Reviews

The Dollmaker of Krakow by R M Romero

Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406375633
(Age: 10+) "In the land of dolls, there is magic.
In the land of humans, there is war.
Everywhere there is pain.
But together there is hope."
Karolina is a living doll whose king and queen have been overthrown. But when a strange wind spirits her away from the Land of the Dolls, she finds herself in Krakow, Poland, in the company of the Dollmaker, a man with an unusual power and a marked past. The Dollmaker has learned to keep to himself, but Karolina's courageous and compassionate manner lead him to smile and to even befriend a violin-playing father and his daughter - that is, once the Dollmaker gets over the shock of realizing a doll is speaking to him. But their newfound happiness is dashed when Nazi soldiers descend upon Poland. Karolina and the Dollmaker quickly realize that their Jewish friends are in grave danger, and they are determined to help save them, no matter what the risks.
This book is beautifully written in quite an unusual way. There are two worlds in the story - the stark reality of Krakow, Poland in the 1940s and the fantasy world of The Land of Dolls where Karolina hails from. The reader is certainly drawn to the similarities between them. It is heart-warming to see the friendship develop between the dollmaker and Karolina and how a little wooden doll begins to warm the heart of an old lonely man. Faith in humanity is restored with the bond developing between the two main characters and a Jewish girl and her father.
I believe this book would appeal to children 10 and over and as the worlds of fantasy and historical fiction collide, lovers of both genres would certainly enjoy this book. I believe this book would make a great read aloud and I can see interesting discussions with children as they discuss good and evil, develop their awareness of empathy and see that good can prevail over evil.
Kathryn Schumacher

Stanley's playing the trumpet! by John Field

Ill. by Tull Suwannakit. Book+CD. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781743815892
(Ages: 3-6) Themes: Musical instruments, talent. This is a musical story about Stanley, a rhino who practises and practises but can't quite get the hang of playing the trumpet. It isn't until he gets the urge to play the drums that he discovers his true musical talent. The accompanying CD contains the story set to music and is upbeat with a fast tempo. Some of the lines are magical ("a syncopated symphony of rhythmic passion"), and the book both reads well and sounds great sung. The story is about finding the instrument that suits you best and about having fun playing music with friends.
We often say to children that if they practise enough they will get good at something but this explores the idea of innate talent suited to a particular musical instrument. It is also a reminder to children that it is okay not to be great at everything, but to keep trying new things.
The story uses humour within the text and the illustrations, particularly to show the reader just how terrible Stanley's trumpet playing sounds. Birds are startled, Mum, Dad and the neighbours cover their ears and owls fall from trees in shock. Sound noises are also used in the text and within the illustrations: pop, squeak, flop, wheeeee, blooort and blaacch are just some of the ear-piercing noises that come from Stanley's trumpet.
The illustrations are fun, action-packed and filled with humour.
This is great for music teachers wanting to encourage children to keep looking for the instrument that suits them best.
Nicole Nelson

The Bolton Boys' balloon adventure and other stories: Sound Stories by Barbara Murray

An Introduction to Consonant Sounds: Part 1. Ill. by Sarah Hardy. Little Steps Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9781925545074
(Ages: 4-6) Themes: Phonemic Awareness, Synthetic Phonics. This has been written by the co-author of the Sound Waves resources, which teach spelling and reading skills using a phonemic approach, and is one of four books introducing the 43 consonant and vowel sounds used in the English language. Their aim is to help children hear and identify individual sounds within speech. This first book contains 12 short stories, each one focussing on a different consonant sound represented by the letters b, k, d, f, g, h, j, l, m, n, ng, and p. There are some slight differences between these 43 sounds and the popular Jolly Phonics programme sounds. Apparently, the Sound Waves sounds are those specifically heard by Australian children. The programme, being Australian, is also based on the Australian Curriculum. The stories are short and simple with a clear narrative structure, allowing for varied tone and pace when reading aloud. The book contains an explanation of phonemic awareness and synthetic phonics and clear guidelines for getting the most out of the stories. The lists of words using the target sound, in both the illustrations and the text, are useful, however it would be better if there were more things within the picture that begin with the target sound. While most of the pictures are quite detailed and contain many things beginning with the initial sound, there are a few that only have two or three. This is understandable for a sound like ng, but even the j illustration only has a jellyfish. It should also be noted that the text is small and is not suitable for helping children to recognise the visual manifestation of the sounds (a point of difference between the Jolly Phonics introductory books and this series). This is a great addition for schools using Sound Waves, but is a useful resource even for those using other synthetic phonics programmes such as Jolly Phonics.
Nicole Nelson

Big Bash League series by Michael Panckridge

Random House Australia, 2017
Academy smash. ISBN 9780143782278
Championship Dash. ISBN 9780143782292
Representative Clash. ISBN 9780143782315
Carnival Clash. ISBN 9780143782339
Just in time for the cricket season come four additions to this popular series which focuses on the Big Bash League, the professional Twenty20 domestic cricket competition in Australia. With the Australian women's team retaining The Ashes this will be a competition eagerly followed by both boys and girls and, so, to have new episodes in print will be eagerly sought.
In Academy Smash Billy loves to bowl - fast! He's also a massive Melbourne Stars fan and when his friend Wen-Lee lets him know about a cricket academy camp, run by none other than the Stars, Billy is desperate to go! So is Wen-Lee, even if she does barrack for the Brisbane Heat. Trouble is, the applications are about to close and Billy needs to find a way to raise money for the entry fee. Perhaps a speed-bowling competition is in order!
Championship Dash features The Kangaroo Flat Galahs who are preparing for their annual match against the Edenhope Eagles. The stakes are high with the winner qualifying for the State T20 Championships in Perth. They'll also receive tickets to the Perth Scorchers versus Melbourne Renegades double-header! The Galahs haven't beaten the Eagles in 30 years, but that was before they had the mysterious and brilliant Allunga on their team. Can they finally turn the tables?
Representative Clash, the 7th in the series focuses on Tommy who is a huge hitter and loves nothing more than smashing balls out of the park with his impressive handmade bat. He's a diehard Hobart Hurricanes fan and has his fingers crossed that he will be selected for the Hobart representative team that will take on Adelaide in the upcoming Adelbart Clash. But when Tommy's bat goes missing he can feel his chances slipping away. It's up to his friends to help him find his bat so he can chase his place on the rep team!
The final story in this collection Carnival Clash culminates in the first T20 Crickomania Carnival and two teams of kids have been selected to represent the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder. Maddie, Chase and Jye are a few of the lucky ones and they can't wait to test out their cricket skills and meet some BBL and WBBL players. The event begins with lots of excitement but also some strange occurrences. There's a mix up with the coaches, unexplained rules and an opposing team who really wants to win. Can everyone pull together to make the carnival a success?
Definitely a series for the cricket lovers and one to recommend to parents to keep reading going over the long summer holidays!
Barbara Braxton

I hate everyone but you by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin

Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760631482
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. A modern coming-of-age novel written through a series of emails and text messages, I hate everyone but you tells the story of best friends Ava and Gen, who are starting their first year of college on opposite sides of the country. Humorous, relatable and quirky, this book, authored by best friends Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin, previous writers at Buzzfeed Video and currently featuring on their largely popular Youtube channel Just Between Us, delivers an important glimpse into the modern teenager, raising diverse themes from first loves, long-distance friendships and family relationships to mental illness, sexual orientation and discovering who you are. This novel is innovative and insightful in its inclusion of diverse themes, including some which are still quite controversial, ensuring that any reader is able to relate to Ava, Gen or their experiences. Although this novel is riddled with hilarious quips, a fantastic storyline and relatable characters, there are some sexually explicit elements that are inappropriate for younger readers. Further, due to the fragmented structure of this book, expressed through text messages and emails, readers may have a hard time keeping up with the simultaneous experiences and milestones of Ava and Gen. Nevertheless, this novel provides a wonderful exploration of the bonds of friendship and family, and an insight into the unpredictable nature of life. Through Ava and Gen, the reader is brought on a whirlwind of a journey, and is given the opportunity to perceive the world through two vastly different perspectives. These contrasting yet complementary protagonists provide every reader with something to relate to, and a vital message to take away; change isn't always a bad thing.
Daniella Chiarolli (university student)

The start of me and you by Emery Lord

Bloomsbury 2017. ISBN 9781408888377
(Age: 12+) Recommended. A new year, a new plan, a new start. Grief is hard, no matter what, but it can be more complex when you're grieving for someone you hardly knew. Paige's first boyfriend died in a swimming accident leaving her to deal with her newfound reputation as 'the girl whose boyfriend drowned'. With a new school year Paige is determined to pull herself free of her grief and embrace teenage life. She decides that this year she will date her long-time crush, apply for a screenwriting course in New York, join a club, and overcome her fear of swimming. It can't be that difficult, right? With the support of her three best friends, Paige leaps back into high school life, underestimating all the challenges she will face throughout the year as new friendships form and old ones evolve. Nothing could be worse than losing Aaron again. Nothing. Not now that her parents are being civil again after the tumultuous divorce. Paige will discover that her goals are more of a challenge than she first thought, particularly with her growing friendship with Ryan Chase's nerdy cousin.
Moving, funny, and intelligent, I would highly recommend The Start of Me and You for girls twelve and up. This coming of age story deals with ideas surrounding grief and relationships as well as presenting messages about being true to yourself and open to trying new things, despite the stigma (Paige joining Quizbowl). Paige faces her fears throughout the novel, learning that what is right and what is wrong is not always as simple as we would sometimes like to think.
Kayla Gaskell, 21

Ali-A adventures. Game on by Alastair Aiken and Cavan Scott

Lead artist: Aleksandar Sotinovski. Puffin Books, 2017. ISBN 9780141388168
(Age: Primary - Lower secondary) Recommended. Themes; computer games, aliens, superheroes. Ali-A is attending a gaming convention with his dog, Eevie and partner Clare, reporting to his online fan base of gamers. It is the launch of the new game "Alien Liberator II" and as he is about to do an interview everyone starts to morph into Thralls, vulnerable aliens from the game. Things go from bad to worse as the models of the Giant Tyrantors come to life too and imprison the Thralls and Clare. It is up to Ali-A to become the Liberator with his knowledge of playing the game to help him overcome the evil ones. We progress through the levels of the game, Ali and Eevie picking up super powers on the way but Ali also loses some of his allocated five lives on the way and it is touch and go at the end. Fast paced and engaging, the story blends the excitement of a computer game of alien forces and special powers with a traditional story of teamwork and belief in oneself triumphing over bullies. Beautifully crafted graphics maintain the excitement and add depth and dimension to what is a simple adventure story. Readers will probably be familiar with Ali-A's online presence; according to Wikipedia his YouTube subscriber count is 4.6 million so this book can be a useful bridge for young online fans who might be reluctant readers. Recommended for primary and lower secondary students.
Exclusive Video! Ali-A Introduces Ali-A Adventures Game On! - YouTube
Sue Speck

Year One by Nora Roberts

Chronicles of The One book 1. Piatkus, 2017. ISBN 9780349414942
(Age: Adult - 16+) Dystopian fiction. Pandemics. A deadly pandemic sweeps through the world, leaving devastation in its trail. Billions die and amongst those who are left rise people with magical abilities. Lana, a New York chef, can move things around, Fred can bring up light, Jonah a paramedic can tell the future of those he touches and Katie has just had twins who may have a touch of magic. Together this group flees New York in search of a safe haven.
I am a fan of Nora Roberts and will happily read anything that she writes. In Year One she tackles a dystopian future, where an avian flu pandemic has swept the world. Her description of the spread of this deadly disease seems all too real and she sweeps the reader along as she introduced her main characters and their fight to leave New York before the authorities grab them for their strange abilities. I have read many books with dystopian futures and I really enjoyed the first section of Year One. However I found the mixture of witchcraft and realism disconcerting, as if Roberts had started off with the science fiction premise of a world gone wrong and then takes on the fantasy aspect of magic, fairies and elves, which stuck a slightly discordant note.
There are a lot of characters to remember in Year One, and I was very invested in their survival. I was surprised in the later part of the book when Roberts concentrated on just one part of the story and left me wondering what had happened to the other main protagonists, but undoubtedly they will reappear in future stories. Readers looking for a big dose of romance in this story will be disappointed, although there are strong relationships and people that you care about.
I will definitely pick up the next in the series and with so many main characters already introduced can see quite a few books to come!
Pat Pledger

Miss Lily's Lovely Ladies by Jackie French

HarperCollins, 2017. ISBN 9781460753583
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. A tale of espionage, love and passionate heroism. Inspired by true events, this is the story of how society's 'lovely ladies' won a war.
Young Sophie Higgs has grown up a privileged girl being the only child of the wealthiest man in NSW, Jeremiah Higgs the king of canned corned beef. But in the rigid society of Sydney, as in England, 'trade' is scorned and so despite her wealth, intelligence and beauty it would seem Sophie will always be second-class by the established standards. Until that is, in order to deflect Sophie from an unsuitable love affair, she is sent to England to the home of her father's old army friend Earl of Shillings to be coached by his cousin Miss Lily and eventually be presented at court.
In England Sophie's world is wonderfully and gloriously opened wide as she becomes the prized 'pupil' of the enigmatic Miss Lily and makes new friends, is sought after by new lovers and particularly held in esteem for her wit, courage and compassion. But the glittering world of the debutante is quickly extinguished by the outbreak of war and it is here that Sophie demonstrates her real abilities and character.
As with all of Jackie's historical novels a completely captivating and richly detailed narrative is interwoven with actual historical fact to create a mesmerising offering. I was hooked from the very first page and would have been extremely sorry to reach the end except for the fact that I had the next volume with which to continue. How fortunate are we to have such an exceptional writer to claim as our own? The breadth of her talents seems endless.
Highly recommended for readers of around mid-teens upwards. Find teaching notes here.
Sue Warren

Father Christmas's Fake Beard by Terry Pratchett

Facing the flame by Jackie French

The Matilda Saga bk 7. HarperCollins, 2017. ISBN 9781460753200
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. I didn't need to re-read the last in the series to be utterly enthralled by this latest right from the get-go. In fact, this was a complete binge, read in one night because it was just too good and too gripping to put down.
Jed Kelly is the happiest she has ever been. She's married to Sam, and pregnant with their first child. Her hearth and home are a haven. Young Scarlett is doing well at uni and carving out a newly independent life.
Then cracks start to appear. The dry weather is worsening with many old-timers predicting the worst of fires ever. The man she fears most re-appears in Jed's life, intent with malice and revenge. A young girl blinded in an accident is creating issues at the River View facility. But Gibbers Creek is one tough and tight community where there is immense support for each and every one of their whole.
When the tiny spark finally escalates into the worst imaginable fire, the community is galvanised into action and though Jed passes through a frightening and dangerous episode and one could say her baby almost has a baptism of fire, the loyalty, intuition and the indomitable spirit of old Matilda resonates through the township and surrounds.
This is a cracking story filled with rich characters both old and new and imbued with all that we hold dear about Australian love of country and mateship.
Highly recommended for readers of around 14 upwards. If you don't have the complete series yet, this is one worth investing in for your collection particularly for Middle/Upper school and wide reading of Australian spirit/identity.
Sue Warren

This mortal coil by Emily Suvada

Penguin 2017. ISBN 9780141379272
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. When the plague breaks out and all hell breaks loose Cat thinks she is safe enough living with her father, a genius gene-hacker, and his assistant, Dex. But everything changes when Cartaxus, the organisation responsible for messing up her father's Influenza X cure, comes to take them both away. Cat knows that it is important she remains hidden, otherwise Cartaxus might use her against them. Little does she know, that is not the only reason. When Lachlan dies, he sends a blackout agent to Cat to protect her along with the message that she holds the cure for the dreaded virus, Hydra, which has been turning people into mindless zombies and forcing the Wrath down on those who have continued to live above-ground. With the arrival of Cole, Cat is soon to learn she is much more important then simply being Lachlan Agatta's daughter or the Skies best hacker. She is the cure and the only hope for the survival of the human race. But can she stay out of Cartaxus' hands long enough to spread the cure and redeem her father's legacy?
Emily Suvada's This mortal coil is a thrilling young action fiction which will glue you to your seat. Having completely exceeded my expectations I would highly recommend this for people aged twelve and up. A dazzling novel about gene hacking, this apocalyptic techno-dystopia hits all of the tropes, while keeping the love interests understated, allowing Cat's strong female character to shine.
Kayla Gaskell, 21

Little dog and the summer holiday by Corinne Fenton

Ill. by Robin Cowcher. Black Dog Books, 2017. ISBN 9781925381160
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Holidays. Summer. Animals. Journeys. Caravans. A wonderful caravan holiday is anticipated as the family sets out from Melbourne headed for Sydney in the 1960's. With Dad at the wheel of the FJ Holden, Mum in the passenger seat and two kids, Jonathan and Annie, in the back with their dog, Little Dog, they set off along the highway.
Each night they stop at a caravan park, meeting the neighbours, cooking their tea on a primus stove, and playing with the other kids. The whole is redolent of the seemingly more relaxed lifestyle of the times where TV and electronic devices were nowhere to be seen, where families traveled together playing Eye-spy, ad cards, quoits and games at night. They stop at the border between Victoria and New South Wales, the Dog on the Tuckerbox, finally crossing Sydney Harbour Bridge. They visit the sights, Bondi Beach and the Blue Mountains, until it is time to return.
This is an affectionate look at family holidays in the past, brim full of touches of the 1960's in the clothing, caravans and cars, as well as the choice of food, equipment, drink and games.
The story encourages readers to look at the differences between their holidays and those of the family, asking how many have holidayed in a caravan. Questions about the range of things dotted on each page ask to be discussed: the fly spray atomiser, the fly swatter, the esky, primus stove and lamp, camera, canoe and so on. Some of the things point out the negative aspects of such a holiday: mosquitoes and flies, lamp light at night, keeping the primus filled so that Mum could cook, the lack of refrigeration, bunking together in a small caravan. But the whole is a nostalgic look at how families holidayed in the past, beautifully illustrated with soft water colour images full of detail, urging the eyes to pore over each page, perhaps seeing that the holiday might not have been so restful for the parents.
Fran Knight

The Whiz Mob and the Grenadine Kid by Colin Meloy

Ill. by Carson Ellis. Penguin Viking Books, 2017. ISBN 9780143787860
(Age: 8+) Charlie Fisher Junior, the son of an American diplomat, is on a semi-permanent vacation in Marseilles. His Mother, Sieglinde Duhrer, tired of being a mother and desiring to pursue her acting career, suggests that Charlie should live the life of a professional diplomat's child from this point forward, and so Charlie is sent to live with his Father. Charlie Junior is lonely, bored and often left to his own devices and the reader quickly feels empathy for him.
The novel is written in a very clever way, where for the most part, the author describes the pursuits of Charlie, but with occasional reference to something the audience should observe or understand.
Charlie has a certain vulnerability, but also status because of his father. On an ordinary Tuesday morning, Charlie witnesses a well-planned heist and members of the mob are pursued by the Gendarmes. With Charlie's reputation and on his good word, Amir is set free. Charlie's bargain? He asks to learn the tricks of the trade. Charlie is quickly immersed in lessons on coat pockets and soon is invited to join an international organisation known as The Whiz Mob.
As soon as Charlie gets wrapped up in this secret world, the reader will notice a dramatic change to the way language is used in the novel. Amir and the Whiz Mob virtually have an entirely new language that the reader must wade through. Thankfully, the story comes with a glossary of terms at the back - it is quite necessary I assure you!
Charlie finds himself grappling with a tough decision. He can either continue the path of danger and unlawfulness that comes with befriending pickpockets or to get out - which would leave him bored and lonely once more. This is a story of great adventure, unlikely friendship and is also tinged with sadness for young Charlie.
The black and white drawings by the author's wife add a charming simplicity to the novel.
Clare Thompson

Kids like us by Hilary Reyl

Text Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9781925498912
(Age: Older teens - adults) Themes: Autism. Relationships. Family. Friendships. French setting. Martin's mother is directing a movie set in a French Chateau, the family have rented a small cottage for the summer and Martin is attending the local French school for experience while keeping in touch with his friend Layla from his Los Angeles school 'The Center' for kids with challenges. They both have a form of autism where they are attached to stories. Layla has an affinity with the TV series 'Downton Abbey' while Martin frames his world through the lens of the novel 'In search of lost time' by Marcel Proust, introduced to him by his French father.
Being the son of a movie director means the 16 year old is popular with his peers, Layla calls these sort of people Moths, drawn to the flame of celebrity but Martin, who is very observant and analytical, is surprised to find himself enjoying interacting with the local kids, especially a girl who he finds closely resembles Gilberte, one of the characters in his book. Martin is good at swimming, cooking and is passionate about particular passages of music. He is observant and a good listener which helps him interact with and translate for the French group. But relationships have always been a challenge because of his autism, he is more comfortable living in his own bubble and he is still struggling with his parents' divorce and his father's imprisonment for fraud. When his mother and older sister Elizabeth both start new relationships Martin struggles to adjust but he courageously engages all of the coping mechanisms he has been taught and with the help of his support network, finds his world expanding "My body craves the unknown. I've never craved the unknown before. I've always hidden from it. This is totally new." p109.
Martin sometimes gets his pronouns mixed up, a legacy of his delayed language development, which adds an interesting dimension but he always tells his story clearly and with purpose. The family relationships are convincing but the French friends are sketchily drawn.
This is a coming of age story from a new perspective but which underlines our common need for family, friendships, love, understanding and acceptance.
Suitable for older teens and adults, may be a bit slow for younger readers.
Sue Speck