Vintage Books, 2012. ISBN 9781742755700.
Tom Sherbourne is a young, decorated soldier just returned from the
horrors of the Western Front of World War 1, horrified by the things
he has seen and done, and guilty because he has survived relatively
whole when so many have not. He seeks refuge by becoming a
lighthouse keeper on some of Australia's most remote lighthouses,
which, in those days were not automated as they are now. In a tiny
town in remote south-western Australia, he meets and marries the
love of his life and they live a cocooned life on a tiny island 100
miles offshore, their days only interrupted by the
once-every-three-months visit of the supply boat. Until one day, a
boat washes ashore carrying a dead man and a crying infant and a
choice is made that changes and shapes their lives forever.
Although I don't usually review adult books, this is the most
intriguing read I've had for a long time and I think it has a place
on the shelves of secondary libraries for a lot of reasons. Apart
from the insight it gives us into the mindset of young soldiers who
went to war full of high hopes and adventure but, in reality saw and
did what no person should see and do and were then eventually
returned Australia and just expected 'to get on with it', it is a
story of moral and ethical dilemmas which would provide engaging
discussion and debate that would have every student having to
examine their core values and beliefs. As the cover quote says,
'This is a story of right and wrong, and sometimes they look the
same.' Every character has a solid place in this story and the
question of 'What would you have done if you were them?' could be
put for each one. And because of the quality of the writing,
students will learn that there are seldom black-and-white answers to
these sorts of big questions - there are many shades of grey to be
considered and every action has a reaction, intended or not.
Beyond that, there are discussion
questions available (and there are advertisements and links on
that page that could become a teachable moment about cyber-safety)
that could also form the basis of some broader in-depth discussions
such as 'Are right and wrong absolutes, or do they change depending
on your point of view? If they are not fixed points, how do you
decide what's right and what's wrong, and what happens when your
values differ from your neighbour's?' and 'The continent of
Australia hasn't moved since 1926, but are we, as a nation closer to
the centre of things - more 'stitched into the world's fabric'?
Discuss isolation then and now, and its effect on the nation's
psyche.' I would also add, 'Although on the surface, Tom and
Isobel's isolation was physical, it is possible to be isolated while
surrounded by people?' which might lead to discussion and
acknowledgement of mental health issues, not only as they relate to
Tom and Isobel in the mainland but also to the students themselves.
For me, this book is a keeper - which is the highest praise I can
offer.
Barbara Braxton
Stones for my father by Trilby Kent
Alma Books, 2012. ISBN 9781846881749.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Stones for my father takes place
during the Anglo-Boer War (October 1899-May 1902), in South Africa.
The war was fought between the British and the Boer people of South
Africa (otherwise known as Afrikaners). During this war, the British
destroyed many of the homes of Boer families, and the homeless
people would then be relocated to concentration camps.
The protagonist is Corlie Roux, a young Boer girl with no father and
two brothers. Corlie's mother loves her sons as much as she dislikes
Corlie, and when they are sent to the concentration camp at
Kroonstad, they all struggle to survive. Corlie will have to depend
on a faraway soldier from Canada and inner strength she never knew
she had . . . Stones for my father is an interesting glimpse into the world
of the Anglo-Boer War, and the people who were involved in it. It's
a neat slice of history that may be little known to some people, but
this book is a perfect starting place. It covers all the facts in an
easy-to-read, but still well written way. The characters are
realistic and the world of the South African wilderness is
beautifully described.
Some authors struggle with having a particular 'voice' when writing
historic novels like this, as they find it difficult to write
convincingly in the manner, style or setting of that time. But
fortunately in this case, the cultures, lives and voices of the Boer
people are very believable. Stones for my father is an excellent historic novel set
during the Anglo-Boer War that is sure to delight history fans and
entertain others.
I recommend this book.
Rebecca Adams
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Simon and Schuster, 2012. ISBN 9780857073631.
Highly recommended. With no memory how she ended up in the hospital,
Mara Dyer wants to know what happened. Her two best friends and her
boyfriend are dead yet she mysteriously survives unharmed. She can't
stand being in the same places that they have, so Mara moves to a
new school and home, where she meets the most beautiful boy, Noah
Shaw. Even at her new school and home Mara she sees the faces of her
dead friends. Does bad boy, Noah, really have Mara's best interests
at heart or is it something different altogether?
Mara Dyer is one of my favourite characters ever now. Her
feisty attitude and her motivation to find out what happened the
night her friends died is thrilling. I just love Mara Dyer. I loved
Noah's reactions to everything Mara did or said to him.
Some of the plots twists were clever and confusing. The book is
thrilling and haunting.
Cecilia Richards (Student)
Giggly times, giggly rhymes No. 2: Picture book poems for children by Richie Cotton
Illustrated by Rhonda Cotton. Billy's Books.
(Age: 5-8) This is a self-publication by Richie and Rhonda Cotton
and is the second in a series of fun rhymes for young children. The
handwritten rhymes and simple, colourful illustrations add to the
homemade charm of these amusing rhymes. While there is nothing
particularly spectacular about the collection Cotton uses simple
rhythms and words to create amusing poetry. They are simple enough
that children would find it an achievable goal to write poetry of a
similar kind themselves. For this reason they may be useful to
use as a model for children learning to write rhymes of their own.
These poems are certainly best for reading aloud and the way the
illustrations correlate directly to the text may assist
comprehension for those learning to follow poems and their structure
as a form of storytelling. The book consists of 21 poems with
different themes, most short and many nonsensical or quirky.
Overall a pleasing collection of poems and illustrations that could
assist teachers working on poetry and rhyme writing with young
children or as a silly and enjoyable read aloud.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
Chill by Carol Thompson
Little Hare Books, 2012.
(Ages: 4-8) Dolly (the pig) and Jack Rabbit are best of friends.
They like doing everything together and simply being in the company
of one another is the recipe for a perfect day. They are wonderful
friends to each other, full of compliments like 'I like your hair
Dolly', and 'such a fine face, Jack Rabbit', and do everything
together whether it means being quiet, loud, fast or slow. They even
have nicknames for one another ('Jack Knotty Noodle' and 'Dolly
Wolly Doodle') and understand each other completely.
One day Jack and Dolly get angry at each other. And not just a
little angry - fully blown consumed with anger. Dolly has
drawn a portrait of Jack and she has made his 'ears look like slimy
slugs'. Jack has drawn a portrait of Dolly and has made her 'look
like a lumpy pumpkin'. They are SO MAD. After walking away from each
other in anger their madness soon turns to sadness. And then in an
effort to stop themselves EXPLODING with emotion Dolly and Jack go
to a safe calming place, close their eyes and think of something
that makes them happy . . .
This is a beautiful tale about what it means to be friends and an
important lesson in how to deal with anger and move on before we
EXPLODE! I adore the relationship that Dolly and Jack have. Reading
about them together made me feel light and full of joy and the
humorous way that they recharge their friendship and calm each other
down is endearing. This is illustrated as Jack Rabbit does 'this
little piggy . . . ' on Dolly's toes and Dolly gives Jack Rabbit a
shoulder massage before they agree that they are 'chilled
now'. The book uses beautiful sketch illustrations and speech
bubbles to reveal the friendship and the emotions of Dolly and Jack
and is a gentle reminder that sometimes our emotions get the better
of us. As Jack and Dolly show us even the best of friends get angry
at each other sometimes.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
Titanic: death on the water by Tom and Tony Bradman
A and C Black, 2012. ISBN 9781408155813.
(Age: 12+) At the age of thirteen, Billy is forced to join his
father in Belfast constructing the 'unsinkable' Titanic. Billy finds
the ship yards and the men employed there very intimidating,
especially after a work accident claims his father's life. He
decides that working as a bellboy on the big ship will be a much
safer place for him than the construction yards.
At sea, Billy has to adapt to life away from his family and learn
how to stand up for himself. His job involves looking after the
first class passengers but he is also concerned with the welfare of
less fortunate travellers.
2012 is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and this
has rekindled public interest in the catastrophic event. Although
this is a fictional account by a father and son team, it is based on
research held in the UK National Archives. It is a well written
story and an exciting introduction to the Titanic story for the
younger reader.
Tina Cain
Andy Roid and the superhuman secret by Felice Arena
Penguin Australia, 2012. ISBN 9780143306030.
This is Book 1 of a new series by Felice Arena, remembered by many
Primary school boys especially for his very popular Specky Magee
books as well as the easily accessible Boyz Rule and Girlz Rock
books.
Andy Roid is a 12 year old whose life is turned upside down when he
is almost kidnapped on the way home. He luckily escapes on his bike,
pursued by the kidnappers, only to run head on into a Mack Truck.
This should have been the end of Andy but, fortunately for him, his
parents do not run a bakery and invent new muffin recipes as he
believed, but are scientists who specialize in robotics and have
just made a breakthrough in Biorobotics.
At his point I was with Andy. How could they reconstruct their son
as a robot? While I pondered this for some time, I am sure the
intended audience will pass over the ethics of the operation without
a blink and be as thrilled as Andy as he discovers the cool apps he
has been given and how to turn them on. Welcome Andy Roid the
android, a 12 year old modern version of the old 6 Million Dollar
Man.
Andy finds it is not all fun and games as he heroically saves Molly,
but has to keep his identity secret, think Superman, Spiderman and
Co. The threat posed by the kidnapping crew of Dr Sylvester Baffi
and the Triple S is ever present and will continue to play a part in
future stories.
As fast paced as a cartoon this series is sure to appeal to those
reluctant readers who will enjoy the action packed modern
references.
Sue Keane
Erebos by Ursula Poznanski
Translated by Judith Pattinson. Allen and Unwin, 2012. ISBN 978 1
74237 953 1.
(Ages: 14+) Computer games. Sharp eyed Nick Dunmore sees small
parcels being exchanged amongst the students at his school. His best
friend, Colin is out of reach, will not speak to him at school,
avoids any eye contact, does not answer his email or phone and seems
to be creating a relationship with the two geeks in their class.
Others are acting oddly as well, but when he corners one of them, he
realises that they are all playing a game, a computer game with
bizarre rules about communication, a game which seems to intrude on
real life. When he is passed the disc, he too sees just how
addictive the game can be, and from the start, the reader gets the
feeling that these kids are being manipulated. Wishing to move from
level two to three, the messenger offers him this option as long as
he introduces another person, and gives him details about another
boy in his class. The alert reader is aware that more is going on,
but Nick is flattered and involved. Nick, now Sarius, must choose
weapons, a name and skills to go into the game, and he finds that
fighting to create a foothold on the next level requires some daring
and skill. At times he must fight to the death. With the energy and
seduction of a serial seen every Saturday at the local picture
theatre (yes, I am that old!) this becomes an exciting read as
Nick moves from one level to another, following the
instructions and requests from the messenger.
When Nick is asked to put a drug in his teacher's thermos, the
teacher who is asking questions and raising concerns, Nick baulks
and in so doing is kicked out of the game. He desperately tries to
get back into the game but when his best friend, Jamie is knocked
off his bicycle and almost killed, Nick begins to see something
sinister is happening, and so takes action, joining others to find
the evil behind the game.
Slow to start, the book builds quickly into an absorbing thriller.
Just like the game we are led down different paths, some dead ends,
some red herrings, but all the while being led on to a stunning
conclusion.
Smoothly translated, this book won the Youth Jury Award in the 2011
German Youth Literature Prize.
Fran Knight
Melody Burning by Whitley Strieber
Allen and Unwin, 2012. ISBN: 978 1 74237 913 5.
(Ages: 14+) Recommended. 'A girl rock star who's never been
alone enough to fall in love. A boy runaway who's grown up so alone
he doesn't even know what love is. A pyromaniac with a dangerous
secret. An explosive romantic thriller. In the chutes and
crawlspaces of an LA hotel lives a young runaway named Beresford. He
has no idea who his parents were, but he does know that he's in love
with rock superstarlet Melody McGrath. When she checks into
Beresford hotel with her manipulative stage mother, a fatal secret
is brought to light. Death is coming for Beresford and Melody. Will
the wild child and the It Girl be able to keep their lives - and
love - intact?'
As you can tell from the blurb, this book is very intriguing from
all aspects. Strieber is known for his bestsellers in science
fiction, most of which have become movies. Melody burning is his
first book for young adults and in my opinion he has done a
wonderful job, with a gripping story that has you enthralled until
the last page and wanting more of the story. At the start of the
story Beresford loses his father and nearly his own life; through
the years that pass he forgets who he is, his name, age and life. He
has no one until he meets the love of his life, Melody. He basically
stalks her; he climbs into her room using the crawlspaces of the
hotel just to know more about her. It is a wonderful love story with
a terrifying peak of intensity where they nearly lose their lives
and each other forever. A brilliant book by a breathtaking author, I
hope to read more of his work in the future.
Taylor Oxenham (Student).
Frontier magic series by Patricia C. Wrede
Scholastic Press.
(Age: 11+) Recommended. The Thirteenth child and Across
the Great Barrier are the first two books in a trilogy set in
the wild west of an alternative America where magic is used as a
natural part of the world. I loved the setting in this series. The
idea of an alternative America, with pioneers getting land grants,
and facing the dangers of strange wild animals, grabbed me and kept
my interest through the two books. Wrede's magic, and the learning
of the spells, is all set in a commonplace school, and seemed to me
as the reader, to be as real as normal school lessons. (Apparently
the fact that Native Americans do not feature as part of her world
caused some controversy in the US).
Eff, short for Francine, is an engaging heroine, and it is her story
of gradually being able to shed the stigma of being the 13th child,
that is at the heart of the stories. Although she doubts herself,
her goodness and compassion shine through the book. The relationship
Eff has with her twin, Lan, and with William, a school friend, form
a thread that keeps interest alive. Wash, a circuit guide, is also a
fascinating character, and the interactions of members of such a
large family were well written.
I await the third installment in the series to see just how much Eff
comes of age and how she uses her magic powers. Thirteenth child. Scholastic, 2009. ISBN 9780545033459. Eff
is the 13th child and twin to Lan, who is the seventh son of a
seventh son. Being the 13th is supposed to bring bad luck, and Eff
has grown up believing that she does bring bad things to her family
and town. When her family move to a school near the magical divide
that keeps out the beasts of the wild, Eff begins to believe in
herself. Across the Great Barrier, Scholastic, 2011. ISBN
9780545033433. Eff, now almost grown up, goes out past the magical
Great Barrier, as an assistant to a Professor, who is studying the
effect of a magical bug on the countryside. The land is full of
dangers, and Eff must come to grips with her magical powers to keep
herself and the pioneers communities safe.
Pat Pledger
Not bog standard and other peculiar stories by Mark Pardoe
Omnibus, 2012. ISBN 978 1 86291 863 4.
This book is great fun. The stories have a twist and there are not
always happy endings. Mark Pardoe will undoubtedly be compared to
Paul Jennings as the format and stories are reminiscent whilst still
being highly original. They have more of a darker flavor such as Message
in a bottle and Fish out of water, both of which show
the consequences of bad choices. Others have almost a supernatural
element such as Clairvoyant canine and Get lost.
My favourite is Flu past about two boys who live in the same
house on a farm but are separated by about ninety years. Hopefully
there will be others to follow as they will appeal to readers who
want variety in their stories and especially primary school boys.
David Rayner
Elephant alert by Jackie French
Ill. by Terry Whidborne. Animal Rescue series. Scholastic,
Australia: 2012. ISBN 9781741698480.
Recommended for readers 8+. Jackie French has taken the plight of
endangered animals as the theme of her new Animal Rescue series.
With her easy to read style and engaging if unusually talented
characters, her environmental message is conveyed with humour and
action. Elephant facts at the end add to the veracity of the
message.
Leo wishes something cool would happen as he sits talking with his
guinea pig one hot afternoon. He is friendless and considered weird
by his school mates. Then a robot gorilla arrives with an invitation
to tea from Mozz, granddaughter of Dr Drizzsock, local scientist.
Just a normal Sunday really!
This is the beginning of an amazing adventure to rescue elephants
from a tsunami threatening to engulf their island home off of
Sumatra. Leo's talent for speaking animal, rather than his
friendship with Mozz, is the reason he finds himself in the Sky
Tiger, a jet made entirely of recycled material, with Mozz and Fuzz,
a jealous 3 legged woof pup, flying faster than the speed of sound.
With the occasional illustration to add to the narrative, this is an
engaging series for the young adventurous environmentalist who will
gain some information about endangered animals whilst enjoying the
developing friendship between Mozz and Leo.
Sue Keane
Oh, No, Monster Tomato by by Jim Helmore and Karen Wall
Egmont, 2009. ISBN 9781405247412.
It was the time for the Great Grislygust Grow-Off when the residents
tried to grow the biggest and best. This year, Marvin planned to
grow the tastiest tomatoes in town, much to the disgust of brother
and sister Boris and Prunella who mocked and bullied him. Motivated
and showing remarkable resilience, Marvin plans and plants and waits
and watches, while all around him the people of Grislygust seem to
be having great success. Marvin is bamboozled, until he tries
something very different. The results are quite magical and the
ground begins to grumble and shake until Marvin has more than he
bargained for.
This is a lovely story with bright, quirky illustrations,
lift-the-flaps and humour that will delight the younger age group.
Because the text is in handwriting interspersed with other fonts to
provide emphasis, I think it is more a read-aloud or read-along
rather than a read-alone. Throughout the story there are a number of
opportunities to entice the children to predict what might happen
next that will also keep them engaged. Miss 5, who adores tomatoes,
really enjoyed the story and we are going to try to grow our own
next spring - I do hope we don't have quite the dramatic results
that Marvin did.
Barbara Braxton
Marngrook : A long ago story of Aussie Rules Football by Titta Secombe and Grace Fielding
Magabala Books, 2012. ISBN 9781921248443.
(Ages: 6+). Warmly recommended. Aboriginal stories. Australian Rules
Football. I was initially surprised to receive another book
detailing the Aboriginal origins of Australian Rules Football but
upon reading this one found that the two books I have recently read
fit well together. Marngrook, subtitled, A long ago story of Aussie Rules
Football, outlines the story of Wawi, who walking in the bush
around the Grampians in Western Victoria, comes across a possum.
Killing it with his boomerang, he skins it and uses the meat for a
meal for his family. After eating, he carefully uses a sinew from a
kangaroo tail, sewing up the possum skin into a roundish ball,
stuffing it with emu feathers. When the last hole is sewn up, the
shape resembles an emu egg, and the children run off playing with
it, practicing their kicking and having fun despite their mother's
call to collect wood.
This is a fascinating story of how the football came to be, and
blends well with the picture book, Kick it to me by Neridah
McMullin recently published by One Day Hill. This story tells the
tale of Tom Wills, who growing up in Western Victoria played the
game of marn-grook with his Aboriginal friends, later being able to
suggest it as a new Australian sport.
The two stories sit well together, one from an Aboriginal
perspective, and one from a European perspective, but both telling
the tale of how Aussie Rules came to be, a subject dear to the
hearts of many Australians, regardless of their origin.
In this book, Marngrook, the tale also shows Aboriginal
family life, the skills of the hunter, the environment in which they
live and their use of it as a place for food, clothing, weapons and
playthings. Tucked within the story children reading it will also
have a sense of the close knit community of Aboriginal people and
their strong association with the land around them.
The naive painting style suits the book as it includes dots and
traditional Aboriginal painting styles, not only telling the story
through the illustrations, but also detailing the life and times of
the people in the area.
Author, Titta Secpmbe is a descendant of the people who lived around
the Grampians in Western Victoria, the Gunditj-marra-Jard-wa, and
was brought up hearing this story, while illustrator, Grace Fielding
grew up at the Wandering Mission near Perth and has won awards for
her children's book illustrations.
Fran Knight
Ten Scared Fish by Ros Moriarty
Ill. by Balarinji Studio. Allen and Unwin, 2012. ISBN
978-1-74237-912-8.
(Recommended age: 2 years +) Ten scared fish is an excellent
book for children because of the bright colours and large writing
which is clear and easy to read.
The author and illustrators have worked well together as the
pictures and text are very well matched . The simple text,
complimented by the stylized graphics are very descriptive as well,
as beautiful. The illustrations combine aboriginal symbols along
with vivid colours and traditional patterns.
The animals in the story are turtles, snakes, shark and fish. The
personality of the animals shine through despite the use of such
simple drawings.
At first reading the book seems to be a simple counting book, as the
animals are introduced one by one: the turtles, snakes, fish and
finally shark. On closer inspection another layer of the story is
revealed, as the environmental setting changes, flowing from the
waterhole through the wetlands, to the river and finally to the
ocean, where the fish are surprised and become scared.
Why would they be scared?
Reviewed by Year 6/7, Dunstan 2, Parkside Primary School, SA.
