Candlewick Press, 2018. ISBN 9780763665968
(Age: 6+) Themes: Grief. Death. Dogs. Imagination. History.
Caldecott Award winning author illustrator, Aaron Becker has
produced a magical story of the cycle of life. With the most amazing
digitally painted illustrations, detailed and encompassing, Becker
does not need words to show us a saddened young girl burying her pet
dog. Going on the family camping holiday is simply not the same
without him and she holds back when other children play happily in
the water. But she finds a smooth stone and hurling it up into the
sky, the stone reveals the history of the world through its journey
from being a piece of extruded rock, to a large monolith hauled onto
the hill top by a group of men, to the hand sized stone she now
finds in the water.
Over millennia we see the stone first thrust out of the earth, then
being used, first as a large standing stone, next as a smaller piece
in an Egyptian temple, then smaller still, a building block in a
statue of Buddha, then as the keystone in a bridge in China and
smaller still it is sculpted and sent to the Americas, where what is
left now lies near to the water's edge, a much smaller version of
itself.
The endpapers show a map of the world and trace the journey of the
stone through its various incarnations from large to small, through
Ethiopia and Mesopotamia, India, Burma, China then across the
Pacific Ocean to Honolulu to its final resting place where the girl
finds it on the western seaboard of North America. The maps show an
overview of the world's history sure to intrigue and delight younger
readers who will search out more information about the empires that
have risen only to fall and be replaced by another.
This is a surprise of a book, worth delving into, capturing readers'
imaginations as they put their own words to the pictures, build
their own timelines around the stone, and ponder the circle of life
as the stone keeps going on in one shape or other. There are so many
layers to this book, that it is hard to dwell on any one. But I love
the different forms of travel shown through the illustrations, and
the differing work done by the individuals shown, as well as their
costumes, and the few animals that pop up in the pages, quietly
watching the activities of the people and the stone, while the story
comes full circle, the stone finally at rest on the dog's grave.
Fran Knight
The lies they tell by Gillian French
HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9781460755808
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Themes: Mystery. Social class. Pearl Haskin
is convinced that her father had nothing to do with the fire that
killed the rich Garrison family. Blamed by the affluent summer
residents of Tenney's Harbor, her father once caretaker of the
Garrison's estate, is struggling to find work and stay sober.
Tristan Garrison is the only survivor of the tragedy and when he and
his friends come back she is determined to get to know them and try
and uncover what really happened that night. But there are dark
secrets and danger as she gets closer to the truth.
The difference in social class is marked in Tenney's Harbor, the
working class townies are separated from the privileged rich and
rarely mix socially. Pearl and her friends work at the club
frequented by the summer crowd, those very rich people who own
estates and sail in the bay. Pearl is a calm, gutsy young woman who
gradually gets to know Bridges, one of Tristan's inner group and
then Tristan, the sad lonely boy who has lost all his family. As she
goes out with them, she begins to uncover what happened that last
summer.
This is a tense, suspenseful mystery and the reader's heart will
pound in fear for Pearl as she investigates the nasty things that
occurred before the Garrison's death. There are lies and darkness
pervades the story. It is so well written that French managed to
keep me guessing right up until its very satisfying conclusion.
Fans of the mystery genre will love this book which is perfect for
those who liked One
of us is lying by Karen McManus and Small spaces
by Sarah Epstein.
Pat Pledger
The boy from Earth by Darrell Pitt
The Text Publishing Company, 2018. ISBN 9781925603392
(Age: 8-12) Recommended. Bobby Baxter is the first boy from Earth to
be accepted into the Galactic Space Academy. Sounds great, but Bobby
has so many fears he has counted them, 689 to be exact. Leaving his
dad and venturing into the unknown is terrifying for Bobby, not to
mention meeting other students from alien worlds.
Everything is overwhelming and exhausting at first but there are
fantastic devices that help, such as contact lenses that enable the
wearer to understand all intergalactic languages.
Bobby befriends the other students in his squad and they discover
that all is not right at the school. In fact, someone is trying to
kill Bobby and the Gold Squad go on a quest to discover the hidden
politics of the academy.
Bobby becomes braver as the story evolves. He survives
life-threatening situations and persists with his training but the
reason he alone was selected from Earth remains a mystery.
Darrell Pitt has written a fast-paced and funny novel. The alien
students are diverse and have their own interesting skills and
habits. Identity cards of all the Gold Squad members at the front of
the novel, help in remembering each character.
Pitt was short listed in the 2017 CBCA Book Week Awards with his
novel for older students, A
toaster on Mars.
James Hart has also designed an appealing and exciting looking
cover, showing Bobby running away from his alien adventures.
The chapters are around 10 pages long and have an easy to read font,
making this novel appealing to primary aged students.
I recommend this book for 8-12 year olds.
Jane Moore
The buildings that made London by David Long
Ill. by Josie Shenoy. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408883648
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Themes: London. Cities. History. I thoroughly
enjoyed poring over each of the double page spreads in this book,
recalling the British history taught to me as a school student in
the 1950's and 60's, admiring the illustrations of a large number of
British institutions, seen as a tourist in recent years, and for
many of today's Australian younger students, this will be a new and
delightful experience.
Amongst the many pages, I loved the Houses of Parliament, St Paul's
Cathedral, Somerset House, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge and the
Tower of London, all known and visited, all part of the rich
heritage explicitly taught to Australian students in the past.
Today's students would certainly know of some of the places and many
would be interested in places like Westminster Abbey and places seen
on television, or through the Royal Weddings of late, and I hope
that many would pick up this most attractive book to read and enjoy
and add to their knowledge of major cities around the world.
Each double page has a detailed drawing of the place, taken from
archival documents, and the text around the pages delineates some of
the history of that building and its place in the London of today.
It is all fascinating to me and its presentation by a teacher as
part of a unit on cities would woo an audience, but to pick it up to
ponder over the heritage of one of the world's most beautiful cities
would be enough for many readers.
The double page spread about the Victoria and Albert Museum, for
example, has a drawing which covers both pages, illustrated around
the edges with some of the exhibits housed within. The people in the
front represent those who have visited the museum over the decades,
and reading the text at the top of the pages, reveals some of the
history of the building as well as some of the most wellknown
pieces to be found inside. I was surprised to find that it was built
in 1890 to replace an ugly building already there and that the guide
was published in French during World War Two to assist the French
refugees residing in London at the time.
This like other pages is detailed and evocative, but the highlight
of the book are the central pages devoted to Buckingham Palace. Here
the publication has flaps which show the palace as it was and how it
is today. Eager readers will devour each piece of information and
take in the fabulously detailed illustrations.
Fran Knight
When I'm older by Isa Flory, Neil Flory and Somak Choudhary
Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760296322
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Themes: Growing up. Choices. A lump of blue
clay is moulded on each page to make a different thing. 'I can be a
goat, a boat, a penguin in a coat', is the beginning rhyming pair of
lines. Each pair that follows begins with the same refrain, 'I can
be a...', encouraging children to learn the introductory line and
anticipate through the vibrant illustrations, what words come next.
An array of options for the lump of clay is presented, each
eliciting a laugh from the readers as the clay moulds itself into
the idea presented. With a pair of little eyes and a bare handful of
attachments, the lump of clay becomes many things: a goat, a bed,
fish on a bike, an unruly mop of hair, a ball, a wall and so on,
while on the last two pages, children will be encouraged to give
names to the things illustrated without text. This is a delightful
introduction to that age old question, 'what will I be' and
discounts the idea that you must be something, offering instead a
huge range of things to consider, ensuring the reader will see that
the lump of clay is quite happy being itself.
The illustrations will bring smiles to all the faces who read this
book, and the text suitably asks the implied question of what they
will be when they grow up, making sure everyone is happy with what
they are right at this moment. And that is the most important thing.
Fran Knight
The Mediterranean by Armin Greder
Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760630959
(Age: 12-18) Recommended. "After he had finished drowning, his body
sank slowly to the bottom, where the fish were waiting."
This is the opening and only sentence by the author, in the book.
Profoundly disturbing, the words lead immediately to the next page,
where a lifeless body sinks to the bottom of the Mediterranean Ocean
to be nibbled by the fish. The charcoal drawings begin the emotional
journey that continues throughout the book.
The fish in turn are consumed by detached militants who with weapons
and fear drive refugees to take drastic steps, boarding dangerous
boats. Their refugee journey completes the story's cycle.
This is a strong and no holds barred look at the atrocities of
warfare and refugees. Armin Greder's illustrations show a colourless
and bleak world where people's lives are not valued and where human
beings become food for the fishes.
The afterword by Alessandro Leogrande, a journalist and social,
political and environmental writer discusses the refugee issue and
highlights the 12,000 refugee deaths that have occurred in the
Mediterranean Ocean in the last three years. He grieves that the
human story of each death is lost and that the " . . . enormous heap
of lifeless bodies is constantly kept from our eyes, and from our
thoughts".
Richard Noury, the spokesperson for Amnesty International, explains
his reaction to Greder's story on the back cover and comments how
the Mediterranean is " . . . a mass grave: . . . a story of silence,
one with no protagonists."
We the readers are like the real world, silent witnesses to the
plight of the refugees.
This is a picture book for secondary school students but with
empathy and adult support could be used with upper primary children.
The Mediterranean evokes discussion and comment and will
encourage a conversation about an issue that is often highlighted in
the Australian media.
Armin Greder is an award-winning picture book author and illustrator
who has already made us examine our beliefs in The Island.
His latest book will continue the discussion about human rights and
refugees.
I recommend this book to 12 - 18 year olds+.
Jane Moore
Stone Girl by Eleni Hale
Penguin, 2018. ISBN 9780143785613
(Age: Young Adult) Themes: Homelessness, Institutional Care,
substance dependence, abusive relationships, death. When Sophie's
mum got drunk or took drugs 12 year old Sophie cleaned up the mess
and kept them fed. She learned never to trust authority figures who
wanted to interfere. Sophie liked to do well at school and have
friends with 'normal' families so when her mum's new boyfriend came
over to party Sophie went out to her friend's place. When she got
back her mum was alone and dead. Sophie not only blamed herself for
the death but was so scared of authority that she stayed three days
with the body until the police broke down the door. The story opens
at the police station waiting for a social worker to come to take
Sophie into emergency housing. Sophie's father who lives in Greece
can't be contacted so she becomes a ward of the State. Naomi, her
caseworker is kind and compassionate, Sophie wants to go home with
her and feel safe but instead she is left to negotiate a share house
along with her grief, guilt and questions about her mother. She is
hopeful that her father will come and rescue her but when they get
in touch he won't accept responsibility. When she goes back to
school she is treated as a freak, the newspapers have
sensationalised the finding of the three day old dead body with
Sophie by her side so she stops going to school.
The rest of the confronting story is the spiralling downhill
trajectory of Sophie's life over the next few years in multiple
state care facilities each with new and unpredictable inmates.
Overworked caseworkers and Sophie's innate distrust of authority
leave her without emotional support. No one seems to care if she
goes to school or not, or what she is doing outside the facility but
she is a quick learner and soon fits in with the other "problem"
kids, stealing, risking death, contemplating suicide, entering an
abusive relationship, and we begin to understand how they can reach
a place where there are no constraints. "If no one owes us kids
anything why would we owe anything back?' p102. This is not an easy
story to read, dealing with death, poverty, substance and sexual
abuse; an insight into the lives of vulnerable children whose needs
are not met by the institutions set up to look after them. Told in
the first person the author has to negotiate the development of the
voice of the main character from deprived 12 to a street wise 16
year old and it can be difficult to relate to Sophie's voice. After
years of struggle Sophie does make the choice to turn her life
around but we are so shell shocked by the dark and dangerous places
she has been that she seems just a shadow. This book has been called
"important" and it shines a light into some hidden lives but it is a
harrowing and morally confusing story which needs some maturity from
its readers. Young adults seem to love it but some caution is needed
before putting it on the shelves.
Sue Speck
48 hours: The Medusa Curse by Gabrielle Lord
Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781743629765
(Age: 12+) One missing suspect
One stolen supercomputer
Two Amateur Investigators
48 Hours to solve the Crime.
"Two vicious thieves smash a cursed Medusa statue and steal the
supercomputer Sapphire in a terrifying museum raid. Jazz and Phoenix
are first on the scene and they soon find themselves in the midst of
a dangerous mystery.
Their friend and museum owner, Dr Zhang, is the prime suspect, but
he is nowhere to be found. Determined to prove him innocent and find
Sapphire, Jazz and Phoenix have just 48 hours to follow the trail of
evidence before it goes cold. Will the amateur investigators
discover that a centuries-old curse has struck again, or is
something even more sinister going on?
The clock is ticking . . ." (Publisher)
I was intrigued to read the second book in the 48 Hours
series, having thoroughly enjoyed the first one. And I was not
disappointed. This kept me on the edge of the seat from start to
finish as the author cleverly drip feeds you throughout the book.
Jazz and Phoenix continue to develop as characters and the reader
will begin to see them as friends. Both are well aware of the
importance of the first 48 hours after a crime has been committed
and Lord very cleverly counts them down throughout the book. It will
appeal to girls and boys alike aged 12 and over. They will love the
action-packed book with forensics, mystery and criminal
investigations.
Kathryn Schumacher
The Unicorn Quest by Kamilla Benko
Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781681192451
(Age: 8-12) Themes: Fantasy, Adventure, Unicorns, Courage. Kamilla
Benko's debut novel is an enchanting fantasy, filled with magic,
adventure and tests of courage. Set in Arden, a delightfully
captivating world where the last unicorn has disappeared, where
secrets abound and tensions run high between the four guilds of
magic who have lost trust in each other.
The Martinson family inherit mysterious Windermere Manor and move in
for the summer. Sisters Sophie and Claire love exploring the vast
rooms filled with antiques and art collected on their Great-Aunt
Diana's travels. They discover a ladder in a fireplace leading to
another world and their adventure begins. Sophie is a collector of
experiences who is recovering from a mystery illness, she loves to
explore. Her younger sister Claire an artist, is more hesitant, she
carries her pencil everywhere to capture what she sees. The portal
leads them into a fractured world, where four guilds protect their
own lands and guard them fiercely.
When Sophie disappears, Claire must overcome her fears and search
for her lost sister. With the help of Nett a Tiller and Sena a
Forger, Claire must bravely embark on a quest across treacherous
lands to find Sophie. Her sister has been accused of stealing a
magical unicorn artefact that has kept the peace amongst the Arden
guilds. Each relies on magical elements for survival, the Tillers
use the special powers of plants, whilst the Forgers rely on the
qualities of metal objects. Their journey to Fyrton is dangerous:
wraiths haunt the forests at night, the adventurers travel hidden in
a merchant Spinner's boat, they escape from captivity using aqua
masks and sneakily search the Forger's school library for clues.
Along the way, Claire grows in courage, learns to overcome her
self-doubt, learns resilience and surprises herself with the tasks
she undertakes.
'The Unicorn Quest' by Kamilla Benko is a classic fantasy quest,
with a plot that follows the traditional format. Interwoven historic
tales, hidden clues and engaging characters add interest for the
middle grade reader.
Rhyllis Bignell
Teacher's dead by Benjamin Zephaniah
Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408895016
(Age: 13+) Students in a poorly performing school are shocked and
traumatised when a teacher is stabbed by two boys and dies in front
of them.
Jackson, one of the students who witnessed the incident attempts to
understand exactly what occurred and begins to investigate. When the
bereaved Mrs. Joseph visits the school to speak to the students
regarding her late husband's passion for teaching, Jackson
approaches her and asks to meet.
A friendship develops between the pair and Jackson invites her home
to meet his mother. I found Jackson's 'mission' slightly odd,
especially when he makes himself known to Ms. Ferrier, the mother of
one of murderers and introduces her to the bereaved woman. The
awkwardness and discomfort of the various parties is presented very
well, and whilst I initially found the situation improbable, some
issues worthy of consideration are examined.
Mrs. Joseph shows incredible grace and intelligence in dealing
magnanimously with Ms. Ferrier, when outsiders think she should be
shunned and reviled. We learn that sins committed by the son do not
necessarily reflect his upbringing or the values of the parent.
Whilst Mrs. Joseph suffers greatly from the death of her loved one,
her rational way of reconciling the positions of those involved
helps alleviate the collective pain, a more desirable outcome than
the perpetuation of grief and torment.
There are some clever features in this novel. Whilst readers may
create their own mental image, perhaps influenced by stereotypical
assumptions, Jackson's voice could be that of any boy. The same may
be said for the other major characters as little reference is made
to racial identity.
The issue of bullying and gang violence is an important feature of
this story and the utter mindlessness of group victimisation is
portrayed brilliantly. The attitudes and utterances of those who
attack weaker victims was depicted so realistically that I actually
felt some sense of despair. This was partly because I was
acknowledging the realistic portrayal of moronic philosophy but also
because it was clear that the author was recounting personal
experience on some level.
Rob Welsh
Where is Little Fish? by Lucy Cousins
Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406374186
(Age: 1-3) This is a Little Fish Book, featuring the same fish from
Count with Little Fish and Hooray for Fish. It is tactile and
visually appealing, using the same illustrative style as Lucy
Cousins' other books, such as Maisy. Everything is patterned with
spots and stripes of varying vibrant design. Both the colours and
the tone of the book are bold and cheerful. Playful illustrations
encourage discussion about shape, colour, pattern, and things you
find in the sea (crab, pearl, coral etc.). Little Fish is playing
hide and seek with friends. Is Little Fish behind the yellow coral?
No, it's stripy fish! In the end we find Little Fish and Mummy Fish
too. Kiss, kiss, kiss! There are flaps on each page to keep toddlers
engaged and interacting with the board book and they will have fun
finding Little Fish at the end of the book. This is a happy
under-the-sea world to share with little ones, especially those who
love the other Little Fish books.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
What's that there? by Ros Moriarty
What's that there? by Ros Moriarty
Ill. by Balarinji. Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760297817 Bush tracks by Ros Moriaty, ill. Balarinji. Allen &
Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760297824
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Themes: Aboriginal themes.
Environment. Outback Australia. Australian flora and fauna.
Interaction. Indi Kindi (reading program). Each double page of What's
that there? begins with that question, and is followed by text
showing what the children are looking at in the illustration on the
other side of the page.
On one page, for example, is an illustration in more muted tones,
with bees buzzing around the brown circles of colour. The text tells
us that we are looking at fired tussocks, now sprouting, and bees
are swarming in the hollow trunk. The eye is drawn to the picture
and the things mentioned in the text recognised, while things seen
in the environment are sighted.
Each of the double pages follows this same format giving information
about the environment, a lively text telling the readers about the
plants and animals that inhabit it, while showing something
happening. Each is supported by colourful illustrations which dazzle
the eye, entreating readers to look more closely at the detail
shown.
And at the end of each in this wonderful series, the story is
reprised in Yanyuwa language, adding another layer of interest,
discussion and learning for any reader.
The second book Bush tracks, follows a different format than
the first, but is still as informative, lively and eye-catching.
This is written as if following a bush track, being shown what is
useful in the environment through which we are walking, as well as
giving warnings about things that may bite or snag along the way.
The two like the others in this series are wonderful to read, with
flowing, informative and detailed text, supported by magical
illustrations which demand closer attention.
Ros Moriaty co-founded the Nangala Project which
includes Indi Kindi early literacy education, and has won many
awards for business and citizenship. The Indi Kindi books are
promoted as being for young bush kids, but they would be welcome
anywhere where children are learning to read, learning about their
environment and learning to be part of the country which surrounds
them. Each of the books promotes observation and interaction,
learning about the animals and plants that inhabit the environment
and what part they play in it.
Each of these books leads children to understand more of the place
they live and for city kids, opens their eyes to what they can see
once they escape the city.
I have loved reading each of these books that has come across my
desk, as each overflows with enthusiasm about the bush environment
and I think a set of these would enhance any reading program if you
can keep them in the boxed set on the shelf.
Fran Knight
The Freedom Finders series by Emily Conolan
Break your chains Allen & Unwin, ISBN 9781760294915 Touch the sun Allen & Unwin, ISBN 9781760294922
(Age: 9-13) Emily Conolan was a fan of 'Choose your own adventure'
books as a child. She loved how you could control the outcomes of
the story by selecting different pathways at crucial points in the
plot but instead of fantasy and sci-fi stories, Emily decided she
would choose real life situations. In the real world, people have to
make choices that can either help or hinder their future and there
are times when the reader can make disastrous choices, resulting in
death of the main character.
The series looks at how children have to discover ways to find
freedom and escape life threatening situations, they are 'Freedom
Finders', hence the name of the series.
The author has added a fact section at the back of each book to
provide information to understand the background to each child's
life.
In Break your chains, a young girl living in 1825 Ireland
discovers her father has been arrested and her mother dies from
disease. The reader tries to help her find refuge and safety and she
is transported to colonial Australia. A poor and vulnerable girl,
she is chosen to work in a homestead in Van Diemen's Land where she
discovers a secret about the local bushrangers. She befriends the
local Aboriginal people who disappear from the area due to the
impact of white settlers.
The seven gemstones the convict girl is given on a bracelet are
broken apart and find their way into each of the Freedom Finder
books.
In Touch the sun, a Somalian boy needs to escape war-torn
Mogadishu. Set in 2011, a terrorist organisation tries to kill both
him and his little sister. He has to survive a desert, refugee camp
and people smugglers.
Emily Conolan has a background of working with refugees in Tasmania,
winning the Tasmanian of the Year, Hobart Citizen of the Year, and
the Tasmanian Human Rights Award.
This is an exciting, interactive series, where the reader can make
decisions that have life or death consequences. I recommend these
books for primary school students aged 9 to 13 years.
Jane Moore
The afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand
HarperTeen, 2017. ISBN 9781460754283
(Ages 12+) Recommended. At midnight on Christmas Eve, Holly Chase, a
rich, snobby 17 year old, is visited by three Christmas ghosts. She
is warned that if she doesn't stop being horrible to everyone, she
would face serious consequences. She doesn't listen to the ghosts
and in a fateful twist, she dies. Her death does not follow the
normal path though. She now works for a secret company, Project
Scrooge. Something different is happening this coming Christmas for
Holly, this year their new Scrooge will change Holly completely.
Once I started, I couldn't put this book down. The characters
resonated with me when I thought about the different way people
treat each other and the lessons they learn from their impact on
others. I really connected with some of the characters. Holly,
snobbish as she may seem, is so much more than that underneath, a
theme of human behaviour I'm sure many teenage girls will understand
and relate to. She becomes more and more likeable as the book
continues and I sympathised with her life story. Ethan Winters is an
athletic heart throb, who has lots of money and is keen to make sure
that everyone knows it. But as he meets and becomes closer with
Holly, he begins to understand the important things in life and
starts to see himself from a different perspective.
This book is about about second chances and shows the reader that
shifting your point of view can often lead to a path you had never
imagined. It is an entertaining and sometimes life affirming read
for young people embarking on the lessons of life and love. Holly
and Ethan's blooming relationship has you engaged and compelled to
find out where it will go and if it will end. The settings are easy
to imagine and very realistic. The plot thickens as the book goes
on, with surprises at the end of every chapter, leaving you wanting
to know more. This book is humorous yet emotional throughout. A
memorable read that will leave the reader thinking about the
importance of kindness in everything.
Mia Rice
The Duke of Hinklewinkle by John Phillips
Big Sky, 2018. ISBN 9781925675153
Bridget lives in the sleepy, seaside town of Hinklewinkle. She
spends a lot of time with her Grandpa because her mother often has
to work late and her father lives in another town. Grandpa breeds
show chickens and Bridget loves to help him out. One day when
Bridget is feeling a little lonely, Grandpa decides to let Bridget
pick a chicken of her own. Far from picking the most beautiful
chicken, she picks a strange looking rooster - a Big Beaked
Pencilled Hortner which she names the 'Duke of Hinklewinkle'. The
two become inseparable, with the Duke of Hinklewinkle following her
like a pet puppy.
Next door lives Mr Borewater who also breeds show chickens and he
and Grandpa are bitter rivals, but when Mr Borewater's chickens are
under threat, The Duke of Hinklewinkle surprises everyone.
This is a delightful story that is just fun to read. While the theme
of chooks in books is not new, this one is full of family love and
humour and accompanied by bright, cartoon-like pictures that will
attract the reluctant reader immediately. Something to share just
for the fun of it - is there a better reason?
Barbara Braxton
