Reviews

The wolves of Currumpaw by William Grill

Flying Eye Books, 2016. ISBN 9781909263833
Wolves. Hunting. Conservation of wildlife. New Mexico History. At the turn of the century in New Mexico, European settlers not only clashed with the native population but they also brought farming methods which displaced native animals. Wolves were particularly targeted for their attacks on stock. In the contest between man and beast it is inevitable that the wolves were hunted almost to extinction using cruel methods like trapping and poisoning. One of the last was a legendary wolf which came to be known as King Lobo. Wolf hunter and naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton is called in, eventually trapping his cunning prey, but at the last moment he questions the killing of such noble animals. In this graphic retelling of Seton's short story, Lobo: The king of Currumpaw 1898, William Grill beautifully puts the story in perspective with a lovely sense of place and time. The pastel illustrations graphically tell the story both in series of small pictures and double page spreads. The text lightly links the images, inviting sharing the large format book and reading aloud; there is much to look at while listening to the story. Seton's legacy is that his changed attitude led to him devoting the rest of his life to conserving American wildlife especially wolves. His inspiration, nearly 100 years later led to the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park.
Younger readers will find the pictures easy to follow but may need help with the text. Older readers may find a lot to discuss in the evolution of man's relationship with wild animals and how attitudes may be changed over time and through experience. There is a lot to learn too from the graphic storytelling in the illustrations.
Sue Speck

Not just a piece of cake, being an author by Hazel Edwards

Brolga Publishing, 2015. ISBN 9781922175809
Recommended for budding writers, adult fans and anyone who loves to read autobiographies. Memoir by author of best-selling There's a hippopotamus on our roof eating cake and author of over two hundred picture books and novels. Hazel Edwards' writing journey has taken her from Nepal mountaineering with spirited women, walking the Milford Track in New Zealand, to Antarctic adventures. Her approach to life's challenges shows her spirit of adventure and her passionate desire to encourage readers from a very young age. She loves to share her love of literature with all ages.
What a delight to read all the humorous hippo antics and adventures. Imagine being stopped by the police with a large stuffed toy hippo strapped in the passenger seat. Many little grubby hands cuddling the animal have required some very ingenious cleaning solutions. Hazel's one hundred random hippo memories are funny, poignant and show just how much the character is loved around the world. A country mum learnt to read sharing them with her Prep child whilst the Australian Government gifted a set of books to Princess Mary on the birth of her daughter. These much-loved books printed in Braille, shared in Auslan, became plays and even a film.
An important part of her writing career is publicity, packed days sharing her stories with parents and toddlers, kindergartens and primary and secondary schools. The carefully planned days are filled with author talks, book signings, question time - just how much does an author earn, and creative writing sessions. Book Week is one of the busiest times of the year, a logistical challenge, sometimes a navigational dilemma as well. Losing her voice is a common occurrence and Hazel even provides tips to soothe a sore throat - bananas perhaps.
This autobiography is an enjoyable read and provides motivation and gives insight into the life of a busy author.
Rhyllis Bignell

Phoenix burning by Bryony Pearce

Little Tiger Press, 2016. ISBN 9781847156709
(Age: Young adult) Highly recommended. Themes: Revenge; Junk-Punk; Dystopian; Religious cults; Survival; Challenge; Trust and betrayal. The first book in this series, Phoenix Rising, introduced the reader to the world of post-cataclysmic environmental disaster, where the ocean is a seething mass of caustic junk, roiling in the corrosive waters that take life rather than support it. In Phoenix Burning, the second book of the series, we join the junk pirates as they variously fight one another and work together to solve a mystery and to recover the missing component to enable their salvaged energy system to become functional. In the process Toby and Ayla must work through their sabotage and distrust of each other to complete the task that they cannot achieve alone. This takes them into the enclave of the sun-worshippers - a cult that engages in bizarre rituals as part of their religious fervour. They must work together to steal what they need, while being involved in complex challenges, where loss means they become silent monk-like devotees and winning means they become blind but 'holy'. (This is a little like a Hunger Games fight to avoid death and where winners bear the burden of their win.) Toby and Ayla's relationship is always going to be challenged because of their family history, but Pearce has cleverly woven a tale where we are able to detect a growing but fraught dependence on one another and a hint of closeness, but with trust in jeopardy.
The winner of this text is the very different setting, where normality has been so badly damaged by environmental disaster. The ocean is a chemical wasteland, detrimental to life. The problem this has created for the world and the survivors has created a fantasy environment that is unlike any other. Sailing on a pirate ship where everything is cobbled together using junk salvaged from the sea or the spoiled shores allows for some impressive imagination leaps. Pearce writes in a compelling and exciting way and from the prologue we realise that there is danger to follow.
This is a book that can be highly recommended to YA readers (male and female), particularly those who have enjoyed Hunger Games and other dystopian literature.
Carolyn Hull

Time Stoppers by Carrie Jones

Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408872581
(Age: 9-11) Recommended. Annie Nobody's life is truly sad; she has survived placements in eleven foster homes, and now she is placed with the Wiegles in their filthy trailer with their pack of dogs. Her carers treat her like a slave and make her sleep outside into the snow, where she is forced to sleep with the dogs. Things become worse for her, when an evil force chases her through the forest. In the same town Mount Desert, twelve-year-old Jamie Alexander's family life is also difficult. His grandmother and father are really trolls, waiting for him to turn thirteen because trolls love to feast on human's bones and brains!
At the very last minute, Annie and Jamie are rescued, then swept away on snowmobile-hovercraft to the magical city of Aurora. Their rescuer is a dwarf called Eva, who is rather opinionated and sassy. This supernatural place is filled with magical creatures protected by a woman named Miss Cornelia. Annie Nobody has a purpose, a special role - she is a Time Stopper with magical powers. The townsfolk expect her to save them from the evil Raiff.
Carrie Jones' novel is one of darkness and light, of action-packed adventures, fantastical creatures and is filled with a range of quirky characters. The protagonists rise up to meet the challenges, as they begin to draw on their inner strength, their resilience and start to believe in their own capabilities. The story ends with a cliff-hanger and sets up the beginning of the Time Stoppers series. The exposition and rising arc of the narrative are extremely dark and confronting, and this may be of concern to a younger reader.
Rhyllis Bignell

How to Survive in the North by Luke Healy

Nobrow, 2016. ISBN 9781910620069
Themes: Arctic exploration, survival, Inuit/Eskimo women, resilience. This graphic novel interleaves three stories, two based on factual accounts of expeditions to the arctic and one contemporary fictional thread about a disgraced academic who happens to find the arctic accounts in the university archives. All three are about poor decision making, endurance and survival by taking control and making the best of a bad situation. The book opens at the lowest point of each storyline, differentiated by colours which help the reader throughout the book. The two arctic exploration accounts are linked by Wrangel Island somewhere between Canada and Russia (a map would have been informative). The first captained by Bob Bartlett who heroically trekked over the ice to Russia to get help when their ship was crushed and the crew marooned on the island. The second expedition 7 years later was to claim the island for Canada. Again the group was trapped on the island and the Inuit seamstress, Blackjack, was left to look after an injured member of the party (who later died) while the others went to get help. Her story makes this worthwhile reading, with only a cat for company she endures extreme hardship, teaching herself to use a gun to hunt for food, resilient even though she has no idea if anyone knows she is there. The account of the first expedition was less well articulated and the fictional thread has the complication of the academic being disciplined for having had a homosexual relationship with a student, not something a young reader may understand. Older students might find some life messages in these flawed characters and the book is interesting for its graphic design and accessible illustration style.
Sue Speck

The book that made me edited by Judith Ridge

Walker Books Australia, 2016. ISBN 9781922244888
(Age: 14+) Although the publishers suggest an age range of 14 up I feel that it is going to be adults who will enjoy this most. Judith Ridge has compiled a wonderful collection of anecdotes from thirty-two of Australia's leading storytellers. Each describes the impetus for them becoming readers and indeed writers with many engaging childhood memories or reminiscences of that moment when a book transformed the reader.
Some of us have been gobbling up books since the age of three but others have come later and by various paths. For booklovers this is a delightful retreat into the thoughts of other avid readers. And it is not just the aspect of reading that I found fascinating. For instance, when I read Simon French's piece (I have always admired his writing) I felt immediately connected when he told of his father being a wireless operator in a Lancaster bomber based in the north of England - as was my dad. I wondered if the two fathers had known each other and then marvelled that both of them survived what was the most dangerous role in Bomber Command.
Of course it was also resonant to read of shared 'book loves' such as Kate Constable describing her passion for Tom's Midnight Garden (Phillipa Pearce) - these are the threads that bind us together as humans. Alternatively, reading of someone's great love of a book such as Emily Maguire's choice - Grand Days by Frank Moorhouse - which made me think 'I should try that out.'
Some of these pieces are amusing, some serious, some lyrical, some more prosaic but all are truly engaging. Shaun Tan's quirky illustrations between each offering are both funny and apt.
Some of our girls in secondary book club might enjoy this but I have no doubt that it will be most popular with our avid reader staff. And aside from the joy of the reading, knowing that the royalties will go to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation is a huge incentive to add this to your collection.
Sue Warren

Christmas at home by Claire Saxby

Ill. by Janine Dawson. Five Mile Press, 2016. ISBN 9781760402952
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Christmas. Diversity. What a lot of fun is to be had when the author and illustrator get together to make an Australian version of O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree. The whole family gets together to decorate the tree, filling the branches with baubles, and wrapping up presents. Christmas lights are highlighted when the family goes on an excursion and drives past houses that have huge Christmas lights decorating their gardens. A stroll through the neighbourhood also shows the myriad of Christmas lights in neighbours' gardens, with Santa on the roofs of houses and toy kangaroos waving from the grass. All culminates in a shared feast with relatives and neighbours bringing loads of food for the Christmas lunch, everyone sharing presents and then home to bed exhausted.
The narrative will have enormous appeal as children and adults will be able to sing along with the story or could have fun making up their own verses. The pages are filled with Christmas cheer, with a warm and loving family, friends and neighbours gathering together to rejoice in sharing during the festive season.
I love the illustrations by Janine Dawson. Each page is filled with happy and diverse individuals all enjoying themselves so much and children will be able to recognise the familiar traditions that have evolved in Australia - the lights on houses, the long table set up in the backyard and the children going to sleep in a tent on the hot summer's night.
This heart-warming Aussie version of Christmas is sure to be welcome in all libraries and classrooms.
Pat Pledger

The naughtiest reindeer goes south by Nicki Greenberg

Allen & Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760293116
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Christmas. Reindeer. Humour. On the night before Christmas Santa has his sleigh ready but there is a commotion at the front of the reindeer line. Ruby wants to lead the sleigh but Rudolf thinks she is too naughty. Mrs Claus intervenes and lets the two of them become leaders but Ruby goes on a wild ride behaving 'like a renegade flying machine' and capsizes the sleigh. There is a mad chase to rescue all the presents, but Ruby was left in the snow at the South Pole. She is all alone except for a group of penguins who are not impressed with all the gifts littering their snow. Ruby has a big dilemma - how is she going to get those presents to all the children waiting for them?
The outstanding feature of this book are the fabulously funny illustrations. Ruby is such an irresistible little reindeer and her naughtiness will have great appeal to children.
She swooped and she served, She cornered and spun.
She shouted, 'SHORTCUT! WOOHOO! THIS IS FUN!
The picture of her is just wonderful and the joy that she expresses as she loops around will delight children and adults alike. The narrative is based on The night before Christmas, and the use of alliteration and the humour in it ensures a wonderful read aloud for bedtime or the classroom.
This book will join The naughtiest reindeer and The naughtiest reindeer at the zoo as ideal funny books about Santa and his reindeer to have in a library or at home.
Pat Pledger

The twelve days of Dash and Lily by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Dash and Lily bk 2. Allen & Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760293826
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Following the success of Dash and Lily's Book of Dares, Cohn and Levithan have collaborated again to bring the likeable pair back in a Christmas tale. Lily has had a very tough year with her grandfather suffering a heart attack. She has taken on much of his care, and her usual optimism has begun to flag. She has had no inclination to do the usual Christmas planning that she loves so much, and her romance with Dash seems to be flagging as well. Dash, her brother Langston and her friends decide to get together to help Lily recover the Christmas spirit.
With typical humour, Lily and Dash tell their stories in alternative chapters. It is not as light hearted as Dash and Lily's book of dares, as this time the story concentrates on the themes of change and communication. Lily is finding it very difficult to come to terms with the change in her grandfather's health, as are her parents who are arguing seriously about where to live for the first time. She is also finding it difficult to communicate her feelings to Dash, who also doesn't make his feelings known either, so the two of them seem to be at odds at times. But Dash is determined to cheer Lily up and with the help of his friend Boomer, brings in a Christmas tree to start off the twelve days of Christmas. From then on, there are quite a few adventures around New York told in the authors' humorous style and which will really appeal to anyone who likes reading about stories set in that city.
Some of the advice about communication, change and love will also resonate with readers, as they follow the plight of the two young people.
This is sure to be a hit with readers who like to enjoy the holiday season with a Christmas story that is engrossing and enjoyable.
Pat Pledger

My Lovely Christmas Book

Laugh-out-loud Christmas jokes for kids by Rob Elliott

HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9780062497918
(Age: 6+) Recommended. Jokes. Christmas. There are lots of laughs in this latest joke book from Rob Elliott. Kids will delight in the wacky humour - although adults may groan at some of the jokes. There are many of the favourite Knock Knock jokes that kids love eg.:
Knock, Knock
Who's there?
Muffin
Muffin who?
Naughty kids get muffin for Christmas
There are hundred of jokes that will delight children who love telling jokes to each other and adults. They will have lots of fun dipping into the book and finding their favourites and tricking friends and family. Here is another sample:
Why was the snowman so mean?
Because he was coldhearted.
Cute little illustrations are scattered throughout the book, which is a small paperback size, ideal for newly independent readers as well as older children.
This would be a great Christmas stocking filler or a fun book to have in the classroom to get a smile on children's faces during the countdown to Christmas.
Pat Pledger

The bush Santa ill. by Mandy Foot

Lothian, 2016. ISBN 9780734416865
(Age: 4+) Christmas, Australia, Cities, Australian animals. This Christmas book with illustrations by Mandy Foot, but no attributing of authorship, has a verse ballad, with a similar rhythm to The man from Snowy River as its base. The lines take the reader around Australia, dropping into various places set out on a map at the start of the book. Here the reader encounters a range of Australian animals with large soft eyes and enticing smiles.
Kids will love hearing the story read out loud, and join in as they get used to the scan and words. The rhythm of the lines is infectious. A second and third reading will ensure they catch on. A large wall map will help place the towns and cities mentioned and a standby book of Australian animals could be used to give the readers more information.
Fran Knight

Kokoda by Peter Fitzsimons

Hachette, 2016 . ISBN 9780734417435
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Peter Fitzsimons has done an excellent job of creating a teen edition of his book Kokoda. The text reads like a novel yet there are no fictional elements and the work does justice to the amazing exploits of those 'ragged bloody heroes' without the inclusion of content inappropriate for teens. The stunning performance of a poorly trained, inadequately supplied militia, who fought to the death to stop a ferocious enemy, whilst grossly outnumbered, sickened by tropical diseases and suffering malnutrition, is the main focus of this book.
As an Australian who is proud of those who gave military service to our country, I am simultaneously conscious of the need to avoid any hint of glorification of war in literature. Fitzsimons shows unashamed reverence for those who endured almost impossible conditions in the New Guinea jungle as he recounts the courage shown by military units and the almost unbelievable bravery of individuals. Whilst doing so, he emphasises terrible suffering, almost unimaginable fear and the trauma, both physical and mental, which affected those soldiers for the rest of their lives.
The exploits of these soldiers have become legendary in the Australian mindset and it is important that we are reminded of the historical facts, to help us remain grounded, avoiding myth and imaginative dramatisation. In explaining the significance of the 'chocolate soldier' militia and the enormous respect that the 39th Battalion earned, Fitzsimons does not shy away from acknowledging the fact that the 53rd Battalion largely failed its military objectives and did not serve with distinction. Importantly, the author notes that these servicemen had completely inadequate training and suffered from terrible organisation and planning in the early stages of the operation. Similarly, Fitzsimons is to be commended for having the courage to openly criticise the Australian General Blamey for his arrogance, ignorance and incompetence during the campaign. Further, the author is also bold enough to voice that General Douglas MacArthur was similarly incompetent and that many Australian and American lives were wasted due his idiotic orders influenced by an inflated ego and an unawareness of reality due to being nowhere near the action. This is important, given that MacArthur was accorded heroic status by a tame press and film industry.
I recommend this book to teenagers of 12+ years and to adults who will enjoy it whilst learning a great deal.
Rob Welsh

Artie and the grime wave written and illustrated by Richard Roxburgh

Allen and Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760292140
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Ok, so Richard Roxburgh is a talented actor and director in both theatre and screen and of course the star of 'Rake'. Now he's added writing and illustrating to his portfolio in a very successful way. I mean to say, he's good looking as well? Talk about take out a jackpot! Anyway, I digress, so on with the review.
For your kids who love the rambunctious humour of the likes of Andy Griffith, Tristan Bancks, or Aaron Blabey and get the hysterical giggles over a few fart mentions this is perfect.
Artie and his friend Bumshoe are not the most popular kids in town. One is skinny, has lost his dad which has sent his mum into a deep depression, and the other is a chubby one-of-many in a pretty 'relaxed' family.
When these two discover a Cave-of-Possibly-Stolen-Stuff they realise that the dodgy Mayor Grime is somehow involved with this gang of thugs. There have been so many thefts around town that everyone is on high alert yet no one wants to believe the two boys. Artie in particular is determined to rescue his lovely neighbour Gladys' pet tortoise which has apparently been pet-napped with many other creatures. But the two boys lack a serious amount of luck when it comes to finding a solution to the problem and end up in all sorts of trouble - including being almost eaten! An eccentric old lady who dabbles in high-tech inventions although continually coated in talc, a mum who rouses herself into tigress mode at exactly the right time and the stalwart support of good friends and neighbours saves the day.
Artie is no hulking hero but he stands up for what he believes and stands up to the bullies - and that's an important message for any reader.
Any kid will love the part when one of the thugs has his bum bitten by the gang's savage guard dog while enduring the world's worst wedgie and will certainly love Aunty-boy's invention the Fartex 120Y.
Highly recommended for readers who like to laugh out loud - from around 9 years old upwards.
Sue Warren

Amazing animals of Australia's national parks by Gina M Newton

NLA, 2016. ISBN 9780642278883
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. National parks (Australia). Animals. Habitat. With a stunning array of photographs, easy to use maps and fact files, every page is a treat and will be a sort after reference and non fiction read for middle school people.
Divided into Woodlands, Arid lands, Forests, Mountains, Wetlands and Coasts, the diversity of Australian animals is shown. Contents pages at the start of the book direct readers to the various pages of animals, while the index at the back will be well used. Included with the index is a good glossary of terms, several pages of references and an acknowledgement of the source of the photographs.
Each section is further divided into sub headings, Birds, Monotremes, Placental animals, Fish and Reptiles, for example. One section which interested me is the Arid Lands. In this can be found several pages of information about arid lands and photos which will pinpoint how they look for the younger reader. The following pages show a range of reptiles: Thorny Devil, Gecko, Perentie and Shingleback, followed by a Brown Snake, Water Holding frog, several birds and animals like the Bilby, Red Kangaroo and Chokka. Each page has a large picture of the animal, a small map pointing out where it lives, a fast fact box with information about its size and weight, and a Question/answer style of presentation to give the reader facts about that animal. All adds up to an inviting and detailed examination of the animal pictured, and will intrigue and inform the readers.
On each page is the scientific name of the animals, a traffic light telling the reader about the conservation status of the animal, along with a code which indicates which habitat it lives in, and its national park. It is well worth perusing the guide pages (8 and 9) which give readers a hand to interpreting the pages of information.
Fran Knight