Reviews

Murder at Mykenai by Catherine Mayo

Walker Books, 2013. ISBN 9781922077943.
(Age 14 +) Recommended. This is a vibrant and credible historical novel for teens. It recreates the atmosphere of Ancient Greece with all the brutality, violence and political intrigue that would have belonged to the era. And in a move that will delight teenage readers, the main characters in this novel are teenagers themselves, albeit teenagers whose names will be familiar with anyone who has a passing interest in Ancient times.
The young Odysseus in this novel is adventurous and daring, quick to act on his own desires but also smart enough to know how best to plot and plan and manipulate others into doing his bidding.Whilst on a visit to Mykenai with his father, Odysseus befriends the shy Menelaos, second son to the King. However, when this king is brutally killed, Menelaos and his brother, Agamemnon must flee for their lives and it is some months before the friends meet again. At this meeting it is clear to Odysseus that young Menelaos is a shadow of his former self, however, with political plotting hinged on a delicate balance, Odysseus finds that he must take great care when trying to help his friend.
Whilst young readers will enjoy the action and adventure and the historical feel of this book, teachers and librarians should be aware that the subject of rape becomes a strong driver of plot and character in the second half of the novel. Although this is handled sensitively by the author and it is mentioned after the event rather than described in detail, the inclusion of this theme may make the novel more suited to mature readers.
Deborah Marshall

Scarlett and the scratchy moon by Chris McKimmie

Allen and Unwin, 2013. ISBN 978 1 74331 515 6.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Picture book. Animals. Loss. Scarlett cannot sleep. She has tried counting sheep, but as she can only get to three, this is not of much use. Her pets, Holly and Sparky have died, and the two dogs are pictured sailing away on a boat. Scarlett thinks things are out of kilter. her honey has been stolen, she has clouds in her eyes, and at breakfast time her eggs are too runny. It is so quiet outside that she can hear the swans on the distant lake.
A knock at the door reveals something has come for her, a tiny Rex and Harriet. Happily she goes to bed that night after brushing her teeth, with Harriet and Rex, along with an array of other pets, but the moon is still scratching the sky.
As with his other books, McKimmie fills his pages with drawings and illustrations from his family, using a host of different techniques and equipment. Both family and methods are listed on the publication page, contrasting with the list of family pets listed at the front. The endpapers are also included in the story with the front endpapers showing Scarlett and her pets, while the back endpaper gives us drawings of the pets listed.
His work is endearing, children will love to discover different things on each page, and older readers will enjoy working out just what methods and tools were used to create the drawings which cover the pages. All who read will be reminded of times when they lost pets and sympathise with Scarlett as she deals with her loss. And of course, parents, teachers and readers will all look at the wider implications of what loss means in the family, and how it is part of their lives.
Fran Knight

Killer ute by Rosanne Hawke

Green as a bean by Alison Lester

Allen and Unwin, 2013. ISBN 9781 74331 547 7.
(Age: Pre school) Warmly recommended. Picture book. Colours. In rhythmic and rhyming sentences, Alison Lester gives children an introduction to some of the world of colours using comparisons which any child will recognise. Green as a bean and red as an apple, pink like a jelly or a jar of strawberry jam are all similes the child will know and take delight in recalling when having this book read to them. Children will readily learn the words because of the rhyme and simple comparisons, neatly represented in the unadorned illustrations. Children will learn their colours, recognising them once the book is finished, and pick up the book again to rehearse and learn them over, easily holding the board book in their hands.
This is one of a group of four books by Lester, the series called, Read Along with Alison Lester. A second in the series, is One clucky hen (ISBN 1 74331 548 4) which uses the same techniques, rhyming sentences, rhythmic prose, simple illustrations, this time teaching the young child its numbers from one clucky hen to ten yellow ducklings. Some the things listed will be familiar to the young child, and they will learn some more things about what these animals do, and the noise made by some of them. The idea of counting is reiterated throughout the book, asking the child to add some of things together.
Fran Knight

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Atria Books, 2013. ISBN 9781476743554.
(Age: 17+) Highly recommended. I'm sold. I haven't ventured yet into the New Adult genre but it's one I've been meaning to try out, especially due to its recent popularity. Featuring more serious issues and romances that young adult novels rarely venture into, it's an interesting change.
Hopeless is an endearing, shocking, and strangely heart-warming novel. It slowly envelops us into the story of a girl named Sky who feels nothing for guys even when she's making out with them. Her mother has shielded her from technology and public schools ever since she was adopted at 6, and it's her first time going into public school with a reputation of sleeping around.
Then she meets Dean Holder, a guy who has a temper and a reputation rivalling her own. He's a high school drop out who was thrown into juvie for a hate crime, after beating a gay guy up at school. Holder envokes strange feelings of lust and passion that she's never felt before, and even though she's confused by his strange, violent outbursts and foreign behaviour, she can't stay away. As it turns out, Holder is the person who will change her life forever and uncover secrets that she has kept hidden away all of her life.
Hopeless slowly draws you in and before you know it, you're heavily invested in Sky and Holder. It's told in a very intimate way which I've never quite encountered with such intensity before, with the chapter's set out like Sky's diary with all of her emotions, thoughts and confusion laid out to bare. Interactions between her and Holder are intense, passionate and powerful. It's clear the two have a connection that many other literary couples cannot rival.
From picking up the book from its humble beginnings, the journey that it takes you on is not one I would have anticipated. But amazing nonetheless, and my heart breaks for the suffering that these two teenagers have gone through. The author handles shocking and disturbing subject matters very elegantly and realistically, and kudos her for being able to do so.
This is not a book you pick up when you're feeling like a light read or a simple romance. It's one that will tear you up, make you smile, break your heart, and realise how lucky you are for what you have. Hopeless is a book that stays on your mind long after you've read it and you'll be hooked.
I can't wait to read Losing Hope, the 2nd in the series which has just been released. Due to heavily mature content, sexual situations and language, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone below 17.
Jeann Wong

What's wrong with the wobbegong? by Phillip Gwynne and Gregory Rogers

Little Hare, 2013. ISBN 9781921714962. Hbk RRP $A24.95.
Crab is worried. Wobbegong has his towel, his music on his retro radio and his sunscreen and looks set for a day on the beach sunbaking, but he has no picnic basket or esky or any sort of food. 'What's wrong with the wobbegong? He doesn't eat a thing' says the crab to the stingray. And so begins a quirky cumulative tale as the various marine creatures become more and more concerned about the wobbegong, until  . . .
A wobbegong in budgie smugglers, an ice cream loving crab, a clam in boardies, a humpback in a floral dress and a seabird selling beach treats make up the cast of this endearing story and accompanied by the unmistakeable illustrations of Gregory Rogers - one of the last books he did before he died - it is just delightful. The ending is delicious!!!
This is a story that works on all levels - the rhythm of the language will engage the little ones, while older students will appreciate the humour. Miss 7 will love to share this one with her school friends when she donates it to her school library.
Barbara Braxton

Sweet damage by Rebecca James

Allen & Unwin. 2013. ISBN 9781742373010.
(Age 15+) Recommended. Mystery. Gothic. Tim Ellison is thrilled when he finds a cheap room to rent in a beautiful old mansion. His only worry is that Anna the young girl who owns the house and whose parents have tragically died is aloof and rather strange. Then weird things start to happen and Tim begins to wonder if he has made a mistake.
I was hooked from the first line:
I still dream about Fairview.
With its overtones of Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, James has written a thrilling mystery that kept me reading quickly to find out what was going to happen and asking questions about whether Anna is mad and whether the house is sinister. With lots of red herrings thrown in and an odd assortment of characters, the tension builds up to an unexpected and very exciting climax.
While all the excitement of the mystery is engrossing, equally appealing is the character of Tim, the young man who is at the centre of the story and who relates what is going on. He is laid back, working at his father's restaurant, and seemingly without any ambition. He is trying to get over his obsession with Lilla, his ex-girlfriend who can't seem to keep out of his life although she declares that the romance is over. As Tim delves into Anna's family mystery, the reader can't help but empathise with Anna who has lost her parents in such a tragedy and who is just holding herself together as she deals with grief and depression.
This is definitely a story that could be classed as 'new adult', (publishers aiming at 18-25 year old bracket), but the sex is handled subtly and the mystery, Manly setting and characters are so good that it is likely to have wide audience appeal. I am now very tempted to find James' earlier book Beautiful malice since I enjoyed this one so much.
Pat Pledger

The matchbox diary by Paul Fleischman

Ill. by Bacham Ibatouline. Candlewick Press, 2013. ISBN 0 7636 4601 1.
(Age: 5+) Warmly recommended. Picture book. Immigration. With a finely detailed illustrative technique, Ibatouline enhances the story of one man's journey to the United States of America. With his family he left impoverished Italy, going to join their father in the USA, who had gone ahead. They wanted to provide opportunities for their children, opportunities they would not have had staying in Italy. His story is retold to his granddaughter, but not through a diary but through the match boxes, each of which has an object inside which elicits a story from the old man. Unable to read or write he collected objects from his old life, his journey, his home in the USA and his eventual success. Inside the old cigar box are dozens of match boxes, each with a story to tell.
We hear of the olive pip, given by his mother to suck to alleviate the hunger pains in the children. A small brooch fell from the upper deck on the ship bound to Ellis Island, and this was kept to remind him of the voyage with its separation of rich and poor. In another is a ticket to a baseball game, a sport they did not understand at first, but went along to better fit themselves for their new life. A tale is told of suffering, of privation, of finding a home and success in their new home. With hints of prejudice, the family succeeds.
The almost monochrome illustrations cover the pages, drawing the eye to the amazing amount of detail, and supporting the text beautifully, colour coming into the pages when the man is with his granddaughter, passing on the family stories to her.
The setting of the USA and its post war migration is a different slant on the theme of new arrivals and one which will find a home in schools where migration, immigration and new arrivals is a topic to be discussed. The pages where prejudice is shown to the family will resonate with many who have left their home to come to a new land, and will too be a discussion point in classrooms. The award winning author and artist duo have produced a book which will be picked up by students in the library and taken to classes where these themes are discussed.
Fran Knight

In the wings by Elsbeth Edgar

Walker, 2013. ISBN 9781922077325.
(Age 12+) Recommended. Acting. School productions. Ella Jamison has always wanted to act but she really suffers from stage fright. Instead she works backstage for the school play, A Midsummer Night's Dream , and watches the new boy Sam and her friends play out their parts. At home things are difficult as her actor grandfather has moved from London and is staying with them. He is flamboyant and strange but her friend Jeremy really seems to like him as does Sam who forms a bond with him. However all is not well with Sam and he may put the whole production into jeopardy.
Ella is a girl whose caring character is easy to like. Although she has stage fright she is prepared to work behind the scenes and comes up with interesting and original ideas for the sets. She gradually comes to accept her grandfather and is prepared to learn from his acting experience and begins to trust his advice and to believe that eventually she may be able to perform on the stage. Sam's reasons for being aloof are handled very well and the gradual romance will appeal to girls.
The reader is left with the opportunity to think about some big issues in the context of an engrossing story. There is the theme of forgiveness and tolerance as Ella's mother begins to know her father again after he left here as a very young child. The frailty of old age is explored very well as is the idea that people can make very bad mistakes but can also be forgiven for them by both young and old alike.
This is an easy to read story that will delight its readers, especially girls and those who are interested in acting and stage production.
Pat Pledger

The snake who came to stay by Julia Donaldson

Scholastic Australia, 2013. ISBN: 9781742837093.
Another fantastic read for the younger students and definitely one to share with Miss Small - who is crazy about all animals but especially reptiles! I can easily imagine her doing exactly the same as Polly, the main character in this delightful story about a very entrepreneurial young lady who opens up a Holiday Home for animals - much to her mum's consternation. Guinea pigs, a mynah bird and the goldfish next door are all a bit stressful in their own ways, but when Polly takes on her best friend Jack's snake Doris, Polly's mum really starts to get agitated. As you can easily imagine, Polly realises that looking after other people's animals is not always smooth sailing - and when Doris goes silently missing, she has to do some very fast problem-solving. Fortunately, all has a happy ending - with a safe return of all the animals to their owners - plus a few extras in the case of the guinea pigs!
Another great addition to your shelves for your 'easy reading' fiction titles - and a very funny read aloud.
Sue Warren

Vocal Violet by Susannah McFarlane

Ill. by Lachlan Creagh. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 978 1 74283 788 8.
Unique Una by Susannah McFarlane
Ill. by Lachlan Creagh. Little mates. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 978 1 74283 739 0.
(Age: 3+) Australian animals, Alphabet. Another two books in this series of stories about Australian animals, each book concentrating on one letter of the alphabet, will add to the 19 already published. All of the books are listed in the back cover of each title, adding to the idea of the collection of the whole set. Within a classroom or pre school, the whole set would make a neat introduction to the alphabet, and even at home, parents could use the books in this way. At $4.99 each, the cost makes buying the set within reach. Their presentation makes them sturdy with the harder cover of the small paperback books, and the fold in ends adding to their long life .
Each book, Unique Una and Vocal Violet uses alliteration to emphasise the letter under consideration. So Una the caterpillar has several friends, Usher, Ursula, Ulrik and Ulla who are all unusual, Una wearing Ugg boots. Eventually the four caterpillars grow up to be the most beautiful Ulysses Butterflies. While with Vocal Violet, the most vocal vampire bat in Victoria, attempts are made to curb her voice. With a preponderance of 'v' words, younger children will be excited by the little bat trying to understand why her voice is like it is.
Fran Knight

Diary of a rugby champ by Shamini Flint

Ill. by Sally Heinrich. Allen and Unwin, 2013. ISBN 978 1 74237 359 6.
Diary of a taekwondo master by Shamini Flint
Ill. by Sally Heinrich. Allen and Unwin, 2013. ISBN 978 1 74237 360 2.
(Age: 7-10) Recommended. Sport. Humour. 9 year Marcus Atkinson writes his diaries about his sporting prowess, but it is his father who thinks he is good at sport. Marcus knows he is not. He has already tried and failed at soccer and cricket, proving to one and all that sport is not his thing. In the previous two very funny books, he made this abundantly clear, but his Dad still wants him to give it a go, with cliches coming from his mouth, like, 'seize the moment' or 'you are what you believe son'. Marcus records each sporting disaster in his diary with each page covered with simple line illustrations. Many of the misunderstandings are a play on words, such as 'duck' in cricket having Marcus imagining the bird. And in Diary of a taekwondo master, of course, having to wear pyjamas leads to all sorts of jokes, while Diary of a rugby champ delivers on the idea of the opponent actually aiming to hurt you. Surprisingly in all books, Marcus does have some wow moments and manages to succeed in the end. This is light hearted fun and an easy read for 7 to 10 year olds. Children who have enjoyed The Diary of a Wimpy Kid and books by Geoffrey McSkimming will pick up to this series readily. The diary format is always popular and the four books published will no doubt grow into a larger set. The appealing cover will also help this series be easily recognised by young readers.
Fran Knight

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy

Text, 2012
Recommended. For this reader The Apothecary is an old fashioned yarn and quite 'old school' which is in no way intended to undermine its charm and the sheer pleasure of the story. The story is set in 1952 and the action recalled by Janie who has had the memories of this year in her life erased for many years.
Prompted by the return of her diary from this year she recollects her time in London where she moves to with her parents when she is fourteen from Los Angeles. There she meets Benjamin at her new school, he is the son of the Apothecary and she is a little keen on him. The action starts quickly when the Apothecary disappears and Janie and Benjamin are left with the precious Pharmacopoeia which a host of unsavory characters are seeking.
Magic, spells and spies are involved and a cast of eccentrics, as Benjamin and Janie seek the truth and begin their journey which takes them to the wild seas off the Arctic Circle where the Russians are about to ignite a nuclear bomb. Using the powers from the Pharmacopoeia and showing great bravery Benjamin and Janie fight the spies above the wild seas, the action being worthy of any Hollywood blockbuster.
There are many bases covered in this 'fish out of water' story which features a blossoming romance between Janie and Ben, some great eccentric characters and is a wonderful adventure with a twist of fantasy. The reader needs to take care reading the 'note to the reader' and like me go back and read it again when they have finished this very enjoyable story.
While it may need some promotion I recommend this title for those who enjoy a good adventure story with a twist of young romance.
Michael Jongen
Editor's note: The Apothecary was a ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2012, CILIP Carnegie longlist 2013, E.B. White Read-Aloud Award - Middle Reader

The Debt. Instalment one: Catch the Zolt by Phillip Gwynne

Allen & Unwin, 2013.
At last - an exciting, adventure series for teenage boys, set in Australia. Phillip Gwynne would have to be considered as one of Australia's pre-eminent authors for young adults. He experienced enormous success with Deadly Unna in 1998, which was made into a landmark movie Australian Rules. He has subsequently written a number of books which have been similarly well received, with 'a confetti of prizes'falling his way.
In this new series of 6 titles, Dom Silvangni, an elite athlete with dreams of success in running marathons, discovers a sinister family secret that dogs the male members of his family. It is, in fact, a debt to a secret Calabrian society 'like the Mafia, but not as nice,' and this debt requires six payments. As Dom learns his family history on attaining the age of 15, he discovers the reason for his grandfather's prosthetic leg - failure to complete his 'debt repayments'. It is now up to Dom to maintain his family's honour - and both his legs.
This series is a roller coaster of impossible tasks and improbable situations with many twists and turns. With some skill, more luck and the help of a few friends, Dom builds friendships and completes his task, but never in the manner anticipated. Cleverly written, with heavy doses of irony to keep readers amused, Phillip Gwynne creates a very authentic voice for his main character in a recognisably modern setting. Dom's sister is a teenage-hacker and his target uses Facebook to send coded messages. Evil characters are satisfyingly mysterious and evil and the young characters are nicely rounded and complex. This book is fresh, entertaining and very current. It is sure to be a hit particularly with young, particularly male, readers who are already reporting online that they are hooked early on and find it difficult to put down.
Diana Warwick

10 hooting owls by Ed Allen

Ill. by Simon Williams. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781 74283 698 0.
10 silly wombats by Ed Allen,
Il. by Simon Williams. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781 74283 638 6.
(Age: 4+) Picture book. Verse. Numbers. Humour. You feel like singing along with both these books, modelled on 10 green bottles, as the owls and wombats are counted from ten to one, with lots  of silly things happening along the way to keep the readers amused and engaged.
10 hooting owls are reduced as one eats a smoothie while watching a movie, another gets chicken pox while knitting winter socks, one goes down the wrong trail while delivering the mail, and so on until only one is left. The humour is infectious and I am sure the person reading the book to a younger audience will be able to get them to sing along as well. The strongly coloured illustrations too will intrigue the readers as they ponder just where the owls might be in some of the pages.
10 silly wombats are reduced in the same way with each wombat doing something silly. One makes a fuss getting on the bus, another has too much fun eating his bun, while another forgets to peek while playing hide and seek, counting down until only one wombat is left.
For teachers and parents introducing the idea of counting one to ten and back again then these little books will be useful. And the emphasis on Australian themes and animals is good to see.
Fran Knight