Ill. by Kirrili Lonergan. EK Books, 2017. ISBN 9781925335422
When Ollie receives a letter from his grandmother in the form of a
treasure map, he is very excited. What could his treasure be? Could
it be a new truck? Or walkie-talkies? Or maybe that game he had been
wanting forever? Full of excitement and anticipation he sets out on
the trail - looking for the tree with the biggest leaves and gazing
at the sky; smelling the brightest yellow rose that reminds him of
Gran; wiggling his toes in the grass by the fountain then listening
to the tinkle of the water as it splashes; and tasting a plump, red,
ripe strawberry in the bowl on the picnic blanket. Finally, he has
to lie down and look upwards - and there is a treasure. But it is
not what he thought it would be and he is angry and disappointed
until he notices the note that Gran has written.
This is a wonderful story about finding joy in the simple things
that are all around us just by using our senses and taking notice of
what it always there. Beautifully illustrated in a gentle palette
that accentuates the text, young readers could have fun talking
about what they would consider to be treasure and whether it has to
take the form of a physical object and discuss whether Ollie was
right to be disappointed and angry when his was not what he
expected. They could talk about their own favourite sights, sounds,
smells and surfaces and perhaps, as a class, identify a sensory
treasure trail around the school, map and travel it, taking photos
and writing about their discoveries. On a more personal note, some
might even get their own treasure map from their own grandmothers!
An original story with a wonderful message.
Barbara Braxton
Shallow in the deep end by Tiwi College Alalinguwi Jarrakarlinga with Jared Thomas
Omnibus Books, 2017. ISBN 9781742762692
(Age: 7-10) Recommended. This book has been written by joint
authors, a group of women from Tiwi College Alalinguwi Jarrakarlinga
with assistance from Jared Thomas and with the support of Indigenous
Literacy Foundation.
Shallow is a baby water buffalo and was given to Erica by her park
ranger father after she asked for a dog. Shallow befriends Bruno a
young dog Erica is looking after for a friend. The animals'
adventures are humorous and beyond the experiences of many mainland
children. Shallow and Bruno paddle in a plastic wading pool, they
frighten a group of elderly card playing women and become involved
in the local football match. The chapter about the school trampoline
is especially funny. Imagine a water buffalo and a dog enjoying back
flips! These chapters would make great read aloud stories in the
classroom.
Each chapter provides an insight into living in Erica's home and
country i.e. eating turtle soup as well as the more everyday fair of
cupcakes.
The book has simple line drawings provided by the authors. These are
unpretentious but highly effective. The cover is brightly coloured
and appealing with the curvaceous baby Shallow a strong feature.
Jared Thomas has commented that the girls 'provided readers with the
joy, connection and youth of the Tiwi people, country and culture'.
These stories are a delightful insight to life on the Tiwi Islands.
This is the third book the group have written.
The text and illustrations will appeal to students aged 7 to 10
years old. I recommend this book to primary schools.
Jane Moore
High flyers by Laura Sieveking
The Royal Academy of Sports series. Random House, 2017. ISBN
9781925324587
(Age: 8-11) Recommended. Themes: Gymnastics, School Life,
Friendship. Abigail Rogers is a passionate young gymnast who trains
hard and loves to improve on her skills. Her dream is to win a place
at The Royal Academy of Sport for Girls. This elite school trains
potential champions; here the focus is on both academics and sports
with training from top-level coaches in specialist facilities. For
Abby to win a place at the academy, she has to perform well in all
areas of a special competition. Even with a small slip on landing
her floor routine, Abby's excitement is hard to contain when she is
chosen for a place at the academy.
With new friends, Mae, Evie and Anwen, the girls step straight into
training in the world-class gym with Coach Ana pushing them to
achieve their best. Training is hard and each girl is challenged to
succeed. Of course, there are rivalries and jealousies with Bella
Brunetti trying to sabotage Abby's routines. With Scarlet Belyakov's
creative schemes to help the girls find food, life at the academy is
exciting. When the friends decide to train harder and include more
difficult components in their events, things do not go to plan.
Laura Sieveking understands the realities of competing, the feelings
and thought processes of the individual components of the gymnast's
routines. The reader gains insight into Abby's reality when the
story is told from her point of view. Friendship, school life, sport
and athleticism, resilience and persistence are celebrated in this
first novel in The Royal Academy of Sports series. These
novels are just right for preteen girls who love sporting tales.
Rhyllis Bignell
Glitterwing's Book Week blunder by Sally Sutton
Miniwings book 1. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781775434238
(Age: 6-10) This book will appeal to many young readers - flying
miniature horses (including a unicorn), glitter, sparkles and
hijinks. What more could you ask for! This is the first book in a
series about a set of toy ponies who come alive when there are no
adults watching. They belong to sisters Clara and Sophia.
These toys or Miniwings are described in full at the
beginning of the book. They all have different appearances and
personalities. They tend to create havoc whenever they appear and
the girls always seem to suffer the repercussions.
In this book, Clara and Sophia have been tardy preparing for Book
Week and have only days to make a costume for the Book Week parade.
Their preparations become more difficult when the naughty Miniwings
become involved.
The girls also meet their favourite author Suzie Gamble, author of
the Horse Girl series. Clara and Sophia make an interesting
observation, that Suzie is not as glamorous as she is portrayed by
her publishers, but is just as fascinating as her stories. It is
Suzie Gamble that provides the final inspiration for their costume.
The special language the Miniwings use is explained in a dictionary
at the end of the book.
Sally Sutton, an award winning New Zealand author, is well known for
her picture book Roadworks and she plans to write 6 books in
this series, each highlighting a particular toy. Book number 2 is
called Whizz's Internet Oopsie.
Kirsten Richards, the illustrator has had fun with the drawings. The
cover is sparkly, intensely coloured and features Glitterwings, a
pink flying horse. Every page has coloured illustrations that
highlight the funny happenings in the story.
This book will appeal students who have enjoyed books such as The
Ella Diaries or any young horse loving fans. Suitable for 6 to
10 year olds.
Jane Moore
The stars are fire by Anita Shreve
Little Brown, 2017. ISBN 9781408702994
(Age: 16+) Set in Maine, US, in 1947, the story begins with endless
rain but with a season change everything turns to summer drought -
the parched land and hot wind have people on tenderhooks anxious
about the threat of fire. Claire is a young mother of two, trying to
work out why the tenderness has gone from her marriage. When the
inevitable fires break out, her husband is among the men who leave
the town to fight the flames. Whilst he is gone, the fires turn and
head towards her home. She and her friend Rosie have to make quick
decisions in the crisis. It only Claire's clear thinking that saves
their lives and their children, but there is a terrible cost. Her
home destroyed, and her husband missing, Claire has to work out how
to make a new life for herself and her children. Though there were
problems in her marriage, the children miss their father, and Claire
is torn between wishing for his safe return and the possibility of a
different life where she is in control, can go to work, and find new
independence and happiness. For a while it looks like it might be
within her grasp. But then everything changes . . .
The characters in the novel have to fend against the challenges of
extreme weather - first the rain, then the fires, later cold and
snow confine them to one room trying to keep warm. The struggles
with the environment mirror the struggles within - the challenge of
relationships that turn harsh and unforgiving. A situation that
should invoke love and compassion becomes instead a source of
torment and misery. It seems like moments of happiness are transient
as life continually offers yet another battle.
There is romance in this story but also very real issues of domestic
violence, child protection, and finding inner strength. So while the
writing style is easy to read and the story soon draws you in, the
themes are suited to a more mature reader.
Helen Eddy
Speed Zone by Stephanie Bendixsen
Ill. by Chris Kennett . Pixel Raiders series book 3.
Scholastic Australia, 2017. ISBN 9781760275679
(Age: 8+) Themes: Digital Worlds, Computer Games, Fantasy,
Adventure. Bajo and Hex's Pixel Raiders series continues
with level three of the game world in Speed Zone. Every one
of the other BETA testers stranded in Dig World is relying on Rip
and Mei to save them. The first event at the Desert Cliff Race Track
is filled with fast-paced vehicles, packed with an array of weaponry
and special effects, driven by super competitive crews. Mei is in
the driver's seat of their dune buggy; she manages to control the
unfamiliar vehicle, with directions from the pit crew and shouted
instructions from Rip. Along roads perched on cliff edges they race,
facing up to the tricks and challenges of the ruthless competitors.
As the action continues 'The Noobs', Mei and Rip quickly learn how
to manoeuvre their buggy, shoot their weapons and avoid the crazy
camels on bicycles, miniature giraffes riding on scooters and gators
driving monster trucks. Their badger pit crew lead by Fixet support
their team, upgrading their racing car between races. The young
drivers even share a meal with the badgers underground in their
sett. Speed Zone is another action-packed gaming adventure just
right for young readers. Chris Kennett's cartoon graphics liven up
the action and antics of the fanatical animal racers. Maps of each
battle zone, captions, bold text and speech bubbles create a
visually engaging read.
Students in lower primary classes could design new racetracks and
fun vehicles for Mei and Rip.
Rhyllis Bignell
Falling by Anne Provoost
20th Anniversary edition. Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760293925
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Depicting racial tensions between migrants
and established citizens of an unspecified region in France or
Belgium, the prescience of the author is underlined in this 20th
Century anniversary edition by the current refugee crisis in Europe.
Lucas is a metropolitan teenage boy who reluctantly accompanies his
mother on a trip to a provincial town in order to deal with his late
Grandfather's house and property. The weather is oppressively hot
and Lucas is truculent and unenthusiastic until he discovers a
chainsaw, reunites with Caitlin (a girl he used to play with as a
child) and meets some locals Benoit and Alex.
The story starts slowly and dark details of Lucas' Grandfather's
past are gradually revealed. Lucas is an object of pity and slight
ridicule as he is the only one who doesn't have knowledge of these
events from the past and it causes him angst and embarrassment as he
deals with geographic and social displacement. Lucas' mother remains
silent due to her own discomfort and bears some responsibility for
later events because she fails to prepare and guide her son through
this difficult matter.
The title is apt on different levels. Lucas falls in love, he falls
in with the wrong crowd and falls into a great deal of trouble. The
reader feels a sense of anguish and frustration when he makes such
poor decisions which affect himself and others in profound ways but
this is because what is portrayed is entirely realistic. This is a
cautionary tale about the power of charismatic and unscrupulous
individuals and their capacity to manipulate people who have
vulnerabilities or who lack the worldly wisdom which would normally
help them to protect themselves. The events and terrible
consequences resulting from poor judgement are not limited to the
circumstances depicted in the novel. Crimes of violence and drug
involvement as well as deaths from misuse of motor vehicles are
examples where individuals sometimes surrender their own values and
better judgement in order to go along with others who somehow
disable a person's capacity for self-responsibility. This is a
powerful story with great relevance and is a worthy read in its own
right, however the prominent message concerning who young people
should trust and rely upon will not be lost upon adolescent readers
and I recommend it.
Rob Welsh
Dogs and doctors by Elen Caldecott
The Marsh Road Mysteries.Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408876060
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. In Dogs and Doctors readers
meet a group of children who are rather good at solving mysteries.
Sylvie has to stay in hospital and on her first night Barry, the
therapeutic dog, is kidnapped. The group of friends are on the job
the very next day. They interview people, steal CCTV images and lead
the security guards to the laundry. Barry has been here but a chase
through the parking lot enables the escape of the dog napper.
Meanwhile, a piece of valuable art work, on loan to the hospital,
has gone missing. Are the two crimes connected? Was Barry a decoy
dog? Is Barry safe? Will the friends beat the police and solve the
crimes? The group of friends undertake some rule breaking to get to
the truth but they do contact their police connection when danger is
imminent. Dogs and Doctors is part of The Marsh Road Mysteries
series but it is a stand-alone story. It is great to see loyalty
amongst friends as well as accepting friends for all their faults.
The story is an excellent read for girls and boys, especially if
they love an adventure where they can't pick the culprits. Dogs and
Doctors is descriptive and exciting. The text is easy to read and
would make a great model for students creating their own mysteries
when writing. It is highly recommended for readers aged 9+.
Kylie Kempster
Here Kitty, Kitty by Melanie Alexander
Lexi and Lettie Trusty Twin Detectives. Random House, 2017.
ISBN 9780143784135
(Age: 6-10) Lexi and Lottie have their own cartoon show based on
their sleuthing antics. They are centred around Appleton Animal Park
where, with their parents, they are involved with a variety of
animals. Their best friend is Fred, an aspiring journalist for the
school paper and along with Lexi's pet mouse, Mozart, he joins the
twins on their detective adventures. Here Kitty, Kitty highlights the latest new members of the
Animal Park, two white tiger cubs, Purr and Pounce. They are being
shown to the public for the first time but one of the cubs is stolen
and this begins the search for the culprit amongst a group of
suspects listed by the girls.
The story is divided into chapters and are illustrated with the same
cartoon style drawings as the animations. Intense colours are used
on both the cover and throughout the book. Lists feature frequently
throughout the story, which give facts about animals i.e. 'when
fully grown, tigers are the biggest species of the cat family.'
Lists also highlight the clues the twins have discovered which makes
it easier for the reader to focus on the main points and keep track
of the information gathered by the twins.
There are several suspects and Lexi and Lottie have to work their
way through the information to remove the innocent from their lists.
This allows the reader to try to deduce the crime with the twins and
attempt to work out themselves who the true criminal is.
These books will appeal to students who have enjoyed the cartoons or
those who like detective style books. Suitable for students aged 6
to 10 year olds.
There is a trailer on the books available.
The cartoons are available here.
Jane Moore
Whizz's Internet oopsie by Sally Sutton
Ill. by Kirsten Richards. Miniwings series. Scholastic,
2017. ISBN 9781775434245
(Age: 6-8) Themes: Horses, Sisters, Internet, Problem Solving. Young
Sophia and her sister Clara receive a special magical gift from
their Nana, six colourful, little winged horses. At first, the girls
think they are just cute plastic toys; however, they are naughty,
talking flying creatures who love to cause trouble! Sophia's
introductory letter to the readers and the gorgeous colourful
paintings and description of these cute creatures begin this easy to
read young novel.
When Clara and Sophie express their desire to shop online, their
mother quickly responds with a firm response, 'dream on,' she says!
However, while the young girls prepare for the new school term, the
Miniwings take matters into their own hooves! Oceania suggests she
will splash in the bathtub and Moonlight wants to make a 'scrumbly'
chocolate cake when the sisters go to school. Clara and Sophie's
decision to leave their computer on for the Miniwings' entertainment
leads to interesting consequences. Parcels and packages begin to
arrive at the house, first there's a foot spa, ordered by
water-loving Oceania. The next surprise to arrive is a cordless
drill perfect for Comet to decorate the bedroom walls with stars and
a moon. Claire and Sophia come up with some very creative responses
to their parent's questions.
The nanny goat's disastrous visit to school where she poops, eats
the class rules and butts holes in the wall is comical. Luckily, for
the girls their quick-thinking Nana arrives to help with their
problems.
Kirsten Richards' whimsical creatures, fun cartoon characters,
quirky pastel paint and ink drawings fly, swirl and frame Sally
Sutton's entertaining story told from Sophie's point of view. Whizz's
Internet Oopsie is a fun and fanciful story, just right for
young girls who love horses.
Rhyllis Bignell
A Canadian year -Twelve months in the life of Canada's kids by Tania McCartney
Ill. by Tina Snerling. EK, 2017 ISBN 9781925335439 Continuing this fabulous series which includes A Kiwi
Year, An
Aussie Year, and a host of others,
young children are introduced to the children of Canada. There is
Chloe, who speaks both French and English; Oki who is Inuit, Ava who
is of Chinese heritage; Liam of Scottish heritage and Noah whose
dream is to place ice hockey for the Vancouver Canucks - kids just
like those found in every classroom in Australia but whose lives are
subtly different because of their geographic location. Whoever heard
of it being -30° in January and instead of being at the beach kids
are skiing, skating and sledding? And as we currently shiver through
early winter and another Big Wet, it's hard to imagine there are
children on summer vacation for two months, kayaking, salmon fishing
in the ocean, swimming, camping in the wilderness and visiting
Santa's Summer House just outside Toronto. If nothing else, and
there is SO much more, students will learn about the seasons being
somewhat different in the northern hemisphere.
Offered as vignettes for each month, young children learn that there
are places beyond their immediate horizons and there are kids who do
things that are a bit different but overall, despite the timeframe,
they enjoy and do the same things as kids everywhere so there is
more that binds than divides. Intercultural
understanding is a mandated part of the Australian Curriculum
so that students 'understand how personal, group and national
identities are shaped, and the variable and changing nature of
culture' and this series is the perfect way to start this with young
children whose concepts of the world are just developing.
As usual, there is the is a double-page spread featuring intriguing
facts and figures which just invite comparisons with Australia - if
'Canada" comes from 'kanata' meaning village, where does 'Australia'
come from? If Canada is the world's second-largest country, what is
the largest? What's the difference between large as in area and
large as in population? While teachers' notes are
available, the children themselves will generate enough questions to
drive their own investigations.
Why not use it as a model for a class calendar, highlighting the
important events of each child's life in each month visually
exploring the unity and the diversity and promoting an important
bond of belonging and acceptance so that lives and heritage are
celebrated. Create a wall display for each month and invite the
children to contribute to it, and then compare what is happening
with other children in other parts of the world using this series as
the key resource.
Barbara Braxton
Finding Nevo by Nevo Zisin
Black Dog Books, 2017. ISBN 9781925381184
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Sexuality, Coming out, Trans gender.
In a society where male and female roles are delineated, someone
growing up knowing they fit neither one nor the other will be highly
confused and disorientated. So it is with Nevo.
This introspective memoir is an outstanding contribution to any
discussion about transitioning, a book about someone who feels at
odds with the gender roles of the society in which they live.
Nevo, a bright Melbournite is born female but always feels more at
home in boy's clothes. In primary school Nevo hangs about with
girls, and at high school comes out as a lesbian. But they never
feel at ease. The Jewish high school is supportive to those who feel
different, espousing a Safe Schools program, suggesting they join a
group to develop leadership skills. Nevo feels like an outsider
until meeting a girl who challenges these feelings, joining Nevo
along their journey.
Nevo's confusion continues all through teenage years, leading to a
decision to transition when eighteen, beginning with taking
testosterone and eventually surgery for breast removal. Nevo's
candid exploration of the way they feel is incredible, ensuring any
reader will feel empathy not only with Nevo but others who feel
confused about their sexuality.
All the confusion about growing up is there: coping with a blended
family, sibling rivalry, gender politics, getting on with groups at
school, mental health and bullying, but overlaid with a momentous
confusion about your sexuality, makes this is a gripping read.
At a time when right wing pundits are questioning the Safe Schools
program, this book offers the strongest of reason for the program to
be available, underscoring the value of teens seeing that they are
not alone.
And Nevo makes clear the lack of role models, the lack of these
people seen in our society: the press, television and books rarely
have anyone gay, let alone trans, and this makes people feel more
marginalised.
If this book supports those going along the same path as Nevo and
helps others empathise with those going through this process, then
it has done its job. And done it well.
A glossary of terms is followed by a list of resources, particularly
online, where people can find support and help.
Fran Knight
Superstar Tapir by Polly Faber and Clara Vulliamy
Mango and Bambang, book 4. Walker Books, 2016. ISBN
9781406361490
(Age: 7-10) Highly recommended. Superstar Tapir is the
fourth book in this delightful series starring Mango and the tapir
Bambang. It is divided into four separate stories, each quite unique
and interesting. In Snow day, Bambang is intrigued about the idea of snow and
wonders just what it, is, and even though there is no snow around,
Mango comes up with lots of different ideas about what snow looks
like and feels like. Their adventures culminate in a ride in
George's wagon, pretending to be a snow sled and when they stand
under a blossom tree they pretend that it is now and they and make a
snow angel out of the blossoms. A night at the fair sees Mango's father finally leaving his
study to take them off to the fair. After he wins them toys at the
hoopla stall, Mango and Bambang go to see the Egyptian treasures
where they are accosted by their old enemy Cynthia Prickle-Posset.
What adventures!
Their friend, Rocket the dog faces some trials in Rocket to the
moon, when he is convinced that he has found a space ship to
take him away. Mango and Bambang have to use all their ingenuity to
find him when he disappears.
In A tiny tapir's tears, Guntur the tiny tapir reappears as
a star in Minty Verbena's latest movie. Mango and Bambang are
invited to the opening and here they have to rescue him when he
begins to fall from a collapsing chandelier.
All the stories are a pleasure to read and the black and orange
illustrations add to the interest and humour.
Pat Pledger
Everything, everything by Nicola Yoon
Ill. by David Yoon. Random House Children's Books, 2017. ISBN
9780552576482
(Age: 13+) Themes of romance, family relationships, illness. This is
Nicola Yoon's debut novel; a touching romance between two young
people wanting to experience love but it could be the death of one
of them.
Bubble girl, Madeline Whittier is allergic to the outside world. She
has not left the house since her father and brother died in an
accident when Maddy was a child and now, at 17 years old, she yearns
for a relationship that is different to those she has with her
mother, her nurse and her tutor. This desire is a closeness that may
only be achieved with Olly, the boy moving in next door, the boy
with eyes the colour of the Atlantic Ocean.
Madeline's story unfolds with drawings, diary entries, lists,
charts, and personal narratives. The illustrations, which were drawn
by Nicola Yoon's husband, David, added an unusual and personal touch
to the telling of Madeline's story. I particularly enjoyed
Madeline's Spiral on page 233; it is an illustrative elegy to
Madeline's dreams. And on pages 237-8 we come to a halt along with
Maddy's heart with black pages and few words. This type of visual
emphasis on emotion turns a book into a more physical reading
experience which students will enjoy examining.
I did find that the story had two drawbacks. Although the characters
and relationships were being developed expertly before my eyes, the
most important character to the plot, Madeline's mother, was sadly a
missing substance. I know that Madeline was loved by her mother but
the way Nicola Yoon continuously described the same mother daughter
activities and Madeleine's love and desire to save her mother any
more pain was tedious to read about. The second drawback was Maddy's
calm resignation to her life. If a teen was actually in this
predicament would there be more teen angst, more tension, than
portrayed by the fictional character of Madeline? This could be a
position for debate amongst students.
For a debut novel it is very exciting that Everything,
Everything is being turned into a movie and I hope it can do
Nicola Yoon's work justice.
Sharon Smith
The whole thing together by Ann Brashares
Penguin Random House, 2017. ISBN 9780141386300
(Age:12+) Recommended. The novel The whole thing together,
written by Ann Brashares describes the realisation that people
saving and caring for something or someone can be brought together
by a sudden disaster. The whole thing together makes you
rethink your family and friends because the author uses a family
reunion to bring the story to life. A messy divorce years before,
resulted in shared custody of Ray and Sasha's siblings. As the
youngest of their respective families and unrelated, both Ray and
Sasha find themselves sharing their half-siblings and holiday home
bedroom - but not each other. A chance meeting sparks romance and
you can imagine the result when all members of the extended families
are finally brought together in the one place.
This story, set in New York, is easy to relate to, although for me
it was hard to connect with the characters. This is because the
author switches the perspective of the characters before the reader
can connect with them.
Overall the novel was simple but enjoyable and those who read it
will find comfort doing so. I recommend this book mainly to those
who are looking for an easy read with a little twist - a wonderful,
open and loving story targeting readers between 12-18 years of age.
Cara F. (Student)
