Random House, Australia, 2014. ISBN 9781742755328.
Is this the final book in The Floods series? As the 13th in the
series The Royal Family seems to round off the story of Nerlin and
Mordonna but as the Colin Thompson website suggests '..IT MAY WELL
BE, THOUGH I WOULDN'T BET MONEY ON IT.'
In the usual chaos and amazingly outrageous and imaginative style of
the previous books we are again drawn into the Royal house of
Transylvania Waters where we find Nerlin, King of Wizards, wishing
to retire from the stresses of Kingship and live out his days in the
Enchanted Valley of the Impossible Waterfall raising chickens, ducks
and quail. Though Mordonna is not keen to relinquish power, the
vexed question of succession must be considered.
Unfortunately not one of their seven children are volunteering for
the job, though Satanella decides to change back into a human having
been a dog most of her life, and Betty, the youngest and most human
like child has a secret desire to become Queen however Mordonna is
adamant that she will not succeed.
In a convoluted story Gertrude, Nerlin's twin sister appears from
the sewers much his horror when he finds out as he is forced to
reveal a family secret that even Mordonna wasn't aware of and
doesn't appear on the published family tree.
With Gertrude's help and the support of her siblings, Betty
manipulates the situation and uses a bit of magic to achieve her aim
while Nerlin enjoys a family reunion.
With the usual extensive referencing, explanations and author
comments at the bottom of many pages, author generated illustrations
and random additions at the end including Winchflat's Hats and an
explanation of Ultimate Super Wizard Powers, the madness loved by
all Floods Fans continues.
Sue Keane
This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl by Esther Earl with Wayne and Lori Earl
Penguin Australia, 2014. ISBN: 9780141354033
'Just be happy, and if you can't be happy, do things that make you happy. Or do nothing with the people that make you happy.' Esther Earl
Sometimes reading an autobiography or memoir is so intensely personal that one develops an emotional connection to the hitherto unknown writer that is quite profound. Esther Earl's short life has been encapsulated in this collection of her sketches, letters, journals, photographs and fiction in a way that presents this remarkable teenage girl in the true essence of her sparky and bright personality. It is little wonder that her online presence in the last few years of her life generated such a following and influenced so many others.
At age twelve, Esther was diagnosed with thyroid cancer which threw her own life and that of her family into complete disarray but inspiringly, never despair. In 2010, shortly after turning 16, Esther died leaving a legacy of grace, hope and love that continues to provide inspiration to thousands.
Celebrated author John Green, a personal friend and fellow nerdfighter, dedicated the best selling The Fault in Our Stars to Esther, naming her as his inspiration for the novel. He also writes a moving introduction to this memoir.
Through Esther's creative journaling we are privy to not only her thoughts, aspirations and dreams but her warm and loving family, friends and support network. This is a remarkable book and destined to become one of those that will serve to feed the souls of many who are in similar circumstances as well as inspire others to strive for the stars.
Sue Warren
Indonesia: the story of a nation by Adrian Osterley
Trocadero Publishing, 2013. ISBN 9780864271433. Indonesia: the story of a nation is part of the Asia-Pacific
Relations series and its focus is the story of Indonesia as a
nation from its earliest history through to its relationship with
Australia today.
Each book has a modern layout with the text presented in manageable
chunks accompanied by a range of photos, maps and tables that offer
extra insight. A contents page and full index allow for easy
location of information.
Even though there seems to be a demand by some to replace
non-fiction titles with online resources only, such demands are
ill-considered because they are ignoring the evidence that students,
even those who are independent readers, prefer and need print
resources when they wish to read deeply for meaning rather than just
skimming a text as they do with online-based materials, and
therefore we have an obligation to meet those needs. These series by
this publisher are fulfilling this need with modern Australian
Curriculum-related resources very well.
Barbara Braxton
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Macmillan, 2014. ISBN 9781447263227.
Moving away from home to University is exciting, but for twins Wren
and Cath, whose mother left when they were small and whose manic,
highly creative father has relied on them for support there are more
challenges. Wren decides she wants to live in separate student
accommodation upsetting Cath who immerses herself in writing fan
fiction as a coping strategy. Cath's 'canon' is the Simon Snow
series of books by Gemma Leslie (Harry Potter analogy). Cath has a
huge and growing 'fandom' following online for her stories that push
the characters from the Simon Snow books into doing things the
original author would never do. When she submits one of her stories
for a university assignment she is devastated by accusations of
plagiarism. There is of course the inevitable love story, which is
very engaging and the resolution of the personal growth of the
characters is well done but the most interesting for me was the
exploration of the issues of intellectual property, creativity,
collaboration, and ethics. Fan
fiction is a modern phenomenon where stories are shared
freely, remixing favourite fictional worlds.
Cath uses it as a stepping stone to finding her own identity and the
writing of truly original fiction but for many it is just a way of
extending their enjoyment of a book, and that has to be good. Senior
secondary readers would enjoy Fangirl; though it is very
American in its setting the themes of love and identity are
universal. The cover cartoon illustrations of the characters are
great and the book club link
on the back has some good content.
Sue Speck
Choose Your Own Ever After: How to get to Rio by Julie Fison
Hardie Grant Egmont Australia, 2014. ISBN 9781742977744.
It is refreshing to find a new spin on the Choose Your Own Adventure
which was so popular years ago. Whilst from memory many of the old
titles were aimed at boys and generally resulted in some paths
leading to a fatal end, this book features teenage girls and all
endings lead to an 'ever after' full of promise.
Kitty and her friends are about to start school holidays. After a
longish introduction to the characters, covering the last few weeks
of term and establishing the relationships between the girls and
boys, the first choice is made. Does Kitty go camping with her
'besties', or with Persephone to the luxury resort of Paradise Point
where, coincidently, Rio, the object of her affections, is also
staying?
With camping, bonfires on the beach, pool parties, mobile phone
problems and an encounter with members of a boys' band 'The Lads',
the story lines become entwined especially when Kitty discovers the
camping ground is only a walk away from Paradise Point.
The feel of the story is modern and the dialogue realistic and
engaging as the holiday romance blossoms or faces challenges and
that not all endings turned out as Kitty might have wished at the
beginning. The choices offered are reflective of realistic
situations and the dilemmas facing many teenager girls, especially
if they are a bit shy as Kitty is portrayed. The beauty of the easy
to read writing is that it is not difficult to go back and make a
different choice just to see how it turns out.
I look forward to the next Choose Your Own Ever After title just to
see what choices will be offered and how they affect the outcome.
Sue Keane
Clementine Rose and the seaside escape by Jacqueline Harvey
Random House, 2014. ISBN 9781742757513.
(Age: 8+) Clementine Rose and the Seaside Escape sees 5 year
old Clementine and her family heading for the English seaside while
their home is getting a new roof. Clementine meets Della and Freddy.
She enjoys spending time with Freddy but tries to avoid Della -
she's annoying. Freddy and Clementine love spending time at the
beach and are surprised when they find a baby seal. When Della
decides to go and investigate at night time, both children go after
her, worried she will get into trouble. Watch out Freddy and
Clementine, it looks like you might need rescuing! Clementine Rose and the Seaside Escape is a descriptive novel
aimed at girls, who read independently, aged 8+. It is a sweet story
with easy to read text and is great for readers moving on to novels.
The story is easy to follow, has a definite narrative structure and
is accompanied by black and white illustrations.
Kylie Kempster
Wimpy Shrimpy by Matt Buckingham
Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 97817426761022.
(Age: 4+) Shrimpy is a worry wart so when his friends ask him to
play he always says no - what if he got hurt or lost? One day,
Shrimpy realises no one has asked him to play and he feels lonely.
There is only one way to not feel lonely but is Shrimpy brave enough
to play with his friends no matter the consequence? Wimpy Shrimpy is a cute story about how important it is to
try new things and be brave. It has gorgeous illustrations to engage
the readers and will be enjoyed by children aged 4+; the text is
suitable for independent readers aged 7+ and it would work well with
the Child Protection curriculum in schools, encouraging children to
discuss ways to be safe and the mixed feelings we can have.
Kylie Kempster
Cycling to Grandma's House by Jac Torres-Gomez
Ill. by Erin-Claire Barlow. Lulu Publishing. 2014. ISBN
9781483406374.
Luna has a challenge from her teacher . . . 'Find out the most
incredible characteristic of being a girl or boy. Then present it to
the class on Monday.' But she is flummoxed - what was so special
about her that would connect her to every other girl in her town?
Knowing she could rely on her to solve the problem, Luna asks hers
mother who tells her she does have an idea but 'only the most
courageous girl in our town could do a whole project about it.' Luna
is intrigued, particularly when her mother says she will have to
cycle around town to speak to a lot of women and that it connects
not only them but also girls all around the world. And it is then
the Luna learns about menarche, a girl's first period, and how
different cultures celebrate this critical coming-of-age event.
Luna is excited by the idea and decides to head for her Mexican
grandmother's house to find out more. On her way she meets her
friends from a host of countries and cultures, and when she explains
why she is cycling to Grandma's house, they share their stories of
how menarche is treated and greeted. She learns much in such a short
trip! When Luna presents her project at school on Monday, she is
bombarded with questions, each of which every girl is likely to ask
and Luna realises that cycling to Grandma's has been the discovery
of a lifetime.
With a granddaughter who is likely to reach this milestone in the
next couple of years, I was eager to review a book that addressed an
issue not normally featured in a fictional setting. Yes, there are
many non-fiction resources available that present the physical facts
about menstruation but to find something that addresses the
emotional side and could such a great be a conversation starter
between mother and daughter is rare. Well-written in a format that
straddles the picture book-novel bridge, and beautifully illustrated
with bright, engaging pictures, this is a book that needs to be in
every library. We need to de-mystify this important event and help
our girls to take it as another stride in their journey to
independent adulthood, as well as ensuring our boys are informed so
they are compassionate rather than embarrassed.
The mission of the team behind this book is to 'empower communities
everywhere to understand and address the barriers women face around
menstruation'. This book is certainly a step in that direction.
Barbara Braxton
To the wild sky by Ivan Southall
Text Classic reprint. Text Publishing, 2014. ISBN 9781922147868.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Thirteen years of age is too young to have
to deal with a life threatening emergency but when an aircraft pilot
dies from heart failure, a group of children on board are forced to
respond.
Gerald, the son of a wealthy pastoralist invites a group of friends
to a birthday party at the family sheep station and the group
travels in a light aircraft from the town. The lad is much
admired by two boys, Bruce and Colin, and a girl, Carol, who is
smitten by him. Bruce's twin sister Janet dislikes both Gerald and
Colin yet has been invited along with Colin's immature younger
brother Mark, from politeness.
Having flown beside his father in the past, Gerald has had the
chance to 'take the wheel' and has some rudimentary knowledge of
flying which enables him to recover the aircraft when the pilot
dies. Maintaining altitude, direction and adjusting engine speed are
completely new to him however and his epic struggle to master these
over five hours in the face of an enormous dust storm is brilliantly
portrayed. The author was a wartime pilot and his knowledge of light
aircraft operation enables him to describe the myriad interconnected
factors and implications in a way which allows the reader to
appreciate the enormity of the situation. The tension is
excruciating as Gerald grapples with both the aeroplane and the
almost intolerable responsibility to try to save those on board
whilst the passengers impotently wrestle their personal terrors.
A crash landing with only minor injuries to those on board is an
amazing outcome but the group's trials are only just beginning when
they realise that they have no idea where they are and that the
chance of rescue is minimal given that they have flown off course
for many hours.
Different aspects of leadership, heroism, fortitude and initiative
are explored in the events which follow and it is delightful to
revisit a story from the sixties which remains solid and captivating
for modern readers. Southall writes honestly and does not hold back
from revealing gritty and confronting aspects to survival, including
the description of what we now call Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The author was also way ahead of his time in promoting Indigenous
pride and respecting the knowledge and skills which enabled survival
in extreme environments. Some of the language and social
propriety in the narrative is perfectly ridiculous under the
circumstances and it is a shame that the convention of the time
prevented him from using realistic dialogue. However this is an
absolute must-read for those 12 years onwards who relish exciting
survival stories.
Rob Welsh
A feast for wombat by Sally Morgan
Ill. by Tania Erzinger. Omnibus Scholastic, 2014. ISBN
9781742990187.
(Age: preschool) Recommended. Australian animals, Wombats,
Friendship. Underground, Wombat does what wombats do, he scratches,
snuffles and sleeps. But on waking he feels alone, so decides to go
above ground for a dust bath and to see who is there. He finds
Magpie, Dingo and Goanna having a wonderful time together. Wombat
watches them for a while thinking how special they all are. He talks
to Goanna who with its skilful legs can climb the tree without
thinking. He offers to teach Wombat how to do this, but Wombat's
short stubby legs are not equipped for this task. When he speaks to
Magpie he sees what a beautiful voice the bird has and tries to
emulate it. But his voice is not nearly as good, and with Dingo he
tries to dance but does not succeed. Tired and down at heart, he
heads back down his burrow, but the others tell him about his
expertise, things they could not do, and invite him to a feast to
celebrate.
So the four friends support each other, and the reader learns just
what attributes these Australian animals have.
Erzinger, the illustrator has given us a soft edged group of
animals, accurately showing each of their size, shape and
colourings. No reader would be at a loss to know about these four
animals, and may even notice that several other smaller animals make
an appearance. A lovely read a loud and sharing book for younger
readers.
Fran Knight
The Last Shot by Michael Adams
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743316733.
The second book of a trilogy, The Last Shot is a fast paced,
gripping read. Set in Sydney and the surrounding countryside in the
not too distant future, it picks up the story hot on the heels of
The Last Girl. A reader could get away without reading the first
book in the series, but would lose a lot of the background . . . and
why would you not read it - The Last Girl is a fabulous read
as well. The Last Shot continues the dystopian future of a
world that has disintegrated when overloaded brains saturated with
social media and being plugged in to everyone else's petty everyday
trivia suddenly have an evolutionary jump that means everyone is
directly wired into everyone else's thoughts, unable to shut
anything out. Most people become catatonic, but some escape the
vortex of thoughts dragging all into overload.
The events in The Last Shot occur in the second week after
'the snap' that is the premise of the story. Many people by now are
dead or dying. There is already a small-scale nasty new world order
to contend with, so as well as being a survival story, there is an
enemy to evade as well. The many intricacies the author covers in
the book would make great discussion material. This novel is not for
the squeamish though - it is realistically told, and many characters
die.
Adam's trilogy (The Last Place will be published in 2015) is
definitely a set for the school library. These books are on a par
with John Marsden's Tomorrow When the War Began series and
should appeal to many readers. Teachers considering this as a class
novel would need to choose the first book, probably for Yr 10, and
then make sure there are several copies of The Last Shot in
the library!
Ann Veitch
Tigers on the Beach by Doug Macleod
Penguin, 2014. ISBN 9780143568520. Previously, I read and reviewed Doug Macleod's CBCA Book of the Year
short-listed The Shiny Guys. It was a gritty and macabre
meditation on mental health, laced with experimental technique and
dark humour. Macleod's most recent venture, Tigers on the Beach,
while still tackling difficult subject matter (death) is much more
whimsical and upbeat. Despite this new approach, the author's
trademark biting wit and meticulous attention to detail are
retained. Tigers introduces us to Adam, an inquisitive and highly
likeable teenage boy. The sudden passing of his cheeky grandfather
sets into motion a series of events, including his extended family
and their respective issues, and his own adolescent trials,
particularly first love.
Two aspects of this novel stand out in particular. Firstly, the
balance between elements is astonishingly sensitive and effective.
Doug Macleod presents storytelling with humour and pathos, the
absurd and the banal, contemporary and nostalgia, autobiography and
originality. He does so in an uncannily natural and poignant way.
The second aspect of this novel which deserves praise is the
author's talent for creating clever and engaging dialogue which
flows beautifully. Each twist and turn-of-phrase highlights the
wonderfully developed cast of characters and their dynamic
interactions in a manner which is completely enthralling.
Without this, the novel would not be as strong, as the sharp
dialogue and pace injects new life into the 'dysfunctional family'
cliche.
The novel concludes with touching resolve and closure. I enjoyed Tigers
on the Beach more than almost any book I have reviewed this
year - it is a charming and anecdotal work, with a fine balance of
emotional naivete and strength which will appeal to many readers.
Henry Vaughan (Student)
Women who made Australian History by Aisling Marlor
Trocadero, 2014. ISBN 9780864271464. Immigrants who changed Australia . . . since 1901 by Victoria
Macleay. Trocadero, 2014. ISBN 9780864271259. Imperial China: Six centuries of all-powerful dynasties by Matthew
Williams. Trocadero, 2014. ISBN 9780864271457.
Continuing the tradition, Trocadero Publishing have released three
new titles in their series which matches the Australian Curriculum
so well. Women who made Australian History, from the They Made Australia
series, introduces, acknowledges and celebrates women who have had a
significant impact on what our nation is today. From the well-known
such as Daisy Bates and Caroline Chisholm and Mary Reiby to the
not-so such as Tilly Aston, Faith Bandler and Lucy Osburn, there are
snapshots of their contributions covering almost every aspect of
life succinctly detailing their work and paving the way for a deeper
investigation of the impact of their achievements. Immigrants who changed Australia . . . since 1901, from The
National Identity, focuses on people whose names are familiar
but whose origins are overseas. Many are names who are claimed by
Australia as their own but who, in fact, came here with their family
as a child or made the move later in life and have helped put this
nation on the map for a range of reasons. While there are waves of
immigrants who come here, such as the Chinese in the goldrush and
the Europeans after the war, and whose impact is well documented and
studied, this title focuses on the individuals whose stories may not
have been told so often. From the familiar stories such as Petrov
spy scandal, Simpson and his donkey and the achievements of Olivia
Newton-John and Russell Crowe to the lesser known such as Tan Le,
Charles Moses and Jennie Baines, the contributions of over 50
newcomers are outlined.
Both of these titles beg the question of who would today's
generation add if they were asked to contribute a name and a story.
Who has been left out that should be there? Should their heroes
stand the test of time and are they likely to do so? In Imperial China, from Asia-Pacific Timelines, the Yuan, Ming and
Qing dynasties who each claimed the 'Mandate of Heaven' as their
god-given right to rule are put under the spotlight, From 1271 to
the collapse of the Imperial system in 1911, students are introduced
to the critical people and events of this time.
As with all the other titles that this publisher is producing to
support the Australian Curriculum, particularly those topics in the
Yr 5-8 band, each book has a modern layout with the text presented
in manageable chunks accompanied by a range of photos, maps and
tables that offer extra insight. Arranged in either alphabetical or
chronological order, there are very easy to navigate.
Even though there seems to be a demand by some to replace
non-fiction titles with online resources only, such demands are
ill-considered because they are ignoring the evidence that students,
even those who are independent readers, prefer and need print
resources when they wish to read deeply for meaning rather than just
skimming a text as they do with online-based materials, and
therefore we have an obligation to meet those needs. These series by
this publisher are fulfilling this need with modern Australian
Curriculum-related resources very well.
Barbara Braxton
The ratcatcher's daughter by Pamela Rushby
Angus & Robertson, 2014. ISBN 9780732297138.
(Age: 11+) Recommended. Historical fiction, Plague, Australian
history. A little known part of our early twentieth century is
highlighted in this descriptive account of Brisbane in the first
years of the new century, playing host to a disease only found in
accounts of Medieval times. When thirteen year old Issy becomes a
maid in an undertaker's house, she has never seen a dead body but
the sight of a dead child and the ritual of burial becomes a
fascinating backdrop to the life she is about to enter, as an inmate
in a quarantine centre out of the city. Her father is a rat catcher,
and from the start the reader is made aware of the increasing number
of rats in the city, and when she helps her friend with her job as a
maid at the local doctor's house, she overhears a conversation about
a disease coming closer to Australia. It is only when the boy next
door dies of appalling swellings that she hears the word,'plague'
for the first time, and puts together the things she has heard.
This is an engrossing read. Rushby incorporates the inability of
those in government to deal adequately with the disease and its
consequences, the fear of many as they shun their friends, the over
reaction of local authorities, the situation in the hastily erected
quarantine camp outside the city and the divide between rich and
poor, allowing those with money to be treated at home. In watching
Issy learns that even her trusted employer is involved in protecting
the rich from the ignominy of the disease.
Issy bravely carries on, and when her father becomes ill with the
other appalling disease which caused he deaths of many, Influenza,
she takes over his business, learning that there is more to life
than being a maid in someone else's home. An entertainingly rich
read about past times and a young woman's coming of age as she
perceives there is life outside the narrow restrictions of the past.
Fran Knight
Bring on the birds by Susan Stockdale
Working Title Press, 2014. ISBN 9781921504594.
(Age: Pre-school) Recommended. Birds, Environment. In simple rhyming
text, Stockdale showcases a number of birds, their bold bright
colours standing out from the spare backgrounds. Each of the twenty
three birds chosen for this book is presented on an unadorned page,
making the bird and its plumage stand out for younger readers. The
birds include, an owl, penguin, ostrich, peacock and crane, and
while they are designated as swooping birds or swimming birds in the
text, it is at the end that we find their real names and information
about each bird illustrated.
Stockdale cleverly presents exotic birds in the majority of her
book, coming closer to home towards the end with a heron, duck and
robin, the final robin shown with children watching through the
window. In this way she refines the number of birds known by the
child bringing it back to something they may have seen themselves,
watching in the garden. The bold illustrations, accompanied by large
print text makes it easier for a child to read for themselves, or an
adult to read out to a child, asking them to recognise things about
the birds illustrated. Because she puts the birds into a category
(eg diving or swimming) the text allows the child to ask questions
or the reader to encourage questions or to give information. This is
a user friendly book for pre-school age children introducing them to
a wide variety of birds and how they behave.
Fran Knight
