Courtney Little Plots and potions by Aleesah Darlison
Little Steps, 2021. ISBN: 9781922488381. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
Plots and Potions is the third book in the Courtney Little series, written by Aleesah Darlison. Previously printed as the Little Witch series, these books have been republished with a more modern format. If you enjoy a bit of Hocus – Pocus magic, added with a little adventure and mystery, then this series will appeal to you!
Protagonist, Courtney is still developing her skills in casting spells and mixing potions. She loves learning more about the newly found magical abilities that were passed down to her by her late Grandmother, Delia. From the special magical spell book, that was gifted to her, she is kept very busy, trying to perfect her new witchcraft…. and she can’t go anywhere without her enchanted cat, Ink.
Unfortunately, though, Courtney is expected to attend her year 7 camp. She would much rather stay at home, read her spell book and be with Ink than hike up huge mountains, be outdoors and do sport! So, to make the experience a little more enjoyable, she works out a way to bring Ink along too……using a little magic of course! But camp turns out to be much worse than even Courtney had expected. On arrival she has a bad gut feeling about the site leader, Maude Mouseheart and as the new kid in town, she is still trying to navigate her way around making some friends. Camp life can be rough, but fortunately Courtney is resilient and strong. So, when she uncovers some sinister activities by Miss Mouseheart, Courtney takes action. But can her magic potions and spells fix all the problems that have arisen or will evil prevail?
Aleesah Darlison has written another charming sequel in the Courtney Little series for those lovers of magical witchery and adventure. Plots and Potions is filled with fast paced suspense and excitement and is an easy read for the young audience. This has a storyline filled with far-reaching fantasy, yet relatable characters. It is bursting with magic, mystery and friendship, and certainly a twist of the unusual.
Themes Magic, Adventure, Friendship, Animals.
Michelle O'Connell
Dreams from my father: Adapted for Young Adults by Barack Obama
Text Publishing, 2021. ISBN: 9781922458445. (Age:13+) Recommended.
Barack Obama wrote his memoir soon after his study years at law school and when he was just married. He had not entered politics. Obviously a young man with a great sense of social justice at the time but also very keen to understand his past, he set about telling his story with a view to encouraging his readers to consider the same. At a time when a new school curriculum is being released for Australian schools, with more focus on international historical perspectives, this is a valuable addition to school and personal libraries. In his newly written introduction to this ‘young adult’ edition, Obama stresses how important our knowledge of history is to the formation of inquisitive, observant and analytical minds. The reader follows the life of this President-to-be, as he journeys through words, with his mother from Kansas to Hawaii, with his father and extended family to Kenya, with his stepfather and half sister to Indonesia, all the while examining his heritage to understand himself better. This edition features a concise family tree and coloured family photos. Obama writes with humility and generosity; also starkly aware of the injustices of the world around and his desire to do as much as he can to alleviate inequality. This memoir continues to inspire and the young adult reader will enjoy his story: it is easy to read and his thoughtfulness comes through so beautifully. He would like the young to feel inspired as he was to share their stories and ‘to value the stories of others’. Teaching notes are available from the publisher.
Themes Autobiography.
Julie Wells
Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson
Simon & Schuster, 2021. ISBN: 9781398508545. (Age:13+) Highly recommended.
Artemisia is a girl training to be a Gray Sister, one of an order that helps souls to pass on. She is troubled and lonely and must deal with whispers about her past and her scarred hands. When the convent is attacked by soldiers who are possessed by spirits, she is forced to defend it by awakening a revenant that had been imprisoned in a saint’s relic. As she faces danger and dark mysteries, she gradually gets closer to the revenant, while struggling to overcome another ancient and very powerful spirit who brings death to her world.
Artemisia’s actions in battle guided by the revenant Rathanael bring her recognition that she does not want. She begins to have a following of people who call her a saint and believe that she can save them. She also discovers that she has loyal friends in Marguerite, Charles, and Captain Enguerrand, all willing to put their lives at risk to help her in her task of finding out what the priest Leander was trying to do.
Told in the first person by Artemisia, readers will learn about the horrors of her childhood, the kindness of Mother Katherine at the convent and the growing understanding between her and the revenant. She must accept that she is a vespertine, one who can control a high relic if she is to save her world. It is easy to think of her as a Joan of Arc figure, a young woman who could lead armies and who is considered a saint.
Rogerson has been recognised for her novel Sorcery of thorns (Best fiction for young adults 2020) and Vespertine is equally as engrossing. Readers who enjoyed reading about nuns in Robin LaFevers' His fair assassin series, and Maresi by Maria Turtschaninoff, will want to pick up Vespertine, while those who liked Naomi Novik’s Scholomance series will enjoy reading about another young heroine.
Themes Nuns, Ghosts, Good and evil, Friendship, Saints.
This is one roller-coaster ride of madcap adventure. Five eccentric characters are thrown together on a road trip to fulfil the last wish of a crazy aged care escapee. Daisy may be old but she is as tough as they come, and Taylor, Chip, Jackson and Chloe find themselves all doing her bidding. Along the way there are a lot of mishaps, corny jokes and laughs galore, but at the same time Webster competently handles more serious issues of suicide, abuse, and difficult relationships.
Taylor is the lead character – the ‘thing that he did’ was a social media post that was possibly insensitive and hurtful. It leads to him losing his closet friend and being ostracised from his friendship group. But in his connection with young would-be pornography director Chip, and the mishaps that follow, he learns to appreciate the individual qualities of a range of supposed misfits, and in the end it is a story about acceptance and true friendship.
This story really is a mixed bag – comedy, adventure, romance, and teenage coming of age, it could appeal to a range of adolescent and more mature readers.
Themes Comedy, Road trip, Friendship, Coming of age.
Helen Eddy
The fast 800 keto: Eat well, burn fat, manage your weight long term by Dr Michael Mosley
The fast 800 keto builds on Mosley’s successful The fast 800 and is an easy to read and follow book explaining up to date science of weight loss. The book starts with an introduction of how we got fat, why we need to eat more protein and then goes into the science of keto which I found useful in understanding how the body reacts to eating the sugar found in many processed foods. It describes the effect of a keto diet when your body goes into ketosis and burns up fat instead of sugar leading to weight loss. Mosly goes into detail about the fast 800 Keto programme. It combines keto with intermittent fasting, which readers will be familiar with if they have read The fast 800 and stresses the advantages of a Mediterranean diet. Emphasis is given to the importance of preparation before beginning the diet by having the right food on hand. Advice is also given about how to maintain a good weight long term.
The recipes given by Dr Clare Bailey are easy to follow and meal planners are set out with 3 meals a day and 2 meals a day when doing intermittent fasting. I enjoyed the Rapid bircher with apple and cinnamon, and Wok-steamed white fish with pak choi. There is a chart to record Before and after measurements of weight, waist and blood pressure, and an extensive bibliography and good index are also included at the back of the book.
The cover states that it is possible to ‘lose up to 6 kg in 21 days’ and following the advice in this Australian and New Zealand edition would give people aiming to lose weight a scientific basis to do so. The fast 800 Keto is sure to prove popular and I will be using many of the recipes included in my regular meal planning.
Ekata is just days away from leaving her home. Days away from freedom and the life she has looked forward to for years. An unimportant and forgotten middle child in a dangerous and vicious family, Ekata just wants to survive long enough to flee south and spend her days surrounded by those who value knowledge and peace. However, someone or something has other plans. Suddenly, and very much against her will, Ekata becomes the Duke of Kylma Above, tasked with ruling the kingdom, preventing an invasion, curtailing treason and discovering a cure for the magical illness which has incapacitated the rest of her family. And then there is Inkar, the girl who should have been her brother’s bride…
The Winter Duke is a satisfactory young adult fantasy offering some unique ideas and plot points. Bartlett has created a distinctive and atmospheric world. While most of the book is spent in the ducal castle, the reader gains a real sense of the cold and harsh environment of Kylma Above. The inclusion of magical elements and creatures and a complex familial and societal structure is also interesting.
Where the novel fails however is in its characters. Main protagonists do not necessarily have to be likeable for readers to be able to enjoy a book. Bartlett has clearly tried to style Ekata as a character relatable to her audience, with flaws and insecurities like those suffered by most teenagers. However, she is almost comically unconfident, reckless, credulous and petulant. As the story progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to root for a character this exasperating. Moreover, secondary protagonists, including Ekata’s love interest and her most dangerous enemy, are more caricature than character. The book’s villain, for example, is brash, vulgar and innately ‘evil’, without much explanation or reasoning to explain why.
Overall, The Winter Duke is a solid young adult fantasy novel, which will no doubt please some readers of the genre, but it is not without its flaws.
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-bottomed Boat by Charlie Archbold
Text Publishing, 2022. ISBN: 9781922458520. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
South Australian author Charlie Archbold has written an exciting and entertaining novel perfect for middle grade readers. This new release, shortlisted for the Text Prize, is set in a small coastal town in far North Queensland surrounded by sugarcane fields and mangroves.
Andy and his best mate Eli are inseparable. They spend their days together, whether at school or home. Their friendship bond is strong and when Eli’s cousin Jacob is arrested for theft, the two boys decide to find out the truth before he is sentenced. They call on fraternal twins Bernie and Fletch to help them and together they develop a plan of action. However, after some clever sleuthing, they realise they will need the help of annoying classmate Harvey, who incidentally has not been a friend to Andy and Eli, and the five go on a dangerous boat journey to solve the mystery of the theft. At the red-bottomed boat half buried deep in the mangroves, they must deal with a monstrous crocodile to discover the truth and then face unpleasant adversaries on their return to the marina.
The fast action-packed pages of this engaging book will hold the reader’s interest until the end. The relationship between each of the very different young characters who come from diverse family backgrounds, consists of humour, gentle rivalry and friendship, as well as deep respect for Eli and his Indonesian family. The vivid descriptive language used to describe the surroundings in which the story is set will allow the reader to be transported to far North Queensland.
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat would make a fabulous class novel. As well as being a great read there is so much to learn and discuss such as the behaviour of crocodiles, environmental issues, life in the tropics, friendships, bullying and importantly how to work collaboratively as a team. A delightful new book, hopefully a series, for those middle-grade readers who look for adventure, danger and overcoming challenging obstacles. Teacher's notes are available.
Stunning! Jennifer Saint really knows how to take the framework of a Greek myth and breathe life into all the characters, their emotions and motivations. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting, rapidly turning the chapters between the three characters, Clytemnestra, Cassandra and Elektra. The central storyline is the well known tale of the abduction of Helen of Sparta, by Paris, prince of Troy. But in this book, Helen is a rather vague and enigmatic creature and the focus is most definitely on the three women on the edge of the story: Clytemnestra, sister of Helen, and wife of Agamemnon, leader of the army that sailed to retrieve Helen; Cassandra, princess of Troy, doomed seer of the future; and Elektra, the stubborn young daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon.
Saint’s writing provides insight into how a wife can come to detest her husband and seek his death, how a solitary woman can be disparaged and reviled, and how a naive daughter can cling to belief in her father despite clear evidence of his cruelty. Saint brings to life the inner world of her characters, and they become very believable. And in the process, she reveals how each of these women struggles within a world where women are treated as a commodity to be won, bartered, scorned or sacrificed.
There is no man who is completely trustworthy; the world of men and women is so structured as to prevent any sense of equality or power. However, Clytemnestra, Cassandra and Elektra, each are strong and determined women and they fight against men, and against gods, to take their place in the world. It is a fiery tale of anger and passion – riveting reading!
This latest novel is even better than Ariadne – highly recommended.
Themes Greek mythology, Women, Power, Revenge.
Helen Eddy
Great big softie by Kaye Baillie and Shane McG
New Frontier, 2022. ISBN: 9781922326485. (Age:4+) Recommended.
Elliot, a monster with a great big soft heart, is desperate to fit in with the other more mischievous monsters. Those monsters cause mayhem amongst the people in the neighbourhood, so Elliot decides to join them. He trashes a shop, eats all the churros from a fast-food van, causes the swimming pool to be closed for the day and frightens a little girl with a huge growl. Elliot’s monster friends award him Monster of the Week for his dastardly deeds, but Elliot does not feel at all comfortable with what he has done and decides to make amends. He goes to the little girl’s house and returns her missing turtle. It is not enough though, so he bravely apologises to the little girl and the other people he has upset - his most daring deed ever. Elliot realises that belonging to a group needs to feel right and he learns a valuable life lesson about respect.
The engaging illustrations in this book are bright and colourful with diverse characters.
Fire truck Santa by Nic McPickle and Nathaniel Eckstrom
Albert Street Books, 2021. ISBN: 9781760526894. (Age:3+)
A very apt book published at the end of 2021, depicts Santa visiting children across Australia in his large very red fire truck.
Dedicated to all our wonderful volunteers, especially in this incredible time when fires raged across many parts of Australia, this very welcome addition to the range of books published at Christmas, will enthuse readers with the story of kindness and helping others.
A nod to the iconic Christmas poem "Twas the night before Christmas….” This story is of a great Aussie adventure as Santa, in his old and worn out fire truck, is delivering presents to all the children around the town. When something on the truck breaks down, the children are there to work out a solution. But when a final pop is heard the the truck seems to be finally totally broken down the problem seems insurmountable.
Nic McPickle and Nathaniel Eckstrom have combined together to create a funny Christmas story for everyone to enjoy. The story encapsulates the real meaning of Christmas, of hope and kindness of sharing and helping others. A funny, rollicking read aloud, children will ask that it be read again as they predict the rhyming words and enjoy scanning the pages for the detail Eckstrom includes.
The Lockett Street Squad are 11-year-old friends that stick together through thick and thin, bonded by their mutual love of graphic novel series - ‘The Screensavers’. They are so keen about this comic book series that they re-enact storylines and post them on You-tube. This story is told from the perspective of ‘Sticks’ and it is a powerful tale of friendship amid the serious issues of life. When Tommy’s usual life comes crashing down, Sticks, Maki and Jed combine to devise a plan to protect Tommy from being relocated far from Lockett Street. The plan also includes heading to the Gold Coast to audition for roles in the new ‘Screensavers’ movie, kidnapping, and evading police and many other exciting, risky and devious side hustles. This is a story with heart, but it also addresses some quite heart-rending life situations and introduces some wonderful characters and does it with an unexpected twist.
The graphic novel/comic strip launches the book revealing a quirky storyline before the you-tube adventures of the children takes over the narrative. This entry point into the book will immediately appeal to lovers of graphic stories. The hidden reveal in the story involving the character ‘Sticks’ is worthy of secrecy … a clever plot twist that readers need to discover themselves. Although there are serious issues addressed in this story, the Lockett Street Squad are really just a warm and inclusive friendship group who do not let problems get in their way. This was a very enjoyable story – but the intra-family abuse and death of a family member may be confronting for some young readers, so be careful to consider the personal history of children when recommending this.
Ross Welford was born in a small seaside town in the north-east of England. This is his 7th book since his popular debut Time travelling with a hamster was published in 2016. With his previous books Welford has firmly set himself as an entertainer of readers 10+. His stories all include elements of sci-fi/fantasy set against a realistic backdrop based around the town of his birth.
Into the sideways world follows this formula and introduces two 12-year-old outsiders, Willa and Manny. It is the year 2031 and they are investigating sightings of a mysterious animal in their town. One night they suddenly find themselves in an alternate world.
Willa and Manny are stunned – while their own world has survived a pandemic but is close to war, this one is perfect. There’s no pollution, no rundown properties, no family arguments, no diseases and no global conflict.
Willa has a contact who may be the key to figuring out the link between worlds, if only she can get back home. But do she and Manny even want to leave this ideal place? And if they do, will anyone believe what they have seen?
This story is full of adventure and humour while also being thought-provoking and including some difficult relationships and tough choices. There are references to environmental issues, history and global politics. The chapters are short with lots of cliff-hangers – be prepared for desperate pleas to ‘keep going!’ if reading aloud.
There are no teacher resources for this book as Welford is of the opinion that teachers know best. But in an interview with The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education in the UK he said 'Into The Sideways World could, I imagine, provoke some interesting class discussions on how we might begin to 'change the world'.' It also raises the question of whether you would opt for your own loved yet imperfect reality when faced with the choice of a perfect world instead.
Surviving the Wild 2. Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526849. (Age:6-9) Recommended.
Star the Elephant is based on the true story of a small group of Indian elephants that swam across the Johor Strait from Malaysia to a small island off the coast of Singapore after losing their home due to deforestation. In Remy Lai's (Pawcasso) retelling, five-year-old Star and her family have to split up; there simply isn't enough food in any one place to accommodate them all. But when Star and her mum and aunt get back to where they are expecting to find banana trees, they are faced with fallen trees in amongst the sea of palm oil trees. They decide to flee to an island that aunty knows of, but when they get there they are faced with more humans, and because of their experiences to date they are very scared. When Star's mum and aunty are shot with tranquiliser darts Star runs but is eventually peacefully captured and taken to a sanctuary where she is reunited with her family.
Full-colour illustrations and simple dialogue and narration told within a graphic novel format make this perfect for young readers. However, some of the content, including Star almost drowning, the animals distress as they try to find a safe place and Star being separated from her family is quite confronting. This is one of three already published in the Surviving the Wild series, all of which look at the perils of the natural world and what we can do to protect it. Also included at the end of the story is the true story behind Star's adventure, some elephant facts and ways we can help. This is an important book for anyone to read but will especially be appreciated by children interested in animals and environmental conservation.
Alice-Miranda is on the way to Egypt with the Queen’s Colours Leadership program. This will be incredibly exciting as they explore Egyptology and archaeology, and display leadership qualities. However, before they leave London, they discover that the school they attend could potentially close down and their teachers may be involved in a scheme that could have dreadful ramifications for the school community. While in Egypt they also discover another Egypt-based scam that could have serious consequences for their local guide’s family. Alice-Miranda and her friends cannot let any of this proceed quietly without solving the problems that are raised. The young leaders from a variety of schools are also just working out how to best get along, and some of the boys are starting to show an interest in the pre-teen, but wise-beyond-her-years, Alice Miranda.
This is book 20 in Alice-Miranda’s story, and so many readers will have followed her friendships and problem-solving detective skills over the years. Jacqueline Harvey continues to give Alice-Miranda a wise exploration of life and in this book a wonderful setting for her understanding of the world. She does always seem to be older than her years, a wonderful friend and relates to adults almost as a peer. With some interesting discussion of Egyptology, this may intrigue young readers. This is a book for those who love the series, aged 9-14.
I was drawn to The way from here because it promised ‘a mystery from the past’ on the front cover, and following a friend’s recommendation, I picked it up and was not disappointed. The mystery gradually unfolds, revealing family secrets from the past about her grandmother, mother, and sister.
After the sudden death of her sister Susie, Camilla is given a bundle of letters that directs her to scatter her ashes in various parts of the world. The first letter grabs the reader’s attention giving an insight into Susie and her life. The second letter sends Camilla off to London to view a painting of a horse in the National Gallery, and then the third letter has her travelling to the beautiful French Ile de Clare, where she finds more strange events to puzzle over before moving to a manor house in Devon. The settings are vividly described and leave the reader wishing to travel with Camilla.
This is a story about three generations of women, Nellie, Margaret, Susie, and Camilla all having secrets which have been kept from their families. The story is written from the viewpoint of Susie, telling her story set in 1998 when she has left the family farm to travel overseas, and of Camilla set in the present day following her as she reads the letters. Margaret, their mother, also gets to give her viewpoint of living in London in the 1960’s as does Nellie towards the end of the story when all is revealed. It is beautifully written and makes a compulsive read, with its themes of family, grief, secrets, truth, and love.
Fans of mysteries will be drawn to it, and may be surprised at the twists and turns, while readers who enjoy family sagas are sure to find it compelling.
