Ill. by Dougal MacPherson. Bloomsbury Books, 2016. ISBN
9781408877630
(Age: all) Highly recommended. Transgender, Being yourself,
Friendship, Acceptance. When Thomas the teddy is feeling low, his
friend Errol asks him what the matter is. Thomas is usually happy to
play and have picnics and go for rides on the bike or scratch around
in the garden. Thomas is unsure of what to say and asks Errol to be
his best friend no matter what he says.
Thomas reveals that he has never felt like a boy inside but feels
like a girl. He would prefer his name to be Tilly. Errol hugs teddy
to him, reassuring her that he likes her no matter what, they are
still best friends, and Errol calls her Tilly.
Errol decides to call their friend, Ava to come and play. She comes
over to the park where Errol introduces her to Tilly, and the two
discuss their bows. Tilly no longer wears a bow tie, but uses it to
tie her hair, while Ava discards her tie around her hair, wanting
her hair to be free. They play all morning, doing the things they
have always done, and later go home to play in the garden go for
rides on the bike and when they plan a picnic call Ava to come over
with her new friend, a robot she has built.
This is a wonderfully subtle story of inclusion, of remaining
friends no matter how the circumstances change. Ava and Errol's
acceptance of teddy's change of name is unconditional, they all
remain friends no matter what happens. When Thomas becomes Tilly
nothing changes between the group, Tilly simply states that she has
never felt like a boy teddy and so now wishes to be known as Tilly
not Thomas. Their friendship remains resolute.
It is also a tale of bravery, as teddy is concerned that when he
tells Errol about his worry, Errol will no longer be his friend.
Nothing is further from the truth. Errol's response is
overwhelmingly positive and supportive, giving a model for others to
follow which is reiterated when Ava joins them.
The mixed media illustrations are lovely, showing a young boy and
his teddy doing the things mentioned in the text. They are
inseparable, the crayon outlining the boy and his teddy against a
spare background. I love the repetition of the activities at the
start and end of the book, bringing the illustrations in a full
circle, showing nothing has changed after teddy's announcement.
Both author and illustrator are from Melbourne, the transgender
theme close to the author's heart and this book will become a book
of choice when discussions arise at home and in the classroom about
issues of gender.
Fran Knight
Editor's note: There is a Friendship
Activity pack available.
Mutant rising by Steve Feasey
Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408855720
(Age: 15+) Recommended. This book follows on from the first novel Mutant
City.
Scorched Earth: 'Grey. The place hadn't always been so; once it must
have been a multitude of colours and lights, but not any longer. Now
everything was grey and lifeless.'
This is a story about five mutants: Rush, telekinetic; Anya,
shapeshifter; Jax, mind reader; Flea, time-stopper; and Brick,
healer. They are honing their skills and learning to use them to
defend Scorched earth from the evil government of President Melk.
They are evading capture and are in hiding.
The Pure who are living well in the Cities and are oblivious to
President Melk's resolution to the 'mutant problem'. There are
interesting comparisons to be made here with the holocaust and the
role of bystanders. Further discussions around the decisions to stay
or go/fight or retreat lead the reader to compare moments in this
book with events in history.
'Although a long time had passed since the exodus, the memories of
so many Mutes leaving the Blacklands to find 'a better place' still
played on the minds of many who had chosen to stay behind'.
This book is an action-packed thriller. The violence is strong and
the betrayals are devastating. Anya presents an opportunity to
consider the consequences of emotions overpowering rational thought
and the power of the desire for vengeance. The writing is strong and
the scenes ready for translation into the movie version of this
book.
Linda Guthrie
The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell
Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN 9781408872352
(Years: 8-10) Themes: Wolf behaviour; Friendship; Injustice;
Alliances; Scheming; Family bonds; Destiny. Set in the western wilds
of Russia a hundred years ago this novel tells the story of Feo
(Feodora) and her mother who tend to wild wolves. It is tend and not
train as wolves are their own masters.
Many of the aristocrats of the time like to keep the wolves as pets
but when this does not work out they are sent to Feo and her mother
for rehabilitation back into the wilds. Their neighbours do not like
this practice as the wolves threaten their livelihood by eating
wildlife that will be their food for the winter.
The army intervenes and threatens Feo and her mother that if they
continue to care for the wolves then there will be consequences. A
watch is put on their house and eventually Feo's mother is taken to
St Petersburg for 'questioning'.
The guard who was sent to watch their house was a young boy who
deserts the army to travel to St Petersburg to help Feo find her
mother.
Thus begins an adventure involving the new friendship and alliances
made along the way.
Wendy Rutten
Editor's note: Teacher's
notes are available.
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9780007951185
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Crenshaw is a cat, a large black and
white cat who just happens to be Jackson's imaginary friend.
Jackson's family has gone through some problems in the past and, as
he is about to start year 5, the problems return. Mum and Dad don't
have enough money, belongings are being sold and the family might
have to live in the family minivan for awhile. Crenshaw appears when
Jackson needs a friend. Jackson doesn't need to keep secrets from
Crenshaw because Crenshaw already knows. Crenshaw understands. It is
this friendship that supports Jackson as the eldest child who wants
to know the problems and not be kept in the dark. Crenshaw helps
Jackson talk to friends so that he doesn't feel alone. Crenshaw
helps Jackson talk to his parents. Maybe the family will be okay
after all. Crenshaw consists of 2 to 3 page chapters, making it fast
moving but not allowing it to lose the descriptions needed to help
readers connect with Jackson and his problems. It is an emotional
story of friendship and heartbreak, of loving families and good
things coming to good people. Children will connect with Jackson and
his desire to be seen as old enough to handle the truth and the
problems. Highly recommended for readers aged 9+, this book would
make a great class novel, supporting students to understand the
structure of imaginative texts as well as supporting them in writing
about themselves. It would also be a great book for a parent to read
to their child as some sensitive themes could be close to home for
some children.
Kylie Kempster
Fizzlebert Stump: the boy who did PE in his pants by A.F. Harrold
Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408853399
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Fizzlebert Stump is a fun read and
will engage readers with its quick wit and comedic events.
Fizzlebert Stump is part of the circus and is learning to be a
strongman. He finds himself lost in the woods after his parents
accidentally leave without him. Fizzlebert is mistaken for a girl,
mistreated by a very mean teacher and trapped in a net. He tries to
escape but is unsuccessful. Meanwhile, a nasty girl named Piltdown
is impersonating him at the circus and causing all sorts of bother.
Will Mr and Mrs Stump realise they have the wrong child? How will
Fizzlebert get home? What do freckles have to do with it all?
This book is highly recommended to readers aged 8+. The author has
created a descriptive and eventful tale all the while conversing
with the audience. This interaction makes it twice as hilarious as
the author loves keeping the readers in suspense and readers will
not be able to wait to get to the end.
Kylie Kempster
The dog, Ray by Linda Coggin
Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN 9781471403194
(Years: 7-9) Bereavement. Grief. Reincarnation. Friendship.
New beginnings. Homelessness. Family separation. Daisy is involved
in a car crash with her father and dies as a consequence. When she
reaches heaven she takes a wrong turn and is reincarnated as a dog
with her old memories.
During her initial few months she copes with confusion and
frustration as she tries to make contact with her parents who,
obviously, do not recognise her. She meets a homeless boy, Pip, and
they become friends and begin on a journey to find Pip's father.
It is a heart-warming story about love, loss, friendships and new
beginnings.
The language is easy to read and sensitive in nature.
Wendy Rutten
Twenty questions for Gloria by Martyn Bedford
Walker Books, 2016. ISBN 9781406363531
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Thriller, Running away. Twenty
questions make up the chapter headings as we sit in on a police
interview. DC Ryan is talking with fifteen year old Gloria, missing
for nearly two weeks with a boy of the same age from her school. Her
mother is also in the room. Initially disdainful, even rude, Gloria
answers DC Ryan's questions briefly, needing further questioning to
draw out more exact answers. Reticent Gloria cannot tell why they
ran away, but over the several days reveals how their relationship
began and proceeded. Uman from a private school came to live with
his grandmother after his family's death from a deliberately lit
house fire. He is witty and urbane, clever and impulsive, thoughtful
and thought provoking. Gloria has not seen anyone like him, his
disdain for the conventions of school, his ability to see that she
is bored and unsettled with her life. He questions her ideas, her
beliefs about life, her dissatisfaction. Intrigued, she becomes
drawn to him. From there they decide to run away, she thinking it
for only a night or two, but as they become more engrossed with each
other, time away stretches into weeks.
Their idea of freedom grows as well: they throw away their mobile
phones and decide to go somewhere 'happy', a holiday place known to
Gloria from family trips in the past. They thread their way towards
Penzance, but find themselves out of money. Here Uman is attacked by
a group of drunk men and they end up in hospital, but leave before
Uman is ready. Their attempt to follow their dream starts to
unravel.
The story gives a clear idea of what motivates both children,
although Gloria's parents and the police officer find it hard to
forgive Uman and constantly give hints that Uman had a motive of
which Gloria was unaware.
This is a page turner, a thriller, the reader wanting to know how
they survived on the run, what Uman wanted and where he is now. The
bald questioning by DC Ryan contrasts with the flow of the narrative
as Gloria tries to convince the police officer and her mother, and
even herself, of why they did it. At first she appears to be a very
selfish young girl, but over the length of the novel, the reader is
drawn to both characters as they learn more about them and their
relationship in what is a most engrossing read.
Fran Knight
Under water by Marisa Reichardt
Macmillan 2016. ISBN 9781509818006
(Age: Teens) Highly recommended. Themes: Post-traumatic stress,
School shootings, Psychology, Family breakdown, love. Living in a
small apartment with her mother and little brother, Morgan was like
any other Californian 17 year old, keen on swimming, boys and
hanging out at the beach with a few close friends. However a mass
shooting at her school six months before has left her uninjured but
traumatised and she is now unable to leave her apartment. Life has
been tough for the family, her father, a soldier, served multiple
tours of duty in Afghanistan and post-traumatic stress has led him
to seek solace in alcohol with resulting violent outbursts. Morgan's
mother left him for the sake of the family's safety and she now
works hard as a single mother to make ends meet. Morgan knows she is
further burdening her mother but is powerless to control her fear of
leaving the apartment and she carries a secret guilt that she has
told nobody. Brenda, a psychologist, comes to the apartment to help
Morgan deal with the trauma. Her comparison with how a child learns
to do things helps Morgan realise that she needs to take baby steps
to work though her problems. She sets herself the goal of attending
little brother Ben's pantomime performance and when surfer Evan
moves in next door and persists in getting to know her, Morgan has
the incentives she needs to face her fears and work through the
trauma.
This first novel is beautifully crafted, the characters live in a
real world with familiar problems and the dialogue is well handled.
Fundamentals of guilt and forgiveness are attractively wrapped in a
love story with a brave protagonist caught up in life events that
allow her to discover her inner strength. Year 10 girls will love
this book and either fall in love with the boyfriend or decide on a
career as a psychologist.
Sue Speck
Bird and Bear and the special day by Ann James
Five Mile Press, 2016. ISBN 9781760402808
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Friendship, Shadows, Birthdays. Ann James'
beautiful drawings grace every page, reflecting every move of the
two friends which young children will adore. I love Bear's boots and
scarf and wooly hat, the leaves swirling around his feet, and the
gull, Bird, sitting upon his head. James' few confident brush
strokes give pages full of interest, humour, colour and meaning
while both story and illustrations impel the reader to turn the
pages.
It is Bird's birthday and she meets best friend, Bear with his
rucksack to go out for the day. They head for the park and as they
go, Bird asks questions to which Bear responds encouraging readers
to predict the answers that Bear will give. The readers will be
exposed to the words high and low, big and small, wet and dry, while
looking at their big shadows. It is time for their picnic and Bear
takes three small cakes out of his backpack. They eat two and Bear
puts one away for later. Meanwhile they continue their game of
finding something big and small, but also tall and wet, until their
day is at an end. Bear calls Bird to meet him at the top of the hill
where birthday greetings are given along with the third cake for
Bird for her birthday. Bear has not forgotten after all.
This delightful tale of friendship also includes learning new words
as well as looking at the things children can do on a picnic. The
lovely soft illustrations reflect the care shown between the
friends, their looking after each other, remembering a birthday and
making it a special day for the other.
Fran Knight
Out of the ice by Ann Turner
Simon and Schuster, 2016. ISBN 9781925030891
(Age: 16+) Recommended. Thriller. Antarctica. Friendship. Women.
Viruses. Laura Alvarado is an environmental scientist based in the
Antarctic. When she is sent to a remote area to report whether
Fredelighavn, an abandoned whaling station, could be used for
tourism or stay as a pristine environment for the wildlife, she
finds disturbing evidence that it is being misused and the wildlife
behaving strangely. When the normally placid penguins and seals
attack, Laura knows that someone has been interfering with their way
of life. On a dive at the station with her friend Sara, she glimpses
a young boy screaming for help through the ice and as more and more
strange things begin to happen she finds herself in danger. What is
going on at the Research Station? Why is she seeing eerie things and
being shunned by the scientists at the base?
This is a tense and engrossing thriller and the setting of the ice
of Antarctica sets it apart immediately. The reader is swept into
the life of people living in its cold environment, and the initial
chapters describing the animal life, the penguins, seals and whales
give a fabulous background to the thrilling story as the suspense
unfolds. Fredelighavn, an abandoned whaling station is depicted in
great detail. The Norwegian buildings, portraits of the people who
lived there, the Scandavian furniture and even an abandoned cinema,
are all brought to life against the background of the terrible
slaughter of the whales that were the mainstay of the settlement.
Although Laura could perhaps be 'toasty', a condition of seeing
things after spending too much time in Antactica, she is a strong
and determined woman, who rationally analyses what has happened and
is convinced that she has seen a young boy screaming for help. With
the assistance of her friend Sara and boss Georgia, a detective
stationed nearby, they investigate Fredelighavn. Continuing the
search, Laura goes to Nantucket, pursuing the elusive scientist Snow
and uncovers more of the mysteries surrounding the abandoned whaling
station.
There are many questions for the reader to pursue, including the
theme of strong women in a predominantly male environment, the
strength of friendship and the preservation of wildlife. Add these
to exciting action, suspense, some very unexpected twists and turns
and moments of heartbreak and the reader is in for a real treat. I
will certainly be picking up any more books by Ann Turner.
Pat Pledger
Grayling's song by Karen Cushman
Clarion Books, 2016. ISBN 9780544301801
(Age: 10-13) Recommended. Fantasy. Magic. Adventure.
Self-confidence. Middle Ages. Grayling is horrified when her mother,
wise woman Hannah Strong, starts turning into a tree, 'her feet
rooted into the earth. What had been toes were now spreading roots,
and what had been soft skin was as rough and brown as a tree trunk'.
Her mother sends her off on a quest to find 'the others' who she
says will help Grayling retrieve her grimoire and break the spell.
Grayling is a shy girl, but is determined to rescue her mother and
gradually finds the others, a motley assortment of minor witches,
who were not strong enough to gain the attention of the evil being
who is turning all wise people into trees and stealing their
grimoires. Assisted by a talking, shape shifting mouse named Pook,
Grayling becomes the leader of the group and faces kidnapping,
imprisonment, tiredness, and the strain of travelling with strange
companions.
A compelling coming of age story finds Grayling, away from the
influence of her strong willed mother, taking charge and finding the
strength of character and determination to follow her quest to
regain the grimoires and rescue those turned into trees. Cushman,
who won a Newbery Medal for her wonderful novel, The midwife's
apprentice, brings the alternative medieval period to life
with vivid and lyrical prose. As she recounts in her fascinating
notes at the conclusion of the story, the Middle Ages were a time
when wise women, wise men or those commonly known as hedge witches,
used herbal potions and made prophecies.
As well as some exciting adventures, when Grayling must use all her
wits and courage to keep going, there are many moments of humour as
the companions learn to travel together. Each of the characters,
from Auld Nancy to Pansy, are fully developed, with their own funny
idiosyncrasies, and strengths and weaknesses while Pook, the little
mouse, is a delightful creature that readers are sure to love. A
slight hint of romance with the young paper maker is also a welcome
touch.
This delightful coming of age story, with its themes of courage and
determination, of gaining self confidence and finding ways to be a
leader, will appeal to middle school students and all who enjoy
historical fantasy.
Pat Pledger
Mrs Dog by Janeen Brian
Ill. by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall. Five Mile Press, 2016. ISBN
9781760066451
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Animals. Dogs. Families. Courage. An
ailing lamb in the paddock is found by Mrs Dog and her farmer,
Tall-One as they survey the mob of sheep. Tall-One tells the dog to
leave it but Mrs Dog takes the lamb back to her basket at the
homestead. Here she looks after the ailing lamb and Tall-Two gives
it some spare milk. With all this help, the baby animal, Baa-rah
thrives until it is time for Mrs Dog to teach it how to be a farm
dog. She is at the end of her working life so needs a well trained
dog to take her place. But this one does not seem to take to the
instructions of belly crawl and beg or pounce, and is even worse
when being taught to bark. Readers will laugh out loud at Mrs Dog's
attempts to teach the lamb, but on the very next page, danger lurks.
Mrs Dog, on returning to the farm, is attacked by Beaky-Wing and falls
over the dangerous cliff she has warned Baa-rah to avoid. Baa-rah
realises that something has happened to Mrs Dog when she does not
return and goes to great lengths to get help from the farmer,
finally doing something that Mrs Dog has tried unsuccessfully to
teach, to attract Tall-One's attention.
This is a charming story of love and courage, of the links between
all animals, of caring for something in need. In helping the lamb
survive, the old farm dog has that favour returned when she needs
help later on.
Our interdependence is made clear through the story of the farm dog
and the stray lamb and children will be enthralled to read of how
the selfless act of the dog not only saved the lamb's life, but also
her own.
Fran Knight
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Macmillan, 2015. ISBN 9781447294139 (Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. This was a stunning read, worthy of all the awards and nominations that it has been given (Hugo Award Nominee for Best Novel, 2016, Nebula Award for Best Novel, 2015, Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction, 2015). Agnieszka loves her quiet valley home which is bordered by an evil Wood that can swallow people or turn them mad. The village and valley is shielded by the Dragon, a wizard, who in return for his protection takes a village girl every ten years to serve him. When the girls return to the village they are changed forever and no longer want to stay in the valley. The time of choosing is fast approaching and everyone expects that Agnieszka's beautiful friend Kasia will be selected, but no one can really predict who the Dragon will take and it is not Kasia that he finally chooses. Novik has written a beautifully imaginative story loosely based on European folklore. Agnieszka is a wonderful heroine who gradually learns of her magical powers as a witch. Together with Sarkan, the Dragon wizard, she faces the corrupted Tree woman who is determined to take over their world. There are sorcerous battles, magic summonings and frightening heart-trees that can absorb people into their trunk and limbs that keep the reader breathless with suspense. A touch of romance between the unlikely pair - the cranky Dragon and untidy Agnieszka add to the interest in the story and the enduring friendship between Agnieszka and her friend Kasia that all make for a very engrossing fantasy novel. I loved this story from the author of the Temeraire series. It is sure to please lovers of high fantasy and fans of Robin Hobb, Trudi Cavavan and Juliet Marillier. Pat Pledger
Eliza Rose by Lucy Worsley
Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408869437
(Age: Older teen readers) Themes: English History; Royalty; Life as
a Courtier; King Henry VIII; Katherine Howard. This book is marketed
as a children's novel. The cover is sweetly 'cute' and cartoon-like
and the narrative begins naively, recounting the early life of the
main character. However this is not an innocent telling of this
historical period! As the life of the feisty red-headed Eliza
progresses, we are taken into the somewhat risque and adult world of
King Henry VIII's court. Lucy Worsley does not leave out detail
about adultery and the coquettish role of the Ladies-in-Waiting and
even detail about the King's bedroom behaviours are included. For a
sub-teen, this detail is confronting and although the history is so
well known that it is expected, it is not easy to recommend this for
a naive, immature reader. (How early is too early to lay bare the
rampant behaviour of the Henry VIII court, with adultery and sexual
exploitation as part of the norm? I am sure that Worsley has toned
this down for the book, but it is still perhaps too scandalous for
the under-12 audience suggested by the cover.) Katherine Howard's
ultimate fate and execution might be well known to an older reader,
but this too is fairly clearly detailed.
Having given warning, I can still say that this is an interesting
tale and a compelling novel for an older reader, written from the
perspective of Katherine Howard's fictional cousin. We get a good
look at life for those who were attempting to marry well by being
placed in the Royal Court in a position that could lead to a
profitable marriage. The Royal life and the surrounding entourage
and life-style of grand dresses and feasts are all interesting when
seen from the perspective of the female Courtiers, trained from a
young age to 'play their part' in adorning the Royal world. King
Henry VIII is revealed with all his flaws, and the central character
is uncomfortably close to the grieving King after Katherine's death.
Worsley has written in a youthful and simple style, but the mature
content does not translate well for a child audience.
Carolyn Hull
Editor's note: Teacher's
notes are available.
Lenny and Lucy by Philip C. Stead
Ill. by Erin E. Stead. Allen and Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760292119
(Age: All) I recall reading a short piece by Stephen Romei, the
literary editor of The Australian, speaking about the best reads for
2016. On top of his anticipated list was the new picture book by
Philip C. Stead. Stead's earlier book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee,
and a winner of the Caldecott Medal, is a charming story of how the
animals at the City Zoo visit the zoo-keeper when he has to take a
sick day. Gentle drawings in muted shades illustrate both books,
with charcoal being the medium for Lenny and Lucy, his new
title. Peter and his Dad, along with Harold the dog, are moving to a
new house, but they have to drive through dark woods and over a
bridge before they get there. Harold and Peter are very unsettled at
night as they look out to the landscape beyond the house. The next
day Peter improvises a 'guard of the bridge', called Lenny, made
from pillows and blankets. Inevitably, Peter realises that Lenny is
lonely so Lucy is made from leaves and cloths, to keep him company.
Daytime play centres around the two new friends, with Millie soon
joining them from next door. With just the right amount of text,
placed so well amongst the delightful illustrations, this picture
book has great appeal for young and older readers. Overcoming fears
and making new friends in unfamiliar places are observed
beautifully.
Julie Wells
