A New Australian series. Omnibus, 2017. ISBN 9781742990743
(Age: 10-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Immigration, Chinese in
Australia, Chinese History. Eleven year old May Tang's familiar life
in Shanghai is about to change. Her oldest brother Peter is settled
in Sydney, studying at university. The year is 1989 and Chinese
students are campaigning for democracy, for freedom of the press and
political change. May is unaware of the real reasons that Peter was
sent to Australia. She enjoys going to the park with her grandfather
Ye Ye, listening to his stories and his beautiful singing bird. At
home, her older sister Jie Jie bosses her around, always telling her
what to do. May is a dreamer, she loves her Chinese life, her
mother's cooking, the little street stalls and the sights and smells
of her city. May begins to understand when her mother shares her
story about the government's taking her out of uni and sending her
to work on a farm and reading Peter's letter about a better life in
Australia. Her father shares the news about the terrible turmoil in
Tiananmen Square and Peter's political activism, so the family
decide to send mother and daughter to Australia for safety.
Everything is strange and different in this new big city; she is
reluctant to leave the airport. Peter settles them in an apartment
and then leaves to work picking cherries in the country. May has to
be the adult, interpreting for her mother, helping her find a job
and face the difficulties of attending a new school. Here, she is a
victim of bullying and racist views, and when taunted for her
Chinese ways she becomes very unhappy. When she meets a new friend
Jade she finds acceptance and encouragement as she learns to believe
in herself.
May Tang is the sixth novel in the A New Australian series
exploring a specific historical period and the impact on a girl and
her family immigrating to Australia. Katrina Beikoff's novel
interweaves factual information with a beautifully detailed story.
She realistically captures both the Chinese and Australian ways of
life; the sights and smells of Sydney's Chinatown, the eighties
clothing - shoulder pads, the big hairstyles - crimped and curled,
even the birds are so different. With relatable characters,
realistic settings and slices of history these novels are suitable
for Middle Primary classes studying Australian History and
immigration.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Blizzard Challenge by Bear Grylls
Bear Grylls Adventures. Bear Grylls, Bonnier Publishing
Company, 2017. ISBN 9781786960122
(Age: 7-11) Bear Grylls is a well known adventurer and survival
expert. He's had several TV programs and has written books for both
adults and children. His Mission Survival books were
targeted to older primary school students but this series Bear
Grylls Adventures will appeal and be accessible to a younger
reader.
The theme in The Blizzard Challenge is survival and being
the best person you can. Physical struggle and adversity against
nature teach lessons about both persistence and self belief. The
first message on Bear's website is 'Life is an adventure. Live it'.
This is something that Olly learns in this first book.
Olly is reluctantly on a camping trip and he lets down his friends
during the activities. He doesn't want to put up the tent, build a
den or be part of the team. While wandering in the woods he is given
a compass by another child whom mysteriously comments, 'I think you
need this'. This compass has a strange fifth direction which takes
Olly straight to Bear Grylls on a high mountain range. Bear teaches
Olly how to survive in sub zero temperatures and hazardous
situations such as walking on a cracking frozen lake and enduring a
blizzard.
Olly returns from his adventure having learnt important lessons
about the environment and himself. He passes the compass onto the
next adventurer who features in Desert Challenge book 2 of
this series. There are 4 books available in this 12 book series.
Emma McCann is the illustrator and her drawings feature throughout
the book. Colour is used only on the cover.
Bear Grylls appeals to children and this series will interest to 7
to 11 year olds. Jane Moore
Hamish and the gravity burp by Danny Wallace
Simon and Schuster, 2017. ISBN 9781471147128
(Age: 7+) The bright cover and illustrations covering the paper
edges promises humour and fun, and they certainly deliver this for
young children!
The story surrounds Hamish Ellerby, who begins by finding his family
stuck to the roof through the strange happenings that is a 'gravity
burp'. The whole town of Starkley is affected and obviously causes
lots of questions and a then big town meeting.
It becomes up to Hamish and his friends (who are all in a gang
called the PDF - Pause Defence Force) to save their town once again.
After some research I found that this book is part of a well
established series, where Hamish and the PDF try to save Starkely
(and the world) from Alien invasion. This made sense as although
Danny Wallace gives information to the reader to allow this to be an
interesting stand alone book, I feel that reading this series in
order would be very beneficial to getting to know the long list of
characters.
The story is consistently funny, with toilet/gross humour throughout
keeping even the most reluctant reader or listener entertained.
My favourite character of the bunch was Madame Cous Cous (who
couldn't love that name!) and her sweet shop. She is always doing
something amusing like nailing down all the sweets in the shop, and
through the wonderful illustrations I was able to form a great
visual image to compliment the story.
This book would suit readers who love Roald Dahl and David Walliams,
as it is clever, humorous and filled with little tidbits (like the
flick-a-book illustrations!!) to delight every reader.
Suitable for readers or listeners from 7+
Lauren Fountain
Truly Tan: Trapped! by Jen Storer
ISBN: 9780733334122.
(Age: 9-11) Themes: Friendship; Mystery; Child detectives. Tan is
the youngest of four girls. Many girls would find this a difficult
burden, but Tan is forthright and intelligent and able to solve
mysteries. Her impressive powers of observation - seeing details
that others might miss, her special notebooks and her best friend
Gloria (a perpetual optimist) help her to rise above the dilemmas
that she faces. In this book she is needed to be on security detail
for a holidaying neighbour (the weed and water role is probably the
most important part of this detail) and she goes hunting for a
mysterious vehicle, a mysterious white flash (that may be a spirit
deva) and a mysterious 'gypsy'. Mystery at every turn! But will this
investigation lead her into danger? And who is the mystery person
who has infiltrated their secret Head Quarters? Added to this, we
hear about the arrival of an unwanted and surprising visitor and the
weird and wonderful personalities of her older sisters. Does Rose
really have the power of predicting the future? Will Tan really be
trapped in a web?
Even though there is a hint of 'mystical' in this series with some
'mildly spooky' moments, mostly it is just a story of inquisitive
friends trying to make sense of their world. The curious girls also
have to deal with parents' demands and chores, and their personal
sense of importance in their family.
A book that 9-11 year old girls will connect with.
Carolyn Hull
Zombie goes to camp by Zack Zombie
Diary of a Minecraft zombie book 6. Koala Books, 2017. ISBN
9781743818329
(Age: 5+) Zombie goes to camp tells the follow-on tale of
Zack Zombie and his friends going to camp. Zack is 12 years old and
completely terrified of going to Creepaway Camp; luckily his friend
Creepy is coming along too!
Like the previous books, Book 6 is written in a daily diary style
and uses language that children as young as 5 (and anyone who loves
Minecraft) will understand.
The story moves through Zack's time at camp, with the first part of
camp being filled with his concern that the camp counsellors are
really brain eating humans who especially enjoy mob kids and that
the food served in the cafeteria would spring to life as the camp
food monster and eat them!
The kids at camp also participate in lots of stereotypical summer
camp activities that many children will be able to find a link with
and gain an understanding of the situations (except the potential
brain eating counsellors) Zack and his friends are in.
Thankfully Zack and his friends survive the terror that is Creepaway
Camp and come through both alive and with a whole heap of new
friends.
The ending leads the reader nicely onto the next book and the next
adventure for Zack Zombie, keeping them interested and keen to read
again.
This book, and this series, is perfect for young Minecraft lovers
from age 5 and also parents/teachers who listen to children talk
about this phenomenon and aren't sure who or what they are talking
about!
Lauren Fountain
Wreck by Fleur Ferris
Random House Australia, 2017. ISBN 9780143784319
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Tamara Bennett is leaving her
temporary job at the Coastal Daily, and is looking forward to
Orientation Week at university. Interested in only reporting good
news stories, she is looking forward to becoming a journalist. Then
she arrives home to find her home invaded and dangerous men after a
note. What could this note be? Did it have something to do with the
letter in the bottle she found on the beach and reported in the
Coastal Daily? She has to make up her mind who she can trust,
especially after Zel Chisel, youngest son of the Chisel newspaper
moguls, gets her out of her house and away from danger.
Told in alternative voices by Tamara and Zel, Wreck takes
the reader on a roller coaster ride as they both go on the run.
Tamara is determined to find out the truth even though the
charismatic Knox Chisel tries to get her to stop and paints a
picture of a mentally unstable Zel. Meanwhile, in Zel's voice the
reader discovers the background to the note as they follow the
Chisel family's yacht foundering at sea, and the disappearance of
Christian, the Chisel who was being groomed to take over the
newspaper empire. Could Christian still be alive and did he send a
note in a bottle?
The power that the very rich wield is uncovered as Tamara finds just
how far reaching the Chisel influence is. She has to rely on her own
instincts about Zel and uses her research skills and intelligence to
work out what is happening.
The themes of corruption, media monopoly and family rivalries will
resonate with readers, but it is the tension and edginess that will
keep them reading.
Readers who enjoyed Ferris' previous books, Risk
and Black,
will be delighted to have another suspenseful, exciting book from
this author.
Pat Pledger
The adventures of Miss Petitfour by Anne Michaels
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408868058
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. The adventures of Miss Petitfour
is a collection of short stories describing the adventures of a
lovely lady and her cats - cats who like arts and crafts and a lady
whose favourite mode of transport is a tablecloth that flies.
Miss Petitfour has a collection of tablecloths that fly. It just
depends on where she wants to go as to which cloth she chooses! Miss
Petitfour is a whimsical character who, along with her 16 cats,
loves adventures. One of her favourite things to do is to fly to her
favourite bookshop in the village for tea and a chat with the owner.
In the first story, readers are introduced to Miss Petitfour and her
cats. The cats go on all the adventures by inking their tails around
each other and trailing behind Miss Petitfour like the tail of a
kite. This story is also the first adventure. The marmalade jar is
empty and a daring flight to the store occurs. it is a bit windy and
one of the cats gets stuck on a pole.
The stories are descriptive, whimsical and gorgeous. Every now and
then, a new word is introduced as part of the story. From
'perambulator' to 'gesticulation', the narrator speaks to the
readers. This book is highly recommended for readers aged 9+
(including grownups). It is a lovely and innocent collection of
stories.
Kylie Kempster
Eric the postie by Matt Shanks
Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781743811931
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Work. Postmen. Echidnas. Australian
bush. Eric comes from a long line of successful echidnas.
Photographs on the wall attest to the position some of his forebears
attained: a judge, scientist and artist, even one batting for
Australia. But he has less grand dreams. He wants to be a postie. He
has all the attributes of being a good postie: a long beak to help
open the letters, a fearless disregard for dogs, a long tongue to
lick the envelopes, an ability to keep the post pest free and a
burrowing capacity to avoid the rain.
But the post office will not take applications from any animal, so
he must prove himself another way.
The regular postie notices that he has fewer letters and parcels to
deliver, but the array of letterboxes outside people's homes shows
that many items are still being delivered. The people are very happy
as their mail is dry and pest free, it is delivered safely and the
envelopes are sealed. Tracking down the evidence the postie sees
what has happened and solves both their problems satisfactorily.
This delightful story of one echidna's path to happiness is
deliciously illustrated with warmth and humour. Readers will love
noticing the different people and their mail boxes, the range of
material that can be posted, perhaps guessing what might be inside
some of the odd-shaped parcels, the slew of different animals
depicted and the happy conclusion to the story.
Fran Knight
Party time! by Anh Do
Hot Dog! Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781760279011
(Age: 6-10) Recommended. Anh Do, well known for the book The
happiest refugee, has been successful with the Weirdo
book series for children. These books have appeal because they're
funny with easy to read text and many illustrations. The Hotdog!
books follow the same format.
Hotdog is a sausage dog and his two friends are Kev the cat who
loves dress-up costumes and Lizzie the lizard. In this second book,
it is Kev's birthday and Hotdog and Lizzie are planning a surprise
party that includes all the favourites such as sprinkles, popcorn,
jelly and a pinata.
Part of the surprise includes buying Kev a much wanted 'Roaring Dino
Bike'. Fortunately they are able to purchase the last available bike
but this annoys both Rooster and Donkey who also wanted to acquire
it. Hotdog and Lizzie need to try to outwit Rooster and Donkey and
make sure they can't take Kev's bike.
These books have great appeal with primary school aged children. The
book has the look of a novel and features an attractive, bright
cover.
Dan McGuiness's drawings are used extensively throughout the book.
Dan has created graphic novels such as his Pilot and Huxley
books and his illustrations work well with Anh's text. One colour is
used throughout the book, in this instance yellow.
Anh's books are so popular at my primary school that I have had to
buy several copies of the same text. They are entertaining and allow
students to succeed at reading. Newly independent readers are
attracted to both the Hotdog and Weirdo series. I
would recommend these books for 6 to 10 year olds.
Jane Moore
When Mu meets Min by Shen Shixi
Starfish Bay, 2017. ISBN 9781760360344
(Age: 5-7) When Mu meets Min, by Shen Shixi is a tale
narrated by a Chinese farmer, and tells us a story about unlikely
friends, a cat and a dog. Min the overly friendly puppy, joins the
family first and when a plague of rats comes to the farm and he
cannot get rid of them, Min the cat joins the family too.
As the story goes on the two young animals get along and become
friends (much to the neighbour's surprise), they play games and
sleep next to each other, however as they grow older it is not meant
to be.
They drift apart and all of a sudden they are fighting every day
instead of playing.
Children reading this story will be able to find links to their life
or other stories they know, lending this book to be one that teaches
a lesson as well as being a story.
The biggest lesson occurs when Mu falls into a water tank and cannot
get out. Although they do not get along, Min goes and finds help to
rescue Mu and save the cat from drowning.
Shen Shixi writes this story with the underlying messages (which are
not specifically spelt out) that even though they may not be best
friends anymore, the two can still help each other out and that they
can be civil and friendly. I also think it shows a different kind of
friendship that most children would not usually identify with.
The pictures are attractive, show movement around the page and also
some comical aspects.
I read this to Mr 6 and Miss 3, both enjoyed the story, however Mr.
6 did not pick up on the 'lesson' without prompting and needed
discussion to understand where Shixi was taking the story.
A positive story for 5-7 year olds.
Lauren Fountain
Squishy Taylor and the silver suitcase by Ailsa Wild
Squishy Taylor. Hardie Grant Egmont, 2017. ISBN 9781760128784
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Squishy Taylor and the Silver Suitcase
is a fun adventure for girls. The main characters are three sisters
and it is based in Melbourne. Squishy and her step sisters Jess and
Vee (she calls them bonus sisters as they were a bonus when her dad
remarried!) spend their summer holidays at the University waiting
for their mum to finish summer lectures. As the girls explore rooms
within the university, they stumble across 2 adults acting
suspiciously. Their word is 'dodgy' and through the story the
sisters refer to them as the Dodgy Duo. Squishy overhears the Duo
discussing a trip to the museum and her mystery-solving senses kick
in. A trip to the zoo, an encounter with a black cockatoo and
learning about bird smuggling leads the sisters to trying to capture
the Dodgy Duo. The girls are sure they are trying to smuggle birds.
However, the police don't believe them and the zoo expert is acting
suspiciously too. Will the sisters solve the mystery or will they
end up in a little bit of trouble? Squishy Taylor and the Silver Suitcase is a mystery adventure
for girls and is highly recommended for readers aged 8+. Squishy
Taylor is a series but this is a stand-alone story, easy to
read and follow. Readers will be trying to guess who the criminals
are. Squishy, Jess and Vee are great role models for girls. This
story would be an excellent class novel when investigating
endangered species.
Kylie Kempster
Ball Stars: Reppin' It by David Lawrence
Penguin Random House, 2017. ISBN 9780143781677
(Age: 8-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Basketball; Sportsmanship;
Leadership; Sport. In partnership with Basketball Australia, this is
the story of young players who are trying to make their mark in the
world of basketball. It is both a celebration of all the things that
are good about team sport involvement and just an honest and
intriguing story that will appeal to kids.
The boys and girls from Robdale Primary need to try out for the
District representative team and put their talents on show. Danny
and Crystal, and several of their team mates go through the trials
and get selected, but Danny and Crystal demonstrate the qualities
that make their peers honour them with selection as Captains.
Crystal's selection is easy, but the captaincy for Danny comes with
the difficulty of dealing with a team mate whose temper is seriously
out of alignment. The games are played with wonderful running
commentary from Cody, with great skills on display and the hope of a
win - if they can work together! In the background to this great
sporting contest is a school environment with Dahl-esque qualities,
led by Miss Take (Yes, that is her name!). Family members and adults
have caricature-like personalities with larger than life quirks that
create a comedic contrast to the 'serious' basketball contests. This
is a wonderful tale that demonstrates the qualities of good
leadership and the fun of exploring a sport and playing it for all
it's worth!
Highly recommended for ages 8 - 12. Both genders will enjoy this,
and all lovers of sport will be thrilled to see characters who
understand their passion for sporting achievement.
Carolyn Hull
Georgina: Holocaust memoirs by Gabriella Kovac
ISBN: 9780992338930.
Recommended for those who enjoy 20th Century history. Themes: Jewish
History; Migrants; Hungary - 20th Century; War history. Family
memoirs are not always interesting for people outside the family
circle, but this is an intriguing and fascinating account of the
family and social history of a Hungarian family who demonstrated the
most amazing resilience and survival through torrid periods of
European history. Gabriella Kovac relates the circumstances for her
Jewish forbears through periods of great torment, but also reveals
that their survival was partly related to luck, but also their
incredible bravery and forthright approach to all difficulties. An
incredible amount of fortunate coincidences enabled them to use
their natural talents for business to be successful when many around
them faced death. Georgina, the mother of the author, personified
confidence in the face of the horrors of war and Jewish opposition,
and her ability to turn even the most dreadful of situations to her
advantage almost seem unbelievable, yet this is the story of a
survivor whose incredible personality seemed to create opportunities
where others would have floundered. For students of war
history with an interest in the Holocaust experiences of Jewish
individuals or an interest in Hungarian society during the first
half of the Twentieth Century, this book is a snapshot through the
lens of one family. The circumstances of those who migrated to
Australia are thought-provoking for anyone who is interested in this
part of our own history.
Carolyn Hull
Winnie the Pooh: The Great Heffalump Hunt by Giles Andreae
Egmont, 2017. ISBN 9781405278300 Piglet trotted happily beside his best friend Pooh.
Talking about nothing much as best friends often do.
When suddenly Pooh stopped and said, "I've got a Grand Idea".
"I'm going to catch a Heffalump. I've heard they live around
here."
Giles Andreae of Giraffes Can't
Dance fame has taken this wonderful and well-known adventure
of A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh and reinterpreted into a
delightful rhyme and pictorial experience. More than 90 years on
from the first publication of the adventures of Christopher Robin,
Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet and Tigger inspired by a real-life
bear Milne's stories are as enchanting and popular as ever so
to have this one in a picture book version for our youngest readers
is a treat indeed.
As well as providing a taste of the delights of what is in the
original collection, it celebrates friendship, bravery and the
imagination, even providing the basis for an inquiry project for
beginners. Just what is a Heffalump, what does it look like, and
what would be the best way to catch it? Each child could create
their own version, design a suitable trap and bait and maybe even
start to consider whether catching wild creatures is ever a good
idea. Those a little older might even start to investigate the role
of zoos and how they've changed, particularly given Winnie's
origins.
Even though this is an adaptation of a classic, in its new form
there are so many layers to explore that it is perfect as a
standalone, and another generation will learn to love this lovable
bear and his endearing friends.
Barbara Braxton
Town Mouse, Country Mouse by Richard Jones
Ill. by Libby Walden. Caterpillar, 2017. ISBN 9781848575462
Living in a bustling town is exhausting for a little mouse and she
dreams of a quiet place in the country. So she writes to her country
cousin to see if she can visit for a while, swapping homes so they
each have a holiday.. Country Mouse is very excited because he has
always wanted to be "a mouse about town." But things are not quite
as wonderful as they expect and neither is sorry when their holiday
is over and it's time to go HOME.
This traditional fable from Aesop has been retold in rhyme, bringing
its powerful message of what it means to be home and to belong to a
new generation. Cleverly illustrated with a gentle palette and
strategic cutouts it's a story that has endured over time because of
its timeless message of "the grass always seems greener" . Little
ones can have fun imagining what it might be like to live the life
of their hero or in another place, but then also reflect on the
things they would miss if they were really able to make the swap.
A classic.
Barbara Braxton
