Allen and Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760523688.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: Friendship, Visual literacy,
Humour. A story promoting friendship despite the annoying behaviour
of one, will find a place in every classroom as friendships and
their resultant disharmonies take up a lot of classroom time. How
opportune to have this book on hand which promotes friendship and in
a humorous way lets readers know that we are all different and
despite being the best of friends, a friend may some times be
annoying. Baz in asking questions tests the boundaries of their
friendship, and the things which make friends, friends.
With two owls sitting on a branch staring out at the reader, Baz
asks Benz to confirm that they are the best of friends, and when
Benz tells him that yes they are the best of friends, Baz then
details a few things which might make a difference to their
friendship. Will they still be friends when he is purple, or purple
with spots, or if he says Meep all the time? Each time, Benz answers
positively although the look in his eyes starts to question.
When Baz then says Meep all the time, Benz tells him that this is
really annoying, and asks him to stop.
Baz then disappears, but returns to say that he may be a bat. Benz
tells him that this would be scary, and that he would be afraid.
Despite all this, Benz tells him that they would still be friends.
Told with humour, the look on both faces on each page will titillate
the readers as they can easily see just how each is feeling,
encouraging facial recognition.
McKinnon's bold use of blocks of colour, like screen printing,
encourages the readers to focus on the action of the story, watching
for visual clues on each page.
I laughed out loud at I
just ate my friend (2017) and this one is just as funny,
exploring the limits of friendship and encouraging visual literacy.
Fran Knight
Blabbermouth: Oops, I've done it again! by Chrissie Perry
Illus. by Pete Petrovic. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760660956.
(Ages: 8-11) Recommended. Themes: Personality, Communication skills,
Reputation. What happens when you're nervous and you can't help
blurting things out, even other people's secrets? Chrissie Perry's Blabbermouth
is a fun, easy to read story with lively and amusing cartoon
illustrations that chronicle Amelie Anderson's life as she starts
Year 5. The author captures the school dramas and friendship highs
and lows of this super sparkly, friendly girl.
Amelie is very aware of her biggest problem; she's a blabbermouth,
she just can't help it, it's embarrassing for herself and her
friends. In her friendship circle Pepper, Charlie and Sophie
understand her ways, even when she sometimes goes a little
overboard. Meanwhile, one of her friends from Year 4 camp has
changed, Paris has become her frenemy, choosing to ignore and not
include her.
Being a Year 5 student means more responsibility, helping out with
the little buddies at play time and also has the privileges of
sitting on the west benches. All the girls like to watch Magnificent
Miles Lancaster, who's the state high jump champion and Sophie's
especially keen on him. When he reminds the girls about helping out
with the younger students, only Amelie replies, everyone else is
tongue tied!
Amelie seeks out an opportunity to prove she can change and secretly
becomes Ava the advice columnist for the school newspaper. She
learns to write with compassion and understanding developing her
responses from knee-jerk reactions to more considered and caring
responses. Everyone at school is surprised when they read the paper
and try to discover who Ava is. Blabbermouth explores emotional resilience, friendships and
finding your place in the upper years of primary school. With
different font styles and sizes and Pete Petrovic's fun characters -
Amelie with a real zip on her lips - this a great novel for hi-lo
readers. Perry worked with students from Years 4-6 to inspire her
and she presents a genuine understanding of Amelie's personal growth
and her willingness to change.
Rhyllis Bignell
Queen of air and darkness by Cassandra Clare
Dark Artifices book 3. Simon and Schuster; 2018. ISBN:
9781471116704. 880p; p/b.
In this third instalment in the Dark Artifices series of
Shadowhunter novels, Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn must deal
with the loss of Julian's sister and the Inquisitor, as well as the
oppressive machinations of the latter's replacement. Even more so
than usual for sequels, Queen of air and darkness is hard to
get into at the start, being part of a well established series and
spending a lot of time at the start dealing with the events of the
previous book. However, once the reader's caught up and the new plot
kicks into gear, there's plenty to like. While the antagonist's
racist agenda is a bit one-dimensional and old hat, it's not the
real focus, serving as a backdrop to explore troubled romances and
the coping of loss, which it does well.
The prose is descriptive and engaging, and Clare proves she knows
how to keep some levity in a grim situation without adversely
affecting the tone. Fans of Clare's other novels will find this just
as fantastic and enthralling as her other titles. The book makes use
of a diverse range of character representations including
transgender.
Some readers may be put off by the size of the book and due to the
vast thickness of the novel, this is recommended for avid readers,
lovers of Clare's other novels and bookworms. Although the sheer
engaging and impossible-to-stop reading way Clare writes for her
audiences, the story will seem like it is over quickly.
Vincent Hermann
Pearl the proper unicorn by Sally Odgers
Illus. by Adele K. Thomas. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781760661854.
(Age: 6+) Themes: Magic, Unicorns. Sally Odgers continues her
delightful magical series in Pearl the proper unicorn.
Colourful pages, borders, and magical words, make this an
easy-to-read and share story, just right for young unicorn fans.
Pearl loves making special treats for her friends, Tweet the
Firebird and Olive the Ogre. Sometimes muddled combination of words
accompanied by her head tossing and hoof stomping creates unique
results. She's interrupted by an excited Tweet who flies in and
lands on Pearl's horn announcing a special visitor to the kingdom.
Pearl is surprised to meet Prince Percival the Positively Perfect
Prancer with a sparkling horn and gorgeous long tail.
He's surprised by Pearl's magical spell casting. He stands perfectly
still and doesn't wiggle or muddle up the words. Unfortunately, he's
not impressed with Pearl's friends, a horrible noisy ogre and a
small firebird. When stinky gobble-uns take over the pond turning it
into a smelly place, the colour of pea soup, Pearl has to make a
decision. Will she follow perfect Prince Percival's advice and try
proper magic or will she use her hoof tossing, tail swishing and
flicking song?
Problem solving, valuing friends and believing in yourself help
Pearl to grow and believe in herself.
Adele K Thomas' fun, pink, grey and black pictures show both Pearl's
magical world and add sparkle to Sally Odgers enchanting story. Pearl
the proper unicorn is just right for young unicorn lovers
stepping from picture books to early chapter stories.
Rhyllis Bignell
Gorski's Bitemare by Robert Favretto
Illus. by Danny Willis. Gorski's Bitemare. Ford Street
Publishing, 2019. ISBN: 9781925804164.
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Humour, Family, Vampires, Adventure,
School, Consequences. Gorski, his sister Drusella, and their parents
turn into vampires when night comes. Both Gorski's parents work
night
shift in human jobs -his dad as a phlebotomist (someone who takes
blood) and his mum as a photo developer who works in a dark room.
While they are at work Gorski and Drusella go to the Belfry Academy
which is
a school for all kinds of bats.
After meeting their new teacher, the very scary Dr Acula, Gorski and
his best mate, Bram decide to escape school to search for mosquitoes
to feast on at the local swamp. While on their adventure, Gorski is
bitten
by an officious student fruit bat and it sets off a chain of events
in motion including detention from Dr Acula as well as a devastating
change to Gorski's bat body. Dr Stoker is called into treat Gorski
but it seems that
there is little hope unless they can find a miraculous cure.
Gorski is a mischievous character who is always planning his next
adventure. He keeps the reader amused with his antics which will
appeal to many younger students. The author has cleverly included
bat facts and humorous bat language throughout this book. The
detailed illustrations are spaced throughout the book and set the
scene for this light hearted story.
Kathryn Beilby
Enchantee by Gita Trelease
Macmillan, 2019. ISBN: 9781509895977.
(Age: Young adult) Recommended. 8.5/10. Themes: Young Adult -
Fantasy, Romance, France and Paris 1789. An exciting fantasy tale
where the illustriously rich King Louis XVI, Marie Antoniette and
the image conscious aristocrats living in their palaces or the inner
courts of Versailles, are starkly presented against the diminished
poor peasants and their hovels. Arrogance and disregard for
humankind is contrasted against courage, persistence, fortitude and
devotion to the well-being of loved ones.
Orphaned seventeen year-old Camille strives to care for her frail
younger sister Sophie while learning to move away from an older,
abusive brother Alain, addicted to glamour, money and position. So
poor and desperate, Camille resorts to her limited knowledge of
inherited maternal 'magic' (Magie - dark margic) in order to make
money. After some surprises about her past and her abilities,
Camille learns that the magie will offer hope of a future of
security in terms of food, housing, health and safety. However, with
this lure, Camille begins to pursue grander schemes for herself and
her sister. Is she fast becoming addicted to gambling, like her
desperate brother? Is she quickly becoming addicted to magic as she
slowly loses herself?
Amongst all of this, Camille makes friends with aristocrats (a group
of people who she resents). Camille finds unexpected romantic love,
but is he attracted to the-true-to-herself Camille, or to her alter
ego the Baroness de La Fontaine? Double identities exist and will
slowly be exposed.
HOPE - is presented to her in the form of a new invention devised by
a small group of forward thinking gentlemen - to fly and be free.
Hope was instilled in Camille by her father who was a printer. He
taught her about the importance of freedom of the press. She learnt
the value of the word in print - 'It was a kind of magic. A magic to
alter the World'. This hope is what France needs in order to bring
about change, revolution - to begin to balance the massive divide
between the rich and the poor, between those with positions and the
common people. Enchantee is a wonderful debut historical fantasy novel by
Gita Trelease (who states that she is searching for a secret portal
to take her back to Versailles). This novel has so many messages for
readers who are looking for a story which enlightens while providing
page-turning entertainment.
Maria Burford
Bloodwitch by Susan Dennard
The Witchlands book 3. Tor, 2019. ISBN: 9781447288855.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Themes: Fantasy, Witches and warlocks,
Battles. Fans of the first two books in the Witchlands series, Truthwitch
and Windwitch,
will welcome the story of Bloodwitch Aeduan, who has joined the
Threadwitch Iseult and the strange little girl, Owl to fight the
raiders who are destroying the countryside. However he will have to
come to terms with the actions of the Raider King, his father.
Meanwhile the Windwitch, Merik, is held by the Fury and must try to
save his friends' lives and Safi the Truthwitch is with the empress
who is trying to uncover a rebellion in her kingdom.
The world building in the Witchlands series is fascinating:
it is easy to believe in the court life of the empress that Safi
serves as well as the bleak countryside, the awful slaughter and the
strange monks and monastery. The cover too, will have instant
appeal.
These books need to be read in order as each follows the other and
builds on the motivations, courage and perseverance of the main
characters. There is action aplenty in this complex series and the
growth of the characters' understanding of what each stands for and
believes in, stands out. The author brings the series to a
satisfying conclusion, but not without some surprises and
heartbreak. This series will have broad appeal to readers of
fantasy.
Pat Pledger
Hop little bunnies by Martha Mumford
Illus. by Laura Hughes. Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781408892930.
(Ages: 0-3) Recommended. Themes; Bunnies, Lift the Flaps, Rhyming
Story. This comes after the similar title We're Going on an Egg
Hunt and is based on the popular Hop Little Bunnies
song. UK illustrator Laura Hughes's work is delightful, making the
book an instant visual winner. Her work is beautiful and young
children will love lifting the multiple flaps on every second page
to wake all the sleepy animals (they are sleeping on the front of
the flap, then awake underneath). The same format, illustrative
technique and text type was used for We're Going on an Egg Hunt
and it works so well. 'See the little bunnies sleeping till it's
noon. Shall we go and wake them with a merry tune? Oh how still, are
they ill?' There is lots of repetition here, favourite animals of
young children (sheep, chicks, bunnies, etc.) and animal sounds that
they will love joining in with. At the end we sing the animals a
happy bedtime song and they all go to sleep.
This will be a real favourite that can be read or sang at bedtime or
any other time of the day. Little ones familiar with the song will
probably even be up and hopping themselves!
Nicole Nelson
Ombria in Shadow by Patricia A. McKillip
Fantasy Masterworks series. Gollanz, 2014. ISBN:
9781473205741.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Themes: Fantasy, Sorcerers, Princes
and princesses.
World Fantasy Award for Best Novel (2003), Mythopoeic Fantasy Award
for Adult Literature (2003). This award winning novel is a feast for
the fantasy lover, one for those who wants a challenge and something
different. Ombria is a strange place with a palace riddled with
secret passages and rooms. Buried beneath the city is a shadow city,
inhabited by ghosts and Mag, a waxling created by Faey, a powerful
sorceress. When the Prince of Ombria dies he leaves only a very
young son, Kyel, and Domina Pearl, a ruthless old woman, takes over
the kingdom as regent. She expels Lydea, the Prince's mistress,
leaving her to die. But Mag saves her and together with Ducon, the
prince's bastard nephew, they try to overcome Domina Pearl's evil
intentions and save Kyel.
Written in beautiful prose, Ombria in shadow brings to life a
strange world on many levels. The reader is taken on a wondrous trip
through dusty passages with strange doors in the palace, and on a
further journey through the city with Ducon as he draws shadowy
doors and eerie buildings. There is mystery about the worlds that
McKillip describes; there is even mystery about the ending and the
reader has to pause and reread to find understanding of the
connectedness of the worlds and of Mag and Ducon's role in them. And
the magic described is original and fascinating.
The love that Ducon and Lydea have for young Kyel is central to the
book and glows throughout. It is refreshing to have the love for a
child as the main theme rather than romantic love. The idea of
loyalty to those who are loved is also one to explore and ponder
over, especially that of Mag and Faey, who discovers love for her
waxling.
It is easy to see why Ombria in Shadow is still in print
after so many years. It is a perplexing, demanding and lyrical book
that will keep the reader thinking long after it is finished.
Pat Pledger
Show Stopper! by Shamini Flint
Ill. by Sally Heinrich. The Susie K Diaries. Allen and
Unwin, 2019. ISBN: 9781760523701.
(Ages: 7-10) Recommended. Themes: Performances, Friendship, Life
skills, Schools stories. A talent show is always a source of stress
for most ordinary children, but for Susie K. it means coping with a
mother who has entered Susie and truly believes she will be the show
stopper and win the competition. The story follows Susie's attempts
to find her one true talent with funny results. Susie K. shows great
tenacity in this story to solve the problem caused by her lack of
performance skills and not disappoint her mother at the same time.
Written in cartoon style with predominantly pictures and speech
bubbles telling the story, younger readers will find this an easy
read that maintains a good pace. It is a good introduction to the
Graphic Novel genre for younger students but is not one that can be
read aloud to the class because of its structure.
This is the third book in this series but because there is a brief
introduction of the main character at the beginning of the book this
means readers can pick up this book without reading the first two
books in the series - Life of the Party and Game Changer.
However, I suspect they will be keen to read the whole series as
this is a very likeable character and the stories will appeal to
this age level who really enjoy following a series.
Gabrielle Anderson
Let me sleep, sheep! by Meg McKinlay
Ill. by Leila Rudge. Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781925381887.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: Sheep, Sleep, Humour. Young
Amos is trying to get to sleep. He begins by counting sheep, but
when he hears a thud in his bedroom, he is shocked to find two sheep
on his floor, complaining vigorously. They were each in the middle
of something, Felix eating his dinner, Walter being shorn, and it
was inconvenient to be called into this bedroom.
Handling a pair of cantankerous sheep is not what Amos needs before
bedtime, and to then be told their names and that several others are
on their way is beyond belief. But Felix insists that they need a
fence to jump over, and so Amos begins to design and then construct
a fence for them to leap.
Of course, his attempts at building a fence causes more derision
from Felix, until the right one is made. But when they demand music
and a drink before the big leap, Amos is flummoxed, so much so that
he lies down and falls asleep.
This book is an absolute stunner. A well known piece of advice on
how to get to sleep is turned on its head. The story becomes a
treatise on sleep and how to get there, a funny story about counting
sheep, a laugh out loud look at the silliness of having a pile of
sheep in your bedroom having a party. Readers will enjoy discussions
about how they get to sleep, sharing tips on reaching the land of
nod more quickly, and sharing ideas about their sleep patterns.
The mixed media illustrations are hilarious; the looks on the sheep
faces amazingly playful, as just a small change in a hair line, ears
or eyes, lip line or length of snout says so much! The detailed
background of Amos' room will have eager eyes poring over each page,
while the design and construction of the walls will entrance
readers. Activities are available in Walker's Read
to Us! Story Time Kit!
Fran Knight
Brindabella by Ursula Dubosarky
Illus. by Andrew Joyner. Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN: 9781760112042
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Single parent family,
Friendship, Australian bush, Farm life, Australian animals, Hunters,
Adventure. Pender and his father live in an old farm house hidden in
the Australian bush. Pender's father is unwell and spends his days
painting in a small hut with his loyal dog, Billy-Bob by his side.
Pender is free to roam the bush and while he is alone, he does not
feel lonely.
On one particular day Pender hears the sound of guns from hunters
who are illegally shooting kangaroos. Pender creeps towards the
noise and discovers a joey in a dead mother's pouch. He rescues the
joey and takes it home to his father. Pender persuades his father to
let him look after the joey, Brindabella, and raise it in the
farmhouse.
However Brindabella is no ordinary kangaroo. She has the ability to
communicate with the other animals and the reader is drawn into
these dialogues particularly between Billy-Bob and Brindabella. She
eventually returns to the bush to have her own adventures. While in
the bush Brindabella meets other animals, although she does not
listen to their advice and has many close encounters with danger.
Pender is a quiet, yet brave character who thoughtfully cares for
his father, the animals and the bush. He is in complete contrast to
Brindabella, a strong-willed and impulsive character. The chapters
move between Pender and Brindabella which gives an interesting
outlook for the reader. Throughout the story, the author gives the
reader a wonderful image of the bush through the clever use of
descriptive imagery. Andrew Joyner's creative yet simplistic
illustrations provide a balance with the text.
Kathryn Beilby
The Dyasters by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Pan Macmillian, 2019. ISBN: 9781760554163. paperback, 308 pg.
(Age: 11 - Young adults) Teenagers who can control the elements
(air, water, fire and earth) are being hunted down by a mad
scientist that genetically engineered them to do this while in their
mother's womb. What is there not to like in a paranormal book?
The story is about Foster and Tate and how they are drawn together
with their element of air which they never knew they had until they
turned eighteen. Their relationship and bond grow as they learn to
live together in hiding because they are being chased by the Core
Four of Eve, Luke Matthew and Mark. The Core Four are sent by Dr
Stewart the mad scientist. Foster and Tate are two of eight
teenagers that the Core Four are hunting down. It was good to meet
Charlotte and Bastien with the element of water.
It is definitely a YA (Young Adult) novel with some action but
mainly relationship stories. I found some cheesy but did enjoy
reading the book. The graphic pictures were good and helped you
visualise what happening.
Overall, I think readers are going to enjoy reading this series with
the quirky characters and romance. The paranormal aspects of the
elements add some action into the story. Looking forward to meeting
the next four teenagers with the elements of fire and earth and what
will happen to the Core Four with Dr Stewart.
I think it's aimed at females 11 to young adults.
Maria Komninos
Grace on the court by Maddy Proud
Piccolo Nero, 2018. ISBN 9781760640330. 228 pages, paperback.
(Age: 9-14) Grace on the court is a story about Grace
Parker, a netball nerd transitioning from primary school into high
school. She is very passionate about netball and her aim is to make
it onto her high school team. But that isn't going to be as easy as
it seems. A new rival Amber Burns is trying out for the team as
well. Her twin brother Gus didn't make his team and is devasted,
Grace's older brother Tyler is now ignoring her too. And to top it
all off a certain boy is now suddenly paying attention to her.
Maddy Proud herself is a professional netballer and is currently the
youngest player ever contracted into the Adelaide Thunderbirds at
sixteen. With netball being her main theme, Proud focuses on the
other topics of friendships, crushes, high school rivalry, sibling
issues and family. With this being very netball focused, Proud has
written things in a way that makes it easy for the reader to follow
along with. I found this very helpful as someone who knows little
about the sport. But with that being said the flow of the story is
still balanced with Grace's day to day life and the issues she
faces.
The target audience for this book is 9 to 14 years of age, perfect
for new highschoolers into netball or sports.
Kayla Raphael
Bright young dead by Jessica Fellowes
Mitford murders series. Hachette, 2018. ISBN: 9780751567205.
(Age: Older adolescent - Adult) This is undoubtedly a book set
firmly in the era of The Wealthy and The Rest of the World. The
children of The Wealthy are educated, erudite and spoiled, yet they
also expect that they will contribute, in an intellectual sense, to
something as exciting and challenging as 'solving a murder'. So,
reading this book demands, of the ordinary reader, a certain
positioning that forgives the idea of the wealthy as deserving of
their status and their intellect when it comes to something as
exciting as a murder, particularly when it happens in their large
residence.
Interestingly, there seems to be little feeling for the loss of a
human being, but plenty of interest in solving the murder. So,
forgiving them their sense of entitlement is necessary if one is to
enjoy the book, and it is quite a good murder mystery. The events
are credible and the interactions well-explored, giving us a clear
sense of the situation and living arrangements of the time and how
people felt and lived in England in that era.
This book would be suitable for older adolescent and adult readers
as Jessica Fellowes has constructed a good, strong and intriguing
storyline as well as believable situation and characters. In fact,
her characterization is deft, interesting and credible.
Elizabeth Bondar
