Breaker Morant’s story has echoes in the current crisis facing the Australian SAS soldiers who fought in Afghanistan. In Fitzsimons’ book a small elite force operating in hostile Boer territory in South Africa in the early 1900s, becomes embroiled in controversy due to the brutal killing of non-combatants.
The story of Harry Morant is told through extensive research into his life and the story of the Boer War. Morant is described objectively as a larger than life character, who invented his own persona but at the same time developed skills as a drover, horseman, bush poet, and soldier. He engineered wildly untrue stories about himself that were accepted by others and ensured he had hero status long after his trial and execution for murder.
A brief description of Breaker Morant’s early life and Australian bush adventures is followed by chapters two to nine which provide the background to the Boer attacks on British forces and the largely Australian stand at the heroic, terrible and ferocious battle of Elands River in August 1900. The second half of the book returns to the subject and thoroughly examines the roles of various personalities that made up the leadership of the Bushveldt Carbineers that included Morant.
This is a book for mature readers and contains vivid accounts of battle. Peter Fitzsimons writes in the present tense with an eccentric observational style. The author has very definite views about the morality of the Breaker and his associates: they were cruel and murderous. The book, with detailed footnotes, is accompanied by excellent photographs and maps that enlighten the reader about a distant largely unknown and forgotten war.
Themes Boer War, Breaker Morant, Australian identity.
Paul Pledger
Let's go! On a plane by Rosalyn Albert. Illus. by Natalia Moore
Catch a Star, 2020. ISBN: 9781921928802. (Age:1+)
Ideal for the parent who is planning to travel by air with a very young child, Let’s Go! On a plane is an enjoyable introduction to this mode of transport. And for those who would like to fly in an aeroplane, this gives all the information that is needed to see how this form of transport operates.
The first double page spread shows the planes ready on the tarmac, with luggage being loaded and flight attendant boarding and from then on, the book describes what can be seen high up in the sky, the pilot in the cockpit and finally the adventure of landing safe and sound.
Written in simple rhymes, it is good to read aloud and Natalia Moore’s colourful illustrations give plenty of detail for young readers to explore.
Subtitled The descent of Henry Kendall this biography does not describe a descent so much as a struggle to rise. Once regarded as Australia’s finest poet, his life story is however a tale of an uncertain man, without a great deal of education, forever trying to garner favour, casting aside friends who could no longer advantage him, and descending too frequently into alcoholism and destitution. Mitchell traces Kendall’s disreputable ancestors, people with a willingness to defraud even those most close to them, something that the poet himself also descends to in times of poverty.
Whilst no doubt of interest to readers of Kendall’s poetry, eager to learn more of the poet’s life, Mitchell’s book is most fascinating in its careful analysis of facts, its questioning of a romantic view of the past, and its exposure of how myths become entrenched in the historical record, stories that just don’t fit with times and dates. It raises interesting questions of how history is created, things embellished and things forgotten, to create a story that suits us. But Mitchell’s record is just as interesting; his story is of a very fallible man, an outsider, who wanted to be better but whose failings continually drew him down.
Whilst Mitchell never attempts to garner sympathy for his subject, he does highlight the hardships of the life of the artist, and readers must sometimes feel that things are not so different today for people who struggle to make a career in the arts.
Themes Non-fiction, Poets, Australian poetry.
Helen Eddy
The music advantage by Dr. Anita Collins
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760875886. (Age:Adult) Recommended.
Music is good for your brain… and for social development and wellbeing. Many may be aware of the link between music and mathematics, but were you aware of how learning a musical instrument helps in the development of literacy skills, reading, study skills, self control, leadership and teamwork? Collins presents all the evidence in an easy to read way that makes sense. And for the academically minded, each chapter also includes references for further reading if desired.
The book is divided into sections about different age groups, from baby to starting school, to middle school, to teenager; so parents could select to just read the section of relevance to them. There is something to take away in every chapter.
This book is a must have for every music teacher; it provides the evidence for what they might know intuitively, and the answers to many a tricky parent question. But it is also a useful book for every junior primary teacher, for school principals and parents, and deserves a place in teacher preservice education for the insights it provides about the way children learn.
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760877859. (Age:10+) Recommended.
Ethan has spent a week on the run. He has transformed from being a teenager with a brain tumour to a super-human with power to hack any electronic computer system using his thoughts only. Doctor Penny, a well-renowned surgeon and roboticist, has joined Ethan as a fugitive from both the evil President Bonner and her own android creation, Gemini.
Book Two of this fast-paced story is set in an arena where The Robofight Games are being held. The Games are an opportunity for each land to showcase their mastery of robotics. In this final event six incredible robots fight each other to find the eventual winner. Each robot is highly unusual and skilled in various ways. The participants are Arachnatron from Harkland, Nightmare from the Nations of the Arid Plains, Battle Moon from France, Gardener from Oceania, Hammerhead from Equatoria and Gemini from Titus. Without the detailed illustrations by Chris Wahl the reader would have a difficult time to visualise how complex and different each of these robots are. While the fight is taking place Ethan and Penny are desperate to track down Gemini and re-programme him in order to eliminate his desire to eliminate E-Boy. On their mission, they have to outwit Agent Ferris, a People's Service Agent as well as using Ethan's amazing skill to dismantle numerous computer systems. Ethan and Penny also become aware of a disastrous plot being set in motion by the nefarious President Bonner. To thwart this becomes their prime objective but the cost will lead to the unravelling of the pair.
Anh Do continues to entertain his readers with his understanding of what appeals to his readers and how to maintain this engagement. Hopefully Book Three is not too far away.
Themes Robots, Androids, Good vs Evil, Fighting, Computer Systems, Trust, Danger, Team Work.
A bemused Una looks at the readers from the font cover, dressed in a hand me down space suit, Mum’s old Ugg boot, Neil’s home (Neil is a goldfish) on her head and her old ski gloves, floating about in the dark blue space a long way from Earth. Since birth she has been focussed on becoming an astronaut and going off into space, a far more interesting place than the planet she lives on. After several failed attempts she is there, moving from one planet to another, checking each out, seeing if she can discover one that supports life. And each is scrutinised: Mercury moves so quickly that each of her years is equivalent to 88 Earth days, Saturn has no life, but one of its many moons has its own atmosphere, Jupiter, 11 times the size of Earth is all gas, Venus has an average temperature of 465 degrees Celsius, Uranus is shrouded with stinking layers of clouds of hydrogen sulphide, and Neptune the one furthest away from Earth has a temperature of minus 214 degrees Celsius. All planets are exposed as unsuitable to support life, so she sits on the Kuiper belt and eats her sandwiches. She spots a blue planet in the distance. What could it be? Kids will explode with laughter as they recognise the planet that is habitable, and join with the author in his plea for us to look after it.
This entrancing trip around our Solar System will intrigue and delight all readers, from the youngest to those reading it to their kids. The information given is readily absorbed, illuminating and funny in a way not usually used as a vehicle to describe the planets.
Themes Space, Space travel, Imagination, Planets, Solar system, Earth.
Fran Knight
The good sister by Sally Hepworth
Pan Macmillan Australia, 2020. ISBN: 9781760552190. (Age:13+)
The Castle sisters are twins. Fern is autistic and as high functioning and likeable as Don Tillman of The Rosie Project series. However, she is, in equal measure, very susceptible to sensory overloaded situations. The girls have always been inseparable, and Rose has always felt the need to protect Fern - now it's Fern's turn to help Rose who is struggling to fall pregnant.
Hilariously, Fern decides to approach a random, attractive, intelligent stranger, bed him and carry her sister's long-awaited baby as a surprise. A nomadic software designer, Rocko, aka Wally, is the surprise package - tender, understanding and often stricken by his own anxiety. He has no idea he is the target sperm donor. Despite hitting it off, Rose persuades Fern to dump him rather than tell him about the baby.
Sally Hepworth very gradually reveals the girls' true natures but not before this family thriller ends in at least two murders. This is a layered narrative with conflicting versions of reality - Fern groomed to believe her own ineptitude and Rose writing a journal about her mother's supposed cruelty and preference for Fern. Moreso it is a revelation about sociopaths convincingly exploiting humankind's strong 'default to truth' bias to actualize their long-term plans.
Uplifting us from these dark turns of events, is the support of Wally and Fern's work colleagues and friends at the library. Fern has little means and no status but her diligence, skill, and forthright kindness makes her deserving of respect and care. Can Fern find happiness and peace at last?
This is destined to be a very popular title for all teens and adults.
Themes Thriller, Family.
Deborah Robins
How to make a friend in 6 easy steps by Dhana Fox. Illus. by James Hart
Scholastic, 2021. ISBN: 9781760973414. (Age:4+)
Rosie has a new book which is all about making friends. According to her book it only takes six easy steps. The first step is to smile, the second is to introduce yourself with a fun fact, the third is to say something nice, the fourth is to entertain with a party trick, the fifth is to share your favourite game or hobby and the final step is to ask your new friend to play. These are all excellent ideas for finding a friend and Rosie tries them all. However Rosie is a shark with lots of teeth and the other sea creatures are scared of her and she is left alone. Will Rosie ever find a friend?
This is a very appealing picture book for younger readers who will love the bright illustrations and simple text. A perfect book for the start of the new kindy or school year for teaching children how they might make a friend.
Themes Friendship, Sea Creatures.
Kathryn Beilby
A really short history of nearly everything by Bill Bryson
Bill Bryson has an insatiable curiosity about how things began and all things Science related. He is well-known for his books on travel, the English language, science and other non-fiction topics. In A Really Short History of Nearly Everything the author has condensed his extensive research into a large, colourfully illustrated book which will appeal to those younger readers who love facts about all sorts of scientific fascinations. The single topic double page spreads have cartoon-style drawings with various facts highlighted and the information presented in a clear and easy to read and follow format. The detailed contents page has the myriad of topics covered listed under seven distinctive headings. Following this is a welcoming foreword by Bill Bryson where he gives the reader an overview of his questioning and searching and where this has lead him. All sorts of facts about atoms, dinosaurs, meteors, inventors and scientists, the age of Earth as well as our own body bacteria are some of the engrossing areas of interest. For those of us who have had to learn and memorise the Periodic Table there is some interesting background information given and an explanation of how the table was formed. At the end of the book there is an extensive index as well as picture credits.
This book would be a welcome and valuable addition to a classroom or home library.
Themes Science, History, Time, Space, Human Body, Our Earth.
Kathryn Beilby
Wolf Girl 4: The Traitor by Ahn Do
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760877866. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
The Traitor is the fourth thrilling book in the Anh Do series about Gwen, her newest companion Rupert, a pack of dogs and an eagle who are searching for lost humans in this dystopian setting. The dogs are searching for their owners and the two children are on the trail of their parents. In this story the pack are attempting to follow the scent of Gwen's mother's scarf and heading into unknown territory. When the wolf Sunrise splits mysteriously from the pack after sniffing the scarf, Gwen is both devastated and disappointed as she strongly felt the pack was bound by trust. The pack then makes a decision to track Sunrise. It is up to Nosey to follow her trail and they are lead into a dangerous reptile park where gigantic lizards, Komodo Dragons, anacondas, rattlesnakes and iguanas do their best to trap the intruders. After a challenging battle and difficult escape the pack are led by Sunrise's scent to a heavily guarded mansion with satellite towers and guards, both human and animal. It is there they find Sunrise who has reunited with her family. Will Sunrise choose her family over her new pack? Will Gwen, Rupert and the pack escape from the dreaded Captain Stone? Will Gwen and Rupert find a new lead to tracking down their parents? Two of these questions will be answered but one will be revealed in further books.
The pack has a difficult journey ahead but Anh Do keeps the young reader on the knife-edge wanting to know more and see a resolution for all who are searching.
Lachlan Creagh's illustrations continue to support the text making this series an excellent read for those reluctant readers who enjoy visuals images to maintain their interest.
This book is not simply for the Port Adelaide Football Club true believers, it is not just for AFL supporters. This story is an example of how determination and hard work can strengthen ties, both cultural and commercial, between two very different societies. It demonstrates that ties formed through non-political associations can create bonds that can outlast the current political machinations.
For anyone who has visited China they will be aware that one old cliche is true "We have a lot more that connects us than divides us". This was apparent to the players led by their captain Tom Jonas, through to the CEO and Chairman. Port Adelaide Football Club has a fantastic history of inclusion and that has held them in good stead through this experience.
Andrew Hunter holds a Master of Philosophy (Asian Studies) and is an athlete in his own right. He was hired by the Port Adelaide Football Club to advance its engagement with China. This engagement was an ambitious strategy for an AFL club struggling both on and off the field.
The author details the challenges involved where such different business, social and political cultures exist. However what comes through is just how many people from both societies had only the best of intentions for this project.
Robert McNair
Old enough to save the planet by Loll Kirby. Illus. by Adelina Lirius
Old Enough to Save the Planet champions children and teenagers who are involved in climate change projects. What an uplifting and engaging book which shows that even simple activities such as turning school food waste into compost for the city makes a big difference. Twelve children from across the world have been chosen as ambassadors.
Felix from Germany began Plant for the Planet when he was nine, encouraging local school children to plant new trees when forests are cut down. When she was twelve, Adeline from Indonesia formed Friends of Nature after flooding impacted the native mango trees and caused problems with the natural environment. Shalise from Australia began a campaign to clean up beach pollution at the age of eleven.
Each double page spread is beautifully illustrated showing the environment where each ambassador began their campaigns. The text flows throughout the colourful pages, describing how the children began their actions and notes about the impact of climate change, human pollution, gas emissions, poaching and rainforest decimation occurs. Empowering statements written in bold are the titles for each changemaker, Hengde School in China - 'we're dedicated enough to save water.'
Old Enough to Save the Planet is an excellent resource for Environmental Education, in primary and lower secondary schools. Adeline Lirius uses natural tones and brings the different environments to life. Finally, there are action plans for ways for children and teens to begin their own campaigns and make their causes heard. Real photos and links to websites would have added the impetus for further research.
Rhyllis Bignell
Yorick and Bones by Jeremy Tankard and Hermione Tankard
HarperCollins, 2020. ISBN: 9780062854315.
This is an hilarious story about a skeleton who is roused from his death when a hot dog vendor collides with a witch causing a potion she's carrying to spill from her hands and seep into Yorick's grave. He awakens, surprised to find he has slept so long that he has lost his memory until a dog digs him up. All that Yorick wants is a sausage and someone to share it with but while he finds the sausage easily enough, finding a friend is a harder task.
Subtitled The lost graphic novel by William Shakespeare, this is a graphic novel for the upper end of the readership of this blog because the text has been written in Shakespeare's language and iambic pentameter rhythm, making it one for those independent enough to cope with that. At the same time, it may well capture older readers' imagination, particularly those familiar with Shakespeare's works as there are references that have been cleverly adapted throughout. Something different to offer those who declare that they have 'read everything'.
Barbara Braxton
Treasures of the deep by Andrew McGahan
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760524845. (Age:15+) Recommended.
The Ship Kings is a series set in created lands where ocean-going travel, warfare and magical mysteries swirl together in complex narratives. Having read the first of the series - The Coming of the Whirlpool, I was interested to return to this latest book, Treasures of the Deep, threaded with the stories of the 'Scapegoats', the good luck or bewitched seers who travel with the sailors in McGahan's created North Sea world. These blighted souls live difficult lives as they see into the future, and their stories are compelling and awful as the mystery of Dow Amber (the original 'hero' of the Ship Kings series) continues as an undercurrent to the action. With lives lost, ships floundering in frozen wastelands or locked in the grip of a creature of the deep, there is mystery and horror aplenty for the crippled and tortured scapegoats and the sailors who sail the cruel seas and traverse time in this book.
This book could potentially stand alone, a 'lone ship' in the Ship Kings series, but it will be most enjoyed by those who have discovered the mysterious adventures of the previous books. This is more intense and more magical than the Ranger's Apprentice and Brotherband series, but it would be a wonderful next step for those who have discovered this action-adventure genre.
The writing of this book is elegant, intelligent and mature and readers aged 15+ will be most impressed with the adventurous ride.
Themes Fantasy; Sailing; Mystery; Adventure.
Carolyn Hull
Harry Potter:The broom collection by Jody Revenson
The Broom Collection and Other Artefacts from the Wizarding World is a beautifully presented companion to The Wand Collection in which all the magical wands used by each character in the ever-popular Harry Potter movies were profiled in a visually stunning book. This next book is just as appealing and discusses enchanted broomsticks, the characters who ride them and their creators. For example, Alastor ‘Mad-Eye’ Moody’s broom was designed by concept artist Adam Brockbank who was inspired by Moody's 'gun-slinger-style' coat and wanted an Easy Rider look for the broom. It has a seat plus legs forward to look like a motorcycle. Draco Malfoy rides a jet-black Nimbus 2001 with a straight handle and a snake-like tip. The foot pedals on this broom are similar to a bicycle.
The book begins with a Contents page and leads in with a brief introduction about brooms followed by a detailed chapter about Brooms in the Wizarding World where the reader is able to learn about the process for the construction and usage of the brooms throughout the books and movies. In each chapter individual brooms are described as well as other interesting facts about all aspects of Quidditch. There are also captivating facts about brooms assisting the main charades in escaping danger and information from behind the scenes from some of the cast and crew. Towards the end of the book are the blueprints for the brooms and a detailed and cleverly presented broom index.
The Broom Collection would make a wonderful addition to the library shelves of Harry Potter fans world-wide and a welcome addition for new readers to gain a rich understanding into the world of wizardry.
