Ill. by Andrew Joyner. Little Hare, 2013. ISBN 9781921714832.
(Age: 4+) Warmly recommended. Picture book. Humour. First
impressions. Many people come to look at the house next door which
is up for rent, the last very noisy occupants having left. Dad is
hopeful about having no neighbours so that he can do his yoga
sessions, requiring peace and quietness. But into the house come
three untidy looking men who are delighted to find a house where
they can store their cars, allow their dogs to rampage around the
yard, and hold loud, noisy parties. Dad is most unhappy.
Dad calls them yobbos, a word new to his daughter. He explains that
his means layabouts, yahoos and louts, and when her ball goes over
the fence, he tells her not to go over to fetch it. But she does.
Life continues with cars filling the back yard, their bodies up on
bricks. The parties seem to be getting bigger and louder, while Dad
is in knots trying to do his yoga.
One day their car won't start and the three next door lean over the
fence and offer to help. With the car fixed they go on their way.
Soon another party is being held, and the two go over to ask whether
they can turn down the music to allow dad to continue his
yoga. A neat resolution sees the neighbours coming together.
This is an endearing story of judging books by their cover, or by
how they look, and is a treat to read. With its jaunty drawings,
combining pen an ink, digitally combined with gouache and ink wash,
the five main characters are delightful. The three new neighbours
with their assorted facial hair, tattoos, thongs and ugg boots are
easily identifiable, as are the long suffering father and daughter.
Each has a different perspective on what they value in their homes,
and when these ideas clash, they must come to some arrangement. And
it is not as hard as they think.
A lovely story which will make adults smile and children laugh, the
theme of getting along will appeal to teachers and parents
everywhere.
Fran Knight
Eric Vale: Off the Rails by Michael Gerard Bauer
Ill. by Joe Bauer. Omnibus Books, 2013. ISBN: 9781862919945.
Recommended. I already have a cue of year 5 boys waiting at my door
to be the first one to read the latest Eric Vale adventure. Such is
the appeal of this series beginning with Epic Fail and
followed by Super Male.
Eric Vale is in trouble with Principal Porter. His parents have been
called in to hear his explanation of the 'very disturbing incident'
which occurred that afternoon whilst on an excursion to the Museum.
The rest of the book is Eric's side of the story explaining how the
school librarian Mrs Booth and a book titled Aliens - The Untold
Story, Eric's best friend Chewey, and relief teacher Miss
Allen, are responsible for Eric's bizarre behaviour over the school
week and at the Museum.
The cartoons styled illustrations on each page add a hilarious
commentary to the text as Eric becomes embroiled in the search for
the truth about Miss Allen. The adventure of Agent Derek Dale as
drawn by Eric in his journal, as a story within a story, adds to the
fun. These illustrations are certainly integral to the success of
the Eric Vale stories.
I love the way the chapters have been labelled the beginning, the
middle and the end of his side of the story, reinforcing the
narrative style of his story and separating it from the current
events in the Principal's office.
Using bold and larger sized font to highlight individual words
breaks up the text and adds to the appeal for children who find the
closer, more regular text forms over a whole page daunting.
I look forward to the next adventure. What else rhymes with Vale? I
think I'll start a competition with my enthusiastic fans, whoever
gets the right rhyme reads the next book first.
Sue Keane
Ash Road by Ivan Southall
Text Classics, 2013 (c1965). ISBN 9781922147493.
Where to start with this award winning Australian Classic novel?
Three boys on a camping trip accidentally start a bushfire that
spreads over an enormous area threatening lives and property.
Whilst mainly concerned with the residents of Ash Road the story
looks at the impact on the surrounding districts as well.
The book has a vintage feel, there are no mobile phones, no
computers and the lack of communication devices would be unfamiliar
to most young people. Also the respect shown to older people
is now not so familiar. However the description of the fire
and the atmosphere of the day are so vividly described, that it
brought back for me very unpleasant memories of Ash Wednesday in
1983. What it also highlights is how the children involved
have to rely on themselves and their own resources and how this
changes them in positive ways.
This is a deservedly classic story as it shows how life in the bush,
even close to cities, can never be taken for granted as the right
combination of circumstances can easily conjure up the catastrophe
that is described so chillingly in the story.
David Rayner
The Loser List: Jinx of the Loser by H.N. Kowitt
Scholastic, 2013. ISBN: 9780545507943.
Another in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid style of books aimed at
8-12 year olds featuring Danny Shine, comic book geek, Jinx of
the Loser is the third of this series by Holly Kowitt.
Danny is given tickets to the school's baseball game by the coolest
girl in school and accepts them despite his complete lack of
interest in the game and its importance in the school's history. It
was their chance to win the baseball championship for the first time
ever.
In an unfortunate twist of fate Danny protects himself from the ball
and prevents Luke Strohmer, star athlete, completing a catch. From
that point on the game deteriorates, the championship is lost and
all the supporters blame Danny. Their ensuing bad behaviour at the
ground convinces the Principal to announce, in the light of budget
restraints, to cut all after school sports.
Life of course becomes worse for Danny as the whole school blames
him for losing the game and the after school sports program. When
the roller coaster at the Amusement Park breaks down, whilst Danny
is on it, he is officially declared a Jinx.
Helping Luke present a convincing argument to save the sports
program and redeeming his reputation are all that is left to do
before Danny's life can return to normal.
Presented on pseudo lined paper and including comic illustrations to
enhance the story gives the appearance of a student's workbook,
complete with lists. The story is told in the first person so we
agonise with Danny throughout.
As the message of taking responsibility for one's own actions
becomes quite clear towards the end and the situations Danny finds
himself in are quite typical of all schools, not just American
institutions, I am confident this story will be well received in
school libraries.
Sue Keane
The Big Book of Flight by Rowland White
Random House, 2013. ISBN 9780593070314.
This truly is a big book of flight - not so much in its dimensions
but in its scope. 'As long as human beings have lived alongside
birds, we've wanted to join them. Our efforts to do so have rarely
been as elegant or as smooth, but they have been dangerous,
exciting, intriguing, clever, unexpected, loud, spectacular,
courageous, ambitious, unsuccessful and brilliant . . . . The
Big Book of Flight is a celebration of all those efforts.'
Beginning with the story of Icarus it offers detailed accounts
of almost anything to do with flight from polar aviation to military
uses to the dream of the flying car. Flight is clearly a passion of
the author and is demonstrated in the meticulous research which must
have gone into its writing. Accompanied by numerous illustrations
including photos and diagrams, it is a most comprehensive work which
would engage anyone with a similar passion. However, because it is
more than a dip-and-delve text with short chunks of information, it
would be more suited to an audience of independent readers wanting
to explore much deeper than superficial explanations and stories
starting with senior primary.
A great investment which could fire the imaginations and careers of
some future pilots.
Barbara Braxton
The vanishing moment by Margaret Wild
Allen and Unwin, 2013. ISBN 9781743315903.
(Age 14+) Highly recommended. Adolescent. Mystery. Supernatural.
Arrow is still haunted by a childhood tragedy that has left her
mother overprotective and Arrow apathetic about her future. Marika
is a talented young artist making sculptures and attending
university, and whose life is turned into a nightmare after one
moment of inattention. Both are at a cross-road in their lives. What
would happen if they could live a different version of their lives?
Who would it affect?
Wild takes us on a journey of three lives in three narratives,
commencing with Bob whose live is so appalling that as a reader I
was left breathless with the abuse both physical and mental that was
dealt out to him by his stepfather. Arrow's story then follows. She
is a sleepwalker, whose habit nearly leads her into danger, only to
be rescued by her neighbour out walking his dog. She is indifferent
to life, sleeps until midday and has not kept in touch with her
friends. She thinks often of her childhood friends and what would
have happened if she had reported that they were left alone at
night. Marika makes intense sculptures, but also looks after her
young brother Jasper and promises not to let go of his hand.
Terrible circumstances bring all three together when they meet at
Shelley Beach and Arrow is told of the Interchange that she could
have accepted to right the terrible wrong that had happened to the
friends that she had loved. Bob has used the Interchange but Marika
and Arrow must make a decision about it.
After some heart wrenching twists one group of people is finally
happy at the expense of the other. Then Wild adds a last chapter
showing what would have happened if Arrow had accepted the
Interchange when it was offered to her as a child and how each of
the different characters that the reader had met would have
prospered or suffered.
This is a novel that begs for a second, closer read to follow up the
literary references, to Borges' story The garden of forking
paths and Gwen Harwood's poem The twins, and the
questions of ethical choice. Would Arrow cause more harm by giving
money to a beggar who might spend it on alcohol, or would she be
helping him? It should garner much interesting discussion and would
be an ideal literature circle book or class set.
Pat Pledger
The big beet by Lynn Ward
Ill. by Adam Carruthers. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781862919662.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Picture book. Working together. Verse
story. When Thelma wants to have a burger for tea, she sends her
husband Bert out to the vegie patch to get a beetroot. He picks the
biggest one, with a huge array of green leaves on top of the ground,
promising a beauty below. But he cannot pull it out. Each double
page from then on shows people passing by, offering to help, but all
with little success.
The refrain after each attempt reads,
'Still the beet wouldn't budge.
'Thel, we'll have to have canned.'
But someone else passes by, and the last line says,
'No, you'll get it out. I'll give you a hand,' finishing the rhyme.
Many attempts are made, one with a passing surfer, another with
tattooed Shazza and Daz, followed by an elegant doctor. All attempts
fail. Canned beetroot looks a real certainty until a voice says that
she'll give a hand and they turn to see a young girl in a frilly
pink dress. Bert is disparaging, thinking her too small, but her
extra help gives enough oomph for the beetroot to come out of the
ground.
The delightful illustrations show the attempts by the people above
the ground, contrasting wildly with the array of animals beneath the
ground, seemingly pulling the other way. Each page is dotted will
little animals and jokes, and surprisingly, a spaceship which flies
off once the beetroot has been pulled out. The last double page
shows all the helpers tucking into a burger with beetroot.
Carruthers' pen and ink illustrations combined with digital effects
add spice to the story of the beetroot, and kids will love searching
for the multitude of things included. It is great to see an
acknowledgement of the folktale on which this story is based, which
will send kids searching for it in the library and on the internet
to compare it with the new version, adding another level of interest
and learning to an already wonderful book.
Fran Knight
Holiday of a Lifetime by Megan de Kantzow
Omnibus Books, 2013. ISBN 9781862919983.
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. The idea of travelling around Europe,
with your family, may sound amazing to you but Anna is stressed.
Anna believes in being prepared for any disaster and being 1000's of
kilometres from home has so many disaster possibilities! Anna's
family is off on a trip of a lifetime. They visit Paris, London,
Venice and Finland, exploring historical landmarks, meeting new
friends and allowing their mother to revisit her love of art.
Anna's desire to be ready for any disaster helps her save her
brother and sister and her whole family look at her with a new
light, even Anna is happy to try new things. Holiday of a Lifetime is an easy to read novel, highly
recommended for girls aged 11+. It is set out like a diary and Anna
records her thoughts, fears and adventures. The historical links
would make it an interesting guided reading novel or even a class
novel with its Geography and English links.
Kylie Kempster
Smooch and Rose by Samantha Wheeler
University of Queensland Press, 2013. ISBN 9780702249860.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Smooch and Rose is an
uplifting story proving that everyone is special and anyone can make
a difference. Set in Queensland, Smooch and Rose is the
story of primary school student Rose and her love for a rescued,
baby koala called Smooch. Shunned and teased by other children, Rose
has a new friend. Unfortunately, Gran can't afford to stay on their
beloved strawberry farm and it is sold. What will happen to Rose,
Gran and Smooch? Smooch and Rose is an easy to read, quick moving story and is
highly recommended for girls aged 10+. They will love reading about
shy Rose and her fight to save her koala friend.
The book would be a great class novel as well, linking persuasive
writing and the Geography curriculum.
Kylie Kempster
Best Book Day Ever by L. Pichon
Tom Gates. Scholastic Australia, 2013. ISBN 9781743620144.
(Age: 10+) Tom Gates Best Book Day Ever is part of a series
and is a great book to read in the lead up to Book Week. Tom Gates,
the main character, is getting ready for the Book Week parade and
really wants to go as Iron Man. His mum steps in to help with the
costume but it looks like he will go as a biscuit tin. How
embarrassing! Tom Gates Best Book Day Ever is set out with short, funny
text and simple cartoons. Tom Gates is a funny narrator and talks
about getting his costume ready, putting up with annoying Marcus and
his ultimate embarrassing moment when he realises what his mum has
attached his costume to. Boys, aged 10+ will enjoy reading about
Tom's antics and the mixture of text, quirky font and illustrations
makes it look like there are more pictures than writing (a great way
to attract reluctant readers).
Kylie Kempster
Unlocking the Spell by E. D. Baker
Bloomsbury, 2012. ISBN 9781408838457.
(Age: 10+) Unlocking the Spell is a sequel to The Wide
Awake Princess. The story follows Princess Annie, who is the
only person in the kingdom who can repel magic and dissolve spells.
After waking her sister Gwendolyn from her hundred-year sleep by
finding her prince Beldegard who just so happens to be a bear, Annie
is harassed by hundreds of villagers hoping to see through magic
spells. The only relief she gets is when she sees her beloved Liam.
Unfortunately her free time is affected when Gwendolyn constantly
nags Annie to spend time with her and Beldegard, as Annie's special
spell-repelling skills temporarily remove the bear spell that was
cast upon him. A decision is made to hunt for the evil dwarf who
cast the spell on Beldegard, but there are a few unexpected
travellers along for the trip. Will Annie find the evil dwarf and
turn Beldegard back into a man? What other creatures will they
encounter along the way? And will the annoying fairies ever leave
Annie alone?
The novel is aimed at independent readers aged 10 plus. The author
has cleverly woven other fairy tales, legends and myths into the
story, adding humour and lots of twists and exciting adventures
along the way. A thoroughly enjoyable story that girls will love.
Jemma Lorenz
What's the matter, Aunty May? by Peter Friend
Ill. by Andrew Joyner. Little Hare, 2012. ISBN 9781921714535.
(Age: 4+) Picture book. Humour. Verse story. Grandparents. In four
line verses, the story tells of the mayhem caused by the hero of the
book as he helps his long suffering aunt clean the house. While
Aunty May plays her harp in the background, her nephew sweeps the
floor, but manages to put the broom the screen door. While she fixes
the door, he manages to smash an expensive vase.He washes up, only
to smash one of her teacups, then dusting the highest shelves see
red ink spilt across Aunty. He vacuums, slurping up the budgie,
which when it finally escapes, leaves dust all over the lounge,
before landing in Aunty's hair. Mayhem continues with Aunty becoming
more frantic at what her nephew can possibly do next.
With the house full of water, mirrors cracked, Aunty's clothing and
hair somewhat awry, the nephew leaves her house with a jaunty
reminder that he will see her next day.
The verses will be a treat to read out loud, and readers will love
reading them to themselves, using different voices and inflections
to increase their mirth.
However it is used, it will be engaging, and the illustrations will
augment what is happening in the tale. Joyner's perception of the
nephew as a sweet looking, bow tied young man is priceless, and his
looks at the reader will engage all readers to follow his
destruction of the house.
Fran Knight
The sky so heavy by Claire Zorn
UQP, 2013. ISBN 9780702249761.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Fin is an average teenage boy who
lives with his parents and young brother Max in the Blue Mountains.
He likes Lucy Tenningworth and is just beginning to feel that he may
have a chance with her when he gets a phone call from his mother
telling him to buy all the water and non-perishable goods that he
can and to get home with Max as soon as possible. The next morning
he wakes up to a different world; there is black snow everywhere,
the electricity is out, internet is gone and his mother can't be
reached and his father has gone off with his new wife. Fin and Max
must learn to fend for themselves in this strange new world with its
threat of nuclear war.
This is a very exciting book that clearly shows what it would be
like to live without all the things that we take for granted. As
food supplies begin to dwindle and people get sick, Fin finds that
he has to take on an adult role and care for Max. I really liked the
character of Fin, who tells the story from his point of view. He is
funny and thoughtful, caring and understands his short comings. He
is the one who realises that the black snow is dangerous and won't
let Max touch it. He has to raid the local grocery store for food
and fend off people who want to take the few resources that he has.
Zorn is very clever in the way that she gets her characters to
explore not only what it is like to face a devastated world, but
also the characteristics like resilience and optimism that are
necessary to survive. Other major themes are racism, bullying,
suicide, the existence of God, corruption of power and whether
violence is ever acceptable.
Other characters like Noll and Lucy feel realistic as does the
setting of the small town that is inundated with snow with roads
closed and people isolated. The perils that the little group face on
their road trip to Sydney seeking Fin's mother and safety is vividly
written. The attitude of those who have food and water, and their
closing down the roads into Sydney and refusing to let people
through gives the reader the opportunity to see what it would be
like to be an asylum seeker and be refused refuge.
This is a thrilling read and will appeal to those who enjoyed Tomorrow,
when the war began by John Marsden. It would also make a great
literature circle or class novel as not only does it contain many
themes that could be discussed, it is also well written and
enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the sequel.
Pat Pledger
Steppin' with Benji Marshall by David Riley
Auckland, New Zealand: Studio Q, 2013. ISBN 9780473247010.
Reading Age 12-14. Subjects: Rugby Football. Sports Personalities.
Sports. Outdoor Recreation. Self-Awareness. Self-Esteem. Maori
Culture.
David Riley is a New Zealand secondary school teacher who is
passionate about encouraging students to excel in sport, drama and
reading. His website Reading
Warrior encourages secondary students to becoming part of the
Reading Warrior Tribe. Steppin' with Benji Marshall is the inspirational story of a
Maori boy who has overcome many challenges in his family and school
life on his journey to become a world class rugby league player.
'As a young Maori boy from a small town, my life shows that anything
is possible.
If I can do it, then so can you! Dreams come true.' Benji Marshall
Riley's enthusiasm for the sport is evident, in his fast-paced style
of writing, in the way football skills are explained and even in the
book's layout. Different font styles, lowercase heading and plenty
of exclamation points are interspersed with full page photographs
and additional facts to engage the reader's interest. 'Here's how it
went down' is a popular phrase throughout the book leading to match
play by play descriptions. Benji's schooling in Australia and his
games against his home country are challenges he faces and overcomes
with strength of spirit. Benji becomes a Mozzie, a Maori living in
Australia.
This is a great sports biography suited for fans of football, suited
for high-interest lower reading age students.
Rhyllis Bignell
Penguin on holiday by Salina Yoon
Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 9781408839072.
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Picture book. Holidays. Penguins. Friendship.
With Penguin and pinecone (2012) Yoon subtly displayed all
the aspects of friendship in a strangely moving tale of a Penguin
searching for his friend Pinecone. Here she has reprised a similar
theme, with Penguin deciding that he needs a holiday and so leaving
on his ice flow for a holiday place north of where he lives.
In reading, children will recognise the need for going somewhere
different from where they live now, see how people prepare for their
holidays, and read something about different places having different
things to offer.
Once he arrives at the beach, Penguin finds he cannot do the things
he would have done at home. He cannot sledge or skate or ski on the
hot sand, and so is disappointed. But Crab takes him in hand to show
him what he can do on this beach, where it is hot and sandy.
Together the two make sandcastles, swim, climb a coconut tree and
play together until it is time for Penguin to go back home. While
heading south he notices that he has a passenger, and finds Crab. He
needs a holiday as well, and returns with Penguin to his home.
This is a disarming tale of friendship, as the two quite dissimilar
beings help each other enjoy their time away from home. Children
will laugh at the antics of Penguin expecting to be able to do the
same things on his holiday, and at the oddity of a penguin doing
beachy things. Teachers and parents will be able to use this book on
many levels, discussing not only change and difference, but
holidays, what to expect when away from home, friendship and even
the concept of north and south.
Fran Knight
