Random House, 2011. ISBN: 978 174166 3792.
Highly recommended for ages 5 and up. Pearlie's adventure begins when
she arrives in New Zealand and meets Omaka, the Silver Fern Fairy. Her
task is to visit each of the animals on Omaka's list and invite them to
the party she is planning, to celebrate Grandfather Tuatara's 150th
birthday. Colin the Kiwi, Hoki the kakapo and Wanda the short-tailed
bat are all on Pearlie's list. At first, Pearlie is worried because she
has no idea what the first two creatures may look like yet she manages
to find them. Although Pearlie expects to find Wanda the bat hanging
upside down in a tree, it is not where she finds her. With all of the
invitations delivered Pearlie heads back to find Omaka. She begins to
worry that there may something dangerous waiting for her which would
also explain the differences she has noticed.
Harmer has struck a winning combination in the Pearlie series as she
aims to simultaneously educate and entertain her readers. Here, she
introduces various words and phrases from the Maori culture as well as
the animals particular to New Zealand. There is a strong conservation
theme which is highlighted at the end of the story. This title would
support any unit on endangered species or studies of other countries
and serves as an introduction to the concept of human impact on the
rainforest ecosystem. It places the responsibility of caring for nature
firmly back on the reader. Containing minimal text, this could be read
quickly to a junior class to begin conversation on any of these topics.
Thanks to Gypsy Taylor's stylised cartoon type illustrations and the
vibrant gem coloured backgrounds, children can hardly fail to be
entertained as well. Another winning title!
Jo Schenkel
Mum and Dad Glue by Kes Gray
Hodder Children's Books, 2009. ISBN: 9780340957110.
Highly recommended ages 5 and up. When a little boy's parents seem
likely to separate he experiences the normal roller coaster of
emotions, from concern for his parents to guilt, worry and denial of
the inevitable. Consequently, he goes looking for some glue to 'mend
them' and fix their marriage. His journey leads him to the adhesive
shop owned by a kindly woman. She explains that he is not responsible
for his parents' problems and that their love for him will continue no
matter what may eventuate. He leaves feeling far more positive and
accepting of the situation.
This simple story, told entirely in rhyme, is sensitive and uplifting
and would be a great support for any child whose parents are unhappy
and contemplating divorce. Lee Wilding's illustrations contain simple
character drawings and muted colours, with each picture showing cracks
in the pavement, bed, cars and numerous items with which the boy is
surrounded. Children in this situation are regularly offered advice by
school friends, teachers and other adults. Whether or not the intention
is to show the 'glue shop lady' as a psychologist or merely a random
adult, the child is encouraged to openly discuss his feelings and hence
share the burden and seek help in the healing process.
Many classes focus on different types of families, be they blended,
extended or those which fit the traditional mould. This would be
another good text to use in resourcing such a unit as well as to assist
children whose parents seem likely to separate.
Jo Schenkel
The happiest refugee, a memoir by Anh Do
Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 9781742372389.
Recommended. Non Fiction. Under cover of darkness, Anh Do and his
family fled the Communist regime in Vietnam, joining many of their
extended family on a boat moored further out to sea. After a perilous
journey they reached Malaysia, where they said they would settle
anywhere. Told they were going to Australia, they collected lots of
warm clothes, in readiness for their new home near Switzerland, but
getting off the plane at Mascot Airport, soon acquainted them with the
realities of Sydney in December.
1970's saw many Vietnamese refugees enter Australia, bringing with them
the work ethic so strongly portrayed by Anh and his family. Reading
this book, I was struck again and again by their resilience,
perseverance and tenacity in having a go. Anh's parents worked in
factories, eventually renting a warehouse with many of their family.
Here they lived and worked, until buying a farm saw them raising ducks
for eggs, a niche market in the burgeoning multicultural Australia.
When this failed, the family went back to factory work, mum taking in
sewing, having the children sit for scholarship exams to get them into
a Catholic school for a sound education.
Few of us can have any idea of the bravery of these people setting out
into unknown waters, all their possessions sold, to find a new life.
But Anh's story gives the reader a sound background knowledge of one
family's story, revealing the lengths to which this particular family
went to find a new, safe home.
Throughout the book the reader is regaled with story after story of
Anh's life with his family, at school, at university, marriage and his
own family, but always, the constant echoes of the past are there.
Meeting his father again after many years of estrangement is a big part
of his adult life and is told with sincerity and candour. Having heard
many interviews and some of his sessions as a stand up comedian, many
of the stories are not new to me, but the honesty and self deprecating
humour which he uses to tell his tale, give the stories a freshness
that has a giant appeal. For students wanting an engaging autobiography
to read, or a tale of a refugee, or someone for whom success has not
come easily, then this book is inspirational.
Fran Knight
Town possum, outback possum by Yvonne Morrison and Heath Mackenzie
Little Hare Books, 2011. ISBN 9781921541476.
Picture book. Jacko the possum loves the outback, his life in the
treetops is all he wants it to be. He looks out from his eucalypt, over
the trees and hills beyond, thinking that he is in a special place. But
his reverie is interrupted by his city cousin, Jessie, come to entice
him away to visit her place. Once there, he finds that things are not
all that Jessie told him. Trying to get some food, he interrupts a
diner in a restaurant and is bundled out of there very quickly, Jessie
taking him to the bins at the back. Hitching a ride on a bus, they are
frightened by a dog snarling and snapping a their heels. Curling up to
sleep under a roof, Jacko longs for his home in his cosy tree. He is
wakened by a screeching noise, but Jessie explains that it is just some
children watching TV. All in all, Jacko cannot wait to return from his
trip to the city, and so he does, getting back to his trees, the lovely
view and a kookaburra laughing in the trees.
A charming story of finding your own place, the verse will help younger
readers recognise new words and predict what the next lines will be.
Teachers will be able to use this book for a variety of lessons, be it
poetry, conservation or simply a theme of finding a home. Apart from
being just a charming verse story to read to the class, it would make
an excellent introductory book to begin a unit of work on conservation
or Australian animals, or simply a lesson on possums. Students may look
out for possums in their area as a result of reading this story.
Fran Knight
Moon Pie by Simon Mason
David Fickling Books, 2011.
(Ages 10+) Highly Recommended. Eleven year old Martha and her
five year old brother Tug are increasingly worried about Dad's strange
behaviour. Both the children miss their Mum who died a couple of
years ago and tellingly Dad refuses to talk about her. He's happy to
arrange midnight picnics and hire a stretch limo to take them to a
movie, but he often forgets to do the washing and fails to get up in
the morning to see them off to school. With the help of her
Hollywood obsessed friend, Marcus, Martha at last faces the truth that
Dad's drinking is spiralling out of control and seriously affecting his
ability to care for his family.
The children's efforts to conceal Dad's increasingly dangerous
behaviour and their attempts to help are heartbreaking, but Moon Pie
never descends into mawkish sentimentality. Martha is obstinate and
brave. She makes endless lists to try and resolve their problems, tries
to persuade Dad to take up swimming and get a job, and always does her
best to care for younger brother Tug.
With a powerful plot and strong characterisation Moon Pie is
comedic
tragedy. Mason's style is straight forward and open. He presents his
story simply with very little embroidery and that is probably the
secret of his success. The seething mass of emotion is very much
between the lines and readers will feel it without having it rammed
down their throat. I reached for the tissues more than once and
found myself wanting shake the children's father almost as often as I
wanted to hug him.
The happy ending was somewhat unexpected in so stark a story, but I was
quite relieved that Mason dipped into the realm of fairytale. After the
relentless misery and upheaval that Martha and Tug experience a
fairytale ending restores the reader's faith and confirms that this is
indeed a story for children rather than adults, although Moon Pie
is a
salutary reminder of just how much impact the behaviour of one adult
can have on their children. Altogether an excellent read which will be
snapped up by fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Cathy Cassidy.
Claire Larson
Prophecy of the sisters by Michelle Zink
Atom, 2010. ISBN: 9781905654499 Prophecy of the sisters is the first novel in the trilogy of the
prophecy of the sisters. It is followed by Guardian of the gate
which
is then followed by The circle of fire. This compelling novel
follows
the story of twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe. This story is
told from Lia's point of view.
The plot, like the rest of the book is excellent. Lia and
Alice Milthorpe find themselves in the middle of an ancient prophecy.
This prophecy has turned generations of twin sisters against each other
for centuries. What is going to happen to Lia and Alice?
This novel is set in London in 1890 with Lia just discovering
what is
going to happen to her and her twin sister's lives. The
characters in this novel change quite superbly as the story progresses,
with some characters growing wise and warm hearted while others turn
cold and don't care for anyone but themselves. Throughout the story we
meet a lot of new characters including Louisa, Sonia, James and Aunt
Virginia, just to name a few.
In
this beautifully crafted novel a lot of different themes represent
themselves. The main themes are: Family, friendship, love, loss and
death.
Over all this is a simply stunning novel and I would recommend it to
teenagers who like fantasy/mystery books.
Emily Madden (Year 9).
Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson
Series: Chains. Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 978 1408803806.
(Ages 10+) Recommended. Historical. During the American War of
Independence, one of the rallying battles, now remembered with pride,
was the Battle of the Valley Forge. The harsh winter of 1773 saw
Washington's piece meal army camped near Albany in New York State.
Deserters, Indians, freed and escaped negroes, farmers, young men
devoted to the cause, but all without proper discipline, munitions or
food and clothing, were to be brought together under the stern command
of General Nathaniel Greene. This piece of history is the backdrop to
the continuing story of Isabel and Curzon, two negro slaves readers
first met in Chains (2007).
They have now separated, and Curzon has joined the Continental Army at
its camp, seeing first hand the mess the army is in all the while
keeping a low profile in case he is recognised and recaptured. Through
his eyes the daily life of the soldiers comes thrillingly to life. We
see
them scavenging for food, their meagre portions contrasted brilliantly
with the excess of the officers. Forced to build their own wooden huts
without nails and with only a minimum of equipment, they resort to
stealing from local farmers, to augment the rice and flour they are
given.
We see the bickering and politics which divides many of the camp, and
the reality of daily life for these men, stuck in this freezing and
miserable place, waiting possibly to be killed.
The tale of Curzon and Isabel is engrossing, and the background against
which their story is told, enlightening in the extreme. The short
chapters begin with a date and a quote form one of the commanders at
the battle, and the story is then told from Curzon's perspective. The
first book in this series, Chains, told their story as slaves,
and the
third, Ashes, will be eagerly waited for.
Fran Knight
The Listener: Colour Graffix by Elizabeth Laird
Allen and Unwin, 2010. ISBN 9781408122358.
The central character in Elizabeth Laird's graphic novel, Gavin Foster,
is not happy because he is sent to his Gran's for the weekend, but,
when he arrives at Gran's house no one is there. The mystery deepens
when Gavin goes out back and sees footsteps printed in the snow. What
happens next? The Listener is a mystery and an adventure as we follow Gavin's
quest
to find his Gran. It is a fresh and original book that will be great
for middle school children. And once you start reading it you will not
be able to stop. The book draws you in from the first chapter.
Elizabeth Laird writes great book for children and young adults, titles
include, Hiding Out, The Witching Hour and On the
Run.
Tyson Brown (Year 9)
Birdsong by Ellie Sandall
Egmont, 2011. ISBN 9781405247382.
'One small bird, in a tree - kitcha, kitcha, kee, kee, kee' is
joined by a
friend 'Urrah! Urrah! Rah rah ree'. And more and more friends
come and join this wonderful bird chorus. Everything is fine until "'a
huge
bird with a mighty beak joins them with a piercing shriek'. But then
something else lands on the branch and he gets his come-uppance!
A simple theme with an old message that makes a delightful story with
heaps of potential for the classroom. Kindergarten had
enormous fun acting it out but were challenged when I asked them to
make their
bodies the orchestra - they had to make all the bird sounds but they
couldn't use
their mouths. Then we made a body band with little groups beating out
different rhythms in sequence and together. It was like singing a round
but
using our body music. Trace around your hand with thumb and pinky
outstretched on a piece of paper towelling, drop a few drops of dye so
the colours gently merge (because that's how they think Ellie Sandall
did it), add some
lines with black pencil for features, cut them out when they are dry
and you
have your own bird to add to the branch. But not until you've invented
your
own sound for it so we can have another body band and more laughs.
And when all that fun and learning about the delight of language and
stories is done, talk about the message of the story and have them
complete
their own: 'I got so ______ when __________ and I __________.' Get
them to illustrate that, if you dare, because Heidi wrote 'I got so
full when I
ate the last Easter egg that I spewed!' and Ellie wrote 'I got so mad
when
my brother teased me again that I punched him.' Ya got love 'em!
Barbara Braxton
Between shades of gray, a novel by Ruta Sepetys
Penguin. 2011. ISBN 9780143205418.
(Ages 12+) Recommended. Historical fictionalised biography. I was
amazed reading this book, based on the reminiscences of the author's
family, of the extent of Stalin's purges in the days when he was
dictator in Russia. The Baltic states, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia
came under his thrall during the years following World War 2. He
systematically absorbed these countries into Russia, taking over their
homes and cities, deporting many millions to the death camps in
Siberia, where without proper food, clothing or housing many died. It
is part of our history that is not well known, but this book shines a
light on this little known aspect of Stalin's regime.
Using her father's memories and her own research in Europe, Sepetys
added many of the stories she had heard to forge a tale of one girl's
journey across Russia to Siberia and back. Lina and her family are
bundled onto a train with carriages meant for animals, where they
survive on bread and slops, all the while worrying about their father.
Allowed one suitcase, they find life miserable. They are first held at
a village in the Arctic Circle, where they must pay rent for their
accommodation, and then they are herded back onto a train to go further
north to a slave labour camp in Siberia. Here they are forced to build
their own huts under the cold stare of the soldiers. Lack of good food
and medicine sees the younger and older members die, while all the time
the people pray for help and rescue.
Like many of the stories told about Nazi Germany and its treatment of
the Jews, so this story will add to readers' knowledge of the brutality
of one of the world's nastiest regimes, that of Stalin's Russia. The
few that survived came back to their home degraded and humiliated, only
to find that Russians now lived in their homes, and they were relegated
to refugee camps, forbidden to talk of what had happened to them. This
will be eagerly read by students wanting to know more of the world they
live in.
Fran Knight
Boris by Andrew Joyner
Boris series. Penguin, 2011. ISBN 978014 3305026.
(Ages: 5-7) Warmly recommended. Boris and his parents live in an old
bus, converted to a house in Hogg Bay, but Boris dreams of travelling.
His parents once roamed the world in the old bus, and he has a world
map pinned on his bedroom wall with all the wonderful places he would
like to visit too. But only one is marked, the one place he has been,
Hogg Bay. Understanding Boris' need to travel, one day, without
warning, Mum starts up the old bus, uprooting it from its place in
their garden, driving it along the road and down the highway. Sitting
in the back with his pith helmet, Boris dreams of all the adventures
they will have, but this is cut in the bud as the bus stops in the
nearby Conservation park. Disappointed with their short drive, Boris
goes for a walk, imagining himself to be in the places he has dreamt
of, until, tired, he looks around and realises that he has been
separated from his parents and is lost. A rustle in the bushes has
Boris imagining a lion, but he is relieved when it turns out to be a
kitten. His parents reappear, and all is well, with Boris and the cat
returning home.
A charming series about Boris, will please younger readers, the
humourous illustrations underlining the tried text as Boris attempts to
be like his hero, Captain Clive. A cautionary tale, readers will love
to follow Boris' adventures, and look forward to the next in the series.
Fran Knight
Don't call me Ishmael! (sound recording) by Michael Gerard Bauer
Read by Brendan Higgins. Louis Braille Audio, 2010. (5 hr., 30 min.).
ISBN 978 1742125282. 5 CDs. $62.00
Ishmael cringes every time his parents tell of the tale of his birth.
His mother was as large as a whale and when Ishmael slipped out so
easily, water gushing everywhere, the natural thing was to give him
such a name. But Ishmael does not want to know. So starts the wonderful
story of one boy's quest for surviving his time at school, trying hard
not to be seen, avoiding the notice of the school bullies, those who
have followed him through primary school, and are now in the same high
school.
A very funny story of life at school is told beautifully by Brendan
Higgins, his voice capturing the comic tone of the novel, and
enunciating the whole so clearly that it is a pleasure to listen.
Interspersed with small snippets of music, each chapter builds up
a picture of the school and the bullying which is tormenting some of
the cohort. Ishmael cannot help himself when seeing his class
mate, Barry Bagsley, bullying a younger boy, he steps in. This
instantly creates another victim for Barry and his mates, and when the
new kid, James Scobie joins the class, everyone can see that this boy
is ripe for their touches. Again, Ishmael cannot help but protect him
and a friendship is born. James encourages Ishmael to join the school
debating group, but assures him that he will never have to debate, just
be a helper. Of course the night comes when Ishmael must front up and
debate with hilarious consequences. As a debater he learns new words
and the power of words to defend himself against the bullies, and so
wins the eye of the girl from the opposing school.
A wonderful story well told.
Fran Knight
The legend of Moondyne Joe by Mark Greenwood and Frane Lessac
Walker Books, 2010. ISBN 9781921720123.
Recommended. Picture book. Historical. First published in 2002 by the
University of Western Australia Press, this book about a bushranger in
the West, has wide appeal as a story of bravery and tenacity.
Joseph Bolitho had been caught thieving in a village in Wales and so
was sent to the colony of Western Australia in 1853, where he was
expected to form part of the labour gang the colony was short of. But
this life did not appeal and so when the first opportunity presented
itself, he escaped to the bush, developing skills of survival that
would help him many more times.
This lovely picture book outlines the many times he was recaptured and
imprisoned and then escaped again, taking to the bush. Sometimes he
eluded the guards through cunning, sometimes simply taking an
opportunity as it arose, but mostly, being simply brave. Throughout the
story, glimpses of life for the new colonists are given, as the guards
in the prison are retired soldiers, brought back into service with the
promise of land. We see the isolation of those who live in the bush,
the building of a prison at Fremantle, and glimpses of the penal system
which brought so many of our predecessors to this land.
A fascinating glimpse into Australia's past about a bushranger of which
little is known in the eastern states, and fabulously illustrated by
Frane Lessac, The legend of Moondyne Joe will be readily picked
up by
students of Australian history, those who simply want a good read and
those who have a penchant for biography, simply and elegantly told.
Fran Knight
Crown of acorns by Catherine Fisher
Hodder Children's Books, 2010. ISBN 9780340970072. Crown of acorns by Catherine Fisher is an amazing story that
blends
three themes together; an eighteen year old girl called Sulis is having
trouble with her past after she's moved to a glamorous new life in a
glamorous new city. A young man in the year 1740 called Zac who happens
to be an apprentice to the brilliant, crazy, mastermind architect,
Jonathan Frost who has a dream to create the perfect city. And the
third theme is, Bladud, the king of the druids. Bladud has leprosy and
is thrown out of his kingdom to live with the wild boars and is in
search for a
cure.
It's amazing how the author Catherine Fisher twines these three
stories around each other like threads in a three colour plait.
This thrilling book is a perfect blend of excitement and mystery. It
also has the spell-binding quality that a good novel should have. In
conclusion, this story kept me interested until the very last sentence.
Sarah Filkin, Yr 9 student
The Golden Day by Ursula Dubosarsky
Allen and Unwin, 2010. ISBN 9781742374710.
(Age 13+) Recommended. Ursula Dubosarsky is a multi-award winning
author and all her skill and talent is evident in this eerie and hard
to forget novel. It is the tale of eleven little schoolgirls who are
mesmerised by their flamboyant teacher, Miss Renshaw. She loves poetry,
and on the day that Ronald Ryan is hung, takes them off to beautiful
gardens near their school to think about death. Here they meet a young
man who Miss Renshaw admires. Using his deep owl-like voice, he reads
them poetry, and easily persuades them all to go with him to explore a
cave along the shore. What happens in the cave? What are the
schoolgirls hiding?
The book is set in Sydney in 1967 and covers the period in the
schoolgirls' life to 1975. Descriptions of the all-girls school and the
teachers there are fascinating, as are the references to Ronald Ryan,
the Vietnam War and conscription. Endpapers with newspaper headlines
and exacts of events of the time also add to the setting.
Dubosarsky deftly uses this background, melding it with a chilling
psychological mystery, to build up suspense around the teacher's
disappearance. I was on the edge of my seat all the way through the
book, trying to work out what happened to their teacher. At the same
time the vivid writing fascinated me, as did the descriptions of all
the characters and the puzzle surrounding Icara's mother.
An excellent choice for a class set or literature circle, the
disturbing atmosphere and strange mystery of The Golden Day
will haunt
me for a long time. People who were fascinated by Picnic at Hanging
Rock will love this.
Pat Pledger
