Pan Macmillan, 2023. ISBN: 9781035027910. (Age:15+) Recommended.
When I saw that This dark descent was a pick for the ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2024, I was keen to read the book and I was not disappointed. Mikira Rusel is faced with a terrible dilemma. Her father has been taken away and to keep the family ranch where enchanted horses are bred, she enters the Illinir, a dangerous horserace. The odds of her winning are against her but when she meets an illicit enchanter named Arielle Kadar, Damien Adair, a lord with a mission, and Reid his horse master, she gains the assistance that she desperately needs.
Written in the voices of Mikira and Arielle, the reader is taken on an intriguing journey full of thrilling action, enchantment and romance. Mikira is a determined young woman who is focused on saving her family and their enchanted horses. She has the skill to win the Illinir and the magic that Arielle wields may give them all the revenge that they seek. The descriptions of the horse races will keep the reader glued to the page, while the evolving darkness that threatens Arielle’s magic is a page turner.
This Dark Descent is steeped in Jewish folklore, class inequalities, court intrigue, treachery and romance and is exciting reading. The dramatic ending will ensure that the sequel is picked up, and readers may be tempted like me to find other books by this author. People who enjoyed the horse races could enjoy The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, while those who like intrigue may enjoy Six of crows by Leigh Bardugo.
A wonderfull look at growing up within a family with high expectations, Abtin knows that he is very different from his forebears as he ponders the array of framed pictures on the walls. Each of his ancestors is sporting a medal of some sort, recognising their abilities and achievements. Ferocious, muscled bodies look down upon little Abtin, expecting that he will be next.
But Abtin is not like them, he is not good at sport, despite being told what to eat to become a champion, how to train to be a champion, how to sleep to better his chances of becoming a champion. He is always reminded how clever his relatives were, how they made great achievements and how they expected him to do just as well, not to dampen his family’s name. But Abtin loves different things: we see him reading and painting, and children will readily see how he is imposed upon by his family, wanting him to be like them.
Readers will love seeing the adults in the book leaning over the child, Abtin. On several pages the adult is enormous, dwarfing the little Abtin, encouraging the audience to feel at one with Abtin. They will see Abtin rejecting all pressure to fit in with the family, keeping true to himself and what interests him.
The use of a limited number of colours adds to the feeling of intimidation. The illustrator, Reza Dalvand brings a fresh and bold style to the book infused with humour and zest. More about this Iranian illustrator can be found here.
Abtin does not like making his family feel hopeless about him and determines to do something to make everyone feel good. What he does will tickle the readers, making them laugh out loud at his solution.
This lovely book promotes self worth, self knowledge, of being strong in the face of alarming and present pressure, but with a large dose of humour designed to keep readers laughing at what is an important part of growing up.
Bottoms are wonderful and all very different and this book celebrates the range of known and some unknown in a laugh out loud board book.
Easily held by younger hands, the images of the five bottoms on the cover will cause the first ripple of mirth. And the title will enthuse them further.
From stripey bottoms, to large bottoms, hairy bottoms to white bottoms, black bottoms and even some black and white bottoms, young children will get many laughs out of this book.
With the first page showing a rabbit, with its cute round bottom children will be eased into the world of bottoms through something they recognise easily. Then onto a large hippopotamus and an even larger elephant, taking up the whole page. Next we see the lovely stripes of a tiger and zebra, the wonderfully patterned bottom of the giraffe is next, with its tall neck striving to look at the readers, giving an impression of its height. Pandas, polar bears, a brown bear and a tapir come next. Following are the very bright bottoms of a monkey and a mandrill, then deer, sheep and llama with their soft fluffy bottoms. A rhinoceros shows a huge bottom and the hedgehog reminds us that his bottom is spiky.
A range of animals is given with the image of their bottom for young children to recognise the animal from a different perspective. Kids will love predicting the name of the animal, and finding out a little of its nether regions.
In a class lots of discussions will ensue, as all children love animals and this book shows many they may not have thought of when talking about bottoms. New words will be learnt as they brainstorm a whole range of words which also mean bottom. And who’d have thought there were so many different kinds of bottoms?
Kids will love looking all the bottoms, so seeing that everyone’s bottom is different, and theirs is just as different as every one else’s. The book encourages children to be accepting of their differences and those of others as well as getting a lot of laughs.
Maki Saito uses traditional Japanese art techniques along with collages to produce her images.
As you would expect from a Hugo Award Nominee for Best Novel (2024), ALA Alex Award (2024), and Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Science Fiction (2023), Starter Villain is an engrossing book. It has all the hallmarks of Scalzi’s science fiction: it is light-hearted and whimsical, satirical and thought provoking and very easy to read at 265 pages.
The reader first meets Charlie who is trying to hold it together working as a substitute teacher, battling overdue bills and step siblings who want to sell the house he is living in with his two adorable cats, Hera and Persephone. He has a dream of owning a pub but is unable to meet the criteria for a loan. Then his billionaire uncle dies, leaving his supervillain business to him. What follows is a hilarious series of events as Charlie tries to come to grips with international movers and shakers who want him dead, talking dolphins and sentient cats, bombs and missiles, and an island lair full of deadly secrets. His previous career was a journalist, but nothing could prepare him for the strange and dangerous world that he faces.
This is a novel for readers who love cats; Hera is a highlight of the story, and the talking dolphins are a treat, although some readers may object to their foul language. Those who like satirical humour will enjoy Scalzi’s take on big business and the type of people who own multimillion companies, and the scenes where eager young entrepreneurs try to sell their ideas are hilarious.
Starter villain is a unique light-hearted story highlighting the villainy of big business, animal rights, unions and cloning. Readers may also enjoy The Kaiju Preservation Society, another of his distinctive novels.
Themes Science fiction, Animals - Moral and ethical aspects, Humour, Satire, Big business.
Datsun Tran, in his powerful picture book debut Then and Now, has shared the refugee journey of his family using the past and the present. This is a picture book of few words but when combined with dramatic illustrations the harrowing, yet hopeful story becomes immediately recognisable.
Each step on the journey is spread across a double page. On the first side is one word, Then. On the other side is an event in the past, Knock, Knock, Knock. We hide under the table. On the next double page is the word, Now. On the corresponding page are the words, Knock, Knock, Knock. We open the door to welcome our guests. Each set of pages refers to a happening in the past, and how in the present the refugee family are living their lives.
The striking ink illustrations set in the past are in deep tones of brown and visibly covey the message of fear and danger. In the present the shades of blue give the reader a sense of lightness and freedom. Each illustration deserves a long, slow perusal with so much depth and meaning conveyed.
Then and Now is an important book to be shared with both children and adults. Startling in its presentation and simplicity of words, it shares a powerful not-to-be forgotten message.
Winner of the Aurealis Award 2023 and Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Fantasy (2023) The will of the many is a gripping fantasy that is very difficult to put down. Vis Telimus is a young man, orphaned three years previously. When he is approached to join the elite Catenan Academy as a spy to uncover the secrets that his benefactor believes the leader is hiding, he agrees. But he too is hiding dangerous secrets and each day brings new challenges.
I choose the book because of its Aurealis Award nomination and I was not disappointed. The background to the novel is reminiscent of ancient Rome, with blood thirsty fights and spectacles in a huge amphitheatre, but it is the magic that fascinated me. The people are prepared to give away their Will, their drive and strength, to make those above them in the Hierarchy more powerful. Vis is not prepared to give up his Will and the scars on his back are testament to what that has cost him. At the Academy Vis must move up through the ranks and with the rebels having a hold over him, and facing certain death if he betrays his benefactor, this is not easy.
The will of the many is action packed. I found myself picking up the book at every opportunity to follow Vis and his tortuous path at the Academy. Vis is a remarkable young man and his choices are very difficult. Fortunately, he was able to make two good friends and his background and training helped. Friendship and honour are major themes and the political intrigue is fascinating.
Fans of The hunger games will love the action, while fans of the Scholomance series by Naomi Novik will enjoy the academy setting. With a cliff-hanger ending, fans like me will be eagerly awaiting the next in the series. Meanwhile I am going to read The Licanius Trilogy by Islington.
The prologue to The changing room describes an Australian girl intent on visiting the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, the place where Christ will return. On arrival she flings open the taxi door, discards all her belongings, and then gradually discards items of clothing as she ascends the slopes of the Mount, muttering something about wanting to give birth to the second Messiah. A guide, familiar with Jerusalem Syndrome, advises taking her to the Kfar Shaul Mental Health Center.
How Rachel ends up in this situation is revealed gradually in Cranston’s novel, beginning with her taking on a home help position in an elderly English household in London. Dismissed from there as too imaginative and not really suitable, a chance meeting with another adventurous Australian girl, leads to the two of them heading to Egypt and then to a kibbutz in Israel.
The ‘changing room’ is a reference to a childhood cartoon about Mr Benn stepping into different roles in a magical costume shop. It seems that Rachel, unsure of what she really wants, is stepping into different worlds, and trying out different experiences. The more we read, the more we become aware of her sense of loss, and of drifting along seeking some kind of reassurance. She feels a compulsion to ‘makes things better’, perhaps the aftermath of the loss of her father, but also a sense of wanting to overcome differences between people and create peace. Thus she tries to bring the local Bedouins to work alongside the kibbutzniks. But it is a world she doesn’t really understand, and she is out of her depth.
Cranston skilfully creates that uncertain world of the mind, blurring between perception, dream, confusion and delusion. Scenes where people are dancing, music is playing, snatches of conversation are overheard, lights and shadows interweave, all create an environment that many a young person will have experienced at some time, as they seek to define who they are and explore different experiences. Rachel’s search for for ‘balance, harmony, justice and truth’ will resonate with many a reader.
Grace the Amazing is a heart-warming novel written by well-known Australian author Aleesah Darlison. The delightful character of Grace will resonate with many young readers. She is full of energy, passion and creativity, yet struggles to find her place amongst her peers. School is not easy for her and a constant source of angst. Her one ‘saving grace’ in the grind of surviving is her weekly art lessons with her beloved teacher Pamela. They have a strong bond and Pamela sees Grace for what she is, a clever and extremely talented young person. Pamela also understands that Grace shies away from forming friendships as she so often speaks her mind and seemingly lacks the ability to say what others want to hear.
When Pamela is absent from class and teachers talk in hushed tones, Grace slowly begins to realise that something is not quite right. Outside of school she befriends foster child Fromelles and they form a kind of friendship although Grace is more intent on finding out what is wrong with Pamela. Fromelles is struggling with his own loss but offers support to Grace in her quest for the truth. When it is discovered Grace is determined that magic is the only way to make things better.
Grace the Amazing is a lively and engaging story full of deep emotions between the main characters of Grace and her mother, as well as Grace and Pamela. The experience of losing a dear friend is sensitively shared and the reader can feel the loss Grace suffers. This beautiful story is also leaves the reader with hope that one day Grace will be able to connect with others under her own terms and remain the energetic, quirky and charismatic child she is.
This is the first book by Adam B, a YouTube star that will grab the attention of many young readers who know him from his channel.
The book is based on a character called Adam who dreams of being a YouTube superstar but with little hope of this eventuating as he is a nobody at his school. He has no money, one friend and his mum and little brother at home who he is trying to support after the loss of their dad.
Adam stumbles across the mysterious Popularis Incrementum website on his old computer and from there his fortunes change with some interesting situations arising from the fame. Adam accepts a mission to get one million subscribers within a year and his luck seems to be running out as it becomes clear that he is in too deep, and his life becomes one big fail after another. He will need to have a trick up his sleeve to work out how he can get himself out of the situation he is in without damaging his family or his reputation too badly.
This book will be loved by readers and followers of Adam B alike, it is well written very funny and has enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and interested from the first to the last page.
I would recommend this book as a class read aloud or as a read alone, but I think younger readers are going to want to read ahead of the class as the book has many cliff hanger chapters to encourage late night reading. Parents will enjoy this book too as the characters are well written and the story shows the human side of loss, fame and social media dangers which could open discussions with their children. This is a good book for the current social media generation.
Themes Social Media, Family, Friendships, Mystery, Action, Adventure, Humour.
Mhairi Alcorn
Butterfly Girl by Ashling Kwok and Arielle Li
EK Books, 2023. ISBN: 9781922539564. (Age:3+)
Olivia has only butterfly friends. She sits in her garden as often as she can, talking to her friends as they flutter around her. On rainy days she waits for the sun. She cannot imagine life without her friends. But one day her parents pack up the house and they move to the city. Mum tells her that she will not need her butterflies as she will make new friends. She waits for her new friends but no one comes up to their apartment. She thinks and thinks and decides to make something to attract her butterflies. She builds a garden on her balcony.
Her neighbours want to attract butterflies too. So she helps them build their gardens.
With so many gardens in the apartment block butterflies come too. Now Olivia has her butterflies and new friends as well.
A delightful story of taking steps to solve a problem, the story also promotes environmental concerns as insects including butterflies and bees are becoming less prevalent as the cities reduce the environment in which these animals thrive.
The gorgeous illustrations shows Olivia and her gardens. The first few pages show Olivia amongst her home garden with trees and lots of butterfly attracting flowers, then the pages show the move, with lots of cardboard boxes filling the rooms. The next pages contrast markedly with the open fields she has left behind, as they drive though a smoggy city full of buildings and cars. Children will easily see the differences between the environments Olivia lives in. After she builds her balcony garden still the butterflies do not come, and the next illustration of the apartment building with its single balcony of growing things shows why. It is only when the neighbours do the same thing that butterflies return and so Olivia becomes the butterfly girl. The last endpaper shows children ways of attracting butterflies to their gardens: find a sunny spot, add a dash of colour, don’t forget the water, don’t forget rocks and add some sparkle.
Alexander’s The Door of No Return is the first of a trilogy of books that each explores a particular period of African history. Set in 1860, this historical fiction shows the rich culture of the Ghanaian people in their homeland, before they were abducted and enslaved in America. Alexander describes it as about the 'African part of African-American'; it is a counterpoint to the history that the conquerors tell.
Kofi is an extremely likeable 11-year-old boy from the Asanti kingdom of West Africa, (Ghana) caught between two cultures. He enjoys listening to his loving grandfather’s stories of the ancestors, while his westernised teacher is intent on teaching him to speak correct English and read Shakespeare. His life in the village is relatively carefree, despite having to regularly avoid/challenge a bullying cousin and defend his secret crush, until this idyllic life is upturned by a series of devastating events.
Alexander weaves an engaging story around the centuries-old celebrations of the Kings’ Festival and the reader gains a solid insight into pre-European Ghanaian daily life and culture including wrestling contests, the importance of a traditional board game 'oware', wars fought over gold, and initiation ceremonies. Kofi’s grandfather’s sage advice stresses the importance of family and storytelling in maintaining the tribal traditions.
The two final chapters recount Kofi’s abduction into slavery, and transportation to America.
A glossary, list of locations and description of the Ghanaian symbols that appear throughout the book adds depth to the story and anchors it in reality.
This is an engrossing adventure story, layered with fascinating cultural information. Type-set as a verse novel, The Door is an easy read, as the language is down-to-earth and the plot fast-paced. However some dark instances of death, torture and slavery make for harrowing reading, so would be most appropriate for mature teens.
In the third of the Electra McDonnell series, Ellie is approached by Major Ramsey who asks her to travel to the port city of Sunderland where she is to await instructions. Ellie is determined to do her best for her country knowing that her safe cracking skills are sure to come in handy during the assignment. When she arrives, she is a witness to a man who dies in front of her eyes and quickly on the scene gains hold of a note that he is clutching in his hand. His friends rally around and Elly gets to know them while she impatiently waits for the Major to contact her.
With dangerous break-ins, bombs falling on the city, German spies and a spymaster to find, Ellie and Major Ramsey move from one precarious adventure to another in their quest to stop the traitors. The slow burn romance between the pair gently simmers although Ellie is not sure of Felix’s place in her life.
I enjoyed this short and easy to read cosy mystery very much. Ellie and Major Ramsey are fascinating main characters, the background of the Blitz, a port town being bombed and some bird watching thrown in, combine to make for an engrossing read. And the secondary mystery of Ellie’s dead mother and the stunning twist at the end will ensure that the next instalment is picked up.
This beautiful picture book relates the size and shape of a mother’s love. It is bigger than a whale, taller than a giraffe, fierce as a lion, yet gentle as a calf. The love began before the child was born and will continue always. The love continues as the child grows, learning all the time, trying things out and growing bigger. The love is like the flowing river, complete with its flora and fauna, yet it is immeasurable, it is just so big.
Even when they are apart, she loves the child, she loves seeing it grow and thinks about what it will become.
Together the author and illustrator of this book give the reader a glimpse into every mother’s heart. Nurturing a new baby is a full time job, reinforcing the love between them, the mother watching over its growth and development.
I loved the subtle way the traditions of her community are passed onto the youngster. He has decorated sticks to play music, is taken outside to learn about the environment, underscoring its importance to Aboriginal people. Mum’s safe hands can be seen on most pages, showing the importance of the mother in a child’s life, and I loved the endpapers with the large and small footprints in the sand.
Lisa Fuller is an award-winning Murri writer from south-east Queensland, who now resides in Canberra, while Samantha Campbell grew up in the Northern Territory and lives in Darwin. Both women are descended from Aboriginal groups across the Northern Territory and Queensland and their story and illustrations reflect Aboriginal values and customs.
Themes Love, Aboriginal themes, Mothers.
Fran Knight
Rockstar detectives: Murder at the movies by Adam Hills
The second mystery from Adam Hills featuring Charley and George does not disappoint. After solving their last mystery, the dynamic duo are in Sydney filming a movie. Charley is cast in her first movie and George is along for moral support and to work behind the scenes, based on their previous adventure, when they were accused of being international art thieves.
Just as the filming is getting under way a series of mysterious accidents start happening whenever Charley is on set and it becomes clear that someone is targeting her again. The friends decide that they will investigate again and try to work out who is trying to sabotage the film and threaten Charley’s life.
While this is Charley’s story there is a strong focus on developing George as a lead character and his knowledge of social media that he uses to help solve the case really show him as a strong character but also an incredible friend
This story is wonderful, from the descriptions of the film set and the accidents that are inherently Australian while still having a broad appeal, to the friendship between the two main characters and their ability to stay positive as their lives and movie is threatened really make this a story that children will love to read. The book is also so well written that it would work really well as a class novel or class read aloud. This is the second book in the Rockstar Detectives series and I can’t wait to see where Charley and George do next.
Winner of the 2020 Banjo Prize, shortlisted for the 2023 Davitt Awards and 2023 Danger Awards, The torrent is Dinuka McKenzie’s debut novel. Set in northern New South Wales after devastating floods, Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is investigating a hold up at a fast-food outlet where a young girl has been injured. She is looking forward to her maternity leave when she is given a sensitive case to review: a distraught mother is convinced that her son was not drowned in the recent floods but was murdered by his wife. Kate’s investigations are not straight forward and there are complications as she and her team follow leads. Can she just dismiss the drowning case even if her gut tells her that there may be more to the initial finding? And how can the youths involved in the hold-up be identified?
It is fascinating to follow Detective Sergeant Kate Miles during the late stages of her pregnancy. Her body may be unwieldy but her mind is very alert and she follows clues leading to the resolution of both cases. McKenzie’s portrayal of one of the youths who committed the hold-up is sensitively drawn and the reader gains much insight into both cases through his thoughts and actions. Her sympathetic depiction of autism also added depth to her story.
Fans of mysteries that show police procedures will follow with interest the forensics that help the team to solve the violent hold up, while clever interviews and flashes of brilliance will hold the reader’s attention as the case of the drowning unfolds. Dinuka McKenzie’s book would be enjoyed by people who like Australian noir by authors like Jane Harper and Chris Hammer. I look forward to reading more novels with Detective Sergeant Kate Miles as the main protagonist.
