Storm glass. Harlequin Teen, 2010. ISBN 9781921685552.
Sea glass. Mira Ink, 2013. ISBN 9781848452473.
Spy glass. Mira Ink, 2013. ISBN 9781848452497.
(Age 15+) Paranormal. Magic. Opal Cowen who appeared in the
acclaimed Study series, has her own spin off series here.
She is a talented glassmaker who can trap magic inside glass and has
invented a glass gadget that allows long distance communication.
When members of the Stormdancers clan who control the violent storms
that invade the storm are killed, Opal has to fix their glass orbs
quickly before more catastrophe occurs. The three books chronicle
Opal's adventures as she is kidnapped trying to rescue the handsome
Stormdancer Kade and come to grips with the blood magic and glass
magic that she possesses and the power that could be unleashed if
the evil Warpers gained it.
I loved the Study series so was happy to read Opal's story
and to make acquaintance with some of my favourite characters again.
Yelena, Valik, Janco and Ari are secondary characters but it was
good to see how they had fared in the world where politics and
magicians abounded. Opal has to face some serious danger, including
torture, and make some difficult decisions about the young men in
her life. I have to say that I found the romance in these books not
as riveting as in the Study series as Opal vacillates
between three young men and her final decision is one that was a bit
difficult to come to grips with. However the adventure and the world
building made up for this. Snyder apparently had glass making
classes and this background adds authenticity to the descriptions of
the beautiful glass objects that were made. The addition of magic to
glass objects was a unique idea and the political machinations to
gain control of the glass magic formed a satisfying plot line
throughout the three books.
This series will be enjoyed by those readers who liked the Study
series and who enjoy adventure, romance and thrills in their
paranormal novels.
Pat Pledger
First Victory 1914: HMAS Sydney's hunt for the German raider Emden by Mike Carlton
Heinemann, 2013. ISBN 9781742757636
(Age: 15+) Recommended. This book and the events it describes,
coincides with the 100th anniversary of the first Royal Australian
Navy entry to Sydney Harbour, when the battle cruiser HMAS Australia,
and the cruisers Melbourne, Sydney and Encounter plus other ships
sailed into the harbour for the first time. One year later, the First
World War broke out and the RAN immediately sought action against
the Germans on the high seas and occupied territory to Australia's
north. As part of the German naval strategy, the Kaiser's cruiser
SMS Emden, acted as a lone raider and for 4 months she
captured and sank allied merchant ships. Mike Carlton's book covers
these events and the first victory by Australia's navy, within the
context of the outbreak of the Great War and the daily lives of
individuals caught up in the conflict.
I enjoyed this book because the author's enthusiasm for the history
of the naval engagement between the Sydney and the Emden,
wasn't limited just to naval tactics. The reader was able to derive
a clear picture of the broader nature of the war but at the same
time, understand its effects on individuals. If read by senior high
school students, they would gain a clear understanding of
Australia's early involvement in the First World War.
Mike Carlton is a well regarded journalist and his depth of
scholarship is evident his insights into the spirit of the times,
the lives of the sailors and their families. It is an absorbing
tale. The book includes excellent maps, photographs, postscript and
appendices.
Paul Pledger
The story of a new name by Elena Ferrante
Trans. by Ann Goldstein. Text, 2013. ISBN 9781922147684.
(Age: Senior secondary) Highly recommended. The Story of a new
name is the second volume in the series that began with My
Brilliant friend. It is an absorbing continuation of the story
of two girls' lives and their friendship, and of the city, Napoli,
where they live. In this volume Lila is now a married woman, having
decided that her future will not be served by continuing her
education. Elena, or Lenu, stays on at school, and disciplines
herself to put many hours into her study. She envies Lila her new
wealth, but knows that Lila's tempestuous and brilliant spirit will
not find happiness with her wealthy but unimaginative husband. She
also feels that Lila will thwart her in romance, which happens when
Lila and Nino, who Lenu loves, have an affair resulting in a child
and Lila's abandonment. Lenu recognizes too that Lila is a true
creative spirit who can achieve many things despite her lack of
education. The sinister Solara brothers also recognize Lila's
potential and are determined that she will not escape from the
control they exercise over her husband and family. Lenu scores high
grades in her final exams at school and wins a scholarship to a
university in Pisa, where she learns to eradicate signs of Napoli
from her speech and her manners. She graduates, having written a
thesis on the Aeneid, and becomes engaged to a promising classicist,
the son of influential academics. However, she understands that this
learning has nothing to do with her, with her poor family and her
harried but malicious mother, with the violence of the streets and
homes of Napoli, or with her friend who has always seemed to
understand how life works. In desperation Lenu writes a novel that
is based on their lives and that reveals the desperate and sordid
struggle that most of the people she grew up with experience. Lila
has by now recognized that wealth is no answer, but poverty too
cramps the spirit; to support her child she takes work in a sausage
making factory, work that is brutal and damaging. When Lenu, knowing
that her novel owes much to Lila, finds her Lila is pleased about
Lenu's success but has herself found a new goal. The volume ends
with the launch of Lenu's novel and re-entry of an unexpected
character.
This is an engrossing novel. It is perceptive about the nature of
families in such situations, about the limits of parental care and
about the every-day violence that is inflicted on children and
wives. It is perceptive, too, about the role of education, and how
it is a beacon promising change and a better life, but how it
doesn't always relate to the reality of students' lives. Lenu
doesn't fit in to Napoli any more but where does she fit? She has
learning but not the contacts or culture required for a university
lecturer. The novel is also perceptive about the small-time crooks
who run the streets and businesses, and who are experts in terror
and extortion. The main theme is that of the nuanced friendship
between the two young women and it clearly shows that push and pull
that exists between friends who have lived through childhood
together and had the same ambitions, but whose lives deviate in
adulthood. It is highly recommended for senior readers.
Jenny Hamilton
Hugless Douglas finds a hug! by David Melling
Hodder, 2013. ISBN 9781444912678.
(Age: 2+) Picture book, Puppet, Love. The fifth in the series about
Hugless Douglas, has Douglas waking in the morning and trying to
find his first hug for the day. He asks a variety of beings, sheep,
an owl and rabbits, but all have a reason not to hug the bear.
Eventually they all try to find Douglas a hug, and it happens.
Douglas is a glove puppet in this rendition of his tale, and so the
parent or sibling reading the book to a smaller child will use the
glove puppet to read the story. Easy to handle, the glove puppet is
cute and endearing, and the arms will be able to give a small child
a hug at the end of the book.
Neatly resolved, the illustrations are bright and imaginative,
entreating a child to look more closely at what is offered on each
page. The robust nature of the board pages will ensure that this book
is long lasting, and the glove puppet too is quite robust.
An interactive book for the kindergarten or home, the emphasis on
love and hugs will make this a favourite amongst small children.
Fran Knight
Allies & Assassins by Justin Somper
Atom, 2013. ISBN 9780349001906.
(Age: 11-14) Justin Somper can always be relied upon to create
something with a unique feel about it, for example his hugely
entertaining Vampirates books. Allies & Assassins
follows in this vein. It is sort of a cross between Fantasy and CSI.
Prince Jared is second in line to the throne of Archenfield and
never expects to be ruler until his brother Prince Anders is found
dead in his bed. The assassin is thought to be from a neighbouring
kingdom and the suspect is quickly caught and beheaded. However
Asta, the physician's niece and apprentice has some reservations and
persuades Prince Jared that there is some doubt and together they
set out to get at the truth. The fast paced story looks at a day by
day account of the next week, as the death toll mounts and various
suspects examined, until at last the truth is revealed. Short
chapters and the day by day format keep interest high and the
characters are filled out enough to make them interesting with the
hint of a romance between Asta and Prince Jared.
I am sure that upper primary/middle school readers would enjoy the
beguiling mixture of this story and look forward to the next book in
the series.
David Rayner
Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan
The Lynburn Legacy Book 2. Simon & Schuster Childrens Books,
2013. ISBN 9780857078094.
(Age: 14+) Paranormal, magic, mystery, romance, identity.
This is the sequel to Unspoken in the new series from Sarah
Rees Brennan, who previously gave us the most amazing Demon Lexicon
trilogy. To briefly recap, Unspoken is a mystery story in
which the protagonist Kami Glass, part journalist, part
miss-bossy-boots, sets out to discover who is trying to take over
her beautifully named village, Sorry-in-the-Vale. We discover early
that she speaks constantly to a voice in her head, a boy named
Jared, who has spoken back for as long as she can remember. Of
course it shouldn't surprise us that the alarming, almost mystical
events at the village coincide with the arrival of two gorgeous
cousins, one of whom turns out to be the elusive Jared. But in
person, he isn't quite the boy Kami thought. The story moves quickly
into a paranormal mode and the ending is so shocking and
heart-breaking, that I almost couldn't force myself to read the next
one.
In both narratives, Rees Brennan uses snark like some authors use
cliches - often and without fear. But unlike the cliche-card
carriers, she is also witty and clever. Kami is a delight. She is
fearless and a bit reckless, but also loyal and true. Her best
friend Angela dislikes people intensely, and her brother Rusty, a
laconic martial arts black belt, are just two of the secondary
characters developed fully and sensitively. The cousins Ash and
Jared are suitably enigmatic, and we don't blame Kami for being
suspicious and cautious.
In Untold, Kami and her little band of scoobies are still
battling the evil villain who tries to 'persuade' the village to
return to the 'old ways'. This basically amounts to the villagers
being offered luck and good fortune in return for a blood sacrifice,
which allows the magicians to harness their power. When I put it
like this, it all sounds a little far-fetched, but honestly what
magic story doesn't? For about half the novel Kami and Jared are
kept apart, but eventually they find their way back to each other
(be patient dear reader). It won't surprise you to hear that all the
way they are dealing with threats, conflict, and murder attempts.
The overwhelming concern is that their side just isn't powerful to
take on the might of the other. This situation is not really
conducive to tender romantic moments, but there is one, and it is
perfect.
Once again, we are left with a horrible cliff-hanger, but I believe
with all of my optimistic little heart that Rees Brennan will find a
way to make it all end happy-ever-after. This is not my favourite
series ever, but I do like that it is original, extremely witty, and
that it offers a range of positive representations of both ethnic
groups and sexual orientations. These are much needed in YA fiction.
Trisha Buckley
The pure gold baby by Margaret Drabble
Text, 2013. ISBN 9781922147516.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. In Margaret Drabble's latest novel, The
pure gold baby, the central concern is the relationship
between Jess, a single mother, and her daughter Anna, the pure gold
baby who is always happy but has an intellectual disability. Told by
the first person narrator, one of Jess's friends, the story begins
when Jess, an anthropologist, sees children with SHSF (either fused
fingers or toes) playing near an African lake. She responds to them
with tenderness, and comes to believe that this sight is a
preparation for her own child's disability. Anna is a beautiful and
sweet tempered baby, but does not develop as other children do. She
cannot learn how to read or write, and as her baby friends grow she
becomes more dependent on her mother and her mother's friends. Jess
develops professionally, writes and studies, and maintains her
friendships, even marrying, but increasingly the central
relationship of her life is with her daughter. Drabble demonstrates
the dilemma facing all parents of permanently dependent children.
Should Jess put Anna into care? Should she live in sheltered
accommodation? Jess tries a boarding school for her daughter but
eventually both she and Anna are happier when Anna returns home.
Jess eventually visits Africa again, with Anna, and realizes that
her quiet days at home with Anna are what she now needs most. The
passing of years allows Drabble to deal with another theme, the
changing social milieu. Suburbs change, attitudes to child raising
change, and, most importantly, beliefs about how to deal with
disability and mental illness change. As an anthropologist Jess is
aware of and studies the attitudes of those who try to improve the
lives of others. Missionaries and psychiatrists and their theories
about how best to deal with questions of treatment and care are of
interest to her. Treatments have changed quite significantly since
Anna's birth in the sixties, and there seems to be no one answer.
Jess also maintains contact with those who do not live mainstream
lives, perhaps as models for Anna's future. Drabble's final theme is
that of mortality, of how our values change as we age, and of how
particularly difficult such a process is for a parent with a
dependent and disabled child. Written in measured sentences the book
is easy to read and insightful about both the process of raising a
disabled child, and the role of memory and hope in all lives.
Drabble deals with what happens in her characters' lives but also
tries to give an understanding about why they make the choices they
do. It is recommended for older readers.
Jenny Hamilton
A plesiosaur broke my bathtub by Nick Falk
Ill. by Tony Flowers. Saurus Street 5
Recommended for 6-8 years of age. Themes: Plesiosaurs, Grandparents,
Adventure, Loch Ness monster.
Absolutely gross, toilet humour at its worst, a wonderful read for
boys from 6-8 years!
Thomas's grandparents live at the end of Saurus Street in an ancient
house without electricity and indoor plumbing. Their outdoor toilet
with its bottomless pit is terrifying for Thomas because he's sure
it is home to the hideous greenwater beast. At midnight when he
needs to go to the loo, he prepares to confront his fears and
overcome his vivid imagination. Unfortunately Thomas's life
literally goes down the toilet when a witch like creature (Grandma)
frightens him.
After this horrifying fall, Thomas finds himself in a dark space
surrounded by sticky walls, luckily he's a good swimmer and is able
to escape by swimming underwater out into Saurus Lake. To his horror
he's hooked like a like a fish by a strange girl Molly, who is
hunting for an Elasmosaurus, Ellie the Loch Saurus monster. Molly
and her Scottish father live in a rusty old caravan on the edge of
the lake and they want to preserve the natural habitat and feeding
ground for Ellie. Unfortunately, the malicious Reverend and Mrs.
Parsnip have bought up the rights to fish the lake and build a
fishing lodge that will devastatingly impact on Ellie's environment.
This is the fifth exciting adventure in the Saurus Street series
with Thomas and Molly using some unusual tactics to save Ellie from
the evil property developers.
Rhyllis Bignell
Xylophone Xavier by Susannah McFarlane
Ill. by Lachlan Creagh. Little Mates series. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN
9781742837413.
(Ages 4+) Alphabet books, Australian animals. Xavier is a Xiphias
gladius (which is an extremely tricky way of saying swordfish).
Xavier loves xylophones - he has sixty!
Susannah McFarlane is down to the tricky letters of the alphabet and
x is a particularly interesting one. According to wiki answers there
are 132 'x' words, whilst Oxford online lists 120 'x' words in use
today. The author has taken up the challenge for the Little Mates
series by relying on the standard fare of xylophones and x-rays and
adding words with 'x' anywhere in the word.
Xavier the xylophonist has four friends Xander, Xeni, Xenos and
Xanthe who help him x-ray his collection of xylophones. Hidden
inside one is a secret map with an X marking the spot of the hidden
treasure.
This book is more challenging than the others because of the words
and phrases used, for example - 'an exhilarating extravaganza,
exacting, exquisite, exhibition'. These all need to be explained to
the listener, they are not part of their normal vocabulary.
This Little Mate Series book is more suited to a young child from 4
years and up.
Rhyllis Bignell
The full ridiculous by Mark Lamprell
Text, 2013. ISBN 9781922147264.
(Age: Senior secondary) Michael O'Dell, the main character in this
first novel by Mark Lamprell, is having a bad time. Did it start
with his son Declan's over-indulgence in marijuana? Or was it his
daughter Rosie's violent confrontation with an over-indulged
class-mate? Or was it his own cynical movie reviewing that led to a
confrontation with a disappointed director? Or was it being
struck by a blue Volvo on a pedestrian crossing while jogging?
Whenever the start, his life keeps getting worse. He has taken a
year off work to write a definitive work about Australian movies,
but the writing is not going well. He has two mortgages and school
fees to pay. His wife Wendy is tirelessly supportive and loving, as
is Egg, his dog. However his teenage children have escalating
problems that he is unable to solve, because of his own problem, a
deepening depression that his psychiatrist (who he cannot afford)
feels is connected to an unresolved trauma from earlier in his life.
Matters keep getting worse. He feels more and more useless but
evades taking the problem seriously, until he eventually
contemplates suicide. However, he bungles it and lives on, to have a
psychological break through thanks to his psychiatrist. His children
solve their own problems. He is offered work again and joyfully
accepts the chance. Wendy and Egg are still tirelessly loving, one
critically, one totally uncritically. Michael now understands that
love is what matters. This book is a tragi-comedy, with the comedic
elements stronger than the tragic. There is a message here about the
debilitating nature of depression, and the need to take the symptoms
seriously, but much of the novel is simply very entertaining.
Michael's is the voice that tells the story and it is a wry,
perceptive one that captures his own failings accurately and
humorously. Lamprell has a good ear for dialogue and the teenagers'
voices are captured particularly well. This novel is insightful
about family life and about what a father feels his role should be.
It is an easy read and is very entertaining. It is suitable for
older readers.
Jenny Hamilton
Cry blue murder by Kim Kane and Marion Roberts
University of Queensland Press, 2013. ISBN: 9780702239267.
(Age: Middle school) Recommended. Cry blue murder is a very
inventive young adult novel told in a very non-traditional way, the
story unfolds through a series of emails and documents which might
be found in a lawyer's brief. Main characters Celia and Alice meet
online after the disappearance of one of Celia's fellow students,
Hallie Knight, and become quick friends in their shared speculation
of the serial killer targeting a string of missing girls. Before
long Hallie is found and becomes the only known survivor of a man
dubbed 'The Cocoon Killer', unfortunately she also begins to loose
her mind and is not able to assist the police in finding her captor.
Meanwhile another girl is missing, soon to be found dead. This new
tragedy draws the girls closer than ever - each fearing that they
might be the next victim of 'The Cocoon Killer'.
Despite the chilling title this novel quickly looses its eeriness
and falls into a lull while focusing on the dramas of every day life
and the development of a close friendship between the girls. I found
this novel to be an easy read, sharing important cyber safety
messages in a very subtle way. I found myself mentally screaming at
Celia as I read - unable to believe that she would ignore the most
basic cyber-safety lessons all children today are taught at home and
school.
I would recommend this novel for middle school students who don't
like to read traditional novels. Its simple presentation of evidence
motivates readers to draw their own conclusions about the serial
killings of private school-girls.
Kayla Gaskell (Student)
The Nelly gang by Stephen Axelsen
Walker Books, 2013. ISBN 9781921977916.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Graphic novel. Gold rush. Bushrangers.
Australian history. When Nelly and her father Paddy finally strike
it rich on the Victorian goldfields in 1860, they are really
thrilled. But bushrangers find out about the gold and holdup their
coach on the road to Wodonga. They kidnap Paddy, but Nelly flees
into the bush. It is then up to Nelly and her friends Jin, Miro and
Queenie the goat, to rescue Paddy and retrieve the gold.
This is an exciting adventure story that children will be able to
read for the sheer thrills of the kidnap and escapes. Nelly is a
spirited heroine who is ably helped by her little gang as they fight
their way through the bush and take on the evil bushrangers who are
hiding out. As Nelly plunges into danger, the reader will learn much
about life on the goldfields and the great diversity of
nationalities that came to Victoria hoping to make their fortunes.
Axelsen's illustrations bring the period to life and it is obvious
that he has done a lot of research into the period. This book
contains a treasure trove of information for the reader to uncover
about the gold rush period in Australian history. A schoolroom in a
tent is illustrated, showing trestle desks, slates, blackboard and
chalk and a nasty teacher wielding a cane. Miners are drawn showing
them digging shafts and cradling for gold and the tent city and
transport and clothing of the period are also illustrated all in an
amusing and involving way that will keep an observant reader
occupied for quite some time. A short glossary at the back explains
some of the words like 'Eureka' and 'Good morning' in many
languages.
This story really succeeds on two levels. It is a funny, engrossing
adventure story with a multicultural flavour. At the same time it is
an ideal book to have on hand for students when studying the gold
rushes and bushrangers.
Pat Pledger
ACID by Emma Pass
Corgi Childrens, 2013. ISBN 9780552566148.
(Ages: 15+)Recommended. Reminiscent of the TV show Alias and the
movie SALT, ACID is a futuristic dystopian featuring a kickass main
character assuming multiple identities throughout the novel, with
nonstop action, romance and constant twists and turns.
Jenna Strong is serving a life sentence in prison for killing her
parents. Despite being the only female, she can take on even the
most hardened criminals with a flick of her wrist. One day, her
trusted confidante Dr Fisher helps her escape prison - while getting
murdered by the ACID police in the process - who pin it all on
Jenna. With the best surgeons at work, Jenna is given a new face and
a new identity to start a new life...as Mia Richardson.
As a hardened criminal, privileged citizen, fugitive, extremist and
saviour, Jenna assumes multiple identities throughout the novel
which shows different sides to her. She undergoes major character
development as she learns more about the world controlled by ACID.
When she meets Max, someone who she rescues and feels obligated to
accompany, Jenna's demeanour softens and her caring side comes out.
The romance slowly develops over the course of the novel and Max's
trust in Jenna furthers her character development, and it never
detracts from the story.
Set in futuristic International Republic of Britain, the world of
ACID is fleshed out elegantly in detail. ACID is the police force
that controls every from the news, information, transport, and even
who people partner with (Life Partners) and when they can have
children. We learn more about the world through snippets from the
news and letters scattered throughout the book, and the world
building flowed naturally throughout the story.
While most of the book was captivating, I found it lost momentum
later on. A major plot twist happens where the reader knows what is
going on miles ahead of the character itself, so when she realises
we're already disengaged. While the ending wrapped up everything
nicely, it just seemed a little too convenient as a solution to the
constrained society.
I love how this book is a standalone novel, and there's no dragging
out loose ends for the sake of being a series. The epilogue gives us
the perfect amount of closure, while still planting a seed to let us
speculate on what happens next. Overall, ACID is a solid debut that
explores some new concepts. I would recommend it to lovers of
dystopian everywhere and can't wait to read more from Emma Pass.
Jeann Wong
Colour for Curlews by Renee Treml
Random House Australia Children's, 2013. ISBN 9781742759210.
Highly recommended for Early Childhood readers in particular.This
second picture book offering from Renee Treml is a treasure trove
for younger readers and teachers of lower school children. Two
cheeky and curious curlews discover some wonderful paints and
decided to adorn themselves - starting a definite fashion trend with
a host of other familiar Australian birds.
With a wonderful daub of alliteration and a palette of rhyme to
enhance the text, young readers are introduced not only to their
basic colours but also the principles of colour mixing. As the
bowerbirds, brolgas, Gouldian finches, lorikeets and more try out
their flash new colours, along comes One Very Tired Wombat (the
previous picture book character from this exciting new
author/illustrator) who goes to sleep in a puddle of brown paint.
But will he still be brown when he wakes up?
The vibrancy of the colourful illustrations will have the young
artists in your class itching to get to the paint pots - I can
already visualise a sumptuous mural of native birds as a truly
gorgeous display. The addition of some factual notes at the end of
the book provides an engaging balance to this delightfully riotous
explosion of colour madness. Be sure to put this one on your
shopping list - it will not disappoint! This is one that might stay
on my shelves rather than go as a gift to a grandchild methinks!
Sue Warren
Shades of earth by Beth Revis
Across the universe, bk 3. Penguin, 2013. ISBN 9780141333700.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Science fiction. Dystopian fiction. Romance.
Amy and Elder have left the spaceship, Godspeed, behind and have
landed on Centauri-Earth hoping to build a new life for themselves
and the people who have journeyed with them. But life is dangerous
on Centauri-Earth - there are purple flowers that numb the mind and
giant pterodactyl-like birds that hover overhead. There are ruins
that indicate that there was human occupation in the past and it
appears as if they are not alone on the planet.
This is a very satisfying conclusion to the series. Many new
elements are introduced that propel the plot forward and keep the
ideas new and fresh. The action is thrilling as Amy and Elder try to
find out what is happening on the planet and who they can trust. The
world building is also engrossing, with its strange plants,
buildings and animals that can be terrifying but at the same time
fascinating. As a reader I had no trouble imagining this strange
world and the effort that would go into surviving on it.
The introduction of adults into the character mix, including Amy's
parents and other military personnel who have awoken from their deep
freeze, add a new element and test both Amy and Elder's leadership
skills and abilities. Elder's self-sacrificing and noble character
shines through the trials that he has to face. He is able to
compromise and think things through but always he puts the life of
his people first. Amy has to decide who she trusts, her parents or
her own intuition, and the love between Elder and Amy is sorely
tested as a handsome young soldier becomes interested in Amy.
The shattering finale brings with it many questions, not the least
is what does it mean to be human?
This is excellent science fiction that should appeal to both boys
and girls and provide lots of food for thought. I look forward to
reading Revis' next book and was sad to see the end of this series.
Pat Pledger
