Reviews

Kisses are yuk by Julia Jarman

Ill. by Erica-Jane Waters. Hodder Children's Books, 2008.
(Age 5-8) Jack really hates being kissed. He loves getting a pat on the back for his sporting prowess and bravery but kisses are not the thing for him. He can't get away from them in his big family. He is appalled with Auntie Poppy's sloppy kisses while Uncle Mickey's kisses are sticky and Cousin Lily's are licky. So he makes up a rule:
'Absolutely no kisses at all, or stoking my hair, or poking my tum, or squeezing my knees, or patting my bum.'

The rhythm in this story makes it wonderful to read aloud. Young children will giggle at the zany humour and adults will have a grin on their faces as they read. The entertaining illustrations will keep the reader engrossed while examining the amusing portraits of all Jack's family - and Jack's secret habit is enchanting.
Pat Pledger

Pix and me by Carolyn Ching

Hachette (Lothian), 2008. ISBN97873441058 0
When the Japanese planes bomb Singapore, and their army swarms in, Andy knows that what has happened before is only minor compared with now.  His father, a botanist employed to catalogue the plants in the small colony, is taken away with his wife and Andrew runs off taking his monkey, a macaque called Pix with him. As they wander through the jungle looking for food and water, Andrew recalls the time leading up to the invasion, and how the Japanese, called Kempeitai, infiltrated the island long before the invasion.

In the jungle he happens across a young girl called Emmeline, a girl used to getting her own way and only dealing with servants. They clash as the girl begins to tell Andy what to do, but soon they come to rely on each other to survive.

A fascinating look at the plight of the inhabitants of Singapore at the start of the Pacific War, Pix and me has all the ingredients to make it an eagerly absorbed story. Slow to get going, and overly long (310pages), with extensive descriptive passages, the book will need to be sold to students who want to read an historical novel, especially those who are intrigued with our involvement with war in countries close to Australia.
Fran Knight

Screwed by Joanna Kenrick

Allen & Unwin, 2008.
(15+) The words 'Warning explicit content' on the back cover give a clue to the controversial contents of this absorbing novel. 14 year old Marsha and her friend Faith are having a competition about who can screw the most boys. For Marsha it is all casual, she believes that boys are only out for one thing and she doesn't want a relationship. But when Faith bets Marsha that she can't get Rich, a naive school mate, Marsha finds that it is possible to be friends with a boy.

This is a honest gritty book that comes to grips with underage promiscuity but never forgets the emotions and fears of the girls. The difficulties of friendships are explored when Beth, a new girl comes to school, as well as the jealousy and pain that occurs when Faith gets a boyfriend and leaves her friend behind. The lack of communication and poor relationship Marsha has with her father is vividly depicted. The developing friendship that Marsha has with shy Rich is a welcome contrast to the casual encounters that she has previously had. Within the context of the story the author gives some solid information about sexually transmitted diseases in a non preaching way and offers some helpful sex education for those who may not get it from home. She also explores the effects of single families, peer pressure and poor self esteem.

The author has honestly examined in a gripping story a topic that most adults, especially parents of teenagers, won't want to think about. One of the reviews on the first page of the book was from a 14 year old who said she would definitely recommend the book, 'just don't let your dad read it!'
Pat Pledger

The falconer's knot by Mary Hoffman

Allen and Unwin. 2008
(Age 11+) An exciting medieval mystery story set in 14th century Italy, Falconer's knot is sure to gain an audience with readers who like whodunits and those who enjoy a historical setting. 16-year-old nobleman, Silvano, infatuated with beautiful Angelica, is forced to flee to a monastery when he is accused of murdering her husband. While there he meets a lovely novice, Chiara, at the adjoining convent. When Chiara's father died, her brother decides to send her away to join a religious order. The peace of monastic life is shattered when another murder occurs. Silvano and Chiaro discover themselves in the midst of a puzzling mystery and fall in love as they strive to solve the crime.

The author gives the reader a real sense of place and time with vivid descriptions of monastic life and the wonderful art that was being created at the time. Descriptions of the way the colours were made for the frescoes and the paintings of the artists Simone Martini and Pietro Lorenzetti are fascinating and provide an extra dimension to the book. Add to this two engaging characters, Silvano and Chiaro, an interesting sub plot with the star crossed lovers, Aureliana and Anselmo, poison, falcons and betrayals and it all adds up to an engrossing read.

Recommended for its fast pace, romance and fabulous setting.
Pat Pledger

The naked penguin by Kym Lardner

ABC Books, 2008.
(Age 5-7) The little penguin has no white front, he is all black. He tries to make friends, but he is spurned for being different. Trying to be the same, he makes a white front for himself but is laughed at. He asks the skiing kangaroo for help and the blue whale, but gets nowhere. Finally he decides to leave, but then he sees the pink dolphin, swimming happily with the grey ones, and the bird with the tufty curl, happily bobbing on top of the water with the other birds. He remembers what his father said, 'though you are different, you are not less', and armed with that piece of information, he rejoins the other penguins.

Beautifully illustrated, the story of the penguin is a treat. The simple landscapes with the bluey green colours make the reader feel cold, but kids will laugh out loud at the antics of the penguins on their bikes. Each page has a difference to be searched for, be it the animals in unusual circumstances, the cold of the deep blue sea, the storm clouds overhead or the trail of an airplane. For those kids who do feel different, the story shows them that being different is fine, for those who feel that difference singles people out, the story shows them that difference is part of being in a group. The story will make any reader feel a sense of belonging, of togetherness, as the little penguin finds his feet amongst the other penguins.
Fran Knight

The Black Dog Gang by Robert Newton

Penguin, 2007. Louis Braille Audio (5 CDs, 5 hours). Melbourne, 2007.
Read by Christopher Brown
When Maggie is taken to the Quarantine Station with plague, Frankie and his gang come to regret their money making scheme, catching and selling rats to the health inspector. The time is early twentieth century and the setting is the Rocks in Sydney, a haven for poverty and rats, culminating in the outbreak of the plague in those early years.

Frankie and his friends attend the Ragged School, set up for the children of the poor workers who live there. Some are well off with loving families, but others suffer brutal treatment at the hand of alcoholic fathers and cruel men. It is a time of death and cruelty, dealt out not only by fathers, but also the principal of the school.

A terrific and at times, harrowing, read about a time hardly heard about, The Black Dog Gang realistically captures the times and the fear with which some children lived. At times I found it hard to read or listen to (tears) and I am sure middle school readers will lap it up.

Read by Christopher Brown, the story recalls the early days of Sydney, where living in The Rocks meant many Irish settlers, poor health, malnutrition and lack of food. The Irish accent takes a few minutes to get used to but as the story progresses, then the listener will be lulled into its sound. Christopher Brown effortlessly moves between the voices of the youths, Mickey and Frankie, with their eagerness and hope, to the nasty deranged voice of Mickey's father, full of spite, alcohol and loathing.
Fran Knight
Comment: I found this audio to be compelling listening. The story is unforgettable and highlights the brutality and poverty of the 1900's.
Pat Pledger

Possessing Rayne by Kate Cann

Scholastic, 2008
(Age 12+) Rayne is a streetwise teenager living on a sink estate in London. Fed up with city life and desperate to escape her controlling boyfriend and feckless mother, she takes a job at a stately home tucked away in the countryside. However, cream teas and guided tours are not all that's on offer at the local mansion. Half told stories and peculiar happenings prove that there is a sinister side to Morton's Keep which Rayne is determined to investigate. She hooks up with the hypnotically handsome St John and his enigmatic friends, but soon finds herself sucked into a vortex of ancient crimes and new dangers as she struggles to discover the mystery behind Sir Edwin Lingwall, an eighteenth century owner of the house.

The sense of release Rayne feels on escaping the suffocating chaos of London is skilfully portrayed and the power of nature and beauty are recurring themes in this gothic horror story. The tension builds steadily towards a frightening climax played out in the dungeons of Morton's Keep. Plenty of tantalising clues are offered - a door without a handle, a pair of gloves embroidered with grotesque faces, a local mad woman burbling about fire and flood, and every plot strand is neatly resolved in a satisfying conclusion.

On the downside the quality of writing jarred at times. 'She was beginning to feel creeped out' may be 'teen speak', but struck me as literary laziness. But overall this is an exciting, well paced and satisfying read with bags of teen appeal which will no doubt have Cann's loyal fan base demanding more.
Claire Larson

Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley

As an avid reader and admirer of Robin McKinley's work, in particular The blue sword, which was a Newbery Honor book, I grabbed this book and I wasn't disappointed. Jacob has lived his whole life in Smokehill National Park with his scientist father, who studies Draco australiensis, an endangered dragon. His mother has died in mysterious circumstances and his father, overly protective, finally allows him to go deep into the park on his first solo trip. On a hike, miles away from the nearest Ranger, he stumbles across a horrendous scene, the dying thralls of a mother dragon, with all but one of her babies dead and a mutilated poacher nearby. Jake rescues the baby dragon and begins a torturous relationship with a creature who has bonded to him, won't let him out of his sight and singes his skin when he comes near.

This story is not one of McKinley's sweeping magical fantasies with vivid descriptions and interesting dialogue. Instead McKinley sets herself the task of taking on the voice of Jake, now in his 20s, who is the narrator, writing down his recollections of all that has happened since he became the baby dragon's surrogate mother at the age of 15. This is not an easy read, and I found myself reading a few pages and putting it down, but always returning to the story of an isolated young man determined to save a dying species against calls for its extermination and threats to have funding withdrawn.

This story should appeal to intelligent readers of fantasy as once they get used to the narrative voice, will be seduced by the idea of intelligent dragons and the need to have a haven for them. They will also learn about the hard work involved in being a mother, albeit a surrogate.

Pat Pledger

The Iron Throne by Ben Julien

The Runes Saga III John Wiley & Sons, 2007. 215p.
(Ages13-16) The third and final in the Runes Saga, The Iron Throne deals with the final battle at Harlheim against the forces of chaos, led by Ymir, their giant ice controller. Set in the Northern Lands the plot draws on Nordic mythology and is set at a time when Christianity is starting to replace the old gods. However the ancient runes still have power for those who can use it, and Calum is almost the last who can. Lena is a Vala, a woman who also can use the runes, and with Calum and her protectors including the Bear-coats and Wolf-Skins, oppose the army of goblins, cave men, trolls and other creatures of chaos. The forces of good fall back to the ancient heart of the Northlands, Harlheim, and in a final battle find unusual solutions to the attack. The many divisions of Calum's life are finally resolved. The background stories are richly described and the many battle scenes are dramatic. The book has a glossary and a character list, both of which are very useful. This is an intriguing story for lovers of fantasy and Nordic mythology in particular.
Jennifer Hamilton

Little Beauty by Anthony Browne

Who could resist a story about a gorilla who signs? A very special gorilla has been taught sign language, but he is sad. He signs that he is lonely and wants a friend. His keepers give him a little cat called Beauty and they become the best of friends. But one day the gorilla gets very cross with a TV show and breaks the television. Will his keepers think he is too violent to have a tiny cat for a companion? However Beauty is loyal and manages to do some quick thinking to save the day.

This is an engrossing story about loneliness and the power of friendship. The reader becomes very engaged in the story and empathises with the gorilla as he looks after his little friend. Anthony Browne's illustrations are amazing. Each picture begs to be examined closely and it would be an excellent book to read aloud. It could also be used when looking at zoos, animals in captivity and animal intelligence.

Themes Loneliness, Friendship, Zoos.

Pat Pledger

The Dream-Maker's Magic by Sharon Shinn

(Age 12+) This is the third in a delightful series by Shinn and follows The Safe-Keeper's Secret and The Truth-Teller's Tale. For all her 11 years Kellen has been raised as a boy, because her mother insisted that she had given birth to a male baby. When she goes to school she meets Gryffin, a brilliant boy with damaged legs, and together they face their adversities, each helping the other to survive. When Gryffin goes to the capital, Kellen is left behind, wondering if their friendship will survive.

Shinn has created a compelling world where people know that they can tell their secrets to a safe-keeper, and if they wish to know the truth that the truth-teller will never lie. And then there is a dream-maker who can make dreams come true. Shinn's characters live ordinary lives but she weaves a magical story around their relationships. Kellen is a most engaging young girl who grows into a kind and independent woman who has a clear view of the importance of love and friendship.

I loved this series for its gentle humour, strong girls, romance and plot twist and turns. Each book can be read as a stand alone, and they will be sure to appeal to girls who like their fantasy with a touch of romance and will give rise to much pondering on friendship, sibling relations and the nature of love and honesty.
Pat Pledger

Love-Struck by Rachael Wing

Scholastic, 2008.
The press release describes Love-struck as 'Teenage fiction, written by a genuine teenager.' It certainly shows. This is the tedious story of Holly and Wes who are best friends (but not like that you understand) and who each embark on a shaky romance with other people before staring into each other's eyes and realising their destiny as a couple. The story is loosely based on A Midsummer Night's Dream which I'm sure would have the Bard spinning.

The passing nod to Shakespeare is quite irrelevant, but as a publishing ploy will probably be flogged to death. Rachael Wing's previous novel, Star-Crossed, is her own version of Romeo and Juliet.

Love-Struck's plot may be dire but the saving grace is a good ear for dialogue. Holly, the feisty heroine is good at drawing, has a passion for ice cream and comes to life through some Raymond Chandler-esque one liners. Holly's nemesis however is American chick, Emily, who Wing seems to have cut out from an old cereal packet. Introduce Emily and Holly to a gorgeous boy with a lip ring and a geeky boy with glasses and you have your own love quadrangle which aloof Margo (Titania) tries to resolve.

I'm sure Love-struck will be enjoyed by some teenage girls who don't demand a great deal and prefer their plots simple and their endings pat and if you do see them with it you can tell yourself, Oh well, at least they're reading.
Claire Larson

The ice-cream man by Jenny Mounfield

Ford St. 2008 ISBN 978187642680
(Age 11-14) What a great thriller. This book kept me on the edge of my seat wondering if Marty, Rick and Aaron were going to stay alive as the ice-cream man decides to come after them because they hassled him for not stopping to sell them an ice-cream. After all, why wouldn't the ice-cream man be annoyed because he got the fright of his life when a kid in a wheelchair flashes in front of him on the road, and when another kid writes 'Freak' on his van. When Aaron receives a threatening email from the Grim Reaper the boys learn that it is not a good idea to play stupid games. The stalking continues and Rick is terrified when he sees the van parked outside his house in the middle of the night. A weird phone call on his new mobile (and no one is supposed to know the number) has Marty getting worried. Then Rick disappears and the tension mounts.

Add a wonderful mix of characters who are each coming to terms with difficulties in their lives to the thrilling story and the book is a winner. Marty is a great character. He has cerebral palsy and he uses his wheelchair to demonstrate that he can do all sorts of things and leaves the reader breathless with his dangerous escapades. Aaron faces constant beatings from his bullying stepbrother, while Rick is trying to keep it all together after the death of his father, while his mother drowns her sorrows in drink.

I found this book hard to put down and would recommend it as a good way to get readers hooked on the thriller genre. Teacher's notes are available.
Pat Pledger

The changeling by Sean Williams

The Awakening by Bevan McGuiness

Harper Voyager, 2007. ISBN 0732285496 565p. (The Triumvirate: Book 1)
As with most in the fantasy genre, The Awakening deals with the rising up of old powers. Alden, Hwenfayre and Shanek all have their place in the old Empire, but their beliefs, status and stability are all shattered when they become increasingly aware of the powers they possess.

Shanek has been born to rule and he accepts this birthright. He is arrogant, cruel, intelligent and at times oddly uneasy. Alden is part of a small village, accepted but not embraced, is aware of why but bears no ill feeling to any of his fellow villagers or his drunken, unhappy mother. Hwenfayre is a little like Alden, but she is shunned by all around her. She is different and just doesn’t fit in - her fair hair, pale skin and violet eyes of her birth set her apart.

As McGuiness' tale unwinds we find out more about the Empire on land and the groups on the sea - the Children of Danan and the Southern Raiders. Each group has a struggle to endure, to survive as well as make a decision about their future direction. Will they stay within the old ways, accept a life without the old lore, or will the old make decisions for them?

In the first book, the separation of land and sea means the Empire and the Children of Danan and the Southern Raiders are ignorant to a large extent, each of the other. I'm sure these will converge in the subsequent books. I for one eagerly await book 2 to find out whether the destiny hinted at for Shanek comes to fruition. Will he and his former bodyguard meet again? How will Alden fit into all of this? And what part does the triumvirate play? All will be most intriguing.
Mark Knight