Deadly D and Justice Jones bk 3. Magabala Books, 2015. ISBN
9781925360011
(Age: 8+) The third adventure of Deadly D and Justice Jones will be
much awaited by young fans of Brisbane Bronco, or NRL fans. Whilst
this book is more concerned with a strange circus and believing in
your own ability, I'm sure that the take up rate for the series will
be much, much higher in Rugby loving states.
Dylan is an aboriginal boy who has moved with his mother to Brisbane
from Mt Isa and is secretly Deadly D the latest rugby superstar.
Justice is his Kiwi friend and the only one who knows Dylan's
secret.
In this episode Dylan, aka Deadly D, decides it is time to confess
to his mother that he is not in fact a ball boy for the Brisbane
Broncos as she believes but is really their star player, who has
disappeared from public life. He believes he has given his super
powers to his girlfriend so that she and her alien family could
return to their own planet.
After a strange attempted kidnapping by a pair of clowns, Socks and
Jocks, looking for Dylan to join the BIGTOP circus run by the
Ringmaster, which is really a front for an organisation looking to
harvest Dylan's DNA and clone him for his superpowers, Dylan is
confronted by his mother. She is extremely disappointed that he has
lied to her and immediately sends him home to his Nanna in Mt Isa.
The circus of course follows him to Mt Isa, whilst the media
continues to report the disappearance of Deadly D and the desperate
search by the Broncos and coach Bennett. Justice Jones is enlisted
to help find the star player whilst other school students are
protesting in an effort to get their favourite player to return to
the field.
A trip to the circus arranged innocently by Nanna results in Dylan
having to rescue not only himself but also coach Bennett and Justice
from a deadly stunt arranged by the Ringmaster.
The main message of the story is revealed when Nanna gives Dylan
several pieces of advice which are reiterated by his mother,
'Inspire our people' and 'Remember who you are and where you come
from.'
Sue Keane
Old School by Jeff Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid bk 10. Puffin, 2015. ISBN 9780143309000
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Jeff Kinney's popular series returns for its
tenth instalment in Old School - Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Faithful to the familiar format, Greg Heffley chronicles the ups and
downs, the dramas and difficulties of his everyday existence. Each
page contains hand-written notes on lined paper and quirky cartoon
illustrations that highlight his dilemmas. Loved by millions of fans
around the world, this series has engaged and motivated reluctant
readers and high-interest low-reading age students.
Wimpy Kid Greg Heffley's home life continues to be chaotic:
Grandpa's moved back from the retirement home - owing to financial
concerns - and taken over his bedroom; toddler brother Manny's
toilet training involves no pants after dinner and Mum and Dad are
always reminiscing about times past without technology. Even their
pet pig now wears shorts, walks on his hind legs and has taken over
the spare room, and it has more freedom than Greg does. Dad stresses
over the costs involved in running the household and Rodrick is told
to find a job to pay for petrol money. Rodrick's job as the mascot
for the Old-Timey Ice Cream Parlour leads to some funny incidents.
Mum's cleanup day at the park on No Technology weekend, involves
lemonade stand competitions, Girl Scouts taking charge a group of
teenagers and Community Service teenagers issues.
Greg is happy to return to Middle School, where he signs up to be a
Homework Buddy and help a third-grader named Frew. However,
super-smart Frew takes over and completes all of Greg's homework
instead. The class trip to Hardscrabble Farm for a back to basics
week, test Greg and his best friend Rowley's abilities. No showers,
no deodorant, a fish in the toilet and a final night's adventure
sleeping in a shelter in the woods, provide some of the best and
funniest moments.
Rhyllis Bignell
Icky-Pedia: A dictionary of disgusting new words by Richard Higgins and Matt Kelly
Ill. by Richard Higgins. Penguin Random House Australia, 2015. ISBN
9780143308645
This is the first book published by The Listies, Richard and Matt
known for their comedic performances for both children and adults.
The Ickypedia will be most popular with all readers who are
enamoured with bodily functions. Hopefully they will also become
keen on developing their own words and developing their vocabulary
in order to be able to play with the language.
The dictionary begins with a warning 'Rated S for Stupid'and a
letter from G.R.O.S.S. inspectors Frank Lee Outraged, Fudd E. Duddy
and A. Noid which gives an indication of the gross but witty content
of the book. On first flip through the book there seemed to be an
over abundance of toilet humour and I put it to the bottom of the
pile. On a more in depth reading I found myself thinking 'Of course.
How clever why haven't I thought of that!'
We have all read 'Bedtime Boreys' stories so dull they immediately
send you to sleep, participated in 'Careoke', singing in the car and
had a 'Pastword' a forgotten password. The 16 ways if spelling
orange is an example of the idiosyncrasies of spelling the 'Inglish'
language and the way people pronounce words.
From an extensive list of words, in alphabetical order as all good
dictionaries are, relating to farting, pooing and spewing to
inventive plays on words there is something to tweek the imagination
of all readers of all ages. The cartoon style illustrations add
meaning to words and assist in understanding the definition given.
If of course you are confused with all the words there is another
outrageous book within the book. Below the dotted line is The
Counting Book in very small letters. This cleverly includes
the page numbers within the story line which doesn't really make
sense but is good fun nevertheless.
If Icky-pedia encourages my students to be more interested
in playing with words it can only be a good thing, despite the icky
bits!
Sue Keane
Queen Victoria's Christmas by Jackie French
Ill. by Bruce Whatley. HarperCollins, 2014. ISBN 9780732293581
Strange things are happening at the Palace, things that have the
Palace dogs
puzzled. There's baking and decorating, people singing, crackers
that rip and
make a big noise, and the dogs themselves are being subjected to all
sorts of
indignities. Then the weirdest thing arrives - an enormous green
tree that is
placed in a pot. What can a dog so with that? Not what dogs usually
do to
trees, that's for sure.
But at last the doors are opened and all is revealed. Well, almost.
The
greatest surprise comes when the dogs do what dogs do and have the
most
marvellous payback for their inglorious suffering.
Once again the talents of Jackie French and Bruce Whatley have
combined to bring
a funny, charming story that paves the way for investigating the
origins of so
many of our Christmas traditions that were brought here from a very
different
time, place and climate as people tried to cling to the vestiges of
what they
knew as they pioneered a strange, new land. Cards, crackers, paper
hats,
Christmas puddings and cakes and the magnificently decorated tree
were all part
of the British Christmas and they have been woven into this story in
rhyme in a
delightful way. Whatley's illustrations which mirror the style and
shades of the
time are perfectly perfect.
A wonderful story and a wonderful starter for a timely inquiry.
Barbara Braxton
Shooting at the Stars: the Christmas Truce of 1914 by John Hendrix
Abrams Books, 2014. ISBN 9781419711756
Amongst all the stories of horrors that have emerged from World War
1 and which have been at the forefront of much of what our students
have learned this year, comes a beautiful, true story of hope and
heroes.
By November 1914, it was clear that the war was not going to be over
by Christmas which was a common belief of those who marched off to
serve in those very early days. And so as seasons turn to winter and
snow and sleet and rain bring more mud and disease to the exhausted
troops in the trenches often only separated by a few yards from the
enemy, unofficial truces began to happen - part of the "etiquette of
war" of the professional soldier of the time. The wounded were
recovered, the dead were buried, trenches were shored up and there
was even banter and barter between the opposing sides. According to
the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zxsfyrd
on Christmas Eve the German's lines were dotted with Christmas trees
and candles and eventually the two sides started singing carols. The
next day there were spontaneous football games and while there was
much anger from the High Command because they feared mutiny, the
stories have endured.
Based on primary sources, Shooting at the Stars is the story
of Charlie, a young British soldier of the time written in a letter
to his mother and accompanied by the most evocative illustrations.
Rain has turned the trenches to thick, heavy mud and rats fight the
soldiers for the meagre food rations. However while thick frost
stabilises things on Christmas Eve it is also very cold so the
troops chance a fire to keep warm. As they step outside they hear
singing - from the German trenches which are festooned with tiny
Christmas trees lit with candles. And so begins the retelling of
this remarkable night when the true spirit of Christmas was
celebrated. War had taken a holiday. The dead were buried,
photographs taken, mementos exchanged, even an impromptu football
game with an old biscuit tin. And even though the high-ups are
furious and order the soldiers to load their rifles ready to fire on
those they had spent the day with, quite possibly they would shoot
at the stars.
Beautifully designed, this emotional story is accompanied by
historical notes, a glossary, an index and a bibliography making it
more for the older reader but also very accessible for those a
little younger. It shows a human side to a horrible conflict, one
that brings the soldiers of both sides into focus rather than just
being faceless, unknown and almost invisible. Some of the images are
available at http://www.abramsbooks.com/product/shooting-at-the-stars_9781419711756/
and combined with the subject, the text and the layout, the package
is a most powerful story.
Barbara Braxton
When I grow up by Andrew Daddo
Ill. by Jonathan Bentley. ABC Books, 2015. ISBN 9780733333415
(Age: 4+) Recommended, Humour, Vocation, School. When the teacher
asks the class what they want to be when they grow up, each child
tells of their dreams. One wants to be a hairdresser, snipping those
goldie locks, one looks at being an astronaut, one a writer, another
a pirate or secret agent.
Each child offers a range of possibilities, dreaming of their
future, going off into space, singing on the stage, and each double
page introduces their dream, with a following double page showing
what may happen to them. Each is very funny, inviting the readers to
look more closely at the illustrations drawn with a cheeky child
like technique, with lots of quirky additions to seek out. The
secret gent for example has a double page where the idea is
introduced. The teacher writes the words on the board, the child
dons dark glasses and the next page shows a range of disguises he
might use, sitting at the mirror. Over the page he opens his
raincoat to reveal a range of gadgets, but his Mum comes along and
takes him home.
In a couple of double pages the author presents an imaginative
recreation of what that career may entail and shows some of the
implements used by that worker, while adding a level of humour at
the end. Readers will laugh out loud at the techniques used by this
boy and learn a little about the work done by secret agents on TV
and film. The illustrations underline what is going on in the text,
and add familiarity to each section with the class sitting at the
blackboard. A laugh out loud read for junior primary classes with
Daddo's familiar infectious humour coupled with Bentley's versatile
imagination.
Fran Knight
Monsters by Emerald Fennell
Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN 9781471404627
(Age: 16+) Recommended for people who like dark thrillers. Murder.
Horror. Abuse. In the idyllic Cornish town of Fowey, the body of a
young woman is found in fishing nets to the horror of the
townspeople, but the delight of the young 12 year old girl who is
obsessed with reading about murders. When Miles Giffard comes to the
hotel where she is staying with her aunt and uncle, they begin to
investigate and sneak out of the hotel to play out murder scenes.
Then another murder is committed and even though someone is arrested
they are certain he is not the murderer.
The horror of the events are a stark contrast to the picture perfect
town of Fowey, where Daphne du Maurier once lived, and readers may
well be encouraged to pick up her novels to find out about them. The
suspense of who is killing off young women will keep mystery
aficionados enthralled, and a terrifying conclusion could well lead
to nightmares in this compulsive read.
Although narrated in often a comic and heart-rending way by a 12
year old girl and with a cover that could indicate it is for a young
adult audience, this is not a story for young teens. There are many
dark themes, including child abuse and neglect on one hand with the
young narrator and on the other hand a mother pandering and
over-indulging the young boy, Miles, who is not allowed to behave
like a normal 12 year old boy. Indeed all the adults in the novel
are either monsters or highly unlikeable but so well described that
they come alive on the page. Uncle Frederick would be one of the
most horrible characters I have read about for a long time, while
Jean the long term boarder at the hotel, Winny the hotel maid and
Miles' mother are also detestable. The down trodden Aunt Maria and
Dorothea, Jean's companion elicit some sympathy from the reader. The
narrator pulls at the heart strings - she has been orphaned in a
horrible way, is unloved and unwanted, but highly intelligent and
needy. Miles too has not been fortunate, with a needy mother who
hasn't given him a normal home.
Readers will learn much about manipulation and power plays while
being taken on a roller coaster ride of murder and corruption.
Pat Pledger
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Ill. by Rebecca Dautremer. Hodder Children's Books, 2015. ISBN
9781444930207
(Age: all) Highly recommended, Classics, Fantasy, Illustrative
technique. 2015, the anniversary of the publication of the classic
tale, Alice in Wonderland, is celebrated by Hodder with this
large beautifully illustrated book destined to be a classic in
itself.
The unabridged original story is there for new and returning
readers, but presented with illustrations that threaten to drag the
eyes away from the text. I reread the book, half remembering old
stories read to me as a child, half remembering incidents from
various books and film versions read and seen over the years, but
hooked by the timeless tale of a girl taking a risk as she follows
the White Rabbit down a long dark hole.
The familiar characters are there to entreat the readers, the
adventure luring readers in as they follow Alice through a myriad of
dreamlike sequences, the poems found there to be read out loud and
read over again until lines are learnt.
The outstanding illustrations by Dautremer will make the reader gasp
with excitement. One of Carroll's photos of the original Alice is in
the back of the book, not the blonde girl often seen in
illustrations drawn for the many publications of this book, but a
brunette, used in this book to stunning effect. From the front cover
showing long tendrils of hair falling over Alice's face to the last
page, Alice is magnificently different. We see her sitting on the
sofa at the start of her adventure, then seeming to wake on the last
page as it finishes. After drinking the bottle with 'drink me'
written on it, she grows to gigantic proportions and is illustrated
from the angle of her feet, looking up to her head now dangerously
close to the roof. This unusual perspective is one of many, as the
characters are depicted off centre, and some given an intense
closeup while others are depicted in ways unseen before. I love the
caterpillar (p 50), and the gardeners painting the roses red (p 85),
I adore the Red Queen (p 118) and the frequent pencil images. The
panoply of stilts throughout the story is a recurring theme: stilts
on which many creatures teeter (p 115-6), to the long trunks of the
mushrooms (p 56-7) and Alice's long neck (p 58), the flamingo's long
legs (p 91) and the long legs of the chairs at the table for the Mad
Hatter's tea party (p 78-9) all often draw the eyes from the bottom
of the page to the top. The illustrations dwarf those found in other
renditions of this book, and create a magnificent tome to celebrate
the sesquicentenary of its publication.
I imagine many children will receive this for Christmas, and
libraries will put it on display in pride of place to promote and
enhance their collection of classic tales and to showcase the
prodigious talents of this illustrator.
For those in Victoria a display has been mounted to celebrate
Alice's sesquicentenary at the museum.
Fran Knight
Christmas at Grandad's farm by Clare Saxby
Ill. by Janine Dawson. Five Mile Press, 2015. ISBN 9781743463789
A double dose of fun with these two titles that bring back memories
of fabulous family get-togethers at Christmas. No one does Christmas
quite like grandparents and in Christmas at Grandad's Farm
the family arrives at the farm all ready for the iconic Australian
bush holiday complete with dust and flies and the fun of the
favourite swimming hole in the creek. Set to the tune of Jingle
Bells, it rollicks along through the day and into the night
where it's hard to go to sleep because of all the excitement.
In the sequel Christmas at Grandma's Beach House more fun
and memories abound as the whole family gathers at the beach to the
tune of Twelve Days of Christmas. Uniquely Australian, it
celebrates all the wonderful things that a beach holiday brings and
instantly connects to so many in its audience.
The bright cartoon-style illustrations are just perfect, evoking a
sense of freedom and fun and friendship, and while the theme of both
books is iconic images of a Down-Under Christmas, nevertheless the
colours and little details give a nod to the more traditional
elements that set this time of the year apart from other holiday
times.
There are many Australianised versions of Christmas, often set to
the tune of those traditional songs, but these two with their
connections to activities and memories that so many are familiar
with will really be enjoyed again and again as part of the festive
season.
Barbara Braxton
Wolf by Wolf Ryan Graudin
Wolf by Wolf duology, bk 1. Hachette, 2015. ISBN
9781780622026
Recommended for 14 years olds and above. It's 1956 and has been 10
years since the Third Reich and Imperial Japan won the war,
seventeen year old Yael who escaped the Nazi death camp, is about to
undertake her first mission, the one she has been trained the last 3
years for, to kill Hitler. Yael, a survivor of painful human
experimentation who has the power to change her appearance into
anyone she chooses, must complete her mission by entering the Axis
Tour: an annual motorcycle race across the world from Berlin to
Tokyo impersonating last year's only female victor, Adele Wolfe.
With her mind totally focused on the race she doesn't need the
distraction of Adele's twin brother Felix and Adele's former love
interest Luka both entering the competition. She must decide whether
these two can become allies or enemies.
I was so not excited to read this book - it was a case of judging
the book by its cover, however before long I was well into the third
chapter and really enjoying it!! The story is written in the past
and the now but easy to follow the timeline of the plot. It is fast
paced with many 'edge of your seat' moments. The characters all had
so much depth to them including the other racers who didn't become
faceless competitors. I really loved her relationships with both
Felix and Lowe and even the interactions between themselves. And I
really loved the twist at the end!!!! I can't wait to see how the
sequel will turn out. Recommended for fans of The Hunger Games,
Valkyrie, The Scorpio Races, The Maze Runner,
Code Name Verity and X-Men.
Jody Holmes
Ask me anything (heartfelt answers to 65 anonymous questions from teenage girls) by Rebecca Sparrow
University of Queensland Press, 2015. ISBN 9780702253874
Recommended. (Age: 12+) Rebecca Sparrow is a journalist, novelist,
philanthropist and parent who understands the challenges of
adolescence. Ask me anything is the third book in which she aims to
reassure teenage girls that they are not alone in wondering how to
cope with some of life's most troubling issues.
In her introduction, the author explains that when she speaks to
school groups, she asks students to record their concerns
anonymously. The result is a range of honest questions about
subjects as varied as maintaining friendships, bullying, self-harm,
eating disorders, sexual orientation and bereavement. Rebecca
Sparrow responds respectfully and thoughtfully to each question,
drawing not only on her own experiences and emotional intelligence
but also on the wisdom of twenty-one experts in the field of women's
health and well-being. The questions and answers have been organised
into four broad categories - Friendship, Life, Love and Family. They
are followed by a list of recommended print resources as well as
websites of organisations offering telephone support to those who
need to discuss their problems with a trusted advisor. A summary of
the qualifications and professional roles of each of the experts
consulted indicates the seriousness with which the author has
approached her task. Members of Rebecca Sparrow's target audience
will find her writing style frank, informal and engaging, while the
adults who care for them may be heartened by the author's evident
sense of responsibility for her readers' welfare.
In a complex society, young adults often need understanding and
guidance about emotional and social issues. Ask me anything aims to
respond to that need with mature, well-considered and empathetic
advice.
Elizabeth Bor
Anzac Boys by Tony Bradman
Barrington Stoke, 2015. ISBN 9781781124345
It is 1906 and following the death of their mother, 12-year-old Bert
finds himself in a Catholic orphanage in London with his younger
brother Frank. Life is tough, hard and cruel with the boys living in
fear of both the bullies and the priests. One day, not long after
they arrived, they are summoned to Father Murphy's office - a place
where a visit never ends well. As they go in great trepidation, Bert
tells Frank that no matter what he will take care of him - words
that come to haunt him for a very long time.
However, instead of being in trouble the boys are informed that they
are being shipped to Australia as part of a scheme where British
orphanages provided boys to work on the farms of Western Australia.
The voyage to this new land is pretty much without incident and
lifelong friends are made, but, to their dismay, on their arrival
the boys are separated. Bert eventually discovers that Frank has
been sent to New Zealand but because "a clean break' is seen as the
best way to cope with the separation he is not allowed to know where
Frank is and cannot contact him. Throughout the harsh years that
follow, he tries to find him but is thwarted at every turn. When he
turns 16 Bert receives a letter summarily dismissing him from the
care of the orphanage and is completely left to his own devices,
unwanted as the farm labourer he has been because there are plenty
more free boys where he came from.
Still determined to find Frank, he heads for Perth and is soon swept
up in the recruitment of men for the war. Meeting up with other
mates also dismissed from the orphanage, this big new adventure
beckons and before long Bert is on his way to Egypt where he meets a
New Zealand soldier - one who wants nothing to do with him until
they confront something bigger than both of them.
Bradman has taken his inspiration for this story from the words of
the classic, haunting song And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda
by Eric Bogle bringing it to life in a very different way. It is
written in such a way that the reader gains a real insight into what
life was like for many young lads at the time and why going to war
was such an enticing alternative but which became a horrible
reality. Throughout there is a sense of hope that the brothers will
meet again and reconcile but within it there is a strong tale of
growing up, maturing and learning who you are. And being able to act
on that when push comes to shove and your brother's life is on the
line.
Specifically written and produced to fit within the publisher's
parameters of 'dyslexic friendly', it will appeal to a wide
audience and is a most worthy addition to any collection focusing on
the 100th anniversary of this important event in Australia's
history.
Barbara Braxton
The nutcracker by Hoffman, retold by Margrete Lamond
Ill. by Ritva Voutila. Little Hare Books, 2015. ISBN 9781742977782
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended, Classic tale, Friendship, Christmas.
When her parents' good friend, Mr Drosselmeier gives Marie and her
brother a nutcracker for Christmas, Marie loves the little figure.
Her impatient brother throws it in the corner when one of his big
teeth is cracked, but Marie cradles him and puts him in the special
place with her other toys.
Unbeknownst to her, Mr Drosselmeier has given the figure to Marie
for a reason, one he cannot tell anyone. He once built a mousetrap
so well that all the mice in the town had been trapped and removed
from the place. The mice then cursed his nephew and only he knows
what can take away that curse.
When Marie is about to go to bed, mice invade the room with her
toys, demanding she feed them or they will eat up her nutcracker.
She complies but when she runs out of food, she turns to see the
nutcracker and the other toys lined up to defeat the mice. A
grateful nutcracker leads her up the stairs where he disappears.
She wakes the next morning, confused and upset to see that her
nutcracker has gone. But Mr Drosselmeier returns that day with his
nephew and Marie realises who he is and takes him as her friend.
This beautiful story of friendship is complemented with Voutila's
magical illustrations, representing a rich Victorian scene with an
amazing array of fabrics, furniture, food, toys, jewelry and
wallpaper to take in. Each page is covered in little things to pick
out, each page adds a sumptuous background to the tale.
This is a beautiful story to read at Christmas, reminding children
that love and friendship are precious and will outlive all the toys
they are given, although the wonderful illustrations will have
children astonished at the range of presents given these children.
Fran Knight
The Christmas Peg by Cameron Williams
Ill. by Matthew Martin. Viking/Penguin, 2015. ISBN 9780670078363
Every child knows that Santa has a Naughty and Nice list, but even
that didn't deter Wal from being naughty. Time and again he got
himself into trouble and when Santa found him on his Naughty List he
had to dive into his sack and take the helicopter that could really
fly that Wal was going to get out and give it to someone else.
Imagine Wal's disappointment as he raced downstairs before the sun
to discover that his Santa Sack held only a wooden peg.
The next year wasn't much better. Even though he tried to be good
all year, it was impossible and once again his name was on THAT
list. So while his big sister Laura rode her shiny new bike, Wal had
only a picture of a peg. Angry and sad, the following year he gave
up even trying to be nice and when Santa saw his name for a third
year in a row, he was really angry too and this time there was
nothing in Wal's sack at all! Can Wal learn his lesson? Can he
redeem himself?
This story was created by Channel 9 personality Cameron Williams as
a cautionary bedtime tale for his daughter but when his neighbour,
illustrator Matthew Martin, heard it he urged Williams to turn it
into a book. The result of the collaboration is a charming story
that will resonate with children who are trying to be good as
Christmas approaches as they realise that Santa really is watching
and he does check that list.
Barbara Braxton
The Little Book of Australia's Big Things by Samone Bos
Chirpy Bird, 2015. ISBN 9781760125547
Australians love road trips and as much as they love road trips they
love to visit the phenomena of BIG Things. From the Big Banana at
Coffs Harbour to the Big Merino in Goulburn, to a ginormous
sculpture of Ned Kelly in Euroa, this is an entertaining book that
will provide young readers with a list of must-visit destinations.
Each icon has a three-page spread that provides quick facts about it
as well as craft activities and a pop-out model. For example the Big
Trout in Adaminaby, NSW suggests that the reader makes some fish
bait from cheese, bread and breakfast cereal or even salmon eggs,
corn and marshmallow! Must get hubby to try that next time we are
there at Lake Eucumbene - it may attract what usually eludes him
with more traditional lures!
With its lively illustrations, this is a celebration of Australiana
and the inside of the book jacket brings them all together
perfectly. It's a perfect introduction to this country of ours as
many of the children will connect with some of the places and want
to share their experiences. Different and fun!
Barbara Braxton
