Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781743314821
(Age: 13+) When an American sniffer dog dies, a young Australian
Army handler and his dog are recruited to assist in the rescue of 3
hostages held in a remote location of Afghanistan. With the hostages
safely on the chopper, Prince's handler, Casey, is killed by an
Afghan rocket and the Doberman becomes his best mate's
responsibility. Without food or water, the injured duo attempt to
trek hundreds of miles back to base through an arid, war-torn
landscape. Encounters with villagers, drug growers and the Taliban
are interspersed with Mark's backstory in the rural town, where he
and Casey grew up.
There's a few near misses, hairy escapes and some authentic military
manoeuvres to keep us turning pages, but this is also a
multi-layered novel exploring multiple issues such as drug abuse,
the effects of war, terrorism, mateship, grief, family relationships
and of course, the bond between man and dog.
Boys will love this fast-paced war story which is meaty enough to be
read aloud and studied. In addition, Nowra's candour in describing
Mark's own drug problem, will certainly resonate with teens.
While not a graphic novel, every chapter is ingeniously prefaced by
a cinematic photograph to effectively orientate us and foreshadow
each new action event. At the title suggests, every obstacle or
issue is either resolved at a practical level or massaged, at least
in part, by the symbiotic relationship and loyalty which develops
between a man and his working dog. Perhaps the greatest writer of
true homages to man's best friend, Gary Paulsen, should have written
a foreword?
This is a powerful YA novel for the library shelves but a study
guide for junior secondary students proves a bonanza with
activities to engage the most reluctant class.
Deborah Robins
Rising Star by Scott Prince & Dave Hartley
Deadly D & Justice Jones, Book 2. Magabala Books, 2014.
ISBN 9781922142504
(Age: 10+) Scott Prince admits to his lack of interest in reading
until he picked up magazines devoted to NBA basketball and his
sporting hero, Michael Jordon. He explains in the foreword to this
book that this series is meant to engage the reluctant reader using
rugby league as a 'hook'.
Eleven-year-old Dylan has moved with his family to Brisbane from Mt
Isa. Life is a challenge for him at home and school but his
involvement in sport helps him greatly, particularly when it is
found that he has been cursed - when angry, he becomes like a grown
man. This is obviously a great asset to the game.
Told in the first person present tense, every detail of play is
given, along with some great observations about his team mates,
including a strong anti-bullying stance.
Home is important and Dylan notes the need to care for the natural
environment.
The language is rough at times, but this series has considerable
merit and it is worth consideration by teachers and parents.
Magabala Books has supplied Teachers'
Notes which are available from its website.
Julie Wells
All the bright places by Jennifer Niven
Penguin, 2015. ISBN 9780141357034
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. This contemporary read follows the
relationship between Violet Markey and Theodore Finch, an unlikely
pair who realise they need each other more than they thought. Violet
and Finch first meet at the top of the bell tower at school, where
one of them is planning to jump. One saves the other and their
beautiful yet intense romance starts from there.
Niven paints these two very different characters strikingly. Violet
is the once popular girl at school who has retreated from her
friends and her boyfriend following the loss of her older sister.
Consequently, she cannot wait until graduation when she can leave it
all behind. Finch however, does not care what people think about
him. He is crazy, free, and erratic, but he is on a downward spiral.
Finch comes from a broken home and is suffering silently in ways
that no one can understand; no one but Violet. Whilst Violet is
dealing with her sister's passing; Finch himself is fascinated by
death and explores all the different ways that he could die. This
pair of teenagers find each other when they need someone most, but
it is Violet who must fight to save Finch from his worst enemy;
himself.
In her debut novel, Niven explores the themes of loss, grief,
suicide, and issues surrounding mental health. Despite these topics
being delicate for young adults, Niven touches upon them gently, and
explores how mental disorders and loss can be overcome with help
from loved ones. Fans of John Green's The fault in our stars
and Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park, are bound to lovingly
devour All the bright places.
Emma Gay
The dogs by Allan Stratton
Penguin Books, 2015. ISBN 9780143572596
(Age: 13+) Child abuse. Family breakdown. Truth in
relationships. Mental health. Imagination. Ghosts. Horror. Local
history. Displacement. Cameron and his mother are on the run from
his dad who is violent... or is he? Is Cameron's mum paranoid,
imagining pursuit and the abuse? Leaving schools and friends behind
has for five years been part of Cameron's life and this time they
move to the small Canadian town of Wolf Hollow, renting a creepy old
farmhouse straight out of a horror movie, or Cameron's favourite
computer game 'Zombie attack', complete with a nailed-up
attic, a dark cellar and a legendary ghost. At school Cameron soon
finds out that the previous occupant of the house was killed and
eaten by his dogs. He is taunted and bullied so he retreats into his
own lonely world. When he finds a child's drawings in the cellar
suggesting an abusive father he sets out to find out more about
them. His research reveals a hidden murder which has haunted the
community for years. In Wolf Hollow, Cameron's mother finds a good
job and a caring relationship with Ken, her boss, who is sensitive to
Cameron's situation and they are both very supportive. Cameron
blocks out bad times and worries that he will become like his
father, a conflict which affects his mental health as well as his
ability to form relationships. Is he imagining things or is there
really a ghost boy looking out for him? Cameron misses his Dad and
eventually makes contact with him with disastrous results. The
denouement is horrific but quick, concentrating on positive
outcomes, vindication and the cleansing effect of the truth. Allan
Stratton has previously taken on some tough issues like rape and
terrorism in Chanda's secrets and Borderline; here
he looks at the repercussions when a child is fearful of a parent.
An intelligent and readable story, the first person narrative allows
us insight into a vulnerable, yet brave and determined boy's world
that middle school students would find engaging with much to
identify with.
Sue Speck
Run, Pip, run J. C. Jones
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781743319222
(Age: 10+) Pip's origins are very unclear, even to her. She was
left in an apple crate on Sully's doorstep as a newborn and so he
named her Pip and raised her as his granddaughter. All goes well
until Pip's 10th birthday when just as he is presenting her birthday
cake, Sully has a stroke and falls, ending up in hospital. And
suddenly the police want to know about Pip's family so she can be
cared for while Sully is recuperating.
But Sully has filled Pip's head with stories of the sorts of people
who take in foster kids so there is no way she is going to let them
take her. And so begins an engaging story of how Pip lives on her
wits to keep herself out of their clutches, starting with finding an
empty house that is for sale where she can live in the luxury that
she has never experienced before. Living with Sully means she knows
her way around the local racetracks so she is able to get some money
- she's desperately trying to raise enough for Sully to go to rehab,
thinking it's one of those expensive places where famous people go
to dry out - and the story cracks along as she dodges the
ever-encroaching arms of Senior Constable Molly Dunlop. And then
Sully dies.
This is a story that I would put in the pile of the good, solid read
for those looking for something a little different, an appealing
heroine (who is more like a boy) and a fast-paced but realistic
adventure. It's about love, loyalty, friendship and courage as a
little girl tries desperately to cling onto what she knows and
believes. It is cleverly written so that the reader can understand
Pip's perspective of being independent and invincible but also
appreciate that the adults are trying to do what they know is best
for her - her current life is not sustainable.
If you're looking for a great read-aloud to kickstart Term 2, this
would be it.
Barbara Braxton
Circle, square, moose by Kelly Bingham
Ill. by Paul O. Zelinksy. Andersen Press, 2015. ISBN 9781783441860
(Age: Preschool - K) Books for preschoolers about shapes are not
uncommon but rarely are they as quirky and as much fun to explore as
this one. Each shape in the book is linked to an everyday item but
each explanation is invaded by a moose with a selfie fetish. The
narrator keeps telling Moose that he is in the wrong book but Moose
refuses to leave, even when Zebra tries to chase him away and causes
chaos as he does. The narrator tries valiantly to carry on but the
story is hijacked.
One of the hallmarks of a quality picture book is if you can hear
yourself reading it aloud as you read it alone and this is one of
those. Another hallmark is if you can imagine the child's reaction
as the pages are turned and this is one of those. This is a way of
teaching shapes that will remain with the child for a long time
especially if you encourage them to put themselves in the narrator's
place and get them to suggest and draw other items that could have
been used and how Moose might have got himself into them.
Early childhood teachers will love this one!
Barbara Braxton
Resonance by Celine Kiernan
Allen & Unwin 2015. ISBN 9781743313084
(Age: 14+) Recommended. A dark fantasy set in a remote Irish
village, Resonance is clearly not an everyday read. I would
recommend it to lovers of dark fantasy aged fourteen and over.
The story follows a case of mistaken identity as Joe, a poor cab
driver, is accused of being Mathew by a black man with ominous
glowing eyes. Joe is confident that he will never see Vincent
again, but then he reappears in the theatre district with Lord
Wolcroft. They are searching for performers for an extravaganza.
Meanwhile Mickey the Wretch beats Joe almost to death before Vincent
swoops in and saves him. He says that the only way for Joe to
survive is to return home. In no state to argue, Joe is bundled into
the carriage along with his friend Tina and her boss, Miss Ursula.
Watching all this and unable to stand by, Harry, an American
magician, jumps aboard the carriage, determined to help his friends.
It doesn't take long for Tina to discover Lord Wolcroft's dark
secret. Instead of an extravaganza, they are headed for a feast, and
they are the main course. The friends must work together to prove to
the two men that they are more than just food, and in the process
teach them that change can be for the better.
The book deals with change and the way people cope with it. Some
want it, while others abhor it. The novel is an incredibly detailed
piece and a great feat of the imagination with believable characters
whose determination to succeed is inspiring.
Kayla Gaskell
The toast tree by Corina Martin and Fern Martins
Magabala Books, 2015. ISBN 9781922142689
(Ages: 5-7) Recommended. Grandparents. Imagination. Magic.
Aboriginal family life. Corina Martin grew up in Broome, Western
Australia in the 1960s and used her childhood memories to create The
toast tree. Her grandfather would arrive home after work with
a special treat for Corina and her siblings - golden brown toast
from the toast tree! Fern Martins' watercolour paintings evocatively
capture the family scenes, the sense of wonder and magic described
in the simple story and the richness of the surrounding landscape.
This is a story that celebrates the power of the imagination. Every
night Grandpa brings Ella and Mia a special treat, golden brown
toast he's picked from the toast tree. He's the only one who knows
its secret location. The girls search the sand dunes and bush
without success; they discover one tree with yellow blossoms and
sweet nectar. Grandpa is clever directing the children to find
Grandma fishing near the shore, while he disappears into the bush
for more treats.
This is an uncomplicated gentle story that shows a simpler time,
when children believed in the stories of their grandparents and
their magic.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Palomino Pony comes home by Olivia Tuffin
Nosy Crow, 2014. ISBN 9780857633033
(Age: 10+) Fourteen year-old Georgia is like many girls of her
age - horse crazy. Her greatest joy is when she is caring for
Wilson, the show pony belonging to 17 year-old Sophie who's quite
willing to have the glory of the ribbons from riding well but would
prefer not to get her hands dirty with the stable stuff. So Georgia
willingly steps up spending all her time at the stables wishing she
could have a horse of her own but knowing that since her father
left, it is but a dream. Unfortunately caring for Wilson means
Georgia neglects her studies and she finds herself having to attend
summer school in Wales and not having Wilson to herself as she's
been promised.
But on a geography activity she spots a palomino pony looking
neglected and abandoned in a paddock next to a deserted house. And
so begins her relationship with this beautiful creature which has
run for its life from its cruel owner and which has spawned a new
series including The Palomino Pony wins through, The
Palomino Pony rides out, The Palomino Pony runs free
(due April 2015) and The Palomino Pony on parade (due
September 2015).
Even though she is 14, Georgia is a young 14 and while there is a
hint of romance with Dan, a fellow schoolmate also at summer camp,
this is a very suitable series for those upper primary girls who are
always on the lookout for new books about horses. There's plenty of
action and adventure and the characters are well-drawn. I know Miss
10 will be very keen to get her hands on this series.
Barbara Braxton
I don't like cheese by Hannah Chandler
Ill. by Lauren Merrick. Exisle Publishing, 2014. ISBN 9781921966668
(Age: Preschool - Year 2) What do you do if you're a mouse and you
don't like cheese? Do you starve to death? Or are you lucky like
Mike and live in the house where the Walker family lives and
daughter Ashley brings you a special treat for dinner each night? No
matter what type of cheese Mike's mum gave him, he refused to eat
it. Instead he waited patiently each night for Ashley to bring him
something yummy for his dinner. And each night it was a taste from
somewhere different - meat pie and tomato sauce from Australia on
Monday; tacos on Tuesday; sushi on Wednesday. As well as the food
there was also a little something from the featured country so Mike
could have a little culture with his cuisine.
But on Friday night, along with his French croissants and creme
brulee there was a note from Ashley telling Mike that she is going
on holiday and won't be able to leave him his dinner. What will
Mike do?
This is an appealing story that immediately brought to mind the
amazing celebrations a local school has just had for Harmony Day
where the children got to sample food from so many different
countries, dress in their national costumes and participate in
dance, craft and other activities. It would be the perfect story to
include in those, but it would also make an ideal platform for
investigating just how broad the Australian diet is and the
influence that the cuisine of so many places has on it.
It was written by Hannah Chandler when she was just 11 years old in
response to a challenge from the school principal as she tried to
tempt fussy eaters. From being bound and put into the school's
library collection word spread and this charming professional
picture book is the result. So it could also be used as inspiration
for all the budding writers in your school.
Worth seeking out from http://idontlikecheese.com/the-book/
Barbara Braxton
Thunderstorm dancing by Katrina Germein and Judy Watson
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781743314593
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Weather, Family, Dancing. I found it
hard not to sing this out loud, the music of the words, their rhythm
and rhymes so infectious that my feet were tapping as I read. I can
imagine a class full of kids learning pieces of this and singing it
out loud as it is read over and over. The words take you by storm
(sorry) as the wind and rain descend on the beach shack where the
family is staying. Grandma calls the children inside, and Daddy
plays with the kids, becoming the wind, Tommy prances around like
the clouds and Poppy stamps his feet in time with the thunder. Each
of the family is part of the storm, playing their part in keeping
the story of the storm going while it rages outside. The whole
family makes noise, stamps around the room, dances to the wind and
rain outside, with Granny on the piano. But suddenly it subsides,
everything becomes quiet once again, Granny is the sun and the child
called inside is the rainbow.
This is just delightful, allaying any child's fears of a storm,
giving many children an idea of the words used to describe a storm,
showing the might of a storm and reiterating that it does eventually
calm down and the sun and a rainbow do appear, showing that the end
of the storm has come.
For classes looking at weather this would be a great introduction to
the work, allowing children to recognise the words describing the
weather event and encouraging them to share their own stories of
storms. For dance and looking at rhyming words too, this book is a
must have, and for getting kids to join in, it is just wonderful.
The illustrations by Judy Watson move across the pages with verve
and vigour. The ink outlines filled with colour and watercolour wash
are terrific. I love the spots of white splatter paint denoting the
frothy waves, and the swirls of dancing people on many of the pages,
and the storm sweeping across. And I love the endpapers, the first
with a group of buffeted seagulls holding their own in the rain and
wind, and the last with calm and light as the storm has finished.
I'm sure youger readers will follow the fish, the gulls and the cat
with interest as they randomly appear, and others will follow the
little girl, as she comes in from the storm to cuddle with her dog
on a chair, but gradually feels more at ease with her family's
dancing, until finally she is able to get up and almost join in as
the storm goes away. Loved it all.
Fran Knight
Julius Zebra: Rumble with the Romans by Gary Northfield
Walker, 2015. ISBN 9781406354928
Recommended for readers from 8+. Themes: Zebras - fiction,
Gladiators, Rome - fiction. Julius Zebra's life is rather boring, he
longs for adventure, freedom from his dull existence on the African
plains. He absolutely hates Wednesdays, bath day in the smelliest
watering-hole in the Serengeti! While his mother and older brother
Brutus love bathing in the stinking lake, drinking the disgusting
water and catching up with their zebra friends. How quickly things
change, caught in a trap with a friendly warthog and the fierce
nomadic lion that had been chasing them. Captured by Roman
centurions, the odd trio endures a long sea journey to Rome, where
they are destined to become circus animals at the Colosseum.
Gary Northfield's humorous cartoons showcase Julius's rise to fame,
the fun and games, the struggles as he learns to become a gladiator,
sword fighting and hand to hand combat. This is a laugh out loud
story as the motley band of animals combine their natural animal
instincts with their gladiator training to become strong
competitors. This book follows a similar format to the Horrible
Histories series combining facts about Ancient Rome, Spartacus and
the life of gladiators with funny sketches. The animals' dialogue is
sharp, witty, sarcastic, Cornelius the warthog is a great foil to
Julius's character. A great story to share with a class or share
with a child who enjoys historical fiction
Rhyllis Bignell
Love bomb by Jenny McLachlan
Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN 9781408856093
Betty Plum is a confident and happy teen, secure in her world of
best friends Kat and Bea, BFF Bill, her dad and her cat, Mr Smokey.
But then she turns fifteen and her life suddenly becomes a lot more
complicated.
What happens? Well there is the advent of Tobias Gray who makes her
want to change her never been kissed status. Then there are all the
compromises she's prepared to make to win his approval. Her dad,
after 13 years of happiness with just her and Mr Smokey suddenly has
a girlfriend. Bill and Kat seem to have become BFFs or more and
Betty's not happy about that but doesn't know why and the only one
who can help her make sense of all of this is her mum and she's been
dead for thirteen years and is only available through a series of
fifteen letters - the last one to be opened on Betty's fifteenth
birthday. But did her mum remember her own teens and leave a
lifeline for Betty?
McLachlan has a sure hand in writing of the trials and tribulations
of Betty's fifteenth year. The novel, while fun and often light is
never patronising and possesses subtleties and nuances for the
discerning reader. Overall Love Bomb leaves the reader
feeling happy and optimistic for Betty and the people in her world
and surely that's no small thing.
R. Lange
The Beast of Blackmoor Bog by Kate Forsyth
The Impossible Quest, bk 3. Scholastic Australia, 2015. ISBN
9781743624081
(Age: 9-12)The quest to save Wolfhaven Castle and overthrow Lord
Mortlake continues with mystery, magic and legendary creatures
assisting the four children. The children find that they have no
idea who to trust and that old acquaintances aren't always who they
think they are.
After escaping Witchwood, and some dissention over the best way to
proceed Sebastian and Elanor have come to Crowthorne Castle seeking
the help of Lady Ravenna, leaving Quinn and Tom to look after the
Unicorn and Griffin on the moors. It is not long before the pair
come across Jack Spry, the young thief who spied for Lord Mortlake
and opened the doors to allow the Bog Men into Wolfhaven castle, and
find themselves in the dungeons rather than welcomed by the miserly
Lady Ravenna.
They discover that Lady Ravenna has a financial arrangement with
Lady Mortlake to provide the Bog Men, and that they and the other
prisoners are to be fed to the bog at noon the following day as part
of the Fire Festival. Elanor manages to escape the castle as
Sebastian holds off the guards only to be eventually recaptured.
Meanwhile Quinn finds herself imprisoned by The Beast when she is
betrayed by a girl she meets on the moors while looking for food.
When Tom attempts to find her he is also locked in an oven.
Fortunately Elanor is able to free them before the festivities begin
and they hide in the hopes of rescuing Sebastian.
Another old acquaintance accompanies the procession to the bog,
Wilda the witch, who had helped them previously and whose sight they
had helped restore but who Sebastian discovers was firmly aligned
with the Mortlakes.
Sebastian fears he has been abandoned by his friends but with magic,
bog men, fast growing briars and man eating plants, giant leeches
and a flying dragon skeleton, good triumphs and the quest continues.
Sue Keane
Zafir by Prue Mason
Through my eyes series. Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN
9781743312544
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Having recently arrived in the Syrian city
of Homs, Zafir is relatively naive to the brutal realities of life
under the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and must try to
discover the facts without drawing attention to himself or his
family.
In happier times, Zaffir had lived with his Syrian parents in Dubai,
where his father was employed as a medical doctor and returning to
their homeland has exposed the family to unforeseen danger and
tension.
Set at the beginning of the Syrian uprising, the story tries to
explain how the populace overcame serious censorship and media
control to establish a collective awareness which led to resistance
against the oppressive dictatorship. The complexity of religious
differences between Moslems and Christians, together with
consideration of the political affiliations and influences of
supporters versus opponents of the regime form the basis of the
story. This is a country where to be heard criticising the President
may lead to arrest, torture and murder, hence to be involved in
organising protests as Zafir's uncle does is a dangerous practice.
In the prelude to this social turmoil, Zafir's life is relatively
mundane as he attempts to establish a friendship with Australian
girl Eleni who shares his love of skateboarding and is the daughter
of a visiting Orthodox Christian Priest whose family becomes close
to Zafir's. At school, Zafir's only friend Rami's father is in exile
after speaking out against the regime and the boy educates Zafir
with insight tinged by an understandable hint of paranoia. As Rami
is bullied and maltreated in the schoolyard by the more powerful
loyalist majority, Zafir is forced to make difficult decisions
regarding alliances and justice, mirroring what is happening in the
socio-political sphere.
An interesting feature of the tale is the consideration of social
media in such uprisings. Zafir's mother uses banned Facebook to
learn what is happening elsewhere and becomes vocal in calling for
resistance to the regime. The reader is prompted to evaluate the
potential cost in suffering, especially when online clamoring for
uprising originates from unrealistic idealists or those who are safe
from the consequences. Zafir's father, perhaps more aware of
potential outcomes, urges a more discrete and pragmatic approach,
however when circumstances demand, he responds, facing up to what
could be terrifying possibilities for all his family.
Dramatising the Syrian uprising with historical accuracy precludes
fanciful outcomes, however amongst the grim reality is hope for both
Zafir and his tormented country.
Rob Welsh
