ABC Books, 2009. ISBN 9780733324208.
(Age 11-14) From
the first paragraph Libby Hathorn focuses the reader's attention
upon the dangers facing the young Ingrid Crowe who carries a burden of
responsibility that no young person should have to contend with. Her
mother has revealed that she intends to
set fire to their home at the end of the day.We discover that Ingrid's
father is away for the long term, her
two
older brothers are being looked after on a farm far from home, and she
and her
sister Pippa live with a mother who has had little success with a
boarding
house in a fairly isolated country town. It becomes clear the Ingrid's
mother
is unable to cope with her situation and makes this terrible decision
about the
immediate future. She tells Ingrid that
she must commit to the plan.
The
story covers only a few days but within that time we see the
emotional trap that envelopes Ingrid, and we watch in fear as she tries
to save
all those who are precious around her. She has a strong sense of
family,
history and the courage required to face daunting circumstances. There
are numerous people in the town who
would help her but, at what cost? Her
family will be further torn apart by this devastating plan.It is
all too difficult to contemplate. We become so involved in the young
girl's
predicament that our journey through the book is full of tension too;
we try to
anticipate Ingrid's next move.This is a
powerful story, well told, with realistic characterisation, but be
cautioned,
the subject matter may be frightening for the immature reader.
Julie Wells
The golden flower by Eleanor Coombe
Lothian Children's Books, 2009.The
Faraway Series; book 10. ISBN 9780734410511.
(Primary) The glacier is melting and so are the hobyahs. Set on Faraway
Island, Ziel the Asrai River
Fairy Princess, works her magic and together with the hobyahs turns the
hated goblin
tunnels into 'giant ice blocks' (p46). Along with the Mistral
trees, Astara the Fairy Queen, Blaize,
the
Singing Fairy, Cedar, Puck and Wattleman, outwit Garton the New King of
the
Grim Goblins who have mined the Diamond River of its precious jewels
and in
doing so have polluted the river and restored Asrai's health.
The black and white illustrations emphasise
the good and bad characters and some of the names such as Puck, Eden
and
Wattleman are quite obvious. Text is well spaced and clear appealing to
early primary girls who enjoy reading books belonging to a series.
Sue Nosworthy
Here lies Arthur by Philip Reeve
Scholastic, 2007.ISBN
978 140710 358 7
(Ages: 10+) Highly recommended. One
of those books I had heard lots about so bought it to read. For those
wrapped
up in the Arthur legends then here is a definitive book that makes you
want to
reread the Arthur books and legends of old. Reeve has made Arthur just
like a
media personality or politician, and taken apart the hype that
surrounds him,
showing how it is all generated by his publicity man, in this case,
Myrddin
(Merlin) He creates stories about Arthur to tell at camp fires and
towns in the
area where Arthur is the local war lord. Myrddin is convinced that
Britain
needs an Arthur to drive out the Saxons and make Britain great under
one ruler.
And doesn't that sound familiar!
In
this story, Myrddin is at one of Arthur's pillages of a community, when
he
spies a young slave girl trying to escape. She jumps into the lake and
holds
her breath long enough to swim a long way down the river, holding her
breathe it
until she can surface out of harm's way. Here Myrddin conceives a plot
to engrandise
Arthur using her ability for swimming under water. So the Lady of the
Lake is
born, and Gwyna, now called Gwyn becomes Myrddin's servant.
When
Gwyn becomes older, his femalenees becomes more apparent so Myrddin
thinks to
installs him as Arthur's wife's servant, and so is privy to what is
happening in Gwenhwyfar's quarters. But Gwyna becomes enamoured of
Peri, a
lad she
found dressed as a woman by his mother, to avoid being taken as a
warrior.
The
story weaves back and forward, like a tale told at a campfire, with
plots and
sub plots brimming over, wrapping up the Arthurian legends in a way not
told
before. It is engrossing, entrancing and credible. The perspective
given by
Reeve is unlike any other, but like others is based on a great deal of
research,
many of the stories he tells being found in old manuscripts. His
character of
Gwyna/Gwyn is fictional, but then what is the story of Arthur, but a
wonderful
old tale.
Fran
Knight,
The last thing that I remember by Andrew Klavan
Headline Publishing, 2009. ISBN 9780755352999. Homelander series.
Recommended. A gripping and fascinating beginning to what
becomes a very
exciting and nightmarish journey for Charlie West. Well written, fast
moving and strongly of the
genre of good versus bad, the plot is quite mysterious to begin with,
but the
reader is blown along with the intricacies of the plot. In his
amazingly physically terrifying state,
Charlie recalls what his life was before he is captured.
The people he meets and the encounters he
faces auger well for a very exciting sequel. How exciting to read a
modern adventure book, with all the usual
personalities, both helpful and unfriendly who are very involved in the
adventure.
Boys will love this series. As
with some books there is a page of pull out stickers.
Sue Nosworthy
Beyond the Knock Knock door by Scott Monk
Random House, 2009. ISBN 9781741664072.
(Primary) This is a modern fantasy, fast moving with an
amazing list
of characters and fearsome animals. The
Bowman triplets are plagued by the terrifying Thornleigh sisters.
Michael gives a homeless man his fare and the
intrigue begins. The triplets answer a
riddle in a door and find themselves embroiled in a world of exotic
people who
challenge them in their beliefs and judgement. It's action packed and
races from one hair raising situation to
the next
with hardly a breath in between. The
text is well spaced and clear, an encouragement to boys to read. Modern
dialogue will appeal to readers.
Sue Nosworthy
Lucky by Rachel Vail
Harper Collins (Harper Teen. 2009. ISBN 9780060890452.
(Age 13+) An American teen novel sadly
popular with pre teens as
well. It's very hard to be enthusiastic
about such hum drum writing, especially when shrouded with rich girl
syndrome,
beautiful people controlling the year group and constant references to
money! Phoebe and her four friends are
excitedly
preparing for their middle school graduation with the 'hottest party'
ever. Spoilt, over indulged girls who
think of little other than who will be invited and what they will wear
is
painful to read, (but I'm not 14!).
Phoebe's crisis comes when her mother loses her job. Dad is a teacher
and the family can't afford
the beautiful green dress on the cover (and only from Neiman Marcus!)
or the
cost of the dance. In her speech as year
captain, Phoebe tries to redress her friendship with her friends and
this is a
highlight of the book.
No doubt
teenagers will read it as Rachel Vail has written many in this genre.
Sue Nosworthy
Without looking back by Tabitha Suzuma
Corgi Books, 2009.
(Ages 10 +)Highly recommended. We've
all heard harrowing stories of children abducted by one parent, leaving
the
other in fear and anguish. Tabitha Suzuma weaves a powerful story
around three
children trapped in just such a traumatic situation. For Max, Louis and
Millie,
life in Paris with their high flying French mother is difficult enough
without
their parents fighting for custody in a vindictive divorce battle. The
children
know that their Irish Father is at risk of losing them due to his
fragile
mental state, so a final weekend with him before the start of the new
school
year is especially important to all three.
However,
what begins as a weekend in Paris turns into an unexpected flight to
England. A
promised week of extra holiday as a special treat stretches into two,
and
finally the children are confronted with the truth; their father has
kidnapped
them.
The story
is told through the eyes of twelve year old Louis, the middle child and
a
talented street dancer. Gradually all three children adjust to their
new lives
in the Lake District and Louis's friendship with fellow dancer Tess,
seals
their fragile sense of security. However, Louis and Tess's winning
entry in a
dance competition is reported in the newspaper, and terrified of
discovery,
their father forces them to flee again.
Suzuma
maintains a cracking narrative with a strong vein of realism and plenty
of
excitement and tension. She confronts difficult questions in a way that
young
readers can relate to, but which never avoids the reality: however the
situation resolves, someone will lose out. The unexpected ending shows
just how
messy such situations can be and left me longing to find out more.
Perhaps
there is room for a sequel?Tabitha
Suzuma is already an established and impressive writer for teenagers
and here
she turns her talents to a younger readership. The strong plot, coupled
with Louis's
passion for dancing keep the story fresh and up to date and able and
mature
readers of 10+ are in for a treat.
Claire Larson
Little bird by Penni Russon.
Girlfriend
fiction). Allen and Unwin, 2009.ISBN 978 1
74175 864 164p (Age 11-14) Recommended.A twitty
adolescent novel, appealing to the teenager who is
unsure of herself, but through a series of family incidents gains
confidence
finds friends and accepts who she is.It's a family novel, centring around Shandra who is organising
her
perfect wedding and everyone around, including her younger sister
Ruby-Lee who
tells the story.To complicate matters,
Shandra's best friend Collette is also to be a bridesmaid and will make
the
dresses. She has a baby Maisy born to Spence a teacher at Ruby-Lee's
school.Ruby Lee is fascinated with
Spence and the situation becomes awkward when Ruby Lee baby sits Maisy.She falls out with her best school friend and
life becomes very difficult.But,
Ruby-Lee learns about pain, love and respect.She has grown up a lot.
Sue Nosworthy
Labour day by Joyce Maynard
Harper Collins, 2009. ISBN 9780061920783.
(Age 15+) Recommended. An intriguing novel, written from a
thirteen year old's point
of view. Henry and his Mother Adele live
an unusual and increasingly lonely and dysfunctional life.
Into their lives comes Frank, a man with a
black past. On a rare visit to a
department store Frank attaches himself to the pair. For the next five
days over the Labour Day
weekend the reader learns of Adele's past, Henry's inner anguish about
adolescence; girls, sex and making love and Frank. Henry
desperately wants a change over the hot August holidays and that he
gets. It's a change within himself as we
see him
share his innermost thoughts and those he observes from his Mother and
Frank
with the reader.
It's a psychologically interesting novel
highlighting the vulnerability and frailty of the human condition.
Sue Nosworthy
First the egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Frances
Lincoln
Children's Books, 2009. ISBN 9781845079697.
(0+) Highly recommended. A 2008 Caldecott Honor Book and
rightly so, this is a beautiful and fascinating picture book that looks
at how
things evolve. First comes a white cut-out of an egg and on page turn,
the
reader sees the egg change into a chicken. Then there is a tiny green
cut-out
of a tadpole which turns into a frog.Other
wonders of nature follow, including a seed growing into a flower and a
caterpillar turning into a butterfly. Then in an interesting twist, a
word
turns into the story that has been read so far.
The illustrations are lush and colourful. Bold, bright
brushstrokes show the beauty of the transformations. The simple text
will lend
itself to being read aloud to the very young and beginning readers
would have a
delightful book to practise simple words.
Certain to become a classic, this is one book that is sure
to be cherished by its readers.
Pat Pledger
Servants depots in colonial South Australia by Marie Steiner
Wakefield
Press,2009. ISBN
9781862548053.
(Ages: Senior
secondary). A sliver of history in the broad sweep of
South Australia's 180 or so years, is taken up in this slim book, to
show us
how women were treated in early SA, and what part the government played
in
their protection. In 1855, shiploads of single women were in assisted
passage
to SA, to find employment and husbands. Surprisingly to me, many were
Irish.
When these women arrived, a depressed harvest in SA meant that there
were few
jobs available and so the government stepped in and provided depots in
Adelaide
initially and then Victor Harbor, Clare, Gawler, Robe, Kapunda, Mt
Barker and
Willunga. These places boarded the women with a matron, and helped them
find
employment. Steiner goes through the running, maintenance and success
of
depots, devoting a chapter to each.
One particular ship, the Nashwauk, which
foundered at Moana Rocks in 1855, and held 163
Irish girls is given close attention. We are told about the women, and
what
happened to each in turn as they found employment and/or husbands, or
travelled
on to Melbourne, hoping for better prospects.
It seems that the government at the time felt
that some care should be taken with these girls, lest they fall into
bad
company and prostitution, so set up these depots where people wanting
employees
could come and talk to the girls. The strict 'boarding house' regime
reflected
the life in the ships they came in, and so I imagine many were very
happy to
get work. But some came back within a few weeks, either the pay was
poor, or
not as much as promised, or the work far too hard, or they found they
were in a
place with no other woman. Many reasons for returning are explained,
and it is
interesting to see the lengths the board (Female Immigration Board)
went in
checking their stories, and in the case of several of the matrons,
retrieving
moneys owed to the girls by employers who dismissed them. A
fascinating look at a small part of our history, this book would be
particularly useful to students of women's studies or the history of
South
Australia.
Fran Knight
The dragon tattoo by Tim Pigott-Smith
Hodder
Children's Books,2008.
(Ages 8-12) The renowned actor Tim Pigott-Smith has turned his hand
to writing and created an enjoyable Holmes-esque yarn surrounding the
kidnap of a young girl whose father is mixed up with a sinister Chinese
gang called the Dragons. The
Irregulars are a band of youngsters who assist Sherlock Holmes in
solving crimes
and mysteries. The Dragon Tattoo tells the story of how they
first come
together in their efforts to find Holmes (who has disappeared in
mysterious
circumstances) and rescue Ann-Li from her dastardly kidnappers. Among
the
motley crew of Irregulars are Holmes' page boy Billy Chizzell, Sam
almost as
intuitive and devious as Holmes himself and Titch who has to disguise
herself
as a boy to survive on the streets of Victorian London.
A fun
story, competently written and with sufficient excitement, plot twists
and the
occasional touch of pathos to satisfy most young readers. The
references to
Sherlock Holmes and Watson elevate the story from a routine adventure
and with
luck will entice youngsters to try Conan-Doyle himself. Chris Mould's
atmospheric illustrations and Pigott-Smith's cinematic action sequences
add to
the suspense. It's all rounded off nicely with a sample of the
Irregulars next
adventure at the end of the book. Look out for The Rose of
Africa published this autumn which is sure to please
young readers eager for a series.
Claire
Larson
The whisperer by Fiona McIntosh
HarperCollins,
2009. ISBN 9780732286675
(Age 9-12) Griff is a boy with an amazing
ability - he can hear people's thoughts. He works in a circus as a
grunt,
putting up the circus tent and doing odd jobs. One day he carelessly
lets the
greedy circus owner find out about his magical skill and finds himself
as an
act
reading people's minds. Unhappy, he joins forces with Tess, who has a
group of
mythical animals, and together they flee from the circus, and go on a
quest to
find the Whisperer, the young prince, Lute, who speaks in Griff's mind
and
whose wicked uncle Janko is trying to take over the kingdom.
The story is told in alternate chapters which
flow along easily, giving the reader a good understanding of what is
happening
to Griff and to Lute. There are many elements here that make for a good
fantasy - the good prince versus his evil uncle who is after the
throne,
courageous
children with the ability to talk to animals and to read thoughts, and
fabulous
mythical beasts.
The plot is action driven and with enough
adventure to please the young reader. Griff, Lute and Tess are
courageous and
loyal, and the adults in the novel are well developed characters, from
the
weak, kindly king to the brave Pilo who guards the young prince. The
antics and
dialogue of the dwarf Bitter Olaf and the pirate queen, Calico Grace,
provide
many laughs.
McIntosh has written an engrossing novel
that primary children should enjoy.
Pat Pledger
What does your daddy do? by Gordon Reece and Vilma Cencic
Lothian Children's Books, 2009. ISBN 9780734411129.
(Age 5-7) Tina goes crying to her room because her
teacher
asks everyone what their fathers do, and her father doesn't have an
important
job. Ranjit's father is an actor on TV, Peter's father is a rock star
and Julie's
is a famous judge, but Tina's sweeps the streets. Mum explains that the
most
important job in the world for a father is to love his child and Tina's
Dad is
expert at that. He reads her stories at bedtime, listens to her tall
tales and
looks after her.
Vilma Cencic's illustrations are a delight. She has chosen animals for
the
characters in the story and each fits the type of occupation that the
fathers
have. Tina and her parents are cute koalas, the rock star father is an
echnida
with spines reminiscent of spiky hair, and the general in the army is a
wicked
looking crocodile with sharp teeth. Lots of humorous detail will keep
young
children giggling as they listen to or read the story.
This has a reassuring message for young children. After reading this
book, they
can go away knowing that no matter what their father's occupation is,
love is
the most important thing of all. It's better to have a loving, caring
parent
than a father with the most important job in the world.
Pat Pledger
The bone tiki by David Hair
HarperCollins, 2009.
ISBN 9781869507343.
(Age 11+) Recommended. Very reminiscent of The Dark is Rising
by
Susan
Cooper,
this powerful novel stretches the reader's imagination in a fascinating
way. For readers not familiar with the
Maori stories there is an added layer, a little like the Australian
dreamtime
stories. To share the parallel words in
New Zealand, then and now, makes for a fast moving, many times bloody
and
gruesome journey for Mat. He made his
parents a pendant, the Maori half for his father and the Celtic knot
for his
mother. Mat lives with his lawyer father,
his mother now lives in Taupo. Through a
convoluted series of incidents, Mat has the man shaped tiki which
Puarata wants
for his evil dominance. Mat Wiri, Kelly
and a dog (who has other forms) called Fitzy embark on a quest to free
Wiri
from the hated Puarata. The creatures,
people and towns from an earlier time give the reader a
realistic feeling for another time, through Mat's
eyes. It's
an exciting time travel, with well rounded characters, both good and
evil.
Sue Nosworthy.
