Usborne, 2020. ISBN: 9781474982764. 240pp., pbk.
As our students become more independent they start to hear the
message about the plight of the planet more loudly and realise that
even though they are still young, there is much they can do as
individuals to contribute to the solution rather than the problem.
Focusing on issues such as saving energy, reducing waste, cutting
down on plastic, water conservation, shopping and travelling
thoughtfully and caring for the planet's plants and creatures, this
book presents more in-depth information that respects the reader's
growing maturity and understanding. It includes a section on how
they can make their voice heard so others take notice so rather than
just becoming aware of the issue, they understand that they can also
take action on a broader scale.
By this age, students will also have a feeling for which particular
area attracts them the most, so the accompanying Quicklinks
also offer a way forward for greater awareness and action. With
information in manageable chunks alongside lots of illustrations,
this is one for those who are ready to take their journey to the
next step.
Barbara Braxton
Looking after your health by Caroline Young
Usborne, 2020. ISBN: 9781474982757. 224pp., pbk.
(Age: 8+) While we teach our younger students about eating well,
exercising and getting enough sleep, the emphasis on maintaining
physical health seems to drop off after those early years and while
there is a growing awareness of encouraging positive mental health,
our bodies don't get much attention in literature for some time
until puberty approaches.
This book is a part of a series from Usborne targeting those middle
years readers from about 8 years, encouraging them to stay aware of
and be committed to the issues they encountered at an earlier
age. Using information in accessible chunks accompanied by
lots of black and white images, the book tackles aspects of good
health such as diet, sleep, exercise, and mental health, providing
more in-depth information that respects the reader's growing
maturity, understanding and search for knowledge. As usual there are
also the Quicklinks
which offer more to explore.
Young people with questions that they might be reticent to ask, for
whatever reason, will appreciate this book, as well as those who are
keen to maximise their well-being as they grow and develop.
Barbara Braxton
Out of Copley Street, A working-class boyhood by Geoff Goodfellow
Wakefield Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781743057575.
(Age 14 - adult) This is a powerful memoir that tells the story of
the young Geoff Goodfellow growing up in a working-class suburb of
Adelaide in the 1950s and 1960s. In an innocent, intelligent and
brutally honest narrative, Goodfellow tells the story of his boyhood
in the northern suburbs. The narrative plunges us into the reality
of Geoff's life with his family, their struggle to make ends meet,
and his determination to find work to help the family by earning an
income, even though he knows that he ought to complete his
schooling.
We are positioned to see the man he will become in the photograph on
the book's cover, his grin suggesting a friendliness and sense of
humour that is very much reflected in his narrative. Deciding to
make a life for himself that is true to his personality and apt for
his situation, he initially takes on work as a milkman. Finding that
this does not work for him either, he works with a local butcher for
a short while but finds that this too is not right. We are aware of
his father's struggle to work, his experience fighting in the war
having left him deeply troubled. Geoff's decision to take on work on
an oil rig shows his determination to find a way to earn an income,
and thus to help his family by supporting himself.
This narrative is vividly persuasive, as it becomes evident to the
reader that Goodfellow's talent lies in his ability with words, in
his vivid evocation of his experiences throughout his childhood and
adolescence, seen so vividly in his storytelling. This compelling
narrative would be suitable for all readers from early adolescence
through to adults.
Elizabeth Bondar
The great Godden by Meg Rosoff
Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526618511.
(Age: secondary) Highly recommended. 'The actors assembled, the
summer begins', is the last sentence of the second chapter in this
captivating read.
The unnamed narrator, watching all from the tower above the house,
often using a telescope to survey the proceedings below, is in love
with Kit as he winds his way into all their lives, just as markedly
as his glowering brother does not.
This summer is just like every summer in the past, a family staying
in their beach house, their good friends, Malcolm and Hope nearby.
The second child, Mattie falls for Kit and the two become
inseparable, although only on Kit's terms, while Hope and Malcolm
prepare for their wedding at the end of the summer. Malcolm learns
his lines to star in a new production of Hamlet, Tamsin the
narrator's younger sister goes off riding most days and the fourth
child, Alex spends his time hunting down nature, often under the
floorboards.
The story is woven around the theatre: Kit hopes to go to RADA,
Malcolm learns his lines, Mattie the beautiful poses for England,
Mum sews for the opera company, Kit and Hugo are the LA raised
offspring of a minor actress, but all have a part to play this
summer. Kit and Hugo are staying with Hope and Malcolm while their
mother works on a film in Yugoslavia. These two young men change the
usual dynamics of summer at the beach.
The weeks moves along, the narrator getting part time work at the
local shop, Dad returns to London for work, while the girls help
sew, choose bridesmaid dresses and prepare for the wedding.
Tamsin has seen people illegally netting birds on her rides, a sail
around the bay is due to take place and the two families meet every
day for swimming, cards, barbecue and idle chat. The scene it
instantly recognisable, families lounging at the beach, happy in
each other's company, mulling over past holidays, eager about the
changes in store.
Each of the characters is masterfully developed: the reader knows
each one intimately. The unnamed narrator is a wonderful creation,
tugging at the readers' imaginings, playing with the perception that
readers have of just who is telling the tale. Rosoff builds the
story step by step, succinct and mesmerising until the bubble
bursts, surprising us all, the families unaware of the power Kit has
over them all.
Theme: Friendship, Families, Relationships, Growing up, Power.
Fran Knight
Vincent and the grandest hotel on earth by Lisa Nicol
Puffin Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781760890681.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. When Vincent's grandfather dies
leaving him his shoe shine kit, he dreams of leaving the mediocre
town of Barry where everyone works for the cat food company,
living under the constant smell of cat food.
Vincent takes his small kit to the railway station hoping to make
some money just when Florence from the Grand Hotel arrives looking
for someone to shine shoes at her establishment. She offers him the
job, expecting him to turn up the very next morning to stay at the
hotel before starting work. His family is overjoyed.
Staying the first night, Vincent is made aware of all the luxuries
the place has to offer, as well as the staff it employs and the
guests who visit. Each of the guest rooms is different, offering
amazing opportunities, while every guest is given a small dog to
have for the duration of their stay, a pocket dog.
The description of the palatial hotel is spectacular, drawing the
reader in to its opulence, wondering why such a place exists and why
Florence has been left by her globe trotting parents to run it by
herself. The reader will question how the place runs and will laugh
out loud at the descriptions of the odious hotel guests who demand
attention from Florence: the family which has seen and done
everything, the father threatening to sue, and the family where the
son rules, while several others are just as impoverished as
Vincent and his family. All is very mysterious, but engrossing,
magical and very funny, told with a wry sense of humour, revealing
an acute observation of precocious families. At home, his family
copes with Vincent's young brother, a non verbal hurricane who
demands everyone's attention, Thom.
Vincent is desperate to find out what will happen to his
family, and his goes into one of the forbidden rooms. But in doing
something he has been told not to, betrays his new friend, and
foreseeing future incidents, puts him in a grave position.
A wonderful story full of imagination and wonder, Vincent's dilemma
is very recognisable, doing something he was told not to do, so
putting at risk his new found friendship.
Themes: Magic, Fantasy, Imagination, Friendship.
Fran Knight
Where is the green sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek
Puffin, 2017. ISBN: 9780143501763. 32pp., board book. Here is the blue sheep, and here is the red sheep. Here is the bath sheep, and here is the bed sheep. But where is the green sheep? There are some stories that you can recite word for word even if it's years since you last read them, such is their power and the insistence of the little ones in your life to "Read it again, Grandma!" I owe a debt of gratitude to Mem and Judy because this is the story that Miss Now-9 learned to read on and when Grandma got tired, Miss Now 14 was able to take over the reading duties. No other book, no matter how well promoted, ever came close to the demand for this one and so with Puffin's 80th birthday celebrations in full swing, it seems timely to promote it to a whole new generation of parents and grandparents so they too can achieve this particular rite of passage. With its rhyme, rhythm and repetition and simple illustrations that help the youngest reader to predict the text and share the joy when it is confirmed, Fox and Horacek have hit on the right recipe for a story to encourage our youngest readers to love the sound of our language. Given Mem's background in working with and writing for littlies though, this is hardly surprising and you know any book with her name on the cover will be a winner. In fact, so iconic is this title from one of Australia's most-loved author-illustrator partnerships that there is even a 2020 edition that really puts the icing on the cake of this special year. There can be no greater tribute. Barbara Braxton
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy by Lynley Dodd
Puffin, 2010. ISBN: 9780143504450. 34pp., board book.
Remember this ? "Out of the gate and off for a walk went Hairy
Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy." And by the time you got to the end
of the book he had been joined by his mates Hercules Morse (as big
as a horse); Bottomley Potts (covered in spots); Muffin McLay (like
a bundle of hay); Bitzer Maloney (all skinny and bony); and
Schnitzel von Krumm (with a very low tum). How proud and posh they
were until they met .
Almost every child born in New Zealand or Australia in the last 30
years knows what happens next! Who could bring down such a bold band
of brothers? Children love the sound of the rhythmic and rhyming
language and the repetition of the characters on each page which
make it a perfect read-aloud as your listeners will be joining in
and eagerly anticipating who will join this canine crew., as well as
enjoying the pictures which work with the text perfectly, as they
should. The board book format makes it perfect for little hands,
ensuring that this will be much-loved by this generation as those
before.
And it is fitting that on the 5th anniversary of forgoing a trip to
Hobbiton in favour of finding the sculpture to this remarkable dog
and his mates on Tauranga in the pouring rain, that it is time to
remind our new parents of this classic series so another generation
can be as enchanted with him as all those of the last 30 years.
Barbara Braxton
Skydragon: Take to the skies by Anh Do
Skydragon Book 1. Illus. by James Hart. Allen & Unwin,
2020. ISBN: 9781760876364.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. This is the first book in the author's
latest series for middle grade readers. Nine year old Amber and her
older brother Reggie survive an assumed meteor strike on their home
but sadly both their parents pass away. Reggie is unconscious and in
a coma while Amber, who suffers a severe burn on her right cheek, is
kindly taken in by her older neighbour. There is mystery surrounding
the meteor as it appears firstly as a glowing purple ball which
leaves purple goop dripping all over the house. The National Service
cordons off the house and no one is allowed in. Fast forward five
years and Amber is fourteen years old and attending Woodville High
School. She is a loner and bullied by the mean girl Trish and her
cronies. Reggie is still in a coma and Amber struggles to fit in.
While on a field trip she finds the beginnings of friendship with
Justin, a popular geek. Both have an interest in insects,
particularly dragonflies, and it is on the trip that Amber realises
she has super powers around insects. She begins practising using
different commands and is able to speak to the insects and control
what they do. This leads to interesting revenge on her bullies over
time.
Amber finds an old derelict cabin in the woods and begins to prepare
it for her escape from others. Over time her friendship with Justin
evolves but comes to a crashing end in Amber's mind when on the
night of the school dance she is informed that her brother has
passed away. However all is not what it seems and Amber has escaped
to the cabin and lives there quietly on her own foraging for food
and using the insects to help her. She slowly becomes notorious and
is known as the Skydragon. Meanwhile the National Service has
created a new secret agent known as the Firefighter who has special
powers to track and arrest supposed criminals and will eventually
have an exciting showdown with Amber.
This story is by no means over and Book 2 is coming soon. Themes:
Fire, Tragedy, Insects, Fantasy, Conflict, Bullying, Friendship.
Kathryn Beilby
Indigo owl by Charlie Archbold
Wakefield Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781743057322.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Imagine the world has ended and the last of
the human population has escaped to other planets. They are building
a new world but don't want to make the mistakes of the past.
Population on Galbraith has to be controlled with quotas, only one
child per family. That means controlling fertility; the solution on
Galbraith is an anti-pregnancy vaccination. But what if there is
something seriously wrong with the vaccine? Scarlet's mother is a
scientist involved in genetic tests, but now she has disappeared,
despised as a drug addict, and presumed dead. Just as Scarlet is
leaving her home for induction into the elitist Arcadia Institute
her father whispers words of warning, to keep safe from her mother's
enemies.
Thus the reader is drawn into another world where lives are ruled by
a corporation that does not allowing any questioning of its methods.
For different reasons, three young people become drawn together as
they begin to uncover the ruthlessness of the Galbraith Executives.
Scarlet and Dylan are Solitaires with unusual psychic abilities, and
the spirited Rumi is a master of technology. Each is on a quest to
uncover the truth; they have to trust each other, but constant
surveillance puts their lives at risk, and they don't know who else
can be trusted.
Readers of dystopian fiction will enjoy this story that moves
rapidly with interleaving chapters from each of the three main
characters. Archbold has created a futuristic world of holotabs,
catseyes, robots and space pods without lengthy explanations; we
learn how things work as the action draws us along. Similarly we
learn about the different classes of people, the elite Cardinal
group holding the power, the threats to the psychically sensitive
Solitaires, the Malachite scientists and the Willows faithfully
following orders. A central question is the balancing of the needs
of society with the rights of the individual. What if society is
doing something wrong, and a few people find out? When is it
important to obey and when should one speak out?
All the threads of the story come together in a satisfying
conclusion but one can't help but think there is still opportunity
for a sequel and the three friends could be challenged again. I'm
sure there would be a ready audience waiting to read more.
Themes: Science fiction, Dystopia, Population control, Surveillance,
Freedom.
Helen Eddy
Tiny white lies by Fiona Palmer
Hachette, 2020. ISBN: 9780733641626.
Adult contemporary fiction. Fiona Palmer's Tiny white lies
falls into the human relationships genre due to its revolving around
two families that have been friends for years, with both families
experiencing relationship issues. It is told from the view points of
the two women who have the friendship, and is about their troubles,
their families and their lies. Ashley, mother to Emily, recently
lost her husband. Nikki, mother to Chloe and Josh, wife to Chris, is
best friends with Ashley. After Ashley discovers Emily is being
bullied online, she realises they've grown apart since her husband's
death, partly because of Ashley keeping things from Emily. Nikki
can't get her kids off social media and gaming platforms, and has
noticed an increase in messages husband, Chris, is receiving.
Together the friends decide to go on a holiday to a remote farm in
WA, where there is no phone reception, and time away from everything
online - and maybe their problems.
Descriptively written, this Australian contemporary novel details
the scenes throughout the story as well as the characters. Swapping
from Ashley's view point to Nikki's in alternate chapters, readers
become acquainted with members of the two families, including those
no longer present. The depiction of online bullying from a parent's
point of view is lightly touched on, with not much done to expand
it. Character choices are occasionally hard to understand, but the
characters are relatable. I would describe this book as a 'light
read', something to read when you are in between heavy/serious
books, as there is minimal excitement, but it has a nice feel (and
maybe somewhat predictable storyline).
Themes: Relationships, Bullying, Betrayal, Self-image, Secrets.
Melanie Phillips
None Shall Sleep by Ellie Marney
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760877309.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Another page turner from Ellie Marney
will thrill readers, adolescent and adult alike. This time she
tackles the story of a serial killer, with two teenagers, serial
killer survivor Emma Lewis and US Marshal candidate Travis Bell,
recruited by the FBI to help them delve into the minds of young
murderers and look at cold cases. It is 1982, and the FBI is trying
new ways to find serial killers. Emma and Travis find themselves
involved in an active case where teenagers are hunted and murdered.
They seek help from Simon Gutmunsson, a terrifying teenager who is
imprisoned for murder. He is intelligent and insightful, seeking to
manipulate Emma for his own ends. As the case progresses so does the
suspense. Is Simon Gutmunsson influencing the serial killer from
inside his cage? How will Emma and Travis manage to escape his
influence and save other victims?
Emma, too, is a character that readers will immediately identify
with, as she struggles to control the memories of her own escape
from a serial killer. She runs to keep her anger at bay and focus
her thoughts. Simon Gutmunsson must be one of the scariest villains
I have encountered in thrillers for a while. He is so clever, so
cultured, so handsome and so good at reading and manipulating
people. The suspense is breathtaking when the two talk, and their
relationship kept me glued to the page.
This would make an ideal introduction to the thriller genre for
teens. There are extensive teaching
notes available, written by Ellie Marney and Caro Walsh,
making it ideal for the classroom or for a literature circle
discussion. It does not have the gory details that many adult
thrillers use, but it has all the suspense and interesting police
procedures that are the mark of a good thriller. The themes of good
and evil, survival and sanity are ones to delve into. Unlike
Marney's other novels there is no romance, which may disappoint some
readers, but there is certainly scope for future cases with Emma and
Travis, such wonderful characters.
Pat Pledger
The Survivors by Jane Harper
Pan Macmillan, 2020. ISBN: 9781760783945.
(Age: Adult - Senior secondary) Highly recommended. It is rare that
moments or themes in a book linger in the mind for a long time, but
that is true of The
lost man by Jane Harper and her latest book The
Survivors. Kiernan returns to Evelyn Bay, a small seaside town
in Tasmania, a place which flings up bad memories once again. He is
haunted by guilt about an incident when he was a very young man and
does not find ease in his family home, where his mother is
struggling with his father's dementia, and the absence of his
brother Finn. Then the body of a young woman is found on the beach
and secrets held close for a long time start to surface.
The story is told from the point of view of Kieran and the reader
gradually learns about the accident that happened in the past as the
police start investigating the murder in the present. Can they be
connected?
The small coastal town with its problems and people who all know
each other is so well described that the reader will feel as if they
have been there. The sunken wreck ideal for diving, that Sean and
his nephew hope to make a living from and the Three Sisters the
rocks that loom out of the ocean as well as the caves where the tide
can fill all provide a background to the murder and the angst that
Kiernan feels at being home.
All the supporting characters are well fleshed out and credible. The
descriptions of teenage boys and the peer pressure that they are
under to perform, with underage drinking and wild parties, are vivid
and leave a lasting impression as Kiernan remembers his youth. His
relationship with Mia and his little daughter Audrey is a saving
factor for him and beautifully described.
Jane Harper is a wonderful author who manages to combine an exciting
mystery for those who are addicted to the genre, while at the same
time exploring the themes of guilt, forgiveness and redemption in a
vivid Australian country setting.
Pat Pledger
The paper bark tree mystery by Ovidia Yu
Crown Colony, book 3. Constable, 2019. ISBN: 9781472125248.
(Age: Senior secondary - adult) Highly recommended. Shortlisted for
the CWA
historical dagger 2020, Ovidia Yu has come up with another
fascinating mystery set in Singapore in the 1930's. SuLin has been a
valued member of the Detective Shack until Bald Bernie, an
unlikeable administrator, decides that a local girl can't be trusted
and instead employs Dolly, an attractive white woman. When he is
found murdered, she has little sympathy, but when Dr Shankar the
local pharmacist and her best friend's father is put in jail she
decides to investigate.
I knew little about the history of Singapore between the wars, so
found it fascinating to gain what felt like an in-depth
understanding of what it was like to live in Singapore at that time.
Yu very deftly includes this as a background to the murders, which
still took centre place in the story. The independence movement in
India is described as a leading figure in it, Bose, is rumoured to
have travelled to Singapore, while relations with Japan and its
wider move to take over territories comes out as SuLin teaches
English to the wife of the Japanese ambassador. The way many of the
British colonials treat the Singaporeans, believing themselves
superior, is also a background theme to the story.
As SuLin investigates she gets to know Mrs Lexington, Rose and
Dolly, all who have arrived in Singapore from India. Colonel
Mosley-Partington has also arrived from India and is causing chaos
with his racist views. Rumours of diamonds being stolen, a policeman
attacked and left for dead and anonymous poetry being left for
Dolly, a paper bark tree and dead birds, all keep the reading in
suspense. These twists and turns and some heart stopping moments and
great characters make this an outstanding story especially for
readers who like a mystery dashed with a taste of history.
Although part of a series, The Paper Bark Tree Mystery can
be read as a stand-alone. However, I enjoyed it so much that I now
have to go back and read the previous novels featuring this clever
young woman who uses her intelligence and observation skills to
ferret out the truth, while suffering from the effects of polio as a
child.
Pat Pledger
A Song for the Dark Times by Ian Rankin
Detective Inspector John Rebus series. Orion, 2020.
ISBN: 9781409176985.
(Age: Adult - Senior secondary) Highly recommended. Another top read
from a wonderful author finds John Rebus moving to a new apartment
because he cannot climb the stairs anymore. But that does not stop
him rushing to his daughter Samantha after she rings and tells him
that her partner Keith has gone missing. Rebus must face the fact
that he has not been the best of fathers, not bothering to get to
know Keith and always putting his job first. As he investigates
Keith's disappearance, he discovers that he was obsessed with a
World War 2 prison camp, which he wanted to make into a tourist
attraction. Does his disappearance have anything to do with this or
the elderly people who were once witnesses to a murder in the camp?
What is Samantha's involvement with the alternative community that
lives nearby and who rode the motorcycle late at night? In the
meantime Siobhan Clarke and Malcolm Fox have joined forces to
investigate the death of a rich young man, Salman bin Mahmoud,
and it appears that the two cases could overlap as the man who owns
the land the camp was on, was in a land deal with the murdered man.
The book is divided into seven parts, one for each day of the week,
and alternates with the case that Rebus is investigating and the one
that Clarke and Fox are involved in. As is the case with all of
Rankin's books, there are many twists and turns, with red herrings
scattered throughout to keep the reader guessing about the identity
of the murderers and crime boss Cafferty's interference is an
enjoyable ploy to hold the reader's interest.
Another focus in A song for the dark times is Rebus'
relationship with his daughter and granddaughter. The reader will
empathise with Samantha who feels that her father has always put his
job before his family, while feeling sympathy for Rebus as he tries
to mend his relationship with her, albeit while working intensively
on Keith's case.
It is always a joy to read one of Rankin's novels. He is an
author who has helped me through some hard times. His police
procedurals are not too gory, and his narrative demands to be read
in one or two sittings.
Pat Pledger
When she was good by Michael Robotham
Cyrus Haven Bk 2. Hachette, 2020. ISBN: 9780733644849.
(Age: Senior secondary/adult) Cyrus and Evie narrate this disturbing
story. They are very different characters, but both have suffered
tragedies and each has different ways of keeping their memories from
coming to the surface.
Cyrus Haven is a forensic psychologist who is trying to get to the
truth of a girl called Evie Cormac, although that is not her true
name. Evie is in a secure home protected by the court which
prohibits anyone from revealing her identity, location or image.
Evie is damaged goods, feisty, intelligent; a survivor. She
definitely does not want the truth to be told because she doesn't
believe the truth will set you free, but may well kill you.
Cyrus and Evie have history. Cyrus was her foster carer but that was
doomed to failure. A detective who secured the conviction of a
paedophile has been delving into the case and its wider
implications, but the questions he has been asking have led to his
death, a rather nastily staged suicide. This has also stirred the
interest in finding Evie. Cyrus wants to prevent this and believes
if he finds the truth he will protect her.
Evie tells her story bit by bit, never revealing the whole truth,
but chills the reader with her history, knowing it didn't happen to
her alone. She is rescued by Terry the one person who is a friend,
but who has been involved in her abuse. He hides her away, protects,
shields and is true to her despite the most horrific torture. Weeks
after Terry's death his body is found and eventually so is Evie who
has remained in her hidden space.
Robotham weaves a tale that drags the reader along willingly no
matter the sordid and disturbing nature of Evie's treatment. Both
Cyrus and Evie are very flawed characters, but both are sympathetic.
Cyrus has insights into the minds of others but is naive as to how
the real world works, he still has trust in the 'system', he
believes in justice. Evie on the other hand is naive about social
niceties and nuances of conversation, but she is well aware that
there is no such thing as justice. Evie can tell when people are
lying, but to her there is no difference between good and bad lies.
Lying about whether you enjoyed a meal and if you committed a murder
are no different.
Michael Robotham tells a story where the rich and powerful are able
to do what they like, where money and knowledge buys them immunity
from prosecution and the anonymity to commit the foulest of crimes.
He is also able to tell his story in a way which captures his
readers and pulls them into each suspenseful page eager to read on.
Theme: Murder, Abuse, Crime, Power.
Mark Knight
