Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781760158798
(Age: Upper primary, Lower secondary) Award winning Australian
writer, Jack Heath, has produced another thrilling book, featuring
10 stories, 10 dangerous situations, 10 brave kids and 40 minutes to
escape.
Directed at reluctant readers, each of the ten stories in this
collection is designed to be read in 40 minutes and a countdown is
included in the page margins.
Teenagers are the heroes of these stories, each placed in a
situation of grave danger, battling against overwhelming odds to
survive. For example, Nancy must rescue her dog and ensure that both
escape from a sinking ship, Charith must steer a bus full of
classmates down a mountainside while being pursued by an assassin
and Tak has to protect his colleagues from a rogue killer robot.
Mr List, the mysterious collector of animals, is the threatening
villain in some of these stories, and the members of the agency,
SPII, weave in and out.
Readers looking for a fast paced resolution of the plot and who like
the challenge of trying to reach the denouement in 40 minutes, or
even beat the countdown, will enjoy these stories.
Thelma Harvey
Nothing! by Yasmeen Ismail
Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408873366
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Imagination. When Lila is asked a question
about what she is doing, she replies 'Nothing!' twirling a piece of
paper, or eating a crumbly biscuit, but the illustrations belie what
she has said. Turning the page we see the wildest of images, as she
turns the thing she is playing with into the most imaginative of
quests, facing a fearsome beastie, tumbling over an elephant's back
in a circus or climbing the Eiffel Tower with a young girl in her
arms. Each image is extreme in its depiction as she conquers one
thing after another, finally meeting her grandfather and telling him
about the wonderful adventures she has been having and inviting him
along. And just like all good grandpas, he follows her into one of
her adventures.
A delightful story of imagination and adventure, Lila does things
that are out of the ordinary, turning small things into brave
adventures, risking life and limb to take more risks, taking a road
into uncertainty. With bright, swirling illustrations to attract the
reader, Lila's story is a wonderful homage to imagination and taking
a risk, even if only in thought. Turning the ordinary into something
fabulous, the little mundane things into tall towers and circus
animals, all are designed to capture a reader's imagination. The water
colour swirls are wonderful, capturing Lila's excitement as she lets
her imagination soar.
Fran Knight
Get coding by David Whitney (Young Rewired State)
Walker Books,2016. ISBN 9781406366846
(Ages: 9+) Non Fiction. Get coding is an engaging
introduction to creating your own webpages, apps and games online.
It covers a basic introduction to HTML, CSS and JavaScript, some of
the main web based programming languages. It takes the reader
through six missions and tasks created around the disappearance of
the famous Monk Diamond, a fictional scenario developed for the
purpose of coding experiences. The book was produced by Young
Rewired State which is a worldwide group of eighteen and under
digital makers. Get coding utilises Duncan Beedie's cartoon-like characters, speech
bubbles, 'Did you notice?' boxes and colour coding of chapters, to
draw the reader into the concepts covered. Each mission is clearly
stated and supported with step by step instructions before launching
into do it yourself tasks. Readers are directed to weblinks such as
the Get coding kids website
for further help and are encouraged at the end of the book to
continue to develop their skills through other websites.
First steps into any programming language can be daunting, but
provided younger coders are supported with adult help when needed,
they can work through this book to successfully create their first
web content.
Annette Mesecke
The unexpected everything by Morgan Matson
Simon and Schuster, 2016. ISBN 9781471146145
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Romance. Family relations. Friendship. A
perfect holiday read filled with likeable characters and funny
moments, Matson has written an enjoyable romance that is sure to
engage its readers. Andie has her future all planned out - a top
medical school, no serious relationships and avoiding her
Congressman father. All that falls through when a political crisis
sees her father at home and her summer internship cancelled.
Desperate, she takes on a dog walking job, gets to know the nerdy
Clark and hangs out with her friends, Palmer, Bri, Toby and Tom.
Matson's flowing narrative and snappy dialogue made this an
addictive read. Andie's plight of finding her summer plans in chaos
because of the scandal surrounding her father provide the impetus
for her to find another job - dog walking - and this is not what she
had wanted at all. However when she starts to walk Clark's dog
things begin to look up. Clark is the author of a best-selling
fantasy series, living alone in his publisher's house and fighting
writer's block. Home-schooled, he is fascinated by Andie and the
dynamics of her friendship group and the fun that they have
together, swimming in his pool and going on a scavenger hunt.
Andie also has to come to grips with her father, at home for a
lengthy period for the first time since the death of her mother from
cancer. Andie has been used to living her own life, with an odd
assorted of relatives to look after her and no set curfew so it is a
shock to have her father looking out for her. The growth of their
relationship is a feel good aspect of the book.
Filled with lots of funny moments, a heart wrenching look at
friendship between girls, and a moving romance The unexpected
everything is sure to be a winner.
Pat Pledger
The cat wants custard by P Crumble
Ill. by Lucinda Gifford. Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781760155780
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Cats, Humour, Likes and dislikes. The cat
that stares out of each page demanding custard will immediately
remind the readers of the cats they know about: those at home or in
neighbours' yards. The haughty, self involved expression on its face
is a give away that he is just like all other cats, self absorbed
and the centre of their own universes.
He wants custard, and when called to the kitchen for his tea, runs
through the possibilities of what the woman will give him. He
rejects many offerings: chicken and gravy, beef, pigs' ears,
sardines, and thinks just about custard. He tries to tell the woman
how much he wants custard by miming the word, thinking about it so
that she will think about it too, and spelling out the words with
his body. He sits by the fridge all night trying different things,
willing the door to open, but all to no avail, he falls asleep. But
during the night the woman comes along for a snack and leaves the
door open. His dream has come to fruition, he leaps into the fridge
and finds a bowl of custard but a big surprise waits for him.
The book with its wonderful illustrations of a manic cat will
initiate discussions about likes and dislikes, about what to do when
asking parents for something that you like, what to do if offered
food that it not to your taste, and so on. The story humorously
depicts the cat and its antics designed to get the food it wants,
and then the author turns the story on its head with a funny twist
which will ensure the readers dissolve in laughter.
Fran Knight
Tiny Timmy: Living the dream by Tim Cahill and Julian Gray
Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781760273651
(Ages: 6+) Recommended. Timmy finds himself dreaming of playing
soccer for Australia and when the opportunity comes up to be
involved in a match with the Australian team, he works extra hard to
realise his dream. He meets a new friend, Sienna, who is a mad keen
soccer player as well and they enter a soccer tricks competition to
earn a spot assisting at Australia's next game.
Living the Dream is the third book in the Tiny Timmy series by Tim
Cahill and continues to promote a positive message of not losing
sight of your goals. The text is highly engaging with variable fonts
to highlighted keywords and expressions. Chunks of text are
regularly supported by Heath McKenzie's illustrations making Living
the Dream an accessible book for a range of readers.
This book is recommended for soccer or sporting fans in general and
those who enjoy a more graphic style of text layout.
Annette Mesecke
The witch's kiss by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr
The witch's kiss, bk 1. HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN
9780008182984
(Age: 13+) Witchcraft. Magic. Fairy tale retelling.
Sixteeen-year-old Meredith has decided not to use her powers as a
witch after something went badly wrong, but her family history
ensures that her magic will be used. When she finds a box with a
braid of hair and other artefacts inside it her grandmother tells
her that her destiny is to save the world from a wicked magician,
Gwydion, and Jack, the King of Hearts. With her brother Leo, she
meets Jack in his human form, and gradually details of the tragic
story unfold as Merry goes back in dreams to the time when Jack was
cursed as a baby and when her ancestors, the three sisters, try to
break the curse. The witch's kiss, which is easy to read, will appeal to those
who enjoy the genre of fairy tale retelling. Instead of a princess
being cursed in a cradle, a baby boy prince is cursed and when he
turns 18, the wicked magician Gwydion comes for him, and makes him
take the hearts of lovers, which Gwydion then uses to grow his
magic. Merry is a likeable heroine who has to come to grips with her
powers and make some difficult decisions especially as she comes to
love Jack. Her brother Leo is a great side-kick, supportive and
helpful while the witch's coven, led by Merry's grandmother, make an
interesting contribution as well.
The suspense of wondering whether Merry will survive the trials that
face her keeps the reader engrossed and the rescue attempt under the
lake is exciting. The romance is low key and while the book can be
read as a stand-alone, there is another to follow, The witch's
tears, which may divulge whether true love's kiss saves the
day.
Pat Pledger
The book of Pearl by Timothee De Fombelle
Walker Books, 2016. ISBN 9781406364620
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. A love that lasts for an eternity. A
love that started in one world, a world of fairytales, and continued
in the world we know. In The book of Pearl, we meet Joshua
Pearl. Once, he was Ilian, a prince of the fairytale world until he
was banished to our world and separated from his one true love,
Olia. In the new world, Ilian is taken in by the Pearls and soon
takes on the identity of their dead son Joshua. It is wartime in
Europe and it is while he is a prisoner of war that Joshua discovers
objects that prove his fairytale world exists. Joshua believes
collecting the objects - a mermaid's scale, an archer's bow, a part
of his crib and many others - can open a doorway back home.
Unbeknown to Joshua, Olia was also banished to our world but she was
cursed. She is cursed to only see Joshua but to never be seen by
him. Olia becomes his shadow, his guardian angel. Always there
helping but never seen.
It is a chance encounter with a 14 year old boy that turns this love
story into a story for the whole world to know. The book of Pearl is beautifully written and translated from
French to English. The text is descriptive and emotional and will
hook the reader from the start. It will have the reader believing in
true love. Several storylines are used to tell the story and it
jumps between the past and the present with each chapter. Highly
recommended for readers aged 11+ as well as for adults who enjoy a
well told story.
Kylie Kempster
Ella Diaries: Worst camp ever by Meredith Costain
Scholastic Australia, 2016. ISBN 9781760157180
(Age: 6-10) Recommended. School camps. Pranks. Competition. Ella's
really excited about going to the school camp. She's looking forward
to doing all the activities but is determined to keep writing in her
diary. Discovering that Peach Parker is in the same cabin makes this
a bit difficult, but she covers the diary with a disguise: a cover
called 'What unusual animal is that? A field guide and workbook'. Then
she faithfully records all the fun and games, food and pranks that
happen at the camp as well as the scary moments like hearing spooky
noises at night and having to go on the giant swing.
Filled with humorous comments and delightful little illustrations,
the reader is taken on a fun trip as Ella and her friends navigate
through the complexities of sharing a cabin and having to work in a
team with people they don't like. Readers will laugh out loud at the
pranks that the campers get up to and empathise with Ella as she
overcomes her fear of heights. The mechanics of team work,
friendship and petty rivalries are brought out subtly and in a funny
way in Ella's handwritten diary and cute drawings.
This series is one that has a lot of appeal especially to children
who enjoyed Dork Diaries and the Wimpy kid series.
Worst camp ever can be read as a stand-alone and children are sure
to want to find others in the series.
Pat Pledger
44 days: 75 squadron and the fight for Australia by Michael Veitch
Hachette, 2016. ISBN 9780733633638
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) The story of the Battle of Kokoda
has been well told. However, the World War 2 battle in the skies
above Port Moresby has not been as well known, until now. Michael
Veitch vividly describes the extremely brave men who, over 44 days
in 1942, with little preparation or material support, flew missions
in Kittyhawks against the superior Japanese Zero aircraft. The
airmen had an extraordinary squadron leader, John Jackson, whose
bravery was an inspiration. However, in the end the unit was
overwhelmed through loss of virtually all their aircraft, erroneous
tactics and the lack of support from the air force hierarchy.
The book includes 15 photographs, maps and chapter notes. The author
provides detailed accounts of the actions of many of the airmen and
demonstrates wonderful background knowledge of the aircraft
involved, as well as the physical conditions the men had to survive
on the ground. But for the author's research, these heroic deeds
would have never been told.
Paul Pledger
Goodnight Spaceman by Michelle Robinson and Nick East
Puffin, 2016. ISBN 9780141365626
(Age: 4-7) Recommended. Space travel. Space. Adventure. An inspiring
story about space travel and being an astronaut, this is a book that
will inspire young children to reach for the stars. Two little boys
get ready for bed and after saying good night to their shuttle, base
and darkest space they zoom away on an adventure in a space rocket.
The book begins with an introduction by ESA astronaut Tim Peake, who
has two small sons who dream of having adventures in space just like
the two children in the book. He is the first official British ESA
astronaut and has spent time aboard the International Space Station.
The book, beautifully illustrated by Nick East, takes the two
children through space up on a space rocket past the planets and
onto the space station. Not only is space depicted in gorgeous
colours, readers will learn about what it is like inside a space
station through the detailed and engaging drawings of its interior.
The rhyming story is perfect to read aloud. The large print and
rhythm of the tale will also be helpful in encouraging beginning
readers to have a go at reading for themselves.
This is lovely book to read at bedtime, but would also be great to
use in the classroom when children are looking at space and
travelling to the planets.
Pat Pledger
Black by Fleur Ferris
Random House Australia, 2016. ISBN 9781925324976
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Thriller. Horror. Superstition. Ebony
Marshall, known as Black, is desperate to leave Dainsfield, the
small country town where she is in her final year of high school.
Rumours that she is cursed have followed her since three of her best
friends have died in accidents and now she finds it easy to be
alone. But when her date for the formal ends up in intensive care,
the whispers stir again and Black finds herself in danger.
A highly addictive thriller, Black had me glued to the page
to the surprising end which is not for the faint-hearted. Black's
resilience and courage were highlights of the book as she faces the
wild rumours that spread about her. Her job helping Ed test the
water in the dams around the town added a depth to her life in a
country town, with its gossip, cliques, religious groups, secrets
and strange happenings. Ed is willing to help her out with
friendship and more as the whispers escalate, and Aiden, her date
for the formal is another great character, willing to look below the
surface of the town gossip, as are the A's a group of girls who do
stand up for her.
The suspense as Black faced the secrets of the town had me holding
my breath. The last chapters were dark and spell binding and kept me
guessing right to the stunning conclusion. Readers who love
thrillers will not be able to put Black down.
Pat Pledger
Penelope the Mountain Pygmy Possum by Gordon Winch
New Frontier Publishing, 2016. ISBN 9781925059595
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Penelope the Mountain Pygmy Possum
is a beautifully illustrated picture book about a pygmy possum.
Readers will want to look at the details in the illustrations as
they read about Penelope and her problem. It is the end of winter
and Penelope is waiting for her mate Percy to return. Unfortunately,
over winter, a new road was started and Percy and the other male
possums can't cross safely. How will they get home? Penelope the Mountain Pygmy Possum is a tale of how changes
to the land affect the lives of wildlife. It is a tale of how humans
step into help (I especially like the part when Percy and his
friends go and chat to the ranger). It is about animal conversation
and the struggles animals face.
This book would be great for the classroom, especially in a Science
of Geography lesson. It would also be good when discussing the
elements of a narrative and would look great deconstructed as a
storyboard.
This book is highly recommended for young readers and their parents
as well as readers aged 7+ who can read it independently.
Kylie Kempster
Macmillan Children's Books, 2016. ISBN 9781509809899
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Romance. Diversity. This collection features
twelve stories, by 12 well known US authors writing for adolescents:
Leigh Bardugo, Nina LaCour, Libba Bray, Francesca Lia Block,
Stephanie Perkins, Tim Federle, Veronica Roth, Jon Skovran, Brandy
Colbert, Cassandra Clare, Jennifer E Smith and Lev Grossman. The
collection had a range of genres, from adolescent, fantasy, to
horror so some stories will have more appeal than others depending
on the reader's liking for a particular type of genre.
It is a collection that the reader can dip into to find stories by
their favourite authors as well as find stories and genres by
authors that may be new to them. One of my favourites was Head,
scales, tongue, tail by Leigh Bardugo which appears to have
all the hallmarks of a summer romance until the quirky twist at the
end. Another that appealed was Last Stand At the Cinegore by
Libba Bray, a look at a classic horror movie that comes alive - lots
of humour and excitement here! Sick pleasure by Francesca
Lia Block was not your traditional love story at all and will make
the reader think about the meaning of love. Another that took a
different approach to love was Good luck and farewell by
Brandy Colbert where Rashida has to come to grips with the fact that
her beloved cousin is moving to San Francisco with her girlfriend. The
map of tiny perfect things by Lev Grossman has its two
characters facing the same day over and over and having to find
perfect things to keep going.
With its mixture of romance, race and diversity, this is sure to be
a popular collection, although not as light hearted as My true
love gave to me: Twelve holiday stories also edited by
Stephanie Perkins.
Pat Pledger
Blueberry pancakes forever by Angelica Banks
Tuesday McGillycuddy series. Allen and Unwin, 2016. ISBN
9781760110451
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Have you ever wondered where writers
get their ideas? Have you ever wondered why stories sound and feel
real? Well, Blueberry Pancakes Forever tells us of a world, a
magical world of writers. In this world, the Librarian is the keeper
of the stories and the Gardener is the carer of the story worlds.
Tuesday McGillycuddy and her mum Serendipity are writers. Only
writers visit the story world. Their stories are about a fairy-like
girl named Vivienne Small and to write a story means to live in the
world as the story unfolds.
Since the death of Denis, Tuesday's dad, Tuesday and her mum haven't
written a story. They haven't even visited Vivienne's world. Sadness
fills their hearts and their homes until Collette arrives to help.
Serendipity is called to the story world and Tuesday is pulled into
Vivienne Small's world by an unknown force; by a character who
doesn't belong there. Does Tuesday have the imagination to help her
escape? Can Collette enter a world of writers in the hope of getting
Tuesday back? How does a small dog turn into a large, winged dog? Blueberry Pancakes Forever is a mesmerising read and an
exploration of loss, love, family and imagination. The story is
engaging and exciting and will hook readers quickly. It is highly
recommended for girls aged 10+ and is part of the Tuesday
McGillycuddy series. It is written by two Australian authors
who share a pen name and have created an enchanting world.
Hopefully, Blueberry Pancakes Forever will also encourage
the secret writer to create their own stories.
Kylie Kempster
