The guy, the girl, the artist and his ex by Gabrielle Williams
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781743319550
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Relationships, Single parent,
Artists, Art theft, Mental illness. Williams has used the theft of a
Picasso, The Weeping Woman, from the National Gallery of Victoria in
1986 as the peg to display the intertwined lives of four people, one
making her way to a party at Guy's place in South Yarra when his
parents are away for the weekend. Guy is persuaded by his friends to
hold a party and the reader knows that the outcome will be quite
different from that expected.
In the meantime, the artist, Luke, an arrogant, self opinionated man
who has made it on the art scene in Melbourne, has hooked up with
two others, a disgruntled struggling artist, Dipper, who works at
the National Gallery of Victoria, and an older man, Real, an art
dealer with dangerous ideas about people being shocked into giving
more funding to The Arts. Together the three achieve the impossible
and steal the painting.
Luke's ex, a young woman called Penny left with his child, struggles
to stop herself being the demanding ex, the crying rejected lover,
the one who will do anything to get him back. She has taken a flat
in a building owned by a family whose sister has been brought to
Australia from South America after the drowning of her son and the
subsequent abandonment by her husband. She is convinced she is
cursed. Her daughter, Rafi babysits Penny's baby but one night when
Rafi is asked to go to a party by her best friend, asks her mother
to look after the baby.
The stage is set for a shocking incident which brings all the groups
together.
This is an amazing story. I was simply gobsmacked by the author's
ability making this frightening incident such a core piece of the
story, her handling of it made me immediately reread it to make sure
I had all the facts in my head before proceeding. I was absolutely
sure that there could be no coming back after such a thing happening
and read on with anticipation to see how it was all resolved.
Sometimes darkly funny, some times confronting, Williams seems to
take the readers along her path with ease. I was never in doubt
about any of their motives. I loved Penny with her thought bubbles
about being independent but then so dependent on any scrap thrown
her by the appalling Luke: Rafi, trying so hard to study with a
mother beset by strange behaviours: Dipper's angst and Luke's
cavalier attitude to everything. All the characters are most
recognisable, the mother with her descent into mental illness
convinced that the horse headed woman has followed her from South
America, the men with motives which superficially seem altruistic,
but with an ulterior motive, and Guy, so easily led by peer
pressure.
The novel is divided into three sections, before the party, the
party and the aftermath and the chapters are from the perspectives
of each of the four title characters.
I can see this as a class set as it brings in so many issues begging
to be discussed: mental illness, peer pressure, single parenthood,
relationships, art funding, and the role of art galleries.
Fran Knight
I am Henry Finch by Alexis Deacon
Ill. by Vivienne Schwarz. Walker Books, 2015. ISBN 9781406357134
(Age: 4+) Warmly recommended. Independence, Imagination, Freedom,
Breaking out of the mold, Trying something new. Henry Finch lives
with the other finches, in a huge flock of finches. Each morning
they greet each other with good morning, in the evening good
evening, and so on. Not a change occurs to their routine except when
the beast appears and they all warn each other and fly to the top of
the tree. But Henry one day has a thought. And with that thought, I
am Henry Finch, and ponders whether other finches ever have a
thought as he does. With this thought he feels destined for
greatness and when the beast next appears dives straight at him,
saying how great he is. The beast eats him.
Inside the beast, he listens to what the beast sounds like and
listens to the beast's thoughts. His thoughts all revolve around
eating, and when he says that he would now go and get some, Henry
cries out No. Through his thoughts Henry convinces the beast to
become a vegetarian. Startled, the beast opens his mouth and out
pops Henry and several other things the beast has recently eaten.
All the finches welcome Henry back and he tells them about his
adventures. They decide to fly off as well, and then come back.
This is an amazing story around using your imagination, about trying
things out, about thinking things through, about experience. For
those people wanting to be more philosophical, then Descarte's 'I
think, therefore I am' could be discussed. But it is certainly a
plea for thinking outside the box. And the illustrations compliment
the ideas with panache. The use of a fingerprint for all the finches
is just enticing, and readers will love seeing the squiggles added
to make each finch look birdlike. And clamour to try out this style
of illustration for themselves.
Fran Knight
The Wild Beyond by Piers Torday<br>
Hachette, 2015. ISBN 9781848668485
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Themes: Dystopian World, Human and
Animal Communication, Fantasy, Good and Evil, Quests. Reading Ages:
11-13. "This city, this island, this world - it's our home. If it's
dying, we have to find the cure."
Piers Torday's The Wild Beyond dystopian fantasy concludes
with this fast-paced novel. This is an amazing action-packed
adventure that takes, Kester, Polly, Aida and their animal
companions across the World's Seas to find the Iris, a DNA
depository for all extinct flora and fauna. Kester's ability to talk
to the animals left in their world, leads him to learn a secret from
the last whale. Together forever is the motto, that carries the
three friends through their arduous journey. Before they leave, they
encounter wicked Auntie Fenella, whose evil actions include
disabling their ship and returning the group to the mastermind
Selwyn Stone. While the rest of the survivors left after the
flooding and destruction of their city are herded into a spaceship
bound for a distant planet, their small group needs to escape and
find a solution to their problem. With the help of a straggly flock
of birds and three amazing dolphins they travel for days in a small
glass boat to the island of Faraway.
There are so many difficulties to face, thirst and hunger,
dehydration, loss of friends, fire, the evil Cullers trying to kill
them, betrayal, near-drowning, attacks by giant stinging jellyfish,
at times their quest seems impossible. Their animal friends provide
support, guidance and comedy relief.
This novel is richly complex, multilayered with strong characters'
who show bravery, resilience, perseverance and ingenuity who work
together to save their world from destruction. There are powerful
environmental messages throughout, caring for animals, plants and
the environment.
Rhyllis Bignell
A week without Tuesday by Angelica Banks<br>
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781760110376.
(Age: Middle and upper primary) Well recommended. A fantasy for the
young, appealing to writers who love to think their stories are
precious and original. This is a continuation of the stories of
Tuesday McGillycuddy and Vivienne Small and has delightful and
appealing references to the many genres of stories. Tuesday
McGillycuddy's Mother is a famous author and with her daughter
Tuesday write prolifically. The writers' world is in chaos as many
writers have disappeared, so Tuesday and her dog Baxterr (who has
wings when needed), go for an walk in the park and by a piece of
twine find themselves 'there' with Vivienne Small, a creature of the
fantasy world.
The plot becomes complicated as Tuesday tries to sort out all the
worlds which are colliding with each other and causing havoc. The
Librarian, who keeps a copy of all the writer's books is pivotal in
helping Tuesday solve the problem that's disrupting the normal
world. It's a delightful, imaginative and exciting journey for
Tuesday and the writers she meets. Humour is rich with Miss Digby,
who is Tuesday's Mother's Assistant and lives in the real world.
It's where lovers of fantasy will be enchanted with the many
illusions to their imaginative thoughts.
Well recommended for Middle and Upper Primary students, mainly
girls.
Sue Nosworthy
Ten by Shamini Flint<br>
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781760112264
(Age: 9-12) Recommended. Themes: Girls' Soccer, Family Life, Sports,
Soccer, Resilience. Ten year old Maya sits in her dark living room
watching her favourite football team Brazil play in the 1986 World
Cup Quarter Final. She scrutinises every move, imagines she is there
on the pitch shooting a goal. Maya lives in a small Malaysian town
Kuantan with her parents, her old Indian grandmother Amamma and
older brother Rajiv and she's never played soccer. Life at home is
difficult, Mum and Dad constantly quarrel. Her mother is Indian and
her father is English, Maya attends a Catholic school, where she
feels she doesn't fit in.
When Maya is given a football by her mum, she begins to train and
perseveres despite all the roadblocks. She has to fight stereotypes
and prejudice - girls don't play football, from her family and
friends. Insights into a different way of life, Malaysian customs,
Indian weddings, food and ways of living provide an interesting
background to Maya's story. She gathers a team of misfits and
together they learn the skills and techniques to play in a real
match.
This is a multi-layered story, while Maya is busy with her football,
her father leaves the family and returns to England, the family is
torn apart. The ending is a surprising one showing Maya's
resourcefulness, perseverance and ingenuity.
Shamini Flint's junior novel is a great read for 9-12 year olds.
Rhyllis Bignell
Do you remember? by Kelly O'Gara and Anna McNeil
Wombat Books, 2015. ISBN 9781925139242
"Do you remember how much we loved each other?" is a strange way to
start a story because you would think that two talking to each other
would not forget that. But it is the perfect beginning for this
gentle, insightful reflection of that special relationship between
grandparent and grandchild. Beautifully and softly illustrated using
mice as characters, it explores a situation that so many of our
students are facing as their grandparents and great-grandparents get
older, and forgetfulness and dementia start to take over.
"Do you remember when you started hiding things in strange places?"
"Do you remember when you flooded your house?" "Do you remember when
you were cross?... You'd never spoken to me like that before. Did I
do something wrong?" Such a common experience for so many, but this
story has a beautiful twist. Because while Grandma Mouse can't
remember, Grandchild can and so she starts to paint pictures of
Grandma's stories so that even if Grandma has forgotten, the
memories won't be lost entirely. As gradually the grandchild becomes
the 'adult' it doesn't really matter that Grandma can't remember
because they create new memories and the love that binds them
together is the strongest memory of all.
When memory fades to the point where even a child is not recognised,
it can be very confronting and difficult to cope with as an adult
who understands what is happening on an intellectual level if not an
emotional one. Thus it is even more difficult for a child who
interprets the loss as personal rejection and banishment and even
lack of love. Sharing Do you remember? would be a wonderful
way for a parent to help a child understand what is happening and
the pointers about what dementia is and how a child can interact
with the sufferer regardless are so useful. Little children often
fear those who are ageing, especially when they have to move into
assisted care and sometimes the visits stop and the relationship
wanes - but this book which also gives guidance for parents about
how to handle the situation could be the pathway to keeping the love
flowing. Helping our children understand by being upfront with them
is the greatest gift we can give them and their grandparents.
Speaking from personal experience based on my own grandchildren and
their Great Gran, O'Gara and McNeil have nailed it.
Barbara Braxton
On track by Kathryn Apel
University of Queensland Press, 2015. ISBN 9780702253737
(Age: 9-12) Highly recommended. Family Life. Brothers. Sports.
Disability. Achievement. Resilience. Another exciting verse novel
from Kathryn Apel, this time she focuses on sibling rivalry, sports
and overcoming a physical condition with determination and
discipline.
Toby has a body that stumbles, he's uncoordinated and finds sports
challenging. His older brother Shaun is better at everything, sports
and his school work. Mum's decision to seek a diagnosis for Toby's
condition makes a huge difference. With Lisa the occupational
therapist's guidance, he begins a new way of coping with school and
home life. Coach Lawrie, Shaun's athletics trainer teaches him
techniques to fire up his sensory system and program his muscle
memory. Mum, Dad and Toby keep Shaun out of the loop and he is left
feeling jealous of Toby's new laptop - a tool for school not a toy
and the time Coach Lawrie takes to train his brother. When Toby is
chosen to attend Athletics Camp as well as Shaun, tensions rise,
each brother has a different journey. The School Sports Day events
test both brothers and is an exciting and insightful time in their
family's life.
The author's use of alliteration, line placement, metaphors,
figurative language and imagery, and the alternate voices, are
powerful tools that add insight into the dynamics of family life,
sibling rivalry, determination and empowerment. This is an
emotionally powerful narrative, great for a class novel.
Dad often says I'm a stone bull in a glass shop, but Mum tells him
I'm a gazelle on track now.
Kathryn Apel's blog
and the UQP website provide additional information and teachers'
notes.
Highly recommended for 9-12 year olds.
Rhyllis Bignell
Magic flutes by Eva Ibbotson
Pan Macmillan, 2015. ISBN 9781447280095
(Age: 12-15) Highly recommended. Music. Opera. Art. Romance. Vienna.
In post-World War 1 Vienna, Tessa takes on a new identity as the
girl who does everything behind the stage in the theatre. Meanwhile
a handsome millionaire, Guy, buys a fairytale castle and discovers
that its heiress is missing. Both lives collide and Tessa's secret
is in jeopardy.
First published in the 1980's a new edition of this classic story
comes with a stylish cover that will attract readers today. What
could be the usual take on a girl meets millionaire, both overcoming
adversity to find true love is taken much further by the beautiful
writing of Eva Ibbotson, who brings alive the period in the 1920's
in Austria where the aristocracy were struggling to survive and
where opera is so important in the wonderful city of Vienna. Readers
will be introduced to fabulous pieces of information about music and
its composers like Beethoven and Mozart, while learning about the
trials and hard work that go into putting on an opera production.
Guy and Tessa are brought together by their love of music and indeed
the romance is often secondary to the passion that each feels about
art.
Vienna itself comes alive with Ibbotson's description of the city,
its food and parks and historical monuments, which are often
humorous and always enlightening. At the same time there is a subtle
undertone about the hardship that many people are going through as a
result of the war.
There is nothing mundane about the characters in Magic flutes
(renamed The reluctant heiress in a 2010 US publication).
The millionaire Guy is fleshed out: abandoned as a baby, he was
taken in by a loving woman, and turns down a knighthood from the
British Government, refusing to forget his humble origins even when
his fiancee wants to be part of the aristocracy. Tessa is
hardworking and totally dedicated to music and art, and the minor
characters all form a detailed background to life on backstage of
the theatre or in the impoverished castles of the aristocracy.
This is an intelligent and heart-warming book that fans like me will
return to when needing a reminder of how well a romance can be
written.
Pat Pledger
Milo's dog says moo! by Catalina Echeverri
Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN 9781408838808
(Age: Junior primary) Recommended. Animals. Friendship. Milo has
wanted a dog for so long that when his birthday comes around he is
allowed to choose one for himself. His parents are unsure of his
selection, but Milo is deliriously happy and calls his dog, Beans.
But Beans is unlike other dogs. He prefers Mum's indoor plants to
the bowl of dog food, he enjoys eating the garden plants, and when
Milo comes to train him, he does not seem in the least trainable. He
doesn't chew on bones, or chase a ball, and is definitely not
feeling very doggy about cats. All the while the wonderful
illustrations will have the readers laughing out loud at the antics
that Beans gets up to. Dogs behaving like dogs are the perfect foil
to Beans' behaviour and the illustrations will encourage children to
spot the differences between Beans and the other dogs.
One day the sound that comes out of Beans is very undoglike, and the
idea of Beans being a dog begins to unravel. He has grown so big
that he no longer fits into the house and so Dad builds a new dog
house for him outside. He has eaten all of Mum's garden and has now
started on the neighbours' gardens. But worst of all one day he has
escaped to a nearby field, and when the family goes to look for him,
find a field of similar looking animals. Readers will know what they
are but Milo is able to find his Beans amongst the other cows, and
together they are still friends.
This is a charming story of a boy and his pet, but also a tale of
accepting difference. Readers will love the illustrations of the
different dogs throughout the book, contrasting with Beans the ever
growing cow, and laugh at the images of Milo and his attempts to
make Beans into a dog. The last image of Milo lying on top of Beans
is a wonderful illustration of accepting difference.
This is a charming tale of a boy and his animal and will be lovely
to read out loud, as well as introduce discussion about pets,
different animals and their behaviours as well as difference and
accepting difference.
Fran Knight
That's what wings are for by Patrick Guest and Daniella Germain
Little Hare, 2015. ISBN 9781742978291
(Age: Preschool - Yr 2) 'There are three things that a respectable
dragon needs: strong wings for flying, strong lungs for breathing
fire and strong shiny scales.' So what happens if you are a dragon
with none of those things? Instead you have wings that are weak and
floppy, breath that is faint and wheezy and your skin is soft and
furry and blue. And you are the only one of you in your school,
laughed at and left alone? For that was Bluey's story. He would
climb trees and dream of flying even though he could only use his
wings to hug. He was laughed at, scorned and shunned, and when he
made the dreadful error of hugging another dragon, his wings were
tied up until he could 'behave like a proper dragon.'
However no matter what he did, Bluey couldn't be a 'proper dragon'.
But one day his teacher gives him hope. She tells the class about a
dragon who lived beyond the sea, who couldn't fly and who couldn't
breathe fire but was so wise that others dragons flew to hear his
wisdom. And so Bluey begins a journey that gives him hope and helps
him find his place in the world and what his wings are really for.
While this is a charming story in itself illustrated with beautiful
pictures in a soft palette that emphasise the gentle nature of
Bluey, it is the back story that gives it its punch. Bluey started
life as a soft toy given to the author's son Noah who had just been
diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disorder which
affects boys and results in their muscles collapsing with most dying
before they are 25. When he was approached by the Duchenne
Foundation to write a story about Bluey, Patrick Guest says the
words just came to him. The book is dedicated to all with DMD and
part of the proceeds will go to the foundation. There's a YouTube interview
with the author. But this is a story about more than just DMD - it's
a story about any child who is different and struggles with that
difference within the school setting. While it is hoped that our
students would not be as cruel as Bluey's dragon friends and
teachers much more compassionate than Mr Snakeskin, the truth is
that a life of being different, especially physically different
where the difference is constantly on show, is a tough one. Even
though there was a huge impetus in the provisions for those with a
physical disability in 1981 with the International Year of Disabled
Persons, discrimination still exists so much so that in 2005 the
federal government introduced the Disabled
Standards for Education. Currently under review, it is
surprising how many in schools are unaware of their obligations
under this Act and so stories like Bluey's not only continue but are
needed to give us the heads-up. It is so much more than providing
ramps, wide aisles and doorways.
This is not just a book for schools where there are children on
crutches and in wheelchairs - it's a book for all school libraries
so our children learn one of the most valuable lessons of life, that
of everyone wanting to be accepted for who they are not what they
can (or can't) do. It's a book to inspire children that there is
hope and they will find their place in the world and make a
difference.
Barbara Braxton
Soon by Morris Gletizman
Viking, 2015. ISBN 9780670078875
(Age: 14+) Part of the sequence which began with Once, in
this story our familiar young Jewish boy Felix is still trying to
survive in Poland at the end of the Second World War after the
Soviets have driven out the German army. Having avoided death at the
hands of Nazis on numerous occasions and somehow managing to
continue to keep starvation at bay, he and his older friend Gabriek
are now threatened by roaming gangs of Nationalist thugs.
Sadly familiar with atrocities, violence and cruelty perpetrated by
German invaders, Felix is still naively hopeful and continues to be
shocked and distressed by inhumanity. He is dismayed by the attitude
of Poles who, having endured everything that has gone before, now
harbour hatred for Jews and Slavic people, hunting them mercilessly
through ruined cities and murdering without thought. As he does in
the other novels, Gleitzman constantly emphasises that amongst the
brutality and barbarity, individuals showed compassion, sometimes
exposing themselves to great risk to assist others. Felix has a
strong moral compass and his constant desire to do what is right,
being honest and loyal, causes him emotional turmoil which places
him in grave danger when he could otherwise turn his head and walk
away.
Readers of the earlier novels will recall how a gentle humour
persists in a narrative which is still completely respectful in
dealing with the unspeakable events of the Holocaust. In this novel,
Felix's continuing desire to practice medicine lands him in a range
of situations which snowball disastrously to place him, Gabriek, a
baby and a new friend in grave danger. Felix's unyielding desire to
do what is morally correct makes resolving the conundrum incredibly
complicated and the brave little hero who is incapable of harming
others shows great courage in overcoming his own terrors to try to
protect the vulnerable.
Without spoiling the story it is necessary to state that whilst hope
and human kindness are powerful themes in this tale, death,
violence, suffering and racial hatred are present. These elements,
together with reference to abhorrent medical experimentation on
captives by Nazi doctors makes this novel unsuitable for readers
under 14 in my opinion. This moving tale is the product of detailed
research and will serve to educate about the horrors of war and the
excesses of maniacal regimes.
The author emphasises that it is not necessary to read the preceding
works as a series as they effectively stand alone.
Rob Welsh
New Boy by Nick Earls
Penguin Australia, 2015. ISBN 9780143308393
Yes, it's true, Nick Earls is one of my very most favourite authors
J no matter if it's kid lit or adult fiction. Aside from that, he is
such a lovely human and very funny. When he graciously did a Q&A
for my blog last year, one of the things we discussed was his
arrival in Australia from Ireland as a child. Nick talked about the
aspects that he found a little strange coming to a new country.
He has taken that personal experience and projected it into terms
that children today can easily embrace through the story of one
boy's experiences as a newly arrived immigrant from South Africa.
Herschelle is a pretty typical boy who has left mates, sport, school
and a fairly frightening environment behind when his family move to
Brisbane. He soon realises despite his research of Australian slang
and customs, in order to fit in, that he doesn't - at all.
With his ever present humour, Nick takes the reader on Herschelle's
journey into acceptance via his struggle with bullying and racism.
It is this humour that takes the edge of some pretty intense
concepts and puts this in terms with which younger readers can
readily identify from their own playground observations.
Along with his designated buddy Max (of whom Herschelle initially
suspects total nerdism), Herschelle takes on the challenge of
assimilating into his new surrounds and most notably his new school,
One Mile State School. When the burgeoning friendship is jeopardised
by Max' apparent collusion with the school bully, Lachlan,
Herschelle is all the more convinced he will never become part of
the Australian fabric. After the ongoing persecution from Lachlan
comes to a head and the principal steps in, Herschelle realises both
that racism is not manifested in just one way and that bullying can
be invisible to others, as he finds out that Max has also suffered
at Lachlan's intimidatory behaviour. The two boys are back on track
and find themselves well placed to 'buddy' another 'new boy' when
Roy arrives at the school. A refugee from South Sudan, Roy's
experiences provide even more enlightening revelation to the two
friends.
This is an important book to promote to your readers and it would be
a perfect vehicle to convey the important messages of acceptance and
unity in Refugee Week.
'With courage let us all combine.'
Sue Warren
My name is Lizzie Flynn: A story of The Rajah quilt by Claire Saxby
Ill. by Lizzy Newcomb. Black Dog, 2015. ISBN 9781922179913
(Age: Primary and Secondary) Highly recommended. Picture book.
Historical. Convicts. Resilience. Quilts. Based on the true story of
a quilt made by convict women on board The Rajah, bound for
Australia. Young Lizzie Flynn, sentenced for seven years
transportation to Van Diemen's Land for stealing a shawl, arrives on
the ship, The Rajah with nothing and knows that she will never
return to England. She meets Molly another young convict who takes
her under her wing. On board The Rajah, the female convicts
are each given a bag, containing a bible, fabric and needle and
thread. This has been supplied by the Ladies of the Convict Ship
Committee, who when discovering that the convict women and girls had
nothing to occupy themselves with on the long sea voyage thought
that it would be helpful for them to have something useful to do.
Lizzie has a good eye for colour but doesn't know how to sew and
Molly teaches her.
This book is a fascinating look at transportation and convict life
aboard a ship. The story is told in Lizzie's words and the horror of
the trip comes to life as the reader follows the dangerous voyage.
With Saxby's descriptive and emotional prose and Lizzy Newcomb's
illustrations, it is easy to see the convict women and girls' lives
in the hold, how vulnerable girls have to endure bullying, all the
while facing storms and the deadly threat of disease. Lizzie says 'I
do not want to pass from this world as if I had never been here',
and continues to stitch the quilt for Molly as well as herself.
There is a gorgeous photo of the quilt, now housed in the National
Gallery of Australia in Canberra, at the back as well as the
inscription on it and information about what happened to it.
According to an article
found on Trove the quilts that the convict women made would have a
ready sale and would help to provide them with much needed funds
when they arrived in Australia.
I have returned to this picture book a number of times. It is a
fascinating story in itself, and the scope for learning about
convict life, the dangerous voyage to Australia and the work of
Elizabeth Fry and other women make it ideal for using in Australian
history lessons.
Pat Pledger
Life or death by Michael Robotham
Sphere, 2015. ISBN 9780751552898
(Age: Upper secondary to adult) Highly recommended. Crime fiction.
USA. Capital punishment. Corruption. Robotham will please his wide
audience yet again with this tightly plotted, explosively written
novel as Audie Palmer, a ten year prisoner in a hell hole in Texas
decides to escape the day before his release. His journey drags us
through the events of his life bringing us up to the day he escapes
and the reasons behind it. Along the way, another prisoner, a lifer
who befriended Palmer in jail, is released by a powerful group of
men to find Palmer and hand him over. The corruption is palpable,
Moss must not only watch his own back and find Palmer, but also work
out why Palmer is so necessary to these people's plans and how he
can keep them both alive. The botched theft of seven million
dollars, eleven years before, left Palmer in a life and death coma,
but pulling through he admitted the crime and was sent to jail. But
this money was never recovered, so many people are after it. And of
course, as with all good crime stories, the hero is a hero, not the
villain he is portrayed and we know that he is not what he appears.
All is tied up with his family and a stepson he vowed to care for,
now adopted by the very sheriff who arrested Palmer in the first
place. Layers of coincidence pile on each other as links between
powerful law officers and state politicians crowd into the story,
making the reader assess, try out then throw aside theory after
theory about what is actually happening. It is a rivetting read, one
that carried me along its whole length to the nail biting
conclusion.
The setting is part of the story with small isolated pockets of
civilisation and the sad people he met a necessary part of Palmer's
life on the run, while the corruption within the police force and
their methods of law enforcement made me shudder. I was involved
from page one.
Fran Knight
The Evertree by Marie Lu
Spirit animals bk 7. Scholastic Australia, 2015. ISBN
9781743620045
Finally, the last in the Spirit animals series where the fate of
Erdas will be revealed, not to mention that of the amazing four
young protagonists who have endured so much since they discovered
their spirit animals were the famous Fallen Ones. As the series ends
there is an even stronger message that the survival of our world
depends on a balance between man, the animals and the environment.
The Greencloaks have gathered their allies for a final battle as
Conor is beset by visions of a final confrontation with Kovo and the
Conquerors. The outcome is uncertain and there is fear that their
spirit animals may not survive this battle. Melin is still
imprisoned by the power of Gerathon whilst still hoping that her
friends will succeed in their quest.
On their way to stop Shane setting Kovo free, they travel through
the dry devastated and desolate lands of Stetriol, all the time
battling the strange weather and armies of Conquerors. They are also
hoping also to find Tellun the Elk, last of the Great Beasts who has
yet to surrender his talisman, and enlist his help.
Too late to stop Kovo escaping, they head to The Evertree, the
legendary place where all life began, for a last stand against the
power hungry Kovo and his allies Gerathon and Halawir. With all the
great beasts present and willing to save Erdas at all costs it is up
to Tellun and the children to succeed in their final battle.
As with the other books in the series there is hardship, bloody
battles, death and destruction interspersed with moments of
tenderness and beauty as the power of friendship helps overcome even
the darkness of the Bile. The final act of forgiveness in letting
Shane escape is not without its reward with a spinoff three part
novella series by Nick Eliopulos in e-book form available, telling
his side of the story.
Sue Keane
