Ill. by Danielle McDonald. Ella and Olivia series.
Scholastic Australia, 2015. ISBN: 9781743627426
(Age: 6+) (Reading Ages: 6-7) Recommended. Themes: Family Life,
Ballet, Brothers and Sisters, Hair. Older sister Ella is excited
about her Friday night ballet concert as she has the starring role
of Sleeping Beauty. Mrs Fry her ballet teacher has asked all the
dancers to come with their hair and makeup already done. To prepare,
Ella and Olivia decide to practice putting on makeup and styling
hair in the bathroom at home. Younger brother Max is shut out and so
is their hairy golden retriever Bob. Their first time just involves,
red lipstick, sparkly eyeshadow and lots of fun. Ella even teaches
Olivia some ballet steps using the bathroom towel rail. Their second
session in the bathroom, however, involves Olivia using Mum's nail
scissors to create a new hairstyle for her sister with a rather
dramatic result. Dad and Mum are a bit surprised and Mum's
creativity is needed for Sleeping Beauty to sparkle on her big
night.
Yvette Poshoglian continues to positively engage her young readers
in this delightful series about family life and everyday situations.
Danielle McDonald charming sketches capably show both the hair
disaster and hair triumph moments.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Last Place by Michael Adams
The Last Trilogy Book 3. Allen and Unwin, 2015. ISBN:
9781743316740
(Age: 16+) After the "Snap" occurred, sixteen year old Danby has
found the world has become a war zone and with most telepathic
survivors having their minds controlled by Jack. Danby has turned
into a soldier and is trying to rescue any survivors she possibly
can. Nathan and Danby succeeded in blowing an enemy helicopter out
of the sky, but unfortunately Jack has taken over Evan, Danby's
autistic brother's mind. Danby and Nathan must then escape from the
Jack's and survive on anything they may come across. They must try
and find some way to rescue Evan from being controlled by Jack and
find a safe place to restart living.
I found the beginning of this book very slow to get into. It was
hard to follow the Danby character as the story follows her in a
series of flashbacks within a 3 month period, however when I
realised I had already read the first book in the series I found I
could not put the book down. So I would not recommend reading it if
you haven't read the previous books. Set in the Blue Mountains I
couldn't help thinking that this series was very much like John
Marsden's Tomorrow when the war began series. I found the
way that Michael Adams describes the life after the "snap" to be
very realistic, particularly the way the characters have to deal
with decaying bodies and the animals who without carers have become
feral. With the amount of death and drug undertones I would only
recommend it to a more mature student and readers who loved to read
John Marden's Tomorrow series.
Jody Holmes
Poppy in the Field by Mary Hooper
Bloomsbury Publishing, 2015. ISBN 9781408827635
(Age: 13 years+) The first world war carries on and VAD Poppy
Pearson finds herself mending a broken heart from the love of her
life. Desperately trying to put him behind her, Poppy travels to
France nearer to the front lines hoping to help more of the wounded
soldiers of the dreadful battle, easing their pains, treating their
wounds. Poppy tries to do as much good as she can amidst the bad,
but many heartaches rattle her journey forward. With the loss of
family and the gain of new friendships and love, and difficulties
for both her and the soldiers she cares for, she battles against all
odds, sacrificing much and gaining little and the war is proving to
not only be on the battlefield, but inside Poppy as well.
The followup book to the novel Poppy, Poppy in the field
is story of gentle love and painful loss, regret, guilt and death.
Hooper unfolds the story of the renowned World War I in the eyes of
Poppy Pearson, a heroine who - though in a foreign situation to many
- readers will be able to relate with as we follow Poppy and her
letters in the many troubles she faces both in the sickroom and at
home. Hooper writes a heartfelt story that will leave many smiling,
sobbing and most probably, both.
Clarissa Cornelius (Student)
How to be Bad by E. Lockhart, Lauren Myracle and Sarah Mlynowski
Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN 9781471404849
(Age: 15 years+) 'Think about it . . . the open road. We can do
whatever we want, whenever we want to do it.' How to be Bad follows the lives of three teenage girls who
are the complete opposites, and their impulsive decision to go on a
road trip for the weekend. Jesse, the saint, Vicky, the rebel, and
Mel, the new girl, all pile into a beat up Opel to experience life
on the open road - to make up with boyfriends, to escape reality as
they know it, try and gain real friends and maybe catch up with a
stuffed gator on the way. The sassy trio embarks on a trip of a
lifetime and take many twists they had no clue were even on the map
. . .
With three teens and three writers, different perspectives are used
in the story to see in the eyes and walk in the shoes of the girls
whose lives intertwine with each other's. This is a fast-paced,
relatable story of broken hearts and friendship's up and downs,
displaying stellar arguments and the journey to fix them, strangers
that become close friends, and close friends that keep too many
secrets. Lockhart, Myracle, and Mlynowski writes of the pessimisms
and highlights of a youth's life, a story that leaves you wanting
more of the sass, tears and laughs the girls have to offer.
Clarissa Cornelius (Student)
My Brother is a Superhero by David Solomons
Nosy Crow, 2015. ISBN: 9780857634795
(Age: 9-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Brothers and sisters,
Comics, Humorous stories, Heroes and heroines. Eleven year old Luke
Parker, life is rather average, he lives with his parents and older
brother Zack in an ordinary area of London. Luke is an avid comic
book reader; he loves reading about superheroes and their daring
adventures. One evening after an hour in their backyard treehouse,
Luke urgently needs to wee, and this changes the course of both
brothers' life. In those few minutes, Zorbon the Decider's
spacecraft lands and Zack is chosen to save two universes. He is
given six powers to help him, including telekinesis and the alien
leaves him with a final warning 'NEMESIS IS COMING'.
Luke is extremely upset: his nerdy brother loves maths and has no my
interest in being a superhero and saving anything. Luke relishes the
role of guiding Star Lad - Zack's superhero identity, making his
costume - a shower-curtain cape and constantly reminding him about
what is required. Life changes after a Saturday afternoon visit to
Comic Connection, Luke's favourite store, Star Lad stops an out of
control bus with his bare hands, lifting it into the air like a
champion weightlifter. When Luke's classmate Lara decides to unmask
Star Guy, Luke has his own mission how to prevent Zack's identity
being found out.
This is an action packed novel, the narration is humorous, the
impossible problems of being a superhero who can't drive to a crime
scene, there's the dilemmas of a first crush, Luke's witticisms and
asides to the reader and a monumental amount of superhero knowledge.
David Solomons' My Brother is a Superhero is a tremendous
novel for readers, who love all things alien, extraterrestrial,
adventurous and funny.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Red Feather by Ben Kitchin
Ill. by Owen Swan. New Frontier Publishing, 2015. ISBN
9780957988439
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. Themes: Friendship, Feathers, Beaches,
Children, Play, Imagination. The Red Feather is a charming picture
celebrating friendship and imagination as four young friends enjoy
an outing to the beach. Young Claude, Shelby, William and Maya walk
down to the beach ready for a day of swimming, playing and having
fun. Whilst the others spread out the towel and set up the beach
umbrella, Claude finds a most beautiful red feather. He proudly
walks around with the feather in his hair until he realises he's
hungry. Shelby exchanges her whole watermelon for the feather,
Claude sadly agrees. Each child plays with the feather until a
situation occurs and they need something that another friend has,
Sophie exchanges the feather for an umbrella to protect her from the
rain and William wraps his cold body in Maya's warm blanket.
Finally, they come to the realisation that sharing the feather and
the blanket, watermelon and umbrella makes for a lovely beach
outing. Owen Swan has included an older man and his dog bobbing in
the waves in their boat, a hint of someone who may be the adult
looking after the children on the beach. The dog is the last to
enjoy the red feather before it is taken away by a seagull.
Ben Kitchin's gentle narrative is beautifully illustrated by Owen
Swan in pen, watercolour and colour pencil. He expressively captures
the child characters with soft pastel colors, pale blue, sandy
yellow and watery green. The red feather boldly dances, swirls and
twirls across the pages communicating the characters'
feelings. This simple picture book speaks of friendship, sharing and
creativity.
Rhyllis Bignell
Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures by Jackson Pearce and Maggie Stiefvater
Scholastic, 2015. ISBN 9781760156954
(Age: 8-10) Recommended. Themes: Magic, Fantasy, Mythical Animals,
Veterinarians. Pip Bartlett's dramas begin on Career Day at school
when the Unicorns arrive, eight beautiful creatures brought in by
the Barreras family. Pip is fascinated by all magical creatures, and
she constantly refers to favourite book, Jeffrey Higgleston's
Guide to Mythical Creatures filled with facts, diagrams and
descriptions. Young Pip has a special secret; she can communicate
with all magical creatures and they can understand her. When her
teacher Mr. Dyatlov sends them off to the Career Stations outside,
Pip hurries over to talk to the Unicorns. Unfortunately, Raindancer
asks Pip to ride her and they set off on a disastrous adventure,
followed by the rest of the herd crashing through the stands and
stall, breaking the school sign and wrecking the garden.
Pip is sent off to spend the summer with her Aunt Emma and cousin
Callie's home and veterinary practice for the summer while her
geologist parents are off on digs and conventions. This is a clinic
that treats magical creatures, and on the first day there's a
Lilac-Horned Pomeranian, a stressed HobGrackle whose stinky sweat
melts metal and an Invisible Salamander waiting to be treated. Pip
is in her element surrounded by animals she can talk to and try to
help. Cousin Callie resents working all summer in the busy practice,
but Pip is in her element talking to all the wild and unusual sick
animals. With her new friend Tomas, who is highly allergic to most
things, Pip sets out to capture the invading Fuzzles, furry little
creatures who set themselves on fire.
Jackson Pearce and Maggie Stiefvater's story bring the world of
magical creatures to life. With wildly colourful, imaginative animal
names and descriptions and a feisty and sometimes overeager
protagonist this is a terrific story for the animal lover and would
be great to read to a Middle primary class.
Rhyllis Bignell
Lifespan of Starlight by Thalia Kalkipsakis
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2015. ISBN: 9781742978710
(Age:13+) Recommended. Set in 2084, the world is seen through a
grid. Everyone has a chip inserted into their wrist when they're
born, but not Scout, she's off-grid, living her life as an illegal.
The chips are used for transactions such as paying for food, water,
and other expenses. Scout finds herself a chip, she also discovers
the secret of time travel. On the way she meets two other teenagers
interested in her findings, Boc and Mason. Together they master the
technique of jumping forwards in time, each jump they push further
into the unknown. As they take longer jumps the consequences get
bigger. Soon the authorities find the unlocked ability that lies
within everyone, and Scout and her new friends then jump further
into the future then ever before.
Throughout this book Kalkipsakis takes you on a ride of epic
proportions. You are plunged straight into the story right from the
first page and left wanting more at the end due to suspense and
shock.
If you interested in time travel, I recommend this book, but
remember, 'Once you trip forwards, there's no coming back.'
Courtney W. (Student)
Foxtrot by Becka Moor
Five Mile Press, 2015. ISBN 9781760063412
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Individuality, Humour, Foxes, Dancing. With
bold bright illustrations, Moor creates a fox who loves to dance, so
much so that he dances all the time. He dances out of bed, does the
splits putting on his socks, mambos with his marmalade and twirls
with his toast. Music rules his life and he dances all the time. But
once out of his house, he causes mayhem. He stops traffic, knocks
things off the shelves in the supermarket, causing mayhem at his
friends' parties. They decide that this must stop and try a range of
things to stop Foxtrot dancing. Tying his shoelaces together causes
him to fall over, sticking his feet to the floor with honey leaves
him all alone, so he tries to seek out some alternatives. He tries
rock climbing, drag racing and acting, all to no avail. But one
morning when he wakes and drags himself downstairs he spies the
picture of his old teacher and her dancing studio where he learnt to
dance. She is too old to teach so Foxtrot decides that he will take
over and teach others to dance. All his friends join in getting the
hoses ready for his students.
This lovely story of being an individual and sticking to what you
love will have a lot of friends as children will care about Foxtrot
trying to reinvent himself for the sake of his friends. At home or
in a class discussions will ensue focussing on individuality and the
freedom to be yourself.
Fran Knight
You choose series by George Ivanoff
Random House, 2015 Night of the Creepy Carnival. ISBN 9780857986696 Alien Invaders from Beyond the Stars. ISBN 9780857986719
(Age: Yr 3 +) It seems even our youngest children have been lured by
the appeal of computer-based games as they allow each player to have
control of what happens to the characters driven by the decisions
he/she makes about the decisions the characters make. So when that
power is made available in book form, propelled not by graphics and
a controller but by words, reading and understanding, everyone is
happy - those who like to control the adventure and those who like
to see their children reading. Harking back to a very popular format
of about 20 years ago, where books were the most accessible form of
self-driven entertainment and where the reader chose their own
adventure by making a choice about what action to take and therefore
where to move next in the story, this series 'You Choose' puts the
power back in the reader's hands, rather than the author's
predetermined storyline. And each time the book is read a different
choice can be made and a new story created.
Clearly George Ivanoff is on a winning formula here that still holds
a great appeal for readers because these two stories are the 5th and
6th in the series. In keeping with the predecessors, the settings
are those that will appeal to adventurers with just enough of the
dark stuff in them to maintain the suspense but not scare them off
completely. Night of the Creepy Carnival is set in the new funfair
in town but there is something very strange about the creepy clowns
and something scary about the freak show tent with its disturbing
display cases. Alien Invaders from Beyond the Stars takes on a
science fiction slant when a flying saucer lands and lizard aliens
disguised as humans emerge intent on invading the planet..
Written by an author who, himself, was a devotee of this sort of
format and only became an avid reader after he discovered it, this
is a series that not only combines interactivity and reading, but
also enables the reader to think about cause and effect, to consider
the options, to take the time to make a decision, and to take risks
in a safe environment, all traits we try to encourage. The appeal
and importance of gaming within the formal education setting is
becoming the focus of a lot of research and literature and this
series provides a great foundation to actively engage and explore
options. Map the story, its choices and consequences on a flow
chart; have students add a few twists of their own and discuss how
these can have an exponential effect on the outcomes; perhaps even
venture down the Technologies strand of the Australian Curriculum
and let your budding programmers start to design the coding. Then
set a new scenario and start to explore the pathways and fun of
"what if", encouraging the students to let their imaginations go,
push the boundaries, think beyond the usual as they draw on all
they've seen and experienced. As well as offering an engaging read,
skilled teachers could use these books as models for an absorbing,
integrated project that would draw in their writers, their
illustrators, their mathematicians, their computer experts, and
their gamers to create something new that accentuates the need for a
team, encourages negotiation and compromise as well as the skills of
seeing things from another perspective and looking for alternatives,
and perhaps, even, the concept of empathy.
So glad this format is back on the reading agenda of the younger
readers in my life.
Barbara Braxton
The case of the really, REALLY magnetic magnet by Michael Gerard Bauer
Ill. by Joe Bauer. Secret Agent Derek Danger Dale series.
Omnibus Scholastic, 2015. ISBN 9781742990675
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Heroes, Adventure, Spies, Good and
Evil. Another fast paced escapade with Secret Agent Derek 'Danger'
Dale. Derek is trapped in the nerve centre of the Notoriously Nasty,
but Nevertheless Nifty, Ninja's Hideout, inside a transparent dome
with a bomb set to explode in five minutes. Her Supreme Nastiness
put him in this perilous situation and disappears like a secret,
silent Ninja. Of course, no-one back at Secret Agents R Definitely
NOT Us is very helpful so Derek uses his ingenuity and buff chest to
solve the problem. When he learns that Dr. Evil Macevilness and his
three goons have escaped from prison, Derek goes undercover with a
little help from Madam Sigrid D. Skize. The Secret Agent is ready
for his next exploit. He becomes Arn De Cuvver and is quickly
recognised by the evil doctor, he's dumped in a pool with Petunia
the piranha. Luckily the fish is flung out of the water and stuck on
the mini magnet's magnetic disc. Dr. Evil Macevilness's plot to
steal all the gold at a wealthy family wedding is of course foiled
by the brilliant secret agent.
This Secret Agent Derek 'Danger' Dale story delivers all the fun
elements young readers enjoy: crazy-named humorous characters, funny
puns, diabolical plots and unexpected situations. Joe Bauer's zany
cartoon strips that run vertically on each page bring the secret
agent to life.
Rhyllis Bignell
Lorali by Laura Dockrill
Hot Key Books 2015. ISBN 9781471404221
(Ages: 10+) Lorali follows the story of mermaid princess, Lorali,
and her transition to land after surfacing (growing legs). Having
been taught all her life about the perils of the human world, Lorali
is understandably non-plussed by its wonders (television, cake and
music). As she struggles to find a place in this unfamiliar world
she is helped along by friends of fortune and the unlikely
lighthouse keeper who had loved a woman who became a mer.
It is the night of Rory's sixteenth birthday and he and his friends
are looking to get wasted; however first Rory has to visit the beach
at Hastings. When the storm hits Rory runs to the old pier for
shelter only to find he isn't alone. A young woman, about his age is
lying there completely naked. Like any awkward teenager, he quickly
covers up her nudity and takes her home. She doesn't speak
throughout the trip and Rory makes the assumption that she's a mute,
or a runaway. Unsure what else to do with her, he puts her up for
the night, forging the beginning of their friendship. Meanwhile the
Whirl is in an uproar and Queen Keppel wants everyone on the lookout
for her missing daughter. After recruiting the Ablegares (pirates),
she rashly, she sends Opal Zeal a walker-obsessed mer, up to the
surface to enlist the help of humans. Opal, who has always dreamed
of meeting humans, does gladly and quickly looses herself in her
fame. The mermaids aren't the only ones looking for Lorali; a ship
of poachers are also making their way to Hastings, eager to harvest
the tapestry (tail) of the mer princess.
This is a fantasy novel set with an overlap in Hastings reality. The
author leaves no doubt about the setting, making several references
to the traditional haddock and chips and incorporating slang
effectively. Dockrill gives her mermaids a unique spin by erasing
reproduction and celebrating a system of salvation. Even her sirens
are different from traditional telling. I quite enjoyed reading Lorali
and would recommend for girls aged ten and up.
Kayla Gaskell
If you plant a seed by Kadir Nelson
HarperCollins, 2015. ISBN 9780062298898
(Age: Pre-school - Yr 3) Mouse and Rabbit plant some seeds - a
tomato seed, a carrot seed and a cabbage seed. In time, with love
and care and nurture and nourishment, the seeds grow and they enjoy
the fruits of their labour. Delicious. But the word spreads to the
birds who would also like to partake of the rich, ripe plants - and
demand that they are given some. But Mouse and Rabbit are reluctant
to share. And so begins a tale that is almost Aesop-like in its
didacticism as selfishness is contrasted with generosity and the
fruits of the latter are "very, very, sweet". Not only do Mouse and
Rabbit have an endless harvest of abundance, they have many new
friends too.
Award-winning creator Kadir Nelson has created a magnificent story
through a clever combination of sparse text and rich illustrations
that will engage the very young reader over and over again with
something new to discover with every reading. The colours gleam
against the backgrounds and the use of perspective is superb.
Together, a theme about reaping what you sow that is as old as time
is interpreted in a way that is as new as tomorrow's dawn offering
lots of scope for sharing and reflecting.
Barbara Braxton
The 65-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths
Ill. by Terry Denton. Pan Macmillan ISBN: 9781743533222
(Ages: 8+) Highly recommended. Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton's
much anticipated addition to the Treehouse series - The
65-Storey Treehouse delivers on every level. Thirteen new rooms
with an exploding eyeball room, a birthday room for any day of
the year, a cloning room and a lollipop room run by Mary
Lollipoppins. Tree-NN is a 24 hour news room that runs a quirky
ticker tape comment at the bottom of each page. The addition of
an ant farm with 65 chambers - ant bands, ant salons, ant
bedrooms, ants who demand hamburgers, causes drama when the
escaped insects attack Terry.
Unfortunately Terry's forgotten to obtain a building permit for
the original structure and soon the friends are visited by
Inspector Bubblewrap from Safety Central Headquarters. Terry's
handy time-machine wheelie bin is the answer to their dilemma,
going back in time to before the first treehouse was built to
lodge a permit application. An unfortunate accident happens when
the inspector climbs in means the chronometer sticks on the
numbers six and five. Each double page spread is jam-packed with
hilarious cartoons, funny sketches and crazy comments. They
hurtle through time - visit with Prehistoric Pond Scum, dance
with the dinosaurs - watch out for the Bignoseasaur, then Terry
introduces Stone Age people to cave painting (even Barky has his
own cave cartoon). There's a chariot race in Ancient Rome,
problems with a Pharoah in Ancient Egypt and an unfortunate
encounter with giant crabs 65000 years into the future. The
inspector's bubble wrap comes in very handy along the way,
especially when he's cut in half by a sword.
Another fabulous creative collaboration, from Andy and Terry,
there's so much to investigate, explore, read and discover. This
series is loved by young readers and is great for families to
enjoy together.
Rhyllis Bignell
Where's the Elephant? by Barroux
Egmont, 2015. ISBN 9781405276481
Picture book. It starts as a simple hide-and-seek book with the
reader encouraged to find the elephant, the parrot and the snake
amongst a forest of trees of all shapes and sizes and colours. Turn
the page and the same challenge applies - but this time it's a
little easier because some of the trees have been chopped down. And
on the next double-spread it is easier again as even more trees have
disappeared. And then, where the trees were a house appears and then
another and another. And so it continues until there so many houses
and buildings that there is just one tree, and the elephant, the
parrot and the snake are clearly visible enclosed in a fence with
Zoo on it. Until they take matters into their own hands.
Stunningly illustrated by this award-winning French illustrator and
inspired by a visit to Brazil where he saw the forest set alight to
provide space to plant soy beans as well as the concept of Where's
Wally?, in some ways the theme of this wordless text is akin
to that of Jeannie Baker's Window. The encroaching of
civilisation and its impact on the environment and the creatures
within it is explored in a way that not only the youngest reader
will understand but which will serve as a springboard for more
mature readers to investigate.
The colours and shapes of the lush forest evoke positive emotions
but as the white of the cleared land and the muted tones of the
houses and buildings take over the pages a sense of sadness takes
over. There are no words - they are not needed.
This is the perfect adjunct to a theme of Change, particularly if
the focus is on how humans have an impact on the environment and the
needs of creatures that dwell there. Given Australia's poor record
of stopping species becoming endangered or even extinct, this is a
focus area that demands attention and where better to start the
appreciation of what we have than with the very young?
Barbara Braxton
