Stand up for the future: A celebration of inspirational young Australians
Puffin Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780143794394.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Themes: Young Australians, Achievements,
Diversity, Overcoming difficulties, Resilience, Aspirations, LGBTIQ,
Sports stars, Arts, Environmentalists, STEM. There has been a
plethora of bright biographies released about successful people
recently. This book distinguishes itself in that it feels more like
a presentation night with each individual appearing on the
Australian stage as a young Australian achiever. As each
biographical detail is introduced, a colourful introduction double
page invites the reader to 'stand up for . . . ' the latest young
Australian of note. The stories of achievement are inspiring. Each
young person highlighted has made their mark in a diverse range of
fields. Within the 'stage' of this book there are entrepreneurs,
STEM enthusiasts, social or environmental activists, sports stars
and successful singers, poets, writers, and the list goes on! Each
young person is extraordinary, but some of them have very ordinary
backgrounds, and have just been able to break through into the
public arena in some way.
With an illustration of the young achiever that is merely 'a
suggestion' of their appearance and utilises a variety of artistic
style features, different artists and lots of colour, this book is
almost a conversational biography rather than a reference book of
biographical information. (It would be impossible to recognise the
young Australian in the street from their illustration!) The purpose
of the book is to inspire, and the purchase of the book also creates
a charity donation towards the Smith Family charity to enable them
to continue to support young people to be the best version of
themselves and to aspire for a positive future.
Carolyn Hull
Bodies of men by Nigel Featherstone
Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9780733640704.
(Age: Adult) Recommended. Set in Egypt 1941, the story opens with a
scene in the desert, where a young captain, William Marsh, whilst
moving forward to help a Medical Officer reach a wounded lorry
driver, hesitates to fire on the enemy before him - someone else
rises up and fires the shots, but in that moment of hesitation the
MO is severely injured. The man that makes the decisive shots is
James Kelly, someone who is familiar to William . . . from long ago,
at home.
That moment in the desert haunts William - it is his fault the MO is
wounded. And from then on, he is driven to ensure that his men are
in the peak state of preparedness. Because of his family
connections, he is stationed in a relatively safe location where he
has time to devote to training his men, and strict and demanding
training becomes ongoing, every day. A note from his superior
informs him that the other soldier, James Kelly, has gone AWOL, and
in that moment William realises how he knows him.
The story gradually reveals how the two men's lives have crossed,
from a naive boyhood friendship to enlistment in a war in a foreign
land; and then how their paths continue to blend together as their
love for each other grows. It is a love story told beautifully.
Featherstone brings alive the city of Alexandria, amid the desert
landscape, as well as the complexities of people from different
nationalities and backgrounds, thrown together, escaping from the
war in Europe, people with secrets. It is an intriguing story that
draws you in; we empathise with the young men, in dread of secret
organisations and the brutal Provost Corps, trying to find a way to
be together. Bodies of men is a war romance of a different kind. Written
whilst on a residency with the Australian Defence Force Academy,
Featherstone says he became 'intrigued by the idea of researching
different expressions of masculinity under extreme military
pressure'. The result is a beautifully written and tender love
story. For more about his inspiration for the book, see the author's
comments
online.
Helen Eddy
Little Frida by Anthony Browne
Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781406381221. Hardcover, 32 pages.
(Age: All) Highly recommended. Themes: Frida Kahlo,
Disability. Resilience, Artists, Belonging, Imagination. Fans of
Anthony Browne's wonderful books and fans of the artist Frida Kahlo
will welcome this gorgeous picture that pays tribute to the artist's
young life. When she was six Frida Kahlo contracted polio and from
then on walked with a limp. She was bullied at school and felt
lonely and isolated until she went on a journey and met an imaginary
friend who could dance beautifully. This figure would feature in her
art in her later life.
Browne has used Kahlo's diary entries describing the time she met
her imaginary friend beneath a dairy to write a poignant story about
Frida's early life. His illustrations, done in the style of Kahlo,
are very evocative and tell a touching tale about a young girl's
disability and quest for friendship. Browne has won The Kate
Greenaway Medal twice and Little Frida could well be another
winner of this prestigious award. His illustrations, done in the
bright colours that characterised Kahlo's work, are beautiful and
will strike a chord in the minds of young and adult readers as they
follow Kahlo's flights of fancy when she dons a pair of wings that
she has been given for her birthday. The resilience that Kahlo had
is inspiring and the richness of her imagination comes across as an
important factor in her journey to becoming a world famous artist.
Children are fascinated by the artwork of Kahlo: bookstores keep
popular bookmark souvenirs and mugs depicting her self-portraits, so
this book will resonate with readers who want to learn more about
her life and art. There is biographical information at the back of
the book, and a picture of The two Fridas (1939), showing
her imaginary friend, gives the reader an insight into her
paintings.
This exquisitely produced book with its moving story and superb
illustrations will be one that readers will want to keep and return
to again and again.
Pat Pledger
The greatest book in the world by Matt Porter (Rudolph Wordsmith)
Ill. by Dave Atze. Ford St, 2019. ISBN: 9781925804140.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Language, Rhyme, Verse story,
Bad language, Nudity, Humour. If you love looking for rude words
that rhyme with 'bart' and 'snickers' and 'mum' and 'slurp' and 'start', as
Rudolf writes his way through this book in four line rhyming
stanzas, then this book is for you. Rudolf introduces his book,
inviting readers to add the last word of each stanza, carefully
picking a word that rhymes. Of course the words that kids will call
out, suggest and perhaps think but not say are the rude words that
kids adore ('poo', 'bum', 'knickers' and so on) so Matt Porter instantly
gets his readers on side and involved with words that are not quite
acceptable. What a hoot - kids will love it, as well as adults as
they read the book out loud, soliciting the correct words as well as
those not quite so correct.
Atze's illustrations show a zany cartoon character for Rudolf,
divesting himself of his clothes as the story unfolds. Poor Mum and
Grandma the unwilling witnesses to Rudolf's antics. As each page is
turned the correct word is revealed, the author often admonishing
the reader for the word they thought of, again reinforcing the
correctness of language and what is acceptable and what is not. This
is a treat for kids discussing acceptability of language, looking at
what language can be used and where as well as its
appropriateness in particular circumstances.
Almost put off by another fart book, I found that the basis of the
story in showing children when and where language can be used is a
useful tool for parents and teachers alike in setting standards in
their home and classrooms. With a great lashing of humour supported
by funny illustrations, this book will be rarely left on the shelf.
Fran Knight
The cold eye by Laura Anne Gilman
The Devil's West bk. 2. Simon and Schuster, 2019. ISBN:
9781481429726.
(Age: 16+) Themes: Fantasy, Road trips, Western, Coming of age. In
the sequel to Silver
on the Road, Isobel is once again faced with the magic in the
land. This time something that is making the earth quake is
threatening everything and she must try to set the Territory to
rights. Accompanied by her mentor, Gabriel, she rides to uncover
what is destroying the land and making the animals and people flee. The cold eye has a slower pace in comparison to Silver on
the road, and concentrates on the gradual growth of Isobel's
strength and understanding of her skills and the responsibility that
the devil has laid on her shoulders. Isobel is a strong character,
and the reader will become immersed in her gradual coming of age.
Some more of the tantalising secrets that Gabriel has hidden come to
the surface, but Gilman still leaves enough uncovered that the
reader will look forward to the next book in the series.
Gilman's real strength is in her world building. The landscape of a
strange version of the old West is vividly described and the world
of the Territory, its magic, the wards that are used by everyone to
contain it and the different people come to life and make for a
unique read.
Although slow at times, The cold eye leaves the reader eager
to find out more about the quests that Isobel must undertake as the
devil's Left Hand and the secret powers that Gabriel hides in the
next in the series, Red waters rising.
Pat Pledger
Red Waters Rising by Laura Anne Gilman
The Devil's West bk. 3. Saga Press, ISBN: 9781481429757.
(Age: 16+) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy, Western, Coming of age. In
the conclusion to The Devil's West trilogy, Isobel and
Gabriel ride to the great river, the Mud River, (aka Mississippi)
where Isobel will once again be tested not just as the Devil's Left
Hand but as a bone child. With strange threats to the welfare of the
Territory, it is up to Isobel to work out what is happening.
Meanwhile, Gabriel is increasingly drawn to the waters of the Mud
River.
The alternative world of the West has been a great setting for this
character driven trilogy, and the descriptions of the Red Stick, its
inhabitants and relations with the Native peoples all make for an
interesting reading experience. As the settler numbers increase and
the American fort across the river grows in size, there are tensions
about the Agreement that binds the people and allows them to stay in
the Territory. Isobel must arbitrate carefully to help calm the
unrest that is developing.
It was unusual to see the strong relationship between Isobel and
Gabriel, who acts so well as her mentor, teaching her the skills she
needs and ensuring that she takes the lead in solving the problems
facing the land. Isobel has developed from a young 16 year old to a
confident young woman who is prepared to think through issues and
act for the best of the people, while readers will be intrigued by
the pull that the water exerts on Gabriel.
The conclusion is complex and well developed, strange and
disturbing. Readers will be sure to pursue the novella, Gabriel's
road, for a further look at the world of the Territory and
Gabriel's quest for peace.
Pat Pledger
The City of Guardian Stones by Jacob Sager Weinstein
Walker, 2018. ISBN: 9781406368864.
(Age: 9-12) Themes: London, Fantasy, Magical realism, Adventure. The
City of Guardian Stones is a hilarious, entertaining fantasy
caper that takes us deep down into sewers, art gallery and railway
tunnels, chasing the dastardly Minnie Tickle stone thief. Hyacinth
and her family and friends return for another fantastical quest to
save their city from evil forces. Someone is stealing the magical
heritage of London; ancient stones are disappearing from
underground.
Hyacinth's family are mysteriously connected to the magical rivers
that run under the city of London and the stones that hold the
ancient secrets of the city. They undertake an epic journey across
London, travelling with Oaroborous a giant pig wearing a swimsuit
who communicates succinctly with responses written on little cards.
They are also assisted by the Coade stone statues which are
strategically placed throughout the city, especially the stone lion
Hungerford who transports them and assists them in some dangerous
situations.
The young girl, her Mom and Little Ben Franklin find themselves
locked in jail, stuck in the Lost and Found Office and fighting in
magical foggy conditions. Here, Hyacinth's sword and dancing skills
utilising her 'Excalibrolly' prove useful fighting Minnie Tickle.
Can Hyacinth and her friends stop Minnie from resurrecting the old
London Bridge and stop the evil that wants to control the city?
Weinstein's epic story has a surprising array of quirky characters,
strange settings and magical moments that takes the reader on a
thrilling ride. His world building, architectural descriptions and
unique underground places add to the excitement. Each of the main
characters learn more about their capabilities, strengths and
working together as a team. For added interest, photos and
information of the real London sites are included.
Rhyllis Bignell
How to rob a bank by Tom Mitchell
HarperCollins Children's Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780008276508.
(Age: 11 and up) Recommended. Themes: Adolescents, humor, guilt,
bank robberies, fires. When I first read the title of this book
little alarm bells rang in my head thinking this may not be such a
great topic to allow into a teenager's hands. However, the story is
more about a young man's need to impress his first love than
stealing from a bank. Fifteen-year-old Dylan Thomas is competing
with annoying Harry for Beth's affections and giving her a Nepalese
candle for her birthday seemed a great idea at the time. But as with
many of Dylan's great ideas, his execution never seems to come up to
what he's envisaged. The candle smelled awful and trying to get rid
of it in a hurry when Beth's mum was on her way to catch him in
Beth's bedroom meant throwing it into the bin. Great idea, unless
the candle is still alight and causes a house fire.
Things turn from bad to worse when he realizes he has caused such a
catastrophe that Beth must move in with her Aunt and go to a
different school as the family can't afford the rent for the flat
they are forced to live in as a result of the fire. The idea that he
could somehow gift Beth the money her family needs gives him the
motivation to rob a bank. Watching movies with his dad, who is not
opposed to bending the rules when it suits him, has shown him that
there are many smart ways out there to get money without having to
go into a bank. In desperation to save Beth from her family's'
financial woes he decides to try a few out.
Again, his implementation lets him down on several occasions
providing the reader with a story that is very entertaining. Dylan
is a thinker and is determined to get this right and no unfinished
history homework, horrible Saturday job or nasty bank manager is
going to stand in his way.
Gabrielle Anderson
The Talent Show by Delphine Davis
Mermaid Holidays bk. 1. Illus. by Adele K. Thomas. Puffin
Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780143796510.
(Age: 6-8) Recommended. Themes: Friendship; Mermaids. This is an
easy-to-read Friendship tale involving friends who catch up every
school holiday break . . . and mermaids! Each of the four
mer-friends has a companion side-kick - a marine creature that often
speaks the words of wisdom that they need to hear. In this tale, the
mer-girls get together to plan their mer-formance (performance) in
the upcoming talent show. Sophia's bossiness gets in the way of a
polished performance, creating waves amongst the friends. Will the
friendship recover from the debacle? Only the voice of reason from
Sophia's side-kick, Smedley, can restore what has been wrecked.
This is a book for readers of easy chapter fiction for girls, not
dissimilar to many others written for this age group, but with
mermaids as characters. Illustrations are simple comic style which
reveals story and character details with hints of humour. There is
no great complexity to the plot and young girls will recognise the
playground and friendship dilemmas and solutions. There are other
books to follow in the series, so this is one to recommend to the
young reader discovering chapter books and reading independence.
Especially if they love mermaids!
Carolyn Hull
The bug collector by Alex G. Griffiths
New Frontier Press, 2019. ISBN 9781925594539.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Insects, Grandfathers, Collecting,
Hobbies, Environment, Museums. When his Grandfather takes George to
the museum on his favourite day of the week, Sunday, Grandfather
takes the lead, pulling him past the dinosaurs, whales and mammoths
to a place he likes best of all, the smallest creatures in the
museum, the insects. George becomes hooked on these marvellous
creatures and can talk of nothing else. He creates a backpack with
all the necessary equipment and goes out to collect insects. At
first it is very difficult, as the insects seem to know when he is
about to net them, but he soon develops skills that see him net and
trap a whole array of the insect world. He is very proud of his
achievement, looking at all the insects in their finery in glass
jars and bottles in his play house, but when he climbs down the
ladder to go back home, he feels very alone. It is very quiet, there
are no insects buzzing around the garden any more, no small
creatures to look at and admire; they are all gone.
Next day in the garden he notices that nothing looks quite right:
plants have wilted, trees are losing their gloss and there are no
insects to be seen. Grandfather realises that George has taken all
the insects from the garden and he explains just how important
insects are to the health of the environment they live in. George
goes immediately to his play house and opens all the doors and
windows, bottles and jars to let the insects out and back into their
world.
A life lesson is learnt by all in an easily explained picture book
which will evoke tons of discussion in the classroom, and all
insects that venture in will be watched with glee. The humorous
illustrations fit the bill, with Grandfather in his tiny hat, and
Darwinesque beard, George with his backpack and ever present cat,
and an array of insects on every page.
I love the ease with which Griffiths outlines some basic information
about the role of insects in our world, sure to be much thought
about in classrooms.
Fran Knight
Gone by midnight by Candice Fox
Crimson Lake bk. 3. Bantam, 2019. ISBN: 9780143789154.
(Age: 16+) Recommended. Themes: Crime, Detectives. Ted Conkaffey is
back with his partner, Amanda Pharrell, in a suspenseful, locked
room mystery. Following on from the success of the first two books
in this series, Crimson Lake and Redemption Point,
Fox once again writes an engrossing story that keeps the reader
guessing right until its thrilling conclusion. Four young boys had
been left alone in a locked room, while their parents dine
downstairs. When one of the parents checks on the children, they
discover one of them is missing and no trace of his whereabouts can
be found on the CCTV of the building. Conkaffey and Amanda are
brought in by the parent of the missing child and begin to
investigate what has really happened that night.
Lovers of mysteries and police procedurals will really enjoy this
story, trying to follow the clues and work out just what has
happened to the young boy. Amanda's abrasive personality and quirky
dialogue brings some welcome relief to the story, and Fox's
exploration of the joys and responsibilities of parenthood adds
depth to the mystery. Ted is supposed to be caring for his daughter
Lillian, at the time of the investigation, and has to call on his
friend to help childmind while he leaves to follow leads, and Sara,
the mother of the missing boy, is fighting her ex-husband for
custody. The background of the crocodile infested Crimson Lake in
Northern Queensland, Amanda's bikie friends and her stalker all add
colour and vitality to a clever and well written book.
Ned Kelly award winning author, Fox, gives enough background for
this to be read as a stand-alone crime story, but new readers would
find that the first two in the series are well worth pursuing.
Pat Pledger
Adventure Duck vs Power Pug by Steve Cole
Illus. Aleksei Bitskoff. Orchard Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781408356838.
(Age: 6+) Recommended. Themes: Superpowers, Humour, Good vs evil.
Imagine a meteor lands and the impact creates a surge of energy that
transforms animals nearby into over-charged versions of themselves
with powers that defy reason . . . and that is the premise to this
book. When an ordinary duck, living an ordinary life in a local duck
pond, (A Duck, self-named as Adventure Duck) becomes the recipient
of this excessive burst of 'super' and supreme influence, he also
gets to team up with a mind-reading egg (with Eggstra-sensory
Perception) and a striking Neon Zebra to bring their evil nemesis,
Power Pug and his sidekick, Apocalypse Cow, to their knees.
This book does defy reason, but the extremely quirky characters with
their bizarre powers are entertaining. The story is filled with
mildly amusing puns and expressions that will appeal to young
readers. With a second book to follow, ready to incorporate
Adventure Duck's talents, young readers who enjoy humorous stories
will be recommending this book to their friends.
This is not great literature, and the illustrations are suitably
eccentric, but kids will be laughing as they read and will enjoy the
super-charged hapless superhero.
Recommended for readers aged 6+.
Carolyn Hull
Boy oh boy by Cliff Leek
Illus. by Bene Rohlmann. Quarto Publishing, 2019. ISBN: 9781786033291.
Themes: Masculinity, Activism, Racism, LGBTIQ. Subtitled 'From boys
to men', inspired by 30 coming-of-age stories of sportsmen,
artists, politicians, educators and scientists, Boy oh boy
is a collection of biographical entries to highlight the way that
different young men from around the world have expressed their
strength, individuality and their influence in the world. The
variety of expressions of what it is to be a man is deliberate in
showing that there are many ways to do this. From Nelson Mandela,
Mohammed Ali, Gandhi to Prince and LeBron James, there are many
examples of activists, politicians, musicians, artists and sports
stars that have changed the world in some way. Many of the men will
be unknown to young readers, but do make interesting
reading. There are also individuals whose fame has also given them
opportunity to serve and impact the world and a number of LGBTIQ
individuals whose stories of overcoming discrimination are told in
this collection.
Illustrated with a Pop Art style bright design for each bio page,
there is a youthful and non-realistic representation for each man
depicted. This is ironic for a non-fiction biography and perhaps
will attract some, and dissuade others from reading this book and
may make it difficult to be used as a reference book.
Carolyn Hull
Follow after me by Allison Marlow Paterson
Big Sky Publishing, 2019. ISBN: 9781925675580.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Themes: World War I; Romance; War;
Family history. This is cross-generational story involving both a
World War I story and a contemporary coming of age drama and
romantic tale. It is compelling, romantic and sad, and yet also has
heart-warming qualities. In 1916 we hear of the young girl Evie,
whose boyfriend, Tom, goes to war with four of his five brothers.
Sadly, only two of the young family members will return home. The
heartbreak for one family is intense, and for Evie the uncertainty
is also heart-rending. In a time when letters provide an opportunity
to share one's heart, Evie and Tom share their lives and love
despite the separation of war.
Generations later, these letters and their insights into the past,
with the other family communications from the brothers, are
rediscovered by Lizzie's family in an abandoned and slightly ghostly
family home. Lizzie is encouraged to read the letters, but is going
through some personal turmoil and contemporary challenges. Her
friendship choices, social media, school and romantic life have
taken a twist that threatens to create her own dramatic conflict
with potentially disastrous consequences. A social encounter
involving alcohol and a potential sexual assault reveals the danger
to which poor choices can lead. A gentle fellow student and a
protective older brother prove to be her heroes and more trustworthy
than her new friends. As these two story threads are woven together,
the author reveals the intensity and dangers that impact
relationships can have similar elements across the generations, but
the stresses of the times are quite different. Both storylines are
gripping and the insights into the Anzac soldier's life are
compelling.
Allison Marlow Paterson has based her World War I story line on her
own family history detailed in her non-fiction work, Anzac Sons.
Because of the truths of the circumstances from her own ancestry,
this story resonates with tragedy. The facts of the war are
well-detailed from her own research, and using her own family
records and information from the Australian War Memorial. The
setting of both generational tales in rural Australia is also
revealing. The modern storyline incorporates many modern dramas -
sexting, the dangers of choosing the 'wrong' friends, social media
dilemmas, and the misunderstandings across generations. Lizzie's
school visit to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra is a turning
point in the book and for anyone who has visited, will remind them
of the solemn experience.
This is a very readable book, and will stay with the reader for some
time. Romantic and sad; confronting and gentle . . . and worthy of
recommendation. Highly recommended for those who love social
history, aged 14+.
Carolyn Hull
A quiet girl by Peter Carnavas
University of Queensland Press, 2019. ISBN: 9780702260025.
(Age: 4-8) Highly recommended. Themes: Sounds, Listening, Personal
characteristics. Peter Carnavas's distinctive illustrations have a
calming, soft and peaceful quality perfectly suited to the themes of
this book. His previous publications, including The
Children Who Loved Books and The
Elephant, tend to encourage treading lightly on the
world and stopping to appreciate the world around us, and A
Quiet Girl is no exception. Mary is a free-spirit and the
house seems to be full of things that she has made out of rubbish:
bird feeders, wind chimes, pots and vases. She is also very quiet:
she walks quietly, talks quietly and thinks quietly. 'Because Mary
was quiet, she heard things nobody else heard. A dragonfly buzzing
through the air. The soft sigh of the sleeping dog next door'. The
problem is, Mary is so quiet nobody hears her. 'Use a nice, LOUD
voice', says her dad over the racket of the blender. 'Speak up,
honey', says her mum over the roar of the hairdryer. But she just
can't do it, so instead she becomes quieter and quieter until it
almost feels like she isn't there and the illustrations show her
gradually lose colour and disappear. The story ends with Mary and
her noisy family sitting down together and listening 'for all of the
small wonderful things that lay hidden in the world'. It is
beautiful to see them all entering Mary's world for a little while
and it highlights the importance of recognising and appreciating
differences and personal characteristics; she is different to the
rest of her family, but that is okay. Mary's gentle interaction with
the world encourages the reader to take note and revel in the wonder
in the world: 'the smell of freshly cut grass . . . the tickle of
the breeze ruffling her hair'.
This book is a little reminiscent of Margaret Wild's recent The
Sloth Who Came to Stay in its message to slow down and
enjoy the little things around us, but it is also about taking note
of those children who are quieter and sometimes get lost or
misunderstood in the ruckus of everyday life: a beautiful and
thought-provoking message for all teachers, parents and noisy
friends. Teacher
notes are available.
Nicole Nelson
