Allen and Unwin, 2012. ISBN 9781742379753.
(Age: 15+) It is the dying wish of Laurel Dix that her daughter
Molly go to live with the famous father that she has been shielded
from for sixteen years. Suddenly Molly is catapulted from rural
Indiana to begin a new existence in opulent Hollywood Hills with her
rich and manic movie star Dad, Brick Berlin. Molly has a warm
reception from Brick but her same age step sister, Brooke, does not
take kindly to sharing the spot light with an unsophisticated
sibling she didn't know existed until five minutes ago!
Molly is overwhelmed coming to terms with the loss of her mother,
the scheming and manipulative Brooke and the relentless paparazzi.
What follows is a journey of self discovery, fashion and friendship.
The authors are famous for their celebrity blog GoFug Yourself.com
and the book is replete with their famous one liners and caustic
observations of the superficial world inhabited by the rich and
famous. Not to be taken seriously, this book is a fun and light read
and soon to be followed by Messy, a sequel to the dramas of
Molly Dix and Brooke Berlin.
Tina Cain
Keeper of the realms: Crow's Revenge by Marcus Alexander
Penguin, 2011. ISBN 9780141339771.
(Ages 13+) Charlie Keeper is a 13 year old girl, living with her
senile grandmother in her strange family home in London. Her parents
have been missing for nearly 7 years, and her guardian, the cruel
lawyer Mr Crow, takes advantage of her grandmother's confused state
and Charlie's own lack of power to mistreat her and embezzle the
family funds. One day while exploring her odd house (it appears
larger on the inside), she comes across Jensen who is a Treman from
Bellania, a world that exists on an alternate plane to the earth,
but is accessible via a portal in her house. He disappears through a
door, but Charlie is unable to follow him.
When the mysterious and evil Bane enters the house and threatens
Crow with terrible consequences if he does not help him acquire the
pendant that Charlie wears, a mad chase through the house ensues,
which sees Charlie transported through the portal into Bellania.
There the real adventure begins as she races against time to save
her parents, free Bellania from Bane's malevolent grip, and awaken
her Keeper powers.
When the blurb on the back of a book compares it to The Wizard
of Oz, The Narnia Chronicles, Lemony Snickett and JK
Rowling, it has a lot to live up to. Whilst the premise is
appealing, and I really wanted to like this book, to me it doesn't
deliver on its potential. It has none of the real freshness or
sparkle of these books, but is rather derivative, clumsy and
laboured. In its favour, it is good to have a young female
protagonist as the hero in this genre, there are some interesting
characters and narrow escapes, and I'm sure that most younger
readers will enjoy Charlie's antics and adventures. Whilst I found
Charlies temper tantrums and foot stamping aggravating, to be fair
she is confronted with many dreadful situations and is increasingly
worried about the fate of her Gran back in London as well her
missing parents.
It is not giving away anything to say that this book ends with a
cliff hanger - it is the first of a projected three book series -
however, it failed to capture my imagination or leave me wanting
more.
Alicia Papp
Stuck by Charlotte Calder
Ill. by Mark Jackson. Walker Books, 2012. ISBN 978 1 921720 58
1.
(Ages 4-6) Picture book. A charming story of a kite getting stuck in
a tree will have kids laughing out loud as they watch and enjoy the
antics of the family and friends trying different methods of getting
the kite down. Sticks, a boomerang, a rock, a cricket bat amongst
other things are thrown up at the kite, but all fail to dislodge the
toy. By the time everyone has tried their luck, the tree is full of
the things thrown. In the end the cat races up the tree following a
bird, and dislodges all the things so that everything falls back
down. But of course, now the cat is stuck.
A warm picture book, with delightful illustrations, this book will
find a place in school libraries and classrooms as it shows children
trying things out for themselves, solving a problem they have. The
clever illustrations which use graphite and water colour, show
different perspectives, which could be discussed with the students.
Sometime the picture is of a view looking up at the tree, sometimes
the view is from the tree to the ground, giving quite a different
view of the children.
This is a new edition in paperback, and a slightly different cover.
Fran Knight
Me and you by Niccolo Ammaniti
Trans. by Kylee Doust. Text, 2012. ISBN 9781921758775.
(Ages: 14+) Recommended. The Italian author Niccolo Ammaniti is able
to present both the innocence and egotism of children and the dark,
threatening worlds they may inhabit in a convincing and gripping
way. In this novel Me and you, the voice of
fourteen-year-old Lorenzo is believable and persuasive. He describes
himself as uninterested in, at best, and as frightened by, at worst,
the world of his peers, and he gives way to rages. His psychiatrist
describes him as someone who cannot empathise with others, except
his parents. Lorenzo learns to survive by using Batesian mimicry,
pretending to be as his classmates are, boorish, loud and
disruptive. However, Lorenzo creates trouble for himself when he
overhears a group of friends planning a skiing trip. Lorenzo is a
good skier and imagines being part of the group. He tells his mother
that he has been invited along. Trapped in his lie by his mother's
happiness Lorenzo consequently plans to spend the week hiding in a
cellar, in the dark with his computer, cans of drink and food. All
seems to be proceeding well until his sojourn is interrupted by his
half-sister Olivia who Lorenzo is forced to realize is an addict
suffering frighteningly painful withdrawal symptoms. Her desperate
need and his ability to help her bring about a change in Lorenzo,
symbolized by a story he invents about a robot, created to
unfeelingly destroy, that learns to live and breed like sea turtles.
Lorenzo realizes that he can change his behaviour and learn to
become a friend to others. The outcome for Olivia is not so
positive. As in Ammaniti's earlier work I'm not scared the
resolution is shocking. The novel is simply written but thematically
rich. The world of Lorenzo is created with acute observations and
details. Me and you compares well with other novels written
from the point-of-view of main characters with a difficulty in
relating to others. This is recommended for secondary readers.
Jenny Hamilton
Ships in the Field by Susanne Gervay and Anna Pignataro
Ford Street Publishing, 2012. ISBN 9781921665233.
This is a very special book written by Susanne Gervay, one of my
favourite authors and illustrated by Anna Pignataro, one of my
favourite illustrators. It is a celebration of Australia's
multicultural heritage with both author and illustrator drawing on
their family's history of being post-war European refugees to create
a story that demonstrates the amazing resilience and hope of the
human spirit regardless of the trials it encounters. Told through
the eyes of a child, it touches on many emotions from the sadness of
memories too raw to have many layers to soften them, to the joy and
excitement of a new life as a family in a new place, while stopping,
momentarily, at the happy spots of what has been and anticipating
what is yet to come.
This is such a magical blend of words and pictures that there is
something most of us will relate to. For me, it's the phrase 'ships
in the field'. For one with a distinctive Kiwi accent (even after
all these years), getting it wrong is something I'm used to although
no one has corrected me as beautifully and tactfully as the little
girl does to help her father.
It would be the perfect starter or accompaniment to any
investigation of what it means to be Australian, because that is
what we all are, and opens the door to enable our students
understand that they and their families have a past, a present and a
future.
Barbara Braxton
Nancy Bentley the first Australian female sailor by Tracey Hawkins
New Frontier Publishing. 2011. ISBN 9781921042768
Suitable for children up to 8 years. This picture book is set in
Tasmania. It relates the true story of an incident in the life of
Nancy Bentley. Following a snake bite Nancy needed a doctor
urgently. Her desperate father decided that the closest doctor was
the ship's surgeon on board the HMAS Sydney at nearby Port Arthur.
So, her father put her into a row boat to get her treated as quickly
as possible.
The rules at the time did not allow women on board, and the Captain
had to officially enlist Nancy into the RAN. Thus, aged 6 years old
in 1920, Nancy became the 'first Australian female sailor'.
Following her recovery Nancy was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and
taken on a short voyage to Hobart to the movies as a special treat.
Did Nancy really sail from Port Arthur to Hobart on the HMAS Sydney
without her parents?.
Although this story is told in a narrative form, the language is
formal. At times the story seems disjointed. On one page the ship is
heading out to sea and on the next page it has arrived in Hobart.
There is an old-fashioned cover and stylised, naive illustrations.
They are uninspiring but quite suited to an 'olde world', quaint
story such as this. There are interesting endpapers covered in a
variety of documents related to Nancy's story. At the back of the
book we find a more formal biography of Nancy's life and a copy of
her RAN Certificate of Service.
It is a curious narrative. I am unsure of the motivation for telling
Nancy's story. She seems to be an ordinary girl. And this incident
would surely have had little influence on Australian naval or
feminist history.
Margaret Strickland
In Darkness by Nick Lake
Bloomsbury, 2012. ISBN 13579108642.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Shorty is a teenage gangster from the
violent slums of Site Soley where survival is a daily
challenge. Now he lies trapped beneath the rubble of a
hospital following the Haitian earthquake, afraid that he will be
entombed forever. Alone in the darkness Shorty reflects upon the
events in his life that have shaped his destiny. His wandering
mind becomes possessed by the thoughts of Toussaint L'Ouverture, the
Haitian rebel who forced the French out of Haiti two hundred years
ago. Both of them seek freedom but it will take strength and the
courage of self belief to achieve it.
This is a story of two Haitis, the past and the present,
compellingly intertwined. The political history of Haiti and its
battle to be free from colonial power runs parallel to the story of
modern Haiti. The slums, gang warfare and violence are a reality of
day to day existence and evoke the passion to be free from
oppression. L'Oeuverture channels this passion through Shorty.
This is an excellent book for the sophisticated reader. The author
is able to tell the story of Haiti's history in an exciting and
innovative way. It is a very satisfying page turner and the two
stories of past and present are equally gripping and informative.
Tina Cain
Assault by Brian Falkner
Recon Team Angel. Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 9781921720543.
(Suited for: 13+) Recommended. In the year 2030 humanity is at
war with an advanced alien race. The stage for this battle: Earth.
For nearly two decades the world has only just managed to hold off
the invaders but there is still hope. Recon Team Angel, a global
team of multi-national, multi-purpose teenage soldiers has been in
training and now the time has come to strike. Sent on a classified
behind enemy lines infiltration mission not even they know the
purpose of their objective. What they will find will not only shock
them but will prove crucial if mankind is to survive the war.
The author immediately attempts to engage the reader with a short
introduction and a glossary defining the military slang that is used
throughout the story. This achieves its objective well but from
there on in, the interest of the reader falls away. Although the
bulk of the book is well written there are several chapters or
segments which do little to appeal to the reader. This lack in
consistency is what prevents this book from becoming a great read,
rather than being just a good one. The climax at the ending is one
the reader will enjoy but it is left too late.
Older readers will find themselves losing interest and struggling to
really appreciate the book while the military jargon and action will
entice the younger ones. Overall Assault is a good science
fiction book that amidst several slow dull passages has the
potential to be an enjoyable read.
I recommend this book.
Michael Adams
Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
The Inheritance Cycle: Book Four. Doubleday, 2011. ISBN
9780385616492.
(Suited for: 16+) Recommended. Not long ago, Eragon was just a poor
farm boy, unaware of the importance that his future held. Now with
the help of the elves, dwarves and his dragon, Saphira, Eragon is
preparing for the war against Galbatorix. The resistance against the
cruel Galbatorix is building with the Varden's army growing in size
and strength every day. As the war approaches it seems that the
deciding factor will not be won by the armies on the battlefield but
in the fight against his half-brother Murtagh, and his dragon Thor.
And if he is unable to conquer Murtagh, what hope do he and the
people of Alagaesia hope of winning the fight for justice against
Galbatorix.
The book opens with Paolini giving a brief overview of the previous
books in the series. It is used to broaden the audience for the book
to not just those who have read the series but to newcomers. It does
little to achieve this goal and first-timers to the series will find
themselves somewhat bored by the opening. The opening chapters
encompass Paolini's style of writing as the fast-paced story telling
that brought him so much praise for the Inheritance Cycle.
While newcomers to the series will struggle to find themselves
engaged by the story and style of writing, fans of the series will
find it to be a fitting end to the saga. With this as the final book
of the Inheritance Cycle, Paolini will continue to win praise for
the series.
I recommend this book.
Michael Adams
Life : an exploded diagram by Mal Peet
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978 1 8442 8100 8.
Recommended for senior secondary students and adults. This book
begins and ends with a bang. A Spitfire shooting a chimney pot
to pieces in 1945 and the World Trade Centre exploding in 2001.
In between is a thoroughly enjoyable story, largely about Clem, a
working class boy and Frankie, daughter of a wealthy local
landowner. Interspersed with this are the evolving stories of
their families especially Clem's. As well there is as a background
the developing missile crisis in Cuba in 1962.
The relationship that develops between Clem and Frankie is both
touching and hilarious at least to the reader. The author handles
the various components of the book with great skill and melds them
together into a whole that is entertaining, humorous and affirming
all at the same time. The characters are extremely well drawn
and the observations of life in Britain in the period acutely well
done.
I loved this book; it's beautifully written and the author
skillfully weaves everything together to produce an outstanding
reading.
David Rayner
The Heir of Night by Helen Lowe
Orbit Books, 2010. ISBN 9780356500089.
(Ages: 14+) Thirteen-year old Malian, the Heir of Night, is launched
unexpectedly and suddenly into a world of conflict, magic and
divided alliances. While the once powerful fires of the Derai burn
low, the glacial chill of realms lived in form and fantasy arise
like frosty tendrils from the pages; storms whip the embattlements
of the Keep of Winds, and Malian, the young heir apparent, plays
among the corridors and stairwells of the forbidden Old Keep. With
the Swarm's dark power stirring, Malian begins to understand her own
destiny will be lived between dimensions. Kalan, the young novice
priest, and Yorindesarinen, the hero of the Derai, appear to Malian
in the forbidden section and for now, they resist the Dark Swarm.
Ultimately though, the black shadow must be conquered, prompting the
young heiress and her noviciate friend to flee the only home Malian
has known. Through sighing winds and snow, and with the sinister
shadow close upon them, will their combined wit, courage and psychic
powers be enough to overcome the enemy?
Helen Lowe, an award winning author and poet, is based in New
Zealand. The Heir of Night is the first of her four-book
fantasy, chronicling the wars of the Derai and their traditional
enemy The Dark Swarm. Young readers especially will identify with
its main characters, Malian and Kalan. Written in the third person,
it weaves effortlessly between dialogue and imagery, and although
the battle scenes are graphic, they are in keeping with other novels
of this genre. The complex cast and plot are introduced slowly and
carefully. Lowe's effort will be worthwhile as the ensuing books
reveal the remainder of the saga.
The Heir of Night will surely leave fans of the genre eager
for its sequel. This book would be suitable for high school library
bookshelves.
Colleen Tuovinen
Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Wolf Springs Chronicles. Doubleday, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-857-53071-4.
(Age: Mid to older teens) Unleashed is an enchanting novel
that holds and captivates your imagination and mind. Katelyn McBride
is the new girl, a position hated by most of the population, she
moved to Wolf Springs, a small quiet town where everyone knows
everyone, because of the tragic death of her mother, Giselle
Chevalier, world renowned ballet dancer, who died in an earthquake,
leaving Katelyn nowhere to live but her Grandfather's house in
southern, isolated Wolf Springs. Katelyn, homesick and depressed,
gains friendship with one of the mildly bad boys, Trick, young,
handsome and strong, Katelyn finds herself attracted to him before
you can say 'Hill-Billy Central'. Fortunately he is her ride to
school and back, every day, Yes! Her status as the new girl isn't
that bad because everyone treats her like a celebrity because she is
from L.A. She then meets gorgeous ex-cheerleader Cordelia Fenner.
Horribly unfortunate deaths occur, Haley and Becky both die in the
forest, the blame on wild animals, but could it be? Things get
suspicious and exciting when they are put together for a history
project and Katelyn ticks off a long-lost silver mine with a beast
to guard on the possibility list, Cordelia seems to get cold feet
and is constantly in two states of mind about the whole project.
More complications appear when she visits the Fenner residence one
day, Katelyn is assessed by Cordelia's older sisters, Regan and
Arial along with her stunningly sexy cousin Justin, who Katelyn has
to fight to keep her hands off.
Things start to get really weird when Katelyn gets attacked by a
wolf with bright blue eyes and when Cordelia is informed she becomes
very secretive and suspicious. With the deep leg wound healing in
only days, Katelyn starts to freak and begs Cordelia to tell her
everything. This is where things get more interesting and extremely
but enjoyably intense. Unleashed is a brilliant novel to get into and it leaves you
craving for more. I think this book will be better suited to mid to
older teens who like romance, mystery and thrill. I don't always
rate books but if I did this would land a solid 8 out of 10. It was
really enjoyable. I hope there is a sequel and I hope it is just as
enthralling.
Sarah Filkin, Yr 10
The heir chronicles by Cinda Williams Chima
Indigo, 2012.
The warrior heir. Book 1. ISBN 9781780620473.
The wizard heir. Book 2. ISBN 9781780620503.
The dragon heir. Book 3. ISBN 9781780620534.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. A reprint of Chima's award winning series
(2008 Kirkus Best YA Book of the Year, 2009 Voya Best SF and Fantasy
Book of the Year) is a treat for fantasy lovers like me. The books
would best be read as a series, starting with book 1, The
warrior heir, where the reader is introduced to 16 year old
Jack, a normal teenager living in a small Ohio town. The only thing
that makes him different is the scar above his heart and the
medicine he has to take daily. One day when he misses his medicine,
he discovers that he is stronger and faster than all his soccer
mates and that he is a member of the Weirlind, a group of magical
people who are facing war. Book 2, The wizard heir, follows
the adventures of Seph, who is an untrained wizard. When sent to a
private school in Maine, he uncovers deadly secrets and becomes
involved in the war between the Red and White Rose factions. The
dragon heir has two main protagonists: Jason, who steals the
Dragonheart, a powerful treasure and Madison Moss who is a danger to
her boyfriend Seph, as she leaks the toxic magic that she absorbed
in the fight against evil.
Chima deserves the accolades she received for these books. After
reading The warrior heir I was thrilled knowing that I had
the next two stories to read straight away rather than having to
wait impatiently for them. Her main male teen characters,
Jack, Seph and Jason are tough, intelligent and courageous. Each
must go through terrible trials but all triumph in different ways.
The girls in the story are brave and smart, play vital roles in the
fight against evil and the romances are very well done.
Her world building is wonderful. The reader is taken off into the
politics of a magical place, where those who have the strongest
warrior wield power. A single warrior from each of the warring sides
is forced to fight to the death in a gladiator style to win the
power to rule. The action is inventive and ranges from Ohio to the
wind swept moors of Cumbria in the United Kingdom. With swordplay,
wizards living hundreds of years and using mind control, intrigue
and strange treasure, I was swept along in Chima's fabulous world.
Each book has an emphasis on a different character. This gives added
appeal as Chima explores different relationships and abilities,
making a much richer series than is often encountered where the same
main characters appear. There is a satisfying conclusion to the
three books (although a look at Chima's website gives information
about two more books to come).
The clever writing, inventive setting and great characters of
this series should appeal to both boys and girls. Fans of these
books will want to go out and immediately find her Seven Realms
series.
Pat Pledger
Beast child by Ben Chandler
Random House, 2011. ISBN 978 1 86471 979 6
(Age: 11+) Beast child is the second book in the Voyages of
the Flying Dragon series. In this book Missy Clemens and her twin
brother Lenis continue to explore their abilities against a
background of pursuing the evil mercenary Karasu in an attempt to
retrieve the stones that can unlock the powers of the baby dragon
Suiteki which has bonded with Lewis who is a Bestia keeper and
engineer aboard the airship Hiryu. Missy is the communications
officer and is trying to learn how to use the Quillblack a feather
that turns into a sword of tremendous power, but which needs great
skill to be used effectively and protect the user. The twins are
part of a group trying to prevent the spread of the Wastelands and
the Demons that infest them.
The book is an intriguing blend of folklore and fantasy, largely
based on Japanese heroism, anime and manga.
There is plenty of action and adventure to appeal to those who like
fantasy but given the complexity involved it may be more suitable
for upper primary and above students. The third book Ebb and
Flow will follow on.
David Rayner
Savannah dreams by Lolla Stewart
Ill. by Elaine Russell. Little Hare Books, 2011. ISBN: 9781921714030
(Age: Junior Primary - Lower Primary) Highly recommended. 'From
Sunday to Saturday, Savannah and her family go looking for bush
tucker. While Savannah's family find fabulous food, Savannah
finds only junk. But Savannah sees the world through different
eyes, and her imagination helps her to make the greatest catch of
all.'
Along the way to discovering some traditional bush tucker, readers
will wonder at the items Savannah collects and imagine, as she does,
the great barramundi she sees.
The title conveys images similar to African tales, but this is a
true Australian story. A wonderful insight into a traditional
lifestyle and the innocence and wonder of a child's
imagination. The illustrations remind me of the fabulous work
by Bronwyn Bancroft, they are full of colour and life with a
uniquely indigenous feel.
A vibrantly illustrated, charming story of an indigenous family and
their search for food.
Zana Thiele
