Bab Sharkey and the animal mummies: The prickly battle by Andrew Hansen and Jessica Roberts
Illus. by Jessica Roberts. Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781760651190.
240pp.
This is a book for a very particular readership. The title is
indicative of its style and content. Many children would have
difficulty navigating the complex action which jumps about from past
to present against a too exotic Egyptian setting. The vocabulary and
word games may appeal to a niche market - perhaps children who are
very much besotted and /or obsessed with Egyptian culture. To most
children, the allusions would "go through to the keeper." This,
combined with the difficulty of working out the interrelationships
amongst the too many characters may make it hard for the young
reader to relate to them. The characters themselves are very
strange. One example is the "Unpharaoh" (a strange phenomenon to
come to grips with). Another is the somehow personified Pharaoh's
beard. This may be too large a leap for most children.
The action is frantically paced and the plot is convoluted. The
clever references are nuanced and obscure. Young readers may have
difficulty connecting with the storyline.
This book may be representative of a new genre which appeals to a
new breed of readers. It may be like the "cult movie". The author
obviously enjoys the word play but only a child who has been
thoroughly initiated into this mode of thinking could really keep up
with it.
Wendy Jeffrey
Wink by Rob Harrell
Angus and Robertson, 2020. ISBN: 9781460758878. pbk., 315 pp.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Being a normal seventh-grader is already tough
as it is, and when Ross Maloy gets diagnosed with a rare eye cancer
all that goes out the window. Losing his hair, wearing weird hats,
or dealing with bullies are all things he does not want to deal
with.
This story is based on Rob Harrell's real-life experiences, and
included are also illustrations and cartoons he has drawn himself.
The story is very much true to life in its details about high school
and how teenagers act towards each other and shows the reader an
uplifting side to getting through it.
Rob has crafted a funny and memorable story following Ross Maloy
that deals with a lot of tough topics that teenagers might come to
face at some point in their lives. High school and bullies. Friends
and change. And of course, the process of being diagnosed with
cancer. But Rob also brings to light that we can still find laughter
and happiness when times might seem overwhelming and stressful.
These topics and more Ross did well to interpret into his story, and
in the end made this a noteworthy read that I think teenagers just
coming into high school would enjoy.
Kayla Raphael
The unstoppable Letty Pegg by Iszi Lawrence
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781472962478.
(Ages: 10+). Highly recommended. The unstoppable Letty Pegg
by Iszi Lawrence is a factual historical account of the Suffragette
Movement in England in 1910. Women were fighting for the right to
vote and being treated shamefully by the law, the public and the
Government. Eleven year old Letty Pegg is the daughter of a
middle class mother who belongs to the Suffragette movement and a
working class police constable father - their marriage being
something of a rarity due to the class system at that time. Letty
accidentally witnesses the brutality of the police during a
Suffragette march and through a turn of events becomes a student of
Jiu Jitsu. The Academy where Letty learns and masters Jiu Jitsu is
run by Sensei Edith Garrud. This is a well researched historical
fact that the author has tied successfully into Letty's story. Edith
Garrud was an important figure in the Suffragette struggle and
became a Jiu Jitsu instructor to the Women's Social and Political
Union (WSPU). With her husband she held classes to teach women of
all ages how to defend themselves during the increasingly violent
protests. Letty is mentored and supported by Garrud and puts her
training to good use and forms important friendships along the way.
Included in the story is the disturbing school system of the 1900s.
The teachers were cruel and administered corporal punishment freely.
Girls were treated poorly and educated basically for marriage or to
go into service. Letty and her soon to be close friend Mabel
continually baulk at this and Letty is continually on the receiving
end of a caning from her unpleasant teacher, Mr Metcalfe. While
there are times in the story where Letty's escapades and situations
seem implausible, readers will gain a valuable insight into the
class divide at the time, the oppression of females and the
distressing schooling situation.
The Australian Curriculum Year Six History component looks at
Suffragettes and this novel would be a welcome introduction to this
very important topic. There are many events in the story for 21st
century students to explore and research. This book would be an
important addition to any class or school library. Themes: History,
Friendship, Suffragettes, Jiu Jitsu, Women's rights.
Kathryn Beilby
The glass hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
Macmillan, 2020. ISBN: 9781509882816. 256pp.
(Age: Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended. This is a deeply complex
story, its narrative structure demanding our attention and echoing
that complexity. Emily Mantel's narrative is interwoven in time and
place, as she delves into the dark world of the pursuit of wealth at
any cost, moving always between the past, the present, and indeed
briefly into the future. While this is a challenge for the reader,
the story is absolutely riveting, as we are given frequent little
clues as to the darker deeds that are at the heart of this
narrative, and are made progressively aware of the immorality of
what is happening.
In a sense, this clever narrative controls what we know and only
reveals small details of the lives of the characters, their
activities, and their lives' trajectories. So we have to work to
build our own sense of what we know about their world and their
interactions, motivations, daily lives and their fate. It sparkles
and it is gloomy, it puzzles and it reveals, and we are led through
an extraordinary tale of venomous acts, of cheating those who place
their trust in people, and of a deep and complex mystery.
Ultimately, we are driven to ask what might be the meaning of the
title, that glass hotel that can be seen from the outside but what
is seen is only part of the story and really the actions that take
place are not seen. So that glass is both transparent and opaque,
allowing some information to be seen and understood and the deeper
mystery and evil is unseen, yet is in plain sight if the characters
were able to perceive that what they see is evil.
Taking place in various areas, such as a ship, the city of
Manhattan, or the wilds of British Columbia, Mandel's narrative
leads us deeply into the setting in which the narratives take place,
and we also become aware of some of the odd aspects of the
characters' lives. In exposing the notions of illegality and
immorality in the pursuit of wealth, Mandel presents these choices
as being acceptable to those for whom others' lives are immaterial,
where one's corrupt actions may lead to knowingly ruining people's
lives. This is a gripping aspect of the novel, as Mantel pushes the
reader to seek answers as to the rationale for the choices made by
the characters, and their capacity to live with ruining the lives of
others through the ongoing massive levels of deceit.
Mandel presents this very intriguing narrative as a reflection on
the breakdown of the usual expectations of a good life, or indeed of
a life seen to be well-lived, rather showing us how, and sometimes
why, the expectations that we have can be drastically skewed. In
demonstrating how one character's life can be dramatically changed
by a single action, choice or event, Mandel forces us to consider,
and thus to grasp, how this could impact dramatically on a person's
life. Perhaps the structure, cleverly giving us wonderful depth and
a developing understanding of the events, shows us the way in which
the puzzling nature of life elicits responses that we may never have
expected.
This riveting novel would be suitable for older adolescents and
adults.
Elizabeth Bondar
Elizabella and the haunting of Lizard Lake by Zoe Norton Lodge
Illus. by Georgia Norton Lodge. Elizabella book 3. Walker
Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781760651855.
(Age: 8-11years) Recommended. The third book in this entertaining
series begins with Elizabella and her best friend Minnie in the
Bilby Creek swimming pool talking about the Year 4 school camp. They
are trying to decide which mischievous deeds they could get up to
that would have the most impact. This sets the tone of the story and
the reader will wait in anticipation for what comes next. The two
girls are in separate bunk rooms at camp but this does not stop them
meeting up at night and trying to solve the mystery of the suspected
ghost that haunts the camp site. Both girls spend time in 'the think
about what you've done' room at camp after causing great anxiety for
the camp counsellors and school principal.
Within the main plot involving Elizabella there are a number of sub
plots. Mr Gooblefrump, the Acting Principal, has been told to have a
vacation to lower his stress levels so he decides to go on camp as
he loves rules and believes the camp rules will release the happy
chemicals he needs to function. Larry, the frill-neck lizard
belonging to Elizabella, has stowed away in her bag in the hope of
meeting like-minded lizards to converse with. He understands English
perfectly but cannot speak it so hopes to encounter other lizards
who can speak the language of Lizish. The missing camp counsellor
who disappeared under mysterious circumstances is helped by
Elizabella and Minnie on the final evening. There is also a new
student Anaya whom the other children think is a liar but who
surprises them in the end.
The characters in this story are all very likeable and believable.
Mrs Goose, the camp cook, takes Elizabella under her wing, the three
Camp Counsellors are forever happy even when they are not,
Elizabella's classmates and friends are always wondering what will
happen next and Elizabella and Minnie are somewhat oblivious to the
mayhem they cause.
Throughout the book are small sketches that cleverly add interest to
the story. At the end of the book is a Revenge Plan as well as a
fairy tale written by Elizabella. Elizabella and the haunting of Lizard Lake is an enjoyable
read that will keep fans of Elizabella entertained and looking for
the next book in the series. Themes: Friendship, School camp,
Mystery, Humour.
Kathryn Beilby
Gregory Goose is on the loose: At the fair by Hilary Robinson
Illus. by Mandy Stanley. Gregory Goose is on the Loose!
series. New Frontier, 2020. ISBN: 9781925594959. 18pp. Board book.
(Age: 1-3) Another in this series, this time Gregory Goose is at the
fair. This brightly coloured board book with its easy to read out
loud narrative is sure to appeal to young children who will
appreciate the opportunity to try and find Gregory Goose as he hides
in the pages.
The illustrations of the fair are done in vivid colours with bright
yellow and green foregrounds, lilac and pink skies, coloured
balloons floating and lots of interesting details in each double
spread. The young reader will get to see a carousel, giant slides, a
big wheel, a space ride, a teacup ride, candy stalls and a hoopla
tent, all giving the young child a taste of what they could find at
a fair or show. Astute readers will notice little details like the
tiny white dog that often appears on the pages and will appreciate
the subtle humour and happy smiles on the faces of all the children
who are enjoying the rides at the fair.
This joins others in the series, In
the jungle and On
the moon.
Pat Pledger
The January stars by Kate Constable
Allen and Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760525026. 288pp.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. When twelve year old Clancy and
sister, fourteen year old Tash visit their grandfather in his
nursing home, where he has been confined after suffering a stroke, a
series of incidents result in their kidnapping him, taking a taxi to
his now deserted home and then moving on when the real estate agent
calls the police. Tash is more reluctant, but Clancy sees only an
old man unable to communicate, being used by their aunt Polly, and
so decides to take things in hand. Their grandmother died some
little while ago and it is her interest in astronomy that intrigues
Clancy, saddened that she was not able to discuss this with her
gran. But she feels her presence guiding the two in their efforts to
help their grandfather, looking to the stars for help.
The opening chapter in this glorious novel reveals a tight knit
family going through stressful times, exposing the characters of
each within a few pages. Conversations brim with meaning, hidden
depths and family history, with gaps to be filled in by the reader
ensuring they will keep reading. Readers will recognise some of the
discussion and events happening in their own homes, making it
immediate and all the more credible.
Once at their grandfather's house, the girls must disappear, aware
that the police are on their tails. Clancy follows Nan's lead, and
they eventually find themselves in a magical bookshop, a place that
looks like it has not opened for years. Here the owner greets
grandfather as an old friend and they stay the night unburdening
their story. Next day they go off in search of their aunt, Bee,
whose address in Docklands proves a dead end, but the tenant gives
them her address in the country. So they set off for Quoll Creek.
Here they encounter difficulties when their aunt is found, a
resident at an ashram, and they must move on again. The girls seek
out another aunt, and deciding that Pa wants to return to his own
home, head there. The whole family ends up at the original family
home at Rosella, where all the tensions boil over.
Through their journey the girls learn to rely on their own
resourcefulness, overcome their difficulties with each other and
blossom as responsible young women.
And for the middle school readers, the links to the stars, infused
with indigenous stories of the Milky Way and dark Emu, form a
guiding light for Clancy.
I just love stories set in a defined space. The sights and sounds of
Melbourne provide a wonderful backdrop through references to
Docklands, Rosella, the wonderful train system, laneways, Southern
Cross and murals. The girls have taken on a mammoth task, but one
with which many readers will sympathise, seeing their own families
struggling to do their best by their aged parents. Teacher's
tips are available. Themes: Stars, Family, Nursing homes,
Aged, Kidnapping.
Fran Knight
My Mama by Annemarie van Haeringen
Gecko Press. ISBN: 9781776572687. 32pp.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Mama and her baby play together, her
in her big floral day dress and he in his very fetching floral
pants. Baby elephant feels very safe with his Mama: they play
together, play on the swings, play with the toy cars on the floor,
go shopping, all the while he is learning new experiences, while she
is teaching him about the world, showing him how to behave. He tells
us that he can climb a great mountain as he scrambles along her
back, easily hide from her until he jumps out from behind her legs
and shows himself, push her on the swing until she gets up higher,
and help her with the shopping when he eats all the chips. Children
will laugh loudly at the little elephant thinking her is helping
Mama when it is really the other way around. Their life together is
full of love, companionship and laughs, although now and again she
has to tell him at length about what he has done wrong.
Translated from the Dutch, the story reflects a universal mother son
relationship, and the wonderful sparse illustrations magnify the
already large pair of animals.
Reflecting the striving of all children to be allowed more freedom,
the story pokes gentle fun at the child who thinks he is ready to
leave home and fly, when really he does what he does because Mama is
there right by his side. Themes: Elephants, Mothers, Growing up.
Fran Knight
Agents of the wild: Operation Honeyhunt by Jennifer Bell
Illus. by Alice Lickens. Walker Books 2020. ISBN: 9781406388459.
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Eight year old Agnes Gamble is an orphan: her
Botanist parents died while collecting rare plants in Australia. She
now lives in a high rise tower of flats with her Uncle
Douglas. She has developed a love of plants and animals just
like her parents, but because of where they live, she is not able to
have a pet.
But an Elephant Shrew sitting on her bed, tells her he is a field
agent from a group called SPEARS (Society for the Protection of
Endangered and Awesomely Rare Species) and he wants her to work for
the agency. She of course, jumps at the chance. Her first
operation is Operation Honeyhunt and she and Attie head off for the
rainforests of South America to rescue an endangered bee. Agents of the wild is a fun, adventure-filled book following
a young environmentalist who wants to follow in the footsteps of her
parents, helping to protect and save endangered species.
The book's artwork helps bring the story to life, offering a face
for readers to recognise and identify with. Information is given at
the end of the book to help readers understand some of the threats
to the environment and how they can help. Operation Icebeak,
the second in the series will be published soon. Themes:
Adventure, Honey, Environment, Conservation.
Fran Knight
Crack up written and illustrated by Jules Faber
Max Crack series. Macmillan, 2020. ISBN: 9781760783914.
(Age: 8+). Recommended. Crack Up by Jules Faber is the
second in the Max Crack series. The books are hand written
in journal style and feature illustrations and diagrams,
conversations and entertaining anecdotes throughout. In this story
Max and his best mate Frankie are on the search for a new quest or
two. The major quests turn out to include finding a meteorite and
having it named after them, reuniting two feuding sisters, making a
movie The Quest for Freedom Island, setting a world record
with their classmates and the final quest - attending a pop
concert. Over the course of the journal they undertake a
number of smaller quests as well with support for all quests from
their family and friends. The two boys also have a talent for
drawing as well as vivid imaginations and create comics to sell.
Their strong friendship and comradery is key to the story but in
this book there is also an added interest when they both begin to
show an awareness of girls of their own age.
Jules Faber is a well know cartoonist and illustrator who has
illustrated the WeirDo series by comedian Anh Do, David
Warner's Kaboom Kid series, Michael Pryor's Leo Da
Vinci series and Alex Ratt's Stinky Street Stories. He
has an intuitive understanding about what style appeals to those
middle primary readers who enjoy humour, slapstick comedy and an
action packed read. At the end of the book are blank pages for the
reader to complete with headings such as Your Quest List, Your
Favourite Movie, World Records you want to set plus Places you want
to explore. Themes: Friendship, Journal Writing, Quests, World
Records, School Life, Family Life, Humour.
Kathryn Beilby
Peppa loves our planet
Peppa Pig. Penguin Random House Children's UK, 2020. ISBN:
9780241436721. 32pp.
(Age: 3-4) Peppa loves our planet is another story in the Peppa
Pig series, which most small children will recognise from the
ABC TV series. This one starts with the children attending playgroup
and finding out that it is Love our Planet week. This sparks lots of
conversation amongst the children, and they discover many ways in
which they can help save the planet. They are given the task to make
a scrapbook at home, which becomes a event where everyone in Peppa's
family contributes to the ways in which they can help.
This book is a wonderful starting point for children around the ages
of 3-4years who are discovering how they can help our planet in
simple ways, and also without too much change to their routine.
The ideas are easy to implement and also simple to understand
enabling children can grasp the concept and add in to their daily
life without too much issue.
The concepts include recycling, growing food, turning off lights and
composting food scraps. These are all things that are easy for
children to do and also for families to assist with.
I think that this book could be used as an introduction to the
concepts for parents, or equally as a group time story for
kindergarten children. It is easy to read, simple concepts and uses
familiar characters which many children will be able to engage with.
Lauren Fountain
Landing with wings written and illustrated by Trace Balla
Allen and Unwin, 2020. ISBN 9781760296957.
(Age: 7-12 years). Highly recommended. Landing with wings is
a beautifully written book which draws the reader in with a
delightful story, gentle caring characters and wonderfully detailed
graphic illustrations. It is set in Dja Dja Wurrung Country and
throughout the story, reference to places, plants, animals and birds
is often made in the language of the traditional owners. Landing
with wings is the story of Miri and her mother who have moved
once more - this time from the warmth of the north to the goldfields
of Victoria. Miri is tiring of moving and leaving things behind
especially the tea-tree that she writes to in her journal and shares
her new life experiences with detailed observations. Miri makes
friends with her neighbours, Wingo and Swee Ling, who give Miri and
her mother the start they need to become a part of the local
community. Wingo and Miri spend time together building a larger pond
for the resident frog which they learn is a Bibron's toadlet and
through this collective task they learn more about each other. Swee
Ling gives Miri an old, rusty bike and with Wingo she is able to
explore the local landscape. Wingo is descended from the traditional
owners of the land and shares his deep knowledge with Miri.
Throughout this story the reader has the opportunity to learn new
and fascinating facts as well as being able to look intently at each
page to fully appreciate the finely detailed images. The author
shares her absorbing journey with this book in notes at the end.
Endpapers at the beginning of the book also give the names of birds,
plant and animals in the local language. The imagery and words by
Trace Balla communicate a poignant and thoughtful story which will
resonate with audiences both young and old. Teacher's
tips and activities are available. Themes: Friendship,
Australian wildlife, Aboriginal culture, Moving, New communities,
New experiences.
Kathryn Beilby
Jacinda Ardern, a new kind of leader by Madeleine Chapman
Nero, 2020. ISBN: 9781760641818.
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Highly recommended. A book about
Jacinda Ardern - Yes! I want to read it! For readers who feel like
me, this book sets out her life in orderly chapters, from her early
childhood in small town Murupara as the daughter of the local
policeman, her time as student representative in the slightly larger
Morrinsville, and her career moving through the hierarchy of the
Labour Party; but while it is all faithfully recorded with an often
slightly amusing twist of words, for someone who wants the inside on
this world renown leader, I have to say, it does disappoint a
little. But maybe that is not the fault of the biographer, for
whilst the book is the result of extensive research, listed in the
sources at the end, there is no intimate revelation from the subject
or anybody close to her. Jacinda Ardern remains a private person; we
have to work it out for ourselves.
However it is interesting that Ardern was raised as a Mormon. Her
friendships with LGBTQIA+ people in her later student years led her
to break from the theology, whilst still retaining family and
community ties. Perhaps it was that mix of moral values and
discovery of social justice issues that marked the beginnings of the
person she is today, and the values of kindness and fairness that
she espouses.
In her chapter on 'Helen and Jacinda', Chapman leads us into a
thoughtful exploration of the world of politics for female leaders,
comparing the stern and brusquely efficient style of Helen Clark
'beating men at their own game', and Jacinda Ardern, initially
described as a 'pretty little thing' or 'babe', combining a natural
warmth and empathy with a determination and dedication to achieve
Labour Party goals. Chapman suggests that Ardern's style benefitted
from her ability to communicate via social media as well as her
steady focus on the important issues.
And of course, Ardern's response to the Christchurch terrorist
attack in 2019 stands as an example of compassionate and caring
leadership, attracting worldwide praise. Churchman examines the
highs and lows of Ardern's time as Prime Minister, and whether she
has delivered the transformation that she promised. Ultimately it
will be up to the next election as to whether New Zealanders want to
continue with this 'new kind of leader'.
Senior secondary students of politics will find interesting chapters
in this book suitable for thoughtful discussion, particularly the
challenges for women in politics, the idea of wellbeing at the
centre of government policy, and the model of leadership that
expresses empathy and compassion in a world where many leaders
embody the opposite. And there is the bonus of two key Ardern
speeches included in full - NZ National Statement to the United
Nations General Assembly, 2018, and the Statement on Christchurch
Mosque Terror Attack, 2019.
Themes: Biography, New Zealand, Women in leadership, Politics,
Terrorism, Kindness.
Helen Eddy
I don't want to be quiet by Laura Ellen Anderson
Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526602442. 32pp.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. The heroine of this uproariously funny
tale loves to be noisy. She chats, laughs and claps in school
despite being asked by the teacher to listen. She stomps down
stairs, drums with the spoons and hums when Mum has asked for quiet.
She cannot help herself: clanging, stomping, slurping, crunching,
splashing and even burping. She and the class go into the library
where everyone else sits down to read a book, but she interrupts,
complaining it is too quiet. When everyone tells her that she must
be quiet, and the page has a row of 'shh' across the top, she takes
down a book like the others and finds herself spellbound.
In rhyming lines, the story of the girl's change of heart unfolds.
Reading out loud would be thrilling for the audience, involved in
the tale of this too loud girl and the words which describe the
noises she makes. Kids will love the rhymes, predicting the rhyming
word at the end of each pair of lines, deciding what noise will go
with each word, standing up to make the stomping or clapping or
slurping or clanging words along with the reader.
And the illustrations too will entreat younger readers to look at
the young girl, surrounded by illustrative techniques which show
noise.
No child can be quiet when her mouth is wide open, or sit surrounded
by exclamation marks, or jumping down stairs, or sploshing through
puddles: each page reflects the noise of the child, just as the last
few pages reflect the quiet time as she reads a book. A playful list
of rhyming words, enhanced with wonderfully apt illustrations will
make this a favourite read aloud and join in book. Themes:
Quietness, Noise, Reading, Read aloud, Family, Verse.
Fran Knight
Isla's family tree by Katrina McKelvey and Prue Pittock
EK Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781925820379. 32pp., hbk.
Isla's family is about to grow and she is not happy. "This family is
full", she declares.
So her mother sits her down and explains how families are like trees
- they have a trunk that is formed by the grandparents, branches
formed by their children and then the leaves are the children of
those children like Isla and her cousins. Isla begins to understand
but when she learns that her mum is to have two babies, then there
is no room for any more leaves on her branch and the family is
definitely full.
The prospect of a new baby entering an already tight-knit family is
very common and can be very confronting to a child who is used to
being the only one, so this approach to explaining the upcoming event
is one that will appeal to many parents. Promoting it with your
parent community would be a great way to promote the school
library's relationship with that community.
However it would also have a valuable place in the early childhood
classroom as children investigate their families and their
structure. Not all of Isla's family have the traditional formation
of mother, father and children so there is scope for each child to
make their own tree and show and share that families can have all
sorts of shapes, just as trees and their leaves do, perhaps bringing
comfort to those who might see themselves as being different.
Investigating their own origins is always a surefire winner with
young children because it deeply connects to their own lives and
there are as many branches to explore as there are in the family
tree. The concepts of birthdays, naming, physical appearance and
genetics, development and maturation, vocabulary building . . . the
list is almost endless with lots of other stories that can be shared
as well. There are teachers'
notes available.
It also helps children understand that their trepidation when faced
with the same sort of news and change is normal, that sometimes we
have to change a little ourselves so we can adapt to that change but
that's what people do and it can help us grow too.
Another example of how what appears to be a simple picture book for
young readers can open up a world of possibilities.
Barbara Braxton
