Reviews

Quark's Academy by Catherine Pelosi

Lothian, 2018. ISBN 9780734417800
(Age: 9-12) Recommended. Themes: Science, Scientists, Mysteries. Catherine Pelosi's debut novel explores the lives of three young scientific masterminds and their mysterious adventures at summer camp. Augustine, Celeste and Oscar receive special invitations to attend Quark's Academy participating in classes taught by 'leading inventors and being exposed to cutting edge science.' Each one has a passion for science, Augustine is focussed on saving the planet, Celeste loves logic and theory and Oscar enjoys the fun of scientific experiments. Along with twelve other young scientists they have the opportunity to develop and showcase their own inventions, competing for a monetary prize offered by Inventor Quark.
Leaving behind their parents, pets, toys and technology they meet on Monday morning at 7am and are transported into another world. Here tunnels connect to spherical laboratories where different branches of science are studied. At first, the trio find everything exciting and amazing, extracting DNA from animals, travelling on advanced transportation devices and developing their own inventions in their rooms. Over the course of the week the trio begin to uncover anomalies in the running of the Academy and embark on a dangerous quest to uncover the truth.
Quark's Academy is an exciting and imaginative story stepping into a world where scientific endeavour and inquiry is explored. Author Catherine Pelosi drew inspiration for this novel after attending the Sydney Observatory Adventure. She has written a junior novel just right for the young reader who loves stories that take them into new and exciting places.
Rhyllis Bignell

Me too by Erika Geraerts and Charl Laubscher

Ill. by Andy Murray 'Gatsby'. Walker Books Australia, 2018. ISBN 9781925381900
(Age: 3-6) Me too is a delightful and simple exploration of friendship as a young girl and boy express their wishes for someone to share in their activities. There is a simplicity to the dialogue, a repetition and a refrain that a young audience will quickly pick up and repeat. " 'I hope I find a someone who wants to go on adventures every day,' states the little girl. 'Me too,' replies the young boy." Their wishes include someone to dress up, stay up late and talk, build castles and a someone who will make dessert for breakfast.
This easy to read story shows the joy and entertainment two children have as they develop their relationship. No electronics, fancy equipment or expensive toys, just everyday items, dress ups from a wardrobe, a bed filled with toys, a sheet castle constructed draped across the lounge furniture, help them to have fun.
Andy Murray's minimalist illustrations use a pastel palette with line drawings to capture the simplicity of the text. Jumping on the bed, balancing on one leg on a chair, raiding the fridge for a late night snack, he portrays the development of this friendship, through a range of enjoyable scenes without a parent in sight.
Me too is a lovely story to share with a young family and in an early childhood setting as it explores the beginnings of friendships. This picture book provides opportunities to discuss the importance of sharing, listening and encouraging the development of new relationships.
Rhyllis Bignell

Release by Patrick Ness

Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406331172
(Age: 17+) Themes: Homosexuality; Family; Friendships; Sexual Identity; Ghosts; Freedom from the past. Patrick Ness is a patron for a group that promotes diversity in schools, and this book introduces sexually diverse representations. The central character, Adam, is exploring his identity through a series of homosexual relationships. This exploration is at odds with his family background - his father is a pastor in an Evangelical American church, and the basis of Adam's experience of family love and acceptance is derailing as he explores his sexual relationships and his view of love. A close connection to a female friend gives him a sense of connection even when things go wrong - 'she has his back', despite his 'first love' turning his back on him. The young, high school-aged Adam is sexually active with his new boyfriend, and their sexual encounters are described in detail (although some facets of the coupling are left to the imagination, mostly the descriptions are fairly overt for a YA book). This coming-of-age tale, involves deserting the expectations and influence of family, not an uncommon motif in YA fiction; Adam's parents are painted as the 'evil' spectre in the background as they grapple with their own worldview and struggle with Adam's choices. But this is also a story where sexual diversity is assumed and the opinions of the parents are maligned. Adam also becomes the target of workplace sexual harassment, that is not dealt with well.
In contra point to this story of breaking away from conventions and the critique of those norms, is the spectral appearance of the Spirit Queen who inhabits the tortured spirit soul of a recently murdered young woman as she wanders the lake shore where her body was dumped. There is struggle as she works out how to be released from the torture, and will the Spirit Queen be trapped in this metaphysical half-light? Ironically this location is where Adam will be attending a farewell party for his former 'love interest', whose influence he cannot shake. This metaphysical appearance is about being released from the holds of a past life and the story thread weaves amid Adam's story of release.
Ness has demonstrated his usual capacity to write with great finesse, but I won't be recommending this in my school context. It is far too graphic and the fact that Ness needs to state that his own father was nothing like the father in the book, is evidence that he recognises the cruelty in the representation of Adam's father. Free expression of sexuality and desire may be common in today's culture, but it may not be helpful for all young readers to have this presented so boldly.
Carolyn Hull

My brigadista year by Katherine Paterson

Candlewick, 2018. ISBN 9780763695088
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. "When thirteen-year-old Lora tells her parents that she wants to join Premier Castro's army of young literacy teachers, her mother screeches to high heaven, and her father roars like a lion. Lora has barely been outside of Havana - why would she throw away her life in a remote shack with no electricity, sleeping on a hammock in somebody's kitchen? But Lora is stubborn: didn't her parents teach her to share what she has with someone in need? Surprisingly, Lora's abuela takes her side, even as she makes Lora promise to come home if things get too hard. But how will Lora know for sure when that time has come?" (Publisher)
I absolutely loved this book by award winning author, Katherine Paterson. It gave me a wonderful insight into a time in Cuba's history that I had no idea about. Many countries could take a leaf out of this plan in current times. Many teenagers during this time volunteered to teach fellow Cubans of all ages to read and write, while participating in their daily lives. There was the ever-constant threat and dangers from the counterrevolutionaries hiding in nearby hills. The author's notes and timeline at the back of the book, outlining this period in history is a great source of information. This book was an easy read, with quite large text. Themes such as hardship, bravery, friendship and perseverance are evident throughout the book. It would make a fantastic read aloud and provide great learning activities about perspective and responsibility. A must have for the library.
Kathryn Schumacher

Three cheers for women by Marcia Williams

Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406374865
(Age: 8-80) Highly recommended. Subjects: Women - History, Women - Biography. Popular British author and illustrator Marcia Williams (Dot) celebrates the astonishing achievements of women from all over the globe, from ancient to modern times. Her unique comic-strip style creatively showcases more than seventy brave and noteworthy role models from writers to social activists, scientists to artists. Cartoon animal and bird characters float with Dot with her friend Abe around the frames of the cartoon strips, providing fun comments and additional facts.
Brave Boudicca, Warrior Queen of Iceni led over 100000 untrained men into battle against an army of 10,000 Roman soldiers. Williams draws her charging into battle, sword raised, fiery long red hair flowing as she exhorts her soldiers to fight. Cleopatra, Joan of Arc and Queen Elizabeth 1 are included as historical figures. Each figure's childhood, formative years and adult life are told through speech bubbles, easy to read statements and sketches. Williams includes their key achievements, messages and their role in the society of their times. Eleanor Roosevelt was a Human Rights activist who refused to follow the Alabama segregated seating policy in 1936, sitting midway between the white and coloured sections.
Williams has drawn inspirational stories of girls, teenagers and women from many countries, cultures and backgrounds who have made an impact. There's Pakistani bomb survivor and human rights advocate young Malala Yousafzai, Olympian Cathy Freeman, artist Frieda Kahlo, Indian President Indira Ghandi each illustrated with engaging biographies.
Three Cheers for Women is an exciting resource for schools to use across the curriculum, teaching positive gender roles, celebrating diversity, inclusivity and the important contributions of women both today and historically.
Rhyllis Bignell 

Beautiful mess by Claire Christian

The Text Publishing Company, 2017. ISBN 97819254988547
(Age: 17+) Winner Text Prize. Themes: Mental Illness; Suicide; Grief; Coming-of-Age. The mess that occurs in Ava's life is not going to get cleaned up easily - her best friend has died. Gideon's mess is almost paralysing as he struggles with anxiety and fear. These two teenagers are in a maelstrom of torment and nothing is working well for them. Poor choices, counselling and family are all twisting over, under and around the two central characters, and moving forward does not seem to be an easy option. Into this emotional storm involving mental illness and a sudden death, Ava and Gideon become each other's support and pinpoint of hope - but will their connection create opportunity to move forward or will it create its own whirlpool?
This is a deeply moving story as it reveals the emotional torture of enduring the very toughest of circumstances. What could have been an incredibly sad tale is cleverly sprinkled with poetry and laughter - and real hope, even when things do not go according to plan. Each of the central characters communicates their viewpoint through alternating chapters, which gives incredible insight into the impacts of their actions onto a fledgling friendship. Claire Christian has introduced two very identifiable characters and has written a very raw expose of teenage life, as some make very unwise decisions either under the influence of grief, mental illness or because of the pressures of trying to solve things on their own. Counselling is shown as a valuable resource in dealing with life's battles. The language is coarse, substances are consumed, the sexual encounters are described with some detail, and the mental health issues are incredibly confronting - even for an adult. Be cautious in placing this book in the hands of an immature or vulnerable reader.
Caution: Language issues; Drug taking; Sexual behaviour (described with some detail); Suicide.
Carolyn Hull

The Harper effect by Taryn Bashford

Pan Macmillan 2017. ISBN 9781760552091
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Themes: Tennis. Change. Coming of age. Harper Hunter has devoted the last ten years of her life to tennis. It is her past, present, and, with any luck, her future. But that future is threatened when she turns to putty on court and her long-time coach, Kominsky, dumps her. Facing the prospect of life without tennis, Harper must give it her all in a doubles match to stand a chance at reaching the top and breaking through the first-round graveyard. But she gets more than she bargained for in her doubles partner Colt Quinn, a devilishly attractive man with a huge ego and a lot to prove. Meanwhile there are problems at home as Harper and her sister, Aria, deal with the consequences of Aria's breakup with their childhood friend. Aria thinks there must be someone else and Jacob proves this by his continual advances on Harper, who has nursed a crush on their neighbour since she was thirteen. Harper's life is about to become a mess as boys become an almost bigger portion of her life than tennis.
This Australian novel, while mostly dealing with tennis, fitness, and the world-stage, is a coming of age story and a fun little romance. I would highly recommend for girls thirteen and up who find that their world is changing too fast for them to keep up. Well written and containing complex characters that are, at times, all too human, The Harper effect contains messages about staying motivated, working towards goals, embracing passions, and managing the stresses of everyday life.
Kayla Gaskell, 22.

The Book of Dust: La belle sauvage by Philip Pullman

Book of dust, vol. 1. David Fickling Books, 2017. ISBN 9780857561084
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Many years have passed since the completion of His dark materials and now Pullman fans have been graced by the first in a prequel series following baby Lyra and her protector, Malcom. Diving back into this world was a magical experience - for this reviewer it was like coming home. A knowledge of the world of His dark materials is unnecessary for the enjoyment of La Belle Sauvage, but like the original series the book thrusts you into a world of daemons and children thirsty for knowledge.
The novel follows the unusually bright innkeeper's son, Malcom, and his need to protect baby Lyra, who was left with the Nuns at the priory for safe keeping. Working in the pub, Malcom meets all sorts of people - even strange men with three-legged hyena daemons whose presence unnerves everyone. But this strange man isn't the only to visit the Trout since Lyra's arrival - Lord Asriel, a famous explorer calls, employing Malcom to take him to the priory to visit his daughter and swearing the boy to secrecy. Befriending a librarian and a gyptian, Malcom's days are soon filled with the need to protect little Lyra - even if that means braving the Thames in flood and outsmarting the man with the three-legged hyena.
I would highly recommend La belle sauvage for boys or girls twelve years and up who love fantasy. In particular those who have already fallen in love with Lyra in His dark materials or in the 2007 film The golden compass.
Kayla Gaskell, 22

Dino Diggers: Crane calamity by Rose Impey

Ill. by Chris Chatterton Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408872468
The Dino Diggers have a new project - this time they are building a new house for Mr and Mrs Triceratops and all the little ceratops. But not not all of them are working hard - Ricky Raptor the apprentice is day-dreaming about being a proper Dino Digger driver and he very nearly lands in all sorts of trouble because he is not concentrating. Is he going to end up in the barrel of the cement mixer???
With its bright pictures and a cardboard model crane and brachiosaurus to build, this will appeal to young readers who like big machines and dinosaurs. Each dinosaur has its own personality so this series is great for encouraging young readers to recall what they already know and ponder on how the new story will evolve.
Barbara Braxton

Valentine series by Jodi McAlister

Penguin Teen Australia
Valentine book 1. 2017. ISBN 9780143574163
Ironheart book 2. 2018. ISBN 9780143574170
(Age 14+) Recommended. Themes: Paranormal, Fairies, Murder, Diversity. Four teens all born on Valentine's Day, begin to get into trouble. Pearl Linford is one of them and so is Finn Blacklin, the boy she has disliked all her life. It seems the Seelie believe that one of them is the Valentine a changeling swapped at birth with a fairy, and they want that person back in Fairyland. And the Unseelie are determined that is not going to happen. Murder and mayhem result as both the Seelie and Unseelie hunt the four teens, using humans as their foils and magic as their weapon.
Jodie McAlister has written a smart, fast paced paranormal that fans of Holly Black will enjoy. There is plenty of action as Pearl aided with the gorgeous Finn try to work out what is happening and just who of the four is the Valentine. The pair also have to come to grips with a growing attraction, amid many funny spats and witty dialogue which will be enjoyed by readers who enjoy sarcasm and humour to lighten the often scary moments when the Unseelie wreak havoc on their unsuspecting victims.
Pearl is a gutsy heroine who is determined that she won't rely on a Prince Charming to come to her rescue, rather she will do the rescuing herself. She writes her own music and is haunted by a Seelie tune that she has heard. Her siblings Shad and Disey are terrific characters and readers will fall in love with Cardy, a boy who works hard for his people. Diversity of characters is a theme but it is not laboured and threads naturally through the stories.
The first two books in the series are engrossing and easy to read because of the exciting plot and character development. The world building is realistic and it was not difficult to imagine the chaos that the fairies bring to their school and homes.
The books are best read in order with Valentine first as Ironheart flows on from the action there. Fans will be eagerly waiting for the next in the trilogy, with their appetites whetted by the cliff-hanger at the end of Ironheart.
Pat Pledger

The School of Good and Evil: Quests for Glory by Soman Chainani

HarperCollins, 2017. ISBN 9780008224479
We all know that life isn't just a fairy-tale and there aren't handsome princes and beautiful princesses waiting around every corner. But that's real life, not the Woods where the School for Good and Evil holds more sway than almost anything else. Agatha and Tedros might have gotten their Ever After but for how long? With the Woods under threat and Tedros' position as successor to King Arthur in question, the fourth-year Questers must band together to overcome an enemy even greater than the evil School Master.
After everything goes wrong at Tedros' coronation he does all he can to secure the trust of his kingdom, persisting with his efforts for Excalibur, the most powerful sword in the woods which is now lodged in stone and trying to put Camelot's problems above his neighbouring kingdoms. But is this a mistake in the making? Before long it becomes apparent that something very wrong is happening in the Woods and it might be time that the fourth-year quests find a new direction. Chaddick is missing and while Tedros cannot afford to leave the castle, his bride-to-be can. Agatha sets off on a new quest - a quest to secure Tedros' kingdom and recover his lost night. But is it too late? With witches, pirates, and robbers to contend with, can the Evers and Nevers save themselves and Tedros? Or will they be out-smarted by a children's story? And what role does Sophie have to play this time?
Reminiscent of Pratchett and Carroll, Chainani presents a story seeped in wonder which draws together a variety of fairy-tales and folk law to present a world where not only are these fairy-tales real, they are continuing to be written by the Storian. Like Cornelia Funke's Inkheart, Quests for Glory blurs the lines between story and reality. The fourth in the series, I came to the novel with no prior knowledge and quickly became immersed in Sophie and Agatha's world.
Kayla Gaskell, 22

The hunting of the princes by Peter F Hamilton

The Queen of Dreams series, book 2. Macmillan Children's Books, 2016. ISBN 9781447291145
(Age: 10 - 16) Highly recommended. Fantasy. The Hunting of the Princes is the second book in The Queen of Dreams by the famous science fiction author Peter F Hamilton. This is his first ever children's fantasy trilogy. The first book of the series title is The Secret Throne.
In the first book of the series Taggie Paganuzzi learns that she is the Queen-To-Be of the magical first realm as her father is an otherworldly prince in exile. He had been overthrown by the King of Night. Taggie has to learn very quickly how to use magic to succeed in defeating the King of Night.
The Hunting of the Princes continues the adventures of Taggie and her younger sister, Jemima. Someone tries to assassinate Taggie as she is cycling home from the local swimming pool in Samford, England. Taggie, with the aid of Jemima and other friends, sets to solving the mystery of who is trying to kill her. She learns that someone has been killing royal heirs throughout the magical kingdoms.
Peter F Hamilton grabs and holds the attention of the reader throughout the happenings and adventures of Taggie and friends as they use all their skills and reasoning to solve the puzzle of who is behind the assassinations of the royal heirs and to avoid being killed themselves. The reader will not want to put the book down. This book is reminiscent of books written by Enid Blyton such as The Famous Five series.
This series is an excellent introduction to fantasy novels for all young readers.
Glen Avery

1918 by Libby Gleeson

The endsister by Penni Russon

Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781741750652
(Age: middle school) Highly recommended. Themes: Supernatural. London. Family. Sisters. Humour. Endsisters, sixteen year old Else and four year old Sibbi relate the story of their family's move to a house in London after a great aunt died and left the property to her only living relative, their father, Dave, an ex-lawyer trying to live off the land in Australia.
Between their sections, other chapters relate the events from the perspective of the three male siblings, Oscar, Finn and Clancy, making an engrossing tale of this family and its relationship with the ghosts.
Outhwaite House is home to two resident ghosts, Almost Annie and Hardly Alice, so old that they cannot remember why they are there, but watch with interest the changes that occur in the world around them.
Into their world come the five siblings, each with their own characteristics, the twins unhappy, Sibbi throwing tantrums, Else deliberately leaving her violin at home in Australia, Clancy harbouring fears of bullying. But Sibbi seems to be foundering, Mum, Olly cannot go outside, Dave becomes more interested in the legal work he is doing, and Clancy develops a friendship with the girl next door. Else meets a violin maker and learns to love her music once again, and it is this catalyst which finally cements the family, allowing them to open up and be honest, to make decisions as a group. A close family, their equilibrium is upset by the ambience of this new house.
Gently spooky, the tale's two ghosts want the best for the children in the house, listening to the arguments between them all, feeling saddened by their unhappiness. The music brings back their memories, so like the family, they can resolve issues from the past and better make decisions about their futures.
Russon is the author of a group of books I really enjoyed, The Undine series, and I am pleased to see another book from this author. Her writing is spectacular, and the themes involving the supernatural, subtle and moving. No blood lust, no vampires, ghouls or monsters, just two gentle old ladies who are a little transparent, hovering just out of anyone's sight, but disturbed as is the family of what may lie behind the locked attic door.
Russon's descriptions of the house and environs in London are infused with reality, sparking an enthusiasm for the city which is effervescent.
Fran Knight

Bobby the plain-faced cattle dog by Amy Curran

Pink Coffee Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9780648239314
Bobby was the last of Peggy's litter of Australian cattle dogs to find a new home - some of his brothers and sisters had already moved to new homes - but he was OK with that because he was just a puppy. His mother consoled him and told him not to worry because he would find friends and 'be accepted by others.' Because Bobby was different. Instead of having the regular markings and patches of his breed, his face was plain.
He didn't know he was a bit different until the other cattle dogs at his new home, when a farmer finally came to claim him, wouldn't play with him and this saddened him. In fact it wasn't until he befriended Mother Duck and she had him look in a pool of still water that he noticed the difference. Was he going to spend his life being different and alone? It would seem so until something happens that makes Bobby a hero and finally he is accepted for who he is inside rather than what he looks like.
Based on a real dog and his experiences with other dogs, this story has a strong message of being accepted for who we are rather than what we look like.
Bullying, in all its facets, is certainly at the top of the agenda following the suicide of Amy 'Dolly' Everett and there are calls from all quarters for it to be addressed, with the brunt of the expectations falling squarely on the shoulders of schools. While the other dogs don't nip or bite or otherwise abuse Bobby in what is the overt form of bullying, excluding him because of his looks is just as damaging and it makes a good discussion starter to raise the issue with young children so they can understand that bullying can take many forms and each can have unforeseen and unseen consequences.
Written for young, almost independent readers, this is the first in a proposed series that is designed to teach young children to look beyond exteriors because 'It's what on the inside that counts.' There are teachers' notes available as well as a plush toy that will give the story extra meaning.
Barbara Braxton