Illustrated by Adelina Lirius. Magic Cat Publishing, 2020. ISBN:
9781916180529.
(Age: 8-13) Highly recommended. Old enough to save the planet
by Loll Kirby is a thoughtfully presented non-fiction book which
clearly gives an easy and understandable insight into many aspects
that are contributing to climate change. Each of the twelve child
activists have chosen a different facet of climate change to focus
on and through their efforts encourage other children and adults to
be aware of pressing issues which can be addressed in very simple
and worthwhile ways. Three of the activists include Himangi from
India who is a campaigner for reducing the effects of traffic
pollution outside her school, Eunita from Kenya who is the founder
of a community garden that promotes the natural process of
pollination, as well as Shalise from Australia who protects the ocean
by cleaning up human pollution from the shore.
Each activist has a double page spread which gives a brief
introduction to the issue and how they are working to help solve the
problem. The detailed and beautifully drawn illustrations by
Adelina Lirius are interspersed with relevant and interesting facts.
In the final pages of the book is information about how you can help
to save the planet as well as ten things you can do to make your
voice heard.
This is an important book that may inspire more children to follow
in the footsteps of these young climate change activists. A great
resource for teachers with the opportunity to do further research on
this very significant and serious topic. Themes: Child activists,
Climate change, Environmental issues, Conservation, Sustainability,
Working together.
Kathryn Beilby
Between two evils by Eva Dolan
Zigic & Ferreira. Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781408886441.
(Age: Senior secondary, Adult) Highly recommended. Between two evils
is the parallel stories of abuse. One takes place within the locked
precincts of a female immigration detention centre, the other
evolves from the overturning of a case of rape due to DNA evidence
being brought into question. DS Ferreire and DI Zigic are tested
ethically and morally as this team from Peterborough sort through a
maze of secretive bureaucracy and downright manipulation to get at
the truth and a conviction.
The murder of Dr. Joshua Ainsworth in his home just outside the
detention centre where he works in the medical clinic is brutal, and
it seems connected with his job. Ainsworth is an enigma. Some speak
highly of him, as a caring, ethical doctor working in a difficult
situation. Others, like the demonstrators outside the centre, see him
as part of an evil and repressive government regime. The privately
run Long Fleet detention centre was not exactly forthcoming with
information, putting a wall of data protection and privacy
legislation as excuses.
The other blow to the investigative team came when news broke that
Lee Walton a serial rapist and murderer had been released due to
problems with the examination of DNA evidence. It had been a long
and difficult case which now seemed all for nothing. But Walton then
begins to threaten Ferreire to reestablish his contacts with his
wife and son who had been moved away for their own protection.
It seems the only way to put Walton away is to reopen an old case. A
case which on the surface was watertight being finalised with a
confession. A confession that was given after a series of
interrogations by their current superior. A clandestine
investigation carried out without knowledge of most of the team and
always with the threat of it blowing up in their faces.
With the background of racism, bigotry and politics this is a story
of the present not just applicable to the United Kingdom and
Australia, but universally where conservatism and misplaced
nationalism are on the rise.
This is the first of Dolan's Ferreira and Zigic novels I have read.
There four others in the series; Long way home, Tell no
tales, After you die and Watch her disappear.
It may be helpful to have read others in giving a background to the
protagonists, which coming in cold did assume prior knowledge.
However Dolan's writing hauls you into the narrative and the 468
pages seem to fly by. Themes: Crime fiction, Detention centres,
Rape, DNA.
Mark Knight
Lola Dutch I love you so much by Kenneth Wright and Sarah Jane Wright
Bloomsbury, ISBN: 9781547601172.
(Age: 4-6) Kenneth and Sarah Jane Wright's third picture book Lola
Dutch
I love you so much is another delightful, creative story based
on the five love languages.
Lola's friends aren't having a very good day. Gator is feeling cold
and cranky, while Crane's favourite picture book is lost, and Pig is
just positively peevish. Lola always brims with positivity and
creativity; she knows the perfect solution for their problems. Using
resources from around their house she sews a bold yellow stripe
outfit for Gator, tidies up books scattered everywhere and creates a
special book nook for Crane. Pig feels a little left out until Lola
packs up a picnic and they all set off for the park. What about
friend Bear? Of course, there is something special for her friend.
Lola too, is not forgotten and all her friends show their love with
a special party.
What a charming story to share with youngsters; Lola Dutch is a
caring friend, thinking of others and always wanting to make her
friends happy. This is based on the Wright's own family as they
share the message of thinking about others, being creative and using
home resources to cheer others up. Sarah Jane Wright's soft
watercolour scenes add to the charm and joie de vivre expressed in
the easy to read text. The jacket cover includes a cute party scene,
two puppets and special note to share, with additional resources
available online. Themes: Love, Friendship, Creativity.
Rhyllis Bignell
Wildlife rescue by Meredith Costain
Illus. by Danielle McDonald. Ella Diaries book 18.
Scholastic, 2020. ISBN: 9781743832301.
(Age: 6-9 years). Wildlife Rescue is the eighteenth book in
the very popular Ella Diaries series. The books are all
centred on Ella's diary writing where she shares her day-to-day
activities and personal thoughts. She writes with humour, and not so
correct spelling at times, but her diaries are entertaining and keep
the reader engaged. In this particular book Ella and her best
friends, Ammy and Zoe, discover an abandoned baby possum in the
local park. Ella immediately wants to help the possum and with
support from her Dad finds the Wildlife Rescue Centre which sends
out a wildlife carer, Michele, to collect the baby possum. Overnight
Ella imagines all the terrible things that could befall the possum
and persuades her father to take her to the Rescue Centre. There she
meets Michele's granddaughter Harper who shows Ella around the
Centre. Both girls have a great deal in common and become firm
friends. Meanwhile Ammy has an important soccer game to prepare for
and Zoe is busy with dance and Ella feels her friends are not being
as supportive as usual. There is a misunderstanding surrounding the
Open Day at the Wildlife Rescue Centre but eventually the girls
resolve their friendship issues.
The bright green colour is predominant throughout this book and the
simple comic style drawings by Danielle McDonald keep the reader
focused on the story and help support young readers who can easily
comprehend the text. Themes: Diaries, Friendship, Wildlife Rescue,
Australian Animals.
Kathryn Beilby
Taking down Evelyn Tait by Poppy Nwosa
Wakefield Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781743056974.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Always getting into trouble, temper
flaring and hyperactive, Lottie reacts and says things she shouldn't
and invariable ends up in the principal's office. Not that she
cares, she has developed a free and easy manner with Jerry, or Mr
Virk as the other students know him, and enjoys her time on the
couch in front of his desk. She doesn't understand how everyone in
the school seems to be sucked in by Miss Perfect, Evelyn Tait, the
girl intent on undermining her and turning her life upside down. Now
Lottie faces suspension - unless she can work out a plan, turn the
tables, and become more perfect than Miss Perfect. Her long-time
childhood buddy Jude, the boy across the balcony from her apartment
building, encourages her to become nicer and kinder than Evelyn, and
expose Evelyn's insincerities.
Lottie is a very loveable character, she charges through this story,
unaware of her impact on others, the long suffering Jude, her
steadfast best friend Grace, even her own family, in disarray
following her parent's divorce and father's remarriage. The
challenge from Jude, originally motivated by Lottie's vengeance
towards Evelyn, gradually becomes a new way of behaving, and perhaps
Lottie will finally discover the true meaning of 'sonder', the
realisation that others have a life as complex as one's own.
I read this book in one sitting; the main characters drew me in so
easily, and I wanted to know what happened. While some of the themes
are very familiar - vengeance against the mean girl, rebellion
against the step-parent, the childhood friend who turns into a
boyfriend - the way they are explored in this novel seems very true
to life, and it is so well written. This is not a thriller in the
style of The
twin by Natasha Preston, though the two books share many
themes, Taking down Evelyn Tait is very grounded in real
life, sharing more with the loveable You
must by Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied.
Nwosa's book is a sympathetic study of divided families, LGBQTI+
relationships, and developing teenage identity learning to negotiate
relationships with others. I thoroughly recommend this book for
adolescent readers.
Themes: Rivalry, Divorce, Kindness, Friendship, Love.
Helen Eddy
B is for baby by Atinuke
Illus. by Angela Brooksbank. Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781406390872.
40pp.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. With the letter B as its main spring,
this seductively charming tale of a baby in a West African community
sings with the sights and sounds of life in the village. The baby
climbs into a basket of bananas, hiding from her brother as he gets
onto his bicycle, en route to see his grandfather, Baba. The bumpy
ride takes him past a baobab tree as he sees a number of things
beginning with B: a butterfly, bird, bus and bridge amongst the
sights. On reaching Baba, he reaches into the basket to get a banana
and finds the baby!
All great fun as the baby and her brother are given biscuits by Baba
and over the next two pages the B words are reiterated.
This is a wonderful read aloud: children will marvel at the words
beginning with B in the village, and see the world in which the baby
and her brother live. The African background is there for all to
see: from the beads used to plait the baby's hair, the basket woven
by Mum, the bananas picked from the garden, the baobab tree,
baboons, bougainvillea, banana palms and Grandfather's bungalow.
Brooksbank is inspired by the playful spirit and energy of children
and these characteristics are replicated in her illustrations in
this book and her previous book, Baby goes to market (2017)
her first picture book with Atunike. The colourful, lively
illustrations portray life in the village as a vibrant, closely
knit, family centred life, full of humour. Themes: Africa, Baby,
Family, Alphabet, Humour.
Fran Knight
Wayside School: Beneath the cloud of doom by Louis Sachar
Illus. by Tim Heitz. Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526623423.
(Age: 7-10 years). Recommended. Louis Sachar has written the fourth
book in his popular series, Wayside School after a
twenty-five year hiatus. Beneath the Cloud of Doom is
complete with familiar characters, both teachers and students, as
well as an impending Cloud of Doom hovering above Wayside School.
Wayside School is 30 storeys high with one class on each floor. All
sorts of unusual sounding bells ring every day with different
meanings to keep both teachers and students on their toes.
Throughout the short chapters the characters on the thirtieth floor
and their idiosyncrasies are reintroduced in a humorous and
entertaining way. Their teacher is Mrs Jewls who has a DISCIPLINE
board in her classroom where students must write their names if they
do something wrong. There is Kathy who has a bad case of oppositosis
and always appears to be rude. After she visits the on-site school
medico Dr Pickle, changes occur in her manner. Terence who counts up
the number of things he can kick during the day. Dana who can make
funny faces but one goes mysteriously wrong with unusual
consequences. Mrs Surlaw is the Librarian who organises both fiction
and nonfiction books into the number of pages collection. Jason has
chosen one with 999 pages as he tries to outdo another student. All
of the students must face the Ultimate Test which has some amazing
events such as upside down singing, blindfold smelling plus Jump
Rope Arithmetic and Stairway Quiz. Added to the general day-to-day
goings on in the busy school is a huge black cloud suspended over
the school which causes anxiety and major complications for
everyone. Louis Sachar himself features prominently in the book as
the PE teacher who helps support the Principal and the students.
Students in the middle primary years will enjoy the humour and fast
paced storyline. Clever illustrations by Tim Heitz are spaced
throughout the book and add to the overall appeal of this easy and
entertaining read. Themes: Humour, School, Teachers, Classmates,
Mysterious happenings.
Kathryn Beilby
10 little figs by Rhian Williams and Nathaniel Eckstrom
Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781921977312. 32pp.
Recommended. 10 little figs is a sweet rhyming picture book
by Rhian Williams and Nathaniel Eckstrom. It centres around a little
boy who is desperate to pick and eat the 10 figs that are ripe and
ready on his tree. Much to his dismay, a range of Australian animals
come along and one by one steal a delicious fig. Luckily his Dad
comes along and picks the last one, just in time!
The book is great for a number of reasons. Firstly the
illustrations; they are colourful, lively and enjoyable to look at.
They have hidden clues for the following animal and also made us
jealous of the wonderful backyard this little boy has. Secondly, I
really loved that you can work on counting down numbers from 10 to 0
which is always a bonus for young children 5 and under. Lastly I
loved the range of Australian animals showcased. There were the
popular ones such as the echidna and wombat but also ones we were
not as familiar with such as the leaf-curling spider and Hercules
Moth. The final page gives a simple visual of 10 to 0 figs plus the
animals who stole one! We used this page for counting, recall and as
a reference for what numbers look like. Teacher
activities are available in Walker's Story Time kit.
Overall we give this book 4 out of 5
Lauren Fountain
Run, rebel by Manjeet Mann
Penguin, 2020. ISBN: 9780241411421.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Written in short verses on each page,
this novel thrums with the beat of spoken poetry that captures the
intense feelings of a young girl, Amber, who loves to run, but whose
dreams of being an athlete look like they will never be realised.
She is bound by the built in fears of family and community - fear of
a father who is most often drunk and violent, and fear of the
punishment meted to those who offend the family honour, like the
girl who died at the hands of her father just across the street.
It's an oppression carried through generations. Amber's parents are
illiterate, her mother was beaten and taught submission, Amber's
sister Ruby was married off young, and Amber knows that she also has
to obey.
Mann's choice of verse form gives her the ability to go straight to
the heart of the matter, to express intense feelings with minimal
words. We live Amber's thoughts and fears. We feel the fear build
up, the anxiety about being seen in the street with a boy after
school, the violence that erupts when her father comes home drunk
and angry. And we also see how her own anger turns her into a bully
at school.
Amber actually asks herself the question of whether she is the same
as her father - angry and violent. It is a question also explored in
Rafi Mittlefehldt's What
makes us (2019) - do genetic inheritance and
environment combine to make children inevitably repeat the patterns
of their parents? For Amber, as with Eran, in Mittlefehldt's novel,
it is a teacher who makes the difference, as well as the loyalty of
good friends. Amber has a teacher who encourages her athletic
aspirations, and a history teacher who with his enthusiasm opens her
eyes to ways to make change. The principles of revolution become the
phases that she goes through toward self-assertion and independence.
The way this book is written, with its headings, succinct verses and
highlighted words makes it very accessible to the generation who
enjoys slam/rap poetry and the short burst interaction of social
media. It is very powerful, raw and honest, and no doubt its
immediacy and the themes it illuminates will resonate with young
adult readers.
Themes: Domestic violence, Cultural expectations, Identity,
Bullying, Anger.
Helen Eddy
Meet Eve in the outback by Raewyn Caisley
Illus. by Karen Blair. Aussie Kids series. Puffin, 2020.
ISBN: 9781760894108. 64pp.
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. Another in this fine series offering
easy to read chapter books for the newly independent reader in
junior school. Each of the eight books, set in the different states
and territories of Australia, presents a family in a situation not
quite known to the reader. The familiarity of the family situation
give the books a solid foundation with an overlay of adventure.
Eve lives in a roadhouse on the Nullarbor Plain and cannot wait for
her cousin, Will to arrive from the city. A postcard to the reader
on the first two pages shows us where Eve lives and she tells us a
little of her unusual life.
When Will arrives they explore the area, meeting kangaroos, and
Wally an old digger who teaches them how to make billy tea and
damper and tells them about the camel train, once an important part
of the travel regime of outback people. Through easy to read short
chapters, Eve's life is revealed to an admiring audience, the story
full of interest and delight.
The others in this series are listed in the back of the book and
will prove a hit with early readers and teachers looking to keep
them engaged, while learning a little of Australia as well. Themes:
Outback, Western Australia, Desert.
Fran Knight
Meet Katie at the beach by Rebecca Johnson
Illus. by Lucia Masciullo. Aussie kids series. Puffin,
2020. ISBN: 9781760893675. 64pp.
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. Eight stories, each one set in a
different state or territory around Australia will please younger
readers looking for a series of books for their emerging competency
with reading. Each book is short, with copious illustrations,
divided into six or so chapters, with a level of reading suited to
the newly acquired skills but not in any way watered down. The
language is engaging and some longer words are included to stretch
the new readers. Each book contains a map to locate the story, some
interesting facts that come out of the story and a list of the
others in the series. Each story is placed within a family and
children will feel some familiarity with the setting. Meet Katie at the beach has a family living in a high rise
apartment near the beach in Queensland, packing their towels and
esky for some time at the beach. Katie has some pain in her mouth as
one of her teeth is very wobbly and she is unsure about going. But
once on the beach she and her siblings build a castle and play in
the water, body surfing with Dad until Katie notices there her tooth
is missing. A search follows.
All comes together nicely and readers will have absorbed a lot of
information about being safe on the beach and how one group of
Australians live. Themes: Australia, Queensland, Humour, Beach.
Fran Knight
There's no such thing by Heidi McKinnon
Albert Street Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781760877279. 32pp.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. When Bear and Ted go camping, Bear is
a little overwhelmed. He has never been camping before and is a
little unsettled by the dark. But when he hears noises in the night
he is convinced that they are not alone. His imagination takes hold
and he fears a blood sucking spider, a fire breathing dragon and a
hungry giant are all out in the dark ready to pounce. Ted assures
him that each of his fears is groundless and offers a perfectly good
reason for each of the noises Bear hears.
Bear then dreams good thoughts and falls asleep for the night.
The hilarious illustrations show the two friends in their tent,
surrounded by thousands of eyes in the blackest of nights, Bear's
eyes wide with fear. Ted's reassurances calm him and they sleep
well. Bear's eyes reflect his fears and younger readers will love
watching the change in him as he calms down to sleep. They will
recognise that their fears sometimes occur at night and are as
groundless as Bear's, although in the morning . . .
A very funny turnaround when the friends wake up will cause lots of
laughter as the readers see Bear's monsters cooking them breakfast.
This is a lovely book dealing with imagined fears that will initiate
discussion and help children who may be fearful.
McKinnon also wrote, I
just ate my friend, and Baz
and Benz, two equally funny stories for younger readers.
Themes: Fears, Reassurance, Humour.
Fran Knight
The Ghost of Howlers Beach by Jackie French
The Butter O'Bryan Mysteries. Angus and Robertson, 2020.
ISBN: 9781460757727.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Jackie French has done it again! This
is a wonderful piece of fiction for young readers that weaves a
story within a historical period of history, making it accessible
for those who may have limited understanding of the Depression or of
the impacts on life in Australia for the returned veterans from
World War I. Butter O'Bryan is the 12-year-old central character
(this is not his real name, but nicknames are prevalent in this
family!), a young boy whose family is somewhat protected from the
worst of the post-war dilemmas, but they too have suffered loss as
Butter's mother died in the previous year in the Polio epidemic.
Butter lives with his doctor father and aunts in their "Very Small
Castle" - the result of their inheritance as children of the 'Jam
King'. When Butter encounters three children in the bay close to
home it seems at first that he has met a family of ghosts. The
mystery surrounding these children continues and slowly they become
intertwined into the summer holiday experience for Butter. The
solving of the mystery leads to understanding and care, compassion
and a future for many families living a hand-to-mouth existence on
the limited hand-outs from the government.
The setting of the coastal castle (albeit small) is charming, but
the caring nature of Butter's family is delightful as they slowly
become aware of the needs of first three children and then many,
living just beyond their doors, through a period of dreadful
hardship in Australia's past. The Depression and the hardships that
individuals faced also highlights the paternalistic society and
inherent racism and sexism that now seems so strange. Hindsight
reveals why so many social changes needed to occur.
What French manages to do most successfully is to make a
page-turning narrative that will appeal to young readers, male and
female. With cricket games on the beach, food choices that are all
basic 'Australian' fare and the freedom for young characters, mixed
with the horrors of pre-antibiotic life and health-care that often
excluded the poor, this is an eye-opening story. From the opening
line, when a skull is discovered on the beach, young readers will be
hooked. At the end of the story is also some background historical
detail to explain the 'Make-do' era, the 'Susso' payments or the
'dole', multiple 1930s recipes, and other reflections on 1930s life.
For our children of the 'throw-away' or 'instant-fix' era who have
many easy solutions to problems, this will be a worthwhile
introduction to this history.
I am hoping there will be more Butter O'Bryan mysteries. Themes:
Family; Historical Mystery; Post-World War I History; 1930s
Depression; Australian History - Fiction; Polio; Mental illness.
Carolyn Hull
Viper's Daughter by Michelle Paver
Wolf Brother series, book 7. Zephyr, 2020. ISBN:
9781838933357.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Set in the period following the Ice-Age,
this adventure involves the Forest characters Renn, a mage with
links to the Ravens, and her mate Torak - a wolf-brother. While Renn
feels compelled to leave Torak in order to combat the influence of
her evil mother and protect him,Torak takes pursuit with his wolf
pack wolf-brother close behind him in order to bring her back.
Heading north into the even wider vastness of isolation and yet with
people groups to connect with along the way, this is a tale of love
against the backdrop of traditional cultural beliefs and the demon
world. The drama that enfolds reveals ancient culture and survival
techniques in a harsh world, but also a tale of the power of love
and the influence of ancient understanding on life. Written in a way
that reminded me of a Tolkien quest adventure, this is a powerful
story and a compelling drama that is unique and quite different from
most teenage fiction. At all times there is a sense that the reader
is immersed in the challenges of Stone Age existence, and yet can
see the power of the ingenuity of the people and the connections
with nature (in combination with the fantasy and belief influences
that are woven into the story). With a remnant population of
Mammoths (called Mammut in the text) and the ability to communicate
with animals, this is indeed a story with a difference.
I wish that I had discovered the series before launching into book 7
of the Wolf Brother series! But this is more about missing
the wonder of this series and the characters rather than feeling
like I have stepped into uncertain territory. This book stands on
its own quite comfortably. The use of language is intriguing as
expressions are used that convey different understandings of the
world e.g. the Wolf's language is spare, but genuinely descriptive.
I am certain though that many will enjoy the other books by Michelle
Paver and will enjoy the way she incorporates traditional life from
Eskimo, Inuit and Scandinavian culture and weaves these into a
traditional but fantasy tale. It almost feels like you are drawn
into an ancient (yet fantasy) world in the far northern Scandinavian
or North American wilderness. Themes: Fantasy; Stone Age;
Traditional Life; Adventure; Good vs Evil; Demons and Spirits.
Carolyn Hull
Break the fall by Jennifer Iacopelli
Hodder Children's Books 2020. ISBN: 9781444953244.
(Age: 12+) Gymnast Audrey (Rey) Lee has been on a 14 year journey to
become a top gymnast. At 17 she is able to ignore the pain of the
herniated disc in her back to make the US national team for the
Tokyo Olympics. Her coach, Pauline is like a second mother to her
but the coach for the national team, Coach Gibson exerts total power
over the gymnasts, always watching for signs of weakness. Also on
the team is Emma Shadowsky, Rey's best friend since she was 3,
Chelsea Cameron, the reigning Olympic all round champion, and
Daniela Olivero. All but Emma have a non-white background and
Chelsea comments that 'it can be tough for women of colour in this
sport. We're held to a different standard sometimes.' p.45. To
achieve her goals, Rey not only has to train constantly but adhere
to a strict diet and focus on her performance to the exclusion of
all else. Her back injury is chronic, going back five years and she
is only able to compete by having regular cortisone injections in
her spine. The injury means she will have to retire after the Tokyo
Olympics and even then will have issues for the rest of her life,
'But gymnastics is worth it. The Olympics is worth it.'p.65.
Training for the Olympics even takes priority over Leo Adams,
champion snowboarder and son of one of the gymnastic coaches. They
link up after years of following each other online but while the
relationship blossoms, he has to stay a discreet distance and not be
a distraction. What is a distraction is that Daniela is suspended
from the team for allegedly failing a drug test and she then makes
an accusation against Coach Gibson for sexual assault. The fallout
for the team is that they are interviewed by the FBI, they lose
their coaches, are sent to train at another facility and even have
to repeat the selection trials in front of independent judges. They
all suffer but manage, through the discipline of their training and
real teamwork, to rescue their dreams. The detailed descriptions of
the gymnastic routines are the main element in this sports novel and
the sexual abuse, grooming and victim blaming are handled with care,
demonstrating the girls' strengths and endurance, empowering them in
the most difficult of situations. A rare teen novel celebrating
athletic ability in girls with an extra twist about resilience, it
will appeal to middle school students.
Themes: sports, friendship, sexual assault, Olympics.
Sue Speck
