Evans Brothers, 2010.
Dragonwood by Alex Stewart
ISBN 9780237541354
Well recommended. Pip, the Halfling assassin, has taken a bet to
obtain the head of Graznik, the leader of the Dragonwood orcs. This is
a thriller with a clever twist. It has a good plot followed with
strong characters who lead the way. The names are interesting and add
to the interest. Pip's relationship with Kalliandashira is interesting
to say the least! The plot develops smoothly and the fascinating way
the story ends is well concealed.
Off the rails by Anne Rooney
ISBN 9780237541347.
(Age 13+) This book really belongs to the adult section of crime but is
written in a very simple way. Karl sees a carpet with a leg hanging out
as his train passes a crossing. The reader learns that groups
have vendettas against groups of people, in this case gypsies.
Sue Nosworthy
Editor's note: The publisher
recommends the series as suitable for
12-16 year olds and it is aimed at reluctant readers.
Slime Squad vs The Fearsome Fists by Steve Cole
Random House, 2010. ISBN 9781862308763.
Highly recommended. Another good versus evil by the creator of
Astrosaurs, with lots of boy appeal (ie slime, sewers and smelly
feet).
The unlikely monster hero is Plog and the enemy are the Fearsome Fists.
The battle takes place in Trashland where its inhabitants read
newspoopers and watch smellyvision. Other members of Slime Squad are
Furp, Zill and Danjo whose leader is the 'all seeing PIE', a computer
directing them to rescue characters like Mrs Bumflop. Trashland is full
of monsters living in 'suburbs' with very humorous names such as Mucky
Mattress Marshes, Poo-nited States, Heavy Metal Hills and Plastic Bag
Forest, just to name a few. (An extensive list can be viewed on the
story map included at the beginning.) Illustrations by Woody Fox
enhance written descriptions of Plog with cauldrons on his feet (to
stop the smell), and the ugly Fearsome Fists engaged in battle with the
Slime Squad. I highly recommend this story for children who love to see
good triumph and a monster with nothing going for him become a hero.
Vicki Nunn
Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham
Candlewick Press 2010. ISBN 9780763646271.
(Ages 12+) This verse novel tells the story of blossoming artist, Jane
Arrowood, snatched from the jaws of a shark by her brother, while out
swimming with her family. She loses her arm and faces the
potential loss of friends, her talent for drawing and painting and her
sense of belonging. Told in the first person, Kelly Bingham
captures a strong and absorbing voice.
After a long convalescence, cared for by a loving mother and
challenging brother, Jane faces her return to school. The journey
to some sort of normality is long and difficult and she realises that
her life is changed forever. Frustrated, she wants life to be as
it was, but, gradually she comes to an understanding of what life
now means - she is the one who needs to face the reality and adjust,
accepting the love and support of friends and family members, even if
they don't always respond as she would hope. She discovers that
Max, the school heart-throb may even be interested in her as a person;
herself as she is now!
Jane finds comfort in Justin's friendship, a young boy she meets in
hospital who has lost his leg. Her confidence is boosted by his
pragmatic acceptance of life's disappointments.
He friends respond to her in different ways - as is only natural - but
she comes to understand the pressures they place on themselves, too, in
confronting her accident.
She learns to understand the responses of her family, though often
exasperating.
Her talent for drawing is not lost as she grows in determination and
courage. She comes to accept the fact that family photos now reveal a
new Jane, but not any less of a person.
Though somewhat long, and at times repetitive, Shark Girl
reveals a
young girl's journey through life after a tragic accident.
The choice of verse narration works well as her inner thoughts are well
explored. The narration is interrupted at times with news media
articles, and letters from readers of these, but this clever device
widens the interest level of Jane's story.
The language is realistic and often evocative, and, despite its length
and reiteration of responses, this novel is very readable.
Julie Wells
Destroying Avalon by Kate McCaffrey
Read by Kellie Jones. Louis Braille Audio, ISBN 9780732033705.
I utilised the Destroying Avalon text (CD format) in my
Pastoral Care Classes when we were focussing on Cyber bullying. I had
already read the novel and was aware that it had been highly
recommended for students by child psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Greg.
I thought that this would be a good way to deliver the story for
teachers because: It would eliminate the need to read the book and thus
conserve the
voice. It would remove the issue of having to read lots of
swearing/language
that I felt could be uncomfortable to read! It provided listeners with
another voice to rather than hearing the
same old teacher's voice!
For the reasons outlined above, I believe that the delivery method was
good.
The class was a composite Year 9/10 group with 14 students. I asked
students to review the text and the delivery method and I have
included some of their responses. They were asked: Please
indicate the extent to which you enjoyed the story (1 being
lowest enjoyment, 10 being highest).
The average response was 7.
Please indicate the extent to which you enjoyed the delivery method
(1 being lowest enjoyment, 10 being highest)
The average response was between 5 and 6 with some respondents citing 1
and others a 9. It was very well received by some whilst
others did not like the delivery method at all. Their responses
were quite extreme.
A compilation of quotes when asked the question, 'Would you recommend
the text for future students, why or why not?' follows:
'Yes, because it makes kids think about what they are doing on the
web. It would definitely be good for the future.' (Female
student,
15)
'Yeah, it beats doing worksheets and other stuff about bullying.'
(Female student, 14)
'Yes because it delivers a powerful, in-depth look at bullying'. (Male
student, 15)
'Yes, I would recommend this book to future students because it shows
how things like bullying can become very serious and may lead to
death'.
(Male student, 15)
'Yes because you can learn from other people's experiences and find out
what to do in these circumstances. It was enjoyable.' (Female
student, 14)
'Yes. It seemed like a very good thing to be aware of and it was easy
to understand what could happen in a real-life matter.' (Female
student,
15)
'The book, yes. The audio CD, no (Voice gives me a headache).' (Female
student, 14)
'Yes and no. Yes because it delivers it in a way that will stick
in our minds. No because some people can't just sit still to get
it, they have to be moving.' (Female student, 15)
Melissa Wendland
Trouble at the Zoo by Chris Kunz
Bindi Wildlife Adventures. Random House Australia, 2010. ISBN
9781864719963
A new series featuring Bindi Irwin, famous daughter of crocodile hunter
Steve Irwin. No 1, titled Trouble at the Zoo, is a quaint
little story
for beginner readers. In this first adventure we are introduced to the
Irwin family, celebrating Bindi's 11th birthday, as well as Australia
Zoo, where the family live and work. Although a short story the book
covers all the excitement of a themed costume party open to the public
at the Zoo, and how the plot by a zoo patron to steal one of its
animals is quite easily foiled by the Irwin siblings. It includes of
course the message of wildlife conservation and endangered animals that
is expected when reading about Bindi Irwin. Delightful in its
simplicity, it will appeal to children dedicated to saving wildlife
themselves. What is special about this series is each book also
includes information about the animals in the story written simply so
children could use for school projects or just to better understand the
creature.
Vicki Nunn
Where I belong by Gillian Cross
Oxford University Press, 2010.
(Ages 13+) Highly recommended. Gillian Cross weaves an
original, complex and satisfying story of three very different young
people. Khadija is a Somali girl sent to England to live among Somali
strangers. She must pretend they are her family for the sake of an
education, a job and money that will help her poverty stricken family.
Abdi was born in the Netherlands, lives in England and has never
visited his homeland but is Somali through and through. He is doubtful
about welcoming Khadija into his family. Freya is a London teenager
living under the shadow of her Father, an award winning war
photographer and her mother, a celebrated fashion designer.
The three teenagers are thrown together when Freya's mother, Sandy sees
Khadija in the street and decides that this tall and stunning girl must
be her next model. However, Sandy insists that Khadija must have a new
name and wear a full veil so that her identity is never revealed. She
also decides that for maximum impact the fashion show should be shot in
Somalia and beamed by satellite across the world. Things become
seriously complicated when Khadija's brother is kidnapped in Somalia
and a 10,000 pound ransom is demanded.
This is a story about our shrinking world, the power of the media and
the uncomfortable fit of high fashion in a place usually associated
with warlords, piracy and poverty. Cross forces her characters to
face the trauma of family betrayal and the nature of homeland and
identity. Khadija must conceal her identity from an ever intrusive
media frenzy, while desperately trying to rescue her kidnapped brother.
Abdi may never have visited Somalia but when he eventually arrives he
makes a shocking discovery that will change his life forever. Cross
expertly draws together the hints, clues and red herrings to deliver a
superb plot twist that is completely unexpected.
With equal appeal for girls and boys this would make an excellent class
reader for middle secondary students as there is so much to think about
and discuss.
I have admired Gillian Cross since I first read On the Edge,
and she is
still on form some 25 years later. My only very minor criticism is that
the story is told alternately by the three teenagers and occasionally I
found the constant shift between characters a little clumsy. However
this is also part of the story's strength as the reader becomes
immersed in the thoughts and feelings of each of the teenagers. I
hope this one makes next year's Carnegie shortlist.
Claire Larson.
Captain Stella by Ruth Starke
Aussie Chomps. Puffin, 2010. ISBN 97801433051506
(Age: Middle School) Highly recommended. Ruth Starke has once again
told a perfectly believable story about a
young girl helping her grandmother and her friends turn around the
fortunes of an opportunity shop, destined to be closed by the local
council. Stella, the main character from the award winning, Stella
by
the Sea, has to stay with Granny Bee while her parents are at a
real
estate conference in Las Vegas. Helping Granny Bee and her friends at
the op shop is worrying when she sees the utter mess and total disarray
of all the goods on sale, but she is amazed at the variety of customers
the shop attracts. The people who visit include some who simply come
along each day to pass the time with friends, or who join in with
morning tea or who, new to the country, find a place where their
untried language skills can be practiced.
Faced with the shop's closure, Stella devises a plan to reinvent the
place as a vintage and retro shop, so attracting new customers. She
enlists the help of several of her friends, Chester, the retired cook,
Jeffrey and Shane the florist and hair stylist, the Kings, the printers
from down the road, and Ted, the old man who almost lives at the shop.
Together, this disparate group works to transform the shop, making it
into something more attractive, so that the assessor will change his
mind. But a clever twist sees the inspector have a change of heart for
an entirely different reason. And along the way, in keeping with all of
Ruth Starke's books, the underlying multicultural nature of Australia
is displayed beautifully. It is an absolute delight to revisit Stella
in this wonderful story.
Fran Knight
The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafron
Text Publishing, 2010. ISBN 9781921656354.
(Age 11+) Recommended. When Max Carver's father decides to move his
family to a small town on the coast, Max is fascinated by the secrets
in the old house that they live in. It has a strange garden with
statues that look like a circus troop. An eerie clown statue which
stands at the centre of the six-pointed star in the garden, seems to
come alive. A black cat with strange eyes attaches itself to the family
and they find old films belonging to the previous owners, the
Fleischmanns, whose son has died in mysterious circumstances. In the
bay below the house is a ship that was wrecked many years before in a
terrible storm. Max meets Roland and together with his sister Alicia,
they go diving to investigate the shipwreck. Gradually the chilling
story of the Prince of Mists emerges. The Prince of Mist was first published in 1993 and was
specifically
written for young adults by Carlos Ruiz Zafron who has had enormous
success
with his adult novel Shadow of the wind. It is a haunting story
of the
evil Dr Cain who promises wish fulfilment, but at a terrible price. I
was fascinated with the idea of having a wish granted and it was a
compelling exercise to see what people were prepared to give up to gain
what they wanted. The story is much more subtle than found in many of
the gothic thrillers around, and although deceptively easy to read,
leaves behind much to think about.
Told in the third person, all the characters are fleshed out well. Max
is an inquisitive boy, who is determined to find out about the
frightening Clown apparition. The Prince of Mists emerges as a very
sinister and frightening character, who is scary enough to stay in the
reader's memory. Roland and Alicia's delicate romance add to the
interest and the adults in the family, seen through the eyes of Max,
are believable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this suspenseful, well-written and creepy ghost
story.
Pat Pledger
Chicken Stu by Nathan Luff
Scholastic, 2010. ISBN 9781741695566.
(Age Middle school) When weedy asthmatic Stuart is sent to stay with
his aunt and uncle for
the Christmas holidays, things look bad from the start. Stuart is not
close to his cousins, the loud and boisterous James and Matt who are no
help in guiding him around the mysteries of farm life, while Auntie
Gwen makes it her personal business to rid Stuart of his allergies and
fears. City life has made him soft, so living on a farm for six weeks
will do wonders, she thinks. Much fun ensues in this easy to read
story, as Stuart learns about the perils of the crutching shed, the
vagaries of milking a cow, catching the poddy calf as well as having to
contend with the young girl next door, who appears to have a liaison
with Matt, despite Auntie Gwen's best intentions.
Rural life has a whole lot of things that frighten Stuart horribly, and
for a while he wishes to be with his mother, but things take a turn for
the better in this laugh out loud story.
Fran Knight
Fightback by Steve Voake
Faber, 2010. ISBN 9780571230037
(Suggested reading age 11-14.) Recommended. Voake, writer of Blood
Hunters
has
created a story that begins at a frenetic pace and continues at
full-bore until the last page. Boys especially will be captured by the
excitement and tension within the narrative which does not labour with
complex vocabulary or excessive description. Readers must surrender
themselves to the fact that the plot is a series of wholly implausible
situations and outcomes. Similarly one must ignore the formulaic nature
of the story that features endless stereotypes such as the chief
protagonist, an adolescent boy avenging his father through a wildly
rich benefactor who combats crime. A beautiful young female ally who
possesses deadly combat skills is included alongside an elderly Chinese
master of martial arts who mentors the boy until he achieves a state of
heightened awareness and defensive proficiency.
Self deprecating humour and constant action beguile the reader into
abandoning reality and entering into the spirit of the story. This is
not high-brow literature, yet it will definitely appeal to boys, many
of whom may reject more intellectually demanding novels or those which
do not contain these action themes.
Works like this have real value as motivational reading and it would be
surprising if this title did not reappear as a graphic novel in the
near future. The descriptions of violence are not excessive and the
morals are sound with justice battling the evil of drug trafficking and
corruption. I recommend this title to teachers and librarians who
struggle to promote reading to unmotivated boys.
Rob Welsh
Graphic Dickens series
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Evans Brothers, 2009.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Evans Brothers, 2009.
(Age 10+) Most of the well known characters remain in this abbreviated,
graphic
version of Dickens's well known and loved tale of an orphan boy finding
a home, Oliver Twist. All of his hardships are well created,
his
beginning at a workhouse, his mother's death as a result of his birth,
to the workhouse where he famously asks for more food, then on to the
coffin makers and to Fagan's hidden den in London. The story is
enticing, a young boy pitting himself against the brutality of early
nineteenth century London, alone and bereft of support. All of the
squalor of London at this time is shown, the chimney sweep, the abuse
of young children, the heartless courts and the criminals who prey upon
the young, seeing a chance for a young body to squeeze through small
windows so they can steal.
In graphic novel form, the story has been shortened and so some of the
background figures are not there, but those that are recreate the story
well. Readers will love the Bumbles, the meanness of Monks, the
innocence of Mr Brownlow and the simple good heartedness of Oliver's
aunt. Each of the characters has recognisable qualities, shown not only
in the spare dialogue, but the illustrations. The artistry has movement
and flare which will have great appeal to the young audience it is
aimed at. This graphic series will give the tales of Dickens a new
readership
So too, with Great Expectations, the graphic form will entice a
new
audience to this well known tale of a poor boy expecting a considerable
monetary favour from a benefactor, but realizing that he has pinned his
hopes on the wrong person. The poverty, transportation system, courts
and police system at work in 19th century England all are exposed by
Dickens in this tale. I devoured the classics in comic form
during the 50's and this new series, published by Evans Brothers will
easily find a home.
Fran Knight
The cardturner by Louis Sachar
Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN 9781408808504.
(Age: Secondary) Highly recommended. When told by his avaricious mother
to be the card turner for his
elderly blind Uncle Lester, Alton is made aware that the fate of his
family rests upon his 17 year old shoulders. His father's retrenchment
adds even more cachet to his mother's aggressive mantra 'tell him he's
your favourite uncle', but going along one Saturday turns into an
almost daily trip. He is to tell his uncle what cards he has in his
hand for the 26 boards of bridge, and then table the ones he is told to
play. Alton is not impressed with his job, but comes to know more about
the man and his relations as the strange girl, Toni, takes her place as
the man's partner. Alton has been brought up to believe that this side
of his family, particularly Toni, is crazy, and that they are also
interested in Lester's will. Alton's mother has fed him all sorts of
stories about Toni and her mother, and these stories colour his view of
the family, particularly Annabel, who he believes could be Toni's
grandmother, as she was Lester's bridge partner many years before.
But when Lester dies before the National Championships, Toni and Alton
decide to enter in Lester's and Annabel's names, to play out the
championship which led to her incarceration in an asylum, resulting to
her eventual suicide.
As Lester and Annabel, they play the event, and as Toni and Alton,
their relationship becomes a lot closer.
Alton is immensely likeable, torn between his mother and the needs of
his family, and those of his Uncle Lester, to whom he is increasingly
drawn. Alton's foibles are quickly documented, his cooling relationship
with his best friend, Cliff and his new girlfriend, Katie, once Alton's
girlfriend, his relationship with his family and particularly his
sister, Leslie, all are created with absolute ease. The story flows
like nothing else I have recently read, and to think that much of it
revolves around a game of cards makes it even more impressive. Sachar
infiltrates the rules and niceties of the game of bridge with a deft
touch, making it understandable to all readers. And for those not
interested in learning the rules of this game, then he allows readers
to skim over those sections, using a ploy which further maintains the
readers' interest and enjoyment. A very funny story for secondary
readers.
Fran Knight
Skylarks series by various authors
Evans, 2010
(Age: Middle Primary to Upper Primary) This series has an appealing set
up: smooth pages to feel, larger font and short chapters will appeal to
readers who can read and for whom many extending texts are so important. Josie's garden by David Orme. ISBN 978 0237538934.
Well recommended. Modern coloured illustrations regularly support the
story line. The plot may well appeal to middle and upper primary
students who, like Josie live in a high rise apartment with a beautiful
view but no garden or place to run and play in. The resolution is
well played out. Set in England and with a hedgehog to see, the
text still enables the reader to identify with Josie and her dream of a
garden to play in. A well rounded story. The Emperor's new clothes retold by Louise John. ISBN 978
0237538958.
Well recommended. An honest retelling of an old story. The
illustrations, although modern, give the sense of another older time
and so the atmosphere of the story is not wholly lost. They are
colourful and the facial expressions are cleverly drawn. The age
old story is told with sensitivity and accuracy and to hear the little
boy say 'Daddy, look, the Emperor has nothing on!' must encourage the
young reader to discuss the whole bizarre scenario. Carving the sea path by Kathryn White. ISBN 9780237538903.
Well recommended. Joining a new community can be difficult and Samuel
certainly struggles to adjust to his new environment. He has been
provided with all the mod cons that should make his new life in the
Arctic pleasant in his home, but he struggles with the outside
environment. Irniq, a local lad, befriends Samuel and tries to
talk to him about the beautiful wildlife which swim in these
waters. As with all stories, the change occurs when a trapped
humpback is caught under the ice. It's a good story for friendships
under unusual circumstances and to the people who brave the outer
reaches of our planet to help our amazing water creatures. The
coloured illustrations are very ordinary but the text and font and the
feel of the paper are well presented.
Sue Nosworthy
Oathbreaker: A prince among killers by S. R. Vaught and J. B. Redmond
Random House, 2010. ISBN 9781864719864.
Highly recommended. This continuation of Assassin's Apprentice
finds
Aron still fighting to come to terms with the loss of his family and
how he can use his grail safely both within the codes of Stone and his
own highly developed sense of honour. He is also developing feelings
for Dari and this adds to his confusion and anger.
Readers who enjoyed the first book, will not be disappointed by this
fast paced sequel. The characters are well developed (faults and all)
and the setting comes to life. I liked the way that each chapter is
written from the point of view of Aron, Dari or Nic. This way you
really feel like you are understanding them and their often conflicting
thoughts and feelings as they deal with the many problems facing not
only themselves but Stone and Eyrie as well.
Like many fantasy books this one deals with big issues like good and
evil but what I particularly like is the way that personal issues are
interwoven with this so that you can feel the pain that Aron, Nic and
Dari feel. The other characters are strongly drawn and live up to their
names like Stormbreaker and Snakekiller, but others like Zed and Raaf
also come to life. The non-human creatures such as the mockers, rock
cats, manes and Talons help in rounding out the book. In fact I
think this is what I like most about this book, it comes to life with a
setting helped by maps and characters that you really care about. I
finished this book wanting more and I think those who enjoyed Assasin's
Apprentice will not be disappointed.
David Rayner
Calamity Jack by Shannon and Dean Hale
Ill. by Nathan Hale. Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN 978 0 7475 8742 2
(Ages 10+) Highly recommended. Steampunk meets Jack and the
beanstalk,
with Rapunzel thrown in for good measure, making this graphic novel a
cut above the rest. Jack, a Native American, leaves home in disgrace
after he buys some beans with his mother's remaining money and then
cuts down the stalk with disastrous results. Her bakery is in ruins and
she is taken in by the giant, Blunderboar. Fleeing to the west, Jack
meets Rapunzel, who seeing his courage and determination, returns to
New York with him to make amends. Here they discover that Blunderboar
is in league with a colony of Ant People, and they are destroying the
city. They befriend Sparksmith who is defending his newspaper against
the onslaught and together the three save the day.
Told in its bare bones, the humour of the story does not come to light,
but the story is very funny, nodding to many old stories and tales as
it goes along. A whiff of romance between Sparksmith and Rapunzel is
enough for Jack to realise how much he cares for the girl. The graphic
novel format suits this story beautifully and the full coloured
illustrations are wonderful to look at, seeking out the array of things
drawn in each frame. The city of New York is spectacular, and the
steampunk element inventive and practical. As someone who was addicted
to comics when a kid, these are a delight to read. Full of fun and
adventure, Calamity Jack, with his nose for getting into trouble will
appeal to all ages.
Fran Knight
