Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760292096
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. The book opens with Kane's voice
telling the events of yet another night when his father has come
home, late for dinner, drunk and ready to pick a fight. The night
spins into violence, his mother ends up in hospital, and the
Department of Human Services is checking on them again. The next
voice is Sam, Kane's little brother, traumatised by the violence at
home and the bullying at school. And so the chapters go on, each
told from the point of view of another person living on their
street. There is kind-hearted Mrs Aslan who helps them out whilst
yearning for reconciliation with her own daughter and granddaughter,
the lonely African refugee family struggling in a house with no
possessions, and racist Mr Bailey the Vietnam veteran who distrusts
them all.
Kane is a bundle of anger building to explode against his father. He
has lost track at school and is caught stealing. But he gradually
makes new friends, at the alternative Teaching Space he has to
attend, and with the migrant teenagers in his street. The challenge
for Kane is whether he can find his way or become just another
version of his father working things out with his fists.
All of the people in this story are living in tough circumstances,
but instead of their differences dividing them, gradually the values
of love, friendship, generosity and compassion come to unite them,
and the message of the book is one of hope and optimism.
As Demet Divaroren says on her website her stories are
about 'love, friendship, courage, loneliness, identity and
belonging'. She gives voice to 'the human experience, raw, honest
and real'. Living on Hope Street is powerful in its voicing
of many people's lives and experiences and offers the opportunity to
identify with others and discover common humanity.
Helen Eddy
Finding Gobi by Dion Leonard
Harper Collins, 2017. ISBN 9780008244521
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Finding Gobi is a gorgeous true story
of loyalty, friendship and the lengths people go for their pets.
Dion Leonard, an Englishman, is competing in the gruelling Gobi
Desert marathon when he meets a homeless dog. There is an instant
connection and Dion names her Gobi. Gobi becomes his running partner
during the race but after the race is over, Dion must head back to
England. Gobi, however, is unforgettable and Dion and his wife
commit to bringing Gobi to England. This is no easy feat but thanks
to crowd funding, local Chinese people and the media, Dion and his
wife proceed to bring Gobi home. Gobi is an easy to read story told from the perspective of
Dion and Gobi. The story explains the steps Dion has to take in a
very child-friendly manner and we see how much Gobi loves Dion from
her comments. Readers will fall in love with Gobi and will be
cheering for her every step of the way. The story takes place in
China, making it a good class novel for Year 6. Students can map the
journey, create reports on the Gobi Desert while investigating
different perspectives. This book is highly recommended for readers
aged 10+ and adults will enjoy it as well.
Kylie Kempster
Little lunch: Triple the trouble by Danny Katz and Mitch Vane
Black Dog Books, 2017. ISBN 9781925381825
(Age: 8+) As seen on ABC TV, Little lunch follows the stories of
Battie, Atticus, Debra-Jo, Tamara, Rory and Melanie in the fifteen
minutes of Little lunch. The novel is split into three hilariously
entertaining stories and includes profiles of the characters and
photos of the actors who play them in the TV show. The best part is,
the books are stand alone in that readers do not need to have seen
the show to be able to follow.
In Triple the trouble, nerdy Debra-Jo is acting weirdly
after seeing a van that says 'Body Bus'; naughty Rory is put in
charge of the class when it was rained out; competitive Tamara
starts her version of the Olympics only including events that she is
sure to win. The bubbly characters are all very different but are
well developed throughout the novel, particularly the distracting,
naughty but extremely likeable Rory. The comic style companion
illustrations add another level of humour to the already fun book.
The by-line 'a lot can happen in fifteen minutes' is definitely true
in this case.
The series is available in either single form, or in an omnibus of
three books each. Students who enjoy the comedy genre, like the
real-life but huge misunderstanding type of scenarios or who simply
like a quick but funny read will really enjoy this book, and would
also be a good one for a Middle Primary class novel, though it isn't
very long.
Clare Thompson
Look out, Pink Piglet by Phil Cummings
Ill. by Sarah Davis.Lothian Children's Books, 2017. ISBN
9780734417305
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Pigs. Farm animals. Fear. Overcoming fear.
Bravery. Pink Piglet loves to explore his farmyard, climbing the
hills, nudging some of the smaller animals, discovering new things,
but one day he hears the loudest of screeches. All the animals are
frightened and make a range of startled noises. Readers will love
joining the animals with their own frightened noises. They all look
to Pink Piglet offering suggestions about the noise and where it
comes from. Big, hairy and scary they pronounce, telling Pink Piglet
that because he is brave he should go to the farmhouse to find out
what is making such a noise. Piglet sets off, but when he reaches
the farmhouse door the noise scares him so much that he drops to the
ground like a frightened rabbit. Fingers like worms come out towards
him, and he is relieved to see that it is something just like him:
small, pink and soft.
The soft-edged illustrations by Davis are a wonderful accompaniment
to Phil's deceptively simple words. Both author and illustrator have
given us a book that will make an excellent read aloud, with words
full of rhythm and repetition, begging to be read again, and the
illustrations providing humour and a touch of whimsy. A wonderful
tale to read about bravery and how fear can be overcome. It invites
younger readers to talk about their fears and developing strategies
to meet their fears, in a safe environment.
This book is a companion to Be
brave, Pink Piglet (2015) by Phil Cummings and Sarah
Davis, which tells of pink Piglet's bravery in leaving the security
of mum for the first time.
Fran Knight
To the moon and back by Dianne Bates
Big Sky, 2017. ISBN 9781925520293
(Age: 11+) What does a young eight year old girl do when her world
is falling apart? This is exactly what happened to Claire when her
mum announced that she is leaving her dad. As if that is not bad
enough Claire discovers that her mum is planning to move to the
country with her new boyfriend Mac. Thrown into a small one-teacher
school and forced to make friends with children she has nothing in
common with, isolation, resentment and loneliness begin to take
over. I mean who would want to move to a house that has no
electricity, no proper toilet and no Wifi? Not only does Claire have
all of this to adjust to but she is also faced with meeting her
dad's new girlfriend. What else could possibly go wrong? Plenty as
you will see as the story unfolds.
This is a heart-warming story that addresses an issue that is facing
many of our children today. Parents separating, new partners being
introduced and children being forced to move to new places. It would
be an excellent text for them to read to see they are not the only
ones who experience what they are feeling.
The book touches on separation, guilt, loneliness, rejection and
acceptance. It does touch briefly on domestic violence so I would
recommend it for children 11 and up. It is just under 300 pages but
the writing is quite large.
Kathryn Schumacher
Eve and the griffin's gold by Jess Black
Keeper of the crystals series. New Frontier Publishing, 2017.
ISBN 9781925059830
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Keeper of the crystals: Eve and
the griffin's gold is the story of mythical creatures, other
worlds and the people who protect it all. To be a Crystal Keeper,
you need to be brave and courageous. Eve is a Crystal Keeper who,
along with her friend Oscar and kindred animal (the dragon Ingvar),
is dedicated to protecting others. As Eve's grandmother and Oscar
arrive for a visit, Eve, Ingvar and Oscar are transported to another
world. In this land, one-eyed men are greedy for gold and Bluewing,
the griffin, is forced to stay and protect the gold they find.
Bluewing's mate is being held prisoner and it is up to Eve, Oscar
and Ingvar to help the griffins and get them home. Eve and the griffin's gold is a lovely story of bravery,
friendship and a little bit of magic. The story is easy to read,
moves quickly and is descriptive. It is aimed at girls aged 7+ and
is highly recommended. Keeper of the crystals is a fantasy
series but each book can be read as a stand-alone story. The series
is an great first novel for emerging readers and the strong female
lead is excellent for our young girls. There are no maidens in
distress in this story! Be prepared for Eve to do all of the
rescuing.
Kylie Kempster
Killswitch by Michael Adams
The Seven Signs series book 4. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN
9781743628041
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Cyberterrorism; Adventure; Thriller;
Cyber warfare. The drama continues in the fourth book of the Seven
Signs series and it seems that the world is falling apart.
Cyberterrorism is undermining the technological basis of society and
the young teenage DARE winners are implicated in saving another
continent from disaster. But will they be too late. And it seems
that in the vacuum created by the loss of social cohesion assisted
by technology, other evil and violent forces come out to wreak
havoc. Is the mastermind losing control or is this part of the plan?
This book ramps up the tension and the robot world is fixed in the
crosshairs of disaster. But where will society be at the end of the
series? And I am looking forward to Book 5 . . . because we are left
hanging on the edge at the conclusion of this book.
The futuristic technological world is well and truly under attack,
and Adams has escalated the questions for the reader in this series.
The main characters are revealed as being incredibly adaptive and
willing to go to all lengths to save the world from the advances of
the all-controlling Signmaker despite everything falling apart
around them. The cliff-hanger ending will increase the chances that
readers will keep seeking the next episode of this exciting series.
Carolyn Hull
Wipeout by Michael Adams
The Seven Signs series book 3. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN
9781743628034
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Competition; Survival; Conspiracy;
Adventure; Thriller; Heroism. The seven DARE winners from the seven
continents are pitted against the mastermind 'Signmaker' who is
sending them on the run with seven signs (or clues) and headlong
into conflict. Their role is to prevent major catastrophe, but at
each turn they seem to be thwarted and constantly run into brick
walls and red herrings. Who is manipulating this contest and leading
them into danger and why? Trust is compromised, people's lives are
at risk and their ability to stay one step ahead is severely
challenged. The very heart of democracy is a threat. What can these
seven young people do to protect something so fundamental?
Adams has written another exciting and action-filled episode in this
series. This is definitely not a series where you can stop at one
book! Young readers will be compelled to keep reading, and there is
action and danger on every page, combined with futuristic
explorations of technological advancements that create a degree of
high-tech skulduggery and intrigue
Carolyn Hull
Tiger Tiger by Jonny Lambert
Little Tiger Press, 2017. ISBN 9781848694446
Mother Tiger has somewhere she needs to be so she leaves her cub in
the care of Old Tiger. But while Little Cub wants to play and
explore, Old Tiger thinks he is too old to babysit and just wants to
sleep. But he consents to a "very slow stroll" through country he
has seen so many times that he believes "There's nothing to see
around here any more." But he doesn't factor in the joy and
enthusiasm and fresh eyes of the very young and gradually his grey,
tired world takes on new colours and new life.
With plenty of action words that young readers will love and relate
to as well as text that sometimes rhymes, this is a story that moves
from shadow to light as Old Tiger rediscovers the sights of his
youth and even begins to take the lead in the play. Sometimes, as we
age and life seems to weigh heavily at times, we forget to take
delight in the everyday things that surround us so this story is a
reminder that we need to make time for the simple and that there is
fun to be had without always having to be entertained by external
things.
Lambert is first and foremost an illustrator and that's evident not
just in the detail in the pictures but in the way he has used colour
to reflect Tiger's perception of the world. At first the jungle is
dull and grey but as the adventure continues the colours brighten
and the details are more intense and lush. The reader sees more and
more just as Old Tiger does.
A great book for little ones and older ones alike.
Barbara Braxton
I can only draw worms by Will Mabbitt
Puffin, 2017. ISBN 9780141375182
"This book is about worms. (I can only draw worms.) "
And so that's just what we are presented with. Bright hot-pink worms
(except for one yellow one because he lost his pen) that mix and
mingle and get to know each other and have adventures, all of which
the reader has to imagine because the author can only draw worms.
Set on white page juxtaposed with some really bright backgrounds the
reader is drawn in, but while the blurb suggests that the book is
"hilarious" and guaranteed to have children howling with laughter" I
think there is a gap between the age of the reader that it visually
appeals to and that able to grasp the humour.
It's different, it's quirky, it's definitely bright and young
readers will love to join in the counting aspect as Mabbitt brings
this most humble creature to life, encouraging them to use their
imagination to fill in all the missing illustrations because he can
only draw worms.
Barbara Braxton
All too much by Jo Cotterill
Hopewell High series. Bloomsbury Education, 2017. ISBN
9781472934079
(Age: 12+) In this, the first of the Hopewell High series, we follow
the story of Samira. Sammy (as her friends all her) is an Iranian
student who has come to the UK to study. She has a great group of
friends who are all in the same year level, but she likes to study
and her friends are far too occupied with boys and mascara.
Though the girls spend most out of class time in The Nest (their
living quarters), there is room for more detail but the author
doesn't deliver. Also lacking is any recognition of what it must be
like to be an international student and teenager away from her
family in school - surely an underlying stressor in the midst of the
other goings-on.
In this High Interest Low Literacy novel, Sammy begins to feel the
pressure of being an A student and the embarrassment of her father
calling to find out how her French Test went. With a lot on her
plate already, Sammy is invited to join the quiz team and is excited
that she is the youngest student to be asked. As the pressure
builds, the novel begins to focus on Samira's coping strategies and
touches briefly on the subject of non-suicidal self-injury
(self-harming) and cutting. While Sammy learns different ways to
deal with her stress, this is not explicitly explored. Somehow it
seems too much like a blanket is thrown over the problem itself and
the solutions that seem to 'fix it' are unlikely to be a fix for
someone who is a chronic cutter or is more adept at hiding it. While
it covers the issue of cutting, there is no real resolution in
place.
Clare Thompson
Publisher's note: Bloomsbury High Low books encourage and support
reading practice by providing pacy, age-appropriate stories for
struggling and reluctant readers, those with dyslexia, or those with
English as an additional language. Printed on tinted paper and with
a dyslexia friendly font, they are aimed at readers aged 12+ and
have a manageable length (80 pages) and reading age (9+). They are
produced in association with reading experts at CatchUp, a UK
charity which aims to address underachievement caused by literacy
and numeracy difficulties.
Stage fright by Jo Cotterill
Hopewell High series. Bloomsbury Education, 2017. ISBN
9781472934130
(Age: 12+) In the second Hopewell High series, we follow the
story of Alice, a talented singer and actor in the school play at
her boarding school. Alice is supported by her friends who are all
in the same year level, and spend most out of class time in The Nest
(their living quarters) or practicing for the school play. As the
dress rehearsal draws nearer, Alice becomes more and more prone to
panic attacks, of which she has a history.
In this High Interest Low Literacy novel, Alice begins to feel
overwhelmed by the pressure of the play. Already stressed about
remembering lines, her Mum confides that things are not right at
home. Alice seeks counselling and is encouraged to talk to an adult.
Her panic disorder is not explicitly explored.
In the back of the book, there is a quiz, in which readers could
check their understanding of the novel. The resource also has UK
reference websites in the back pages, including Childline.
Clare Thompson
Publisher's note: Bloomsbury High Low books encourage and support
reading practice by providing pacy, age-appropriate stories for
struggling and reluctant readers, those with dyslexia, or those with
English as an additional language. Printed on tinted paper and with
a dyslexia friendly font, they are aimed at readers aged 12+ and
have a manageable length (80 pages) and reading age (9+). They are
produced in association with reading experts at CatchUp, a UK
charity which aims to address underachievement caused by literacy
and numeracy difficulties.
Our race for reconciliation by Anita Heiss
My Australian Story. Scholastic Australia, 2017. ISBN
9781760276119
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. This is one of the best books I have
read this year. Author, Anita Heiss, is a member of the Wiradjuri
nation of Central NSW. Her language and ability to be a story teller
make the text more authentic having lived many of the emotions and
themes portrayed in the book. The historical notes at the back of
the book also give a brief insight into the events that have
affected the indigenous communities since European settlement.
We are introduced to Mel Gordon, an avid Cathy Freeman fan, twin
sister to an aspiring cricketer and a lover of Seinfeld. It's 2000
and the Olympics are going to be held in Sydney. Mel is beside
herself when she finds out her local hero is coming to visit her
school. If this is not exciting enough, she then finds out her
family are heading to Sydney on a holiday. We meet a number of
interesting family members along the way which is a great example of
the extended families experienced by many indigenous people. The
trip becomes much more meaningful when they participate in the
'People's Walk for Reconciliation' across Sydney Harbour Bridge for
national 'Sorry Day'. Deep cultural memories and emotions are
stirred up especially for Mel's Nana Flora who was removed from her
family during The Stolen Generation.
Throughout the book, Mel's sense of identity strengthens, despite
experiencing the normal insecurities and worries tweens face these
days. This book is a great addition to the school library with clear
themes including individuality, commitment to culture and the
powerful message of acknowledgement and healing of indigenous issues
in Australia's history. This book could be read independently by
students aged 10 and up and would make an excellent read aloud text.
Kathryn Schumacher
The fall by Tristan Bancks
Random House, 2017. ISBN 9780143783053
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Crime, Disability, Single parent
families, Aboriginal themes. Recuperating from an operation to
lengthen his leg, Sam is staying with the father who left before he
was born. Sam has idelised him in comics that he writes but talking
to him is difficult and when he walks out of his tiny apartment to
get milk, Sam is left alone with the dog, Magic. Hearing noises in
the apartment above he looks out of the window to see a person
falling to the ground five stories below. He struggles down the
stairs, only to find that the body has disappeared and the man who
saw him watching over the balcony is nearby. Sam retreats, hiding in
a cupboard beneath the stairs willing his father to return, but
hearing instead someone trashing his apartment. He has read his
father's articles about crime scenes and carefully gathers evidence.
When his father does eventually return, he promises to stay at home
while he is out at work, but Sam looks for more evidence, talking to
the girl in the flat above, and eventually seeking help at the
police station. There he recognises the man he saw standing by the
body but this time in a police uniform and again he retreats.
This fast paced involving story of one boy trying desperately to be
a help to his father, a crime journalist, reflects that basic need
in us all, to belong. My heart ached for Sam, craving his father's
approval, thinking he is a help but putting his own life at risk to
gather evidence. His dad, Harry is equally conflicted, and manages
to say 'I love you' even if through the closed door.
The seamier side of city life is well defined and Sam's relationship
with mum even via text messages, strongly depicted. Readers will
readily recognise the problems Sam has with both parents and the
bullies at school, and urge him on in his efforts to solve the
crime. When Sam and his father are kidnapped by the murderer, things
move along very quickly, until a resolution occurs which will
satisfy all readers, bringing together father and son for the first
time. I loved this tale and those in early secondary school will eat
it up.
Fran Knight
The secret of Black Rock by Joe Todd-Stanton
Flying Eye Books, 2017. ISBN 9781911171256
(Age: 5 - 8) Recommended. Sea. Marine life. Persistence. Out in the
sea lies Black Rock, a large strange mass that is said to destroy
any boat that comes near it. Erin loves to watch the water looking
at the fish, and longs to go out on the fishing boat with her
mother. She often hides on board but her dog Archie would sniff her,
until one day she came up with a cunning plan and managed to stay
hidden. But then disaster strikes in the fog and she gets swept off
the boat and sinks down, down into the ocean, where the Black Rock
is lurking, a home to a myriad of sea creatures. Then she uncovers
Rock Rock's secret - but will she be able to convince the villagers
not to destroy it.
On an initial read, this may prove to be a strange story that
doesn't quite make sense, but a second closer perusal will have the
reader discovering that this is a picture book where you have to
both read the text and look very carefully at the pictures to find
out what is going on. This makes it a most challenging, interesting,
and thought provoking read.
The illustrations are fascinating, with dark foreboding colours for
the rock and the sea while the sea creatures and machinery, boats
and people are brightly coloured. The marine life that is pictured
as Erin falls deep into the sea is beautifully drawn, but it is the
double page spread that the reader has to turn sideways to discover
what Rock Rock is, that will most delight the reader.
Erin is an irresistible heroine, brave and clever. She manages to
outwit her mother and her dog to stay on board the fishing boat and
is courageous enough to climb out an upper storey window to go and
rescue the Black Rock.
This is a picture book that will reward readers who pay attention to
details and who delight in adventure stories.
Pat Pledger
