heart-shaped lies is not a pleasant book but it is an eye-opener for those on the periphery of the digital social media world or those of a different generation to current school leavers. It is a disturbing read and also one that may act as a warning because the protagonists' world is the world of the dark internet, of influencers and vulnerable young people who may become tangled in the lure of the artificial, curated world of the internet and real life love traps.
The plot centres around three girls who all find out that they are dating Tommy Harding, the internet's most famous prank star. Kiara is the internet official girlfriend. Increasingly and alarmingly, she is pushed into filmed situations that make her uncomfortable and there is an increasing level of intimidation and coercion from Tommy towards her. Priscilla is Tommy's costar. Behind the scenes, there is a clandestine relationship between Priscilla and Tommy. Tommy convinces her that it is just a matter of timing before Kiara will be dumped and Priscilla and he can be the next internet prankster super couple. Nevaeh is the quintessential pastor's daughter who Tommy has been grooming online. All three girls converge during a high school class trip to Florida's biggest theme park. It is against that backdrop that Tommy is murdered, his lies are exposed, the girls are accused and reality takes on a very twisted form.
As a crime novel, heart-shaped lies is text book. Readers get the sense early on that with all the lying and dissembling things are not going to go well. As the story becomes more twisted, the reader is faced with red herrings and false leads. Any of the characters could have murdered Tommy. All had the opportunity. Macabre and grotesque scenes and vicious behaviour resulting from fractured relationships, drugs and alcohol and teenage passion abound through the student accomodation and the themepark rides resulting in a cinematic nightmare. Young people are hurt and damaged physically and psychologically and the adults, though well-meaning, are duped, out of it and left behind in the chaos.
Full of internet slang, the book vibrates with what is essentially internal, exclusive teenage patter or code. The book is riddled with terms eg "simping". This is the world of hackers, burner phones, IT nerds, blackmail, control and the dark web. Influencers (clickbait junkies) breathe and feed on the oxygen provided by the number of hits and the internet can destroy reputations. On Tommy's death, the internet followers switched from exposing Tommy for being a "toxic wannabe frat boy" to mourning the loss of "the notorious prank star." It seems that there is no sense of right and wrong on the internet. It's basically a killing field where young people can be assassinated by public opinion that is informed by lies.
elizabeth agyemang (lower case internet script) is an illustrator, printmaker and storyteller. She writes romance and fairytales and draws from her African heritage. heart-shaped lies is her debut novel. Reminiscent of Donna Tartt's The Secret History, heart-shaped lies is a frat house/college murder story with broad themes including envy, manipulation and social class. heart-shaped lies is a very contemporary frat murder story set very much within the internet social media world. The message of the story is found in the dedication..." To anyone who has ever lost sight of who they are."
Themes Social media risks, Online dating, Influencers, Friendship, Belief in oneself, Social class.
9-year-old Gilbert is very keen to win the surfing competition but he is thwarted by an octopus. With Fluff as his ‘wingman’ (or should that be his ‘support bunny’) he is led into several strange arenas as he investigates ways to explore success. His desire to win sends him into a seniors’ exercise class and a Senior Citizens Games contest, despite his age being far below the definition of ‘senior’. Will he win at all costs or discover what it is to enjoy participating (and enjoy the company of seniors in the process)?
This is an easy-to-read, charming, funny and quirky story with a bunny (Fluff) and a fish (Nelson) that talk and do other impossible things, and a boy that learns from his experiences. With a gentle, humorous touch this is a tale with the moral wisdom that cheating in order to win will not be satisfying and that older people should be appreciated. The cartoon-style illustrations add to the fun of this short, entertaining book for readers aged 6-9.
Themes Humour, Winning and losing, Surfing, Old people, Competition, Lies.
Carolyn Hull
Fifi & Friends: The super car race by Tamara Ecclestone Rutland. Illus. by Amy Zhing
New Frontier, 2024. ISBN: 9781923145078. (Age:4+)
Fifi loves her car. She loves fiddling and tinkering with them, so is surprised when Riri comes into her work place with a new friend, a puppy, Teddy, who jumps up at Fifi causing her to drop her wrench barely missing her toes.
She asks Riri to take the dog elsewhere as she and her friends are getting their cars ready for the Super Car Race. Zac arrives with his green go-cart, Lilly with the go-cart covered in bright flowers, then twins, Mario and Hope arrive with their brightly painted go-carts.
The horn on Hope’s go-cart falls off, but Fifi takes no time to repair it for her. They are all ready for the big race. But as they line up, Nathan turns up. The group is dismayed as he never plays fair and this time his go-cart has spikes.
A nervous start to the race see the group anxiously watching Nathan, but all turns out right in the end, Nathan even clapping the winner. Bright, detail rich illustrations cover each page, allowing readers to take in the images of the children and the go-carts. Fifi’s workshop is entertaining, and on each page are times to be searched for.
Lots of emphasis on friendship and helping each other flow through the story in which the group helps each other, are supportive and trusting, leading to a large amount of cooperation between the friends, with even room for the outsider.
Teacher notes are available on New Frontier Publishing’s website.
Themes Cooperation, Friendship, Car racing, Go-carts, Humour.
Fran Knight
Cassowary Dad by Beverley McWilliams. Illus. by Julian Teh
This strikingly illustrated new release, Cassowary Dad, is a wonderful book to read aloud and share with children. Written by talented and versatile South Australian author Beverley McWilliams, this factual narrative tells the story of a cassowary dad and his three young chicks. For those who know very little about the cassowary, this book provides clear and accessible information that will encourage new interest and learning about this remarkable bird. Set in the rainforests, mangroves and swamps of the Wet Tropics and Cape York regions of Northern Queensland, the endangered southern cassowary is the only species found in Australia and is of cultural significance to the First Nations peoples of these areas.
This engaging story begins with the dad sitting on the nest for 52 days. He is hungry but must protect his clutch of eggs. Finally they hatch and three stripy chicks appear. Throughout the narrative, the cassowary dad guards his chicks and teaches them how to survive. He watches out for predators, dangerous weather conditions and provides a safe haven. The descriptive language used is full of imagery and is cleverly positioned across each page among the glorious illustrations in predominate multiple shades of green:
Parched days give way to welcome rains. Starved streams swell. Rocky rivers rage. The rainforest wakes from its dry season slumber.
Key words are highlighted and feature in a glossary in the final pages. There are excellent facts to be read and discussed, with an important section on ‘Save our Cassowary’. Cassowary Dad will be a fabulous addition to a home, school or public library.
If you like to be challenged, confused and carried to the depths of death and uncertainty… then this book is for you! In the realms of the dead, zombies and living creatures are in conflict and Nona the ninth seems to be a key to a future, but nothing is clear. Nona is naive (and strangely both living and dead). She seems to be liked by all despite her child-like ineptness, and she is being nurtured by those with unusual powers for unknown purposes. Existing in a world that is unrecognisable, and in a power conflict that defies logic, she must navigate the confusion of life and death. And explore the complexities of life, death and love, as well as loss and sacrifice, within a world of conflict and lies.
I am not grateful that I had to read this book in order to review it - the literary genres that Muir has tangled in this book are not to my taste and it was torturous making my way to the final page. But, this book (and I assume the rest of the series, as this is Book 3) must have a following for those who like extremely dark and distressing content with the addition of zombies and cryogenics. The writing style is twisted and atmospheric in a strangely unique way. Clarity is lost in the process and so readers must be particularly persistent. In addition characters may have twisted histories, change form and shape and exist with alternate names, and dream scenarios are also scattered through the plot - a recipe for confusion. There are also very confusing religious threads that defy logical connection. The book is maddening and grotesque, and occasionally feels like a dark journey into hell with the occasional addition of humorous or intriguing companions. Consequently, this is only for a limited audience and only mature readers with extreme persistence (and a liking for zombie-conflict genre) should begin the journey.
Seawitch by Skye McKenna is the third instalment in the Hedgewitch series. Resuming with a delightful blend of magic, mystery and adventure, Cassie Morgan’s journey continues as she faces new challenges that test her courage, ingenuity and determination.
Cassie is determined to earn her Sapling pin early, but her path takes an unexpected turn when she is tasked with training a new witch to the area. This witch isn’t what Cassie anticipated, adding an intriguing layer of tension and growth to the story. Meanwhile, the ever-present threat of the Erl King, a powerful antagonist whose influence continues to challenge Cassie as she strives for answers about her mother and her whereabouts.
When Cassie’s cousin Sebastian invites her to his home at a seaside village to help him investigate stolen science equipment, allegedly taken by goblins, the adventure deepens. As Cassie and her close knit group from Oak patrol set out to help Sebastian, what begins as a seemingly straightforward task quickly spirals into a perilous quest involving faery treasure and the critical mission to keep it away from Erl King.
McKenna cleverly weaves these threads into a rich storyline filled with magical escapades and masterfully creates a vivid world, with the seaside setting bringing a fresh and atmospheric backdrop to the series. The stakes are higher than ever, and readers will find themselves on the edge of their seats as Cassie and her friends navigate treacherous waters - both literal and metaphorical.
Seawitch is a delightful continuation of the Hedgewitch series, appealing to fans of fantasy and middle-grade fiction. McKenna balances heart-pounding action; ensuring readers are invested in every twist and turn. With themes of friendship, resilience, and the importance of teamwork, this book is a must-read for young adventurers eager to join Cassie and her friends on their magical quest.
It is winter, yet despite the snow and the cold, many families are enjoying fun in the park, rolling snowballs, making snow angels and snowmen and just enjoying the fresh, crisp air. But when it is time to leave, the little boy discovers that during the fun, he has lost Little Fox, his favourite toy. Little Fox was on his sled as he pulled it up the hill but now it is nowhere to be found. Despite searching and searching, they don't find him and as darkness falls they have to go home empty-handed.
But we just couldn't find him, and now all I see Is the space next to Big Fox where Little should be.
But as he settles down to sleep, a real fox appears at the window, and the little boy decides to follow her. Moving through the silent city streets, past snowy meadows "tucked up beneath duvets of white". to the icy rivers where the boy realises the fox has led him to something special, and that she needs his help....
This is a beautiful story in rhyme that has a magical quality about it that makes you want to keep turning the pages. Why does the fox want the boy to follow her? Where is this journey taking them? Will he find his Little Fox? Was it all a dream? Told by the little boy who has lost his toy, and with Biddulph's iconic illustrations (there is a QR code to scan to learn to draw a fox), this is a charming story that will capture little ones' imagination as they relate to having lost something precious to them, the inconsolable emotions of the loss, and the joy as the drama and ending play out.
Rob Biddulph has a way of reaching out and connecting with young readers through both his story and his art. Gigantic is just one example - and this new release is just as powerful as it delves into that innocent world of the child who has complete faith that he will come to no harm by following the fox. Oh, to be so trustworthy and unwary and un-cynical again.
As a fan of Johnson’s early books and a lover of mysteries, I was thrilled to pick up a standalone thriller, Death at Morning House. When Marlowe Wexler accidentally sets fire to the house that she is looking after, on a disastrous first date, she is more than happy to leave her home and the gossip surrounding her actions. She is offered work as a tour guide of Morning House, a mansion built on an island in the 1920s but there is confronted with the mystery of what happened to the children there before it was abandoned. And what about the mystery of the death of the friend of the local teens who are also working on the island? When the woman who gave her the job on the island goes missing, secrets begin to be uncovered.
The dual timelines told by Clara in 1932 and Marlowe in the present were easy to follow. It was fascinating to learn about life for the children in the Ralston family in 1932. Their father had adopted children during the war and was bringing them up in a strict regime. He was dedicated to fresh air, healthy food and eugenics. Clara, his daughter, who related her life and built up the suspense of what happened in the house, is a wonderful character. Marlowe, too, is easy for the reader to relate to and pulls the reader in right from the first page, as she navigates her feelings for Akilah, whom she has been attracted to and now believes would not be interested in an arsonist. She is curious and cannot resist investigating the deaths of the children in the past, why the house was deserted and what has happened in the present.
Beautifully written, Death at Morning House is a gripping read which I finished in a couple of sittings. The interwoven plots, the brooding mansion, addictive characters and riveting suspense made this a mystery that would appeal to teens and adults alike.
Themes Murder, Islands, Gothic mystery.
Pat Pledger
Castle of the cursed by Romina Garber
Penguin, 2024. ISBN: 9780241701584. (Age:14+)
Estela Bralaga survives a mysterious attack that kills both her parents and the passengers of a subway train, and is forced to accept an invitation to live with her estranged (and basically unknown) aunt at their ancestral Spanish castle, la Sombra. Aside from not speaking Spanish, Estela also doesn't speak after the tragedy, making her transition to Spain somewhat difficult. After arriving at la Sombra, Estela learns the castle harbours a trove of family secrets and she begins to suspect that the answer to her parents' deaths may be found in the twisting corridors of the castle - half of which is forbidden to venture into. Add into all of this, Estela has been dreaming of a silver-eyed shadow beast, who she begins to fear is after her - when she crosses paths with the shadow beast, they realise they are bound by unknown forces as well as an intense attraction, and they must work together to discover the truth that lies at the dark heart of la Sombra.
Very interestingly written, Castle of the Cursed begins with a flashback, and has numerous timeline jumps throughout the book, providing depth to the characters and story. The pacing is even and while some of the story is potentially predictable, much will leave the reader guessing and thinking after the book is finished. The novel has a disclaimer at the beginning warning readers that it is a dark story, about grief and lists that it addresses suicide, mental health issues, death of a parent, sex and violence. Fans of vampire or gothic novels would enjoy this novel.
Themes YA, Gothic, Mystery, Dark, Mental Health Issues, Death, Violence.
Melanie Pages
Lottie Brooks's essential guide to life by Katie Kirby
Lottie Brooks's Essential Guide to Life, created by talented author and illustrator Katie Kirby, is a delightful blend of humour, heart and creativity. Known for sharing all her personal and embarrassing moments in previous books, this one has a twist. Lottie invites her readers to actively participate in the story, sharing their own secrets, reflections and artistic flair; offering readers an interactive gateway into the world of Lottie Brooks.
Brimming with Lottie’s trademark wit as she navigates the ups and downs of school, friendship and the tricky terrain of adolescence, Kirby masterfully balances light-hearted anecdotes with moments of genuine advice. This book is not just entertaining, but also a source of support for those grappling with similar life experiences. From navigating social dynamics to dealing with school drama, Lottie's candid and humorous take on life feels like chatting with a close friend.
What sets this book apart is its interactive nature. Readers are encouraged to engage by sharing their own stories, doodles, and secrets; enhancing the personal connection between Lottie and her fans. This unique approach transforms the book into more than just a read; with quizzes, questions and would you rathers - it is sure to keep engagement levels high.
Lottie also shares her secrets to creating her simple yet utterly charming illustrations and enables everyone to feel capable of honing their own drawing skills. The entire mix of storytelling and creative activities ensures that this book is a great read for all young tweens; giving them the opportunity to enjoy some relatable life stories while reflecting on their own life experiences.
Lottie Brooks's Essential Guide to Life is not just a guide but a celebration of the messy, magical and memorable moments of growing up. Fun, uplifting and brimming with personality, it’s perfect for readers entering their teenage years who are looking for laughter, relatable advice, and a chance to leave their own memories within the story. Katie Kirby has once again crafted a gem that will resonate with her audience and keep them coming back for more.
Themes Life skills, Friendship, Family, Humour, Self reflection.
Michelle O'Connell
Panic by Catherine Jinks
Text Publishing, 2025. ISBN: 9781922790972. (Age:Adult - 16+) Recommended.
Bronte is jobless and friendless after a drunken online rant about her ex-boyfriend Callum. She is desperate for a place to hide and signs up to be a carer for Nell who has dementia. Nell's daughter Veda is busy running her rebirthing business and needs the help in looking after Nell. When Bronte arrives at Gwendelynne, an isolated homestead, she is faced with a group of individuals who reject the authority of the state and claim to be free citizens, not answerable to the law. Are they a harmless cult or dangerous individuals? Why is Nell obsessed with the dam that she can see out of her window? Will Bronte be safe?
Jinks has written an entralling thriller that is difficult to put down. Bronte's dilemma is gripping. After her drunken rant on video has gone viral she is easily recognisable and has been harassed online and in real time. Her window has been broken and her coffee spiked. She has no where to go but her innate ability to think clearly and to be practical helps her to struggle through the danger that she faces.
The action is non stop. Each chapter is rivetting and the reader is forced to continue reading to see whether Bronte will survive.
Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers and gripping suspense, a social media background and conspiracy theories, are sure to get a thrill from Panic.
Themes Thriller, Murder, Social media.
Pat Pledger
How not to kill your plant by Magda Garulakova and Lenka Chytilova. Illus. by Hannah Abbo
How Not to Kill Your Plant is a well presented book full of information about house plants. It will provide interesting reading for lovers of indoor plants as well as introducing basic plant terminology, facts about a variety of house plants plus step-by-step instructions for planting and care.
Beginning with clearly set out content pages, the first section is Basics of Care which includes ‘Getting to know: house plants’, the glossary and simple facts about all you need to know to grow your own plants. The second section, Encyclopedia of house plants, introduces 16 different plants that may be familiar such as the Peace Lily, Monstera, Jade, Cactus and Umbrella plant. These pages are outlined with a green border strip on the edge. The third and final section is Cultivation practice where consideration is given to buying, transplanting, trimming, propagation, expectation, reality and problems.
Throughout the book are text boxes highlighted in yellow that share basic facts. There are circled numbers which link readers to further information on other pages about the same topic. Illustrations are on every page and in the Encyclopedia of house plants section, there is a handy key with circular images showing a watering guide, light monitor, care level e.g. expert, advanced and beginners, flowers, unsuitable for pets and dewdrop moistening which then appear on each plant page.
The authors have thoughtfully made this text accessible for a variety of readers with well-spaced writing, lots of visual clues, simple procedures and clearly labelled tables on information. The spelling is American English.
Themes House plants, Care, Plant terminology, Problems, Instructions.
Kathryn Beilby
How to make a bedtime by Meg McKinlay and Karen Blair
Sometimes the hardest part of a parent's day is trying to get a little one to bed and to sleep and there are a myriad of books that focus on the theme. But even the experts agree that the most successful strategy is to have a recognisable routine and in this new offering from Meg McKinlay the young reader is taken through all the familiar things that must happen to draw the curtains on the day, including, of course, a bedtime story.
Using a cuddly bear as the adult, and rhythmic, rhyming language to carry the narrative, we share the final game in the blanket fort, bathtime, putting on pyjamas, looking for the lost teddy, a song and a cuddle and of course, the story - all events that little ones will recognise as they get ready to snuggle down. Perhaps there are other things that are part of their routine they could add as they compare their routine to that in the story. And certainly the adult sharing the story will relate to Bear's final action revealed on the back endpaper!!!
One to give to all parents who are travelling this path with their toddler and who dread that time of the day...
Themes Bedtime.
Barbara Braxton
Bear's lost glasses by Leo Timmers
Gecko Press, 2024. ISBN: 9781776575947. (Age:3+)
Bear can't find his glasses. He must have left them at Giraffe's house. On the way over to retrieve them, Bear sees all kinds of animals he didn't notice last time: an elephant, a crocodile, a flamingo, a deer. And who's this long spotty snake lying on Giraffe's deckchair?
This is a joyful story that little ones will love to share because they can see where Bear's glasses are, even if he can't, and they will delight in letting him know. But the bonus is that it doesn't end when Giraffe finds Bear's glasses as could be expected, but there is a whole new adventure when Bear goes to show Giraffe all those creatures he thought he saw.
The conversation between Bear and Giraffe carries the entire story - there is no narrative to intervene - and the illustrations also focus entirely on them and their expressions with white space providing the background rather than scenery, making this not only one to encourage young readers to marry the text and the pictures, but also an excellent choice for older students who are investigating narrative and illustrative techniques.
Apart from being just a fun read that will make little ones LOL and tell Bear to go to Specsavers - the power of advertising reaches far - it will also help validate wearing glasses for those who have to but don't want to, perhaps even sparking conversations about how things like glasses or wheelchairs are just there to help us to live our lives better.
Themes Lost and found, Glasses, Bears, Humour.
Barbara Braxton
All aboard! Planes by Radka Piro. Illus. by Diarmuid O. Cathain
PLANES is the third book in the All Aboard! informative series, following on from ROCKETS and SUBMARINES. This brightly coloured and well-illustrated board book begins with Karl the kiwi wishing he could fly. He then decides to become a pilot and begins some research into what he needs to do to achieve his dream. Along the way Karl learns many new facts about important details of flight such as aerodynamics, the four opposing forces: lift, weight, thrust and resistance, the history of aviation, the earth’s atmosphere, weather, sky traffic and finally what the future may hold.
The information is easily accessible in blocks of text with highlighted challenging words and well-spaced among colourful illustrations of objects/images related to the topic. This book is definitely one for sharing one-on-one with a young plane enthusiast.
Themes Planes, Flight, History of Aviation, Board Book.
