Hachette Australia, 2015. ISBN 9780733634338
(Age: 10+) It has taken me a while to get to review this Younger
Readers' version of Robert Hoge's successful memoir. My Year 8
students have been working on an English task which was to research
and write a feature article about an inspirational hero and one of
my young ladies had chosen Robert because she had started reading
his memoir. I had just received this review copy so handed it to her
in case she might find it helpful as well. Not only does the book
come with her recommendation, she was so delighted that Robert
responded to her email to him and she has been able to ask him
questions directly. What a generous human! Thank you Robert - you
provided this wonderful young girl with an amazing learning
experience!
Today I spent a very pleasant hour or so reading this funny and
moving, honest and courageous recollection of growing up as the
'ugly' kid. Robert's story is by now pretty well known to many
adults who have either learned about his life via the book or the
media but this new edition will bring his inspirational story to a
whole new readership.
When Robert was born with severe physical problems including a large
facial tumour, his family's life changed in many respects but not in
the most important aspect. They were still a loving, supportive unit
who when faced with a challenge rose to it with an admirable and
enviable ease.
But let's not make light of this. This is an incredible story - of
not only a wonderful human being but an exceptional family.
Do yourself a favour and read it. Better still put this on your
shelves! The Younger Reader version is eminently suitable for
readers of around 10 and up.
Check out Robert's website
here and teaching notes here.
Sue Warren
Itty Bitty Kitty by Joan Holub
Ill. by James Birks. HarperCollins, 2015. ISBN 9780062322197
(Age: Pre-school - Yr 2) Like many little people, Ava's greatest
wish is to have a pet of her own but her parents believe she is too
small. Besides, with a new baby and her dad's work her parents are
busy enough already. However, Ava is not deterred and when she finds
a "furry purry, snuggly huggly, cutie patootie itty bitty kitty"
abandoned in a box near the seat at the end of her street she thinks
her dreams have come true. Even though she wants her parents'
permission, they're too busy to listen and so she decides to keep
Itty Bitty a secret. He was just what she wanted but sadly he didn't
stay itty-bitty for long - he was a very hungry kitty - and the
damage bills kept mounting. Disaster strikes when he escapes from
her room and he 'scared the fish, broke a dish, chased a bug, clawed
the rug, leaped from a cupboard and got DISCOVERED!" Ava is
devastated and it seems that Itty Bitty Kitty is to be abandoned yet
again until.
This is a story that will appeal to young readers, particularly
those who empathise with Ava in their own quest for a pet, but also
because of the internal rhyme structures in places that give the
text a lyrical rhythm. There is no repetitive phrase for them to
anticipate and shout out but the story moves along at a fast clip
and the ending, while predictable, is satisfying. The illustrations
are big and bright and bold, almost cartoon-like, and right from the
front cover it is clear that this is anything but an itty bitty
kitty setting up the reader for a story of contradiction!
While Joan Holub as an author is new to me, she is cited as being
the " New York Times bestselling author of Mighty Dads. She is also
author and/or illustrator of over 130 books for children, including
author of the picture books Little Red Writing and Zero the Hero,
and co-author of the bestselling Goddess Girls and Grimmtastic Girls
chapter book series." There is a new Itty Bitty Kitty adventure due
early next year.
Barbara Braxton
Symphony for the City of the Dead by M. T. Anderson
Candlewick Press, 2015. ISBN 9780763668181
(Ages 14+) Highly Recommended. Biography. It is the 1920s, and
Dmitri Shostakovich is a young and gifted musician. His appearance,
however, is not inspiring: he's thin, weak; with glasses and a
nerdiness which sets him apart. He is polite to a fault, won't stand
up for himself, and meekly accepts every criticism. But Shostakovich
can do something no one else can: he can compose music that is bold
and innovative; that speaks to people. He is part of a colourful
rebellion in art that has swept through Bolshevik Russia. But
Shostakovich's music is under threat from a force of evil that
controls every aspect of Russian life - the rule of 'Comrade'
Stalin. Yet Stalin is not Shostakovich's only threat, because Hitler
has his eyes set on Shostakovich's home city of Leningrad.
The city is crippled when the Nazis cut off supply lines and the
harsh Russian winter sets in. People are trapped in Leningrad,
Shostakovich included, - but Shostakovich comes up with an unusual
way to support the war effort: he composes a symphony. He toils on
amid the bombs, deaths and rationing to describe all the pain and
suffering, the hardship and the comradery of the citizens in his
music. This is his masterwork in the making, but one thing weighs on
Shostakovich's mind: its premiere will either be a morale-boosting
triumph for Leningrad, or a life-jeopardising tragedy.
M. T. Anderson's witty and easy-to-read biography of the great
composer is a stunning work. Constructed from the limited
information available about Shostakovich, this biography is a unique
blend of music and history. It is the emotional story of kindness,
humility, love and suffering - both of one man, and a whole nation.
The story jumps wildly from humorous success, to deep personal
tragedy. I found it at times gripping, and at others entertaining.
Anderson's careful mixture of fact and narrative makes Symphony
for the City of the Dead an enjoyable and engaging read.
Thomas B. (Student)
The Anti-Princess Club: Cruise Control by Samantha Turnbull
Allen and Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781760291884
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. The Anti-Princess Club: Cruise
Control is a story about girls and for girls. You won't find
these girls doing stereotypical activities and there are definitely
no princesses! Meet Emily the mathematician, Grace the sports fan
and athlete, Bella the building designer and Chloe the biologist.
They are 11 years old and the best of friends. They are also the
members of the Anti-Princess Club. Emily loves an online game called
Mazebreaker, a Maths game that requires players to break codes and
solve algorithms to move though the game. She has won 4 tickets on
the Mazebreaker cruise and a chance to compete against other top
players. Of course the rest of the Anti-Princess Club are going to
support her. The girls soon meet the other contestants who just
happen to be boys and the boys don't know who Emily is. How will
they feel about a girl being a better player than them? Can Emily
beat all the other players in this highly skilled game?
This is an Australian story which means promoting Australian authors
and characters. It has easy to read text, exciting events involving
all the girls and their independent skills and it is highly
recommended for girls aged 9+. Young female readers have a lovely
collection of strong female leads who model excellent friendship
skills as well as confidence and knowledge in their desired
activities and hobbies.
Kylie Kempster
The Doldrums by Nicholas Gannon
Greenwillow Books, 2015. ISBN 9780062320940
(Age: 10-12) Recommended. The Doldrums is not only the name
of the local newspaper in the novel but also the state of Archer's
mind.
Archer is a Helmsley and his grandparents are famous world
adventurers. He lives in their home with his parents. The house is
full of stuffed animals (who Archer communicates with) and
collections and curios from around the world.
It is The Doldrums Press that announces that his
grandparents have gone missing on an iceberg. Archer's mother
recognizes the dreamer/ adventurer in him too and fearing the worst,
forbids him to leave the house except for school.
Trapped in his own home Archer reaches out to Oliver his not so
adventurous next-door neighbour and Adelaide a French girl with a
story of her own. Together they plan to escape on their own
expedition.
This is a gentle, whimsical story. The back-stories of the main
characters and their developing friendship are central to the novel.
Between them, the children have to deal with bullying, parental
over-protection or neglect and being different.
The final chapters have a 'chase' ending with a mixture of
excitement and humour.
The binding, jacket and illustrations give the novel a 'just right'
old world feel, very like the Helmsley's own home.
The use of creams, burgundies and dark green used by the author in
colour plates interspersed throughout the book, give a richness to
the illustrations.
This is Nicolas Gannon's first book and I feel it will appeal to
children in their middle primary years about 10 to 12 years old.
Nicolas Gannon has a beautiful website to go with his
novel and has made a book
trailer about The Doldrums.
I recommend this book for purchase.
Jane Moore
Netball Gems: Defend to the end by B. Hellard and L. Gibbs
Random House, 2015. ISBN 9780857987709
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Netball Gems: Defend to the End
is a story of change, resilience, developing friendships, learning
skills and teaching others. Maia has recently moved from New Zealand
to Australia because of her dad's job and she is not impressed. Maia
has left her friends and family behind and is having trouble fitting
in at her new school. Maia's mum suggests she tries out for the
local netball team as netball is Maia's most favourite thing to do.
While Maia is happy to play netball again, she doesn't feel she will
make friends with this new group of girls. Can Maia's love for
netball help her make friends? Does Maia have the skills to help her
team win? Netball Gems: Defend to the End is a great story for
reminding its readers of different ways to fit in and make friends.
It has a hidden theme of healthy eating and promoting sport for
fitness and is supported by Netball Australia. The book includes
netball tips and training drills for any avid netball fan and player
to use and these tips and the story will make this appealing to any
netball fan. It is highly recommended for girls aged 9+ and it is
great to see so many different sports being promoted through a
variety of different novels for young readers.
Kylie Kempster
Death and Co: Fault Lines by D. J McCune
Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN: 9781471402715
(Age: Teens) Fault lines is the final book in the Death
and Co trilogy written by D.J McCune. Adam Mortson is part of
Britain's leading Luman family. The Lumans are charged with leading
the dead to the afterlife. Adam's brothers easily slip in to their
role as guides to the light; however Adam struggles to comprehend
his own role. He is torn between two very different worlds, one
where he wants to go to school, hang out with his friends and
struggle to pass tests and get his very first girlfriend; however
his life as a Luman is slowly beginning to overpower any other
option. Adam Mortson is a sandy haired, blue eyed, fifteen year old,
with an extra-ordinary gift. He is able to see a person's death
before it actually happens, and on a school trip to Japan this gift
allows Adam to pre-empt a tsunami that will kill thousands of
people. This one event will change his life and that of his friends
. . . But only if they survive.
This enthralling novel is told from the perspective of Adam as he
goes through many life changing decisions. The major themes that
present themselves throughout the novel are death, friendship, and
family. I would recommend this novel to teenagers who enjoy reading
fantasy or mythology novels.
Emily Madden
The secret chord by Geraldine Brooks
Hachette, 2015. ISBN 9780733632174
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. Historical. King David. Biblical
times. Violence. Pulitzer Prize winner author, Geraldine Brooks has
brought to life the story of the biblical King David in this
compelling tale bridging his life as a young boy, as a fighter, a
hero, a stately king and finally an old man who has been corrupted
by power. It is told in the words of the prophet Natan, who was
close to David from the time when David took him from the village
where everyone else had been slaughtered to the time of his death.
Brooks tells a violent and cruel story as the reader is taken on a
compelling and enthralling voyage through the Second Iron Age. David
was a neglected and abused shepherd boy when he faced down the giant
Goliath and won. From then he becomes a leader and soldier and
ultimately king. Brooks doesn't flinch from descriptions of the
violence of the times. Battles and murders are described in detail
and the reader is sometimes left reeling from the slaughter and
cruelty that occurred. The power that David wielded as a king was
enormous, and gradually he began to abuse it, taking what he wanted
without regard to his loyal friends or the feelings of those around
him. David is not only seen through the eyes of Natan, but through
the eyes of his wives Mikhal, Avigail, and Batsheva and their
stories leave an emotional impact.
The often beautiful and lyrical language made it a stand out read
for me. David's strengths and flaws are brought to life, by writing
of an author at the top of her game. Right from the first page
the descriptions are so vivid and graphic that even though many of
David's actions are indescribably painful, it is impossible not to
continue reading.
Brooks' has a fascinating afterword where she describes how her
son's decision to learn the harp lead to her decision to research
and write about David, and indeed she lists many scholarly works as
her inspiration as well as the Bible.
This is not always an easy read, due to the corruption, violence and
bloodshed, but ultimately it is a rewarding and unforgettable one.
Pat Pledger
The big Book of Mr Badger by Leigh Hobbs
Allen and Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781760112431
(Age: 6-10) Highly recommended. Four of the Mr Badger stories can be
found in this one big volume that is sure to delight readers new to
Mr Badger as well as those who already love his adventures. The
stories are: Mr
Badger and the big surprise,Mr.
Badger and the difficult Duchess, Mr
Badger and the missing ape and Mr Badger and the
magic mirror.
Mr Badger is the highly organised and capable manager of special
events at the Boubles Grand Hotel and he has some amazing
adventures, saving a special birthday party, finding a missing ape,
looking after a difficult duchess and going through a magic mirror.
All the characters are well rounded and Mr Badger is delightful, a
wonderful father who never misses reading his children their bedtime
story even though he has had an exhausting and adventurous day at
the hotel.
This collection of stories is ideal for the newly independent reader
who is ready to tackle chapter books and the size will give these
children a thrill as they read each story and finally get to page
294! The humour and quirky illustrations are a delight and an adult
reading these aloud will also have a very enjoyable time imagining
the hotel and London surrounds.
Pat Pledger
These shallow graves by Jennifer Donnelly
Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBBN 9781471405150
(Age 13+) Recommended. New York City. 1890. Jo Montfort is used to a
life of ease - rich and pretty, she is expected to marry a young man
from her class and become a society hostess. But this is not what Jo
wants - she loves to write and dearly wishes to become a reporter
like Nellie Bly, who spent 10 days in a mad house and described what
happened to her. When Jo's father is found dead in his study shot
with his own pistol, it is ruled a suicide, but some things just
don't match up and Jo, with the help of handsome Eddie, a reporter
at her father's newspaper, decides to investigate. Secrets are
uncovered, seedy neighbourhoods are visited and deadly danger is
faced while the dirty truth is uncovered.
The stand out aspect of this novel for me was the in-depth research
that had gone into the life and times of New York in 1890. Donnelly
brings the period to life, describing the rich and idle young women
who are desperate for wealthy husbands, the rules constricting women
of all classes from reaching their potential, the contrasts between
the rich and the poor, the desperate children who are forced into
crime and the shipping empires of the times. The new science of
forensics is also explored and will thrill readers who like those
details in their crime novels. The author has used real historical
characters like Nellie Bly and this is sure to engage the reader's
interest and could provide an incentive to do some follow-up
research.
Although it is 487 pages long, each chapter is quite short and easy
to read, and the narrative flow along very smoothly, building up
suspense as the reader is dragged into the dangerous world that Jo
and Eddie are investigating. Jo is a very engaging heroine and the
reader becomes emotionally involved with her struggle to become
something more than a wife and to overcome the prejudices of the
times. Eddie is a heroic figure as well and the growing feelings
between the two highlight the problems that people from different
classes have if they fall in love.
This is certainly a book that readers of historical crime will
devour as well as fans of Donnelly's other books: the award winning
Gathering light, Revolution and the Waterfire
saga.
Pat Pledger
Glenn Maxwell: Lucky Break and Academy All-Stars by Patrick Loughlin
Random House, 2015. ISBN 9780857988867
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Cricket, Sports, Teamwork,
Friendship. In Lucky break Twelve-year-old Will Allbright is
the captain of the Green Park Rangers. After he leads his cricket
team to victory, hitting a six off the last ball, his coach
surprises him with a special reward. Jack Jarrett is a selector for
Junior Cricket Victoria and he offers Will a place at the T20
training camp. Will is surprised to see that girls are training as
well and one girl in particular catches his attention, feisty Zoe.
The young cricketer soon realises that he needs to stand out in the
camp full of talented players. Cricket legend Glenn Maxwell offers
Will much needed insight in dealing with Darren 'Killer' McKinnon's
fast paced bowling attacks. Teamwork, resilience, friendship and
skill building are key concepts encouraged in this junior novel.
In Academy All-Stars Will has received his selection letter
and with the support of his father he prepares himself for training
sessions at the T20 Youth Academy Centre at St. Kilda. In an
interesting twist he needs to compete against his friend Shavil for
the opening batsman position. With the helpful advice of Glenn
Maxwell, Will's cricketing future looks bright.
These two novels come packed with cricketing tips, information about
Maxwell's career, top tips for batting and bowling and a handy
glossary as well. Patrick Loughlin writes a nicely balanced sporting
storyline, with realistic characters and gives the reader a great
insight into the world of cricket.
Rhyllis Bignell
When Luke Skywalker met Yoda by Michael Siglain
Star Wars story-time saga. Chirpybird, 2015. ISBN
9781760126476
(Age: 5+) Recommended. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away
. . . The ever popular Star Wars characters, Luke Skywalker
and Yoda are featured in this picture book that describes the time
when Luke first meets Yoda and is trained in the Force. Fans of the
original Star Wars movies will be happy with the retelling of the
story as it maintains the quirky nature and dialogue of Yoda, while
presenting all the difficulties and mindsets that Luke has to
overcome to become a master of The Force.
The narrative is simple and interesting and the story of Luke
learning how to become a Jedi Knight is quite compelling. Adults
reading the story will reacquaint themselves with the story while
new fans will be introduced to many of the characters and concepts
in the original movies: Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Darth Vader, the
droids R2-D2, x-wing fighters, Jedi knights, the Force, and light
sabres. There also are some of the memorable quotes from the movies
included in the text. Newly emerging independent readers will be
able to manage the large text, which is complemented by the
colourful illustrations that give a realistic portrayal of the
characters and murky bog of Dagobah.
Another book in the series is When R2-D2 saved the secret plans.
The series is certain to be popular with young readers and Star Wars
fans.
Pat Pledger
Adelaide's Secret World by Elise Hurst
Allen and Unwin, 2015.
(Age: 7-12) Well-known for her picture books The Night Garden
and Imagine a City, Elise Hurst brings us this story set in
a mysterious city bustling with characters, most of whom are
shrouded in dark, moving too quickly to be seen or see what is going
on around them. There are animals and humans within the pages, but
there is no distinction made between the two; the animals are as
humanlike as the humans are. The dark, impressionist style oil
paintings are truly stunning. They are rich and provide depth and
emotion to the characters within the pages. The melancholy bear and
the dancing lion are particularly captivating.
Adelaide, a rabbit, lives in a busy city in a shop that used to be
full of people but is now quiet. She lives a lonely life, watching
the sun rise and set and looking out for others, who like her dream
and dance alone. From a distance she sees Fox, and in the dark, grey
streets, it is Adelaide's rich, red coat and the orange fur of Fox
that stand out. The story follows her as she overcomes her isolation
and reaches out to those around her. When she and the others find
their voices, the illustrations become filled with a warm, sunshine
glow and we see the characters connecting with each other, as they
were not before. These paintings are glorious in their own right,
and bring to the story a magical, dreamlike quality. Older children
will be able to identify themes of courage, loneliness and isolation
and discuss how the colour and style of the artwork contributes to
the meaning of the story.
This is a deep and complex story that children of different ages
will engage with on different levels. However, for some children,
especially younger, the storytelling may be too abstract for it to
become a favourite.
Nicole Nelson
The beauty is in the walking by James Moloney
Angus and Robertson, 2015. ISBN 9780732299941
(Age:14+) Recommended. Jacob O'Leary has Cerebral Palsy and apart
from suffering a great deal of physical pain, he struggles to walk
and often finds himself in undignified positions after falling or
having been knocked over. This novel is not about disability
however. C.P. is something which his loving, supportive family and
protective friends appear to simultaneously accommodate and ignore
as he involves himself completely in everyday life.
Living in the small town of Palmerston, enjoying the last days of
his final school year, Jacob socialises with his tight group and
looks forward to starting work in a local business. Jacob's most
difficult problem appears to be how he should make romantic advances
to his close friend Amy, however his life changes wildly when
animals are cruelly killed in a series of vicious and nonsensical
attacks.
Speculation abounds and eventually police arrest a young Moslem boy,
a son from one of the families who have recently been employed in
the town's meatworks, the mainstay of the local economy. Having
witnessed racist bullying of the boy previously and despite having
assisted him to escape a savage beating, Jacob's self-criticism,
based on a sense of impotence from being unable to physically oppose
the mob, compels him to try to prove the lad's innocence.
Jacob's good intentions are admirable and the author beautifully
captures the adolescent zeal and earnestness which prompt naive
actions which lead to horrible ignominy and tension.
The core issue within the narrative has a reasonably uncluttered
trajectory, however there is a great deal happening on different
levels which makes this a worthy read. Passages describing the
torment of mustering courage to express love and affection are
enough to break your heart, because whilst this boy fears rejection,
anyone who has ever lived knows how he feels. It would be
unforgivable to spoil the story with too much detail, however the
emotional pain suffered by Jacob far surpasses the significant
physical trauma he must endure as he investigates this case. Some of
the behaviours which cause such discomfort when depicted are
repellent because they are morally wrong. Others simply reflect
weaknesses in character and natural human feelings. I commend the
author for portraying individuals courageously, showing the grit and
flaws without being tempted to follow saccharine formula and
expectation.
Rob Welsh
Space Dumplins by Craig Thompson
Faber & Faber, 2015. ISBN 9780571303083
Recommended. Nothing is left to the imagination in Space
Dumplins. This book is a vibrant, glossy pictorial, written
and illustrated with a passion that will enthral the reader to the
last page. It's totally gripping, mesmerising fun.
Would you like to visit Shell-Tarr? It's the ultimate in astral
comfort and security, top of the line in luxury and modern tech.
Or perhaps you'd like to take a wild ride in one of the
out-of-this-world space machines, the zooming Burger Bus, or
Muskellunge Trike, each of audacious design with exciting, gadgetry
that no intrepid space kid could resist. Could you deal with the
challenges of the Lumpkins or Jirglebytes, something that looks like
an enormous crayfish, or the ghastly Spill - a flood of green, slimy
whale diarrhea! Ugh!
Violet lives with her mum and dad in a futuristic space environment
that author, Craig Thompson, has dazzlingly conjured up from his
fertile imagination. Violet's mum works in the zany fashion industry
and her dad, Big G, harvests whale 'timber' for energy nuggets. The
guardian robot, Chaperdrone, looks suspiciously female and tries,
mostly in vain, to keep Violet and her new friend, Elliot, the
bright little chicken button-runner, in check. Zacchaeus, another
tough little character, joins in as the three rocket from one
adventure to the next as the trio face peculiarly earth-related
problems.
Then Gar (Big G) goes missing and the three find themselves on a
very dangerous mission through the somewhat decrepit environment of
smashed-up earth junk and debris, as they try to find and rescue
Violet's missing dad. Tension causes emotions to boil over as the
likeable trio try desperately to escape from the Mucky Way? After
all, it's the largest garbage deposit in the galaxy.
You'll find the text easy-to-read, and when you've finished share it
with your little brother or sister. Guaranteed to keep them quiet
longer than usual, but don't read it to them just before bedtime!
J Kerr-Smith
