Text, 2011. ISBN 9781921758164 The Ottoman Motel is the first novel by Brisbane author
Christopher Currie. The genre is an interesting and, at times,
confusing mix of adventure, coming-of-age and gothic mystery. The
plot is set in an out-of-the-way seaside village called Reception, a
place where visitors arrive but do not leave unless dead. Twelve
year old Simon arrives with his parents to visit his grandmother,
unseen by them for some time, since Simon as a toddler was injured
while in her care. The three travelers stumble upon what turns out
to be a drugs manufacturing and distribution centre. When Simon's
parents disappear and are presumed murdered, Simon is taken in by
the family running a boarding house in Reception. Meanwhile
Grandmother, living in the same boarding house, is entertaining one
of the criminals in her bed. The boarding house owner has also
suffered tragedy, his wife and mother of his two children having
drowned in mysterious circumstances. Another resident, Pony, has
survived the murder-suicide of his parents. Madaline, the police
constable, is fighting her fears of her inadequacy and a past
botched investigation. Despite this cast of unlikely characters the
novel is quite gripping and written in a lively way. The characters
and the dialogue are unexpectedly quite believable, with poetic
insights that add colour. However, the mix of genres ultimately
works against the plot and it is frustrating that the central
mystery is unresolved. The novel also struggles at times to strike
an appropriate tone, and the audience is problematical. While the
main protagonist is a twelve year old, the descriptions of the
sexual relationship of the gay criminals are not suitable for middle
school readers. Senior readers may enjoy the book.
Jenny Hamilton
501 fun facts, weird trivia and amazing lists on nearly everything you need to know by James Buckely Jr and Robert Stremme
Scholastic 2011. ISBN 978 1741696837.
(Ages 8+) Humour. Well the title says it all, there are certainly
some weird and wonderful lists collected together in this book,
destined to keep many children occupied for hours. In the main
Australian, with a few lists of world interest thrown in, the lists
range from Prime Ministers of Australia, to just who has been
knighted by the Queen (one being George W Bush!), similes which
include animals, the greatest empires of the world and many more.
Designed to interest and intrigue, the lists will keep many kids
amused in the library before school, or at home on a wintry day, or
once the word gets out, at recess and lunch times. A winner as a
stocking filler at Christmas time, a great book just to hand to a
child at any time, this is a great $13 worth of book. Who could not
be amused by a list of poisonous snakes, or the zoos of Australia,
who's who in Harry Potter, gross stuff that people eat, wild phobias
and more. Do you know what a blennophobia is? Or what you are not
allowed to do in Taiwan, or which airport is the busiest in the
world? Or perhaps what people eat in space? 224 pages of riveting
fun for young and old, this book is most enjoyable, and will along
with Ripley's believe it or not and the Guinness book of
records, prove a hit. (P.S. Blennophobia is the fear of slime,
and you can't wink in Taiwan.)
Fran Knight
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving retold by Blake A. Hoena
Graphic Revolve series. Raintree, 2011. ISBN: 978 1406 224979.
When the new school master, Ichabod Crane, arrives in Sleepy Hollow,
he
visits some of the local families for his evening meals. During
these
visits he hears the legend of Sleepy Hollow and the Headless
Horseman.
Not only the school teacher, but also the singing teacher, Crane has
amongst his singing students the beautiful Katrina, a young lady
whom
he chooses to teach privately. The unattractive Crane has as his
rival
for her affections a strapping young man named Brom. Unbeknownst to
many locals, the handsome Brom plays practical jokes on Ichabod. Is
he
responsible for the demise of Ichabod Crane? Will the truth ever be
revealed?
With cartoons taking several forms, from colourful stylised pictures
to
depict the current day, sepia for the historic components of the
story
and silhouette style for the night time and more gruesome parts of
the
tale, the illustrations add an extra dimension to the text. Minimal
word count, simple language and different fonts for speech and
descriptive text make this another accessible tale for not just
those
who enjoy classic tales but also for the reluctant reader.
Jo Schenkel
Literature to support the Australian Curriculum: Annotated lists of fiction and poetry by Fran Knight
Pledger Consulting, 2011. ISBN: 978 1 876678258.
Highly recommended. This brilliant resource is a must for every
school library. As stated in the title, it contains clearly set out
lists of titles under the themes of Asia, Sustainability, Indigenous
literature and Poetry as well as providing suggestions for class
texts and titles to read aloud. With a focus on the various age
groups, Knight sorts titles to fit entry level to Year 3, Years 4 to
7 and Years 7 to 10. A precis for each title is provided to enable
one to get a feel for the book without having to search the shelves
and databases. Particularly for teacher librarians who are regularly
bombarded with requests for titles which may fit a theme or subject
area, this will make life considerably easier. Alongside Pat Pledger
and Fran Knight's other titles, Flash Fiction, Historical Fiction
and Values Fiction, this title would be a support for any teacher or
teacher librarian wishing to truly immerse students in quality
literature. Their previous publications are still relevant and easy
to add new titles to as they are released.
Having read many of Fran's reviews, it is obvious that she is a
prodigious reader and I value her opinions on the many titles
included in this publication. I now eagerly await a similar title to
suggest texts for each subject within the National Curriculum,
particularly for use alongside the specific history topics. Whilst I
appreciate the networking of colleagues on such lists as OZTL, as we
collaborate to find titles to suit a theme, it will be an asset to
have good solid lists in place as a first resort. A highly
recommended title!
Jo Schenkel
Editor's note: A sample of the book and order form is available at http://www.readplus.com.au/resources.php
The dead I know by Scot Gardner
Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 978 1 74357 384 3.
Sleepwalking Aaron has been found by authorities in the oddest of
places and after helping the funeral directory with the body of a
young girl who suicided from a local cliff overlooking the sea,
Aaron fears that this will be where he too will go. He has
internal worries about something he cannot admit to himself,
nightmares which provide no clues, only an intense and gnawing fear,
and despite the best efforts of his guardian, a woman called Mam, he
feels that his life is coming undone.
A school drop out, constant truant and disinterested student, he is
surprised when the local funeral director, John Barton, hires him
This man tells the school counsellor that the boy knows death, and
places his trust in him. He manages to get Aaron to clean himself
up, takes him for a haircut and expects him to be at the funeral
home on time. He expects him to communicate, not with the grunts he
usually gives but a response to the cheery good morning given to him
each day.
The first few funerals he is involved in leave him light headed and
unsure but the director's confidence is never shaken. He travels
with John to retirement homes to pick up bodies, to a home where a
man has died, to the road where a motorcyclist has been killed, a
home where a baby has died and then a suicide. Each death he is
involved with makes Aaron stronger, each funeral he attends builds
his confidence. At home in the local caravan park, he has increasing
trouble with Mam, who is becoming more aggressive, clumsy and
forgetful One night he must take her to the hospital, and stunned at
the questions he is asked and the routines of the place he rings
John Barton for help.
Barton comes to his aid without question, eventually taking Aaron
home to his place while Mam remains in hospital. The staff at the
hospital become suspicious of what is really wrong with the woman,
but Aaron is non committal. At home at the caravan park, a family he
avoids explodes into his life when their son is killed. Aaron is
accused and thrown into jail, but it is the intervention of John
Barton that sees him released into his care. Barton's young daughter
Skye is attracted to Aaron and they share some of their fears
All the themes come together in a wholly believable way as the boy
reveals what has happened to him and who his Mam really is. The
reality of all their lives is exposed, showing that people cannot be
judged on what is seen. At its heart a thriller, as the reader is
led along the sometimes scary path of wanting to know just what is
happening, the book explores death and mental illness
This is a great class text or an ideal small set when doing a
literature circle about death, mental illness or growing up. Teacher
notes are on the Allen and Unwin website.
Fran Knight
Our Gags by Catriona Hoy and Annabelle Josse
Walker Books, 2011.
(Age: Beginning readers) Recommended.This is a short novel of three stories about a special grandma. It
is
told in the first person by the little girl in the family.
'Our Gags' is the nickname the family in this story give to their
Grandma. The first story, The Gags Machine, begins when the
Mum
has a
new baby and Gags becomes the Gags machine as she helps wherever she
can to keep the household running while Mum looks after the baby. In
the second story Gags Ahoy, they take the baby for a walk to
the park.
Gags amuses the little girl by playing a variety of games - billy
goats gruff, princesses and pirates amongst the playground
equipment.
In the last story Gags on Holiday, the family going on
holidays
and
whilst Mum and Dad unpack Gags amuses the girls on the beach until
an
over excited dog causes a mishap.
This novel is part of the Walker Stories series of which there are
around 18 titles. They are an excellent introduction to novel
reading
for young readers. Recommended reading.
Tracy Glover
Urban Assassin by Jim Eldridge
Egmont, 2011. ISBN 9781405254779
(Age 13+) Mitch, Nelson, Two Moons, Tug, Benny and Gaz are part of
an
elite Special Forces unit made from collaboration between Great
Britain
and the USA. The book opens on them thwarting a terrorist
attack
an embassy in Turkey. They manage to stop the attack, but just when
it
is over, they are called back to base with maximum urgency. MI6 has
found evidence for an assassination plot against the British prime
minister. When the MI6 spies showed a picture of the main suspect,
the
men were shocked. He was an ex-Delta force soldier who had fought
with
all the men except Mitch before he was invalided out of the Special
Forces.
This book seemed to be more aimed at younger kids of eight or nine,
but
was far too gory to be for anybody under 13. It was fairly well
written, and had an average plot. I wouldn't recommend this book,
mainly because of the age problems.
Gareth Peer (Student)
Where's Wally? The Great Picture Hunt! by Martin Handford
Walker, 2006. ISBN 9781406333756.
This reprint of Where's Wally? The Great picture Hunt! comes
with a mini magnifier in a pocket inside the front cover of this
postcard size paperback. The reader will need it, as this is a
miniature version of the popular larger paperback versions. There is
a lot to find. Almost 2cm tall versions of Wally, Woof, Wenda,
Wizard Whitebeard and Odlaw are hidden on each page, and each is
looking for something way smaller that they have lost.
Patience and extremely good vision are needed for the search in this
(one of six) tiny mini books.
Sue Whittaker
Primary Teacher/Librarian
The Shattering by Karen Healey
Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 9781741758818.
(Age 13+) Recommended. I love a good mystery and when I read the
blurb on the back of The Shattering I knew that I was going
to read something different. Keri has a plan for what to do if a
member of her family was murdered. 'It went:
1. Find the killer.
2. Make sure that they were guilty.
3. Destroy them. Completely.'
Keri's older has committed suicide and Keri is devastated. She just
can't believe that Jake would do that. When Janna and rich boy
Sione, who have also lost brothers through suicide, come up with a
theory that young boys are being murdered she is all too ready to
accept it. Together they start researching and a pattern that
indicated foul play, begins to emerge. But what happens when they
get too close to the truth?
The idyllic setting of Summerton, in the South Island of New
Zealand, provides a beautiful but occasionally sinister background
as Keri and her friends investigate the increasingly frightening
events that unfold. Why does no one ever leave Summerton? How does
it survive when other coastal towns face financial disaster?
Healey's first book, Guardian of the dead was a fantasy, but
in this one, although she has some paranormal elements, including
witchcraft, she concentrates very successfully on the murder
mystery. Janna has dabbled in witchcraft, but the local coven
wouldn't accept her. When she suggests that magic may play a part in
the mystery, Keri is sceptical, but is willing to search out the
truth.
An array of characters and descriptions of family life enrich this
novel. Healey portrays a family almost coming apart from the stress
of a suicide: Keri's mother is over-protective and can't bear to
face Christmas. Keri copes by having a plan for every eventuality
even though she knows objectively that that can't work. Sione has
lived in the shadow of his brother and is struggling to emerge and
Janna opts for a high profile to hide any inadequacies.
Woven throughout the mystery story are the themes of suicide, living
in a sibling's shadow and grief. These and other teen issues are
handled well by Healey who is certainly an author whose work I will
continue to seek out. Links to information about suicide are given
at the end.
It is recommended for teens who like mysteries with authentic
characters and plenty of suspense.
Pat Pledger
The mole hunt by Paul Collins
The Maximus Black Files. Book 1. Ford St, 2011. ISBN: 9781921665264.
(Age 13+) Highly recommended. Wow, what a high speed, action packed
science fiction adventure story! Maximus Black is handsome, highly
intelligent and out to bring RIM down and take over the world.
Anneke
Longshadow is a brilliant RIM operator who is determined to find the
mole in the organisation, before he does irreparable damage.
Together
they speed across the universe in a spate of high action chases that
take the breath away. Combine that with a lot of high tech gadgets,
wicked weapons and intriguing disguise programs, and the book is a
winner. (A longer synosopsis of the plot, written by Paul, can be
read here.)
It's a pleasure to read a novel by an Australian author that is full
of
action, adventure and intriguing characters. I was swept along by
the
competition between Maximus Black and Anneke. Although I knew that
Maximus was the baddie, Collins managed, with skilful
characterisation,
to make him into a strangely likeable character and I can't wait for
the next two installments in the series to find out about his
motivation for taking over the world. Anneke is a wonderful
character,
and I just loved her strength and fighting powers.
Readers who enjoyed the Alex Rider series will be happy to find
another
book to go on with. Older teens who liked the television show,
Dexter,
will also enjoy this portrayal of a seriously flawed but compelling
character as he manipulates the world around him. I also think that
this would be a good choice to be promoted for reluctant readers,
especially boys, but girls will love it too, as Anneke Longshadow is
a
great character.
A blog
post by Paul, who talks about his journey as a writer is also
available.
Pat Pledger
Trash by Andy Mulligan
David Fickling Books, 2011. ISBN 978038561902 8
(Ages 12+) Highly recommended. Thriller. When two boys find a
wallet with a key, some money and a letter on their morning trawl
through the rubbish heap called Behala, they are stunned. Not the
usual
shuppa, paper filled with shit, or the leavings of the city, the
rotting food, rags and paper, but money. They seek out Rat, who they
know will be able to hide their find while they work out what to do.
They are the lowest of the low, the poorest of people, the ones who
reuse rubbish for a living Illiterate, relying on food and a
smattering
of education from the local Catholic priest, they are emaciated,
smelly
and fast.
When the police swarm over Behala asking if anyone has found
something,
they are quiet, it's never a good idea to be mixed up with the
authorities. But Gaudo's mother calls out that the boys have found
something and almost swallows her words. The boys try to explain
that
it was nothing, but they become targets, and one is taken by the
police
and brutally questioned.
The boys begin to realise that they have found something quite
significant, and so begin to piece together the information they
have
about the wallet and its contents. Furtively, using their skills
learnt
on the streets, they collect what is in the locker belonging to the
key
they found, from there they seek out the owner of the letter, a man
in
jail, near death. They find that he was the servant to a wealthy
embezzling senator who lost a great deal of money, and the boys work
through the clues given to finally unravel the mystery of where the
money was hidden.
A fascinating story of the boys using their learnt skills surviving
in
this the poorest of places, to outwit the authorities and find the
hidden money, ensuring their own futures, will have kids eagerly
reading to the end. Along the way they will learn of how some other
children in the world live, those on the streets in Manila, a
stunning
contrast to the wealth of that place, and the ease in which we live.
Fran Knight
Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 9781408811313.
(Age 13+) Recommended. Harvey is the author of the Drake Chronicles,
one of my favourite paranormal series, so I was intrigued to find
that she had written a ghost story set in Victorian times. I
discovered that this talented author can transfer her writing skills
to another period and type of book to make a very engrossing read.
'Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts but they believe in
her'. (Back cover). Daughter of a fraudulent medium, Violet knows
all about the tricks that make credulous people believe in spirits.
When she is visited by the ghost of a drowned girl at the house of
the wealthy Lord Jasper, a Spiritualist, she is at first
disbelieving and then determined to find the girl's murderer. Colin,
the boy her mother took in when he was orphaned, is around to help.
Part ghost story and part murder mystery, with a hint of romance
thrown in, Haunting Violet is a compulsive read that I finished in
one sitting. I felt I was really familiar with the historical period
of the late 1880's by the time I was finished the book. The
inflexible class structure, belief that loved ones wanted to
communicate from beyond death, the plight of women and the fear of
poverty provided a colourful background to the story. Harvey
described lots of interesting snippets about the obsession that many
Victorians had with reaching out to the spirits of their loved ones
using seances. The stigma of illegitimacy touches Violet and the
heart wrenching treatment she receives from both her father and her
suitor as well as society reflects the rigid attitudes of the times.
Violet, however, is a resilient girl, who is conscious of her own
worth and is determined to do the right thing regardless of what
other people think of her. She accepts that she does have unique
gifts and puts them to good use to discover the murderer, while
fighting her mother's wishes to exploit her.
The murder mystery aspect is also handled really well, with lots of
red herrings thrown in to misled the reader. Harvey has the happy
knack of being able to write prose that is humorous as well, so I
had many chuckles as I read this book.
This is a book that will be enjoyed by those who enjoy a mix of
mystery, ghosts and humour.
Pat Pledger
Thyla by Kate Gordon
Random House Australia, 2011. ISBN 9781864718812.
(Age 13+) Recommended. Tessa was found in a cave in the bush, dirty,
ragged and with her memory gone. 'My name is Tessa. I am strong. I
am brave. I do not cry. These are the only things I know for
certain.'(Back cover). Connolly, a policewoman found her a place in
a boarding school. Connolly's daughter, Cat, had disappeared from
there and Tessa is convinced that there is a connection between Cat
and herself. As her memory gradually comes back and the strange
stripes on her back begin to darken, Tessa begins to make
connections with the cruel mysteries that have brought her to this
place.
Gordon has made a fascinating foray into the paranormal fantasy
genre. Her Australian setting of the mountains and bush in Tasmania,
of thylacines and convicts, gives it a unique flavour and will
certainly appeal to readers who enjoy the vampire story. I started
this book thinking that it may be about the adventures and feelings
of a feral girl found in the wilderness, but Gordon gave me many
surprises as she led me on a exciting read of people with incredible
powers in a fight against evil predators. To say more would spoil
the story!
Gordon's use of Australian history made this an original story that
kept me reading. I loved the information about the Female Factory in
Hobart and the plight of women in convict times. I also loved the
descriptions of the cliques in the modern boarding school and how
girls can manipulate and bully. But most of all I enjoyed Tessa's
coming of age as she discovers who she is and what she is capable
of. There is a slight hint of romance, which no doubt will be
explored more in Vulpi, the next in the series.
With its accessibility and Australian setting, it should make a good
contrast to all the American paranormal romances that are around at
the moment. It is certainly worth having on the library shelf or
using in the classroom.
Pat Pledger
Super diaper baby 2: The invasion of the potty snatchers by Dav Pilkey
Scholastic 2011. ISBN 9780 54511 533 6.
(Ages 8+) Humour. By the author of the Captain Underpants series,
now
numbering 12 and just as popular as when the first appeared, a
younger
version has been published to tempt the lower primary aged students,
using a comic style format. With its emphasis on poo/bum/toilet
jokes
the book is designed to please that range of kids and make them
yearn
for more.
Dr Dilbert Dinkle the antihero, started out as an ordinary evil
person,
but he woke finding himself transformed into a puddle or pee and so
vowed to demolish every toilet in town. From this inviting yet very
strange premise the story begins, with our heroes, Super Diaper Baby
and Diaper Dog hot on the trail of the toilet smashers. A page
turner,
with clearly written script and invitingly funny illustrations, kids
will love following the antics of Dr Dinkle as he tries every
scenario
to demolish every toile that he and his crazy cat, Petey, can find.
Kids who loved the Captain Underpants series will find much to love
in
this new series, using the graphic novel style to grab kids'
attention.
Fran Knight
The encyclopedia of my immaturity by Klutz
Scholastic Australia, 2011. ISBN 9781591749233.
(7-11) Recommended.This book is more of an activity book than
a reading book but is still fun to read the writing that is there
with lots of quirky and cheeky activities that parents would
probably not what their kids to do in real life, such as defacing
pictures etc (but nothing too bad). It's filled with fun activities
to keep children happy through the school holidays or on weekends.
Although most of the activities were fun and I enjoyed doing them, I
did find that parts of the book were not very interesting and it
sort of felt like schoolwork. It was also a bit childish in parts
because it was written by adults trying to relate to kids, which
doesn't always work. Also, some of the terms used are very
'American', such as Candy Corn and bouncy house which I found a bit
annoying, and at first I was not sure what they meant, but apart
from that it is good.
I think that the pictures are interesting and explain the activities
very well. I feel that the authors have created this book to
entertain you and get you thinking about silly situations while
encouraging kids to express their thoughts in writing. I would
definitely recommend this book to my friends.
Jessica Marnie (Student)
