The Kingkiller Chronicles: Day Two. Orion, 2011.
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. He was once the most powerful wizard,
feared swordsman and famed dragon slayer of his or any time. A man of
myth and legend, Kvothe disappeared without warning. Now a quiet
inn-keeper he wishes to live out his days in peace and pass on the
knowledge of his life to those around him. Only his friend and
assistant; Bast is aware of Kvothe's true identity. Believing that
Kvothe is still the man he once was Bast wishes to wake Kvothe from his
life of monotony. When a scribe passing through town recognises Kvothe
he asks to record his story. Kvothe wanting to set the record straight
agrees and begins telling the scribe his story, in three parts over
three days.
In the space of two books Rothfuss has staked claim as one of the
premier fantasy writers in recent years. The Wise Man's Fear
surpasses
its predecessor The Name of the Wind in most if not all areas.
Substantially longer at 994 pages, many readers may choose to neglect
it due to its sheer bulk. But upon reading the first few pages, setting
the book down is the last thing on the reader's mind. The writing is
detailed but never dull, the characters engaging and relatable.
The plot employs elements of action, drama, comedy and romance,
ensuring that readers of all styles will be engrossed. The ending
leaves the reader aching for the next instalment and if it is anything
like The Wise Man's Fear it will be well worth the wait.
An original storyline, detailed characters and an engaging writing
style make The Wise Man's Fear one of the better fantasy books
to hit
the shelves in recent years. Some readers may be deterred by its length
but those who pick this book up will not be disappointed.
I highly recommend this book .
Michael Adams
What Comes After by Steve Watkins
Candlewick Press, 2011. ISBN 9780763642501.
(Age 14+) Highly recommended. Newly orphaned 16 year old Iris is
forced to leave her home in Maine and live with unknown relatives in
North Carolina. As an animal and vegetarian she is horrified by the way
her callous aunt and cousin treat the animals on their small farmlet.
When intervening to save the lives of two of the animals she is
savagely beaten by her cousin on the orders of her aunt and both aunt
and cousin end up in the county gaol.
This results in her being fostered and is a new beginning for Iris as
she realises that that she must be the one to redeem her life and that
there will be no fairytale ending for her. This novel is beautifully
written and despite its negative subject matter it has a strong message
of hope and resilience. All the characters are believable and
there are some engaging secondary characters.
Fans of Cynthia Voigt's writing will particularly enjoy the novel and it
would be an interesting suggestion for girls you would like to move on
from the Jenny Downham books.
Chris Lloyd
An A to Z of Fairies by Caroline Stills
Ill. by Heath McKenzie. Little Hare, 2011.ISBN 9781921714504.
Do YOU know who's living at the bottom of your garden??? If you read
this delightful book by Caroline Stills, then you might have a sneak
peek, without having to wait for midnight on a still moonlit night.
There might be brownies, elves, fairies, gnomes, leprechauns, pixies
and nixies and a whole host of other little folk that you never knew
existed, just ready to take you and your imagination away into a
wonderful world of fantasy. And while you're meeting them all, if you
look closely you will see three familiar fairy friends keeping you safe
on each page. Can you find them? If not, there's help at the back of
the book.
This is a companion book to An A to Z of Pirates and Heath
McKenzie's
artistry is just as enchanting, and, although perhaps not the
conventional portrayal that you might expect, it is quirky and
colourful and engaging in its detail. When Miss 5 comes to visit she is
transported to fairyland - both in her bedroom and in her special fairy
garden - and when she came to stay last week, this book went from
first-read to favourite in five minutes. We read it over and over
finding something new on every page, and then outside and over the
bridge we went to see if there were any new residents hiding in or
around the big gum tree that shades our fairy garden.
'Q is for the fairy queen, who, on the first of May, will whisk you off
to fairyland, if you should glance her way.' But any day can be the
first of May with this lovely book on your shelves.
Barbara Braxton
Popular by Gareth Russell
Razorbill, 2011. ISBN 9780141334530.
(Ages 15+) This is the first book in a new series by an Irish
author. Set in modern day Belfast readers are introduced to the
privileged world of Meredith Harper and her friends Imogen, Catherine
and Cameron. The main motivation in life for these teenagers is to be
popular and they ruthlessly manipulate the people around them to
achieve this. They lie, scheme and gossip while attending parties and
spending lots of money. Beautiful and rich Meredith is the Queen Bee
and her callous treatment of her friends is particularly uncomfortable
to read. The plot revolves mainly about one of the girls having two
boyfriends at the same time and how this can be hidden.
The novel could be read as a satire by more savvy readers but my
concern is that many teenage readers would not find themselves
internally challenging the behavior of the characters as perhaps the
author intended. At times the dialogue is amusing and the characters
are well constructed if mainly unlikeable.
Fans of the Gossip Girl series may be interested in reading this series.
Chris Lloyd
The son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
Penguin 2011, ISBN 9780141335728.
I really liked this book. I have read other books in the Percy
Jackson series and enjoyed them but this is the first I have read
in
the Heroes of Olympus and now I want to read the first in this series.
Percy is being pursued by two Gorgons, who refuse to die even though he
has killed them a number of times. They are also wearing Bargain
Mart uniforms and offering him samples off the tasting plate as they
try to kill him. Hampered by a loss of memory Percy gets refuge
at Camp Jupiter a Roman Camp. Here the old lady he has helped
along turns into the goddess Juno and she reveals a prophecy.
Percy befriends Frank and Hazel who have their own problems and
prophecies to deal with.
As the story progresses we learn more about Frank and Hazel and how
they become a part of the quest that Percy goes on to help save Camp
Jupiter from the evil goddess Gaia.
There is plenty of action and fights along the way as well as humour
which when combined make up a story that moves along at a cracking pace
and keeps the reader entertained and keen to find out what happens
next. I especially liked the joke about the Amazons and the way
the friendship develops between Frank and Hazel. I'm sure fans of
Percy Jackson will like this book and be looking forward to the next
book in the series as Percy and his friends continue on their quest to
save the world from Gaia.
David Rayner
Pearlie in Paris by Wendy Harmer
Ill. by Gypsy Taylor. Random House, 2011. ISBN 978 1 74166 380 8.
(Age: Junior and early Middle Primary girls) Well recommended. This is
another of the enduringly popular Pearlie series and although a
well
known formula, none the less it's a style girls enjoy. From the
colourful front cover depicting the Eiffel Tower and the title in
glitter, the reader embarks on a Parisian journey of pure delight.
Fifi's spring collection is in tatters until Pearlie saves the day with
a clever twist! The smooth, colourful and exciting illustrations
on smooth quality paper will delight the young reader. A little
French is dusted through the text. As usual the font is well sized and
clear. Even an Australian slang word, 'reckon' slips in.
Some of Pearlie's exclamations are clever. For example she
says 'roots and twigs' on p25 in response to seeing Fifi's collection
in small pieces. Percy the snail's dilemma of eating Fifi's flower
dresses and then find escargots on the menu makes for humorous reading.
Young female readers will enjoy this fairy story.
Sue Nosworthy
Itsy-bitsy animals by Margaret Wild and Jan Ormerod
Little Hare 2011. ISBN 9781921714429.
'This itsy-bitsy kitten likes to pounce and jump.
That itsy-bitsy panda goes bumpity-bump'
This is a delightful introduction to the world of baby animals for the
very young, with all sorts of possibilities for acting the parts. And
like its companion, Itsy-Bitsy Babies, it has a delightful
message to wrap it up. I love the baby tigers curled up with Mother
Zebra. The rhyme and rhythm of the language and the clear pictures in
subtle colours are perfect partners. Simple, yet sophisticated - it's a
winner.
Barbara Braxton
Brother/Sister by Sean Olin
Penguin, 2011. ISBN 9780141338453.
(Age: 15+) Will and Asheley are siblings with a strangely intense
relationship. Their father abandoned the family many years earlier and
their mother is a chronic alcoholic who cannot be depended upon. As the
eldest, Will feels responsible for keeping his sister safe, a task made
harder when she begins to socialise with the trendy kids at school.
Conversely, Asheley would like to entice her awkward, nerdy brother out
of his solitary, reclusive existence. Their conflicting goals collide
in a disastrous, unforeseen way resulting in them both trying to
explain to the police their connection to a dead body.
This is a dark, psychological thriller with sinister undertones. The
story is told from the alternating viewpoints of Will and Asheley
leaving the reader struggling to gain a foothold on the truth.
Interactions that are seemingly normal and reassuring are interspersed
with disturbing episodes hinting at their dysfunctional dynamic. There
is a surprising twist at the end which compels the reader to speculate
on the integrity of both narrators. Brother/Sister is a cleverly written and sophisticated story.
The veiled allusion to incest may be off putting for some but others
will find this a gripping, page turner.
Tina Cain
Small Change for Stuart by Lissa Evans
Doubleday, 2011.
(Ages 7+) Recommended. S. Horten is not the ideal name for
someone who is small for his age and Stuart gets very annoyed at being
mistaken for a seven year old when he's actually ten. However, When the
Horten family return to live in the village where Stuart's dad grew up,
Stuart discovers a role model. His Great Uncle was a magician known as
Teeny Tiny Tony Horten, but he disappeared during world War Two and
left behind a secret warehouse of magic tricks that no one has been
able to find.
With help from next door's annoying triplets Stuart is in a race
against time to solve the magic clues set by his Great Uncle and
discover the warehouse before its contents fall into the wrong hands.
Lissa Evans has concocted a wonderful mix of original plot and
traditional mystery. Young readers will easily identify with a host of
memorable characters. Stuart's mixed feelings about his height are
handled sensitively. His parents and other grown ups are delightfully
vague and slow witted, and readers will take great pleasure in staying
one step ahead of them. The initially irritating triplets reinforce the
value of friendship and teamwork but these important principles are
neatly tucked into an entertaining and original story. This would be
great to read aloud to lower juniors and is well worth buying for your
library.
Claire Larson
On Orchard Road by Elspeth Edgar
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 9781921720291.
(Ages: 11 +) Highly recommended. As the story begins Jane is moving to
the country with her dad, leaving her mother and premature baby sister
in hospital in Melbourne. She is feeling resentful at the changes the
intrusion of the baby has brought and is very fearful of being in a new
school and town. At first her worst fears are realised and she is
targeted by a bully at school. However a nasty run in with him and some
of his mates results in her meeting a reclusive and intriguing old
woman.
The story from here also involves a teenage boy Michael who with the
old woman helps Jane to recognise the many blessings in her life.
Teenage girls will enjoy the gentle romance between Jane and Michael.
The theme of coping with change is dealt with sensitively and the
lovely descriptive prose makes it an ideal addition to any collection.
It would be an excellent shared novel for upper primary and could be
used by school counselors as well.
Chris Lloyd
The moon and the gecko : Patjuka wura Punu : story from Paakantji Community by Pajantji Community with Liz Thompson
Sharing our stories (series). Pearson Education. 2011 ISBN 978 1 4425
4691 2
(Ages 8+) Recommended. Aboriginal folklore. This charming Creation
story from the Paakantji people of Wilcannia tells how the land came to
be, through the tale of one jealous young man and his uncle and his two
wives. The lad tricks his uncle into climbing high into a tree looking
for grubs, but when his uncle is a long way up, the boy creates a wind
which makes the tree sway. Uncle catches hold of the sky and the
boy is able to get all the grubs for himself. The uncle becomes the
moon and his image can still be seen there. The wives, angry with Punu,
call their dingoes and they attack the boy, going off into the
sandhills where they become bull ants. Punu turns into a gecko and
lives behind the bark in the tree. Each part of the story tells how
something came to be in the Wilcannia area, and reminds the listeners
of the places in their area, the reasons behind the rules given by the
elders and the plants and animals which exist there.
For students reading this book, a comparative study could be made of
other Creation stories and the similarities and differences between
them could be discussed.
As with the other in this fine series, Sharing our stories, the
introductory pages tell a little of the place the stories are set, and
where the Paakantji people live, before introducing the storyteller,
Murray Butcher.
The vibrant illustrations by the students at Wilcannia Primary School
are a visual treat, adding to the story. At the end of the book are
several pages with the students' own words, and those of several of the
elders. All is followed by the story retold in the Paakantji language,
while each page has a few lines at the bottom explaining some of the
words used in the text. A most useful addition to the classroom.
More about this series can be found at this website.
Fran Knight
Stoner and Spaz by Ron Koertge
Candlewick Press, 2002. ISBN 9780763621506.
(Age: 15+) Ben Bancroft is a sixteen year old with cerebral palsy and a
mindset that keeps him on the fringes of life. He is a movie buff and
spends all his spare time in the local Rialto Theatre. Colleen Minou,
is a larger than life, tattooed high school student with a drug problem
and not the kind of girl Ben's grandmother and guardian, would like him
to be around. When they meet Ben is entranced. Despite her troubled
image, Colleen brings warmth and friendship. She sees beyond Ben's
disability and gives him a new confidence to engage with the world.
With the help of a family friend, Ben pursues an interest in film
making but life with Colleen is a roller coaster. Ben is a positive
influence, motivating her to become clean but can he really count on
her?
There are many disenfranchised individuals in society behind the labels
of disabled, drug addicted or homeless. This book gives the reader the
opportunity to see the personalities behind these labels and hopefully
develop insight and empathy.
Stoner and Spaz conveys important messages in a style that is
both
humorous and poignant. This is a book that could stimulate interesting
discussion about stereotypes and preconceptions and a worthy addition
to the school library.
Tina Cain
Now playing : Stoner and Spaz II by Ron Koertge
Candlewick Press, 2011. ISBN 9780763650810.
(Age: 15+) This equally entertaining follow up to Stoner and Spaz
continues developing the relationship between Ben and Colleen. She is
making headway in her fight against drug addiction and gaining some
acceptance from Ben's grandma. She is the only girl that seems
indifferent to his cerebral palsy and he loves how she makes him feel.
However now he has met A.J. and not only is she clever, stable and
ambitious, she also shares Ben's passion for movies. While Ben is
trying to work out what he really wants, Colleen tracks down the mother
who abandoned him as a child. Now he has another complicated
relationship to challenge him.
This book has the same witty, fast paced dialogue as its predecessor
and is an enjoyable read. It covers the same issues of drug addiction,
disability, relationships and self acceptance however Ben's character
is more mature and evolved. Readers who loved the first book will enjoy
this one too.
Tina Cain
Grug's Big Book of Fun by Ted Prior
Simon and Schuster, 2011. ISBN: 9780731815020.
(Ages 4+) This is a well produced picture and activity book. It has 160
pages of colour and black and white pages and includes some stickers as
well. The book has an Aussie theme and young people will enjoy learning
about Grug and Australia. I learnt that Grug is a Burrawang. This is a
tree mainly found on the coast of New South Wales. This would be an
ideal gift for a young person about to travel around Australia for an
extended holiday.
Chris Lloyd
The Cardturner by Louis Sachar
Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 9781408808511.
(Ages 15+) As a longtime fan of Louis Sachar I was very keen to read
this new title. The main character Alton is 16 and not looking forward
to his long summer holidays. His girlfriend is now going out with his
best friend and he is expected to spend to drive his old, very rich and
blind great Uncle to bridge tournaments four times a week. His parents
are hoping that time with Alton will result in Uncle Lester giving the
family some of his wealth.
Unexpectedly Alton finds himself enjoying the challenge of learning
about bridge and also coming to understand the circumstances that have
made Uncle Lester the way he is. He forms an alliance with teenager
Toni whose family has been connected with Uncle Lester through tragedy
for many years. The book has many explanations of the rules and playing
strategies of bridge and these can become a little intrusive. Sachar
does often give the readers warnings that explanations are coming and
it is not essential that they be read.
The characters are engaging but I feel it is mainly a book about bridge
rather than people. It comes as no surprise to learn that Sachar is an
avid bridge player. Young people may not persevere till the end unless
they also have a love of card playing.
Chris Lloyd
