Ford Street Publishing, 2016. ISBN 9781925272277
(Age: 11-14) Sunday Balewo is sixteen, a keen soccer player and in
love with Holly Parr. His father is also President for Life of an
African nation, Zantugi.
But everything changes dramatically when Sunday's parents are killed
in a coup and Sunday himself is being targeted, not by a guerrilla
but by a baboon, a trained animal wearing a suicide vest.
Even though Sunday escapes the immediate attack, the baboon and its
handlers are determined to track him down. He must find somewhere to
hide and someone to help him. Anyone breaking the curfew at night is
in danger of being shot, which makes Sunday's plight even more
hazardous.
Just as in D'Ath's Extreme Adventure series, the plot is
fast paced, unpredictable and full of suspense. Some of the facts we
discover about the baboon, and some twists in the plot are less than
credible but entertainment is the main focus here. Upper Primary and
Lower Secondary students of both sexes will enjoy this story and
empathise with Sunday.
Thelma Harvey
Jimmy Cook discovers third grade by Kate and Jol Temple
Ill. by Jon Foye. Allen & Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760291938
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Humour. Australian history. School.
Jimmy Cook becomes a butt of jokes in class when he insists that he
is related to Captain James Cook, despite the man having no known
descendants. This does not deter Jimmy however and he is sure that
he must go on an adventure just like his forebear, this time to
Hawaii where Captain Cook was killed, as Jimmy firmly believes that
the place needs a dose of law and order.
History Week at school gives him another forum for discussing the
Captain, and he does this at length, going to such extremes as
dressing his hair in the same way and wearing a tricorn hat. Luckily
a certain brand of cereal has a competition running which sees Jimmy
collecting all the coupons he can with the help of his friends, in
order to win first prize, a trip to Hawaii. But one hitch is that
his enemy in class, Alice, is also collecting the coupons so they are
rivals. There follows a funny story of Jimmy and his ambition often
thwarted by Alice, but the rivalry which exists in third grade is
well drawn, and the accompanying wonderful illustrations which dot
the pages are a treat. I particularly love the inventory of Captain
Cook's things adding much interest to the behind the scenes history
of such a voyage of exploration. Learning history at this sort of
pace is most infectious and I hope we will see more of Jimmy Cook.
Fran Knight
The furball strikes back by Aaron Blabey
The bad guys, episode 3. Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781760157265
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Animals, Adventure, Heroism.
Subtitled, The furball strikes back, readers who laughed
their way through Episode 2 with the break in at the Sunnyside
Chicken Farm, will know that the owner, Doctor Rupert Marmalade,
will be wreaking revenge upon our heroes. Led by Mr Wolf, the three
other friends, Mr Snake, Mr Piranha and Legs have gone along with
his plans of shrugging off their bad guy images by doing good deeds.
So far this has not gone well, but releasing the chickens from the
Stalag type chicken farm has at least gained them a host of friends,
if only of the chicken variety.
But Doctor Marmalade is out for revenge and tricks them into coming
to his lair where he captures them and ties them up, not knowing
that Mr Piranha is still outside.
Blabey's graphic novel style, giving the story in short easily
digested chapters full of laugh out loud cartoon images, will have
readers grabbing this book from the shelf. The pages are full of
movement as the characters pit their strengths against those of
Doctor Marmalade, and the various styles used by comic writers shine
out. Pages change from whole page illustrations to those where three
or four lines of pictures are used while different fonts and font
sizes are used, and some faces peer out at the reader with an
intimate gaze. It adds up to a wholly fascinating story which
furthers the adventures of the four heroes to the great enjoyment of
the readers.
And of course, Episode 4 is coming as zombie kittens make their
presence felt.
Fran Knight
WeirDo: Crazy Weird by Anh Do
Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781760159085
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Weir Do visits the dentist and
discovers he needs braces. How embarrassing! Will he ever open his
mouth again? Mum can't make him and his pets keep running away from
him. How will he ever get through a day at the fun fair with his
friends? Worse yet, the girls he likes keeps on wanting to talk to
him. There is no way Weir Do wants her to see his teeth! WeirDo - Crazy Weird is book 6 in the WeirDo
collection and is highly entertaining. The author has the right mix
of silly events, black and white images and a variety of fonts to
help create an engaging story. It features short bursts of text,
making it a great first novel for budding readers. Highly
recommended for boys aged 7+ but girls will enjoy it as well. The
book is also very supportive of more reluctant readers thanks to the
short text, interesting illustrations and quick moving storyline.
Kylie Kempster
Flawed by Cecelia Ahern
Harper Collins 2016. ISBN 9780008126360
(Age: 14+) Is there anything worse than imperfection? In a world
that champions perfection should your flaws be laid bare for the
world to see? With a system that is inherently flawed - how can it
be overthrown? From within? Or from without, could the Flawed rise
up and begin a revolution? How? Who would lead them?
When the system fails and you become the most flawed person in
existence what do you do? Sentenced to five brands (foot, hand,
heart, head, and tongue) for the simple act of compassion towards
another human being, Celestine North finds herself the reluctant
emblem of a revolution she never had any intention of fighting. She
put her trust in one man, her boyfriend's father, Judge Crevan. A
fearsome man, but a man just the same. With Crevan and her family
pressuring her to lie in the courts when she is on trial for being
flawed, Celestine begins to question a system that would judge her
flawed for simply helping an old, sick man who just happened to be
flawed. Even though he was flawed, he, like Judge Crevan, was just a
man. For her compassion and her honesty Celestine's life is forever
changed - she can never go back to her life of utter perfection. Her
dreams, her plans, and her future are all ruined-forever.
Sitting in the same class as Veronica Roth's Divergent
series, Flawed is certainly recommended for girls aged
fourteen and up who like dystopians. While the first few chapters
are questionable, the book improves and mellows out into an easy
read with a great and terrifying concept. Certainly something to
make the reader appreciate our society.
Kayla Gaskell (University student)
The girl who raced Fairyland all the way home by Catherynne M. Valente
Atom, 2016. ISBN 9781472112835
Recommended for fantasy lovers. Fantasy. Adventure. Fairies.
Magical world. This is unlike anything I have read before, although
there is an essence of Alice and a looking-glass world, a
hint of a crossover with a Wardrobe world, and a dose of psychedelic
fairy-tale adventure within its idiosyncratic style. My desire is to
write a review that reveals a little of the cloudburst that has
occurred within me as I read. This is a book with a magical
maelstrom of characters that are woven in a kaleidoscope of fantasy
magic, adventure and mystery, mixed with a pandemic of
inscrutability. The windstorm of characterisation of features and
follies is at first very difficult to follow, and the ultimate
fantasy 'Race' to sort out who deserves to be the current reigning
Royal takes the reader to places that no one knows or can fathom.
The confusion of plot and characters at first floored this reader -
it was hard to create a mental image of all that was exploding onto
the page in this unique fantasy creation. However the idiosyncrasies
and inherent humour of the language used, and the quirks of
expression were so unique that they had an irresistible charm that
created a desire to keep reading. (I am not so sure that this would
be enough for some younger readers, who would find the worlds and
wordsmithery confusing.) Note the following early descriptive
example to describe the world in which we find the central
character, September.
'A vast and hungry country takes tea somewhat differently than you
and I. Fairyland's teatime consisted of a dollop of rain in the
Autumn Provinces, a particular delicate icing of clouds over the
Painted Forest, a healthy squeeze of blazing sun in the Hourglass
Desert, and a fresh, green wind blowing wild through the streets and
alleyways and secret corners of Pandemonium.' (p2)
The winner in this incredibly unique telling is the language use;
metaphor, simile, word-play, personification and a general licking
of alliteration at every turn. The characters are also given
exceptional features, costumes and skills by the author Valente, who
obviously has a very verdant imagination. Each chapter has a
Dickens-like preamble to guide the reader into the next panoply of
wonder.
This can be recommended to those who love fantasy deeply, but who
also are inspired by words and wordplay. It might be confusing for
those who lack persistence or who devour books in small bites! This
is the last of the Fairyland series... but the first I have
read. It may be that those who already love this world would not be as
likely to be confused.
Carolyn Hull
Fizz and the dog academy rescue by Lesley Gibbes
Ill. by Stephen Michael King. Fizz series. Allen and Unwin,
2016. ISBN 9781760112844
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Dogs. Police. A second book in this
wonderful new series about Fizz the police dog, see the animals at
their training academy. Gibbes has fun having the dogs arrive in
vehicles which bely their size and breed. They are first checked
over by a vet and here we see that Amadeus, the burly German
Shepherd is still as dictatorial and rude as ever.
At the academy they are given tasks to achieve and as the story
proceeds, it is obvious that someone is sabotaging their efforts.
The balance bean collapses, trapping Apollo beneath it and he must
go to the clinic for help. But the teeth marks on the beam seem to
impel Fizz into action as he puts all of his skills into place to
suss out the saboteur. He amasses a number of clues before he is
able to expose the problem and a funny conclusion is reached which
will surprise the reader.
Again the humour is evident as Amadeus is up to his old tricks of
belittling the other dogs, while Fizz is able to make friends with
some new faces. Kings's illustrations are a treat, giving an image
for readers to concentrate on as they read, and giving another level
of humour for children to laugh at.
These will be sought after in schools, libraries and bookshops, and
another two are available as well, Fizz and the show dog jewel
thief, and Fizz and the handbag dognapper. With short,
easy to read chapters and a contents page, these will be a hit with
new readers.
Fran Knight
Fizz and the police dog tryouts by Lesley Gibbes
Ill. by Stephen Michael King. Allen and Unwin, 2016. ISBN
9781760112851
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Dogs. Police. Employment. A laugh out
loud story of Fizz, desperate to be a police dog, and help with the
running down and capture of criminals, but hampered by his breed. He
is a fluffy little lap dog, destined like his parents and siblings
to be a show dog or a companion dog, not a working dog like the
bigger dogs, Rottweilers and German Shepherds. He is booked in to
see Ms Trunchon from the Dog Employment Agency and is determined not
to go.
His friend, Tom suggests he go along to the police dog tryouts the
next day, so determined and bold, he goes. He is astonished to find
that many dogs have lined up at the gates, and all very different
from him. There are German Shepherds and Rottweilers, Bulldogs and
Labradors, all large and powerful and some full of bravado.
One German Shepherd, Amadeus, the son of a police dog, bullies other
dogs around him to ensure that he wins the competitions.
Three tests are given to the dogs and as each fails the test, so
they are told to go home. The tension is palpable and despite
Amadeus and his entourage baiting Fizz, calling him names and
belittling him, he carries on. Readers will be surprised that he
does not win the main competition but relieved when he is taken
along to be a different sort of police dog, one where his skills can
be put to better use.
This is a lovely opener to a new series about Fizz, leading the
reader into the scenario where he is a police dog, working with the
police to sniff out crimes and criminals. The series has a lot which
will endear it to a readership as it promotes standing up for
oneself, working for a goal that everyone says is beyond you and
standing up to bullying. All the elements are there for a successful
series of books, and Fizz is a delightful character with many other
minor characters just as endearing. King's lovely illustrations
add to the humour of the tale, as each dog is given their own
characteristics, and Sergeant Stern is a treat. King obviously
enjoyed adding to the humour of the book through his illustrations
and they suit the story admirably.
It's great to see an early chapter book series with a contents page
and short, easy to read chapters, just right for newly arrived
readers.
Fran Knight
Thanks for the trouble by Tommy Wallach
Simon and Schuster, 2016. ISBN 9781471146121
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. 'Take stealing, for example. My Dad
taught me that our society punishes people who only steal a little,
but it rewards people who steal a lot.'
Parker Sante is a creative spirit who doesn't speak. He writes. He
truants school and spends his time in the foyers of hotels. He
watches guests and steals.
The day he meets a silver haired girl his life changes forever. She
thinks he has a 'deranged form of graphomania' and he thinks Zelda
is throwing her life away.
'Well, I'll make you a deal. I'll go to college if you don't jump
off the Golden Gate Bridge.'
Would you want to live forever? This book explores the compromises
made when life is without end, contrasting this with a life not
lived, but avoided.
'Young people feel things so deeply, don't they?' she said quietly,
almost to herself. 'Everything's happening for the first time.'
These two well developed and engaging characters affect each other
deeply, but the life of only one of them will be transformed. The
short stories written by Parker add another layer of depth to an
already intriguing narrative. Is Zelda who she says she is? Can you
ever become tired of life? There is an exploration of friendship
that reveals many home truths and quiet understandings about the
nature of humans and the grace of kindness.
Wallach has created scenarios that resonate with the world of the
young adults and reinforces the value of believing in and remaining
true to yourself.
Linda Guthrie
Being you is enough and other important stuff by Josh Langley
Big Sky Publishing, 2016. ISBN 9781925275827
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Subjects: Wellbeing, Affirmations,
Self Esteem, Positive Thinking.
Always dream big, really big.
Josh Langley understands the important things children need to know
about self-esteem, how to cope with the pressures of everyday life
and the power of positive thinking. Being You Is Enough is an
engaging and inspiring book with down-to-earth messages accompanied
by a simple, colourful line drawings.
A great way to start the day, begin a morning at school, leave the
bright, colourful book open at any one quote and start a rewarding
conversation. Whether a child is undergoing a difficult time with
his or her peers, experiencing thoughts of self doubt, or just needs
a kick-start this book delivers affirming messages.
Being you is enough. You are perfect just the way you are.
We all feel awkward at times.
It's ok to be different.
Eleven easy to read chapters explore the Important Stuff. Josh
Langley core beliefs of celebrating the absurd and wonderful are
simple and powerful messages.
This book will have universal appeal, for families to share, in
classes and preschools, for counsellors and the mental health
profession to promote the central message of valuing our children
and building their emotional well being.
Rhyllis Bignell
Thicker than water by Brigid Kemmerer
Allen and Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781743318638
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. This book was impossible to out down.
'Stan was at work when she died. I was in my own bed. I don't know
which is worse.'
Thomas Bellweather lived with his mother and her new husband Sam.
Sam is a policeman. The story opens with Thomas preparing for his
mother's funeral. She was murdered in the house, while he was
sleeping. There was no forced entry and no sign of a struggle. What
happened?
Thomas is a suspect, in a small town where stories run wild and
police hold grudges. At the funeral he meets Charlotte Rooker and
they are attracted to each other. Her three brothers are policemen
and they are certain that Thomas is guilty. They are just as certain
their sister should have nothing to do with Thomas.
Complicated family relationships are explored and reveal the cracks
beneath the surface. Blood is, of course, thicker than water.
The reader will be pleased to find the story is not at the mercy of
a romance. The scene has been set for a thrilling mystery, and this
book does not disappoint. It is a wild ride that has the reader
angry with many characters in turn and very undecided as to the
guilt of the main players. Told by Thomas and Charlotte, this is a
book that grips the reader and provides a tantalising twist towards
the end.
Linda Guthrie
The Siren by Kiera Cass
HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9780008157937
(Age: 14+) Recommended. "You must never do anything that might
expose our secret. This means that, in general, you cannot form
close bonds with humans. You can speak to us, and you can always
commune with the Ocean, but you are deadly to humans."
If you enjoy romance and reading about the power of love, then this
is the book for you.
Kahlen is a siren and immortal. When humans hear her voice they are
compelled to drown. With her 'sisters' (Elizabeth, Miaka, and Padma)
Kahlen answers the bidding of the Ocean to lure humans to feed the
Ocean's hunger. Kahlen and her 'sisters' move house frequently to
hide the fact that they never age or become ill.
Akinli is a kind, handsome boy who is a genuinely nice person.
'I was meant to kiss this boy, designed to be held by him.'
Kahlen falls in love with him, and this is dangerous for both of
them. While this is the focus of the book, the real strength of the
story is the powerful bond between the sirens. Their support,
generosity and love for each other is the reason they can survive
being sentenced to immortality.
A romance and a fantasy, this is the perfect book for a lazy read
with a box of chocolates.
Linda Guthrie
Mango and Bambang: Tapir all at sea by Polly Faber
Ill. by Clara Vulliamy. Walker Books, 2016. ISBN 9781406361476
(Age: 5-8) Recommended. Themes: Animals; Friendship; Humour. This is
essentially a collection of short anecdotal and gently humourous
stories involving a young faithful girl, Mango Allsorts, and her
friend Bambang. Bambang is a tapir (not a pig!) and with Mango's
support and friendship he grows in confidence while getting into
interesting situations. He survives a ballet class, despite having
four ungraceful legs and eventually becomes a flamenco dancer; falls
out of a tree - collecting something very valuable on the way; is
chased across the city; is involved in a tapir-napping and the
potential loss of his companion. Faber has written in an
uncomplicated style and the charming Mango is an excellent role
model as a friend - never demanding the limelight and always
supporting Bambang even when others don't.
Illustrations by Vulliamy are uncomplicated and cute, and the
styling of the book is quite delightful - with a predominantly red,
black and white colour palette and red and white striping indicating
chapter breaks. Vulliamy is the daughter of renowned
Author-Illustrator Shirley Hughes, and there is a recognisable hint
of a familial style in the illustrations. In the manner of good
picture books, sometimes the illustrations add detail beyond the
written text.
This would also make a good read-aloud book for teachers or parents
to share with those not yet demonstrating independent reading.
(First: show a picture of a tapir so that this is understood.)
Recommended for aged 5 - 8
Carolyn Hull
Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9781460752043
(Age: 16+) Etta was 'Classical Music's Best Kept Secret.' She is an
eighteen year old violinist set to make her debut on the concert
scene. Her mother is also talented, but aloof.
'She's never going to care, no matter how much you kill yourself to
be the best. Are you even playing for yourself any more, or just in
the hope that one day she'll decide to listen.'
The reader may relate to the sacrifice needed to excel in your
chosen field or the challenge of striving for the attention of a
seemingly uninterested parent. Etta has sacrificed her social life
and pleasures in life to be the best.
On the night of her debut her life knocked off track through an act
of violence and revenge and Etta is transported to 1770. She meets
Nicholas and together they race across time and space in the vain
hope Etta can save her mother and make her way back to her home.
From World War II London to Damascus in 1599 they encounter threats
of violence and ruthless characters, while the extravagant
descriptions of clothing and scenery show the reader travelogue
across history.
Romance develops between Nicholas and Etta. The intensity of this
relationship adds little to the story, and moves the recommended age
to 16+.
Linda Guthrie
Everyone brave is forgiven by Chris Cleave
Sceptre, 2016. ISBN 9781473618701
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. When England declares war on Nazi
Germany, Mary North - a privileged young woman from an influential
family immediately offers her services to the War Office. Imagining
a posting in espionage, she is surprised to find herself assigned a
teaching role at a school in a poor area of London.
Education administrator Tom and art curator Alistair are best
friends who share a comfortably disordered flat until Alistair
enlists in the army and Tom is left feeling displaced and uneasy
after the change of circumstance.
Mary and Tom are brought together by her posting and a relationship
develops. Mary shows great character, throwing herself into her new
role, doing her utmost to teach and care for the unwanted and
disabled students left behind after their peers have been evacuated.
Tom struggles with his civilian status living in a city being
destroyed by endless bombing, whilst his best friend and most able
bodied men are in the services, fighting the Germans.
During the Dunkirk evacuation, Alistair proved himself to be a
highly competent Army officer who did his best to ensure the
survival and welfare of his men. His world view is dramatically
altered by the unimaginable violence of war and he feels
uncomfortable and insecure when catching up with Tom when on leave -
to meet his new girlfriend Mary and her best friend Dora.
The novel focuses closely on these characters and it is pleasing
that the familiar theme of Blitz ravaged England, starved by U-boats
and threatened by armies massing across the Channel, can once again
form a first rate, interesting tale. Jazz culture is one aspect
which is presented differently, with African American performers
being treated abominably by society whose ignorance and galling
arrogance produces a powerfully confronting style of racism.
Whilst this could be described as a romance, there is great depth in
terms of drama and historical detail which should make this appeal
to a wider readership. The war is seen to be a great leveller and
when aristocratic pretensions are stripped away, decent, likeable
and even heroic individuals emerge to do their best to help others
traumatised by the conflict.
Similarly, the siege and bombing of Malta - so extreme that it might
be considered bordering on exaggeration if it were not completely
true, is presented with great attention to detail. The reader
appreciates how brave and enduring the Maltese were in resisting an
unending attack under almost impossible conditions and how close the
allies came to losing the war.
This is an excellent book which suits readers 16+.
Rob Welsh
