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
The world's worst pirate by Michelle Worthington
Ill. by Katrin Dreiling. Little Pink Dog Books Australia, 2017. ISBN
9780994626912
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. This book is a different spin on a
pirate book.
Will is the world's worst pirate, but that is not the problem. Will
lives on a pirate ship with his mum who is captain. Will knows that
this is not what he wants to do for the rest of his life. He has his
own dreams that he wants to follow.
When the pirate ship gets in trouble Will finds a way to use his
passion to save the ship and he is able to find a way to fulfil his
dream.
In the end everyone sees that Will can follow his dreams and make
his family proud.
Karen Colliver
Mrs Mavis Marshmallow and the colour yellow by Cheryl Ann Knights
Ill. by Emma Stuart. Little Steps Publishing, 2017. ISBN
9781925545463
This is a rhyming book about Mrs Mavis Marshmallow and her love for
the colour yellow. Have you ever seen a yellow house with a yellow
roof? Mrs Mavis Marshmallow has one. Read the book to see what else
in her life is yellow.
This is a fun book about the different shades of yellow. Mrs Mavis
surrounds herself with everything yellow.
This book can be used as a starting point to look at how many yellow
things you can find around your house and yard. It can then be used
to look at different colours around you.
Karen Colliver
A lion is a lion by Polly Dunbar
Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406371536
(age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Humour, Proverbs, Lions. This
initially tongue in cheek look at a lion charming his way into the
family, doing things that lions definitely do not do: walking down
the street with an umbrella, swinging on a lamp post, wearing a
jaunty hat, then coming inside to sit down with the children at
lunch time begs the readers to be wary of the lion.
The question is always there, that despite appearances, is the lion
still a lion. At first he is shown wearing his hat. Then he adds
another piece of clothing to his body, entering the home of the two
children ready for lunch. He plays with them in the house, swinging
them around and listening to the music. Sitting down to lunch at the
table, he eats all his greens, but after lunch he wants desert. His
demenour changes, his teeth look much bigger than before, his eyes
more cruel. The children realsie that he is still a lion and get rid
of him from their home. So the lion is still a lion despite
appearances and the words that come from his mouth. A lesson to be
learnt, and children will be encouraged to discuss what they can do
when confronted by someone or something which appears benign but is
not.
Several proverbs spring to mind when reading this book, proverbs
that can be shared with the readers. A leopard cannot not change his
spots, beware of strangers, once an eagle - always an eagle, a wolf
in sheep's clothing, don't judge a book by its cover, and so on.
These could be discussed with the class or readers as the book is
read, and lead on to many discussions after the book has been put
aside.
And it makes a wonderful read aloud. Roar.
Fran Knight
Ice Wolves by Amie Kaufman
Elementals book 1. Harper, 2018. ISBN 9781460755273
(Age: 10-14) Recommended. Anders and his sister Rayna are orphans
who survive on the streets of Holbard. They live by their wits
stealing and scheming together, with Rayna being the planner and
organiser of the pair. They are inseparable twins who imagine their
life will always include each other. Both children keep their
distance from the Ice Wolf patrols who ensure the city is safe from
its sworn enemies, the evil Scorch Dragons.
"The Trial of Staff" is a gathering that selects the next 12 year
olds destined to become the new generation of shape shifting Ice
Wolves. By holding the staff, the chosen children will transform
into an Ice Wolf, join the Ulfar Academy and train to fight the
Scorch Dragons.
The twins attend the busy congregation to pick the pockets of the
many attendees but fatefully both children touch the staff. Anders
takes on the form of an Ice Wolf but his twin Rayna shape shifts
into a Scorch Dragon and after being attacked, flies away with other
hovering dragons.
Anders realises he must train at the Academy to secretly discover
how he can reunite with his sister, who he still loves and misses.
The wolf pack demand loyalty above all else and Anders soon finds he
is torn between betrayal of his own pack and the love for his twin
sister. Ice Wolvesis obviously the first in a series as the book ends
with an exciting cliff hanger.
Amie Kaufman has created a fascinating fantasy world that
investigates different perspectives of good and bad.
Most of the book concentrates on Anders as he strives to find his
sister and rescue her. It is only at the end of the novel that his
long-held truths are questioned.
Amie Kaufman is a New York Times award winning Young Adult author. Ice
Wolves is her first solo fantasy novel aimed for a younger
audience. I recommend this book to fantasy readers from 10 - 14
years old.
A book trailer is available at this site.
Jane Moore
Dotty Detective: The birthday surprise by Clara Vulliamy
HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9780008248413
(Age: 7+) Recommended. "Dot, her best friend Beans and her dog
McClusky all love sniffing out a good mystery and together they will
solve the case and save the day . . .
Dotty is sporty, funny, creative, clever and FEARLESS: She is great
with codes and puzzles and most of all - if there's a mystery to
solve - she's your girl. This time round her trusty sidekick, Beans
and TOP DOG, McClusky are keeping secrets from Dotty - will she like
their surprise?"(Publisher)
Dot is a stationery-mad girl with a fondness for coding and
detection and each of the brilliant Dotty Detective books shows her
solving a mystery at school or at home, with the help of her best
friend Beans - and of course McClusky the dog.
The fifth book in the series (although they do not have to be read
in order), will be popular with both boys and girls aged 7 and up.
Dot's friendship with Beans is threatened with the arrival of a new
boy in the class. She is now faced with a dilemma of who will help
her solve the mystery when it presents itself to her? Once again
Vulliamy has hit the nail on the head with the way she is
introducing the children to the appealing mystery and detective
genre while combining everyday life issues including siblings,
friendship and school life. Although it is not a graphic novel, I do
love the snapshots, codes and doodles that are interspersed in the
text. These will certainly be a hit with a wide range of children
and would make a great read aloud.
Kathryn Schumacher
Danny Best: Me first by Jen Storer
Ill. by Mitch Vane. ABC Books, 2018. ISBN 9780733333354
"Danny Best is always first.
First to wrestle a feral pig.
First to swim with crocodiles.
First to eat the eyeballs of dead yak.
Danny Best. If the challenge is EPIC, he'll be first." (Publisher)
I love the format of this book and I know from first-hand experience
that the series is a huge hit with the students. We have had it
borrowed from students from Year 2 and are finding that it is very
appealing to struggling readers in Year 4. The layout of the books
is entertaining and the mix of text and illustrations allows
disengaged students to want to read. I think the four short stories
appeal to readers who have trouble concentrating on one story for a
period of time. Danny is a crazy character who will appeal to those
of us with a small hidden naughty streak! People who have read the
likes of Anh Do, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Stuff Happens
will enjoy Danny Best. Another important point is that you
do not need to read the series in order, something that we are often
asked in the library. The quizzes are an added bonus.
Kathryn Schumacher
Clare's goodbye by Libby Gleeson and Anna Pignataro
Little Hare, 2017. ISBN 9781760127527
It's a scene familiar to many children. The removalists are carrying
the lounge chairs, the television, the boxes of books and all the
family's other possessions out to their big truck. It is time to say
goodbye to this house that has been home for so long. But while
Jacob and bigger sister Rosie are visiting familiar places and
saying a sad goodbye to the empty sandpit, the treehouse, and
long-gone Blossom the bunny, younger sister Clare says nothing and
does nothing. And then she disappears . . .
The house is finally cleared and still there is no sign of Clare and
so Jacob and Rosie search every empty room for her until, at last,
there she is . . .
Leaving a home that is loved and familiar and so much a part of who
we are because of its memories can be tough - it can be a sad thing
to say goodbye or it could be a cause for celebration as we thank it
for all it has given us. Which way did Clare choose? Just as we
express our happiness in different, unique ways so do we express our
sadness and sometimes it's not always through tears.
Identified as a 2018 CBCA Notable, for both the Early Childhood and
Picture Book categories this is a sensitive, poignant story that
will resonate with many children.
Anna Pignataro has captured the mood of the words perfectly with
Clare's forlorn figure a grey contrast against the brighter but
subdued background until the last few pages when she comes into her
own. The mood is emphasised as she portrays the children's feelings
of desolation about leaving in a predominantly grey and empty world,
while the busyness of the adults is depicted with clutter and
colour, with a variety of flowers showing that while sometimes they
are dull and seemingly lifeless, there is beauty and brightness in
the world as they bloom.
A magic pairing of author and illustrator who clearly bring personal
experience to the page to make a story that can touch so many.
Barbara Braxton
Little Lunch: Triple the games by Danny Katz
Ill. by Mitch Vane. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781760650278
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. "This is what happened during Little
Lunch: Tamara tried to find a new walking buddy for the school
walkathon. Rory decided he was going to be Prime Minister of the
whole country and the girls got into a big noisy argument and wound
up locked inside the toilets. A lot can happen in fifteen minutes."
(Publisher)
This book contains three funny stories that will keep even the most
disengaged reader enthralled from the start to the end of each
story. I have read a number of these stories aloud to various
classes ranging from Year 2 upward and they absolutely love them. I
love the quirky names the author uses and the incidental
illustrations interspersed throughout the text. Children who are
familiar with the show on TV will also like the photos of the
characters. The stories present usual school problems that will
resonate with many.
The books are in high demand in the library and rarely on the
shelves. Suitable for students aged 7 and up.
I can not recommend these highly enough.
Kathryn Schumacher
Ruby in the ruins by Shirley Hughes
Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406375893
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: World War Two, London, The
Blitz, Children affected by war. As 1945 comes around, Ruby and her
mother are still living in London, surrounded by devastation as
night after night bombing raids on their city flatten the streets
and houses around them. But they stay, despite neighbours moving to
safer places, in case Ruby's Dad comes home.
Hughes' illustrations depict the area in which they live with an
emotional overlay, looking as they do like any flattened city which
children see every night on their evening news.
Ruby and her mother snuggle down each night in their big double bed
until the all clear sounds in the morning, and when peace is
declared those left in the street celebrate with a street party. One
by one the men return, but when Mum hugs a tall thin man who comes
down from the train, Ruby is shy, unsure of who this stranger is. At
home, he seems to take up the whole space, and Ruby has to return to
her rather dilapidated room in the attic.
One day the boys ask her to go exploring with them and she runs off,
with Mum telling them to stay in their own neighbourhood.
But exploring an old site with a warning sign Ruby falls. One of the
boys rushes off to get help, and it is her father who returns with
him to help her home. He is a stranger no more.
In tightly packed prose, Hughes outlines a story common to many
children, getting to know again a parent who has been away for a
long time. Set during World War Two in London, the story has a wider
significance for many children emotionally lost during war time or
bombing or dislocation. Readers will certainly learn more about the
effect of war on Londoners during the The Blitz, but will also see
parallels to many other children over the world, at a loss trying to
understand the effects of war upon their families. This production
with its haunting illustrations, will draw in the reader as they
look at the details shown, and eagerly peruse the endpapers with
images of banners and instructions advertised by those in charge
during World War Two. The book will create a platform for discussion
in the classroom when war and its effects upon children is
discussed.
Fran Knight
Rescue and Jessica by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes
Ill. by Scott Magoon. Candlewick Press, 2017. ISBN 9780763696047
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Themes: Service dogs, Disability. When
Jessica is in hospital she is told that she is having a leg removed
while still recovering with her other damaged leg. She is unsure of
what life holds for her when the doctor recommends she have a
service dog. Reading the endpiece we find that Jessica is recovering
from her injuries sustained at the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013
and so readers will see that this tale is based on a true story of
Jessica meeting and learning to walk with her dog, trained to be at
her service. Understandably there is some trepidation on her part,
and this book exposes her concerns by paralleling them with those of
the dog, Rescue. He wanted to be a Seeing Eye Dog, but when told he
would be a Service Dog, was disappointed. But in training and then
meeting his partner, the two became firm friends.
This easily read book with copious illustrations details the
training that both members of the team receive in preparing them for
their life together. Children will love seeing the way the dog is
trained, and how Jessica learns to adapt to life with a prosthetic
leg. Part way through their orientation, Jessica learns that her
other leg is not as healthy as it should be and so is also removed.
This informative book will tug at the heart strings as the dog and
Jessica are shown working together. It is amazing what these animals
can be trained to do and readers will pore over the information
given at the end of the book, and look further to extend their
appreciation of man's best friend.
Fran Knight
Piggy: Let's be friends by Trevor Lai
Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781681190686
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. Animals, Friendship, Cooking. Piglet sees a
mole in his garden, but just as he is about to become friends with
the animal, it burrows underground and gets away. Piglet loves
making friends, he also loves reading and having tea parties with
his friends, and another friend is always welcome.
Mole likes reading too, and he bakes cakes, but is very shy and when
he is nervous he sneezes. One day, Piglet makes a tea party and
invites Mole. Mole bakes a lovely cake but bringing it into the
garden, he becomes shy and sneezes, sending the cake into the air,
landing on his head. Before anyone can help, he scurries down into
his hole, embarrassed. Piggy and his friends decide what to do to
make him overcome his shyness and be friendly with the rest of the
group, and the story ends neatly as it becomes smiles all around.
This is a nicely told story of inclusivity, of helping out those who
are in need of friends, of including everyone in what is happening.
It would make a cute introductory story to talk about friendships
and friendship groups in the class, encouraging everyone to be
inclusive. Piggy's huge glasses will certainly intrigue younger
children, and the baking of cakes throughout is an extra treat for
the eyes.
Fran Knight
Radio Boy and the revenge of Grandad by Christian O'Connell
HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9780008200596
(Age: 9-12) Recommended. Spike runs his own radio show from his
backyard shed and with the help of his friends Artie and Holly, all
seems to be running well . . . until the arrival of Spike's grandad
who has been kicked out of his home by Spike's exasperated Nan.
At first Spike lets his narcissistic, showy Grandad talk on his show
but eventually Spike has to "sack" him so that his listeners no
longer have to hear Grandad's repetitive, rambling stories. Grandad
seeks revenge by entering the local "Radio Star" competition, a
contest Spike desperately wants to win.
Spike has other worries, his unlikable headmaster, an unwinnable
love interest and an embarrassing father playing in a band on TV.
Like many radio shows Spike set crazy challenges for his listeners
and funny situations are common occurrences.
There are laugh out loud moments when Spike tries to help his friend
Artie steal back his "kidnapped" cat and things go terribly wrong at
the live reporting of the local show by the four "Radio Star"
contestants.
I found Grandad a very unlikeable character who not only bullies and
demeans his son, Spike's dad, but seems to have no empathy for Spike
and his young friends. He is a self-obsessed character who only
wants the spotlight to be on him.
This is the second "Radio Boy" novel. The author Christian O'Connell
is a famous radio star himself as he "presents Britain's biggest
commercial breakfast show on Absolute Radio".
He has worked with Australian comedians, Hamish and Andy, who are
mentioned on the book cover. My research on Christian shows he has
recently accepted a radio job in Australia, so I am sure he will
become well known here too.
The fun illustrations are by Rob Biddulph, who has created his own
award-winning books.
I recommend this book to 9 to 12 year olds.
A book trailer is available at this site.
Jane Moore
