Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526606648.
(Age: 14+) Paige is in her last year of high school, the year to
make decisions about what she wants to do and where she wants to
study. She has a wonderful group of friends and a gorgeous new
boyfriend, Max, who is incredibly understanding and supportive of
whatever she decides. The problem is Paige is recovering from the
death of her former boyfriend in an accident and also the recent
loss of her beloved grandmother. And memories of the lead up to the
divorce of her parents still haunt her, despite the fact that they
seem to be getting along really well following the separation.
Although she has had counselling Paige still experiences anxiety
about any decision she has to make and always fears all the worse
possible case scenarios. Then there is another accident which sets
her back even more, and all the relationships she cares about start
to crumble.
Whilst Lord's novel builds a world of teenager friendships that most
young people might easily relate to, for the non-American reader
some of the language and situations could be quite unfamiliar and a
bit off-putting: words such as freshman, sophomore, senior;
the complicated process of applying and writing to universities;
baseball and cheerleading; homecoming balls etc. But if you can get
past that, the characters are warm and relatable, the twists of the
relationships are interesting, and the story of overcoming panic
attacks and insecurities may become another useful addition to the
genre of young adult fiction that deal with mental health issues,
with ultimately a positive message.
Themes: Anxiety, Panic attacks.
Helen Eddy
I'm ready for the new baby by Jedda Robaard
Puffin Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781760891626. board book.
(Age: 2-5) This new title in the I'm Ready series (those
already published include I'm
Ready for Preschool and I'm
Ready for Christmas) is a fun, bright board book dealing
with a common occurrence for children within the target age group.
Beautiful illustrations by Jedda Robaard are accompanied by simple
text written from the perspective of a young Tasmanian devil about
to become a big sister. 'I'm getting ready to meet someone new,
someone very special. My new baby brother! Am I ready to be a big
sister?' She tells the reader about all the things she is looking
forward to (playing with him, teaching him) as well as how the
family is preparing (talking to Mum's baby bump and decorating the
baby's room. When the day finally arrives, Grandma and Grandpa take
her to the hospital to meet her new baby brother. 'He's tiny and
soft. I give him a cuddle and a kiss on the head . . . I guess I am
ready to be a big sister after all!'
This is a warm, comforting way to introduce the idea that a new baby
is on the way. It shows the whole family being a part of the
preparations and arrival and encourages little ones to think about
all the exciting elements of having a younger sibling, also allaying
any of those fears around being forgotten or replaced. Themes; New
Sibling, Families.
Nicole Nelson
The year the maps changed by Danielle Banks
Lothian, 2020. ISBN: 9780734419712. 310pp.
(Age: 10 - 12) Highly recommended. This wonderful story is told
through the voice of 11 year old Winifred (Fred, Winnie). Fred lives
in Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula with her police-officer,
step-father Luca, grandfather Pop and Luca's new partner Anika and
her son Sam. Fred rails against the new family situation and is
fractious and difficult with Anika and Sam, particularly when Sam
ends up in the same class as her. Fred's mother died some years
before and she dwells on memories of her mother and feels loyal to
her. Then Anika has a difficult pregnancy, is hospitalized and Fred
becomes more empathetic.
It is late 1999 and when the war in Kosovo causes refugees to flee
for safety the Federal Government is compelled to take some in and
they get housed in a disused quarantine facility near Sorrento. This
creates both support for them but also conflict amongst the locals.
Fred's and Sam's class teacher, Mr Khouri, is smart and passionate
about world events and not only shares this interest with his
students but also supports the refugees. When the Government decides
it is safe to return the refugees home the refugees and their
supporters try to prevent them being sent back. Also a tragedy
creates deeper understanding and love amongst all Fred's family.
This novel had many different serious threads, yet doesn't feel
didactic because of the convincing storyline and the authentic
character of Fred. Maps, the artificialness of borders and the
things which people have in common is a predominant theme. Themes of
needing love and acceptance and dealing with grief also stand out.
The ways past Australian governments have responded to waves of
refugees can be contrasted with current government policy. The
reader can also ponder whether sticking to the letter of the law is
always morally right. You can't help but feel attached to Fred and
care for all that happens to those around her. These are really
three dimensional characters who react and think in believable ways.
The sense of place is really strong and the author's respect for the
Aboriginal people who lived in the region for aeons is admirable.
Jo Marshall
The mummy animal book by Jennifer Cossins
Hachette Australia, 2020. ISBN: 9780734419897. 32pp.
(Age: 2-6) Recommended. This new title by artist and animal fact
lover Jennifer Cossins (The Baby Animal Book and The
A-Z of Endangered Animals) is the perfect follow on from
her previous publication The Baby Animal Book. This one will
suit a slightly older audience as it contains more information about
both mother and baby. A partner title, The Daddy Animal Book,
is also due for release shortly. Cossins's distinctive and colourful
illustrations are both realistic and pleasing to the eye. Thirteen
animals, both Australian and otherwise, are highlighted. The
information takes the same form on each page, with colour and
bolding of text used to highlight the key words. 'A mummy swan is
called a pen. A baby swan is called a cygnet.' There is a one
sentence fact included for each animal, all relating to something
significant about mother or baby or their relationship, e.g., 'If a
cygnet gets tired of swimming, its mum will carry it around on her
back'.
This small format publication is perfect for little lovers of The
Baby Animal Book and of animals in general. Themes: Animals,
Mothers and Babies.
Nicole Nelson
From Space to Core: A journey to the centre of the Earth by Guy Holt
Wild Dog Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781742033792.
(Age: 6-12) With an incredibly wide scope, From Space to
Core covers information relating to human-made elements of the
earth, atmospheric conditions, geology, flora, fauna and marine
life. It is organised using a distance scale, starting on page one
in the upper regions of Earth's atmosphere before travelling down
beneath the Earth's surface to the centre of the planet. At 408km
above sea level is the International Space Station, accompanied by a
photograph and a snapshot of information (launch date, crew, speed,
etc.). Then follows various space missions and information about the
different layers of the Earth's atmosphere and what is comprised of.
As we move closer to Earth we see the highest balloon flight,
freefall jumps and aircraft, high-flying birds and mountains. And so
continues through highest city, low-level clouds, deepest scuba
diver, deep-sea marine creatures, shipwrecks and submarines.
Extra information is also given about the layers of the ocean and
the Earth.
One of the most interesting aspects of this layout is how it shows
the intersection between natural features and animals and human
endeavour. Temperatures relevant to elevation are also a good
addition along the side of each page, as are the names of the areas
(troposphere, sunlight zone, midnight zone, trenches). This is a
very visual and meaningful representation of the vastness of space
and the Earth and what has and is happening at each level. It
cleverly captures and holds attention with short bites of
interesting information, a selective approach about what to include,
an uncluttered layout and dynamic photographs. Complex information
is made easily accessible for younger readers, making it appealing
to both science and non-science lovers as well as competent and
reluctant readers. Themes: Non-Fiction, Earth Sciences.
Nicole Nelson
Machines in motion : The amazing history of transportation by Tom Jackson
Illus. by Chris Mould. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN :
9781547603374. 64pp.
(Age : 8-12) This large format non-fiction book covers a vast range
of forms of transport ranging from ancient times to the present. It
groups the forms of transport into 13 main types and each of these
has a double page timeline along the bottom of the page with a
humorous illustrated maze of these dates and the inventor/invention
above it. This is followed by at least one double page of more
detailed information on each of the more outstanding developments.
For example the first topic is trains. The timeline page spans from
1500's German wagonways to 2004 Shanghai Maglev. The following
double page goes into greater detail about 9 major types of train
over time.
This book is suited to a child who is quite an enthusiastic browser
of facts about forms of transport and is willing to spend time
enjoying the detail and humour of Chris Mould's terrific black ink
illustrations. There is so much to enjoy that I wonder why they
didn't think to add a 'Where's Wally' element to the book. Chris
Mould is a prolific illustrator of many series of fantasy fiction
and non-fiction. In the past decade we have seen more esoteric books
for children which are well illustrated and are an antidote to the
plethora of information on the internet.
This non-glossy book is a good addition to this collection. Since it
does not have an index it seems the publishers aren't creating a
traditional reference book.
Jo Marshall
I'm ready for Easter by Jedda Robaard
Puffin Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781760891596. board book
(Age: 2-5) This new title in the I'm Ready series (those
already published include I'm
Ready for Preschool and I'm
Ready for Christmas) is a fun, bright board book
celebrating all things Australian Easter. Jedda Robaard's
characteristic Australian animal illustrations are accompanied by
simple text that sets the scene beautifully. 'The days are getting
cooler. Coloured leaves are falling from the trees. I'm getting
ready for a special holiday'. Dad's in the kitchen making pancakes
and new pyjamas and warm slippers are pulled out for those cooler
nights. The shops are filled with hot cross buns and colourful
Easter treats. Young ones are busy making Easter bonnets and weaving
baskets. 'On Easter Sunday, all my cousins and friends arrive. When
no one was looking, the Easter bunny hid gifts in the garden.' After
the egg hunt it's time to sit down together, eat and celebrate.
This is a beautiful depiction of the fun and joy of an Easter that
looks and sounds distinctively Australian. Themes: Easter Traditions
and Celebrations.
Nicole Nelson
More than a kick by Tayla Harris and Jennifer Castles
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760525804.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. As Tayla says, you might not
initially recognise her name, but if prompted with "Women's footy .
. . kick . . . photo . . . trolls" there is probably some
recollection of the furore around the dramatic image posted online,
an amazing shot of footballer Tayla Harris, leg flying high as she
kicked a goal. It was not the image itself, although it was an
incredible shot, but what came afterwards that drew media attention,
for the image became a magnet for vile trolls who wanted to demean
her with threats of sexual assault. The AFLW response was to take
down all comments including the original image. But that was
disturbing because it meant that the trolls had gotten away with
what they'd done. Tayla reposted the image in an act of defiance,
and drew the support of many supporters and wellwishers. The
experience led her to make a stand against online harassment,
becoming a role model for girls not only in sport but in any
endeavour they wish to pursue.
Tayla Harris's book More than a kick is aimed at helping
young people navigate social media, but starts off by introducing
Tayla herself, her life, her daily routines, her diet, the things
that make her who she is. And then it goes through the experience of
the trolling of her image, and what she learnt about how to handle
that. She lists the things she does to stay safe, things she does to
feel okay, and advice for someone who is being cyberbullied or
trolled. There is a link to the site of the Doing Nothing Does
Harm campaign which aims to motivate people to do
something when they see or hear disrespect towards women. The book
as a whole is very accessible and attractive, easy to read, with
large font and lots of pictures. It can easily be recommended for 12
year olds and upwards, but is an interesting read for adults as
well.
I highly recommend this book as an inspiration for young girls and a
valuable resource for all school libraries.
Themes: Girls in sport, Girls' education, Self-assertion,
Cyberbullying.
Helen Eddy
Rise of the Mythix: Mighty Minotaur by Anh Do
Illus. by Chris Wahl. Allen and Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760876401.
(Age: 9-13 years). Highly recommended. 'The world will suffer at his
hands yet hope remains. With the return of long-forgotten magic,
slumbering spirits released from Purgatory will find new homes in
human souls. The Golden Unicorn, the Minotaur and the Griffin will
be born again as children of humanity. Only these three united in
common purpose can fell him who seeks to triumph over all.' (Anh Do
p43) Mighty Minotaur by Anh Do is the second much anticipated book
in the Rise
of the Mythix series. This story begins with Kelly's
mother being held captive by William James aka The Collector of
Souls. She is eventually punished for not answering questions about
Kelly and painted onto a canvas forever. Meanwhile Kelly and her
mentor Stanley Solomon are hidden beneath the city, concentrating on
learning about and refining her amazing unicorn powers. One of which
is her ability to read the minds of others and as she later
discovers her ability to control minds to help others remember
information long forgotten. While in hiding, news breaks of a
possible lead on the whereabouts of another mythical creature, the
Minotaur, who has been discovered in the city. Kelly and Stanley
track the teenage boy down and after a terrifying battle against
Hornets and the Elite eventually team up together to try to find
Kelly's mother and others who have been painted onto canvas by
William James. The journey taken to discover these lost souls is
fraught with danger, battles and clever twists and turns.
Anh Do keeps the reader entertained throughout this compelling story
and when the Griffin appears on the last page to aid the three
trapped main characters, there is a sense that Book 3 will have a
powerful and gripping climax to this exciting story. Once again
Chris Wahl has cleverly interpreted the author's story and
characters with eye-catching and impressive illustrations. The fine
detail gives the reader a wonderful insight and understanding of the
story.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will appeal to students
from middle to upper primary.
Themes: Fantasy, Myths, Legends, Dystopia, Adventure, Power, Good vs
Evil.
Kathryn Beilby
Squidge Dibley destroys everything by Mick Elliott
Lothian Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9780734419460. 174pp.
(Age: 8-12) Squidge Dibley has amazing powers to invent things plus
fight evil. In this novel the crazy exploits are told via his best
friend Padman. They are in 6UP at Craglands South Primary and have
an eccentric teacher who appreciates all her class' unique
personalities and behaviours. The comical class characters have
strange habits, eg. Shane who bites his toenails and Nathan who eats
paint. The Principal of their school, Hoovesly, has been demoted to
janitor and puts a dastardly plan for revenge into action. He
particularly has 6UP in his sights but his plan also involves
robotic head lice which will take over the town and all its
inhabitants. 6UP must stop him and this involves underground
bunkers, tunnels and sewerage. The plot rolls from one outrageous
thing to another. As Padman says near the end of the book,
"off-the-scale weird".
There is no subtlety or nuance in this novel. It is just plain
entertainment. Squidge Dibley destroys everything is one in
a series of illustrated books pitched at a primary aged audience who
like farts, poop, butts and burps. There is quite definitely a place
for these humorous stories because they get kids reading, much like
the Captain
Underpants or Tom
Gates series. There are fun cartoon style illustrations
on every page and these are integral to the action. The design is
highly marketable and smart.
Jo Marshall
A new name for the colour blue by Annette Marner
Wakefield Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781743057018.
(Age: Adult) Highly recommended. Scotoma can occur when our brain
does not register something the eye sees because it does not fit
within our mental framework. In Annette Marner's novel, a simple
exercise in a training session at work leads arts administrator and
artist, Cassandra, to ponder what else she does not see, or sees
incorrectly. From the intense but violent relationship with Stephen
the saxophone player, to the central mystery of her life, the
disappearance of her Aboriginal childhood friend Tania, Cassandra is
trapped in a role where her rage, or her sadness, is always stifled,
and she continues a life of not seeing, of not wanting to see; a
life of submission.
In the first chapters Marner vividly and realistically portrays the
intensifying path of domestic violence, and then moves on to expose
the long term influences of men's oppression of women, and the
mirror of the colonial oppression of the Aboriginal people and the
country that belonged to them.
Cassandra's childhood in the southern Flinders Ranges is one of
harsh men and long suffering women, boys' cruelty and girls' fear,
and of stolen land and Aboriginal dispossession. Tania's
disappearance is in fact a collusion to not face truths, to cover up
and deny; something that has a long history in Australia.
Marner's novel is not a simple mystery story; it is a complex
interweaving of many themes from Australia's dark past along with
the story of a woman's journey towards self-understanding and
empowerment. As an artist Cassandra has to find her vision, and new
names for colours that have always been labelled by the dominant
culture. There are many references to famous artworks that
complement and enrich the narrative.
Themes: Domestic violence, Racism, Aboriginal rights, Women's
rights.
Helen Eddy
No! Never! by Libby Hathorn and Lisa Hathorn-Jarman
Illus. by Mel Pearce. Hachette, 2020. ISBN: 9780734418906.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. The face on the front cover says it
all: a defiant young child saying, 'no, never' will recall tantrums
such as this in most families, as parents, siblings and teachers
alike cringe with the remembrance of such unacceptable behaviour.
Georgie always has something better to do when Mum calls her to go
for a walk, or when dinner is on the table, or she is asked to tidy
her room. 'No! Never!' is a constant ring on every page as the child
refuses to comply with the wishes of her parents. She refuses to
listen to a story before bedtime, ignores the ducks in the
bathwater, is even rude to Grandma. She loves this game and thinks
it really clever to answer back with the same words. That is, until
the tables are turned on Georgie.
When a friend comes around to ask her out to play, Mum replies 'No!
Never!', when Dad brings home a new book and Georgie wants to hear
it, he replies, 'No! Never!' When her neighbour comes in with a
brand new puppy, asking Georgie to come and play with the dog, her
parents say, 'No! Never!'
Georgie begins to realise that perhaps saying no is hurting her,
keeping her from her friends, keeping her from her family. She
watches as her baby sister is cuddled and eats with their parents,
has books read to her, plays in the bath with Mum, and is allowed to
go next door to see the puppy. The penny finally drops when Georgie
realises how sad she is and tells her family that from now on she
will say 'Yes!'
A lovely versified cautionary tale full of the interactions that
beset families, revealing a simple and effective course to take when
one member refuses to go along with the rest of the family.
The illustrations will charm the readers, revealing the two sides to
little Georgie, an aggressive rude child and one more compliant and
understanding. I love looking closely at how Pearce shows us what
the protagonists are feeling: just a slight downturn of the mouth or
wider eyes, sloping eyes, and a tilt of the shoulders tells the
reader so much about the characters. A fun read for reader and
listener with read a loud very much a necessary prospect for the
children to yell out Georgie's repeated phrase to her parents.
Themes: Tantrums, Behaviour, Family, Verse.
Fran Knight
The Cobra Queen by Tara Moss
Pandora English, book 4. Echo, 2020. ISBN: 9781760686260.
298pp., paperback.
A fun and quirky urban fantasy, young adult romance with a little
bit of tame horror.
After a seven year wait Pandora English returns to our book shelves
in The Cobra Queen. The fourth book in the Pandora English
series by bestselling author Tara Moss.
I'm a big fan of Tara Moss', Makedde Vanderwall crime series
so when I got the chance to read The Cobra Queen I jumped to
it not knowing it is a supernatural series. I still enjoyed it and
am looking forward to reading the first three books in the series. The
Cobra Queen did remind me of the Twilight series. There was
love, family, ghosts, vampires and crossing species boundaries.
I loved reading about the history, myths and legends of Ancient
Egypt especially about the female pharaoh Hatshepsut. It brought
back lots of memories of when I studied Ancient Egypt. Pandora is
still grieving the loss of her parents and discovers more about what
happen to them in Egypt.
Pandora was an interesting character who was discovering her powers
living in a normal world. She finds out that she is the Seventh and
discovers what that means with evil around the corner trying to
invade New York. It all starts with an Ancient Egypt exhibition
Pandora is involved in at The Met.
While this is happening there is a Blue Moon approaching and Pandora
also manages to find love and build her relationships with her
spirit guide from the Civil War, Lieutenant Luke and Deus the
Sanguine and a few other characters.
If you like reading supernatural romances where powerful forces
threaten to up end the balance of life and death, then you need to
try The Cobra Queen.
Maria Komninos
The Eyes of Tamburah by Maria V. Snyder
Archives of the Invisible Sword, book 1. Harlequin, 2019.
ISBN: 9781489252807.
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Fans of exotic worlds and brave
heroines will love The Eyes of Tamburah and long for the
next in the series. Shyla is an outcast with yellow hair, cursed for
being sun-kissed by the Sun Goddess. Brought up by monks she has
left the monastery and now lives in the underground city of Zirdai,
trying to make a living as a researcher who finds the location of
lost relics for treasure hunters and the archaeologists. She keeps
her head down and is shunned by everyone except Banqui, the Water
Prince's archaeologist. When he begs her to help him find the
legendary Eyes of Tamburah, which can give great power to the one
who wields them, she finds herself embroiled in chaos. Banqui is
imprisoned and Shyla is blamed for the theft of the jewels. With the
Water Prince and the Heliacal Priestess determined to have the Eyes
of Tamburah, Shyla tries to find them, with soldiers and deacons in
hot pursuit.
Snyder has written a fast moving adventure story set in a believable
world, where it is so hot that everyone must live underground and
where water is really valuable. The reader is taken from level to
level as Shyla searches for the Eyes and gains an insight into the
class system that exists, with those who can pay for it given access
to water and food, and a large group of people who live apart
stealing food and water. The opulence of the Water Prince's level
contrasts with that of the ones who live away from society, and the
level where prisoners are kept and tortured is grim indeed.
Shyla's role as a researcher is pivotal to the story. She is
intelligent and curious and determined to do the right thing, even
when it is most dangerous to herself. She won't leave Banqui to die
or those living on the edge of society to be tortured. Instead she
is prepared to make huge sacrifices for what she believes in.
Add a slow burning romance, a secret society, plenty of action and
suspense, twists and turns and you have a wonderful story that will
make the reader want to pick up other books by this talented author,
like The
glass trilogy.
Pat Pledger
Trailblazers: 100 inspiring South Australian women by Carolyn Collins and Roy Eccleston
Wakefield Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781743056905. 312pgs., hardcover.
Highly recommended. Did you know that South Australia was the first
place in the world, that's right the world, where women won both the
right to vote and the right to stand for parliament in Dec 1894? We
had the first female prime minister, Julia Gillard. The first female
to win an Archibald Prize for portraiture, Nora Heysen. First
Australian saint, Mary Mackillop.
That's only one of many things I learnt reading Trailblazers.
I never realised how many females we have had over our history in
South Australia that were the first in Australia or the world to
achieve a variety of things or just being remarkable. I
didn't even realise some of them were South Australian.
Carolyn Collins and her husband Roy Eccleston have put together a
fantastic book that highlights 100 South Australian trailblazing,
very extraordinary women whose feats have inspired many and will
inspire the next generation. I loved the layout of a whole page
photo of the inspirational female followed by stories to tell us
more about this person and their history, and what they have
achieved. It was a great history lesson for me. It also wasn't an
overload of information. A student would find reading the
information easy to follow.
I truly believe that Trailblazers is a must in all South
Australian schools, libraries and shelves. It is a great source of
information for teachers and students on past and present South
Australians.
I still can't believe that so many females are from South Australia
have made such an impact in history or who have inspired all of us.
Mentioned are women from all walks of life and different fields.
There are teachers, politicians, musicians, sporting stars,
scientists, our first nations people, suffragists and many, many
more.
I am glad to see many First Nations females mentioned like Josie Aguis.
Students will also recognise many modern females like
singer/songwriter Sia, footballer/basketballer Erin Phillips and
many more. And yes there are so many missing from this book. I did
like reading about some females I grew up with and have worked with.
It was great to see people I knew and was inspired with in this
book.
See if you can find some.
Maria Komninos
