Monster-Blood Tattoo: Book 1: Foundling by D.M. Cornish
(Ages 11+) When Rossamund leaves his home, Madam Opera's Estimable Marine Society for Foundling Boys and Girls, ready to travel alone to High Vesting where he will begin his apprenticeship as a Lamplighter, he can have little idea of what will befall him. He lives in the Half Continent, where monsters have lived for centuries, ready to trap the unwary, looking in some cases like humans, but often strangely disfigured. Told to meet the captain of the cromster upon the Humour, he is taken aboard by Poundinch whose trade is of a type never spoken of, but Rossamund, coming across crates in the hold that feel warm, realises that he is aboard the wrong boat and is in mortal danger.
Jumping from the boat in the night, he cowers in some shrubbery for cover and is eventually saved by a lady and her driver, and accompanies them on their journey. He realises that she is a fulgar, a monster slayer, and becomes involved in a fight to the death with a group of grinnlings, after she has killed their friend, the ettin. Wounded, the lady Europe becomes dangerously ill, and Rossamund follows her instructions making a draught which will revive her. But the inn in which they are staying does not want such people staying there, so trouble ensues.
Confronted with the phenomenal range of creatures which inhabit this land, from the small Freckle, to the nasty grinnlings and the strange ettin, or humans who are twisted like Poundinch, Rossamund must use his skills learnt at the Society to good use, and not judge those he meets at first sight. The background of this story took eleven years to develop and it shows. Not one word is out of place; all the creatures have histories and descriptions which are finely crafted to meld with the others. Each has a position in the story. Lovers of fantasy will gobble up this book, feeling at one with the courageous Rossamund as he finds his way in life, cheering with him as he overcomes the most appalling of difficulties, and shedding a tear when things happen which are out of his control. Coming across people with tattoos made up of the blood of the monster they have killed, gives the reader a frisson of excitement, as Rossamund and the reader foresee where the story may be going.
Students aged 11-14 will love this highly original fantasy, the first in a trilogy called Monster-Blood Tattoo. Fran Knight
Volcano by June Colbert
Lothian, 2007 ISBN 978073440852 5 (Age 11+) A book that starts off detailing the gross ways to die as a result of a volcanic eruption is a winner, capturing the imagination of any reader from the first words. When Sara introduces herself and her family, the workers with AusDAR, the group which travels the world hotspots, testing, then warning local inhabitants about possible volcanic eruptions, and tells the reader about how they are universally hated whenever they come to town, then we know we are in for a rollicking journey. Sara and the other teenagers traveling with their specialist parents are sent to an international school in their latest hotspot, a small volcano in Columbia, but here the other students are from well off mining engineers' and mine managers' families, and so are very resentful of Sara and her friends whose parents are imposing restrictions on the mining activity and insisting on extensive safety gear. A dare between the two groups results in the richer kids camping overnight on the mountain and when it begins to show signs of an eruption, then a daring plan is hatched to rescue them before the lava flows. An exciting survival story which gives a whole new series of words for the astute reader, Volcano is an easy to read book for the middle school. Fran Knight
Wibbly Pig's silly big bear by Mick Inkpen
Hodder Children's, 2007
(Age 2-5) This is an endearing story with beautiful illustrations from
Mick Inkpen . Wibbly Pig's friend is a big bear who cannot eat his peas
with a spoon or brush his teeth or comb his hair but Wibbly Pig loves
him anyway.
A short entertaining picture book, the engaging illustrations will
appeal.The story will reinforce the idea for young children that it
doesn't matter how skilful or clever you are, someone will still love
you. Bear is enthusiastic and loving and this is what counts.
Young children are sure to love Wibbly Pig and adults who read this
aloud will be left feeling happy and satisfied with this story.
Pat Pledger
Peak by Roland Smith
Allen and Unwin, 2007 (Age 11-15) Peak, named by his father, a mountaineer, is climbing. His face freezes on the wall of ice and while he is working out how to unstick his face without tearing his skin, a helicopter zooms in, telling him to catch hold of the rope. The opening sequence is stunning, as it tells the reader many of the quirky things about climbing, and showcases some of the dangers. But all is not what you think, Peak is actually doing something very illegal, he is climbing a skyscraper in New York.
Once down, he is immediately taken to a Juvenile Detention Centre and appears in court the next day. He is shocked by the anger of those around him until he is told that a boy died trying to copy his style of climbing buildings. As a result the judge is gong to send him back to the centre until he is 18, but his father appears on the scene, offering to take him out of the controversy, back to the Himalayas where he works. And so Peak is set to climb Mt Everest. Peak's self absorbed father is not interested in helping his son, but wants him to be the youngest person ever to climb the mountain, thus ensuring the survival of his flagging business.
I thought I would be bored by this story, but it took me in. The American style of writing, of telling you about what people are feeling, and having a lot of asides in parentheses, annoys me intensely, but the story was so involving that I quickly learnt to ignore these idiosyncrasies. I am still at a loss to understand in any way why people want to risk their lives climbing Everest, but along the way I learnt a whole lot of information about climbing, the risks involved and about the Chinese occupation of Tibet. The last few chapters particularly held me totally, as the boys found bodies of failed climbers along the last part of their ascent, while working through for themselves their motives in doing the climb. Boys particularly will enjoy this rather long read (246p) and there is a web site where they can learn more about the author. Fran Knight
The night of the burning by Linda Press Wulf
Bloomsbury, 2007 (Age 11+) Set in Poland at the end of World War One, The night of the burning tells, from a child's perspective, the horrors of being in a small village, surrounded by war. They see the soldiers coming to take men for the war, returning the narrator's uncle only when he is near death, no longer of any use. They see typhoid take many villagers, and know the hunger that gnaws at their bodies. It is a gripping story, based on the memories of stories told in South Africa, the place of safety where many hundreds of Jewish orphans came in the 1920's.
Devorah and her sister see their parents die, and living with their aunt, are saved by her at the night of the burning, August, 1920, when the Cossacks, drunk and eager to kill, mow down the Jews in the villages in the area. The girls are found the next morning under their aunt's body, by a neighbour, who sends them to an orphanage at Pinsk. Here they are chosen by a benefactor from South Africa, Isaac Ochberg, in Poland to take 200 Jewish orphans back with him. It is an amazing story of courage and luck as the two girls survive and find their way to life in South Africa, where they are adopted by two quite different families. The Ochberg orphans' stories are kept alive in this sometimes sentimental book, but it will be a fascinating insight for those who have only known peace. Fran Knight
Our little secret by Allayne Webster
Recommended.
The story of the grooming and eventual rape of young teenager, Edwina, is shocking and salutary. Shocking because the scenes detailing her rape are graphic with nothing left to the imagination, and because everyone who reads this book will be able to see just how easy it is to seduce a young girl. Salutary because it gives the readers a valuable insight into the minds of such people. So it should be read as widely as possible.
Edwina is just noticing boys, and is flattered by the attention she receives from 25 year old Tom, who works with her father. He often calls at the house, talking to, then tickling, then finally kissing Edwina, before taking her out of the town in his car. He hurts her but insists that 'our little secret' is just that, and continues to abuse her. When the suicide of a girl in the town who has been raped alerts teachers to the fact that Edwina has changed, one of them talks to her, drawing her story out until she admits that something has happened.
This book deservedly will cause a stir, some parents will not like its graphic nature, and some will not like it because it talks about such a subject candidly. But it will alert girls and parents to the predatory nature of some men and how their children can be groomed to accept their advances. So have it in your library. Some may like to attach a senior fiction label, some may have it for parents, some may keep it on a restricted shelf, but have it available because kids will ask for it, their network is much faster than ours. Fran Knight
Ruby roars by Margaret Wild and Kerry Argent
Allen
& Unwin, 2007. ISBN 9781741146134
(2+) This delightful story by award winning author and artist is
perfect for reading aloud. Ruby is a little Tasmanian devil who loves
making scary noises. She shouts 'Screekle!', 'scrunch!' and 'scrrr!' at
the animals near her but fails to scare them. What is she to do? Then
she gets an idea and is 'ready to rip and roar' with a plan to scare
her parents…
The alliteration of the text and the great animal noises will ensure
that young children will want to read along, roaring out the sounds
with Ruby. Adults will enjoy reading it out loud. Fascinating
illustrations by Kerry Argent ensure that the reader comes back to look
at Ruby's facial expressions and to follow her adventures with the
animals around her.
Having the threatened Tasmanian devil as the main character is a bonus
as teachers will be able to use this wonderful picture book in units
about Australian animals and endangered species. Part of the royalties
for the book go to the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal at
http://www.tassiedevil.com.au
This book is a keeper.
Pat Pledger
Uncle Montague's tales of terror by Chris Priestley
Bloomsbury, 2007
(10+) This book of short stories loosely bound together by Edgar's
visit to his uncle Montague, will set teeth chattering, as Edgar
realises that some of the stories must be true, and must be set close
by in the woods surrounding his uncle's house. Several of the stories
are vaguely familiar, but told so well, with sinister overtones and
matchless descriptions, that they are truly creepy.
When Harriet meets a young girl in the hallway next to a door which
doesn't normally open, she follows her new friend, but to her chagrin,
for the child is from the doll's house, and the door, one which takes
Harriet away. The Un-door is at once familiar but very spooky with its
hints of supernatural intent. Many of the stories come together at the
end, as Edgar leaves his uncle's house, wanting desperately to return
to the normalcy and calm of his parents, but what he meets in the woods
terrifies him even more.
Fran Knight
In the city by Roland Harvey
Allen
&Unwin, 2007. ISBN 9781741144130
(Ages 5+) This book is highly recommended for the joy it gives its
readers as they follow Frankie, Henry and Penny through the city on
their holiday. Harvey takes us to many fascinating places including the
city sewers, a museum where Ned Kelly's iron underpants are displayed,
the market with its stinky fish, an aquarium, and a zoo. At the same
time he shows the amazing diversity of life in the city through his
amazing pictures.
By showing the city through the three children's eyes, Harvey is able
to give a variety of opinions and interests that will appeal to
different children. Frankie is obsessed with the aquarium and fish
life, Henry's wry observations and humour are very enjoyable and
Penny's checklist of zoo animals and collection of a baby taipan are
delightful.
Harvey's witty and humourous prose and the enthralling illustrations
will have both young and older readers returning again and again to
pour over the intricate pictures and find new things on each page. The
production of the book is great, with fascinating end papers and a
double page spread for each person's observations of their visit and a
lovely dedication to the author's mother.
This is a wonderful book to have near comfortable seats in the library,
where readers can pick it up and find funny and fascinating new things
each time they look. It is sure to bring children back into the library
on repeat visits.
Pat Pledger
The Indigo girls by Penni Russon
Allen
& Unwin, 2008. ISBN 9781741752922
(Age 13+ ) Part of a series, Girlfriend fiction, The Indigo girls will be welcomed
by teenage girls who will relate to the characters and situations in
the book. Every year Zara, Tilly and Mieke meet up at the Indigo
campground with their families for the summer holidays. But this year
is different, as Mieke is late to arrive. Zara, a popular alpha and
Tilly the nerd, are left to find a new relationship without Mieke to
mediate.
Penni Russon has made the transition from her popular fantasy Undine
series, to a successful adolescent story about friendship, falling in
love, identity and dealing with a best friend's betrayal. There is a
dash of danger thrown in, with the perils of surfing alone in the dark.
The addition of cyber bullying on Zara's mobile phone adds some
suspense and insight into Zara's feelings. Characterisation is well
done, with Russon capturing Zara's non communicative family members and
contrasting them to the warmth of Tilly's parents and sister.
This is an enjoyable, easy read that has enough plot twists and
relationship issues to keep the reader involved until the end.
Pat Pledger
Amelia Dee and the Peacock Lamp by Odo Hirsch
(10+) A beautiful bronze peacock lamp hangs above Amelia Dee's staircase and if she stands on the banister she can see the intricate carved animals and a secret opening. When her yoga Master Master L K Vishwanath, introduces her to his pupil, the Princess Parvin Kha-Douri, Amelia discovers that she is not the only person to know about the secrets of the lamp.
Hirsch has described a set of engaging character and eccentric characters who live in suburbia. Her father is an inventor and her mother makes sculptures. Amelia Dee writes stories that no one ever reads until she presents her story about the peacock lamp to the Princess and captures her attention. The yoga master with his deeply spiritual approach to life poses many questions for Amelia to ponder about life and change
The story is written in an accessible style with lots of dialogue, and the younger reader will read on to find out about the peacock lamp and to savour Amelia's stories. However more mature readers will be left thinking about the philosophical beliefs of the Yoga master and considering the impact of life choices and life style of the people around her.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story about Amelia Dee. It is a book for thoughtful readers who will become engaged in Amelia's journey of self discovery and the road back from bitterness and hatred for the Princess. Pat Pledger
Ghost dogs by Susan Gates
Usborne, 2007 ISBN 978094608576 9
(Age 11+) The second in the series, Animal Investigations,
takes Meriel
and Ellis on a trip to a deep dark forest, where stories about ghost
dogs abound. Tied up with JJ, a cub reporter, trying to impress his
newspaper father, the two investigators use all of their amazing skills
to track the feral child Ellis has seen. But the feral boy seems to
have powers beyond the normal, as Ellis feels the air drop suddenly in
temperature when the boy arrives, and he feels his body starts to turn
to ice. But when JJ hires a hunter to find the boy, Meriel and Ellis
must act to save him before the media scrum get to him.
This exciting adventure has the two investigators using all of their
powers to find this strange boy. But Meriel remembers her days as a
feral child, and can hardly resist moving in with the dog pack. This
new series is sure to please those seeking adventurous stories with a
dose of the paranormal.
Fran Knight
Noodle Pie by Ruth Starke
(Age 11+) Andy and his father are flying to Vietnam, Andy to see the place of his father's birth for the first time, his father, Tuoc, to see his family and friends for the first time since escaping after the Vietnam War. Through Andy's eyes the reader sees the country from an Australian point of view, and as his eyes become more attuned to things Vietnamese, the reader too, is drawn into the rituals and customs of this very different way of life. Andy makes many mistakes. He is unable to see that the family restaurant is a successful and thriving business, full of Vietnamese customers from the neighbourhood. Instead he sees a small smelly place where people squat to eat, where the food is prepared in conditions less than savory and the money paid laughable. Befriending his cousin, they hatch a plan to increase the earnings of the restaurant, and produce a flyer which they then give to tourists. The resultant influx of customers causes some problems with the neighbours. But all is resolved, and Tuoc takes his son out to explain some home truths, and open his eyes further to the debt owed by him to his family. Ruth Starke is able to distill complex issues into an understandable and neatly resolved story which is at once engaging and informative. Fran Knight
Chicken Dance by Jacques Couvillon
Bloomsbury, 2007 ISBN 978 0 7475 8930 3
(Age 11-14) Don is a loner, few other kids take to him at school, and
at
home his parents are cold and distant. When he finds his birth
certificate coupled with the name of a private investigator, he is told
that his sister, Dawn, did not die before he was born, but was
kidnapped. While at a chicken judging competition, he strives to find
his lost sister, hoping that his family will once again be whole, a
real family.
Don's capers will cause much laughter as kids will sympathise with this
loner, trying hard to be liked by friends and parents. Living on a
chicken farm, his one interest, chickens, causes him to win the local
chicken judging competition, and this brings him fame and friends for a
while. Even his mother is impressed, eventually, but he continues to
strive for her attention. Finding his lost sister becomes his aim, and
he puts all his energies into doing just that.
A funny wry look at families and what makes them tick, Chicken Dance
will appeal to middle school readers looking for something different
and quirky.
Fran Knight
Love like water by Meme McDonald
(15+) Sometimes you read a story that keeps reverberating long after you finish it. Love like water is one such book that has stayed with me. It's always wonderful when you read a deeply moving tale that gives you insights into many things. Cathy, the young woman, arrives in Alice Springs after the death of her fiance in a crop dusting accident. Deciding to put the past behind her, Cathy leaves her country life behind to find a new existence with her friend Margie, a fun loving city girl. When she meets Jay who is working for the local radio station, black and white worlds clash and lives change. There are subtleties in McDonald's story - white binge drinking at Bachelor and Spinster balls, black suicide because of racism, colour bars at hotels. Not only has this compelling reading made me ponder racism, and given me a greater understanding of its effects, but it has made me think about white people's relationship with the land and the tradition of properties passing only into a son's hands. If you were a woman and wanted to stay on the land, you had to marry someone who had land, and younger sons often had to find a job away from their parents' properties.
A complex, confronting story about black and white relationships, love, friendship and country life, this is a book that is not to be missed. Highly recommended.
