The ABC book of Australian poetry compiled by Libby Hathorn
ABC Books, 2010. ISBN 978 07333201 4.
(Ages 8+) Poetry book. An exuberant collection of old and new
poems, this is the perfect book to have in the classroom and library.
Old favourites, with poets such as Banjo Paterson, C.J. Dennis and
Henry Lawson are sliced between newer poets, Les Murray, Steven Herrick
and Libby Hathorn, while others by Max Fatchen, Michael Leunig and
Peter Wesley-Smith are included.
Poems such as The big river (Steven Herrick), Old horse
(Max Fatchen)
and Dolphins (Peter McFarlane) sit easily alongside others more
well
known, Clancy of the Overflow, Click go the shears and Said
Hanrahan.
Some newer ones are full of fun and laughter, crying out to be shared,
Things that go squark (Peter Wesley-Snith) and The Bunyios
(Doug
McLeod). But whatever the reason to read these poems, they surprise,
delight and entertain whatever the occasion, be it in the classroom, on
the oval or in the staffroom. But all cry out to be read, and read
often, and read out loud! What a treat.
Fran Knight
Johnny Swanson by Eleanor Updale
David Fickling Books, 2010.
(Ages 9+). I guess it's an indication of Updale's creative flair that
she has managed to write an appealing and exciting mystery based
entirely around the BCG vaccination!
Johnny Swanson's Dad died in the Great War, just before Johnny was
born, and he and his Mum live frugally in the small village of
Stambleton. Eleven year old Johnny is small for his age and responds to
a newspaper advert promising him the secret to instant height. He duly
sends off his one shilling postal order (money secretly 'borrowed' from
his Mum) only to find he is the victim of a scam. However, Johnny soon
realises he can make money in exactly the same way, by offering sham
products to supposedly improve peoples' lives and raking in the
proceeds.
Meanwhile an outbreak of TB scares everyone in the village and Johnny
discovers that the kindly local GP wants the government to make the BCG
vaccine, discovered in France, freely available in England too.
However, the doctor is caught up in a murky underworld of scientific
greed and jealousy and pays with his life when he is brutally murdered.
Johnny's Mum, who works as the Doctor's cleaner, is framed for the
crime. Terrified his mother will be hanged, Johnny sets out to clear
her name.
This is a tightly written, unusual story that will appeal equally to
boys and girls. Updale is a superb storyteller and her plot is totally
original. There is a lot in this story to make you think. Youngsters
today are used to being consulted and listened to, so it will come as
quite a shock to experience life as Johnny does, where children may be
seen but are definitely not heard and are frequently sidelined,
ridiculed and abused. If your readers enjoyed The London Eye Mystery,
then
recommend
this
for
its similarly complex and involving plot. It
would also make an excellent read aloud story for upper junior classes.
Claire Larson
Operation Foxtrot Five by D.J. Stutley
Bushytail Books. ISBN 9780980676204.
Doug, the twins Aaron and Keryn, and Rachel are hiding from the
authorities with their friend Tori. The family want to keep together
after the death of their parents in a car accident. The court has
not allowed their friend Tori to take them in because of her heart
condition. Family services had placed them in separate homes, so they
had run away. After a year on the run the twins fill in a form at
school which alerts the authorities to their whereabouts. And now
Detective Sergeant Scott Backer is on their trail.
After a close shave Doug leaves notes for Backer, and talks with him on
the phone. At first he is angry at Backer warning him to keep away. He
wonders why large amount of resources are being put into finding them.
Doug comes to respect Scott, and the real reason for the search for the
children is revealed.
This is the first book of a series about this family, taking its name
from the way Scott Backer names his files. The plot is relatively
simple and easy to follow. The story is linear with no major sub plots.
Themes of loyalty and trust are found in the relationships between Tori
and the children, and in the one developing between Backer and Doug.
The book is not over long and deals with contemporary issues. It would
appeal to the reluctant teen reader of upper primary or lower secondary
age. Operation Foxtrot Five would be a useful book to have in a
school
library. D.J. Stutley has a website that offers
teacher's notes for Operation Foxtrot Five. They consist
of a range of
questions for each chapter. The adventures of the family
and Scott are pursued in further books dealing with issues with which
youth are certain to be familiar.
Sue Whittaker
Cows in the kitchen by June Crebbin
Illustrated by Katherine McEwen. Walker Books, 2010. ISBN 978 1406326321.
Picture book, Pre school. A rhyming version of an old song, Cows in
the kitchen is given a shake
up in this vibrant, exuberant picture book aimed at younger readers.
Each double page has a different line, Sheep on the sofa, baa baa baa,
is one an the pictures ont eh page show the sheep all over the patch
work sofa, having a great time. Each double page shows a different set
of animals causing mayhem in the farmhouse. But where is the farmer?
Asleep, of course, and when he wakes he turfs out all the animals, but
in falling asleep again, they creep back in. Reading, singing, or
yelling out loud, this book will be a hit with younger readers. The
colourful pages are full of interest for the very young, and the
repetitive rhyme encourages them to join in.
Fran Knight
Rufus the numbat by David Miller
Ford St Publishing, Melbourne, 2010. ISBN 978 1876462963.
(Ages 4-6) Perfectly executed and intricate paper sculptures make up
the characters and their surroundings in this new picture book by David
Miller. Rufus walks out the bush and into mayhem as he finds his way
along the street of the town where a Chinese Dragon is
performing. No place like home resonates through the pages as
Rufus innocently cause chaos during his fleeting stroll, looking for
ants to eat. First he knocks over the painter, studiously painting the
roof red, and in turn the cafe owner and the coffee drinkers,
then the boy on the skateboard who runs into the dragon, while Rufus,
unknowingly walks on and back to the bush and home.
Placed on a background of fine line drawings filled with watercolour,
the paper sculptures stand out, giving a 3D effect which is
mesmerizing. Children will love touching the numbat to see if he is
real; will look for the small objects placed on each page - the smashed
dinner plates, the children's sneakers, the cake, the dragon's
eyelashes and so one. There are many little details that will grab the
attention of the readers travelling with Rufus across the small town.
Instead of people causing havoc to the animal world, the numbat seems
to take his revenge on the humans who are settling into his area.
Classes will revel in the book and will extend the joy, trying out the
paper sculptures for themselves.
Fran Knight
Heart of Gold by Michael Pryor
The Laws of Magic 2. Random House Australia. ISBN 9781864718638.
Without even a slight general easing into the book, Michael Pryor
resumes Aubrey Fitzwilliam's exploits.
Using an ornithopter, even though he had no night flying experience,
Aubrey casts stunning combinations of magic to stage a rescue from a
flaming Gallian dirigible. From there the reader is quickly whipped
into the fragile politics of a world nearing war. Aubrey and his loyal
offsider George, are sent to the Continent, given errands to do in
Lutetia by various members of the family. Aubrey is determined to do
everything himself, without calling on the fact that his father is an
eminent politician in Albion, even though he is still plagued by
extreme tiredness caused by his dabblings with Death Magic.
In Lutetia, Aubrey and ever present, ever loyal George meet up again
with the 'Formidably competent. Utterly presentable. Endlessly
bewildering' Caroline Hepworth. Aubrey feels the need to have Caroline
by his side so he connives to have her studentship terminated at the
university. Together the threesome tackle the errands given to
Aubrey whilst trying to come to grips with the strange happenings in
the town; people losing their souls roaming the streets wildly till
they are locked away; magic being used to manipulate groups of people;
the comings and goings of the Holmland spy von Stalick; the agitant
Sons of Victor; buildings becoming insubstantial and disappearing.
To top it all off, Lutetia starts to fall apart when the precious Heart
of Gold that has been ensconced in the care of the nuns for years, is
stolen. Aubrey and his friends seem to be the only ones who realise
what is going on, and it again seems to involve the damninable Dr
Tremaine and his evil magic.
Reinstating the Heart of Gold is essential to staving off the dreaded
war. Aubrey, using a little magic, untried by before, strives to save
the day. Unfortunately, just when everything seems to have been sorted,
his sabotaging of Caroline's studies comes to light.
Another great adventure, come mystery with magic attached.
S. Whittaker
Word of Honour by Michael Pryor
The Laws of Magic 3. Random House, 2008. ISBN 9781864718645.
Michael Pryor continues the adventures and misadventures of Aubrey
Fitzwilliam in this third book of the series. The paciness and
excitement of Word of Honour will not disappoint the secondary
reader, nor the more advanced upper primary or adult reader who want to
find out what happens next to Aubrey and his loyal friend George.
Even though he is adept with magic, and even though he feels it defines
who he is, Aubrey decides not to practice magic any more because of its
terrible effects on his health (fragile due to his previous experience
with death magic). This decision is tried very early in the piece.
Sir Darius, the Prime Minister, and Aubrey's father takes them on a
secret rendezvous with Rokeby Taylor, (a money hungry, opportunistic
schemer). Disaster strikes them whilst on the experimental submersible
Electra, in the form of magic hitherto unknown to Aubrey. At great
imposition to his health Aubrey resorts to magic to save the boat and
its passengers. This is only the start of a series of happenings
involving strange magic, and incidents which seem to be provocative of
the war that threatens to come.
In spite of previously sabotaging her studies, and being humiliated by
the result, Aubrey asks the intimidating but lovely Caroline Hepwworth,
to join him in investigations.
As unlikely events (like Maggie and her Crew living in an underground
abandoned station being wiped out by a flash flood, and a train
falling into a great hole) reveal subterranean world of tunnels,
forgotten railways and parcel ways.Has Dr Tremaine something to
do with the under ground rumblings? How come no one else than Aubrey
can see him? What is their special connection? Aubrey has to
continually 'Look for the reason behind the reason' as events quickly
lead Aubrey, George and Caroline to a frightening climax where they are
captured, tortured.
Although this book could stand alone on its own merit for action,
adventure and novel magic, it is very much a continuation of Aubrey's
adventures in Blaze of Glory and Heart of Gold. Another
great read.
S. Whittaker
Miracle on Separation Street by Bob Graham
Series: Racing Read. Walker Books, London, 2010. ISBN 978 1406324617.
(Ages 8+) Mum works hard to get the money to buy the family a car. She
works at night, cleaning a store, and the boys, Jack and Duggie often
go with her to watch. She has decided that they need a car, after not
having one for many years, so that they too, can visit the airport and
watch the big planes go overhead, and drive to school or go on
holidays. The purchase of the car is a big decision within the family
so when it is stolen only days after they brought it home, they are
distraught. Jack looks suspiciously at the Mob, the basketballing group
of boys in the courtyard, while dad looks at the skateboarding boys in
the square, and mum asks Francesca, the grumpy woman upstairs, if she
has seen anything. They cannot claim it on insurance as they were
unable to afford the premiums, and when they tell the police, they are
told that this happens all the time. So when the car just as
mysteriously returns to its place by the flats, with a note attached
explaining its disappearance, the family is amazed, and mum uses the
word miracle, a word she never uses, to explain what has happened.
Told in Bob Graham's pared down prose, making the most of every word
and nuance of meaning, the story of this everyday family is at once
endearing and enlightening. Their very ordinariness underlines the
wonderful event which happens in their lives, and makes the readers
smile with recognition and wonder. Within the series, Racing Read, this
small book of about 90 pages, with well spaced, clear print, wide
margins and Graham's wonderful drawings on many pages, will have wide
appeal to those readers embarking on chapter books. The gentle
storyline told with humour will please all comers, as they recognize
the people in the story and the adage, don't judge a book by its cover.
Fran Knight
Zac jets on by H.I. Larry
Zac power. Spy camp Mission 7. Hardie Grant Egmont, 2010. ISBN
9781921690525.
(Age: Newly independent readers) Zac is off to Spy Camp to learn some
spying skills. After setting off in a jet propelled wheelie bin and
watching TV all the way, he lands at the camp. He finds out about maps
and mazes, echoes and tunnels with his training buddy Leon, code name
Agent Tech Head.
Young readers, especially boys, will enjoy this book, which contains
interesting spy information as well as some incredible gadgets. Not
only will they learn how to use the sound of echoes to find out if
there was a dead end in the tunnel and how to find north using the sun,
but they will also have fun imagining wearing the WOW boots, for
walking on water.
The large print, illustrations and interesting text styles are a boon
for emerging readers. Packed with interesting gadgets and full of
adventure, this series should prove popular.
Pat Pledger
Wyrmreweald: Returner's Wealth by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
Doubleday, 2010 ISBN: 9780385617345
Highly recommended for ages 11 and above. When Micah, the young
ploughboy, sets off for the high country in search of the wyrmes (the
name given to dragons in medieval times) and the Returner's wealth, he
cannot anticipate the events which will occur along the way. As he
meets various characters, Micah discovers that some people are not as
they appear at first sight and learns to question their motivations. He
follows his conscience and thus acts honourably, no matter what the
situation. With Eli Halfwinter as his mentor and guide, the young man
discovers truths about himself and begins to re-evaluate the things in
his life which truly hold the greatest importance.
This engrossing, entertaining adventure is written in a style easily
accessible to even the younger readers of fantasy, particularly due to
the double spaced print and black and white illustrations taking up
either full pages or adding interest in the margins on the first page
of each chapter. Due to the age of the main character, however, some of
the content would possibly make it better suited to upper primary
students and secondary students as it could fit the genre of the coming
of age novel as well as simply being a quest novel. Themes of loyalty,
trust, friendship, love, responsibility, acceptance and values are all
explored to various degrees in this title and I eagerly await the next
installment in the series.
Jo Schenkel
The Vintage and the gleaning by Jeremy Chambers
Text, 2010, ISBN 9781921656507.
(Age: Senior Students - Adult readers). Highly recommended. Set in a
small
country town in a wine-growing district, the novel is about regret,
about looking for kindness and a longing for beauty, values not easy to
express in the rough and hard world of the labourer. The main
character, Smithy, regrets the decades spent drinking and his neglect
of his wife. Now forced to stop drinking, though he is still respected
as a gun shearer and for his work on the vines he is aware that his
strength is fading, and that he is mocked for signs of age. As he works
or watches others drink in the pub he reflects on his life, his
childhood with the nuns in an orphanage, his marriage with Florrie, his
son, Spit. He notices light, birds, a dog snuffling, interactions
between others with the intensity of newly awakened awareness. He
offers a muted kindness and protection to a young woman whose husband
has bashed her, partly to help her, partly to redeem himself. In a long
monologue she shows him that the pattern of her life has been set, just
as his was many years ago. As a gleaner finds a few fallen grains after
the harvest, so when she leaves his mind turns back to a fleeting
experience he had as a child with a beautiful woman, and the
possibility of a life lived quite differently from his own.
The language is simple and restrained but intensely evocative of place
and person. The dialogue is accurate and believable, capturing the
characters of the boss, the vineyard workers and the women of the town.
The writer creates a palpable tension when Charlotte's husband returns,
and the tight-lipped disapproval felt by other townspeople when Smithy
intervenes. The voices of both Smithy and the self-obsessed young woman
are authentic and powerfully different. The novel is both believable
and memorable, and is recommended.
Jenny Hamilton
The trouble with dogs by Bob Graham
Walker Books, 2010. (c2007.) ISBN 978 1 4063 2601 7.
Picture book. Told with brevity and panache, this story which follows
Let's get a pup, tells how the family copes with their new
acquisition.
They brought home two dogs from the Rescue Centre, eights months ago,
Rosy, the older, large dog, soft and comfortable as an old sofa and
Dave, the much younger, smaller and boisterous dog. Both dogs are much
loved in their new home, the family makes way for the older dog so that
she can lie on their sofa in the sun, but Dave jumps, springs, runs and
chases all the time. He is impervious to any attempts to curb his
behavior and so in desperation, the family rings Pup Breakers. The man
who turns up tries to curb Dave's exuberance and almost succeeds, but
the family misses his sparkle and animation.
A delightful story of the personalities within a family, be they animal
or human, Bob Graham perfectly captures the push and pull of daily
life. The family is at the centre of all of his books, solving problems
which arise. His drawings are readily recognized showing all members of
the family in all their glory, trying to cope with the everyday
occurrences. Kids will love this offering from Bob Graham all over
again, and seek out his other books from the shelves, after the success
at reading this.
Fran Knight
Send Simon Savage by Stephen Measday
Little Hare Publishing, 2010. ISBN 9781921541339.
(Ages 10+) When Simon returns home to find his mother in tears and
police all around the house, the worst he could imagine has happened,
his father has disappeared, presumed drowned. But 2 sunglassed men turn
up and ask strange questions and do a quick search of his study, then
leave without a murmur. What is going on? Simon is then given the
opportunity to go to a prestigious school in Britain while his family
will be well looked after, and as they are almost destitute, they
accept the offer. But once a the school, Simon is let into a few
secrets, the biggest one being that he is destined to be a time
traveler, and that his father was instrumental in working out the
details of this fabulous discovery.
At the Time Bureau, Simon meets a number of other young people, all
chosen for their skills and their DNA structure which shows that they
would not be affected by the transmission of their bodies as others
would be. They are trained in every aspect of the hazardous journeys
they will undertake, and so are sent back and forth to various places
in time. Simon's partner in all this is the very odd Danice, who he
later finds is from a different time altogether. But at the same time
Danice's brother is a time traveler from the future back to where he
can
steal gold for the leader. All the while, Simon has a hidden agenda, to
find out what really happened to his father.
A past master at science fiction stories, Measday has written another
book which uses scientific terminology to a sophisticated degree,
making the reader almost believe in what he is saying and what the
children are doing. So well written that the story seems quite
credible, the belief in what is happening is never stretched, and the
story grabs the reader with unbounded ease.
Fran Knight
Young Sherlock Holmes: Death Cloud by Andrew Lane
Macmillan Children's Books 2010.
(Ages 11+) If James Bond can have an adolescence celebrated in fiction,
then why can't Sherlock Holmes too? Andrew Lane, a lifelong Holmes fan
worked with the Conan Doyle Estate to create Death Cloud, the
first of
three novels that will star the young detective.
Lane hams it up to the heights of devilry and gothic horror with a
preposterous plot to kill British soldiers and so destroy the power of
the British Empire. It works because we already know that Sherlock
Holmes is larger than life and because the outlandish storyline is well
constructed and steeped in a lovingly researched and historically
accurate setting.
Lane really brings Victorian London to life with all its gruesome
sights and foul smells. At one point Sherlock is trying to escape the
ruffians chasing him through tunnels beneath the Thames, with hair
raising action and descriptions that made my skin crawl.
Baron Maupertuis is surely one of the most grotesque and outrageous
villains ever created and the fact that he escapes undefeated sets the
scene for Sherlock's next adventure, due later in the year.
Sherlock himself is a delightful melting pot of idealistic, arrogant
and heroic youth. At fourteen years old we are offered glimpses into
his future character as he first experiences the doubtful pleasures of
Laudanum. Also hinted at are the obsessive and addictive personality
streaks that become apparent in adulthood. Dr Watson is represented by
Matty Arnatt, a street urchin with whom Sherlock develops a close
friendship. With help from Sherlock's American tutor, his feisty
daughter and Matty, the quartet wreak havoc on the Baron's attempts to
bring down the British Empire.
My only complaint is that I doubt a Victorian girl (all be it an
American one) would refer to her Father and friends as 'You guys.'
However, it's a quibble really and I'm sure able readers of 11 plus
will enjoy this foray into the life of young Sherlock and will
hopefully seek out Conan Doyle's stories as a result.
Claire Larson
The princess and her panther by Wendy Orr
Illustrated by Lauren
Stringer. Allen and Unwin, 2010. ISBN 9781742374246.
Picture book. Trekking off into the wilderness to camp for the night,
the princess and her panther clad friend set up their tent. The
princess erects her red silken tent while the panther drinks from the
wide blue lake, and as night settles in, the princess lights the
lantern and tells the panther stories. Although the princess remains
brave, and the panther tries to emulate her, she becomes more and more
fearful as the night wears on. Things outside the tent make noises:
they hear the slimpering of snakes, the too-whit-too-whooing of the
owl, the moaning of the frog monster and pant panting of the great
dog-wolf. Each child becomes less brave, until they both leap out of
the tent and cry 'enough'. The girls go back to bed and sleep
comfortably and panic free for the rest of the night.
Beautifully illustrated with acrylic on water colour paper, the detail
on each page lures the eyes to see what things can be found. Throughout
the book, hints are given as to where they might be and the last pages
show this clearly, which will delight younger readers. A story about
being afraid, of assertion, of staying calm in the midst of panic, this
story will be widely used in classes as a picture book to entertain and
as a book to take discussion farther.
Fran Knight
