Hachette, 2017. ISBN 9780733638459
(Age: 16+) Recommended. The prologue to this story starts the
mystery off - two young boys, after idling away time yabbying
unsuccessfully in a country dam, explore into the bush further, and
make an intriguing discovery. The story then moves to some years
earlier and it is a different set of boys passing their summer
holidays together - Ben and Fab are good mates, they enjoy each
other's company, and the banter between them is easy and natural.
But Fab doesn't have an easy life, he is picked on by the bullies at
school taunting him for being a wog, and at home things are even
worse when his father loses his temper and starts beating him up.
Ben tries to protect Fab, standing beside him when he needs help in
the schoolyard and even trying to take the blame for a cricket
accident to deflect the wrath from Fab's father. The friendship and
trust between them is real, the conversations are natural, and they
fit easily together.
It sounds like one of many engaging stories of adolescent boys
growing up in the Australian country. However this story goes to a
darker place very quickly. There is a shocking young suicide next
door, a sign that all is not as it seems. And when the grieving
family moves out of that house, the new resident with the smart car
becomes an object of curiosity for the boys - who is he? Is he a
secret agent? The new neighbour, Ronnie, a tall muscular man, seems
to take an interest in Ben, offering him the opportunity to make
some money with odd jobs. He is friendly, he offers to help Ben,
shares secrets with him, and builds up a gradual intimacy. But it is
not the friendship of mates like Fab, it feels strange and Ben
doesn't know how to handle it.
The way that Ronnie charms Ben's parents and gains their trust, and
the description of the gradual grooming of Ben, provide insight into
how a paedophile might work, revealing the very real quandary that a
young unsuspecting teenager might find themselves in. What can Ben
do about it, what will happen next? Can Fab help?
This book carried me along very quickly and I read it in almost one
sitting captured by the tension of wanting to know how the boys
handle the menace and what happens next. It is a dark story, but
there are no ugly graphic details, the danger is merely suggested.
We don't have to know the details to solve the mystery. The
denouement makes sense; the descriptions of the relationships have
an authenticity that makes one feel that if it is not a true story,
it is coloured by real events, and is worth reading to gain an
insight to how such things might happen. It left me pondering things
afterwards - questions such as what makes a friendship, what is the
dividing line between genuine closeness and closeness that is
manipulative and exploitative? How do you know when to trust and
when not to? Maybe it is just luck, and we could all use Fab's lucky
rabbit's foot.
This won the 2016 UK Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger.
Helen Eddy
Editor's note: This is also available as an audiobook through
Audible and iTunes.
Sci-Fi Junior High by John Martin and Scott Seegert
Scholastic Australia, 2017. ISBN 9781743818046
(Age: Middle primary school) Sciriustrati-Fibronoculareus Junior
Things for High is Kelvin Klosmo's new school, 56,000 light years
away from the last one, in Outer Space. Kelvin is part of a strange
family, with genius scientist parents whose new role involves
inventing a way to put people's minds into robotic bodies and a
4-year old sister Bula who he thinks is the most annoying person in
the world. In the style of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dear
Dumb Diary, the reader finds themselves at Sci-Fi Junior High
with Kelvin making new friends, dealing with the school bullies and
learning a lot as well . . . well, trying to. Kelvin is a Mighty
Mega Super Genius, who is just waiting for his Super Genius to kick
in.
The comic style of the story is complimentary to the storyline and
definitely adds a lot to the tale. The science fiction technology
aspect is also aided by the diagrams and illustrations. The alien
food fight in the cafeteria is especially comedic as Kelvin tries to
differentiate the food from his new classmates. This novel has many
zany characters including a mad scientist out to conquer the
universe and a dog who makes replicas of anything he is looking at,
made of whatever substance he is eating. It is a great read with a
sequel coming out next year and many middle school aged students
are sure to look forward to it.
Clare Thompson
Chicken Little by Oakley Graham
Ill. by Kimberley Barnes. Big Sky Publishing, 2017. ISBN
9781925520026
(Age: 3-5) Themes: Folk Tales. Chickens, Heroes. Author Oakley
Graham's retelling of the popular English folk tale Chicken
Little introduces this story to a new audience. When Chicken
Little walks through the woods, an acorn falls on his head. He
imagines the worst-case scenario that the sky is falling, and he
needs to inform the king.
As Chicken Little races off, he meets Henny Penny, Cocky Locky,
Ducky Lucky, Drakey Lakey, Gooey Loosey, Gander Lander, Turkey
Lurkey and Foxy Loxy the villain. Each animal listens to the warning
that the sky is falling and there is a sense of panic and everyone
is easily convinced that this is true. As the group hurries off on
their mission, they meet the villain Foxy Loxy, a very clever and
very hungry animal. He lures them into his foxhole with the false
promise of a safe place to shelter. Luckily, the king's dogs run by
and start barking and Chicken Little and his friends are saved.
As the eight animals race away from the hungry fox, they stop under
the big oak tree in the woods. 'Plop! Plop! Plop!' Of course, they
see the acorns falling down and immediately realise that the sky is
not falling!
This cumulative tale with the fun rhyming names and repetitive text
is a delight to share with children from toddlers to Early Years
students. Kimberley Barnes colourful illustrations are bright and
lively. The expressive characters take on human characteristics and
wear fun clothing, Foxy Loxy is very stylish in his purple boots.
This folk tale's message is do not believe everything you are told.
This is an important life lesson, very relevant in this digital age
with news and information available in so many formats. Chicken
Little also introduces the male and female names for each
animal. Foundation learners can engage with the cumulative text, and
share their feelings and thoughts about the events and characters.
Oakley Graham's picture book is just right for retelling through
performance and by developing a class big book using digital media.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Whirlpool by Emily Larkin
Ill. by Helene Magisson. Wombat Books, 2017. ISBN 9781925563047
Life is lovely for Polar Bear Cub. He has a happy, loving family
where he is safe and protected. He has friends and dreams for the
future. Each day is better than the last and he is in charge of his
life. Even the stars shine just for him.
But suddenly all that is snatched away. Without warning, darkness
descends and there is no family or friends. No hopes and dreams.
Loneliness is his only companion - not even the stars are there for
him.
Born from a uni assignment of using words and pictures together to
make meaning, this is an unusual story because as the text speaks
directly to the reader, it is the pictures of Polar Bear Cub that
provide such a graphic interpretation of what they are saying, even
though there is no reference to him in the words themselves.
Together, they give depth and understanding to a situation that many
of our children find themselves in when disaster and catastrophe
strike their lives and all that is familiar is gone. Even its title
is symbolic of the range of emotions that are within us, sometimes
raging out of control but always eventually calming to a manageable
level.
To children, some things - such as the coming of Santa Claus - seem
to take forever, while to adults the time passes in a flash.
Similarly, to a child darkness lasts forever with no hope of light
and their emotions are intense. This book is written "for kids to
know that it's okay to feel a range of emotions. It's okay to feel
lonely, sad or uncertain - but these times don't have to last. "
The well-being, particularly the mental health, of our students is
receiving more and more focus in our curriculum as mindfulness
programs are seen as crucial to a student's success in other areas
so this is an timely addition to that collection of resources to
initiate discussions and provide support.
Barbara Braxton
May Tang: a new Australian by Katrina Beikoff
A New Australian series. Omnibus, 2017. ISBN 9781742990743
(Age: 10-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Immigration, Chinese in
Australia, Chinese History. Eleven year old May Tang's familiar life
in Shanghai is about to change. Her oldest brother Peter is settled
in Sydney, studying at university. The year is 1989 and Chinese
students are campaigning for democracy, for freedom of the press and
political change. May is unaware of the real reasons that Peter was
sent to Australia. She enjoys going to the park with her grandfather
Ye Ye, listening to his stories and his beautiful singing bird. At
home, her older sister Jie Jie bosses her around, always telling her
what to do. May is a dreamer, she loves her Chinese life, her
mother's cooking, the little street stalls and the sights and smells
of her city. May begins to understand when her mother shares her
story about the government's taking her out of uni and sending her
to work on a farm and reading Peter's letter about a better life in
Australia. Her father shares the news about the terrible turmoil in
Tiananmen Square and Peter's political activism, so the family
decide to send mother and daughter to Australia for safety.
Everything is strange and different in this new big city; she is
reluctant to leave the airport. Peter settles them in an apartment
and then leaves to work picking cherries in the country. May has to
be the adult, interpreting for her mother, helping her find a job
and face the difficulties of attending a new school. Here, she is a
victim of bullying and racist views, and when taunted for her
Chinese ways she becomes very unhappy. When she meets a new friend
Jade she finds acceptance and encouragement as she learns to believe
in herself.
May Tang is the sixth novel in the A New Australian series
exploring a specific historical period and the impact on a girl and
her family immigrating to Australia. Katrina Beikoff's novel
interweaves factual information with a beautifully detailed story.
She realistically captures both the Chinese and Australian ways of
life; the sights and smells of Sydney's Chinatown, the eighties
clothing - shoulder pads, the big hairstyles - crimped and curled,
even the birds are so different. With relatable characters,
realistic settings and slices of history these novels are suitable
for Middle Primary classes studying Australian History and
immigration.
Rhyllis Bignell
Super Con-Nerd by Oliver Phommavanh
Penguin Random House, 2017. ISBN 9780143306535
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Themes: School; Friendship; High
Achievers/Gifted and Talented students; Cartooning Con-Nerd is back!
Super-nerd Connor has started High School at the selective school
that is filled to the brim with students who are equally nerd-ish
and high achieving . . . and it seems that now he might even be a
little bit ordinary. His extreme comic-book skills are yet to be
displayed and he is struggling with his place in his year 7 class.
This exploration of learning your place in a new school combined
with the gentle art of balancing friendships and responsibilities
while living with parental expectations (roll out 'Tiger Mum' who is
still learning how to be a gentler version of herself) is both funny
and refreshingly honest. Con-nerd needs to work out how to be good
friends with his former Primary School mates while nurturing new
connections in his alt-nerd group at High School. His Chinese
heritage (most obviously expressed with prayers at his late Father's
shrine) adds a cross-cultural perspective and could also provide
insight into the weight of family expectations. Con-nerd does
eventually get an opportunity to display his talents, but there are
challenges along the way.
The joy of this book is that it deals with 'big issues' for the
young characters, but demonstrates that it is possible to be
honourable even when things are tough.
Carolyn Hull
The Blizzard Challenge by Bear Grylls
Bear Grylls Adventures. Bear Grylls, Bonnier Publishing
Company, 2017. ISBN 9781786960122
(Age: 7-11) Bear Grylls is a well known adventurer and survival
expert. He's had several TV programs and has written books for both
adults and children. His Mission Survival books were
targeted to older primary school students but this series Bear
Grylls Adventures will appeal and be accessible to a younger
reader.
The theme in The Blizzard Challenge is survival and being
the best person you can. Physical struggle and adversity against
nature teach lessons about both persistence and self belief. The
first message on Bear's website is 'Life is an adventure. Live it'.
This is something that Olly learns in this first book.
Olly is reluctantly on a camping trip and he lets down his friends
during the activities. He doesn't want to put up the tent, build a
den or be part of the team. While wandering in the woods he is given
a compass by another child whom mysteriously comments, 'I think you
need this'. This compass has a strange fifth direction which takes
Olly straight to Bear Grylls on a high mountain range. Bear teaches
Olly how to survive in sub zero temperatures and hazardous
situations such as walking on a cracking frozen lake and enduring a
blizzard.
Olly returns from his adventure having learnt important lessons
about the environment and himself. He passes the compass onto the
next adventurer who features in Desert Challenge book 2 of
this series. There are 4 books available in this 12 book series.
Emma McCann is the illustrator and her drawings feature throughout
the book. Colour is used only on the cover.
Bear Grylls appeals to children and this series will interest to 7
to 11 year olds. Jane Moore
Hamish and the gravity burp by Danny Wallace
Simon and Schuster, 2017. ISBN 9781471147128
(Age: 7+) The bright cover and illustrations covering the paper
edges promises humour and fun, and they certainly deliver this for
young children!
The story surrounds Hamish Ellerby, who begins by finding his family
stuck to the roof through the strange happenings that is a 'gravity
burp'. The whole town of Starkley is affected and obviously causes
lots of questions and a then big town meeting.
It becomes up to Hamish and his friends (who are all in a gang
called the PDF - Pause Defence Force) to save their town once again.
After some research I found that this book is part of a well
established series, where Hamish and the PDF try to save Starkely
(and the world) from Alien invasion. This made sense as although
Danny Wallace gives information to the reader to allow this to be an
interesting stand alone book, I feel that reading this series in
order would be very beneficial to getting to know the long list of
characters.
The story is consistently funny, with toilet/gross humour throughout
keeping even the most reluctant reader or listener entertained.
My favourite character of the bunch was Madame Cous Cous (who
couldn't love that name!) and her sweet shop. She is always doing
something amusing like nailing down all the sweets in the shop, and
through the wonderful illustrations I was able to form a great
visual image to compliment the story.
This book would suit readers who love Roald Dahl and David Walliams,
as it is clever, humorous and filled with little tidbits (like the
flick-a-book illustrations!!) to delight every reader.
Suitable for readers or listeners from 7+
Lauren Fountain
Truly Tan: Trapped! by Jen Storer
ISBN: 9780733334122.
(Age: 9-11) Themes: Friendship; Mystery; Child detectives. Tan is
the youngest of four girls. Many girls would find this a difficult
burden, but Tan is forthright and intelligent and able to solve
mysteries. Her impressive powers of observation - seeing details
that others might miss, her special notebooks and her best friend
Gloria (a perpetual optimist) help her to rise above the dilemmas
that she faces. In this book she is needed to be on security detail
for a holidaying neighbour (the weed and water role is probably the
most important part of this detail) and she goes hunting for a
mysterious vehicle, a mysterious white flash (that may be a spirit
deva) and a mysterious 'gypsy'. Mystery at every turn! But will this
investigation lead her into danger? And who is the mystery person
who has infiltrated their secret Head Quarters? Added to this, we
hear about the arrival of an unwanted and surprising visitor and the
weird and wonderful personalities of her older sisters. Does Rose
really have the power of predicting the future? Will Tan really be
trapped in a web?
Even though there is a hint of 'mystical' in this series with some
'mildly spooky' moments, mostly it is just a story of inquisitive
friends trying to make sense of their world. The curious girls also
have to deal with parents' demands and chores, and their personal
sense of importance in their family.
A book that 9-11 year old girls will connect with.
Carolyn Hull
Zombie goes to camp by Zack Zombie
Diary of a Minecraft zombie book 6. Koala Books, 2017. ISBN
9781743818329
(Age: 5+) Zombie goes to camp tells the follow-on tale of
Zack Zombie and his friends going to camp. Zack is 12 years old and
completely terrified of going to Creepaway Camp; luckily his friend
Creepy is coming along too!
Like the previous books, Book 6 is written in a daily diary style
and uses language that children as young as 5 (and anyone who loves
Minecraft) will understand.
The story moves through Zack's time at camp, with the first part of
camp being filled with his concern that the camp counsellors are
really brain eating humans who especially enjoy mob kids and that
the food served in the cafeteria would spring to life as the camp
food monster and eat them!
The kids at camp also participate in lots of stereotypical summer
camp activities that many children will be able to find a link with
and gain an understanding of the situations (except the potential
brain eating counsellors) Zack and his friends are in.
Thankfully Zack and his friends survive the terror that is Creepaway
Camp and come through both alive and with a whole heap of new
friends.
The ending leads the reader nicely onto the next book and the next
adventure for Zack Zombie, keeping them interested and keen to read
again.
This book, and this series, is perfect for young Minecraft lovers
from age 5 and also parents/teachers who listen to children talk
about this phenomenon and aren't sure who or what they are talking
about!
Lauren Fountain
Wreck by Fleur Ferris
Random House Australia, 2017. ISBN 9780143784319
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Tamara Bennett is leaving her
temporary job at the Coastal Daily, and is looking forward to
Orientation Week at university. Interested in only reporting good
news stories, she is looking forward to becoming a journalist. Then
she arrives home to find her home invaded and dangerous men after a
note. What could this note be? Did it have something to do with the
letter in the bottle she found on the beach and reported in the
Coastal Daily? She has to make up her mind who she can trust,
especially after Zel Chisel, youngest son of the Chisel newspaper
moguls, gets her out of her house and away from danger.
Told in alternative voices by Tamara and Zel, Wreck takes
the reader on a roller coaster ride as they both go on the run.
Tamara is determined to find out the truth even though the
charismatic Knox Chisel tries to get her to stop and paints a
picture of a mentally unstable Zel. Meanwhile, in Zel's voice the
reader discovers the background to the note as they follow the
Chisel family's yacht foundering at sea, and the disappearance of
Christian, the Chisel who was being groomed to take over the
newspaper empire. Could Christian still be alive and did he send a
note in a bottle?
The power that the very rich wield is uncovered as Tamara finds just
how far reaching the Chisel influence is. She has to rely on her own
instincts about Zel and uses her research skills and intelligence to
work out what is happening.
The themes of corruption, media monopoly and family rivalries will
resonate with readers, but it is the tension and edginess that will
keep them reading.
Readers who enjoyed Ferris' previous books, Risk
and Black,
will be delighted to have another suspenseful, exciting book from
this author.
Pat Pledger
The adventures of Miss Petitfour by Anne Michaels
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408868058
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. The adventures of Miss Petitfour
is a collection of short stories describing the adventures of a
lovely lady and her cats - cats who like arts and crafts and a lady
whose favourite mode of transport is a tablecloth that flies.
Miss Petitfour has a collection of tablecloths that fly. It just
depends on where she wants to go as to which cloth she chooses! Miss
Petitfour is a whimsical character who, along with her 16 cats,
loves adventures. One of her favourite things to do is to fly to her
favourite bookshop in the village for tea and a chat with the owner.
In the first story, readers are introduced to Miss Petitfour and her
cats. The cats go on all the adventures by inking their tails around
each other and trailing behind Miss Petitfour like the tail of a
kite. This story is also the first adventure. The marmalade jar is
empty and a daring flight to the store occurs. it is a bit windy and
one of the cats gets stuck on a pole.
The stories are descriptive, whimsical and gorgeous. Every now and
then, a new word is introduced as part of the story. From
'perambulator' to 'gesticulation', the narrator speaks to the
readers. This book is highly recommended for readers aged 9+
(including grownups). It is a lovely and innocent collection of
stories.
Kylie Kempster
Eric the postie by Matt Shanks
Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781743811931
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Work. Postmen. Echidnas. Australian
bush. Eric comes from a long line of successful echidnas.
Photographs on the wall attest to the position some of his forebears
attained: a judge, scientist and artist, even one batting for
Australia. But he has less grand dreams. He wants to be a postie. He
has all the attributes of being a good postie: a long beak to help
open the letters, a fearless disregard for dogs, a long tongue to
lick the envelopes, an ability to keep the post pest free and a
burrowing capacity to avoid the rain.
But the post office will not take applications from any animal, so
he must prove himself another way.
The regular postie notices that he has fewer letters and parcels to
deliver, but the array of letterboxes outside people's homes shows
that many items are still being delivered. The people are very happy
as their mail is dry and pest free, it is delivered safely and the
envelopes are sealed. Tracking down the evidence the postie sees
what has happened and solves both their problems satisfactorily.
This delightful story of one echidna's path to happiness is
deliciously illustrated with warmth and humour. Readers will love
noticing the different people and their mail boxes, the range of
material that can be posted, perhaps guessing what might be inside
some of the odd-shaped parcels, the slew of different animals
depicted and the happy conclusion to the story.
Fran Knight
Party time! by Anh Do
Hot Dog! Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781760279011
(Age: 6-10) Recommended. Anh Do, well known for the book The
happiest refugee, has been successful with the Weirdo
book series for children. These books have appeal because they're
funny with easy to read text and many illustrations. The Hotdog!
books follow the same format.
Hotdog is a sausage dog and his two friends are Kev the cat who
loves dress-up costumes and Lizzie the lizard. In this second book,
it is Kev's birthday and Hotdog and Lizzie are planning a surprise
party that includes all the favourites such as sprinkles, popcorn,
jelly and a pinata.
Part of the surprise includes buying Kev a much wanted 'Roaring Dino
Bike'. Fortunately they are able to purchase the last available bike
but this annoys both Rooster and Donkey who also wanted to acquire
it. Hotdog and Lizzie need to try to outwit Rooster and Donkey and
make sure they can't take Kev's bike.
These books have great appeal with primary school aged children. The
book has the look of a novel and features an attractive, bright
cover.
Dan McGuiness's drawings are used extensively throughout the book.
Dan has created graphic novels such as his Pilot and Huxley
books and his illustrations work well with Anh's text. One colour is
used throughout the book, in this instance yellow.
Anh's books are so popular at my primary school that I have had to
buy several copies of the same text. They are entertaining and allow
students to succeed at reading. Newly independent readers are
attracted to both the Hotdog and Weirdo series. I
would recommend these books for 6 to 10 year olds.
Jane Moore
When Mu meets Min by Shen Shixi
Starfish Bay, 2017. ISBN 9781760360344
(Age: 5-7) When Mu meets Min, by Shen Shixi is a tale
narrated by a Chinese farmer, and tells us a story about unlikely
friends, a cat and a dog. Min the overly friendly puppy, joins the
family first and when a plague of rats comes to the farm and he
cannot get rid of them, Min the cat joins the family too.
As the story goes on the two young animals get along and become
friends (much to the neighbour's surprise), they play games and
sleep next to each other, however as they grow older it is not meant
to be.
They drift apart and all of a sudden they are fighting every day
instead of playing.
Children reading this story will be able to find links to their life
or other stories they know, lending this book to be one that teaches
a lesson as well as being a story.
The biggest lesson occurs when Mu falls into a water tank and cannot
get out. Although they do not get along, Min goes and finds help to
rescue Mu and save the cat from drowning.
Shen Shixi writes this story with the underlying messages (which are
not specifically spelt out) that even though they may not be best
friends anymore, the two can still help each other out and that they
can be civil and friendly. I also think it shows a different kind of
friendship that most children would not usually identify with.
The pictures are attractive, show movement around the page and also
some comical aspects.
I read this to Mr 6 and Miss 3, both enjoyed the story, however Mr.
6 did not pick up on the 'lesson' without prompting and needed
discussion to understand where Shixi was taking the story.
A positive story for 5-7 year olds.
Lauren Fountain
