Hachette, 2017. ISBN 9780733637421
(Age: Senior secondary, adult) Recommended. Crime, Terrorism,
Afghanistan. When young Muslim men on the terrorism watch list turn
up dead, Sidney Allen and his partner, Haifa, are sent in to
investigate. They are part of the K Block, a section within the
Federal Police devoted to investigating terrorism within Australia.
Three of these men have had their right hand removed, prompting Sid
to think further than terrorist related deaths or deaths to do with
gangs or drugs. When forensics reveals that the same gun has been
used, and several of the men have been tortured, Sid concludes that
these are revenge murders and the murderer is working to a list. But
who that person is and why he is killing is harder to work out.
The opening chapter of the book, set in Afghanistan, provides a clue
as to where the book is headed, and throughout the story, Brissenden
gives the readers background information about the wars in the
Middle East and how Australia is involved.
It makes for an informed and educative read, and the story powers
along, taking the eager reader with it.
Sid's partner Haifa is part of a Lebanese family in Sydney's west,
with two brothers jailed for drug offences and a third brother a
darling of the political community, seemingly bridging the gap
between Muslim and non Muslim. Haifa is torn between her family's
values and those of the bureaucracy with which she works, and
Brissenden eagerly reveals some of the tensions which exist between
the characters. A relationship which develops between Sid and Haifa
muddies their professional relationship and causes tensions within
the whole group. But when Sid is kidnapped by the murderer, he
realises that they must work together to find the terrorist called
Scorpion to stop a major event happening in Sydney.
Brissendden delivers an acton packed page turner, revealing the
nuances of understanding between all the protagonists, highlighting
the range of opinions within each community and so reiterating just
how multi layered this issue is in the modern world. He has used his
experience as a journalist to add many real stories adding a layer
of truthfulness to the fictional story. The climax reveals just how
political decisions are when it comes to dealing with terrorists as
those in power vacillate, looking at the implications for their
electorate if a particular decision is made. It makes for
fascinating reading, revealing a layer of complexity that for many
will be unsettling and for some, shocking.
Fran Knight
Alice-Miranda in Hollywood by Jacqueline Harvey
Alice-Miranda book 16. Random House Australia, 2017. ISBN
9780143780618
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Hollywood, USA: Movies,
Friendships, Mysteries. Lights, camera, action, Alice-Miranda and
her friends are off to Hollywood and the Grand Canyon in this
thrilling new adventure. Caprice has surprisingly helped them land
roles in Uncle Lawrence's new movie, a musical western, Frontier
Woman: The Life and Times of Nellie Williams.
Filming at the studio is challenging; there is rivalry between the
young actors and competition for the leading boy's role. Musical
director Frau Furtzwangler demands perfection from the young singers
and the new director flounders in his management, and studio head
Eli Goldberg worries he is unsure about his role. A saboteur causes
havoc on set, making the children's makeup to fluoresce and Uncle
Lawrence is injured by a rubber bullet. Alice-Miranda knows that
none of these misfortunes is related to Old Nellie's curse, but
someone closer to the movie wants it to be shut down. Meanwhile,
Alice-Miranda, Millie and their friends enjoy exploring the wonders
of Hollywood, staying with Aunt Charlotte and the twins and being
spoilt by Mexican housekeeper Magdalena.
In the beautiful desert setting near the Grand Canyon, even more
problems occur on and off the film set. Tyger Lombardi, the annoying
paparazzo who constantly tries to snap photos of Aunt Charlotte and
the twins, has become embroiled with some shady characters that
kidnap her. She escapes from their car and flees across the desert
finding refuge in mysterious recluse Aisle's cabin. Once again,
Alice-Miranda and Millie step up to save the day, this time on
borrowed horses from the movie set.
Jacqui Harvey delights her fans with this sixteenth Alice-Miranda
novel. All the enjoyable and familiar elements are present, an
exciting multi-layered mystery, with captivating characters,
commotions on and off the film set and puzzles for Alice-Miranda to
solve. Devoted fans love the fabulous locations Alice-Miranda and
her friends travel to and are always rewarded with plenty of family,
friends, fun, fabulous food and exciting escapades.
Rhyllis Bignell
Under the same sky by Britta Teckenrtup
Caterpillar Books, 2017. ISBN 9781848575868
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Peace, Sharing. Under the same sky
reflects the theme that we are all born under the same sky, with the
same needs and wants, we share the same feelings even though we are
spread across lands far away.
In brief spare phrases the author delivers this message in terms
that can be understood by all readers, and supported with
wonderfully evocative illustrations of animals looking up to our
shared sky.
Britta uses the technique of collage and printmaking to create her
illustrations and made more interesting with cutouts along the way,
allowing children to turn a page and peek into what went before,
phrases reprised in the next illustration. It adds another level of
intent for the reader, already absorbed by the depiction of skyward
looking animals. Groups of each species are shown on each page and
then to underline the theme, all of them are shown together on the
last double page. Readers will not miss the theme of the story that
no matter who or what we are we share the same emotions, loves and
fears, and so should work together.
Fran Knight
Why do we need bees? Katie Daynes
Ill. by Christine Pym. Usborne, 2017. ISBN 9781474917933
Type the title of this book into a search engine and you instantly
get millions of results including this video, such is the
importance of this tiny creature to the welfare of the world. For
without bees to pollinate the plants there are no plants and
therefore no food to sustain people or animals.
So it makes sense to make our very youngest scientists and botanists
aware of the critical need to protect these creatures as they carry
out their important work and this new release in the Usborne
Lift-the-Flap series does just this.
Using the question-and-answer format that little children themselves
use and which lays the foundations for inquiry-based learning, the
role of bees is explored in six double page spreads. Each
starts with a key question such as what are bees?; why do we need
bees?; and where do bees live? and this is then supported by a more
focused question, the answer to which is hidden under a flap.
Delicately illustrated but sturdily constructed as a board book,
each page offers much to explore and learn, with both the questions
and answers in simple sentences and vocabulary that young readers
understand. And for those who want to know more Usborne Quicklinks
supplies vetted weblinks
to satisfy.
Children are curious about the world around them and we know that as
parents and teachers we can't always answer all their
questions. Helping them understand that there is information
to be found in books and their questions can be answered is a first
step in the development of their information literacy, and learning
that you can dip and delve into books as your interest is piqued and
that you can readily return to what you discover is invaluable.
Even though this is a lift-the-flap book, a format normally
associated with the very young, it contains a way into non fiction
that is perfect for early childhood and could serve as a model for
presentation for older students required to investigate the world
around them as they learn to pose questions as well as answer them
succinctly. An interesting way to introduce keywords,
note-taking, summarising, paraphrasing and using your own words!
A book that has riches beyond those given to us by its subject!
Barbara Braxton
Sometimes by Jessica Love
Echo Books, 2017. ISBN 9780995436435
Sometimes when you're gone I wonder why your job seems more
important to you . . .than me.
Sometimes when you're gone I get upset and angry when you miss
things that are important to me.
Sometimes I look at what you do and I realise that you don't want to
leave . . . but by making our lives harder, you are making other
people's lives better.
But even with that understanding, it doesn't make the life of a
child with a parent in the Defence Forces or any other profession
which necessitates prolonged absences any easier.
This is poignant true story based on the 16 year-old author's own
experiences of being a child in a military family grappling with the
absence of a loved parent. It was her way of telling her dad about
her feelings while he was away and her confusion when he came home
as the family had to adjust to another routine. In an interview with
the Canberra
Times she says, "When I showed it to Dad, it wasn't really
anything we had discussed before . It was quite a shock to him . . .
But Jess didn't just write this book for her dad, she wrote it for
all children of Defence families and in a letter to them she tries
to reassure them that their feelings are common and normal, they are
not alone and even providing a page for them to write their own
ending to the sentence, Sometimes when you're gone . . .
Many of us have taught many children from military families who have
struggled with having a parent deployed and there has been an
expectation that they will "soldier on" and manage the separation
and the emotions that go with it. But this book has a wider
application than just military families - many of our students will
have parents away, either permanently or temporarily - and in
sensitive hands this could be the perfect opportunity to support
them by getting them to open up about their feelings; to help them
understand that they are not alone and it's normal to feel resentful
at times and they don't have to feel guilty; to help them help their
parents understand the impact of the separation because often
parents are so busy being adults that they forget what it's like to
be a bewildered kid.
This is one for all teachers, not just counsellors, and deserves a
wide audience among our profession - it has the power to change
lives.
Barbara Braxton
Rodney loses it! by Michael Gerard Bauer
Ill. by Chrissie Krebs. Omnibus, 2017. ISBN 9781742991900
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Anger, Drawing. Rodney loves to draw,
so much so that he draws just about everywhere. He has a range of
pens with which to draw, but one is his special favourite. This pen
is so special, that he has given it a name, Penny, and has even been
known to kiss Penny, so thrilled is by his favourite pen. One day
while sitting at his desk, drawing, Penny disappears. He has lost
things before: his bow tie, his rubber duck, his keys but he has
always found them. Losing Penny causes him great distress, and the
path of his distress is revealed through this very funny picture
book.
In rhyming stanzas, Bauer shows Rodney losing it as he searches for
Penny without success. Readers will recognise the symptoms:
rummaging through everything, looking in the most unlikely places,
retracing your steps. But all to no avail, Rodney loses his cool and
falls down broken hearted. Bauer cleverly shows readers the steps
they should take when trying to find something, and the outcome when
the thing being searched for cannot be found. In revealing Rodney's
eventual finding of the pen, readers will see sometimes things can
be found when another search is made. The story underlines the anger
that some feel when something is lost, but also shows its resolution
as the lost object is found once calm has been restored.
Krebs' illustrations add another level of humour to the tale,
showing Rodney at the highs and lows of the problem of having, then
losing something precious. Children will see the problem illuminated
before their eyes in illustrations full of life and movement, and
learn a lesson from the tale.
Fran Knight
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
Tiffany Aching book 1, Discworld book 30. Corgi
Childrens, 2017. ISBN 9780552576307
(Age: 10 - Adult) Highly recommended. Fantasy, Locus Award for Best
Young Adult Novel (2004), Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee for
Childrens Literature (2004) (2016), Parenting Book of the Year Award
(2003), WH Smith Teen Choice Award (2003). Terry Pratchett needs no
introduction. An award winning author, he has excelled himself in The
wee free men, which introduces the spirited Tiffany Aching.
First published in 2003, this 2017 edition will delight another
group of readers with its feisty young witch-to-be and the horde of
wee free men in their kilts who help her chase down the wicked queen
who has stolen her baby brother. The wee free men is an absolute delight to read. Pratchett's
unique sense of humour is evident on every page as he manipulates
words in the best possible way. Not only does he make the reader
laugh aloud at some of his descriptions and dialogue, but he also
makes the reader think about the power and use of the written word:
"Tiffany thought a lot about words, in the long hours of churning
butter. 'Onomatopoeic', shes discovered in the dictionary, meant
words that sounded like the noise of the thing that they were
describing, like 'cuckoo'." pg. 129.
Tiffany is a brilliant young girl who longs to be a witch. Sensible
and practical, she knows that it is the right thing to go and rescue
her brother even if he is annoying. Granny Aching is her
grandmother, a powerful shepherdess, who looked after all the sheep
and lambs on the chalk lands and protecting those who don't have a
voice and from her Tiffany has learnt about doing the right thing
even if it is hard. As the story progresses the reader will grow in
understanding with Tiffany as she works out what is important if you
have power, sympathize with her as she sorts out her feelings for
her brother and laugh at the antics of the wee free men.
This would be an ideal book to give any reader as an introduction to
fantasy and lovers of fantasy who have not tried Terry Pratchett's
wonderful books before will be in for a wonderful read.
Pat Pledger
Oi cat! by Kes Gray and Jim Field
Hodder, 2017. ISBN 9781444932515
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Cats, Rhyme. Oi frog and Oi
dog, the previous books in this wonderfully subversive series,
tell us that the rules are simple: cats do not sit on mats and dogs
do not sit on frogs. These rules have come of course, from the frog,
so the cat must now find another rhyming word that can be used for
him to sit on, the phrase, 'the cat sat on the mat' being terribly
passe.
The obvious answer is gnats, but readers will quickly surmise that
the cat is upset by the nasty nipping gnats and so must move on to
another rhyming word. So the fun and games continue, with rhyming
words being offered, but all being found wanting. Lark belongs to
shark, and armadillo to pillow, dogs sit on logs, lemurs on
streamers, and trolls sit on dolls. The very funny illustrations
underline the humour of the text and readers will laugh out loud at
the ludicrous pairings offered, as well as the animals and lists of
rhyming words.
The dog seems to be most interested in the cat's bottom, causing
readers to shriek with laughter, as they well know that dogs and
cats do sniff around this particular part of other animal's anatomy,
and they will laugh too at the different meanings for the word bat
or the pageful of rhyming words for cat. All in all the book offers
immense fun for the readers who will predict, laugh and engage with
this highly amusing text accompanied by wonderful illustrations. And
the lift the flap on the last page will be infectious, readers
wanting to take turns at finding out what is beneath the flap. Have
your whiteboard marker ready for all the suggested rhyming words
which will be offered.
Fran Knight
Pip and Houdini by J. C. Jones
Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760296056
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Dogs, Running away, Family. A
disarming story of dislocation and reunification will grip readers
from the start as they follow Pip and her loyal hound Houdini when
they run away from home, after she has upset the applecart once
again. Knowing that she has damaged the tenuous relationship she has
with her foster family weighs heavily on her but with a nine year
old postcard and a name, Cass and a place where her birth mother
lived, Byron Bay, Pip and Houdini set off from Sydney.
There follows a road journey where she must survive on her wits,
taking chances with people she meets and always being solicitous to
the needs of her dog. Mid primary people will love reading of her
adventures, sneaking onto a train, keeping Houdini hidden, busking
on the streets, finding money for a little food and water for the
two of them, avoiding the police who are searching for her.
Children will be able to follow her journey stopping at various
points along the way, sigh with her when the train is delayed, and
be angry when the young woman she has befriended, steals her
remaining money.
But in meeting a lone surfer and warning him of the shark nearby,
she finds a friend, and piecing together the clues from her
memorabilia with the information given her about her mother, Cass,
she is able to find some of her family, family that in the main were
unaware of her existence.
The loving relationship between Pip and Houdini is wonderfully
drawn, and children will melt reading of the two of them avoiding
contact with others in case they are found out. In meeting the young
woman with a guitar she does not play, readers will hear of some of
the tricks of the trade that reality shows use to engage their
audience, and the effect these tricks have on the participants.
A wonderful road story of hope, of not finding what you are looking
for but finding something else almost as good, leaves the tale of
these two delightful characters open for a third outing, which
children will anticipate with real pleasure. The first story of Pip
and Houdini, Run, Pip, run, was shortlisted in 2016 for the
CBCA Book of the year, and won the Readings Children's Book Prize,
2016.
Fran Knight
The City of Secret Rivers by Jacob Sager Weinstein
Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406368857
(Age: 9+) We stood there for a moment, the drop of water and I.
And then we both leapt at once. Hyacinth Hayward has
accidently unleashed magical powers flowing under London. The
shambling Saltpetre Men have kidnapped her mother and the Toshers
want to trap her in the sewers. Then a giant pig in a swimsuit,
Oaroboarus, insists on an underground tea party, but Lady Roslyn has
other plans. The clock is ticking and Hyacinth must figure out who
to trust.
For those children who like books such as A Series of
Unfortunate Events, where good needs to conquer evil, this is
a must read for them. It is easy to read with the text being
relatively large. Weinstein has written a book that is extremely
imaginative with clever little twists and turns. It is full of
action, humour and descriptive language that truly brings alive the
repulsive stench associated with sewers. Historical places in London
have been cleverly interwoven throughout the storyline.
Hyacinth is a strong lead character, ably supported by Lady Roslyn.
Their friendship strengthens as the story unfolds.
Themes such as friendship, perseverance and adventure run strongly
through the book. This book will sit nicely alongside other fantasy
books on the shelf and is the first in a trilogy. Suitable for ages
9 and up.
Kathryn Schumacher
The explorer by Katherine Rundell
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408885284
Highly recommended. Like a man-made magic wish, the aeroplane rose
into the sky. It did not stay there for long. Fred has always
dreamed of becoming an explorer, of reading his name among the lists
of great adventurers. But when his tiny plane crashes in the Amazon
jungle on his way back to England, his dreams suddenly become all
too real. Fred, Con, Lila and Max are stranded without hope of
rescue, and their chance of getting home feels terrifying small. The
pilot dies and the children are forced to survive alone for days
until Fred finds a map that leads them to a ruined city and a
secret. Except, it seems someone has been there before them...
This book was fast-paced, warm and descriptive. Themes such as
resilience, survival, adventure, hope and friendship are developed
as the book unfolds. The words used by Rundell allow you to feel the
heat of the jungle, taste the unusual foods including tarantula
eggs, share the highs and lows the children experience and see
friendships develop between children who are all extremely
different. It would make a fantastic read aloud, but it is not for
the faint hearted as it is 399 pages, but the text is relatively
large. I can imagine a class completing some amazing visualisation
activities based on the rich, descriptive language Rundell uses.
This is a must-have in the library.
Kathryn Schumacher
How to resist: Turn protest to power by Matthew Bolton
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408892725
(Age: Secondary - Adult) Recommended. Matthew Bolton was Citizen
UK's lead organiser for the national Living Wage Campaign whereby
different community groups united to win the 'national living wage'
for low-paid workers. In this little pocket-sized book he shares
what he has learnt about campaigning on social justice issues -
'practical tools and principles to show how people can get together
and make change happen'. He puts great emphasis on democratic
participation, helping people to be effective citizens. It would be
really useful for students of Civics and Citizenship to read this
book, to go beyond the feel-good protest march, and gain the sense
of empowerment from actually uniting and achieving goals through
well-planned strategies.
History students would also gain greater insight into civil rights
movements of the past. Bolton reveals how the famous incident where
Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus was not just
frustration at the end of a long hardworking day; Rosa had been
active in the civil rights struggle for ten years before the bus
action. But at the right moment her action captured national
attention.
Similarly the strategy of 'action in the provocation of
overreaction' is illustrated by the events of Selma 1964-65. Selma
was chosen by Martin Luther King and other key civil rights leaders
precisely because of its reputation for violent conduct towards
African Americans. The violence directed towards a peaceful march at
Selma drew national attention and became impossible to ignore.
Other strategies are revealed in the book - with lessons learnt from
the failures as well as the successes. There are many useful tips,
but none more useful than the Iron Rule - shift from trying to solve
people's problems for them, to building the capacity of people for
collective action and political change. It is a great lesson. I
think all readers could learn something from this guidebook.
Helen Eddy
Leaf by Sandra Dieckmann
Flying Eye Books, 2017. ISBN 9781911171317
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Polar bears. Climate change. Hope.
Difference. An animal floats into the bay, and finds a cave to
shelter in. The animals all stay away from him, they have never seen
anything like him before, and when he goes out into the forest and
eats leaves, they run away. The other animals view him with
suspicion, concerned that he is different. Everyday the creature
they have called Leaf, is discussed amongst the other animals. One
day they see him covered in beautiful leaves running through the
forest. He leaps off the edge of the cliff but falls into the water,
retreating to his cave. When he attempts this again and is lying
exhausted on the shore, the crows decide to talk to him. He tells
them that he is a polar bear and has drifted a long way from his
home and desperately wants to go back. The crows work out a way that
they can take the animal back to his own environment and the other
animals decide to tell his story, so that no animal would ever get
lost again.
Children will love hearing of the polar bear's plight and the way
the animals are at first suspicious of something so different,
relating it to their own classroom or neighbourhood, where someone
new is not initially welcomed. The story of the animals working
together to help the polar bear will encourage them to feel for the
newcomer, and marvel at the way things can be resolved.
This story of the outsider is beautifully illustrated with brightly
coloured detailed drawings that will entice younger readers to look
more closely at the pages to see what they can see.
Fran Knight
The secret garden and other stories
Usborne Illustrated classics. Usborne, 2017. ISBN 9781409586562
Usborne have added another volume to their stable of illustrated
collections that bring us the myths and legends that have been
shared with and enjoyed by children throughout the generations. This
collection includes The secret garden, The railway children,
The wizard of Oz, Black Beauty, Little women
and Heidi, all based on the original stories and beautifully
illustrated to entice the young reader ready to take their reading
in a new direction.
There are some stories that have endured over time for very good
reasons and this collection is one that celebrates some of those
that continue to be published in full so many years later. They are
the sorts of stories that grandparents and even great-grandparents
remember fondly and love to give, so these abridged versions are the
perfect introduction to the longer, original stories. Apart from
just being a good read, they give 21st century children a glimpse
into the lives of children of the past, to a time when life wasn't
dominated by screens and technology. Who wouldn't be tempted to
explore the mysteries of Misselthwaite Manor, wander down the yellow
brick road or be afraid of going from luxury to poverty overnight?
As well as being an essential addition to the collection, this could
be one to flag in your suggestions for Christmas purchases for
parents!
Barbara Braxton
Garcia and Colette go exploring by Hannah Barnaby and Andrew Joyner
HarperCollins Children's, 2017. ISBN 9781460754306
Garcia the Rabbit and Colette the Fox cannot agree on where they
want to go exploring - Garcia is fixated on space while Colette
wants to see the sea. With no agreement in sight they agree to go
their separate ways. Garcia builds a snazzy, silver rocket while
Colette makes a gold and glorious submarine. Packing peanut butter
sandwiches, a notebook, a pen and their lucky charms, each heads off
on their own adventure. But is exploring new and exciting places all
that much fun when you don't have your best friend by your side?
Cleverly written and illustrated so that each character remains
connected despite their physical separation, this is a charming
story of friendship and compromise that will appeal to a broad range
- those who love the sea and those who love space. Is there a middle
ground and how can it be reached? A great way to introduce the art
of negotiation and seeking win-win solutions, while younger children
can have fun contributing to murals of what each friend saw on their
travels.
Barbara Braxton
