In this riveting new novel we are challenged to consider who did write the Ern Malley poems? Was it Ern Malley, who was poorly educated but who was indeed a thinker, who died when he was quite young. Ethel claims to have found the poems after her brother died, and while it seems to her to be quite sophisticated poetry, she simply assumes that he must have been clever, and indeed the poetry would suggest that she is right, if he had actually been the author. She decides to submit the poetry to the Adelaide writer, thinker, social critic, and well-known social commentator of the day, Max Harris. Stephen Orr’s captivating narrative takes us into two worlds and two time frames, the world of poverty and the struggle to survive in Sydney in the 1940s, and of the Adelaide in that same period. Interspersing time frames, Orr takes us into the 1980s. Max was a well-known critic and social commentator, and he befriends Ethel in this story. Indeed they work together to introduce Ern’s poetry, yet both historically and in the present day, the literary world still questions the authenticity of the poetry.
Stephen Orr depicts that older world so vividly, in his descriptions of the city of Adelaide, its streets, university and gardens, and we learn about life, at that time, in the suburbs of Sydney. It is fascinating to read about Max Harris, who was a strong critic of the literary world, a vibrant, intelligent man. In his responses to the Ern Malley poetry, it is obvious that he considers the poetry as powerful, indeed of literary merit, in that it awakens human minds to what life really means. Orr makes us aware that the provenance of the poetry is still open to debate, and that it may well have been a hoax. Yet these claims seem to be secondary to the challenging ideas that are elevated by the lyricism of the poetry that addresses intelligent responses to ideas of what life really is and what it all means.
The novel would be appropriate for older adolescent students, and indeed it would be a fascinating tome, in that we hear about a changing world where literature is rising in popularity, Orr having created such a strong sense of the different historical periods.
Themes Deception, Poetry, Adelaide (S.A.) - History.
Elizabeth Bondar
Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760297152. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
Wow! I am still thinking about this complex and unusual novel days after I finished reading it. It raises questions about the meaning of true love, all tied up with people using time travel pods to escape the dying world that they have created. Juliet Capulet lives in the now with a group of families who have chosen not to go to the future in search of a better life, but things are traumatic for her. Her love Romeo is in a coma and she has been ostracised by friends and family. When Ellis arrives from the future with a quest to wake Romeo, Jules begins to question her beliefs about love and starts to change her life.
Told from the points of view of Jules and Ellis and in five acts, the narrative jumps back and forwards in time, starting in 2083, flipping back to 2056 and concluding in 2107. The feelings that Jules has for Romeo are intense, and the reader will recognise much of Shakespeare's dialogue from Romeo and Juliet. As the story progresses, it becomes evident that Jules was not Romeo's girlfriend for very long and the author subtly questions Shakespeare's version of true love in comparison to real life. Ellis' connection to the book Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is slower to appear and more subtle.
While the theme of true love dominates, the concept of time travelling to the future to avoid the mistakes made in the present is a fascinating one, and Barker questions whether the future would be any better if mistakes are not rectified. The effects of climate change are vividly described in the dystopian London that Jules lives in.
There are some surprises for the reader in the clever plot twists and some tense moments when a stranger in a gas mask shoots at the pair. However, all is explained in a most satisfactory way in the end.
This would make a challenging group discussion book or class text. Extensive teacher's notes are available, as well as a video with the author discussing the book, and another video with a special message to teachers and librarians are available on the publisher's website.
Themes Time travel, True love, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare, Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte, Destiny, fate, Sustainability, Climate change.
Lenny is 12 years old and in his first year at 'big school' in Scotland. He is overweight and is a target for bullies both inside and outside of school. Lenny doesn't think much of himself, but we see he is witty, brave, empathetic and talented. He can sing brilliantly and writes insightful haiku poetry such as:
Teen, wearing boxers, Wants to kill his reflection Mirror always laughs
Lenny's parents are distant - his father is a lorry driver and is away from home a lot, while his mother spends most of her days moping around and writing letters to Lenny's absent older brother, Frankie.
To escape his bullies Lenny often skips school and sits on a bench next to the canal. This is where he meets Bruce, a homeless man living in a cardboard house.
Bruce takes Lenny under his wing and builds him up with kindness and wisdom. Bruce says "People are like countries . . . and countries are full of magical things, interesting places, and each one is unique . . . whatever shape or size, you're magical, interesting and unique, Lenny".
The unlikely friendship between Bruce and Lenny is heart-warming and leads them to embark on a road trip. The trip impacts all the relationships in the story and brings to light several truths that need to be told and heard, including the whereabouts of Frankie.
Lenny comes to see that he matters, he is loved and he can bring joy to others, while Bruce eventually opens up about his past and why he lives the way he does. Lenny's many haikus reflect the storyline throughout, becoming optimistic by the end.
Author Brian Conaghan was born and raised in Scotland and writes his characters with gentle humour, believable emotion and vibrant Scottish language. The story can be followed without necessarily understanding every word, but reading the dialect is fun and provides lots of low-pressure opportunities to practice inferring meaning of unknown words based on context clues.
A fantastic educational resource pack available for this book covers important discussion points such as bullying, homelessness, haiku poetry, body confidence and unexpected friendships.
Things don't go well for Tara on her first day at uni. After leaving her bag in a lecture hall she triggers a bomb scare, her hijab associated with the guise of a terrorist. It's not really surprising, she has become used to the looks, and the slurs, and now it seems she has become the bomb-threat girl. However, encouragement from friends sees her standing up for herself and running in the student elections for the Union board. She wants to ensure that students from all different backgrounds can come to the university without suffering harassment.
Haghdoosti’s novel, in exploring themes of diversity and inclusion, breaks down stereotypes in surprising ways. Tara’s parents are successful Iranian Australians; they disapprove of the hijab. Tara as a teenager is having to assert her own beliefs; her hijab provides a sense of worth, of not being dependent on other people’s approval. Her faith gives her strength and confidence.
At the same time she has friends who drink, party, revel in Game of Thrones, and who include a couple in a same sex relationship. Tara finds herself falling for one of the cool rich boys who is a natural flirt, but who might have more to him than just good looks, he might also be brave and honourable.
Many of the things Tara has to contend with are common to all teenagers, parental expectations, the macho culture of the university, even hazing rites, as well as finding one’s own values, and one’s own voice.
And if anyone is looking for how to explain sexual consent to teenagers, this book provides the perfect illustration: two teenagers attracted to each other, wanting to explore further, but one of them needs to take it a bit slower. Haghdoosti presents a respectful relationship, where it is fine to slow things down or change your mind, and consent is based on mutual agreement and understanding.
There is so much to appreciate in this debut novel by Sara Haghdoosti. I highly recommend it for YA readers.
This is an impressive debut picture book from Australian author and illustrator Nici Gregory. Her lively illustrations, that have drawn a comparison to Mercer Mayer's Little Critter series, work effortlessly in drawing the reader into a rich, wondrous world. Through a clever use of space, cleverly chosen colour and scale she somehow succeeds in making each page seem larger than its actual size. The characters themselves are often dwarfed by the greenery around them.
George and his little sister Lola have found Speedy the slug in the garden but when they stop in the kitchen for a snack Speedy disappears. Can they track their friend down? With the help of family and friends they manage to find their lost critter before deciding it's home time for bugs and slugs!
Beautiful frontpapers give tips for going on a bug hunt (complete with a reminder to release the creature at the end of the afternoon 'because creatures have families too'). This is the crux of the story too - a gentle reminder that nature belongs in nature and to tread carefully when enjoying its many wonders. Where's Speedy is for all those kids who love finding creepy crawlies in their garden, and especially those who forget to put them back! Children will love finding Speedy the slug hidden within each spread (he is quite tricky to find sometimes!) and the small humourous moments of the hunt (finding Granny in the bath, Grandad's mishearing). The non-stereotypical family depiction is also pleasing, with Mum fixing the car and Dad baking pretzels.
I could not put down this enthralling intergenerational story that starts in 1914 and spans the years to the end of the 20th century. In 1914 Tom Stott falls in love with Gracie O'Donnell, but she has been contracted to another man and he decides to enlist, first going to Egypt and then to the shores of Gallipoli. Gracie has a baby, Ben, who growing up, also seeks freedom from the constricted life in a small country town and moves to London where he meets Aisling. They have two daughters, Maoliosa and Debbie who too seek freedom in very different ways, Maoliosa as a nun and Debbie going to America. It is not until Debbie's son Noah arrives in Australia that the past will be revealed as he meets his great-grandmother Gracie, his grandfather Will, and other relatives.
Yaxley's narrative is very clever. Divided into six parts, he describes succeeding generations with care. The pre-war life on a farm and narrow thinking of some people in Tom and Gracie's time and the excitement of Kingsford Smith's flights and conquering of the skies in Ben's are vividly portrayed. Religion plays a very important role not only for Tom, but for Maoliosa who decides that the orderliness of a convent is the life for her. However, her sister Debbie finds the music of the 1960's gripping and follows her love to the US, leading a nomadic life, carting her young son Noah from place to place. Finally, when Noah comes to Australia, the truth about his place in the world begins to emerge.
There are hints about what has happened, and the astute reader will realise that the secret that Gracie has harboured all these years is the one that glues the story together and will be happy when it is finally revealed in an age when such things are no longer deemed scandalous. As well as secrets, the quest for love is an overarching theme along with the realisation that a love match may not always live up to one's expectations.
As one would expect from the winner of the Prime Minister's Literary Award in 2018 for This is my song, this is a powerful and touching story of one family’s voyage of discovery.
Land of big numbers is a collection of short stories mostly set in China, by journalist Te-Ping Chen. The first one 'Lulu' tells of twins: Lulu a brilliant university student, becomes more and more embroiled in dangerous online political activism, whilst her brother, less gifted, becomes obsessed with gaming. Lulu is repeatedly arrested by the authorities, each time her punishment more severe. Her brother, however, has the opportunity to fly to Sydney for the global gaming finals. These two themes of government control of people and the opportunities offered by current day technology recur in many of the stories and whilst they paint a picture of the China that Chen has come to know well, they are themes that reflect modern life around the world.
The final story 'Gubeikou spirit' describes people trapped on a train station platform waiting for a train that never comes. They can't leave because the rules state that you must leave from a different station to the one you entered. Any act of rebellion is gradually worn down to passivity as the people await their fate. Only Pan, a young woman, 'exhilarated and afraid' grabs the moment to escape, giving us hope that an individual can stand up and make a difference.
These are just two in a collection of really interesting and unusual stories, offering brief glimpses into people's lives, exploring change and issues of freedom and oppression, tensions between older generations and younger, rich and poor, the individual and the group, and within cross-cultural relationships. And while the stories are ostensibly about China, and fascinating for that aspect alone, they also raise issues that are relevant to all societies, providing a wealth of ideas for discussion.
Themes Short stories, China, State control, Freedom, Oppression.
Superheroes come in different shapes and sizes in this funny graphic novel set in Shipwreck Primary – a school for fish. Great white sharks, octopus and sea cucumbers are part of the teaching staff, and the students are various aquatic species all trying to survive normal school dilemmas. The new kid though seems to be of a different class of creature and Finn and his sea-creature pals try and work out why she seems to be different and a little bit elusive. This revelation is not saved to the end, and their new friend proves to be a speedy and potential rival to the bully Blake Kraken in the annual Great Ocean Race.
With quirky humour and beautifully illustrated graphic frames this will be a delight for lovers of the graphic novel genre. Between the narrative chapters are humorous profiles of the teaching staff. With hints of a super-hero 'Fintastic Four' friendship team and the inevitable conflicts with bullies and teachers, this is just a fun-tastic light-hearted and visually delightful underwater splash. Slightly older readers will recognise the visual humour and satire. A second book in the series is hinted at too!
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760876425. (Age:10+) Recommended.
Sky Dragons: Fly Free written by Anh Do is the second book in one of the author's latest series for upper middle grade and reluctant teenage readers. Once again Amber is on the run. She has caught the attention of the evil agents and relies heavily on her power over insects and ability to transform seemingly into a dragon to protect her from dangerous situations. However the Firefighter, known for his abilities with fire, has been sent to hunt her down. They meet and engage in a challenging fight where both are wounded. As Amber glimpses the scars on Firefighter's body a memory is triggered and she begins to wonder about his true identity. Amber escapes and Firefighter is taken to hospital where he is told he is no longer on the mission to capture the Skydragon. He begins to question what Agent Ferris has in store for him especially as triplet secret agents are given the tasks that he would normally have been responsible for. The capture of Amber is the predominant goal of the agent and no stone is left unturned. Fortunately Amber is continually on the move and with the amazing support of insect colonies she is able to outwit her enemies until the triplet agents bring about her downfall. Before this occurs Amber briefly reconnects with her neighbour in order to follow her instinct as to the identity of Firefighter. Amber also learns that her friend Justin has been trying to find her and she is able to have a passing meeting with him.
This second book continues to provide the reader with the perfect blend of excitement and danger. The graphic style illustrations by James Hart provide the readers with visuals to maintain their interest in the story. As with the first book, the ending leaves the reader wondering what will happen next and hoping that the third book in the series will be out soon.
Walker Books, 2021. ISBN: 9781760651374. (Age:Primary and devotees of wombats) Recommended.
Wombats are close to my heart. These rotund little creatures are fascinating and are important to my home state, as the Hairy Nosed Wombat is the SA animal emblem. I was predisposed to enjoy this book and it did not disappoint.
This picture book give lots of insight to the life and habits of the Common Wombat. I knew about the wombat's strong digging skills, their square shaped poo and nocturnal habits but I didn't realise that they have teeth that continue to grow forever or about the generosity of wombats in sharing their burrows for resting. They are territorial creatures and use their bony bottoms as an excellent defence barrier against predators, such as dingoes.
Christopher Cheng has created 2 text types which feature on each page. There is a narrative explaining the wombat's activities and informational text (in a different font to highlight the difference) for straight facts about wombats.
The appealing close up illustration of a wombat looking out from its burrow is a strong feature of the front cover and makes the book's topic very clear. The illustrations by Liz Duthie are a highlight of the book and spread from edge to edge on each page.
There is extra material about wombats at the end of the book and an index to help select different key words or topics.
This book can be read for information or just enjoyment. Teacher's notes are available.
I recommend this book for primary school aged students and all devotees of wombats.
Aussie Stem Star: Fiona Wood is the true story of Australian plastic surgeon, Fiona Wood, who came to prominence during the Bali bombings in 2002. Her life story is one of triumph over adversity. She was born into a poor mining family in a rural village in Yorkshire but was blessed with hard working parents who encouraged their children to strive for their very best and follow their dreams. As well as a champion athlete Fiona was also highly academic and was fortunate to attend an expensive school for her final years of schooling when her mother was able to secure a position there. Fiona had her sights set on becoming an astronaut and knew that she would have to work very hard to achieve high grades and then win a scholarship to university. While at university, Fiona came to love science and maths and followed her older brother in to the study of medicine. In 1987 Fiona and her husband moved to Australia where she was able to eventually continue her works as a plastic surgeon after a number of obstacles were overcome. In 1992 she began growing patient's skin in order to treat a burns victim and in 2002 her hard work, training and determination was put to the test in the treatment of multiple burns victims from the Bali bombings. Fiona Wood has won numerous awards including Australian of the Year for her work with burns patients.
This very interesting and well-written story makes compelling reading either independently or as a class novel. There are detailed teacher notes. There are also another four books in the Aussie Stem Stars series with more to be published in the future. Perfect for a school or public library.
Themes STEM, Auto-biography, Medical Techniques, Burns victims, Persistence, Resilience.
Kathryn Beilby
Dirt circus league by Maree Kimberley
Text Publishing, 2021. ISBN: 9781922330253. (Age:14+) Recommended.
I was hooked right from the Prologue as I read about the Surgeon grafting the eyes of birds onto the forehead of a young man. The action then turned to Asa, a bitter young woman on her way to live with a father that she did not know. She is angry and afraid, but willing to make a fresh start in the tiny outback town of Dirt Creek. Her neighbour Karen helps her to fit in but when the Dirt Circus League arrive, she is mesmerised by Quarter the leader of this notorious band of fighters and the thought of belonging to a family of teenage misfits.
Dirt Circus League is a fascinating mixture of thriller, coming of age and climate change activism. When violent fights, a very strange and dangerous cult worshipping Gaia and a heroine who has a touch of the sight is added to the mix, a gripping and unique story results. It is not for the faint hearted. The descriptions of the fights, the Surgeon's procedures, and the beliefs of the cult about The Time of the Return when no one lives beyond the age of 20 are quite frightening as is the Meat House where the Surgeon lives, described in the author's blog.
Asa is seeking resolution to her anger and her desire to belong. Hints are gradually revealed about why she is so angry and why she is living with her father who is more interested in going to the pub than getting to know his daughter. Karen offers her a home and a chance to understand connection to country, but Asa decides to join the Dirt Circus League. It is here that she finds her voice and courage to tell the truth about the cult's beliefs and try and rescue some of the members. She must fight her anger and her attraction to Quarter and be true to her inner integrity. One quote that caught my eye was the view that if you could fall in love, you could join a cult, and Asa is astute enough to realise that acting on her attraction to Quarter may not be the best outcome for her.
Extensive teacher's notes give insight into the novel which could be a challenging book for a class or small discussion group with its themes of belonging, power, anger management, science and ethics and connection to country. Readers interested in cults may like to read Boundless sublime by Lili Wilkinson.
Themes Cults, Science and ethics, Belonging, Connection to country, Violence, Fighting.
1865, southern England. Nell lives a quiet life, attempting to blend in despite having birthmarks that set her apart. Jasper Jupiter's Circus of Wonders comes to town, but Nell has no interest. The same cannot be said for everyone else, including her father, who sells her to Jasper. Betrayed and hurt, Nell cannot believe what has happened. But when Jasper tells her he can make her grand, she wonders if maybe she can be someone. Jasper's brother, Toby, is always by his side - through childhood, through the Crimean War (Jasper a soldier, Toby a photographer), and feels indebted to Jasper. But Nell has caught his eye, and things may be about to change.
Circus of Wonders is a different kind of historical fiction, where power is up for grabs, women are featured prominently and the circus is the centre of it all. Fans of the movie, The Greatest Showman, will enjoy this in depth exploration of the lives of the troupe who perform in the Circus of Wonders, with the story being shown from the points of view of Nell, Jasper and Toby. Macneal has created a realistic historical circus, complete with performing animals, spectacular acts and 'wonders of nature'. With flashbacks to the Crimean War, readers will be immersed in the past and 'present' of England in the 1800s and the Crimean war. Throughout the book, the underlying current of 'who owns/runs my life' is present for all the characters, something that many readers will find relatable.
Themes Historical Fiction; Circus; Romance; Ownership; Power; Beauty Perception; War.
Melanie Pages
The treehouse joke book 2 by Andy Griffiths. Illus. by Terry Denton
Pan Macmillan Australia, 2021. ISBN: 9781760980511. (Age:6-10) Recommended.
The Treehouse funsters have collated and illustrated a collection of jokes and riddles designed to tickle the fancies of their young readers. Most of these jokes are 'oldies, but goodies' that new generations of children will discover and share. I can see this book flying off the shelf and giggles being shared! With an array of knock, knock jokes and word play as well as slightly longer jokes this is not a reading challenge, but it will be enjoyed by readers aged 6-10. Terry Denton's cartoon illustrations are again a quirky delight.
This story will keep you laughing until the cows come home! The Nerd Herd is a hilarious and highly entertaining story, featuring a quirky and rambunctious lamb named Baarnabus; who likes to go by the name of Barny with one 'a', to be more precise. He, along with his two best friends Shaama Llama Ding Dong - a llama and Billy the Kid - an angora goat, live on a petting zoo type farm. After reoccurring incidents with the other overbearing farm animals, Barny decides they should create a gang to rule the farm and take charge. His friends are not so keen on the idea, but like true friends they support him in this adventure. As the 'gang' work together to reduce the chances of being beaten and bullied, they see another opportunity to reach hero status. But just when they think they have succeeded; they realise they have actually inadvertently created a further and more ferocious dilemma.
The storyline is fast paced and exciting, leaving the reader captivated and engrossed in how these three woolly friends will go in their endeavours to reach for higher farmyard status. The continual and clever play on words and puns throughout the story will keep you laughing out loud, as you turn each page. Both children and adults alike will be thoroughly entertained by this short novel. The engaging illustrations, comic panels and speech bubbles bring extra connection for the reader; enhancing their enjoyment, appealing to a broader audience and diversifying the reading level. If you enjoy genres like the Real Pigeons, you are sure to love The Nerd Herd too! When you reach the last page, you are left wanting more, and can't wait to go and get the next book in the series to see what happens to Barny and his friends.
Themes Teamwork, Friendship, Relationships, Humorous, Animals, Problem solving.
