Chicken House, 2015. ISBN 9781910002131
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. The theme of children facing terminal
illness has been explored in other novels recently but this one
deserves consideration as a lovely story with realistic characters
and an authentic plot.
Sick of treatment, sick of relapses and sick of the pain and illness
caused by cancer, Mark is fed up and feels that it is time to die
after climbing Mount Rainier, a challenge which he and his late
Grandfather had dreamed of achieving. Such a story could easily
degenerate into a morbid and hopeless portrayal of a child's fear
and desperation or a traumatic examination of emotional torment felt
by family and friends contemplating loss. Not so in this novel. The
main character possesses wisdom, ingenuity and stoicism which
enables him to press on against adversity and the presence of his
brave and faithful little dog provides comic relief and the desire
to cheer.
The author has clearly not intended this tale to be a wallowing,
heart wrenching ordeal for the reader. There is a great deal of
emphasis placed upon goodness, shown in the devotion by parents, the
innocent, guaranteed love from his best friend, the unconditional
trust from his dog and the kindness shown by strangers, sometimes at
a cost. There is no shying away from the truth however and it is
made clear from the start that Mark believes he will die. It is
important to emphasise that there is no suggestion of suicide,
rather it is acknowledged that grave illness and severely dangerous
environmental factors make it likely that he will not return.
The clever methods used by the child to travel great distance and
his strategies to overcome problems are believable, as are the
reactions and behaviours by loved ones and authorities as they try
locate the young boy. I liked the style of alternate chapters
narrating Mark's exploits in the first person versus third person
descriptive passages explaining what is happening to Mark's parents
and his best friend Jessie, printed in a different font. Chapter
numbers are quirky with Mark's having whole numbers and the
alternate perspective chapters being assigned half numbers, a
statement which underlines that for Mark, it is about trying to slow
time down, to delay the inevitable and stretch his allotted days to
accomplish his dream.
The engaging characters and exciting plot makes this a great read
which avoids undue distress whilst dealing with a painful topic.
Rob Welsh
Frida and Bear by Anthony Browne and Hanne Abartholin
Walker Books, 2015. ISBN 9781406353990
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Frida and Bear both love to draw, but
sometimes they have trouble thinking of a topic. So Frida draws a
shape for Bear who adds to it and turns it into puppy. Bear then
draws a shape and Frida uses her creativity to turn it into a big
fish. Together the two have great fun using their imaginations to
play the Shape Game which Anthony Browne introduced when he was the
UK Children's Laureate.
This is a delightful book that celebrates art and the power of the
imagination. Browne's prose is short and succinct and the print
would be suitable for the beginning reader. The introduction of
Browne's signature gorilla one page will enthral the reader who is a
fan of Browne's Willy books.
Any child (or adult) will have great fun looking at a shape and
turning it into something else. Using pieces of scrap paper or
objects found in the garden or at the sea as the initial shapes will
also motivate the creative mind to come up with some fabulous
pictures as Hanne Abartholin shows in her whimsical and memorable
illustrations. Children would really enjoy making their own shapes
or finding some in the world around and then sharing with a partner
to come up with some wonderful ideas.
The Shape Game is a really interesting, creative and fun way of
using the imagination and this book that illustrates how it works
would be invaluable to have in a library, classroom or home.
Pat Pledger
The shadow cabinet by Maureen Johnson
The shadow cabinet by Maureen Johnson Shades of London Bk 3. Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN
9781471401800
(Age 14+) Recommended. Mystery. Thriller. Ghosts. Rory feels all
alone. Stephen has been taken from her and Charlotte her classmate
is missing, taken by the same people who tried to kidnap her. She
has left school and is now an important weapon in the secret
government unit that Stephen was involved with. There is danger in
London and something called The Shadow Cabinet seems to hold the key
to the mysteries that Rory needs to uncover.
Johnson sets a crackling pace with ghosts in Highgate Cemetery and
strange supernatural occurrences and cults. Her opening chapter is
set in December 1973 and relates the diabolical ritual that the
twins Sid and Sadie, assisted by Jane have instigated. This sets the
tone for the novel and the themes of life and death for the
remainder of the book permeate the story.
Sid and Sadie would have to be among the scariest characters that I
have read about in YA fiction and take this story into the horror
realm which will delight fans of Johnson, who has been voted Queen
of Teen in the UK and who certainly writes relatable characters.
Rory continues to grow as she faces new challenges and Callum and
Boo persist in intriguing and making the reader want to find out
their back stories. With the introduction of Freddie who has been
communicating with Stephen and following him around London, Johnson
provides the reader with interesting information about the Shadow
Cabinet and the rites that Sid and Sadie may have been involved
with. For fans of the series Johnson has provided Stephen's
backstory, The
boy in the smoke, at the Wattpad website.
This is an enjoyable read and fans of the series will be anxiously
waiting the climax in the fourth and last book.
Pat Pledger
You are (NOT) small by Anna Kang
Ill. by Christopher Weyant. Hachette, 2014. ISBN 9781444918304
Highly recommended for 3-6 year olds. Husband and wife team Anna
Kang and Christopher Wayant won the ALA's 2015 Theodor Seuss Geisel
Award award for the most distinguished beginning reader book with You
Are (Not) Small!
Anna Kang looks at size perception in a uniquely simple way. Two
furry creatures meet and disagree on just who is big and who is
small. Each state their observation plainly, and as they are joined
more of their own kind, they become more vocal.
The larger orange and yellow fuzzy animals shout, 'You are all
small!'
The smaller grey and purple creatures reply, 'You are all big!'
The argument is halted by a BOOM! A huge green hairy foot appears,
both groups are surprised when tiny pink creatures parachute in to
join the fun.
Christopher Weyant is a cartoonist for the New Yorker. He translates
his understanding of the young audience in his simple illustrations
they are bold, expressive and humorous. This is a great read aloud
story, an exciting reader's theatre and is a great tool for teaching
expression and punctuation.
Rhyllis Bignell
Digger, the dog who went to war by Mark Wilson
Lothian, 2015. ISBN 9780734415745
(Age: 7+) Recommended. War, World War One, Animals, Animals in war,
Friendship. Mark Wilson has the knack of distilling a story into its
bare bones making it accessible to a younger audience, but also
nourishing those older students picking up this book.
With the tale of a small dog smuggled aboard a troop carrier headed
for Europe during World War One, Wilson adds to the many stories of
animals in war that have appeared in recent years. Digger
accompanies his friend, Matthew, a stretcher bearer, adding another
level of knowledge to the readers as they absorb the tasks carried
out by these men. They share the knife edge existence of the
soldiers, risking their own lives to spend days and nights going
into the battlefield to retrieve wounded and dying men. Early in the
story we are shown the men fashioning a small gas mask for the dog
and this figures prominently later in the tale.
Digger accompanies his master doing his work, always there to help
the wounded pull through adding a level of comfort to those brought
back.
This most touching of stories has illustrations to match. Wilson has
a recognisable style using a variety of techniques to augment the
emotional tone of the story. Oil on board and canvas along with
etchings reveal and complement the story. I spent a long time
pouring over the battle scenes, taking in the detail, absorbing the
emotional impact of these drawings.
In a class or library this adds to the array of books being
published giving an insight into the horrors of war and the small
things which added comfort to the men deployed. The story is based
on a true tale of a dog smuggled overseas, and is one of many
researched and offered in books recently.
For further stories of animals in war, see The Literature Base,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (Animals in war, by Fran Knight), Animal
heroes (Anthony
Hill, whose page has an excellent website giving more stories)
and M is for mates (Australian War Memorial, with an
excellent website
accompanying the book)
Fran Knight
Unspeakable by Abbie Rushton
Atom, 2015. ISBN: 9780349002064.
(Ages 15+) Highly recommended. 'Megan doesn't speak. She hasn't
spoken in months. Pushing away the people she cares about is just a
small price to pay. Because there are things locked inside Megan's
head - things that are screaming to be heard - that she cannot, must
not, let out. Then Jasmine starts at school: bubbly, beautiful,
talkative Jasmine. And for reasons Megan can't quite understand,
life starts to look a bit brighter. Megan would love to speak again,
and it seems like Jasmine might be the answer. But if she finds her
voice, will she lose everything else? Some secrets are too dangerous
to be told.' (Publisher)
I don't think I can ever stop recommending this novel. I thought I
knew what I was getting into when I started reading Unspeakable,
but within a few chapters I was captivated and riveted. I could not
stop reading. Abbie Rushton did an amazing job telling Megan's
story. Looking through Megan's eyes and reading her thoughts were
outstanding and absolutely heartbreaking. The growth of Megan within
the story was astonishing. I was left a horrible emotional wreck
after reading it but it just made me love this novel even more so.
Cecilia Richards
Big Game by Dan Smith
Chicken House, 2015. ISBN: 9781909489943
(Age: 12+) Oskari is 13 years old and embarking on an ancient test
of manhood (the Trial) in a remote mountain area in Finland. Armed
with a bow and arrow he must survive the night and return with the
animal he kills. This animal will symbolize who he will become as a
man. Oskari is small for his age and lacks confidence in his
abilities. He is unable to pull back the string of the huge
ceremonial bow that he must use.
Oskari has hardly begun his night in the wilderness before the sky
is lit with explosions and Oskari finds a steel pod. The person
inside is revealed to be the President of the United States. The
action starts and the book becomes a real page turner with Oskari
and the President running for their lives: jumping off a waterfall;
finding a severed animal head; hanging from a helicopter; and
swimming through a crashed plane.
Oskari relies on his skills as a hunter to save the President and
himself from the terrorists who pursue them and return to the Place
of the Skulls a hero.
This book will be a real hit with readers who love adventure
stories. The book is based on the movie written and directed by
Jamari Helander. The movie (starring Samuel L. Jackson) will be
released in May.
Linda Guthrie
I was here by Gayle Forman
Simon & Schuster, 2015. ISBN 9781471124396
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. 'I regret to inform you that I have
had to take my own life'.
Cody is learning the difference between a memorial service, a vigil
and a prayer circle. Her best friend Meg, with whom she has shared
everything, has let her know by time-delay email that she has
already taken her own life.
Survivor guilt leads Cody on a journey, bravely searching for a way
to explain the incomprehensible. Cody discovers Meg's other life
that had been kept secret from her and Meg's family. The boy who
broke Meg's heart (Tragic Guitar Hero) and an encrypted file on
Meg's computer open the door to solving the mysteries and finding
'someone to blame'.
This is a powerful and well written novel that sensitively explores
the issue of suicide and the impact on survivors. This book is
highly recommended as it optimistically invites the reader to
consider the complexities of suicide and depression, along with the
role of family, friends and bystanders in supporting individuals who
are suffering from depression.
The author's note at the back of the book explains the inspiration
for this novel (a young woman named Suzy) and includes a link to
support materials. The movie rights to this novel have already been
negotiated with New Line.
Linda Guthrie
Magpie learns a lesson by Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina
Ill. by Tania Erzinger. Scholastic, 2015. ISBN 9781742990590
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Cautionary tale, Aboriginal themes, Jealousy,
Friendship. From the cover readers will know that Magpie does
something she perhaps should not have done and has learnt to be more
circumspect about her behaviour. The strongly illustrated front
cover too will draw in the readers to turn the page as the bold
colours entice their curiosity.
Magpie is jealous of her friend the Brown Falcon because of his
ability to fly so high and see so far. Magpie decides to play a
trick on her friend and wriggles a rope in the grass so that the
Falcon thinks it is a snake.
Magpie laughs at Falcon and does not learn her lesson. She then puts
a pile of dead bugs and insects by the waterhole and again, Falcon
sweeps down to eat. Again, Magpie fools him. When Magpie pretends to
be dying, to lure Falcon down to the ground, Falcon becomes wary of
her tricks and flies away to another part of the woodland. But
Magpie gets caught in a hunter's net and so must call out for help.
This is a cautionary tale told many times in many different
countries of the world, in many different ways. This tale is told
with an Aboriginal ambience that is hard to resist. The animals
depicted are set against the backdrop of the Australian bush with
charming naive illustrations by Tania Erzinger who also illustrated
Sally Morgan's Feast for wombat (2014). Children will love
to find the animals depicted and look closely at the insects and
flora shown in the sweeping blocks of colour while contemplating the
themes of friendship, jealousy, tricking and reconciliation.
Fran Knight
Clementine Rose and the ballet break in by Jacqueline Harvey
Random House, 2015. ISBN 9781742757575
(Age: Yr 2+) Just in time to delight all her fans is the latest adventure of Clementine Rose, who is
so like the readers she so appeals to. This time, with her ballet
lessons having finally begun, Clementine's dance class has been
invited to perform at the reopening of the village hall. And like so
many young girls, she discovers that ballet is not all about tutus
and dancing elegantly en pointe. In addition to those issues,
there's trouble between Angus and Joshua when Joshua discovers Angus
is involved in the ballet and thinks he is a sissy-pants. An
incident occurs in a soccer game that might put the whole
performance in jeopardy.
Miss 8 Loves this series and disappeared for a couple of hours with
this one in hand, devouring it in one read! Like many girls of her
age she dreams of being a ballerina but she also likes the realism
of the stories too. As one who has been involved in 'boy-sports'
since she was little, she relates to Angus's dilemma although she
was bewildered that these gender divides still exist. This sparked a
lot of discussion and shows that this series has a lot of substance
in the storylines.
If you don't yet have this series in your collection, then its
addition would make you a hero of all those who are just emerging as
independent readers still requiring the supports that early 'chapter
books' offer but who want realistic, relatable characters and a
sound, engrossing storyline. There are some teacher
notes and activities at that suggest a Clementine Rose
literary lunch to me!
Barbara Braxton
Knockabout cricket by Neridah McMullin
Ill. by Ainsley Walters. One Day Hill (distributed by Scholastic)
2015. ISBN 9780992439736
(Age: 6+) Australian themes. Aboriginal themes. Cricket. Historical
themes. There are a few picture books being published at the moment
with a brief introduction to the topic at hand and aimed at lower to
middle primary students, with illustrations adding to the non-fiction text. Random House series, simply called, Meet...,
is one such series having different authors produce brief texts for
younger readers. This series includes picture books about Mary
McKillop, Ned Kelly and Douglas Mawson.
With this series from Scholastic, a brief fictionalised story of an
incident or person is given alongside some boxes of facts, which
with a naive style of illustration seems to be aimed at generally
the same group of readers. The first in this series, Burning the
bails, the story of the Ashes (Krista Bell, and Ainsley
Walters, 2014) showed the story surrounding the famous Ashes, the
result of rival cricket teams battling it out between England and
Australia.
With Knockabout cricket, McMullin gives us a story of Johnny
Mullagh from a station in Western Victoria. He was a cricketer and
represented Australia in an Aboriginal cricket team which toured
England in 1868, a game he played until his death in 1891.
A footnote in history is brought to life for younger readers who
will appreciate McMullin's succinct style and Walters' naive
illustrative technique. The spotlight is centred on this man who few
people know about and this book will give his story a wider
audience. And it may spur some readers to look further for
information about Johnny Mullagh.
Fran Knight
Frankie Fox girl spy: Ready set spy by Yvette Poshoglian
Hachette Australia, 2015. ISBN 9780734415684
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Frankie Fox isn't like other girls.
She rides motorbikes, goes kayaking and is training herself to be a
spy. Her father is a famous scientist, her housekeeper might not be
the loving friend Frankie thought and she is pretty sure the school
bus driver just tried to kill her. When Frankie and her friend JJ
try and visit her dad on Fortress Island they are taken by soldiers,
soldiers claiming to be fighting against the evil Alliance group.
Where is Frankie's dad? Who has kidnapped him? Why is her cute
little dog considered an elite spy canine? How will Frankie rescue
her dad? Frankie Fox girl spy: Ready set spy is an excellent novel,
breaking away from stereotypical roles and taking readers on an
adventure. It will have them wondering who the different people in
Frankie's life are - friend or foe - and have them cheering for
Frankie as she plans to save her dad.
Kylie Kempster
My lost mob by Venetia Tyson
Magabala Books, 2015. ISBN 9781922142917
Age: 3-6) Aboriginal themes. Australian animals. Belonging. Emu has
lost his mob. He goes searching, asking all the animals he sees
where his mob might be. He follows the tracks to the kangaroo, but
he wants to keep sleeping, he tries to wake lizard, but he wants to
be left alone, the cassowary gives different directions to follow,
the owl refuses to share his food and the dancer puts the emu in
another direction and finally turtle points him to the hills past
the waterhole, and emu finds his mob.
This is a lovely tale of belonging, of finding where you belong, of
searching for your group. Emu asks for advice to help him on his
way, and although some advice is unhelpful, he continues to search
for his companions. In a classroom where belonging is under
discussion this will be a useful resource, starting off
conversations about whose mob we belong to, and as a result just who
we are.
Bright, vivid illustrations done in a naive style accompany the
text, ensuring that younger readers will learn a lot about the bush
and the animals that live there.
Fran Knight
Violet Mackerel's Formal Occasion by Anna Branford
Ill. by Sarah Davis. Walker Books, 2015. ISBN 9781925081091
Highly recommended for readers from 6+. Another enchanting story in
the Violet Mackerel series, that celebrates friendship, family,
thoughtfulness and creativity. Sarah Davis's illustrations are
engaging, a perfect match to the simple, delightful story of Violet,
her family and friends.
Rosie and Violet are twig-digging at Clover Park, keen to discover a
hidden or lost treasure. Violet's love of reading archaeology books
from the library has lead them to this new hobby. To their
amazement, they uncover a dirty, dusty old locket. With Vincent and
older sister Nicola's help, they clean and polish their find, a
little heart-shaped locket with a broken chain. After pondering
about the original owner, they thoughtfully decide to share the
ownership, wearing the locket on alternate days. The next morning
the girls are buzzing with excitement as they dress for a special
formal occasion a tea party with Rose's grandparents at the
BOATHOUSE. Family life is busy, Vincent is making Saturday breakfast
pancakes, Mum is finishing off the knitted toys ready for sale at
the shop while Nicola and Rose help Violet with her hair and
clothes.
Lost and found is an underlying thread throughout this junior novel,
Mum loses her basket of knitted toys when she helps an old lady at
the train station, the girls find the locket and discover the joys
of fine dining. Veronica and Max, Rose's grandparents use
imaginative storytelling to help the girls understand a way to get
over losing something precious.
Violet and Rose decide to cheer Mum up by making up stories about
all the people who are playing with her knitted toys and they share
their locket with her. They make a perfect plan, a surprise FORMAL
OCCASION for Mum, after she spends the whole week remaking all the
little creatures and delivering them to the toy shop.
Rhyllis Bignell
What's in my Lunchbox? by Peter Carnavas
Ill. by Kat Chadwick. New Frontier, 2015. ISBN 9781925059038
Highly recommended for 3-6 year olds.
Today in my lunchbox
I happened to find ...
Take time to explore the front cover and the endpapers first. Ask
the young reader to predict the possible contents of the young boy's
lunchbox. Check out the back cover will it be one of the healthy,
smiling food choices - sushi, a strawberry or a sausage encircling
the blurb?
When the young boy opens his lunchbox for the first time, he finds
an apple. Unfortunately he doesn't like apples and as he discards
the fruit, a little tear slips down the apple's face. Time for
another prediction, after the refrain, he finds a fish swimming in
his lunchbox, serving up two Japanese delicacies. Over the next days
he finds larger and more unbelievable treats served by a variety of
animals. This is one very fussy boy!
The font size is large and the text is very simple, a great story to
share with a young family, at child care or preschool. Kat
Chadwick's complementary pastel backgrounds draw the eye to the big,
bold paint and ink drawings of the surprising food and animals. Each
of the pieces of food has an expressive face showing a range of
emotions.
A delightful story that the young audience can begin to read along
with the text.
Rhyllis Bignell
