Reviews

Trust Me Too ed. by Paul Collins

Ford Street, 2012. ISBN 9781921665585.
Recommended for 10-15 years old. Sometimes when you don't feel like a huge meal, a tempting array of tasty bite-sized snacks is exactly what you want. Trust Me Too fits this bill of fare perfectly. An exciting new anthology of short stories and poetry by over fifty of Australia's most lauded writers for young people has been ably edited by Paul Collins. The selected pieces cover a broad scope, showcasing an amazing diversity of talents and have been grouped into various genres from contemporary to fantasy to horror to humour - and more. Some charming illustrations accompany the poetry selections and a delightfully resonant frontispiece by Shaun Tan welcomes the reader into various worlds of imagination.
Because of the format I found it easy - and enjoyable - to read something that would be normally a genre beyond my staple diet. From this aspect I think it would be a fabulous adjunct to both a wider reading and writing program - inspiring students to taste-test something outside their regular reading menu.
Recommended for 10-15 years old, this volume would be perfect as a read-aloud to dip into randomly or a terrific stimulus for encouraging students to explore the short story art form.
Sue Warren

The Enchantress by Michael Scott

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. Doubleday, 2012. ISBN: 9780385619004.
Highly recommended for ages 12 plus. With Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel based on Alcatraz Island, endeavouring to defend not just the city of San Francisco but, ultimately, the world, it seems that Josh and Sophie Newman, the twins of legend, are very much on their own as they face their ultimate battle to protect the human race. Will they work together or stand alone in order for the prophecy to be fulfilled?
This, the sixth and final book of the series, was one title which I could not rush to complete. Over the course of the series, I felt I had developed an understanding of and an affinity with various characters in this tale. Scott's strong characterisation made many of them truly take on lives of their own and fuelled my desire to enjoy their friendships for a little longer. Having watched the allegiances change and the metamorphosis of the various immortals, both physically and emotionally, I felt fascinated and concerned as to what the outcomes may have been. Throughout The Enchantress, allegiances continued to change and selflessness became the order of the day. For so many characters, there was also an eleventh hour appreciation of what is right, thereby causing them to reconsider their initial beliefs or values. Even in the midst of the final exciting battle, there was an air of gentleness. Mars' comment seemed to sum up Scott's reasons for having provided such an eclectic crew to defend the human race, 'This is what I have always loved about you humans. You are essentially good.'
Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed Scott's style of writing and felt the conclusion to have been satisfactory. Answers to many questions, including the twins' parentage, and were provided. Whilst there were a few details or characters whose involvement I was left questioning, I would have no hesitation in recommending this series to any lovers of fantasy or mythology.
Jo Schenkel

The unexpected crocodile by Kim Kane

Ill. by Sara Acton. Allen and Unwin, 2012. ISBN 978 1 74237 807 7.
(Ages: 5+) Recommended. Picture book. Cautionary tale. The glorious scene of the unexpected crocodile turning up to Peggy's place to join the family for dinner, will entice readers into this book. With his bright red umbrella and jaunty red bow tie, the crocodile almost swaggers into the house. It has rained for weeks, and mum and dad have been frantically getting the sodden house ready for their nieghbours, but when answering the doorbell, Peggy is surprised by the crocodile asking if the Dawsons have already arrived. 10 minutes later, they do arrive, complete with their three rather unlovely boys and a croquembouche that Mrs Dawson has made for desert, telling everyone that the boys made it.
The boys each reject the food offered and the crocodile eats their mother, boots and all. Later, when looking at the clock, he eats Mr Dawson, and when the odious boys ask for croquembouche rather than the coleslaw, he eats them too. A wonderful end to an obnoxious family.
This story will bring whoops of laughter from its audience as the crocodile does the most unexpected things. Readers will laugh as the crocodile dressed in his best bow tie turns up to dinner, and whoop with delight when he eats the lying mother, the quiet father and the three nasty boys. Salting them first of course. The wonderful illustrations will beguile the most diffident of readers into the story, adding another level of humour to the words, and acquainting them with a wide vocabulary as they read.
Sara Acton's website gives further illustrations which children will love, particularly the one of her on the home page, burrowing away with her drawing.
Kim Kane's other books include Pip, the story of Olive and The vegetable ark, both of which are award winners.
Fran Knight

Girl heart boy by Ali Cronin

No Such Thing as Forever Series. Penguin Razorbill, 2012. ISBN 978-0-14-134425-6.
(Senior secondary) Sarah and her close group of friends are in their last year at high school in Brighton England. They work hard and support one another while dealing with the trials of everyday life, balancing homework, jobs and relationships. The characters are well drawn though stereotypical, Sarah,  saving herself for the right boy, Donna the promiscuous one, Cass with a steady boyfriend, Ashley, on the lookout. Of the boys, Rich is gay, Jack sporty and Ollie considered by his friends a 'serial shagger'. We don't have long to wait for Sarah to fall in love with uni student Joe and she loses her virginity on page 30, but is it real love? The sex scenes come across as honest and matter of fact, if you want full R rated stuff you need to buy the eBook! The real message is that friends are more important, they look after you when you are vulnerable, whether it be caused by alcohol, grief or relationships, they have your best interests at heart and will cover for you, even lend you their knickers in an emergency. Ali Cronin's new Girl Heart Boy series, with lots of online add-ins, is going to be very popular with older high school girls but take note of the 'explicit content warning'.
Sue Speck

The gathering dark by Leigh Bardugo

Indigo Publishing, 2012. ISBN: 9781780621104.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. The Gathering Dark was originally published in the US as Shadow and Bone. It has a softer, more romantic cover in the UK version, but the praise has been glowing in all countries. Bargudo has clearly written a fantasy, but it's steeped in Old Russian culture.
The prologue introduces the main character, Alina, an orphan with an unknown past in the court of the benevolent Duke Keramasov, far away from the intrigue and war of the capital. When she and fellow orphan Mal are visited by the mysterious Grisha, testing discovers nothing unusual. So they are brought up together, safe and happy.
Many years later, in a desperate effort to save Mal, Alina unleashes her power and is then discovered and carted off to the capital to develop and tame it. The enforced separation from Mal weighs heavily, and we see Alina isolated, alienated, and struggling to understand and control herself.
The novel is heavy on drama and court intrigue, with mysteries revealed at a tantalisingly slow pace. Everyone in the King's palace is obsessed with appearances, and we fear that Alina will be lured by the superficiality of beauty and the temptation of power. Bargudo keeps us absorbed and interested by depicting Alina's mentor as a charming and intelligent potential partner, however Alina's bonds to Mal are stronger, and she continues to try to contact him. The love triangle works quite effectively.
As the book concludes, a flood of information is dumped on the reader. The race is on to prevent catastrophe, but Alina remains true to character: her loyalty and courage saves lives. This is well structured, effective writing. Most teenage girls will love The Gathering Dark, and wait impatiently for the sequel.
Trisha Buckley

The book of madness and cures by Regina O'Melveny

John Murray, 2012. ISBN 9781848547063
(Age: Senior secondary - adult) Recommended. This novel, set in the late sixteenth century, is both a collection of charming stories about medieval medical practice and a picaresque journey. The main character is Gabriella, a young Venetian and daughter of the renowned doctor Mondini who has left Venice to gather information for his proposed book about disease. Though she is a trained and practising doctor, Gabriella has been increasingly ignored by the medical establishment since her father's departure. When his final letter arrives, Gabriella decides that she will travel to find him. With two servants, Olmina and Lorenzo, and her medicine chest she begins a journey that, guided by her father's letters, takes her north through Padua, past Lake Costentz, along the Rhine and as far north as Edinburgh. They then turn south and travel through Spain to the deserts of Morocco. Along the way she gathers disturbing news about her father who seems to have been afflicted by madness. She meets many doctors, some of whom welcome and encourage her, others who distrust her as a woman. At times she dresses as a man for safety, especially when traveling through villages ravaged by the burning of witches. She falls in love several times but has to keep traveling on her quest for both her father and stories for her own collection of diseases and cures. She encounters the kind and the cruel, and experiences happiness and hardship. Eventually arriving in the arid land of Morocco, the source of cures outside her medical tradition, she discovers the truth about her father and a truth about herself. The novel has a fable like quality and gathers strength as it progresses. The action is interspersed with the stories about sufferers and cures, and vivid details about everyday life. The language is richly poetic with enough archaisms to sound historically accurate. The places she visits are described in little detail, but enough to make them believable, and the medical theories are not over-laboured. The novel is recommended.
Jenny Hamilton

Fire in the Sea by Myke Bartlett

Text, 2012. ISBN 9781921922749.
(Age 13+) Recommended. Text Prizewinner. While swimming, something touched Sadie. 'Something fast and sleek, but not a shark. Something with arms and legs.' Sadie is bored with life in Perth. Everything seems the same and she is even prepared to listen to her cousin reading her Tarot cards to relieve the monotony. But then something comes out of the sea and her life becomes turmoil. An elderly man is attacked, Sadie is left inheriting his old house and a strange young man called Jake turns up. Then there is a horned beast roaming the streets. Caught in the middle of an ancient feud, Sadie and Jake race to find the stolen relic that could save or destroy the world.
A fascinating combination of real life and ancient myth, Fire in the sea is a stunning debut for Myke Bartlett. The Perth setting, with its hot beaches and suburban life, makes a contrast to the conflict of ancient gods and beasts, which I found really fascinating. The old story of Atlantis has always fascinated me, and its addition here added to atmosphere.
Another thing I really liked was the authenticity of the characters and their dialogue. Sadie is a strong girl who is prepared to fight for what she believes. Jake is dark and haunted and the mystery surrounding what he is and what he is capable of kept me reading to the end. In particular I liked the character of Tom, Sadie's stalwart friend who is prepared to do anything to keep her safe, even though he can see that she is attracted to Jake.
For readers who love action and suspense, there are plenty of thrills as the horned beast bellows its anger and attacks in a frenzy and the teens race to find the relic before a tsunami drowns Perth.
People who enjoy books that have ancient mythology as a background will revel in this story. It would also make an interesting Literature Circle book and could lead to readers researching the stories of the ancient gods.
Pat Pledger

Eagle strike - the graphic novel by A. Johnston, et al.

London: Walker Books , 2012. Unpaged. ISBN 9781406318777.
(Age: 10 +) Eagle Strike is Alex Rider's fourth mission, parcelled up as a new 'sequential art narrative' written by Antony Johnston and illustrated by sisters, Kanako Damerum and Yuzuru Takasaki. Thanks to the project management and rendering of Kanako, this graphic novel flows logically without too many gaps, which can sometimes disorient the reader in some graphic adaptations.
The opening scene sits outside of the main plot but it does foreshadow the final surprise twist. The story starts with Alex on holiday in Southern France with a friend's family. Alex's curiosity is aroused by the appearance of a known fellow spy right before Sabina's father, a journalist, becomes the target of a bomb and is hospitalized. Since the journalist was investigating a third party connected to the hitman, Gregorovich, Alex has no doubt of their involvement.
The hero's journey for teen spy Alex, means he has to spend the rest of this visual feast collecting evidence to convince his friend, MI6 and the authorities that a famous philanthropist, Sir Damian Cray, was not only responsible for the bombing but will use any means to fulfil his plans for the world. Interesting Gregorovich is lenient with the boy whereas any journalist who stands in Cray's way is murdered. Conveniently, it is up to Alex to prevent nuclear disaster, after Cray hijacks Air Force One.
Billed as a version more accessible for reluctant readers, Eagle Strike is not short changed. This is a particularly fast-paced graphic novel to be enjoyed as a quality example of the genre. The panels use a variety of perspectives and zooms to accommodate orientation scenes, close-ups and regular action. Alternating layering and angling of the frames heightens interest and Yuzuru's considerable background in the world of Manga is evident through the slick, stylized draftmanship.
The feminized portrayal of the villain amongst other choices, makes Eagle Strike a text fit for critical dissection and the typical use of comic book onomatopoeia reinforces that comic book heroes do not necessarily need super powers. A worthy addition to any graphic novel collection.
Deborah Robins

Too cold for a tutu by Mini Goss

Allen and Unwin, 2012. ISBN 978 1 74331 378 7
Highly recommended. Stella and Barry are two lovably warm and curious friends, who have a very clever Nanna, who knits cardigans and sews tutus.
Barry and Stella go outside and have all sorts of imaginative fun, spurred on by Stella needing to be cozy inside Barry's cardigan . . .
There are so many things to love about this story. The knitted Barry and Stella are beautifully realistic and warm, you just want to reach into the book and give them a big squeezy hug.
When Barry and Stella are playing outside, the grass is green and the leaves are crunchy and colourful. When they go inside for tea, the cupcakes look scrumptious and the strawberries are ripe and ready to eat.
The language is reminiscent of any 3 or 4 year old I've ever met - rapid fire, filled with ideas, imaginings, enthusiasm and colourful banter. The text itself is written in different colours, which adds to the lively rollicking story.
There was some, as the 4 year olds I read to called it, 'not nice!' play - Stella tells Barry that racing is stupid, and climbing is silly, and she also calls him a 'great big stripy monkey'. To be honest, I kind of liked that. Not only was that realistic, but it was also a great catalyst for discussion about how they could have expressed themselves more nicely, and also that they could say these things, but then move on to being friends again.
This book comes complete with references to Barry and Stella's very own website, where readers can find more stories, and lots of fun things to make and do.
Freya Lucas

Snow White and the Huntsman: A Novel by Lily Blake

Based on the film of the same name. Atom Publishing, 2012. ISBN: 9781907411700.
Lily Blake's Snow White and the Huntsman is reasonably well written, but as is the way with novelisations, it's a little more expository that emotional. Although Snow White is the main character, the Huntsman and the evil Queen Ravenna dominate the page. Flawed people usually are more interesting characters after all.
The prologue sets up the plot, with Ravenna seducing the king, Snow White's father, then betraying him with her army who enter his kingdom and slay all his soldiers. Ravenna's mother was a powerful witch who imbued Ravenna and her brother Finn with spells to keep them young and beautiful so they can exact revenge for her. Fortunately, as with all good fairy tales, there is a catch: keeping Snow White alive is necessary for the magic to work.
The huntsman, Eric, struggles with his own inner demons. Suffering guilt and remorse after the death of his beloved wife, Eric is now a shambling alcohol-addled shadow of his former self. When he inadvertently finds himself on the trail of Snow White, tasked by the Queen to kill her, he must reconcile his sense of right with his shameful behavior, and find the right path.
Snow White can't help but seem bland. She is perfectly beautiful, and of course, kind to children and small animals. Plus she has all those qualities important for a leading lady, like being self sacrificing, noble, and determined. She seems to focus on her childhood friend, William, a little too much, but the romantic elements are not explored in depth. Ultimately, the ending is left up-in-the-air; does this mean Universal Pictures are planning a sequel?
Trisha Buckley

The Haunted School by Deborah Abela

Ghost Club. Random House, 2012. ISBN 978174275083.
(Age: Primary school) It's hard to fit in with the other kids at school when you spend your spare time catching ghosts.
Angeline and her twin brother Edgar are members of the Ghost Club and are responsible for fixing paranormal problems that sometimes trouble the human world. Problems like vortexes, paranormal forces and hauntings. Of course the job demands some very special tools of trade such as Trackers which can detect the presence of ghosts, Circuit Breakers and Atomisers. These high tech goodies are carried in satchels that the twins take with them when they are sent on a mission, as well as their protective clothes and shoes.
People generally find talk of ghosts a little scary, which is why Angeline and Edgar try to keep a low profile at school. Most kids already think they're a little weird and for a bully like Travis, the twins are the perfect target. When Travis suspects Angeline and Edgar belong to the Ghost Club he is determined to spy on them.
Meanwhile, a ghost is haunting their school, Gravesend College. They need to find out who she is and why she is so troubled. Unfortunately, that means having to reveal their club membership to the principal, who most certainly does not approve of their extra curricular past time. If that isn't bad enough, Travis is determined to make as much trouble for them as he can.
Part of the Ghost Club series, The Haunted School is certain to delight primary school readers who enjoy mystery, adventure and all things supernatural. The novel is also a comment on the perils of bullying, which is a very topical subject.
Tina Cain

Python by Christopher Cheng

Ill. by Mark Jackson. Series: Nature Storybooks. Walker Books, 2012. ISBN 978 1 921528 60 3.
Recommended. Picture book. Non Fiction. Snakes. I loved Edel Wignell's Bilby secrets published last year with Mark Jackson's illustrations. And here is another environmental book, in the Walker series, Nature Storybooks, this time about the python. With the same distinctive illustrations, the book gives a detailed look at these reptiles and their background. The melding of fact and story makes this a memorable book for younger readers, involved as they are with the tale of the python surviving in the bush, and at the same time absorbing the information in different font under the story. All the words are true and this winning combination will endear readers to these books.
In Python, the work the reptile does during the day is observed as she tries to catch a bird and misses, then catches a rat, wrapping her body around it until it can no longer breath, then swallowing it whole, taking the rest of the day to rest and absorb her meal. Under each sequence of the story snippets of information about the reptile are given. When towards the end she lays her eggs, readers will be carried along with the excitement of finding out about the sometimes 100 eggs and how they hatch and what happens to the hatchlings in their first few days of life. Each page brings new information keeping the readers interest alive. The illustrations carry the story along as they stretch across the page, the mix of media: watercolour, pastel and pencil, bringing the reptile and its environment to life. Readers of all ages will find something to like in this book, and with 2013 being the Year of the Snake in the Chinese calendar, it is sure to be well used.
Fran Knight

The Glimpse by Claire Merle

Faber and Faber, 2012. ISBN 978-0-571-28053-7.
This dystopian novel is set in a not too distant future London, after the devastation of the petrol wars when all the population is genetically tested to determine their predisposition to mental illness. Those designated 'Pures' live in luxurious gated communities while the rest, the 'Crazies' live as best they can, systematically drugged to keep them compliant. Ana is a Pure but discovers her mother committed suicide so must have been mentally ill therefore Ana must also carry the mental illness gene and her life of privilege is under threat. If she can pass repeated tests for signs of mental weakness and form a bond relationship with a 'Pure' boy Jasper before she is 18 she will be allowed to live in the community. When Jasper is abducted while meeting someone from an outside resistance movement she sets out to find him.
Upper middle school girls will enjoy the strong female character, her love interests and the copious details about her luxury lifestyle; there is even a 'Joining planner' to work out the details of her big day! However the political subjugation of a population to maintain the privilege of the few does not seem to bother Ana, all her motivation is self centred and she never develops a social conscience. I also had issues with the novel's depiction of mental illness and the abuse perpetrated in the asylum seemingly just so the main character can show how strong she is. The Glimpse may be positioning itself to continue in a sequel where these might be addressed but on its own I had problems with this book.
Sue Speck

Dyson's Drop by Paul Collins

Lion by Suzi Eszterhas

Series: Eye of the wild. Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2012. ISBN 978 1 84780 311 5.
Brown bear by Suzi Eszterhas
Series: Eye of the wild. Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2012. ISBN 978 1 84780 308 5.
(Ages: 6+) Recommended. Non fiction. These beautifully photographed books of animals in their habitat will find a ready parade of readers wanting to add to their knowledge of animals in the wild from birth to maturity. There are four in the series, Brown bear, Lion, Gorilla and Cheetah, and the two I have for review are outstanding. Large clear photographs are augmented by paragraphs of information in large clear font on each page, while at the end of each book is a page of information.
In Lion, the first few pages show the cub when it is born, struggling to open her eyes and crawl. We are told she will be kept in the den for two months until old enough to go out and see the world. At six months she will stop drinking milk from her mother and must start eating meat, and when she turns one year old, the time has come to hunt alongside the others in the pride. At each section of her life's journey, the blend of photos and words gives a remarkable view of the animal and its place within its community.
Brown bear too, shows the bear from its time as a cub to a grown animal. The text details its life as a cub, when as part of a pair, they are raised by mother in a den, only venturing out when about five months old. They will stay with their mother until about two, when they will leave to strike out on their own, complete with all the survival skills she has taught them.
Multi award winning photographer, Suzi Eszterhas, lets her talents speak for themselves in this amazing series of books which will find a home on library shelves, picked up readily by inquisitive readers, fascinated by the detail and information given about these endangered species.
Fran Knight