Beautiful days: A Bright Young Things Novel by Anna Godbersen
Penguin, 2011. ISBN 9780141335551.
(Age: 16 +) Recommended with reservation. This is the second in a
series by an author already well known for her Luxe series. A
historical romance novel, it continues the story of three young
women living a glamorous and decadent life in New York in the late
1920's. Cordelia is becoming involved in the family
bootlegging business, Letty is trying to mark her mark as a singer,
and Astrid is deciding whether she wants to become a young bride.
There is fascinating detail on the period, particularly on the money
to be made by gangsters during prohibition and the fashions and
decadent lifestyle of the rich. The characters of the 3 girls are
engaging and you care about their fates and worry about their
naivete. The middle part of the book does move slowly but as the
main characters are drawn into danger the pace picks up. It is well
written with rich language and an ending that leads you to ponder
their fates as the Depressions looms. Recommended for readers who
would have some knowledge of the period already.
Chris Lloyd
Vicious little darlings by Katherine Easer
Bloomsbury 2011. ISBN: 978-1-59990-628-7. Vicious Little Darlings is a gripping novel which you will
either hate or love. The one thing that doesn't change is the
knowledge you will want to read it through time after time. Emotive
and diabolical, Katherine Easer's first novel is nail biting and
packed with drama and a touch of the paranormal.
From a broken home Sarah Weaver has two choices, have her Nana pay
for her tuition at Weatherly Women's Collage or make her own way at
UCLA. Poorer than poor Sarah chooses the former - not that her
Nana's word means much to her, but a bit of cash now and then is
much better then working between classes. Sarah keeps this in mind
as she enters her dorm, nothing can prepare her for what happens
next.
You name it this story's got it; sex, romance and horror, mystery,
humour and it's jam packed with life lessons and warnings. This is a
book every girl should read. Lies, lust and love are featured themes
and there are wickedly crafted characters. Join in the mind games
with Agnes, Maddy and Sarah as they show you what it's like to feel
like you're sitting in a pressure cooker.
Kayla Gaskell (Student)
Act of Faith by Kelly Gardiner
Angus and Robertson, 2011. ISBN 9780732292805.
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. Intelligent and strong minded
Isabella is forced to flee Cambridge in 1640 with her scholarly
father and seek refuge with a printer in Amsterdam. The story, told
engagingly in the first person, also takes us to Venice and Spain as
Isabella and a young friend, Willem risk their lives to save their
Master from the perils of the Inquisition.
This book will inform the reader about the damage that can be done
through religious intolerance and the importance of freedom of
thought. It is fast paced and the intriguing and well researched
detail of life on the Continent in the 17th Century will be enjoyed
by readers. The three main characters (Isabella, Willem Signora
Contarini, and Master de Aquilla) are all passionate book lovers and
the moments of humour and of romance in the story act to break some
of the tension during the frantic race across Europe.
This would be an interesting paired text with Fahrenheit 451
or The Book Thief for Senior English students. It could also
be used by students seeking a strong female protagonist. There are
excellent Teacher Notes available
and a sequel The Sultan's eyes will be published in 2013.
Chris Lloyd
When we were two by Robert Newton
Penguin, 2011. ISBN 9780143566830.
Sometime around 1916, seventeen year old Dan and his younger brother
Eddie leave home from Gunnedah to walk to Port Macquarie, hoping to
find their mother who left home many years before whilst escaping
their violent father. The boys are ill prepared to undertake this
road trip and by necessity find themselves associating with various
characters, good and bad whom they meet on the journey.
Eddie has an intellectual disability from a brain injury caused by
near drowning when he was small and the greater part of the tale is
centred around his elder sibling's protective and loving nature
toward him. The complexity of this relationship is gradually
revealed during their adventure which is realistic when considered
in the simpler, more austere time in which it is set.
Plausibly, the boys encounter the unpleasant side of life, however
Dan's ingenuity and courage prevail and they soon find themselves in
the company of a family whose daughter shows them kindness. On the
next stage of their journey Dan and Eddie meet a delightful
character called Ah Ling. The boys initially find this Chinese man
confronting with his limited language and strange customs, however
his benevolence and wisdom soon prevail and the boys accumulate
skills and knowledge from him as they journey onwards.
The latter half of the novel involves the pair falling in with a
band of volunteer soldiers who are marching to the same destination
to enlist. These likeable ruffians contribute depth to the tale as
their background stories and daily interactions involve humour and
pathos which occasionally relates to the boys' own experience.
Concepts such as decency, resilience, dedication and responsibility
are presented and considered by the various characters who are led
by the fatherly figure Henry who is firm but fair with his comrades,
including the boys.
The concept of where you're going, as opposed to where you've come
from is a powerful theme in this narrative as is the consideration
of relationships founded upon choice, alongside bonds from birth.
This enjoyable story will appeal to and have meaning for early and
mid teens. The cover illustration is especially poignant.
Rob Welsh
Santa's Aussie mix-up by Colin Buchanan
Ill. by Simon Swingler. Scholastic Australia. 2011 ISBN 9781 74283
007 0.
(Ages: 4-7) Picture book. Christmas. When Santa comes to Australia
to deliver his presents, he finds that he needs the help of an
Australian animal to deliver them all. But which animal can he
chose? He must test them all to find one that is suitable. Each
animal in its turn tries the test, but none of them is up to
the task. The Tasmanian Devil wraps up the wallabies, the platypus
slips and falls in the wombat hole, the kangaroo smashes the
presents with its hopping and the emu trips. The kangaroo an emu
begin to argue over which animal is the best, and Santa then takes
the middle road and has emu and kangaroo deliver the gifts, despite
their shortcomings. The children receive their presents even though
this year they are a little worse for wear.
A pleasing little tale told in rhyme will have the readers
predicting what is going to happen to each animal, and recognising
each Australian animal as it appears. They will find much to laugh
at with the animal antics, and will find more humour in the brightly
executed illustrations which cover each page.
A parody of Advance Australia Fair, the students will recognise the
similarities once the story is begun and start to sing along as it
is read. A CD accompanies the book adding another layer of enjoyment
for the reader and listener at Christmas time.
Fran Knight
Pearson Picture Books
Pearson Australia, 2011.
The ten titles listed comprise half of this series, each being a
slim picture book of sixteen pages, just a tad smaller than A4 size.
Their brightly illustrated covers contain simple, cartoon style
pictures and bold titles, displaying the unique styles of the
different illustrators yet working cohesively as a set. These would
be useful as either class readers for students just starting school
or in the Library, perhaps as a boxed set, for children who wish to
borrow books they can read by themselves. Most 'readers' seem to use
a smaller format but these, being larger, seem to be more like
ordinary picture books. Many children would experience a greater
sense of satisfaction from reading these as they seem to be a bridge
between the two types of texts. Any of the themes or story lines
could provide a starting point for discussions in a classroom as the
messages in each title is positive and the stories amusing.
Robby in the River
Judy Waite, Judy Brown (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4792 6
When Robby, the dog, falls into the river while trying to retrieve a
stick, Lucy needs to be creative and persistent in order to get him
out.
Jolly Hungry Jack
Carrie Weston, Nick Schon (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4784 1
A counting book involving food, this also acts as a cautionary tale
about what one should eat and perhaps hints at the old adage
regarding one's 'eyes being bigger than one's stomach'.
The Day the Sky Fell Down
Michaela Morgan, Janet Cope (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4802 2
This rhyming story has a slightly different take on the traditional
tale of Henny Penny.
Lion's Lunch
Hiawyn Oram, Woody (il.l) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4796 4
Tiger endeavours to encourage the other animals to aid Lion in
getting his lunch! The illustrations of the devious Tiger wearing
dark glasses appealed to me.
No Running!
Alison Hawes, Michael Reid (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4788 9
Rules at the pool are made for a purpose but, in some instances,
they are also broken for good reasons.
Try Again, Emma
Jane Langford, Ann Kronheimer (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4800 8
Persistence, determination and effort are important as Emma works to
create an entry in a poster competition.
Jasmine's Duck
Barbara Wood, Barbara Vagnozzi (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4786 5
Not everything is as it seems when Jasmine tries to share her food
equally with the ducks at the park.
Answer the Phone, Fiona!
John Priest, Andy Cooke (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4790 2
A simple rhyming tale, familiar to many families, Fiona fails to
hear or answer the persistent ringing of the phone.
Goal!
Jane Langford, James Browne (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4798 8
Alex longs to be part of the soccer team but is too young. Will he
let this put him off of practicing or not?
Hullabaloo at the Zoo
Michaela Morgan, Bill Ledger (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4794 0
A delightful rhyming tale in which the animals at the zoo are
observed by the children, this story has a funny ending which will
appeal to young readers.
Jo Schenkel
Too small to fail by Morris Gleitzman
Puffin Books, 2011. ISBN 9780 14 330642 9
(Ages 10+) Recommended. Yet again Gleitzman has distilled the
financial crises besetting the world at the moment down into bread
and butter terms. Oliver's parents own a bank and from the outset we
know that things are not doing well. There are disgruntled investors
knocking at their doors, media conferences to get through, staff
being laid off and then packing a bag and running off in the
middle of the night. Oliver has tried to do his own financial
dealing at school, promising that for every $50 invested, he will
return $100. Not usually good at maths, it seems a real earner,
until he realises that with so many wanting to be involved he will
soon owe millions. A little lesson at schoolyard level gives the
reader a small insight into the financial doings of the world.
But meanwhile, Nancy has told Oliver of her predicament with her
camels. Expecting a large payout of her investment with his parents
to save her camel farm, has now seen the camels near death as the
investment fell sour. Oliver runs away from his parents as they
prepare to leave for Europe to avoid scrutiny, and drives with Nancy
and her daughter, Rose across Australia to the camel farm, his dog,
Barclay, in his arms. An accident sees the trio make do with part of
the camel float and they limp back to the farm to be greeted by the
police and Oliver's parents. Oliver has some decisions to make.
An informative story about the machinations of big business and
their impact at the grass roots level, Gleitzman has managed to make
some sense of the words heard everyday in the media, making this an
exciting, involving story about business by showing the impact the
bank has on its smallest investors.
Fran Knight
Dangerous to know by Katy Moran
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978-1-4063-1729-9.
(Age 14+) Recommended. When Jack sees Bethany for the first time
there is an immediate connection and both believe that it is true
love. But Jack's older brother, Herod, has had an issue with drugs
and has been hospitalised and Jack comes from a broken home, so
Bethany's mother is certain that Jack is a bad influence. She is
determined to separate them, especially when she discovers that they
are sneaking around to see each other and going off to music
festivals. Bethany's father is terminally ill with cancer and
she is torn about her relationship with Jack and keeping the peace
at home. When Jack's brother disappears from the Peace Centre where
he has been staying, and his very rich father arrives from the
States to take over, things begin to get very difficult for Jack.
The front cover states: 'You can't choose who you fall in love
with', and Moran explores the theme of first love and whether it can
be lasting in an engrossing way. Jack, the narrator of the story, is
a very likeable character and he tells his story in a very vivid
manner, bringing to life the personalities of his friends, their
strengths and weaknesses, fears and dreams. His family
relationships, the estrangement from his father, separation from his
older twin brothers, and the difficulties of living in a broken
family are also fully realised.
The theme of drug taking and its consequences is also handled in a
non-didactic, sympathetic way. Moran clearly describes the effects
that drugs can have on certain individuals and the devastating
consequences that can have on a family. However this is all tied in
with the main theme of Bethany and Jack's growing relationship and
the difficulties that the young couple face trying to keep their
love alive.
When I read in Katy Moran's biography that she 'has worked the
graveyard shift at many festivals', I realised why the setting of
music festivals felt so authentic. This added immensely to the
appeal of the book.
This is an easy to read book, which I read in one setting and the
first and only one true love theme is sure to appeal to teens.
However the author has given them much more than romance to think
about and it has a perfectly wonderful ending.
Pat Pledger
Editor's note: This review first appeared in Fiction Focus.
Forgotten by Cat Patrick
Hardie Grant Egmont. ISBN: 9781921690624.
(Age: 16+) For London Lane, life is a mystery. She can the future in
flashes like memories but yesterday has gone just like the days
before. Her only memory of the day before is the journal entries she
leaves herself the night before. London is able to remember what she
will wear tomorrow and a funeral that won't happen until years to
come but the boy she loves today has evaporated from her mind. She
can't see Luke in her past or her future but today she loves him and
that's what matters.
London is also able to see her best friend, Jamie, getting it on
with one of the teachers at their school. She can see him breaking
Jamie's heart and London sets herself the difficult task of changing
Jamie's future before he is able to hurt Jamie.
This novel has a bit for everyone with romance and mysteries that
surrounds London and Luke. When you think you know what is going to
happen, something different happens. This novel was really well
written and once I started I couldn't put it down making the end of
the story come too quickly. I would highly recommended Forgotten
to anyone that is looking for a great read. The author was able to
make me feel sorry for London at times and other times were able to
express London's feelings that I was able to feel what she would be
feeling.' I would reread this book again and again.
Lauren Pfeiffer (Student)
Operation Eiffel Tower by Elen Caldecott
Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 978 1 4088 2573 2.
(Age 11+) What happens to children when their parents separate? How
do children cope? Elen Caldecott tackles this sensitive topic in Operation
Eiffel Tower. Lauren, Jack, Ruby and Billy have been listening
to their parents argue for a long time and finally, in the summer
holidays, their Dad moves out. The children come up with a plan to
try and get their parents back together and with the help of
Lauren's fashion magazine they decide to save and send them to
Paris. Their hope is that their Mum and Dad will fall in love again
as they won't have the kids to worry about!
As the holidays progress, they try several ways to make the money -
from busking to winning a mini golf tournament - but they just don't
get enough. Finally, after one of the children is hit by a car, they
get their parents together under the Eiffel Tower at the Mini Golf
Course where Jack works. With the help of some older family friends,
the children have finally gotten their parents to talk about what
happens next instead of arguing and while the parents aren't getting
back together, they are starting to think about the effects on the
children as well.
Elen Caldecott handles this tricky topic with seriousness and
comedy. Many children today will relate to the story of this family
and hopefully they will understand they have a voice as Jack bravely
stands up to his parents and asks if they know what he and his
brother and sisters want. Due to the sensitive nature and
descriptive language used, I would recommend this book to
independent readers aged 11+.
Kylie Kempster
Thea Stilton and the Star Castaways by Thea Stilton
Scholastic, 2011. ISBN 978 0 545 22774 2.
(Age 9+) Thea Stilton and the Star Castaways follows the same layout
as the popular series Geronimo Stilton. Thea is Geronimo's sister
and is off on her own adventures. This story is part of a series but
you don't need to have read others to know what is happening as the
book has an introduction and profiles and pictures of the
characters. Thea Stilton is the narrator and she tells the story of
our main characters - Nicky, Colette, Pamela, Paulina and Violet.
They call themselves the Thea Sisters and are learning to be
journalists. The girls are chosen to go on the first space flight to
a resort on the moon and after much preparation, the team including
investors, the girls and other journalists, set off for the moon
resort. Despite the excitement, things go wrong at the resort and
the girls are left to solve a mystery. Who is sabotaging the trip
and the resort? Why are the robot servants attacking? Will they get
back to Earth safe and sound?
The best part about this series is all the characters are mice and
they use a lot of language relating to that eg.' .
. . his mind is sharper than a block of cheddar',
'Fabumouse' and ' . . . chuckling under his whiskers
. . . ' The larger font used throughout the story makes
it interesting and eye catching for younger readers too as many of
the adjectives are written in colourful font to match the action and
the colourful cartoons add to the enjoyment. I would recommend this
book to girls who are independent readers aged 9+. A great way to
get reluctant readers reading longer stories.
Kylie Kempster
Gamerunner by B.R. Collins
Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 978 1 4088 0648 7.
Rick is a Gamerunner. Daed is his guardian from the corporation,
Crater. Rick's job? To test The Maze for bugs and glitches. This
game is much more than normal games. Physically you become
your avatar in The Maze. You run, fight and loot, all the while
avoiding deadly traps. Rick's life is The Maze. When Rick
accidentally finishes the game, Daed and Rick are faced with being
thrown out into the world with acid rain and gang's right out the
door. Rick has to work hard to stay.
The storyline is well written but I felt it was lacking something to
lighten the mood at times. There was little hope through the story.
Rick and Daed's relationship seems odd but Daed seems committed to
keeping Rick safe but Daed doesn't seem to mind that Rick suffers in
the process. I was shocked when the only character who shows some
compassion meets an untimely end halfway in the book. I found it
hard to get into but I eventually got into the book somewhat. I
found it hard to follow the emotions of the characters. Overall I
found the book all right but a bit hard to get into at the
beginning.
Cecilia Richards (Student)
Strays by Ron Koertge
Walker Books, 2008. ISBN 9781406316124.
Ted is a teenaged boy who must deal with the death of his parents,
subsequent entry into the world of foster care and life in a new
school as a potential victim. The individuals with whom he interacts
in the context of the drama have often been damaged and hurt by
other people and life itself.
This is by no means a bleak story which dwells upon misery or
abusive themes as so many contemporary narratives do. Instead, the
characters involved in the welfare system and foster care are
realistic in their essentially good intentions but imperfect makeup.
Ted himself is a resilient soul possessing a mature outlook, a
philosophical rationale and the capacity to silently communicate
with animals.
The roles of animals are symbolic of human experiences, ranging
through suffering due to abandonment and neglect to flourishing from
compassion and loving care. It is soon appreciated that Ted is no
Dr. Doolittle but he is a lonely and scared boy who has learned to
seek solace and companionship from animals when humans have failed
him. Anyone who has hugged a friendly dog will understand and
identify with this.
Ted's predicament could reasonably have been the start of a spiral
descending into dysfunction, disengagement and withdrawal from
structured and meaningful life. Instead, the acts of kindness, the
instances of loyalty and the moments of support from his peers
influence this child and provide him with a sense of hope and
fulfillment.
This story is simple and affirming yet I was left feeling
disappointed by the fact that it deserved greater detail and
expansion than is possible in a novel which is pitched at teens who
won't read more than two hundred pages. There is nothing wrong with
this book, however it might have been a great one if Koertge had
allowed his marvellous idea to develop by doing justice to the
narrative and characters. The clipped episodic events and compactly
summarized characters tended not to contribute to a narrative flow
and left me feeling that I was reading a heavily edited version of
the larger story which had been published for less capable readers.
Rob Welsh
Star League Series by H. J. Harper
Random House Australia, 2011. Robot Reboot (Book 6), Box Office Smash (Book 7), The
Final Cut (Book 8).
(Age 8 - 12 years) These 3 books continue the story of 6 young
characters that all possess a different superpower. As The Star
League they battle evil, especially their arch enemy Professor
Pestilence. The leader of the group is Jay who is a movie star in
his daily life. In each chapter a different character from the group
tells a part of the story, this includes Connor a werewolf, Asuka a
Ninja, Roger a zombie, S.A.M. a robot, Leigh an animancer and of
course Jay. There are black and white illustrations throughout the
book that add to the understanding of the story. Robot Reboot, concentrates on the character S.A.M. the robot,
Box Office Smash introduces the Shadow Six, 6 evil kids with
superpowers, while The Final Cut reveals information about
Jay's long lost parents.
These quick reads are full of excitement and action and will appeal
to 8 to 10 year olds and older reluctant readers.
Jane Moore
There is no dog by Meg Rosoff
Penguin, 2011. ISBN 9780141327181.
(Age: 16+)Imagine if the creator of the world is a typical
teenage boy, Bob, self-obsessed, thoughtless and sex mad. His mother
is a gambler and hard drinker who loses Bob's pet Eck, a strange
penguin like creature, at a card game with the mighty Emoto Hed who
decides that he will eat it, much to the horror of his daughter
Estelle. And then there is long suffering Mr B who tries to clean up
after Bob's messes and finds it depressing to attempt to answer all
the prayers for help. Lucy, the beautiful young girl that Bob falls
in love with works at the local zoo, and Bob, head over heels in
lust, plays havoc with the weather while he courts her. Floods and
droughts cause chaos in the world.
Rosoff has come up with a hard hitting idea to why the world is in
trouble today with floods and famine, whales and other species
extinct or endangered. It is because Bob is too careless to spend
time on his creations or to think through the implications of what
he does. Bob is a totally unlikeable character, or god, with no
apparent good features except for the occasional brilliant creation.
The anagram in her title There is no dog, is a further hint
to what Rosoff is thinking, although her little group of gods appear
to be more like the gods of Olympia rather than the God of
Christianity.
As I read the book I kept thinking that the themes were more of an
adult nature rather than ones that would appeal to teenagers.
Certainly her premise of Bob being God, and only interested in
beautiful girls, is one that will not go down very well in Christian
schools. However I couldn't stop reading it, the inclusion of the
last Eck in the world under threat of being eaten was a suspense
maker, and I had to find out what would happen to him in the end!
Rosoff has written a challenging and uncompromising satire that is
sure to be a discussion starter among adults who read adolescent
fiction. It is definitely a book for older, experienced
readers, because of the content and the complexity of the
ideas.
Pat Pledger
