Alice-Miranda bk 13. Random House, 2016. ISBN 9780857985224
(Age: 8-11) Highly recommended. Themes: Dog Shows, Village Life,
School Life, Detective and Mystery Stories. The new term begins at
the Winchester-Downsfordvale Academy with a buzz of excitement,
Alice-Miranda and her friends eager to assist with Miss Reedy and Mr
Plumpton's wedding planning. With so much organisation, can the
girls help the bride and save the day, before their favourite
English teacher turns into a Bridezilla? Unfortunately, Caprice is
up to mischief again, fighting with Millie and playing pranks on the
other students, including a spiteful incident with exploding dye in
the Science Lab.
Added to the dramas of school life, Myrtle Parker and the villagers
of Winchesterfield are thrown into a spin when the Annual Chudleigh
Dog Show has to be relocated to the Showgrounds. Unfortunately, this
prestigious event is scheduled for the same weekend as the wedding,
much juggling and planning is needed and the school students are
assigned to the event's workforce.
Jacqui Harvey's narrative is thrilling and multi-layered, enriched
by a cast of characters whose intertwined lives draw the reader into
the mystery as pieces fall into place with the final climactic
events occurring as the Dog Show is underway. Who are the evil
characters lurking in the background, seen driving a grimy white van
through the village? Where did the dirty half-starved puppy come
from and why did Caprice hide him in the old flat above the stables?
There's a dangerous fire, stolen dogs, sabotage and the mastermind's
sinister plot to foil, so many dramas to be dealt with before Miss
Reedy and Mr Plumpton can tie the knot. Alice-Miranda to the Rescue delivers all the familiar
well-loved elements of this tremendously popular series, including
fast-paced action and strong, resourceful and empathetic female
characters. The difficult issues of puppy farming and stealing pet
dogs for profit are discussed in a compassionate manner.
Rhyllis Bignell
Be a friend by Salina Yoon
Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781619639515
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Friendship, Being different, Miming.
Dennis loves to mime his stories during show and tell. He tells a
story quite differently form the others in his class, wearing his
top hat and striped jumpers. While the others climb the tree, Dennis
is the tree, but looking at the other children playing together, he
realises that he is lonely. He feels there is an invisible wall
between them all, one that they cannot see through. But one day as
he kicks his imaginary ball, it is kicked back to him. Her name is
Joy and she can see him quite well, and the invisible wall is now a
mirror. The two are very similar and do many things together,
attracting the attention of the other children, who can see Dennis
now as well.
This charming little story about friendship will have wide appeal.
Children will be encouraged by the story to see past their
differences and look for the similarities, to celebrate the
differences, to create friendships with others in their class.
Salina Yoon's Penguin books will be well known to younger
readers and this one has the same theme, that of friendship, but
told for a slightly older group. Her pared back illustrations will
intrigue readers, following Dennis' journey to friendship and
delighting in his difference. This beautifully presented hard cover
book done in sepia tones will also introduce the idea of mime to a
younger class, one they can practice along with Dennis and Joy.
Fran Knight
Sandrider by Angie Sage
The Magykal World of Todhunter Moon bk 2. Bloomsbury, 2015.
ISBN 9781408869420
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Themes: Magic, Fantasy, Adventure.
Angie Sage's second book in the TodHunter Moon trilogy, will
delight fantasy readers with its rich cast of characters, exotic
locations, powerful and appealing descriptive language, and the
well-crafted scenes involving mystery, Magyk and mayhem. The main
character Tod enters the story much later; Sandrider opens
with the dragon Spit Fyre observing the sorcerer Oraton-Marr
depositing the Orm Egg in the care of a young boy in the Desert of
the Singing Sands. Each section begins with a dark sketch of an Egg
Timer and a countdown to the dragon egg hatching. The wizard kidnaps
the apothecary's baby daughter to ensure the egg is cared for.
Kaznim her big sister determines to look for her kidnapped sister,
steals the egg timer and unfortunately stumbles through an unstable
Way meeting an injured Sam Heap and Marwick.
Kaznim ends up in the snowbound city of Castle, where she meets
TodHunter Moon, apprentice to the Extraordinary Wizard Septimus
Heap. Here the pace of the story becomes faster, more and more crazy
characters are involved and the plot develops in complexity. There's
a transforming jinni Jinn Knee, beware of his tiger form, dark
witches lurking in the forest, a wild sled race, Tod's best friends
being taken for Snow Sprites, a malicious ghost and an evil queen.
Will they reach the Egg before it hatches or will the new baby Orm
imprint on the evil sorcerer giving him unlimited Magyk powers?
Angie Sage's Sandrider celebrates the importance of charting
your own course, valuing friendships and developing resilience.
Rhyllis Bignell
Kiss it better by Smriti Prasadam-Halls
Ill. by Sarah Massini. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408845639
(Ages: 2-6) Recommended. This book is a joyous celebration of how
kisses can make everything better. It is filled with visual symbols
of love; there are hearts on every page and lots of physical
affection by way of hugs and kisses. The text tells and shows us all
the times when a kiss can heal ('when you're down in the dumps', 'if
you've scraped your knee') and of all the things that kisses can say
('I love you so much', 'can we be friends?', 'I'll miss you'). The
author gives different types of kisses fun names that children and
their parents will love adopting into their own vernacular; there
are be-brave kisses, cheer-up kisses and go-to-sleep kisses that
shout monsters, shoo! The warm, slightly retro illustrations have a
wonderful texture, particularly in the patterned clothing worn by
the animals, and their soft warmth helps to capture the comfort that
kisses can bring. The family of bears used in the illustrations add
to this feel with their rounded, soft and cuddly style. The rhyming
text flows beautifully in most places. It ends by reminding young
readers that 'sometimes grown-ups need kisses, too!' and that
'EVERYTHING feels better with the help of a kiss!' This is a joy to
read aloud and the illustrations are divine. It is an uplifting tale
with a simple message for young and old about how we have the
ability to comfort those we love with a kiss as well as being a
reminder to parents that the most important thing they can give to
their children is love. It also provides a vocabulary for parents to
help their children vocalise how they are feeling and what they need
to feel better.
Nicole Nelson
Everything but the truth by Mandy Hubbard
Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN 9781619636606
(Age: 14+) Everything but the Truth is a novel that speaks
to the reader about the struggle between social status defined by
monetary wealth through the genres of romance and drama. This novel
by Mandy Hubbard is one in a collection of the 'If Only' line which
is a group of novels written by various authors containing the same
genres as 'Everything but the Truth'. Hubbard's novel focuses on a
teenage girl, Holly Mathews, whom has lived in a single parent
family for the majority of her life, often experiencing financial
hardship as her mother works to put them in a better monetary
situation. Holly's mother's efforts are successful when she is
employed by a very ritzy and expensive retirement home for the rich,
wealthy and luxurious, which places Holly in the perfect position to
meet the possible man of her dreams through his newly allocated
grandfather. Due to an unfortunate turn of events, Holly finds
herself in a situation where the truth about her may interfere with
the chance of romance she has stumbled into and her mother's new
job. Holly finds herself torn between doing what is best and doing
what is right. With collage around the corner and her life-long best
friend slowly becoming distant and her choice about the truth
becoming more and more urgent, Holly learns the importance of the
relationships in her life. Everything but the truth is a novel rich with moral decisions
and meaning as well as having a strong and relatable story in the
terms of financial wealth and social status. This book contains
romantic themes and may be suited to an older teenage audience (+14)
and lovers of romance and drama. Overall, this book provides a great
solution to any reader's cravings for the genres of romance and
drama in novels while still being strongly relatable and a hard book
to put down.
Sarah Filkin (University student)
The Selfish Giant and Other Stories by Oscar Wilde
Ill. by Philip Waechter. Alma Classics, 2015. ISBN 9781847494979
Themes: Fairy tales, Moral stories. This is a collection of moral
tales that demonstrates Oscar Wilde's story-telling skills. The
stories remind us of the dangers of wealth; that generosity and
kindness are valuable attributes; that love and sacrifice are
beautiful, but not always recognised and valued. Many of the stories
are fairy tales in the sense that they have talking animals and
faraway kingdoms that interact with the characters in solving
unusual problems. The characters themselves display quirks of
behaviour that could only exist in a fairy tale. And there is not
always a positive 'happy-ever-after' ending, but often there is a
lesson that can be learned from the failings of the story
participants.
This is a reprinting of a selection of Wilde's early stories from
the late 1800s and consequently the language is fairly traditional
and is more ornately descriptive than contemporary writing styles.
Some younger readers may get lost in the descriptive detail and
language, but there is a glossary at the back of the book to
describe some of the terms used. At the end of the book there is
also some biographical detail (in detail appropriate for younger
readers), as well as a summary of each story. Simple line drawings
are sparsely scattered through the stories.
Young readers that enjoy the challenges of the intricacies and
sophistications of writing from the 19th Century will enjoy this
collection of stories.
Carolyn Hull
Tales from Watership Down by Richard Adams
Oneworld Modern Classics, 2015. ISBN 9781780747897
Originally published in 1996 to follow Watership Down these
stories successfully extend the experience for lovers of the
original rabbit novel. The later generations of rabbits are told the
stories of their heroic ancestors in fables which teach about
courage, loyalty and resilience in the face of great challenges and
danger. The book opens with rabbit legends, which would be very
suitable for reading aloud, followed by stories of rabbit adventures
featuring many of the characters from the original novel including
Bigwig, Hazel, Campion and Woundwort; even Kehaar the gull makes an
appearance. Some of the text seems a bit dated, the boy rabbits are
the protectors, they have all the daring adventures and get to do
the heroic deeds while the girls are helpful and sensible while
being a bit inscrutable; and the landscape is very English,
reminiscent of that inhabited by Peter Rabbit. However, for the
lovers of Watership Down, also recently re-published, this
book extends the experience and will be enjoyed by both adults and
middle school readers who don't want to let those characters go.
Sue Speck
Iris and the Tiger by Leanne Hall
Text, 2016. ISBN 9781925240795
(Age: 10-14) Highly recommended. Adventure. Surrealism. Art. Iris, a
sensible 12 year old has been sent to Spain by her grasping parents
to make sure that her Aunt Ursula leaves her fortune and big estate,
to Iris and her parents. When she arrives at Bosque de Nubes, she
discovers that things are not what they appear and outside in the
wild wood, a mysterious animal prowls. Fascinated by a surrealist
painting, Iris and the Tiger, she is determined to find the
tiger. Meanwhile a developer is hoping to take over the woods, and
she finds herself in terrible danger.
This is a compelling and totally absorbing book that has a timeless,
classic feel about it. There are all the hallmarks that are
familiar: the feisty young heroine, a gothic house, dark and
dangerous woods, a strange aunt and weird retainers. But what makes
it stand out is the theme of surrealism that flows through the book
and will have young readers not only following the surrealist
drawings at the top of each chapter, but rushing off to research the
art movement.
Hall has carried her Surrealism theme into some frightening areas as
Iris puts on boots that have human toes, and take her off to unknown
places. There is a carnivorous car with clawed feet that chases Iris
and her friend Jordi through the forest, and the Exquisite Corpse
creature they created lurks nearby. However Iris is determined to
find out where the tiger in the picture is, and with the help of
Jordi her young friend, she uncovers many secrets on the way, some
of which challenge her notions of honesty and loyalty.
This is a story that would make an excellent literature circle book
or class text, as there are many themes to discuss, Surrealism,
family loyalty, honesty, friendship and environmental development. Teacher's
notes are available.
But best of all, it is a wonderful unique adventure story to read,
cherish and remember.
Pat Pledger
Bear make den by Jane Godwin and Michael Wagner
Ill. by Andrew Joyner. Allen & Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760110017
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Humour, Bears, Home and family life,
Renovations, Loneliness. The curiously old fashioned illustrative
technique used by Joyner in this story of a bear building his home,
adds another layer of interest and discussion to enthrall and
involve its readers. Bear moves around his newly carved out den. He
is very proud of what he has achieved, but realises all is not quite
finished. He builds chairs and a table, which make him happy, but
still things are not quite right. He saws up a tree and makes bunk
beds but finds he cannot read his book on the bottom bunk bed, so he
makes a sofa. But when light fades, he makes some lamps to give him
light. He then feels hungry and so makes an oven, and makes a large
cake. He then decorates the walls of his cave with art work, but
still he is not finished.
Each step in the decoration and furnishing of his home will be
endorsed by the audience as they predict what he might do next,
which will add an element of surprise and recognition for the
readers. They will take delight in the illustrations of Bear
building his home and finally realising that what he really needs to
complete his home is another bear.
A story to melt the hearts of the readers who see from the start
that Bear needs a friend, the simple structure will be most
appealing. Bear is good at many things, but needs friends to
complete his home, and children will not fail to recognise that a
missing ingredient in their lives could be satisfied by having
friends. A recognition of the satisfaction that friends and family
bring to a Bear and therefore a child will be long discussed after
the book is finished. Children will be intrigued with the simplistic
words used by the Bear, and be made aware that he might not be a
wordsmith but he is certainly good with his hands.
Fran Knight
Virgil & Owen stick together by Paulette Bogan
Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781619633735
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Arctic, Polar Bears, Penguins, Friendship.
Following the successful introduction to this pair of friends,
Virgil & Owen (2014) comes this tale of their friendship as it
weathers a storm. Each of the friends is different. Virgil rushes to
school, eager to get there and not be late, while Owen takes his
time, dawdling along, counting snowballs and writing his name in the
snow. When Owen stops to tell a story to the other animals crowded
at his feet, Virgil finishes the story quickly, eager to get going
again. But then Owen remembers his lunch and takes out his sandwich
to eat. Virgil takes the food from him, and Owen suddenly growls,
making Virgil fall back and he finds he is covered with snow. Owen
drags him out and stands him up, apologising for tipping Virgil into
the snow, while Virgil apologises for making him go so quickly. The
two friends resolve to go slowly to school and remain friends.
This is a neatly resolved story of two friends coming to some
agreement after a sudden difference of opinion. It will resonate
with younger readers, many of whom will have experienced minor
disagreements with friends and acquaintances, and know that a
resolution is always possible.
The lovely illustrations enhance the tale and readers will love the
images of Virgil and Owen as they go about their daily routine.
And children will learn the things that they will do at school,
eating lunch, learning to write their name and learning numbers, as
well as having stories told to them. A perfect introduction for
young children about the delights of going to school.
Fran Knight
Lullaby by Bernard Beckett
Text Publishing, 2015. ISBN 9781922182753
(Ages: 12+) Highly recommended. Beckett always has an interesting
story to tell, as shown by the success of Genesis and August,
stories which challenged the reader's moral compass with scientific
and philosophical questions. Lullaby raises concerns about
medical research and psychological testing. Rene's twin brother Theo
lies unconscious in hospital with severe brain damage after a freak
accident. Over the next 24 hours, Rene is considering saving his
brother by participating in a new and experimental medical
procedure, which is being promoted by a surgeon but cautioned about
by a psychologist. Both professionals must attest to Rene's
suitability for the surgery.
While considering whether to consent, Rene reveals to the reader and
to the psychologist details of his family background, including the
loss of his parents and the relationship he has had with his
brother. Cleverly structured in this way, we learn much about the
two boys' different talents, ambitions and rivalries. The title may
suggest otherwise but this is a challenging, thought provoking and
disturbing read, set in the not too distant future when such
extraordinary decisions may be asked of us!
A highly recommended book, Lullaby is an intelligent story;
its themes inviting immediate responses, and which remain with the
reader long after reading.
Julie Wells
Atmospheric - The burning story of climate change by Carole Wilkinson
Walker Books, 2015. ISBN 9781925126372
(Ages: 12+) Carole Wilkinson has written a great number of books
including the highly acclaimed Dragonkeeper series. She has
pursued many of her personal interests through her well regarded
non-fiction, including books about Ned Kelly, Alexander the Great,
Queen Hatshepsut, and the Fromelles. Carole's interests also include
sustainable living and climate change. She has written a book for
ordinary people concerned about these issues. Combining people's
observations about threats to our planet and detailed facts about
the earth's climate, including earth's beginnings, the water cycle,
power generation and early studies of climate change, Carole
Wilkinson has written an enlightening, thought provoking and
readable work for adults and younger readers. A timeline of climatic
studies, a glossary of terms, websites and sources are included,
along with an index.
This book is scholarly but accessible, and is a valuable
contribution to studies on climate change.
Julie Wells
The River and the Book by Alison Croggon
Walker Books, 2015. ISBN 9781925081725
(Age: 10+) Alison Croggon is the author of the highly regarded Black Spring, and The Books of Pellinor. She is also a poet
and opera librettist. This story is a fable for our times,
beautifully written and resounding with messages that relate to the
way of the world in past and present times. Here is a village set on
a fertile riverbank, midway between mountains and a floodplain. The
village has a traditional 'Keeper' of a Book which gives the village
its identity and which can predict change. One day, a foreign
visitor comes to the village, endears herself to the villagers, in
particular, Simbala the latest Keeper, and manages to steal the
precious Book from them. It is Simbala who takes the blame and who
sets out to return this treasured item to the village. It is a quest
which takes many years; she knows too that times have greatly
changed and wonders if the book she eventually finds will come 'back
to life' for her people. The story is an analogy for colonialism and
reveals what can happen when there is often a total disregard for a
people's culture, and for the natural environment, all for the sake
of development. The River and the Book has been endorsed by
Amnesty International as contributing to a better understanding of
human rights and values.
The story is spellbinding and the character of Simbala is a delight
to heed and observe as she journeys on her determined path. In a
beautifully poetic style, the language is intoxicating and recalls
the storytellers of past ages. Katie Harnett's superb black and
white brushstrokes illustrate the beginnings of each chapter and her
coloured cover art is most attractive.
Julie Wells
Eleanor by Jason Gurley
Harper Collins, 2015. ISBN: 9780008132910
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Sitting somewhere between the realms
of science fiction and fantasy, Gurley's novel is certainly
captivating. The prosaic style of the work draws attention to both
its literary value and its story value, giving it a sense of overall
tranquillity despite the terrifying circumstances that main
character, Eleanor, finds herself in.
Eleanor's childhood ends the day she loses her twin in a car
accident. Her parents begin fighting and eventually they separate
leaving her mother, Agnes thrown back into the depression of her
childhood. Eleanor stays with her hateful mother in order to take
care of her, never drawing unnecessary attention or causing trouble.
. . until she disappears. Walking through the cafeteria doors she
falls into a dream world where she and her friend Jack are still
children, playing in a field in Iowa. When the dream ends however,
she finds herself back at school, after hours and locked in. It is
the first time this has happened and it certainly won't be the last.
She slowly realises that she has become the plaything of her twin
beyond the grave who now goes by the name of Mae. Eleanor's
disappearances become more frequent and she loses more and more time
until finally her disappearance is noticed. She becomes a missing
person (for lack of a body) landing Jack, her best friend, in a
police investigation and leaving her mother who has just been
diagnosed with cancer in her father's grudging care. Can the actions
of Eleanor and her dead twin save their parents from their
unhappiness? Only time can tell - but what time?
A novel thoroughly enjoyed, I would highly recommend for lovers of
soft science fiction and fantasy fourteen and older. Gurley deals
with themes of grief, regret and loneliness, allowing for a
touchstone into reality despite its sci-fi qualities.
Kayla Gaskell (Age twenty)
Squishy McFluff, the Invisible Cat: Secret Santa by Pip Jones
Squishy McFluff, the Invisible Cat: Secret Santa by Pip Jones
Ill. by Ellie Okstad. Faber and Faber, 2015. ISBN 9780571302567
Squishy McFluff is so sweet, you'll be smitten.
Such a clever and funny invisible kitten!
Imagine the fun of having a cat that only you can see, especially
when it is really good at inventing great things to do like playing
hide-and-seek at which he is world champion. This is Ava's luck. She
has a big imagination and is happiest when she's playing with her
cat, even though it can lead to trouble - which is exactly what
happens in this latest addition to this series.
It's nearly Christmas and Ava and Squishy are very excited. But
there are still preparations to be made, like buying the last minute
things which means going into town where all is decorations and
celebrations. The trouble begins when Ava spots the wonky star at
the top of the Christmas tree. The next day it is time to wrap the
presents and when Mum says to wrap EVERYTHING, she is taken at her
word. For someone who was trying to be good through all of December,
this might not have a pretty ending for Ava, but she has one special
thing she wants so she writes Santa a letter.
Young children will love this series from this English author as it
holds many laughs and just a little bit of naughty. Written in rhyme
it bounces along and Ella Okstad's limited-palette illustrations are
charming, capturing the essence of the text perfectly.
For those who can't get enough of him, there's a website with extra
information and more fun and games at http://squishymcfluff.com/
This is something a little bit different to offer those just getting
started on their independent reading journey who need a bit of
support through short chapters, larger font and uncomplicated
vocabulary - I think they will be eagerly awaiting the next
adventure. Perfect for putting aside for this year's Christmas
Countdown.
Barbara Braxton
