Puffin, 2019. ISBN: 9780143796572.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. What an entertaining, clever and
informative book this is! I picked it up as a possible present to
give my grandchildren from London when they visit and quickly became
engrossed in the descriptions of all the dangerous things that can
be found in Australia and how you can survive them. The way the book
is set out is sure to grab the attention of both children and adults
as they learn about deadly things on the land (spiders, snakes,
mosquitoes); in the water (sharks, crocodiles, jelly fish); in the
environment (thirst, deadly vegetation) and finally everything else.
Each section has a description of the deadly things, facts and first
aid, photographs and a news story about survival. I was particularly
taken with chapter 5, 'Cute but dangerous animals' (1. Kangaroo 2.
Tasmanian devil 3. Platypus 4. Wombat) and loved the section on the
wombat with a picture of its cube poo and a description of an attack
on a woman by a wombat.
Kids will enjoy the avatar that guides them through the book and
will love the humour of the sections like 'Totally fake death' where
they can learn about mythical animals like the bunyip and the
Hawkesbury River Monster. This is a book that would be a boon to
take on a family holiday because it would provide kids with hours of
interesting reading that could be shared with the whole family. At
the same time the content is informative and well described, with
the first aid sections and instructions being particularly clear and
concise should any of the deadly creatures and events be
encountered.
This is a keeper, useful for not only travellers and holiday makers,
but all libraries.
Pat Pledger
The secret commonwealth by Philip Pullman
The Book of Dust, volume 2. David Fickling Books, 2019. ISBN:
9780241373347.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Since diving back into the world of His
dark materials with Malcom in La
belle savage (book one of The Book of Dust
series) the excitement has grown fans of the original trilogy. With
the release of The secret commonwealth there were many
questions that needed answering about the adult Lyra becomes. In
this novel we re-enter Lyra's life during her final year of college
at St Sophia's, just as her world comes crumbling down.
After the death of the master of Jordan College, Lyra loses the
protection of the college, throwing her into a dangerous world.
After the discovery of a dead man, Lyra and Pan's world is thrown
upside down. Taken into hiding by one of Lyra's teachers (Malcolm)
after the ransacking of her bedroom, Lyra begins to question
everything she knows about her tutors and their involvement with
Oakley Street. Meanwhile, Lyra's relationship with her daemon is
threatened by her controversial philosophical heroes. She refuses to
listen to Pan and, one night after an argument, Pan sets off in
search of her imagination. Naked and gruesome without a daemon, they
both must set off too.
With the intrigue of Oakley Street, the layers of the alethiometer,
and a budding romance that will almost make you forget about Will, The
secret
commonwealth is every bit as fascinating as La belle
savage and His dark materials. For those approaching
this book independent of the series I would advise caution, while
enjoyable in its own right it does rely heavily on the book's
predecessors. This is a novel with a multitude of layers which
delves not just into psychology and philosophy but politics and
self-affirmation.
I would highly recommend to fans of the series (and encourage them
not to be put off by the new budding romance).
Kayla Gaskell
The world that we knew by Alice Hoffman
Simon and Schuster, 2019. ISBN: 9781471185830.
(Age: Adolescent readers, with support) This beautifully written and
most unsettling narrative captures our imagination instantly,
plunging us into the terror of the German government's plan to
exterminate the Jewish people of Europe. From our 21st century point
of view this vile scheme was dire and inhumane. Yet it happened and
Alice Hoffman delves into the agony and terror faced by people who
were simply 'wrong' in one government's notion of what makes some
people simply unacceptable, thereby justifying getting rid of them.
While we know that horrendous crimes against people for no more than
their religious beliefs and lifestyle have taken place over the
years of human history, this story is one that speaks of brutality
at its worst and of dreadful injustice, of despicable treatment of
both children and adults, all apparently embedded in the notion that
those who are unwanted can simply be eradicated.
Helped by good people in France, who ask no questions but offer
shelter, and sometimes food, the fleeing girls go on their perilous
journey. They spend time in barns, on farms and in a school where
they are disguised as locals. Terrified for her children's lives,
one mother realises that she cannot flee with children as they will
almost certainly be apprehended if she accompanies them, so, in
desperation, she creates a golem, a Jewish mystical creature created
from the materials of the earth, to guard and guide her daughter.
This mystical element is deeply embedded in the narrative, and is
representative of the trust in the elements of our universe to be
good, kind and trusting, as we see in the decency of those who offer
sanctuary to the strangers. The golem leads them to safety, as they
travel away from all that they know and those whom they loved in
their own world, to a world that is unknown but offers them the
chance of a future. This decision is critical, agonising and
indicative of the enormous trust in God that this women's actions
suggest.
The book is suitable for adolescent readers, with guidance and
support, as it details how parents would know that the only chance
for their children to live is to flee without parents, as this would
imperil them, to be recognized as fleeing Jews.
Elizabeth Bondar
Nine worlds in nine nights: A journey through imaginary lands by Hiawyn Oram
Illust. by David Wyatt. Walker Studio 2019. ISBN: 9781406377705.
(Age: Upper primary+) Themes: Fantasy, Magic, Imagination. This
luxuriously produced large format book with its dark padded cover,
metallic motifs and runic fore-edge is a little confusing at first.
The premise is that it contains the writings and drawings of a
theoretical physicist Professor Dawn Gable who experienced a life
changing nine nights journeying with a dragon, Hyllivar, in a
fantastic machine to nine magical worlds. Inspired by nine pages of
a book, given to her by her brother, called Lost in the
Imagination the worlds include Valhalla, Mecanopolis, Wyvern
Abbey and Atlantis, each with a double page from the book.
This is an absorbing and lavishly illustrated journey, alternating
between the pages of the book and Professor Gable's sketches and
scientific observations as she gradually embraces the magical worlds
and achieves self-knowledge, understanding the power of human
imagination. With complex diagrams, lovely watercolour sketches and
interesting information this will appeal to upper primary students
though some of the many typefaces are a little hard to read. An
unusual book, I was reminded of Lady Cottington's pressed fairy
book by Terry Jones.
Sue Speck
Peppa Pig: Peppa's Australian underwater adventure
Penguin, 2019. ISBN: 9780241405024.
(Age: Pre-school) Recommended. Another Peppa Pig adventure will
thrill all the young fans who love to watch the TV show. This time
Peppa Pig has been fortunate enough to win a colouring competition
and the prize is a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. With her family
and Miss Rabbit her teacher, the group gets organised for the
journey, buying what they need and then going by plane to Australia.
Miss Rabbit had a very exciting trip by hot-air balloon, helicopter
and boat! Peppa learnt all about marine biology, diving and
different sea creatures that lived in the Great Barrier Reef.
With its enticing sparkly aqua green cover, and beautiful pictures,
this will be a book that young children will enjoy. At the same time
they will learn what marine biology is, different ways of travelling
and the joy of diving deep and looking at the sea life, different
fish and corals that are in a reef. What excitement when Peppa finds
a rare blue clownfish that hasn't been seen for a while!
Fabulous colours, familiar characters and a narrative that can be
read aloud easily makes this a perfect book for any fan of Peppa
Pig.
Pat Pledger
Turn left at Venus by Inez Baranay
Transit Lounge, 2019. ISBN: 9781925760408
(Age: Adult) Themes: Utopia, Gender, Old age, Writers and writing,
LGBQTI+.
Baranay's story begins in the 1930s with two young girls, who have
instantly connected aboard a ship taking migrants from Europe to
Australia, but when they land, their families are separated. The two
girls, Ada and Leyla, do meet again; it is to be a friendship that
continues across the years as each is determined to carve their own
life, to do something different. The title Turn left at Venus
is an invitation to 'open your mind', go somewhere others have not
been. And that is what both girls want to do. Leyla leads a
flamboyant life as a dancer always gaining attention, whilst Ada
becomes the reticent writer A.L. Ligeti, author of science fiction
stories of Utopian planets that challenge ideas about gender, death,
and artificial intelligence.
Baranay's book includes excerpts from Ligeti's novels, as well as
the social media commentary they provoke. In fact the chat threads
could be seen as pre-emptive discussions of Baranay's own writing,
where she predicts the criticisms the book might raise, and provides
alternative viewpoints for discussion. Is her book a brilliant
imagining of a different kind of world, one of freedom, compassion
and joy, or is it boring philosophising with not enough story? It's
possible there will be readers taking either view. However for the
contemplative reader, Baranay's work opens up many interesting ideas
to ponder, whilst also painting realistic pictures of close
friendships and relationships. The many winding threads come
together in a unique work that is both intellectually and
emotionally satisfying.
Helen Eddy
White bird by R.J. Palacio
Penguin Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780241397244.
(Age: 12-16) Highly recommended. R.J. Palacio's debut graphic novel
concentrates on Julian, a character from her previous novel Auggie
and me. For his humanities project, Julian Facetimes his
grandmother to converse with her about her life. In their
conversations, it is obvious he has regrets about his bullying past
and his grandmother, Sara, recounts a tale of her relationship with a
boy, Julien, from her class. Due to a disfigurement of his legs from
polio, Julien was known as 'Torteau' which means crab and was
bullied by others in the class. Sara was a student when the Nazis
invaded her home in France. Her family were Jewish and at risk from
the Nazi occupation. She reveals her harrowing story to her grandson
but also remembers the kindness, love and loyalty she received from
the most unlikely people.
The digital illustrations clearly depict the emotions and at times
the horror of war. There are several scenes depicting death, but
they are not overly explicit.
This story highlights the effects of the Holocaust on the Jewish
community during WW2 and the impact the deportation of Jews to
Concentration Camps had on families and individuals, but the main
focus of the novel is the relationship between Julien and Sara and
all she learns about herself and others.
Each chapter is preceded by a quote that highlights an important
message from the story. Perhaps the most poignant today is George
Santayana's message, 'Those who cannot remember the past are
condemned to repeat it', for the ending of the book links back into
the present and the toxic aspects of modern-day American (and world)
politics.
R.J. Palacio dedicates this book to her mother-in-law Mollie and
Mollie's Jewish relatives who all perished in Nazi occupied Poland
during WW2. The glossary gives the reader more information about the
historical aspect to the novel and a suggested further reading list.
There is a small logo of the Wonder cover illustration on
the front of the book to highlight the connection to R.J. Palacio's
novels.
I highly recommend this book to 12 to 16+ year olds.
Jane Moore
Midnight Ninja by Sam Lloyd
Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781408884836.
(Age: 4-8) Recommended. Themes: Rhyming Stories, Ninjas, Humourous
stories. 'Meet this little boy and his pussycat called Ginger. He's
got a bedtime secret - he's the mighty . . . Midnight Ninja!'. And
so a new superhero is born and his alias is a little kid in striped
pyjamas. His sidekick Ginger may look meek but when Midnight Ninja
is in trouble (he isn't the best at it) he turns into the Secret
Ninja Master with incredible kung fu puss-cat claws! Ginger actually
looks a little like Mr Pusskins, another of Sam Lloyd's creations.
Tonight's emergency is this: 'Socks are going missing from clothes
lines everywhere. We think a naughty baddy has hidden them in their
lair'. So into his teleporter the Ninja kid goes, crawling and
rolling and leaping and flipping. He finds the baddy lair and a
frightening thing: 'Sock-wearing spiders and a BIG BAD SPIDER KING'
(all tucked up sleeping under their floral blankets and looking
anything but terrifying). There begins a ninja on spider fight of
web blasters and ninja bishing and bashing. But the next bit is the
nice bit: Midnight Ninja's promise is to always help so when the
little spiders explain their feet are chilly he chops down silky
spider webs for Ginger to knit them new socks.
Little ninja-loving kids will be right into this rollicking,
action-packed story that is an incredibly fun read-aloud. They will
love getting a sneak peek into his ninja den crammed full of gadgets
and gizmos and his own ninja training pod (especially considering
the rise of children's ninja courses in playgrounds and indoor
facilities).
The illustrations are busy, with lots of little humourous additions
(such as the spider king reading a book entitled 'How to cook a
Ninja' and the little spiders standing around the fire ready
with ketchup and salt and pepper). This will satisfy little one's
ninja needs but will please parents with its nice message of
helpfulness and using ninja powers for good.
Nicole Nelson
All about graphs by Lorna Hendry
Maths Mutts book 1. Wild Dog, 2019. ISBN: 9781742035765.
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. All about graphs is a great
research tool for all children and serves as an introduction to the
topic of graphs and also as a tool for older children as they decide
how to present their research. The book is beautifully illustrated
with delightful photographs of dogs and the other animals that are
incorporated into the interactive research tasks.
Lorna Hendry skilfully builds the reader's skills from understanding
what data is and how to collect and record it, to being able to
choose the most appropriate graph for their data. The examples she
uses engage the reader with her graphic representations, using
techniques such as dot plots, picture graphs, column graphs, pie
charts and line graphs. Her language is deceptively simple. The book
concludes with information on how to correctly label graphs and has
a useful glossary.
An inviting book to browse or to study.
Jan Barwick
The lost stone of Sky City by H. M. Waugh
Freemantle Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781925815948.
(Age: Primary - Lower Secondary) Sunaya's father insists she travels
to the mountains with the family goats to ensure they are not at
risk of being given away as a wedding present. Even though she is
accompanied by her uncle and nephew, she is anxious about visiting
the mountains, as there are many tales about the fabled Ice People
inhabiting the lands when it is covered by snow and ice.
Indeed she had good reason to be wary, as very soon both she and
Danam, along with her goats are captured by the Ice People.
It is prophesised that Danam is to be the next protector of the
princess and to prove worthy he must pass the frightening Dragon
Tests.
This adventure leads Sunaya into many discoveries about her own
powers and the reasons for the long separation of the Dirt and the
Ice People.
Sunaya is brave, loyal and resilient and uses her strengths to help
others, even at risk to herself. She is able to befriend the prince
and win his trust through her constant display of courage and
compassion. The Ice People's SkyCity of greenstone and gold,
although beautiful, is rife with problems and Sunaya is able to find
solutions to their issues.
This is H. M. Waugh's first novel and she has used her extensive
experience of high mountains and wild places to create a believable
magical world that will appeal to many fantasy readers.
I found this book an exciting read as there were many twists and
dramas in the story.
This book will appeal to primary and lower secondary students who
enjoy fantasy. Teaching
notes are available.
Jane Moore
The girl without skin by Mads Peder Nordbo
Greenland book 1. Translated by Charlotte Barslund. Text,
2019. ISBN: 9781925603835.
(Age: Adult) Recommended for lovers of Nordic noir. Themes: Mystery,
Child abuse, Murder, Greenland. Not for the faint hearted The
girl without skin takes the reader on a difficult but
compelling journey tracing a modern murder and one committed decades
before. Matt Cave is a journalist sent to cover the story of a
mummified body found in a crevasse on the edge of the ice. When the
mummy disappears and the policeman who was guarding it is found
naked and flayed, Matt begins to investigate. He uncovers a cover-up
when he meets Tupaarnaq, a young woman who had been convicted of
killing her parents and two sisters.
Tupaarnaq is a particularly interesting character and the
descriptions of the tattoos that covered her body (hence the girl
with no skin) are vivid. Prison has not subdued her - she is strong
and determined. Matt Cave too, doesn't feel he has anything to lose
after the death of his wife and unborn daughter, so is prepared to
investigate where others have been loath to go.
This is not a cosy murder mystery. It is extremely dark and intense.
The murders are particularly gruesome and the themes of child abuse,
subversion of power and cover-ups are very difficult to read about.
However, such was the power of Nordbo's writing that I found that I
had to continue reading to find out all the links between the
current murder and the similar ones in the past. On completion of
the book, I was compelled to Google the places it was set in and
found that child abuse was rife in Greenland, so much of the
darkness of the story is based in actual fact.
Definitely one for adults, and one for readers who can stomach dark
themes.
Pat Pledger
Trouble in the surf by Stephanie Owen Reeder
Illus. by Briony Stewart. NLA Publishing, 2019. ISBN: 9780642279460.
(Age:5+) Highly recommended. Themes: Bondi, Sydney, Australian
history, Nineteenth century, Beach wear, Swimming, Surf lifesaving,
Aviation history. When cousins, Charlie Smith and Rupert Swallow go
to the beach on a hot summer's day in 1907 to dive into the surf,
they swim out beyond the breakers and cannot get back. Bondi has
always been known for its deadly rip and although the boys know
about it, when they decide to swim back to shore, the rip tires them
and they find that they cannot swim against it any more. Rupert
encourages Charlie to keep going, but all Charlie wants to do is
rest, and float down into the sea. Rupert waves to the shore, and is
spotted by Sadie who alerts some surfers on the beach. They take a
line out to the boys and pull them back in, a crowd on the beach
watching with fear in their eyes. Sadie Sweeney pushes forward
telling people she is a nurse and uses the latest resuscitation
techniques on the seemingly lifeless Charlie, bringing him around.
The fear and excitement of a near tragedy on the beach is heightened
when statistics tell us that nearly 250 people are drowned every
year in Australia, and Charlie is Charles Kingsford Smith, going on
to fame as an aviator, the first to fly from America to Australia in
1928. His plane 'The Southern Cross' is a permanent
exhibition at Brisbane Airport.
This engrossing picture book retells a part of our history which
resonates today with the formation of the Bondi Surf Life Saving
Club occurring within weeks of Charlie's rescue, followed by many
other volunteer clubs in and around Australia. The importance of
these volunteer groups cannot be underestimated, rescuing hundreds
of thousands of swimmers. Surf Life Saving Australia has over
200,000 members and is the largest volunteer organisation in the
world.
Beautifully illustrated, Stewart has used archival photographs to
render her images accurately, and the clothing, particularly the
swimming costumes will delight younger readers. I loved looking more
closely at the women's clothes, all decked out for a day on the
beach, few venturing into the water, some perhaps getting their feet
wet. What a contrast to today's beaches.
Readers will be encouraged to think about and discuss their own
safety in the water.
At the end of the story, information is given about Charlie Smith,
Sadie Sweeney and Surf Life Saving in Australia. A small glossary
will help those new to the terminology used and references are given
to places where more information can be found.
Fran Knight
Anna at war by Helen Peters
Nosy Crow, 2019. ISBN: 9781788004718.
(Age 8-12) Recommended. Anna at war will introduce young
readers to the reality of war, of being a refugee and to some of the
evils perpetuated in WWII. The storyline is engaging, from the
horrors of Kristallnacht, to the aching sadness of family
separation, with a dash of adventure, terror and courage whilst
displaying the enduring power of kindness.
Helen Peters has researched her topic extensively and also
demonstrates a deep understanding of children's interactions with
each other and the adults around them. The result is a very readable
book that draws the reader immediately into Anna's story, as she
relates it to her grandson for his school assignment. Anna journeys
from Germany to England on one of the Kindertransport trains and is
fortunate to be fostered by a kind and caring family, only to be
faced with a terrifying situation in her new home. The book could be
a good introduction to a child who knows little of the impact and
realities of war or promote a deeper understanding for those who
have already read in this area. Despite the grimness of the subject
matter it is a surprisingly gentle read.
The book, dedicated 'For all the children who have had to leave
their homes and make new lives in other places' will be a useful
tool in helping children understand the confusion, dilemmas and
challenges that face the refugees and victims of war that they will
meet.
Jan Barwick
Super Nova by Krys Saclier
Illus. by Rebecca Timmis. Ford St Publishing, 2019. ISBN:
9781925804300.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Sibling rivalry, Brothers and
sisters, Family relationships, Space, Aliens, Courage. Nova's
brother seems to be blamed for all the things that Nova gets up to.
Someone steals Dad's raspberry muffins, but it can't be Nova.
Someone tangles Gran's wool, but it can't be Nova because she
wouldn't do such a thing. Someone steals bits of the Harry's
chemistry set, but he thinks Nova is too small, and it is her
brother who is ordered from the room.
He decides to check up on Nova and see what she is up to. He follows
the trail of crumbs outside and there finds her staving off a bunch
of aliens with the muffins, a rocket ship in the background. She
bravely stands her ground in front of the horde of green monsters,
throwing the wool net over them. She ties them up, puts them in the
rocket and sends them off into space back to where they came from.
When Mum comes out admonishing them for being outside so late in the
evening, he takes the blame for them being out so late, promising to
take Nova back to bed, which he does, looking at his brave little
sister in a fresh light. She truly is a Super Nova.
This is a delightful tale of families and sibling relationships. The
boy blames his little sister for him being in trouble so often, but
when it comes to the crunch, takes the blame for her and admires her
for what she is doing.
In the background is the older brother, so protective of his own
space, with Dad, Mum and Nan living in the house as well.
The bright, engaging illustrations will appeal to the reader, noting
the array of familiar things in the background, then marvelling at
the images of the aliens in the garden and how Nova deals with them.
This different tale of sibling rivalry, told with lightness and
humour, would be a good read aloud and initiate discussion about
space.
Fran Knight
Handa's noisy night by Eileen Browne
Walker Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781406320015. 32pp., hbk.
Handa and her friend Akeyo live in Kenya, and when Handa has a
sleepover with Akeyo, the girls are allowed to spend the night in a
little hut near the house. They're excited to be on their own, but
as they get ready for bed, Handa feels more and more nervous. She
keeps hearing things - strange snorts, chitter chattering, a big
thud. Akeyo says it's only her noisy family, but on the opposite
page the reader sees the nocturnal animals who are really making the
noise - and while some of them are familiar, others are very
peculiar looking indeed!
With rich, vibrant night-time illustrations, sound effects, and
plenty of curious animals, coupled with Akeyo's explanations which
are not only hilarious, but ingenious, this is a story that will
resonate with children the world over as they step out of the
familiar and have their first sleepover away from home with all the
unfamiliar noises that will keep them awake. While the causes might
not be as exotic as those that kept Handa awake, nevertheless there
is never a limit to the imagination when it's dark.
We first met Handa from the Luo tribe in south-west Kenya in Handa's
surprise nearly 25 years ago and that book was included in the
Seven
Stories'
Diverse Voices list - 50 best children's books
celebrating cultural diversity in the UK since 1950. That, and its
sequel Handa's hen have sold more than a million copies
globally, with each focusing on a topic that children all over the
world can relate to, and perhaps even adapt to their own
circumstances. If you were sleeping in a tent or a caravan, what
might be making the snorting, chattering, rattling, squeaking and
slurping noises you can hear? Rich pickings for the imagination!
Barbara Braxton
