HarperCollins Children's Books, 2013. ISBN 9780007523313.
(For all ages) Subtitled A Lifetime of Tales from the Nation's
Favourite Storyteller. As the title suggests, this collection of short
stories by one of the most popular English writers for children,
covers a wide range of subjects. Michael Morpurgo is well-known in
Australia too, with so many of his works available here. The
adaptation of his famous story, Warhorse, to a stage play and film
has furthered our interest in his career. There are
twenty-five short stories in this anthology, written over the past
30 years, along with extracts from a further twenty-five of his
best-loved novels.
The joys and turbulence of his childhood, the impact of wartime on
his family and country, his passion for rural experiences, and his
love of animals, art and adventure all emerge in this interesting
and charming collection of tales. Morpurgo's language can be
deceptively simple; in some ways his writing style is a touch 'old
fashioned' but his sentences flow and it is very easy to stay
immersed in each of his stories. Some will appeal more to
older readers - indeed, numerous stories will be of particular
interest to those who have read about Morpurgo - there are numerous
stories revealing his own life experiences. This collection
can be browsed through, read in detail or one or two can be singled
out - in each case, the reader will not be disappointed as the
author's sincerity and warmth emerge quite naturally from his
storytelling. For a book of nearly 600 pages, the text size and
paper choice work well, and helpful copyright details for each entry
are included at the back of the book. Illustrations by Quentin
Blake, Christian Birmingham, Michael Foreman and others add to the
appeal, along with black and white page markers denoting each story.
Julie Wells
The Bloodhound Boys : The Great Blood Bank Robbery by Andrew Cranna
Walker Books Australia, 2013. ISBN 9781922179302.
A Graphic novel primary aged cartoon and adventure enthusiasts will
enjoy.
With a title like this what boy would not be tempted to pick up the
book and at least flick through the first few pages. There they will
see black and white cartoons much like they might draw featuring a
myriad of monstrous characters living underground in Skull River
City. The main characters, are six school friends, Rocky Werewolf,
Vampire Vince, Gretel Ghoul, Ancient Archie (a mummy), Luci Fer and
Loch Ness Leo, who enjoy a Bloodshake at The Headless Horseman cafe
after a stirring game of skullball.
Unfortunately the pipes delivering blood to the cafe are empty and
soon the friends find out about the Blood Bank Robbery. Vince and
Rocky decide to investigate. Rocky's dad works in security and they
have access to the Bank and they are motivated by their friend
Gretel who suffers a rare blood disease and is in danger of dying
unless she can access a regular supply of fresh blood. The adventure
continues with many twists and turns including saving a dinosaur,
finding Vince's Dad who disappeared years ago and challenging the
Mosquito King.
The story is told through the cartoons complete with backgrounds and
speech bubbles and of course the inevitable sound effects without
recourse to linking captions. The characters, whilst monsters are
charming and expressive as they rise to the challenges before them.
I can see the book being popular with students looking for a simple
but at times amusing dialogue who will enjoy and be tempted to
emulate the cartoon style and create their own version.
Sue Keane
The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson, with Marilyn J. Harran and Elizabeth B. Leyson
Simon & Schuster, 2013. ISBN 9781471119675.
For all ages. This book is a memoir, recollecting the author's
experiences over a period of years. Encouraged by his wife and a
publishing friend, Leon Leyson decided to tell his story. As a
Jewish boy of fifteen years, he and his family were rounded up by
Nazis and placed in unbearable circumstances; at times separated
from each other, suffering hunger, exhaustion and extreme neglect
and hatred. Oskar Schindler thought this young boy's life was of
value and went to great lengths to ensure the survival of most of
his family members. Leon was given a box to stand on as he worked in
Schindler's factory.
The Prologue introduces the reader to Leon in 1965 when he meets his
saviour before taking us to earlier, happy times when Leon is
growing up in a rural village in north-eastern Poland before moving
to Krakow. The youngest of five children, Leon describes his parents
and siblings with great warmth and affection, and informs the reader
about life in Poland at the time. When war comes, the Poles are
confident that the allied forces will stop the invading Germans, but
hopes are dashed on 6 September, 1939, when, less than a week after
crossing the border into Poland, the enemy troops arrive in Krakow.
The years of hell had begun for Leon and his family.
Obviously the subject of this book is confronting, but the innocence
of Leyson's narration is very powerful and brings the story close to
readers of any age.
Julie Wells
Riggs Crossing by Michelle Renee Heeter
Ford Street, 2012. ISBN: 9781921665707.
(Age: 15+) After being hurt and traumatised after a car accident,
Len Russel is placed in the Refuge, a Sydney home for children with
no where else to go. Without any formal schooling to occupy her time
Len becomes sour and judgemental, preferring to think that she will
have a glamorous future like Clarissa Hobbs, the protagonist of her
favourite television show. Wielding an outstanding level of
intelligence Len has private tutoring with a woman from the
university, Miss Dunn. It is Miss Dunn who encourages Len's aptitude
for reading while carefully neglecting to comment on Len's
intelligence. Despite maintaining that she has no recollection of
her name or past, memories swirl around her like dust motes, easily
disturbed. She soon gathers that her father was involved in the
illegal farming of marijuana crops. In spite of her youth Len knows
better than to share her memories, knowing that it could get her
father into serious trouble. Unsure of what to do Len becomes more
solitary, preferring to keep to herself and away from the other
Refuge children.
Written in the first person and present tense Riggs Crossing
is a highly engaging read and I would recommend it for people aged
fifteen and up (drug references and some inappropriate language). A
combination of flashbacks, present day events and case notes Riggs
Crossing demonstrates how easy it is to unknowingly emulate
others and pick up their habits, good and bad. This is shown by
Len's knowledge of the drug trade and by her rebellion and
harassment of the other children once Bindi and Cinnamon leave the
shelter.
Kayla Gaskell
Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Divergent series, Bk 3. HarperCollins, 2013. ISBN
9780007538027.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Science fiction. Dystopian fiction.
Goodreads Choice for Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction (2013).
Tris and Tobias finally have a chance to find a new life together
when the faction based society they were living in is shattered by
violence and power mongering. However the society that they find
beyond the fence is even more distressing than the one they left
behind and Tris and Tobias face even more dilemmas as they begin to
learn the truth. Allegiant does not stand alone and readers need to be
familiar with what has happened in the previous two books to work
out the motivations and backgrounds of the characters. Told in two
voices, that of Tris and Tobias, the reader is immediately pushed
into the action following Insurgent, book 2 of the trilogy.
It is impossible to write too much about the plot because it would
spoil it for readers. It is sufficient to say that Roth pulls no
punches in this dystopian society. People that the reader cares for
die and Tris is faced with a terrible choice that will require all
her courage.
The themes of bravery, loyalty, sacrifice, power and morality are
all integral to the story and make this into a book that will linger
in the mind long after it has been read. What is happening in the
larger world that Tris and Tobias and their friends face is shocking
for them and for the reader but Roth's powerful conclusion, amid
violence and death, does make sense in a dystopian society.
This is one of the better dystopian series around and it will be
interesting to see how it translates into film.
Pat Pledger
Thankless in death by J.D. Robb
In death series. Piatkus, 2013. ISBN 9780749959371.
(Age: 15-Adult) Crime. Jerry Reinhold's parents tried to get him to
take responsibility for his life and get a job. His girlfriend
kicked him out because he became violent. But Jerry believes that
life owes him everything and goes on a killing spree beginning with
his parents. Eve has been given his case and together with her team
she and Roarke are in a race against time to get to Jerry's next
victim before he does.
This follows a different format to what is usual for the
best-selling In Death books as the reader knows who the
killer is and what he is planning to do next. This gives a different
feel to the book, especially as Jerry Reinhold is a very chilling,
creepy villain who has no conscience and no qualms about who he
kills. Robb's description of a sociopath who believes that he
deserves everything without having to work for it and who has
grievances against teachers, workmates, girlfriends, family and
friends, is quite terrifying.
Eve's relationships grow in this book. Peabody is a great colleague
and Roarke's large Irish family appear for Thanksgiving, giving Eve
a taste of family life and ties and helping her to forget her dark
childhood. Her love for Roarke and his love for her are integral to
the plot and as pleasing as ever.
Fans of this series will find Thankless in death dark, but
as engrossing as others in the series.
Pat Pledger
Bringing down the wall by David P. Reiter and Sona Babajanyan
IP Kidz, 2013. ISBN 9781922120199. Ebook ISBN 9781922120205.
Once, Joshua was very close to his grandfather but since his
grandmother got really sick and died, he hasn't seen him because his
mother will not let him. Joshua suspects it has something to do with
his grandfather's new wife, but eventually the tug of family
overcomes him and he sets out on his own to visit him secretly.
Timidly he approaches the house and knocks, and is greeted by Riva
who tries to persuade him to ring his mum while they wait for
Grandpa to come home with ice cream. But Josh wants to see his
grandpa first and when he arrives, they sit down and Grandpa tells
him a story from his childhood about little boys not being able to
make a difference.
But Joshua disagrees - he thinks they can and he thinks he is.
That's not the only lesson Joshua learns that day in a sensitive
portrayal of a situation of a family's rift that is all too common.
For not only does Joshua learn that just one person can take the
step to healing, he also has his grandfather's wisdom of knowing why
the rift has occurred and there is understanding rather than blame.
Sometimes time can heal, but sometimes it can create a gap too wide
to cross. His may not be the only heart healed today.
The soft muted tones that Sona Babajanyan has used in the
illustrations echo the poignancy of this story that explores topics
that are common in our students' lives but not necessarily written
about in books. The ache between grandchild and grandparent and vice
versa is tangible, and there's always a piece of you missing when
one is removed through divorce or death. Too many years can be lost
if there is no reconciliation and Joshua may prove inspirational to
some. This is fiction mirroring real life. Sometimes all it takes is
the courage to pick up the phone. Little people CAN make a
difference, indeed.
Barbara Braxton
Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder
Healer series, bk 3. Harlequin Mira, 2014. ISBN
9780778315858.
(Age: 14+) Recommended as a light paranormal read. The final in the
Healer
series, sees Avry working with Reyne. Kerrick her true love, is
missing and she doesn't know if she will ever see him again. She has
defeated King Tohon but he haunts her dreams, taunting her with her
fears. Although she survived the plague, it appears again to test
her ability as a healer. Cases of a mutant strain are developing in
the soldiers and her healing powers are really needed. The Skeleton
King has gathered his army of undead and the fate of the Fifteen
Realms depends on her skill. Taste of darkness brings the Healer series to a very
satisfying conclusion. It sees Avery growing in strength and
maturity as she struggles to find a cure for the plague and fights
against the dreams that King Tohon sends her. She is loyal to her
friends and never abandons them. Her little group of Monkeys and Odd
the soldier provide moments of light relief through some quite
horrific scenes featuring the Skeleton King and the machinations of
those hungry for power.
Avry's romance with Kerrick faces many hurdles as his link with the
forest grows and his ability to go outside it recedes. Avry's
determination and stubbornness come to the fore as she refuses to
believe that he is dead. Both know that bringing peace to the realm
is more important than their love for each other and they face
separation to ensure that they do the best for the kingdom. They
need to use all their skills through battles, betrayal, capture and
torture before peace comes to the realm
Readers who have followed this series will be rewarded with a well
written third book that brings everything together after heart
stopping moments, gory battles and intriguing magic.
Pat Pledger
Twinmaker by Sean Williams
Twinmaker series, bk 1. Electric Monkey, 2013. ISBN 9781405264334.
(Age 13+) Recommended. D-mat has revolutionised the world that Clair
and Libby live in. It is a teleport system that lets people and
goods travel instantaneously to anywhere in the world and has made
the use of fossil fuels redundant. When a code promises people
Improvement, the chance to change your appearance and make it
different and better Libby is determined to try it. Clair is more
sceptical and things go dangerously astray when Libby disappears.
With the help of Jesse, whose Abstainer father believes that the
d-mat is evil, and the mysterious online Q, Clair is in a race to
rescue Libby while she and her companions are chased by mysterious
killers.
As a fan of Philip K. Dick whose characters often are able to
teleport themselves, I have long been fascinated by the idea of a
teleport that could take you anywhere in seconds. I loved this story
that put a teleportation system into an adolescent novel and pointed
out the both the strengths and the weaknesses of this technology.
Clair believes that the d-mat is a force for good, but is worried
that the Improvement is a con that draws in insecure people and
changes their personalities for the worse. Clair is a stalwart
friend, who is torn by her attraction to Zep, Libby's boyfriend, but
who desperately tries to find Libby when Improvement takes her over.
Jessie, with his Abstainer background who refuses to use the d-mat,
proves a good foil for the techno savvy Clair and Q, providing lots
of thought about how technology should be used.
The world that Williams builds is an interesting dystopian one. Not
much information is given about the Water Wars that had ravaged
Earth, but it is easy to imagine a world where technology has taken
over and where power could be held in a few hands. However it is the
action that really makes this novel zip along. There are multiple
chases, lots of unique baddies and a climax that leaves the reader
panting for the next book.
The conclusion leaves questions unanswered and the nature of Q is a
puzzle but this action packed book with its themes of technology,
friendship, deception and body image should prove very popular. I
can imagine it as a TV series or a movie and look forward to the
next in the series.
Pat Pledger
Jump by Sean Williams
Twinmaker series, bk 1. Allen & Unwin, 2013. ISBN 9781743315866.
(Age 13+) Recommended. D-mat has revolutionised the world that Clair
and Libby live in. It is a teleport system that lets people and
goods travel instantaneously to anywhere in the world and has made
the use of fossil fuels redundant. When a code promises people
Improvement, the chance to change your appearance and make it
different and better Libby is determined to try it. Clair is more
sceptical and things go dangerously astray when Libby disappears.
With the help of Jesse, whose Abstainer father believes that the
d-mat is evil, and the mysterious online Q, Clair is in a race to
rescue Libby while she and her companions are chased by mysterious
killers.
As a fan of Philip K. Dick whose characters often are able to
teleport themselves, I have long been fascinated by the idea of a
teleport that could take you anywhere in seconds. I loved this story
that put a teleportation system into an adolescent novel and pointed
out the both the strengths and the weaknesses of this technology.
Clair believes that the d-mat is a force for good, but is worried
that the Improvement is a con that draws in insecure people and
changes their personalities for the worse. Clair is a stalwart
friend, who is torn by her attraction to Zep, Libby's boyfriend, but
who desperately tries to find Libby when Improvement takes her over.
Jessie, with his Abstainer background who refuses to use the d-mat,
proves a good foil for the techno savvy Clair and Q, providing lots
of thought about how technology should be used.
The world that Williams builds is an interesting dystopian one. Not
much information is given about the Water Wars that had ravaged
Earth, but it is easy to imagine a world where technology has taken
over and where power could be held in a few hands. However it is the
action that really makes this novel zip along. There are multiple
chases, lots of unique baddies and a climax that leaves the reader
panting for the next book.
The conclusion leaves questions unanswered and the nature of Q is a
puzzle but this action packed book with its themes of technology,
friendship, deception and body image should prove very popular. I
can imagine it as a TV series or a movie and look forward to the
next in the series.
Pat Pledger
Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon
Dead Beautiful series, bk 1. Disney-Hyperion, 2010. ISBN
9781423119562.
(Age 14+) Paranormal. Romance. Death. When Renee Winters finds her
parents dead in the Redwood Forest she is devastated. Although the
police believe that heart attacks caused their deaths, Renee knows
that the gauze that was in their mouths and the coins scattered
around their bodies points to murder. After the funeral, Renee's
grandfather sends her off to Gottfried Academy, an elite boarding
school where existential subjects like Philosophy and strange ways
of looking at Horticulture are studied. There she meets Dante
Berlin, a strange aloof boy whom she is inexplicably drawn to. As
she begins to adjust to boarding school, danger looms and the curse
that hangs over Gottfried Academy makes her fear for her life and
the life of her friends.
For readers of paranormal romances there will be many familiar
situations in Dead Beautiful: death of parents, a mysterious
boarding school, brooding gorgeous boy and danger. However readers
new to the genre will soon be caught up in Renee's life as she comes
to terms with the awful reality of her parents' death and begins to
settle into the life of a boarding school. As she leaves her old
life and friends behind, her fascination with Dante begins to take
over. Woon gives the readers plenty of clues about what is happening
to both Dante and Renee, as he refuses to kiss her on the lips and
she goes numb when he touches her.
The mythology about the undead and the souls of children is quite
fascinating and adds a deeper dimension to the plot. The references
to the dead language Latin and Philosophy and the article Renee
finds about the Curse of Gottfried Academy and her ability to find
dead things all build up the suspense around the mystery of what is
happening to students at Gottfried and why her parents died.
Teenage girls will find plenty to enjoy in this story: a riveting
mystery, the undead, a mysterious boy, gloomy boarding school, and
rumours of a strange headmistress and spooky monitors burying a
student alive. They are sure to pick up the next two books in the
series.
Pat Pledger
The dream thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
The Raven Boys, bk 2. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9780545424943.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Paranormal. Things are changing for
Gansey, Ronan, Blue and Adam since the ley lines have been woken.
They are still determined to find Glendower, the legendary Welsh
king, but others are also on the same quest. Ronan's dreams are
starting to take over, not only has he pulled a raven out of his
dreams but he finds that they are starting to haunt real life with
dangerous creatures. A sinister hit man, Mr Gray, is on the prowl
searching for the Graywaren and Kravinsky is taunting Ronan to race
against him in the souped up car races that are held at night.
Told from different points of view, the reader learns more about
each character as what is happening comes from a different
perspective. The dream thieves concentrates on an angry and
troubled Ronan, who desperately searches for a way to bring back to
life his home and his mother. He gradually begins to understand the
power of his dreams but is ill prepared for what this could cost
him. Adam becomes isolated and Gansey, the golden boy, is still
obsessed with his quest for Glendower. Blue, as direct and practical
as ever, works with her family and tarot cards to find solutions to
the power surges and the disappearance of Cabeswater.
There are some very exciting moments, particularly when Ronan and
Kravinsky race their cars and manipulate dreams and some poignant
moments when Blue begins to think about who her true love might be.
Things do no always turn out how people would like them to.
Stiefvater has written a mesmerising and very intricate story with a
cliff-hanger at the end to ensure that the next book is read. This
is a beautifully written book that requires close attention and
thought to work out what is going on and the series is sure to
appeal to readers who enjoy the paranormal.
Pat Pledger
Rainforest Lullaby by Sally Odgers
Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781742838205.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Rainforest Lullaby is a lovely
picture book using rhyme and images to show the sleeping Australian
animals. It is highly recommended for adults to read to children
aged 4+ and good for independent readers aged 7+.
Use the book to introduce a unit on Australian animals or to discuss
and write poetry with older children. It could be used to identify
rhyming words, recreate the story with different animals or add to
the story by imitating the author.
Kylie Kempster
Secrets at the Chocolate Mansion by Leslie Margolis
Maggie Brooklyn Mysteries bk 3. Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN
9781619632660.
Recommended for readers from 10-12 years of age who enjoy mystery
stories. Themes: Mystery Stories, Brothers and Sisters, Dogs,
Ghosts. Haunted mansions, candy store sabotage, problem
relationships and two mysteries to solve luckily Maggie Brooklyn
dog-sitter and sleuth is up for solving these cases. At the opening
of Sonya's Sweets a new store in Brooklyn owned by Maggie's friend
Sonya and her mother the pies turn out to be salty not sweet, a
baseball breaks the new stained glass window and a threatening note
is discovered. When Maggie begins to investigate her life becomes
more and more complicated. As well as school problems and boyfriend
dramas, she also becomes involved with a ghostly problem at a nearby
haunted apartment building that was formerly owned by a chocolate
tycoon. Whilst babysitting Beckett for his mothers Lisa and Caroline
with her twin brother Finn, Maggie is confronted with two ghost
stories, the Irish maid and an apparition that appears in the
mirror. Added to the mix is a Girl Scout who is up to no good and
this makes for another busy mystery for Maggie.
Leslie Margolis has created a relatable and realistic girl sleuth
who copes well with her family, school and life dramas. Each book in
the series focuses on a different mystery and can be read as a
standalone novel. At times the characters crowd in and there are a
lot of politically correct things added to the story including
Nofarm the dog.
Rhyllis Bignell
My Daddy ate an apple, words and music by Craig Smith
Ill. by Scott Tulloch. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781775432005.
(Age: 3+) Picture book, Verse, Singing, CD accompaniment. This is
another in the series of sing along books produced by Scholastic,
which includes, She'll be coming round the mountain, Do
your ears hang low? and There's a hole in the bucket.
Each book includes a CD for the reader and class to enjoy, sing
along to, and develop actions to as they use the book. The books
lend themselves to a variety of uses, particularly in the classroom,
where music, poetry and singing along are valued.
This one, unlike the others, is an original song by Smith, who also
wrote the words and music for two other books in this series, the
award winning, The wonky donkey and Willbee the
bumblebee. All are refreshingly alive and inviting for the
younger reader and listener to join in.
Any of them would make a valued present to a younger child or
family, and in the classroom or library lends itself to a variety of
uses. The illustrations by Scott Tullock show a range of different
animals, the one eating the apple, the zebra being the main
character. His antics and those of his helpers around him will cause
a great deal of laughter amongst the readers, and following the
route of the little worm will keep young people engaged.
Fran Knight
