Inn Boonsboro trilogy, Book 3. Piatkus, 2012. ISBN 9780749955663.
(Age: Adult) Romance. Roberts brings to a conclusion her Inn
Boonsboro trilogy with the story of Ryder Montgomery and Hope
Beaumont, the innkeeper. Ryder is a tough character, surly and
uncommunicative, and has made it a point to be rude to Hope, who
comes from a glamorous big city background. When her former
boyfriend turns up and is most unwelcome, Ryder finds the protective
side of his nature coming to the fore and discovers that perhaps
Hope is perfect for him. The perfect hope brings the Inn Boonsboro trilogy to an enjoyable
conclusion. Roberts has a particular style that is very appealing,
(her best selling numbers attest to that) and even though the same
themes often appear in her books, her characters are so compelling
that readers look forward to a new title. Her women characters are
always strong, even if they have flaws, and have skills and
confidence. They value friendship and support each other. She
includes older women in her stories, and they get on with their
daughters-in-law and are well rounded characters in their own right.
Her men are diverse and interesting, and often their dialogue and
jokes adds humour and fun to the story. The addition of a small
paranormal element in the form of Lizzie, the ghost, and some
history about the Civil War, has added more interest to the series
and her story is brought to a satisfying end in The perfect Hope.
This series has been particularly interesting as Roberts has been
instrumental in the restoration of a real inn at Boonsboro.
Roberts writes feel good romances, containing a little mystery, some
angst and lots of love. There are some love scenes which probably
make the series unsuitable for a school library.
Pat Pledger
A corner of white by Jaclyn Moriarty
The Colours of Madeleine, 1. PanMacmillan, 2012. ISBN 9781742611396.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Madeleine Tully has just moved to
Cambridge, England with her mother. Things are strange and different
and become even weirder when she spots a corner of white, the edge
of a letter, in a crack and a whole new world is opened up for her.
She starts writing to Elliot Baranski, who lives in a parallel
universe, the Kingdom of Cello, in a small town called Bonfire,
where dangerous Colours attack randomly and the Butterfly Child
sleeps in a glass jar.
This is a highly original and mesmerising story that I couldn't put
down when I first read it. The beautiful city of Cambridge comes
alive but it is that strange place, the Kingdom of Cello, that truly
kept me immersed in the story. It is so different from our World but
the places and people are drawn so vividly that it came alive for
me. Not only is the setting vivid, the atmosphere of brooding evil
from the dangerous Colours and the tests that Elliot had to overcome
were amazing.
Moriarty's characters, too, were finely described. Madeleine's
humour and intelligence shine through in her letters to Elliot, her
anguish over her mother's illness and her struggles with her
friendships in the world all make the story believable. Elliot is
such a compassionate and clever boy that I was holding my breath
throughout the story, hoping all would be well in his world. The
secondary characters, Jack and Belle, and the adults, are no less
complex and this adds even more interest to the story.
Children who are interested in science will revel in the fact that
it is woven seamlessly through the story. Madeleine is reading about
Isaac Newton and prisms and that people like Ada Lovelace, 'The one
who made friends with Charles Babbage and invented computer
programming' pg 334, form part of the story. The idea of colours
having power and that some of them are dangerous is so unique and
will be sure to have readers thinking about colour theory.
I feel in awe of the imagination and writing skills of Jaclyn
Moriarty, who has been able to create such a challenging setting,
such rich ideas, humour, exciting adventures and fabulous
characters. This is a book that is likely to win awards and become a
children's classic and it is fabulous that it is the first in a
trilogy.
Pat Pledger
Stefan Gates incredible edibles: a science flavoured cookbook by Steven Gates
Walker books, 2012. ISBN 978146339062.
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Food and science. Humour. A sumptuously
illustrated foodie science book with loads of recipes and how to
hints, this book will be readily picked up by boys particularly in
the upper reaches of primary school. Girls will grab it when it is
left on the shelf with similar eagerness. Gates' aim of debunking
some of the fears kids have about food, of encouraging them to try
something new, of seeing old things (like Brussell Sprouts, for
example) with new eyes, is well conceived and outlined in this great
book.
Divided into two major sections, Mad Recipes and then Crazy
Experiments, means that some truly billious things are explained,
discussed and photographed. Within the mad recipes section kids will
find Snot and foot soup, Flowerpot bread, Car engine kebabs, for
example, littered with sections which tell you about eating insects
or Durian fruit. All is designed to use the gross, the unusual, the
grotty and the nasty to get kids' interest burning. How could they
not read about making your farts even smellier and making your wee
red, or cooking salmon in the dishwasher?
Interspersed with these oddball pages and photos are included little
side panels with even more grotty and ugly foodie things: watch out
for eating insects, or field rats, or deep fried scorpions, or bee
vomit. If that hasn't put you off, the second section advises kids
on a variety of things, vegetable instruments and cola fountain. And
again, little side panels give a host of the oddest snippets of
information, making the whole a fascinating and very funny study of
food.
I can imagine hosts of kids pouring over this book, taking it home
to try things out, and teachers taking sections to have a play with
a class, or kids just having fun reading the side panels. Along the
way some serious information is given or themes discussed, like the
problem with food aid, and more trivially, why onions make you cry.
All in all a fabulously funny and entertaining book with some great
recipes and stories along the way designed to encourage kids'
interest in food. And I will certainly try out the flowerpot bread,
meal in a loaf, and really hot chocolate.
Fran Knight
How they croaked: the awful ends of the awfully famous by Georgia Bragg
Ill. by Kevin O'Malley. New York: Walker, 2012. 184 p.
(Age: 10-14) Recommended. This is a collection of stories about the
deaths of 19 famous people from across time and place with as many
awful details as possible. The deaths are presented chronologically
and begin in Egypt with Tutankhamun in 1323 BC. Of course, there are
many opportunities to describe ugly, gory, disgusting ends before
the advent of modern medical science. Henry VIII's death in England
in 1547 provides such an opportunity with a description of his
grisly end due to a lifestyle of extreme excess.
Nevertheless, the author also selects some modern deaths. Marie
Curie died in France in 1934 as a result of exposure to radiation
after a lifetime of scientific research and the discovery of radium.
Albert Einstein died in the USA in 1955 and ends the selection of
deaths. Great detail is provided about his autopsy and the 'games'
played with his brain over many decades. As well as describing each
death the author provides biographical and historical detail about
the famous person, so there is useful information for mainstream
research.
The shiny, blood-red cover sets the scene perfectly for what lies
within. The layout is effective with witty chapter headings and very
brief 'death notices', followed by 4-6 pages describing the life and
in particular the death of the famous person. The page numbers at
the bottom of each page are cleverly ensconced in a 'skull and
crossbones'. Included are several well-designed extras - Contents,
Introduction, Connections, RIP (epilogue), Sources, Further Reading
and Surfing plus an extensive Index.
As this is an American publication there are more American ends than
would be expected in a comprehensive global search for awful deaths.
The book also contains American terminology eg Mom and spelling eg
color, rumor, center, which did not appeal to me, but will probably
not concern the target market. The colloquial language should have
wide appeal to children aged 10-14 years. They will just love the
awful facts and the engaging, personal style of the author.
Margaret Strickland
Our world: Bardi Jaawi Life at Ardiyooloon. One Arm Point Remote Community School
Magabala Books, 2010. ISBN 978 1 921248 23 8.
(Age: All) Highly recommended. 2011 Honour book. CBCA Eve Pownall
Book of the Year. A sense of community permeates this beautiful book
which showcases the indigenous population of One Arm Point, a remote
community in north west Western Australia. Each double page shows an
aspect of community life, be it hunting, fishing, the school,
history, living arrangements or the stories which lie at the heart
of the community. Each double page is sumptuously illustrated not
only with photos, but drawings, sketches and paintings by the
children of the school, maps and diagrams. All through the ability
of the community to communicate with each other is stressed as women
come into the school to teach, men take the children out hunting and
fishing, or practicing survival skills, or tell stories. All of the
community is involved with the school and each member contributes
something to the education of the students in keeping alive their
customs and traditions, but also making sure they can survive in
Australia's modern world.
Looking to the sea for their survival sees many pages of interest
about what can be found in the sea, large photos of the beaches
glitter the pages and diagrams of the catch from the sea explained.
The six northern Australian seasons are discussed in some detail,
and so all readers are aware of just how different this place is
from the rest of Australia.
A glossary, with a guide to the pronunciation of local words, a
kinship chart, outline of the seasons all help to celebrate and
showcase this amazing community.
Fran Knight
Blasphemy by Asia Bibi
Virago, 2012. ISBN 9781844088881.
(Age: 13 +) Highly recommended. Blasphemy is the true story of Asia
Bibi, a Pakistani woman who was unfairly sentenced to death for
ridiculous claims of blasphemy. In 2009, after a long hot day
working outside, she goes to a well and takes a long drink of water,
then offers it to some of her fellow workers. Suddenly someone cries
out that the water is reserved for Muslims, and by drinking from it,
Asia - who is Christian - has tainted it. An argument ensues, and
then someone cries out that she has broken the blasphemy law, a
crime punishable by death in Pakistan. She was sent to prison and
her family has had to go into hiding from extremists. Those who
stood up for her were brutally murdered. This is her story. Blasphemy is an intriguing, well-written book which tells the very
sad, yet inspiring story of Asia Bibi, a Pakistani woman who has
been treated unfairly and harshly due to the blasphemy law of
Pakistan. This story is taken from interviews with Asia herself, who
talked in the utmost secrecy. She talks openly about her religion
and how much she misses her family, and discusses her experiences in
the prison and being targeted by Muslim extremists who believe she
should be put to death.
It's a harrowing story to read, but one that is also hopeful. Asia
is still in prison, but hopefully this story will have a happy
ending.
I highly recommend this book.
Rebecca Adams
The deadly game by Jim Eldridge
Bloomsbury, 2012. 240 pages. ISBN 9781408817209.
(Age: 14+) The Deadly Game is the second book in The Malichea Quest
series by Jim Eldridge, and offers readers murder, mystery, and
legendary references to blend the mix. In the first book The
Invisible Assassin, Jake Wells is a nineteen-year-old young man who
finds himself at the centre of a murder, and makes a discovery that
links to an ancient Order.
Now, in his second book The Deadly Game, young Jake just wants his
girlfriend Lauren safely back home in England. Instead, she is in
far away New Zealand with a new identity, and all because of some
hidden books relating to the Order of Malichea. As if this is not
enough, the head of the Department of Science has summonsed Jake to
his office and warns him against continuing his quest to find the
ancient books. Jake is left wondering why the government is trying
to prevent his search, and with feelings of disquiet, returns to his
flat only to discover someone has broken in, and left behind a
package.
This prompts Jake to make a bold decision that he hopes will result
in bringing his girlfriend home. However, with powerful forces at
work, he is beginning to wonder who he can trust. Will he locate the
books before the Watchers stop him? Will Jake's quest run smoothly,
or is Lauren doomed to exile in New Zealand forever? The Deadly Game offers young adult readers an entertaining plot.
While the main character is nineteen-years-old, this book would suit
a younger audience.
Jim Eldridge is a prolific author, and scriptwriter, having
published over eighty books. The Deadly Game could be included in a
school library for young readers aged 14+.
Colleen Tuovinen
Mystic City by Theo Lawrence
Doubleday Childrens, 2012. ISBN 9780552567640.
(Age: 14+) Aria Rose is the daughter of one of the ruling families
in Mystic City engaged to Thomas, the son of the rival ruling
family. With an upcoming election, their marriage is the perfect way
to unite the humans against mystics, humans with magical powers who
are drained of their powers. The only problem with the engagement,
is that Aria has overdosed on Sic, a mystic-infused drug causing her
to forget her entire relationship with Thomas.
As Aria pieces her memory together, she meets Hunter, a handsome
rebel mystic who she's instantly attracted to. She uncovers a
political battle between her family and the mystics, and finds that
everything may not be as it seems as her family will do anything to
win the election.
I quite enjoyed the lies and the deception within Mystic City, and
it was interesting following Aria's story as she unveiled her
memories. You find that her memory loss is very targeted towards her
relationship with Thomas, and the real secrets behind her Sic
overdose are really easy to spot from a mile away. There were enough
elements of the story to keep me going however, such as her
star-crossed romance with Hunter and the rebel mystics. The mystics
were very Xmen-like, with each having their different powers.
The author has a whimsical, romantic way of writing that really
brings this world alive in your head. His vivid descriptions paint
the struggle between the cast out mystics and how they are using
their powers for a rebellion. Aria is also a strong heroine, smart,
determined and courageous. Reading about how her family treats her
is quite shocking, such as how her ruthless father continually puts
a gun to her head.
The political struggle is fairly typical of all the dystopians of
late, such as Matched, Hunger Games, Divergent. There are also
elements of Romeo and Juliet here. If you enjoy those other stories,
chances are you'll enjoy this as well.
Jeann Wong
Editor's note: Book trailer is available.
Bumper book of pets and other animals by Lex Hirst
RSPCA. Random House Australia, 2012. ISBN 9781742757117.
With Christmas rapidly closing in, and the prospect that Santa will
deliver more than one puppy, kitten, or other little live creature,
this may be the perfect book to show students on their first day
back next year. Fully endorsed by the RSPCA, it is replete
with facts about cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits, horses, rats,
mice, ferrets, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish as well as
farmyard animals and other wildlife. Each chapter includes
information about housing, health and happiness, and diet, and
includes some fascinating facts such as despite ferrets having a
sweet tooth, they can't digest sweet treats.
I deliberately skipped over the chapter about snakes and axolotls,
both of which give me the creeps despite Mr 6's fascination with
them, but learned that there is a difference between the chooks that
lay and those that go on the table. My two, Steggles and
Ingham, are safe!
Most importantly, it has a 10-point checklist of questions that
should be answered to ensure that getting a pet is a viable and
sustainable choice for the family.
Written in easy non-technical language and illustrated with a wide
range of photographs that break up the text into manageable chunks,
this would be an excellent addition to one of the most popular
sections of the collection. In the meantime, have a look at
the RSPCA's site especially for kids, World of Animal Welfare
http://www.woaw.org.au/. There is a wealth of resources there
for the under-8s right through to lesson plans for teachers!
Barbara Braxton
Flock by Wendy Delsol
Book 3. Candlewick, 2012. Hbk. ISBN 9780763660109
(Age 13+) Recommended. Katla has comes to terms with her
supernatural abilities (Stork) and survived her adventure in Iceland
(Frost), but she is left with a terrible burden, she has been
tricked into promising to give her baby sister to the water queen.
Marik, a merman in disguise has come to town to ensure that that
happens and Jinky, a shaman in the making has accompanied him. Katla
hasn't confided her fears to her boyfriend Jack and she is facing a
menacing future alone.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy, particularly its setting and
Nordic mythology. Katla has a sharp tongue and the dialogue in the
book is a delight, giving many humorous moments for the reader to
savour. Each of the books has been written really well and it is not
hard to imagine the small town, the cold, and the dangers facing
Katla. Because it is firmly embedded in reality, with high school,
jobs, family problems and boyfriends featuring strongly, it is not
hard to accept the supernatural aspects of the story. I was
fascinated by the stories of the Norse gods and loved the way the
author entwined them into this adventure/romance paranormal story.
I couldn't imagine just how the author was going to bring this story
to a conclusion, but she does just that with a most gripping, if
slightly sad, ending that ultimately made me think about the choices
that heroes and heroines have to make in the name of love and duty.
I was sad to see the end of this gripping series and look forward to
the next book from Wendy Delsol who writes beautiful and funny
prose.
Pat Pledger
Looking for Rex by Jan Ormerod
Ill. by Carol Thompson. Little Hare, 2012. Hbk. ISBN 9781921541483.
Gramps now lives on his own, and mum thinks he should have a cat for
company. But cats make Gramps feel grumpy and itchy. Dad thinks
Gramps should get out more - perhaps go ballroom dancing again - but
Gramps knows that would make him miss Granny Rose even more. But the
children have another solution - they think Gramps should have a dog
although whether it is for him or them is questionable!
But Gramps agrees on so the hunt for Rex begins. But it is one thing
to agree to getting a dog; quite another to find one that suits. All
week they look, even on the weekend but nothing is just right. Will
there ever be just the right one for Gramps? Will he still be as
enthusiastic as he was at the beginning of the search?
The combination of Ormerod and Thompson have produced a
heart-warming picture book that tells about anticipation and
compromise, and shows us that there is much to be considered about
getting a pet - that cute little puppy may grown up to be more than
is expected! Miss 6 loved it and now understands why she can't have
a puppy just now because it would be unfair to the puppy. Santa will
pop something else into her sack, this year at least.
Warm, loving stories about families and pets are always popular with
our younger clients, so this one is perfect for hooking them on
reading early in the year.
Barbara Braxton
Following Grandfather by Rosemary Wells
Ill. by Christopher Denise. Candlewick Press, 2012, ISBN 9780763650698.
(Ages: 7+) Recommended. Death. Not a theme that often appears
in children's books, this reminds us all that memories are what keep
people alive after they have died. Jennie is often with her
grandfather, and hears wonderful stories from him about coming to
America, setting up business in Boston, building up a restaurant,
marrying and having offspring. When the time came he passed on the
running of the restaurant to Jennie's parents and they were so busy
that it was he who cared for Jennie. This meant often going to the
beach where they would look a the shells washed up on the beach,
Grandfather telling stories about the Titanic and how one mouse came
to be saved. He tells her stories about setting up his restaurant in
Boston, its growing popularity and then the need for others to take
it over.
But one day he is there no more. The funeral is attended by many
mice from all over the city, but Jennie cannot cope with the idea of
his death. She still sees him, and follows those who look like him,
sometimes about to speak to them until she realises that it is not
her grandfather. At the beach one day she is swept out to sea, but
strong arms bring her back to shore and acceptance.
A lovely story about memories of those who have died, the way they
can still stay with you when they have gone, of remembering the
stories they have told you and using those stories to remember that
person; this will be a popular book within classrooms where death is
to be discussed, or where a death has occurred in someone's family
and a discussion needs to be initiated. Many children will recall
the objects that remind them of a relative who has gone, and so
bring a personal note to the reading of the story.
Fran Knight
Lies, knives, and girls in red dresses by Ron Koertge
Ill. by Andrea Dezso. Candlewick, 2012. ISBN 9780763644062.
(Age: 16+) Recommended, but not for the faint hearted. Fairy tales
retold. Some adult themes.
Koertge has a funny, provoking retelling of 23 familiar and not so
familiar fairy tales, which are not for the faint hearted or for the
young. This excerpt from Bluebeard is a good example of the humour,
style and nature of his free verse:
Yes it's blue and Yes it tickles and Yes
he's had a lot of wives
and nobody knows what happened to them
but he's fun at the party and omigod
that castle!
Most of the fairy tales are about two pages in length, written in
free prose and often with controversial and adult themes. They are
illustrated by Andrea Dezso in thick black ink, often in horrifying
images, which bring another dimension to the story. An example of
this is The robber bridegroom which I was not familiar with.
A miller's daughter is engaged to a guy she barely knows and follows
him through the woods. There she is horrified to see him and his
friends argue about who gets to eat the toes of a dead girl.
Koertge's verse was satirical and very funny, and the bridegroom
gets his just deserts. The miller's daughter "finds men
untrustworthy now. She prefers to live alone and teach Feminist
Theory & Practice at the local community college." However,
after reading the story I went back to the pictures which show a
body being dismembered and are quite disturbing.
Once I started the book, I found that I had to continually return as
Koertge's satire and dark humour were very compelling. Modern
touches like parties, a GPS and the speech in Red Riding Hood,
Home at last, Tells her Mother what happened (Like, where to
even start. So, okay - at the beginning. Right.) make it relevant to
today's older teens.
There is controversial subject matter, like drugs, dismemberment and
sexual undertones, scattered throughout the book, and the humour and
unconventional nature of the subject matter would probably make it
perfect for the older reluctant reader, both male and female.
However it is not for everyone and school librarians should read it
first to make sure that it is suitable for the clientele in their
schools.
Pat Pledger
Feathers in the wind by Sally Grindley
Bloomsbury, 2012. ISBN 9781 4088 1947 0.
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Animals. Endangered species. Written with the
auspices of the London Zoo, this is the second book by Grindley that
I have read showcasing a family where mum is an international vet,
called to places where animals are in danger. This time it is
Northern India, where an entrenched local custom is about to take
place. An annual kite festival in itself does not sound ominous, but
when many kites are fitted with strings embedded with glass that can
cut other people's kits to shreds, then there is danger for the
local dwindling vulture population.
Joe and Aesha travel with their parents to India, and are warned
that they will not be involved with their mother's work of rescue,
but will be shown how to fly a kite ready to take part in the
festival. This they do, but things happen to make them the centre of
the attention in rescuing a vulture they find, damaged by the glass
laden kite strings.
As with Pawprints in the snow (2010) the story is simply
told, but the relationships between children and adults are neatly
told and the background fascinating and informative. Grindley makes
learning about these endangered animals an easy exercise with her
thrilling stories.
Fran Knight
Tree - A little story about big things by Danny Parker
Ill. by Matt Ottley. Little Hare, 2012. Hbk. ISBN 9781921714412.
Highly recommended. 'A sapling grows in the shelter of an older tree, where he is happy
and safe. One day a violent storm destroys everything the sapling
knows, and he suddenly finds himself unprotected and alone. But as
the sapling grows, he gradually discovers that every end is a new
beginning.'
If ever there were a picture book that proves that picture books are
not just for the very young and those learning to read, then this is
it. If we take the text alone, then it could be just a story
about a tree but, in company with the most amazing, sensitive
illustrations by Matt Ottley, this story becomes an allegory for so
much more about life. It's about growing up and being
nurtured, about being protected and sheltered to the point of not
being able to shine alone, and about being resilient and standing
strong in the face of what seems like disaster.; It's about
finding the inner courage we don't know we have until it is called
upon, and about things coming full circle.
The story (from a new author whose nursing history is apparent in
the sensitivity of the storyline, illustrations (marvel at the fact
that the artist is colour blind) and design (be sure to take the
dust jacket off and open it out) of this book are a wonderful
example of a symbiotic relationship that has worked to perfection.
IMO, this is a definite contender for the CBCA Book of the Year
Award, and I can't give it higher praise than that.
Barbara Braxton
