Candlewick Press, 2017. ISBN 9780763691646
(Age: Young Adult readers) Recommended. I must admit this is not my
usual type of book, but a few pages in and I was hooked. I literally
felt like I was part of the theatre observing the story so closely
that I was an eye witness. I love the fact the novel is set out like
a three-act play where the reader is drawn into this compelling
story. A dream come true for Zara but with a nightmarish edge that
makes the reader feel very deeply. I could vividly picture the
shabby theatre in New York where the story is based. Zara gains her
dream role as Echo in the Greek tragedy Echo and Ariston at the
Aurelia theatre. The eccentric but visionary director Leopold
Henneman ensures that Zara commits herself to the play and nothing
else.
It is a tale that has something for everyone: love, mystery, a
possible curse and murder. If I could have sat just reading this
from beginning to end and forgetting everything else, I would have
been a very happy reader. The leading ladies Zara and Eli are
relatable but what made this pairing very refreshing was they fall
in love with each other without the usual cliched struggle for
acceptance. I felt a little like Agatha's Christie's Miss Marple
trying to solve the murders that are plaguing the theatre, as the
story unfolds.
I love the way that Amy Rose Capetta has woven the story, it is like
coming to a fork in the road and not knowing where it will take you
but having no choice but venture forward.
I found this an utterly delightful book and at last a Young Adult
romance with SUBSTANCE. It may be the novel to turn around my
opinion of Romance as a genre.
Elaine Grottick
Princess Hayley's comet by Rebecca Fung
Ill. by Kathy Creamer. Christmas Press, 2018. ISBN 9780994528070
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Themes: Princesses, Haley's Comet, Presents,
Birthdays. Indulged Princess Hayley always gets what she wants for
her birthdays. Her father cannot say no. But this birthday, her
tenth, she decides that she wants a comet. She has been given an
astronomy book by her best friend, Ned and the princess has fallen
in love with the page depicting the comet. She asks her father to
fulfil her wish, and he speaks to his Advisory Council which cannot
see a solution to the problem. The princess and her friends Ned and
Caa decide to catch a comet for themselves and set about
constructing the most amazing contraptions to practise firstly, then
lassoo the comet as it passes by. It makes for very funny reading as
the trio talks to the gardener about a host of ladders joined
together to reach the sky, then the cook to make a pile of meatballs
with which to practise catching the comet, and finally the fishermen
about having a net big enough and strong enough to catch the real
comet.
Readers will thoroughly enjoy reading of the process the princess
uses to achieve her aim, laughing as she enlists the help of a
variety of people around the kingdom to achieve her end, and finally
at the climax where she realises that catching a comet may not be
what she really wants. A funny story for those new to reading
chapter books, the strong characters and their single-mindedness
will appeal to young readers as the princess sets about achieving
her aim. Line drawings by Kathy Creamer add to the fun of the tale.
Fran Knight
Birthday Drama! by Rachel Renee Russell
Dork Diaries book 13. Simon and Schuster, 2018. ISBN
9781471173158
(Ages 9-12) Themes: Family life, Birthdays, Friendship. Birthday
Drama is the thirteenth book in the very popular Dork
Diaries series by Rachel Renee Russell. 'The Private Diaries
of Nikki J. Maxwell' take us into the high and lows of her teenage
life, friendships, frenemies, parents, bullying and her teenage
crush. Presented in a notebook format and illustrated with line
drawings, doodles and comic strips, fourteen-year-old Nikki's world
is filled with drama, tension and emotion. Russell and her daughter
Erin's Nikki are excitedly planning her ultimate birthday party with
her two BFFs Chloe and Zoey; this will be the social event of the
year. After lots of fun discussions they decide a POOL PARTAY - a
tropical island theme at the local pool. Nikki's must-haves include
a DJ, lots of delicious food and exciting decorations, with a
hundred guests invited. Will this impress Nikki's crush, handsome
teen Brandon?
One major problem with the expensive party plans is Nikki's lack of
funds, her secret sock contains only $8.73, not quite the $500 Chloe
needs for the budget. Mum's plans are also problematic, her $100
offer includes their neighbour Mrs. Wallabanger's accordion music
and two ladies performing from her senior's belly-dancing class. Her
little sister's offer to make the birthday cake is fraught with
disaster as well. She decides to cancel her party; however, Chloe's
already posted the invitations. The girls decide to retrieve the
letters before they are sent out. Their hunt for the posted
invitations leads to the Mail Room where the Mail Man is nearly
wiped-out by three 'birthday-party-obsessed psychotic girls.'
Nikki's summer plans are also causing problems, should she tour with
Brandon and the Bad Boyz band or join the trip to Paris? Luckily,
her sister Miss Bri Bri's unusual flavoured dog cookies help save
the birthday party in a special way.
Russell's series is extremely popular, tween readers love the
excitement, drama and fun that makes up Nikki's life. Birthday
Drama is aptly named and will be enjoyed by Dork Diaries
fans.
Rhyllis Bignell
The dodo made me do it by Jo Simmons
Ill. by Sheena Dempsey. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408877777
Recommended. This is a hilarious tale of wish fulfilment gone wrong
that every child will relate to and is perfect for fans of My
Brother is a Superhero by David Solomons.
A funny book with plenty of set-pieces that fans will giggle their
heads off at sees scenes with the characters dealing with Dodo poo
and attempting to teach a flightless bird to fly. There is also a
lot more going on, not least the yin-yang relationship between the
cool-headed Scientific Susie and the feet-first think-later Danny.
The remote Scottish Village of Kinoussie is also awash with
eccentric characters.
I would like to see more stories set here (and to find out a bit
more about porridge-mad Granny Flora's backstory.
Donna Isgar
Trouble on the Farm by Chris Higgins
Ill. by Emily MacKenzie. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408868874
(Age: 5-7) Themes: Farms, Friends. Trouble on the Farm is a
delightful easy-to-read story for the newly independent reader.
Chris Higgins captures all the sights, sounds and smells of the
countryside and she voices the excitement felt by young Bella and
Sid as the visit the farm.
On a sunny Saturday two children who've never been to a farm before,
can't contain their excitement. Since Bella and her younger brother
Sid and their parents moved from the city a month ago, they've
enjoyed all the new country experiences. Tom, a boy from Bella's
class has invited the children to spend a day on the dairy farm.
After several changes of clothes, Bella is ready. Mum loads them up
with a bunch of flowers and some iced lollies for Tom and his sister
Kizzy. Magda their next-door neighbour invites herself along for
their farm day, Magda is a force to be reckoned with and doesn't
always listen to instructions.
Five-year-old Sid is surprised by the funny looking chickens and
even more surprised when Kizzy explains they are turkeys raised for
Christmas dinners. Megan, Tom and Kizzy's mother carefully explains
what the children can do on the farm and where they can go. She's
very specific about not driving the new tractor or riding horses
bare-back. Bella's visit soon turns into a major disaster, with
Magda leaving gates open, the cows escaping and an unexpected
tractor ride.
Chris Higgin's adds lots of fun and drama when the runaway cows are
herded into the Farmer's Arms carpark just before a big wedding.
With cow poo everywhere, the bride refuses to walk down the red
carpet. Bella saves the day which results in a grand entrance on the
farm's shiny new red tractor and Megan's farm-style pasties are a
winner at the wedding reception.
Emily MacKenzie's energetic drawings show the highlights and the
dramas involved in Bella and Sid's farm day. Trouble on the Farm
is an engaging story about friendship, being responsible and
understanding the consequences of your actions. Young readers will
enjoy reading this fun farm story.
Rhyllis Bignell
Angry Cookie by Laura Dockrill
Ill. by Maria Karipodou. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406383089
(Age: 4-8) Recommended. Themes: Anger, Friendship, Feelings,
Self-worth. The cover on this book is an intense fluoro orange! It
will shout at young readers from the shelf, and ironically, the
central character does just that towards the reader. Angry Cookie is
aptly named . . . he is fuming and really does not want the reader
to keep poking their nose into his business and turning the page.
However, of course we do! Eventually getting rid of the reader seems
like a waste of time, so he tries to explain why he is angry in
order that we understand the reason for his poor temper. A recorder
playing incessantly, an embarrassing haircut, an attack on his
'cookie' body, a missing ice-cream treat all compound his ill
humour, but eventually he realises that they are all symptomatic of
feeling ignored and unheard. The persistent reader is of course
still 'paying attention' and 'listening' so is able to restore Angry
Cookie's sense of self-worth and give him a change of humour and a
new way of dealing with life.
This book joins many others of similar ilk (Don't let the pigeon
Drive the Bus by Mo Willems; Don't Open this Book by
Andy Lee) with the book's characters engaging with the reader and
almost teasing them to make a response. Young children will enjoy
this almost inherent interactivity. The colourful and quirky
illustrations by Maria Karipidou will also appeal, not because they
are detailed, but because they are cartoon-like and most characters
are food items. (Cookie's hairdresser is a banana!) Cookie's defused
anger also gives an opportunity to discuss with children about their
own responses to feeling angry.
Recommended for ages 4 - 8
Carolyn Hull
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Nevermoor book 2. Hachette, 2018. ISBN 9780734418227
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Themes: Magical realism, Fantasy,
Coming of Age, Missing Persons. Jessica Townsend's second book is a
richly rewarding read, fast-paced, brimful of powerful magic,
foreboding dark forces and amazing wonderfulness. Twelve-year-old
Mog's life is about to change, she's beginning her academic journey
at the elite Wundrous Society. Her confidence and loyalty are tested
as she develops her Wundersmith powers and tries to make friends
with her Unit 919 brothers and sisters. Luckily her best friend
Hawthorne Swift's part of the unit, his unswerving belief in her
helps during some of the most difficult times she faces.
Morrigan's left to fend for herself, as she struggles with her
school life. She only has one class, the History of Heinous Wundrous
Acts which frighteningly relay all the 'missteps, blunders and
fiascos' enacted by former Wundersmiths. With her patron Jupiter
North busy investigating the mysterious disappearance of Wunsoc
members, she doesn't have any adult to confide in and help her in
the difficult times. There is a dark side to the city of Nevermoor,
villain Ezra Squall and his eerie Hunt of Shadow and Smoke return,
holding Ghostly Markets selling the most frightening goods. A
devious blackmailer is determined to break up Unit 919 and lure
Morrigan away from safety, delivering her into Squall's clutches so
he can use her for his nefarious plans.
Townsend's fast-paced narrative is powerful; the world of Nevermoor
is wonderfully detailed and descriptive. Travelling by brolly rail,
delicious feasts and the quirky, funny Deucalion Hotel characters
will be delightfully familiar to the fans of Nevermoor. As we
venture down Tricksy Lanes and discover evil forces at play, the
author opens our eyes to the malevolent powers at play. Wundersmith:
The Calling of Morrigan Crow continues to reveal the strength
of the protagonist's character, her depths, insecurities and her
determination to right the wrongs she encounters.
Jessica Townsend's much awaited second novel is powerful and
relatable, resonating with themes of friendship, loyalty,
inclusiveness, activism, happiness and humour and the power of good
and evil.
Rhyllis Bignell
An absolutely remarkable thing by Hank Green
Trapeze, 2018. ISBN 9781473224193
(Age: Young adults+) A recent graphic design graduate working in New
York comes across a larger than life sculpture on the sidewalk on
her way home from a late stint at the office. The robot sculpture so
impresses her that she rings a friend and together they name it Carl
and make a YouTube video. By the morning their video has gone viral
and 23 year old April May and her friend Andy Skampt are famous, not
just because they made the video but because they were the first to
name and publicise the sculptures which have popped up all over the
world simultaneously and are now universally known as 'the Carls'.
All of their training in visual engineering comes into play and
Andy's lawyer dad ensures they get paid for the use of their
material and all their media appearances. April begins the process
of 'intentionally converting myself into a brand' p. 83 and as
their fame grows so do the compromises she makes trying to stay in
the front of the internet storm. One of the casualties of their fame
is April's relationship with her partner Maya and it dawns on her
that life will never be the same again. As it becomes more and more
apparent that the sculptures are not of this world April finds that,
while her audience still strongly link her with the Carls, they
start to polarise into either loving her or hating her. 'People all
over the world whom I had never met and would never meet hated me.
Hated. And what they thought about me was completely out of my
control' p. 168. As the plot unfolds April bravely tries to counter
the negativity and fear using the power of collaboration and open
communication with the online community, harnessing human talent and
ingenuity beyond individual possibilities and beyond borders.
Hank Green, with his famous author brother John Green, and his own
internet fame as a blogger and YouTube science educator understands
celebrity and contemporary culture better than most and the
technical side of the story was refreshingly thorough. April is an
engaging narrator, wryly acknowledging the compromises and mistakes
she makes but sometimes the author's commentary on the strengths and
weaknesses of contemporary culture gets in the way of the story.
Set in today's globally connected world this is a relevant book for
a wide range of readers, from young adults who might be warned of
exploitation, to older readers who might discover the true extent of
the online world and how it impacts our lives.
Sue Speck
Night walk by Alison Binks
Berbay Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9780994384171
Themes: Nature; Friendship; Connection. Set on a camping holiday in
a pristine setting, Caspar leaves his tent in the middle of the
night to discover the wonders of what is there. Stars in abundance,
night creatures and trails, smells and solitude . . . and the wonder
of the natural world are there to be discovered and enjoyed. As he
reflects, he also considers what his friend will be doing on her
holiday, far away.
The illustrations in this book are delightful, and although the text
tries to capture the delight of camping and the exploration of
nature for the child who has the confidence to leave his tent alone
in the middle of the night, there is always the feeling that words
cannot really convey all that is wondrous about the night in the
natural world. (There is a little bit of caution in me for the
unsupervised walk through the bush in the dark with a torch and a
whistle, but this is evocative fiction!) The author has delightfully
book-ended Caspar's story with the experience of the natural world
across the globe for his friend Levi.
A book that could be added to a library collection for young readers
with no difficulty.
Carolyn Hull
Mr. Bambuckle's Remarkables go wild by Tim Harris
Ill. by James Hart. Penguin, 2018. ISBN 9780143789024
(Age: 7-12) Recommended. Themes: Humour, School life, Teachers,
Outdoor education. As with the other two books in the series, Mr
Bambuckle's remarkables and Mr
Bambuckle's Remarkables fight back, there are short stories
within, narrated by students, as well as dialogue (again with
Canteen Carol and Mr. Bambuckle), hand-written notes and
illustrations.
Although the School Principal, Mr. Sternblast, has not succeeded in
getting rid of the fabulous teacher, Mr. Bambuckle, he has managed
to bring back and engage a new Deputy Principal, Miss Frost! Mr.
Bambuckle decides to take the kids out to camp with the cantankerous
Canteen Carol - interestingly, he tells her to provide for the kids
and TWO grown-ups. This is because he happens to know that Miss
Frost will gatecrash the camp!
More wild adventures follow but the strange thing is Mr. Bambuckle
seems to like Miss Frost and is doing all he can to melt her icy
character. Also, one of the kids has a grudge and it requires Mr.
Bambuckle's skills to thwart the student's attempts to cause
trouble, but he wants to win this kid around too. Will he succeed?
Donna Isgar
There's a baddie running through this book by Shelly Unwin and Vivienne To
Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760630614
(Age: Preschool+) Recommended. Themes: Humour, Books, Robbers and
outlaws, Theft. There's a baddie running through this book
is a fun, action packed and engrossing story which encourages
children to follow the path of destruction left by the baddie (a
racoon). From page one he sneaks his way through the pages stealing
different things from other animals he meets. Each time he steals
something, it is a piece of paper torn from the illustration, asking
children look more closely at the drawings and seeing where the torn
piece fits. This encourages interaction on a different level as they
must use spatial skills to see how the pieces align.
The thief leaves a trail of sweets and nuts behind him as he makes
his way, and this allows the police and those from whom he has
stolen to follow and catch him. When he is caught all the goods are
returned to their rightful owners and he is locked up, but in
tearing a piece of the illustration showing the jail, the question
must be asked, how long will he stay behind bars?
The illustrations are great fun encouraging children to pick out the
baddie in his mask, with his sack over his shoulder, while laughing
at the disruption that he leaves behind and sympathising with those
who have lost goods. The book will easily lead classes to discuss
the idea of law and order, encouraging them to see what mayhem the
thief causes, and how upset those he has stolen from can be. They
will see that his crimes lead to jail time, but the twist in the
tale gives a hint that he may escape.
I loved the cleverly torn pieces of the drawings, encouraging
children to use their eyes and think about how each piece fits, and
where the pieces come from. I love the endpapers with the array of
characters from the story, encouraging readers to recognise and name
each animal.
The rhyming pairs of lines encourage readers to predict the last
word of each line, while the use of 'up' and 'down', 'above' and
'below', 'fast ' and 'slow', 'left' and 'right', all reiterate words
used every day. The seemingly simple rhyme is infectious: There's
a baddie running through this book, Turn the pages; have a look.
There he goes, did you see? Sound your siren, chase with me
(Publisher) and a joy to read aloud.
Fran Knight
The funny life of pets by James Campbell
Ill. by Rob Jones. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408889947
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Pets; Humour. Written with the
potential for choosing your own path through the muddle of
information and complete fabrication related to pets and owning
pets, this is essentially a book of nonsense. Campbell obviously has
a great sense of humour that would appeal to the generation that
loves fart jokes and stories about poo and is mildly interested in
animals. Note: serious interest in animals should automatically
preclude you from reading this book, and certainly it should never
be used as a source of reliable information for a school project!
But this information is clearly spelled out in the introduction. The
quirky illustrations (similar in style to Diary of a Wimpy Kid)
would instantly reveal that this book is designed to amuse and not
educate. Young people will probably enjoy the silly humour, but this
is not a work of great literature, and the constant references to
the disgusting things that animals do may offend animal lovers and
some adults. There are certainly many times when the 'facts' are
fake and the animals are the work of an active imagination.
Recommended with caution, as diversionary reading material for the
reluctant reader who likes animals and who says they want a funny
book. But if you want them to avoid reading material that mentions
poo, bottom-burps and bums this may not be a book to put in their
hands. But don't be surprised if their best friend shares it with
them!
Carolyn Hull
Mirror Mirror by Cara Delevingne (with Rowan Coleman)
Trapeze, 2017. ISBN 9781409172758
(Ages 16+) Highly recommended. Red, Naomi, Leo and Rose are four
misfits who become the closest of friends upon the formation of
their band, Mirror Mirror. Band rehearsal is an escape for all four,
giving them momentary freedom from the hardships they face in their
regular lives. Red has an alcoholic mother and often absent father,
Leo's criminal brother encourages him to follow in his footsteps,
Rose uses alcohol and boys to numb her painful past and Naomi runs
away from home to finally be free. Just as the band are coming to
terms with their group identity and feel as close as a family, Naomi
goes missing and subsequently turns up half dead in the Thames. The
police believe that she did this to herself but Red begins to find
clues suggesting that things are not as they seem. The trio decide
that they must take matters into their own hands to truly find out
what happened to Naomi.
A tale of determination, mystery and friendship in the face of
adversity, this novel reminds its reader that they are stronger than
they know and can make a difference in this world. In her debut
novel, Delevingne presents realistic characters, deep emotional
twists and an all-round inspiring story. Through Red, the reader is
brought on a journey of self-discovery while learning some powerful
messages along the way.
A beautiful yet sorrowful story that truly captures the turbulence
that is our teenage years.
Daniella Chiarolli
The boys from St Francis by Ashley Mallett
Wakefield Press, 2018. ISBN 9781743055809
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Non-fiction. In 1945, six Alice Springs
mothers parted with their sons, sending them off into the trusted
hands of kindly Father Smith and his wife Isobel, to gain a better
education in Adelaide. They were part of Father Smith's assimilation
experiment: his belief that young Aboriginal children offered a high
level of education would have a better chance in life. He wanted
them to be proud of their Aboriginal heritage but also to succeed in
the white world.
However need for greater financial support led Smith to be persuaded
by the Australian Board of Missions to extend his original concept
to allow for up to 50 'part-Aboriginal' boys to be included in his
scheme - boys of the Stolen Generations, taken from their mothers.
And while the boys remember Father Smith with affection, his dreams
were gradually eroded by lack of funds and when he finally abandoned
them, Smith was replaced by series of sadistic and cruel
superintendents. That many of the boys were able to survive those
times and go on to achieve in a variety of fields, is due more to
their strength of character and determination not to be beaten, than
to any care they received. They had to learn to fight to protect
themselves; many found a path to respect and acceptance on the
sports field. Wally Macarthur was a champion athlete, John Moriarty
became the first man of Aboriginal descent to play soccer for
Australia, Charlie Perkins played international soccer, many played
rugby league or Australian Rules football.
They all faced racism - from being asked to leave the Balfours cake
shop, to being denied opportunity to represent Australia in the
Olympics, to being expected to sign a certificate of 'exemption' of
Aboriginality to access the ordinary rights of other Australians.
Charlie Perkins famously led the freedom bus ride visiting NSW
country towns to focus attention on the blatant racism and
segregation that was life for Aboriginal Australians. Yet despite
all that they endured in those times, so many of the boys of St
Francis went on to become exceptionally high achievers. You can read
about Charlie Perkins, soccer star and activist; Bill Espie,
policeman, awarded the Queen's Medal for bravery; Malcolm Cooper,
first Aboriginal player to play for Port Adelaide in a grand final;
John Moriarty, designer; Gordon Briscoe, history professor; Harold
Thomas, creator of the Aboriginal flag; Vince Copley, Australian
Rules footballer and AM in the Queen's Birthday 2014 Honours List;
the list goes on. Their stories are ones of sadness and joy,
loneliness and friendship, hard work, perseverance and warm-hearted
humour.
Ashley Mallett's book highlights the amazing impact that the boys
from St Francis had on Australian society. He would like to see
their stories more widely known. A good start would be to have this
book in every school library.
Helen Eddy
The tales of Mr Walker by Jess Black
Penguin Books Australia, 2018. ISBN 9780143793076
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Subtitled A hotel dog with a nose for
adventure. On a brilliant Autumn's day, Mr Walker arrives at
the grandest hotel in town. While things get off to a wobbly start,
this charming Labrador is determined to put his best paw forward.
And it's just as well because the most unexpected adventures await... The tales of Mr Walker contains four delightful stories
inspired by the real-life Mr Walker, a Guide Dog Ambassador who now
calls Park Hyatt Melbourne home.
This is an absolutely beautiful book for ages 7 and up. Once trained
to be a guide dog, Mr Walker finds himself as an ambassador at the
Park Hyatt in Melbourne. He is an endearing dog, with likeable
traits who soon finds himself popular with the guests. The book
contains four heart warming stories that are beautifully
illustrated. Mr Walker learns the many quirky traits of people and
frequently adapts his behaviour to suit their needs.
I love the fact that the royalties from this book support the Guide
Dogs of Victoria. I am sure there will be more adventures of Mr
Walker.
Kathryn Schumacher
