Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 978 1 599 908 58 8.
Owen and Russell are fraternal twins who have very different
interests. Owen loves basketball and Russell loves maths and
Master of the Minds. They are each happy with their role until
the new basketball coach gets Russell to try out for basketball
because of his height. After reluctantly going along with it
against his better judgment, to his own and everyone else's surprise
he gets on the team. This leads to trouble with Owen and
Russell's non basketballing friends who think he is letting them
down in their efforts to win Master of the Minds. What follows
is an exploration of the relationship between brothers as Owen
resorts to dirty tactics to retain his position.
The story also explores how we each have our own concept of our
value and self-worth. This is done subtly and is resolved in a
way that restores the relationship between the brothers as they each
appreciate their strengths and realize that together they are
stronger.
There is enough about basketball to keep the sporting reader happy
whilst the other areas add some depth to the story. I think
that primary/middle school readers would find it an enjoyable read.
David Rayner
A cyclone is coming by Darlene Oxenham
Waarda series. Fremantle Press, 2013. ISBN 9781922089342.
Recommended for Year 3. This book tells of Annie, who lives with her
parents in a caravan in the north of Western Australia. Other
members of their extended Aboriginal family also live in the caravan
park, and a number of other children do as well. All the children
are great friends who do everything together in the holidays. They
swim, fish and collect shells amongst other things. One day when
they were considering going to the beach, Annie's Grandfather looked
at the sky and said it was not a good idea because a cyclone was
coming. Annie helps prepare for the cyclone including tying
the caravan to a large scraper that her father has placed next to
their van. The rest of the story covers the waiting, and then the
arrival of Cyclone Tessie, and gives an excellent picture of just
what happens in the event of a cyclone. When Annie goes back to
school, she is able to tell her class all about her adventure and
the bottle with a message which she and her friends found. When the
class asked what the message said they were told it was a story for
another time.
Rhoda Jenkin
Meet Mary MacKillop by Sally Murphy and Sonia Martinez
Random House, 2013. ISBN 9781742757216.Ebook ISBN 9781742757230
hbk., col. ill., RRP $A19.95.
(Age: 6+) Mary MacKillop believed deeply in educating children,
particularly those in remote areas of Australia, and in 1866, full
of excitement and enthusiasm she left her home and all that she knew
to set up her first school in Penola, South Australia. This is
the story of the establishment of that school and Mary's insistence
that it would be for every child regardless of their parent's status
or ability to pay. With a deep belief in God, she and her
sisters put their trust in His ability to provide and enable them to
survive and flourish. During the first year Mary decided to
become a nun, Sister Mary of the Cross, and founded the order of the
Sisters of St Joseph, 'doing God's work and helping the poor
wherever we can.'
Since her beatification in 1995 and subsequent canonisation in 2010,
the life and work of Mary MacKillop has become much more widely
known, and, as Australia's first saint, the interest spreads beyond
the Catholic Church. In this beautifully illustrated picture
book, we learn how and where it all began.
This is the second in the Meet . . . series, a collection of picture
books that tell the stories of some of Australia's most significant
people. Ned Kelly was the focus of the first, Captain James
Cook the next one. Designed to complement the outcomes of the
History strand of the Australian National Curriculum, it's a great
way to get the youngest readers interested in who has shaped this
country.
Barbara Braxton
Nell's festival of crisp winter glories by Glenda Millard
Ill. by Stephen Michael King. ABC Books, 2013. ISBN 9780733329845.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Family. Age. Festivals. The family
Silk, in the small community of Cameron's Creek, is again presented in
all of its warmth. The wonderful Nell, grandmother to all, Ben her
adopted son and wife Annie with their children, including Perry
Angel, their tales told in previous award winning books, come
together for one last episode.
Perry has noticed that Nell is sometimes lonely, and he has also
been aware that his personal assistant at school is in the same
boat. He plots to bring them together, knowing they both used to
like dancing, and gathers some of the other family members together
to achieve this. In Mr Kauri's shop they plan their dance, but when
Nell falls and breaks her hip, plans must be altered to suit the
situation.
This is a wonderful book, full of the love and happiness that a
strong family brings to its members, Millard recreating a warm
centered rural life with its animals, jams, sharing of food when the
need arises, knitting, and simply watching out for each other. In
her beautiful prose, full of the richness of the lives she
describes, their characters come easily through, wrapping themselves
around the reader, drawing them into the circle Millard creates.
I have only read two of the Silk family stories and will search out
the others, saddened that this is the last as I am sure the many
fans will be as well.
Fran Knight
The bookman's tale by Charlie Lovett
Text, 2013. ISBN 9781922079336.
(Senior secondary readers) The bookman's tale by Charlie
Lovett is a thriller about bibliophiles, bibliopegy and greed. Books
are bound, hidden and discovered, along with the occasional body, in
this story that ranges from Shakespearean England to the 1990's.
While Shakespeare's canon is hallowed ground, the recognition of
Shakespeare as author is under threat from the anti-Stratfordians,
those who believe that Shakespeare could not have written the works
attributed to him. The main character, Peter Byerley, is an
antiquarian bookseller and book binder. He has the good fortune to
meet the beautiful Amanda, who not only falls in love with Peter but
is also very wealthy, thus allowing him to pursue his chosen
occupation. After the death of Amanda, Peter moves to England and
becomes involved with a book collector who may have a Folio edition
of Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Instead Peter finds a pamphlet
written by Robert Greene, a contemporary of Shakespeare, and
seemingly annotated with Shakespeare's marginalia. This would prove
beyond doubt that Shakespeare was the author of the plays, but is
the document a forgery? The owner of the pamphlet needs money and
Peter feels that he cannot be trusted. The author weaves a tangled
and complicated web of inter-family rivalry that stretches back to
the nineteenth century. In his investigation the mild-mannered Peter
becomes implicated in a murder, is trapped in a medieval chapel,
finds an underground tunnel, overcomes claustrophobia and outwits a
gun-toting murderer. Peter is convinced that the document he has is
a forgery, but he also believes that he knows where the original is.
In a retrospective deus ex machina, Peter himself is the rightful
owner of it.
There is a wealth of information here about books and book
restoration, about Shakespeare and his contemporaries and about
Shakespearean scholarship. This is the novel's strength. The plot
seems unbelievably Machiavellian and is quite complicated. Peter is
an unlikely hero but a convincing book lover. The novel is suitable
for older readers.
Jenny Hamilton
Max and George by Cori Brooke and Sue deGennaro
Penguin/Viking, 2013. ISBN 9780670076352. Hbk, RRP $A24.99
Max was never lonely. As long as there was a window, he had a
friend because George lived in windows. No matter where the window
was, Max could see George and he spent a long time looking at him.
Because they were very similar - same height, same clothes, and
whenever Max moved, so did George. They even shared the same
feelings. But then the time comes for Max to start school. And he's
nervous. Even though George was there in the school window,
Max's teacher made him sit where he couldn't see him. Will Max find
the confidence to leave George and make a real friend?
This is a delightful book, perfect for the child about to start
school and finding it hard to let go of what is known and take the
leap into the unknown. With its charming illustrations, it will
appeal to all children - those who are like Max and empathise with
him, and those like Sam who are a bit more confident and can
reassure him. Tip for parents - teach your child a joke before
they leave...
Barbara Braxton
Florentine and Pig and the lost pirate treasure by Eva Katzler
Ill. by Jess Mikhail. Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 9781408824405.
(Age: 5+) Picture book. Pirates. Humour. Things to do. Imagination.
Florentine and Pig are back with another adventure to please the
hearts of their fans. Stuck in the house on a cold and wet, wintry
day, they search around for something to do. Out of the dress-up box
comes a range of things to wear, and each is dressed as a pirate.
Pig with his pirate hat and telescope looks just the part, and
Florentine ambles behind him with her favourite sparkling cardigan
which is missing one button. They find a pirate map, and use the
furniture in the lounge room to create a ship on which to sail to
find the treasure mentioned in the map. Fun abounds as they go on
their adventure, and the story includes a list of the things they
need to take, as well as the recipes for the food mentioned, the hat
Pig wears, and the flag flown on their ship.
An entertaining look at using one's imagination, children will
thrill at the mischief the pair gets up to. Readers will love to try
things for themselves, and then cook the recipes given at the end of
the story. For teachers, this is another book to include in the
pirate books already available, and be a neat adjunct to work done
in using imagination and play. I can imagine many students in early
childhood setting wanting to emulate Florentine and Pig on their big
adventure, so have the dress-up box ready, along with the
ingredients for making the biscuits, cakes and pasta, as well as a
pirate hat and flag.
Fran Knight
The watcher in the garden by Joan Phipson
Text Classics, 2013. ISBN 9781922147011
Recommended. The watcher in the garden (1982) by Joan Phipson has
been republished by Text Classics for a new generation of readers to
appreciate this timeless tale of adolescent angst played out against
the backdrop of its uniquely Australian background.
The cover design and the wonderful introduction by Margo Lanagan set
the mood for this remarkable tale. The Australian landscape,
its beauty and mystery, is represented by the garden which belongs to
the blind Mr Lovett and into which stumble the malevolent Terry and
the angry and confused Kitty.
Mr Lovett befriends and becomes to depend on Kitty and her
descriptions of the garden. His friendship and respect
encourages Kitty to examine her own anger and behaviour. The
garden brings her peace and tranquillity after she is welcomed by
him.
At the same time Terry bears a grudge against Mr Lovett, and watches
him as he plots his revenge for perceived slights against his
family. Terry and Kitty tread warily around each other
but their lives become entwined by the garden and its almost
supernatural presence. Both become aware that the garden has a
force which bears its influence on them.
In a powerful scene Kitty and Terry physically confront each other
and both are injured. When they come to they realise that
they have a psychic connection and can feel what the other is
thinking. When Kitty is lost and has to stay in the bush
overnight, Terry knows where to find her. Are they in a
symbiotic relationship?
This connection leads to the penultimate scene when amidst an earth
tremor Kitty struggles up the sides of the gorge in order to save Mr
Lovett; Terry is there too and the garden plays its part in the
drama as it unfolds.
I recommend this novel.
Michael Jongen
The maleficent seven by Derek Landy
Skulduggery Pleasant series. HarperCollins Children's, 2013. ISBN
9780007512386. 284 p. paperback
(Ages: 12-14) Themes: Good and evil. Skeletons. Magic. Fantasy.
Sorcery.
Irish author Derek Landy's novella departs from the usual
protagonists Skulduggery and Valkyrie, focussing on Tanith Low's
dark corrupt character who now is permanently possessed by a Remnant
spirit. Tanith recruits a team of villainous characters to search
for and steal the four God-Killer level weapons to help Darquesse in
the destruction of the world. The first weapon the team needs to
find is the dagger at the German Sanctuary. Her crew are pitted
against a secret group of Sanctuary sorcerers lead by Dexter
Vex. Billy Ray Sanguine, one of her team, is particularly
blood-thirsty, using his cut-throat razor to protect Tanith.
Tanith's back story is interspersed with the action chapters. She is
left by her parents to work with the master Quoneel and other
masters, learning the art of sorcery, killing, forgery and
wall-walking. At this stage she still has a conscience.
The battles are graphically described; the killings matter of
fact and the characters assisting Tanith are truly evil. This is
another very dark story that will be welcomed by fans of the
Skullduggery Pleasant series. Background understanding of this
fantasy world is needed to read this book.
Rhyllis Bignell
Tom Gates is absolutely fantastic (at some things) by Liz Pichon
Scholastic Children's, 2013. ISBN 9781407134512. 249 p.
(Age: 8-11 ) Highly recommended. Diary stories. Family life. School
stories. Boys. Brothers and sisters. Winner: Roald Dahl Funny Prize
2011, Blue Peter Book Award for Best Story. Tom Gates' diary is
filled with doodles, illustrations, hidden monsters and a running
commentary about school and home life. Tom has an intense dislike of
his teacher Mr. Fullerman, as well as one of his classmates Marcus
Meldrew and his rather mean older sister Delia. He spends most of
his time at school drawing in his notebook, sketching and wickedly
commenting on his class dramas. This time Tom's class is off on a
camping trip and he hands in his signed form at the last minute.
Even a trip to the supermarket with his Mum is a comedy, when the
giant packet of toilet paper splits and he has to chase two rolls
across the floor of the checkouts, landing in front of his secret
crush, Amy.
At the Activity Centre, there are lots of laughs as Tom deals with
his mother's hidden notes, Marcus Meldrew's annoying behaviour and
his bunkmate's sleep talking. Nothing in Tom's life is dull or
boring and he always finds trouble wherever he goes.
The text in this story includes handwriting, bubble writing,
emphasized words, block writing and words made out of patterns; this
makes it look handwritten. Liz Pichon's creative bold pen drawings
and doodles complement the text style. This is another in the
exciting series of Tom Gates books and I would highly
recommend it for a reading audience from 8-11.
Rhyllis Bignell
Primrose by Alex T. Smith
Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781407109664.
(Age: 4+) Warmly recommended. Princesses. Fun. Family. When Princess
Primrose gets out into the garden to pull vegetables, her parents
are aghast, when she goes into the kitchen to cook, the chef shoos
her out, when she climbs a tree in the orchard, her father tells her
to get down and behave like a real princess, and when she plays with
her dog, Percy, in her bedroom, Mum shrieks and makes her wear
proper princess clothes. All in all, Primrose would rather be in old
clothes, getting dirty and having fun, so her parents decide to
call Grandmama for help.
Grandmama is stiff and starched, a very proper old woman but she has
a surprise in store for the king and queen. She orders the king to
climb the tree in the orchard and there he spies the old tea house
and remembers his childhood days spent there. She orders the king
and queen to change their clothes and help pull the vegetables, to
play board games, to mess around in the kitchen, and generally to
have fun, a concept they seem to have forgotten.
This delightful turn of events will engage younger readers who
will laugh at the antics of the family in trying to get back to
their childhoods and have a good laugh instead of obeying the rules
and protocols in place in the palace.
Fran Knight
Pony problem by Yvette Poshoglian
Ella and Olivia series. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN: 9781742837987
When seven year old Ella and her younger sister Olivia accompany
Ella's friend Zoe to her pony competition, things quickly get out of
hand when Ella finds herself on a pony and is accidentally included
in the equestrian events. Who will come to the rescue when things
start to go wrong? Will this be Ella's dream come true or her worst
nightmare?
This is a slim story for emergent female readers who love horses.
Enormous font, liberally scattered illustrations and lacy patterned
edges to the pages would possibly add to the appeal of the title for
the very young child. Despite difficult words such as equestrian and
dismounts, they are minimal in number so the series would not
provide an overwhelming challenge in terms of vocabulary. Themes of
horse-riding, friendship, envy, bravery and winning and losing are
positive and age appropriate for the target audience.
Jo Schenkel
Rumble in the jungle by Geronimo Stilton
Ill. by Giuseppe Ferrario. Geronimo Stilton series bk 53.
Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9780545481939. 108p.
(Age: 7-9) Highly recommended. Mice. Jungles. Treasure. Adventure
stories. Rainforests. Brazil. Amazon Region. Rumble in the Jungle takes Geronimo Stilton from the comforts
of his home off on another exciting fabumouse adventure in Brazil.
His adventurous friend Bruce Hyena drops in one evening and hijacks
Geronimo's boring Mousebook page and his life. Geronimo narrates
this adventure teamed at first with his mouse friends Wild Willie
and Maya. Unfortunately Geronimo becomes separated and has to fend
for himself in a variety of difficult situations, coping with
language problems, the loss of his wallet, samba dancing in a Rio
Carnival, tumbling down the Iguazu Falls and searching for stolen
treasure.
Information boxes are included for reader interest: maps, country
facts, rainforest facts, a recipe and jungle animals. Colourful
cartoon illustrations add vibrancy and comic relief as Geronimo
stumbles his way through his adventures. Colourful phrases,
different fonts and text sizes add emphasis and excitement for the
booklover.
This series is extremely popular and I highly recommend this new
addition to the series for readers from 7-9 years. Geronimo's
World is available online.
Rhyllis Bignell
Evan's Gallipoli by Kerry Greenwood
Allen and Unwin, 2013. ISBN 9781743311356
(Age: 11+) Warmly recommended. War. Gallipoli. With a set up similar
to those encountered in the Scholastic My Australian story
series, and Penguin's Our Australian girl, this diary format
story of a lad's time spent at Gallipoli is sure to win readers.
Fourteen year old Evan accompanies his father as he goes to
Gallipoli, to offer not only physical things to alleviate their
suffering, lice powder and the like, but also religious help for
those in need. But they are totally unprepared for what they find.
Separated from their soldiers, they are recaptured by the Turks,
there follows a road journey in which they escape to Greece, before
returning to Australia. Along the way, Evan meets up with Abdul, a
Muslim boy being used as a pawn to try to persuade his powerful
father to fight, and the trio see some of the sights of war not
usually found in history books.
Being a captive of the Turks allows Evan to describe the Gallipoli
from a different perspective, one not always seen in our books
(Candles at dawn by Serpil Ural was published in 2004 by Limelight
Press). Well researched, Greenwood's book is informative as
well as entertaining, and will appeal to middle school readers
looking for a different perspective on a subject lately often
written about, as the 100th anniversary of World War One (1914) and
Gallipoli (1915) come along.
Fran Knight
Hold on tight by Sara Acton
Scholastic, 2012. ISBN 9781742833491
(Age: 4+) Warmly recommended. Picture book. Family. Imagination.
Being safe. Seasons. On this cold winter's day I have read several
books which have made me feel chilled to the bone. A bear and a
tree is set in the snowy icy landscape where Bear is about to
get into his den for hibernation, while this one concerns a young
child on a wintry day holding her mother's hand as they walk through
the landscape. Both books are full of the cold, wintry season, with
snowflakes, rain, ice and wind tearing across each page.
When the girl's mother reminds her to hold on tight, the child
wonders what would happen if she did not hold on tight, and so a
range of wonderful excursions are imagined. Each double page spread
shows a different adventure, told in two rhyming sentences with
glorious illustrations reflecting and adding to the words. Ink and
watercolour are used to great effect as the sparsely filled ink
drawings reflect movement and a sense of the ephemeral nature of the
season. On one double page for example, the child sits on a branch
having afternoon tea with a bird, while over the page she floats on
high, hanging onto a sycamore seed as it floats to the earth. Coming
back to earth with Mum holding her hand, the child determines that
she will not blow away today.
A charming introduction to the idea of using one's imagination, or
discussions about safe behaviour, or being with Mum and why she
wants to hold your hand, this lovely story will be used for a
variety of reasons by teachers and parents, not least of which is
that it is a beautiful rhyming story, well told, with evocative
illustrations. Fran Knight
