Burning the bails: the story of the Ashes by Krista Bell
Ill. by Ainsley Walters. One Day Hill, 2013. ISBN 9780987131980.
(Age: 7+) Australian History, Cricket. Krista Bell offers younger
readers a ficitonalsied telling of the burning of the bails which
led to the Ashes, the name given to the series of cricket matches
between England and Australia. Within the brief story of the Clarke
family, the events leading up to Lady Janet inviting the burning of
the bails as a joke, then finding a small perfume bottle to contain
the ashes will intrigue younger readers. Bell tells the tale through
the eyes of Lady Janet's then younger son, six year old Russell,
ensuring it will appeal to that age group.
Beginning with the Clarke family's voyage back to Australia after
their Grand Tour of Europe in 1882, they met the English Cricket
team, a mix of professional and amateur cricketers coming to
Australia. Romance developed between their captain and Lady Janet's
companion, and the whole family being cricket mad, an invitation to
stay for Christmas at their home in Sunbury, Victoria was eagerly
accepted. The recent loss by the English Cricket team to an
Australian cricket team had prompted a journalist in London saying
that British cricket had died and was to be cremated, so starting
the idea of the ashes, to be made actual by Lady Janet's actions.
Naive pictures of the events in bold, arresting colours accompany
the text and photographs lent by the Clarke family are used as
endpapers as well as through the many pages of information given in
the last half of the book.
This tale will add to the array of picture books for middle primary
students being published at the moment, on various topics about
Australia's history suited to the Australian Curriculum.
Fran Knight
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Ill. by Rae Smith. Egmont, 2013. ISBN 9781405267960.
Inspired by a plaque on a painting of a horse in a village hall in
England, Michael Morpurgo has created this sensitive and
inspirational story of Joey, a young foal separated from his mother
a county fair to become the property of a harsh but hard-working
farmer who becomes a most courageous horse in the battlefields of
World War I. Told from Joey's perspective, it is through his eyes
that we learn of the sights, sounds, and smells of war, its ugliness
and fear in a way that shows its futility, yet, at the same time
demonstrates the courage, resilience, and loyalty of both humans and
animals in these times. But it is also a story of love and devotion
between a man and his horse and the synergy that that creates,
giving it a softness and poignancy that make it utterly engaging and
thought-provoking. Even though Joey and Albert come home to a hero's
welcome with bands and bells, Joey observes that 'the real heroes
have not come home'. What is it that makes a hero?
At times the story is challenging to the senses because it is
faithful to what was, but it is accompanied by magnificent
monochrome drawings by Rae Smith, designer of the National Theatre's
production of the stage version, which are far less confronting than
the images conveyed in the movie version and which earned that an M
rating. This makes it suitable for the primary library but some
discretion might be needed before it is recommended for a child just
wanting 'a horse story'. Others have likened it to some parts of Black
Beauty by Anna Sewell which may provide some guidance.
This would be a perfect read-aloud novel to introduce students to
the period of history that is World War 1 so there is an awareness
that there was more to the war than what happened on the Gallipoli
Peninsula. For those building a collection of titles to support this
period, this is a must-have addition.
Barbara Braxton
The Rig by Joe Ducie
Hot Key Books, 2013. ISBN 978147140219.
(Age: Teens) Recommended. When serial escapee William Drake is sent
to the 'Rig', a giant prison in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, he
is confident that it will only be one more step on the road to
freedom. However he is confronted by the most advanced prison system
ever developed; his every move is tracked by both man and machine.
And the rig is no normal prison because something strange is
happening to the inmates; some are disappearing and some are gaining
mysterious powers. All Drake knows is that he must escape. To escape
Drake will not only need to survive the sadistic guards and brutal
fellow inmates, but the Alliance, the syndicate who landed him in
prison, and their lethal biological experiments. His only hope of
escape is by
using every ounce of his skills and expertise and even that may not
be enough.
Like any good piece of science fiction this book raises at least one
philosophical question, in this case, about the ethics of
experimentation on humans. Another trait common amongst science
fiction that The rig possesses is a more action orientated
story line. The only negative point in the entire book is that it is
set at first in a believable futuristic world but later morphs into
a slightly fantastical one.
Joe Ducie is a relatively new author yet has released several good
books including the acclaimed Reminiscent Exile series. The
Rig is an enjoyable book with strong elements of science
fiction and seriousness.
(Alex Leuenberger, student)
The Crown by Lynne Stringer
Verindon 2. Wombat Books, 2013. ISBN 9781921632679. The Crown, the second book of the Verindon series,
picks up five months after Sarah's dramatic arrival on the planet of
Verindon. In the opening chapters Stringer brings the reader up to
speed, deftly supplying the back story while plunging the reader
into Sarah's new reality.
Sarah's coronation is almost upon her and she is struggling with her
new life. Between learning a new language, mastering self-defence
and fulfilling the formal obligations of her role, including
selecting a new consort, it is easy to understand why Sarah is
feeling overwhelmed and increasingly alone.
Then on the eve of her eighteenth/twenty-first birthday (you have to
read the book), the assassination attempts begin in earnest. These
however, do have an up-side. Sarah is finally able to spend time
with Keridan, the man she loves, even though their relationship is
forbidden and must be conducted in secret.
A tightly woven plot, full of action, intrigue and thwarted love is
sure to satisfy the reader. The introduction of Arden, a politically
savvy and promising suitor creates even more tension, as does
Stringer's hints that Keridan is perhaps not quite what Sarah
believes him to be.
Stringer definitely leaves the reader eagerly anticipating the next
book and wondering what other surprises she has in mind.
R. Lange
Spirit animals : Wild born by Brandon Mull
Scholastic Australia, 2013. ISBN 9781742839974. Spirit Animals is a new series from Scholastic, building on their
previous successful series such as 39 Clues and Infinity Ring,
allowing the reader to be just that or to choose to participate in
an online adventure and forum with other readers where reading each
book adds to the game. As with the other series, a variety of
authors will be responsible for each book, bringing differing
writing styles whilst continuing to develop the same characters. Wild Born introduces us to the fantasy world of Erdas, a collection
of four main continents and many islands of various sizes as
referenced by a map at the beginning of the book. On each of these
continents children who turn eleven participate in various coming of
age ceremonies overseen by a member of the Greencloaks who provide
the Nectar which all children hope will bring forth their spirit
animal.
So we are introduced to Conor, a shepherd's son indentured to the
Earl of Trunwick to pay off his father's debts who calls forth the
wolf Briggan; Abeke a rebellious daughter and hunter who calls Uraza
the leopard; Meilin a General's pampered daughter well trained in
martial arts who is disappointed when she finds her spirit animal is
Jhi the Giant Panda; and last but not least Rollan, orphan and
street wise who escapes prison when the falcon Essix appears.
As three of the children come together under the guidance of Tarik
and become familiar with their animals which are reincarnations of
the fallen from the previous war with the Devourer arch enemy of the
Greencloaks and Abeke joins Zerif for her training, war is raging on
Zhong and spreading.
Soon it becomes obvious the fate of Erdas is in the hands of these
children and their special animals and the real adventure begins as
they search Arax the Ram in the mountains, battle Zerif
resulting in Abeke finally joining the Green cloaks and defining the
sides of good and evil.
As an introduction there is enough information to feel satisfied
with the characters and premise of the series but its success will
depend on the continuing development of the characters and their
relationships with each other and their animals as well as their
future adventures. I already have a number of boys clamouring for
the next book which is a positive sign for the series.
Sue Keane
Good Morning Possum by Coral Vass
Ill. by Sona Babajanyan. Koala Books, 2013. ISBN
9781742760506. Good Morning Possum follows on from the first book Good Night Possum
published in 2011 by Koala Books. Once again Blossom Possum's
friends from Ironbark Creek prevail upon her good manners whilst
forgetting theirs.
Blossom Possum finds a juicy plum for breakfast but her friends are
soon out on the branch adjacent her hollow hoping to share. Whilst
they are all polite in asking it is soon obvious that Possum will go
hungry, as Tree Mouse, Galah, Lizard and Fruit Bat make short work
of the plum. Whilst Possum is happy to share she is not foolish
enough to answer Dingo, who she suspects is interested in eating
more than the plum. Fortunately Grandma arrives later with a basket
of plums so Blossom at last has enough to eat and share.
The repetitive rhyme as each animal arrives, asks to share and is
granted 'just a wee bite' is ideal for the younger readers to share
in reading especially with the highlighted 'rum, rumble, tum' and
'ratter, tap, tap' lines to join in with. As each animal has their
share, the sounds of them moving and eating are also highlighted
building to the point where the plum is all gone.
The use of onomatopoeia could lead to a discussion of other
similar words whilst the discerning parent or teacher will more
likely focus on the themes of politeness and sharing.
Sue Keane
Little Piggy's got no moves by Phillip Gwynne and Eliza McCann
Ill. by Tom Jellett. Little Hare 2013. ISBN 9781921894251.
Little Piggy has a ticket to the school disco, but he's somewhat
disconsolate because he can't dance. 'Monkey can do the moonwalk,
Snake does the snorkel' but what can a pig do? And his lack of
confidence does not improve when Daddy Piggy and Mummy Piggy tell
him 'Us piggies, we've got no moves.' And even more so when Grandma
and Grandpa say the same thing. AND Brother and Sister Piggy!
Reluctantly he goes to the disco and stands on the sidelines
looking. Even when his friends urge him to join in, he's convinced
that 'Us piggies, we've got no moves.'
But then something begins to happen . . . and it's a very different
Little Piggy who goes home!
Husband and wife team Phillip Gwynne and Eliza McCann have taken a
most common situation - the school disco and an inhibition about
dancing in public - and turned it into an utterly engaging story, in
the way that only the best can do. This book has all the elements
that make the perfect children's story - there is a storyline that
all can relate to, engaging characters, rhythm that moves the text
along, a catchphrase that the listeners will love joining in with,
and a satisfying ending that gives a warm fuzzy feeling. All that,
and it's accompanied by vibrant, intriguing pictures that should
evoke lots of discussion, particularly those on the double spreads
with no text. And then to top it off, you just have to put on some
music to dance to so the children can show THEIR moves!!!
A perfect read-aloud that will tell children that books are best
friends and there is a lot of fun to be had in the school library! A
foundation to build on.
Barbara Braxton
Bellman and Black by Dianne Setterfield
Orion, 2013. ISBN 9781409128052.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Ghosts. Gothic fiction. A strange story of
death, loss and tragedy follows the life of William Bellman, who as
a young boy killed a glossy black rook with a catapult. This action
has disastrous repercussions throughout his life. Seemingly well
established as an adult with a loved wife and children, he is faced
with devastating losses with the death of his friends and family. At
each funeral he sees a man in black and when he is left with only
one child, his beloved daughter, Dora, he strikes a strange bargain
with the mysterious Mr Black.
This is a beautifully written, suspenseful story that relies on a
subtle story line for its effect. There are no elaborate
descriptions of ghosts, rather the writer compels the reader to
imagine what is going to happen and the consequences that Bellman's
actions will take. This restrained approach is clever and haunting
and leaves a lasting impression and questions about the impact that
one small cruel action can make. Mr Black and the strange rooks are
seen only occasionally, and this builds up the suspense about what
might occur.
Along the way, the reader becomes immersed in the Victorian world of
Bellman, first at the mill where he makes fabric and later at the
store of Bellman and Black where every item needed for the proper
mourning of a loved one can be found. The funeral customs of
Victorian times and the idea of an emporium full of clothing, jet
jewellery and the use of black horse-drawn hearses are fascinating.
Readers who enjoyed Her fearful symmetry by Audrey
Niffenegger and Falling angels by Tracy Chevalier will enjoy
this eerie ghost story.
Pat Pledger
Penguin in love by Salina Yoon
Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 9781408851203.
(Age: 3+) Penguins. Love. Resilience. This is the third in the series about
a penguin, told with minimal but effective words, with big bold,
brightly coloured illustrations about his adventures. The first, Penguin
and Pinecone tells the tale of the two getting together, and
having a whale of a time until it is time for Pinecone to leave the
frozen north. The next, Penguin on vacation has the bird
setting off on holiday at Pinecone's place.
Now the third shows how Penguin falls in love, after finding a
knitted mitten in the snow. He asks questions about who might have
knitted the garment. Meanwhile his friend, Bootsy is knitting
cozies. Knitting keeps her lonely heart warm. Penguin knits mittens
and beak covers for the birds, while Bootsy is asked by the whale
for a sweater. This requires a huge amount of wool and when she
looks into her basket she finds it is all gone. And so is Penguin's
wool. Together they must find their wool.
Strands of wool line each page leading the two to each other and the
adventure that is love.
A tale designed to warm the cockles of any reader's heart, the style
of illustrations on each page will draw the eye to the large print
and plain font above the boldly coloured illustrations. Each page is
different making the reader work as they scan each page for details.
Read aloud it will be a treat for younger readers, and for those
able to read it themselves, will be full of interest and variety.
Fran Knight
The pocket money blues by Sally Rippin
Billie B Brown series. Hardie Grant Egmont, 2013. ISBN
9781742971421.
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Humour, Family relationships. With twenty of
these little books now published, with over a million of them being
sold, the stories of Billie are popular and infectious. Smart and
inventive, Billie wants to buy a Bunny Baby like all the other girls
in her class. Asking mum results in the same response,'wait until
Christmas'. Billie is unhappy. Her father suggests that she do some
jobs for money and so she begins sweeping the driveway. But her
friend from next door, Jack asks her to come and see what he has
made. She declines, saying that she must finish her chore to get
some money. Jack pitches in to help her, but later when he talks
about buying something they both want, they argue.
Billie goes to bed feeling mean but when Mum takes her to buy the
Bunny the next day, she has a change of heart.
As with the other Billie B Brown books, the seemingly simple story
line is easy to grasp. The concepts of friendship and sharing in
this one should be obvious to most readers, while the parallels to
the real world that the readers inhabit stand out. Most children
will be able to sympathise with Billie wanting something and being
told to wait for Christmas, and most will have had arguments with
their friends. The neat resolution will be easily digested by the
readership, and the ending is something they can all aspire to. No
wonder the Billie B Brown books are popular. They are also easy to
handle, have short easy to digest chapters, have some words given in
a different font, and illustrations giving a focus to the readers.
Fran Knight
Caroline Chisholm: The emigrant's friend by Tania McCartney
New Frontier Publishing, 2013. ISBN 9781921928482.
(Age 7+) Caroline Chisholm was a wife, mother, traveller, social
worker, activist, researcher, public speaker and advocate for
education. Her achievements were doubly remarkable in an era when
women often found it difficult to make a contribution outside the
home.
In the opening chapters, readers will learn about the childhood
experiences that shaped not only Caroline's motivation to help
others, but also her eagerness to travel beyond the confines of a
comfortable home in England. Then, as they follow the course of her
adult life, they can wonder at her ability to devise practical
solutions to a range of problems confronting emigrants. During 32
years of activism, Caroline organised accommodation and education
for young women, lobbied on behalf of settlers for land leases,
helped to reunite convicts with their families, set up a loan
society and arranged a system of shelter sheds for families
journeying to the goldfields. The author has created a well-rounded
character who experienced setbacks as well as successes, and whose
accomplishments owed much to the collaboration and support of her
husband Archibald. The inclusion of an Indigenous perspective on the
promotion of emigration and land sales, might have added more depth
to the story of the woman who was said by Henry Parkes to have
'peopled' Australia. Tania McCartney has told her story swiftly and
decisively in short, vivid sentences that bring an extraordinary
pioneer and her era to life. Pat Reynold's watercolour illustrations
provide small but effective snapshots of people and locations. In
keeping with the format of the Aussie Heroes series, the large,
clear font, chapter headings and timeline make this biography a
useful resource for the study of Australian history as well as a
fascinating story in its own right. Caroline Chisholm: The emigrant's friend takes its readers on
the life journey of an extraordinary woman, whose aim was to improve
the well-being of others and whose impact on colonial society
deserves to be recognised as central to our country's history.
Elizabeth Bor
Australia's greatest people and their achievements by Linsay Knight
Random House, 2013. ISBN 9780857980205.
(Age: 12+) Australian history. Biography. Recommended. It is always
intriguing when picking up a book such as this to see who is
included, and then ponder on why they are there, and then think
about who is not included. The flyer accompanying the book asked
that question 'Who do you think should be included in this book?'
and that is how I read it. The decisions made by Linsay Knight must
have been agonising.
The section on politics will be sure to create debate with a double
page devoted to Rudd, and only a page on such luminaries as Menzies
and Keating. Or
slip into the entertainment section and debate with friends on who
could have been included, or the Fine Arts to see who has been left
out. It is a fascinating and brief introduction to those who have
helped make Australia what she is today, those who have made some
sort of achievement in their field of endeavour, those who will be
remembered.
As a reference book, it is a starting point for younger students to
develop some idea of the person they are interested in or sent to
research. Each contribution has their name in full, followed by
their birth and death dates. A paragraph follows with information
about their early years, and then a paragraph about their
contribution to Australia. In the side margin is a list of their
honours and awards, and a photo is included. The double page on
Margaret Olley, for example, outlines her early life (1929-2011) and
then her devotion to still-life painting for which she is renowned.
A photo of one of her art works is included, and a list of her
awards is given. On the double page is also a small inclusion of
another famous Australian artist who died this year, Jeffrey Smart,
but researchers will have to go somewhere else to find more about
him.
This is a useful compendium to have in the library or classroom, as
a research tool to dip into or begin the search. It is nicely
presented, easy to use and has a colourful list of contents, and
very extensive index. The whole is divided into sections offering a
most useful tool to young students.
Fran Knight
The Wombles by Elisabeth Beresford
Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 9781408826485.
Highly recommended to all ages, with the text aimed at readers -
girls and boys - aged 8+. Who remembers The Wombles? I do. The
Wombles is a gorgeous book with an accompanying CD of stories and
would make a lovely Christmas gift. It is set out in chapters and
introduces the readers to the Wombles. Each chapter involves a
different Womble and tells of their adventures as they battle the
rubbish left behind by humans. It is one large story about the
Wombles and a great way for parents to share their childhood. It
would be a great read for the classroom - especially with its theme
of recycling - and would be good for using as a model for story
writing. Teachers could have their students writing their own Womble
story and creating their own Wombles.
Kylie Kempster
Unbreakable by Kami Garcia
Simon and Schuster, 2013. ISBN 9781471118531.
(Age: 14+) Paranormal. Thriller. Ghosts. Kennedy Waters is in
trouble. Her mother has been murdered and then twins Jared and Lukas
Lockhart break into her room and destroy a spirit that has been sent
to kill her. She discovers that her mother was part of an ancient
secret society, all five members of which were killed on the same
night. Five new family members must step up to fight the demon and
Kennedy is one of them.
The first in a new series, this action packed book will appeal to
readers who enjoy the paranormal and who like plenty of thrills and
a difficult romantic threesome. Teens will have no problems
imagining that Kennedy would go off with two boys she didn't know
and will enjoy the suspense and problem solving that faces her as
she and the other members of the Legion, the twins, Priest and
Alara, try to battle ghosts and the demon.
Character development is not the most important part of this book,
but as the first in the series, the reader knows that more will be
coming that will fill in the back stories of the main protagonists.
Kennedy is an interesting character who uses her photographic memory
to help solve where the weapon that could kill the demon is to be
found. Priest is also a memorable character.
The suspense and excitement of the book will be appealing to teens
who enjoy paranormal stories and the open ended conclusion will have
fans waiting for the next story.
Pat Pledger
Princess Betony and the Rule of Wishing by Pamela Freeman
Walker Books, 2013. ISBN 9781921720253.
(Age 8+) Highly recommended. Princess Betony and the Rule of Wishing
is another book in the series featuring Princess Betony as the main
character. It is a cute little hardcover story and would make a
lovely gift for girls - especially for those who like princesses.
Princess Betony wants a friend but her teacher is more concerned
with her acting like a princess. Luckily, Betony's mother
understands and gives Betony time off from her princess studies,
giving her the chance to meet Clover, the gardener's niece. They
spend the holidays gardening and when the wizard uses magic to help
the seeds grow, Clover decides she wants to be a witch. Clover
becomes obsessed with passing the test and making the right wish.
Will Betony lose her friend to magic or will Clover become the
greatest witch ever? Princess Betony and the Rule of Wishing is a
quick moving tale and is highly recommended to girls aged 8+.
Collect the series and enjoy the adventures of Princess Betony.
Kylie Kempster
