University of Queensland Press, 2023. ISBN: 9780702266171. (Age:10-14) Recommended for mature readers.
This is a story to make you cry, and to care for those who grieve! Carina’s family has been rocked by the death of her father, a man who could make them all love deeply, laugh often, experiment with life and look for opportunities wherever they are. His absence leaves an enormous hole for Carina and her Mum, brother and Gramps. Each of them is struggling in their own way, but moving to a run-down fix-me-up house in the tiny community in Forrest gives Carina an opportunity to search for a Moon tree in the surrounding bush – a special tree her father had said was grown from seeds that had been to the moon with Apollo 14. Sadly, the move also makes her Mum withdraw into her grief-fueled renovation project, and her brother becomes an angry video game isolate. Gramps helps a little, but grief is overwhelming. It is only a little bit of hope provided by a tree, a new friend who is compatible with Carina’s strange way of looking at the world, and the possibility of magic and communication with her father that enables her to keep going. But will truth revealed just drag her further into the abyss of grief?
Because of the profoundly difficult subject of grief, this book is sometimes a hard journey as the reader walks alongside the 10-year-old Carina as she grieves. Because young readers rarely encounter this deep grief it may be a step too far for some, and a particularly difficult story for those who have lost a parent to illness. I was moved to tears by the poignant story, worrying for each family member in turn. The hope of the young girl in the ‘magical’ tree is not so much fantasy but misguided, and 'mature' readers would be aware that the girl will ultimately be disappointed, adding another layer of grief. Fortunately, the story does not remain stumbling in the mire of the hardest journey a young family has to experience, but this is still a story about grief and there are no easy ends. As much as I loved this poignant story, it is hard to read and young readers aged 10-14 may need to be prepared for its sadness, or at least mature enough to deal with the varied ways that grief expresses itself. There is hope, but melancholy also speaks loudly. Teacher's notes are available.
Intriguingly we are told before the story starts in earnest that Otilla has run away, which will have readers asking questions: where has she come from, why is she leaving and where is she going. But none of these are answered in this mesmerising ghost story with a difference. Otilla runs through the dark and creepy forest, the trees coming closer together, until she spies a seemingly abandoned house in the clearing.
She knocks at the door and a skull answers offering her a place of rest if she agrees to carry him. She agrees and the skull show her the mansion. She sees the fireplace in the room where he sits in the evening. In the garden room a pear tree is growing, much of the fruit fallen to the floor. He tells her he can only eat those because he cannot reach the others. She picks one from the tree and he chews it, the pear falling through him and onto the ground. He takes her to the dungeon and shows her the bottomless pit, then up the stairs to the tower, on to the ballroom, where they don their masks and dance. Later over a cup of tea he suggests she stay the night but warns her of the skeleton which visits every night. As he is not as fit as he once was he is worried that he will be caught. They go to sleep but it the middle of th night, the skeleton appears, saying, ‘Give me that skull, I want that skull’ over and over again. Otilla grabs the skull and leads the skeleton up the stairs to the tower where she pushes him over the edge. Later in the night when the skull is asleep she retrieves every one of the skeleton’s bones. She pounds the bones, builds a fire and burns the bones to ash. She carries the ash to the dungeon and throws them into the bottomless pit. Going for a walk the next day, Otilla assures him that the skeleton has gone and he asks her to stay.
An irresistible folk tale, the story has lots of elements which are familiar but take the readers along quite unexpected pathways. Klassen’s wry sense of humour comes to the fore with the detours he takes, keeping the readers on their toes. Otilla is a strong individual, firstly leaving a place she did not like, then hiding out in the wood, taking a skull for a benefactor. She deals with his secret tormentor with dispatch, finding a place to call home.
The wonderful illustrations using very few colours, give an air of gloom and mystery. Minimalist in scope, the ink and water colours creates a grainy texture to his images, the lighter touches, Ottila’s night attire and the pear tree, reinforcing the gloom that surrounds them.
Based on a Tyrollean folk tale which Klassen read in Iceland the story he presents is quite different from the folk tale that he read. His afterword explains the differences and offers thoughts about how the brain works.
Themes Folk tale, Loneliness, Supernatural, Skull, Skeleton.
Selby is a 15-year-old who hates homework and has seriously avoided it for some time. Unfortunately, she can’t keep going this way forever. Studying Hamlet without reading the play will definitely be a problem. Her parents have academic backgrounds but now run a bookshop, so Selby is something of a disappointment. When a tutor becomes necessary, Selby cannot avoid Hamlet any longer. Strangely, when she overcomes her reading struggles with the tutor’s help, she also awakens a fantasy time-slip into Hamlet’s life and is thrust right into the action of Hamlet’s dramatic story. Selby may not be a great reader, but she does have a sensitive heart and is immediately wanting something more for Hamlet than misery, death and sadness. Will her meddling change the face of literature forever or can she solve her own struggles and understand Hamlet at the same time.
I absolutely loved this Shakespeare-inspired story! It is not a difficult or complex read, but it will give insights into Hamlet for YA readers. It is written by a trusted author who normally writes impressively for younger readers, but this tale has many layers that give it maturity and accessibility for older readers. The topic of Hamlet and Shakesperean drama in general lifts this story into the YA literary world. With quotations directly from Hamlet and insights into Shakespeare’s own backstory there is so much to appreciate about this fantastic time-slip drama. Selby’s understanding of the melancholy of Hamlet’s story and her concern for his choices helps to reveal much of the original story’s depths. (Ophelia also gets ‘rescued’ from her place in Hamlet and is given another impossible literary destination that has a lightly humorous quality.) Readers aged13-16 will appreciate this insight into Hamlet that is not hard work. English teachers too will want their struggling readers to read this book if they have become stubbornly resistant to Shakespeare. There is the possibility of joy for those who struggle with reading, but still love a good story.
Themes Hamlet, Shakespeare, Reading, Depression, Family expectation.
Each time Mother Duck goes to call her wandering duckling back home, she uses a different barnyard call, resulting in an array of farm animals sitting at her table. When she forgets her quack, she calls out a moo and the duckling returns with a cow. The next night she calls out bow wow and a dog is added to the group. A cluck cluck next time results in a chicken sitting at the table.
A nod to the well known Five little ducks, We’re going on a bear hunt and I went walking, sees the duckling building up a friendship group consisting of a cow, dog, chook, donkey, lamb and piglet to go walking with, each time getting a little further away from home. One day they go off together and stay out all night, Mother Duck eventually finding her quack and calling the duckling home.
Danny Snell’s lovely illustrations provoke lots of laughter as the animals sit together at the kitchen table, watching Mother Duck cook them a meal in her little house. Each additional mouth to feed sees an increase in her bag of groceries while the cooking pot grows, and the number of plates and cups escalates. The cow and donkey sitting like humans will cause lots of smiles, as will the slope of the bench when the cow sits down. Their wanderings during the day, to the fields, through the hay, over the bridge, ignoring the rain, to the beach, to the fields of flowers and finally staying out all night camping in their tent, will entreat the readers as they peruse all the details of rambling far from home, enjoying the companionship of the group of animals as they wander together, knowing that Mother Duck is there waiting for the duckling to return.
Readers will love counting along with the text, ticking off each of the animals encountered on each page, predicting the new line and what the animal might be when Mother Duck calls. One little duck is a wonderfully interactive read, begging to be read aloud and acted out.
Cross bones: The dog with two tails by Jack Henseleit and Chris Kennett
Hardie Grant, 2023. ISBN: 9781760509262. (Age:5+)
A treasure map guides the reader past "The Shrine of the Golden Dog", along "The River of Lost Souls", around "The Abandoned Alphabet Soup Factory" and towards "The Cavern of Bad Memories" where X marks the spot. Then five pirates are seen setting off on a secret mission, starting in the Shrine of the Golden Dog, looking out for booby traps in the dark and dangerous tunnels. We are introduced to the five via a series of newspaper articles reporting their embarrassing incidents and spectacular losses, before they narrowly avoid a huge boulder and various missiles, bringing them to the tomb of Noah Silverniff, the Dog with Two Tails. Inside is the treasure map and as the cavern starts to collapse they narrowly escape and Captain Magnus Thunderump grasps the map declaring the sea dogs are about to set off on an even grander adventure. Not having read the previous book, A Dog’s Breakfast, it took a while to identify the characters and their traits but it is a rollicking adventure with lots of puns, fart jokes and misapprehensions with a cat in disguise, multiplying rabbits and an evil goldfish, what’s not to like? The black and white format (which should make it quite affordable) and action graphics move the story along well and the clear narrative panels will suit a young reader or a read aloud bedtime book where the visual gags can be enjoyed together.
Kay Scarpetta is the Chief Medical Examiner and finds herself a witness in a murder trial when shocking news breaks - the judge's sister has been found dead. While everything initially points to it being a home invasion, questions emerge when it becomes clear that nothing was stolen, and areas of the garden have died, along with numerous bugs. Scarpetta is no stranger to the unusual, and with her team beside her, sets about to find out what they can before time runs out.
Cornwell's 26th Scarpetta novel, Livid must follow a certain formula to keep readers craving another book. While the general appeal is clear, some of the writing lacks nuance, instead the author repeats herself regularly, especially when clarifying what a character just said or did. Heavily researched on all things based in America, anything outside of this scope lacks research - noted early on in the book when the author refers to Dame Edna as a British comedian. This aside, readers can find interesting characters with relevant back stories as well as characters that will infuriate and set their teeth on edge. The book is current, referencing Covid, surveillance technology and weaponry that is being used or potentially developed. Would suit readers of similar crime novels, and suitable for upper high school, year 11 and 12, if interested.
The 'Southern Aurora' is a really special fancy train that can take you from Mittagunda to the amazing cities of Melbourne or Sydney. But Jimmy isn’t going anywhere. He’s in Year 5, living on the poor street in a rural town with his mother whose best friend is the Kaiser wine cask, his younger brother Sam in Special School, and his older brother Mick in jail most of the time. Even his school friend Danny is someone he feels he has to keep on the right side.
Jimmy tries to hold everything together, keeping an eye on the Kaiser, and an eye on Mum’s unpredictable boyfriend Charlie, and looking out for Sam. It’s like treading on eggshells, never knowing when Charlie’s nasty mood will take over, and everything will turn wrong. Jimmy feels that if he is not ever vigilant, bad things will happen and he will be to blame. It’s always his fault.
If you have read Brandi’s other excellent novels, Wimmera, The Rip, and The Others, you will be prepared for a trip into the darker side of life, of people living on the edge. Brandi is a master of telling a story from a selected viewpoint, so you live that person’s life but at the same time, as a reader, you experience the tension and the dread of sensing things aren’t going to go well. In this case, it is the voice of Jimmy, desperately wanting things to be happy, assuming a responsibility that is beyond his capacity. Simple things like nice cooked food, or even a sandwich with ham and relish, rather than the usual Vegemite or peanut butter, are savoured with delight. His big brother’s hand on his shoulder, or the kindness of teacher are all special moments. But they also are moments that can well up with suppressed emotion.
If it sounds bleak, be reassured there are kind, supportive people nearby – especially Don, the elderly bus driver, but also Auntie Pam, the teacher Mr Battista, and the memory of Nan. Even Mick has good words of advice. Jimmy has to come to understand that he is not responsible for other people, and that he can let his feelings out.
Brandi’s novel draws you into another world, and keep you held with the brooding tension. Whilst violence may occur, he spares you the graphic details – there are just the hints of what may have occurred, and the aftereffects that impact the characters. Both adults and teenage readers alike will find this a compelling read. I wouldn’t be surprised if it is another award winner.
This is a quirky, fast-paced recount of a child's recollection of the day their father's hair up and left his head. Short chunks of text in almost poetry-like verses accompany full-colour, comical illustrations that work just as hard as the text and visually show the journey of Dad's hair across the town. 'Dad's hair was sick of being brushed and combed. It was tired of hanging around on his head. It wanted a life of its own. It wanted to see the world. One day, it coiled itself and sprang'. As seen on the cover, which is brilliantly eye-catching, each hair jumps clear off his head. He tries to get it back, pleading, begging and grabbing at it, but out the window it goes. He stalks his own hair, over the hills and into town, humorously armed with a net and wearing a dressing gown.
It touches on his attachment to his hair, all their shared experiences and what he needs it for: 'If he was scared it stood on end. It went to the dentist with him'. The hair makes it into everyone's soup at the cafe, into the barber shop, a pond, the pet shop. Eventually at the zoo, the hair is washed down a drain into the sewerage system. 'From that day on, Dad was bald. His beard still grew. And all the other hair that nobody needs - in his ears, and nose, for example'. His hair sends him postcards and selfies from Hairizona and Mount Hairverest, then one day it unexpectedly returns in a hair shower. Simple sentences recount the action without emotion and the child narration works really well, adding this spectacular sense of this event being a thing of family mythology: 'I don't know the details. He doesn't like to talk about it'. Written by a German author and translated into English, this is a spectacularly funny read for sharing or a quick, enjoyable read for independent readers of all ages.
Themes Humorous stories.
Nicole Nelson
The lucky shack by Apsara Baldovino and Jennifer Falkner
Working Title Press, 2023. ISBN: 9781922033154. (Age:5+) Recommended.
The trials and tribulations, highs and lows of life are reflected in the fortunes of a fisherman’s shack, tucked away on a small promontory, where it watches the small craft bobbing on the waves. Built by a fisherman who comes and goes, the two get along well, the fisherman seeing to the house’s joints, keeping it warm and snug through the night while the house is a refuge for the fisherman who scales his fish and studies his maps. Two shades of colour are shown, the green of the hills, and the blue of the sea. But one day the colours dissipate and all is black. The fisherman is not returning. The paint peels and the house misses the sound of boots on the floor, and the smell of fish and the wood fire.
The house deteriorates even more; a window shutter falls into the sea, and the house seems to give up. But the very next day someone appears and starts to renovate the old house using a bucket of paint, a tin of oil and saw and hammer. The house is taken back to what it was, loving the sound of boots in the floor, the warmth of the wood fire, the smell of fish and the sea. And it can see more than the two colours of before, now there is a range of colours for this lucky shack to absorb.
A delightful hymn to our lives, where the cycle of the seasons mingles with loss and abandonment and rebirth as the cycle begins again. It is fitting that the new owner has small children, the cycle of life is assured.
Beautiful painterly illustrations cover each page, watercolour used with Printshop create visual stunners. The hills slope down to the sea, where keen eyes will find a myriad of things associated with that lifestyle, and be heartened by the images of life and the continuity of the seasons. I love the different images of the little bay and the lighthouse, each quite different but of the same place. Hope for the future is engendered in the image of the bay shrouded in mists as a new boat makes its way to the shack. And then later the boat goes out to sea, fishing as the shack sits comfortably waiting. Indeed a lucky shack. Teacher's notes are available.
A new board book in the Usborne series, ‘That’s not my …’ will find its way into many small hands fitting comfortably in their palms while feeling the different surfaces presented as the pages are turned. Each double page gives the same statement, ‘That’s not my rocket’ and a reason then given to show that this rocket is different. Toddlers will love yelling out the repeated sentence, feeling the uneven surface on each page and looking for the differences shown in the bright illustrations.
This is a fun book for the very young, one to be shared with older readers, with a stress on the importance of feeling surfaces and developing some new words. Interactive play will be encouraged as an older child reads the book with the toddler, pointing out the differences, explaining what each rough surface might be, and comparing rockets.
Themes Rocket, Surfaces, Difference.
Fran Knight
The Breakfast Club adventures: The ghoul in the school by Marcus Rashford and Alex Falase-Koya
Pan Macmillan, 2023. ISBN: 9781529076660. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
The Ghoul in the School is an exciting addition to the great new series, The Breakfast Club Adventures, written by talented duo, Marcus Rashford and Alex Palase-Koya. This book has captivating visual appeal with cool black and white illustrations by Marta Kissi and a variety of fun fonts throughout the easy-to-read text. This series will undoubtedly be a favourite for young adventurers and mystery enthusiasts.
Again, we join Marcus and his friends, Stacey, Lise and Asim who are all keen participants of The Breakfast Club Investigators, as they face another mystery. But since their famous last case, they haven’t had much success of late. Their rivals, the Journalism Club, seem to be outshining them by cracking every case before they can. Marcus and the gang are desperate to solve a crime, and Marcus is worried that failure will not only end the club but also put their newfound friendships at risk.
Complicating matters further, Mrs. Miller, their head teacher, is closely monitoring their activities and has issued a stern warning to disband the club if they cause any more trouble. However, when a new case emerges, involving a suspected ghoul that is casting a curse on the school's beloved basketball team, how can they refuse? Determined to save the day and prove their worth, Marcus and his friends embark on a race against time to solve the mystery before the crucial competitions begin.
The Ghoul in the School is a delightful blend of mystery, friendship, and teamwork. The book not only entertains but also imparts important values such as perseverance, loyalty, and the power of collaboration. Young readers will be engrossed in the clever plot twists and captivated until the very end.
Whether you're a fan of The Breakfast Club Adventures or new to the series, this book promises an exciting and enjoyable reading experience.
Hachette, 2023. ISBN: 9780349145761. (Age:Adult - Young adult)
South Boston in June 1974 is simmering not only in the heat but because a judge has decreed that local schools will be forced to desegregate by busing students between schools in white areas and black areas. Violent protests are breaking out everywhere. Included in the forced desegregation is Mary Pat's 17-year-old daughter Jules. They live in the Irish American enclave of Southie in the social housing projects known as Commonwealth, a self-contained world where the poor white population stick together and support one another, a world where poor blacks are not welcome. Mary Pat works two jobs and still just stays ahead of the debt collectors but the family is under the protection of the powerful Marty Butler and his minions who control the area. Her son came back from Vietnam damaged and died of a drug overdose now Jules is all she has so when she goes out one night and doesn’t come home Mary Pat starts looking. The same night Augustus Williamson is killed at a subway station in a white area and assumptions are made that as he was black he had to be a drug-dealer but Mary Pat knows he was a co-worker’s son and starts to question some of her long held racist attitudes. As she probes deeper into her daughter’s disappearance, tracking her to the same area where Augustus died, she finds those she relied on for support blocking her so she steps out on her own, even talking to a cop, Bobby Sheehan, inviting an outside eye into the neighbourhood and invoking the ire of Marty’s mob. Mary Pat is a brave mother with nothing to lose, brought up in the raw brutality of the poor area, drinking, smoking and fighting her way through life like all her contemporaries. Overlay this with the trauma of Vietnam, drugs and the disruption of the status quo and she becomes a force to be reckoned with.
Fast paced with in-your-face aggressive language, Lehane draws us into a world where the poor and the powerless are buffeted by life, surviving the violence as long as they keep their heads down and don’t make trouble. Full of rich detail, feisty characters, including Bess, Mary Jane’s 'piece-of -shit station wagon’ and a plot that thickens this is a tough read, full of violence, racism and exploitation but one which had me invested.
Being Jimmy Baxter, a moving and witty novel by Fiona Lloyd, takes readers on an emotional journey through the life of a young boy who finds himself in a situation he hadn’t envisaged. This compelling tale explores themes of resilience, family dynamics and the transformative power of connection.
The story follows Jimmy Baxter, a brave young boy who escapes an abusive household by moving away to the small town called Munga Creek with his mother. As they settle into their new life, Jimmy befriends Mac, a town outsider with a mysterious past. Their bond grows as they discover a mutual obsession for all things Elvis.
Cleverly written with wit and humour, this story carefully captures the emotions and struggles of each character with authenticity. Through Jimmy's eyes, we witness the challenges faced by a child who has experienced trauma, navigating the complexities of his new environment. The author skilfully conveys Jimmy's resilience and determination to find happiness amidst adversity, making him a truly relatable and endearing protagonist.
One of the novel's strengths lies in its portrayal of the relationship between Jimmy and his mother. Lloyd sensitively explores the mother's struggle to cope with the aftermath of leaving an abusive relationship while trying to create a safe and stable home for her son. This adds depth to the story, highlighting the complexities of family dynamics and the healing power of love.
Being Jimmy Baxter is a captivating tale that tugs at the heartstrings and leaves a lasting impression. Fiona Lloyd’s masterful storytelling, skilfully tackles sensitive topics, offering hope and inspiration to readers of all ages. The heart-warming novel is a testament to the power of friendship, resilience, and the ability to overcome adversity, making a must read for anyone seeking an uplifting literary experience.
Jimmy Baxter’s courage, tenacity and charisma is inspirational!
Themes Relationships, Resilience, Family Dynamics, Adversity.
A sturdy board book for little hands underscores the strong relationship between a boy, Lionel, and his Dad. Whatever Dad does, Lionel does too. Lionel watches his father closely to be able to copy what he does. Dad combs his hair, so does Lionel, Dad taps his teeth, so does Lionel. One sings, the other sings too; Dad throws some things into the air, so does Lionel. But this time, something that Lionel throws into the air falls on Dad’s head. This time instead of being pleased that Lionel is copying him, Dad is unimpressed. Both say ‘ow’ as it hits Dad’s head, and the two turn away from each other. After having a think about what has happened the two go off and hide. A split has occurred in their relationship. But over the page, the two bounce back into each other’s arms, all is forgiven and both are very very happy.
This charming story of the unconditional love between a parent and a child, will reassure younger readers as parents are the major force in their lives. Dad and Lionel work together, doing things together, making mistakes but overcoming that unhappy moment with love and support.
The seemingly simple illustrations are clear and cute as lion Dad and baby lion, Lionel take a central place on each page. Their emotions are easy to determine as small changes occur on each page, revealing what each character feels.
Themes Love, Parenthood, Humour, Board book.
Fran Knight
The wager by David Grann
Simon & Schuster, 2023. ISBN: 9781471183683. (Age:16+) Highly recommended.
In 1742, two decrepit vessels land within six months of each other on opposite sides of the South American continent. Both ships are piloted by starving and desperate men. Both groups have made arduous journeys from the island on which they were shipwrecked months before. Both groups are peopled by sailors from the lost British warship the HMS Wager. Most importantly however, both groups have very different stories to tell of how they survived.
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder is an epic non-fiction tale of adventure, disaster, mayhem and endurance. From its almost comically ill-omened beginning as a member of a secret British naval mission to attack Spanish forces in Chile, to its careless running aground in Patagonia, author David Grann leads his readers on an astonishing journey onboard an 18th century warship.
We follow the crew of the Wager from recruitment by press gang in expansionist England, through severe typhoid and scurvy epidemics to the most dangerous passage for ships in the world: the journey around Cape Horn where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. We witness a shipwreck, mutiny and murder before unexpected salvation, followed closely by an extraordinary trial, to determine, once and for all, the truth of what occurred.
Although backed up by both primary and secondary historical sources, Grann’s account of the events which befell the crew of the Wager reads like a fictional adventure story; so extreme are both the disasters and the displays of human endurance contained within its pages. The Wager is an incredibly entertaining and well-written piece of historical non-fiction and is highly recommended.
