Our Australian Girl series, Book 2. Penguin Australia, 2014. ISBN
9780143307648.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. The Our Australian Girl
series and characters have been extremely popular with girls 8 and
up who are looking for an exciting and adventurous read. The concept
was originally Jane Godwin's when she was dismayed that girls in the
8-12 age bracket lacked worthy books that would engage them without
the 'tween' fluff so common in most of their reading. In 2014 two
new characters have been introduced - Daisy and Pearlie. Each series
is set in a different period of Australian history and Daisy is the
1930s' girl - and not one of the fortunate ones.
Separated from her dad, and then extended family, Daisy finds
herself homeless and alone in a grimy and dangerous Melbourne far
removed from her original country home. Despite the efforts of her
two friends to find her some temporary shelter, Daisy is snatched
off to the Melbourne Orphanage (although she is not a 'real' orphan)
with dozens of other homeless Depression children. Following a
daring escape along with two other unfortunate inmates, Daisy is
returned to the grim orphanage and is left without hope of ever
being reunited with her father and sister. With two more to come in
Daisy's story and the teaser of her being adopted in the next book,
readers will want to continue with the unravelling of Daisy's
dilemma.
These books are perfect for the age of the intended audience and
whilst not sanitising the troubles of the relevant history of their
setting, keep the more graphic details out of the storytelling.
Readers will gain an understanding, in this case, of the effects of
the Great Depression as well as the population's obsession with the
mighty Phar Lap and the Melbourne Cup.
A highly successful project which has kept many young readers fully
engaged, this and others in the Our Australian Girl are highly
recommended for girls 8 plus.
Sue Warren
Night Vision by Ella West
Allen and Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743317662.
(Age: 11-14) Highly recommended. Reluctant readers. Mystery and suspense.
Thriller. Ethics. Farm life. Xeroderma Pigmentosum. Viola was born
with a deadly genetic condition, known as XP, which makes sunlight
cause irreversible damage to the body. Most sufferers don't last
until adulthood so Viola has to be very careful. Living on a remote
farm, she has the run of the property, although it is at night that
she roams into the forest. One night when wearing her night-vision
goggles she spies on a man who is disposing of a body from the back
of his car. He then buries something under one of the trees. Viola
is faced with some difficult decisions. Should she report the
murder? Should she use the buried money to save the farm? What will
happen if the murderer finds out about her?
Told in the first person by Viola, the reader is taken on a
suspenseful and thrilling journey as she sees the horrific burial of
the man. When her photo is shown in the local paper the criminal
realises that she may have seen him and taken the money. He leaves
threats and Viola has to take action.
Viola's voice is an engaging one. The reader learns about her
condition and the limits that it puts on her but she is never
negative. Instead the reader is brought into a new world that is
explored after dark. Farm life is authentically described and Viola,
despite her condition, is a useful helpmate for her father with
managing the sheep on the property. Her music too permeates the
story giving it a depth that is unusual in a novel of this size (180
pages).
The ethics of whether Viola should keep the murder secret and use
the money to help her parents is highlighted but it is left up to
the reader to make their own decision about what is the right thing
to do.
The length of the story and the tension that is maintained
throughout makes for an exciting read that would be ideal for
reluctant readers.
Pat Pledger
Waiting for later by Tina Matthews
Walker Books Australia, 2011. ISBN 9781922077035.
(Ages 5+) Warmly recommended. Picture book. When Nancy goes
searching for someone to play with her or read her a story, or play
cards, or give her a swing or tickle her, she is rebuffed by them
all. Mother and father are too busy, her brother is cooking, her
aunt hanging out the clothes and grandfather is busy mowing the
lawn. All tell her that they are too busy and to come back later.
'Later' is the refrain on each page as Nancy looks for
companionship. Instead she climbs a tree, finding that the leaves
tell her a story and the limbs allow her to swing from them, and the
leaves tickle her as she swings. All the things she wanted from the
others she is getting for herself in the tree.
The story promotes several messages with an underlying subtlety.
Parents and family ignore the child to the detriment of all. Many
students reading this will tell stories of how their parents have
not enough time for them, and the story asks people to re-evaluate
their time spent with their children. But Nancy finds she is able to
fend for herself, able to fill in her time by herself, able to
occupy herself without the family. This too will be a telling
discussion point with students. What is there that they can do by
themselves? Do they need an adult or older sibling with them? But
like all good stories, the family is reunited at the end, each
learning something that will enhance family life.
Each page is illustrated using a Japanese woodblock technique giving
the story a grounding in the familiar, the home and garden. Shown in
wonderful detail, the illustrations beg the reader to notice and
talk about what they see. The New Zealand author, Tina Matthews, a
passionate promoter of the Free Range Kids movement seeks to advance
her cause in the best of ways, through a simple and warm hearted
story of a family. And now in a paperback edition will be available
for all libraries.
Fran Knight
Brilliant by Roddy Doyle
Macmillan Children's Books, 2014. ISBN 9781447248804.
(Age: Middle primary) Depression. Dogs. Magic. Supernatural. The
prologue of Brilliant creates the atmosphere of this story.
The animals can talk and the sense of foreboding is established as
the 'black dog' of the recession threatens to destroy the 'funny
bone' of Dublin. That this is to be a quest to destroy the evil of
the black dog is confirmed and 'Only the city's kids could do that.'
The reader is then introduced to the Kelly family, in particular
Gloria and Rayzer (Raymond) who like to creep down at night and hide
under the kitchen table and listen to the adult chat. However when
the chatting turns to mumbling they know something is wrong,
'mumbling was different.' The coming of Uncle Ben to live with them
and his subsequent depression is the signal for the brother and
sister to act! And off they start on their quest.
The black dog comes in the shape of a menacing cloud which tries to
lure them into what they fear might be a trap, but facing their
fears they carry on anyway. Along the way they are joined by other
children of the city who also have personal reasons to eradicate the
black dog. All in one night the gang race across Dublin pursuing the
grey cloud of dog. Some suspense is created when the depression
threatens to overcome them, but through the magical use of the word
'BRILLIANT' they are able to continue their quest.
Doyle has created a simple fantasy with its feet in reality. Its
strength lies both in this simplicity and the humour of the talking
animals, which is particularly appealing as the children race
through the zoo. Brilliant may appeal to the middle primary sector but lacks
the substantial hazards which are prominent in better stories of
this genre.
Barb Rye
Don't poke a worm till it wiggles by Celia Warren
A&C Black, 2014. ISBN 9781472900234.
Highly recommended for readers aged 8+ and would be great to model
rhyming poetry in the classroom. Don't Poke a Worm till it
Wiggles is a poetry book full of worms. The poems describe
what they look like and how they act. There are several that follow
the same pattern as more common nursery rhymes and children will be
smiling and tongue tied as they practise their fluency.
The poems will engage all readers whether a parent/adult is reading
it to them or they are reading independently.
Kylie Kempster
The simple things by Bill Condon
Ill. by Beth Norling. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743317242.
Recommended 7-12 year olds. In this modern and busy world what are
the simple things? Bill Condon explores this through the eyes of a
shy young boy Stephen and his aged great Aunt Lola who he meets for
the first time. This is a gentle story of the amusing and at times
poignant meeting of two generations who learn to enjoy each other's
friendship.
Stephen meets his great Aunt Lola when he and his parents come to
stay for 3 weeks. Lola who turns eighty soon lives in a rundown
house in a country town a day's drive away. As Stephen's mum is her
sole living relative the family intend to spend the holidays looking
after her and celebrating her birthday.
Lola is a 'grumpy old biddy' according to Stephen's dad. After a bit
of a rocky start Stephen begins to discover that while Lola is a
little forbidding and is critical of his language, there is more and
more to learn about her. For example she is researching and
compiling the family history, what is in the private room which no
one is allowed to enter, why Lola is no longer friends with Norm
Smith, the next door neighbour and what secret is Lola hiding.
As Stephen's relationship with Lola develops and he also becomes
friendly with Allie, Mr Smith's granddaughter, and discovers the joy
of watching the sunrise, fishing, bingo, playing cricket and
climbing trees. But then Lola collapses and is taken to hospital and
Stephen is faced with the possibility of her death.
Bill Condon is a master of dialogue. The developing relationship
between Stephen and Lola is largely told through their conversations
and as their mutual love and respect grow so the tone of their
interactions, particularly on Lola's part, mellow.
While this book is written for younger readers, there are many
adults who will enjoy the story and will shed a tear or two as they
reflect on lost dreams and relationships.
Sue Keane
The billy that died with its boots on, and other Australian verse by Stephen Whiteside
Walker Books, 2014. ISBN 9781922077431.
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Australian poetry, Humour. With a childhood
entranced by the rollicking poetry of the bush balladists of the
like of Banjo Paterson, then finding the humour of C. J. Dennis,
Whiteside found writing poetry in the form of rhyming verse, with
stories begging to be read aloud, something which he did from a
young age.
In this compilation of some of his work, poems are grouped in
themes, such as Dinosaurs, the garden or the street, dogs and cats,
birds, at the beach or in the snow. Each grouping contains a range
of poems suited to younger people and made more pleasurable by being
read out loud.
The opening poems about dinosaurs will be a hit with one and all,
and I defy people not to hoot and giggle at the thought of a dad and
his son trying to make a kennel for a brontosaurus on their back
yard, or sympathise with the lad told to tidy his room, or wonder at
the number of coffee cups that mum can leave around the house, or
laugh at the people who leave their boots out all night in the snow,
or in reading the title poem feel just a little sorry for the billy.
There are poems which would be great models in the classroom, poems
that small groups of kids would love to read aloud, poems which
would be suited for an adult to read aloud, and I can envisage
groups of students practising different ways of reading some out
loud to the merriment of their peers.
Fran Knight
One Sunday by Pamela Allen
Penguin Australia, 2014. ISBN 9780670077656.
Recommended for young readers 3 and up. The indefatigable Pamela
Allen has a picture book to delight young readers of any age,
focusing on the simple pleasures of the warmth of home and the
ritual of family hospitality.
A little old man and a little old woman live in a little old cottage
on the edge of the woods. Every week they look forward eagerly to
their regular visitors (grandchildren) coming for a special Sunday
lunch. One Sunday the terrible weather buffets the little cottage
until it shudders and creaks. The little old man confidently begins
the usual preparations - fetching the baking dish, peeling the
potatoes, while the little old woman is equally sure that no
visitors will come on such a dreadful day. Inside the cottage it is
cosy and warm and the roast lunch fills the house with the quiet joy
of love and welcomes. No grandchildren arrive in the awful storm but
there is a surprise visitor who comes knocking on the door and
proves a delightful and appreciative guest.
As usual, Pamela makes splendid use of white space with her
distinctive illustrations - the double page spreads of the wild wind
howling outside are particularly striking.
For almost thirty years we have had the joy of Pamela's wonderful
books and this latest one will not fall short with her young
readers.
Sue Warren
Dead dog in the still of the night by Archimede Fusillo
Ford Street Publishing, 2014. ISBN: 9781925000344.
Recommended for readers 13 years +. Highly recommended for
boys. Themes: Families, Teenage Boys. Primo Nato is struggling with
a host of personal issues in addition to his year 12 study. We learn
early in the story that Primo's father is in a nursing home with
dementia. His father had previously operated an automotive mechanics
business and Primo had always coveted his father's pride and joy - a
red Fiat Bambino. Dead Dog In The Still Of The Night starts on a
bright note with Primo having just passed his driving test and
obtained his licence. An ill-fated decision to borrow the Bambino
without permission ends badly when Primo has an argument with his
girlfriend and subsequently crashes the car.
Primo tries to conceal the accident until he can afford the repairs
but his efforts to raise the funds set in motion a series of events
which, as they unfold, reveal much about Primo's tumultuous family.
We are introduced to his long suffering mother whom his father had
cheated on numerous times; his eldest brother Santo who is 20 years
senior to his siblings and who believes he is the heir who should
inherit both the Bambino and his father's business; his brother
Adrian who is separated from his wife and young daughter after
following his father's philandering ways; and his sister Kath who
moved out of home to escape her family's past and present issues.
Set in a working class part of Fitzroy, Archimede Fusillo's book has
crafted a vivid picture of a family in hard times and the
surroundings in which they live. Ultimately the story reflects the
growth in Primo's character and although his circumstances remain
unchanged his way of looking at life does. Developing a better
understanding of his family and friends enables him to make positive
decisions about his future direction.
Nicki Paterson
Usborne's Knights and Armour by Rachel Firth
Ill. by Giacinto Gaudenzi and Lee Montgomery, designed by Stephen
Moncrieff. Usborne, 2014. ISBN 9781409566915.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Knights, British History, Middle Ages.
Well, I for one read this book from cover to cover, enthralled with
the informative text and equally instructive illustrations. From the
first two pages outlining how the book is set out, and acquainting
readers with the internet links, and the next six pages telling the
reader of life at the time, what life was like before, and a brief
look at knights, the book is jam packed with information which will
enthrall its readers.
The next four sections headed, Battle gear, Knights at war, Knights
at peace, Knights and chivalry are rounded off with a section
entitled Knights fact file. Each section warrants close inspection
as the illustrations draw the eye in.
Battle gear for example, has a double page spread about the horse
and its use in war, then four pages of the weaponry carried into
war, a double page follows showing the use of the bows, including
the Longbow, the famed English bow, four pages of the knight's
armour, helmets, shields, and the horse's armour. The story of the
longbow was fascinating, telling how it is used and showing how its
use carried the day in the Battle of Crecy, while giving the
information that men were to practise the longbow on Sundays rather
then play sport. The Battle of Crecy again is mentioned in the next
section, Battle tactics, where the reason the British won this
important battle of the Hundred Years War is shown.
Internet links dot the pages allowing students to find more
information, and the last section, Knight fact file, gives further
facts about famous battles and famous knights. The whole has a dense
glossary and most useful index, making the book a useful addition to
anyone's library.
Fran Knight
Chooky-doodle-doo by Jan Whiten
Ill. by Sinead Hanley. Walker Books Australia, 2014. ISBN
9781921977879.
Recommended for Pre-school students. Picture Book. This fresh and
colourful picture book is an introduction to simple counting and
rhyming which will delight children and parents. The short verse
structures are repeated with the only changes in the third line and
of course the numbers.
One little chooky chick
Pulling at a worm.
Clucky cluck, worm's stuck.
What should chooky do?
As more chickens are added to the line and the worm proves to be
long and strong, five chickens are recruited before the rhyme
changes to the concept of lots, being six, and a rooster are
introduced along with cock-a-doodle-doo.
With a bit of team work and an extra effort the worm comes loose to
reveal a surprise for all, a farmer's buried shoe with the lace being
the expected worm.
By using the question, 'What should chooky do?' children are
asked to respond and make suggestions establishing connections
between their own experiences and the story. The final question, 'Who
knew?', invites a conclusion before the answer is revealed over the
page again encouraging participation in the story.
The large easy to read font, plenty of white space and stylised
chickens created using both digital and hand crafted collage
techniques using a limited range of colours keeps the focus on the
chicks.
Sue Keane
First Book of Emergency Vehicles by Isabel Thomas
A&C Black, 2014. ISBN 9781408194577.
(Age: 4+) What little boy doesn't enjoy playing with cars, trains
and trucks? First Book of Emergency Vehicles is full of
bright, labelled images and easy to read descriptions. Each page is
dedicated to a different emergency vehicle and will engage any boy
aged 4+.
Independent readers aged 7+ will enjoy reading the technical
language and discussing the different features of each machine.
Kylie Kempster
Billy Slater presents . . .series by Patrick Loughlin
Random House Australia Children's, 2014.
Billy Slater 1: Try Time. ISBN: 9780857982469.
Billy Slater 2: Banana Kick. ISBN: 9780857982667.
This series from Random House is going to be a knock out
success with younger readers, particularly boys, especially as rugby
league season ramps up into full swing.
Simply but well written, with lots of turn-the-page action and
realistic characters and settings, these will see reluctant readers
particularly fully engaged.
In Try time, Josh is ten years old and is finally allowed to join
his local footy team, the West Hill Ravens - urged on by his
league-obsessed grandfather. After all his anticipation, Josh' first
game is pretty much a disaster with embarrassing sideline barracking
from grandad, and fluffing the potentially winning try.
As he wonders if he has what it takes to make a good team member,
his all-time favourite player and NRL legend, Billy Slater, turns up
at training and gives the boys a few pointers. He also agrees to be
their special mentor. What more could a team of ten year olds want? In Banana Kick, Billy Slater continues to support the West Hill
Ravens as their mentor which is great news for Junior - the team's
youngest but biggest player. While it's great for the team
that Junior is their top score maker, it's hard on him to feel that
he is only recognised because of his size. Billy's new team
challenge seems to only make things worse - or does it? It seems
Billy has a lot of good advice to offer these young aspiring
players.
Billy Slater is arguably one of Australia's best ever league players
(and yes, I have often wished he played for MY team!). He is also a
well-regarded player especially in these times when our professional
athletes can often be disappointing role models.
I think it's a tremendous combination to have Billy promoting
reading alongside this fabulous sport, so popular with our primary
aged students. With two more titles scheduled for release in a
few months, this will be one series that will very likely be in high
demand in your libraries.
Read what Billy has to say about reading here.
Sue Warren
The adventures of Stunt Boy and his amazing wonder dog Blindfold by Lollie Barr
Pan Macmillan, 2014. ISBN 9781742613673.
Recommended 7-12. Combining the appeal of a circus with the world of
stunt motorcycles is sure to attract young readers who dream of an
exciting life. From the opening sentence 'Someone was out to get my
dad.' , the reader is aware that the main character, William Stoked,
aka Stunt Boy is determined to find out the truth behind the
accident that has left his father and owner of Stoked Stunt Circus
in a coma. The fact is that everyone else including his sister Jem
believes it was an unfortunate accident.
With only the help of his best friend Benny, an aspiring Olympic
wrestler who is not a circus member, and Blindfold the dog, Stunt's
suspicions centre on rival Circus owner Barry Chesterly of
Chesterley's Family Circus from across town. In his ambition to find
the truth and save the circus, he accuses many of his circus family
of complicity, attracts the attention of the local police and
alienates Benny.
The arrival of Caleb Calloway a famous stunt motorcyclist who
promises to perform in the Stunt Circus raises more issues for
Stunt, attracts unwanted attention from the media and his father's
twin brothers, but assists in revealing the surprise saboteur. A
Monster truck, some amazing stunt riding and an angry rampant
elephant bring the story to an exciting conclusion.
Written in an easy to read style the voice of Stunt is believable as
he agonises over his father's situation and argues with his sister.
There is almost a feel of a movie script with the visuals of stunts
and circus setting. The experience of the author with the Spaghetti
Circus brings realism which is reflected in the description of
circus life and the odd hint given by Stunt, for example how to
climb a rope.
Sue Keane
Love letters to the dead by Ava Dellaira
Hot Key Books, 2014. ISBN 9781471402883. Love Letters to the dead has definite appeal to the female teenage audience. It combines tragedy, romance, friendship, family dysfunction and search for one's identity.
The story is told in the first person by young Laurel, who at the beginning of the year is set the task of writing a letter to a dead person. Laurel doesn't hand up her first assignment but continues to write to a wide range of deceased people throughout the year. It is through these letters that the reader discovers Laurel's own story both past and present.
An interesting aspect is the range of people she writes to. While the first letter is to Kurt Cobain she also includes Amelia Earhart, Jim Morrison, Judy Garland and many others in her correspondence. With each letter she relates aspects of her own life and emotions to those of the recipient and provides the reader with some biographical detail of these famous characters. Some start with 'hero' appeal but as Laurel's own life story evolves she explores more deeply the life/death choices they made.
The focus of the plot is the death of Laurel's sister, May, which resulted in the breakup of her parent's marriage and her choice to attend a different school where she can 'start anew'. It is here that she develops new friendships and has her first boyfriend. Although, naturally these relationships, too, have their ups and downs.
The circumstances surrounding May's death are shrouded in a mystery which is very slowly revealed and it is largely the desire to discover the detail that keeps the reader turning the pages.
Love Letters to the Dead explores the angst of adolescence compassionately but not baulking at some of the weightier issues of modern society.
Barb Rye
