Classic Fairytales. Scholastic Australia, 2019. ISBN:
9781743815885.
(Age:2-5) Recommended. Themes: Fairy tales, Problem solving, Humour,
Adventure. The classic and much loved Three Billy Goats Gruff
fairytale has been brought to life by Nick Bland's bold
illustrations. It is a joy to read the well known story and follow
the three clever billy goats Gruff as they decide to try the grass
that is greener on the other side of the bridge. But of course they
have to get past the ugly troll who lives under the bridge and wants
to eat them for his dinner.
This has always been a favourite of mine and one that is much loved
as a read aloud by toddlers and by young children. They will love to
repeat the 'Trip, Trap, Trip, Trap, Trip, Trap! ' refrain as the
billygoats go over the bridge and will really enjoy the fact that it
is the smallest goat who goes first and tricks the troll with his
cleverness.
The illustrations are in tones of greens, blues and yellows, and
bring the countryside to life. The expressions on the faces of the
goats and the trolls are priceless and will have readers smiling.
The troll, too, is not so scary that little people will be afraid
and the final scene when the big billygoat pushes the troll into the
stream is a hoot.
This will be a keeper for young children and I can see them
demanding to have it read again and again.
Pat Pledger
David Astle's 101 Weird Words (and 3 fakes) by David Astle
Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN: 9781760633660.
(Age: 8-12) Recommended. David Astle's bio at the back of the book
states that he 'loves words. Eats them. Dreams them.' This
non-fiction book is a fun journey into the world of words.
There were words that I knew and many more than the prescribed 3
that I wondered if they were fake.
Words such as farnarkle, lackadaisical and skulduggery will
challenge many students.
At least one page is dedicated to each word, with an added
pronunciation guide and a detailed description. There is often a
little riddle or joke thrown in at the end too.
Fun illustrations are scattered throughout the book to add to the
appeal of the book.
Many children would love to pour through this book and enjoy the
words but I think it would be a fun classroom activity to have a
word a week and see if the students can work out the word's meaning
and predict if it is one of the 3 hidden fakes.
David Astle kindly gives you the code to work out the 3 fakes at the
end of the book.
I recommend this book to 8 to 12 year olds.
Jane Moore
Melody Trumpet by Gabrielle Tozer
Angus and Robertson, 2019. ISBN: 9781460754979.
(Age: 8-12) Melody Trumpet comes from a famous musical family. Her
mother is a world-renowned singer and her father an exceptional
conductor. Both parents were extremely disappointed to find out that
their long-awaited child was a musical disaster. She can't sing or
play any instrument even after years of exclusive tutoring.
Melody's parents hide her away in shame and forbid her to mix with
any other children in case her talentless secret is revealed.
Mr and Mrs Trumpet are reminiscent of poor Matilda's parents in
Roald Dahl's famous book of the same name. They are cruel, uncaring
and completely self-obsessed.
Melody briefly escapes her parent's mansion to discover another
world and new friends. It is Melody's notebook that changes her life
and gives her a chance to discover her true talent.
Melody discovers how important friendship is and that money and fame
are unimportant without love and kindness. The novel also celebrates
discovering your special skill or talent and applauding differences.
Gabrielle Tozer's previous books have been written for young adults
and this is her first book for younger students.
This is a delightful, amusing story that will appeal to readers from
8 to 12 years old.
Jane Moore
Boys will be boys - Power, patriarchy and the toxic bonds of mateship by Clementine Ford
Allen and Unwin 2018. ISBN: 9781760632335.
(Age: Adults - senior secondary) Described on the book jacket as
'Fearless feminist heroine' Clementine Ford has followed up her
tirade about sexism Fight Like a Girl with an examination of
toxic masculinity. She reasons that as she is now the mother of a
boy she needs to ensure he grows up to be a supporter not a
perpetrator. The phenomenon in western culture of gender stereotypes
expressed from birth in blue for boys, pink for girls; active toys
for boys and domestic ones for girls is a 'manifestation of
capitalist ideals'. The reader is assured that if they conform 'you
are not a bad person but you are doing a bad thing' p15. Ford's
language is provocative and strident, she makes sweeping statements
and her assertions tend to be repetitive but the book is full of
examples, case studies and statistics which have the added relevance
of being from an Australian, and often South Australian perspective.
'Boys are defined by how impressive they are while girls are defined
by how impressive they look', 'my job is to disrupt that dynamic,
not facilitate it' p24. The following chapters look at sharing of
domestic chores and child rearing; the imbalance of roles in movies
for women 'include a girl but make sure she won't be the main one'
p80; the insistence that not all men are perpetrators diluting the
debate about violence towards women; the double standards applied to
multiple sexual relationships for boys and girls; the phenomenon of
internet trolling and the torrent of abuse from the Men's Rights
Movement. She looks at the way the legal system takes gender into
account and in a chapter on the lack of women in leadership roles
she has a delicious quote from Tony Abbott about it being folly to
expect women to dominate or even approach equal representation p230.
There are worrying chapters on rape jokes and sentencing in rape
cases ending with twenty pages outlining cases of men who have been
accused or convicted of various crimes against women. The epilogue
is a sensitive and tentatively positive letter to her son and I
would have liked to have more positive suggestions and examples
throughout the book. I don't think, as the book jacket claims, this
book will answer the question 'how do I raise my son to respect
women and give them equal space in the world' but it will raise
awareness of the multiple ways we might fail. Suitable for adults
and senior students, details about rape and violence towards women
make it unsuitable for younger readers.
Sue Speck
How high the moon by Karyn Parsons
Puffin Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780241346891.
(Age: Secondary students and mature Year 7) Recommended. The book's
front cover immediately leaves the reader with no illusions about
the serious event that is to occur in the story. A torn newspaper
graphic announces that the novel was 'inspired by the tragic true
tale of George Stinney, the youngest ever American to be executed at
the age of fourteen . . . '
The newspaper is 'The South Carolina Times' and the date is 1944,
which gives background information about the setting and time. This
historical perspective may not be obvious to the young adult reader
but Karyn Parsons's story reveals the racism of Southern America
through the eyes of young black Americans.
Ella is the main character and it is her journey of self-discovery
that directs most of the plot. Ella lives in a loving extended
family with her grandparents and cousins. Her mother has moved to
the North to pursue a better life and Ella has no knowledge of her
father.
Surprisingly her mother sends for Ella to join her in Boston and at
first this seems exciting, but her mama's day job and busy night
life as an aspiring jazz singer means Ella is often alone. She
yearns for school and her past family life and her main focus is
trying to discover information about her dad.
This story is told from the perspective of several characters and is
an insight into the strong racial feelings of the times. Ella is
amazed by the differences between attitudes in the more liberal
North and racist Southern USA, especially the fragile, tenuous
existence of black people in her home state of South Carolina.
The title of the novel is an Ella Fitzgerald song and a link to the
jazz music of the time.
This is a wonderful story that deals with powerful issues. I would
recommend this story to secondary students and mature year 7's.
Here is a video
of the author talking about her novel.
Jane Moore
A Curse of Ash and Embers by Jo Spurrier
Tales of the Blackbone Witches book 1, Harper Voyager, 2018.
ISBN: 9781460756331.
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Aurealis Awards Best Young Adult
novel shortlist 2018. Themes: Witches, Curses, Coming of age. When
Elodie is sent off to be a servant she doesn't dream that she would
be working for a witch. Desperate to leave a home where she is
belittled by her stepfather and used as a drudge, she travels to a
distant village where she finds Aleida, a young witch and
immediately sees that she is needed not only as a servant but as
someone who has Aleida's back. Aleida has been in a massive fight
with her mistress Gyssha Blackbone, who has made huge monsters that
ravage the countryside and who has cursed her. For Elodie, anything
is better than going home.
This is a fantasy tale that will quickly grip the reader's
attention. Elodie is an engaging heroine: sensible and pragmatic,
she is also compassionate and helpful. As the story progresses, the
reader knows that she will do everything she can to help Aleida foil
the wicked Gyssha, even though she finds it very difficult. Aleida
is a mysterious character and Spurrier cleverly unfolds her story
and other surprises along the way.
There is plenty of action for those who like adventure and the
descriptions of the ways that witchcraft is used gives an
interesting background to the world that Elodie and Aleida inhabit.
I really enjoyed reading this story and look forward to the sequel.
Although there was a touch of romance, it was Elodie's growth in
confidence and self esteem on escaping her past and the growing
friendship between Aleida and Elodie that made the story
interesting. A Curse of Ash and Embers is likely to appeal to fans of
stories about witches and warlocks like Tempests
and slaughter by Tamora Pierce and How
to hang a witch by Adriana Mather.
Pat Pledger
The book chook by Amelia McInerney
Illus. by Connah Brecon. Omnibus, 2019. ISBN: 9781742994987.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Humour, Poultry, Illustrative
technique. A very funny look at a chook, Ray who does not realise
that he is a book chook, a two dimensional drawing that has a place
only on a page. He is appalled and checks himself out. He realises
that his feathers are flat, he has no smell near his behind, while
he talks in rhyme. He calls out to the audience to help him escape
from the page, by calling his name, and as the pages are turned he
is begging them to call out more loudly. Janine all the while waits
patiently while his attempts to escape fail, and tells him to
rethink his plans. After all does he realise what a chook does all
day? Does he know that they cannot read and write? And finally she
convinces him that he is better off where he is with Janine for a
friend.
This delightful story will have eager readers asking it to be read
out again and again, so that they can help Ray escape from the book
by calling out his name. Audience participation will be loud and
encouraging, and they will laugh out loud at his antics to get off
that page.
The clever illustrations give each of the main characters wonderful
facial expressions, revealing what each is feeling as Ray attempts
at escape. I can imagine readers grabbing all the books about chooks
from the shelves in their libraries, comparing just how chooks are
illustrated and perhaps coming to the conclusion that Ray is better
off with his friend. And they will laugh at the contrast between
real chooks and those shown in picture books.
A lovely read, extolling the phrase, 'there's no place like home'.
Fran Knight
Say something by Peter H. Reynolds
Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760664992.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Discussion, Communication, Sharing.
Encouraging kids to speak out, to say what they feel and make
themselves heard is the basis for this picture book aimed at lower
primary kids and made for a class where issues are discussed openly.
The opening endpaper sings out its themes: justice, peace, onward,
stay strong etc impelling readers to add their own words and phrases
showing their beliefs. Kids will be encouraged to find their own
voice and as they turn the next pages will see examples of what they
can do to make the world a better place. If you see someone who is
lonely, speak to them, if you see an empty canvas, add your paint,
if you see an empty garden plot, sow something and watch it grow, if
you invent something, share it, if you are angry tell someone why.
Each double page begins with 'if you', putting the reader in the
place of the person on the page, asking them to discover for
themselves what they can do about the situation. In this way, the
reader is given the task of doing something about a situation which
they may have felt was outside their control. It is now in their
hands, and the book continues encouraging, prodding, reminding just
how much they can do to make things better.
The figures on each page are reflected against a brightly patterned
background, readers seeing the child in sharp contrast to its
surroundings. This heightened image again impels readers to think
about what they want to say, and on the last page, Reynolds leaves
the page full of empty conversation outlines for them to add their
own words. He urges readers to use their voices to 'inspire, heal
and transform' and in the classroom where a sympathetic teacher will
use this book to advantage, this will be encouraged.
Fran Knight
Tilly Maguire and the royal wedding mess by Emma Grey
Angus and Robertson, 2018. ISBN: 9781460755051.
(Age: Young adult) Tilly Maguire and the royal wedding mess
by Emma Grey is a contemporary romance novel catered towards a young
adult audience. We follow Tilly Maguire, a bubbly and fresh out of
high school eighteen-year-old as she embarks on a gap year in London
working for a major PR company set to cover a royal event. When
things go awry Tilly is swept up in a whirlwind of social media
scandal and a heart throbbing romance with her childhood celebrity
crush.
The characters in this novel were oftentimes one dimensional and
cliched. No character seemed to stray from their assigned position
in the story e.g. villain wanted to ruin the main character's life
for no special reason and the love interest immediately falls in
love for no reason beside the main character being 'not like other
girls' he has dated. The diversity in this story felt somewhat
forced and added as a bonus to appeal to the younger generation
instead of actually being genuine or well informed about the LGBT+
community.
The plot was typical of the young adult genre. It heavily focused on
the romance and nothing much else. Things moved too quickly for
there to be any emotional build up or for the readers to form
connections with the characters.
The imagery and language choices were also rather cliched e.g.
'she looked like a model' etc . . . This seemed to counteract the
whole point of having diversity in the story as there was seemingly
nothing diverse about the way the characters or settings were
described.
Overall, I would recommend this book to a younger audience. It is
fast paced and easy to read. However, there is nothing unique about
the plot or the characters but if you enjoy a book with a heavy
romance element to it I think the cliche aspects of the story could
be overlooked.
Amy Folker (Student)
Jae-Dee survives the home of many mothers by Jae-Dee Collier
Balboa Press, 2018. ISBN: 9781504315692.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Jae-Dee's sad story of abandonment to
an Adelaide orphanage as a three year old in the 1950s is
fictionalised, told from the point of view of the child. So it's the
child's voice we hear as she struggles to make sense of the world
she finds herself in, longing for love but always receiving
rejection and humiliation from Sster, as the children call the nun
in charge. Sster Grace couldn't be more removed from the idea of
grace; she is harsh and cruel, beats the children in her charge and
subjects them to cruel taunting and humiliation. Jae-Dee is a
bed-wetter, and as a three year old has to drag her sheets to the
laundry, hand-wash them, and drag the clothes basket to the
clothesline.
Jae-Dee has beautiful memories of her parents, a handsome couple
gliding across the ballroom. She longs to be with them. But whilst
they are good intentioned, they are a fragile couple, her mother ill
and teetering on depression and her father too fond of the drink.
Nevertheless, for Jae-Dee it is the love of her mother and father
that she constantly craves - she desperately wants to be reunited
with them and with her younger sisters. It is the abuse and lack of
love in the orphanage that becomes the most damaging experience.
Collier clearly writes from her memories; she captures exactly how a
three year old struggles with the stairs, planting both feet on each
step, and then how she skips to keep up with the nun's quick stride
along the corridor. We share in the child's love of warm sweet food
like rice pudding, and her detestation of boiled vegetables. And we
empathise with her humiliation and embarrassment as she wakes each
morning in a wet bed. From time to time, Collier adds a comment as
an adult, reminding us this all really happened - children who were
so in need of love and care, were kept in the most cold and uncaring
environment, in an institution that was supposed to stand for love
and charity.
At the end of the book, Collier includes the transcript of the Prime
Minister's 2009 apology to the Forgotten Australians and former
child migrants; a recognition and regret for the experiences of
children who suffered neglect and abuse in orphanages, and a
reminder that the protection of children is a sacred duty. It is to
be hoped that in writing her story, Collier finds release from some
of the memories, and strength in knowing she is a survivor.
Helen Eddy
The quiet at the end of the world by Lauren James
Walker Books; 2019. ISBN: 9781406375510. 352p; p/b.
(Age: Middle secondary+) Recommended. In a future where the human
race is infertile, the last two people to ever be born confront the
fear of loneliness when a mystery disease rages through an
already dwindling population.
It's difficult to discuss what makes this book good, because its
best aspects hinge on a plot twist that shouldn't be spoilt. It
tackles some interesting ethical issues that are becoming
increasingly relevant today, and some thought provoking takes on the
future of humanity. Don't worry though, it's not all heavy futurism
- the novel also contains some quite personal themes of love and
secrets. It's quite engaging, with a unique narrative device of
reading through archived chat-logs online, interspersed at
precisely paced intervals with more traditional narration. The
representation in the cast is inspiring - bi and trans will last as
long as humanity does.
You will just have to read it yourself, it is a wonderful read. The
book is suitable for middle secondary-aged readers due to the themes
discussed, however it can be a good conversation with classes as to
the diversity and power of humanity.
Vincent Hermann
Sea Bear: a journey for survival by Lindsay Moore
Greenwillow Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780062791283. 48pp., hbk.
Imagine you are a polar bear.
Your coat is thick. Your teeth are sharp.
Your front paws are paddles, your back paws are rudders, and you can
swim for miles.
Your home has always been the sea and the ice.
A sea bear, far north in the Arctic, hunts and naps and raises her
young. She moves with the ice, swimming, running, stalking seals,
resting. She follows the rhythm of the sea and the seasons. But what
happens when those rhythms change? What happens when there is no
ice?
Told from the perspective of a female bear, the reader is taken on a
journey of the Arctic seasons starting in spring when the ice is
thick and the baby seals numerous, through to summer when the water
warms and the ice melts, making it too thin to stand on and the
seals more wary and quicker. Smelling land on the offshore breeze,
the bear starts to swim to shore for food but it is a long arduous
and perilous journey filled with lots of other creatures of the cold
seas. But above all, polar bears are patient and so she continues
knowing that the world will turn, the time will pass and winter will
come again. Courage, determination, resilience - even in the animal
kingdom.
As well as the evocative text, it is the illustrations which make
this book a stand-out. Using a palette of a myriad of blues, the
reader is treated to all the moods and times of this wonderland
- starry night skies, ocean depths and shallows, the aurora borealis,
the breaking ice pack and isolate seashore. While it could be a
story of any sea bear, using the first person builds a connection
with the reader so we are invested in her survival as well as that
of all her kind. Her companions of the deep become less threatening
as they pass by each other as Moore's illustrations reflect her
Master of Science in Medical and Scientific Illustration.
A page of information about sea ice and polar bears and another
introducing the creatures she passes on her journey to shore add to
the value of this book which shines a light on the plight of Arctic
(and Antarctic) creatures as global warming continues and the amount
of sea
ice declines each year.
A valuable addition to your environment and sustainability
collection.
Barbara Braxton
The boy: His stories and how they came to be by Oliver Jeffers
HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN: 9780008294342. 168pp., hbk.
In 2004, Oliver Jeffers set out to do a painting of someone trying
to do something impossible - a boy catching a star with a butterfly
net - and that idea evolved not only into the book How
to catch a star but into a series of four stories
including Lost and found, The way back home and Up
and down.
Now collected into one collection, this book also offers a unique
look behind the scenes at the development of each book. As well as a
letter from Jeffers himself explaining how the series grew (and may
still do so, although that is unlikely), it contains more than 100
distinctive sketches, notes and ideas that he has chosen from his
archives that show the thoughts, events and incidents that shaped
the stories.
Apart from its inherent beauty, this book has much to offer about
how stories grow in the minds of their creators, giving it an appeal
and a use far beyond the target audience of the original stories
themselves.
Barbara Braxton
Mummy Cuddle by Kate Mayes
Illus. by Sara Acton. ABC Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780733339431.
(Age: 1-5) Highly recommended. Themes: Bedtime, Parent and child,
Mothers, Feel good book. A lovely gentle but very humorous book Mummy
cuddle tugs at the heartstrings and leaves the reader feeling
happy after reading it. Bunny creeps out of bed and 'brum brum',
pushes a little car down the stairs and asks Mummy to play. Mummy is
very patient and carries him back upstairs on her back and quietly
answers questions while trying to get Bunny to sleep.
The narrative is sparse with most double page spreads having only
two words: 'Mummy play?' Mummy talk?' 'Mummy brush?' 'Mummy pat'
until finally 'Mummy dream' and 'Mummy cuddle'. Children will have
fun predicting just what Bunny will come up with next in the quest
to stay awake and many will know just what will happen. Sara Acton's
outstanding illustrations done in soft pastels, with Mummy and Bunny
outlined in black, are enchanting. The characteristics of both are
clear - Mummy is such a loving, unflappable parent while Bunny is
persistent but loving as well, even covering Mummy with a blanket as
she sleeps on the floor. The endpapers are worthy of close
examination, the front ones showing Bunny having a bath and getting
ready for bed, while the back ones show an exuberant dance.
This would be an ideal book to share with children on Mother's Day
in particular, but the message of parental love is one for any time.
I can see it becoming a cherished book that celebrates the bond
between mother and child.
Pat Pledger
On the come up by Angie Thomas
Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781406372168.
(Age: Young adult) Recommended. On the come up by Angie
Thomas is a hard-hitting contemporary young adult novel novel that
brings light to topics such as racial stereotyping and
discrimination of people due to their social class.
Bri has always dreamed of being a famous rapper like her dad so when
she gets the chance to compete in an amateur rap battle in her
inner-city neighbourhood she jumps on it. She believes that becoming
a rapper is the key to saving her family from poverty and to rise
above the racism and hate she experiences from being African
American in her community.
The characters in this novel were realistic and unique from each
other. Their personalities and ambitions in the novel were memorable
and special to that character. This made you feel like you were
getting to know and forming real relationships with the characters
in the novel.
The plot was unique and spoke about racial inequality in a way that
clearly highlighted the injustices minorities face daily in real
life. These heavy topics are delivered in a non-graphic and easy to
interpret way so readers young or old will feel as if they have
gained knowledge and a deeper understanding of racial prejudice.
The imagery and language choices were true to the setting of the
novel which is a predominately African American neighbourhood. It
felt as if I was transported to America and could hear the
characters through their realistic dialogue. The language choices
were clear and easy to understand which is most likely because this
book is aimed at young adults.
Overall, I would recommend this book to a younger audience who would
like to know more about the injustices racial minorities face in
modern day society. It is a fast paced but still emotional impactful
read. If you enjoy realistic characters and an action packed plot
this is the book for you!
Amy Folker (student)
