This is an intensely powerful story with great heart. It almost brought me to tears as we look inside the emotional struggles of the two main characters who are dealing with big issues. It is a dramatic story and yet a hopeful story. Tom is wrapped in quiet and debilitating fear that has bound him and has made his life miserable. He has every reason to be impacted by his family history, but it does not change the tension of his life. Tom is then thrust into the maelstrom of a new family context and dynamic when his mother starts dating Zofia’s father. Zofia is a tightly wound spring of exuberance, noise and activity – and she is incredibly intense. They are polar opposites, but are forced together in an uncomfortable new family arrangement, formed because of the love between their parents and the impending arrival of a new baby. Neither Tom or Zofia are ready to deal with all the changes; fear washes over them in different ways. Tom is battling his giant-sized fears and struggles with the dark, and Zofia is just angry all the time. And it seems that the baby will not have an easy entry into their beachside world.
Because this book deals with emotional trauma and anxiety and mental health issues it needs to be read by slightly older readers than the age of the characters themselves. It is told through the voices of the two main characters and readers have the opportunity to empathise with each of them as they struggle. The new baby’s tenuous hold on life draws the family together, but not without some intense moments of struggle. Because of the psychological insight into fear and its manifestations this is a book for readers with a mature outlook. There is hope though and fear does not overwhelm them ultimately.
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781761065644. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
Middle-grade readers of Anh Do’s Wolf Girl series will not be disappointed in the seventh book, Crash Course. In fact, they may be thrilled that the four main characters from The Mythix, also written by Ahn Do, make a welcome appearance in this action-packed story.
This adventure begins with Gwen and the pack driving the fast-moving train after releasing the trapped animals. They are heading to the town of Tunny where Gwen’s parents may be held. It is while they are on the train that another pulls alongside, and Gwen sees her long-lost sister Kate who has been captured. They manage to chat, but Kate’s train moves ahead, and Gwen decides she will rescue her sister. Unfortunately the check point is manned by soldiers and Gwen makes the bold decision to smash through the barrier. They manage to escape during the mayhem and find an abandoned warehouse where they rest for the night. The next morning Gwen notices the town appears to be a central meeting place for wealthy people to purchase exotic animals. Gwen decides she and the pack can move around freely but the wolf Sunrise draws the attention of the evil Evans from the Kingdom Guard. What follows is a chase, a dangerous battle, and a frantic search for Sunrise. It also leads to the pack entering the Northern Kingdom, being taken to the castle of The Collector, and once again being captured. Fortunately for Gwen The Mythix characters attack the guards and Gwen and the pack manage to free themselves - but at a cost. Tiny is badly injured and Gwen is forced to make a heart-breaking decision. Will she and Tiny be reunited with the rest of the pack? Will they be able to make it back to their country of Riverland?
This is an exciting and fast-moving read that will appeal to fans of the series. Illustrations by Lachlan Creagh continue to support and enhance the text. The bonus sealed section at the end continues the story of Gwen and Amber. Book Eight will be published soon.
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781761065675. (Age:6-10) Recommended.
Pow Pow Pig and his Z Team consisting of Pow Pow, Danielle Duck, Chelsea Chicken and Barry the Goat are back in the third book in the humorous Pow Pow Pig series. This time they find themselves time travelling back to 1630 and bobbing around on the high seas dressed in pirate attire. They are rescued by a super friendly circus troupe of performing animals who travel the world presenting their very entertaining show. The Z Team sleep below deck that night and wake to find a ship bearing down on them. On board are The Purring Pirates who are the nastiest cats ever with lots of tricks up their sleeves including shooting hooks out of canons and hurling stinky flaming pots onto the deck. The cats jump on board and demand the treasure. The Z Team show their amazing fighting skills to get rid of the cats and the ship is able to sail away. But they are not safe yet, so the Z Team learn how to sail a ship and they escape their pursuers. However, they are now lost, the sail is torn, the ship is taking in water and one of the circus troupe is not what they appear to be. There is betrayal and the animals end up being held captive by The Purring Pirates. The captured crew are turned into slaves and must build a giant statue of a fish tail. How will they escape these evil cats? Will the Z Team come up with a daring plan?
The abundance of great illustrations on each page by Peter Cheong combined with generously spaced changing text in size and boldness, will continue to make this series appealing to a range of readers from newly independent to those who enjoy visual images.
Themes Adventure, Humour, Animals, Time Travel, Sea, Pirates, Treasure.
Kathryn Beilby
The world's worst pets by David Walliams. Illus. by Adam Stower
Everyone, both young and old, has laughed along with David Walliam’s hilarious World’s Worst series about children, parents and teachers. Well here is another, The World’s Worst Pets, and it certainly won’t disappoint! This new novel is jam packed with 10 outrageously funny, action packed short stories with both mischief and mayhem about, you guessed it…PETS! But should we just say that these stories are not about any average old pet!
Each chapter will introduce you to different animals that will have you gasping for breath at their unashamedly outrageous behaviour. Pet owners will be doing a double take on their precious pets in the future, after reading a few of these twisted tales. Who would imagine these cute creatures could actually be so wicked and wilful? This latest book is, without a shadow of a doubt, another horrendously horrid sensation for readers to love. And if you are unfamiliar with David Walliams other books, then you are certainly missing out on some fun, laughter and should take the time to read them all! They are certainly a must read for anyone with a good sense of humour that loves a great laugh!
From a furping fish, that will eat you out of house and home, to a bad talking budgie, that will steal all your prize possessions…. nothing is off limits! Walliams again capture his audience with the most outrageous and extreme scenarios! The colourful and creative illustrations by Adam Stower are next level. Bringing further engagement to the story with labelled diagrams, bright colours and comical characters, every reader will be enthralled by these captivating caricatures.
Walliam’s has again woven his magic to produce another fast paced and highly entertaining book to complement his previous work. The layout of the book makes for a fun, exciting and highly appealing read for all ages. If you love animals and enjoy a good laugh, and have often wondered what pets really could get up to, well this story is not to be missed!
Miss Mary-Kate Martin's guide to monsters by Karen Foxlee
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526627. (Age:10+) Recommended.
The title Miss Mary-Kate Martin's Guide to Monsters - The Wrath of the Woolington Wrym suggests the tone for this whimsical new book written by versatile Australian author Karen Foxlee. Devotees of the moving multi-award winning 2018 Lenny's book of everything, set in a small apartment in suburban Ohio and the powerful emotive and atmospheric Dragonskin of 2021, set in the vast, harsh Australian outback country will be amazed at Foxlee's Miss Mary-Kate Martin's Guide to Monsters- The Wrath of the Woolington Wrym being set in a quintessential old English village called Woolington Well (map provided). As always Foxlee's setting performs powerfully and provides a very visual and almost visceral backdrop to the storyline.
There is a wrym(not a worm) and it is rumoured to be eating children in the village of Woolington Well. Our anxious and possibly obsessive and slightly compulsive protagonist Mary Kate accompanies her mother Professor Martin, an archaeologist who was asked by the Wrym Watch Society to investigate the village green area for evidence of artefacts pointing to the existence of a wrym. Lord Woolington of Woolington Hall is keen to build a large shopping centre on top of the village green; the heavy earthworks have begun. Since then frightening noises, earth tremors and sightings have occurred; a trail of brown slime has been left through the town and a wall has been broken by something very large. Old English mythology and legend clash with modern progress. The right for creatures to exist in their own habitats against the onslaught of human development is at the heart of the story.
Into this steps our heroine, Mary Kate. She follows a breadcrumb trail of clues, finds a new friend and in her quest to save the mythical beast, learns to believe in herself and face all sorts of fearful situations.
In the acknowledgements, Foxlee notes that..."there are many wonderful wrym legends in the British Isles"... and various towns that are associated with them. She adapted aspects of these tales to write this story.
Miss Mary-Kate Martin's Guide to Monsters - The Wrath of the Woolington Wrym is a delightful, beautifully written story with a plucky, determined, very likeable and slightly quirky little female detective at its centre. The good news is that Mary Kate's legendary adventures will continue in The trouble with the two-headed Hydra. Once readers have discovered Miss Mary-Kate Martin, they will be asking for more. Teacher's tips are available.
Themes Friendship, Courage, English myths, Detective work.
Grace back on court is the 2nd in a series by Maddy Proud. However, it works as a stand-alone book too. This was an enjoyable and wholesome story about 14-year-old Grace who is excitedly hoping to be selected for the Under 15 South Australian State Team. She encounters some mean girl behaviour in the process as well as bullying at her high school. Her mother and twin brother provide much needed support. In turn Grace provides friendship and encouragement to another potential state team member called Daisy. Daisy is indigenous and a boarder and misses her family in Ceduna. Grace frets over whether Seb, an aspiring rockstar friend of her brother, is actually her boyfriend and whether they will kiss. Her friendships, romance, and further success in netball, drive the story.
The author, Maddy Proud, is a successful netball player for the NSW Swifts and her experience is very evident in the way she writes about the play and tactics used in netball matches. The story also shows some good and not so good court behaviour. It is aimed at tweens who are netball fans but it is also a terrific story about Grace’s believable self-doubts, confidence, and her friendships. At times her anxieties are nearly overwhelming but she finds ways to focus when needed. She has strong emotional intelligence and empathy as she makes friends with Daisy and willingly talks to her friends to resolve disagreements. There are great role models here. It may be a bit idealistic but who doesn’t need a positive story? The ending sets things up for another Grace story.
Themes Netball, Friendship, Love, Kindness.
Jo Marshall
Telltale: reading writing remembering by Carmel Bird
Written during enforced Covid isolation, Carmel Bird’s approach to her memoir is original in taking key books from her shelves as starting points for reflections on her life. Lovers of books, writing, and libraries will enjoy this delving into books that have had an impact. Born 1940, some of her references may only ring with recognition for older readers, e.g. ‘Stories from Uncle Remus’, whilst others such as ‘Grimm’s fairy tales’ will be recalled by a wider audience. What comes across most vividly is the violence of the moral lessons contained in those early stories. Many readers will also be able to recall the scary story or film that impacted them as a young child.
Bruce Pascoe describes this volume most poetically as ‘a book about books that dreams you through a library of life’. And that is what it is, a reminiscence that may send the reader down their own memory lane. Or for readers of Carmel Bird’s books, there are fascinating insights into the origins and impetus for many of her works, and revelations about the art of writing.
Themes Memoir, Books, Writing.
Helen Eddy
Floof by Heidi McKinnon
Albert Street Books, 2022. ISBN: 9781761180088. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
Instantly recognisable, the behaviour of the cat, Floof in this book will endear readers as they laugh out loud at his antics. The pared down image on the cover entices the reader to open and read of Floof’s exhausting day.
Pondering over just why he is called Floof, and thinking about the variations of that word, little brains will tick over, as they ponder the images on each page alongside the sparse text. The beautifully succinct text, ‘Floof meows, Floof eats’ for example, tells the reader about Floof and his place in the family where every need is catered for without question.
His day is filled with activity: reading, gardening, playing the guitar, playing with friends, and each one of these activities is belied by the illustrations. Younger readers will love the contrast between word and image, laughing at the various poses he makes during the day. He climbs into a carry bag, lolls over the computer, meets his friends, sees off the dog next door, then meows for his tea which miraculously appears.
Once evening comes long we see a different cat. Now he is active and doing the sorts of thing cats are known for: stealing the dog’s tennis ball and causing havoc with the vase of flowers and the toilet roll, until all tired out, he retires to bed.
A wonderfully humorous look at a big fluffy cat Floof will be a favourite amongst younger readers recognising the cat they have at home, or a neighbour’s cat and the mischief it get involved in. But of course, his main occupation is sleeping, and that is well depicted in the funny illustrations. I love the image of Floof reading: that is, sleeping on a tall pile of books, or amongst his friends, a bevy of mice that other cats would decimate.
Beautiful illustrations by Heidi McKinnon cover each page, so real that kids will reach out their hands to stroke the fluffy fur. More about Heidi can be found here. And her opening page has a pile of characters from her other books (There’s no such thing, and I just ate my friend for example) blinking at the reader. Kids will love the site as soon as they open it.
Nura and the Immortal Palace, written by M.T. Khan is a thought-provoking story, set in a fictional Pakistani town of Meerabagh. With a sense of truth and desolation of child labour, dangerous mining and families struggling to survive, this novel is layered with many confronting quandaries that will challenge most reader. Creatively woven with Muslim culture and traditions, along with the mysterious mythical world of jinn, this story is sure to keep you captivated until the very end.
Imagine being a twelve-year-old girl; dirty, starving and having to work each day clambering underground and then being paid pittance for your hard effort. This is the life that Nura faces each day, together with her lifelong friend Faisal.
Nura mines every day, hoping to find significant amounts of mica, to provide for her family. Her father died while working in the mines when she was seven, her mother works daily in a sweatshop and her three younger siblings stay home, hopeful to go to school when they are older. Yet, Nura has never been to school. She works tirelessly, looking to provide hope and happiness for her family and constantly dreaming of finding the Demon’s Tongue - a legendary treasure buried deep in the mines, and one she believes will give her enough riches to finally break her family’s cycle of poverty.
But when a tragic mining accident occurs, and Faisal is lost in the rubble, Nura seeks to find him. However, when she digs too deep and enters into the magical world of jinn, what will be the outcome? Will the legendary jinn’s trickery be too dangerous to overcome, and what other truths will Nura discover along the way?
Khan has written a story layered with life inequalities and society’s imbalances, while cleverly entwined within the magical world of fantasy. Join Nura on an intriguing adventure, and appreciate how she encapsulates strength and determination, while discovering some of life's truths.
Themes Muslim culture and traditions, Child labour, Fantasy, Friendship, Family, Responsibilities, Mining mica.
After her moms move from California to a small town in Alabama Chloe Green is trying to navigate her way though her last year at Willowgrove Christian Academy, determined to be the valedictorian. Her biggest opponent is Shara Wheeler, the school’s golden girl and daughter of the principal. Then Shara disappears a month before graduation, after she kisses Chloe. Desperate to find Shara, Chloe hunts down clues to her disappearance, discovering on the way that Shara has also kissed her boyfriend, football jock Smith, and the bad boy next door, Rory. She leaves behind little pink notes for all three to find in unlikely places with clues to where she is hiding. As the trio start to follow the cryptic leads, Chloe begins to discover that she does not know everyone as well as she thought.
The book begins with a note to the reader that to include ‘the good parts and the bad, the funny and painful’ of being a teen from the South or from a Southern Baptist or Evangelical Christian background, there are ‘elements of religious trauma and homophobia.’ However, the mystery of Shara’s disappearance will intrigue the reader and Chloe’s snarky point of view is a joy to read. It is fun to follow the trio trying to work out what Shara means, getting to know her better on the way. There are break-ins, crawls through air vents and teen parties, all keeping the reader glued to the page.
But the strength of this story lies not just in the humour of the dialogue and the mystery but in the strong characterisation of Chloe, Smith, and Rory, as well as a supporting cast of teens, all fleshed out and believable. The friendship that grows between the unlikely trio, the understanding that Chloe’s best friend Georgia shows and the relationships that grow around the theatre group feature strongly and feel real.
This romantic/comedy/mystery is a coming-of-age story that teens are sure to enjoy. Mystery lovers of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murderby Holly Jackson and Inheritance games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes could enjoy this as well, while older readers might enjoy House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune.
Themes Coming of age, LGBTQI people, Romance, Friendship, Missing persons.
Another welcome addition to the excellent Nature Storybooks by Walker Books, this non fiction text is complimented by a fictional story, all alongside stunning illustrations. While a story of a Tasmanian Devil develops as the mother goes off to search of food to enable her body to produce milk for her young, we see the pair exploring their environment, becoming more acquainted with what is there, becoming more adventurous and comfortable with their surroundings. So we see them looking out of the burrow in which they live, a former wombat burrow, borrowed by the Devil’s mother to have her pups, seeing other animals around, but running back inside. Mum comes back and the pair drinks their fill, then she is off again to forage.
At each page the story line is added to by a non fiction text lower on the page and in a different font. Within this text we find facts: Devils can eat up to 40% of their body weight in one day! Or that pups can be left behind at four months while their mother forages. We find out how big they are, what they eat, where they live. Did you know they once roamed Australia?
At the end of the book is a short outline of the Tasmanian devil, a concise index to the facts in the book, alongside information about the author and illustrator.
Readers of fiction and non fiction will love this book, full of facts but also laying down a story, one which helps readers understand the Devil and its habitat.
The illustrations show us the wide expanse of Tasmanian bushland where the Devil lives; Hamilton includes other animals in that vegetation, and allows readers to see the different vegetation in a Devil’s environment.
Liz, Thelma and Pat are three retired teachers who meet for coffee at the Thirsk Garden Centre café. One day an ex-colleague, Topsy, is there with her daughter, and they catch up with her. The following week they are appalled to hear that she has died. They are all convinced that there is something wrong about her death and decide to investigate.
Fans of the cosy mystery genre are likely to really enjoy A spoonful of murder. The author cleverly reveals the lives and abilities of the three sleuths as the novel progresses and the main characters and minor characters are all really well described. There are many humorous asides that relieve the tension surrounding the murder. Red herrings abound and there are multiple suspects, but the conclusion is very satisfying.
The author also explores the effects of dementia and how crooks can prey on the elderly, adding an extra dimension to the story.
This was an entertaining read and I will be sure to pick up any future books by J.M. Hall.
Themes Murder.
Pat Pledger
Jimmy and Pat meet the Queen by Pat Lowe. Illus. by Jimmy Pike
This small picture book is a factual fiction story about Native Title and is cleverly written using humour to explain a complex topic. When a non-Indigenous lawyer explains Native Title to the mob in the Great Sandy Desert, he confuses the community by explaining to them that they must prove to the Queen, as the figurehead of Commonwealth Australia, that the Walmajarri own the land. This confounds Jimmy and Pat so they decide to write to the Queen inviting her to visit and prove the land is hers by finding the waterholes. Surprisingly she accepts the invitation and arrives in the desert by helicopter with her vast array of luggage and two corgis in tow. What follows is quite a humourous tale of camping, hunting and searching for the elusive waterholes. The use of Walmajarri and Kriol language throughout is an important addition and the illustrations by Jimmy Pike are bold and bright. In the final pages is a valuable glossary and pronunciation guide. An entertaining read. Teacher's notes are available from the publisher.
Themes First Nations People, Walmajarri Language, Native Title, Great Sandy Desert, Her Majesty, Camping, Hunting.
Kathryn Beilby
All the little tricky things by Karys McEwen
Text Publishing, 2022. ISBN: 9781922458377. (Age:10-13 years) Highly recommended.
Alberta, regularly known as Bertie, is due to start High School in the new year, and this book is set after her Primary School graduation and in the twilight before the dawning of new experiences at her new school. Transitions can sometimes be hard, but Bertie is enrolled in a private school at least an hour away from her old school in her small-town community, and Bertie is fearful of many of the ‘little tricky things’ she will face. Bertie will be separated from all her current classmates, but most of all from her long-term friend, Claire, and this brings with it a plethora of insecurities and uncertainties. Bertie has for many years been Claire’s shadow and has seldom needed to be assertive in any way. Claire though has confidence in abundance, and prepares a list of ‘challenges’ that will prepare Bertie for change and prepare her for the new life ahead when she is on her own in the big, wide world.Some of the listed challenges are easier than others and a hint of a wedge becomes apparent in the friendship between the two girls. Bertie must decide how to proceed and to grow with or without Claire’s guidance or driving influence.
This is a gentle but insightful story of the dilemmas of life and friendship for a young girl in transition. Puberty and relationship issues, family change, independence, growing into adulthood when you are not quite ready to leave childhood are all a part of this journey. Bertie is a likeable character, an only child in a loving family, with real struggles that are simple and understandable. Karys McEwen has been able to enter the psyche of an ‘ordinary girl’ who is about to step out of the comfort zone of small-town childhood without over-dramatising the struggles she faces. Young 10-13 year-old students will connect with the uncertainties and feel the friendship struggles and enjoy the journey as Bertie discovers that she is stronger than she thinks. There are moments of angst, but also opportunities for friendship recovery and growth. McEwen has demonstrated that a commonplace story can connect with readers and that characters do not need to be badly behaved to create drama. This is a book that touches emotional strings and makes a tuneful note rather than a discordant twang. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes High school, Friendship, Transitions/Change, Fear.
Winner of the 2020 Edgar Award for Best Novel, The Stranger Diaries is a departure for Elly Griffiths author of the Ruth Galloway series. Clare Cassidy is an English teacher specialising in Gothic fiction. She is particularly interested in the writer R.M. Holland and when a colleague is found murdered with a quote from The stranger, Holland’s book, she finds herself embroiled in the mystery surrounding the murder. Detective Sergeant Harbinder Kaur is investigating the case and Clare’s teenage daughter Georgie is also involved.
Griffiths cleverly combines the trope of having a book central to the mystery and the everyday lives of the main characters. Clare is divorced and writes in a diary and when she finds the words "Hallo, Clare. You don’t know me" written in it, begins to realise that she might be a target of the murderer. Harbinder Kaur is a fascinating character, and it will be interesting to see if Griffiths continues with her in future books.
The setting of a high school, a locked study at the top of an old mansion, and the workings of a school combine to make a fascinating read. The plot draws the reader in and the addition of mysteries surrounding the book The stranger add an extra dimension to the story.
I am a fan of the Ruth Galloway series, and I am sure to read future books by the author. Readers who enjoyed The magpie murders by Anthony Horowitz may enjoy this.
