Bloomsbury Publishing, 2015. ISBN 9781408863114
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Topics: Conjoined twins. What it
means to be an individual - identity, What it is like to have an
absolute soulmate. What it is like to be born different. Teenage
relationships. One is about the fascinating subject of the unique
relationship between conjoined twins. The book explores what it
means to be an individual, who is totally connected to another
person, and dependent on them for your existence, in a most
sensitive way. It is written from the perspective of one of the
twins in such a convincing manner, that the reader can start to
embrace what is means to constantly think of someone else. When
flicking through this book, you may be forgiven for thinking it is a
series of poems, but it is actually a book where the typeset is used
in a unique and cleverly decluttered style. The space entices the
reader to stop and think, imagine and be challenged. This is a true
page-turner, with chapters flowing from one topic to the next. Often
the shortest chapters are the most poignant.
The sixteen year old twins Grace and Tippi experience much more than
most teenagers. Daily they have to deal with people's ignorance and
insensitivity, constant monitoring by doctors, parents who are
protective and often overwhelmed, and low life expectancy. There are
some fascinating insights into how synchronized they are and the
complexities of shared body parts, yet how they like doing different
things, enjoy different food and manage having private
conversations. As teenagers they are more than challenged when it
comes to learning to drive, are interested in boys, want to earn an
income, and need time on their own. One is also a story of
two people who are so connected in love and sisterhood that it would
be almost unthinkable if they weren't together.
Sue Galpin
The cat at the wall by Deborah Ellis
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781760112448
(Age: 11+) Recommended. Palestine, Conflict, Israel, School, Family.
When Clare dies in her home town of Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, she
is reincarnated as a cat in Bethlehem, the West Bank caught between
the enmity of the two opposing groups as she takes refuge in a
Palestinian house which two Israeli soldiers are using as a
observation post. Here the cat is grudgingly befriended by the two
National Service soldiers, one from the USA and the other an
Israeli, but the cat can smell another human in the one roomed
house. A child is hiding from the Israelis, and becomes a catalyst
when his teacher knocks on the door wanting to know why he is not at
school. The situation escalates when she sees the soldiers inside
and while calling for help, some older children arrive with stones
ready to fight.
Ellis masterfully aligns the two stories, that of Clare at school, a
knowing thirteen year old, pitting herself against a disliked
teacher, and the cat in the Palestinian house watching the events
unfold. Both stories reveal the nature of conflict built up over a
period of time, with suspicion and a lack of trust taking only a
small flash point to become a major incident. As the cat tells what
is happening inside the house, she also relates the events in
Pennsylvania leading to her death, the antagonism with the teacher,
her bullying of her sister, her manipulation of her friends and
family. She is a selfish young girl, one who steals and tells lies
to get her own way. And it is the situation in the Palestinian house
which eventually makes her see herself for what she was.
The continually enthralling story of Clare and her manifestation as
a cat will intrigue readers as they see her become a more humane
person, just as the two soldiers and the crowd outside the
Palestinian house peacefully resolve the conflict which is about to
happen with the cat leading the way for Clare to redeem herself.
Ellis has distilled a major conflict on the world stage to a story
involving just a few people, reminding us all that no matter what we
see on the news or hear politicians say, these are people like any
of us, wanting to live on their own patch of land in peace.
The background against which the drama unfolds is well drawn
allowing younger readers to develop some understanding of the
mistrust between some and the efforts by others to keep the
situation conflict free.
And overlaid with the Desiderata, several lines seem to run as a
theme through the story, Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and
listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have
their story.
Deborah Ellis is the author of a growing group of stories for middle
school people, giving a point of view not often exposed to our
readers such as the Parvana series and the Diego
books about children's involvement in the cocaine trade in South
America, amongst others.
Fran Knight
Verity Sparks and the Scarlet Hand by Susan Green
Walker Books, 2015. ISBN 9781922244895
(Age: 9-12) Recommended for those who like a Magical Mystery.
Themes: Mystery; Family; Adventure; Paranormal. This is the third in
the series involving the young girl Verity Sparks, and it is
possible to read it as a stand-alone book (although I suspect that
some of the relationship history would have made more sense if the
previous two books had been read.) Verity comes from an unusual
background (undoubtedly revealed in earlier books) and her family
seems to have been created by linking those in need of love. Set in
Castlemaine in 1880, it has a lovely old-fashioned feel, and is
filled with characters with unusual histories, laced with tragedy,
from places far and wide.
Verity Sparks has a prophetic gift that enables her to see and solve
mysteries by touching items that trigger connections, allowing her
hallucinations to reveal the past or the future, and then to connect
these visions to present day problems. This unusual gift is put to
good use in solving a mystery of a shadowy woman, whose appearance
creates confusion and also to unravel a kidnapping.
This book reads like a young person's detective mystery (with a
magical dose of prophetic inspiration). Readers who have begun the
series will no doubt be delighted that Verity has returned.
Carolyn Hull
Showtime by Wendy Harmer
Ill. by Andrea Edmonds. Ava and Angus series. Scholastic,
2015.ISBN: 9781743628584
(Age: 6-8) Recommended. Themes: Travel, Friends, Shows, Dogs.
Imagine taking a year off from school and work to travel around
Australia like young Alice, her parents and their dog Angus. As they
travel on a country road, Alice notices farm trucks passing by with
well groomed piglets in the trailers. It's time for the Doolimba
Show, with fun rides, prizes for the best farm animals, woodchopping
competitions and cooking and craft exhibits. Dad turns the Traveller
around and the Appletons are ready for another exciting adventure.
Ava and Angus eagerly set off to explore the Showgrounds, and after
a close encounter with a massive black bull, they head over to watch
the carnival rides assembled. A chance meeting with the mischievous
twins, Donna and Danny leads to some late night misadventures. Ava
and her little dog sneak out and meets up with her new friends.
First, they spin sugar into blue raspberry fairy floss making a big
mess, then they sneak into the animal enclosure and disturb the
sleeping animals, upset Asteroid the bull and are chased by a giant
turkey. Show Day arrives with lots of fun and excitement, Angus even
participates in the Pet Show.
Wendy Harmer's Ava and Angus junior novels are entertaining
on the road adventure stories in familiar Australian settings. They
are complimented by Andrea Edmond's pen and ink drawings that show a
cast of lively characters and animals.
Rhyllis Bignell
Being Agatha by Anna Pignataro
Five Mile Press, 2015. ISBN 9781760067267
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Families. Difference. Acceptance.
Kindergarten. When Agatha was born she had her father's nose and her
mother's ears, and looked a little different from the rest of her
family. Her soft brown nose and piggy ears made her stand out and
this was exemplified when she went to kindergarten for the first
time. All the other children seemed quite different from Agatha and
try as she might, she was unable to make any friends, and even
George teased her.
One day Miss Tibble told them that each one was different just like
the stars and snowflakes and asked the children to say what was
special about them.
Each could pinpoint one special thing about themselves, but Agatha
was at a loss, and so hid herself in the classroom. When it came her
turn each of the children told the class why Agatha was special and
so she realised that being Agatha was the most special thing of all.
This is an endearing tale of being different, of understanding that
everyone is different in their own way, of accepting the difference
of others around you and counting your difference as something
special. Pignataro's use of pen and chalk brings little Agatha to
life and the reader will readily sympathise with a young child who
feels different when she gets to kindergarten. The use of white
space sets the characters in the foreground of each page, and I love
the different placement on each page, ensuring children are made
aware of the illustrator's thought processes. Each page is
different, showing aspects of Agatha's family or her days at
kindergarten, impelling the reader to look more closely at the range
of things offered.
This will be a charming addition to the school library, useful as a
story to read, but also to introduce the themes of difference and
acceptance.
Fran Knight
Dorrie and the Blue Witch by Patricia Coombs
Egmont, 2015. ISBN 9781405277679
(Age: 5-7) Recommended. Witches. Magic. Cats. Witchcraft.
This is Dorrie. She is a witch. A little witch. Her hat is always on
crooked and her stockings never match. It's time for a new
generation to meet Dorrie the original worst witch, her cat, Gink
and read about all the magic and mayhem in her life.
When her mother leaves for a witches' meeting, Dorrie is left by
herself, but Cook should be back shortly. Dorrie is warned to be
careful as Mildred the bad Blue Witch is back in town. Unfortunately
Dorrie answers a knock at the door, it's not Cook with her borrowed
cup of sugar and Mildred enters ready to cause problems.
Dorrie is in big trouble; she needs to think creatively and finds
the perfect solution in a kitchen cupboard - shrinking powder. The
fun begins with Mildred drinking the milk and quickly changing to a
very cross bee-sized witch. When her mother arrives home, she's
happy that her daughter has solved the problem and saved the day.
Patricia Coombs' ink and pencil illustrations are mostly black with
some splashes of blue and yellow, and occasional splashes of colour.
Each character has a unique shape and the mood and tone of the story
is told through the drawings. The blue and yellow sparks caused by
the cross blue witch fill the air and follow Dorrie into the kitchen
showing just how angry Mildred is becoming. The Dorrie books
are a welcome release for young readers who enjoy magic, witches and
fantasy stories.
Rhyllis Bignell
The little book of Australia's Big Things by Samone Bos
Ill. Alice Oehr. Hardie Grant Egmont, 2015. ISBN 9781760125547
(Ages 8+) Recommended. The little book of Australia's Big Things
is an activity book filled with fun facts, photos, activities,
recipes and jokes, all wrapped up in a bonus panoramic jacket.
Samone Bos has chosen ten of Australia's Big Things to celebrate,
with much-loved familiar favourites including The Big Pineapple,
Banana, Penguin, Galah, Trout and Penguin. Australia has many natural
big wonders, however, this book focuses on man-made giant
structures.
There's a Big Thing Lowdown, photos, location map, a Big Activity
page and a Big Pop-Out page that can be cut from the book and made
into a model. A serrated edge allows for easy removal. As an
alternative to cutting up this hardcover information book, why not
photocopy, colour and create your own model? This allows the book to
be read and enjoyed again.
Illustrator and designer Alice Oehr's graphic styling includes bold
pops of colour, quirky wallpaper, layered placement of titles and
bright titles in different sizes and types.
With everything from teaching a galah to talk, to making a delicious
chocolate log cake, this informative book is just perfect as a gift
for a young overseas visitor or a reader who loves to engage with
quirky facts and enjoys paper craft activities.
Rhyllis Bignell
Survivor by Tom Hoyle
Macmillan, 2015. ISBN 9781447286752
(Age: 14+) Murder mystery. Violence. Bravery. This is a
macabre thriller for teen readers written by an English headmaster
who has hidden his identity under an alias. (His reputation needs to
be protected?) The cover suggests that readers who have enjoyed the
Cherub and Gone series will also enjoy this book.
The characters are a group of young English teens who have won or
gained a place on an Australian Bushcraft survival adventure. The
central character, George, is there because he daringly rescued a
child from a house fire. His bravery is put to the test more than
once in the course of the story. The excitement for the young
adventurers wanes when everything starts to go awry and misadventure
and murder stalk the young teens.
Cleverly written, so that the end is foreshadowed early in the book,
and with multiple voices narrating their experience and their
reflections of the central character; it has appeal because of the
foreboding that is created. Deaths occur violently, and mystery
surrounds the perpetrator of the violence. Relationships between the
group of teens is fraught with teen angst and bullying incidents and
the author hints at back stories that suggest psychological fissures
that implicate more than one of the characters as suspects in the
drama. Without giving the ending away, there is considerable tension
in the conclusion, but the reader knows it is coming! Because of the
violence, I recommend this book to mature readers only in the 14+
age range.
[Note: If this book was made into a movie it would be M rated. There
is also some abusive and foul language, but most extreme swearing is
inferred.]
Carolyn Hull
The lost sword by Darrell Pitt
A Jack Mason Adventure. Text, 2015. ISBN 9781925240184
(Age: 10-13) Highly recommended. Science Fiction. Steampunk.
Technology. Adventure. Mystery. Inventions. What a time to be alive;
dragonflies and flowers for ships, whales for submarines. Jack,
Scarlet and Mr. Doyle are dispatched on an extremely dangerous
mission by the British Prime Minister. They are sent to Japan to
recover the mysterious Kusanagi Sword lost for hundreds of years.
With Nazi spies determined to foil their plans, the trio embark on a
journey half way around the world, aboard the space steamer The
Katsu. On board Dr Einstein discusses the amazing new biomechanic
technologies - part animal and part machine and the scientific
problems associated with The Hot Earth Theory.
Tokyo is an amazing city with huge skyscrapers, steam buses,
airships and large dragonfly kagouro carriages to travel across the
country. Part of their mission is to search for Mr. Doyle's
stepbrother, a British spy and scoundrel who has gone missing. With
a parchment map providing clues, Nazi agents chasing them and a
young Japanese guide Hiro, they traverse Japan in search of the
missing artifact. Travelling underwater in a whale submarine, Jack,
Mr. Doyle and Scarlet's skills and deductive powers are tested when
they encounter murder and mayhem trapped in Mizu the underwater
city. Wearing a jelly fish diving suit - jellysuit, Jack shows
incredible bravery facing a menacing shark, and overcoming his fear
to save the day. The lost sword has all the familiar elements set in a
technologically advanced Japanese setting; derring-do acts, cunning
plots, strange foods and new friends, fun and fast-paced action,
evil villains and spies, even kidnapping. Darryl Pitt continues to
amaze and excite as he brings this science fiction world to life.
Rhyllis Bignell
The big book of gross body facts by Charles Hope
Wild Dog, 2015. ISBN: 9781742033730
(Age 8+) Recommended. Subjects: Human Body, Diseases. Warning,
inside this book are closeup photos of some of the grossest body
issues in the world. This book is not for everyone. The aim of the
author, Charles Hope is to make sure people stay healthy as your
body is an amazing machine, that needs all the different organs,
muscles, systems and cells to work together.
The text is easy to read with clear explanations about the why,
where and for what purposes different diseases, bodily fluids, skin
eruptions and daily events occur. Vomiting, mucous, weeing and
pooing, warts, dandruff, moles, sweating, flatulence, and invading
germs are just some of the topics covered.
While adults may need to quickly skip some of the photos, the
younger readers who enjoy disgusting facts and unpleasant anatomy
may be interested in everything from toe nail fungus to vomiting
facts! The Big Book of Gross Body Facts lives up to its
name; it delivers amazingly magnified and detailed photos, some
quite sickening!
Rhyllis Bignell
What the ladybird heard next by Julia Donaldson
Ill. by Lydia Monks. Macmillan, 2015. ISBN 9781447275954
(Ages: 3-7) Recommended. Julia Donaldson is famous for her rhyming
stories and this, the sequel to What the ladybird heard,
does not disappoint. It is perfect in its simplicity, with an
enjoyable narrative, effortless rhyme and fast-paced action.
Robbers, Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len, are out of jail and they are
heading back to the farm with another cunning plan; they are going
to steal the fat red hen. Luckily, the unlikely hero, the ladybird
is on their trail, and she and her farm animal friends hatch a plan
of their own.
The vibrant illustrations by Lydia Monks are a delightful
accompaniment to the text and add another level of humour. Children
will love the tactile element of the book with each page containing
glitter in some part of the illustration for children to touch, feel
and follow. The illustrator has also added textured material within
the illustrations, including the clothing and the sheep's wool.
Children will also love hunting for the sparkly ladybird on each
page. This is such a fun, action-packed read, filled with animal
noises, humour and fun rhyme. A perfect adventure for pre-school and
early primary, with plentiful teaching points around narrative,
rhyme, language and art. The rhythm of the text also lends itself to
song.
Nicole Nelson
The Almost King by Lucy Saxon
Bloomsbury 2015. ISBN 9781408847701
(Age: Middle school) Adventure, fantasy, relationships, family. Set
in the storm bound world of Tellus Lucy Saxon's sequel to Take
Back the Skies introduces Aleks Vasin of Siberene. 17 year old
Aleks doesn't want to spend the rest of his life working in the
family shop, a burden to his struggling family, always in the shadow
of his older brothers so he runs away to join the army.
Unfortunately he signs up at the notoriously corrupt Rensav training
camp where he is robbed and abused. Escaping with his horse he heads
for the capital, Syvana where he hopes to hide among the crowds.
Aleks is very fortunate and finds strangers offer kindness and
support including a room at an inn with stabling for his horse in
exchange for helping out with the chores. He also finds work with an
eccentric inventor who is working on constructing a small, fast
airship to explore beyond the storm barriers and he meets Saria who
quickly becomes his girlfriend. Everything seems to be going his way
until Shulga, a corrupt Kingsguard officer, tracks him down. Escape
in the experimental airship leads to adventure and exploration
beyond Aleks' wildest dreams. While set in the same world this
sequel has little connection with Saxon's first novel apart from the
steampunkish skyships and strange mismatch of technologies. Aleks,
like the plot, seems to lack direction and development but those
middle school girls and boys who enjoyed the first book will enjoy
his adventures and look forward to the next Tellus sequel.
Sue Speck
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas
Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN 9781408858615
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Aelin Ashryver Galathynius has once again
returned to Rifthold, determined on stopping the king. She is sent
for by her former master, Arobynn the King of Assassins, where she
learns that the king is planning on executing her cousin, Aedion on
Prince Dorian's birthday. He offers her help in rescue him, but an
offer from the King of Assassins always comes at a price. When Aelin
meets up with her old flame Chaol, they don't seem to be see eye to
eye especially after finding out that Prince Dorian he has been
imprisoned in his own body by a Valg demon. Chaol thinks the prince
can be saved, but with her own recent encounter with the Valg
demon's Aelin doesn't give him much hope. With help she rescues
Aedion at the last minute, but then she must fulfull her promise to
Arobynn, she must capture a Valg demon alive. At the same time witch
Wing Leader Manon, has been given orders which is making her
question her own morals and motives.
This is the fourth book in Throne of Glass series and I LOVED it!!!!
I took the book everywhere I went just so I could read a quick
chapter. Sarah J Maas has continued to keep the reader captivated
right till the very end. She has matured the characters
appropriately and their individual personalities shine through when
the narration changes among the different characters and when they
cross paths with each other it makes for some explosive reading.
This series in now one of my favourite's right up there with the Game
of Thrones series A Song of Fire and Ice.
Jody Holmes
I'm a girl! by Yasmin Ismail
Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN 9781408857007
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Stereotypes, Being yourself. A gloriously
energetic story deriding stereotyping of a young girl who knows she
is a girl and is proud of it, but demands to be different. The
phrase, 'I'm a girl!' appears every second double page as she rails
against people thinking her a boy because of what she wears or does.
Readers will love saying the phrase as it comes up, yelling it out
when the font size becomes more strident. Although she's supposed to
be nice, all sugar and spice, the illustrations show that she is
messy, active and out there. Readers will laugh out loud at the
illustrations showing her to be the opposite of what girls are
supposed to be. She's fast and brave and spontaneous, but when the
librarian offers her a nice boy's book about boats, she yells 'I'm a
girl!', or when she plays with the others and prefers a car to a
doll, and told again that girls like dolls, or boys like cars, then
the refrain screams out of the page, 'I'm a girl!'. A fun look at
stereotyping which readers will adore, the illustrations will
intrigue the readers as they follow the girl's adventures in trying
different things meant to be for boys, and when she finds a like
minded boy at the end, the theme is doubly cemented in the readers'
minds.
A book to read out loud, with children joining in, a book to be
discussed and read again in classrooms and at home.
Fran Knight
Too busy sleeping by Zanni Louise
Ill. by Anna Pignataro. Little Hare Press, 2015. ISBN 9781742979625
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Babies, Family, Grandparents, Bedtime. When
baby Rueben is brought home from hospital, Eleanor longs to play
with him. But he is never awake long enough. So begins this
delightful book about babies and the impact they have on a family,
particularly the siblings. Each set of four pages gives the reader
an image of Eleanor doing something with Grandma or Grandad or Dad,
being subtly kept away from the house while Mum takes care of their
new child. And each page ends with a wish from the child that her
new baby brother will play with her, but each finishes with the line
that he is busy sleeping. Readers will love to predict the repeated
lines and be surprised when the baby is finally awake for Eleanor,
but with an unexpected result.
Children will instantly recognise the ideas in this book: the
arrival of a new baby and the changes needed to be put in place at
home, the place of the grandparents helping the family, seeing less
of Mum and Dad as they concentrate their efforts more on the baby.
The gentle pastel and collage illustrations suit the story
admirably. They echo the house and its contents, the family and the
changes needed to be made with a new baby while the inclusion of
materials, patches and laces from days gone by adds a feeling of
continuity, of new beginnings but also links to the past. Readers
will be intrigued with the collage and perhaps use the ideas in
their own art work. This is a worthy addition to the class or school
library.
Fran Knight
