Ill. by Tania Erzinger. Omnibus Scholastic, 2014. ISBN
9781742990187.
(Age: preschool) Recommended. Australian animals, Wombats,
Friendship. Underground, Wombat does what wombats do, he scratches,
snuffles and sleeps. But on waking he feels alone, so decides to go
above ground for a dust bath and to see who is there. He finds
Magpie, Dingo and Goanna having a wonderful time together. Wombat
watches them for a while thinking how special they all are. He talks
to Goanna who with its skilful legs can climb the tree without
thinking. He offers to teach Wombat how to do this, but Wombat's
short stubby legs are not equipped for this task. When he speaks to
Magpie he sees what a beautiful voice the bird has and tries to
emulate it. But his voice is not nearly as good, and with Dingo he
tries to dance but does not succeed. Tired and down at heart, he
heads back down his burrow, but the others tell him about his
expertise, things they could not do, and invite him to a feast to
celebrate.
So the four friends support each other, and the reader learns just
what attributes these Australian animals have.
Erzinger, the illustrator has given us a soft edged group of
animals, accurately showing each of their size, shape and
colourings. No reader would be at a loss to know about these four
animals, and may even notice that several other smaller animals make
an appearance. A lovely read a loud and sharing book for younger
readers.
Fran Knight
The Last Shot by Michael Adams
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743316733.
The second book of a trilogy, The Last Shot is a fast paced,
gripping read. Set in Sydney and the surrounding countryside in the
not too distant future, it picks up the story hot on the heels of
The Last Girl. A reader could get away without reading the first
book in the series, but would lose a lot of the background . . . and
why would you not read it - The Last Girl is a fabulous read
as well. The Last Shot continues the dystopian future of a
world that has disintegrated when overloaded brains saturated with
social media and being plugged in to everyone else's petty everyday
trivia suddenly have an evolutionary jump that means everyone is
directly wired into everyone else's thoughts, unable to shut
anything out. Most people become catatonic, but some escape the
vortex of thoughts dragging all into overload.
The events in The Last Shot occur in the second week after
'the snap' that is the premise of the story. Many people by now are
dead or dying. There is already a small-scale nasty new world order
to contend with, so as well as being a survival story, there is an
enemy to evade as well. The many intricacies the author covers in
the book would make great discussion material. This novel is not for
the squeamish though - it is realistically told, and many characters
die.
Adam's trilogy (The Last Place will be published in 2015) is
definitely a set for the school library. These books are on a par
with John Marsden's Tomorrow When the War Began series and
should appeal to many readers. Teachers considering this as a class
novel would need to choose the first book, probably for Yr 10, and
then make sure there are several copies of The Last Shot in
the library!
Ann Veitch
Tigers on the Beach by Doug Macleod
Penguin, 2014. ISBN 9780143568520. Previously, I read and reviewed Doug Macleod's CBCA Book of the Year
short-listed The Shiny Guys. It was a gritty and macabre
meditation on mental health, laced with experimental technique and
dark humour. Macleod's most recent venture, Tigers on the Beach,
while still tackling difficult subject matter (death) is much more
whimsical and upbeat. Despite this new approach, the author's
trademark biting wit and meticulous attention to detail are
retained. Tigers introduces us to Adam, an inquisitive and highly
likeable teenage boy. The sudden passing of his cheeky grandfather
sets into motion a series of events, including his extended family
and their respective issues, and his own adolescent trials,
particularly first love.
Two aspects of this novel stand out in particular. Firstly, the
balance between elements is astonishingly sensitive and effective.
Doug Macleod presents storytelling with humour and pathos, the
absurd and the banal, contemporary and nostalgia, autobiography and
originality. He does so in an uncannily natural and poignant way.
The second aspect of this novel which deserves praise is the
author's talent for creating clever and engaging dialogue which
flows beautifully. Each twist and turn-of-phrase highlights the
wonderfully developed cast of characters and their dynamic
interactions in a manner which is completely enthralling.
Without this, the novel would not be as strong, as the sharp
dialogue and pace injects new life into the 'dysfunctional family'
cliche.
The novel concludes with touching resolve and closure. I enjoyed Tigers
on the Beach more than almost any book I have reviewed this
year - it is a charming and anecdotal work, with a fine balance of
emotional naivete and strength which will appeal to many readers.
Henry Vaughan (Student)
Women who made Australian History by Aisling Marlor
Trocadero, 2014. ISBN 9780864271464. Immigrants who changed Australia . . . since 1901 by Victoria
Macleay. Trocadero, 2014. ISBN 9780864271259. Imperial China: Six centuries of all-powerful dynasties by Matthew
Williams. Trocadero, 2014. ISBN 9780864271457.
Continuing the tradition, Trocadero Publishing have released three
new titles in their series which matches the Australian Curriculum
so well. Women who made Australian History, from the They Made Australia
series, introduces, acknowledges and celebrates women who have had a
significant impact on what our nation is today. From the well-known
such as Daisy Bates and Caroline Chisholm and Mary Reiby to the
not-so such as Tilly Aston, Faith Bandler and Lucy Osburn, there are
snapshots of their contributions covering almost every aspect of
life succinctly detailing their work and paving the way for a deeper
investigation of the impact of their achievements. Immigrants who changed Australia . . . since 1901, from The
National Identity, focuses on people whose names are familiar
but whose origins are overseas. Many are names who are claimed by
Australia as their own but who, in fact, came here with their family
as a child or made the move later in life and have helped put this
nation on the map for a range of reasons. While there are waves of
immigrants who come here, such as the Chinese in the goldrush and
the Europeans after the war, and whose impact is well documented and
studied, this title focuses on the individuals whose stories may not
have been told so often. From the familiar stories such as Petrov
spy scandal, Simpson and his donkey and the achievements of Olivia
Newton-John and Russell Crowe to the lesser known such as Tan Le,
Charles Moses and Jennie Baines, the contributions of over 50
newcomers are outlined.
Both of these titles beg the question of who would today's
generation add if they were asked to contribute a name and a story.
Who has been left out that should be there? Should their heroes
stand the test of time and are they likely to do so? In Imperial China, from Asia-Pacific Timelines, the Yuan, Ming and
Qing dynasties who each claimed the 'Mandate of Heaven' as their
god-given right to rule are put under the spotlight, From 1271 to
the collapse of the Imperial system in 1911, students are introduced
to the critical people and events of this time.
As with all the other titles that this publisher is producing to
support the Australian Curriculum, particularly those topics in the
Yr 5-8 band, each book has a modern layout with the text presented
in manageable chunks accompanied by a range of photos, maps and
tables that offer extra insight. Arranged in either alphabetical or
chronological order, there are very easy to navigate.
Even though there seems to be a demand by some to replace
non-fiction titles with online resources only, such demands are
ill-considered because they are ignoring the evidence that students,
even those who are independent readers, prefer and need print
resources when they wish to read deeply for meaning rather than just
skimming a text as they do with online-based materials, and
therefore we have an obligation to meet those needs. These series by
this publisher are fulfilling this need with modern Australian
Curriculum-related resources very well.
Barbara Braxton
The ratcatcher's daughter by Pamela Rushby
Angus & Robertson, 2014. ISBN 9780732297138.
(Age: 11+) Recommended. Historical fiction, Plague, Australian
history. A little known part of our early twentieth century is
highlighted in this descriptive account of Brisbane in the first
years of the new century, playing host to a disease only found in
accounts of Medieval times. When thirteen year old Issy becomes a
maid in an undertaker's house, she has never seen a dead body but
the sight of a dead child and the ritual of burial becomes a
fascinating backdrop to the life she is about to enter, as an inmate
in a quarantine centre out of the city. Her father is a rat catcher,
and from the start the reader is made aware of the increasing number
of rats in the city, and when she helps her friend with her job as a
maid at the local doctor's house, she overhears a conversation about
a disease coming closer to Australia. It is only when the boy next
door dies of appalling swellings that she hears the word,'plague'
for the first time, and puts together the things she has heard.
This is an engrossing read. Rushby incorporates the inability of
those in government to deal adequately with the disease and its
consequences, the fear of many as they shun their friends, the over
reaction of local authorities, the situation in the hastily erected
quarantine camp outside the city and the divide between rich and
poor, allowing those with money to be treated at home. In watching
Issy learns that even her trusted employer is involved in protecting
the rich from the ignominy of the disease.
Issy bravely carries on, and when her father becomes ill with the
other appalling disease which caused he deaths of many, Influenza,
she takes over his business, learning that there is more to life
than being a maid in someone else's home. An entertainingly rich
read about past times and a young woman's coming of age as she
perceives there is life outside the narrow restrictions of the past.
Fran Knight
Bring on the birds by Susan Stockdale
Working Title Press, 2014. ISBN 9781921504594.
(Age: Pre-school) Recommended. Birds, Environment. In simple rhyming
text, Stockdale showcases a number of birds, their bold bright
colours standing out from the spare backgrounds. Each of the twenty
three birds chosen for this book is presented on an unadorned page,
making the bird and its plumage stand out for younger readers. The
birds include, an owl, penguin, ostrich, peacock and crane, and
while they are designated as swooping birds or swimming birds in the
text, it is at the end that we find their real names and information
about each bird illustrated.
Stockdale cleverly presents exotic birds in the majority of her
book, coming closer to home towards the end with a heron, duck and
robin, the final robin shown with children watching through the
window. In this way she refines the number of birds known by the
child bringing it back to something they may have seen themselves,
watching in the garden. The bold illustrations, accompanied by large
print text makes it easier for a child to read for themselves, or an
adult to read out to a child, asking them to recognise things about
the birds illustrated. Because she puts the birds into a category
(eg diving or swimming) the text allows the child to ask questions
or the reader to encourage questions or to give information. This is
a user friendly book for pre-school age children introducing them to
a wide variety of birds and how they behave.
Fran Knight
Poppy by Mary Hooper
Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408827628.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. World War 1, Women, Class distinctions. It
is 1914, England and Poppy is dismayed to realise that she won't be
going to the grammar school but will become a servant at the big
house. She is the type of person who makes the best of what happens
to her, but it is a time of great change and this will affect
everything that she does. Poppy finds herself falling in love with
someone unsuitable who would never be able to marry her and when she
is given the opportunity to join as a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment)
nurse she grasps the chance to learn.
I am a fan of Mary Hooper's writing and have loved all her books.
Her historical research is impeccable and she brings to life the
attitudes and way of living of her characters so that the reader
becomes immersed in the period that she is writing about. She also
has wonderful young women as her main characters and this is true of
Poppy, who is an intelligent, determined girl.
The novel is set in a time of great change for women and for the
working class Through Poppy's eyes we find out about what it was
like to be a parlour maid, the restrictions that class put on what
such a girl could and couldn't do and then the problems and hard
work that it took to become a VAD nurse. The only reason that she
was able to join the VADs was because her ex-teacher sponsors her
with an allowance, as it was a voluntary position. She works
alongside girls from privileged backgrounds, all on an equal footing
as volunteers. Her romance with her employer's son Freddie seems to
blossom as she leaves her employment, but the reader knows that it
will always be a difficult road to travel.
The horrors of war are also vividly described as Poppy starts to
nurse the wounded soldiers that are returning from France. Their
courage and humour shines through the misery of trauma and missing
limbs. Through her brother's letters, the reader is given a glimpse
of what it was like in the trenches and then what it was like to be
a deserter.
I read this book in one sitting, enthralled with the strength of
the main character, Poppy, as she learnt to nurse and to navigate
affairs of the heart and the horror of war.
The reader is left with Poppy applying to work as a VAD nurse in
France or Belgium. There is a sequel to come, Poppy in the field
which I am looking forward to reading.
Pat Pledger
Vengeance by Megan Miranda
Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408839584.
(Age: 14+) Thriller, Supernatural. Following Fracture, this
sequel is told from the point of view of Decker. Everyone blames
Delaney for Carson's death, but Decker knows that she is not to
blame. Instead she is drawn to people who are dying. But rumours
have spread about the curse that surrounds the friends, and Decker
is devastated when he sees a body lying in his kitchen and knows
that Delaney could have told him what was going to happen. After
some strange and frightening incidents threaten them all, Decker
begins to realise that something or someone is out for revenge.
Having read the first book Fracture, it was easy to catch up on the
main characters, Decker and Delaney and follow through their
heartbreak over their friend's death. Decker is less forgiving of
Delaney's actions when she doesn't tell him of an impending death
and much of the novel centres on the angst of Decker ignoring the
one person that he loves.
The strength of Miranda's writing lies in the way that she manages
to get the reader to start questioning whether Delaney's rescue from
drowning in the frozen lake has created some kind of supernatural
revenge from Falcon Lake or whether there are other factors in play.
There is an overriding air of foreboding as near fatal accidents
occur around Decker and Delaney and Decker is left not knowing who
to trust.
Teens will enjoy the chilling atmosphere, the teenage romance, the
parties and life in high school and the touch of the paranormal will
be welcome by fans. This is a tense and exciting psychological
thriller that is a successful follow-up to Fracture.
Pat Pledger
Naveed by John Heffernan
Through My Eyes series. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN:
9781743312483.
I would highly recommend this title and the whole series thus far!
Following the death of his much loved father, Naveed, a young
Afghani boy, shoulders the responsibility of caring for his mother
and younger sister, Anoosheh. His young sister had lost her legs as
the result of an exploding landmine. Despite their lowly income and
existence, the family members display strong ethics and positive
natures with honesty, hard work, generosity of spirit, loyalty and
resilience being traits they have in abundance. In order to provide
the family with food and pay the rent for their meagre
accommodation, Naveed willingly works for a variety of employers,
even continuing despite them taking advantage of him and underpaying
him for his impeccable work. He maintains a positive attitude and
work ethic, often reflecting on the sayings and teachings of his
father. Thankfully, not everyone with whom he interacts is as
predatory as the gang that accosts him in the street and he manages
to find some allies. Amongst his allies is a dog that he names
Nasera, and the pair becomes inseparable. When he develops a
friendship with Jake, an Australian soldier, Naveed and his
extraordinary dog are offered a job which seems almost too good to
be true. There is the possibility they could become a valuable team,
assisting in making Afghanistan a safer place. Will they succeed?
Whose plans could be foiled through their actions if they take on
their proposed role? Through My Eyes is one series on which I expect to continue
to heap praise! With these titles, younger students can be
introduced to the realities and atrocities of war. Amongst these
realities are weapons, suicide bombers, IEDs, warlords, gangs of
thieves and the unfair treatment of both the poor and females,
particularly widows, by the male Afghani. Although containing plenty
of aspects which could be considered confronting, these titles are
more accessible to upper primary and secondary students as the
protagonists are of a similar age to the readers.
Lyn White has used her experience working as a teacher librarian to
create detailed and eminently useable teacher notes for each of the
books in this series. Having heard her speak at the ASLA conference
last year, I agree with her sentiment that both the books and
teacher notes are truly a gift to all teachers. Teacher notes for
Naveed can be found here.
I have previously taught various units on war and conflict and
believe these titles support any such unit brilliantly. Each of the
Through My Eyes titles would be well received by older
students in literature circles. Personally, in the primary school
setting, I would prefer to be able to use them as the basis of a
whole class unit, reading aloud and discussing various elements of
the text and the information brought out in each. I believe this
title could work well with any students from Year 5 and above but
believe that perhaps the previous titles may be better suited to the
slightly older classes.
Jo Schenkel
The Hairy-Nosed Wombats find a new home by Jackie French
Ill. by Sue deGennaro. HarperCollins Australia, 2014. ISBN
9780732295486.
Not so long ago, there were only 176 Northern Hairy-nosed Wombats
left in the entire world! And because their home was at risk of
flood and fire meaning they would be gone forever, they had to find
a new home. But where would that home be? The one they had was just
right (except for the threat of flood and fire) and it was going to
be tricky to find one that had tasty grass and was safe and secure
enough for them to have babies. So five brave wombats went on a
wondrous wombat adventure to find that new home . . .
Rarer than the giant panda, the northern hairy-nosed wombat has been
critically endangered for many years, with their numbers dropping to
just 35 ten years ago when drought crippled much of Australia, even
though they were in a protected, secluded and exclusive environment.
When the rains did come, their numbers had increased to 176 by 2010
but fire and flood still threatened their special home and so a new
one had to be found again. This is the story of their plight, their
move and the joy of a baby being seen in March 2011 and it is Jackie
French displaying two of her passions - storytelling based on
detailed research and wombats. Even though the wombats' plight is
pared down to its basic thread, she has woven a wonderful account
that introduces the very youngest reader to the predicament of these
creatures and shows that species can be saved by providing a safe
place to live with good food and water. (The full story underpinning
the events is provided at the end.) It's an introduction to how we
all need to share our planet and that our lives are so much richer
when we do.
Jackie's words are powerful, but they are made even more so by Sue
deGennaro who has translated them into the most divine pictures
using a whimsy which brings the characters to life - why wouldn't a
hairy-nosed wombat have a magnificent moustache and be delighted
when the girls arrive? And why wouldn't they arrive in a bus with
all the modern accoutrements to setting up home? Or parachute in to
a ready-made environment? Using watercolour to draw the wombats and
collage to dress them (the story of that is told too) Ms deGennaro
has created the perfect accompaniment that kept Miss 3 and Miss 7
totally engaged and wanting to know more. It went from a first-read
to a favourite immediately and each time we shared this story, there
was more to see and each time we understood a little bit more of
what it all meant. And the freezing cold day gave us the perfect
excuse to stay indoors and draw and dress our own wombats! Miss 7
even remembered that when she was just Miss 4, she got to snuggle a
baby wombat because a close friend raises orphans for a wildlife
foundation, http://www.laoko.org.au/ and the week before she and I
had been making pouches for the new orphans who sadly, continue to
arrive.
Released in time for Hairy
Nosed Wombat Day on May 11, Jackie is donating the
proceeds of this book to enable further research. However, in
alignment with the theme of the book that we can all make a
difference, there are a range of resources for schools available
(even a recipe for hairy-nose truffles) on that page and more at http://wombatresources.com/.
And if you want to make a personal contribution, why not wear
whiskers for wombats next Sunday, make a donation and tell your mum
it is her Mothers' Day gift? I suspect that given the impact of this
book on my little ones, that's what I will be getting. YES! http://www.wombatfoundation.com.au/HairyNosePoster.jpg
Barbara Braxton
Found by Salina Yoon
Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408854402.
(Age: 0-4) Recommended. Bears, Lost things, Friendship. When Bear
finds a toy bunny in the woods, he is distraught that someone's
favourite toy has been lost and so does something about it. He
prepares a number of posters, and taking the toy rabbit with him,
pins them up far and wide. He places the poster on trees and notice
boards, looks down the river, and up on a tree, but all to no avail.
No one seems to have lost their toy bunny. All the while, Bear
becomes more and more attached to the little toy and wishes it was
his to keep.
They do everything together until one day a Moose calls out to them.
The toy's name is Flopsy and Moose had the toy when he was young.
Bear turns away disconsolate, but Moose calls out to him. And all is
resolved.
This is a lovely story of friendship, of caring, of trying to find
the real owner, despite wanting to keep the toy yourself.
The bold illustrations by Yoon, remind the readers of her earlier
books about Penguin, all three of which contained similar themes,
friendship and togetherness. Her seemingly simple texts evoke basic
emotions, while her equally stylised illustrations with bold bright
colours are wonderful to look at and read.
Fran Knight
Nymph by Tonya Alexandra
The Love Chronicles, Book One. Walker Books, 2014. ISBN:
9781922077240.
Greek Mythology meets Teen Romance! This book creates a
female-friendly romance to rival the Percy Jackson Series/Adventure
phenomena that has captivated the youth market. This book too relies
heavily on the Greek Gods and the Olympian drama of Greek mythology.
For those, like me, that have only a cursory understanding of the
specifics and characteristics of Greek mythology it is perhaps
merely a 'fantasy' world, but by setting the majority of the book on
a Greek Island, there is an inherent mortal-world 'fantasy' element
too for Australian readers. The central character of this
other-worldly narrative is a nymph who has not quite found her place
in the heavens and has found the interests of Orion - the Hunter, to
be not to her liking and is required (sent by Zeus) to earth to
consider her options. The first human she meets is a teen Greek
youth and he becomes her love interest. Her goddess-like qualities
in Olympia makes her very desirable on earth, even if she was one of
the least favoured in her own realm. Unfortunately the romance with
a mortal is not permitted by Zeus, and definitely not appreciated by
the spurned Orion. Their powers and influence see some major
impediments to the romance between the beautiful Star Nymph and the
mortal youth, but all this takes place within the dramatic setting
of school, friendships and the teen realm of learning to fit in as
the new kid in a close-knit community. This book requires a major
suspension of disbelief, but it will be liked by young teen readers
for its romance angst and tension, its insight into Greek Mythology
and as a human coming of age drama.
Note: as Greek mythology or the realm of the gods is introduced as
having limited moral boundaries, readers are introduced to an arena
where selfishness and amorality are the norm. Not unlike our modern
world!
Carolyn Hull
Little Bug Books by Graeme Base
Penguin Australia, 2014. Cows Say Moo. ISBN 9780670077618. Pigs Have Piglets. ISBN 9780670077625.
Absolutely adorable! Graeme Base has brought his outstanding talent
to books for the Very Tiny ones. This series of oh-so-cute fold out
books now has two new titles which will enchant the littlies in any
home (or library). With simple concepts and texts perfect for the
smallest of humans to explore and recite, these are just gorgeous.
I'm pretty sure the titles of each will give a huge clue as to the
contents but bear with me while I explain. Cows Say Moo goes
through a range of animals and their sounds. Pigs have Piglets
goes through a range of animals and their young. Each sturdy book
has the most delightful accordion style folds so at first look there
is one single animal and then the fold out reveals a bigger picture
with a family.
I really cannot wait to show these to my tiniest grandchild as I am
sure she is going to love them, although she is slightly past the
toddler age. Each book is a sturdy, almost board book, construction
with heavy duty card weight pages, perfect for grotty little fingers
to turn eagerly. As one would expect the illustrations are most
beautifully done and very realistic - a perfect learning experience
while experiencing the joy of reading. I envisage that small people
would be very quickly 'reading' along the simple three word
sentences with each successive title. Apart from the delightful
pictures the simplicity of them reminds me of the old original PM
readers we used to start our beginning readers on in Year 1.
Sue Warren
The duck and the Darklings by Glenda Millard
Ill. by Stephen Michael King. Allen and Unwin, 2014. ISBN
978743312612.
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. Friendship. Future. Love. Rather than
concentrating on the mess the world has become, Millard shows what
can happen when people have hope. Grandpapa has memories he cannot
express, he is critical of bringing the duck down into their dark
place, but the young boy keeps the duck which then leads them to the
light, to the world which has become usable again, showing signs of
revival.
Peterboy is one of a group of Darklings who live beneath the earth's
surface, down in its deep dark places, needing hats with candles to
find their way. But they need their candles above ground too, as the
place has become blighted, tainted with overuse, the place the
Darklings go to scavenge what they can to survive below. The boy
finds an injured duck and despite knowing that Grandpapa will
grumble, takes the animal down to the Dark. It becomes well,
repaying their kindness with eggs. But Grandpapa has warned that
when the winds blow, the bird will leave, and one day it climbs
above ground and with the boy watches for the light that will show
its path. Peterboy convinces Grandpapa to remember and tell the
tales of long ago, but still Idaduck stays. When the light does not
appear, Grandpapa decides to hold a farewell party for the duck and
in doing so, everyone sees that the earth has renewed herself,
dressing herself in forests and trees.
Millard's prose is exceptional, taking us down to the depths of the
cave the sorry place, while the boy above ground uses his spiderling
fingers to seek the things to take below, their language almost as
forgotten as Grandpapa's disremembered stories of the past. Millard
builds the word images carefully, each phrase resonating with the
spoiled atmosphere above, memorialising what it has become through
her use of language. Stephen Michael King has painted the world
described by Millard with passion. The muck hills over which the boy
climbs each day to scavenge remind the reader of the hills of
rubbish many children climb each day for food and goods to sell, the
chairs that Grandpapa sits on are assemblages of flotsom from the
world above, and their clothes put together from a scrap bag of
castoffs and found objects. The Darklings are small, pen drawn in
the mess of black ink that denotes the underground passages they
call home. Above ground colour begins to appear as Grandpapa
remembers his stories and the duck finds enough light to guide her
path.
This is a glowing story of friendship and family, of renewal and
hope. It is a masterful picture book which speaks of sadness and
loss, of a world blighted by the actions of previous generations,
but offers hope for the future. A book which gives more each time it
is read.
Fran Knight
Machine wars by Michael Pryor
Random House Australia Children's, 2014. ISBN: 9780857982766.
(Age: 10-15)When you pick up a book and the high speed,
edge-of-your-seat action starts within the first few sentences, you
know you are on the edge of a breakneck journey that will keep you
glued to the pages.
Michael Pryor's new novel Machine wars, explores the scary side of
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and those who have seen movies on this
theme will know just how scary it can become.
Utilising SciFi ideas around technology which is already becoming a
reality, Pryor's main character is 14 year old Bram, a young man who
has a very unusual family. His father is an environmental scientist
of some kind and his mother is at the cutting edge of AI research
and development. Bram has grown up living in many places and
consequently with few friends but always with a contingency 'Scatter
and Hide' plan. Bram's mother Anita has prepared her family well in
the event of one of her AI creations turning rogue.
And suddenly that day has arrived.
Bram arrives home unsuspectingly after school and band practice and
is almost terminated by 'junkbots' who have invaded his home and
indeed, blow it up. As he quickly goes into the 'Scatter and Hide'
mode, he is on his own - his dad away on an expedition, his mother
gone into her refuge to try and stop this new evil of her own
creation. His mother has prepared for every foreseeable
eventuality and with Bram's hidden emergency kit is his old toy Bob
the duck - now a sassy and spookily smart AI guide and mentor.
Prepared to buy his mother time with only Bob to help him, Bram
unwittingly involves an acquaintance from his new school, Stella, in
his deadly mission. Having gravitated to each other due to their
respective oddities, the pair become worthy opponents of the AI
mastermind Ahriman.
Three weeks of dodging CCV systems, internet stalking, overhead
drones and copters, junkbots, dangerous home appliances and killer
heavy machinery bring Bram and Stella closer together and enables
them to fully realise latent skills and talents which take the
battle to the enemy.
With plenty of furious action, techno gizmos and a relatively
undemanding vocabulary, this will be perfect for reluctant readers.
Boys (particularly) from 10 to 15 will love this exciting and
thrilling modern day adventure.
Sue Warren
