EK Books, 2023. ISBN: 9781922539380. (Age:9+) Highly recommended.
A magical pen can fix anything…. right???
Ruby and the Pen, written by David Lawrence weaves a heart-warming story of courage, friendship, and the power of creativity. This middle-grade novel captures the essence of a twelve-year-old girl's journey through loss, self-discovery, and the unexpected consequences of her newfound magical ability.
Ruby is relatable, endearing, funny, clever, and a budding young artist who loves to draw. Tragically she lost her father four years ago and now lives with her mother and her mother's boyfriend, “Dodgy Dave”. Ruby finds great comfort in drawing, but when she stumbles upon a seemingly ordinary fountain pen, could its magical properties change her life forever or could this pen’s magic go too far?
With Dodgy Dave sending Ruby to boarding school, Ruby faces bullies, cruel teachers, and her inability to play soccer doesn’t help her cause. But Ruby’s sense of humour and loving memories of her Dad help her make the best of each situation as they arise. Even school bullies, Sasha and Miranda, can’t knock her resilience and courage, and finding a friend in Fav is just what she needs.
When discovering some secretive activities by Dodgy Dave, the local council person and her new headmaster, Mr Lemon, Ruby needs to take action. But is it a magical pen that Ruby needs to solve her problems, or will there be other methods that are more effective?
Filled with enchanting black and white illustrations by Cherie Dignam, this novel is a visual treat that captivates readers of all ages. Lawrence delivers a touching story that celebrates the strength of young minds, the importance of resilience, and the value of true friendship and teamwork. With twists and turns to keep everyone on their toes, this narrative is beautifully paced and will keep every reader engaged from beginning to end. The author's ability to build suspense and create genuine emotional connections with the characters is commendable.
Magical, motivating and amusing ‘til the very end. Definitely worth a read!
The wonderful Julia Donaldson and talented Rebecca Cobb have paired again to produce this wholly inviting lift the flap book. This funny rhyming story will have all kids sleuthing to try and find the correct house. Readers will love lifting the flap and opening up the pages as the boy explores each house.
Dan invites a boy in his class to come and visit him in South Street, but neglects to tell him the number of the house. The boy peers at the array of houses in the street and must select which one is Dan’s house. Each house looks different from its neighbour, and each has a particular resident.
House Number One has wonderful smells coming from inside and the boy looks through the window and spies a cook. Not this one.
House Number Two has a horse in the front yard. Could this be Dan’s house, not when the boy peers through the window and sees a knight. House Number Three has round windows and from the inside the boy can hear the words ‘yo ho ho’. And a wooden leg hitting the floor. Not this house, he says as he presses on to number four. House Number Four does not look as inviting as the others did. Here he hears a chain, and loud wails inside the dismal place. And he peers through the window to spy something he did not wish to see. Definitely not this one. At House Number Five he stands by the door and feels rain on his head, looking up he spies Dan with a watering can. At last he has found the right house. Here they play together at being a knight, a cook and a pirate.
The gentle rhyming encourages younger children to predict the rhyming word, offering perhaps their own words to the lines. The cute illustrations invite the readers to look more closely at the detail given on each page. I loved checking out the windows, doors and front yards of each house, implying the sort of resident who might be inside.
Top Speed is the second novel in the Furball series created by Adrian Beck. With more Dad jokes than you could ever imagine, this novel will have your eyes rolling, and then desperately wanting more. Be entertained by the silliness, as our famous spy team are at it again.
Furball and his friends, Jade and Kit, are part of Meow-6. Each mission they encounter is dangerous, nerve-wracking and risky; but with evil villains out there, there is no time to waste!
After briefly conquering Grandma Grassy Pants, from the evil organisation, Klawz, Meow-6 are now hot on the tail of some gold stealing thieves. Sent on their mission to Egypt and entered into a death defying bike race, can the team from Meow-6 capture these bandits before it is too late, or will evil finally win?
Filled with loads of cool black and white cartoon pictures, speech text and action; this book is sure to be a hit. In a style mixed between graphic and standard novel, this will certainly target a wide audience and appeal to many as they read along and follow each escapade that unfolds.
With wit, humour and ingenuity, this story will keep its audience captivated until the very end. Fun and light-hearted, this is an enjoyable read that will tantalise every readers’ tastebuds; even those reluctant ones. If you like a little adventure and enjoy a huge laugh, Furball and the Miow-6 crew will keep you thoroughly entertained. Containing short chapters, large easy to read print and a really fun layout, this is a great story for all ages. This novel is similar in format to Adam Wallace’s series, FARTBOY and Tim Harris’ series Ratbags. So, if you enjoyed those, then this one will be right up your alley too.
If you love a laugh, and loads of corny jokes, then this book will be PAWSitively PURRfect!
Themes Cats, Crime, Villains, Adventure, Egypt.
Michelle O'Connell
I am Lupe by Sela Ahosivi-Atiola. Illus. by Yani Agustina
Lupe feels different from her classmates at school. She and her family have moved from a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, the first people to see the sunrise each day.
Other children ask her who she is, because her skin is brown and hair is black and curly and her eyes are brown. She asks her mother and is told that she is Lupe: a daughter, big sister, and a friend who helps others, she is kind and funny, and fearless. Mother tells her that we can’t always be the same, that our differences make us who we are.
She reminds her that she is unique, there is no one else like her. So the next time someone asks her who she is, she can say that she is Lupe.
This delightful insight into a child who feels different because of the way others see her, is reassured by her parents that she is many things, all of which are positive and empowering. They assure her that she is not defined by how she looks but what she does. Her interaction with others, her relationship with those around her, is the important thing.
The arresting illustrations underline the theme of the book that we all have differences that make us unique.
Tongan Australian author, Sela lives in Sydney and more about her can be found here. More informant about Singaporean illustrator, Yani Agustina can be found here. Teacher's activities can be found on the publisher's website.
Violet Sorrengail has been trained as a scribe and is happy to work in the Archive s like her father before her, but her mother General Sorrengail, demands that she join the war academy, training to become a dragon rider. The training is deadly, many cadets do not survive and die during the course, and it is even harder for Violet, as she has a frail physique and little previous training. Cadets who are the children of rebels, and led by wing commander, Xaden Riorson, the son of the separatists’ leader, also hate her and want her deadbecause her mother ordered their parents to be executed. Violet knows that the odds are stacked against her from the beginning.
Yarros is an experienced romance writer, and her expertise in writing engaging characters, an enemy-to-lover trope and building up suspense is obvious in Fourth Wing. Although her prose is sometimes jarring, with modern teen language (‘So. Freaking. Beautiful.’) feeling inappropriate for a high fantasy, she sweeps the reader along building up suspense as Violet faces dangerous trials and death threats. Violet is a very likeable character who uses her intelligence and knowledge that she has learnt as a scribe to compensate for her lack of physical ability. She never loses her compassion and willingness to help others. She gradually learns to trust herself, and not to give in, even though her friend Dain is desperate for her stay alive by leaving the academy. And her growing feelings for Xaden will keep romance lovers glued to the page. There are many breathless moments as the suspense grows, and the action is relentless as the reader follows Violet, desperately hoping that she will make it as a dragon rider.
This was an enjoyable escapist read, with a surprise ending that leaves the reader wanting to grab the next in the series. Those who enjoyed Fourth Wing, may want to read more complex fantasy by authors like Robin Hobb, Lois McMaster Bujold and Juliet Marillier. Fourth wing may not be suitable for younger YA readers as it contains explicit sexual scenes, murder without consequences and some swearing.
Themes Fantasy, Romance, Dragons.
Pat Pledger
You’ve got yoghurt in your nostrils by Bethany May Clark and Sara Acton
Debut South Australian author Bethany Clark has written a delightful rhyming picture book exploring the fun and often messy experience of baby’s first foods. Each busy page is beautifully illustrated by Sara Acton and shows baby having a great deal of enjoyment with all sorts of different foods. Within this engaging book, each pair of four-lined rhyming stanzas are broken up by two short singsong three-lined stanzas with a clever surprise twist at the end.
You’ve got yoghurt in your nostrils, avocado-smeared hair, bacon in your bellybutton, and toast crusts on your chair.
You’ve got egg all down your elbow, pumpkin between your toes, ricotta on your knee bone, and spaghetti….who knows!
Learning to eat is such a massive feat- for a tiny baby, whose fingers work, maybe!
Learning to eat is such a messy treat- squash it on your fingers, throw it on the timbers!
Those readers who have experienced the pleasure of introducing new foods to their baby or toddler will love sharing this wonderful picture book with their own children or gifting it to new or soon-to-be parents. A very entertaining read.
Themes Babies, Food Experiences, Family.
Kathryn Beilby
Super Sloth: The shar-wolf of New York City by Aleesah Darlison. Illus. By Cheri Hughes
Big Sky, 2023. ISBN: 9781922896537. (Age:7-10) Recommended.
A love of Sloths and Super Heros inspired Aleesah Darlison to create an amusing new series for young readers that is exciting and full of adventure. This first book contains the origin story of her main character, Romeo Fortez, a pygmy sloth, born on a wild and stormy night on isolated Escudo Island off the coast of Panama. On the night of his naming ceremony a once in a millennium event occurs that gives him special powers of speed, intelligence, dashing good looks and a thirst for adventure. He also learns to use what he calls his super cute sloth hypnosis mode, which allows him to calm and control the angriest of animals to get them to forget why they were upset.
Of course, an island is too small to keep a Super Sloth like Romeo happy, so he decides to move to New York City and quickly encounters trouble with a strange, giant creature called a Shar-wolf – a mixture between a shark and a wolf. While rescuing a girl from its clutches he befriends a crime-fighting group consisting of Tulip, the tough street-smart Cheetah, Hamilton Porker, the Vespa riding pig and headed by Beth Castlemaine, the confident and assertive daughter of a very wealthy banker. Together they hunt down the source of the strange genetically mixed creatures that have started wreaking havoc in the city and bring the culprit, Professor Ian Weird-Warp to justice. The book is peopled by a myriad of animal characters, woven into everyday life and makes for an exciting read. It provides readers with thrilling adventures which also portray teamwork and positive values. The pace of the action and the inclusion of some full page illustrations will also make them appealing to most reluctant readers.
Themes Sloths, Genetic engineering, Monsters, Superheroes, Good and evil.
Gabrielle Anderson
When clouds touch us by Thanhha Lai
University of Queensland Press, 2023. ISBN: 9780702266225. (Age:8-12) Highly recommended.
This middle grade verse novel is the follow up to 2011's popular Inside out & backagain. The first novel covered a year in the life of 10-year-old Ha and her family, fleeing Vietnam as refugees in 1975. They left behind Ha's father, missing-in-action as a soldier in the Vietnamese army. The family faced much hardship including racism and bullying in their new small town in Alabama, before finally starting to feel settled and at peace.
This new novel takes up the story two years later – it is not necessary to have read the first novel prior to this one as background/context is provided as the story unfolds. Ha’s mother suggested she repeat her first American year of school, which means she is a year older than her classmates, who think she’s just turned 11. “No-one at school knows my secret age so I’ll never again appear dumb”. Ha and her friend, Pam, share a fantastic 'rolling shoe' birthday party before Ha's family must move again. This time they move to Texas (which none of them can pronounce) for a better job for mother, and more options for Ha and her three older brothers.
The absolute highlight of this story is that it is written in the first person and so we connect easily with the way Ha makes sense of her feelings as well as the world around her. The words and descriptions she uses gives real insight into how confusing, overwhelming, ridiculous, delightful and strange she finds the new world around her.
The novel gently explores a range of issues facing refugees, using simple language in an age-appropriate way, and ending with a real hope for the future and possibilities ahead. Ample white space on each page helps make this novel appealing for reluctant readers as well. Excellent teacher's notes are available, making this a good choice for a class novel.
Themes Refugees, Vietnam.
Kylie Grant
Two sides to every story by Beck & Robin Feiner
ABC Books, 2023. ISBN: 9780733341618. (Age:3+)
Attempting to give two sides to each story, sees the author and illustrator, Beck and Robin Feiner present humorous pages of opposites, of comparisons, of thought provoking ideas which some readers may not have heard of. A page spent on love of sciences and what scientists do is followed by a page about historians and the impact they have on us. The two are not mutually exclusive, but complement each other, so readers will have lots of thoughts about which is the most important and what each does. Another double page on cats and dogs is far more black and white. As is a page on what to eat for breakfast very funny as Oscar tumbles around the pages. Another double page offers the pros and cons of living in the country as opposed to living in the city. Turning the page gives the positives and negatives of swimming at the beach or in the pool.
The coming schools' public speaking competition sees many decisions having to be made about how to dress, and what to say.
Oscar dresses in a suit for the competition and presents the reasons why it is good to be dressed up, but also tells about feeling more casual and at ease when dressed in an old t-shirt. After the debate the team decides to go the cinema but then another decision needs to be made. The most important of these is what to buy at the candy bar.
So lots of mental gymnasts is involved reading this book, seeing that each offers a debate about which is best and if reading in a group, readers will hear that most of their group will have opposing ideas. This will encourage younger readers to accept that points of view need to be accepted not derided.
Funny illustrations will enthral the readers as they follow the tumbling Oscar through his voyage of discovery.
Themes Debate, Opposition, Discover, Humour.
Fran Knight
Ember and the island of lost creatures by Jason Pamment
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761067488. (Age:8-12) Highly recommended.
South Australian author/illustrator Jason Pamment, whose debut graphic novel was Treasure in the Lake, has once again provided primary to middle grade readers with an exciting adventure story in the same format.
In this story, main character Ember is a tiny child all alone in a world of giant people. He is desperate to make friends and when he tries to be friendly with a giant child he is placed in terrible danger. After his escape he meets a kind and wise sea turtle named Lua who transports him to an island for lost creatures so he can attend school and meet others. On the island he encounters an incredible array of characters, all lost and alone, and is welcomed by the stern and serious Mr Cultivar who takes every opportunity to encourage his assortment of students to learn from each situation they find themselves in. Friendship does not come easily for Ember as some of the characters are not prepared to reciprocate but eventually after some dangerous and frightening experiences, the students are beginning to connect and respect each other.
The illustrations in Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures are both vibrant and visually stunning. The incredible detail in the graphic images will allow readers to explore each page deeply. This is an enjoyable fantasy adventure with interesting scientific facts cleverly shared throughout. Teacher's notes are available from the publisher.
Darkhearts is a teenage band that began with three boys, David, Chance and Eli. Only, David got ditched after one of their frequent arguments, or at least that is the story as he tells it. That the band went on to become famous without him, builds a deep resentment within him. It is only after the death of Eli, that David and Chance gradually renew their friendship. But Chance is now rich and famous, leading the life of a super pop star, whilst David is still back at school. Is a friendship even possible given the different paths their lives have taken?
The central character David, or Holc as Chance calls him, is a deeply flawed person, knit with self-doubt and jealousy. It takes a long time for him to realise that he is repeating the same mistakes his mother made when she walked out on their family: the things he blames her for, are the same things he does to his friends. It is that horrible teenager time where a kind of tunnel vision blinds him to his own failings and the blame is always somewhere else. Yet Chance Kain seems willing to give him another ‘chance’.
Reconnecting with Chance becomes one of those hate turns to love situations, but Sutter describes the gradual steps towards intimacy so well, so authentically, that the reader feels all the awkward moments, but also the humour, that the boys share. There couldn’t be a better depiction of the tentative sharing of consent.
I was thoroughly wrapped up in this story, never sure where it was going to go. I’m glad it didn’t disappoint. It isn’t a ‘happy ever after’ ending, but a very realistic portrayal of people learning to negotiate and trust again after a difficult time.
For more insight into the motivation for the book, read Sutter’s own review of it on Goodreads. I liked his message about “learning to just be comfortable with who you are - queer or straight, rock star or otherwise”. Darkhearts is YA fiction at its best.
Themes LGBQTI+, Jealousy, Romance, Self confidence, Consent, Boy band.
Helen Eddy
The champ vs the Werewolf Warriorz by Anh Do. Illus. by Dave Atze
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761065637. (Age:8+) Recommended.
Super sporty when she is a champ-in-disguise Summer is searching for the perfect present for her brother Carl. He confined to a wheelchair, and he desperately needs a new phone. While out shopping Summer sees an opportunity to enter a Runaround Games Competition at the Rockstone Autumn Fair with the chance of winning the mobile phone Carl would love to have.
The Fair turns out to be more than anyone bargained for. To organise enough money to enter each game, Wilbur and Summer decide to have a stall selling photos of pets in fancy dress. Travis Trole and his offsiders change the price of the photo shoot causing customers to walk away, cheat throughout the games and eventually steal Summer’s winning tokens. Meanwhile the evil Marcia the Book Witch is plotting the downfall of her nemesis The Champ. With the games in progress and the bully, Travis Trole in the lead, Marcia causes mayhem with the popular toys Werewolf Warriorz brought to life and destroying the fair. Travis is captured by Marcia, and it is then up to The Champ and her trusty sidekick Icecream Boy to save him and the day. Will Summer be able to defeat the Werewolf Warriorz and win the smart phone for Carl?
The action-packed pages will engage young readers and hold their interest. Highlighted key words break up the text and the graphic images by South Australian illustrator Dave Atze add to the drama of the story. Book 4 is on its way!
With the most arresting illustrations, sure to evoke lots of discussion, the story about the lion in all of us will intrigue all readers as they emulate the behaviours described by the main character. Being a lion would help her overcome not being heard within the family. As a lion she could be fierce, wild and free.
Each double page begins with the title phrase, followed by a short pithy sentence stating what she would do. One page tells us that being a lion would mean her voice would be heard, being a lion means she would see things clearly, as brightly as her sharp teeth. If she was a lion she would dance and dance, to the beat of her own jungle drum. As a lion she could listen to her body when it tells her she is tired and lounge on the sofa.
All the possibilities are exposed as the girl remains on one side of the page, then the lion takes her place on the facing page. The comparison is very funny as the girl takes on a lion’s properties and revels in the behaviour shown. She is laugh out loud funny as the lion looks at the lady with hunger in her eyes or dances across the page, or has a balloon burst in its face. Each page evokes laughter and discussion as the minimal style of illustration is distinctively different from the usual illustrations explored in a picture book. Watch out for the lion lounging along the back of the sofa, or the lion rolling around in the mud, or the lion in the wheelchair. Each image demands close inspection, as the comparison is very telling of the needs of a young person wanting some recognition. As a lion they can make their needs heard, even if they have to roar.
There will be many enchanted readers roaring like a lion at the end of this book.
Jemima, Humpty, Big Ted and Kiya are all on their way to the home of Little Ted. His pet goldfish has just died and they want to help him feel better. At the house, Little Ted is very sad and feeling heavy because he is holding back tears but his friends tell him it is OK to cry as this shows the love that existed between Little Ted and his friend. Jemima suggests that they create a scrapbook and they find photos of Swish to include in the pages. Each photo brings back memories of the little fish and the group tell each other stories about Swish. Little Ted feels better knowing that when his friends are not there he can look at the scrapbook and recall the stories of his pet.
Feeling hungry they decide to go on a picnic and spend the day playing games and eating. When they return they find a flower has bloomed in the aquarium. They say their goodbyes to Little Ted, promising they will return tomorrow. Little Ted goes to bed with his scrapbook, remembering the support his friends have given him and smiling at his recollections of Swish.
A disarming story of how friends can help and support someone in need, the tale of the loss of Swish is a prefect vehicle for talking to children about death. Swish has died and Little Ted feels lost and sad. The intervention of his friends creates an atmosphere where he can talk about his pet to people who also knew the goldfish. They create a scrapbook, sharer memories and are there for Little Ted offering support. All the things that people do to help another at this time in their lives is shown through the Play School characters, ones that the readers will know and love.
The soft illustrations reveal the characters that kids will know and love, helping to create a warm and comforting backdrop to the story.
Themes Death, Support, Grief, Friends.
Fran Knight
Everything you need to know about The Voice by Megan Davis and George Williams
Just as the title says, this 200 page book has everything you need to know, from the history of Aboriginal campaigns for recognition, to the imminent referendum about the proposed Voice to Parliament.
A timeline at the front of the book reveals that Indigenous people have argued for political representation and fairer consultation for more than a century. It was in 1846 that exiled Tasmanian Aboriginal people petitioned Queen Victoria, and in 1886 that William Barak wrote that “we should be free like the White Population”. In 1933 Yorta Yorta man William Cooper petitioned King George VI for representation in federal Parliament. David Unaipon, whose face appears on the $50 note, repeatedly called for Aboriginal autonomy. The list of people and their petitions, the organisations and their reports, continues until the present day.
The authors describe the regional dialogues that led to the 2017 National Convention at Uluru that gathered Indigenous representatives from across Australia. It was the “most proportionately significant consultation process that has ever been undertaken with First Peoples”. From that came The Uluru Statement from the Heart, calling for a Voice to Parliament. The statement is included in full as an Appendix to the book.
The Voice proposes to allow Aboriginal people to make representations about matters relating to them. Australia endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People in 2009, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous participation in political decisions about their rights. The Voice is a means to implement that. Examples of countries with similar structures or processes include Norway, Sweden, Finland, New Zealand and Colombia.
The chapter on The Voice includes a section on myths and misconceptions. As the authors point out, “there is nothing in Australian law that punishes people for telling lies about a proposed change to the Constitution”, so for readers who just want to get to the crux of arguments in the media, this is a really useful section that plainly puts the facts.
This excellent little book is a chance to become informed about the Constitution, how referendums work, the long history of Aboriginal campaigns for rights, and how the Voice presents the opportunity to allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to not just be counted, but to be heard. It is a book to be read, then shared with others.
Themes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Indigenous rights, Australian Constitution, Referendum, The Voice.
