Woolshed Press, 2013. ISBN 9781742758602.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Shelley Brown is hoping for a fresh
start; a new school brings the possibility of new friends and new
interests, the possibility of a new life. Since the loss of her
mother, Shelley and her dad are drawing a line between the past and
the present, so Shelley jumps at the chance to attend footy training
with her new friend, Tara. After all, football has always been
Shelley's passion especially her beloved Glenthorn Football Club.
Attending Thursday night training also gives Shelley a chance to
befriend the new player, Mick Edwards. They have a lot in common: he
is new to the club and is trying to put together a good season to
keep his future in football alive. Shelley is the newbie in the
Cheer Squad, trying to put together a new future
Shelley and Tara are obsessed by their footy team and this novel is
cleverly structured to reflect this passion: every chapter and
section references the game, from 'The Draft' to the 'Pre-Season' to
'The end-of-season Trip'. Author Nicole Hayes has also cleverly
structured the plot development. Whilst most readers will accept
Shelley's lingering grief at losing her mother, midway through the
novel the full story behind Shelley's loss is revealed in a manner
which will make readers empathise with the deep pain behind her
journey of rebirth.
In a sports mad country like Australia it is always intriguing to
shine a light on that obsession and Nicole Hayes does this
thoughtfully, as her novel explores the importance of football in so
many fans' lives: the euphoria when their team wins, the despair
when they lose and the relationship they have with the players
themselves.
However, this is more than just a football yarn; set against the
football background is a bigger story about grief and loss, about
family ties and family breakdown, of burgeoning love and the
resilience needed not only to face another football season but also
to face life's many ups and downs. Even those who don't love
football will find a lot to enjoy in Shelley Brown's world.
Deborah Marshall
The Cloud Road by Isobelle Carmody
Penguin Books, 2013. ISBN 9780075188. 289p
Well recommended for young readers. The Cloud Road is the
second in The Kingdom of the Lost series. Written for
younger readers, this fantasy-adventure takes Bily and Zluty and
Redwing their navigating bird away from their home after the
'arosh', a storm of red stones destroyed their home and all around
them. That strange storm had brought Monster into their cellar. It
was half dead, an 'enormous beast (with) long, deadly, claw-tipped
paws and a red maw full of teeth as long and sharp as daggers' p6.
They placed the Monster in the wagon and set off to find water,
which the Monster said would be beyond the desert they needed to
cross.
Carmody entices the young reader to wonder what the 'arosh',
'whiteout', 'the Makers', the 'Monks' and the 'diggers' might really
be. Perhaps there's a lesson for everyone when Bily says, 'Now I
think we must live by the rules of the places we come to' p143.
It's an intriguing tale of brotherly love, friendship and trust with
good triumphing almost over evil. That's left to book three. Her use
of descriptive and unusual language formations enriches the fantasy.
Carmody encourages her readers to think about the visual images and
to use the language that inspires. As adults we might use snow but
here they are 'coldwhites'. Readers will be keen to read The
Velvet City.
Sue Nosworthy
Life after theft by Aprilynne Pike
HarperCollins, 2013. ISBN 9780007515561.
(Age: 14+) Recommended as an easy to read, light story. Ghosts.
Theft. Romance. How would you feel if you came face to face with a
ghost? That's the dilemma that faces, Jeff, who is confronted by
Kimberlee Schaffer, who dropped dead the previous year. She has come
back to haunt him because she needs his help with her unfinished
business. In real life Kimberlee may have been gorgeous and popular,
but she was a kleptomaniac and she wants Jeff to help her return all
the things that she stole.
I enjoyed this story that was told from the point of view of Jeff,
who was a positive male voice. He doesn't want to be haunted by
Kimberlee so he agrees to help her, especially when she tells him
that the things that she stole had real value for the people
concerned. Faced with the huge hoard of stolen goods that Kimberlee
has secreted in a cave on her parent's property, Jeff has to come up
with some innovative ways of getting stuff back to its original
owners and this propels the plot forward in often amusing ways.
The character development is great and we see Kimberlee grow from a
selfish teen, albeit a ghost, to a girl who can see other points of
view. Jeff is believable as the boy who helps her out and his
growing romance with Sera, who is the girl Kimberlee has really
hurt, adds some tension to the plot.
This is a fun read that will appeal to girls in particular and will
have the added bonus of some dark moments as the reader ponders why
Kimberlee has stolen so much and whether she will be able to
understand her actions enough to stop haunting Jeff.
Pat Pledger
A bear and a tree by Stephen Michael King
Penguin, 2012. ISBN 9780670075829.
(Age: 4+) Warmly recommended. Picture book. Friendship. Change. When
Ren is upset that her loved tree has lost all of its leaves, Bear
stops collecting the leaves for his den for the winter, and sits
with her until she is calmer. They then spend the day together, Bear
answering Ren's questions about the snow as best as he can. They
play together in the snow, looking at the patterns in the snow, the
icicles and simply dancing. They meet Mouse who is waiting for the
night so that he can catch the first winter stars. They spend the
night watching the stars, and when morning comes, Bear realises that
he must sleep. He attaches some of the leaves he has collected to
the tree, adding some of the things they have made together and goes
to his den to sleep.
A tale of friendship and change, this story is seemingly simple, but
has many layers to reveal as it is read and reread. The idea of
change permeates the book, from the leafless tree, to Bear needing
to sleep, so leaving his friend, to the change in the patterning of
the sky, to the increasingly cold landscape. The blue and white of
the pages, the lack of leaves on all the trees, the change from
rainy landscape to one covered in snow, all point to the fact that
Bear must soon retire to bed.
For parents and teachers simply looking at weather patterns and
seasonal changes then this is a wonderful introduction, and for
those wanting to look at friendship and change, then this book will
provide a masterful springboard.
Fran Knight
Bakir and Bi by Jillian Boyd
Ill. by Tori-Jay Mordey. Magabala Books, 2013. ISBN 9781921248863.
I read this
book from a teaching point of view, and found it useful for
comparing Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultures. For example:
attitudes towards conservation and drought, interpretation of
dreams, beliefs. It could be used for some topics in Aboriginal
studies in the middle primary, such as the traditional use of
resources and the naming of children and places. I think it
would also be good for use in discussions about relationships, such
as what causes good friends/family to become estranged and sometime
enemies.
Rhoda Jenkin
A Royal Fairytale: Kate and William by Ink Robin and Adam Larkum
Egmont, 2013. ISBN 9781405268431. pbk.
While the world waits and the souvenir factories go into overdrive,
Ink Robin brings us this
picture book for littlies that tells the true story of a prince and
his princess, how they met, fell in love, had a wedding that the
whole world watched and then kept waiting for THAT announcement.
Written really well with the traditional 'once upon a time' start
and the 'happily ever after' ending in a style that echoes 'handsome
prince meets and marries beautiful commoner girl' stories of a
bygone era, this tale not only tells the story of he who will be
king when our little people are old enough to understand what that
means (even though he might not be king of Australia then) but it
also keep every little girl's dreams of becoming a princess
alive. Two Miss 7's who shared it with me had very satisfied
smiles on their faces at the end.
Apart from its connections to the events in London that have the
media in a frenzy (and the bookies making a mint), this
book could also be used as an introduction to biography genre and a
creative teacher librarian could construct a curriculum of rich
investigations ranging from exploring the nature of biographies and
their essential elements; seeking ideas for collection development
through identifying who the students would like to know more about
and writing these stories; delving into the history of the monarchy
and its relationship to and impact on Australian lives; to
considering and debating whether Australia should become a
republic. Rich pickings indeed which begin with 'Once upon a
time' for the reader and lead to 'happily ever after' for the
teacher and teacher librarian wanting something a little different.
Barbara Braxton
The disgrace of Kitty Grey by Mary Hooper
Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 978 1 4088 2761 1
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Historical novel.Convicts. Set in the time
of Jane Austen and Regency England, Hooper has her main character,
Kitty Gray, one of the servants in a wealthy household, go to London
to buy a book for her mistress. Kitty is a milkmaid, running the
kitchen dairy which supplies the milk for the household, and so in a
trusted position within the servant community. She is friendly with
the local ferrryman, and he has been left with the charge of his
younger sister, Betsy, following the deaths of his parents. But he
has plans to improve himself, and so sets off to London to gain
employment on the ferries on the Thames River, leaving Betsy with the
distraught Kitty.
Given the task of going to London to buy a book for her mistress,
the innocent Kitty sets off, with Betsy in tow, hoping to find Will.
We see her traveling to the city on a coach, but once there she is
tricked out of the money given her to buy the book, and is alone,
penniless and with a sick child to care for.
She takes lodgings where she can, avoiding the suggestions that she
can earn money in other ways, and eventually, using an old chair to
light a fire for the sick child, is taken to Newgate and sentenced
to seven years' transportation. But she is able to escape. Hooper
can certainly recreate the times well. The reader will be in no
doubt about the gravity of her situation in London, where a girl in
her situation can be easily persuaded into a life of prostitution.
The cruelty of other poor around her adds to the feeling of the
decay of the place, the scavengers in the street, the poor houses,
the unwanted attention of men, the prison and finally the ship where
she is held prior to leaving for the colonies. All are described in
such detail, that readers can be in no doubt about the gravity of
people in her situation.
While some of the plot is perhaps a bit of a stretch to believe, it
is an exciting and involving read, strongly evocative of the times,
and girls particularly will read this book with pleasure.
Fran Knight
Not for turning: The life of Margaret Thatcher by Robin Harris
Transworld Publishers, 2013. ISBN 9780593072868.
(Age: 18+) Margaret Thatcher broke through the glass ceiling of
British politics to become the first woman to lead the Conservative
Party and the country's first female Prime Minister. When she
resigned in 1990, she had held the office for longer than any other
British Prime Minister of the twentieth century. Readers wanting to
find out how one person could achieve so much will find many answers
to their questions in Not for turning: The life of Margaret Thatcher
by Robin Harris.
The author was Margaret Thatcher's speechwriter and advisor but
although he agreed with many of her policies, he has carefully
weighed her weaknesses as a political leader against her strengths.
The result is a sympathetic but not uncritical account of the former
Prime Minister's rise and fall. It explains how Margaret Thatcher's
steely determination took her from a modest home to 10 Downing
Street, sustained her as she confronted opposition to her policies
and survived a terrorist attack, then contributed to her downfall
when she refused to withdraw the Community Charge, also known as the
Poll Tax. Although readers will learn much about her personal life,
Not for turning is essentially a detailed political biography which
assumes that its audience has a sophisticated knowledge of British
society and politics. A chronology, an extensive bibliography and
photographs are provided, but there is no glossary. Meticulous
source notes and a challenging vocabulary mark this title as the
work of an academically trained author, who anticipates that his
book will be selected by university and public libraries. Not for turning is one person's interpretation of a remarkable if
controversial career. It will be of interest to students of politics
and economics, as well as those who want to learn more about the
life of a leader whose name became synonymous with the ideology she
endorsed: Thatcherism.
Elizabeth Bor
Truly Tan Jinxed by Jen Storer
Ill. by Claire Robertson. ABC Books, 2013. ISBN 9780733331220.
(Age: 8+) Chapter book. The second in the series, Truly Tan,
this funny, lighthearted look at rural life will engage middle
primary readers with ease.
Tan and her sister swimming in their dam, cannot help but talk about
their father's latest sale purchase, an old tram. It sits forlornly
near the dam, and the children have strict instructions not to go
anywhere near it. Of course, a rule like that is red rag to a bull,
so they are beset with stories about what could possibly be so bad
that they are not allowed to go inside. They enlist the help of
classmates who tell them it came from a deceased estate, and it even
has a name, Miss Havisham. The children then take stock of other
things in their house, most of which came to them from other sales
in the neighbourhood, many from deceased estates.
Through Tan's diary, pages of which break up the storyline and give
us a different perspective, we see how the children react when one
sees the curtain flutter on the old tram.
Tan has plans to be a girl detective and armed with the accoutrement
of a detective, a tape recorder, pens and pencils, she and the
others plot their course of action. They camp one night near the
dam, and encounter a ghost, and this is enough to keep readers
hooked in this highly entertaining tale. Fun ensues with all coming
out right in the end.
Fran Knight
The Daylight War by Peter V. Brett
HarperVoyager, 2013. ISBN 9780007276219.
(Age: Older teen or new adult) Recommended. Peter V. Brett has
written a very clever and entertaining dystopian novel, where humans
struggle in a harsh environment against demons learning how to
survive and work together. Ultimately this is the story of how two
civilizations, seemingly based on a Muslim and an early
Judeo-Christian culture, fight against a common mindlessly evil
culture.
The clash of the culture also revolves around the myths of the
painted man and the warrior prince, whose stories we follow, as to
who is the true redeemer. Is it Arlen Bales, the painted man, who
shies away from the label of redeemer and rides with his promised
Renna, or Jadir the great leader who has been groomed by his wife,
priestess Inevera? We learn more of the story of these two men and
their lovers, families and wives as they struggle for leadership of
their tribal societies and seek the honour of leading the fight
against, and defeating the demons. The story reaches a head with the
battle against the demons at the fullest waxing of the moon. As the
northern tribesman and the Krasari fight demons, their leaders meet
secretly to battle for their honour, providing us with a stunning
end to the novel.
In writing his story Brett creates two alternative visions of
society and religion and invites the reader to make the obvious
comparisons. He has written strong and interesting characters with
interesting back stories and has made it very hard for the reader to
come to any firm conclusion as to who should be the redeemer. He
keeps us guessing to the end and maintains the suspense and the
ambiguity of the reader's support to either man or his women or his
cause.
I was not aware when I started reading The Daylight War that
it was the third book in a series, following The Painted Man
and The Desert Spear. I am happy to report that it is not
necessary to read either of these novels to follow and enjoy this
novel. This will be a welcome addition to the canon for many readers
and I am sure it will also send many others back to read the earlier
novels. The brilliant ending will ensure that Brett will retain his
readership. This is for the older young adult or the new adult
market and is recommended.
Michael Jongen
Editor's note: I have reviewed The
painted man and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Clockwork princess by Cassandra Clare
The Infernal Devices series, bk 3. Walker, 2016. (Age: 14+) Recommended. The London Institute is facing its biggest challenge. Mortmain aims to destroy the Shadowhunters with his Infernal Devices, automatons that will raze down all within their path. However Mortmain needs Tessa Gray to finally complete his vicious plans. Tessa too is facing life changing decisions. Both Will and Jem will do anything to protect Tessa but she realises that she is the only person who can save herself. Will her Angel necklace help her to survive and what boy will she choose? Clare brings the 3rd and final book in The Infernal Devices to a satisfying conclusion in a massive 568 pages. The fact that she could hold my attention in such a long book is a testament to her clever plotting, characterisation and action that brings an alternative London to life. I spent most of the book wondering how she would be able to resolve the tricky issue of the love triangle that faces Tessa: which boy will she choose when she loves them both. Clare did not disappoint and the ending was a very surprising and gratifying one. The action was also brought to a breath taking climax and the imagery was such that I won't forget Tessa's angel in a hurry. This book was more character driven than action driven (although the action was great as well). It was wonderful to see Tessa coming of age and coming into her power and Will finally coming to terms with the curse that had haunted him for years. There were also heart wrenching moments for Jem as he fought his illness while Charlotte and her fight to keep the Institute and do what was right provided a strong role model for women becoming leaders and still having loving relationships. Many references to books and poetry will have readers seeking out some of the classics and perhaps being introduced to some renowned literature. A family tree at the back of the book provides the links to the characters found in The Mortal Instruments series and should answer readers' questions about who is who and their relationships. This is sure to be a winner with all the readers who have enjoyed previous books in both The Infernal Devices series and The Mortal Instruments series. Pat Pledger
Farm friends by Rebecca Johnson
Juliet nearly a vet series, bk 3. Penguin, 2013. Bush baby rescue bk 4. ISBN 9780143307143.
These books are a good read for animal lovers around the age 8 and 9
years old. It's a new series for me and one that I will look into
more in the future. They are good because they have a range of
wildlife. Some books only have one main animal which is the key for
the whole story. I like these books because there is a range of
wildlife from brushtail possums to blue tongue lizards. It's
also nice to see what other characters - who aren't the main
characters - enjoy doing (i.e the little brother who is crazy about
dinosaurs).
In Farm Friends, I liked how there were quite a few problems
to solve and not just one big problem. Some were not major but help
set the scene of what a vet's duties are. It's also good how there
are lots of little farm animals actually involved in the stories,
not just mentioned in passing. It also shows what a farmer might
have to do in order to help all the animals.
In Bush Baby Rescue it was good they incorporated Juliet
doing lots of major things in order to help the animals, rather than
just feeding the animals. I liked how you saw what Juliet wrote in
her vet notebook. It shows that she had good organisational skills
and that she took her job seriously.
I also like how Juliet got her friends helping her in Bush Baby
Rescue. If you are an animal lover, you will really love these
books. I am sure you will love these books just as much as I did.
Lauren H. (Student)
Toocool Series 5 by Phil Kettle
Ford Street, 2013. The Big Bash ISBN 9781921665783 (pbk.) Pirates ISBN 9781921665790 (pbk.) The Interview ISBN 9781921665806 (pbk.) Round 'Em Up ISBN 9781921665769 (pbk.) The Race ISBN 9781921665776 (pbk.)
Box Set ISBN 9781921665882.
Toocool, the great self-appointed expert of all he tries, continues
on with his many and varied interests. This series includes his
experiences in the country whilst jackarooing for his uncle and
engaging his neighbour Wong's expertise to build a jet ski which he
then uses to race Marcy, Bella and Spike. Later, Wong again helps
him to build a pirate ship which is to be superior to Marcy and
Bella's craft. He also tries to win the Big Bash Cricket Challenge
and, in the final book, is interviewed by Miss Stickybeak. Each book
continues with Toocool being allowed to display his super-abilities
in whatever he does in his own confident manner.
Not having read any of this series previously, I quickly warmed to
Kettle's sense of humour. Despite my initial irritation with this
cocky young lad, I was soon able to appreciate the fact that Toocool
was always a winner in his own eyes, whether or not that matched the
opinions of those against whom he was competing. Each book follows
the same formula and, at the end, contains a factual section of
information or tips, a glossary and some jokes. The Toocool series
is never on the shelf in my library and genuinely fills a niche for
both male and female emergent readers, thanks to the inclusion of
his friends Marcy and Bella. Each containing only about 50 pages and
many illustrations, these are books which hold much appeal for the
younger children.
Jo Schenkel
Kill the music by Nansi Kunze
Random House Australia, 2013. ISBN 9780857980151. Paperback, 288
pages.
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Mystery. Bands. Music. Lorna Powell seems to
have the perfect life, travelling the world with a famous boy band
led by her brother. However it is not easy to live with four
annoying young men who are followed avidly by fans and who also
unrelentingly tease her. She is looking forward to leading a normal
life in their new home and starting at a normal high school. However
life at school isn't easy when you are dropped off in a huge stretch
limousine and everyone is eager to learn about the boys in the band.
When she overhears a conversation that outlines a plot to silence
the band forever, Lorna goes undercover and with the help of the
police is drawn into a dangerous attempt to find out who is trying
the kill the band members.
Readers will be immediately immersed in the world that surrounds a
mega popular boy band. However Kunze doesn't try to glamorise what
happens on tours, the personalities of the boys, their flaws and
musical strengths all provide a really interesting background to the
mystery that Lorna is trying to solve. Of course it is a great
reading experience to travel to Austria for a concert and the making
of a wonderful video in the grounds of a grand palace as well as
follow a birthday party on an island.
Lorna tells the story and the reader will follow with interest the
mystery while trying to work out just who would want to kill the
boys. Lorna also has problems working out her feelings for the
gorgeous Marius, one of the band members, and the sparks between the
two will satisfy romance lovers. There is a lot of tension as red
herrings are introduced and the conclusion is a satisfying one.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story that is sure to appeal to teen
readers who will love the music background as well as the mystery
surrounding the threats to the boys.
Pat Pledger
Dark Triumph by Robin Lafevers
His fair assassin series, bk 2. Andersen Press, 2013. ISBN 9781849395755.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Historical fantasy. Supernatural.
Assassination. Romance. Following Grave mercy (2012), a ALA
Best Fiction for Young Adults 2013, comes the story of Sybella who
had arrived at the convent full of despair and on the brink of
madness. Trained as an assassin in the art of poison and seduction,
she is sent back to her father's castle, the very place that she had
fled from. She is forced into a life of subterfuge and as the weapon
that serves Death she is obliged to seek justice, often by using
poison or her weapons. Her life is terrible and when she discovers
Beast, a knight imprisoned in the castle's dungeons, she embarks on
a dangerous journey to free him and help the Duchess secure
Brittany.
This is a stunning story that is so well rounded in its plot,
background and characters that it is difficult to say what stands
out. Sybella's story is heart breaking and her background of abuse
is gradually brought out in all its misery throughout the book. Her
plight is so perilous that it is difficult to see how she will be
able to triumph in the end, but she is a strong, determined girl who
bravely works out what has to be done for justice. Her meeting with
Beast and his compassion and understanding opens doors to
self-forgiveness and enlightenment. Beast is a wonderful foil for
her character and the growing love between the two is a highlight of
the book. This is a dark story, the villain d'Albret is vicious and
cruel, but the interaction between Beast and Sybella soften the
corruption of power that pervades the book
At the end is a historical note that tells which characters and
incidents are historically true and Lafevers has managed to bring to
life this period of late medieval French history, while setting up a
fantasy religion that worships Death and has a convent dedicated to
his work.
Fans of fantasy by Kristin Cashore (Graceling, Fire
and Bitterblue), Juliet Marillier (Shadowfell and Raven
flight), and Melina Marchetta (Lumatere chronicles)
will love Grave Mercy and Dark triumph.
Pat Pledger
