Rescue and Jessica by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes
Ill. by Scott Magoon. Candlewick Press, 2017. ISBN 9780763696047
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Themes: Service dogs, Disability. When
Jessica is in hospital she is told that she is having a leg removed
while still recovering with her other damaged leg. She is unsure of
what life holds for her when the doctor recommends she have a
service dog. Reading the endpiece we find that Jessica is recovering
from her injuries sustained at the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013
and so readers will see that this tale is based on a true story of
Jessica meeting and learning to walk with her dog, trained to be at
her service. Understandably there is some trepidation on her part,
and this book exposes her concerns by paralleling them with those of
the dog, Rescue. He wanted to be a Seeing Eye Dog, but when told he
would be a Service Dog, was disappointed. But in training and then
meeting his partner, the two became firm friends.
This easily read book with copious illustrations details the
training that both members of the team receive in preparing them for
their life together. Children will love seeing the way the dog is
trained, and how Jessica learns to adapt to life with a prosthetic
leg. Part way through their orientation, Jessica learns that her
other leg is not as healthy as it should be and so is also removed.
This informative book will tug at the heart strings as the dog and
Jessica are shown working together. It is amazing what these animals
can be trained to do and readers will pore over the information
given at the end of the book, and look further to extend their
appreciation of man's best friend.
Fran Knight
Piggy: Let's be friends by Trevor Lai
Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781681190686
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. Animals, Friendship, Cooking. Piglet sees a
mole in his garden, but just as he is about to become friends with
the animal, it burrows underground and gets away. Piglet loves
making friends, he also loves reading and having tea parties with
his friends, and another friend is always welcome.
Mole likes reading too, and he bakes cakes, but is very shy and when
he is nervous he sneezes. One day, Piglet makes a tea party and
invites Mole. Mole bakes a lovely cake but bringing it into the
garden, he becomes shy and sneezes, sending the cake into the air,
landing on his head. Before anyone can help, he scurries down into
his hole, embarrassed. Piggy and his friends decide what to do to
make him overcome his shyness and be friendly with the rest of the
group, and the story ends neatly as it becomes smiles all around.
This is a nicely told story of inclusivity, of helping out those who
are in need of friends, of including everyone in what is happening.
It would make a cute introductory story to talk about friendships
and friendship groups in the class, encouraging everyone to be
inclusive. Piggy's huge glasses will certainly intrigue younger
children, and the baking of cakes throughout is an extra treat for
the eyes.
Fran Knight
Radio Boy and the revenge of Grandad by Christian O'Connell
HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9780008200596
(Age: 9-12) Recommended. Spike runs his own radio show from his
backyard shed and with the help of his friends Artie and Holly, all
seems to be running well . . . until the arrival of Spike's grandad
who has been kicked out of his home by Spike's exasperated Nan.
At first Spike lets his narcissistic, showy Grandad talk on his show
but eventually Spike has to "sack" him so that his listeners no
longer have to hear Grandad's repetitive, rambling stories. Grandad
seeks revenge by entering the local "Radio Star" competition, a
contest Spike desperately wants to win.
Spike has other worries, his unlikable headmaster, an unwinnable
love interest and an embarrassing father playing in a band on TV.
Like many radio shows Spike set crazy challenges for his listeners
and funny situations are common occurrences.
There are laugh out loud moments when Spike tries to help his friend
Artie steal back his "kidnapped" cat and things go terribly wrong at
the live reporting of the local show by the four "Radio Star"
contestants.
I found Grandad a very unlikeable character who not only bullies and
demeans his son, Spike's dad, but seems to have no empathy for Spike
and his young friends. He is a self-obsessed character who only
wants the spotlight to be on him.
This is the second "Radio Boy" novel. The author Christian O'Connell
is a famous radio star himself as he "presents Britain's biggest
commercial breakfast show on Absolute Radio".
He has worked with Australian comedians, Hamish and Andy, who are
mentioned on the book cover. My research on Christian shows he has
recently accepted a radio job in Australia, so I am sure he will
become well known here too.
The fun illustrations are by Rob Biddulph, who has created his own
award-winning books.
I recommend this book to 9 to 12 year olds.
A book trailer is available at this site.
Jane Moore
The 1000 year old boy by Ross Welford
HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9780008256944
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. An intriguing title and a fascinating
story about a boy who has been alive for 1000 years. With his mother
(and accidentally the pet cat too) 11 year old Alfie Monk uses a
magical "life-pearl" to halt aging. They are not immortal and can
all still die from injury or accident but will not grow older.
An everlasting life means Alfie and his mother have lived through
great changes but they must move on when people become suspicious
that Alfie never grows into adolescence or adulthood. This means he
must continually leave his normal, aging friends and move to new
homes.
Alfie's father died 1000 years in the past, so it is Alfie, his Mum
and Biffa the cat who have to face the future together but life
changes drastically when a fire destroys not only Alfie's home but
kills his mother as well, leaving Alfie burnt and alone. It is at
this stage he needs to trust 21st century Roxy and Aidan, who
desperately try to be his first real true friends and help him find
the last "life pearl" to begin the aging process for Alfie, so he
can live a normal life.
This a well written and at time humorous story where alternate
chapters give the viewpoint of either Alfie or Aidan.
There is a realisation that eternal life has as many drawbacks as it
does advantages. Alfie has had a variety of historical experiences
that gives him a vast knowledge of the past but he can never have a
real life in the present.
This is a captivating read, where the ending keeps you "on the edge
of your seat" as all is revealed by the final chapters of the novel.
I also enjoyed Ross Welford's What Not to Do If You Turn
Invisible and look forward to reading his other title Time
Travelling with a Hamster which also plays with "time".
I highly recommend this book to students from age 10 years +. A
worthy addition to any library.
Jane Moore
Geis: A game without rules - Book 2 by Alexos Deacon
Nobrow 2017. ISBN 9781910620274
(Age: Middle school - Senior students) Themes: fantasy, medieval,
contest, rules, allegiance, trust. To open this beautifully
illustrated graphic novel is to enter a disorientating medieval
world of sorcerers, serfs, courtiers and nobles. The endpapers
depict a set of a sort of tarot card with titles such as Justice,
Death, the Sun, the Tower, and the action in the story seems just as
arbitrary as a hand of cards. The characters are confined in a
castle where all are compelled to take part in tests. This time the
sorceress Niope divides the people into two teams, one dressed in
black, the other in white, they are told to play the game but no one
knows the rules. The sorceress has servants who are masked,
reminiscent of chess pieces who spy on the teams and do her bidding.
They give each player a coin and a stick, the white sticks can be
used as chalk and the black as charcoal. Some ancient writing
appears on the floor which when translated reads As it is written so
shall it be. It soon becomes apparent that anyone can announce a
game and make the rules then both teams have to play, the winners
collecting coins from the losers. The episodes that follow are
intermeshed with other power struggles within the castle which take
more than one reading to grasp.
The subtle use of colour helps with scene shifts and supernatural
effects but there is a large cast and a list of characters with a
synopsis of the previous volume would have made it more enjoyable.
However, its density will appeal to those looking for a more complex
graphic novel with puzzles and paradoxes to keep the reader engaged.
This is the second text, I would recommend reading the first, Geis:
A matter of life and death and I am sure middle school
students and senior student lovers of fantasy or illustration will
be asking for book three, The Will That Shapes the World,
coming soon.
Sue Speck
Ash dresses her friends by Fu Wenzheng
New Frontier Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9781925594027
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Friendship, Sewing, Animals,
Shyness. Ash is an azure winged magpie and she sits all alone in her
nest. She is invited to parties by her neighbors, but she sits back,
quietly and they do not speak to her, they think she is shy. She
would love to have a friend. When she sees a sad elephant she asks
him what the matter is. He tells that her that he would really love
a new shirt. Ash tells him that she can help him out and getting a
large bolt of the most luxurious looking red floral material, makes
him a shirt on her trusty pedal sewing machine. He is thrilled with
his lovely shirt and goes off to tell the others. A shy black bear
comes by wondering if Ash could make her a new dress. Of course,
says Ash. Then a zebra happens along wanting a new cover for his
armchair to contrast with his stripes. Ash makes this too. She makes
a scarf for the fox and a knapsack for the koala, and she still has
material left over.
But once all the animals have their new things, they go off to
display them. She is alone again. The squirrel returns to show her
how many nuts he has picked to fill his red bag, and the other
animals come to her nest to celebrate what she has done for them.
They are all happy and Ash feels loved.
This delightful tale will enthrall younger readers, as they see all
the animals Ash helps with her material, wondering just how she is
able to make a shirt for the elephant and still have material left
over. But also seeing the themes of friendship and sharing come
through.
The mix of illustrative technique by Fu Wenzheng has created an
original and bold look to the book. Two colours dominate each page,
making a statement about the material Ash uses to share with her
neighbours. Grey wash is superbly adapted to create illustrations
which will entrance the eyes of the readers as they pore over each
page.
The grey beautifully contrasts with the red material's print, and
the use of white space accentuates the boldness of the material.
Fran Knight
Julius Zebra: Entangled with the Egyptians by Gary Northfield
Walker, 2018. ISBN 9781406371802
(Age: 6+) "After being shipwrecked on the shores of Egypt and
mistaken for a Horse God, Julius can't believe his luck! Soon he and
his bedraggled friends will be living it up in the city of
Alexandria; preened and pampered like gods. Then a fancy boat
procession will take them down the River Nile to Giza where, of
course, a lavish party will be thrown in Julius's honour - as well
as getting the obligatory tour of the Pyramids. BUT it is this very
tour that seems to signal the end to their glorious fortunes in
Egypt. On a visit to the Tomb of Cleopatra, Felix is unable to
resist a rather lovely looking treasure for his rock collection . .
. He pockets the jewel and immediately a curse falls upon the group.
And so the ridiculous adventure begins where Julius fights for his
life as the Egyptians come to unravel the truth and realize that he
is not quite what they thought he was . . . "(Publisher)
This highly entertaining book travels between the worlds of fact and
fiction. It will sit alongside Horrible Histories
beautifully in the library. Children will love the peek into
gladiatorial lives and times. Children from six and up with dive
into this book and the almost graphic novel format will appeal to
even the most reluctant readers. The third book in a humorous series
is sure to be a winner with its ridiculous plot and hilarious
characters. I can see our Year 2 classes sharing snippets of this
book as they launch into their lessons on the Romans.
Kathryn Schumacher
Goodbye, Perfect by Sara Barnard
Macmillan, 2018. ISBN 9781509852864
(Age: Senior Secondary) Highly recommended. Themes: loyalty,
relationships, friendship, choices, boundaries. Eden and her best
friend Bonnie never seemed to have much in common but they have been
best friends since primary school. They are both about to sit their
final GCSE exams and both have little sisters; but Bonnie is a
straight "A" student, head prefect, with parents who expect their
perfect daughter to excel. Eden and her sister were adopted when
Eden was nine as her addict mother could not look after them. Eden
struggles at school but thrives in her garden, her own space where
she has ownership, responsibility and can demonstrate achievement
supported by her adoptive parents who are professional gardeners.
The best friends have studied together, shopped together and shared
the secrets of their hearts, or so Eden thinks until the police turn
up at her house asking if she knows where Bonnie is. Eden had that
morning got a surprise text from Bonnie saying she was running away
with Jack, a secret boyfriend Bonnie had mentioned but who Eden
thought was imaginary she was so evasive about him. The text also
said "don't tell anyone" so loyal Eden denies she has any knowledge.
"I didn't think twice about lying for Bonnie. As far as I was
concerned, she'd asked, and I'd agreed, and that was that. I didn't
need any more details or context. A promise is a promise, and a best
friend is a best friend." p9. However it turns out that Jack is
their music teacher, Mr Cohn, the relationship is a crime not only
because he is her teacher but at fifteen and a half Bonnie is also
under the age of consent. Everyone, especially the police find it
hard to believe Eden knew nothing about the affair and she starts to
question how well she really knew her friend and whether she is
doing the right thing agreeing to keep their location a secret.
Eventually Eden confides in Connor, her level headed reliable
boyfriend and builds bridges with her older step sister Valerie and
they find a way forward that does not compromise Eden's values.
Issues of secrecy, betrayal of trust, loyalty, friendship
responsibility and choices make this an important book for young
adults who are entering a world where they have to make their own,
sometimes difficult decisions. Through flashbacks entitled
'Conversations that took on a Different Meaning after Bonnie
Disappeared' Eden sees she had missed signs that her friend had not
had the perfect life she had imagined missing how unhappy Bonnie had
been.
Told in the first person from Eden's perspective the text is
enriched with newspaper articles sensationalising the affair along
with social media posts all of which contrast with Bonnie's secret
text messages which assert that she is happy and in love, seemingly
oblivious to how her actions have affected everyone else. In the
face of it all Eden struggles to do what she believes is right. With
strong believable characters dealing with complex modern lives
encountering real life decisions, this is a book that should be
recommended to all senior students and it would lend itself to class
discussion about any of the main themes.
Sue Speck
Mighty Mitch: Howzat Heroes! by Mitchell Starc
Ill. by Phillip Bunting. Scholastic Australia, 2018. ISBN
9781742763217
(Age: Primary 6+) Mitchell Starc continues his cricketing
side-project in the second volume of Mighty Mitch. Following
the trend of sporting personalities publishing high interest novels,
and joining fellow cricketing legend Elise Perry, Starc writes from
the viewpoint of an under 10 beginner, recalling the days when his
dad doubled as coach to the local cricket team.
Starc, now the world record holder for fastest delivery in test
cricket (160.4 km/h), has come a long way from his days in the
Wander Hill Wombats (quite possibly the names in the book are
fictitious but the reader assumes there is a basis for fact here).
Starc and his team of misfits make headlines in the weekly TV show Howzat
Heroes for being really really bad at fielding. They develop a
sympathetic following from viewers, and during their quest to
improve the team gets themselves in increasingly hilarious
situations. For example, youngest fielder Oli gets a wicket by
having the ball bouncing off his butt into the stumps, and another
where a genuinely great catch is missed because other members of the
team are looking for dog poo.
The book itself is quite funny. For a non cricket person I found it
easy to read and shared parts of it with my class. As well, there is
a glossary of cricketing terms at the back and a description of ways
you can be run out, to help those just getting into cricket build
their knowledge.
The content of the book is suitable for anyone 6+ but with a 8+
reading ability.
Clare Thompson
Tissywoo and the worry monsters by Trish Donald
Little Pink Dog Books, 2018. ISBN 9780994624943
(Age: 4+) Themes: Depression, Childhood fears. Books with a single
issue, written to educate a reader about mental health have been
produced in larger numbers in recent years as people have realised
that it is not an isolated illness and affects much younger children
than once thought. Some wonderful books have emerged that tell a
story and reading that story readers develop skills to help them in
dealing with a similar situation. Mr Huff (Anna Walker), Big
and me (David Miller) and I need a hug (Aaron Blabey)
are some that with some subtlety allow children to talk about their
fears.
In Tissywoo and the worry monster, Tissywoo is about to go
to school for the first time and is not unexpectedly, concerned. She
is worried that she will not fit in or find friends and is concerned
about her new teacher. Her fears take hold of her and the story
details the symptoms she feels: wobbly tummy, loud beating heart and
spinning head. She lets the worry monster in. But as soon as she let
him in, she starts to try and control what is going on by breathing
normally, in and out, controlling her breathing until the monster
grows smaller and finally disappears.
This is a neatly resolved book about challenging your fears, and
could be used in the supported classroom to allow children to open
up about fear and how to control it.
Fran Knight
Little Stunt Riding Hood by Matt Cosgrove
Koala Books / Scholastic Australia, 2018. ISBN 9781742992501
(Age: Primary 8+) In this re-imagined fairy tale, the author has
taken the technique of changing parts of the story to the extreme.
This is a whimsical and witty tale involving STUNT Riding Hood who
rides dirt bikes and enters [him]self in a race against a werewolf
to get to Granmaster's house. The reversal and exaggeration of roles
in this story would really benefit a class learning about genre. The
novel itself was quite funny, not just with the ussal fart jokes but
genuinely unpredictable twists and turns. The character of Stunt
Riding Hood would definitely have a class of year 3/4s (and up)
students in stitches.
With the premise of adapting his sister's original fairy tale, the
author throws the traditional story to the wind. The author's
illustrations added hugely to the story, including a how to draw
Stunt Riding Hood step-by-step. The other artistic aspect of this
novel, is that the additions to the text have been physically cut
and pasted from a newspaper. This in itself would be a really
interesting literacy project for students to vary from the good old
"change the ending" task. It also boasts no sloppy kisses, no
handsome princes and no happily ever after, which would appeal to
those with low literacy and high interest.
The novel itself is only 95 pages, but the end of the book includes
a short story of the Seven Ninjas. This one was more comic-like in
structure and was not nearly as clever as the story line seemed
poorly thought out. Students who find burp jokes funny may enjoy it,
but it added very little to the book itself.
Cosgrove has a series of these books out, including SnowMan and
the Seven Ninjas (Snow White), and Attack of the Giant
Robot Zombie Mermaid (The Little Mermaid?) which I'm sure will
have a cult following of their own in no time.
Clare Thompson
Dr Huxley's bequest by Michelle Cooper
FitzOsborne Press, 2017. ISBN 9780648165132
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Dr Huxley's Bequest is a creative
non-fiction book. The characters are fictional but historical people
and scientific matter are real and the story is set in the
University of Sydney.
The University receives a bequest from the late Dr Huxley of 13
unusual items. Rosy and Jaz (two thirteen year old daughters of
workers at the university) having accidently destroyed the papers
identifying the objects, need to solve the mystery of what the 13
objects are and have the items labelled and displayed as a condition
of a large monetary bequest by Dr Huxley. The objects basically
represent and summarize the history of medicine and disease.
The girls have two weeks to complete the task so it is a race
against time.
The mystery technique is a fantastic way to tell the story of
medicine from ancient Egyptian times to current genetic testing. It
includes little known 'gross' facts that would appeal to readers.
The author tells the story in a humorous manner. It aims to educate
about the history of medicine (including alternative medicines) and
disease, but also strongly pushes the scientific method of research
at every opportunity. Given the current STEM emphasis in education
this book would be ideal in the library for over 12 year olds. The
author generates in the main characters a sense of excitement in the
quest for knowledge and learning for its own sake. There is also an
emphasis on the (unheralded) role of women in science.
At times too much information at a time makes for heavy reading and
may deter some readers although there are a few illustrations.
The author is to be congratulated on the amazing level of detailed
research. Included is a Bibliography of "fairly reader-friendly"
articles and an index.
Michelle Cooper indicates on her web site
that tours of the university can be undertaken where the objects can
be viewed and places in the book visited. Teaching
resources can be downloaded from the site.
Ann Griffin
Esme's wish by Elizabeth Foster
Odyssey Books, 2017. ISBN 9781925652246
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy; Imaginary worlds; Love and
desire; Friendship. Esme is a strong and feisty young teenager whose
personality is shaped by the loss of her artist mother in mysterious
circumstances seven years prior to the opening chapter. When we meet
her at the beginning of the book, she is facing the remarriage of
her father (to a step-mother who has done nothing to win her over).
Through strange circumstances Esme is able to escape the clutches of
the influence of her new step-mother's family and falls inexplicably
into another world that may hold the secret to her mother's
disappearance. In this strange new world, magical gifts and fantasy
creatures and a disturbing tendency to earthquakes combine to
unsettle Esme's search for her mother. The transformation in Esme as
she discovers secrets about her mother and her own abilities is
slowly revealed. She also develops a growing trust of her new
friends in the fantasy world. The winner though is the very
well-crafted fantasy land that Elizabeth Foster has created. It was
delightfully different, but with enough recognisable fantasy
features that made it feel comfortable and yet very imaginative.
After initially being a bit reticent, I eventually found myself
charmed by this story and will be looking out for the sequel! It is
not a lengthy tome, so will appeal to readers who are starting out
in their discovery of fantasy worlds but it is not childish; there
is enough risk and danger for Young Adult readers. The fantasy
'fight' to restore the fantasy world of Aeolia to its rightful
balance (and overcome negative influences) is very entertaining.
Carolyn Hull
Jake Atlas and the hunt for the feathered god by Rob Lloyd Jones
Jake Atlas series. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406377712
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Themes: Adventure, Egypt. Aztecs.
Jake Atlas at 12 and a half years old is often in trouble. His
parents are archaeology professors and so are a little out of the
ordinary. Adventure seeks Jake out and the resultant books are a
thrilling ride through ancient civilisations with lots of research
that enhances the text and so will intrigue eager readers. In the
first outing for Jake Atlas, Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the
Emerald Snake, the Atlas family are on vacation in Egypt when
Jake's parents go missing just hours after checking in to the hotel.
An adventure ensues taking them all over Egypt and finally into a
showdown with the People of the Snake.
With Jake Atlas and the feathered god, the readers will
again be on the edge of their seats as Pan and Jake match wits with
mercenaries and treasure hunters and the Lady of the Snake. The
family is on the run in Egypt from the People of the Snake, and are
doing all they can to stop them playing with the future of mankind,
ending up in Honduras where the Feathered God once was found. Into
this intrigue step the International Police, hot on the trail of the
villains, and with Jake's high tech gadgets, fun abounds.
The events are exciting and the vocabulary easy to read. This novel
is highly recommended to all readers aged 10+. It would also be a
great read aloud novel for the year 7 classroom as they study
ancient civilisations.
Fran Knight
D-Bot Squad series by Mac Park
Allen and Unwin, 2018. Mega hatch by Mac Park. ISBN 9781760296032 Dino corp by Mac Park. ISBN 9781760296049
(Age: 6+) Recommended. Themes: Dinosaurs. Robots. Adventure Stories.
Susannah McFarlane and Louise Park authors of the popular series Zac
Power have written an exciting new series perfect for young
readers. D-Bot Squad takes place in a world filled with dinosaurs,
high-tech gadgets and young riders who rescue and teleport these
creatures back to safety.
In Mega hatch (no 7) Hunter Marks and his team must muster
all their defences to outwit the dinosaurs running rampart across
the world. And just when you think that problem is enough to keep
them focussed, another appears on the horizon. Dino corp (no 8) continues Hunter's story, as the most
powerful dinosaur of them all, T-Rex continues to wreak havoc on
earth. Teamwork is needed to capture this dinosaur and teleport this
animal to safety.
Easy to read text, short paragraphs, engaging font styles and sizes
are interspersed with a combination of graphic novel spreads to
engage and encourage the development of reading and visual literacy.
These D-Bot Squad novels will appeal to reluctant readers
and children beginning to read chapter books. After sharing these
easy to read stories, younger students can research the dinosaurs
included, a task that will excite them even further, then design and
create their own dinobots.
And those who read these two will seek out the others in the series,
so have them ready.
Fran Knight
