Penguin Books 2018. ISBN 9780141386836
(Age: 12+) Marie Lu brings Batman into the twenty-first century as
an eighteen-year old coming into his inheritance. After an impulsive
joyride, Bruce Wayne finds himself doing community service at Arkham
Asylum where he meets Madeline Wallace, a ruthless killer with a
soft spot for billionaire orphans. Unwilling to talk to anyone else,
Bruce and Madeline soon strike up a strange, distrustful
relationship as they try and understand one another. Bruce allows
her to dupe him multiple times, even getting him arrested for her
escape. But Bruce Wayne isn't the kind of man to simply sit in a
jail-cell when his friends are in danger - it is time for Batman to
emerge and save the day.
This portrayal of Batman is a lot more pacifist than I remember from
previous stories. Bruce acts in self-defence or else contains
threats with as little violence as possible. While I feel that the
films and comics are still superior, this is a much less violent
take on a well-known story. Bruce is not only less violent but more
moral, weighing up many of the decisions which could lead him into
disaster before making them. He is wary and apologetic, yet still
impulsive and strong.
With hesitation I recommend this for a mainly male audience age
twelve and up. I hesitate only for the violence portrayed
throughout, while it is toned back quite a bit, there is a lot of
emphasis on punches to the head which should not be encouraged.
Kayla Gaskell, 22
You could have been . . . by Anne-Marie Imrie
Ill. by Zheng Qu. Little Steps Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9781925545562
Highly recommended. This is a touching book that broaches the hard
to talk about subject of the loss of a baby.
This is a well written book that is sensitive while allowing the
opportunity to talk about the topic in an open and respectful way,
it starts off with what could have been and then talks about what
is. This book can be used to support someone talk about this
subject.
This book could also be used to assist in discussing this subject
with children.
The illustrations in this book tie the story together well.
This book also has information of places to go to for support on
this topic. Money from the sales of the book support the stillbirth
foundation.
I highly recommend this book.
Karen Colliver,/p>
The day they shot Edward by Wendy Scarfe
Wakefield, 2018. ISBN 9781743055199
(Age: 16+) In a modest household in 1916 Australia, a family
struggles to cope with life's challenges.
Nine year old Matthew occupies an uncomfortable position surrounded
by adults whose mysterious behaviour is seldom explained adequately
to him. His father (terrifying to the lad) lies dying of
tuberculosis, quarantined in a room sealed from the house, tended by
Matthew's mother and grandmother. Gran appears to be more of a
mother figure to Matthew, showing him love and doing the best she
can to guide him through difficult times as his mother seems unable
to cope with her disastrous marriage and financial hardship.
Charismatic Edward, a dockyard union organiser who is subversively
active in protesting against First World War conscription is a
frequent visitor to the house. Here he enjoys the company of
Mathew's beautiful mother, shares political ideology with Gran and
develops a genuinely affectionate, almost paternal relationship with
Matthew.
Matthew is shown to be deeply sensitive, acutely aware of the pain
and suffering of others and is bewildered by the attitudes and
actions of adults who move in his sphere. Strong, handsome and
intelligent Edward is afraid of nobody and Matthew understandably
idolises him, given that the kind man brings a sense of stability
and security to his life.
As powerful as Edward is, in terms of his personal physique and as a
leader of hardened working men in the union, he is naive in failing
to understand the reach of the undercover police and government
agents who investigate him. At a time when the Australian army was
mustering troops to support mother England, openly criticising the
commitment and engaging in strike action invited being considered a
traitorous anarchist by the establishment.
Luckily for Matthew, he finds friendship with Mr. Werther, his aged
German Headmaster. Together they share the world of music,
celebrating all that is gentle.
Rob Welsh
Butterfly Wishes: Tiger Streak's Tale by Jennifer Castle
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781681193731
(Age: 6+) "Sisters Addie and Clara have just moved to a new house
where they discover that their backyard is a gateway to an enchanted
realm of magical butterflies. These special butterflies - called
Wishing Wings - have the power to make wishes come true!
A new butterfly named Tiger Streak has just emerged, but something
isn't right. She's under a curse that has her confused - she thinks
she's a bee because of her beautifully striped wings! Now, only
Addie and Clara can help her break the spell. But they have to do it
before the day is over or she'll lose her magic forever."
(Publisher)
Well who does not like a girlie book? With the eye-catching cover, I
am sure this will be a hit with young girls who are moving onto
chapter books. The text is reasonably large and set out like a novel
for the skilled reader. This will sit along-side the likes of Juliet,
Nearly a Vet, Clementine Rose and Violet Mackerel.
The storyline follows a traditional narrative but in all good books,
it has a happy ending! This is sure to become a popular series.
Suitable for ages 6 and up
Kathryn Schumacher
Visiting you - a journey of love by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg and Andrea Edmonds
EK Books, 2018. ISBN 9781925335668
There are many ways to visit Hope Meadows. But whether you go by
train, bus, tram or ferry, there is always someone sharing the
journey with you. And whether that is a scruffy, gruff man who is so
tall he can touch the roof without stretching who lives apart from
his daughter; a gruff and grouchy old man with hair like white fairy
floss and a big round nose whose wife has died; a grouchy and cross
girl with hair as black as night and ring through her nose whose
grandfather no longer remembers her; or a woman as big as a bear
with tattoos down her arms whose son may not recover from a
motorcycle accident; each has the same purpose and a similar story
to tell - the loss of someone they loved dearly, whom they miss
terribly and who brought joy and love to their lives. Each of them
love and miss their family member just as much as the little girl
loves and misses her dad, and while his journey has reached its
final destination, this love continues and brings joy.
Undeterred by outward appearances, the little girl asks each the
same question - Who are you visiting? - and in return discovers that
love is what binds us together regardless of how we present
ourselves to the world. Rather than focusing on physical
differences, it is the common humanity of the community and the need
to give and receive love that binds us. This commonality is echoed
through the repetitive style of the text and illustrations which
feature a pathway of love that connects the memories of each person.
This focus on our similarities rather than our differences is a
familiar theme of many stories for children, but Visiting You stands
out as it looks beneath the surface to our emotions and helps us
understand that really, all you need is love. That will carry you
through the most trying situations. It offers an opportunity for the
reader to reflect on those whom they love and the memories they
would share if something were to happen to that person, perhaps even
create a class journey of love so they can be reassured that there
is someone in their life who loves them as much as they love in
return.
Barbara Braxton
I'm a duck by Eve Bunting
Ill. by Will Hillenbrand. Candlewick Press, 2018. ISBN 9780763680329
Highly recommended. Little duck is scared of the water, and worried
he will sink. Sometimes we all need to be brave to face something
that we know we should be able to do and this book looks at the
bravery needed by little duck to overcome his fear and the
satisfaction that he feels when he is successful.
This is a lovely story of how little duck with the support of his
family and friends is able to overcome his fear. This book can be
used to talk with children about their own fears.
The illustrations in this book are beautiful and they support the
text in telling this story.
I highly recommend this book for young children.
Karen Colliver
Lyla: Through my eyes by Fleur Beale
Through My Eyes: Natural Disaster Zones series. Allen and
Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760113780
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Themes: Earthquakes, New Zealand,
Disasters, Emergency services. 2011 saw a major earthquake in the
south island of New Zealand, shattering the lives of the inhabitants
of Christchurch, killing 185 people from all over the world and
leaving an immeasurable damage bill.
Against this, Fleur Beale has written a highly involving tale of one
family and its reaction to this event, bringing in their friends,
relatives and neighbours to give a reality that is unsurpassed. I
shuddered with them at each aftershock, and marveled as children
voted on the magnitude of the shock, or people went to their
emergency kits because there was no water in the pipes. It's the
little things that many people do not think about when an earthquake
occurs, that Beale has drawn these seamlessly into the drama of this
group's survival. When Lyla reaches home, walking from the city, she
surveys the neighbourhood, helping some, leaving notes for others to
come to her house. She gathers mattresses for beds, raids the
freezer for food to cook on the bbq and retrieves codeine for Matt
who is severely bruised.
All the while she fields questions from people who ring on the
landline, looks after the two young children from next door, while
their mother goes into the CBD to help, and waits for her parents,
one a policeman, one a nurse, to come home.
She is a stalwart of emergency procedure and organisation, recalling
effortlessly the drills they have all undertaken at school, putting
into practice things learnt from the most recent earthquake, a few
months before. As bits of Christchurch still shudder and fall around
them, power is restored in some areas, food is distributed and Lyla
takes a major risk to retrieve a friend's laptop.
The course of the few days sees Lyla reconsider her arrogant
neighbour Matt, a rugby fanatic in year eleven, who despite his
swollen ankle and shoulder, helps her where he can, offering support
and encouragement.
Her school is red stickered, and many of her friends' families have
decided to move away, so Lyla often feels alone until lessons are
resumed at another school, being bussed there in the afternoons,
with her classes piggybacking at the other school.
But months after the earthquake, Lyla falters and it is up to others
to come to her aid, and we see through Beale's story just how
emotional aftershocks can take hold. Teacher's
notes are available.
Fran Knight
A skinful of shadows by Frances Hardinge
Macmillan, 2017. ISBN 9781509869305
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Caught between Catholics and
Protestants in the seventeenth century and wielding a dangerous
supernatural power, Makepeace must make herself as inconspicuous as
possible to have any chance at surviving in her father's family and
her Inheritance.
The night is dark and full of terrors for Makepeace, even more so
when she finds herself alone after her mother's death. Alone and
fool-hardy, the girl is desperate to learn more about the ghosts she
has always been told she must keep out. In doing so she soon finds
herself in more than one dangerous situation as something which is
scared and frightened finds itself trapped within her own mind. Sold
to her father's family to offset the burden of housing an insane
girl, Makepeace finds herself caged, a position both she and her
animal friend detest. Soon she learns to be one with Bear and
conceals him from her Elders and Betters. It is with Bear's help,
and that of her cousin, James, that she survives three years with
the Fellmottes and avoids her inheritance, or at least part of it.
Stronger than most of the family, Makepeace's fear of ghosts keeps
her wary and prepared to deal with those that would possess her, as
well as open minded to the possibilities and uses of saving those
souls she deems worthy. But is that enough to save her from the
dreaded inheritance?
Illuminating and engaging, Hardinge's novel draws the reader right
in alongside Bear and Makepeace as they fight for their freedom and
the freedom of the people. Highly recommended to lovers of fantasy,
particularly featuring animals or a medieval setting.
Kayla Gaskell, 22
Jack Fortune and the search for the Hidden Valley by Sue Purkiss
Alma Books, 2018. ISBN 9781846884283
(Age: Primary 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Adventure, Orphans,
Botany. Sue Purkiss drew inspiration from the British botanist
Joseph Banks and the 'plant hunters' who ventured across the globe
often in dangerous situations to search of rare vegetation, seeds
and cuttings. In Jack Fortune and the search for the Hidden
Valley, a young orphan boy travels with his Uncle Edmund to
the Himalayas in a difficult and dangerous quest. This is
reminiscent of a Boy's Own adventure, filled with
quintessentially British characters who learn to rely on each other
and develop mettle in the face of challenges.
When Jack is orphaned he's sent to live with his Aunt Constance, who
despairs of his boyish pranks and mischievous actions. She's
promised his mother that Jack won't be sent off to boarding school,
so Uncle Edmund is called in to help deal with the situation. His
uncle is a naturalist about to embark on a plant gathering mission
to the foothills of the Himalayas and he reluctantly agrees to take
him along. Jack finds solace drawing in his father's sketchbook,
touching the picture of his mother's face. These secret skills
become very important as he records their travels, the plant
specimens they discover and the myths and customs of the people he
encounters on his journey to the hidden valley.
Along the way they meet with a maharajah, journey with Sherpas and
deal with monks who guard the sacred mountain, all the while
maintaining their very British habits. Through Jack's eyes we see
the wonder of others' lifestyles. He observes the young monks at the
monastery and hangs a prayer flag before he starts his search for
the blue rhododendron. Resilience, courage, overcoming grief and
growing in self-worth develop within Jack along the way.
The author creates scenes rich with imagery, colourful landscapes
and adds a quirky and interesting mix of characters. Jack
Fortune and the search for the Hidden Valley is an enthralling
read, opening up a new historical horizons.
Rhyllis Bignell
Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables fight back by Tim Harris
Random House, 2018. ISBN 9780143785873
(Age: 8-12) Recommended. Things are looking dire for the students in
12B. Their teacher Miss Frost lives up to her name with her cold
demeanour and extreme discipline. Principal Mr Sternblast supports
her strict classroom regime. What hope is there for 12B who are
missing the flamboyant and caring Mr Bambuckle?
A mysterious message results in Miss Frost being transported across
the world and the return of Mr Bambuckle himself, with his unicycle,
eggs, bacon and fun teaching.
We get to know more about the 15 students (the 15 includes the
perpetually absent Peter Strayer) in the class, their fears, likes
and families. Each student is highlighted in an information box at
the beginning of the book. There are interesting inserts in the
story, such as notes passed between the students, conversations in
voice bubbles and examples of homework efforts.
The novel has a bright, attractive cover featuring Mr Bambuckle and
his students. James Hart's illustrations are also interspersed
throughout the novel.
This book follows the first novel Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables,
which has been selected as one of the 2018 CBCA notables. The short
list had not been released at the time of writing this review.
The children of 12B help each other and Mr Bambuckle encourages and
supports his students when they are in need. It is a crazy,
unpredictable and often hilarious novel.
Author Tim Harris, is a teacher and has an intimate knowledge of a
classroom and its workings. He is known for his series of books Exploding
Endings, described as short stories with an unpredictable end.
I recommend this book to 8 to 12 year olds.
A fun book trailer is available at this site.
Jane Moore
Kate and the thing by Heidi Cooper Smith
Wombat Books, 2018. ISBN 9781925563290
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Themes: Mental health, Depression,
Insecurity, Changing school. Being a new kid at school leaves Kate
feeling despondent. The others in her school have their own friends,
and are in groups playing when she arrives. She watches them from
behind the tree, unsure of what to do. The Thing which accompanies
her on the way to school stays with her all day, watching her play
with her breakfast, standing alone in the line, hiding behind the
tree.
The next day she hides under the bed, but the day is rainy and the
Thing loves puddles so draws her out to play in the rain. Playing
like this helps her to feel smiley, and going to school she sees
things which make her happier, and through that week, the Thing
becomes less of a partner in her life as her courage grows.
As her confidence builds she forgets all about the Thing and never
looks for him
One day she notices another new boy, sitting by himself and she goes
over to him, knowing that he feels despondent just like she had, and
becomes a companion.
This is a neatly told tale of adapting to change. It plays with the
idea of change and accepting change in your life, encouraging the
reader to feel compassion to the newcomers in their midst.
Fran Knight
Bird builds a nest by Martin Jenkins
Ill. by Richard Jones. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406355130
Highly recommended. This book about bird building a new nest ties in
science themes into the story in a way that they can be read as part
of the story or left out depending on the age of the audience.
Bird has a task that has to be completed, bird persists until the
job is finished.
This book could be used with primary age students when looking at
the topic of forces. Students could attempt to make their own nest
and see what forces they need to make the perfect nest. It gives a
different way to introduce STEM to students, that can make it easier
to relate to the topic.
I highly recommend this book for use in STEM.
Karen Colliver
Sam's surfboard showdown by Allayne L. Webster and Amanda S. Clarke
Scholastic, 2018. ISBN 9781742991894
(Age: 8-10) Recommended. Themes: Friendship, Competition. Sam
Sumner's comfortable life changes with the arrival of a new
sixth-grade student, handsome Finn Hester. Sam's the best at the
weekly maths pop- quiz, regularly receiving the prized
scratch'n'sniff stickers and stamps, until Finn bumps him out of
first place. Finn dominates at lunchtime cricket taking five wickets
and beating Sam's best score. Even in PE he kicks ten goals for his
team, poor Sam feels totally intimidated.
When Finn joins Nippers, Sam's favourite activity in the whole
world, he's angry. To make matters worse, Mrs Hester Finn's mother
is an excellent cook and her cupcakes are better than Sam's mum's
chocolate slice. When the Nipper's coach announces a special
competition for all the junior club members, Sam is determined to
win and so is Finn. The prize is a surfboard signed by his idol Mick
Fanning.
Sam's family live in Robe, South Australia, and his dad works with
the council, in environmental protection and has set up gardens with
Aboriginal native plants honouring his heritage. Sam's mum is the
best cook in Robe, winning prizes at the local show, she also feels
threatened by the new mum in town. With touches of humour - the
burping scene - and some more emotional encounters, both Sam and
Finn learn some life lessons along the way. Sam's Surfboard
Showdown is a quick to read relatable story suitable for those
students with a high interest and lower reading age.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Malice of Waves by Mark Douglas-Home
Cal McGill, Sea Detective book 3. Michael Joseph, 2016. ISBN
9780718182762
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Themes: Mystery. Missing persons. Oceans.
Islands. Criminal investigation. For five years Priest's Island has
guarded the secret of Max Wheeler's disappearance. For five years
Max Wheeler's family gathers on Priest's Island to mourn for the boy
who disappeared without trace. Cal McGill, an oceanographer who is
expert at finding bodies at sea is called in after numerous
investigations have failed to discover what has happened to the boy.
He finds himself in the middle of the angst on the island because
the community had been accused of murder and a father who is so
involved in the disappearance of his son that he ignores his three
daughters, Joss, Chloe and Hannah.
Told from multiple viewpoints the reader soon becomes engrossed in
the happenings and personalities of the people on the island.
Intertwined with the story of Max's disappearance is a thread about
Stanley Pryke, a bird egg collector who desperately wants to add a
unique egg found on Priest's Island to his collection. Add to this
the information about how bodies float in the sea, where currents
will take them, a sea detective with unique skills, and an
undercover Detective Sergeant, Helen Jamieson, and lovers of
mysteries are in for a treat.
The atmosphere that gathers around the arrival of the Wheeler family
is tense and the author gradually builds up the suspense keeping the
reader engrossed and wondering if another murder is going to take
place. This is an intelligent and gripping crime story.
Although the third in the series about the Sea Detective, there is
sufficient background information and in-depth portrayal of the
characters to make it a comfortable and engrossing stand-alone read.
After reading The Malice of the Waves, readers will also
feel encouraged to pick up other books in the series as they would
want to follow the cases of this unique detective.
Pat Pledger
The Snow Angel by Lauren St John
Ill. by Catherine Hyde. Zephyr, 2017. ISBN 9781786695895
(Ages 10+) Recommended.Themes: Personal identity, Africa social life
and conditions, survival, resilience. " . . . climbing is like the
journey of life. You start slowly. You try one way and if it doesn't
work out or you meet some obstacles, you keep searching until you
find another trail. There is always a second chance."
Lauren St John's The Snow Angel is a powerful and
confronting story, a drama played out in three acts, the joys of
family life, in the slums of Nairobi and finally new beginnings in
Scotland. Makena lives with her parents in the busy city of Nairobi,
sharing her father's passion for mountain climbing. She is
fascinated by snow and often dreams of climbing Mt Everest with
Hilary and Sherpa Tensing, and to her delight her father leads her
on a trip to climb Mount Kenya. His sage advice stands her in good
stead when her life takes on a tragic turn. After the mountain trip
her parents leave to nurse Aunt Mary, an aid worker in faraway
Sierra Leone. Struck down by the Ebola virus, her parents leave
behind their daughter who is forced to grow up quickly, facing a
destitute life, struggling to survive.
Forced to leave the family who are minding her, then due to a series
of unfortunate incidents, she ends up running away, sleeping in a
skip, fighting off attackers and desperately looking for food. With
a street savvy albino girl Snow, Makena quickly learns the ways of
slum life, gang warfare, starvation and experiences children being
abducted and sold into slavery.
Music brings joy to their lives and the recurring motif of snow and
magical sightings of the silver fox are signs that lift the young
girl's spirits. Fortuitously Makena's life is changed when she meets
Helen an orphanage director for the forgotten children of Kenya. In
the third act, Makena's luck changes as she flies off to Helen's
homeland Scotland, and slowly makes a new life with her. The Snow Angel is wonderfully written, the shades of African
life, the class and social divide, life and death, the confronting
survival of the impoverished are all realistically portrayed. The
harsh realities of Makena's life are told honestly and make this a
book suited to a teen audience. The moody, dark drawings add depth
to this emotional story which seamlessly explores themes of
friendship, survival, and courage and seeking positivity in the face
of despair. Even in the darkness there's a little glimmer of light
shining from the tail of the magical silver fox.
Rhyllis Bignell
