Falling Kingdoms, bk 2. Razorbill, 2013. ISBN 9780141346175.
(Age: 15+) High fantasy. One country Mytica has been formed from the
three kingdoms, Auranos, Limeros and Paelsia, and is ruled by the
evil King Gaius. He is determined to build a road into the Forbidden
Mountains, joining all three together and perhaps securing the power
that he so desperately craves. Princess Cleo has been dethroned, her
family killed and she is forced to stand beside Magnus, King Gaius'
son. Jonas is desperate to kill the king and save his countrymen and
brings together a band of rebels, with Lysandra, a skilful archer,
joining the ranks. Lucia, the sorceress, is yet to wake from a coma
and use her powers that are craved by the King and The Kindred.
This is a quick easy read, with Rhodes filling in the backstory of
book one, Falling kingdoms, in such a fashion that it is
easy to get into the continuation of the story. Told in alternative
viewpoints, the power struggles between all the protagonists lead
them down difficult paths. They all have to make decisions that will
reverberate throughout the land. All characters grew and developed
in this second book. Cleo has to come to terms with being dethroned
and in the power of King Gaius. Magnus is enigmatic and keeps his
feelings to himself, although his love for his sister Lucia, adds
spice to the story. Jonas falls in and out of dangerous situations
and Lucia has to learn about her powers. The romances were low key
and it is possible that there will be some interesting developments
there in the future.
Lovers of high fantasy will enjoy the magic, alternative kingdoms,
the Watchers, the cruelty, arranged marriages and deaths and will
look forward to the next in the series. It has been described as the
Game of Thrones for teens and there are certainly some similarities
but this is much less complex to read.
Pat Pledger
Possum Magic by Mem Fox
Ill. by Julie Vivas. Scholastic, 2013. 30th anniversary edition.
ISBN 9781742990002.
Highly recommended. Winner of many awards since it was first
published in 1983, this classic Australian picture book tells the
story of little Hush. Because of the predators in the bush, Grandma
Poss has used her best bush magic to make Hush invisible. When Hush
decides that she wants to be able to see herself again, the pair
have to make a trip around Australia to find the magic food that
will stop the invisibility spell. After tasting some of Australia's
iconic food like Vegemite and Pavlova, gradually Hush begins to
reappear.
Mem Fox's story is compelling and memorable and it is not difficult
to see why this book is reprinted on a regular basis. The story is a
perfect read aloud, and extols the love between a grandparent and
child as well as the virtues of persistence.
Julie Vivas' illustrations are a delight. Wrought in beautiful
watercolours they are a perfect complement to the story. The picture
of Grandma Poss on the front cover, in her pinny and glasses,
surrounded by an array of floating stars, draws the reader in and
each new illustration of Australian animals and food is beautiful.
This handsome anniversary edition of the wonderful Possum Magic will
be a welcome book, especially those who are looking for a perfect
gift for a new child or for friends overseas.
Pat Pledger
The Smallest Carbon Footprint in the Land & other eco-tales by Anne Morgan and Gay McKinnon
IP Kidz, 2013. ISBN 9781922120236. Ebook ISBN 9781922120243.
A prince wants to marry the girl with the smallest carbon footprint
in the land, and he has her diamond slipper to ensure he finds the
right girl; Chicken Licken warns everyone that the sea is rising
while Foxy Loxy tries to trick them; Cool Girl learns how to grow
organic vegetables from the Sensational Seven . . . this is a collection
of some traditional fairy tales each with a very modern twist
designed to spread the sustainability, eco-friendly message.
This is an engaging way to introduce students to the sustainability
cross-curriculum priority as embedded in the stories are new
vocabulary and explanations for terms that even young students are
encountering. They can build on their familiarity with Goldilocks,
Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin, Little Red Riding Hood and so on
and enjoy a 21st century story that will make them think. Teachers
will appreciate having a resource that helps them introduce complex
concepts in a way that is enjoyable, makes sense and sets a great
platform for discussion, as well as comparing the new with the old.
Not only does the collection make a good read-aloud inspiring
discussion, but with short stories and intriguing monochrome
illustrations it is a great stepping stone between picture book and
novel for the newly-independent reader to read alone.
An unusual but worthwhile book to add to your collection.
Barbara Braxton
The Disappearance of Ember Crow by Ambelin Kwaymullina
The Tribe, bk 2. Walker Books, 2013. ISBN 9781921720093.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Science fiction. Dystopian fiction.
Ashala Wolf is running with the wolf pack, afraid of what her powers
could do to the Tribe living in the Firstwood. When she is told that
her friend Ember Crow is missing, she has to control herself and her
powers in order to find her. However Ember is covering up dark
secrets in her past that could threaten the Tribe and all the
Illegals.
Once again Kwaymullina has written an outstanding story with plenty
of surprises in it to make the reader think. Too much of the plot
cannot be revealed because of spoilers, but there is plenty of
action as Ashala leaves the Firstwood and encounters many adventures
on the way to finding her friend, who is really worried that she
won't be forgiven for her secrets. The confusing advice that her
grandfather, the Serpent who lives under the lake, adds even more
suspense to the story as Ashala tries to work out what the 'angels'
are that she had been warned about.
There is much character growth as Ashala begins to learn what it
means to be a leader and the romance between her and Connor is
evident but not intrusive. The introduction of some new characters
make for an interesting addition.
This is written in smooth, flowing prose that is easy to read.
However the themes are complex and fascinating, making it a
challenging and thought provoking novel. It is science fiction with
a dystopian theme at its best.
Pat Pledger
Patience by Kirrily Lowe
Ill. by Henry Smith. The Invisible
Tree Series, Wombat Books, 2013. ISBN 9781921632587.
(Age: 4-6) Highly recommended. Themes: Australian Poetry, Values,
Christian Ethics, Personal Development. Kirrily Lowe's The Invisible
Tree series encourages young children to develop positive
character traits. Each book begins with 'There is a little tree,
that lives inside of me, it wants to grow big and tall, even though
I am very small'.
Sammy is a young boy patiently waiting for a special present to
arrive but as the days pass his patience is tested. His parents
encourage him to not give up hope. Finally when the special gift
arrives Sammy discovers that he has developed the gift of patience
as well.
Kirrily Lowe's simple rhyme has a gentle cadence. The message of
developing a patient attitude is carefully presented, being based on
the Christian message of the fruits of the Spirit. Each book in The
Invisible Tree series conveys a message about Love, Joy and
Peace.
Henry Smith's creative collages mix recycled and hand-made papers in
a layered style. These add depth and excitement to the story. The
visually appealing text is placed on torn and cut paper utilising
different colourful font styles and sizes.
This would be a great book for teaching Values Education and
Personal Development in the Early Years classroom.
Rhyllis Bignell
My first day at school by Meredith Costain and Michelle Mackintosh
Windy Hollow Books, 2013. ISBN 9781922081254.
(Age: 4-6) Recommended. My First Day at School follows what
four very different children experience as they go to school for the first
time. The reader becomes very familiar with the emotions and
encounters of Zach, Amira, Ari and Zoe as they become used to what
it is like becoming big school children.
This is an excellent introduction to a first day at school and would
be ideal to read to young children before they go to school. There
is a depth to the information that would be very helpful in
familiarising children with what school is like. In a verse story,
Costain describes the feelings of each child; Zach who is eager to
leave his parents, Amira whose friends help her join the class, Ari
who finds all the rules disconcerting and livewire Zoe who has
trouble being quiet. Some of the things that may worry children,
like going to the toilet and time for snacks, are explained clearly
and children would be left with a sense that school can be a very
happy place for all types of children.
The illustrations by Michelle Mackintosh complement the text and
show the diversity of the class. They are often humorous and as such
will be enjoyed by the young child.
This is an ideal book for parents, grandparents and carers to read
to children just about to venture out on the new experience of going
to school or even for those who are returning to the classroom.
Pat Pledger
Resist by Sarah Crossan
Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 9781408827208.
In Sarah Crossan's Resist, the eagerly anticipated
conclusion to Breathe, minimal back story was supplied so it
was easier to treat this as a stand-alone and dive right in with no
preconceptions or expectations, which worked slightly better than
trying to constantly remember each character's circumstances and
failing. The opening chapter plunges the reader into immediate
tension and action which doesn't let up until the last three pages.
Such immediacy leaves the reader in no doubt as to the perilousness
of existing in a world where every breath must be fought for.
Three exiled survivors of a defining battle are each seeking
sanctuary and oxygen. Alina, Bea and Quinn, the narrators of Breathe
are joined by the POD Minister's son, Ronan, in continuing the
narrative, as each character strives to live and to protect what's
left of human civilization, both inside the pod and in the Outlands.
Despite some bleak scenarios, Crossan continually demonstrates the
adaptability of humans and the courage that they are capable of in
the most disheartening situations.
Ronan is the enemy, representing everything that is wrong with the
pod, but he too is beginning to question the regime especially when
recruited to hunt down the Grove's survivors. Sequoia, the much
sought resistance base and sanctuary is also hiding secrets and is
as controlled and threatening as the pod. It is in this section that
Crossan raises some interesting and provocative ideas that sadly are
never fully explained or explored. Suffice it to say that the ruling
elite of Sequoia is every bit as determined to survive and preserve
their way of life as was the Ministry of the pod. No sacrifice or
action is deemed too extreme.
With non-stop action, changing allegiances, betrayals and murder, Resist
keeps the reader constantly on edge as the narrative swings between
the four narrators, each presenting new threats that seem
insurmountable. Yet there is hope, and Crossan is at her best when
ensuring that the reader sees that right action does exist and can
win through because of the strength of individual and group
morality. Similarly, her characters are resilient and rarely waver
in their belief in each other. Crossan leaves the reader knowing
that even in a treeless, oxygen deprived world there is always hope.
R. Lange
Dark Witch by Nora Roberts
Cousins O'Dwyer trilogy bk 1. Piatkus, 2013. ISBN
9780749958596.
(Age: Adult) Romance. Ireland. Fantasy. Bestselling author Nora
Roberts delivers the first book in another of her series set in
Ireland. Iona Sheehan arrives at the wonderful Castle Ashford, after
leaving her job, family and friends behind in Baltimore. She plans
to stay there for a few days before seeking out her Irish cousins,
after her grandmother has urged her to find out about a family
secret legend. Her cousins Connor and Branna O'Dwyer welcome her as
if they have been waiting for her arrival for a long time and when
she gets a job at the local riding school, she meets the dark but
charismatic Boyle McGrath. She discovers that she and her cousins
have inherited a strange gift from an ancestor, The Dark Witch, and
that legends can come true.
Roberts has the happy knack of bringing alive her Irish setting. The
Castle Ashford where Iona first stays is a real castle operating as
a hotel and this setting was particularly interesting. Her
descriptions of the soft rain and the green countryside, the country
walks and the ruins were fascinating.
As always Roberts has appealing characters and a gripping romance.
Iona is a positive young woman and all the men are gorgeous. Boyle
is dark and brooding, Connor, funny and warm and Fin, dangerous and
enigmatic. Branna is the most powerful of the cousins and the
tension between her and Fin make an intriguing back story to the
main romance between Boyle and Iona.
The legend of the Dark Witch, going back centuries, is captivating
and its introduction in the Prologue, Winter 1263, was gripping and
is certain to catch the reader's attention immediately. Sorcha has
handed down her power to her children and their children, as well as
their ability to use the horse, hawk and hound as familiars. Iona is
amazed that she is one of these descendants with a talent for
handling horses. The cousins will need all their ability to fight
the evil Cabhan, who wants Sorcha's power for himself.
Even though there were themes in this story that are familiar from
other books by Roberts, the story is still a gripping one and the
other two books in the trilogy promise more of her engaging writing
style.
Pat Pledger
The Three Wallabies Gruff by Yvonne Morrison
Ill. by Heath McKenzie. Little Hare, 2013. ISBN 9781742977157.
The Wallabies Gruff - mum, dad and son - are tired of the
drought-ridden, dusty, dry outback and so they set off to find
greener pastures, 'somewhere leafy and cool with trees bending over
a sparkling pool.'
Meanwhile, far away in the back of beyond, a group of wild creatures
lived close to such a pond but it is fiercely guarded by a yowie,
selfish and stingy and cruel, and no one was allowed access to his
pool. He ruled over the rickety bridge and woe betide any creature
who tried to cross it.
'Who's that going PIT PAT
down MY private TRACK?
I'LL GOBBLE YOU UP
FOR MY AFTERNOON SNACK!'
So what happens when the Wallabies Gruff arrive at this pool and
decide it's their perfect home? Especially when they don't heed the
warnings of the other creatures!
This is another in the series of Australian versions of traditional
tales that Yvonne Morrison and Heath McKenzie are becoming known
for. Just as in The Cocky who cried Dingo, The Emu who
laid the Golden Egg and Town Possum, Outback Possum
Morrison has crafted a catchy story in rhyme which bounces along and
McKenzie's illustrations bring it all to life. And, just as in the
other three, there is a message that can be brought out by skilful
discussion and teaching - in this case, bullying. What happens to
the yowie when he picks on someone his own size?
There's also scope for some great bush-based artwork, and also some
science as the children try to build a bridge that would support the
weight of Father Wallaby. Just how much does a wallaby weigh? Very
young children can explore ordinal numbers, size and position words
like 'over' and 'under'. Once you start thinking, the ideas and
possibilities are endless, and no doubt teaching notes for the
original Three Billy Goats Gruff could be easily adapted.
This is a worthy addition to the series and your collection.
Barbara Braxton
Big book of Australian history by Peter Macinnis
National Library of Australia, 2013. ISBN 9780642278326.
(Age: 8-Adult) Highly recommended. Award winning author Peter
Macinnis has produced a wonderful history book that in easy to read
sections provides an overview of Australian history. Starting with
prehistory when Gondwana broke up, it continues with the first
Aboriginal people, the explorers in the 1600's and then the arrival
of Captain Cook. Significant events in Australian history since
1788, including the convicts, explorers, gold rushes, squatters,
Federation, ANZAC, the Great Depression, World War 2 and
controversial issues like the Vietnam War and conservation as well
as sports are all described often in a double page spread. The pages
are illustrated lavishly with pictures from the National Library of
Australia and these add immense interest to the historical
information.
This is a comprehensive look at Australia, giving bites of history
that are really easy to comprehend and very interesting. It could be
read from cover to cover in a chronological order, but it is fun to
pick out pages of interest. The Contents page is useful, giving the
main heading as well as what is contained in the article and there
is an extensive index and list of illustrations. Using the index I
found a section on Women, which led me to succinct information about
women gaining the right to vote and a picture and description of the
work of Enid Lyons.
Students in both primary and secondary schools will find this an
exceptionally useful and fascinating book and I would highly
recommend it for every school library.
Pat Pledger
The true blue scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt
Atheneum Books for Younger Readers, 2013. ISBN 9781442421059.
(Age: Upper primary - lower secondary) A quaint novel for Australian
readers with unfamiliar language and sayings which make the story
hard to follow at times, yet fascinating. Set in the slow-moving
Bayou Tourtelle in the deep southern part of America, the racoon
brothers Bingo and J'miah have become the Official Scouts of the
Sugar Man Swamp. They have additional orders from ordinary Swamp
Scouts: in the event of an emergency wake up the Sugar Man. The
Sugar Man hadn't been seen for many years and has a pet rattle
snake, Gertrude. The Sugar Man has 'legs and arms - like the new
cedar trees... tough and sinuous. His hands were as wide as big
palmetto ferns... the rest of his body was covered in rough black
fur'. He's grown old and sleepier but he can 'spin an alligator over
his head and toss him into orbit' when required. The racoons live in
an old De Soto bought by Chap's grandfather Audie in 1949 and lost
by him when chasing the rarely seen ivory-billed woodpecker. It was
overgrown with vines but home to the two racoons. There's much
language unfamiliar to students but the storyline is strong and
clear. Sonny Boy's relative Alouicious Beaucoup bought the land in
Thomas Jefferson's time and now wants to collaborate with Jaeger
Stitch, the World Champion Gator Wrestler of the Northern Hemisphere
to change the Sugar Man Swamp into the Gator World Wrestling Arena.
Chap and his mother make and sell sugar pies in the area and are
devastated at the thought for they need a boat load of money to buy
the land from Sonny Boy and have no visible way of achieving this
without the help of 'The Sugar Man' who hasn't been seen for many,
many years. The language belongs to the local area but for a good
reader who enjoys reading it's a quirky, unusual and funny book.
Words like 'bayou', 'Coyoteman Jim', and little phrases such as
'nostros somos paisanos', 'we are fellow countrymen' permeate the
story adding life and laughter. The language is cleverly written to
match the characters' personalities and the two racoon brothers have
a great affection for each other as do Chap and his Mother. The
theme is good versus evil! It's a fascinating and different book but
quite addictive once begun.
For good readers of upper primary and lower secondary.
Sue Nosworthy
Editor's note: This was a finalist in the US National
Book Awards 2013.
Kissed by the moon by Alison Lester
Penguin Australia, 2013. ISBN 9780670076758
(Age: 2-4) Highly recommended for littlies. Inaugural Australian
Children's Laureate Alison Lester began her present career with
children's book illustrations in 1979. In 1985 her first book in her
own right, Clive eats alligators was published and since
then dozens of books have followed from simple picture books to
novels.
Her seemingly boundless talents have now produced a beautiful part
lullaby, part poem celebrating the world from a small baby's
perspective. I would also describe it as part prayer as the warmth
of the one who loves the baby washes over the whole text.
'May you, my baby, make sprinkles of sand, spy little fish, and
splash in the ocean'.
The beautiful cover and endpapers reflect the night time using
shades of indigo and grey while the illustrations themselves are a
joyous revelation of all the beauty of new experiences for a growing
babe - the garden with its creatures (a particularly gorgeous
illustration), the bush, rain, sunshine or snow and more. Some
wonderful double page spreads are interspersed between smaller
snapshots - all with the inimitable Alison Lester style and grace.
Another book that would make the perfect welcome gift for a new
little human in your world, this is also a delightful read aloud for
little people from around 2-4 years old.
Sue Warren
War horse by Michael Morpurgo
Illustrated by Rae Smith. Egmont, 2013. ISBN 9781405267960.
Highly recommended for upper primary and older, for art and drama
students too. What an amazingly beautifully illustrated version of a
captivating and heart-rending story of WW1, the trenches of France,
the Belgian countryside and Albert's home in Iddesleigh, England. It
is a truly spectacular book with its stark black and white
illustrations but with two exceptions: the hard cover under the dust
jacket and a double page spread which is one of red poppies
splattered with blood! Very stark and memorable images. The cruelty
of war is expressed in the painfully realistic illustrations and
Morpurgo's lyrical text and highlighted in the two double page
spreads of the rough waters to France which the horses endure and
the trenches, loud and frightening and deadly. It's a book to devour
with the intricate small and double page black and white line
drawings so expressively drawn that they tell a story on their own.
Morpurgo's text is well known and loved for its enduring theme of
the love, heroism and the tragedy of war. When Joey contracts
tetanus Albert's friend David says to Major Martin, 'But I remembers
you telling us when we first come here that a horse's life is
'p'raps even more important than a man's, 'cos an horse hasn't got
no evil in him 'cepting any that's put there by men.' The
relationships of Captain Nicholls and Joey and Joey's friendship
with Topthorn are sensitively portrayed. The end papers give a
practical background to the fighting. This is a book to treasure.
War is terrible and so many lives are lost but the frailty of the
human spirit endures in Albert and Joey and the illustrations bring
the reader face to face with death, love and hope.
Sue Nosworthy
Waiting for Hugo by Amanda Niland
Ill. by Claire Richards. Windy Hollow Books, 2013. ISBN
9781922081216.
(Age: 3-7) Recommended. Hugo loves counting. Even though he is only
four, he is able to count all sorts of things and sorts them out in
his head. This of course, takes some time, and can be rather
frustrating for his family as they wait for him to finish. He is
obsessive about his counting and his older sister has to learn how to put
up with his eccentricity. Then Hugo's skill wins him some prizes and
his sister realises that having a quirky brother can bring rewards.
Amanda Niland is an early childhood educator and brings her
experience to this story about a young child with an Autism Spectrum
Disorder. Her story brings alive a loving family who are able to
accommodate Hugo's counting and appreciate his wonderful
mathematical ability. Children will be engrossed in the way that
Hugo counts, and this is brought alive by Claire Richards'
illustrations which often have a captain cloud where the reader can
see just how Hugo is working out the numbers. It is fascinating for
the reader to count along with Hugo in his shorter calculations and
see if the same number is reached. This is an aspect of the book
that will bring young and old back to ponder just how he works out
counting.
The themes of diversity and difference are explored in a
heart-warming way and would give rise to interesting classroom
discussion as well as being a great book to share. It would be also
very useful when looking at how to add, sort and count in a Maths
lesson.
Pat Pledger
Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
Finishing School series, bk 2. Atom, 2013. ISBN:
9781907411601.
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. The second in the series following Etiquette
and espionage, sees Sophronia continuing to learn how to fit
into society, while at the same time learning about poisoning with
foxgloves and training to become a spy at Mademoiselle Geraldine's
Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. She has an exciting
time sneaking around the dirigible that hosts the school, learning
secrets about the teachers and visiting Soap and his mates in the
boiler room. She has to take exams and foil a plot to control the
prototype that could change how both people and the supernatural
travel. Danger looms as vampires, werewolves and humans all chase
the prototype through society in London.
Slightly darker than the first book, Curtsies & Conspiracies
sees Sophronia learning that her actions can have consequences that
she didn't consider. She discovers that tarnishing a reputation is
much more serious than she could have dreamt about and learns what
it is like to feel guilty. In the process she grows up and matures
and leaves the reader wondering where her schooling will lead her.
However there is plenty of humour to leaven the action, with
Sophronia making witty comments, even when she has been ostracized
by her friends.
A new character, Felix, a rake-in-training, is introduced and
strongly contrasts to the uneducated by highly intelligent Soap, a
leader in the boiler room. This raises questions about the power of
class, education and wealth and slightly suggests a love triangle
may be in the making. Other characters familiar from the first book,
appear again, with young Genevieve Lafoux playing an important role.
Readers familiar with Carriger's adult series, The Parasol
Protectorate series, will recognise Lord Akeldama playing a
brief but important role in Sophronia's adventures.
This is a feel good, laugh out loud occasionally series that will
have fans of steampunk waiting for the next instalment.
Pat Pledger
