Candlewick Press, 2012. ISBN 9780763655563.
Recommended for readers 12+. An engagingly written book, Call
the Shots is a humorous story designed to appeal to boys in
lower to middle secondary school. It is the final of a set of three
novels (the other two are Swim the Fly and Beat the Band),
each told from the point of view of a member of three teenage
friends, though it can certainly stand alone.
Coop, the 'brains' of the trio, dreams up an idea of making an ultra
low-budget horror movie to solve a problem for Sean, the unassuming
protagonist, which is to make enough money to build an extension at
Sean's house so he doesn't have to share a bedroom with his
obnoxious twin sister when the family's new baby arrives. This is
the vehicle through which the reader can laugh while gaining
insights into human nature.
There are many different elements in Call the Shots worthy
of discussion - trust, belief in oneself, manipulation, girlfriend
issues, acceptance - which could make this a worthy novel for
classroom discussion. Though clearly written primarily to engage
boys, girls will also enjoy this book. Definitely recommended.
Anne Veitch
Bushland Lullaby by Sally Odgers
Ill. by Lisa Stewart. Scholastic Australia, 2013. ISBN:
9781742831787.
(Ages: 2 - 4) Highly recommended. This beautifully illustrated
picture book introduces young children to a wide variety of native
Australian animals, with some unexpected inclusions. The baby
animals are all sleeping in their natural habitats, and the lyrical,
rhyming verse captures the environment perfectly. There are a number
of words not usually found in picture books, and descriptive phrases
such as 'where eddies dance with winking sun' and 'where breakers
sing when the wind breaks free' provide a glorious expansion of the
usual pre-schoolers vocabulary.
The pastel colours of the illustrations perfectly match the gentle
rhythm of the verses, and I can easily see this becoming a favourite
bedtime story in many households.
Donella Reed
Horse crazy & Horse shy by Bonnie Bryant
The Saddle Club series. Random House Australia, 2013. ISBN:
9780857980632.
(Ages: 7 - 13) Random House have started to re-release the popular
Saddle Club series which consisted of over one hundred titles
published between 1988 and 2001. This book contains the first two
titles written, Horse crazy and Horse shy. While many primary school
aged girls will be familiar with the television series, it is
possible some of them may not realise the show was spawned from the
books, so it's time for a new generation to discover them! The new
covers include pictures from the tv series, so will be instantly
recognisable by fans.
The series begins by introducing the reader to best friends Carole
and Stevie. These 12 year old girls spend all their spare time at
Pine Hollow Stables where they take riding lessons. In Horse Crazy,
new girl Lisa joins the club and learns the hard way that not all
the girls are as friendly as Carole. Primary school girls may find
they can relate to some of the emotions and anxieties faced by Lisa,
while also enjoying the closeness of the friendship of the main
characters. Lisa joins Carole and Stevie, and the threesome lead us
into the second title Horse Shy where they set off on an overnight
trail ride. The girls have a wonderful time, but when they return
tragedy strikes and their friendship is put to the test as Stevie
and Lisa have to try and help Carole heal emotionally.
With likable and mostly realistic characters, and of course plenty
of horses, the series is sure to be as popular as it was the first
time around.
Donella Reed
Belmont Hill : Showdown by Remy Lacroix
Random House Australia, 2013. ISBN: 9780857981349.
(Age: Teens) Showdown is the first book in Remy Lacroix's new
Belmont Hill series, which aims to bring the drama and intrigue of
the 90s Sweet Valley High series to the modern, Australian teenager.
Piper Houston is a wealthy, beautiful teenager, used to getting her
way at home and at school. Commencing her final year of high school,
she is the leader of an exclusive and popular clique of girls whose
looks, fashion and attitudes make them the school's social elite.
Soon after the novel begins, we are introduced to Alex Carter as she
and her mother move into the Houston mansion. Alex's mum has just
married Piper's dad, and Piper is less than happy about the arrival
of her new step-sister. As the novel progresses, Hollywood glam
clashes with grunge rock chick, in a fight for friends, boys and
status. Showdown has been written to engage and entertain teenage readers,
and while it does that, it offers little else. Unlike its film
counterparts Mean Girls and Clueless, this novel's moral message is
almost non-existent. As a series it seems to be shaping up to be
somewhat like television's The OC: Teenage girls living unrealistic
and unattainable lives, with more money than sense.
In terms of language and written style, I felt that this got off to
a rather grating start but improved a lot as the novel progressed.
Language is simple, though the frequent name-dropping of designer
brands became tiresome, as did the fairly regular and rather
unnecessary use of mild coarse language.
It is the type of novel that may engage reluctant readers, but
beyond its potential to get teenagers reading (which is certainly
valuable), Showdown seems to offer little more than superficial
entertainment. Hopefully subsequent novels in the series will be
able to bring more to the table.
Sarah Rose
10 Funny Sheep by Ed Allen
Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781742836379.
Highly recommended. 10 Funny Sheep is a lovely counting book with
beautiful, colourful pictures. It is reminiscent of songs such as
Ten Bears in the Bed and Three Monkeys Bouncing on the Bed, showing
children how to count backwards as they read through the
story.
Kylie Kempster
The night itself by Zoe Marriott
The Name of the Blade : Book 1. Walker Books, 2013. ISBN
9781406342383.
(Age: Middle secondary) Recommended. Unprepared 'ordinary' girl has
responsibility thrust upon her, awesome power to wield (if only she
knew how to unlock it!) in a build-up to confrontation with the evil
forces of the Underworld. This is the scenario for The Night
Itself, the first of a trilogy written by Zoe Marriott, who
already has a number of young adult fantasy books to her name.
This latest novel is a very competently written urban fantasy set in
contemporary London, and draws its inspiration from Japanese
mythology. The heroine is almost sixteen-year-old Mio Yamato, London
born and bred, whose professional parents have embraced Western
culture, leaving Mio's grounding in Japanese martial art and
folklore to her grandfather. Mio inherits the family's heirloom, an
ancient samurai sword imbued with mystery and power, which she is
not supposed to touch until she turns sixteen.
Recommended for middle secondary students, this book is definitely
worth purchasing for the library shelves.
Anne Veitch
Firelight of Heaven by Lizbeth Klein
Bethloria Book 1. Wombat Books, 2013. ISBN 9781921632471.
Highly recommended for any fantasy fan aged 11+. Fantasy fans beware
- highly addictive! Firelight of Heaven is the story of a
land taken over by an evil king and its last hope is 2 teenage
humans and an elf. Of course, like all good stories, it is only book
1! Firelight of Heaven follows Dougray and Robbie of Bethloria
who unwittingly become the heroes in a world that is being destroyed
by war and losing its young men to the war. There is an underlying
mystery that these 2 boys might be more than they seem! Are they of
royal blood and destined to overthrow the evil king? The boys are
put the test as they travel through a new world, befriend an elf and
are chased by weird and scary creatures.
The text is descriptive but easy to read and the story is easy to
follow. Belle, the elf, is a strong female character and the boys
show an emotional side and a protective side.
Kylie Kempster
Teardrop by Lauren Kate
Doubleday, 2013. ISBN: 9780857532275.
(Age: 15+) Teardrop by Lauren Kate is a story about an older
teen by the name of Eureka who tragically loses her mother in a
freak accident. Eureka has to endure her father's new (and
irritating) wife Rhoda and the alienating stares of the people she
once called friends after her attempt at joining her mother in the
afterlife. Forced to go and see one of many therapists, failing to
meet her track coach's standards, missing her mother constantly and
having her father grow distant doesn't do much to sway the suicidal
thoughts in Eureka's head. The only things that pull her back from
the plunge and making detailed plans are her twin step-siblings and
two of her closest friends who resemble a beacon of light in her
dark world. Strange things start to happen as a mysterious boy named
Ander smashes into her car and magically keeps reappearing and
disappearing both from her life and her mind.
This novel is so unique in how it's written; all the characters are
so realistic and relatable that you almost feel like you know them
when you put the book down. This book has a seriously unexpected
plot and it unravels from this simple, straightforward world to a
whole other sea of mysteries and secrecies that are slowly revealed.
It is definitely not as it appears. Teardrop is well suited
for an older audience due to some action scenes, romantic and
violent themes and that younger readers may not understand or may
find a touch squeamish. Overall, this has got to be a must have for
readers who love mystery.
Sarah Filkin (Student)
Never eighteen by Megan Bostic
Definitions, 2012. ISBN 9780547550763.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Cancer. Death. An American book which has a
similar theme to Before I die, is Never Eighteen by
Megan Bostic. Austin asks his best friend, Kaylee to take him to a
few places one Saturday. He asks an older woman who he seems to know
well, to ring her daughter. He sees a boy he has not seen for a
while, and listens to his story about why he has dropped out of
life, then visits an old girlfriend he knows is being beaten by her
current boyfriend. He offers advice. He calls on a boy he bullied
many years before to apologise. The reader realises he has a list of
people whose lives he feels he can put back on track.
He has a list of people he wants to see before he dies, making sure
that things unsaid will be said, ensuring that their lives can be
improved. But he has only a few months to live. He wants his parents
to get back together, he knows that still care for each other, but
are unable to communicate. He wants his mother to talk to her
mother, estranged since his parents' split. He wants above all to
tell Kaylee that he loves her. In the background we hear of Austin's
bout with cancer, as he comes to the decision not to have any more
chemotherapy. He wants to be alive for his last few months, not
doped and in pain. Never Eighteen does not have the emotional depth of The
Fault in our Stars, or Before I die, but is
nevertheless a gripping read, and has been well received.
Fran Knight
The road to Gundagai by Jackie French
Matilda saga, book 3. Angus & Robertson, 2013. ISBN
9780732297220.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Australian history, Depression. After her parents have been drowned at sea, Blue goes to
hospital when a fire destroys her house and all of its contents. Her
aunts take her from the hospital before she has recovered from the
dreadful injuries the fire wrought on her body. But she does not get
any better: her hair is falling out, she vomits all her food,
retches at the thought of it, and so stays alone in her room. Her
only friend is Mah, the Chinese girl who worked for her parents on
their farm, and whose warning saved her from being incinerated.
Blue sees a circus pass her window and decides she must go and see
it, and does, although during the Big Top main event her aunts sweep
in and take her home, locking her in the room. The dwarf and fortune
teller from the circus steal her from the room, telling her she is
being poisoned and that the fire was deliberately lit.
So begins this adventure story like no other, jam packed with events
straight from a Girls Own Annual, but set against such a detailed
and exact background it defuses any questioning. French's love of
history shines through, her knowledge of the minutae of people's
lives is telling as we hear of the Depression and its affects
on people particularly in rural Victoria and then New South Wales,
as well as details of the circus and the travelers, the clothing,
housing and food of the times.
But she surprises us even further, as this becomes a murder
investigation, a crime novel with a strong sense of setting, one
that readers will read over and over again.
The character of Blue is marvelous. The injuries caused by the fire
and then her aunts' intervention are shocking, and all readers will
sympathise with her, wondering as I did, about her lack of movement
and feeling the pain when she moves unexpectedly. Her bravery and
courage is paramount, her willingness to overcome obstacles
laudable, her need to feel attractive most appealing to the target
audience. It is her story that carries the book: readers will want
to know how she survives and what becomes of her, who is trying to
keep her under wraps, and just what do these people want.
Fran Knight
Parasite by Mira Grant
Parasitology series, bk 1. Orbit, 2013. ISBN 978035650192.
(Age: 15+) This science fiction is to be the first of a trilogy
entitled Parasitology. It is based on the idea that humans
are healthier when hosting a parasite, notably a tape worm. (This is
indeed supported by scientific studies in reality.) It is set about
fourteen years into the future, with most of the action occurring in
2027. Multinational company Symbogen has patented a pill containing
genetic material from tapeworms and other unspecified gene sources,
marketed it aggressively, and vast numbers of people now host these
parasites in supposed harmonious symbiosis. All is not as it seems,
however, as people start coming down with a fatal 'sleepwalking'
sickness.
The novel is an engaging and pacey read, reminiscent of Michael
Crichton, and would certainly translate well into an action thriller
movie. It would be a good addition to the library shelves, and would
appeal to older students.
Anne Veitch
There was an old lady who swallowed a meerkat by P. Crumble
Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781742836461.
Highly recommended for all ages. There Was An Old Lady Who
Swallowed A Meerkat is a fun book full of gorgeous, bright and
funny illustrations, telling the traditional story of the old lady
swallowing unusual things. In this version, it is a trip to the zoo
that inspires the author to write about this lady's unusual eating
habits. Imagine the images in a child's mind as they picture this
little old lady swallowing a giraffe or a hippo! Hilarious! A great
way to introduce animals in a Science lesson, help with choral
reading with repetitive text or to create images as a reading
strategy. There is a whole series of these books which are sure to
have children of all ages laughing.
Kylie Kempster
Wombat's birthday surprise, ill. by Lachlan Creagh
Hachette, 2013. ISBN 9780734413932.
(Age: 3+) Picture book, Australian animals, Birthdays. Another in
the series of verse stories from Hachette, which includes Wombat
went a'walking and Wombat went a' dreaming, the three
are illustrated by Lachlan Creagh but there is no author stated.
The verse carries the tale along of Wombat sleeping while all his
animal friends bring together the ingredients for an array of party
treats. Koala makes pavlova, goanna brings the sprinkles for fairy
bread, echidna is making party pies and magpie the sausage rolls.
Each page shows these animals and the work they are doing for the
party.
For children this will be a treat, going through the delicious foods
needed for a children's birthday party, with some words in a
different colour helping them to learn new words.
The stress on the differing things made for the party will make it
way to teach some of the specifically Australian foods, and the
presentation of the animals of course, lends itself to stressing the
differing animals and their spellings.
This could be a a useful learning tool in an ESL class or junior
primary class where many children have had little exposure to rural
Australia.
Fran Knight
Chasing the Valley: Borderlands by Skye Melki-Wegner
Random House Australia, 2014. ISBN: 9781742759562.
(Age; 15+) Recommended. After destroying the tyrant king of
Taladia's plans to invade the safe haven known as the Magnetic
Valley, Danika and her crew of refugees cross uncharted lands that
none dare to tread to escape both the royal family as well as Sharr
Morrigan. Sharr and her band of hunters are in hot pursuit of the
crew consisting of the two scruffers, Danika and Teddy, two riche
twins, Clementine and Maisy and a disowned prince of the royal
family and Sharr's cousin, Lukas Morrigan. But things get even more
dangerous for the crew when sneaky bands of smugglers and a
gathering frontline of conscripted soldiers lie between them and the
Valley, them and freedom. These various groups of people are strange
enough but the peculiar actions of Lukas in the night and Danika's
Night proclivity gaining power makes things dangerous for the
refugee crew. As the crew struggles, they stumble across new
information that could bring their whole world tumbling down. Will
they be able to complete their dream of reaching the Magnetic
Valley? Chasing the Valley: Borderlands by Skye Melki-Wegner is an
epic sequel to the first novel, Chasing the Valley. Borderlands
carries on with the story seamlessly and makes the reader feel like
they never put the last book down. With themes of action, mystery
and mild romance, this novel suits older readers who enjoy reading a
good fight and tales of survival. This series is definitely, without
a doubt, one of my favourites.
Sarah Filkin (Student)
The lost sun by Tessa Gratton
United States of Asgard, book 1. Random House, 2013. ISBN
9780307977465.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Norse mythology. Fantasy. In the United
States of Asgard, ruled by Norse gods, 17 year old Soren is fighting
his berserker nature. His father had lost control of himself, going
berserk in a shopping mall and killing innocent people. He feels the
battle- frenzy and fever of the berserker, but tries to remain calm.
Isolated at Sanctus Sigurd's Academy he is amazed when the popular
Astrid Glyn, daughter of a famed seeress, tells him that she dreams
of him. When Baldur, son of Odin, fails to bring back the sun and
goes missing, Soren joins Astrid on a road trip across the States to
find him. Together they trace the missing god and find their own
powers and destiny.
This is an intelligent, beautifully crafted story based on the idea
that there is an alternative United States, a country governed not
only by the President, but by the gods. Gratton intertwines Norse
mythology and the fates of Soren and Astrid throughout the book in
such a way that the reader, even one unfamiliar with Norse legends,
is able to gain an understanding of the gods and how they operate.
The road trip across the United States of Asgard is a thrilling one.
What works exceptionally well is the struggle that Soren and Astrid
have with their feelings for each other and what fate and the gods
have determined for them. Soren is determined to fight his berserker
nature, while Astrid has to come to terms with the visions that she
sees. It was engrossing to follow Soren's story and to imagine what
it would have been like to be a berserker and to fear loss of
control and killing innocents. The themes of fatalism, faith, honour
and loyalty are explored in a sensitive, thought provoking way.
This was a compulsive read, which is much more thoughtful and
complex than many young adult novels. Fans of Neil Gaiman and Holly
Black will welcome The lost sun, and teens who liked the Percy
Jackson series by Rick Riordan could well enjoy this too.
Pat Pledger
