The Carbon-Neutral Adventures of the Indefatigable Enviroteens by Andrew Martlew
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760526122.
(Age: 10-13) Cover indicates the author as: First Dog on the Moon.
This is a nonsensical adventure that is a cross between a cartoon
spoof adventure and a 'wimpy kid' exploration of climate change. At
no stage is it a serious attempt to address a grave issue, rather it
is sheer nonsense with 'heroes' that variously use baked goods to
inspire their super-powers, are animals with quirks that defy
description and have skills that enable them to create machines with
impossible qualities. One might almost imagine that the author was
having his own environmental meltdown when he wrote this weird and
whacky cartoon story. With language that has been comedically
created, villains that are almost insane, and illustrations that are
naive and silly, there are moments when this book is almost cleverly
absurd and other moments when it is just inane. Young readers may
find some joyous humour amidst the chapters, despite the fact that
Chapter 3 goes missing and must reappear later in the book in a
cameo appearance.
Although there is some vocabulary that will challenge some young
readers, mostly this is just a written cartoon with word play woven
around an important theme. Some of the humour is actually quite
clever and will fly over the heads of a young reader, but older
discerning readers will recognise the ironic amidst the idiocy.
Readers aged 10-13 may find this spoof appealing. Themes: Climate
Change; Comedy.
Carolyn Hull
Bindi by Kirli Saunders
Illus. by Dub Leffler. Magabala Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781925936667.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Seedlings. Cinders. Sprouts. These
are the three sections of this beautifully written heartwarming
story of Bindi, a young girl living on Gundungurra country, learning
from her Elders, enjoying the freedom of life outdoors with her
family, dogs and horses, and then facing a 'canbe', or fire, like
none their community has ever experienced before. From planting the
gum seedlings, to escaping the fire, to rebuilding afterwards,
Bindi's own life goes through a similar cycle. She is tossed from a
horse, and has to nurse a broken arm, just like her totem, the
garrall, or black cockatoo, with a broken wing. She and her bird
friend have to heal, gain strength and then venture out again. Bindi
learns from the Elders about cool burns that regenerate plants, new
sprouts that will grow. She is on the path to becoming a leader,
chosen to give expression to her talents in the design of an art
mural for the school.
The story is written in verse that flows easily, interspersed with
words from the Gundungurra language. It's not hard to work out their
meaning, but there is a glossary to refer to at the end if needed.
Black and white illustrations by Leffler give the impression of
fire-burnt charcoal drawings, with fascinating detail of insects,
feathers and plants, and the soaring of the black cockatoo on the
endpapers.
I love the humour and intimacy of the descriptions of family life
over the curried sausage dinner and rock melon dessert (soft fruit
because of Dad's teeth), potato bake made with French onion soup
mix, and other comforting food. I love how Bindi takes her
paintbrush 'for a walk' on her bedroom wall and her Dad acts
surprised or mad until he actually looks at the outcome. And I
haven't even mentioned the whole exciting world of school hockey.
But within this happy environment there are also small reminders of
more serious issues - Bindi's mother was a 'taken' child.
Saunders' story of Bindi and her loving family, good friends and
strong community is a positive affirmation of caring for others,
learning from Elders and taking care of Country; a junior fiction
novel clearly well deserving of the Daisy Utemorrah Award, and
hopefully the beginning of a series to be published by Magabala.
Themes: Fire, Caring for Country, Leadership, Respect, Aboriginal
culture, Aboriginal language.
Helen Eddy
Harry Potter: Christmas at Hogwarts: a movie scrapbook
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781526628244.
(Age: 8+). Highly recommended. Fans of the Harry Potter
phenomena will be thrilled to receive this latest offering to add to
their collection. Christmas at Hogwarts takes the reader on
an intimate and fascinating journey through the Christmas scenes
showcased in the film versions. The book goes into great detail
about the decorating of Hogwarts, the Yule Ball, the Slug Club
Christmas party in addition to other key Christmas events. As well
as offering the avid reader of the series new understandings into
the wizarding world at Hogwarts and further afield, there are
numerous interesting facts about the films that many fans would not
have known - such as the special effects department added witches on
brooms circling the top of the Christmas trees or that the costume
department kept a dedicated knitter on hand for all eight films to
produce Molly Weasley's jumpers and scarves. This collectible
scrapbook contains removable objects to entice the reader to delve
deeper with anticipation into its pages. There are bookmarks,
stickers, posters, sketches, illustrations and pre-drawings. Of
particular interest are the sketches of the costumes worn at the
Yule Ball. Behind the scenes photographs from the movies are
explained carefully and provide a valuable insight into the
complexity of creating the movie version as true to each book as
possible. This movie scrapbook has a beautiful cover with raised
gold writing and will unlock more of the Harry Potter curiosities
and make a wonderful addition to a Harry Potter fan's Christmas
gifts. Themes: Harry Potter, Wizardry, Witchcraft, Christmas, Magic,
Wonder, Film effects.
Kathryn Beilby
Tashi and the stolen forest by Anna and Barbara Fienberg
Australia Reads. Illus. by Kim Gamble. Allen and Unwin, 2020.
ISBN: 9781760878566.
(Age: 5-8) Highly recommended. Tashi has become a classic character
whose stories have been around since 1995 and have won a place in
the hearts of many children around the world. This book was part of
the Australia Reads campaign in November 2020 and can be
read as a stand-alone but regular Tashi readers will recognise all
the characters who bring this story to life; Much-to-Learn,
Wise-as-an-Owl, Lotus Blossom, Uncle Tiki Pu and of course the evil
Baron.
In this story Tashi discovers that the ancient forest is
disappearing quickly, and the villagers are running out of wood to
heat their homes. So, he goes out to find out who is responsible for
their theft and prevent the whole forest from vanishing forever.
This also means that Wise-as-an-Owl is extra busy with medicines and
potions for the sick villagers, so when he also falls ill, his son
Much-to-Learn must try to carry on alone. Much-to-Learn is working
on a new spell to make a fire potion that will keep everyone warm.
But disaster strikes when Much-to-Learn goes missing and Tashi needs
to work fast to find him and free him. There are Pirates involved
and that means extra danger and the need for a very clever plan for
Tashi to succeed against the Baron and his cronies.
The story is as captivating as all the other Tashi books and the
lovely line drawings by Kim Gamble are at just the right spots in
the book to enhance and keep the youngest of readers enthralled with
the story. Themes: Forests, Magic, Storytelling.
Gabrielle Anderson
Instant karma by Marissa Meyer
Macmillan, 2020. ISBN: 9781760983468.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Prudence Daniels is the eldest in a family
of five children named after Beatles songs. The family own a shop
that sells vinyl records, and music features throughout the story
through references, Karaoke sessions and the title of the book.
Prudence is a perfectionist and the reader meets her as instant
karma begins to bite. Prudence then accidentally received a blow to
the head (moving on to the second line of the Beatles song). As a
result of the blow, Prudence finds she has the ability to deliver
instant karma (positive and negative) - and she uses it. Being a
perfectionist, Prudence judges harshly and a focus for her efforts
is her lab partner, Quint Erikson. She believes Quint is responsible
for her receiving a C grade for their team report. However, all her
efforts to ensure Quint suffers karmic justice backfire.
Prudence (Pru) will stop at nothing in her bid to raise her grade.
Pru volunteers at a local animal rescue centre as part of her deal
with Quint to redo their assignment. Pru discovers that Quint's
mother owns and manages the refuge and that Quint also works at the
refuge. Here we see Pru, at times an unlikeable and flawed
protagonist, learn to challenge her assumptions and trust others
enough to work with them collaboratively.
This easy to read romance provides an insight into the world of
animal refuges. The author relied on information provided by the
Pacific Marine Mammal Center to expand on the operations of the
centre as well as the rescue, rehabilitation and release of seals
and sea lions.
Pru tentatively develops a respect for animals and re-evaluates her
estimation of Quint. Their relationship blossoms amid
misunderstandings, storms and accusations of theft. This is the
perfect book for the person restrained, in working with or trusting
others, by perfectionism.
The print is small and the margins close to the edge of the page.
For some readers this will influence their choice to read this book.
Themes: Relationships (family, friends), Romance, Animal
sanctuaries, Karma.
Linda Guthrie
The boy, the wolf and the stars by Shivaun Plozza
Penguin Random House Australia, 2020. ISBN: 9781760893453.
(Age: 9-12) Highly recommended. Bo is a young boy, abandoned by his
mother at an early age and taken in by an old woodcutter. But to the
nearby villagers Bo is looked upon as cursed because he survived a
night in the dark without being eaten by the ravenous Shadow
creatures that have inhabited the dark since the Wolf ate the stars.
Mads feeds and cares for Bo as long as he does his chores. One day,
when Bo loses the special powder that he must spread around the
oldest tree in the forest, the magical tree begins to die.
Unknowingly Bo has unleashed a giant wolf who comes to find Mads
hoping to get the keys that will release his brother wolf (who ate
the stars). On his deathbed, after fighting the wolf, Mads sets Bo
the task of finding the keys and releasing the stars to save the
world from the bad magic.
An elaborate quest begins and has so many unexpected twists and
turns that it is a difficult book to put down. The story is set in a
complex world and the book includes a helpful map and pages that
explain the history of the land of Ulv. There are marvelous
characters who join Bo on his mission: Bo's best friend Nix, the
little fox who seems to be able to communicate with Bo and keeps him
safe. Tam, a fearsome Korahku, half bird half man and sworn enemies
of the Irin (Bo's people). And Selene, the very imaginative, and
orphan girl who is trying to hide her magic powers.
Bo puts himself down constantly through the story and often voices
the fact that no-one has ever cared for him enough to miss him. But
slowly he comes to realise his anger at Mads, his mother and his
situation needs to change for him to be truly happy and have a
fulfilling life.
The book has a powerful message for children who need a boost to
self-esteem, and it would make a great read-aloud to middle and
upper primary students. Themes: Good and evil, Fear, Locks and Keys,
Magic, Rejection.
Gabrielle Anderson
The book collectors of Daraya by Delphine Minoui, translated by Lara Vergnaud
PanMacmillan, 2020. ISBN: 9781529012323.
(Age: Adult) Highly recommended. How do you even begin to describe
this book? For most people, Syria is a far-off place in the midst of
a war that not many could say what it is about. We just know that
cities are being destroyed and its people are fleeing as refugees.
President Bashar al-Assad has painted the rebels as militant Islamic
terrorists led by Daesh or ISIS. However journalist Delphine Minoui
stumbles on an online photograph of the secret library of Daraya,
the Damascus suburb under siege by Assad's forces. It shows young
men browsing before neatly arranged shelves of books. It is an
underground library of books rescued from the rubble of bombs, each
book with the previous owner's name meticulously recorded on the
first page, in the hope that one day the book will be reunited with
its owner. In the meantime, the library is the haven of the young
rebel fighters, not terrorists, but idealistic young men who want
freedom and democracy for their country. They collect the books and
share them; the titles range from the love poems of Nizar Qabbani to
Shakespeare, to Saint-Exupery's Little Prince, to American
self-help books, to J.M Coetzee and Paulo Coelho. The library
becomes a safe meeting place for ideological discussions and English
language classes.
Outside the library the inhabitants of Daraya faced the ongoing
barrage of barrel bombs, sarin gas attacks and napalm. Minoui tells
us the story through snatched moments on WhatsApp, FaceTime and
Skype, text messages and shared photographs and videos. We get to
know each of the young men who protect the library, their passion
for books, photography, art, and poetry, and their dreams for a
better future for their country.
Daraya falls in the end, the besieged inhabitants beaten by
malnutrition and starvation. But Minoui's book remains a testament
to the courage of the young men who fought back against a cruel
dictator and aspired for a better world.
Themes: Books, Libraries, War, Resistance, Freedom, Syria.
Helen Eddy
Little Jiang by Shirley Marr
Illus. by Katy Jiang. Freemantle Press, 2020 ISBN: 9781925816471.
(Age: 8-10) Recommended. After moving from China to the small town
of Honeywood, in Australia, Mei Ling Pang and her parents are
struggling to fit in. Her father's sight is failing, and her
mother's health also seems to be slowly deteriorating. Desperate to
find a friend and make her parent's restaurant popular in their new
home Mei will try just about anything to help. Then the creepy
mortician from the Morgue next door uses a potion to wake the dead
and a small boy vampire (Little Jiang) arrives at school and starts
to follow Mei around. He has strange clothes, green skin and fangs
and seems to be very hungry all the time. He is not the friend Mei
so desperately wanted but he seems harmless enough.
Mei has always been able to see the spirits of the dead and speak to
them but in her Aunt's opinion she is just cursed. In some ways the
ghosts help her and in this case one is particularly helpful. The
Peony Princess is a very interesting character, part princess, part
giant fox with the ability to change faces and shape according to
her needs. When the townspeople start to turn into drooling
Chi-sucking vampires (Jiangshi) it is up to Mei, her spirit friends
in Ghostland, her parents and the Bagua Master to save the day. A
trip to Ghostland with the Peony Princess, some very quick thinking
and lots of sticky rice balls save the day in the end.
This book is a great mix of rollicking adventure and ancient Chinese
mythology and will appeal to young readers who are already attracted
to stories with zombies and other creepy characters. Mei is a
character that shows them that having the right attitude and
fighting for your beliefs will win over your harshest critics in the
long run. The twelve black and white illustrations add important
detail and enhance the story for the readers. Teacher's
notes are available. Themes: Chinese Folklore, Vampires, Luck.
Gabrielle Anderson
A Guinea Pig Night before Christmas
Guinea Pig classics, photographed by Phillip Beresford, sets
made and designed by Tess Newall. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020 ISBN:
9781526613561.
(Age: All) Recommended. Guinea pigs photographed in cute costumes
are the feature of this rendering of the classic Christmas story The
night before Christmas. The publishers have not changed the
text of the original poem at all, they have just used the guinea
pigs and a cute little stuffed mouse as the"actors" in this story.
The detail of each costume is amazing, my favourite being the line
of guinea pig reindeers in the centre of the book, priceless.
Many children who saw this book commented that the lead reindeer was
not Rudolf, but the publishers have added 'the ninth reindeer' in a
cute little cameo at the end of the book with an explanation as to
why he doesn't appear in the original poem. There is a brief
paragraph towards the back of the book about pets being abandoned
around the Christmas season reminding us that we can support local
rescue centres with donations in the holiday season. The Guinea Pig
actors are also credited at the end of the book.
This book is one of a growing number of adorable titles in this
series with some of the other titles including The Nutcracker,
A Christmas Carol, A Guinea Pig Nativity,Romeo
and Juliet, Oliver Twist and Pride and Prejudice.
A Facebook page "Guinea Pig classics" is also mentioned by the
publishers on their website. Themes: Christmas, Guinea pigs, Classic
stories.
Gabrielle Anderson
The werewolves who weren't by T.C. Shelley
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781526600806.
(Age: 10-12). Recommended for mature readers who have read the first
book. Follow up to 2019's The
monster who wasn't, which is a must-read before picking
up this one. This story continues from the events in the first book
and there are multiple concepts and relationships that are difficult
to make sense of without the earlier background.
Sam looks like a normal boy but has a unique secret. He is half
monster and half fairy, hatched only 4 months ago, with great
strength and heightened senses. He is adopted by a human family and
settles into a human life, including starting at school.
At school he meets three other students who smell nice to him but
initially act very oddly. It turns out they have a secret too, one
that makes them just as strange as Sam is, and so the foursome
quickly form a strong bond.
Then a figure from Sam's past returns and seems to be using fairy
dust to subdue and gather up monsters. Sam's friends vanish and new
threats emerge as Sam races to figure out what's happening and why.
He must weigh up where his loyalties lie and what he is willing to
lose, and this sets the scene for a mighty struggle for survival.
This story is quite complex overall, rather wordy in parts (I found
myself skipping through some of the longer descriptive passages
between action scenes) and full of wonderful detail about various
types of fanciful monsters. A younger reader may find this book
difficult and/or frightening.
For the mature reader though it has lovely themes of belonging,
identity, loyalty and friendship. West Australian author Shelley
includes some humour too showing Sam still getting used to human
life and speech (at one point he says "mistaken toe" where he means
'wrong foot'). The ending is hopeful and very intriguing, obviously
paving the way for book 3 which is due in 2021.
Themes: Monsters - fiction, Gargoyles, Families, Fairies,
Relationships, Dogs, Werewolves, Adventure.
Kylie Grant
I stole my Genius sisters’ brain by Jo Simmons is a cautionary tale that will have children (and their parents) laughing out loud. This story is about a not so smart boy who hatches a plan to get his smarty-pants sister’s brain! He is a funny kid who loves experimenting and inventing and just really wants to go to an Invention Fair in Paris. He thinks that by becoming smart his parents will treat him better and give him more attention.
This funny book really hooked me in and had me staying up late to finish it! I really enjoyed the character portrayal, and how the author engaged the reader with plot twists and turns.
Children will also love this book because it is full of disgusting inventions sure to make them giggle, this part especially engaged by 11-year-old who would usually rather read a comic!
The illustrations added to the humour of the story and really made the characters come to life. The hair in particular is worth a mention…..It has movement, height and flair! It really adds to the engagement factor!
My only disagreement with the author is the depiction of the parents. They were very focused on Keith’s sister Minerva and didn’t seem to treat Keith well when he had something he wanted. Otherwise, it is a really fun read about sibling relationships.
I liked that by the end there is a realisation that the siblings really want what the other has and there is a possibility that they will unite as a family and become happier and more as one.
Illus. by Matt Ottley. Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781925381894.
(Age: children to adults). Highly recommended. How to Make a
Bird written by Meg McKinlay is a poignant and striking
picture book that would be suitable for readers of any age. The
story is of a young girl who creatively constructs a bird from
objects she finds in the natural world such as bones, shells and
feathers. We see her growing collection of smallish items in an old
battered case that she spreads on the floor to choose from in order
to enhance her ever-evolving bird. She adds a heart and colour but
still the bird sits as cold as a statue. The child knows that to set
her bird free she must gather it in to her hands, give it life and
gently let it go. This young girl has worked through a design
process from the conception of an idea to her final creation. This
story shows how even the smallest idea can be transformed into a
work of beauty and creativity.
The illustrations by artist Matt Ottley are simply stunning. Muted
in tones but steeped in detail they complement the text perfectly.
One reading is not enough of this book, there is so much to be
gained by poring over each page and searching for more clues to
understand the flow of the story. A truly inspiring and gentle read.
Teacher's
notes are available. Themes: Birds, Ideas, Design, Nature,
Imagination, Creating.
Kathryn Beilby
The Greatest Inventor by Ben Brooks
Hachette Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781786541123.
(Age: primary) Recommended. This is a quirky story, full of whimsy.
Many children already know Ben Brook's books through the very
popular Boys who Dare to be Different 1 and 2 and Kids
who Dare to be Different. These books do not languish for long
on shelves. Brook's new book The Greatest Inventor does not
disappoint.
Victor, our hero, is a really good sort. In an unusual beginning the
prologue is narrated by the story teller who has writer's block. The
writer, lost in a forest in snowy Finland, is rescued by a boy who
subsequently becomes the hero of the story. My class of ten year
olds were captured after the prologue.
Victor feels that his little village is too boring and safe. He
desperately wants adventure. The villagers have hard, honest lives
and owe nobody anything. One day the self- styled . . . "greatest
inventor ever to set foot in the land of King Marshalla" arrives and
attempts to sell contraptions. The villagers won't buy. In anger he
casts a malicious spell over the village. Victor must release the
village from the spell. He travels with an unlikely companion a
talking turtle (tortoise?) called Saint Oswald. As they follow the
inventor, they come upon villages that are under the spell of the
inventor's contraptions. Other children, intent on rescuing their
villages, join them on their quest.
It becomes apparent that other villages have fallen into debt and
are doomed to permanent servitude. A monumental battle between the
children and the forces of evil ensures. In the end they all go home
which is where all good stories should end.
This book is a satisfying, mischievous romp - pure escapism. George
Ermos's black and white illustrations enhance the text. The children
are grounded in solid values. Sanity is restored to a world that has
lost touch with what really matters. Victor realises that he is part
of a world much bigger than himself. A delightful, fantastical romp
with a message.
Recommended for Primary aged children.
Wendy Jeffrey
Rise of the Mythix: Mighty minotaur by Anh Do
Illus. by Chris Wahl. Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760876401.
(Age:10+) Recommended. The second in the series which began with Golden
Unicorn, has a heady mix of legends and myths; the
unicorn, griffin and minotaur, and also encapsulates a hardy breed
of new heroes and anti heroes, as a Soul Collector stalks Kelly's
days as her powers develop. The two fought in book one, forcing her
to take heed of the powers developing within her and do something
about it. A dystopian Australia is under the yoke of a tyrannical
ruler, and in this second outing, Kelly must combine all of her wits
and skills to defeat him after Kelly's mother is kidnapped. Now Minh
is aware that that his body is changing too and so the pair can
combine their abilities to protect those they love.
All the daring of Percy Jackson with hints of Lord of
the Rings, and many other fantasy stories, the characters in
this book are well rounded and combined with good plotting, making
it a breeze to read.
Comic book style illustrations by Chris Wahl add to the fun of the
book, giving a clear image of each of the characters and what they
are doing. And at 200 or so pages, will keep those hooked on the
series, well fed.
Themes: Adventure, Dystopia, Tyranny, Future, Myths and legends.
Fran Knight
Googol boy by John Michael
Big Sky, 2021. ISBN: 9781922387141. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
This is a hilarious book, that I struggled to put down! It follows the story of Howie who goes from a not so clever, average student to one who is super-smart through a freak lightning accident.
We learn about many interesting characters, strange animals and there is always something going on in his life!
The trials and tribulations of his life and the mystery of the Great Quiz Trophy are the features of this story and along with slapstick humour and extreme sarcasm make you want to keep turning the pages. The dialogue that flows through the book is witty and clever, with funny names and explanations that had me in stitches. The author really knows how to create characters you wont forget.
I thought that Googol Boy was a great book for building images in your head as you read, the characters seemed to have their own voices as I read and the illustrations were so well placed throughout the book! Each illustration helped build interest and add emotion to what I had put together in my head.
The text in this book is very well spaced which I liked. There is good line spacing which makes it easier to read and is a great incentive for students who might think the book is too long and are tentative at this level of reading.
Overall a hilarious book thatI would recommend to children ages 8 and above. 4 out of 5 stars!
