Working Title Press, 2016. ISBN 9781921504853
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Grief and loss. Death. Siblings. The
opening double page shows an animal sitting alone at a table,
telling the reader how he misses his brother and how lost he is
without him, then the eyes are naturally drawn to the illustrations.
Astute eyes will take in the pair of overcoats and Wellington boots
beneath, and know that the brother is missing. He determines to find
him, setting out into the world beyond his little house, a duck as
his companion.
The pair search the places his brother liked to go, they search high
and low, lovely places, scary places, over here and over there, for
days and nights, until he is so tired, he must lie down and sleep.
The stunning sepia illustrations reflect the despair the creature is
feeling at the loss of his brother. Each page reflects the strange
world he is searching: a clock with its cat and mouse, a city by the
sea, through medieval places, animals drinking by an African river,
the view from a balloon, and so on. Each illustration will attract
the attention of the reader eager to take in their fantastic
complexity.
As the creature wakes, more colour appears on the page, and he comes
to acknowledge that although his brother is gone, he is everywhere
in his memories of what they did together.
This is a stunning story of acceptance: of overcoming grief, of
memory keeping that person alive. Time passes as the moon waxes and
wanes, and the clock strikes, and the creature climbs a never ending
staircase. But in the end the memory of what he and his brother did
together beings the sun back into his life.
For middle primary people this will initiate discussions of grief
and loss, of acceptance and the passing of time.
Fran Knight
Anders and the volcano by Gregory Mackay
Allen and Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760290030
(Ages: 7+) Graphic Novel. Anders and his trusty flying beetle Skip
return from their first adventure in Anders and the comet to
engage in another imaginative story while on a camping holiday near
an extinct volcano. He travels with friends Bernie and Eden and his
family during the school holidays, meeting up with Veronica who also
has a flying beetle. Anders and new girl Veronica enjoy some flying
time together before meeting up at the same camp site destination.
Bernie and Eden soon find pet beetles as well, but Bernie's is a
reluctant flier, showing a preference for swimming. This becomes
problematic later when the friends find themselves in a tricky
situation with limited time to react.
Anders is a positive role model of how to support, interact and
build friendships. His actions and the words he uses with others
show a maturity beyond his years. It is refreshing to see his
unconditional acceptance of the choices his friends make, for
instance when Bernie supports his new beetle Lump when the others go
flying. Anders is inclusive of others and encourages new friendships
with the people he meets on his holiday travels.
The black and white graphic novel incorporates explicit learning
moments on the nature of volcanoes during the story as well as in a
short appendix about how volcanoes form. The story is broken up into
chapters and presents an easy read for younger readers who are just
beginning the journey into graphic novels.
Annette Mesecke
A brief take on the Australian novel by Jean-Francois Vernay
Wakefield Press, 2016. ISBN 9781743054048
(Age: Senior secondary - adult) Recommended. Do you know who wrote
Australia's first novel? Or who wrote the first Aboriginal novel? A
brief take on the Australian novel will give you the answers
to these questions whilst providing a chronological panorama of
Australian literature from its birth in the colonial novels of the
1830's to the novels of today.
Author Jean-Francois Vernay traces the influences of the colonial
period, the colonial romance, feminine writing, the emergence of the
national consciousness, the impact of war, modernism, realism, and
so on. The historical perspective is supplemented by some
'close-ups' or summaries of the works of particular authors, or
particular issues. Vernay borrows from the vocabulary of cinema with
inserted 'close-ups' and 'low-angle shots' in his panoramic scan to
give greater detail to subjects that warrant it.
I enjoyed reading about the literary and identity frauds, as well as
the discussion of Aboriginal ownership and issues of protocols,
though I don't wholly agree with his conclusions. I expect other
readers will find their own points of interest that draw them in
along the way.
It is interesting to read this well crafted perspective of the
Australian novel, though it may at times leave you wanting more. It
is, after all, only a 'brief take', useful for providing a general
overview and context for the Australian novel, highlighting themes
and issues that could provoke further exploration.
Vernay provides some 'special features' at the end - discussions of
Patrick White and Christopher Koch, and a short history of
Australian publishing. There are also supplementary timelines of
literary milestones, and of writers' birthdates, along with a
bibliography, sitography and index - all in all, making for a very
useful tool to guide further research.
Helen Eddy
My perfect pup by Sue Walker
Ill. by Anil Tortop. New Frontier Publishing, 2016. ISBN
9781925059601
(Age: 4+) Dogs. Pets. Choice. Responsibility. A tiny dog sits
patiently in the pet shop waiting for someone to choose him. Two
children arrive on their tandem, wanting a dog. Milly wants a dog to
brush and preen and primp, and Max wants a dog that will learn
tricks. They take home the little dog and call it Tiny, but Tiny
resists the things the children want him to do, and he grows to be
anything but tiny. So one day they return him to the shop! Tiny now
waits for the perfect owner. And sure enough the perfect owner
appears, loving Tiny for what he is.
This story shows readers that one size does not fit all, a dog that
the children thought would be just what they wanted, turned out to
be far from their dreams. The book teaches the reader that there is
more to appearance when it comes to choosing an animal or friend.
They will see from the story that there is a particular animal that
will suit them, and they must choose wisely.
The illustrations add a level of humour to the story, showing Tiny
as he goes from being a quiet, attentive little dog in the shop, to
growing to be a big fluffy dog at home and readers will laugh out
loud at his change, as they will when looking at the array of people
who come into the shop looking for a dog to buy.
This is perhaps a gentle reminder that there is more to buying an
animal than meets the eye and could be taken further in talking
about choices we make in life.
Fran Knight
Out by Angela May George
Ill. by Owen Swan. Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781743629000
(Age: all) Highly recommended. Refugees, Asylum seekers, War,
Freedom. The young girl in this moving book tells us her story. She
and her mother must flee their country which is at war. Men come
with guns and she and her mother hide beneath piles of clothing, and
then are able to get on a boat to a new life. On the boat her mother
catches a fish hanging a line over the side. In Australia they live
with a friend they met on the boat and the girl goes to school where
loud noises still upset her. They build a new life and wait for her
father to join them. She now feels safe and free.
This simple elegantly told story of the many people who have come to
Australia, has a deceptively simple text telling the reader all they
need to know, that here is a child who is asking for help. She is
not 'asylum seeker' or 'refugee' but has a name and an individual
story to tell. This book asks readers to look behind the rhetoric of
hate and to see the real stories of the real people who come to our
shores.
The title of the book will encourage discussion amongst the readers,
looking at the layer of meanings behind the word, Out. It could mean
being forced to leave as well as reflecting some of the hate of a
few racists who call for refugees to be kicked out.
A book to promote understanding, the illustrations by Swan will
remain with the reader, paralleling the discussion about this young
girl. Done in quiet, unassuming grey wash watercolour and pencil,
the girl's yellow ribbon forms a sharp contrast throughout the story
as it is her ribbon on the boat, a ribbon on her backpack, a ribbon
used in a string game. The yellow shines out as a beacon of hope for
this young girl and her mother. Published to coincide with National
Refugee Week (usually the last week in June) this book has a place
in all libraries and classrooms.
Fran Knight
This school is driving me nuts! and other funny plays for kids by Duncan Ball
Christmas Press, 2016. ISBN 9780994234032
(Age: All) Highly recommended. This School is Driving Me Nuts!
is a great selection of plays for fun reading on your own and in the
classroom with a group. Readers can read through the Perils of
Prince Percy of Pomegranate or solve the crime in Muckup
at Murder Mansion. The plays are for larger groups as well as
smaller groups but also cater for those two outgoing and overacting
students with the two man show Sam Shovel's Greatest Case.
Do you have a soloist? Try the monologue This School is Driving
Me Nuts! There is an excellent variety of funny plays, using
easy to read, descriptive language. It will challenge students to
use expression, improve fluency and develop speaking confidence. The
topics will appeal to readers aged 9+; from princes to vampires and
a rhyming sidekick. Independent readers will enjoy reading the plays
as standalone texts. It is excellent for those readers who aren't
too keen on reading a whole novel, allowing them to continue
developing their vocabulary. Highly recommended for all age groups.
Kylie Kempster
Tom Gates: Super good skills (Almost) by Liz Pichon
Tom Gates series. Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781760152659
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Liz Pichon's award winning Tom Gates
series returns for the tenth hilarious instalment. Tom's uniquely
irreverent style shown in both words and cartoons captures the
dramas of the last day of school and the highs and lows of the
family holiday adventure. Doodling is Tom's way of expressing his
feelings and making light of the world around him.
School life for Tom revolves mostly around his friends with the
occasional interruption of class time. At break time for Tom and his
friends the most important discussion focuses on what kind of Alien
Snacks need to be served at DOGZOMBIES band practice. There is also
a chance for the reader to create an alternative snack as well,
plenty of room for doodling - sausage and sock flavour or salt and
onion shells. Mr Fullerman their class teacher hands out plenty of
unfinished work that needs completing over the holiday break. Of
course, Tom's mind starts creating the most unusual excuses for not
completing the assignment. On the last day of school it's casual
clothes day and Tom creatively transforms his and Derek's sports
t-shirts into colourful band shirts. A prize of a massive pad of
sticky notes gives Tom some wonderful opportunities to prank Marcus
and his sister.
The family holiday to the Pine Tree Riviera is fraught with rainy
weather, leaky accommodation, Tom's limited wardrobe and problems
with older sister Delia and her best friend Avril. Poor Tom is
forced to wear a garbage bag raincoat because Mum forgot to pack
enough clothes. Tom Gates Super Good Skills (Almost) is filled with puzzles,
doodles, drawing tips and creative opportunities. Liz Pichon
understands her reading audience: they enjoy the balance of an easy
to read story with plenty of chances to add their own drawings. Her
fans love to follow Tom's hilarious life - there is always something
happening, even school lunches can be exciting!
Rhyllis Bignell
EJ shines by Susannah McFarlane
EJ12 Girl Hero bk 21. Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781925206043
(Age: 8 - 10) Recommended. Themes: Birthdays, Spies, Codes and
Ciphers, The Great Barrier Reef, Adventures. Emma Jacks returns in
her final EJ12 mission, and with her twelfth birthday approaching
she has one final assignment to complete. This we discover is her
most important adventure, she needs to rescue A1 the SHINE Agency
leader and shut down the cruel, animal testing laboratory run by the
evil SHADOW Agency.
This novel delivers all the excitement the fans have come to expect.
Emma's reliance on her friends and their different skills, her code
and cipher cracking abilities, her special charm bracelets, amazing
travel destinations, creative transport solutions and of course her
ability to think quickly and strategically.
What will life be like for Emma when she turns twelve? She will
qualify for a new spy division - EJ14 - and after the holidays there
will be a new school with different challenges, but luckily her best
friends will be there for her.
On the last day of school, of course, there is just time for one
super-charged mission and only EJ12 is contacted. A1 has
mysteriously disappeared; her last known sighting was in the global
beauty company laboratory at S.INC, an organisation reputed to carry
out animal testing for anti-aging products. Her fellow agents join
her to infiltrate the laboratory disguised as models and they
discover SHADOW has established a hidden testing and collection
facility in the outer Great Barrier Reef. A rare deep-sea fish the
Black Sea Devil produces eggs with special anti-aging qualities.
With the amazing assistance of some special dolphins, an undersea
adventure in a mini-submarine and a hot air-balloon ride, EJ12's
exploits are exciting and enthralling. Emma's ingenuity and quick
thinking combined with the special party popper charm on her
bracelet finally foil the plans of the evil Z mastermind of SHADOW.
Susannah McFarlane's successful EJ12 series ends with a
promise of even more thrilling adventures to come, as Emma embraces
her life as a teenager.
Recommended for readers from 8-10 years of age.
Rhyllis Bignell
Julius and the soulcatcher by Tim Hehir
Text Publishing, 2016. ISBN 9781925240177
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Charles Darwin. Orchids.
Diaries. Victorian England. Steampunk. Botany. Time travel. Charles
Darwin's diary holds the key to the next enthralling Watchmaker
novel Julius and the soulcatcher. It is 1838 and orchid
mania is sweeping across London, everyone is keen to acquire a
soulcatcher orchid with its invasive tendrils and purpose to take
the souls of its hosts - animals or people. Apprentice watchmaker
Julius Caesar Higgins and his accomplice orphan Emily are once again
embroiled in another multi-layered mystery, chased by evil body
snatchers and mastermind Mr Tock. Where are the orchids being
propagated and why do they need blood and bone fertiliser? Hehir
brings the darker side of London to life, fast cab rides through
darkened streets, a bare-knuckle fight, rooftop escapes and the
frightening Animal House of Lord Bloomingbury. His close attention
to detail is evident, from the shops, drawing rooms, the orphanage
kitchen, everyday items to the historic events and figures, even
using the vernacular of the day, all add to the richness of this
narrative.
The cover draws the reader into the story, here Abigail the giant
prayingmantis-like figure made from razors, kitchen knives and
pocket watch casing eyes stretches as a silhouette reaching
menacingly for Julius, Emily and their mentor Mr Flynn. Between the
time loop and time-jump, using the special power of the pocket watch
that leads to a strange sojourn in Brazil to the source of the
soulcatcher orchids, there is also time for Julius to search for his
lost family. Julius and the soulcatcher delivers a rich, multilayered
narrative with relatable characters, fast-paced action, 19th century
technology and designs and unique alternate worlds in this science
fiction fantasy. Julius and the watch-maker has also been
published with a re-imaged cover, here the eye-catching silhouette
of the watch-maker looms large over Julius as he escapes from the
malevolent forces preparing for war.
Rhyllis Bignell
Unrivaled by Alyson Noel
A beautiful idols novel. Katherine Tegen Books, Harper
Collins; 2016. ISBN 9780062496744
(Age: 15+) This is a dramatic mystery involving a number of
aspirational young people who get involved in a competition because
of their ambitions to get ahead. The competition arena is the Nightclub scene in Hollywood which is under the rule and authority of a
somewhat questionable, yet successful owner who proves to be
conniving and manipulative in subtle ways. The lives of these young
aspirants get woven into the story of another young person who is
already at the top of the ladder and her career as a famous
Hollywood actress. Are they all just pawns in a bigger game, or are
they unwittingly being used to hide a major crime? Relationships and
desires get twisted and strained as the wealthy Hollywood and
attention-seeking world of fame and fortune infiltrates like a snake
among the grass into the motivations of the young competitors. Their
lives become wrapped cruelly into the Nightclub owner's world (or is
it Hollywood's world?) of using people for his own benefit. Along
the journey, the young people confront the after dark
pleasure-seeking and drug culture, their own moral and sexual
choices are stretched, the power of social media is revealed and we
see the lure of money manipulating and corrupting.
Because this is so like a television-mating between episodes of The
Apprentice and a LA Crime drama, it will be enjoyed by the
television generation. The blurb implies that those who have enjoyed
Pretty little liars, a sexy Teen drama, will also enjoy this
book. It is not something to recommend highly, but the mystery does
engage the reader, even as the lifestyle of the rich and famous is
revealed in all its self-centred ugliness despite the facade of
beauty and pleasure. It is obviously the first of a series, as the
central mystery is not solved by the end of the book, and as in a
television crime drama series it leaves the reader hanging slightly
unsatisfied at the end of the novel. Noel has written a novel that
wears high heels and designer clothes and lines up outside Hollywood
Nightclubs hoping to get attention and entry into the higher
echelons of the fame world.
Carolyn Hull
The awesome body book by Adam Frost
Bloomsbury,2016. ISBN 9781408862353
(Ages: 7+) Highly recommended. Non fiction. The awesome body
book is an engaging and entertaining look at the human body in a
'Believe it or Not' style text. Colourful comparative graphics with
bubble-sized chunks of information make this book easy to digest and
appealing to a wide variety of clientele from non-fiction fact fans
to reluctant readers. A varied approach with answers to puzzling
posed questions, brain teasers and quizzes mean you can delve into
the book at any page and be enthralled to keep reading.
Covering almost every aspect of the body structure and functions,
readers will find this book hard to put down with so many amazing
facts. The optical illusions the eyes perceive and how to pick a
fake smile, to a good dose of fart facts and how much poo humans
create in relation to other animals over a lifetime are riveting
reading for many age groups fascinated by facts about why we are
like we are. A list of sources for avid fact finders is also
available at the end of the book for further reading.
This highly recommended book for the 7-12 year age group, will
promote fact swapping discussions and intrigue all ages, as once you
have learnt some awesome facts you won't be able to keep them to
yourself!
Annette Mesecke
Dog house by Katie Abey
The Five Mile Press, 2016. ISBN 9781760402310
(Ages: 1-4) Board book. Homes. Katie Abey, English author and
illustrator, has created this bright, bold and glossy board book
with textured illustrations (dirt ground, trees, pond water,
beehive, birds nest).
The humorous illustrations, showing the dog looking very out of
place in a bird's nest, on a lily pad, inside a rabbit hutch, and in
a beehive will amuse young readers. The story follows the oft-told
formula of an animal looking for where it belongs, and speaks
directly and bluntly to the reader: 'Toby is lost. He is looking for
his house'. This simple narration accompanies Toby's dialogue with
the other animals, 'Do I live here?' he asks, 'No! I live here' says
the bird. And so it continues, as Toby searches high and low for his
home, a little like the baby bird's search in Are you my mother?
Just as the rain mingles with his tears and Toby is starting to feel
like he will never find where he belongs, he hears a 'woof' in the
distance. Running into the sunshine, he finds another dog and a
kennel with his name on it.
The simplicity of this book (perfect for its target audience) means
that the text doesn't tell us everything (e.g. names of the other
animals, the kind of homes they live in), leaving opportunities for
children to point things out and infer meaning from the
illustrations. Young children will be able to relate to this short
text about having a place (home, bed, etc.) where you feel
comfortable and cosy.
Nicole Nelson
The other side of Summer by Emily Gale
Random House Australia. ISBN 9780143780113
(Age: 11-14) Highly recommended. Grief. Migration. Grief stricken,
Summer is trying to recover, her only consolation a guitar that her
brother had owned. Then her father makes a momentous decision - her
family will move from London to Australia - and Summer is even more
distraught. She had to leave everything she knows behind, including
her best friend Mal, and face a life in a new country. There she
meets a strange boy who seems to be magically connected to her
guitar. Together the two will try to help each other.
This was a fascinating novel. For many chapters it seemed to be a
typical story of a young girl trying to cope with her grief while
facing strange new words and customs on a new country. Then Gale
introduces a touch of magic realism and the reader is blown away as
the strange young boy Gabe appears as if he is time travelling. As
Summer works through what is happening, the story of the family
tragedy gradually unfolds, amidst family angst and heartache. The
family dynamics are beautifully described, as Summer struggles with
her feelings about her mother who seems to have abandoned them and
her sister Sophie who has changed from being totally annoying with
her to a sympathetic character. The reader keeps wondering about
Gabe and who he is and even the the boy next door Milo, is one that
the reader can identify with.
The mystery of Gabe is one that will keep readers guessing and
Summer's gradual coming of age and belief in what is happening with
Gabe will be followed closely.
This was a wonderful read that I finished in one sitting. Although
it is aimed at middle school readers, the writing that flows with
ease, the vivid descriptions and realistic characters will appeal to
older readers as well.
Pat Pledger
Self-destructing Science: Space by Isabel Thomas
Ill. by Nikalas Catlow. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408869499
(Ages: 6+) Highly recommended. Activity Book. Self-Destructing
Science: Space by Isabel Thomas is more than just the average
activity book. It has quality information and an amazing array of
science-based activities, covering a variety of disciplines,
presented in a highly engaging manner. The book will literally
self-destruct as the user is encouraged to cut up, fold, experiment
and scribble on the pages in the quest for greater understanding of
how space and our world interact.
Bold graphics with small chunks of relevant information and clear
step by step instructions make this book user-friendly. Confident
scissors skills are a must, but otherwise adult assistance is only
suggested for some projects for safety reasons. Projects vary from
creating a simple flip book of the Earth's tilted axis showing the
seasons of a year, to making a bedroom planetarium, or creating an
astrolabe to measure altitude.
Covering almost every area of science, this book will promote STEM
principles.
This highly recommended book for the 6 -9 year age group will
facilitate a greater understanding of space and the forces at work
on our Earth while having lots of fun.
Annette Mesecke
Truly Tan: Hoodwinked! by Jen Storer
Harper Collins, 2016. ISBN 9780733334115
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. In Truly Tan: Hoodwinked, year
4 students Tan and Gloria love being spies in Peppercorn Valley.
They keep an eye on things going on around the town and at school,
have excellent imaginations and practise their spy skills even when
having fun at the swimming pool. A new person in town is the start
of an exciting new case. Tan and Gloria start keeping notes on the
unusual behaviour of Ophelia Crisp. She is also in year 4 and is
staying with her cousin, a girl Tan and Gloria aren't friends with.
Ophelia never answers Tan's investigative questions and seems quite
suspicious. Why does Ophelia keep missing school? What does she need
with a blue blanket? Can Tan and Gloria solve the mystery and find
Ophelia when she goes missing? Truly Tan: Hoodwinked is highly recommended for readers aged
8+. The events unfold through diary entries and the main story. Tan
is very technical and loves using unusual words. The definitions are
included, helping it resemble a diary. It is written in episodes and
each episode has several chapters. The text is descriptive and moves
quickly to engage readers within the mystery. Readers will be able
to piece the clues together but will they solve it before Tan? Will
their predictions be correct?
Kylie Kempster
