Lothian Children's Books, 2024. ISBN: 9780734420794. (Age:Middle years, from ages 13+) Highly recommended.
Look Me in the Eye is contemporary story dealing with the complexities of being a teenager in these unprecedented times – how to navigate life after a worldwide pandemic and the increasing impact of mobile technology on privacy and autonomy. At it’s core, it is a story about trust – how you earn it and how you keep it.
The story is narrated by Bella, a year 7 student who has just come out the other side of the world’s longest COVID lockdowns in Victoria Australia.She lives with her mum and stepfather, who are on the brink of having a baby together, after 13 years of Bella being an only child. Bella and her best friend, Connie, have their friendship tested with the impact of, Mish, Connie's cousin, who has moved to their area and whose behaviour seems risky and at times, manipulative.
There are tensions and a sense of mystery the author Jane Goodwin cleverly weaves throughout the story – Mish’s behaviour and worrying relationship with her parents, the stealing, Mish’s whereabouts after meeting up with someone she met online, Connie's sisters health and the impending birth of Bella’s sibling, all make for a captivating read.
COVID and the lockdowns in response, are mentioned many times throughout the story, but rather than seeming repetitive, these only serve to illuminate the impact the pandemic has had, especially on those living through their formative years. Readers from middle school age to adults will find this story engaging and enlightening.There is some profound wisdom in the story about how in these times of increasing surveillance, we can’t in reality guarantee safety and the lack of trust it fosters may only serve to erode relationships with those we love. As Pete, Bella's stepfather says, ‘trust is complicated, Bells...but aside from being really foolish about it, we have to do it.Otherwise, we’d go crazy’. Teacher's notes are available.
1931 in Shanghai, the Nationalists and Communists are fighting for control of the city, while also attempting to fight off an invasion from Japan. Four years ago, Rosalind Lang was brought back from the brink of death, but little did she know that the experiment that saved her would also radically change her - no longer able to sleep or age, she can also heal from any wound. Rosalind cannot die - essentially immortal. Turning her back on her traitorous past, she uses her abilities for her country - becoming an assassin, with the code name of Fortune. But now she's on a mission with a partner, trying to uncover a terror cell that is murdering Chinese residents in Shanghai. Problem is, she doesn't typically work with a partner, let alone posing as a married couple. Rosalind will work for the greater good though, while hiding her true identity. Looks like her assigned partner, Orion, also has an agenda of his own, so who knows if even she can unravel the mystery.
While written as the first in a new series called 'Foul Lady Fortune', the book actually takes place after another of Gong's popular series, 'These Violent Delights', becoming the 'Secret Shanghai' series when all put together. Readers do not have to have read the 'These Violent Delights' to enjoy Foul Lady Fortune, as it is its own story, though it does reference characters from the other series, and will in fact reveal the end to that series, so if readers are planning to read 'These Violent Delights', do not read Foul Lady Fortune first. The 511 page novel is a hefty read, but certainly worth it. Some readers may find themselves occasionally confused with character names or affiliations due to the Nationals, Communists and references to other parties, but perseverance in reading pays off. The majority of the book follows Rosalind's viewpoint, with occasional viewpoints from other characters, giving a well rounded story. While it is longer in text than the author Karen M. McManus, it would suit fans of her books.
After a bit of a slow start, with many pages building characters and recreating issues and events of the late 1980s, the plot of McDermid’s latest novel does become more interesting as Allie, an investigative journalist, uncovers corrupt drug trials and begins to crack a kidnapping plot in East Germany. Not crime fiction as much as a depiction of the many issues of that era: the Lockerbie bombing, the response to the rise of AIDS, Western dealings behind the Iron Curtain, East Berlin on the brink of revolution, beginnings of climate change action, the Hillsborough football stampede. All of these events are viewed by a female journalist trying to assert her place in the demandingly competitive world commanded by media moguls comparable to Murdoch.
At the heart of the book, there is a mystery to be solved, and Allie is up to the challenge, ably supported by her loving partner Rona. It does all take its toll on Allie, and their relationship is stretched a little as their separate careers take them in different directions, to the point that Allie sounds like she wants to take a break from investigative journalism. But she’s said that before, and I don’t think any reader will be surprised if there is another Allie Burns story. Readers of 1979 and 1989 would expect another slow burn of a story, supported by a thorough research of the era depicted.
Themes Journalism, World events, Iron curtain, Media empires, 1980s.
This second book by Tobias Madden has similar gay romance themes to his highly praised first novel Anything but fine but instead of the ballet world, Noah Mitchell is thrust into the world of musical theatre in Ballarat, in an endeavour to get to know his secret gaming partner MagePants69. Noah, aka RcticFOx, only knows his fellow combatant online, but a subtle slip gives him the clue that maybe MagePants69 is performing in the same musical that his mother, Rose, is starring in. Noah, going against all his normal inclinations, decides to join the theatre too, in order to secretly find out more about the person he has become so enamoured of online. Reading those first few chapters, every reader knows that something is going to go terribly wrong. How can he be sure that MagePants69 is Eli, and how will it all pan out?
Although issues of catfishing and online ensnarement are duly raised, these are not the central focus of Madden’s novel. It is more about the deception that Noah becomes involved in, and the betrayal of trust that Eli experiences. There are also issues of school-time bullying, friendship betrayal and loss, and difficult parent-child relationships. But this is ultimately a rom-com, and it is the relationships within the theatre group, the budding friendships, and the slowly developing romance that Noah gradually finds, that are at the heart of the novel.
While there are some shared issues with the more confronting The brink by Holden Sheppard, Madden’s novel has more in common with more gentle love stories such as Golden boys by Phil Stamper, Here’s to us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera, and Date me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye . Take a bow, Noah Mitchell is a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging romantic comedy of errors that deals with real issues of youthful self doubt and tentative attraction, in a way that every young reader can relate to.
Themes LGBQTI+, Romance, Deception, Trust, Self confidence, Video games.
Helen Eddy
The brink by Holden Sheppard
Text Publishing, 2022. ISBN: 9781922458643. (Age:15+) Highly recommended.
Plans go wrong for a group of teenagers set on serious partying for Schoolies week, when they end up isolated on a remote island, only just tolerated by the nearest mainland community. It starts out fun, but tensions build, and then when a dead body is found, it all turns into a teenage nightmare version of ‘Lord of the Flies’.
The story is told by three alternating voices, Leonardo, Kaiya and Mason. And whilst the three of them are on the outside of the popular group and each dealing with personal issues, they turn out to be the most trustworthy individuals amid a bunch of highly volatile personalities.
The brink is about young people on the brink of adulthood, trying to find themselves amid parental expectations and the stresses of old friendship groups, and uncertain about the future. And then, as fear mounts, and hopes of rescue fade, they also find themselves on the brink of anarchy and brutality.
It is then that Leonardo, Kaiya, and Mason, each come to their own understanding of what is important to them. They, more than any of the others, find their inner strength and sense of identity.
Sheppard presents issues of anxiety, teenage sexuality, entrenched bullying, anger, alcohol and drug abuse, as well as issues of self-esteem and personal ethics. It reads like a thriller, and is a thoroughly gripping book.
So begins The Leviathan, an atmospheric and deeply unsettling debut by author Rosie Andrews. Set in one of the most turbulent periods in English history – the Civil War of 1642 to 1651 – The Leviathan tells the story of reluctant soldier Thomas Treadwater, who makes his way home from battle to a family and community in crisis.
Summoned by his sister Esther’s increasingly urgent letters, Thomas arrives at the family’s farm to find his father gravely ill, their livelihood on the brink of ruin and a sister caught up in religious zealotry. To Thomas’ shock, witchcraft is being investigated in his small town and his sister is the one pointing the finger. As Thomas strives to unravel the complex intertwining of events, personalities and relationships, he begins to realise that his preconceived notions of what is real and possible are about to be shattered.
Told from two perspectives at the prime and the end of Thomas’ life, The Leviathan is a horror novel that expertly combines the supernatural with the historical reality. Andrews’ medieval England is dark and chilling and the language and setting used is faultless. At heart a mystery novel with a fantastical twist, The Leviathan is a tense and slow-burning story which ends with a superb twist.
Pan Macmillan, 2022. ISBN: 9781760984908. (Age:12+) Recommended.
How to spell catastrophe is the debut middle-grade novel by YA Australian author and screenwriter Fiona Wood. Like Nova Weetman's The edge of thirteen this book will be a popular choice for girls aged from 10 years as they grapple with bodily changes, hormones, friendship woes and other struggles and delights of the Middle Years of schooling. With the greatest of sensitivity, it is suggested that this book is really for girls. When talking about it with classes, it was suggested that boys could be interested only if they wanted to know more about girls... and this suggestion was met with much foot shuffling and bashful camaraderie. It is noted however that Wood dedicated this book to two boys. Perhaps she has in mind, a readership of boys who are more aware of the issues concerning girls.
Wood goes, through the first person voice of Nell, to places that girls on the brink of adolescence fear and probably don't care to talk about even with their friends. How to spell catastrophe is therefore a comforting and instructive book for every pre-teen and tween age girl. Similar to the cover of The edge of thirteen, the cover of How to spell catastrophe suggests the feminine nature of the contents. Astred Hicks, Sydney-based graphic and freelance book designer, has created a cover featuring three girls sheltering and supporting one another under a large, red umbrella against a dark blue background complete with rather oversized raindrops. Rather appropriate!
The text is very accessible to the reader. Woods has the teenage vernacular down pat. Poor Nell McPherson, a grade sixer, is our protagonist and the reader sees life through her eyes as she copes with all the worries of the world. Nell states in the prologue. 'I'm still more of a worrier than a warrior.' She keeps a diary so the narrative is interspersed with her notes that appear to be kept in a spiral bound notebook and are about various catastrophes and the solutions to them. Occasionally, we read the contents of text conversations. She loves words and occasionally she chooses a word that is appropriate to her situation, defines it, puts her problem into writing, plans, gives her week a 'fruit ranking' and writes down what she is grateful for. Openly she talks about how she has seen a psychologist all her life when she needs help with strategising and coping with the worries that stem from the death of her father when she was two. This frank and open writing about seeking specialist help with social/ emotional/ thinking skills normalises what still can be a no-no subject in some places. This too is a comfort for the large and growing group of young people who we know are struggling with anxiety.
How to spell catastrophe is a novel that delivers, through the voice of Nell, much warmth and good advice. It's full of humour and looks at life through an optimistic lens. The adults in the book, from the teacher, Alex, to the parents are real and good characters. Wood has created such an authentic view of the current typical year 6 classroom and the interactions within, one wonders whether she has been a fly on the wall. The battle that Nell takes on re climate activism and the role models that she admires constitute another contemporary component of this story.
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.
Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.
Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.
This book is disturbing, creepy and thrilling... in the very best way. It was fast paced, with reasonably short chapters. Readers will be hooked from the first page. The story changes between Lowens POV and Veritys manuscript. You will be on the edge of your seat throughout and will be guessing until the very end. Colleen Hoovers writing is sensational and has written such strong characters. By the end of the story there is only one question left to ask... are you team letter? Or team manuscript?
There is a need for books for girls who are on the brink of and going through adolescence. Girls need comfort and guidance. They need to know that they are not the only ones with particular worries and experiences of growing up. Where else better can you find material and experiences that might help you but in a book? Nova Weetman understands this market. Her previous book, Sick Bay (a CBCA notable in 2019) spent no time at all on our library shelves. There was a waiting list for it; we bought extra copies. The girl's network wanted it.
The Edge of Thirteen is unashamedly a "girls' book". The cover design by Jo Hunt and the cover illustration by Bren Luke speak straight to tween girls: uncertainty, change, future. It is pink. Despite everything taught about sexual constructs etc. girls know that this book is for them and there is a time and place to be clear about audience when marketing.
The heroine of the story is thirteen- year-old Clem. Everything is changing around her. Her friends are changing; they are wearing bras and having teenage romances and they are not interested anymore in childhood pursuits. Everything comes to a climax and resolution during that hothouse experience - the school camp.
Clem is an individual with her own interests. This book is about finding who you are and working out where you fit. Clem makes mistakes and embarrasses herself but it all is part of the process of finding herself. Same-sex attraction and sexual identity is considered with great sensitivity and naturalness.
The Edge of Thirteen will be as popular and sought after as Sick Bay.
Because of content, this book is recommended for mature Middle School students.
Wendy Jeffrey
A dog's perfect Christmas by W Bruce Cameron
Pan Macmillan, 2020. ISBN: 9781529010114.
(Age: Secondary/Adult) Highly recommended. Winstead, a nine year
wolf hound becomes aware one day that his Daddy is sad. His owner
gets up in the morning with aching bones and crooked fingers, and
turns to the pillow next to his where his wife once slept. Their
house has been sold to cover the debts her illness accrued, and he
is now living with his son and his family. His granddaughter comes
in each morning to wake him, but Ello is a taciturn young girl on
the brink of becoming a teen, at odds with everything around her.
Her three year old twin brothers, Ewan and Garrett cause mayhem
within the household, and mum, Juliana cannot wait to drop all three
at school and have some time to herself, going to Target for
respite. She is meeting her husband, Hunter for lunch and has
something to tell him.
Hunter is given a promotion in his office but warned that a lack of
success means being fired. He cannot understand his wife's distress
at home, and is at a loss to help with the children or his father,
Sander, who counts the pills in the medicine cabinet. This chaotic
household is very recognisable and the descriptions poignant and
very funny. The readers' involvement builds as Juliana reveals she
is very unhappy, Hunter's work nose dives into a scrambled mess,
Ello's friends bully her and she is saddled with baby sitting Dad's
boss' son, newly arrived at school. When Mum is taken to hospital
and the diagnosis becomes dire, the family grows together, helped by
the stray puppy Ello has found on her walk home from the skating
rink. Named Ruby it becomes part of the family, a crutch for the
children as they cope with their mother's illness.
This is a beautifully written story of a family and their fractured
relationships, repaired by a stray dog which adopts them. And did I
mention this story happens at Christmas, adding another layer of
stress and the cold in Michigan in December is finger numbing.
Themes: Family, Death, Christmas, Grandparents, Suicide, Pets,
Animals, Twins, Anxiety, Michigan.
Fran Knight
The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781526629418.
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Eleven year old Kate and her younger
brother Tom embark on a remarkable adventure in a magical steam
train aptly named The Silver Arrow. In Kate's mind her life so far
is mundane and boring as her parents are busy with work and she
feels it is time for something interesting to happen so she contacts
her wealthy Uncle Herbert and asks for a present. Uncle Herbert
delivers a steam train much to the horror of Kate and Tom's sensible
parents and they are forbidden to climb on it. However as children
do, they ignore their parents and are whisked away for the adventure
of a life time. Along the journey they collect an assortment of
talking animals who are waiting patiently at train stations in a
variety of continually changing landscapes and environments. The
steam train is their teacher while they are on the journey and
encourages the children to solve each problem thoughtfully as it
arises, as well as managing the roles of the driver, conductor and
carrying out maintenance on the train. Both Kate and Tom show
surprising resilience and perseverance to overcome some challenging
situations and they learn to work as a team. The animals befriended
by Kate and Tom finally admit that they are running away from humans
who have destroyed their habitats and they are on the brink of
extinction. The children form a close bond with the animals and grow
to understand how dangerous the human world is for them.
This is the first children's novel written by author Lev Grossman
who is well known for his Magician's trilogy. In The
Silver Arrow he has created a wonderful world of magic and
fantasy where animals have an opinion and are listened to, where two
young siblings overcome dangerous situations and learn to be kind to
each other, as well as realising the adult world is fraught with
complications. An exciting and action-packed read which young
readers who love to escape into imaginary worlds will appreciate and
enjoy. Themes: Adventure, Magic, Endangered Animals, Steam Trains,
Siblings, Fantasy.
Kathryn Beilby
How to grow a family tree by Eliza Henry-Jones
Angus & Robertson, 2020. ISBN: 9781460754955. 331pp.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Stella's world is turned upside down
when her Dad's addiction sees them evicted from their modest home,
where the sister's stuff may occasionally go missing - also down to
Dad's gambling. Exiled to the Fairyland Caravan Park with her
parents and short, delinquent step-sister Taylor, Stella tells
no-one in her friendship circle - not even Clem, her best friend.
For an odd girl who reads nothing but self-help books, she has a
small but supportive group of friends. Taylor seems a misfit by
comparison but fixing people isn't Stella's only fixation. Her
natural mother has requested a meet-up. Too many chapters later, she
still hasn't opened the envelope or confided in anyone.
The Fairyland Park, is a close-knit community of fringe dwellers.
The park manager mistreats his son Michael, Taylor sleepwalks, Mum
(Judy) cries for her old home . . . everybody has problems -
even those who don't complain. Stella strives to put her how-to
information into practice with limited success but it helps her, to
give her life direction.
When Stella's real mother, Kelly, invites her to stay, the apartment
is luxurious compared to the cramped caravan, but Kelly is distant -
stunted by her past experiences. Kelly's sister Mary, makes up for
her birth mother's silence, introduces her to her curmudgeonly
grandfather and slowly Stella learns why she was given up for
adoption. Charlie, her placid step dad, saves the park mascot and
'therapy' dog, from a snake bite, but he is unable to heal himself.
When a flood threatens the caravan park, Stella knows where she
wants to be.
Stella is an eclectic young woman on the brink of leaving school and
her friends are lively and believable. Clem will be adored for his
constancy and restraint. Will his love remain unrequited? Typically,
home is where the heart is and How to Grow a Family Tree
will fill your heart and mind from the small seed of a girl's birth
spreading outward into the community - some natural, some adopted
and thankfully a heady mix of friends and neighbours. Themes:
Bildungsroman.
Deborah Robins
Hear the wolves by Victoria Scott
Scholastic, 2017. ISBN: 9781338043587.
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Themes: Alaska, Wolves, Survival,
Bullying, Abuse. Sloan, partly deaf and still suffering the loss of
her mother who left two years before, is left alone in her house by
her father and older sister, when they trek to the neighbouring
village for a meeting. Sloan finds several other people still in the
village: Ms Wade who has injured herself and needs medical
attention, Pilot and his abusive father, Nash, a young boy and their
teacher, Mr Foster. Together they pack some supplies and head for
the moored boat to go down river to the next town to get Mrs Wade to
a doctor.
But the community has cleared the land, denuding the place of
rabbits and hares the main source of food for the wolves, and
Sloan's father, in building a fence has stopped the elk coming near
the town. Wolves are now hungry, unable to keep themselves fed and
so track the six people as they make their way towards the river.
The trek should only take a day but is hampered by the injured woman
and an alcoholic Nash trying to control the group, so the search for
shelter becomes obvious as each night the cold and fear sets in.
This is a chilling read. A blizzard has blown in unexpectedly, the
wolves are a constant threat in the background, the hatred between
Pilot and his father is overwhelming and the ammunition is running
out.
The book reminded me of many other stories set in the Alaskan
wilderness, the Hatchet series of books (Paulsen) Call of
the Wild (London) and The Great Death (Smelger), but
in this one the wolves track and hunt their quarry, Ms Wade and
Sloan all the while telling the reader of the behaviour of these
animals, pushed to the brink by the destruction of their habitat.
Sloan has been afraid of being alone since her mother left and the
extraordinary decision by her father to leave her to force her to
survive is akin to a child being thrown into water to teach it to
swim. But Nash's cruelty to his son is mind numbing. In this harsh
landscape some people's humanity has deserted them and reading this
book reminds us over again of the need for people to understand each
other and work together to survive. And no where more so than in the
Alaskan wilds.
Fran Knight
Lizard's tale by Weng Wai Chan
Text Publishing, 2019. ISBN: 9781925603910.
(Age: 9-13) Highly recommended. Themes: Adventure, Singapore -
History, Spies, Stealing, Secrecy. A fabulous adventure story, Lizard's
tale brings to life the Singapore of 1940, on the brink of
war. Desperate to make some money for rent and food, 12 year old
orphan Lizard steals a mysterious box from an English man staying in
Raffles Hotel. Inside is a strange book and dangerous people are
after it. His friend Lili is hiding secrets and his Uncle Archie has
disappeared. He finds himself embroiled in the dangers of espionage.
Who can he trust?
I enjoyed this action packed spy story immensely. Lizard and Lili
are courageous and resilient children who are prepared to take risks
for what they believe in. Their friends are equally brave and
daring. The smells and sights of Singapore are vividly described and
it is easy to imagine the opulence of Raffles Hotel and its wealthy
British occupants, as well as the streets and homes of the everyday
inhabitants of Singapore.
Middle grade readers are sure to enjoy the sights and sounds of Asia
as they follow Lizard and Lili's escapades, while evading the
Japanese spies. The humour and exciting encounters in Lizard's
tale would also make it a great class read aloud. I can
imagine a class wanting to try curry puffs after hearing this story,
and desiring to know more about Singapore of the 1940s and today. It
would also make a very effective literature circle or class text.
There is a glossary of words (Cantonese, Mandarin, Malay, Japanese,
Hindi and Hokkien) at the back that truly shows the multicultural
nature of Singapore and the author's note sets it firmly in its
historical context. Teacher's
notes are available.
Pat Pledger
Running on empty by Sonya Spreen Bates
Orca Sports series. Orca Book Publishers, 2018. ISBN
9781459816534
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Themes: Sport - Athletics, Family,
Overcoming difficulties. Leon experiences the worst outcome during
his High School 4 x 100metre relay event - the end of his sprint
career due to a mid-race accident. The turmoil of having his life
turned upside down because of his injury, results in family
difficulties and emotional distress. Nothing will ever be the same
again! A chance meeting at the Physiotherapy clinic with Casey, the
feisty, spirited and attractive teenager, changes his direction, and
potentially leads him towards a new way of living. But is her
direction healthy, or does her own struggle in life put Leon in
danger of some unwise choices? Can he run again, or should he just
give up?
This book takes the reader into the story of an American teenager on
the brink of College life, whose hopes for an Athletics scholarship
get crushed because of injury. Family relationships and disharmony
are addressed, as well as the generational dilemma of coping with a
grandparent on the brink of dementia. But essentially it is a story
of someone at the crossroads trying to deal with difficulty in their
life and to recover from disappointment, all within the context of
school athletics and sporting aspirations. Casey's problems are
intense, and we know there are major problems, but her power to
inspire Leon gives hope where there was none. Problems do not
disappear, but the future for the two teens will not be plain
sailing. This book will be appreciated by sports fans, but also by
others who understand the teenage predicaments that the characters
face.
Recommended for readers aged 13+.
Carolyn Hull
