Bethloria Book 1. Wombat Books, 2013. ISBN 9781921632471.
Highly recommended for any fantasy fan aged 11+. Fantasy fans beware
- highly addictive! Firelight of Heaven is the story of a
land taken over by an evil king and its last hope is 2 teenage
humans and an elf. Of course, like all good stories, it is only book
1! Firelight of Heaven follows Dougray and Robbie of Bethloria
who unwittingly become the heroes in a world that is being destroyed
by war and losing its young men to the war. There is an underlying
mystery that these 2 boys might be more than they seem! Are they of
royal blood and destined to overthrow the evil king? The boys are
put the test as they travel through a new world, befriend an elf and
are chased by weird and scary creatures.
The text is descriptive but easy to read and the story is easy to
follow. Belle, the elf, is a strong female character and the boys
show an emotional side and a protective side.
Kylie Kempster
Teardrop by Lauren Kate
Doubleday, 2013. ISBN: 9780857532275.
(Age: 15+) Teardrop by Lauren Kate is a story about an older
teen by the name of Eureka who tragically loses her mother in a
freak accident. Eureka has to endure her father's new (and
irritating) wife Rhoda and the alienating stares of the people she
once called friends after her attempt at joining her mother in the
afterlife. Forced to go and see one of many therapists, failing to
meet her track coach's standards, missing her mother constantly and
having her father grow distant doesn't do much to sway the suicidal
thoughts in Eureka's head. The only things that pull her back from
the plunge and making detailed plans are her twin step-siblings and
two of her closest friends who resemble a beacon of light in her
dark world. Strange things start to happen as a mysterious boy named
Ander smashes into her car and magically keeps reappearing and
disappearing both from her life and her mind.
This novel is so unique in how it's written; all the characters are
so realistic and relatable that you almost feel like you know them
when you put the book down. This book has a seriously unexpected
plot and it unravels from this simple, straightforward world to a
whole other sea of mysteries and secrecies that are slowly revealed.
It is definitely not as it appears. Teardrop is well suited
for an older audience due to some action scenes, romantic and
violent themes and that younger readers may not understand or may
find a touch squeamish. Overall, this has got to be a must have for
readers who love mystery.
Sarah Filkin (Student)
Never eighteen by Megan Bostic
Definitions, 2012. ISBN 9780547550763.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Cancer. Death. An American book which has a
similar theme to Before I die, is Never Eighteen by
Megan Bostic. Austin asks his best friend, Kaylee to take him to a
few places one Saturday. He asks an older woman who he seems to know
well, to ring her daughter. He sees a boy he has not seen for a
while, and listens to his story about why he has dropped out of
life, then visits an old girlfriend he knows is being beaten by her
current boyfriend. He offers advice. He calls on a boy he bullied
many years before to apologise. The reader realises he has a list of
people whose lives he feels he can put back on track.
He has a list of people he wants to see before he dies, making sure
that things unsaid will be said, ensuring that their lives can be
improved. But he has only a few months to live. He wants his parents
to get back together, he knows that still care for each other, but
are unable to communicate. He wants his mother to talk to her
mother, estranged since his parents' split. He wants above all to
tell Kaylee that he loves her. In the background we hear of Austin's
bout with cancer, as he comes to the decision not to have any more
chemotherapy. He wants to be alive for his last few months, not
doped and in pain. Never Eighteen does not have the emotional depth of The
Fault in our Stars, or Before I die, but is
nevertheless a gripping read, and has been well received.
Fran Knight
The road to Gundagai by Jackie French
Matilda saga, book 3. Angus & Robertson, 2013. ISBN
9780732297220.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Australian history, Depression. After her parents have been drowned at sea, Blue goes to
hospital when a fire destroys her house and all of its contents. Her
aunts take her from the hospital before she has recovered from the
dreadful injuries the fire wrought on her body. But she does not get
any better: her hair is falling out, she vomits all her food,
retches at the thought of it, and so stays alone in her room. Her
only friend is Mah, the Chinese girl who worked for her parents on
their farm, and whose warning saved her from being incinerated.
Blue sees a circus pass her window and decides she must go and see
it, and does, although during the Big Top main event her aunts sweep
in and take her home, locking her in the room. The dwarf and fortune
teller from the circus steal her from the room, telling her she is
being poisoned and that the fire was deliberately lit.
So begins this adventure story like no other, jam packed with events
straight from a Girls Own Annual, but set against such a detailed
and exact background it defuses any questioning. French's love of
history shines through, her knowledge of the minutae of people's
lives is telling as we hear of the Depression and its affects
on people particularly in rural Victoria and then New South Wales,
as well as details of the circus and the travelers, the clothing,
housing and food of the times.
But she surprises us even further, as this becomes a murder
investigation, a crime novel with a strong sense of setting, one
that readers will read over and over again.
The character of Blue is marvelous. The injuries caused by the fire
and then her aunts' intervention are shocking, and all readers will
sympathise with her, wondering as I did, about her lack of movement
and feeling the pain when she moves unexpectedly. Her bravery and
courage is paramount, her willingness to overcome obstacles
laudable, her need to feel attractive most appealing to the target
audience. It is her story that carries the book: readers will want
to know how she survives and what becomes of her, who is trying to
keep her under wraps, and just what do these people want.
Fran Knight
Parasite by Mira Grant
Parasitology series, bk 1. Orbit, 2013. ISBN 978035650192.
(Age: 15+) This science fiction is to be the first of a trilogy
entitled Parasitology. It is based on the idea that humans
are healthier when hosting a parasite, notably a tape worm. (This is
indeed supported by scientific studies in reality.) It is set about
fourteen years into the future, with most of the action occurring in
2027. Multinational company Symbogen has patented a pill containing
genetic material from tapeworms and other unspecified gene sources,
marketed it aggressively, and vast numbers of people now host these
parasites in supposed harmonious symbiosis. All is not as it seems,
however, as people start coming down with a fatal 'sleepwalking'
sickness.
The novel is an engaging and pacey read, reminiscent of Michael
Crichton, and would certainly translate well into an action thriller
movie. It would be a good addition to the library shelves, and would
appeal to older students.
Anne Veitch
There was an old lady who swallowed a meerkat by P. Crumble
Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781742836461.
Highly recommended for all ages. There Was An Old Lady Who
Swallowed A Meerkat is a fun book full of gorgeous, bright and
funny illustrations, telling the traditional story of the old lady
swallowing unusual things. In this version, it is a trip to the zoo
that inspires the author to write about this lady's unusual eating
habits. Imagine the images in a child's mind as they picture this
little old lady swallowing a giraffe or a hippo! Hilarious! A great
way to introduce animals in a Science lesson, help with choral
reading with repetitive text or to create images as a reading
strategy. There is a whole series of these books which are sure to
have children of all ages laughing.
Kylie Kempster
Wombat's birthday surprise, ill. by Lachlan Creagh
Hachette, 2013. ISBN 9780734413932.
(Age: 3+) Picture book, Australian animals, Birthdays. Another in
the series of verse stories from Hachette, which includes Wombat
went a'walking and Wombat went a' dreaming, the three
are illustrated by Lachlan Creagh but there is no author stated.
The verse carries the tale along of Wombat sleeping while all his
animal friends bring together the ingredients for an array of party
treats. Koala makes pavlova, goanna brings the sprinkles for fairy
bread, echidna is making party pies and magpie the sausage rolls.
Each page shows these animals and the work they are doing for the
party.
For children this will be a treat, going through the delicious foods
needed for a children's birthday party, with some words in a
different colour helping them to learn new words.
The stress on the differing things made for the party will make it
way to teach some of the specifically Australian foods, and the
presentation of the animals of course, lends itself to stressing the
differing animals and their spellings.
This could be a a useful learning tool in an ESL class or junior
primary class where many children have had little exposure to rural
Australia.
Fran Knight
Chasing the Valley: Borderlands by Skye Melki-Wegner
Random House Australia, 2014. ISBN: 9781742759562.
(Age; 15+) Recommended. After destroying the tyrant king of
Taladia's plans to invade the safe haven known as the Magnetic
Valley, Danika and her crew of refugees cross uncharted lands that
none dare to tread to escape both the royal family as well as Sharr
Morrigan. Sharr and her band of hunters are in hot pursuit of the
crew consisting of the two scruffers, Danika and Teddy, two riche
twins, Clementine and Maisy and a disowned prince of the royal
family and Sharr's cousin, Lukas Morrigan. But things get even more
dangerous for the crew when sneaky bands of smugglers and a
gathering frontline of conscripted soldiers lie between them and the
Valley, them and freedom. These various groups of people are strange
enough but the peculiar actions of Lukas in the night and Danika's
Night proclivity gaining power makes things dangerous for the
refugee crew. As the crew struggles, they stumble across new
information that could bring their whole world tumbling down. Will
they be able to complete their dream of reaching the Magnetic
Valley? Chasing the Valley: Borderlands by Skye Melki-Wegner is an
epic sequel to the first novel, Chasing the Valley. Borderlands
carries on with the story seamlessly and makes the reader feel like
they never put the last book down. With themes of action, mystery
and mild romance, this novel suits older readers who enjoy reading a
good fight and tales of survival. This series is definitely, without
a doubt, one of my favourites.
Sarah Filkin (Student)
The lost sun by Tessa Gratton
United States of Asgard, book 1. Random House, 2013. ISBN
9780307977465.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Norse mythology. Fantasy. In the United
States of Asgard, ruled by Norse gods, 17 year old Soren is fighting
his berserker nature. His father had lost control of himself, going
berserk in a shopping mall and killing innocent people. He feels the
battle- frenzy and fever of the berserker, but tries to remain calm.
Isolated at Sanctus Sigurd's Academy he is amazed when the popular
Astrid Glyn, daughter of a famed seeress, tells him that she dreams
of him. When Baldur, son of Odin, fails to bring back the sun and
goes missing, Soren joins Astrid on a road trip across the States to
find him. Together they trace the missing god and find their own
powers and destiny.
This is an intelligent, beautifully crafted story based on the idea
that there is an alternative United States, a country governed not
only by the President, but by the gods. Gratton intertwines Norse
mythology and the fates of Soren and Astrid throughout the book in
such a way that the reader, even one unfamiliar with Norse legends,
is able to gain an understanding of the gods and how they operate.
The road trip across the United States of Asgard is a thrilling one.
What works exceptionally well is the struggle that Soren and Astrid
have with their feelings for each other and what fate and the gods
have determined for them. Soren is determined to fight his berserker
nature, while Astrid has to come to terms with the visions that she
sees. It was engrossing to follow Soren's story and to imagine what
it would have been like to be a berserker and to fear loss of
control and killing innocents. The themes of fatalism, faith, honour
and loyalty are explored in a sensitive, thought provoking way.
This was a compulsive read, which is much more thoughtful and
complex than many young adult novels. Fans of Neil Gaiman and Holly
Black will welcome The lost sun, and teens who liked the Percy
Jackson series by Rick Riordan could well enjoy this too.
Pat Pledger
Horizon by Alyson Noel
Soul seekers series, bk 4. Macmillan, 2013. ISBN
9781447206842.
(Age: Older teens) Horizon by Alyson Noel is an adrenaline
pumped book about a girl named Daire Santos. Daire isn't your
average teen, she is the last in a long line of seekers, a person
tasked with keeping the different worlds at peace. This job is made
all the more difficult when the evil Richter family are dead set on
ending the world as well as when Dace's - Daire's fated partner as
well as a Richter twin - soul is tainted with a bit of his brother's
darkness. This brings him closer and closer to his demonic side and
his demon filled family that he has hated for a long time.
Surrounded by her friends and family, Daire Santos fights to save
her one true love, her home and the worlds she is in charge of from
the Richters. Horizon, much like the previous books in the series, is a
fantastic, breathtaking, action-packed novel that makes you think of
thousands of questions that you want to find the answer to. This
book and its inspiring writing style keeps you stuck to the pages
and wanting to know more as the story blooms around the main
characters. Due to violent, romantic and emotionally traumatic
themes, I think this book is better suited to older teens because
they might have a better grasp on the mindset of the characters. An
interesting writing style that is unique and leaves you wanting
more, Horizon is a must have on your mystery and action
bookshelf.
Sarah Filkin (Student)
The twelve days of Christmas, ill. by Karen Erasmus
Hachette, 2013. ISBN 9780734414922.
(Age: 4+) Christmas, Picture book. Anyone wanting the music and
words to the old carol, will find this to their liking. The soft
watercolour images which accompany the text include an array of
children in modern clothes, many in school uniform, from a variety
of backgrounds. The two introductory children on the front cover are
on each page, as the number of animals and people swell, from a
partridge in a pear tree to twelve drummers drumming.
As with the original carol, counting is an integral part of the
rhyme, adding a new number of animals and people as the song goes
along, reinforcing the number as each line is sung.
I have seen few examples of this old carol being published more
recently for a younger generation, so it is timely. Younger readers
will know the tune and easily pick up the words as they sing along.
The simple one line melody at the end of the book can be easily
picked out on a piano for a beginner giving the tune to the
children.
Included in the book is a double page of illustrations for the
students, I was surprised that it did not follow the one to twelve
idea of the original carol, so ensuring that children would be able
to use this as an aid to learning to count.
But all in all, a useful book to have in the classroom for that time
of the year, to learn an older carol, unlike the ones heard in the
supermarket and department store.
Fran Knight
Dark satanic mills by Marcus Sedgwick and Julian Sedgwick
Ill. by John Higgins and Marc Olivent. Walker, 2013. ISBN
9781406329889.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Graphic novel, Future,
Fundamentalism, Dystopian novel. With the hymn, Jerusalem,
sparked by the title, a trip to Google to find the whole poem by
William Blake is the first step in reading this dark treatise about
a near future London, where religious fanatics are taking over areas
north of the city. A strong dystopian theme runs through with
illustrations showing a near destroyed city, water lapping over
Trafalgar Square, the water level so high that the Portrait Gallery
is now a ferry stop. Shown with its bombed buildings and impassable
streets, the city shadows the images we see on nightly TV of war
ravaged cities in the Middle East, and when Christy is out after
curfew, she falls foul of the fanatics trying to exert their power
over the population.
So she must run for her life. Implicated now in a murder, she tries
to seek shelter from people she knows, but her presence imperils
them all.
This is a breathless read, stirred on by the black and white
illustrations, often using close up drawings to sharpen the impact
of the horror she sees. The readers will follow Christy's fight
eagerly, watching as gangs of bullies from the True Church
intimidate and beat up those who question. The parallels to today's
society are obvious, as Fundamentalists strike at the seat of power,
gaining credibility and prestige amongst those opting for a safer
future.
The road north brings Christy and now, Alex, into Birmingham with
its gangs of thugs, the Anti-Sci, feeding people's fears, burning as
witches the non believers, chaining men to ricks in the blighted
wilderness, heralding miracles to gain power. It is grim stuff, but
an enthralling read with many parallels to the recent growth of
fundamentalist groups within our societies. Readers will love the
illustrative techniques of the two illustrators, Higgins and
Olivent, as they portray a society's upheaval with panache.
Fran Knight
This way up by Kylie Dunstan
Windy Hollow Books, 2013. ISBN 9781922081223.
(Age: 5+) Picture book, Moving home. Moving can be a tricky issue in
some families, and those adults wrapped up in the concerns, may have
little time for a younger child feeling left out. This charming
picture book deals with a young girl moving house, returning home
after some absence. She is encouraged to sort out her cardboard
boxes, but finds it overwhelming. The surroundings are similar and
bring back fond memories, but everything seems so much smaller. Mum
seems to whizz around the house with piles of stuff, sometimes
dropping some in Grace's room with an encouraging 'why don't you
find a home for all of this stuff?' But Grace finds it hard to work
out which was important and prefers to hide in one of the empty
cardboard boxes in her room. That is until Grandma arrives. Then
Grace knows what is most important, and when other families arrive
the next day for a celebration, she feels at last that she is home.
This is a warm story about one child feeling sad at leaving and yet
wanting to be part of her old house. Her mother is encouraging and
supportive as she too must find a space for all the things in boxes.
When familiar people arrive, it is only then that everyone feels
settled.
Fran Knight
Paper Clips, an anthology of short stories about coming of age in Australia, edited by Yasar Duyal
Cambridge University Press, 2013. ISBN 9781107614208.
(Age: 11+) Short Stories, Coming of age. Stories by kids written for
kids in middle school is a request I keep hearing, so a book of
short stories by Australian youth should be just the ticket. This
compilation of stories from kids mainly in private schools sorted
into groups such as Adaptation, Childhood, Identity, Love and a
Sunburnt Country, with lengthy discussion notes at the end for
teachers to use in class could be useful as a text.
Some of the stories are wondrous, inviting, playful and inventive,
but many read like lectures or essays on the topic, 'what does it
mean to be Australian', with several of the short stories even
starting with that phrase.
Standouts include Stories of our suitcase by Karen Huong, Evacuation
by Ryan Harris, My own little Ponting by Milan Kantor, Home
by Catriona Cowie, It will all be worth it by Annie Rocasek,
and Darkness by Hugh Offor. These seemed to have original
ideas, were told from experience and used humour.
The layout and design of the book does not invite the reader into
the stories, it is so obviously a class text, that teachers may
choose this for their class. Other books of short stories which have
been recently published include, Hatched: Celebrating 20 years
of the Tim Winton Award for young writers (Fremantle Press,
2013), Short and scary, a whole lot of creepy stories and other
chilling stuff, edited by Karen Tayleur (black dog books,
2010) Trust Me Too, edited by Paul Collins (Ford St, 2012)
and its prequel,Trust Me edited by Pail Collins (Ford St,
2011), Things a map won't show You, stories from Australia and
Beyond, edited by Susan La Marca and Pam McIntyre (Penguin,
2012). For a teacher using short stories in the classroom, then a
selection of those above including the recent Paper Clips
could be advantageous, giving the teacher and student a range of
stories to choose from.
Fran Knight
Mystic by Alyson Noel
The Soul Seekers bk 3. Macmillan Children's Books, 2013.
ISBN: 9781447206835.
(Age: Teens) Recommended. Daire Santos is not your average girl, she
is a seeker. One of many in a long ancestral line in the small town
of Enchantment, Daire with the added wisdom of her grandmother
Paloma and the Elders as well as her unique collection of friends
fight the evil family that rules the town. They are the Richters, a family
full of demon transforming men and women with the spirit animal,
sneaky coyote. When a previously foretold prophecy is changed, the
effects have a significant effect on Daire and her friends as well
as her fated partner Dace. As a result Daire meets a new person from
the elusive Upperworld but is he a friend or an ally? Did the change
in the prophecy happen for a good reason? Mystic by Alyson Noel is a fast paced novel that is packed
full of mystery and action as the plot is revealed piece by piece
and the reader remains as in the dark as the main characters
throughout the winding and twisting plot. Mystic is the third book
in the breathtaking Soul Seeker Series of four (Fated,
Echo, Mystic and Horizon). This book is a
definite recommendation for any teen who likes magic, mystery and
action but it is greatly recommended that this series be read from
the first unlike some books in a series that you can pick up and
read regardless. This is a must have and a brilliantly entertaining
read.
Sarah Filkin
