Black Dog Books, 2010. ISBN 9781742031361.
Sitting on the bottom of the sea, surrounded by the kelp forests, past
the shelf of the beach near where she lives, Neen sees another face
amongst the swaying tendrils of seaweed. She is not alarmed, for this
is the place she feels most at peace, her refuge from the unanswered
questions of the world above, a world where she is an orphan. Her
father died at sea when she was a babe and her mother disappeared 12
months later, some say, returning to the sea from whence she came.
The opening sequences draw the reader in, the switch and sway of the
seaweed almost mesmerizing as the reader ponders the girl's situation
in life. Her unsympathetic aunt draws our censure as Neen tries hard to
be of use to this bitter woman, but is sent off to do the most
difficult of tasks to keep them alive. Her one friend is the blind
musician, Scully, who appears to know more than he lets on, seemingly
giving Neen information through stories about the past. But it is her
aunt's story that shakes her to her foundations, told when a stranger
is rescued from the sea, half drowned and talking of a mermaid saving
him.
The stories ebb and flow like the tide, giving explanations for what
has happened in the past, giving authority to people's lives, but it is
when Neen finds her mother's bones deep in a cave beneath the tide line
that she wonders about the stories she has been told, and where her
story may lie. This gentle story of Neen's coming of age will have
readers following the story with delight as they ponder the truth. For
Neen the truth is the story she eventually tells of her mother's life,
one that she can retell easily: a story separate from those she has
been told. The stories that make up people's lives are slippery and
changeable, just as is Neen's mother's story and Braxton-Smith has
eloquently shown how stories can alter according to circumstances.
Lower secondary girls in particular will adore this imaginative tale
and think long about the stories of their own lives.
Fran Knight
The Ruby Talisman by Belinda Murrell
Random House, 2010. ISBN: 978 1 86471 987 1
(Age 10+) Highly recommended. Angry about her parents'
separation, frustrated by the additional responsibilities at home and
having become non-communicative toward her friends, Tilly goes to stay
with her aunt Kara to provide her mother with a chance to rest and
relax. Whilst there, Kara shares some information about their French
ancestors and allows Tilly to try on a precious family heirloom.
Forgetting to take the necklace off, Tillie goes to bed full of wishes
and dreams of being transported to another life. One hundred and thirty
years earlier, in Versailles, Amelie-Mathilde also goes to sleep
wishing to be saved from a loveless arranged marriage and wakes to find
Tilly alongside her. Almost immediately, the Revolution begins and the
girls embark on an adventure to escape to safety, not knowing who to
trust. As a result of her visit, Tilly influences her friends to ensure
the safety of both her predecessors and herself.
This was an easy and engaging story, filled with themes that affect the
lives of many young readers: family, separation and friendship, and is
simultaneously a coming of age novel and a history lesson rolled into
one title. Although more for female readers, it could perhaps be used
as a class text or paired with a title involving a male protagonist
such as Jackie French's Macbeth and Son. Both novels use the
knowledge
of the modern day protagonist to explain and reflect on the plights of
those in the earlier times. With a French glossary at the front of the
novel and three pages of facts regarding the French Revolution at the
end, this is a most accessible text. A highly recommended read for
readers aged ten and above.
Jo Schenkel, Pilgrim School
Little Else (series) by Julie Hunt and Beth Norling
Allen and Unwin, 2010.
Middle primary. This series of short novels is aimed at middle primary
readers. The include the books Ghost hunter, Trick rider and On the
run. All are about 60-80 pages long with simple, clear, line
illustrations and short chapters. The prose is clear and unencumbered,
with short sentences, lots of dialogue and clear, evocative
descriptions of the characters and the settings. With their
harder than average covers, pleasant size, and an easy to read, clear
font, these will be eagerly picked up by newly independent readers.
Trick rider (ISBN 978 1 74175 878 8)
The first in the series Little Else, tells of Else's time in Ma
Calico's Bush Circus, where she performed under the name of Petite
Elsie, tumbling and leaping with the Flying Giuseppe. But not receiving
a penny for their efforts sees Else searching for the bushranger, Harry
Blast to help them. On the run (ISBN 978 1 74175 878 8)
Else leaves the circus and astride her huge horse, Outlaw, once
belonging to a bushranger, she inadvertently frees a team of ill
treated bullocks, and so is being chased not only as a cattle duffer,
but a horse thief. Ghost hunter(ISBN 978 1 74175 878 8)
Little Else is the leader of a small but ruthless gang of bushrangers.
Needing to have her horse reshod, the gang stops at the blacksmith shop
where they meet Billy Sparrow, the jockey. For the loan of several
horses, Little Else agrees to race the unraceable horse, Long Shot in
next day's race. Winning, she secures her prize of a group of horses
and she and her followers, Lightning Jack, Toothpick, Firebolt Jim and
Dangerous Dan are off to search for the Lost Herd, last seen near Mt
Lost. Adventures come thick and fast as the group must leap over a
chasm, avoid being lost in the back of beyond, and use Little Else's
skill of horse whispering and tumbling to bring the cattle home.
Fran Knight
Need by Carrie Jones
Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN 978408807408.
(Age 14+) If you thought that pixies were cute little things with
pointed ears, then you are in for a surprise with Need. Zara
has been
sent to stay with her grandmother in Maine after the death of her
stepfather. She is angry with her mother, who doesn't seem to care any
more and depressed that she was unable to help her stepfather when he
collapsed. What makes it worse is that she has seen a tall stranger who
seems to be following her. Zara, with the help of some new friends,
Nick, Issie and Devyn, works out that the man is a pixie and that there
are other strange creatures who change shapes and prowl in the night.
Jones immediately gained my interest with her chapter headings, each
one a different phobia that Zara spends some time explaining. They
ranged from phobophobia, fear of phobias, to merinthopobia, fear of
being bound or tied up. I enjoyed Zara's voice and the fact that she
was into saving the world, writing letters for Amnesty International
and starting a group at her school. This gave her a depth of character
not always found in this type of story.
Although there seemed to be the inevitable love triangle with Nick and
Ian in the first few chapters, it soon becomes apparent that Nick is
the love interest. He is strong and protective and I look forward to
seeing how their romance progresses in the next book in the series,
Captivate.
This book will appeal to girls who enjoy reading paranormal stories.
The combination of a heroine who has pixie blood and fights evil, a
gorgeous werewolf love interest and a luscious looking cover will
entice teenage readers who want a quick light read.
Pat Pledger
Duck for a day by Meg McKinlay
Ill. by Leila Rudge. Walker Books, 2010. ISBN 9781921529283.
96p, Middle primary. Highly recommended. When the new teacher arrives
with a class pet the kids are agog, because it is not the expected cat
or rat or mouse, but a duck. They fall over themselves to see whether
this pet is allowed home to stay overnight as all the other class pets
have been, but are thrown by the number of conditions the teacher
imposes on allowing her duck, Max, stay over. Neighbours Abby and Noah
compete for the privilege with some very funny results. At first they
try to build a pool each, and then conform to the other conditions of a
mud bath and strong fencing. But Abby is the first to have Max stay and
when she finds him missing in the morning, both children work together
to find him.
A delightful story of sharing and working together, this book is a
charming response to a scenario often seen in primary classrooms. The
joy of the class pet is reflected in the wonderful illustrations and
the whole book is joyous to read. The last line, 'It was just a few
small hops, after all' will engender much discussion, as it reflects
the idea of breaking down barriers, of finding friends through working
together, both on a small scale, and then of taking a small step for
mankind, looking at the world view. This is a wonderful book, rich and
multilayered, one which would be a fabulous read aloud in a primary
school, if it is on the shelf long enough for a teacher to find.
Fran Knight
The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg
Penguin, 2010.
This is a story about the synergy created by bringing people together
for a common purpose. Eventually the activities and energy of the girls
in the 'lonely hearts club' at a North American high school is even
found threatening by the principal as well as the boys at the school.
Penny Lane, named by her Beatle mad parents, is the narrator of this
story. The front cover of the book is even a spoof of the famous Abbey
Road album. Penny is betrayed by her long term boyfriend Nate. 'I found
out the hard way that fairy tales and true love don't exist'. She
decided to form a lonely hearts club, with just herself until her
friend Diane, recently dumped by the school heart throb Ryan insists on
joining her club too. Ryan was the 'biggest cliche at our school: a
star athlete with good grades who just happened to also be gorgeous'
(pg29)
The club grows in numbers and enthusiasm. They meet every Saturday
night at Penny's home with the support and encouragement of Penny's
parents. They go as a group to the school dance and the school prom,
rather than with dates. They attend basketball games together,
upstaging the official cheerleaders. They also develop rules which
include 'no dating'.
Meanwhile school heart throb Ryan, is patiently waiting at his locker,
located close to Penny's, to talk to Penny. Penny's confusion about her
feelings towards Ryan continues to grow through the novel. Finally all
is resolved and the club rules are changed to allow dating, along as it
does not undermine the girls' friendship and support of each other and
Ryan and Penny are able to organise a date together.
Teenage girls giving priority to their boyfriends is a topic that will
be relevant in many teenagers' lives. This is a story about how one
North American teenager found unexpected support from her female
friends through organising a club of 'lonely hearts' and motivated them
to support each other and how threatening this was to the male
powerbrokers in the school.
This is a story about the power of the group, standing up for yourself
and the eternal themes of friendship, trust and loyalty.
This is very light and easy read.
Jenny Brisbane
Betrayals by Lili St Crow
A Strange Angels novel. Razorbill, 2009. ISBN 978921518331.
(Age 14+) Betrayals is the second in the Strange Angels series
and
continues on from where Book 1, Strange angels, left off.
Christophe
leaves Dru and Graves abruptly to find their way with the djamphjir and
wulfen teens in a strange school. She is the only girl there and isn't
allowed to go to any advanced classes or try to find out about her
vampire killing skills. While Graves comes into his own with the wulfen
boys, she is left alone, desperately trying to work out what is going
on. It becomes increasingly clear that someone in the Schola is out to
kill her and she knows she can trust no one except Graves. She must
find the courage and knowledge to save herself from betrayal within the
school and the threat of the dangerous Sergei.
Lili St Crow has produced another fast paced story with action galore
as Dru struggles to understand what is going on and to control her
burgeoning talent as svetocha. Betrayals sees Graves come into
his own. He discovers that he can be a leader of the pack and enjoys
running with the wolf pack and making friends. But when Dru is
threatened he uses all his powers to protect her. Dru is just as
protective of Graves and refuses to allow anything to happen to him. I
enjoyed the growing romance between the two, although the mysterious
Christophe is still lurking in the background and adds some tension as
another romantic interest. Dru is a strong character and her witty
asides allowed me to take a break from all the mystery and suspense.
This is an entertaining and compelling novel that has enough action,
danger and romance to please fans of the vampire and supernatural
genre. A third in the series is due out in 2010.
Pat Pledger
Things We Didn't See Coming by Steven Amsterdam
Highly recommended. This series of linked short stories depicting one man's survival in a dystopian future covers an astonishing array of communities and people, trying to make sense of what is happening. Some stories follow chronologically from the one before, others seem to veer off into an unconnected space, but all give a sense of impending doom as the unnamed narrator struggles to keep going whichever way he can. A thief, a government worker, doing menial chores of clearing the dead or turning people out of their homes, or simply an opportunist, the man keeps going until, at the end of the novel he comes full circle, meeting his father once again. The opening story is set at the turn of the new millennium, when he and his parents drive to their grandparent's farm in the country to celebrate the event. His father is unconvinced about the safety of being in a city, and his wife teases him with talk of the millennium bug, and things stopping or exploding. Next the boy is older, living with his grandparents who require a carer, because he is about to go to court, branded a thief. We see that times have changed; there is talk of needing a pass to live in the country or the city, of meds to keep people alive in this strangely autocratic regime. Again, the story moves into a bleaker future where the man is surviving in a rainsodden world, one where he has the task of moving people off their land before the flood envelopes them. Later he and his companion are surviving against all odds, taking their meds to ward off the killing cough that people are spreading across the land. In another story he is a tour guide to the terminally ill, all requiring meds to stay alive and with the bus pumping out immunity air. In another he teams up with a girl who promises the earth, but uses him to gain credits. An apocalypse, rising water levels, global warming or epidemic, the cause of the societal change is unexplained, but the results see the narrator surviving through successive stories with hints of varying forms of autocratic governments. He finds people living in small communities in the hinterland, developing their own creed to stay alive, governments sweeping all before them, disease savaging those left, with life threatening illnesses requiring government supplied meds. Each is an individual story telling of a different aspect of this dystopian society, and while they can be seen as one, the story of the boy's progression from being a teen to an older and wiser man, they can stand alone and so make wonderful short stories to read or work on with a class. Each story resonates with wider implications, of varieties of backgrounds and themes, which could be teased out with students. Fran Knight
Maisy goes to preschool by Lucy Cousins
Walker Books, 2009.
(Ages 3-5) Recommended. Maisy has such a good time at preschool. She
learns how to read her name when she hangs up her coat on a hook
labelled 'Maisy'. She has a wonderful time with her friends making
brilliant paintings; enjoys fruit and muffins at little lunch and
listens to a story. After a refreshing nap, they all make loud music
with the musical instruments, dig in the sandpit and play on the
outdoor equipment. All in all, they have a very good day.
The vivid colours that are a Cousins' trademark reinforce the happy
nature of the preschool experience. Children will have lots of
fun looking at the expressions on the animals' faces and have a giggle
when the animals go to the toilet.
Another book in the Maisy First Experiences series, reading
this title
to young children will be a welcome introduction to preschool for
parents and caregivers. Maisy is obviously very happy with her friends
and the teacher Mr Peacock so this makes it a very useful book to
reinforce the fun that can be had at preschool.
Pat Pledger
My worst best friend by Dyan Sheldon
Walker Books, 2010. ISBN 9781406304206.
(Age 13+) 'There were basically two kinds of girls: Those Girls and
everyone
else.' Savanna Zindle was one of Those Girls. 'I'd never had a friend
like Savanna before'.
Gracie, considers herself one of the 'everyone else'. She is interested
in lizards and climate change. Savanna is interested in boys and
shopping. Gracie, as narrator, tells this story with understated wit
and humour.
While the two girls have different interests, their friendship develops
within the context of a (north American) school. They meet up before
school and at lunchtime, sitting with Archie, Savanna's boyfriend and
Cooper, a quieter character, who shares Gracie's view of the world.
Nightly phone calls, trips to the mall on weekends and sleepovers all
help to cement the sharing of secrets and the development of the
friendship between Gracie and Savanna.
The characters are developed well and given quirky and lovable
characteristics that kept me turning the pages. Gracie often corrects
Savanna's grammar and syntax in a dryly humorous way.
Gracie and Cooper share a love of old films and best each other at
naming characters and films. The friendship between Gracie and Cooper
progresses when Gracie goes with Cooper to assist at the Quaker run
'Neighbours' literacy project. Gracie doesn't see their outings as
'dates' as Cooper is just a friend and Savanna insists that Cooper has
never talked about liking girls.
Gracie's Dad, the Professor, is a lovable character who quietly offers
support to Gracie throughout the story. Marianne is introduced as the
long suffering friend in the background who at the end of the story
plays a crucial role.
When Savanna meets and goes out with Mark, an older man, without
telling her parents and continuing to be Archie's girlfriend, Savanna's
manipulation of Gracie grows. How long will Archie believe Savanna's
lies and betrayals? Who will Gracie put first, Cooper or Savanna, as
the
end of year dance looms? Will Gracie finally be able to stand up to
Savanna?
This is a story about friendship, trust, betrayal, growing up and
moving on. The cover makes clear this novel is aimed at teenage girls.
Jenny Brisbane
Don't Want to Go by Shirley Hughes
Random House 2010.
(Ages 3-93) Highly recommended. I would defy anyone not to be
captivated by the tousle haired, pyjama clad heroine we meet on the
first page of Don't Want to Go. Toddler Lily's dad faces every
parent's
nightmare when Mum is struck down with a dose of flu and he has to go
to work.
Dad rings a friend and is confident that Lily will have a lovely day at
Melanie's house. Lily is not so sure. However, with the distraction of
a friendly pet dog, Melanie's baby boy and some old fashioned cutting
and sticking, Lily discovers that new experiences aren't as scary as
she thought. When Dad arrives to collect her she's having such a lovely
time she doesn't want to go home.
Shirley Hughes skilfully captures Lily's mutinous body language and
anxious expression when Dad drops her at Melanie's and says goodbye.
The little girl's gradual build up of confidence as she begins to enjoy
the simple activities is beautifully portrayed. In our hectic lives of
organised hobbies and electronic wizardry it's lovely to see children
enjoying the pleasures of imaginative play.
Shirley Hughes' books have a timeless, whimsical appeal that span the
generations and it's hard to believe that Lucy and Tom, the
protagonists of her first book published nearly fifty years ago, are
now old enough to be Lily's grandparents! This is a must for children
and their carers to savour. Brilliant!
Claire Larson
The unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech
Puffin Books, 2010.
Highly recommended. Lolling about in her tower at Casa Rosa, the angel
is surprised when the daughter of the new owner, Zola, sees her and
begins a conversation. Zola's father is about to set up an
international school in this village in the Swiss Alps, and causes some
noisy changes to the small elderly community. Zola tells the angel
about the children she has seen sheltering in the barn in the village
and wonders why no one is doing anything about them, telling the angel
that she should do something. The angel is perplexed; not only is this
person able to see her, she is extremely bossy and expecting the angel
to do things she has not thought about doing, if indeed that is part of
her role as an angel. The angel sees herself as unfinished, with work
still needing for her to be complete. She is unsure of what she is able
or should do, and in her own unfinished way of speaking, uses the most
amazing language, full of compound words and words that sound like
something we have heard but is not quite right. It is an endearing
trait.
The angel does as Zola demands, bringing the children into the tower
for shelter and little by little the villagers, come to accept the
children, giving them far more than shelter. But there is a problem as
the mayor wants the children removed, after all no one knows where they
are from or who they belong to, but the story is resolved beautifully
with the international school having its cohort readymade.
This is a beautifully tender story, showing the links between old and
young, the need for places to have children to carry on traditions and
keep people feeling young, the cycle of life and death. In amongst the
acts of kindness, the angel too learns more about herself and the
reasons she is on earth, while the reader absorbs many of the stories
behind the villagers, which will bring tears to the eye. Students will
love reading of this angel, and delight in her very funny language,
using it as a springboard for their own imaginations.
Fran Knight
Future justice edited by Helen Sykes
Future Leaders 2010 ISBN 9780980332049.
(Age 15+) Recommended. Every year, Dr Helen Sykes, founder of the
'Future leader' program,
chooses a theme to be considered by expert commentators and younger
writers. This year's theme is future justice - the possibility of
creating a more just world for future generations.
Janna Thompson defines intergenerational justice, Ian McDonald
questions society's preoccupation with economic growth and Michael
Kirby promotes equity regardless of sexual orientation. The Australian
Constitution is examined by Cheryl Saunders and George Williams
explains the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.
Spencer Zifcak offers solutions for the problems of the United Nations
while Jennifer Robinson compares the fates of West Papua and East Timor
to highlight the value of self-determination. Paula Gerber argues the
case for human rights education.
The moral dilemmas created by climate change are a recurring theme.
Peter Doherty considers the science, Julian Burnside discusses
Australia's obligations to environmental refugees and Larissa Behrendt
reminds us of that we hold the land 'on trust'.
Ten award-winning contributions by younger writers have a broader theme
- the human condition. Their subjects range from fictional treatments
of emotional issues, such as Alzheimers, to a wry recount of a year
spent running a school Environment Club.
The adult contributors have credentials in science, law, economics and
medicine, a passion for their subjects and experience as effective
communicators. Even when swayed by personal experience, their articles
are considered, balanced, concise, well organised and easy to read.
Technical terms are explained in the body of the text. The younger
writers demonstrate a desire for a fairer society and a growing
awareness of the power of the written
word.
br>
Future justice is a thought-provoking and rewarding book. A free copy
can be obtained from the Future
leaders website.
Elizabeth Bor
Now by Morris Gleitzman
Puffin Books, 2010. ISBN 9780670074372.
Ages 10+. Warmly recommended. Zelda, named for her grandfather's best
friend who died at the hands of the Nazis, is looked after by her
grandfather when her parents leave for Dubai. She has some trouble
coping with the bullies at school, and when she tells them of her
famous grandfather, a doctor of some repute, she is vilified by her
classmates. She tries to make amends, but in so doing destroys her
grandfather's precious letters from his patients, collected over many
years. All the while, Gleitzman, with consummate ease, builds up a
picture of Zelda's grandfather and what happened during the war. Zelda
drops in little bits of information about him, trying to please him,
but ultimately making him remember things he would prefer to forget.
Gelitzman's accomplished writing leads the reader to laugh and cry with
the two main protagonists as slowly all of the grandfather's secrets
are revealed, and Zelda realises why he always calls her Babushka,
rather than her given name.
In the background, bushfires tumble across the hills of Victoria,
closer and closer to their home on the outskirts of Melbourne. Fleeing
is eventually impossible, and try as they might, they cannot sustain
their attempts at putting out the fires in the house. Eventually they
find shelter, digging open the hole Zelda's dog has dug, sheltering
within the earth, covered by all of their blankets and doonas. When the
fire has passed, another disaster unfolds, as their neighbor, Josh,
finds it impossible to breathe and so grandfather and Zelda must
operate to clear his windpipe.
Gleitzman's skill at distilling major events down to a few pages is
staggering. Within the grandfather's time surviving during World War 2,
we hear stories of heroism and regret, survival and tragedy. The story
of the Victorian bushfires too is distilled into two families,
surviving the fires by with courage and a large amount of luck. Both
stories are presented thoughtfully and reverently, with room for the
reader to ponder such tragedies, one a natural disaster, and the other
of human hands.
Grandfather Felix's story has been told in two other books, Once and
Then, showing his life surviving the Nazi holocaust, but these do not
have to be read to understand or appreciate Now, although having read
Now, I'm sure readers will search out the other books.
Fran Knight
Toppling by Sally Murphy
Walker Books, 2010. ISBN 9781921529 429.
John's world revolves round his school friends, particularly Dom, and
his hobby, dominoes and toppling. The boys are in year six and their
teacher has given them an assignment to do which involves research,
collating information and finally presenting it in class at the end of
the term. Teams are set up, projects defined and they are off, but Dom
and John are wary of the school bully, Ky. In class one day, Dom is
very ill and taken home by his parents. The next few days John does not
see his best friend, and when someone does talk about him, it appears
that something is wrong. Eventually John is told that Dom is very ill
and in hospital with cancer.
John is extremely worried for his friend, and forbidden to visit him,
takes himself off to his room where he builds domino runs for toppling.
Eventually he is allowed to visit and initially reticent, their
conversation flows as the two friends exchange news about what they are
doing and what is happening to them.
A warm hearted story which gives information about children in hospital
and how to comfort the ill and their friends, this tale will have
appeal to middle primary students. Told in blank verse, the short
sentences resonate with layers of meaning as the two boys find their
way around each other, the hospital, the disease and their classmates,
including the bully.
Fran Knight
