Random House, 2009. ISBN 9781741662979.
Recommended. Growing up in a
community where strict rules restrict the behaviour, clothing and ideas
of the
population causes some angst amongst the teenagers. Shaving their hair
every
month incites several to rebel against this draconian law, in place to
make
sure everyone is equal. But the reason for enforced equality is at the
heart of
this wonderful dystopian novel, where a population is sheltered under a
dome
over an island in the South Pacific. For their own survival, global
warming
having decimated the rest of the world, this group of people has
developed a
strict code by which they live.
With every aspect
of life regulated on the basis that it is necessary for survival, the
younger
members seek answers to their questions, resulting in an undermining of
the
order which rules their lives. The ideas of public good, social
experimentation, future of society, environmental damage and the
people's right to know are all explored in this powerful tome.
Beale's character are presented sympathetically, even the ones in power
are
understandable, as they strive to retain the cohesion of the group.
Chapters
are short and the plot moves quickly. The wonderful addition of inserts
shows
the reader what the general community is feeling adding to the tension
building
up between Juno and her friends and those in charge. The need to know
what is
Outside causes change and grief.
This is a
blindingly good read, bringing in all aspects of dystopian fiction,
adding to
the range of fiction now available for our students to read. It would
make a
stunning class text with a class willing to let themselves go into this
world
created so ably by Beale, and see the possible futures for Juno and her
community as well as themselves.
Fran Knight
The eternal kiss. Vampire tales of blood and desire. Ed. by Trisha Telep
Random House, 2009. ISBN 9781864719413.
(Age 14+) Thirteen vampire
stories by some of the leading authors in this genre are sure to be a
crowd
pleaser with those who enjoy their stories with blood and fangs.
Certainly not of the girl falls
in love with a vampire variety, this
collection of short stories contains some very well written and quite
compulsive stories by authors like Cassandra Clare, Kelley Armstrong,
Holly
Black, Cecil Castellucci and Rachel Caine. One tale that stood out for
me was
Cassandra Clare's Other boys, which has a terrifying twist when
Jennifer
decides that she will go out the boy who says he is a vampire. Wet
teeth, the
short story by Cecil Castellucci, leaves a very nasty aftertaste as
does All
Hallows by Rachel Caine.
For readers who are looking for
more authors in the vampire genre, these short stories will introduce
them to
many more authors that they may like to try. An author biography
section at the
back of the book contains a brief introduction to each of the authors
and a
description of some of their books. I was already a fan of Holly Black
and
Cassandra Clare but I have decided to try other books by Melissa de la
Cruz whose
story Shelter Island about Dylan Ward inspired me to get one of
her
Blue Blood
series. The thirteenth step by Libba Bray will thrill readers
and
totally
surprise them with an unexpected ending.
Her book, A great and terrible beauty, has been on my list to
find for
some time and I will certainly read it now after such a compelling
short story.
Pat Pledger
The bride's farewell by Meg Rosoff
Penguin, 2009.
ISBN
9780141383941.
(Ages 13+) Highly recommended. A book that is exceptionally difficult
to put
down, The bride's farewell is an engrossing story about Pell
Ridley,
who
escapes from her poverty stricken home on the day of her wedding.
Determined
not to be like her mother, downtrodden and bearing children
continuously, she
takes her horse Jack and sets off to find a better life, believing that
her
sister Louisa will marry Birdie in her place and all will be well at
home. Her
little step brother Bean follows her, and together they travel to the
horse
fair at Salisbury to see if work can be found. Encounters with a
mysterious
gypsy woman and her brood of children, John Kirby a kindly groom and
Dogman a
poacher bring adventure and danger.
The English countryside and its people, perhaps on
the cusp
of the Industrial Revolution, although that is never stated, are
vividly brought
to life as Pell goes on her quest for a better life. The suspicion from
the
villagers that Pell meets wherever she travels, the
poaching that keeps body and soul together
and the terrible fate of those in the workhouse, all paint a heart
wrenching
picture of the desperate poverty of the times. Rosoff has done her
research
well, and the grinding misery of the workhouse at Andover is described
in such an
understated way that it made me go and research what it really was
like.
Pell is a determined heroine, stubborn about what
she wants
and loyal to her family. When Bean disappears with her horse Jack, she
doggedly
set out to find him. She is distraught about the consequences of her
departure
from her family. On discovering that her younger sisters have been sent
to the
workhouse, she rescues them as well.
Pell is good with animals and the way that Rosoff
describes
the horses and dogs in this book, will have animal lovers continuing
for more.
An unconventional romance blossoms in a very low key way, but the
reader is
always aware that it is Pell's strength of character, her beliefs in
her own
ability and her courage and loyalty that are the key elements of this
wonderful
story.
Pat Pledger
The Jade Dragon by Carolyn Marsden
Candlewick
Press, 2009. ISBN 978076364063.
(Ages 8+ )When Ginny sees another girl in her school
who looks just like her, she is amazed to find the new girl sees
herself as
American. She knows no Chinese language, does not eat Chinese food, and
scoffs
at some of the things Ginny and her family hold dear. But Ginny wants
her to be
her special friend and does all she can to attract her attention. When
Stephanie asks if she can take home Ginny's jade dragon, then Ginny
relents,
knowing that this little animal is her special animal, made only for
her.
This gentle story of friendship and wanting a
friend, will endear all readers, as they sympathise with Ginny doing
all she
can to have a friend. But to do this Ginny must deny her Chinese
heritage, and
fall in line with the selfish Stephanie. Both girls learn something
about
themselves throughout this book as they come to some understanding of
their
heritage and the pulls of living in another country. The parents play
an interesting background
role, as the American parents of the adopted Stephanie bring her up in
an
American household, yet encourage her to build relationship with Ginny
and her
family, and her Chinese heritage, while Ginny is brought up in a
Chinese
household and encouraged to hold dear Chinese customs and her
background, but
equally do well in the new culture. It's the dichotomy of many second
generation
children of migrant families, that tearing from one's background, and
it's
brought truthfully to life in this little novel.
Fran
Knight
My silent world by Nette Hilton and Vincent Agostino
Lothian Books, 2009. ISBN
9780734410375.
(All ages) Recommended. A deaf girl has a
rich inner life. She knows
music and feels it 'in the rush and thud' on her chest. She
can see the birds in the park and feel the 'thrust of the waves'. She
knows about everything, but she is afraid of the
unseen monster that fits in her ear - a cochlear implant,
but she is brave and knows that she will learn
sound too.
What a demanding but outstanding story this is. I needed to read it
aloud first
before I quietly concentrated on the beautiful text, initially
disregarding the
illustrations as I worked out what the story was telling me. Reading
the free
verse carefully I discovered the rhythm of
the words and ideas. I found Agostino's very
busy, bright illustrations, dominated by the figure of the little girl,
and the
different colours of the text, to be a distraction on the first read,
but very
compelling as an extension of the story on further examination.
This story will give readers an understanding of the richness of the
world that
deaf children can inhabit and could lead to some interesting
discussions about
how it could be better or different not to be able to hear. It gives a
wonderful sense of all the feelings and experiences that being deaf can
bring
and how it must be difficult to get used to all the noise that
surrounds us
today. It deserves a place in every library.
Pat Pledger
Pearlie and Great Aunt Garnet by Wendy Harmer
Random
House, 2009.
ISBN 9781741664348.
(Ages 6-9) When she discovers that it is Opal's birthday, Pearlie the
Park Fairy decides to organise a surprise party for all of the
creatures from Jubilee Park. Jasper the
Elf is not sure about
inviting the rats, Scrag and Mr Flea. On discovering that they are not
invited,
the rats decide to plan their own party. Both Pearlie and the rats head
to
Great Aunt Garnet's fairy shop to order their party goodies. Whilst
Pearlie
orders a cake 'with sugar and spice and everything nice', the rats
request 'the
biggest, yuckiest cake ever', filled instead with 'slugs and snails and
puppy
dog tails'. On the day of the party, a mix up with the cakes turns out
to be a
blessing in disguise.
Harmer proves that, not only can she use her sense of humour
to appeal to adults but she is equally capable of writing for children
as well.
The simple story, interspersed with rhyming verses, is engaging and
humorous.
Readers see the importance of friendship, inclusion, planning, sharing
and the
benefit of being given a second chance. The Pearlie stories are
didactic yet
hold much appeal for young children. Pearlie
and Great Aunt Garnet includes party invitations, door hanger and
suggestions
for party games and decorations. Together with the clever marketing of
this
hard cover book, Gypsy Taylor's vibrant illustrations make this an
attractively
presented book which will be in demand by emergent female readers or
girls
wishing to be read aloud to by an adult.
Jo Schenkel
Elephant by Petr Horacek
Walker Books, 2009. ISBN
9781406311006.
(Ages 3-6) What is a lonely boy to do when his grandparents are too
busy to
play with him? His solution is to find an elephant for a best friend.
The
elephant is perfect for throwing a football with in the garden and for
splashing in the bathtub. And he's also perfect to be used as a
scapegoat when
something goes wrong and the garden bed is trampled and there are
puddles all
over the floor.
This is a classic story line with a child using an imaginary friend to
explain
away any disasters that happen when rough games are being played. It
works very
well as a read aloud story, particularly as it has a satisfactory
conclusion
which children will find amusing.
Beautiful illustrations complement the text. The end papers show tiny
pictures
of the elephant from all angles on a vivid orange background. Horacek
has distinguished
the imaginary elephant by drawing it with dark grey pencil scribbles.
The pictures
of the little boy, his grandparents and the house and garden are in
full bright
colours. This is a useful technique and would help a very young child
to work
out what is real and what is imaginary.
Pat Pledger
Gool by Maurice Gee
Text Publishing, 2009. ISBN
9781921520129.
(Age 12+) Imagine a
monster that can't really be seen, but which can latch onto you and
suck your
life away. In this sequel to Salt, this happens to Hari while
he is
out
hunting
with his children, Xantee and Lo, who have inherited their parents'
ability to
talk to each other in their minds and to control the actions of people
and animals.
Determined to save Hari, Xantee and Lo set off with Duro, to try and
find the
origin of the gool, which threatens the world.
This is a perilous mission, taking them through forests and mountains
on their
trip back to the city Beyond, where they believe they will find a book
which
tells how to rid the earth of the gool. On
the way they meet up with Tarl the dog man who guides them to the city
where the
evil Clerk and Keech hold sway. There is enough adventure and action to
keep
the reader interested along the way.
I particularly liked the character of Xantee, a young girl who is a
natural
leader. She takes control of the quest and it is her ability and
compassion
that pushes the story along. Her talents
as a mind reader make for an interesting twist to the plot. The other
characters are equally well developed and it was interesting to see
Hari's
children and their companions grow.
At the conclusion of this book I was left pondering the effect that
practising evil
can have on a person's mind. The strong themes of good versus evil and
non
violent approaches to end conflict could make for some stimulating
discussions.
Pat Pledger
Callie by Ruth Park
Angus and Robertson, 2009. ISBN 97807322892
.
(Ages: 8+) This reissue in one volume of Ruth
Park's Callie's
Castle and Callie's Family will win the hearts of
many new readers as they are pulled into the story of Callie, at a
crossroads
in her short life, dealing with step sisters and brothers, missing her
own
father terribly.
Callie's father died when she was three, but
it is only now, as her mother and stepfather and siblings, move to a
new house,
that her fears come to the surface. Irascible at school and at home, it
takes
her grandfather, an old Scots, to put his finger on the problem, and
look for a
solution.
The superb writing make this a sure fire
winner as a read aloud, and the book will be picked up by middle to
upper
primary readers. The cover illustration will unfortunately be a put
off, old
fashioned as it appears, but the story, first published in 1974, has
lost none
of its appeal. Some readers will notice that the children do not rely
on mobile
phones and play outdoors, instead of in front of a computer, and Callie
is at
ease asking strangers for directions, but this points to a different
time,
albeit 30 years ago. The central issues of finding one's voice and
having a
space of your own will not be lost on today's readers.
Fran
Knight
Dark angels by Katherine Langrish
HarperCollins,
2009. ISBN
9780007214891.
(Age 11+) Recommended. After being
abandoned
by his parents at the monastery at the age of five, and terrorised by
Brother Thomas,
Wolf flees to the hills, where he is pursued to Devil's Edge by a pack
of dogs.
Believing that they are the Hounds from Hell, he runs and becomes even
more
terrified when he glimpses a strange little figure escaping into a
cave. This is a place known to be inhabited by
elves, goblins and demons. When Sir Hugo finds him, Wolf leads him to
the elf
child and finds himself at Sir Hugo's castle, looking after the strange
creature he names Elfgift. Nest, Sir Hugo's daughter, is determined to
do
something worthwhile before she is married and with Wolf she takes the
elf
child into her care.
I was drawn into this compelling medieval tale right from the
beginning. It is so
engrossing and well researched that it took me straight into the times
of the
Crusades, into a world on the border of Wales and England, where Celtic
myths
are mixed with Christian beliefs. The description of a place where
people look
at things differently makes for fascinating reading. The simple
acceptance of
the supernatural by the inhabitants of Sir Hugo's castle adds depth and
interest. I found myself, like the
characters in the book, believing in the existence of the White Lady,
an
ethereal ghost who begs to be allowed inside and the hearth hob who
plays
mischievous tricks on Wolf.
Langrish's characters are wonderful. I
became
absorbed in the character of outspoken Wolf, and longed for a happy
ending for strange
Elfgift and Nest. The unhappy Sir Hugo,
obsessed with the belief that he could recover his wife from Elfland,
and the
dangerous jester who beguiles him with strange songs and stories, are
brought
magnificently to life.
There is plenty of action for those who like adventure stories. With
its vivid
descriptions of medieval life, strong characters and often frightening
mysteries, this is a book that was very difficult to put down.
Pat Pledger
It's Yr Life by Tempany Deckert and Tristan Bancks
Random
House Australia 2009.
(Age
range: 14 - 16). Recommended. Two
students from opposite sides of the world are forced to email each
other for a
year 10 English assignment. Milla lives in Hollywood with all the
trappings of
a successful family. Sims is a street kid living in Byron Bay in a
foster home.
Neither are keen on the idea of the assignment, however as they begin
to
correspond they find a link developing and soon they are dependent on
each
other as they try and solve the mysteries they both find creeping into
their
lives.
Milla
discovers footprints outside her bedroom window and is anxious to know
who they
belong to and why the person is sneeking around her home. Sims
discovers body
parts in a bag whilst searching for food in a local supermarket
dumpster.
Unsure whether to go to the police or whether one of his house mates is
involved he confides in Milla to try and decide what best to do.
The
communication between the characters, written in true email teenage
speak adds
to the suspense of the story. Often short and to the point, other times
detailed and full of information, as the characters try and support
each other
through the trials of their lives.
Tempany
Deckert and Tristan Bancks communicated solely by email to compile this
novel
giving it an authenticity that helps the reader to stay engaged with
the
storyline and compelled to continue reading to ensure the issues facing
Milla
and Sims are resolved.
Tracy
Glover
Crossing the Line by Gillian Philip
Bloomsbury, 2009. ISBN
9780747599937.
(Ages: 13+) I
found this a harrowing read, the tension mounting as each chapter goes
by. Even
though the reader knows that a boy is dead, the alternate sections, Then,
telling of the past, and Now,
relaying what is happening as a
result, does nothing to unclench your muscles as you read. The bullying
and
terror tactics of some of the students, including the hero of the
story,
unsettled me, and lately I have read some gruesome books for
adolescents.
Going
to high school, Nick makes the wrong choice. He sides with one boy in a
fight
and so becomes part of the gang that goes around bullying and thieving
from
younger kids. On one occasion he says no, and becomes instead an
outsider, a
boy with a geeky friend, but when that friend is bullied again, a
second person
steps in, Aidan, his sister's boyfriend, who is killed. His sister,
Allie now has an
invisible
friend called Aidan, who she speaks to all the time, setting a place
for him at
the table, ensuring he is with the family on outings. Aidan's mother
cannot accept that Allie still
does this, a year after his death, and asks Nick to step in.
Told
in alternate sections, the story trickles out information of the
situation at
school, the groups, the bullies and those who try to stop it. It is
familiar
ground, but the way the story is told is electrifying. Told from Nick's
point
of view, he also tells us of his battle scared family, ill equipped to
cope
with what is happening, also trying to manage an aged, demented gran
living
with them. This book gives a background to some of the violence we read
of in
the papers, where youths use knives as their weapons against others.
Fran
Knight
Angel Cake by Cathy Cassidy
Penguin,
2009.
ISBN: 9780141325170
(Age 9+) When Anya, her sister Kazia and their parents move
to Britain from Poland,
each is filled with dreams
of a place in which they can have a better life. Teenage Anya imagines
a pretty
picture book cottage complete with whitewashed walls, rambling roses
growing
around the door and a wonderful garden. Her arrival in Liverpool
falls far short of the images gleaned from her story books. Not only is
her
home unattractive, her hopes of quickly making new school friends and
automatically fitting in seem impossible to achieve.
Once Anya meets Dan, the school 'bad boy', she sees another
side to him and hopes that he will prove to be the 'angel' he presents
himself
to be when they are together. Through Dan, she experiences a different
side of Liverpool, and begins to make
friends. Problems arise,
however, and suddenly the concept of returning to Krakow
seems to be the worst possible thing which could eventuate. This is a
story of friendship,
resilience, romance and the desire to belong.
Cathy Cassidy has delivered yet another novel which will be
devoured by girls. Her style of writing is engaging and easily read,
the jelly
bean coloured covers are appealing and eye catching. As with her
novels,
Cassidy's website is interactive, presented using colour, stylised
imagery from
the covers of her books and keeps her fans up to date with new titles
and
author information. Here, the author promotes the importance of
friendship,
daydreaming, reading and writing, major themes in her books. Cassidy
reveals
that she is an 'agony aunt' and genuinely seems to know and understand
her
readers and their concerns. Angel Cake is another title which
will
never be
left on the shelf!
Jo Schenkel
Free to a good home by Colin Thompson
Random House
Australia, 2009. ISBN 9781741663181
Peter and Sally Smith are not ordinary
children. They, along with their parents, are known for collecting
things, but
none more strange than the day the children go shopping and come home
with an
old lady. Drawing on the tales children give their parents about
finding a
stray cat or dog, and the cry of 'it just followed me home,'
Thompson
has
created an intricate and absorbing picture book about an old lady and
her stay
with the Smith family. I loved every page, as I turned each over to
find other
things to look at and think about, drawings to unravel and words to
ponder.
As the children give their parents reasons
for the old lady to stay, she slips into their routines, cooking,
cleaning,
helping the kids with their homework, mowing the lawn, all the while
with the
Smith parents asking questions about who she is and why people are not
looking
for her.
As with Thompson's books, there is no resolution
but questions and ideas. Some of the pages are very bleak, giving an
impression
that something nasty is about to happen, and the way the old woman, now
'Granny' has them all tied up at the end, but with Christmas lights,
gave me
the eerie feeling that she was taking over. Wonderful illustrations
full of
things to look at and think about, the submarine in the Monet painting
is a
hoot, and the little things scattered on every page a delight.
Fran Knight
Journey of dreams by Marge Pellegrino
Frances Lincoln
Children's Books, 2009. ISBN 9781845079642
(Ages 12+) With planes overhead dropping poison to
deforest the land, young men rounded up and taken by the guerillas and
the army
to bolster their numbers, and mother railing against the civil war
around them,
the village is in turmoil. But when one of her sons is taken, mother
and her
younger son escape to Mexico. Father and the other three children
escape the
village as the guerilla army moves in, killing everyone and burning it
down.
Their escape route to Mexico is fraught with danger as they must elude
the
forces ever at their heels and the bureaucracy which seeks to send them
back. All the while they must be canny enough to avoid the pitfalls
which besiege
all those
on the refugee route to another land.
A heart stopping survival story of a young
girl and her family fleeing the war in Guatemala, Journey
of Dreams is about every refugee, forced from their home
and country by war beyond their power and understanding. This books
takes the
reader into a little known war in a continent few of us are even aware
of. It
would sit well in a study of refugees which might include books like
Mahtab's Story (Libby Gleeson),
Soraya the
storyteller (Rosanne Hawke),
and the Parvana trilogy (Deborah
Ellis).
Fran Knight
