Tracy Lacy is completely Coo-Coo Bananas by Tania Lacy
Ill. by Danielle Donald. Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781760156251
(Age: 9-12) Highly recommended. Move over Wimpy Kid and Big
Nate, Tracy Lacy is ready to take her place in the illustrated
diary genre. With a distinctive voice, unique personality, loyal
friends and a crazy family Tracy is ready to leave behind the
embarrassing socially catastrophic events of primary school, survive
the school holidays and begin high school as a changed person! Laugh
aloud with Tracy; everything she does has hilarious consequences,
she is opinionated, not afraid to share and her life is an open
book.
In Grade One Tracy drew a pretty pink pony Oomphoof with a
strategically placed rainbow in art class, and everywhere she went
at school kids made farting noises! She led a strike in Year 3, drew
goulash instead of a ghoulish picture in Year 5, she was zero on the
HA-YA Scale - how awesome you are. Tracy and her best friends Ag and
Ponky determine they need a self-improvement plan and spend their
holidays before high school working on it.
There are constant asides, side thoughts and hilarious family
memories. Tracy's Mum and her German Dad's ye 'olde worldie' wedding
flashback is a highlight. There is rivalry over whose Pavlova is
better, Grandma's or great grandma Gammy's. On the dance floor, Dad
whirls Gammy's wheelchair in time to the music, but unfortunately,
she is unresponsive. During the family photos, Tracy stretches
Gammy's mouth into a smile, Dad quietly wheels their dead great
grandma into the kitchen and the celebration continues.
Their annual summer holiday at Poowong, is a series of unfortunate
incidents for Tracy. She meets the BOMD - boy of her dreams and
knocks him unconscious with a minigolf club. She plans to reboot her
life with four main goals, she must self-sensor, be a show-off free
zone, she will not argue or bicker even if she is right and will
listen instead of doing her own thing. Yes, nothing goes to plan,
her second meeting with the BOMD involves a highly allergic reaction
to Mum's revitalising face cream resulting in a sunburnt puffer fish
face. She crowd surfs to the Poowong Minigolf Championships where
Mum and Dad are playing in the championship round and becomes a
legend. The Poowong Big Head also known as Tracy crawls out of the
minigolf swamp and becomes a celebrity on social media and the news.
Danielle McDonald's expressive caricatures add fun and vitality to
Tracy's diary entries. With flourishes, starry borders, bold sized
text and an array of fonts, it is a visually exciting novel. Themes
of self-acceptance, resilience, loyalty, puberty, coping with the
transition to high school, family life, making the right choices are
included with a large dash of comedy and some cringe-worthy moments
to make this story enjoyable. Tania Lacy's first book Tracy Lacy
is completely Coo-Coo Bananas in this new series is an
enjoyable read for preteens, both girls and boys.
Rhyllis Bignell
A dog like that! by Janene Cooper
Ill. by Evie Kemp. Starfish Bay, 2016. ISBN 9781877378416
(Age: 2-5) Janene Cooper introduces us to a little girl whose dog
just doesn't conform, he's not like that! Grandad's dog is a guard
dog, while Uncle's is clever and the neighbour's dog is fierce
barking at the local cats and dogs. Instead of watching out for
strangers, protecting the yard or barking this little brown dog
prefers to sleep on the bed and lick everyone, even visitors. Yes,
he does not fit in but he is a loveable pet who even licks up sad
tears and keeps her company when she is sent to her room.
Evie Kemp's layered cutouts and computer graphics, placed on bright
backgrounds enliven the different dogs represented. The fierce dog
is positioned on a bold red background, while the bouncy Dalmatian
has jumped part way off the page. The large single word exclamations
are emphasized with large letters, they sum up the feelings
presented and are enhanced by the images. A dog like that is an enjoyable book to share with family and
at story-time.
Rhyllis Bignell
Shield by Rachael Craw
Walker Books Australia, 2016, ISBN 9781922179647
(Age: Secondary) Recommended. Science fiction. Future. Dystopian
fiction. 'Love, freedom and future, in a final attempt to right the
wrongs of the Affinity Project and save her family' (New Zealand
author, Rachael Craw's elevator pitch for Shield says it
all) as the third volume in the Spark trilogy continues the
story of Evie (Evangeline Everton) who begins to develop powers
beyond her imagination. She finds that she is part of a genetic
experiment called the Affinity Project, where a synthetic gene has
been implanted to produce the perfect soldier, but she rebels. In
the second book, Stray, the Affinity Project wants to take
Evie back to control her, forcing her to do the work she had been
genetically manipulated to do, even if innocent people must die.
Evie is forced to take sides in a struggle with the Affinity Project
which ends with her being held in a psych ward, and the third, Shield,
has Evie sent back to the Affinity Project for retraining. Here she
is resented after what happened in book two, and is forced to take
sides once again to survive. But she has secrets and after
Counsellor Knox takes a blood sample she knows it will not be long
before he works out what she is. Knox is wrestling for power within
the Affinity Project, using Evie as a tool to undermine those who
would bring him down. She eventually finds a group trying to
initiate change but she is forced to make some decisions in the face
of fierce opposition.
The series is a heart stopping sci-fi thriller. Set in a complex
dystopian society with a little romance and sympathetic characters,
this fast paced tale will appeal to many teens.
Fran Knight
The awesome book of rap, rhyme and putrid poetry by Andy Jones
Ill. by Jules Faber. ABC Books, 2016. ISBN 9780733335662
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Entertainer and author Andy Jones understands
exactly the kind of things that children love to read and gross body
humour rates highly. Burps, pus, dancing in your underpants, vomit
and so much more are included here in rhyming format. Jones has
rewritten nursery rhymes in rap style, presented a range of poetic
pests and included epic poems about singing belly buttons and Ziggy
Snotball Smell Detective.
In Andy's 'Limerick Tricks', there is the unicorn named Kevin and an
unfortunate incident with Devon meat, the Pus Bus and the troubles
of the pimply dimpled boy. In 'Punk Porkers A Pigtacular Tale' Jones
transforms the familiar story of 'The Three Little Pigs'. Here the
porkers are reinvented as a punk rock band, hamsome Brad is the
leader, Priscilla P from the Pigsy Chix and Hogzilla plays the
guitar.
'The moral of the story goes,
Dreams sometimes do come true,
And big bad wolves rarely get the better,
Of the likes of me and you.'
How to create different forms of poetry is discussed at the end of The
awesome book of rap, rhyme and putrid poetry. Different rap
styles, freestyle, lyrical and rapid fire as well as how to write an
irregular ode and epic poetry. In the 'Pooetry' Toolbox, essential
language terms are explained in easy to understand terms, including
alliteration and metaphor. Middle Primary classes will enjoy Jones'
special brand of humour and are encouraged to create their own poems
utilising tips from the toolbox.
Rhyllis Bignell
A most magical girl by Karen Foxlee
Picccadilly Press, 2016. ISBN 9781848125742
(Age: 10+) Magic. Good vs evil. Friendship.
Heroism. Annabel Grey is an ordinary but vibrant girl living in
London during the era when young ladies were raised to decorate and
adorn and needed to learn the refinements of a delicate life with
appropriate manners. Her mother has removed Annabel from her genteel
life and deposited her with her rather elderly and unusual Great
Aunts - who also happen to own a magic shop and practice magical
skills. Annabel is a reluctant participant in the Magic Arts, but
she soon learns that although her mother had turned her back on the
magical world, now Annabel is needed to save London from the
overbearing influence of the Dark Magic wielded by the ironically
rather awful Mr Angel. This unexpected role as the good and innocent
rescuer of the aging witch and magic community (and all of London as
well) from the oppression of Mr Angel, takes Annabel into Under
London, the world that exists in parallel to the streets she knows.
With an unenthusiastic assistant in Kitty, she also meets Trolls and
Dragons as she attempts to rescue the White Wand that will protect
the order of life in London.
This story has parallels to the Harry Potter saga in that the hero
(heroine) of the story is good, brave and reluctant, and relies on
the help of trusty friends to overcome evil influences. In
comparison it is considerably shorter; but it does involve entry
into the magical world with creatures and magical talents and a very
dark and malevolent opposition. This dark and oppressive adversary
has his story and evil plans scattered through Annabel's narrative,
and the reader recognises the growing threat. Because it is shorter,
it may be more accessible to young readers and with a female lead
character it may be appreciated by readers looking for a strong
female heroine. The magic and witch world is obviously a fantasy
adventure, and there are some small moments of humour hidden amongst
the drama.
Carolyn Hull
Remind me how this ends by Gabrielle Tozer
Harper Collins, 2017. ISBN 9781460751688
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Relationships. Grief.
Decision-making.
Milo has finished school, but doesn't know where his life is headed.
His long-term girlfriend has moved away to study and she now has a
whole new life and a circle of 'friends' that do not include him.
His parents are persistently on his back to encourage him to make a
decision about the direction in his life... to overcome the lack
of direction in his life. And into this turmoil of uncertainty about
what the future will bring comes Layla. Layla is returning to the
small town of her childhood, where she was well known and had grown
up until her life was torn apart by the loss of her mother in a
dreadful accident. Still grieving, and struggling in a
relationship that is complicated by her tangled past, she blows back
into town and reconnects with Milo, her neighbour and friend from
childhood. Her vibrancy and spark ignites Milo in directions that he
was not expecting and gives them both a human anchor to hold onto as
they are buffeted by choices and decision-making.
Rich in the psychology of young relationships and the difficulties
of grieving well, and also in the angst and uncertainty of laying
the pathway to adulthood, this is a book that will appeal to young
readers. The text conversations between the main characters are
refreshing, with the humour laced with feistiness and the spark of
personality that is endearing. What seems an inevitable road in
their friendship has its own twists and turns, and you will wonder
along the way about how this will end... will there be tears, or
is this the start of something new? Gabrielle Tozer writes well for
older teens, and although her characters reflect teenage 'types',
they have their own unique ways of relating and interacting and
responding to their world. Set in a regional town, the weight of
expectations and the circumstances for teens who need to make big
decisions at a young age impact upon the direction of the
characters. This book demonstrates that many decisions can be
difficult and Tozer avoids giving neat and trite solutions to the
complexities that teens face.
Carolyn Hull
Animals in my garden by Bronwyn Houston
Magabala Books 2016. ISBN 9781925360448
(Ages: 2-4) Recommended. Written by Australian author and
illustrator, Bronwyn Houston, Animals in my garden is a
vibrant and richly textured counting book that will engage toddlers
to learn about the unique Australian animals found outside through
its enchanting and playful style.
Bronwyn's images are filled with bright colours, texture and
movement which adorns single pages in this sturdy and small board
book. Images featured in Animals in my garden are highly
detailed and hidden amongst leaves and trees which encourages
children to look closely to find and count the animals, just like
they would if they were playing outside.
Overall, Animals in my garden supports early numeracy
development whilst introducing native Australian animals to
toddlers.
Keely Coard
Cheeky animals by Shane Morgan
Magabala Books, 2016. ISBN 9781925360431
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. Published by Australian company Magabala
Books which aims to promote, preserve and publish Indigenous Australian
culture, Shane Morgan's Cheeky animals reflects just that.
Cheeky animals successfully captures the humour and playfulness of
some of our Aussie animals in this sturdy board book.
Shane Morgan's simple pictures and wording allow children to easily
follow this humorous rhyming tale depicting how animals interact
with human contact. However, from an adult perspective, one animal
interaction that is quite strange and a little inappropriate is from
the Emu, though, children would find it hilarious.
Images are simple and earthy which magnificently reflects the
Australian outback. Overall, Cheeky animals is a wonderful
reflection of our Australian culture.
Keely Coard
The Midnight Gang by David Walliams
Ill. by Tony Ross. Harper Collins Children's Books, 2016. ISBN
9780008188573
(Age: Independent readers) Themes: Humour; Hospitals/Illness; Hope;
Adventure; Friendship. Walliams has created a great story that is
Dahl-esque in style and quality, and fun for all ages. The children
in the Children's Ward at Lord Funt Hospital are at the mercy of
horrible adults with gross manners and unpleasant personalities
(except for the unfortunate but caring Porter). Despite their
illnesses and injuries they band together as The Midnight Gang to
give themselves hope and joy . . . and a Midnight adventure. Young
Tom, whose unlucky cricket injury has caused his Hospital excursion,
has escaped his horrible existence at his very expensive but
oppressive boarding school for medical care and has become the
latest participant in the adventure at Midnight. This is a story of
the power of friendship and hope, despite the pressures of the adult
world around the children, and the gravity of illness. And their
adventures are just wonderful! The image of the 99-year old dementia
patient floating off over London with her misappropriated collection
of helium balloons is delightful!
Walliams has written this with considerable comedic flair and the
book will appeal to readers who also love Roald Dahl's dark humour,
but there is also the potential to see a message hidden beneath the
light-hearted (and almost farcical) imaginary journey. Tony Ross's
cartoon-like illustrations add quirky and extremely humourous visual
detail to the text. This is a book that independent readers will
love, but would also make an enjoyable 'shared text' read by a
teacher or parent to an eager listener keen to hear a 'funny story'.
Carolyn Hull
The soldier's curse by Meg and Tom Keneally
Monsarrat series. Vintage Books, 2016. ISBN 9780857989369
The Monsarrat series begins with an absolutely mesmerising
story of a trusted convict at Port Macquarie in the north of New
South Wales. It is 1825, and Monsarrat, a convict with a legal
background who does the secretarial work for the commandant, Major
Shelborne, realises that his wife's health is worse than the surgeon
thinks. A trusted convict, Monsarrat spends many mornings drinking
tea in the Government House kitchen with the cook, Mrs Mulrooney and
it is she who tends to Mrs Shelborne, trying different ways of
tempting the ailing woman to eat. Through Monsarrat's descriptions
of these events, we see the misery of the penal settlement, the
destitute convicts serving out their time on hard rations, strict
punishments and little chance of surviving, let alone getting the
prized ticket of leave at the end of their sentences.
The writers, Meg and Tom Keneally insinuate so much historical
detail into the story that the reader will feel they know the place
and its inhabitants intimately.
A cruel second in command, Captain Diamond relishes the absence of
Major Shelborne, sneaking around the little settlement looking for
breaches of rules, then using these infringements for his own ends.
His cruelty is demonstrated when one convict, Dory attempts an
escape. On being recaptured he is given one hundred lashes, Diamond
taking over from Private Slattery to deliver more that the allocated
number, leaving the wretch lying on his stomach in hospital with a
skinless back, soon to die.
But it is after Mrs Shelborne's death, seemingly from being slowly
poisoned, that Diamond's vindictive nature comes to the fore,
accusing Mrs Mulrooney and by implication, Monsarrat of her death,
his arguments overwhelming the grief stricken husband.
Monsarrat must tread carefully if he is to prove their innocence.
Marvelous historical detail, believable characters, a setting that
at times is beyond belief and a style of storytelling that takes the
reader back to literature of the nineteenth century, combine to make
this one of the best historical novels I have read. The Kenneallys
touch on a whole range of themes significant to life in convict
Australia: treatment of indigenous people, women in colonial
society, struggle between rich and poor, education, isolation, our
convict beginnings and so on, raising many issues which will be
thought about long after this book has been read.
Fran Knight
The busy tailor crab by Bingbo
Ill. by Gumbi. Starfish Bay Children's Books, 2016. ISBN
9781760360412
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Humour, Crabs, Sewing. Zhao Bingbo is a
prominent author working at the Zhejiang College of Liberal Arts. He
is the Vice-President of the Hangzhou Writers Association, and has
many children's literature titles to his name and won many awards.
Some of his titles are published in Australia by Starfish Bay,
including The busy tailor crab.
Young children will laugh out loud at the image on the front cover
of a crab with its oversized claws running material through the
treadle sewing machine.
The tailor crab makes clothes for the animals. He makes a jacket for
the praying mantis and pants for the caterpillar. And he is happy at
his work and charges ten dollars for each garment. But one night he
works out that in making pants for the caterpillar he had to make
many legs, so decides to charge more for many legged pants. Ten
dollars per garment but five for each leg that has to be made is
posted. His notice shocks some animals who cannot afford to pay per
leg, but some animals take advantage of the one cost per garment. An
elephant comes along and wanting a shirt, so the tailor crab works
very hard cutting out the pattern in the material and sewing it for
the animal. Next a boa constrictor has pants made and because it has
no legs, tells the tailor that he cannot charge him, so after three
long days of work the tailor receives nothing for his efforts.
Sitting dejectedly outside his house, the elephant comes back with a
bunch of bananas to thank him for his lovely shirt and the boa does
the same bringing a basket of apples. The tailor crab works out what
makes him happy, and tears down the notice. Since then his house is
full of friends and customers.
This is a lovely tale with a moral which children will love to talk
about. The illustrations are charming, and readers will see lots on
each page to look at and ponder.
Fran Knight
The horse thief by Jane Smith
Tommy Bell Bushranger Boy bk. 2. Big Sky Publishing. ISBN
9781925520064
(Age: 7-9) Recommended. After his first escapade, Tommy now has some
understanding of bushrangers, their lives and the history of the
Australian goldfields. His teacher Mrs O'Grady is certainly
surprised; she has no idea that on a recent holiday to his
grandfather's property, the young boy ventured back in time to 1863.
Here, he had a chance meeting with a bushranger, Captain
Thunderbolt.
In The Horse Thief, Tommy's family travel to the Hamilton
Show for him and Cosmo his horse, to compete in the dressage
competition. Mum encourages him to take his horse for a ride to
settle him down before the event. Of course, with his hat on, his
clothes magically change to moleskin trousers and a cotton shirt and
he lands back in June 1850. Tommy quickly becomes embroiled in a
drama involving stolen horses, rustlers and a bushranger with
several identities. Together with their rightful owner squatter
William Morton they track the thieves down and bring bushranger
Frank Gardiner to justice.
Teacher librarian, archivist and author Jane Smith continues to
weave fact and fiction together in her Tommy Bell Bushranger Boy
series. These short junior novels are suited to young readers
beginning their chapter book journey and are a great read aloud
class novel. They also support the Year 5 History Curriculum and
provide understanding into the era, making them an easy to use
research tool - comparing and contrasting daily life, transport and
the motives behind the bushrangers' actions. Her Australian
Bushrangers factual books provided accurate insights into the lives
of Captain Thunderbolt, Moonlite, Starlight, Ben Hall and Frank
Gardiner.
Rhyllis Bignell
Bush bolts by Soraya Nicholas
Starlight stables series. Puffin Books, 2016. ISBN
9780143308621
(Age: 8-12) Horses, Friendship, Adventure. Twelve years old Poppy is
at her Aunt Sophie and Uncle Mark's property, a riding school
Starlight Stables, with her friends, Milly and Katie, and soon her
best friend, Sarah will be joining them. But Sarah does not share
her friends' passion for horses and is more interested in helping
the animals with their injuries. When a bushfire threatens the
people and the stables, it brings them all closer together to save
what they all love.
An easy to read short novel with much about relationships, family
life and of course lots about caring for horses and horse riding.
Includes 'Handy Horse Tips' as well as information about the author
and the other three books in this series.
Bush bolts is the third in this series, beginning with Pony
detectives, Gymkhana hijinks and lastly, Saving
Starlight. All will appeal to the target audience of mid
primary school girls.
Fran Knight
A snicker of magic by Natalie Lloyd
Scholastic, 2015. ISBN 9780545552738
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Natalie Lloyd's warm-hearted debut novel
celebrates the mystical and magical, families and friendships, the
interconnectedness of village life, the impact of past decisions and
the importance of making things right. She weaves a multitude of
quirky characters into an Appalachian folk tale, like a ballad
handed down over generations. There is a celebration of
super-abilities not disability, a message of philanthropy, of
building character and learning to be resilient.
'And I like words; I collect them. I like poems, songs, stories...
everything. But words never sound right when I try to string them
together and say them out loud. They're just for me to keep. I've
always seen words. I see them as clearly as I see you.'
Sixth grader Felicity Pickle is a word-collector, a 'logophile'. As
she travels across the country with her Mama, younger sister Frannie
Jo and her dog Biscuit, she captures and records 'spindiddly' words
in her blue notebook. Thousands of words swirl around Felicity
filled with love, loss, pain and happiness, and she is able to
express herself in written, not spoken words. When her mother's
restless spirit is finally drawn back to her childhood home magical
Midnight Gulch, Tennessee, Felicity comes to understand her family's
own snicker of magic.
Felicity's friendship with Jonah Pickett, whose life is not bound by
his wheelchair, leads her to uncover the truth behind the curse of
the Threadbare brothers and how their story has impacted the town
over many years. Magical icecream, the power of invisibility,
dancing shadows, duelling music, disappearing hot air balloons,
there is an abundance of imagery conjured up in Natalie Lloyd's
whimsical prose.
A snicker of magic is a special story to challenge the lover
of magical realism. Felicity's motivational quotes encourage the
reader to see the value of words, poetry and creative writing.
Rhyllis Bignell
Me and Moo and Roar too by P. Crumble
Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781760156930
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Me and Moo and Roar too is a
beautifully illustrated picture book. The main characters are Me, a
young boy, and Moo, a cow. They are the best of friends and have had
a book written about the two of them already. In this new story,
they have a new friend, Roar. Roar is a lion who loves to wear mum's
sun hat! He also loves her hairbrush. Unfortunately, Roar's loud
snoring meant he had to move to the zoo. Imagine everyone's surprise
when other friends had to take their animal pals back to the zoo.
Thankfully, Roar likes it at the zoo. Me and Moo and Roar too is a lovely story of friendship and
make believe. It would make a great read aloud book for younger
classes, especially as the Science curriculum has them looking at
how to take care of pets. Children could listen to the story and
create their own zoo, draw their own pet or a pet they would like.
Older students could use the book as a model and write stories for
younger students to read, creating positive peer relationships.
Younger classes could also help their teacher create a new Me
and Moo story by adding animals they are looking at in
Science. Highly recommended for readers aged 3+.
Kylie Kempster
