Reviews

Hourglass by Claudia Gray

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HarperCollins, 2010. ISBN 9780732289690.
(Age 15+) This is the third in the Evernight series, following Evernight and Stargazer and is not a stand alone read. Bianca has joined Lucas and his family in the Black Cross society, where they struggle to keep the secret that Bianca is a vampire. Of course this is difficult as Bianca needs to drink blood and that's not easy to do in front of a group of vampire hunters! Bianca is caught between the world of the Black Cross, her loyalty to her vampire parents and the danger of the wraiths. All this explodes in one giant finale, leaving me breathless for the next volume.
There are plenty of energetic battles, captures and action scenes for those who like their plot to move along swiftly and this is quite exciting with Bianca and Lucas having to make some hard decisions about where their loyalties lie. The romance between Bianca and Lucas, with Balthazar thrown in again to add some conflict, develops well for those who like some romance with their vampires.
Hourglass does not have a predictable plot. Gray brings in quite a few surprises that should thrill the reader and the climax is amazing leaving lots of questions to be answered in Afterlife, the next book to come out in the series.
Pat Pledger

The Chestnut King by N.D. Wilson

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Random House, 2010. ISBN: 978 1864719727.
(For ages 10 and up). Henry, the young protagonist of the story, has lived part of his life in Henry, Kansas, and part in the parallel universe of Hylfing. He visits the latter, using the cupboard as his entry point. On his return to Hylfing, he discovers his quest is to find the Chestnut King and enlist his help in defeating his enemy, Nimiane, the witch. Accompanied by his cousin, his friend and Franklin-Fat-Faerie, Henry follows his father's instructions and goes to meet his fate. He proves himself to be capable and truly comes of age by the end of the tale.
This is the third book in the 100 Cupboards series but, despite being a well written novel, I felt it did not work well as a stand-alone title. I had previously read the first title but missed the second book, Dandelion Fire. Hence, I found that, because of the sheer quantity of characters and events I had obviously missed, this story was initially quite difficult to follow. Usually, I find reading to be effortless and a sheer joy, whereas The Chestnut King was a chore until I had passed the mid way point of its 480 pages. Having finally placed the various characters and pieced together some of the events I had missed, I found the ending to be satisfactory and enjoyable. For the more mature readers and true lovers of fantasy, I have no doubt this would be a well accepted and sought after title but I would certainly discourage students from reading the series out of sequence.
Jo Schenkel, Pilgrim School

Brainjack by Brian Falkner

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Walker Books, 2009. ISBN 9781921150951
(Age 13+) Recommended. On the shortlists for both the NZ Post Children's Book Awards and the Sir Julius Vogel Awards (for Science Fiction books), Brain Jack is a suspenseful story that I could hardly bear to put down. It follows Sam Wilson who is a brilliant computer hacker. His illegal activities bring him to the attention of Homeland Security after he manages to hack into Telecomerica, the White House and then hack his way out of detention. Employed by the government to watch out for nasties, he and the team uncover a plot where neuro-headsets have been used to take over the world.
This is a fast paced action thriller, set in the near future in a United States where a bomb has razed Las Vegas and technology is taking over. Falkner has come up with some great technology and ideas about computers that I found fascinating to read.  Sam manages to steal a neuro-headset for his friend Fargas and himself, and suddenly a keyboard and a mouse are no longer necessary. Fargas, in particular, gets immersed in an online game run by a computer body called Ursula, but when Homeland Security is threatened, Sam realises that the neuro-headsets are plugged into so many minds that they could be dangerous.
Exciting escapes, intrigue, car chases and danger kept me on the edge of my seat as Sam, Dodge, Vienna and Ranger race to try and save the world from mind invasion and war. Sam's character is well-developed and believable and secondary characters well rounded. The conclusion is especially thought provoking and would engender a lot of discussion.
I loved The tomorrow code by Falkner and this book is even more exciting. Recommended for readers who like adventure, computers or those who enjoyed Little Brother by Cory Doctorow.
Pat Pledger

The Story of Cirrus Flux by Matthew Skelton

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Puffin, 2009. ISBN: 978 0 141320373.
Recommended. Beginning with a prologue set in the Antarctic Circle in 1756, the story jumps to the year 1783 and the protagonist, the orphan, Cirrus Flux. When Madame Orrery arrives at the orphanage, offering to take Cirrus and provide him with a trade, Mr Chalfont instead suggests she take another child in his place. Against her better judgment, the woman consents to taking Pandora, 'the girl hiding behind the curtains', thus beginning the adventure for both children. Cirrus is under close observation by a group of characters all wishing to obtain the sphere which they believe him to have in his possession. Pandora and Cirrus's other friends assist him in escaping their clutches and unearthing the mystery of his family.
This is an engaging tale set across several time periods, with the story moving between events in his father's life and the time in which Cirrus exists. The author describes the eighteenth century as being 'a period of great exploration, scientific discovery and philosophical debate, commonly known in Britain as the Age of Enlightenment.' He brings the era to life with the addition of some fantastic creatures and both endearing and much despised characters. Friendship, belonging and hope are important themes throughout this thoroughly recommended novel.
Jo Schenkel, Pilgrim School

My Mum by Anthony Browne

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Picture Corgi, 2010. ISBN 9780552560207.
(Age 3+) Recommended. From the beginning sentence, 'She's nice, my mum,' with its picture of an ordinary woman in a flowery dressing gown, I knew that I was about to read another one of Browne's warm, quirky stories. Told through the eyes of a young child, in this story Mum can do anything. She is a great gardener, cook and juggler. She could be dancer or an astronaut - in fact she is a SuperMum!
The illustrations are bold and vibrant with lots of touches of whimsy like Mum turning into a floral armchair and a beautiful butterfly. Readers will be delighted to see Browne's signature gorilla's face on one page, and it is lovely to follow the heart motif that portrays the great love that Mum has for the child and the child for the mother. Browne's clever touches like Mum in a classic Marilyn Monroe pose and as a medieval angel playing a harp,(albeit with fluffy slippers), bring a smile to the face.
With My Mum, Browne pays a moving tribute to mothers everywhere with a powerful portrayal of motherly love. This book would make an excellent addition to a library and a great Mother's Day present.
Pat Pledger

Scream Street: Claw of the Werewolf by Tommy Donbavand

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Walker Books, 2009. ISBN 978 1406314298.
Discovering he was a werewolf on the occasion of his tenth birthday was a shock to Luke. When this transformation occurs again he and his family are moved by GHOUL and sent to live in Scream Street with other similar types. Luke's parents are terrified of the inhabitants of the street and haven't smiled since they arrived there. Luke soon makes friends with Cleo (a mummy) and Resus (a vampire) and together they began the quest to return Luke and his family from the terrors of Scream Street to their home assisted by the contents of an old book requiring them to find six relics left behind by the streets founding fathers. Only when they have collected them all will they have the power to open the door back to Luke's own world.
As the story begins there is one relic left to find to complete their mission however the location and ease with which they can collect it is compromised when Luke discovers a long held family secret and a simple sneeze puts their quest in jeopardy. Luke and his friends develop a greater understanding of their past and the evolution of Scream Street as it is today through their adventures and the completion of the story is a positive one for the reader.
Scream Street
is an entertaining short novel of which there are seven other titles available. This title is the completion of the quest but quite easily read as a standalone. In the current climate of werewolves and vampires I would recommend these titles to younger readers.
Tracy Glover

Bear flies high by Michael Rosen

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Ill. by Adrian Reynolds. Bloomsbury, 2009. ISBN 9780747597971. Includes a CD read by Michael Rosen.
(Age 3+) Recommended. Another wonderful picture book about Bear, who we met in The Bear in the cave. This time Bear is sitting on the beach watching the birds in the sky go 'swoopy swoopity swoop' and wishing that he could fly. His friends come along and tell him to follow them if he wants to fly. He finds himself at an amusement park and has a great time on the rides, in the haunted house and finally soars high on the big flipper.
Rosen's verse story is a delight to read aloud with its lyric words and repetition. There is a statement on the left hand of the page with a refrain with a question in the middle: 'I'm a bear on a beach. On a beach? On a beach.' On the right hand page is another sentence followed by a wonderful rhyme just meant for children to say along with the reader. A CD accompanying the book is a fine addition. Read by Rosen, who is a superb storyteller, it has background music and sounds and a beginning reader could listen to it and follow the words on the page.
The illustrations are in vibrant orange, blue and green. The bear is a lumbering, cuddly, enormous animal, which children will love. They will be happy to know that sometimes wishes can come true, especially if you have friends who are willing to help you realise them!
Pat Pledger

Mum and me by Annie White

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Lothian, 2010. ISBN 9780733625213.
(3+) Recommended. A verse story celebrating the love that a little girl has for her mother, Mum and me is a delight to read aloud. Told from the little girl's perspective, the reader is taken through a series of daily events, starting with breakfast, when 'My mum knows just what I like. She makes me toast with vegemite'. As the day continues, the little girl is allowed to dress in her favourite clothes and to paint her toe nails pink. The rest of the day is filled with fun and games: trumpet practice, hide and seek and splashing in puddles.
The illustrations perfectly complement the text. The figures are big and bold and stand out against a pastel or white background. Mum and her daughter wear bright coloured clothes and both have gorgeous spiral hairstyles. I loved the little toy bear and doll that popped up in most of the pictures, often with comical expressions on their faces or actions to match what is happening in the story.
This is a book that will be perfect as a gift for Mother's Day or to use in a theme about families. Beginning readers will also love the rhymes and will be able to work out many of the words from the pictures.
Pat Pledger

Full tilt by Neal Shusterman

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Simon and Shuster, 2009. ISBN 9781416997481.
(Age 13+) Recommended. If you are after a roller coaster of a read then go no further than Full tilt. Blake is a 16-year-old boy, who always does the right thing. He is steady and reliable; all set to go off to college on a scholarship. Quinn, his younger brother, is the opposite. He takes dangerous risks and Blake is forever getting him out of trouble. During a visit to a carnival with his brother and friends Maggie and Russ, Blake meets a beautiful girl Cassandra who invites him to an amusement park, a private one that can only be entered with an invitation. Blake is too responsible to take up that offer but later that night Quinn is found in a coma and Blake realises that his wild brother has used his invitation and something terrible has happened to him. Driving full tilt to the park with Maggie and Russ, Blake is forced to ride seven rides before dawn in order to save his brother's soul. Each of the rides must be finished, but they are not the usual carnival rides - each one makes the rider examine their greatest fears or faults. If you can't finish the ride then you become part of the park!
This is a fast paced thriller with Blake facing his worst fears when the animals on a carousel stampede, bumper cars go berserk demolishing everything around them and a hall of mirrors turns people into monsters. Finally he must face his greatest fear - why was he the only survivor of the bus crash when he was a child? Could he have saved the other children on the bus? Cassandra keeps appearing to challenge and dare him and he must keep his wits about him. The suspense is chilling as Blake faces danger after danger and Maggie and Russ also face their fears. Although the plot is action packed, ultimately it is a coming of age story where all the characters learn things about themselves.
Fult tilt is a compelling fantasy thriller that will enthral readers who like computer games and the excitement of amusement parks. The originality of the story and the drama of the rides certainly kept me compelled to read quickly to the end.
Pat Pledger

I Spy Dad by Janeen Brian

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Ill. by Chantal Stewart. New frontier, 2009. ISBN 9781921042171.
(Age 3+) A little girl plays a game of I spy, looking for Dads and wondering where hers will be. She see a huge variety of fathers: a splashing dad, a crashing dad, a dashing dad, dads of all ages, sizes and backgrounds, doing all kinds of things that a dad might do. Where will hers be?
The internal rhymes in I spy Dad make it a perfect book to read aloud. The verse is black on a white background with only a few words per page so would be perfect for beginning readers to read along with and begin to recognise some words. The beautiful pictures painted in bright water colours by Chantal Stewart complement the text and would also help a beginning reader to guess what the dad is doing.
What I liked most about this book was the love portrayed in the pictures and the text. It is a celebration of the diversity of the ethnic origins and the wide range of activities that fathers and their children can do. This makes it a perfect book to talk about family love and the different ways that families operate. It would also be a good Father's Day gift, but best of all it is a book to look at and enjoy.
Pat Pledger

The dead tossed waves by Carrie Ryan

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Orion Books, 2010. ISBN 9780575090903.
(Age 14+) I loved The forest of hands and teeth and couldn't wait to read what turns out to be a companion volume. The dead tossed waves is set well in the future, with Mary, the heroine who couldn't wait to see the world, now the mother of teenage Gabry, and a secondary character. The action centres around Gabry who has grown up obeying the rules about staying on her side of the Barrier, well away from the Mudo, the Unconsecrated, who can turn the living with a single bite. One night she is persuaded by Catcher and his sister Cira to climb over the Barrier which keeps them out, and when Catcher is bitten her whole world changes.
What follows is a series of adventures, interspersed with a lot of soul searching by Gabry, who often irritated me as a narrator. She seems to be constantly doubting herself, while undertaking the most amazingly brave feats, like swimming in an ocean which could be infested with Mudos to go to see Catcher andfinding her way through the forest while evading their waving hands and teeth.
Although it states that it is a companion volume on the back cover of The dead tossed waves, reading The forest of hands and teeth first would definitely be an advantage, especially as it fills out some of Mary's story. This volume gives very little background to the characters from the first book although some of that information is crucial to the story of Elias, who is a Recruiter searching for his lost sister and a major player in the book.
In many ways this story parallels the first volume: Gabry also loves 2 boys, Catcher and Elias, she has issues with her mother as did Mary and there is a race through the forest evading the Unconsecrated (the Mudos). However along with some breathtaking action and suspense, it brings some new thought provoking ideas: Is there any soul left in the Mudos? Is there any chance of finding out how to become immune to them? What is life like in the Dark City?
It looks as if I will have to wait for Volume 3, The Dark and Hollow Places, due to come out in 2011, to get some answers to my unresolved questions about Gabry's dilemmas, how Elias lost his sister, and what boy will Gabry end up with.
Pat Pledger

Candle man by Glenn Dakin

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Egmont, 2010.
A ghostly London cemetery near 'Kensington Gore' was the inspiration and opening scene for this weird Gothic/fantasy story. Theo, the hero, is a prisoner of the evil Dr Saint and is allowed one venture outside per year on his birthday. He discovers a present , a snowdome with a cryptic message, left for him on a headstone. Thus begins the unravelling of all he has been led to believe in his 13 years. Dr Saint, head of the misnamed Society of Good Works has told Theo that he, Theo, has a dreadful condition which means he cannot be around others and which necessitates him being immersed daily in a Mercy Tube which drains him of energy.
Next, a burglary reveals to Theo that he has the power to melt people with just a touch- hence he is the Candle Man. Confused as to his identity, Theo escapes from Empire Hall with the aid of three members of The Society of Eternal Vigilance. Thus begins a series of conflicts between the two societies and a classic good v evil scenario. Theo learns that Dr Saint has twisted language to his own ends, 'We will see a happier world - where only the chosen few will suffer the anxieties of power and the burden of riches -where the ordinary man will enjoy the virtues of poverty and the bliss of slavery.'(p119)
The settings for the ensuing conflicts vary from underground caverns to cathedrals and towers and include all kinds of mythical, extinct and fantasy creatures. There are garghouls (man like figures with pointed horns and bat wings), a Dodo, giant Siberian Wolf rats the size of terriers, Foundling slaves and smoglodytes - ugly imps with transparent skin 'revealing bubbling gas and shrivelled organs pulsating inside' (p133). Dr Saint seems indestructible and Theo learns the Dr had been siphoning power from Theo for himself. It culminates, of course, in a life and death struggle between them.
For all the imaginative special effects this is an unsatisfying story. Meandering and confusing, it seems to have needed good editing with less being much much more. The themes of learning one's true identity, misusing language and establishing trust after a childhood of abuse are submerged in the endless fighting. There is little real suspense as Theo and his allies are rescued as soon as they are trapped and there is insufficient character development for us to really care about them. Glenn Dakin seems to have written this as an action movie; some boys from upper primary to middle school may persist with this one.
Kevyna Gardner

Killing God by Kevin Brooks

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Penguin Books, 2009.
Recommended for libraries, senior students and those parents willing to read it. Dawn Bundy is a confused, lonely 15 year old hiding a traumatic secret. We guess it almost at the outset, but Dawn can't confront it and as a result, seeks refuge in her room, her music and her two dogs, Jesus and Mary. The dogs are ironically named because religion and the church can't help Dawn - in fact both get quite a serve here - and Dawn wants nothing less than to 'kill God.' Her born-again-Christian father hadn't changed his spots at all so Dawn wants to do away with God. Her drugged mother watches TV all day and her dad disappeared two years ago - 'all God's fault.' (blurb)
Needless to say, Dawn is wandering aimlessly until street smart Taylor and Mel from school barge into her house and life and take her in hand. We question their motives but they give Dawn a makeover to boost her self esteem.  Dawn gains confidence but in the process has to confront her dark secret and Mel reveals she and Dawn have had a similar family issue. She warns Dawn of impending danger. It all leads to an explosive soap opera climax which is predictable but nonetheless gripping.
The strength of this book is the gift the author has for capturing the voice of Dawn in a stream-of-consciousness style. Convincing and believable, it is not only very readable but also able to perfectly portray Dawn's struggle to reconcile reason, religion and powerful conflicting emotions. Her self becomes divided in the process. Interspersed are snippets of Dawn's favourite lyrics which reflect her inner reality to herself.  Her parents, by contrast, are more shadowy and less believable characters, but it is essentially Dawn's story.
As we see the world through Dawn's eyes we understand her difficulty in rejecting her parents whom she wants to love. The book brings shades of grey to what can be a black and white issue. It is a valuable insight into the mind of an abused child. Sadly, Dawn has no-one to turn to for help at home, school or church but this very likely reflects the reality for many. Set in England, this book travels well; however, the title and anti-religion stance may deter many.
Kevyna Gardner

Airman by Eoin Colfer

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Puffin, Penguin Group, 2008.
Recommended. Short-listed for the Carnegie Medal in 2009, Airman was also on the New York Times best seller list. It is sure to be a hit with boys from 10 up; adults would enjoy it too. It is an old-fashioned 'Boy's Own Adventure' story where Jules Verne meets The Count of Monte Cristo meets H.G. Wells.
The setting is the uninhabited Saltee islands (which really do exist off the coast of Ireland) where our intrepid boy hero Conor  Broekhart is sent to mine diamonds in appalling conditions near the end of the 19th century. His crime is to have witnessed the head of the island's guards, the dastardly Marshall Bonvilain, killing both King Nicholas Trudeau and Conor's tutor, Victor Vigny. Marshall Bonvilain then takes control of the islands in order to turn them into a diamond market and the progressive kingdom of the Trudeaus then decays.
Conor is no ordinary 14 year old boy. Born in a hot air balloon, he is fascinated with flying and has been tutored in fencing, pugilism, weaponry, and the martial arts. With his tutor he had been experimenting with flying machines. Intelligent, strong, resourceful and of scientific mind, his early years as a beloved son and the childhood companion to the Princess Isabella stand him in good stead throughout three years of inhumane prison life with its evil guards and  'Battering Ram' gangsters. To add to his predicament, he believes his family have swallowed Bonvilain's lies about Conor betraying them.
The odds seemed stacked against Conor at every turn, providing the ingredients for a swashbuckling action packed yarn. Although violence is portrayed, Conor refuses to betray his principles and will not kill. He is mentored by the wise Linus Wynter, a blind American musician. The themes of loyalty, ethics, courage and friendship are explored.  Although factual mechanical explanations of early flying machines are provided, the reader will readily suspend disbelief as he is caught up in Conor's adventures.
This page turner would make a good read aloud, especially for reluctant readers. This would also help younger readers who may need help to understand shifts in viewpoints and time jumps. A must have for all school libraries.
Kevyna Gardner

The Wrath of Silver Wolf by Simon Higgins

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Random House, Australia, 2009.
Suitable for boys and girls 10+. The first in the Moonshadow series, The Eye of the Beast, introduced us to Moonshadow, the apprentice ninja from medieval Japan. He is trained by the secret brotherhood, the Grey Light Order, and equipped with special powers such as the ability to merge his mind with animals and then control them. He is fast, skillful and smart but does not kill. Here we meet him accompanied by fellow ninja, the beautiful but temperamental Snowhawk, on a rooftop, spying on a minor lord who is plotting to overthrow the Shogun or ruler.
They learn they must visit the mountain shrine home of the albino White Nun, the Order's oldest adviser, who has forseen an attack on her and who insists the two teenagers be sent to assist her. The attack on the White Nun is planned by Silver Wolf, a warlord who seeks to destroy the Shogun and rule Japan himself. He prides himself on his noble blood, sharp steel and heart of ice. He handpicks his team - Wada, who feels no pain, Kagero, a sorceress, Chikuma, 'a one-man slaughterhouse' (p62) who uses no force, weapons or poisons, and Jiro, the knife throwing tattooed gangster.
What ensues are deadly struggles between these highly skilled adversaries. The youngsters struggle with their own insecurities and lack of knowledge but are a formidable team. The author choreographs the fights in intricate detail and readers of anime and manga graphic novels will enjoy these scenes.
The themes of the book include loyalty, negative emotions creating bad karma, destiny, and the fanaticism of the zealous patriot.
Simon Higgins is a student of Iaido, medieval samurai swordsmanship and etiquette, and he has researched Japanese history and culture.  He blends spy thriller, fantasy, action, mythology and spiritualism with the supernatural world of ancient Japan. Like the first book, the viewpoint switches between the ninjas, the assassins and the Order. It would make a good movie.
Kevyna Gardner