Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 9781406327922.
(Age: 12+) This charming story takes place in Zambia where twins
Bul-Boo and Madillo live with their parents and a colourful
assortment
of friends and neighbours. When they discover that their school
friend,
Winifred, is destined for a terrible fate, the girls feel compelled
to
help. Bul-Boo seeks the help of Ifwafwa, the wise snake man but can
he
deliver a solution before it is too late? Fred, who lives next
door, thinks his great grandmother can help. She is rumoured to be
like
a witch with magical powers but she inspires awe and terror in equal
measure in the children.
The author spent her childhood in Zambia and her knowledge of local
traditions, stories and customs make this story a delightful insight
into the 'butterfly heart of Africa'. Superstition and logic
interweave as the characters seek a solution to their problem. The
story is essentially told in first person from the viewpoints of
Bul-Boo, Ifwafwa and Winifred which sustains the momentum of the
story.
The chapters are short making it easy to read. Probably best suited
to
younger teens, it is a very enjoyable read.
Tina Cain
Equinox by Lara Morgan
Walker, 2011. The Rosie Black chronicles are thrilling novels that lead on
from each other perfectly, the books are set five hundred years into
the future where mankind is split into three groups of civilization,
the 'Centrals' are usually very popular and wealthy, an upper class
civilization. The 'Ferals' are a race that scavenges to survive,
living in poverty, dwelling on the fringe of humanity, and lastly,
the 'Bankers' these people are in between 'Feral' and 'Central'
status, living healthily but still aren't as good of as the
'Centrals'.
The main character of both novels is Rosie Black; in the novel Equinox
(novel #2) she is struggling to shut down the evil corporation,
'Helios' the ones responsible for the death of her mother and many
more through the creation of 'Mal X' a horrible disease that only
gives you a very painful and draining short time to live after you
have been infected. In this novel, Rosie and Pip (a very nice Feral)
are trying to destroy the evil Helios with the help of Riley, a very
smart man who is experienced in Helios technical workings along with
Aunt Essie and Dalton (a central). Rosie's father has been captured
by the Helios and Rosie and her friends are bent on rescuing him,
but it is like a choice decision, save her father or destroy the
Helios, or both. It is a very hard decision for Rosie.
This book was very enjoyable, with the action starting almost
immediately, but, like the first novel, there is no clear plot but
the little sequence of events are thrilling and make up for this.
For age recommendation I would say 10 onwards because of the
language and some of the terms are heard to understand for less
mature readers.
Sarah Filkin (Student)
The Wicked Wood gathered by Isobelle Carmody and Nan McNab
Tales from the Tower: Volume 2. Allen and Unwin 2011. ISBN
9781742374413.
(Ages: 15+) Highly recommended. The Wicked Wood accompanies
The Wilful Eye; both volumes described as collections of
'tales of enchantment from six writers of modern fantasy'. Most
striking, at first glance, are the covers designed by Zoe
Sadokierski. With the books placed alongside each other, the hands
of two rather amazing winged female creatures meet, giving the
collection unity and continuity. A valuable introduction by Nan
McNab begins the journey for the reader and each of the contributors
is given space at the conclusion of their particular story to
explain its origin. Fairy tales carry great insights into everyday
life and the same stories are told the world over. Analysing these
tales can be a fascinating exercise and having new interpretations
of well-known stories presented in this way makes for interesting
and memorable reading. The length of each story differs, as does the
familiarity of its plot. Each of the stories stands alone well, with
a link to a traditional fairy tale being somewhat more obvious with
some than with others. All are exciting tales of fiction, full of
mystery and imagination. As with the previous volume, most stories
in this collection will be of interest to the teenage reader with
some obviously referring to more adult themes. Of interest, too, are
the various writing styles of each of the chosen authors, and how
they choose to retell their tale. This collection is highly
recommended.
Julie Wells
Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough
Bodley Head, 2011. ISBN 9780370331966.
(Age 13+) Recommended. Horror. Based on an old folk ballad about
Long
Lankin, a bogeyman who creeps into houses and steals little
children,
this is a truly chilling story that sent shivers down my spine from
the
moment that I started it. When Cora and little Mimi's mother suffers
a
breakdown, they are sent to stay with their Aunt Ida, who lives in a
large dilapidated manor house near the village of Bryers Guerdon.
Aunt
Ida is not pleased to see them and Cora immediately senses that all
is
not right when she forbids them to go near the local church and
keeps
all the windows and doors locked in the house. When Cora meets Roger
and his large family, together they try to solve the mystery of the
words Cave Bestiam (Beware the beast), which are above the front
door
of Aunt Ida's house and in the church.
Set in post-world war 2 Britain which is vividly depicted, the
readers
becomes immersed in the story which is told in the voices of Cora,
Roger and Aunt Ida. Each of these characters are fully fleshed and
come
alive on the page. Cora is a brave, stoic girl who endures her
aunt's
beatings and continues to try and solve the mystery that surrounds
the
Guerdon family and the threat that surrounds Mimi. Roger comes from
a
large happy family and uses his intelligence to follow clues, and
although Aunt Ida is forbidding, the reader gradually learns her
story
and comes to sympathizes with her plight.
Barraclough builds up suspense to an almost unbearable point.
Terrifying and unexplained events happen. Dark strangers lurk and
the
ghosts of lost children appear. Mimi is terrified of a portrait in
the
house and Cora sees the ghost of a nurse. When the children disobey
Aunt Ida and visit the churchyard, things become even more
frightening.
I couldn't put this book down. It is one of the most chilling books
that I have read, but it is also written beautifully, the prose
bringing alive the characters of the children and adults, the
threats
of the marshlands, the old manor house and the horror of Long
Lankin.
People who have enjoyed Helen Grant's books or those by Marcus
Sedgwick
will enjoy this.
Pat Pledger
The Traitor and the Tunnel : a Mary Quinn mystery by Y. S. Lee
Walker, 2011. ISBN 9781406315974.
(Ages: 15+) Recommended. Mary is a young woman with a covert life.
From a poverty stricken youth in harsh Victorian London that finds
her tried and convicted of thievery, to an unexpected reprieve at
the hands of a couple of bright, forward thinking women, she is now
a trained private detective in a secret, all women's agency. In
this, the third novel of the Mary Quinn Mystery series, we find Mary
working undercover as a maid in Buckingham Palace, trying to find
the culprit in a series of petty thefts. Whilst on the job, the
Prince of Wales, becomes embroiled in a murder in an opium den much
to the horror of his mother, Queen Victoria. To make matters worse,
the prime suspect may be Mary's own long lost father. In her quest
to find the truth, Mary witnesses a series of strange events,
discovers a secret passage under the Palace and tries to find the
traitor in the midst of all these intrigues. She also rekindles her
acquaintance with the handsome but infuriating James Easton, all the
while trying to ward off the unwelcome advances of the Prince of
Wales and the attentions of the sleazy gutter journalist Octavius
Jones.
The scenes shift from the opulent drawing rooms to the spartan
servant quarters of Buckingham Palace, the prim niceties of
Victorian society, to the slums and grim prisons of a dark,
desperate London and the sewers that run beneath the city. This
historical novel, that is obviously lovingly researched by its
author, doesn't become bogged down in details, and is beguiling
rather than overwrought. I especially enjoyed the banter and
simmering passion between Mary and James, the man who keeps turning
up in her life.
Mary is a fine character, that despite her terrible start in life,
has managed to retain a sense of humour and worth and maintains
self-respect and chutzpah throughout.
This is an enjoyable romp of a tale, though not without sadness and
tragedy, which provides a glimpse into the life of Victorian
England, as well as being a page turning mystery.
Alicia Papp
Crossed by Ally Condie
Penguin Books, 2011. ISBN 9780141333069.
(Age: 15+) Cassia lives in a world where everything is decided by a
central ruling authority. The Society, as this authority is referred
to, decrees which books one should read, the jobs that one should
occupy and even selects the partner one should be matched
with.
Cassia risks everything when she defies the rules and falls in love
with Ky. He has escaped to the wild frontiers beyond Society and
Cassia
is determined to find him. The world that Cassia discovers
brings
new challenges and Cassia is forced to reconsider her destiny. Crossed is the second book in the Matched Trilogy. Readers
who
haven't read the first book will not be familiar with the unique
setting and concepts that characterise this story. This makes the
first
few chapters a little challenging however it is well worth
persevering
with the sophisticated story. The reward is a fast paced, thrilling
read and the anticipation of the final book, yet to come.
Tina Cain
I love you book by Libby Hathorn and Heath McKenzie
IP Books, 2011 ISBN 978 1 9214798 9 2
(Ages 4+) Picture book. A book promoting the same sentiments as
Look, a BOOK! (Libby Gleeson and Freya Blackwood) but in an entirely
different way, I love you book, has short stanzas on each
page extolling the virtues of reading a book. So we see Dad reading
to the children, or the children being flown away on a cloud of
imagination, or talking about the words contained in a book and the
dizzying heights a book can take you. The picture book talks about
books good enough to eat, the smell and feel of books, the love of
stories read in the past and those still to come and those read over
and over again.
Each page is overwhelmingly colourful and energetic, as the children
roll about in bed, or take to the stage, or go under the sea, or
jump across piles of books. Enthusiasm for and a love of books is
revealed on each page, and all readers will find things to look at
and recognise amidst the scattering of people, animals and places.
Appropriately 2012 is the National year of Reading in Australia,
designed to promote reading and books throughout the country and
this along with several other books, will be read and reread as
teachers promote reading with their classes.
Fran Knight
Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
Inheritance Cycle Bk 4. Random House, 2011. ISBN 9780385616508.
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. For all of those people who fell in love
with Eragon all those years ago (around 2003), this is what you
all
have been waiting for. Inheritance is the long-awaited final
book in
the worldwide best-selling series.
As Eragon prepares for battle with the evil and incredibly powerful
Galbatorix, he is not the only one getting ready for war. With the help
of the elves and the dwarves, the Varden begin infiltrating cities and
recruiting soldiers to aid them in the impending war. But time is
swiftly running out, and Eragon still has a lot to learn. If he is not
even able to defeat his evil half-brother Murtagh, and his dragon
Thorn, then how can he hope to overcome Galbatorix and save his home
Alagaesia?
For many years, the Inheritance Cycle - Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr,
and Inheritance - has been the topic of fierce debate between book
nerds, with each side having valid points. Some claim that these books
are great works of fiction, and admire Paolini for creating such a rich
and fascinating world. Others claim that his plots are little more than
poorly written re-hashes of Star Wars crossed with Lord Of
The Rings;
both sides are correct to some extent.
This book is definitely the best of the series. It contains a great
deal more originality than the others, and it is also slightly better
written. The quality of the writing is certainly not brilliant, as it
rises to its best during exciting, action parts, and dwindles down to a
crawl during the slow parts, such as the rather lengthy and boring
chapters involved with Roran's (Eragon's brother) storming of the
castle at Aroughs. At its best the writing is thrilling and some scenes
are simply breath taking in their perfection and excitement, such as a
particularly thrilling fight scene between Eragon's dragon Saphira, and
Murtagh's dragon Thorn. But looking back at the series, one cannot help
but notice the similarities between these books and Lord Of The
Rings,
and a great deal of the series seems like Star Wars set in
Middle-Earth, with magic instead of the Force, and swords instead of
light-sabres.
People will either love or hate this book, depending on their opinion
of the rest of the series. Although at times it dwindles to a crawl and
dwells on the unnecessary, it is still a fantastic end to a great
fantasy saga, and will certainly satisfy all fans.
I highly recommend this book.
Rebecca Adams (Student)
Milo and the Restart Button by Alan Silverberg
Simon and Schuster, 2010. ISBN 9780857071903.
(Ages: 10+) Highly recommended. Milo has moved five times already
in his life and so being in a new town and at a new school he calls
hitting the restart button. Fitting in is not easy for Milo as he is a
bit of a klutz and he finds it hard to read people and situations
accurately. This leads to some very funny situations throughout the
book that young readers will enjoy. Milo is also dealing with the loss
of his mother from a brain tumour and Silberberg's writing about this
is intensely sad but hopeful as Milo leads the whole family through
their intense grief.
The comic style illustrations add to the appeal and I have already
added it to my list of books to recommend when students have finished
the Wimpy Kid series. This would be an excellent read aloud for Year
5-6 classes as well.
Chris Lloyd
Eight keys by Suzanne LaFleur
Puffin, 2011. ISBN 978-014-134203-0.
(Age 10+) Recommended. Realistic. Bildungsroman. I thoroughly
enjoyed
Lafleur's book, Love, Aubrey and consequently I was very happy
to get
the opportunity to read Eight keys. This is the story of Elise,
almost
12 years old, and just entering middle school. She and Franklin have
always been best friends, playing medieval Knights, roaming in the
woods and using their imaginations. On her first day in the new school,
an encounter with a popular girl, Amanda, who scoffs at the scabs she
has on her arms from playing Knights, and calls her a baby, suddenly
leaves Elise feeling an outsider, wondering if her friendship with
Franklin is babyish. Her schoolwork suffers, and she becomes very
unhappy. Although her parents are dead, she has a loving aunt and uncle
and adult friends as a support system but she doesn't feel that she can
tell them just how bad the bullying at school has become. The
only thing that keeps her going is the discovery that the key she has
spied in her uncle's barn, is labelled with her name and opens one of
the eight mysterious locked rooms at the top of the building.
Lafleur's narrative flows gently and easily, pulling the reader in as
she explores what it is like for Elise to move from a small school,
where everyone knew her and where she felt safe, to a large school
where the teachers didn't seem to care and where she becomes the victim
of bullying.The bullying is both verbal and physical and Elise
is unable to cope with it. She retreats from her best friend Franklin
and doesn't stand up for him and tell the truth when it really counts.
This exploration of bullying and the nature of friends will resonate
with younger readers as will the exploration of peer pressure.
At home, Elise is jealous of the new people in her aunt and uncle's
lives, especially the baby, and questions whether they really want her.
It is not until she uncovers the secrets of the eight keys that open
the mysterious rooms that she can come to terms with herself and begins
to appreciate the love and friendship that surrounds her. A
father going to the trouble of preparing rooms and keys to show a
daughter how much she is loved and the type of girl she could grow up
to be is a very beautiful and poignant idea. There are some heart
wrenching moments that had me in tears and some funny moments as well.
I really loved this wonderful exploration of friendship, family and
growing up. Combined with a touching look at the awful consequences of
bullying, these relevant issues make this a very satisfying book for
the younger reader.
Pat Pledger
The flying emu by Sally Morgan
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 9781921720642
Sally Morgan explains that this collection of short stories which
focus on animals or features from the physical world are not
traditional tales but originate from her mother's imagination.
These stories were created to entertain Sally's family and various
members contributed to the progression and outcome of some as they
were shared verbally.
The stories contain homely wisdom concerning aspects of life such as
meaningful friendships, loyalty, gossip, bullying, trickery, deceit
and greed. The animal characters in the stories assume human traits
and roles as they perform the mini dramas which often have a twist,
usually with humour. Cautionary tales appear frequently, yet they are
benign and amusing. These stories will appeal to children because they
are appropriately brief and not overly complex. Interestingly, the
subject matter and the language structure is appropriate to a fairly
broad age range. I can imagine that children from five to about
twelve would enjoy the stories and could identify and discuss themes
and symbols at various levels. Sally's illustrative artwork
accompanies each story in colour.
Rob Welsh
No Ordinary Love Song by Alison Prince
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN: 9781406306637.
Cal is concerned about the state of the planet, unwilling to work
terribly hard or communicate at school and is missing his sister, the
only member of his family in whom he is willing to confide. When Kerry,
the part aboriginal girl whom he has seen on the ferry, arrives at his
school, his life begins to change. They fall in love and together they
dream and talk about their future. Suddenly things change when Kerry
announces that she is pregnant. Whilst Cal's life is in turmoil, amidst
his dysfunctional family, the lives of his parents are also in flux
with both of them going off to have affairs. Ultimately, the characters
reveal sides to themselves which redeem them and bring about changes
for the family.
Despite its heavy focus on teenage angst, this title differs from many
other young adult fiction in that it is written from two different
perspectives, those of both Callum and his mother. One could compare
and contrast their experiences and emotions, as both are unhappy and
lacking fulfillment, yet overcome some of their issues throughout the
course of the novel. With themes such as the trials of teenage romance
and relationships, music and the support of various adults, there is a
certain amount of humour interspersed. Although an enjoyable read, this
title still seemed to be somewhat lacking in depth.
Jo Schenkel
Monkey and Robot in the garden by Felix Hayes
Ill. by Hannah
Broadway. Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 9781408806579.
When Monkey and Robot receive a mystery package of seeds in the post,
Monkey plants the big, black stripey kind and Robot gets the little
black dotty variety. Of course Monkey's plants grow the fastest and
tallest, eventually producing the most impressive display of beautiful
sunflowers. Robot's horticultural efforts are boring in comparison,
with slow growing, unimpressive sprouts and no spectacular colours.
This causes him to feel disappointed and less accomplished than his
happy gardening partner.
In time, the pair discovers exactly what Robot's unknown plants are
and they celebrate and enjoy them together. With assistance from the
story teller, children will appreciate the lesson that we may often
have to wait for rewards and indeed look below the surface to see
some gifts. The notion that variety in life is important, that
diverse achievements have independent value and promoting consumption
of healthy food are also concepts which might be discussed.
The story does offer simplified gardening instructions for the
readers to participate in similar activities to the characters. I
know that seed planting definitely engages children who become very
excited in the short term. The book also provides figurines and
objects which can be pressed out to enable the readers to re-enact
the story or create their own version. This was definitely a hit with
a youngster I selected who was underwhelmed by the narrative but took
great interest in the paper shapes.
Rob Welsh
Saving Private Sarbi by Sandra Lee
Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 9781 74237 557 1.
(Ages 11+) Recommended. Animals in war. When this story made
headlines around the world, it drew attention
to the animals that are deployed during war, adding another dimension
of courage and loyalty to those fighting overseas. Sarbi, a
Labrador/Newfoundland cross, was trained as a EDD (Explosive Detection
Dog) and after a warm up stint at Melbourne's Commonwealth Games in
2006, was flown to Afghanistan with her handler, known as D. There she
sniffed out IED's (Improvised Explosive Devices) saving the lives of
many people in the booby trapped rods in the Uruzgan Province.
But it was after a battle with the Taliban that Sarbi went missing,
presumed killed. September 2008 saw the convoy ambushed by the
Taliban, and after many Australian soldiers were wounded, and
equipment lost, they made it back to their base, not having the
capability of staying to search for Sarbi. With D in hospital and
then sent back in Australia, reports filtered through of a black dog
being seen, but there were also rumours of the dog being killed, so
no story was able to be verified. When at last someone came forward
as a go between from a Taliban leader asking for money for the return
of the dog, people were hopeful that this was Sarbi.
This is a fascinating account of the war in Afghanistan, seen
through the eyes of the animals deployed to ensure the place is safer
for all concerned. The author goes to great lengths at the start of
the book to explain animal behaviour and the training of the animals
in the army's care. For animal enthusiasts this will be an
absorbing read, and for those interested in how the animals are
trained, robustly enlightening.
Other stories are given augmenting the deeds of these animals, and
we hear not only of the animal deaths but also of our soldiers. The
book gives a sound background to the war in Afghanistan, and the
presence of our troops and their work. For students and adults alike
wanting to find out more about the war in Afghanistan, this is an
easily read introduction to a complex issue, and also a heart warming
story of one dog's life.
Fran Knight
Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr
(Wicked Lovely Bk. 5). HarperCollins, 2011. ISBN 9780007346158.
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. This is the final installment in the
best-selling Wicked Lovely series. Within the faery courts, the evil
fairy Bananach is thirsty for war, killing and provoking the other
faery courts to start what she is hungry for: a colossal fight to the
death. Within the Summer faery court, the queen Aislinn is preparing to
fight, while worrying for her Summer king, Keenan, and her lover, Seth.
Within the Winter faery court, the icy queen Donia is worried for her
people, and also preparing to fight. But as Bananach grows ever more
violent, will they ever survive this ordeal?
As this is the fifth book in a lengthy series (that I have not read),
it was a little hard to understand at first. But this book does manage
to stand on its own, and it does manage to be very good. The author has
woven an intricate and fascinating world that is refreshingly original,
and filled with intriguing characters. This book had several quite
violent scenes, and the concept of the summer queen and court is that
it is a place for passion and loving. These various scenes may not be
suitable for younger readers.
This is book is easy to read, but not so easy that it becomes
condescending. The best part of this book is easily the characters.
Hardly is there such a wealth of differing personalities, actions and
dialogue in a teenage fantasy novel.
What Melissa Marr has done for faeries is reinvent them into something
new and exciting, much like Stephanie Meyer did for Twilight
(although
this book is much better in terms of plot, literature and characters).
I highly recommend this book/series.
Rebecca Adams (Student)
