Reviews

The sisters Saint-Claire by Carlie Gibson and Tamsin Ainslie

Allen and Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760291563
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. Cooking. Siblings. Markets. Rhyming tale. A wonderful rhyming story about five mouse sisters, Harriet, Violet, Minette, Beatrice and Cecile, living with their parents, Odette and Pierre in France. The youngest mouse, Cecile is a wonderful cook, and the siblings love going to the market on Sunday, knowing that when they return Cecile will have cooked them a tasty array of treats. But one Sunday she asks to go with them. The girls all offer reasons for her to stay at home and cook, but her parents tell them that it is time for Cecile to see the world. She cooks before they go, setting up a stall at the market for the day. But no one buys her pies. By the end of the day when other stalls are empty and the bunting is being taken down, the Queen arrives with great fanfare. She loves Cecile's pies and tells her that she will return every week just for her pies. From that day on, Cecile takes her place at the market every week, with her family helping with the sales.
This wonderful story will be read aloud by one and all, as the readers relish getting their tongues around the names of the the pies Cecile makes. The inventive rhymes and word puns will make many readers giggle as they take in the array of words offered. I loved the inclusion of French words recognising that some French words are now very much part of our speech.
Readers will delight in this family of mice, the food words, the market and the French background, offering a view of a different way of life.
The soft pastel illustrations are a delight, reflecting the French town in which they live: the small streets, cafes, the Sunday market and the clothing. The mice prance their way across the pages, entrancing all who read of Cecile's growing independence.
Fran Knight

Bee and me by Alison Jay

Old Barn Books 2016. ISBN 9781910646052
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Bees. Wordless picture book. Environment. A wordless picture book which shows the significance of bees in our cities through a young girl reviving a bee she finds in her apartment.
When the bee flies into her apartment high above the city streets she revives it with sugary water then reads all she can about bees, to ensure that it survives. This happened to the author, Alison Jay, and she uses this event to begin her picture book, but from there she has her heroine and the bee begin a fantastic journey. Together the two fly out over the city and its surrounding parks and gardens, eventually alighting in a meadow where the bee cavorts in the flowers. The girl sees what the bee really likes and makes a windowsill garden in her apartment. The boy in the flat above looks down at what she is doing and the two share the garden, attracting lot of bees.
This is a beautifully understated book encouraging children to use their eyes and see the insect world about them, encouraging them to see the relationship between these and the environment. The magnificent pictures are full of life, colour and detail, and encourage children to look closely at what is going on. The deceptive simplicity encourages deeper thought by the reader, while the unusual nostalgic feel of the illustrations creates a magical undertone.
Fran Knight

Whisper to me by Nick Lake

Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408853863
A complex, absorbing and gripping read for senior secondary students. ALA Best fiction for young adults 2017. Themes: Mental illness, schizophrenia, hearing voices, family trauma, friendship, love. Cassie is a bright senior student who reads widely and particularly likes the Greek myths, partly because of her namesake, Cassandra who was condemned by the gods to foresee true prophesies about the future that no one believed, and partly because she spends a lot of time in the library, a sanctuary from social isolation and bullying at school. Her Dad an ex-Navy SEAL who now runs a pizza restaurant, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, not only from his war experiences but also from the violent death of Cassie's mother. When Cassie discovers a severed foot on the beach, a possible victim of a local serial killer, she starts to hear a voice which will not leave her alone. On one level she recognizes a link to the buildup of traumatic events in her life, but she is unable to ignore it, blaming and punishing her. The voice becomes all-consuming further isolating her from her dad and others, filling her summer holiday days with punishing tasks and abusive comments. Then two boys arrive to rent a room over their garage while working summer jobs at the New Jersey beach. Cass is attracted to one but at this critical moment the voice forces her to self-harm and she ends up in hospital diagnosed with psychotic dissociation and possible schizophrenia. Medication makes the voice go away but it strips her of vitality. When she meets vivacious, charismatic, bipolar Paris in the hospital it is as if she is thrown a lifeline. Their friendship develops and Cassie learns about her voice in a support group. It is not an easy trip and there are no answers but she works hard to understand her situation and regain some control. At the same time she is falling in love for the first time but she can't bring herself to be honest about her condition and ends up breaking his heart. The narrative is a letter to the unnamed 'you', finally telling him the truth and in doing so, examining the cracks in their lives and moving forward in spite of them. There is much that we never know in this novel but we gain tremendous insight into how we cope when the unthinkable happens. The author's note asserts that in spite of mental illness life can get better and with help it will. He goes on to list organisations in the USA and UK. The equivalent in Australia are: https://www.mindaustralia.org.au/ and http://hvna.net.au/
Sue Speck

Twinkle twinkle little star illustrated by Matt Shanks

Scholastic Australia, 2017. ISBN 9781760158668
(Age: 3-5) Nursery rhyme. The familiar Twinkle twinkle little star is illustrated in beautiful watercolours by Matt Shanks. Although the first few lines of the rhyme will be remembered by the reader, the rhyme in its entirety is given in this book, giving it an added dimension of interest.
The illustrations tell a parallel story to the traditional rhyme. Set against a vivid purple/pink night sky the reader finds an owl sitting on a tree limb and reading a book with a star on the cover. There is a satchel full of books with stars on the covers and as the rhyme progresses, the reader follows the owl as it delivers books, via a parachute first to sheep in a bare brown paddock, then to birds wading in a lake, onwards to wombats, tunnelling away and travelling in the dark. Finally it finds a little person peering through a telescope at the night sky and returns home to its own little owlets to read to them.
This is an intriguing and enjoyable picture book which allows the reader to retell the story of Twinkle twinkle little star as well as having fun following the owl delivering books. New items of interest and different ideas will be found each time it is read.
Pat Pledger

Shockwave by Peter Jay Black

Urban Outlaws bk 5. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408851517
Peter Jay Black's Urban Outlaws series finishes in a taut and deadly race; the pace is even more frenetic, with the five friends pushed to their limits as their health deteriorates from the effects of by the deadly Medusa virus. Shockwave begins directly after the volatile ending of Counterstrike; Hector's men have infiltrated their underground hideout and quickly set about destroying their home, possessions and equipment. Jack and Charlie narrowly escape while young Obi is captured.
With each member suffering from the cold-like symptoms of the deadly virus, they must return to The Facility and search for the antidote. Hector is one-step ahead of them as they slowly make their way across London dressed in clothing bank outfits and The Facility is destroyed by fire. Noble their adult friend's warehouse is torched as well. As they discuss their circumstances standing near the London Eye, henchmen from a rival gang capture them and take them to their headquarters based in an old warehouse. Wheelchair-bound Tayla is the tough leader of a large gang of children and teenagers trained to pickpockets and steal goods. Tayla hates the outlaws and instructs her cronies to kill them. Of course, with some quick thinking, they talk their way out of the situation, setting up a heist plan with the promise of a rich reward.
The mission is deadly; the evil Del Sarto family are holding the whole of London to ransom as they prepare to infiltrate the waterways of London with the virus. Jack, Charlie, Wren and Slink jump off bridges, set technological traps, traverse London, survive being shot, engage in battles, using their resourcefulness and ingenuity to complete their final mission.
Peter Jay Black keeps up the rapid pace until the very end, life and death dramas, moral decisions and the interconnection and the reliance on each other in the face of adversity, make this a grand series finale.
Rhyllis Bignell

Magpie murders by Anthony Horowitz

Orion Publishing, 2016. ISBN 9781409158370
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Mystery. Horowitz is a best-selling author and creator of many TV shows and in Magpie Murders he showcases his talent with a homage to vintage crime novels in this novel within a novel. Editor Susan Ryeland is given Alan Conway's latest manuscript featuring Atticus Pund, a detective very similar to Hercule Poirot, but the last chapters are missing. Then the author dies in suspicious circumstances and Susan finds herself in the middle of a real life murder while trying to find the missing chapters.
Horowitz very cleverly gathers together two stories, that of Atticus Pund's latest investigation in the manuscript and that of the circumstances surrounding Alan Conway's death. There are many nods to vintage Agatha Christie and village murders which mystery fans will recognise and really enjoy. At the same time the reader's attention is constantly grabbed by the two interweaving stories, as well as the characters in the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery within a mystery, and what was particularly good was the surprising denouement at its conclusion. I look forward to more crime stories from this very talented author.
Pat Pledger

Guinness World Records 2017: Blockbusters! by Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records, 2017. ISBN 9781910561492
(Age: 8+) Recommended. The Contents page tells it all: Watch the most popular movies and TV shows, Browse the most popular online happenings, Read the most popular books, Play the record breaking games, Go to conventions and parks, and Consume food and entertainment brands. There is also a very extensive index.
Like other Guinness record books, this begs to be browsed through. I was very taken with the large and fascinating section Read, which had lists of popular books, and interview with Wimpy Kid author, Jeff Kinney, information on David Walliams and many other books. It also looks at Dr Seuss, movies with dystopian themes based on books like the Hunger Games and Divergent, and an interview with James Dashner. This section is sure to encourage kids to pick up books that have been made into movies or have become hugely popular.
Other sections like Play, look at the records for the most popular games around like the largest Lego brick Mammoth and Moa, the people who build Lego for a living and fabulous cool constructions.
All the sections are illustrated with brightly coloured photographs, with enough text to tantalise the reader but not frustrate those who don't want to spend hours reading. There is even a section of Blockbuster challenges that kids can try for themselves.
Like other Guinness World record books this is sure to be extremely popular with everyone.
Pat Pledger

There's broccoli in my ice cream by Emily MacKenzie

Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408873304
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Vegetables, Food, Gardening. Granville loves sweet sugary foods, things that are gooey and creamy and full of syrup, cakes and ice cream and donuts and jellies. The more the merrier. But he comes from a long line of gardeners, people who win awards for their produce. They have won cups for their cauliflower and cabbage, their carrots and pumpkins, so Granville is an embarrassment. The family decides to work out a plan to change his mind about their produce.
Grandpa Reggie has a retail outlet called Reggie's Veggies for people to buy his crops. He has won many awards, and is especially proud of one of his awards, The Magnificent Magic Watering Can. With this he hopes to get Granville to change his mind about fruit and vegetables and asks him to help in his garden. Granville is excited to help Reggie and after they have planted and watered his new seeds, Granville then plants some of his beloved sweet things, watering them with the special watering can. Sure enough up comes an array of sweet things. The family is very disappointed but Grandpa makes a bargain with Granville, that he will try the sweet crop if Granville tries the vegetables.
Everything comes to a good ending, of course, and parents and teachers alike will be able to use this book to encourage healthy eating with a smile. The funny illustrations will endear the tale to the readers as they take in the message underlying the story.
Fran Knight

Ruby Oliver novels by E. Lockhart

Allen and Unwin, 2016.
The boy book : a study of boy habits and behaviours from me, Ruby Oliver. ISBN 9781760293765
The Treasure Map of Boys: Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch, Gideon - and me, Ruby Oliver. ISBN 9781760293772
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Dating. Friendship. Humour. E. Lockhart, the author of the outstanding We were liars, had previously written a series of books for young adults, starring the indomitable Ruby Oliver. These have been reprinted and will be a welcome addition to any young adult collection. Although they are a series, each book can be read as a stand-alone and the character of Ruby will delight anyone who pursues the books.
The books are narrated in the first person, present tense giving them an immediate relevance. Ruby suffers from anxiety attacks and is very interested in boys and she describes all her thoughts and actions in a most entertaining and interesting way. Readers will find themselves laughing out loud at many of the antics that Ruby gets up but will appreciate the moments of wisdom as well:
Life isn't like the movies, and it can never be real and uncomplicated at the same time. (Treasure map of boys pg. 241).
Ruby struggles with all the issues that teens face: the dilemma of knowing who your real friends are, and deciding who is the ideal boyfriend, as well as facing the very real mental problem of anxiety attacks while navigating the treacherous waters of high school. These are all handled with a deft and humorous touch by Lockhart and will resonate with readers.
These are fun entertaining reads, ones to make the reader laugh and think.
Pat Pledger

Poison by Bridget Zinn

Hyperion, 2013. ISBN 9781423153306
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. Humour. Poison. Sixteen-year-old Kyra is a highly skilled potion master and is on the run. After seeing in a vision that the kingdom will be destroyed by events surrounding her best friend Princess Ariana, she has failed in an attempt to assassinate her. Facing being hung for treason if the King's guards catch up with her Kyra flees into the forest, where she meets a very cute pig and a very cute wanderer named Fred.
What makes this story stand out is its humour and witty dialogue. Readers will have lots of fun following the adventures of Kyra, her pig and Fred as she continues on her quest to find Princess Ariana and save the kingdom. Kyra is a feisty heroine who grabs the reader's attention right from the first chapter. Smart, quick witted and daring, Kyra has to come to grips with her powers while evading the guards. The low key romance between Kyra and Fred is very sweet but is not the central theme of Poison - Kyra's quest dominates the plot.
A most enjoyable stand-alone adventure, filled with lots of danger, laughs, twists and turns and some unexpected events at its conclusion, the late Bridget Zinn has created an easy to read book full of feel good moments, laughter and suspense.
Pat Pledger

Why do cats have tails? by David Ling

The Book of Whispers by Kimberley Starr

Text Publishing, 2016. ISBN 9781925355512
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Text Prize for YA and Children's Writing (2015). Historical fantasy. Crusades. Demons. Tuscany, 1096 AD. Luca, young heir to the title of Conte de Falconi, sees demons but must keep quiet about them for fear of a repeat of the exorcism he suffered when very young. When his father decides to go on the crusade to free Jerusalem, Luca follows, carrying with him the Book of Whispers, which only he can open. With the help of Suzan, a beautiful young girl he rescues, he goes on a quest to defeat the evil that wants to take over the world.
This is the first book that I have read that has put a historically accurate version of the Crusades together with demons. Initially I found it rather difficult to reconcile the two, although the idea of demons fits in well with the beliefs of Christians at the time. However as the story progressed, the fight against the demons and the men that they dominated and the gruelling journey that the Crusaders took, takes over and becomes engrossing.
Luca and Suzan's story is narrated in alternate chapters by the two young people. By telling the story in the present tense, the author gives it an immediacy and veracity that sometimes makes for very difficult reading as there are many bloody and very violent murders of the Saracens during the sieges.
This is a memorable book that will make the reader think about the futility of war and the ugliness of religious bigotry. At the same time the adventure and mayhem that Luca and Suzan face will carry the reader through to the thrilling end.
Pat Pledger

At the zoo I see by Joshua Button and Robyn Wells

Magabala Books, 2017. ISBN 9781925360455
(Age: 1-3) Recommended. Board book. Animals. A beautifully designed and sturdy board book this is sure to be a favourite with very young children. Published by Magabala to showcase the work of young Indigenous artists, this is a lovely example of rich illustrations and interesting text.
As the title states, the animals illustrated are ones that might be found in a zoo, and are from many parts of the world as well as Australia. On opening the book, there is 'a flying macaw', in rich vivid colours, and then 'a prowling quoll' in subtle browns with white spots. A particularly intriguing double page is of a devoted elephant, while the 'pacing jaguar' pads across another double page.
The illustrations are outlined in black and the expressions on the faces of the animals are memorable.
This would be a perfect gift for a very young child.
Pat Pledger

Every heart a doorway by Seanan McGuire

Wayward Children bk 1. St Martin's Press, 2016. ISBN 9780765385505
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Fantasy. Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Fantasy (2016), Alex Award (2017). Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children caters for children who have disappeared, tumbling through doorways and into old wells and going into strange lands. When they reluctantly reappear, the school looks after them when their parents despair of them fitting back into normal society. Nancy's entry into the home is not a smooth one with murder making a nasty appearance. She and her group of misfits must find out what is happening, while they search for the doorways back into their beloved fantasy lands.
This is not an easy book to categorise or to explain. It is short, engrossing and strange, but very compelling. As well as the nasty murders that must be solved there are many themes the reader will have to explore and think about, not least why the children want to return to the fantasy worlds and not to the life that is considered normal by society.
There is an assortment of characters, including a weird scientist, an asexual main character and nods toward gender diversity, none too explicit but also thought provoking.
This is an extraordinary and perplexing story, one that stays with the reader. I am sure to follow more in this series. (Seanan McGuire also writes as Mira Grant).
Pat Pledger

The secret horses of Briar Hill by Megan Shepherd

Ill. by Levi Pinfold. Walker Books, 2016. ISBN 9781406367584
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. World War Two. Britain. Horses. When other children in London are evacuated to the country, Emmaline is taken to Briar Hill, Shropshire, a place for children with breathing difficulties, their 'stillwaters'. Her friend Anna, is sixteen and confined to bed, while some children are allowed to walk around the halls of the once beautiful building, and sometimes Emmaline is allowed outside. Here she finds a garden, and in that garden, a winged horse. She has already seen these animals in the mirrors in the house, but now one is in the garden with a damaged wing. Emmaline finds a letter left for her from the Horse Lord, asking for her help with the wounded animal, Foxfire, but to be wary of the Black Horse, whose shadow Emmaline has sometimes seen nearby.
A beautiful and touching story, the group of children cared for in this building are all in various stages of illness, and their lung problems come to the fore as the story unfolds. Emmaline is a wonderful character, wanting to be an explorer, knowing her tuberculosis means this is a pipe dream but heartened when Anna tells her that she already is an explorer, seeking out the garden and its secret, keeping the horse safe. The gardener Thomas has also seen the horse and helps Emmaline with her quest, particularly when the Horse Lord tells her that Foxfire is in danger with the coming of the new moon. She is told to collect colours of the rainbow to protect Foxfire, but finding colour in this grey wintry environment needs all of her skills.
A moving fantasy story of a lonely child, traumatised by what has happened to her family in Nottingham, the resolution of the story will bring tears to the readers' eyes as she learns to accept what has happened and comes to see there is more to life than her bleak surroundings.
War and privation is ever present, with the house cut off from the village and therefore the pharmacy and doctor by the weather, the children aware of the bombing raids on the cities, their talk filled with stories of what has happened and sometimes hearing of death.
The illustrations add a mesmerising dimension to the story and offer the reader a visual accompaniment as they read. Several stand out for me: the children sitting in the cellar with their gas masks on, listening to an unsettling story told by the bully, Benny, (pages 39-40) along with Emmaline sleeping with the sheep (pages 146-7) and Emmaline sitting on Anna's bed (pages 182-3). I kept coming back to these as I read. But all the illustrations are deeply moving with their greys reflecting the children's lives. With links to The secret garden and the Narnia stories, this wonderful story will be eagerly sought after by middle to upper primary readers.
Fran Knight