Ill. by Bob Graham. Walker Books, 2010. ISBN
9781406326024.
(Age 4-8) When a little girl goes off to school in the morning her toys
are left lying on the floor. A-One, a drummer soldier decides to
take over, saying 'A-One rules'. He instructs the toys to wind up his
key, each time being quite scathing about the other toys and making
derogatory remarks about them. He takes their belongs and puts on
Maddy's hat, winds Siddy's scarf around his neck and hoists Sally's
rucksack on his shoulders. However the other toys decide that they are
not going to put up with A-One's bullying and start to make up funny
rhymes of their own to show him that they are not intimidated by his
behaviour. A-One sees the humour in his situation and the other
toys forgive his behaviour.
Bob Graham's illustrations are as delightful as ever. The toys are
painted in beautiful watercolours and each one has some whimsical
details and a lovely expression on its face. There are lots of details
to examine, including an envelope ready to post to Mr Rosen, with his
address on it. (I would have liked to see a letter addressed to Mr
Graham as well!)
This is a challenging picture book that discusses bullying and the
effect that put-downs can have on people. It also shows that humour can
be a way to get the bully to see his behaviour in a new light. Changing
words like useless and hopeless to hope-use add a touch a humour and
the idea gives children a strategy to use if someone calls them things
like that. The power of ganging up with friends against a bully and
being able to forgive is also highlighted. Children will also get a
clear picture of what is appropriate behaviour around their friends.
Pat Pledger
Takeshita Demons by Cristy Burne
Francis Lincoln Children's Books, 2010. ISBN 978 1847801159.
Recommended. Mika Takeshita is a Japanese girl who with her
family have moved from Japan to England. Her grandmother (Baba) taught
her about Japanese spirits that protected them during their lives in
Japan. With Baba's passing Mika is left as the only true believer in
her family and she believes that the spirits have followed the family
to England.
When unexpected events occur one night Mika is convinced that she is
right and with the help of her loyal friend Cait she is determined to
get to the bottom of the mysterious happenings and save her brother
from the mystery spirits.
This is a fast moving story with twists to captivate the reader. The
author spent time in Japan where her fascination for the Japanese
spirit world began.
Extracts from the second book follow at the conclusion of the story.
Tracy Glover
Henry Hoey Hobson by Christine Bongers
Woolshed Press. ISBN 9781 864719956.
(Ages 10+) Humour. Highly Recommended. A laugh out loud story of
fitting in, Henry's tale of not judging books by their cover will have
readers smirking wisely at the familiar path he treads when arriving at
a new school, only to discover that he is the only boy in his year
level. From then on things get decidedly worse. Mum, always one step
ahead of going under, moves often, making Henry's life at best, varied
and interesting, at worst, dangerous and fraught, with new kids who are
often unfriendly. But this time, even the neighbours give him
cause for concern. Looking like the leftovers from the set of a vampire
movie, the group moves in with a coffin, candelabra and capes. But mum,
never holding back from an opportunity, has been invited in for a meal,
and Henry, unable to dissuade her, goes along expecting that they will
be fanged. How wrong can he be, the threesome next door turn out to be
godsends, not only does Caleb go along with Henry to swimming, filling
in his time sheet, but when things go awry with mum in hospital, it is
these people who turn out to be as close as any family, giving Henry
all that he needs to keep going.
But more than this, Henry's life is changed for the better as he finds
out why mum has been moving so often and the reason behind his odd
parentage. The last few chapters turn the story on its head. What
was a wonderfully humourous story for younger readers becomes a moving
story of family and reconciliation. Have your tissues handy as Henry's
life turns from being an itinerant, fatherless child, relying on his
one and only relative, his mum, to a boy happy with his lot, having a
family on whom he can rely, next door neighbours who comfort and
support him and a school where he is revered and befriended. A treat.
Fran Knight
Moment of Truth by Michael Pryor
Random House Australia, 2010.
Aubrey was exploring the idea of joining the Security Intelligence
Directorate (secret service) when war with Holmland was declared. He
and George decide to join the armed forces but are diverted to
intelligence. Even during training they are not immune to attack from
the enemy. Caroline joins them after a disastrous encounter with a
beautiful traitor.
The three are sent to Gallia where they set up surveillance in a
disguised factory near the border. Surprisingly, the vivacious Sophie,
George's love interest, joins them. She has an agenda of her own which
leads them to a factory over the border where the dreaded Dr Tremaine
is creating monsters. Sophie's brother Theo has been beguiled to sign
up with the Holmlanders. Can they manage to rescue him? And what of
Aubrey's interest in Caroline? How can he handle living and working so
close to Caroline whilst on a mission?
This 5th book in the Laws of Magic series has just as much interest as
the previous books. From the impetuous boy in Blaze of Glory,
Aubrey
has grown into a responsible team leader ready to take command behind
the battlelines. And Dr Tremaine has become even more evil, building
gollem warriors.
Secondary students who love adventure and magic, complexity and pace
will find this a satisfying read. An entrancing book trailer is available.
S. Whittaker
Time of Trial by Michael Pryor
Random House Australia, 2009.
Just as the university year comes to the end, and Aubrey's loyal friend
George is (remarkably) making sixes during a game of cricket, an
ensorcelled storm cloud concealing enemy forces causes massive
disruption, dropping a magically enhanced depth charge right over the
game. Aubrey would be dead except for the appearance of Kiefer, a
suspicious character, who gifts him a Beccaria cage. This device
brings Aubrey peace from the debilitating effects of his past brush
with death Magic. (Or does it?)
Aubrey tries to assassinate his cousin the Prince whilst ensorcelled.
The dastardly Dr Tremaine again seems to be the source of this and
other unfolding events. So Aubrey and George travel to Holmland by
train, on a mission to thwart Dr Tremaine. Aubrey is pushed out of the
train by a member of an ancient secret group, only to fall into the
hands of another rebel group.
The redoubtable Caroline joins them in their searches after an attempt
is made to kill Mrs Fitzwilliam. Caroline, George and Aubrey are pulled
into the half world of Dr Tremaine's comatose sister Sylvia. Just when
they think they have solved the problem by containing Dr Tremaine in a
pearl (too easy to be true), everything falls apart and war with
Holmland seems inevitable.
Michael Pryor presents a world strangely parallel to our own at the
politically unstable time just before the Great War. The only
difference is that magic is a normal part of life, and Aubrey is adept
with magic as others might be with languages or maths.
Secondary students who like adventure with a bit of magic will enjoy
this exciting, eventful book.
S. Whittaker
Alive in the death zone by Lincoln Hall
Louis Braille Audio, Melbourne, 2009. (Random House Australia, 2008).
ISBN 978 1742123622. 3 CDs, 3 hours.
(Ages 12+) Non fiction. The introduction is breathtaking in
telling, succinctly what finding
his body on Mount Everest did for his rescuers, and the audience
captured, the story of how and why Lincoln Hall was on Mount Everest in
a position no other person has survived, came about. At high school in
Canberra a new physical education teacher, Norman Booth, taught rock
climbing skills, and took Lincoln and his friend Ralph to rocks in the
area, and places outside the Canberra region to climb. These included
the Warrumbungle Ranges, where the experience spurred him on toe climb
far afield. At university he joined the mountaineering club which
increased his skills and interest, and a group went to India to climb a
glacier in the Himalayas. This was the routine over the next number of
years, culminating in an attempt at climbing Mount Everest in 1987
which ended with him deciding never to attempt this again. Then he was
the photographer on a climb of a lesser mountain, but spying Everest in
the distance enticed him to try again, so in 2006, he found himself
back at Everest.
It is this story of what happened on Everest that is well known, but
listening to it on the CD is involving to a degree I hadn't expected.
David Tredinnick reads the story as if he was there. He draws the
listener in with his deliberately slow, deep tones. His reading is well
modulated and each word clearly enunciated so that all meaning behind
the words is revealed. His reading when telling us information, why
oxygen is lessened once you climb, or the importance of altitude, is
pointedly different from the voice used in telling the story, clearly
indicating that this information is important and has an impact on the
rest of the story.
Subtitled, Mount Everest Survival, this story is thrilling in
its
exposition, enticing in its information about a place very few of the
listeners have any knowledge or experience of and informative in the
range of facts given. We hear of the range of mountains in the world,
and their ranking and the first time each was climbed, the equipment
and how it is used, as well as the perils of climbing at such an
altitude. An amazing story, told with verve, will entrance all
listeners.
Fran Knight
Halo by Zizou Corder
Puffin, 2010.
(Age: 10+). Recommended. (Age 10-14) Highly recommended. Kyllarus, a
centaur, finds a tiny baby with a turtle shell strapped to her back
crawling along a beach. The baby has a tattoo on her forehead and is
wearing an owl amulet. He takes her home to his family, who name her
Halosydne, 'saved by the sea', and lovingly bring her up as a family
member. Disaster strikes when she is swimming with her centaur brother,
Arko. She is captured by fishermen and sold into slavery. She manages
to escape and tries to survive by cutting her hair and pretending to a
boy. However more misfortune befalls her and she is captured by a group
of Spartan boys, led by Leonidas. After a series of exciting
adventures, including going to see the Delphic Oracle, living in Athens
in Pericles' house and training to be a doctor and warrior, she
discovers the truth of her origins.
An exciting adventure story, with lots of action, the setting in
Ancient Greece makes this book stand out. I was gripped by the
descriptions of the Spartan community and the terrible trials the young
boys went through to become warriors. Greek religious beliefs were
described in an easy to understand way and Halo's trip to consult the
Delphic Oracle was fascinating. When Halo discovers that her uncle is
Pericles, who believes in the rights of man, I was fascinated by the
descriptions of medicine in Ancient Greece and the way that women were
treated.
Corder, a mother and daughter writing team, managed to remind me of
what I learnt studying Ancient History many years ago. Halo is sure to
educate a young reader about ancient Greece in the best way - the
reader may become so immersed in Halo's quest that the factual
information just becomes part of the story and easy to remember.
I loved the themes of mythical centaurs, slavery and the rights of
women. Recommended for both boys and girls from about 10 year of age.
Pat Pledger
Boy Zero: Wannabe Hero: The Petrifying Plot of the Plummeting Pants by Peter Millett
Illustrated by Steve May. Faber, 2010. ISBN: 9780571252473.
Recommended for Lower to Middle Primary. 'With all the galaxy's
superheroes taken hostage, it's up to Charlie to stop the world's pants
from plummeting. Will he be a HERO - or will he be a ZERO?'
Meet Charlie Applejack, the boy with some superhero powers and no skill
in using them. He's an unlikely hero, co-ordination is a
skill he has yet to acquire, but somehow he seems to always come up
trumps.
When General Pandemonium (the world's newest super villain) decides to
take over the world by zapping all the elastic and metal that holds up
pants and therefore making everyone bared bottomed, it is up to Charlie
and his new friend Josh to save the world from its embarrassing fate.
With plenty of bumbling characters, references to bare bottoms and
superheroes, this book will appeal to most young readers, and in
particular boys.
Zana Thiele
Alice-Miranda on Holiday by Jacqueline Harvey
Random House Australia, 2010. ISBN 9781864719840.
Recommended for girls 7-10. Alice-Miranda is an amiable character on a
mission to change lives and make the world a better place to live. She
is friends with everyone and finds nothing daunting about life at all.
This seven and a half year old with the wisdom and knowledge of an
adult has been away at boarding school, where no-one escapes her
infectious personality. In this novel she is home for the holidays and
apart from catching up with old friends on her parent's estate she
makes new friends and solves a few mysteries. She is joined by a school
friend who has been transformed by the indomitable Alice-Miranda. The
style of this story is reminiscent of older books, such as Pollyanna
written in 1913 by Eleanor H. Porter, and shares a few similarities
with that story.
Vicki Nunn
Anneli the art hater by Anne Fine
(Age 8-10) Recommended. A reissue of book first published in
1986, Anneli the art hater still has timeless appeal. Fine is
an award
winning author who has written a fascinating mystery.
Anneli hates art. She doesn't understand why others in her class are
happy to draw and paint, especially her friend Tom who revels in making
pictures. She does try to come up with some ideas to raise money for
new art equipment and to help the home for children with disabilities.
One day she discovers a small door that leads into the house next door
belonging to old Mrs Pears. Much to her disgust, she finds a room full
of paintings there and Mrs Pears explains that her brother Tom had
forged paintings, in the hope of raising money to run away from his
father, who didn't want him to paint. However war had intervened and
Tom had been killed. Mrs Pears has one of his paintings done before his
forgeries started, and Anneli is fascinated by the discrepancies it
portrays about the garden. Her investigations lead her to an intriguing
mystery.
Fine has a knack of describing wonderful people in her novels. Anneli's
independence and warmth and Mrs Pears' love for her brother pervade the
story. Both are strong, generous characters who are happy working to
better the lives of others.
Young independent readers will be intrigued by the clues in the
painting and will want to have a go at solving the riddle. I enjoyed
the plot and loved the happy conclusion. Art lovers will enjoy learning
about forgery and the idea of examining an painting closely for
underlying ideas.
Pat Pledger
Nobody's horse by Jane Smiley
Faber and Faber, 2010. ISBN 978-0571253548.
Recommended for horse lovers of all ages. I was immediately attracted
to the cover showing a gorgeous brown horse and found myself quickly
engrossed in the story of Abby and Grumpy George, a horse that bucks
her off and won't look her in the eye. Abby's father specialises in
buying horses that haven't reached their potential, training them and
then selling them on for a profit. He has Abby ride all the
horses so that he can tell prospective buyers that 'a little girl can
ride them'. Abby has problems at school as well, her best and only
friend Gloria, seems to be more interested in being friends with Stella
and when she is accused of stealing a necklace, everything seems to be
too much.
There is much to admire in Abby's character. She works tirelessly on
training the horses with her father and attending to the endless chores
that go with a working farm. Her fundamentalist father is a difficult
man and refuses to listen when Abby tries to tell him that she just
doesn't want to get back on Grumpy George when he bucks her off, but
Abby quietly makes some changes. Her brother Danny has already left
home because of a rift with his father, but Abby doesn't fuss about the
difficulties in her life. She is not allowed to become close to any of
the horses, who are all called George or Jewel so that Abby won't
become attached to them as individuals, but she calls the new baby colt
Jack and gently makes friends with him. She is stoical about the
bullying that goes on at school and loyal to her friend, Gloria.
I read with interest the different training methods that were used to
try and get Grumpy George to behave. People who have horses or those
who would love to have a horse will find invaluable the advice that Jem
Jarrow, a patient horse trainer, has to give Abby. It was great to see
Abby using that advice to help a less experienced rider become more
confident as well.
I loved this book: its calm setting in the 60's and its array of strong
characters made it easy to finish it in one sitting and the horse
content was excellent.
Pat Pledger
Adventures with Grandpa by Rosemary Mastnak
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2010. ISBN 9781921690761.
Picture book. Recommended. A companion volume to Cooking with
Grandma
and Dancing with Grandma, this time we see a little boy having
some
wonderful adventures with Grandpa, who has the most amazing shed full
of wonderful bits and pieces. The little boy is never sure of what
Grandpa will find in his 'magic cave'. It could be making a racing car,
playing in the tree house or swinging from a tire tied to an old
tree. What a great time the little boy and his dog and chook companions
have with Grandpa!
Watercolour is used lavishly, making the delightfully plump little boy
in his superman cape and his grandfather in checked shirt and overalls,
come alive for the reader. There is just so much detail in the
drawings, particularly in Grandpa's shed, that little people will have
an interesting time poring over the contents and comparing it with
their own sheds at home. It's little details like Grandpa fondling the
ears of the dog and the chook making an appearance on each page that
will enchant readers.
This is an ideal book for grandparents to have on their shelves, ready
to read to grandsons when they visit. It would also be a delightful
addition to a unit on the family. With its irregular rhyming story,
sometimes with internal rhymes and sometimes with sentence endings
rhyming, this would make a good read aloud as well.
Pat Pledger
Totally Bindi: Access all Areas by Jess Black
Random House Australia, 2010. ISBN 978 1864718584.
Packed full of quizzes and puzzles, fact files, glossy photos and
interviews, this soft cover book is much like a magazine. Lots of
activities and reading snippets - just the thing to read in bed before
lights out. It even comes with a pull out poster of Bindi on her horse.
Part biographical and part information, part interview, part quiz, this
large pink paperback would appeal to primary readers who like animals
and who have heard of Bindi, Steve Irwin's daughter, who has followed
in his footsteps by being involved with animals and the media. This
could be a good stocking filler for Christmas, or a birthday present.
It could be a good read-along with a parent, LAP or parent volunteer.
If the school library budget is limited I would be tempted to by pass
this in favour of non-fiction with an index. If the budget allows, it
would find an audience.
S. Whittaker
FArTHER by Grahame Baker-Smith
Templar, 2010. ISBN 9781848771260.
(Age 5+) Highly recommended. Grahame Baker-Smith, an illustrator who
was short-listed for the Kate Greenaway award in 2010, has written and
illustrated a wonderful and memorable book that could become a future
classic. A father, who lives high on a cliff overlooking a stormy sea,
has a dream of flying. He makes beautiful wings of paper and feathers,
but never quite manages to fly. Sometimes when he isn't preoccupied
with his dream of flight and air, he scoops his son up and they play
along the beach. He always returns to his dream until the day that he
is called up to war, never to return. His son decides to make his dream
come true and manages to soar across the sea.
This picture book is a work of art with its stunning illustrations
using collage, photographs and drawings. The pictures range from
beautiful double page illustrations to graphic novel type squares. The
sky and clouds are in beautiful soft blues while the boy and his father
are in rich browns. My favourite is of a beautiful flowering tree
that the boy and his mother planted to remember the father.
The story is thought provoking and looks at the power of dreams and how
they can become reality with determination and hard work. It also
examines the relationship between father and son and the continuity of
dreams. It is a book that draws the reader back again and again to
examine the ideas and delight in the illustrations and imagination that
produced such a powerful book.
This is a picture book that deserves a place on the shelves of all
libraries.
Pat Pledger
Bitter Chocolate by Sally Grindley
Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN 978 0747595021.
Beatings with a bicycle chain are a feared part of life for all the
boys who are working prisoners on a coco bean plantation. They hate the
overseer they nickname Le Couchon, who picks on them and wears them
down.
Pascal, an eleven-year-old Guinean boy, is worn down already from
experiences that he thinks of as no go areas for thought and
conversation. When he stops accepting the awful situation he is in, he
begins to remember what happened to him, and the horrible events he
experienced are gradually revealed to the reader.
As a ten year old, he has seen the death of his father at the hands of
rebels, has been caught, drugged and indoctrinated into becoming a boy
soldier by insurgents, and has been duped by con men.
Le Couchon's harassment of Pascal and his young peers sway Pascal to
action. He decides to escape with his friend Kojo, and find what is
left of his family. How can a young boy who experiences these degrading
situations find hope and escape? He needs help, and support. Who can he
trust? How can he find his mother and sisters so he can take on his
father's duties to help provide for the family?
Sally Grindley, a Smarties Prize Gold Medal winning author, has written
a thought-provoking story that provides some understanding about the
complex events that refugees and displaced people might experience. A
motivating group or class novel for upper primary and lower secondary
students studying enforced migration. A good weekend read for those who
like a current world issue spin. An asset for a middle school library.
S. Whittaker
