Brotherband Book 3. Random House, 2012. ISBN 9781742750620.
Highly recommended for ages 10+. Continuing in his role as skirl,
Hal has to lead the crew of the Heron in their quest to find the
pirate, Zavac, and his ship the Raven. The aim of Hal's crew is to
retrieve the Andomal and return it to the Oberjarl, thereby
restoring its own good name. In doing so, they face many obstacles
as not only are they travelling way behind the pirate, he creates
multiple diversions and problems to slow their progress en route.
Not everyone they meet proves to be trustworthy but, again, some
useful alliances are formed.
As with the Ranger's Apprentice books, Flanagan has found an eager
group of readers, keen to devour as many adventures as he can
create. This initial trilogy needs to be read sequentially to enable
the reader to develop an understanding of the strengths and
weaknesses of each of the characters and the aspects which make them
humorous and likeable in their own ways. Flanagan again uses similar
themes throughout the series. Friendship, loyalty, persistence, team
work, individuality and the acceptance of the skills and interests
of others as well as pre-conceived notions about them are all themes
which are considered in this book. The concept of one of the boys
knitting had me falling about laughing (as did his crew mates) until
Flanagan revealed the purpose for the inclusion of this hobby. These
breaks with traditional stereotypes add to the enjoyment of the
story and lighten the tension throughout. I continue to look forward
to each new book Flanagan releases.
Jo Schenkel
Eddie Pipper by Janeen Brian
New Frontier, 2012. ISBN 9781921928215.
(Age: 7+) The somewhat forgetful Eddie Pipper loves penguins and is
desperate to own a real one. Unfortunately, he has not yet been able
to demonstrate that he is capable of taking care of his sister or to
organise himself with bus tickets and the like. Because his parents
feel he is incapable of caring for an animal of any kind, he
endeavours to make his own papier-mache version of a penguin. Even
then, his task is not without its problems. Taking it to school for
pet day could also be filled with its own set of issues... how
will it be received by his class mates?
Released as part of the Little Rockets series for children aged
seven and up, this title is a gentle and easy read. With much
emphasis on penguins and Eddie's love of them, there is enough
information about the animals to keep younger readers interested.
With the introduction of the dog, readers can only guess at the
ending and hope that Eddie will realise his dream of having a pet.
This is aimed at newly independent readers and, with the double
spaced text and coloured illustrations interspersed throughout,
would seem to cater well for the target audience.
If this were to be used as a class read aloud with younger children,
it could perhaps highlight themes such as personal
responsibility, organisation and pet care.
Jo Schenkel
Digger to the rescue by Mandy Archer
Ill. by Martha Lightfoot. Busy Wheels series. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN
9781742835099.
Tractor saves the day. Busy Wheels series. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN
9781742835129.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Picture book. Machinery. There are four books
in the series, Busy Wheels, which show machinery on a building site
involved in situations where the driver uses the machinery to rescue
or save someone or something in trouble. Each book uses simple
sentences, with new words that apply to the building site and the
machines in bold print, allowing a reader to mull over the word, its
spelling, its look, it meaning and pronunciation. The illustrations
are outlined in black, with bold primary colours featuring the
machinery and the users. At the end of each book, several pages take
a closer look at the piece of machinery used in that story, allowing
the reader again to become more closely acquainted with the machine
and its parts, both pictorially and with the words used to describe
it.
In Digger to the rescue, the foreman and the builders and their
machinery are building an adventure playground, and the first half
of the book outlines what the workers are doing, in preparing the
playground. But a kitten is stuck in the tree, so work stops while
the digger and its bucket is used to rescue the animal.
In Tractor saves the day, a similar scenario is given. The tractor
is shown doing the work on a farm, and when a tree falls down across
the road, it is the tractor and the farmer who haul the tree out of
the way. Both books are easy to read, will teach the reader about a
piece of machinery they may not know about, and tie it together
within a very simple story.
Fran Knight
Fairy wings by E.D. Baker
Bloomsbury, 2012. ISBN 9781408831946.
This is not a fairy story for the younger brigade! Recommended by
the publishers for the 9-11 age group, it certainly is not for
sensitive souls as it features goblins and other strange and
frightening creatures as well as fairies.
Loosely based on the aftermath of Shakespeare's Midsummer's Night
Dream, we meet Tamisin ordinary school student with an
extraordinary desire to dance in the moonlight, pointed ears and
spreckles (shiny freckles) and the ability to see goblins. When she
sprouts fairy wings she finds out she is adopted.
Meanwhile Jak who has just enrolled at school invites her to a
Halloween party at his place. Jack unbeknown to Tamisin is a
halfling, half human and half cat goblin, and we discover he has
been sent to the human world to convince Tamisin to come with him
through the Gate to the land of the fey. Jak has had a hard time
growing up with his uncle Targin and vicious cousin Nihlo but is
prepared to help the family.
Of course things don't go as planned, and attempted murder,
kidnapping and a war ensues as Jak and Tamisin try to understand
what is happening. Tamisin meets her mother Tatiana, Queen of the
Fairies, and discovers her true history, saves Jak and intervenes at
last between Tatiana and Targin with the help of her new friend Lou
the Lamia a huge and scary snake-like creature.
Romance blossoms between Jak and Tamisin who return to the human
world but the story continues as the first chapter of the next book
Fairy Lies reveals at the conclusion of the book.
This book is definitely designed to fill the gap between the junior
fairy stories and the older vampire stories and requires some
concentration as all the characters are brought into play and the
various goblins are described.
Sue Keane
Nanny Piggins: The daring rescue by R.A. Spratt
Random House Australia, 2012. ISBN 9781742754970.
Recommended for its humour and subversive behaviour. Nanny Piggins
fans will welcome this, the 7th book in the series featuring the
World's Greatest Flying Pig in more outrageous adventures. The title
refers to the daring rescue of her employer, Mr Green, in true Nanny
Piggins style, with panache, humour and a liberal supply of
delicious cakes.
As with all books in the series each chapter is a story and each
story is a stand-alone story, which as Rachel Spratt suggests is
great if the dog eats the first few chapters. It also makes the
books highly accessible to younger independent readers who may find
a whole novel challenging and what better way to end a school day
than another dose of mayhem with Nanny and her young charges.
Nanny Piggins is always at hand to help. She secures
employment at a radio station for Percy, the World's Greatest
Talking Parrot, has Boris the dancing bear, who lives in the back
shed, teach Mr Green to tap dance in order to secure a promotion and
is a super secretary for Mr Green when the efficiency experts are
bought in to audit the office. Of course as with all Nanny Piggins
adventures, results are not necessarily as expected and often
outrageous, but always accompanied by chocolate, cake and icecream
and interspersed with episodes of 'The Young and the Irritable'.
Now, I'm afraid, it is time to take some of Nanny Piggins advice, so
off I go to make a chocolate cake and practice some 'transencakeal
meditation'!
Sue Keane
Hot blooded by N. Holder and D. Viguie
Random House, 2012. ISBN 9780857530721
(Age 13+) Paranormal Romance. Hot blooded, the sequel to
Unleashed, is the second volume in the Wolf Springs Chronicles. In
Volume one, Katelyn was bitten, and upon the full-moon... well
you know how it goes... lots of howling and hunting. The central
problem that begins Hot blooded, is Cordelia's banishment from the
werewolf clan for failing to report Katelyn's bite. The two girls
had been searching for a silver mine, guarded by the legendary Hell
Hound in the midst of a spate of fatal wild animal attacks in the
area.
For the most part, Katelyn seems to be to distracted from finding a
solution, considering she is the cause. Daily, Katelyn's new
werewolf urges draw her to Justin, who has been commanded by the
pack leader to train her in the ways of werewolves. Her desires are
only just reined in by her human side which remains truly smitten by
Trick, her human boyfriend. It is no wonder Katelyn has little time
to address Cordelia's intermittent pleas for rescue from a rival
pack, where she sought sanctuary.
With more dismembered tourists turning up and the Werewolves
vouching for each other, it seems there really is a Hell Hound.
Katelyn's nightmares recur and somehow hold the key but in this tome
there is more than one dropped thread, hopefully to be picked up in
later chronicles. There's certainly a lot of jealousy from the
'born' werewolves when Lee Fenner, the omnipotent pack leader,
realises Kat's exceptionality - her immunity to silver. After Fenner
refuses to forgive Cordelia, a violent feud threatens to decimate
the pack and a cliffhanger ending ensures that we'll have to read
volume three for a final body count.
Deborah Robins
The third door by Emily Rodda
Omnibus, 2012. ISBN 9781862919143.
Highly recommended for ages 10+. This third and final adventure in
the trilogy, The three doors, begins with Rye, Sonia, Dirk and
Sholto having destroyed the skimmers at the Harbour. Believed to be
spies, the four have rescued some prisoners from the Nanny's Pride
Farm, and are now heading back to Weld. With the gifts of the
Fellan, the magic creatures who live in the forest, Rye's magic bag
continues to help the group as they progress in their quest to
remove the threats to their home. Despite facing many problems on
their way, they fight to overcome amnesia and upsets from other
quarters and the team continues its journey to put things to rights
and end the reign of terror in Weld.
Although this title could be read as a stand-alone, I would
certainly encourage readers to begin the series with The golden door
and read sequentially, to enable them to fully appreciate the
changes and development of each of the characters and their roles
within the story. As a fantasy quest, the themes of friendship,
trust, loyalty, personal development, magic, science and history are
all explored. The tale of the brothers is somewhat echoed in the
words of the book with which Rye has been entrusted. Only at the end
of their journey are secrets revealed and things returned to rights.
Rodda continues to write prolifically in the fantasy genre and her
following likewise grows with the release of each new book. These
are great adventures which entertain and engage readers of varied
ages.
Jo Schenkel
Little elephants by Graeme Base
Puffin, 2012, ISBN 9780670076475.
(Age: 4-7) Recommended. Kindness. Farm life. Life is tough on the
wheat farm. Jim's mother tells him that he can't keep a pet mouse
because it might encourage other mice to come and the farm is always
being threatened by plagues, not just of mice but of weevils and
locusts. Jim understands and let Pipsqueak go far from the
farmhouse. When Jim sees a stranger picking some wheat, he tells him
he is welcome to have it. Later when he finds a strange looking
trumpet on the gate post, and blows it, he hears a trumpeting sound
and lo and behold under his bed that night is a herd of little
elephants.
It is rare to see a traditional fairy tale telling in an Australian
setting. Usually the good fairy (or in this case the good swagman),
is set solidly in a European world and it is one that I was familiar
with. Initially, (and as a farmer's daughter), I found it difficult
to visualise the happy ending but on reflection I began to
appreciate the risk that Base has taken putting a fairy tale ending
in a bleak Australian setting. With his wonderful illustrations,
Base brings to life what it is like to live on a farm. The worry
that the farmer, Jim's mother, carries constantly with her is
illustrated through her worried face and bent head and readers will
be able to emphasise with the hardships that farmers face with
plagues of insects and mice. Jim is depicted as an optimistic child
who is kind to strangers and wants to really help his mother.
The world that Jim discovers under his bed is a rich, imaginative
one. The little elephants are lots of fun, riding in Jim's truck and
cars and having a wild time out in the yard. The exuberance of the
fight between the locusts and the small elephants is exhilarating.
The dark illustrations beg to be viewed again and again to see the
detail of the elephants faces, the expressions on the faces of the
people and tiny details like a soldier's picture on the mantelpiece
that gives a clue to who Jim's father is.
Farmer's children will wish that an act of kindness could save a
wheat crop! All children will have a better understanding of life on
a farm and will rejoice in the flights of imagination that Base so
beautifully brings to life.
Pat Pledger
Greek myths: stories of sun, stone and sea by Sally Pomme Clayton
Ill. by Jane Ray. Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2012. ISBN 978 1
84780 227 9.
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Greek myths. Another beautiful retelling of
ten Greek myths enhanced with luminous illustrations, will be
eagerly picked up by all who see the book, wanting to read something
new, read aloud some favourite stories or reacquaint themselves with
stories known from their childhood. Whatever the reason this book
will have broad appeal.
The ten stories include the Creation story, the story of Pandora,
Athena and Poseidon, Perseus and Medusa, Pan and Midas, Pegasus,
Atalanta, Orpheus and Eurydice, Apollo and Midas, Arachne and
Athena. Each is given a fresh retelling, and several have some
difference in the detail which makes them more intriguing. Pandora
for example, does not have a box, but a pottery jar, given her by
the gods with the order that it not be opened.
Most of the stories are most familiar, and even though people may
think they know nothing of Greek myths, some recollection will occur
when reading these, be it a whole story, a snippet, or a name.
Everyone has heard of Medusa and her crown of snakes, but not all
will know of Perseus' method of destroying her or of what he did
with the head afterwards. The vibrant illustrations reflect the
style often used with books of myths and fairy tales, employing a
flat almost embroidered look to the pictures, often edged with
borders and not allowing perspective to get in the way of a good
picture. Children will love seeking out what is mentioned in the
text, and scour the map and glossary, as I did for further
information. A further list of books will not escape people's
attention as they seek more myths to read.
This wonderful retelling held me intrigued for the whole book, and
will no doubt be one that will grace children's shelves, as well as
that of the local and school libraries.
Fran Knight
Feed by M. T. Anderson
Walker, 2012 (2002). ISBN 9781406345209.
(Ages: 12+) Recommended. Dystopian fiction. Future. About to be
released as a film, this republication of the award winning novel by
American author, M. T. Anderson, Feed will engage a new
generation of readers as they like me are amazed at the predictions
shown in a dystopian future written 10 years ago. Uncannily many of
these are now part and parcel of the Y Generation's lives. Feed,
is a word describing the constant marketing material pumped into
their brains through an implant inserted at birth. Some 'unlucky'
ones have this done later in life, and so Violet, who was home
schooled and has odd parents, is outside the usual thirst to be
connected 24 hours a day. It is she who when her implant begins to
fail, see things differently from the friendship group she has just
formed and as an outsider, pulls Titus along with her.
On the moon for an experience, the group is invaded by a virus which
makes their feeds malfunction. It is fascinating to see them all
cope without the feed, just as Generation Y today cannot cope
without their mobile phones and internet access. Anderson was
certainly right on target with his prophecies about the future, and
his darkly ironic story is most engaging. For an older spectator
like me, the images created along with the ideas of a whole society
simply being fed information, music, advertisements 24 hours a day
was alarming, but to many not so. Being 'tuned in' or wired, is
given a whole new level of meaning in this stunning book.
Not only advertisements and information, but a transference of texts
rather like emails is sent and received between the teenagers,
allowing them to chat to each other without a third person knowing.
It is incredibly unnerving, foretelling an appalling future. An
informative web site
gives further facts about the book and background information as
well as a discussion of its impact. The book won two major awards in
the US in 2003.
Fran Knight
The finger-eater by Dick King-Smith
Ill. by Arthur Robins. Walker Books, 2012. ISBN 978 1 4063 4186 7.
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Humour. 60 pages, large print, pages broken
up by funny drawings, a story split into easy to read chapters, make
this a great read for those beginning chapter books, as well as
those who want a quick and funny read. There seems too few of these,
so with Dick King-Smith as the author, people will eagerly pick it
up to read. First published in 1992, it is a welcome return of this
book, aimed at the early chapter book readers.
The troll, Ulf, is a finger eater. He traps unwary people along the
road with his bright and friendly approach, putting out his hand to
shake. This is most unusual for trolls, and so people are happy to
oblige, but then Ulf eats one of their fingers. Consequently, many
of the people in the village are missing their index finger of their
right hand, or in some case, the little finger. But Gudrun, living
with her family in their tent as they herd reindeer, will not be so
easy to trick. She has been warned by her parents with their seven
fingers, and so will not shake hands with the troll. When he asks
for some of the milk she is carrying to get her to have a hand free
for him to eat, she squirts it into his mouth, rather than release
one hand. When the reindeer shed their antlers, she has an idea, and
when the troll bites her finger, he is in for a nasty surprise.
This is a lovely story of one girl thinking about how to trick the
troll, but it is the background of the reindeer herders that sticks
in my mind. The illustrations will amuse and delight readers as they
read through this highly enticing story of one troll and his tricks
upon the unwary only to be outwitted himself.
Fran Knight
Kizzy Ann Stamps by Jeri Watts
Candlewick, 2012. ISBN 978 07636 5895 3.
(Age: 9+) Warmly recommended. Integration (USA History). Racism.
Dogs. It is Kizzy's first time in a white school after years in a
black school where all students sat together under the watchful eye
of one teacher, a woman beloved by her community. But it is 1963 and
integration is now law and Kizzy, worried about what may happen,
writes to her new teacher to introduce herself. Surprisingly her new
teacher writes back and through Kizzy's letters to her we see her
life and times laid out for us. For readers in 2013, Kizzy's is an
astonishing life, one richly detailed, but one confined by
segregation and racism. The hopes she and her teachers express for
the future are like beacons of light, ones readers think on as they
read this story. This is an astounding tale, engaging, often amusing
and a sobering story of one young girl, one which reveals life as it
was and impels us to question life as it was then for millions of
people.
But these are not Kizzy's concerns, she is more worried that the
awful scar running across her face will cause embarrassment and
teasing, she is worried that her outspoken nature will upset her new
teacher, she is concerned that the boy who bullied her before will
do so again - grass roots concerns set against a momentous time in
the history of the USA and its call for equality.
This story is worth searching for. I had initially put it aside but
reading it was a pleasure. The letter format makes it most
accessible, and readers will become embroiled in the life of Kizzy,
marvelling at her tenacity and loving her dog, as we read of the
inseparable pair. The dog becomes the impetus for some sort of
communication between the groups in her town and the reader is left
with the hope that this will have a wider reach.
Fran Knight
So much to tell you by John Marsden
Lothian, 2012. ISBN 9780734413291.
At Warrington boarding school, girls in the English class taught by
Mr. Lindell are invited to record their thoughts and feelings in a
journal. For Marina, this becomes a means to express her fear, pain
and memories and the narrative of the tale is developed through
these diary entries.
It is soon revealed that Marina does not speak and that she has shut
down from the world following a traumatic event, the details of
which are explained only gradually. The reader pieces together clues
to finally understand the specifics of Marina's lasting physical and
emotional injuries, however during the early stages of the novel, it
is easy and reasonable to accept that this teen simply does not
speak.
The characters of the girls who cohabit Marina's dormitory are
recognisable from life and she gains the reader's sympathy as she
copes with their foolish fun, emotional outbursts and juvenile
behaviour. Tentative gestures of friendship are offered however and
much of the novel is occupied with perceptive portrayal of the
breathtaking fear associated with trusting others and taking the
plunge in reaching out to them.
This 25 year anniversary edition includes the author's recollections
of the writing process in which he assumed this young girl's
character. Marsden's portrayal of this injured soul, struggling to
exist In a world where she is silent and sometimes even invisible is
honest and realistic, without wallowing in excessive emotion. I like
the relative simplicity of this novel because there is an
interesting story being told using a range of plausible characters
drawn with appropriate depth, yet peripheral details, events and
unnecessary description have been pared away.
This story features many instances of kindness extended by
individuals who expect nothing in return. This lends a sense of hope
and faith in the decency of everyday people which is lacking in some
contemporary teenage literature which is bleak and cynical.
Setting, style and language will not betray to modern readers that
this was written twenty five years ago and I believe that it will be
equally enjoyable and moving today as it was then.
Rob Welsh
Princess Betony and the Unicorn by Pamela Freeman
Walker, 2012. ISBN: 9781921720239.
When Princess Betony's mother disappears into the Dark Forest, a
place humans are forbidden to enter, she cannot obey the rules and
attempts to follow her mother, the dryad, to ensure that she returns
to her family. To add to the challenge, the Princess must first
catch a unicorn. Will she be successful in her quest?
Pamela Freeman has proven herself to be a competent and engaging
author, able to attract the attention of her younger readers and the
format of this delightful gift book, styled after Beatrix Potter's
original titles, is bound to delight. With the addition of some
simple illustrations by Tamsin Ainslie, this holds much appeal and
intrigues the reader with the promise of further stories to follow.
Having searched for the author online, I was quite taken by her
website on which she includes some of the beautiful illustrations
from Princess Betony, a book trailer and games and puzzles which are
bound to appeal to young girls as well. This clever aspect to the
marketing of books is bound to lead a few more readers to
investigate Freeman's books.
Jo Schenkel
Cold Days: The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
Orbit, 2012. ISBN 9780356500898.
Cold Days is another installment in the popular contemporary fantasy
series which comprise the Dresden Files. Set in Chicago, Harry
Dresden, the main character and narrator, pits his wits and talents
as a wizard and private eye against dark forces that conspire to
dominate the world. It's a complex society where fairies, ghouls,
vampires and other spirits co exist alongside humans but interests
often compete.
In this book, Harry has been forced into the service of Mab,
Queen of Air and Darkness and she sets him an almost impossible
mission: kill an immortal. Powerful forces are already working
against him, threatened by his new role as Winter Knight. Harry has
to find out why Mab seeks to destroy this target while constantly
dodging plots against his own life. His investigations reveal the
existence of a catastrophic threat and Harry must race against time
and his own dark impulses to avert tragedy. He is joined by an
assortment of friends and unlikely allies in this rollercoaster ride
against evil.
Harry Dresden has an established legion of fans and this book will
obviously delight them. The action is relentless and the stakes are
always high. Harry is portrayed as an Indiana Jones type character
in a contemporary Lord of the Rings setting. The book stands alone
but familiarity with the strange world he inhabits is enriched by an
awareness of the preceding books
Tina Cain
