National Library of Australia, 2013. ISBN 978 0 64227780 0.
(Age: 8+) Picture book. Environment. Commissioned by the National
Library of Australia, this little book for middle primary people
promotes the idea that everyone can do something about the
environment, through some of the illustrations held in the National
Library. With clear photographs of three young children we follow
their path in helping the environment by cleaning, collecting,
learning about and actively protecting it.
Ned, Matilda and Banjo consult their favourite book, Australian
flora, fauna and other curiosities, and make their way through
the bush, each page giving stunning illustrations of various plants
and hints about how it is to be protected. So we have a page with an
illustration of a kangaroo paw with rubbish around it which the
children clear away. Over the pages we are shown other flora, with
hints about their continued representation in our forests, by
treading carefully, not picking the wild flowers, not polluting our
lakes which support the wildlife, actively planting native trees and
shrubs to attract wildlife and so on. As pages are turned, the
children are shown caring for our environment, modelling what other
children should do. The children hold posters on which are written
the rules about protecting our environment, like Don't Litter, or
Tread Carefully, or Plan Development Wisely, and so on. At the end
of the book is a map of Australia with our floral emblems, a page
abut the flora mentioned in the book, a list of the illustrators and
a double page giving the Birth Flowers.
The book would find a place in primary classes looking at caring for
our environment, looking at our stunning flora and the illustrators
who have drawn these flowers, as well as the role of the National
Library in preserving the work of these illustrators.
Fran Knight
Parachute by Danny Parker
Ill. by Matt Ottley. Little Hare, 2013. ISBN 978 1 921894 20 6.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Safety. Feeling safe. Toby never goes
anywhere without his parachute. Waking up and getting out of bed,
eating breakfast, cleaning his teeth - all are done with his
parachute on his back, making him feel safe. And he is. Going to the
zoo, he needs his parachute to help him when he sees something that
scares him, sliding on the slippery dip, seesaw and the swings, his
parachute is there to keep him safe.
One day looking at his tree house, perched at the end of a long rope
ladder in the backyard, he notices that Henry is stuck up the tree,
even higher than the tree house. He climbs to the tree house to
rescue Henry, his cat, telling him not to be scared. He brings the
cat down to the tree house where to help the cat get to the ground,
he unwraps his parachute and gently lowers the cat to safety. Toby
then climbs down himself without his parachute, taking small steps
one at a time, until he too is safe on the ground.
A lovely tale of overcoming fear, of building strengths to do things
by yourself, of exploring and of helping others, this book brims
with good feelings.
The illustrations are simply magical, showing a little boy almost
overwhelmed by his parachute, taking his mother's hand, or hiding
behind her, but suddenly seeing that his friend is in trouble and so
forgetting his own fears, dives in to help Henry without any
scruples of his own.
The perspective Ottley gives to the child's view of his world
reminds the reader of his smallness compared with objects such as
the tree house, a ladder, a chair, the tree and an elephant. Each
however grows smaller as Toby overcomes his fears. The wash of
virtual oil paint, pastel and pencil glows with life as we see Toby
little by little leave his parachute behind.
The whole book has the feel of a fable, as Toby learns to overcome
his fears, brilliantly executed in both text and illustration, I am
sure it will find a place in all classrooms, libraries and homes as
teachers, parents and children reach for it to read aloud, discuss
and contemplate.
Fran Knight
The Silver Brumby Kingdom by Elyne Mitchell
HarperCollins Publishers, 2013. ISBN 9780732297695.
Recommended. Australian novel. After reading The Silver Brumby
Kingdom I think the appropriate audience would be teenage girls. The
book is a very poetic and emotional novel about horses and how they
live in the world. In this novel there are five different books -
although they all come back to the original story that started the
series. After reading it you feel as if you know what the
brumbies feel and see - right now. If you have experience with
horses you can relate to this book and learn more about them.
This novel feels as if it could flow on forever. It is very
carefully written and creatively portrayed. There are a couple of
pages that make you feel on the verge of tears. The story seemed to
almost make a map in your mind. It had three different sections of
countryside. The author has managed to do this by looking at real
maps and creating the plot around that same land.
This book reminds me of another author called Jackie French, who
bases her books on true facts and history that she has researched.
The author who wrote this book - Elyne Mitchell - is very
descriptive. The story is a little slow in places, but overall it is
an amazing, eye-opening novel about horses and their way of seeing
things.
Amelia Skewes (Student)
The girl who brought mischief by Katrina Nannestad
HarperCollins, 2013. ISBN 978 0 7333 3200 5.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. The girl who brought mischief
is a lovely story about finding a place to belong after a tragic
loss. It is set in Denmark, in 1911, and is based around young Inge
Maria as she moves from the bustling city of Copenhagen to a small,
isolated island.
Inge Maria has recently lost her mother and moves in with her
unknown grandmother. Her grandmother doesn't act like Inge Maria's
wonderful mother but she is determined to fit in to her new life and
not upset anyone. Of course, Inge Maria is not the type of girl to
sit there and be quiet and soon mayhem begins. She wants to run with
the boys, she yells at her teacher, runs away, tells amazing stories
and sings unusual songs - things good girls on the island just don't
do.
Inge Maria soon discovers that maybe, just maybe, her grandmother
and her boring friends are really just like her!
This book is highly recommended for girls, aged 10+, who are
independent readers. It is an easy to read, quick moving story full
of hope, love and mischief.
Kylie Kempster
Finding Serendipity by Angelica Banks
Allen and Unwin, 2013. ISBN 9781743310311.
Recommended especially for young would be authors.
Angelica Banks is the pen name of two friends who decided
collaborate, writing their first children's book. Whilst it is an
adventure story it is also a lesson in story writing, books and the
magic of words.
Serendipity Smith is a famous writer whose character Vivienne Small
is always prepared and participates in some amazing adventures
mostly involving Mothwood, the Pirate and his gang of cutthroats. In
day to day life she is Sarah McGillycuddy, wife and mother of
Tuesday.
When she has almost finished her latest book, Serendipity appears to
have disappeared from her writing room with her manuscript
unfinished. Desperate to find her mother, Tuesday enters her writing
room and begins typing on her mother's typewriter. With her trusty
dog Baxterr (with two r's) the words she writes transport to the
magical place where writers go.
With the help of young writer Blake Luckhurst and the Librarian she
begins to understand that she has become a writer and will not
return home until she reaches The End. Tuesday knows that her mother
is at the end and so must travel from The Beginning, through The
Middle and then to The End before she can hope to find her, or
return home, since she has surrendered her ball of silver, the
beginning of her story, to the Librarian for safekeeping.
Since her quest is to find her mother she seeks out Vivienne Small
who of course lives in this land of stories and imagination in the
hope that her mother would be near. Thus, Tuesday, Baxterr and
Vivienne embark on an adventure which involves Mothwood, his ship, The
Silverfish, and its crew of cutthroats.
Whilst Tuesday's adventure is the story, the role of the writer is
central to the plot and is the main theme throughout the book. It is
a writer's world they are in. Serendipity changes the ending of her
story with severe consequences for all the characters. Blake is off
to write his action packed thriller and returns to the Library when
things don't quite work out, but won't give up until he has his book
sorted out. Tuesday is in despair to find a way to The End and until
she understands she is writing a story and the end is not a place on
a map but in her imagination can she return home. As the Librarian
reminds her, 'You are the writer, . . . . . So it is up to you to
find an ending to make your eyes sparkle and your heart race.'
My favourite character would have to be the Librarian promoting
writers and holding beginnings of stories in the hope the writers
will finish them. As Blake tells Tuesday 'The Librarian's cool, but
man is she obsessed with books'.
Sue Keane
Omar the strongman by Gregory Rogers
Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 978 1 74283 436 8.
(Age: 4+) Warmly recommended. Picture book. Circus. Strength.
Unemployed Omar applies for the job on offer at the local circus. He
knows little about the circus but is strong and willing to do all he
is asked to do. After being shown the circus and introduced to the
characters who perform there, Ringmaster Rose sets him to his tasks.
They are varied and will interest the readers as they learn of the
range of things which happen in a circus. Omar counts all the money,
moves the animals to their positions, cleans and dusts, shovels the
animal droppings, and cleans the elephant. He watches some of the
rehearsal, wondering to himself what it would be like to be the
centre of everyone's attention.
The night the mayor makes a visit to the circus, Omar rushes from
one job to another, making sure that everything is spick and span
for this important visitor. All is going well until Omar notices
that Mavis the elephant is performing without her lucky bow. He
takes it out to her, but she sits down on him with unexpected
results.
Award winning Rogers has a deft touch illustrating the circus in
soft muted tones. The pencil outlines filled with water colour and
coloured pencil give an understated look to the circus and its
inhabitants. Just perfect for this wonderful tale of finding a
place.
Readers will love to hear about the circus with its array of acts
and personalities, and read aloud the book will win hearts as Omar
finds his feet. Discussions about circuses and the different ways in
which circus acts are presented could ensue, with students taught
some circus skills, or better still, taken to the circus when it
comes to town.
Fran Knight
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 9781408836804.
(Age: 9-13) Highly recommended. Reprint of a Newbery Honor book,
(2006). Miri lives on a mountain where stone is quarried and life is
simple but hard. Then news arrives that the prince of the kingdom
will choose his bride from their small village and everything
changes. The king's advisors set up an Academy to train all the
teenage girls in the proper ways for a princess to behave. Miri
finds herself faced with a harsh Academy mistress and jealousy and
competition from the other girls. She is also conflicted about her
childhood friend and the thought of being a princess. When bandits
try to kidnap the girls to hold the future princess, Miri rallies
them together and makes use of a strange power that is unique to the
mountain dwellers.
This is a classic example of the old saying 'Don't judge a book by its
cover' being true. The attractive pink cover is sure to appeal to
girls, but there is nothing soft or sweet inside. Life on the
mountain is harsh. Everyone must work in the quarries and there is
no school for the children. Traders pay little for the beautiful
stone and the villagers often go hungry. Life at the Academy is
harsh as well as the mistress looks down on the girls and treats
them cruelly, but it is here that Miri learns to read and finds out
about life away from her village. She is a strong, intelligent girl
who uses her education to help her village and her intelligence to
work out how to overcome the bandits.
This is a beautifully told story that has an engrossing plot and a
clever resolution to the problem of which of the girls would be
chosen to become the princess. Its themes of the importance of
friendship, family, education and ways to use knowledge about
economics are integral to the story but are so subtle that the
reader is not aware of them until reflecting on what has happened.
Hale is a very clever author whose carefully crafted prose makes
this story a pleasure to read and one that would make an ideal
literature circle or class novel.
Pat Pledger
The Academy: Game on by Monica Seles and James LaRosa
Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 9781408841600. 241p.
(Age: 13+) The Academy: Game on looks and feels like a Mills
and Boon title and its classic plot doesn't contradict this first
impression. Girl from the wrong side of the tracks becomes entangled
with boy A and clashes with boy B, only to realize that it's boy B
she's wanted all along.
The setting is a kind of college for rich kids but actually this
sporting academy in Florida, epitomizes the success ethos cultivated
in many middle and upper class American children. The Academy
becomes a kind of purgatory for the rich, athletic or both.
Exceptions are made when the elite students break rules but on the
other hand, the scholarship kids live with the uncertainty of
expulsion from week to week. Having honed her tennis skills for
years to get into The Academy, surprisingly Maya befriends teens
from both social classes. Cleo, another scholarship kid, is her
roommate wrestling with her sexual identity and Renee is a swimmer
whose rich parents never visit. Maya quickly attracts the attention
of both Travis and Jake, the sons of the school's founder and owner.
This connection gets her out of one or two tight spots, but Nicole,
the most successful young Pro on the tennis circuit, repeatedly
tricks Maya whom she perceives as a potential rival in many ways. The Academy: Game on would seem innocuous enough as a teen
romance even if we overlook the shallow characters of both sexes who
are consumed with status, appearance and winning at all costs. Yet
there are no consequences in the world of The Academy - not for
bullying including heinous cyber bullying, not for convoluted and
destructive mind-games, and not for favouritism, vandalism or
prejudice. In the real world, such behaviours would break the most
balanced girl. The Academy: Game on is a disappointing
paperback romance, co-written by a famous sporting identity, yet her
fictional world fails to teach young women anything about a life
well-lived.
Deb Robins
A very peculiar plague by Catherine Jinks
City of Orphans, bk 2. Allen & Unwin, 2013. ISBN
9781743313053.
(Age: 10-15) Highly recommended. The second in the City of
Orphans series has young Jem Barbary joining up with Alfred
the bogler when a spate of bogle attacks finally brings Alfred out
of his semi-retirement. Jem once worked as a pick pocket for the
evil Sarah Pickles who betrayed him and he is determined to get
revenge on her. He is also keen to show his mettle as a bogler's boy
but finds that facing a group of bogles is almost as terrifying as
facing the evil people from his past.
Once again Jinks has excelled herself in this beautifully
atmospheric novel that brings the times of Charles Dickens alive.
Full of descriptions of the slums where the poor try to eke out a
living, and the affluent world that Birdie, the heroine from the
first in the series, now inhabits, the reader is steeped in the life
of 19th century London. The building occurring around Newgate Prison
is the background for the gathering of bogles in cellars and sewers
and it is there that Alfred and Jem face the nightmare of trying to
kill them. A glossary at the back of the book gives an explanation
of many of the words used that are ones that are true to the times.
So realistic is the writing that it is easy to believe that bogles
do exist.
Birdie takes a less important role in A very peculiar plague,
than she did in A very unusual pursuit, but readers who were
wondering what was going on in her life will be satisfied to read
that she is still as feisty and as loyal as ever. Jem is a very
determined, stubborn boy and it is easy to empathise with him as he
tries to be heroic and to find and stop the evil Sarah Pickles, who
has destroyed so many lives.
Catherine Jinks' writing is always a joy to read and this story is
rich in detail and characterisation. There is a sneak preview of A
very singular child, the next in the series, at the end of the
book. It stars Ned, another young boy who works with Alfred. Jinks'
use of fascinating but different main protagonists in each book
ensures that readers will continue to enjoy the series, but will be
able to easily pick up each book in the series.
This is an outstanding series that is sure to win accolades and will
fascinate the reader who likes historical fantasy, action and
adventure.
Pat Pledger
The very brave bear by Nick Bland
Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 978 1 74283 800 7.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Picture book. Animals. Verse. Courage. Bear
and Boris Buffalo test each other's courage by thinking of ever more
tricky things to do. Bear has Boris climb a tree, and swing from the
branches. They try to catch a porcupine, and cross a raging river.
They climb a hill and tumble down, they wear a beard of bees,
but when it comes to a deep dark cave with an animal inside that
roars, they are both so scared that they run back to Slimy Bog and
tumble in.
The verse underlines the humour as readers will try to predict the
last word of each stanza, and learn some of the stanzas to say out
loud. A wonderful read aloud, this book will cause some hilarity
amongst its readers and listeners, all sitting round agog at the
antics of these two animals.
Bland's illustrations are just gorgeous, the Bear and Boris drawn
with personality and expression. Bland creates movement across the
page with almost time lapse illustration as they are shown tumbling,
climbing and running. The background to each page holds delights for
the astute reader, and the inclusion of the little frog on each page
will cause recognition when the end of the tale is reached.
For use in the classroom, this will enhance any discussion of
courage, risk taking and fear, as the two animals serve as models
for children's behaviour.
Fran Knight
The boy with 2 heads by Andy Mulligan
David Fickling Books, 2013. ISBN 978 0 857 56067 4
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Medical ethics. Richard's lump on the
side of his neck keeps growing bigger, so much so that his parents
take him to hospital, but things become very strange when he is then
taken to a research facility with brain specialist Dr Warren in
charge. No one seems to want to tell Richard and his parents what
the growth is until one day they let them know. He has another head
growing out of his neck. From then on Richard is watched by Warren
and his associates, taking him back to their facility if anything
changes.
The new head calling himself Rikki is as anarchic as Richard is
compliant. He is loud and questioning, forcing Richard to want him
gone. But Rikki stays on, questioning the treatment he is getting,
questioning the specialists and the school, undermining the plans
they have for the boys.
The principal at their school is ever vigilant about the school's
good name and so contacts the doctor whenever something goes awry,
Richard is taken to the facility, even his parents kept in the dark.
By now Rikki's questioning has made inroads into Richard's
acceptance of what is happening, and at the facility both their eyes
are opened to what is actually going on there. With Richard hooked
up to machines ready for an operation to remove Rikki's head, and
heavily sedated, it is their friend from school who rouses them,
urging them to escape.
This is a breathless read. Accepting the boy has two heads comes
easily, and then following his journey takes the reader along the
road of questioning established practice, of doctors accepting what
specialists tell them, of schools and parents accepting the word of
eminent specialists. It delves into the region of experimentation,
as the doctor obviously collects cases such as this to delve into,
furthering his research and grants given to his facility. This is a
thriller of exceptional design asking moral questions which beg to
be answered.
Fran Knight
Haze by Paula Weston
Rephaim series bk 2. Text, 2013. ISBN 9781922079923.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. The second in the Rephaim series sees Gaby
Winters beginning to come to terms with the fact that she is one of
the Rephaim, the wingless half-angels who have supernatural powers.
She still can't remember the life that she once had as the Rephaim's
best fighter and she is desperate to believe that her twin brother
Jude, might be alive. And then there's Rafa, who was the one who
came looking for her and changed her quiet life in a seaside town.
This series is one of the better ones that focus on angels and is
sure to delight readers who enjoy this genre. I thoroughly enjoyed
it because like the first in the series, Shadows,
it was a combination of exciting action and character development.
Gaby is a feisty heroine who although she cannot remember her past
life, begins to act as the leader that she is. Maggie is a great
best friend, and the romance between Rafa and Gaby is fraught with
complications that add to the tension. The action and fight scenes
were thrilling and the mystery surrounding Jude and Gaby continues
to confound.
What makes it a standout read in this genre is the clever writing,
with witty dialogue and a believable cast of characters. It is not a
slow middle book in a series but certainly packs a punch with its
action packed scenes, sword fighting and tension surrounding the
twins.
Pat Pledger
Cartboy and the time capsule by L.A. Campbell
Allen and Unwin, 2013. ISBN: 9781743314807.
Recommended. Cartboy is another tribute to the success of the Wimpy
Kid style of books though with less drawings and more text.
Hal Rifkind is in year 6 with simple needs, a room of his own, the
key to reaching level 14 on the best videogame ever, RavenCave,
which he plays with his best friend Arnie and an easy year at
school.
Not only does he have to share a bedroom with his twin baby sisters,
but he has an aversion to History and his father will only entertain
moving his home office to the shed, enabling Hal to have his own
room, when his grades in history improve . . . . . dramatically.
Mr Tupkin the history teacher sets a yearlong assignment, to write a
journal to someone living in the future telling them about life
today which will be placed in a time capsule to be opened in 2500.
The book is Hal's journal complete with greetings like 'Dear
Alien/Person/Possible Humanoid/Robot:' drawings and pictures with
funny captions, and some highly amusing and inventive timelines.
Hal has other problems not least of which is the shopping cart he
uses to take his books to school in, resulting in his new nickname
favoured by the school bullies and his mother's aim to save the
planet through recycling meaning Hal wears ill fitting
hand-me-downs. The looming school dance, Arnie's apparent betrayal
and even worse history results are all documented as entries in his
journal.
This book will be popular especially I expect with boys who will be
able to relate to Hal's trials and tribulations with family and
friends and enjoy his funny attempts to solve his problems with a
minimum of effort on his part.
Sue Keane
Where are you, Banana? by Sofie Laguna
Ill. by Craig Smith. Allen and Unwin, 2013. ISBN 978 1 74331 053 3.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Picture book. Animals. Family. Lost.
Banana the dog has been with the family since Roddy could first
speak. On sighting this brown and black long thin dog, his first
word was banana, so that is what he was called. He is part of the
family, sleeping on Roddy's bed at night, chewing the twins' rug and
Mum's shoes and Dad's helmet, crooning in the yard if left outside,
and on this particular day, escaping though a hole in the fence,
after being left at home alone. After all, Aunt Celia does not like
having Banana at her house so he must miss out on her bbq and
especially her chooks.
When the family arrives home, they search everywhere, but cannot
find their pooch. During the night, Roddy cannot sleep thinking
about his dog, so dons his clothes, takes the torch and searches the
streets. Following the sound of Banana leads him to the distressed
animal, stuck down a hole dug by maintenance workers. He rushes back
home for help, gathering some equipment which may help drag out the
hapless dog, and even the neighbours lend a hand.
This happy, family centred story is a quiet and subtle
exposure of the household and how it works together, given greater
resonance through Smith's drawings, adding detail to the spare,
evocative text. The watercolour illustrations are deftly done with
differing perspectives of the family given. Craig Smith captures
this significant and emotive event within the family with seeming
ease, but the details reflect incredible skill. The looks on all the
faces, particularly Banana's, will captivate a large audience as
this book is shared, read aloud or borrowed to take home.
Fran Knight
Hostage Three by Nick Lake
Bloomsbury, 2013 ISBN: 9 781408 838372.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Hostage Three is an atmospheric novel
told in first person and recounting a series of events which led to
the capture of the yacht The Daisy May by Somali pirates and the
tedious negotiations which followed. Amy is the narrator of this
compelling story which begins in London on the morning of Amy's
final exam, she is trying to get her father's attention by rebelling
against the school rules. She arrives with piercings and leaves with
a lit cigarette; her rebellion has cost her what would otherwise
have been a successfully completed final year. In response to this
her father, who is never home, has The Stepmother tell Amy about his
plan to sail around the world. Dismissing the plan Amy is shocked to
learn that the plan is actually going to happen, her father had
bought a yacht and they were leaving the following week. The family
spend the next few weeks on board The Daisy May until they are
assaulted by Somali parasites. Unable to reach help the crew
surrender and are held hostage in Eyl until the yacht's owner can
pay the ransom. The pirates refer to the hostages by number to avoid
familiarity but something goes wrong when the youngest pirate begins
to spend time with Amy. It is a forbidden love on both sides. The
couple must keep their love a secret until Farouz can free himself
and his brother from the terrors of their Somali lives.
I highly recommend it for mature audiences aged fifteen and up
as it makes the reader reflect on how lucky they are to have a life
where hunger is not a daily battle. At first I was wary of this
novel, without speech marks and chapter-less, written in a similar
way to Tim Winton's work, but Nick Lake makes his writing flow
despite the his unusual choice in writing style. This
beautifully crafted novel is a gem just waiting to be discovered and
I can't help but re-iterate the Daily Mail's conviction, Hostage
Three is unputdownable! I look forward to reading more of Nick
Lake's work.
Kayla Gaskell (Student, age 17)
