strawberries are just some of the foraged treats, wine from the local 'cave', meat cooked over the burning grape vine clippings, and cherry clafoutis - it all sounds wonderful. It is a lovely recollection of a way of life that sadly is changing, but it is reassuring to know that there is still a shepherd leading his flock to pasture somewhere above the village of Nizas.
This book is a pleasure to read, and for the cooks among us, there is an index to the recipes at the end.
Helen Eddy
The super life of Ben Braver by Marcus Emerson
Allen & Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760631680
(Age: 8-10)
Themes: Boarding schools. Heroes. Bullying. Courage
Marcus Emerson, author of the popular 'Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja'
introduces us to a new sarcastic superhero sixth-grader Ben Braver.
After a boring summer hanging out in the basement watching the
sixties Batman shows in his basement, Ben's life changes when he
goes out in search of a peanut butter cup. Confronted by the school
bully Dexter Dunn, Ben's special superpowers are unleashed. This
manifestation hospitalises Ben and on waking up he's sent to Kepler
Academy a unique school for kids with superpowers. When he gets
there he finds most of the time is spent learning to control a super
power, not develop it. This is a commitment as he has to have no
contact with his parents while he's away.
Ben's diary is hilarious with plenty of asides, funny one-liners,
jokes and comments directed at the reader. He expresses his fears
and anxieties, unsure of how he fits in with the other academy
students. Penny who can control small animals, and fire-belching Noah
become great friends, they investigate the mystery of the ghost in
Ben's dorm room and help Ben come to understand his powers. School
life is filled with exciting classes, eccentric teachers, encounters
with the school goat and midnight adventures. Bullies Dexter and
Vic's evil trick at the Talent Show brings Ben to a crossroads, as
he decides whether to return home or dig deep and learn to be
resilient.
Emerson's cartoons add to the comedy and fun of this superhero
story, there's his eccentric teachers, silly antics and mysterious
meetings in the wood. The super life of Ben Braver includes plenty
of 80's references suited to adult readers sharing this story with
their pre-teens, or teachers reading to classes. Marcus Emerson's
middle grade novel begins slowly and builds up the pace, leaving us
with questions unanswered, Emerson will bring his superhero Ben back
in a second and third instalment.
Rhyllis Bignell
