This is the first in a four-book junior fiction series developed with Football Australia (the second title Half-time Heroes is also available now) and written by broadcast journalist Kristin Darrell. There are two feature characters, with alternating chapters picking up the perspective of each. Kyra plays for the Under 11s Merridale Fever and being on the soccer field is the only place she feels truly alive. She lives and breathes soccer. Her club has a wonderful community spirit: people from the town turn up to watch and get involved and they all even pitched in to turn an abandoned building into a cosy clubhouse. In the second chapter we are introduced to Sam, similarly passionate about soccer, who has just moved to the area from England. But Sam's nervous...he's never played in a mixed soccer team before, with boys and girls sharing the field and he doesn't know what to expect. He's also unsure how to play against the girls. Can he go as hard as he normally would? To Kyra it just looks like Sam isn't trying and she doesn't want anyone on their team who doesn't give it their all. Can their teammates help to set things right by showing Sam that girls are just as capable as boys and will Kyra stop being so hard on him?
Kids who love soccer will adore this, as it is heavy on detail about their training drills, soccer skills and gameplay description. It also drops big names and even characters from the world of soccer, such as Sam Kerr and Joel King. It cleverly uses both girl and boy main characters to keep it relevant to all and introduces a mixed playing field where everyone plays alongside each other and are of equal value. The soccer heroes the children look up to are also both women and men. This is a lovely story that shows how sporting clubs and teams can be like family and provide a real sense of belonging.
Themes Soccer.
Nicole Nelson
The wish sisters: The party wish by Allison Rushby. Illus. by Karen Blair
University of Queensland Press, 2023. ISBN: 9780702265921. (Age:7+) Highly recommended.
Award winning author Allison Rushby has come up with an amazing story line; a baby sister who can make wishes come true.
When Flick reads the unicorn picture book to her baby sister for the second time that evening, she hopes that one day she will not have to talk about unicorns that poop cupcakes, or have a bath of marshmallows or a cake made of clouds, but read something else.
But the very next day as she sees her parents looking into the garden full of things from the unicorn book, she is told that her gran has passed on an imp who makes wishes come true. And sure enough a unicorn pooping cupcakes is trotting down the hallway. There is a pit of marshmallows in the garden and a cloud cake all waiting for a party to start. An imp appears as mum and dad try to explain the inexplicable, and Flick knows that there will be problems. She is allowed to tell her best friend, Olli, but no one else as they set about inviting the street to the party. Mrs Mortlake the nasty next door neighbour is out but just as the party is about to start, she appears over the fence on her stepping stool. Of course she is invited and when she sees the extent of the party decides to invite her niece, a journalist.
But mayhem ensues as a wish for a ponytail sees one sprouting out from Flick’s nose, and the unicorn and imp are nowhere to be seen. How to undermine the power of the imp without allowing the adults to realise that there is a wish to be found in their midst makes for a funny turn of events as Flick asks Olli for his help.
A very cute premise for a storyline which is the first in a new series, the Wish Sisters are an engaging pair of siblings, reflecting a closeness to be admired and emulated. Unicorns figure in many stories of late, and add an air of mystery and intrigue for the reader.
Delightful illustrations by Karen Blair are dotted throughout the story while the front cover is colourful and inviting, reflecting as it does the role many older siblings take within the family. This is a warm cheery series involving strong family connections, happy loving siblings, a multitude of different friendships and neighbours, underpinned by a strong sense of community.
Themes Unicorns, Family life, Wishes, Imps, Community, Friendship, Neighbours, Humour.
Popular author and illustrator Neal Layton has added another humorous factual book to his collection. The book begins with the notion that people are all different but have one thing in common - they are all alive. The information then mentions things that are no longer alive or not alive at all. This then leads into the fact that living things all develop from a single cell which contains many important things. DNA tells the cells what to do and then growth happens. An uncomplicated concept of reproduction is introduced and the growth of the baby is simply documented in both words and pictures.
This is a refreshing and colourful book full of easily accessible facts and big, bold illustrations. The book will appeal to early years students and their adults who are tasked with providing a simple explanation of how life begins. It will be especially useful as an introduction to the concept of living things.
Themes Science, Cells, Differences, Reproduction, Living and Non-Living, Humour, Facts.
An involving rhyming text sees two lines on each double page, the first line being, ‘say hooray for baby …’ and a child’s name inserted at the end of the line. and then a following line says what they are doing in the illustration and rhymes with their name. This is a wonderful read aloud and predictive text for young readers and parents to read to even smaller children. And it begs interaction as they complete a pair of lines using their own child’s name.
Each page is brightly illustrated by Rebecca Mills, using bright eyed cheery babies interacting with their parents and siblings. The images reveal strong families and babies actively involved with their families and the things they do.The illustrators reveal each room of the house and what happens in there, again reinforcing the image of family life. Detail on each page will attract small children as they recognise things within their environment in the home and out of doors.
The simple rhyming text makes it easy to read aloud, stressing the ‘say hooray’, encouraging repetition and memory as the lines are read again.
Each achievement by the baby is a source of encouragement and celebration by the whole family, as the baby develops his/her skills. So we see baby Chris blowing a kiss, signing the kiss as it leaves her for her adoring father, baby Paul stands up tall, baby Kai waves goodbye, baby Ming has a song to sing. Each child has reached a developmental stage in their growth which is celebrated and recognised by their family.
Bright endpapers round off the book, and will attract eager fingers.
For more information about the Western Australian author and illustrator, see here.
In a world where the gods, both Noble and Vile, have been banished, few who have the power to wield Noble or Vile wrights exist. Even rarer still are those who can yield the power of both - Lorena Adler is one of those, and she has successfully hidden herself from those who would use her power for their own gain. Until now. The Heir to the throne comes to the small village of Felhollow and recognises Lorena for what she is - he is there to arrest the father of Lorena's best friend, but when she makes a deal to save Julian's father, her entire world changes. The Heir departs the village with Lorena and a new hope - he has been fighting for years to repair the Door that holds back the banished Vile - and is nowhere near succeeding. Lorena joins him in learning about the Door and the price it takes to keep it closed - and it might be a higher cost than any of them imagined.
This dark fantasy/horroresque novel approaches Gothic Fiction, is heavily detailed in the first half, building a world where rules are needed to keep banished gods at bay, and control of those who have the ability to use their power. Almost political in some ways, the author describes in-depth the history and darkness of the world Lorena lives in. Numerous characters are featured in the novel, with some being relatable and others there for dark comic relief. A relatively primitive world has been described, but richly detailed in the story. The story has a slow, agonising pace at the beginning, where all the describing and world building occurs, even though the first scenes are action packed. The pace becomes more even later in the book, and readers who enjoy more detailed, complicated books will enjoy this one.
Elements of Cadence: Book 2. HarperCollins, 2023. ISBN: 9780008514716. (Age:Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended.
The second in the duology commencing with A river enchanted, brings this gripping fantasy to a satisfying conclusion. Cadence has balanced between the Breccans and the Tamerlaines, East and West, with Bane the spirit of the North Wind, trying to dominate both sides. Adaira has been claimed by her birth mother in the West and finds it difficult to adjust to the brutal lifestyle, while Jack longs for her in the East, while composing music to lure the spirits to him. Torin and Sidra are faced with a dangerous disease that has spread from orchards to humans and both must play a vital role in finding a cure and uniting the clans.
I picked this up immediately after reading A river enchanted, longing to discover the fate of Jack and Adaira, separated by distance and politics. Ross answers this question in a memorable way in A fire endless, with some unexpected dangers and sacrifices made along the way. Torin too, grows in character and understanding, as he must find his way in the unique spirit world, which is described vividly and is fascinating. Sidra takes on unexpected burdens while struggling to find a cure for the deadly sickness that is attacking trees and humans. The feelings between Jack and Adaira, and Torin and Sidra, will be enjoyed by readers who like strong relationships in their fantasy, and while Ross classes this duology as adult the romance scenes are fairly low key.
There is plenty of action, danger and unique world building for lovers of high fantasy. Readers are also left with a feeling of optimism as both warring clans and dying earth are healed through sacrifice. Readers who enjoyed the music in the story may like to move onto the Warrior Bards series by Juliet Marillier, beginning with Harp of kings and those who enjoyed the magical aspects may like Spells for forgetting by Adrienne Young.
Themes Fantasy, Magic, Music, Sacrifice.
Pat Pledger
Suzy Urbaniak: Volcano hunter and STEAM warrior by Cristy Burne
The most recent narrative non-fiction in the Aussie STEM Stars series introduces geologist and science facilitator, Suzy Urbaniak. Suzy grew up in St Albans, on the outskirts of Melbourne and was of Polish descent. Her parents ran a popular and successful suburban butcher shop and Suzy grew up surrounded by a loving family and extended community. She was given the freedom to roam and explore her natural environment and this gave birth to her love of rocks and fascination with volcanoes.
Unfortunately for Suzy, school was not always the right fit for her, and she had to make many adjustments to the strict rules and expectations imposed. While a negative and often disturbing experience at the time, it did however shape the woman she would become and bring about significant positive changes to how Science would be taught in the schools Suzy worked in.
Suzy has achieved many things over a long career including awards at University in the 1980’s, working as a Geologist at a mine after graduating, and finally retraining in 2004 as a secondary Science teacher. It is her work with school students that have given her more well-deserved accolades. This vibrant woman, with such a passion for sharing her inquisitive and investigative nature, is a worthy recipient of her amazing story being shared in the Aussie Stem Stars series.
Penguin, 2023. ISBN: 9780241556047. (Age:14+) Recommended for Romance readers.
The Davenports have wealth and privilege that is woven with a history of disadvantage and hope. This is a romance story that weaves the stories of the Davenport siblings, their friends and the incredible struggle to succeed for Afro-Americans at the beginning of the twentieth century. The Davenport family are an anomaly of their time – a successful black American family in Chicago, who display all the trappings of wealth earned from their position as successful carriage builders, despite their history of slavery only years before. They balance lives that include shopping, banquets and balls, with the disdain and distrust of white residents who look down on anyone with dark skin. The children in the family are at the point of making their own way in the world, but their parents are desperate to make sure that they escape the struggle that was a part of their own slave history. The consequence is that they live lives akin to an English Jane Austen novel, and the romantic notion for their future is impacted by different generational viewpoints. Can they choose their own path for the future, or must they have their lives and their loves directed by their parents? In this difficult environment there are also activists who are keen to make sure that the disgrace of past prejudice and slavery is wiped out and that black voices are heard and esteemed in America.
Essentially this is a romance story of the young main characters and their struggles to find their own paths in life. But it is also a story that speaks of success in the Afro-American world at the turn of the twentieth century – a story that is rarely heard, because it is rarely told. But because of the setting within a family of wealth, this story also feels like a companion text to Bridgerton or The Gilded Age. Occasionally the story feels a little too good to be believed, the romance is ‘sticky’ in its sweetness, but it also does not proceed smoothly for any of the characters and so rises above a saccharine or overly sentimental feel. Despite that, this is still a book for the lovers of romance, or for those who are fascinated to read from a perspective that is not white, patriarchal and condescending. For the author and those of her Afro-American heritage it also relates a narrative that they have seldom seen in literature, marked by success and drive, hopes and determination.
Having met the concept of Death-Cast in Silvera’s previous book They Both Die at the End (2017), I approached this new book, a prequel, with a sense of familiarity, but also wondering where the reader was going to be taken this time. The 2017 novel was extraordinary in that it was so different in its approach to subjects which could be very disturbing. It keeps the reader guessing throughout; set over the course of one day we meet two boys who have been contacted by Death-Cast only to be told that they will both die before the end of the day. The two boys in that story are strangers but this terrifying news brings them together as friends. Apparently, through TikTok, Silvera attracted a huge following of young readers. Upon the book’s release, Patrick Ness (author of The Knife of Letting Go) is quoted as saying, ‘There isn’t a teenager alive who won’t find their heart described perfectly on these pages’. The opportunity for introducing the reader to Death-Cast presented itself; hence the prequel. The company is launched in the first chapter of the book, with the president of the United States introducing the creator of Death-Cast. We follow Orion who, with a severe heart condition, decides that he wants to sign up, but not be the first to be called. Valentine isn’t sure that he believes the company’s claims. Both boys meet at a party and there follows a heart wrenching story as the two anticipate the call but also want to spend their last day together. The story telling pattern set up by Silvera with each character given an alternating chapter is the same as the previous book. These two boys go through different experiences but the feelings are similar, and, like the first book, the plot is riveting; though a lengthy novel, the reader’s interest never wavers. There is no need to have read the 2017 book but that did provide me with some valuable context and insight as I read this prequel. Needless to say there are references to disturbing topics such as grief and abuse but the novel is sensitively written and never loses sight of hopefulness.
Fans of Alice Oseman’s wildly successful Heartstopper series will welcome a chance to spend time with the characters they have grown to love, in this yearbook which looks back on the years since Heartstopper was first conceived, celebrating friendship, diversity and championing LGBTQ+ issues with a smile. This is not just a pastiche of Oseman’s previous material but an exploration of the artist’s journey from early concepts and sketches to the latest iteration, a Netflix series featuring real actors. Starting with scrapbook style profile pages of some of the main characters we are soon taken back to 2013 when the first drawings of Nick and Charlie were evolving in cheap sketchbooks. By 2014 Oseman was exploring digital drawings on a Wacom tablet and free drawing software called Gimp. More sophisticated software followed and participation in online art challenges including one in 2016 where she had to draw her characters in alternate universes and ‘emjoi challenges where my Tumblr followers would send me emjoi suggestions and I’d have to draw my characters with those expressions' p. 23. That was the year the Heartstopper comic was launched online and by 2017 she was preparing for a physical edition of the book and redrawing most of the pages. Success followed rapidly but the overwhelming impression is that it comes through constant drawing and hard work developing the characters and responding to followers; 2020 ‘was the year I started to feel very proud of my art style and how far I had come as an artist' p. 45. Readers just looking for more Heartstopper stories will find mini comics, a quiz and lots of extra, previously unpublished material. The author is fully involved with sharing the creation process, giving the book a journal feel, every corner filled with colourful images or comment and there are even step by step instructions on how to draw the main characters. 'Experimenting with art is the best way to develop as an artist' p. 55 and Osman shares plenty of material and inspiration here. Lovers of Heartstopper will embrace this well presented edition and it might win more fans, but there is plenty also for aspiring artists and comic makers.
Themes LGBTQ+, Friendship, Comics,Art design.
Sue Speck
Never ever getting back together by Sophie Gonzales
Like The Bachelor reality TV show, this novel centres around the premise of Jordy a handsome single man thrown into the public eye when his sister marries a prince, and a TV show proposing to bring together his previous girlfriends in a quest to reignite the romance they once had, and find the girl who truly captures his heart. Two of the contestants have reason to hate each other. Maya believes that Jordy cheated on her with Skye. And Skye has been told that Maya is an insanely jealous ex who can’t accept that Jordy broke up with her. Yet the two young women are thrown together in a share room – obviously a strategy to ignite drama for the program.
Maya’s motive in joining the program is revenge. She wants to win Jordy back and then expose him for the vain deceitful liar that he is. For Skye it’s a chance to find out if maybe Jordy was something special. They are two interesting characters: Maya is spontaneous, often finding herself in embarrassing situations, whilst Skye is much more reserved, the careful planner. Their relationship follows the common hate-to-love trope, which sees them become gradually more interested in each other, and united in their contempt for Jordy.
It is a lighthearted rom-com with a twist, and the setting of the reality TV show makes for lots of fun. The machinations of the producers to get content that will draw in audiences is exposed, along with the power of the camera-holder to tell the story their way. Everything is geared towards creating the best drama, regardless of any consideration of truth. And Jordy is a person who fits just fine into that kind of manipulated make-believe situation.
If you have read any of Sophie Gonzales’ novels, you will know that the real romance here will be an LGBQTI+ one. The path to romance for Maya and Skye is not without some stumbling blocks, and their inner reservations, their insecurities and their budding attraction are described in a very authentic and empathetic way. This is a warm and uplifting story about people overcoming the experiences that have held them back in the past and moving forward to create their own futures.
Taylor’s dilemma is that she hasn’t told anyone she is gay, she’s only just working it out. But her qualifying entry in a competition for a diverse writer’s internship with the ‘Saturday Night Live’ comedy show, means that she needs to come out before the winning submission is announced. Thus begins the countdown and the tension, as Taylor’s anxiety builds. At the same time, she is tentatively exploring her attraction to ‘out and proud’ classmate Charlotte Grey.
There’s many a laugh because Taylor comes from a family of comedians, though her mother gave up her career when baby Taylor came along. Taylor’s quick wit and clever comments make the book a fun read. At the same time, there is a very realistic portrayal of the uncertainties and excitement of a newly budding romance.
All of this takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, a town of waxworks and witchcraft museums, with many an oddball character, making for a very funny LGBQTI+ rom-com. While this often makes for laughs, the teenage love story will still tug at many a heart-string. It is a very realistic portrayal of first love that will draw in YA readers, regardless of their gender identification, as the values of love, trust and self-acceptance come through strongly.
Themes LGBQTI+, Humour, Romance, Identity, Acceptance of diversity.
Helen Eddy
Queer up: An Uplifting Guide to LGBTQ+ Love, Life and Mental health by Alexis Caught
Alexis Caught, award-winning podcaster, sets out in this book to help queer and questioning students explore their LGBTQIA+ identity and understanding of what it all means. In amongst personal experience from the author are first-hand stories from public LGBTQIA+ figures (primarily UK based), which gives readers an inclusive account of what it means to grow up queer. Chapters include questioning, coming out, friends and family, love and relationships, sex, shame, pride, and more. Topics also include being transgender and/or non-binary, and there are dedicated sections for those who are allies or want to be - with advice and tips on how to best support the LGBTQIA+ community. This is an honest and very open book, with helpful notes for those going through significant life changes - could be beneficial to anyone who needs advice, tips or support. A very encouraging book that would be good for any one questioning or for those who need a bit of help with their newly recognised queerness. Thoughtfully compiled, this book has the right mix of sensitivity and honesty - the mental health aspects are inclusive, supportive and useful for all readers, from any walk of life. While different in context, readers who enjoyed Lady Gaga's book Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community would also enjoy this book, and it is a must read for those wanting to understand more about supporting young people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
University of Queensland Press, 2021. ISBN: 9780702263149. (Age:16+) Highly recommended.
This romance novel takes place in Brisbane and tells the story of what happens when Henry Hamlet’s life is turned upside down by a game of Truth or Dare.
Henry Hamlet is clumsy, awkward and socially inept. His delightful family provide a safe and dependable cocoon that has encapsulated Henry until this, his last year as school captain. At school his friends provide the buffer he needs in order to navigate the treacherous path that is secondary school.
The characters in this novel are unique and richly drawn. We learn about their qualities, loves, pet peeves and frailties. From the suave, talented and popular Len to the prickly, bossy and perceptive Gran, the reader is drawn deeply into their lives to experience their life and loves. Gran is getting married again – to the new love of her life and Len is embarking on the rollercoaster of desire.
Wilde throws into stark relief the role of families in nurturing young people and the kinds of love expressed or withheld. Her writing gently, but powerfully, ignores the preconceived ideas surrounding LGBTQI love and relates the heartbreak, pining, and happiness of couples in a positive and nurturing style.
This is a book full of heart and humour. You won’t be able to put it down. Teacher's notes are available.
Henry Hamlet’s Heart is Rhiannon Wilde’s first novel. It won the Queensland Literary Awards Glendower Award for an Emerging Queensland Writer in 2019.
Themes LGBTQI, Loyalty, Relationships – friends and family, Romance.
A queer retelling of Back To The Future,Spin Me Right Round follows Luis, a gay high schooler whose attempts to petition for prom to be more inclusive are met with condemnation as a result of the school’s negative attitude towards queer students; a ripple effect of the tragic death of Chaz Wilson, a closeted gay student, in 1985. When his scheme to trick the principal into allowing same-sex couples at prom goes awry, Luis suffers a head injury that sends him back in time to 1985, where he finds himself face to face with the very student whose death sabotaged his inclusive prom. A fan of time-slip adventures, Luis enlists the help of his favourite teacher, Ms. Silverthorn, as well as his highschooler mother and her friends, and decides that his purpose in 1985 is to save Chaz.
An engaging tale with many twists and turns, Spin Me Right Round provides poignant lessons for students and the school community alike. Penned by a Cuban-American gay author, this novel is a call-to-action, providing insight into the importance of allyship through encouraging individuals to learn about and be accepting of others regardless of their backgrounds and identities, and of being true to oneself no matter the consequences. This book is highly recommended, an essential in school libraries, both for students to feel seen and validated in who they are, and for the community to better learn how to be of support to students exploring who they are in this most sensitive time in their lives.
It is important that students are warned of the homophobia, racism, and mature themes in this novel, especially the inclusion of abuse of power by way of teacher-student sexual relationships.
Themes LGBTQIA+ identities and relationships, Coming of age, High school, Time travel.
