New Frontier Publishing, 2009
ISBN 9781921042140
(Age 12+) Here is the story of Martha's voyage from the Liverpool Docks
to Australia in 1880. She is the middle child of William
Winstanley, a stern and methodical man, a disciplinarian upholding
traditional values. His family struggles for a living but their
simple life is a happy one. One day a parcel arrives from Auntie Edie
in Australia. Along with a tightly rolled wad of money, a letter
especially requests that Martha, a favourite niece, be sent abroad to
begin a new life as a 'daughter' to her aunt and uncle. A decision not
easily made means that Martha is tormented with fear, confusion and
hurt. The journey will be long and difficult, and what will await
her in a new and strange country? The author has devoted this
book to her forbears and the story is of her great-great-grandmother's
sea voyage. Martha keeps a journal and discovers the hardship and
cruelty of life aboard ship, but she also discovers the true value of
friendship and what amazing sights are to be seen at sea - 'imagine
mountains that soar out the sea in the middle of the ocean. Dolphins
swimming alongside the ship, the stormy sea, angry bolts of lightning
that light the entire night sky.'
Finely detailed and centring on a piece of family history, Hawkins'
language is heavy handed in description and generally lacking in
imaginative quality, but the historical perspective is interesting.
Julie Wells
Hansel and Gretel by Anthony Browne
Walker Books, 2008. ISBN 9781406318524
(Ages 3+) In this reprint, Anthony Browne puts a modern slant on the
original dark fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm with his contemporary
illustrations. Hansel and Gretel are portrayed as two ordinary
children, living in what looks like a two storey suburban house. Their
hen-pecked father and dark haired stepmother are dressed in everyday
clothes. The dark greens and browns of the towering trees in the woods
create an eerie atmosphere, while the strange little creatures that can
be found on a close inspection of the illustrations add a scary touch.
Like all Browne's books, this is one that contains many layers that can
be uncovered and pondered on. Children will delight in the story, which
lends itself to read aloud sessions, and many discussions could follow
about the cleverness of the children and why the children's father left
them in the forest. The big one page illustrations beg to be examined
again and again and add a wonderful dimension to the well known fairy
tale.
Pat Pledger
The remarkable secret of Aurelie Bonhoffen by Deborah Abela
Random House, 2009
ISBN 978174166095 1
(Ages 7-10) Recommended for Middle Primary. So unfamiliar to modern
readers, the plot has the feeling
of excitement, mystery and magic of bygone era. The setting of
Bonhoffen's Seaside Pier is unusual. Readers will be intrigued to
try to solve the plot against the pier and the Bonhoffens. The
characters are realistically portrayed with Aurelie, the main
character, a feisty girl, who loves and defends her family and who
wants to preserve the family business. Laced with humour and
innuendo, the plot unravels cleverly. On her twelfth birthday
Aurelie finds out about the family's remarkable secret. The
characters, both good and bad are believable. Imagine a Principal
called Mrs Farnhumple and a Mayor called Bog!
The loving family is sensitively portrayed and the uncles are
especially intriguing. The humour in the language is quite
advanced, but quick young readers will enjoy the repartee and want to
solve the puzzle for themselves.
It's a fun read for good middle primary readers. The font
is clear and the text is set well apart.
Sue Nosworthy
The twin giants by Dick King-Smith
Ill. by Mini Grey
Walker, 2007. ISBN 9781406313475
(Ages 6-9) Recommended. What a heart warming book! Lottavim and Normus
are twin giants who do everything together. There is only one
difference between them - Lot loves meat and Norm adores vegetables.
When they finally grow up, they realise that they each want to find a
wife and they go off searching across all the nearby mountains,
disturbing the neighbouring communities and meeting some other giants
on the way.
With a delightful take on the fairy tale genre, Dick King-Smith has
created two engaging characters in the giant twins and the giants they
meet on the way are also interesting. The story keeps the reader
involved with its subtle humour and clear expression.
Mini Grey's bright illustrations add spice and delight to the story. I
loved the expressions on the faces on the twins and was fascinated by
the drawings of the twin giant sisters that they fell in love with.
Lovely colours and lots of little details ensure a return visit to the
book to see what has been overlooked the first time.
Newly independent readers would enjoy the challenge of this book, and
it also would be great to read aloud.
Pat Pledger
Akimbo and the baboons by Alexander McCall Smith
Allen and Unwin, 2009.
You know you are in safe hands when the author, McCall Smith turns his
prodigious talent to writing for children. Drawing on his childhood in
Africa, he has developed a series of books about Akimbo, the son of the
head ranger on a game reserve.
In this story, Akimbo is joined by his good friend and cousin, Kosi for
the school holidays. A city boy, Kosi loves staying on the reserve, and
when the boys find that a scientist is arriving soon to study the
habits of the baboons, they are agog with expectation. When she
arrives, Akimbo's father must tell her that her anticipated assistant
will not be able to accompany her, so the two boys go instead.
A five hour drive finds them fetching wood to make a fire in the small
wooden hut prepared for her arrival, and the next day they sit and
watch the troop of baboons nearby. Noticing that one has a bleeding
leg, the three decide to do something about its pain and suffering.
Their first aid, given to the baboon with wire around his leg, is
repaid later in the story when the two boys become lost.
A seemingly simple story along the lines of the Lion and the Mouse,
Akimbo and the Baboons, not only teaches a good lesson to the readers,
but informs them about many aspects of African life. This story will
prove a hit read aloud to junior primary classes, and be enjoyed by
middle to upper primary students as well. For students studying Africa,
its animals, or aspects of African life, this book is invaluable.
Fran Knight
The game by Diana Wynne Jones
HarperCollins, 2007.
(Ages 10+) This is another well written, fast
moving story by Diana Wynne Jones. Mythology of all kinds are mentioned and played
with in The game. Many of the characters are loosely connected with
Ancient Greek mythological beings. Hayley has been packed off,
abruptly, to her aunt, whose home is quite relaxed and boisterous
compared to her grandmother's where she has grown up, believing that
she is an orphan.
The mythosphere is a key dimension of the story, where myths, tales,
theories, beliefs, stories, legends and hopes are generated on
Earth. Hayley and her extended family all have the ability to move
about the mythosphere. Hayley discovers that her parents have been
trapped by her Uncle Jolyon who holds enormous power over the family.
Hayley must travel like a comet to free them and ensure that the
mythosphere isn't tampered with.
Jones also includes an author's note section which highlights some
myths and legends that are mentioned. Also in this section is a
cross promotion/recommendations of other novels by Jones which readers
may enjoy. These are suggested through themes which may encourage
readers to branch out a little into similar genres that they may enjoy.
Liz Eckert
The accidental sorcerer by K.E. Mills
HarperVoyager 2008.
(Age 13+) Book 1 of a new series, Rogue Agent, this is an engaging fast
moving read. This certainly fits into the fantasy category, as it does
contain magic but this is not the only driving feature of the
characters; it is mixing with the detective genre as well.
The accidents and troubles that Gerald Dunwoody and his offsider, an
enchanted, bossy, female parrot, encounter and deal are plausible,
given that they live in a magical world. You have the requisite bad
king and those trying to work around him to look after his kingdom.
Characters, both good and bad are fleshed out nicely without the entire
history being explored in minute detail. There are a number of
twists so it's not just the usual hero, or his offsider, falling in
love with the heroine by the end of the tale which means you want to
keep reading; it's not what you expect all the time.
K. E. Mills is an Australian author. This is a gripping read; I didn't
want to put it down.
Liz Eckert
The winds of heaven by Judith Clarke
Allen and Unwin, 2009.
ISBN 9781741757316
(Ages 12+) I anticipate a powerful storyline with memorable
characters
when reading a new work of Judith Clarke's. The Winds of Heaven
has not
disappointed. Fan lives in rural New South Wales. She is wild and
beautiful, spontaneous and exuberant, but confined by small town gossip
and an abusive mother. Clementine lives in the city; just an
ordinary girl, rather naive and reserved, but encouraged by loving yet
cautious parents. The girls are cousins and, after an initial family
visit, their lives become intertwined. We meet the girls in 1952
when Clementine and her mother make the train journey to see Aunt Rene
and Fan. Though she struggles at school, Fan possesses a strong feeling
for the land - its smell, taste and movements - the country around her
offers escape and a sense of contentment. She has
befriended a 'fringe dweller' - an old aboriginal man - who has shared
his stories and language with her, and she confides this to her bemused
cousin.
Clementine returns home with mixed feelings. She is fascinated by Fan
and connects with her cousin in thought but the commitment to see her
is not there. Circumstances and apprehensions separate them. As
the years pass, Clementine allows too much precious time to escape and
Fan eventually goes away.
Clarke skilfully handles the time structure of the novel. It opens in
2009 with Clementine looking back over her life as she sits in the park
with a friend. The reader then meets the girls in the 50s and the 60s
before returning to the present.
The story is very readable, told with great insight and compassion.
Both girls have inner battles to fight and the odds are against them in
different ways. The prose has a poetic quality which keeps the reader
lingering on pages.
Clarke's picture of life in Australia at the time is authentic. So too
are the contrasts between city and country - in particular, the train
journeys linking the two, work very well.
Their lives told with tenderness and understanding, Fan and Clementine
will remain in my mind for a long time.
Julie Wells
Solitaire by Bernard Ashley
Usbourne, London.2008
ISBN 9780746081372.
(Ages 12+) This adventure recalls the television drama Lost and
Gary
Paulsen's Hatchet. It has just the right ingredients for an
exciting read. Members of the Lewis family, working as volunteers
in a war-torn African country, are caught up in a terrorist attack on
board a cruise ship.
Later a young boy is washed up on the shore of a nearby island which is
used by the French military for meteorological and strategic
observation. It appears that the entire Lewis family has been
lost at sea except for Joseph. Following a sighting of the boy on
the island, Joseph's grandfather, an influential and very wealthy
businessman, sets out to recover his grandson. There is much to
enthral the reader as the chase begins to find a boy scarred by gunfire
and grief, newly attached to this island paradise which offers refuge
and peace. An action packed storyline, involving modern day
terrorism amidst exotic settings make this book very readable.
Interesting characters with a number of twists in identity and
motivation keep the story moving. Though rather contrived at
times, the overall air of mystery which stays with us until the final
pages, makes this book a very satisfying read.
Bernard Ashley has been previously shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal
and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize - he has skilfully added to
the increasingly popular genre of adventure/thriller for young readers.
Julie Wells
Canyon by Christopher J. Holcroft
Poseidon Books, Burleigh, Qld. 2008
ISBN 978 1921406768
(Ages 12+) Told by an expert in the field of real life adventuring,
orienteering, outdoor education and Venturer Scouts, this story proves
the worth of team work in times of trouble, the importance of training
and organisational skills, and the national significance of rescue
management.
A canyoning trip leads to near disaster but, because of the timely
formation of a Rover volunteer network, an amazing rescue effort saves
young Scott, who was initially instrumental in forming the groups, and
his injured friend.
Though the story lacks the imaginative interest of fictional
adventures, this true to life account will appeal to the young reader
who prefers 'real' stories. Well researched and authoritative,
Canyon, for its instructional nature, reads well, providing a
good text
for outdoor education groups and the like, and applauding the efforts
of all Emergency Rescue Services. Mike, the Venturer leader, in
instructing the young volunteers says, 'My aim is to ensure you can
enjoy the challenges of the activity you choose to do and that if
anything happens to you, you are self-reliant enough to get out of most
problems or, you can get your mate out'. (p. 7) Such is the tone
of this novel.
Julie Wells
Cross my heart and hope to spy by Ally Carter
Lothian Children's Books, 2008
Ages: Year 6/7+ The Gallagher Girls Book 2.The Gallagher Academy
for elite girl spies is back in the spotlight.Cammie Morgan, the
Chameleon spy, the one who likes to blend into the background is thrust
into the spotlight again.Following a disastrous final exam in
which her ex-boyfriend has his memories erased, Cammie is caught up in
a new operation, code named Blackthorne.From the moment Cammie
and her friends see the top secret Blackthorne folder and the East wing
of the Academy has become off limits they will stop at nothing to work
out what operation Blackthorne is.
Once Blackthorne is revealed, the girl's world is turned upside down as
they deal with a group of elite boy spies from their academy.
Cammie is intrigued and seduced by Zach, whose real motives leave you
guessing until the very end.
I recommend this series, and this book to all girls who have ever
dreamed of being a spy.It has a great edgy feel, with just
enough of a romantic plot threaded throughout.Who knew being a
teenage elite spy could be so complicated.
Zana Thiele
The Floods - Better homes and gardens by Colin Thompson.
Random House Australia, 2009
(Ages 9+)This is the final in the Floods book series.The
series has won critical acclaim with a CBCA notable book listing and
Aurealis Award shortlisting.
The Floods are returning home to claim their rightful place on the
throne in Transylvania Waters.Cabbage is the only food around,
and the King and Queen are despised by their subjects - enter the
Floods.Nerlin and Mordonna should be King and Queen, but they
need to conquer a few nasty characters before that can happen.
This being my first introduction to the Floods (I know where have I
been!), I find myself curious to discover where it all began.The
story has plenty of references to previous books and explanations to
fill in the new reader so the story can be understood on its own.
The characters are gross - but in a cool 'I want to know more' sort of
way.Having read that they were a modern edgier take on the
Addams Family, I do somewhat agree, but find them way more left of
field and pushing the boundaries of grossness.This would be an
appealing read for those with a love of gruesome and scary.
Zana Thiele
Stop Watch the land of Kur by Sally Morgan, Ambelin, Blaze and Ezekiel Kwaymullina
Walker Books, Australia. ISBN: 9781921150777
(Age 7-10) Tick, tick, tick , Tom discovers new worlds of adventure and
intrigue via his grandpa's special stopwatch. Tom is drawn to the watch
despite specific instructions from his grandpa to stay away. He presses
the start button to first find himself invisible and then transported
to the Land of Kur, a planet far, far away from Earth.
There, aided by the amiable but not very bright Bilby, he finds himself
fighting the Mimocks in a David and Goliath style battle. To keep
himself out of a lethal spider cocoon, he then has to take on the
Bogon-stat Queen. Can he do it, using only his quick wits and his
trusty harmonica? And why does it seem like his grandpa has also done
battle with the Bogon-stat Queen?
Sally Morgan, author of My Place, has co written this fantasy
novel
with her children, Ambelin, Blaze and Ezekiel Kwaymullina. There are
references to Tom's indigenous heritage dotted throughout the book.
Written in the present tense, it emits a sense of energy and pace that
keeps the reader intrigued. The themes of brain over brawn and the
power of music are explored using humour and rhyme. Land of Kur will appeal to readers between the ages of 7 to 10.
Boys in
particular will identify with Tom and will also respond to the tongue
in cheek humour and energy of the story. The stopwatch itself has 60
markers that represent 60 worlds, so a series may well be planned.
Rachel Flenley ,
Zelah Green, Queen of clean by Vanessa Curtis
Egmont Children's, 2009.
(Ages 11-15) Highly recommended. Zelah Green is a 14 year old girl,
whose mother has died and been 'replaced' with a stepmother. She is
always on Germ Alert or Dirt Alert. Her life has been taken over by
rituals to ensure cleanliness and deal with her obsessions. She removes
smudges from mirrors and windows, and washes her hands each morning -
right hand, then left hand, 31 times. Her obsessive behaviour extends
to equally spacing the clothes in her wardrobe and even checking
checklists.
Her obsessive compulsory disorder creates problems for her and her
family. While Zelah is clearly different to other girls her age, she
also exhibits many characteristics of early adolescents. Her
relationship with her best friend Fran is similar to many other early
adolescent friendships. This will allow young readers to empathise with
Zelah and join her on her journey.
Zelah relates her story with great warmth in a first person narrative.
She uses a teenage vernacular, which gives her a very authentic
voice.There is also a fresh, original
use of language, which contributes to the book's literary merit.
Vanessa Curtis is a new children's author, but one sure to attract the
attention of young readers. In this book she provides them with real
characters, and an insight into one girl's family turmoil and grief. If
all of this sounds very heavy, it's not. The story is told with
brightness and a quirky sense of humour, and it moves along at a good
pace.
In a school setting this book could be compared to The curious
incident
of the dog in the night-time by Mark Haddon. In both books the
central
character is an adolescent with a different way of viewing and dealing
with the world and experiencing significant social disability as a
result.
High interest novel for this age group (particularly girls). Also a
very good read for adults.
Margaret Strickland
The Castle Corona by Sharon Creech
(Ages 8-10)Well recommended. This Carnegie medal winner has written a wonderful tongue in cheek modern fairytale. It is full of humour, innuendo and plain foolishness, mixed with a thinly disguised but intriguing plot. Certainly adults and interested young readers will enjoy the many trite and humorous comments on events, such as the personal characteristics of the royal children! Imagine a King who would rather lie on his brocade divan than deal with the forty seven 'Ministers of Inventory'! Imagine consulting an hermit who others refer to as 'the King's folly'! It's quite original and very amusing, especially when we wonder what royals really do! Pia and Enzio two peasant children, find a leather pouch with the King's emblem on it and the adventure begins. It's an easy and fascinating read. It could be a wonderful teaching example in the ways of exaggeration with twists and humour within the fairytale mould. Sue Nosworthy
