Walker Books, 2011. ISBN: 9781406331073.
(Ages: 5-9) As soon as I opened this book, the classically Shirley
Hughes illustrations transported me back to childhood times spent with
Alfie and other titles whose stories I cannot remember but whose
illustrations remain lovingly stowed within my memory. As Shirley
herself says illustrations in picture books should flow over the pages
and children should feel as though they too are within the story they
are hearing, seeing or reading. The superb illustrations within this
book are certain to do just that. In addition, the tale itself is
engaging and beautifully crafted and will satisfy the adult reader as
much, if not more so, than the young audience.
Shirley wrote this story using memories of her time growing up in
Liverpool in the 1930's so children will be fascinated by the everyday
life of hardship led by Bronwen, Dylan and their Mam. While the
differences between the childhood life of today and that of the 1930's
are obvious and make for great talking points what this book really
highlights is the classic nature of children in their innocent
acceptance of others and their ability to inspire hope and
open-mindedness in others. The message is a simple one of Christmas
goodwill and it is one we could all benefit from remembering.
This story is rather lengthy with extended text on some pages but is
perfect for some shared magical moments between a child and their
parent or grandparent.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
The Windvale Sprites by Mackenzie Crook
Faber and Faber, 2011. ISBN 9780571240715.
(Ages: 7-10) While exploring the damage inflicted by a 'not technically
a hurricane' storm on his small town young Asa Brown makes an
extraordinary discovery. Blown into his back garden from the nearby
Windvale Moor and floating in his fishpond is a six inch long creature
with a strong resemblance to what could only be described as a fairy.
Not a 'wand waving Tinkerbell' as the author points out but a 'wild
creature' with antennae, pointed ears and sharp thorns on the outside
of each limb. Mackenzie Crook is an unlikely author of this magical and
heartening tale. He is also responsible for the unique
illustrations scattered throughout the book. As an actor best known for
his work as Gareth in the British comedy The Office I was expecting
this to be full of dry humour and as a debut novel I was not highly
expectant. However, while this is not a literary masterpiece I really
enjoyed the characters, the plot and the style of this story. Asa's
mission begins with his quest to make sure that fairies are not
commonplace and leads him to discover the hidden and long forgotten
secrets of eccentric 19th century scientist Benjamin Tooth. In an overt
subtext his motivation changes throughout the book as he first dreams
of being the famed 'discoverer' of these creatures to declaring
himself a conservationist as he discovers the horrific treatment they
have been exposed to in the past. In the end Asa discovers more than he
bargains for and his promise to protect these creatures culminates in a
bizarre but charming conclusion. The dialogue and character
development within this story is superb, witty and convincing. The
sarcastic librarian Mr Trap is a particular joy! I can quite honestly
say I enjoyed every page.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
HarperVoyager, 2011. ISBN 978-0-00-738698-7.
(Age 14+) Dystopia. Science fiction. In a world where genetic
engineering has gone astray, 16 year old Rhine Ellery and her twin
brother desperately keep themselves alive. A virus that kills off their
young people has defeated scientists, who had attempted to create
perfect babies and longer life. In a society that has gone haywire, all
girls die when they are 20 and young men when they reach 25. When Rhine
is kidnapped by a rich man and chosen to be one of three sister brides
for his son Linden, she knows that this is not a life that she can
tolerate and together with Gabriel, a servant in the household, she
plots an escape.
DeStefano has created a very frightening, claustrophobic world where
the three sister brides live in a comfortable prison with a library and
beautiful gardens, but they have no freedom or control over what they
do.& With Rhine are Jenna, a 19 year old young woman who has given
up all hope, and Cecily, an orphan, who has never know anything better
and longs to be Linden's favourite. Rose, Linden's first wife and love
of his life, is dying, and the three girls are faced with what it is
like to die at the age of 20. The servants in the household are very
young and educated only for the duties that they must perform: hair,
make-up, dressmaking and serving. Ruling with a fist of iron is
Linden's cruel father, who experiments on bodies, trying to find a way
to overcome the virus.
The premise of the book reminded me of The handmaid's tale by
Margaret
Atwood, which would be a good choice to send more able readers to if
they like the ideas behind this story. It is of course, written for
adolescents and is an easier read. The beautiful girl on the
front cover and the fairly low key love interest will attract teenage
girls.
The themes of genetic engineering gone awry, the callousness of a rich
society toward poor children and the belief that women have little
value other than to produce babies or entertain men, will all raise
issues that teen readers can explore with relish. The book is
quite dark and is not an escapist read. People who like dystopian
themes will be able to continue with the next two books that are
planned for this series.
Pat Pledger (SA)
Editor's note: This review was first published in Fiction Focus.
The Un-Forgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Walker Books, 2011.
Recommended for ages: 10+. To me The Un-Forgotten Coat is a
whimsical tale and its characters seem intangible and enigmatic. While
this may make the story feel a little less realistic or identifiable it
also adds to the overall sense of wonderment, especially when reading
the true story the book was based on. Full of hope and open-mindedness,
the main character, a Year 6 girl from the small English town of
Bootle, yearns to get a glimpse into the lives and homes of others. The
reader quickly gets drawn into her fascination with new ways of
thinking and looking at things as she becomes friends with two
immigrant children from Mongolia. What she doesn't expect is that the
new arrivals to the school do not have the mysterious and exotic
belongings and life that she imagines. For a brief moment the three
children guide themselves into a imaginative world where they all feel
like they belong before plummeting back to reality. This book is
incredibly appealing aesthetically due to its resemblance to an old,
yellowing notepad and the addition of the striking polaroid photographs
which are an integral element of the story. Despite this I think the
sheer beauty and sugary sweetness of this book somewhat masks the very
real refugee story lying inside it. In addition the book is written
from the perspective of the main character, now an adult, reminiscing
about this childhood event and while I really enjoyed reading it I
cannot decide whether children will feel any sense of connectedness
with the characters or the story. This is a very short story; however I
think it will have greater appeal for older children and would be a
great classroom read aloud text for stimulating discussions around
refugees and immigration issues.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
Mimi and the blue slave by Catherine Bateson
Woolshed Press, 2010. ISBN 978 1 86471 994 9.
(Ages 10+) Warmly recommended. Death. When Dad dies unexpectedly, Mum
and daughter, Mimi are bereft, Mimi turning to her imaginary friend,
Ableth, her blue slave for comfort, and Mum taking to her bed. Their
secondhand shop downstairs is running out of stock, and people have
stopped coming around with Mum giving excuses not to see them. Mimi
returns to school, knowing that people will treat her oddly for a
while, and is surprised when the one who does not, Fergus, is the by
she likes.
But some people do notice Mum is not around nay more and that the shop
hours have been reduced and she no longer attends the auctions to buy
stock. And Mimi takes action as well, discussing what to do with Ableth
and now Fergus. When one of Mum's friends takes her
to a course in IT, Mimi insists on being left home alone, but someone
steals into their shed, causing fear for both women.
Mum's friend Guy takes Mimi to one of the auctions and there she meets
some of the family of buyers who sell on what they buy. They all ask
after her mother, and take time out to talk to Mimi about what to do.
Mimi has been looking for a dog to protect her when Mum goes out again,
and finds one at the auction, the last of the litter of one of Mum's
friends.
Gradually Mum recovers from her depression, taking more control over
what is happening, with the help of Mimi and her aunts, plus some of
the friends, so that their first Christmas without Dad is loving and
joyous, thinking about the future and remembering good times in the
past.
A charming story, Mimi and the blue slave creeps up on the reader,
stealthily showing the situation and its solution but all the while
enveloped in the care and love of family and friends.
Fran Knight
Beautiful chaos by by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Razorbill, 2011.
(Age 14+) The third in the gothic, paranormal Beautiful creatures
series, Beautiful chaos continues the story of Ethan and Lena,
a Castor
girl, who has changed everything in the world with her supernatural
powers. Gatlin, the small Southern town where Ethan lives, is besieged
by swarms of locust, heat waves and crippling storms. Mrs Link is
declaring that the end of the world is nigh. Ethan is being haunted in
his dreams with vision of falling and death and is losing small pieces
of his memory,while Amma is visiting strange people with voodoo
powers. Will they be able to mend the crack that has opened up between
the Castor and Mortal worlds?
As with the first two books in the series, which are essential to read
first, the action and plot move along at such a swift pace that I found
it difficult to put this book down. There were many twists and turns
that kept me guessing. It seemed obvious that someone would die but who
would have the unhappy ending that is hinted at on the blurb? Amma's
visits to the voodoo man were intriguing and her fear was palpable.
As in the other books the well written main and secondary characters
and the small town setting make the story so interesting. Lena is
desperately trying to come to terms with her powers, while Link, the
ever steady friend is coping with his transformation into Linkabus and
trying to woo the unattainable Ridley. Ethan and Lena's love story
develops in a satisfactory way, but Beautiful chaos centres on
Ethan
and the suspense that is engendered by his nightmares.
With a cliff-hanger ending that was a surprise, although there were
plenty of hints on the way, fans of this series will be waiting
impatiently for the next book.
Pat Pledger
Goldilocks and the three bears by Emma Chichester Clark
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978 1 4063 3075 5.
(Ages 5+) Picture book. Nursery tale. This retelling of an old
favourite Nursery Story, with the overlay of a moral tale, is given
another outing in this new version by Emma Chichester Clark. Everyone
knows the story of Goldilocks and the three bears, but this one has a
few tweeks to give it some difference to the other versions. The moral
at the end, for example, is given more stress, as we see Goldilocks
hiding under her bed, vowing never to poke her nose into other people's
houses again.
And Clark's illustrations too, gives the retelling of the Goldilocks
story a different look, so Goldilocks' hair stands on end when found by
the bears, and as they watch her running away, they laugh together.
Readers coming to this story will love the small changes and be able to
compare it with other versions they have read. They will also delight
in the plethora of things to look for and find in the Bears' house. It
will be well used as a book in its own right, but also one to compare
and contrast with other versions.
Fran Knight
Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey
Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 9781408814970. Bleeding Hearts is a really enjoyable novel that has action,
thrill, love and mystery. It is also the fourth in the series, The
Drake chronicles.
Late teenager Lucy is the star of the book, being the main character
and the one with the connections to the Drake family (a family of
vampires in which includes her best friend and boyfriend). It all
changes when Lucy's cousin from the city, Christabel, unknowingly
threatens to reveal the Drake's secret, especially when she comes face
to face with a Hel-Blar, one of the most dangerous vampire/monsters you
have ever encountered.
At the beginning of the novel, the annual Blood moon Vampire council
meeting is in process. Solange (Lucy's best friend and the Vampire
Princess of the Drakes) is avoiding Lucy for reasons unknown, and is
acting suspicious after almost drinking a poisoned batch of blood. The
Drakes have their hands full when they are called to help prevent the
rising of the Hel-Blar, Blue skinned monsters that smell like a marsh
and horribly like rotting mushrooms and to run the Blood moon. Everyone
is [erplexed when a messenger arrow arrives with a message from Saga
(whoever that is). Nobody has a clue to who this stranger is. Could she
have had anything to do with the poisoning of Solange's blood? The end
of the novel is wrapped in action and thrill as Christabel goes
missing, what could have happened to her? Everyone is suspicious of the
Hel-Blar, considering their recent population boom.
This novel is excellent and keeps you bound until the end. If you
haven't read the others in the series, it doesn't matter, it still
makes sense and is a brilliant book. I would age this book early to
mid-teen.
Sarah Filkin (Student)
Note on the door by Lorraine Marwood
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978 1 921720 61 1. Note on the Door is a book of poetry aimed at children and I would
recommend it for children aged 10+ to adults. Lorraine Marwood explores
topics of everyday life from snapshots of family life and burning cakes
to adventures at the beach and the birth of a baby. The poems are
descriptive and entertaining and as you read they are telling their own
little stories that you can relate to yourself.
It is a good collection to expose children to as many read poems that
rhyme, the type of poetry that most children are exposed to as they go
through school. The collection is also a good teaching tool for the
classroom as children are exposed to the different ways poems can be
set out for the best impact on the reader.
Kylie Kempster
Winnie-the-Pooh and the Grand Christmas Surprise by Andrew Grey (illustrator)
Based on the Winnie-the-Pooh works by A.A. Milne and E. H. Shepard.
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2011. ISBN 9781742970295
'Nothing is better than a surprise Christmas letter!' Pooh is
stumping home through the snow from Christopher Robin's house, humming
a little hum,
when he has an idea. Next day, Piglet, Christopher Robin, Kanga, Roo,
Tigger, Eeyore and Owl all receive mysterious letters telling them to
go to the North
Pole at luncheon. Piglet is very worried that Pooh has been kidnapped
by
Hostile Animals or a Heffalump so they all go to see Rabbit for advice.
But Rabbit also has a letter, and, appointing himself in charge, he
leads them off to
the North Pole where they find . . .
This is the most delightful story in the traditional Winnie-the-Pooh
style that is my favourite. It has beautiful coloured illustrations
akin to
the originals of E.H. Shepard with the added excitement of five real
letters in
envelopes, as well as something special in Pooh's envelope.
I know
whose Christmas
stocking this book is going into, but if your students love Pooh and
the
excitement of opening envelopes then this is just perfect. Maybe they
could
pretend they have been invited to the North Pole too and create an
acceptance card for
Pooh or a Christmas card for all the friends. Lots of ideas for this
special time of the year.
Barbara Braxton
The Coming of the Whirlpool by Andrew McGahan
Ship Kings: Book One. Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN
9781742376479.
(Ages 14+) Highly recommended. In the first few pages of this young
adult novel we discover there will be four books featuring Dow Amber,
who will become a famous and courageous mariner. When we encounter Dow
for the first time he is living in a poor village and reluctantly
following his father into a career as a woodchopper. However Dow has a
intense longing for the sea and through the actions of his village
elders is apprenticed to a bitter and angry fisherman in a
village hundreds of miles away. The people who live around the bay
known as The Claw have a bleak life, gathering fish and other goods to
be given in homage each year to the powerful and ruthless Ship Kings.
When town along the the bay and the visiting Ship King fleet are
attacked by unknown ships Dow finds himself sailing away from his
homeland on a quest for answers.
Australian author Andrew McGahan has written award winning books for
adults and this book highlights his writing talent.. The vivid creation
of another world was reminiscent of the islands featured in the
Earthsea trilogy by Ursula Le Guin. The detailed descriptions and the
engaging character of Dow make this a compelling new series for
teenagers
Highly recommended for fantasy lovers.
Chris Lloyd
Shadows on the moon by Zoe Marriott
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978-1-4063-1815-9.
(Age: 14+) Fantasy. Romance. One day soldiers came to Suzume's house.
She and her cousin Aimi were excited to see them, but their excitement
soon turned to horror as Suzume's father was killed and his servants
slaughtered before their eyes. Then Aimi, too, fell victim to the
soldiers' weapons and Suzume just managed to escape because of her
magical powers. A shadow weaver, her ability to cover herself in
darkness saved her. Declared officially dead because her father had
been accused of treason, Suzume was forced to hide her identity as she
travelled with her mother and Lord Terayama. Determined to avenge
the death of her father and Aimi, she took on many identities in her
quest for personal safety and revenge. As she played the part of a
subdued young girl of noble birth, then a kitchen drudge and finally a
courtesan, the real Suzume seemed to be difficult to find.
Set in a fantasy Asian country much like feudal Japan, Marriott has
created a vivid world that seemed very real to me as I read. The land
and the life of the people were described in beautiful detail. I was
also able to suspend disbelief and accepted that Suzume was able to
mask her real self by shadow weaving. The strangers from the land of
Athazie, especially Otieno who was attracted to Suzume, also have
magical powers, but in their country they were accepted as part of
normal life.
One of the most heart wrenching aspects of Shadows on the Moon,
was the relationship that Suzume's mother had to her. She was content
to go off with Lord Terayama, not allowing Suzume to grieve for her
father, or indeed to mention his name again. When she had twin boys,
she no longer wanted Suzume, as all her attention went to the babies.
Not only was she selfish and heartless, she was also prepared to betray
Suzume to Lord Terayama, knowing that he would kill her.
This could be read as a retelling of Cinderella, but in this case there
was a wicked mother, an evil stepfather and a girl who self harms to
remind herself that she was alive. The romance between Otieno and
Suzume was subtle, and Otieno was such an attractive, caring individual
that it was difficult to understand why Suzume didn't forget her plans
for revenge.
An enjoyable fantasy that was easy to read, with a tortured heroine,
evil characters and a magical world, this book is sure to appeal to
teenage girls.
Pat Pledger
Editor's note: This review first appeared in Fiction Focus.
Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst
Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 9781742379166
(Age: 15+) Pearl enjoys life as a sixteen year old vampire, prowling
the streets at night, snacking on humans and driving fast cars. All of
that changes when she is stabbed in the heart by a white Unicorn which
then heals her. Her family denounce the existence of Unicorns,
dismissing this brush with death but Pearl begins to notice some
unusual changes. Firstly, she has a new ability to tolerate daylight
and secondly, she is developing a conscience, which impedes her ability
to hunt.
Pearl's family decide to put her ability to survive daylight to good
use. They are preparing to host the vampire king of New England and
need to prepare a sumptuous, bloody feast. If Pearl attends High School
she will have access to a large number of students and consequently
lots of lovely blood! Pearl is torn between betraying her friends or
her family. Either option could have fatal consequences for her.
Vampire stories seem to be the ever popular choice for young adults and
this one will not disappoint. Ultimately a variation of the classic
good versus evil theme, the novel creates a sense of tension which
unfolds in a climatic way. It has all the elements that teenage
readers will find appealing, adventure, high school dramas and romance.
Tina Cain
The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
The Lorien Legacies series. Penguin, 2011.
(Age 13+) The Power of Six follows quickly on from the
popularity of the first book of this series, I am Number Four
and the subsequent late 2010 release of the Hollywood film version.
This novel continues following the destruction of the Paradise school,
when John, Sam and Number Six are labelled wanted 'International
Terrorists' and are forced to flee the small the American town. This
means John is forced to leave his human girlfriend Sarah and thus
positions the story with an ongoing subject of John continuously
missing Sarah balanced with an emerging physical attraction to Six. The
Power of Six simultaneously follows the one of the other nine
Gardes from the planet of invaded Lorien, Seven, also known by her
adopted name on earth, Marina. Unlike John (or Number Four) Seven went
to Spain when they arrived on earth and was living in St Teresa
orphanage and convent with her guardian (known as Cepan) Adelina.
Marina's Cepan has failed to train her in the skills that would later
require in fighting the enemy Mogadorians because she was influenced
and distracted by her new devotion to the church and God. As a
consequence, Marina (Number Seven) is forced to discover her new
special powers (called Legacies) by herself, which for her includes the
ability to heal others. John, Six and Seven soon discover that their
connection to each other occurs in the context of their special chests,
the contents of which are further revealed throughout the book.
Unfortunately for these three Gardes, the Mogadorians have also gained
access to these chests and have using the powers contain within these
chests to hunt down and destroy the remaining members of Lorien on
earth. The Power of Six has certainly plenty of action, plots
and sub-plots to keep readers engrossed. The themes of lust, loyalty
and love that permeate both John's and Marina's stories make this
popular novel slightly more than just an entertaining fantasy fiction
novel. The Power of Six film version would soon be anticipated
by fans of this series.
Adam Fitzgerald
Darkness Falls by Mia James
Orion, 2011.
Age 14+) (Darkness Falls is the second book in the Ravenwood
Vampires series and
picks up several months from the first book which revealed that a large
percentage of students at the exclusive Ravenwood School are in fact
vampires. April is recovering from a shocking attack from a fellow
student and the horrific death of her father.
Although I haven't had a chance to read the first book in the series I
was able to piece together the story line. April the main
character is a very complex individual whose story draws the reader in
- I could barely put the book down wanting to know what was going to
happen next. In some parts of the book April is your typical teenager
and yet in others she shows maturity beyond her years. She is coming to
terms with the fact that her Mother may be dating again so soon after
the death of her beloved Father. She is trying to get her head around
the fact the she is Fury and if this fact is discovered by the vampires
at Ravenwood her life won't be worth living and that she has given her
vampire boyfriend a virus that is killing him.
The story takes the readers on a twisting mysterious journey that keeps
them guessing at all times. Just when you think that you have the story
line figured out another unexpected situation pops up. It not only
looks at April's adjustment to what she really is but it delves deeper
in the dynamics of all of her relationships. Although it has
similarities to other books in this popular genre, it offers unique
qualities that make it ever so appealing. The creepy atmosphere of the
Highgate Cemetery and the unseen forces watching April's every move
make it more than a creepy romance. I also liked the fact that it was
set in Britain. I would thoroughly recommend this book to older teenage
readers and I eagerly await the third in the series.
Elaine Grottick
