Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781760112325
Author and Illustrator Chris McKimmie has created another quirky
book in his unique style. This is a story of a cat that, after being
abandoned by its original owner, discovers new homes encountering
some difficulties en route. The story is not appealing in
complication or resolution nor is it particularly strong in any
other narrative features and would not be endearing to a young child
(even if they do like cats!).
The illustration style, with drawings by very young relatives and
other young participants which are collaged with McKimmie's own
drawings in a similar naive style are not particularly appealing in
colour or style. The book is relatively dark in colour tones and it
relies on its uniqueness of style rather than its strength in
illustration. I am not sure that it would actually appeal to the
younger reader except as an example of how their own drawings could
be used to illustrate a story.
Carolyn Hull
Kerenza by Rosanne Hawke
A New Australian series. Scholastic, 2015. ISBN 9781742990606
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Historical novel, Early settlement,
Migration, South Australia. When her father knows that the mine will
soon be closed he decides to join his brother in the Mallee in South
Australia to set up a farm. It is a great opportunity to have their
own land and raise crops to sell in this newly opened area of South
Australia. But there is scrub to be cleared before any planting can
occur, and Rosanne Hawke shows just how determined these immigrants
were in carving out a niche for themselves in their new home.
But it is also the tale of Kerenza. She has left her beloved Gran,
sister and friend in Cornwall, to move with her family, and in the
Mallee there is so much work to be done. While the men clear the
land with axes and a horse, she must wash, iron, make bread, look
after her siblings, clean the oven in their tent house. Her mother
is increasingly tired and Kerenza is called in to help more often,
and when she falls over must go to the city to recuperate and wait
for her baby to be born.
Meanwhile Kerenza and her siblings are learning to get along with
their cousins, sometimes difficulties arise but when Kerenza finds a
friend on the nearby property, things begin to look up. Her
interaction with an Aboriginal girl who lives rough with her father,
a swaggie, means that the way is laid for these families to help
each other times of need.
I loved this story of our early Cornish pioneers and read it in one
sitting, eager to see where Rosanne Hawke would take the reader,
knowing that she handles the tale of migration with such certitude
that every reader will learn something new and be amazed. I had no
idea about how to dig a well, or how these people cleared the land,
nor did I realise how they lived until the family had time to build
a dwelling. The richness of the background often made me stop and
think or reach for the iPad.
This is one of a new series from Scholastic, A New Australian,
and will add to the range of books revealing how Australia is a land
of immigrants to a younger generation.
Fran Knight
One True Thing by Nicole Hayes
Random House Australia, 2015. ISBN: 9780857986887
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. With this second novel, Nicole Hayes
has absolutely confirmed her talent as a quality writer for young
adults. We are all too aware of the intense scrutiny under which our
politicians are placed - and often, rightly so - and the
accompanying media feeding frenzy which generally accompanies this,
but how often do we give thought to the effect of all this on a
public figure's family or children?
Hayes has taken this idea and crafted a stunning story revolving
around Frankie (Francesca) Mulvaney-Webb, daughter of the Victorian
Premier, Rowena, who has stepped up into that position and is now
running for election to confirm her post.
Amid considerable antipathy from some quarters about having a female
state leader, Rowena is subjected to a vilifying media campaign over
her connection with an unknown young man. Woven into this fabric:
Frankie's new friend (potential boyfriend) who is a dedicated
amateur photographer, who has unwittingly provided the 'evidence' of
this questionable relationship, her young brother and father who,
like the rest of the family struggle to cope with the glaring
spotlight and open 'slur' tactics, her rather eccentric Irish
grandmother who appears to be keeping secrets, Frankie's indie band
and her relationships with her best friends, all of which combine to
impact on Frankie and her life in ways which would have many of us
running for cover.
Despite her life seemingly going completely pear-shaped, Frankie
demonstrates strength of character which is both admirable and
inspirational. Strong female characters abound in this novel which
makes it a must-read for young women as they also navigate their way
to sometimes fraught teenage years.
For those looking for novels which also deal with gay issues, this
is a worthy addition to your 'Rainbow' collection as Frankie also
deals with the developing gay relationship between her two best
friends. Her difficulties in adapting to being a 'third wheel' would
easily apply to many other circumstances and her struggle to bring
herself to an acceptance with grace and warmth is a pattern for
similar situations.
Lending itself well to philosophical debates such as: when does the
political become personal, when is a secret not ours to share, how
does a family demonstrate its unity in the face of overwhelmingly
opposition, loyalty, love and commitment to a cause, there will be
much to unravel in discussions arising from the reading.
An amazing book which demands to be consumed immediately, I know I
for one will follow Hayes' writing career with great interest.
Highly recommended for readers, particularly girls, from around 13
upwards.
Teaching notes are available on the publisher's website.
Sue Warren
The memory shed by Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina
Ill. by Craig Smith. Omnibus Books, Scholastic, 2015. ISBN
9781742990347
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. Aboriginal themes, Memories,
Grandparents. This wonderful series of books from Omnibus will
tickle the hearts of the readers as they delve into the relationship
between a child and her grandmother. Annie is staying with her
grandmother to help clean out the old shed at the bottom of the
garden. Grandma wants to sell the stuff at a garage sale, and clean
the rest out so she can replace the old building. During the night
Annie is worried by a creaking noise and gets up to investigate. She
finds Grandma is up as well, and the two become a little scared when
they think the shed has come closer to the house. Next day they
begin to clear the shed and Grandma finds that some of the things in
the shed remind her of things long past. Her old hat was made by her
Gran, the bike was one she rode as a younger woman, and the old tin
with the dog on its lid was one where she kept her harmonica, given
to her by her father. Each of the things they find recalls some
memories from Grandma's past and in recalling these, she encloses
Annie in her family's history. Her husband had built the shed and
memories of him are wrapped up in it. No wonder it creaks at night,
telling the two not to demolish it. Both come to see just how
valuable the shed is and the story underscores the importance of
family, history, memories and relics of the past.
Illustrated by Craig Smith and his decidedly recognisable drawings,
they form a perfect partnership with the story. The story is divided
into five chapters of about ten pages each making it an ideal early
chapter book for beginning readers and those who find reading a
little more difficult. The clear larger print add to its use as an
ideal early book.
Two others in the series are also available, Going bush with
Grandpa, and One rule for Jack, and reflect the same
high standard as this one.
Fran Knight
Hard nuts of history: Kings and queens by Tracey Turner
Ill. by Jamie Lenman. Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN 9781472910929
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Non fiction, History, Kings and queens
The fourth in the series of books about the hard nuts, those people
in history who have made an impact, who have been adventurous, sees
the author focussing on the kings and queens in the past. Many names
are familiar and some quite well known, but most are of people who
will fascinate and intrigue as a brief outline is given to describe
each.
So we have a double page spread devoted to the known: Henry v111,
Elizabeth the first, Montezuma, but these are mixed with people such
as Murad 1V, Suleiman the magnificent and Queen Tamar of Georgia.
Each person has several paragraphs outlining their lives and impact,
while nutty pictures are added to illustrate the information. Other
people are given just a paragraph in a double page of a group of
people, such as warriors which contains a kernel (sorry) about
Charlemagne and Boudica, Mary 1, Richard 1 and Edward 1, are grouped
together in a double page entitled, More hard nuts of British
history. Readers will laugh out loud at the way the
information is presented, and develop a brief understanding of who
these people were and what they did to be remembered.
In the middle of the book is a quiz which will also entrance the
readers, and the last few pages offer a timeline, glossary and
index. The timeline puts all the people in the book in chronological
order which helps the reader place them in history.
A most interesting addition to this series, readers will love this
expose of some odd kings and queens from history.
Fran Knight
Extraordinary means by Robyn Schneider
Simon & Schuster, 2015. ISBN 9781471115486
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Seventeen year old Lane has been sent to
Latham House, a boarding school for sick teens with total drug
resistant tuberculosis. His old life is four hundred miles away with
his car, his dog and his girlfriend. He can't believe that his life
has come to this. When he meets Sadie, a familiar face whom he
recognises from summer camp, he realises that life might not be as
bad as it first seems. A week of hard studying for college entry and
the break up with his girlfriend has made his symptoms become worse.
Then one night after talking to Sadie in the gazebo things slowly
begin to change. He is accepted into their eccentric group and for
the first time he starts to live his life.
A heart-wrenching story about love, bullying, strong relationships
and second chances. Fans of John Green, Stephen Chbosky and Rainbow
Rowell's Eleanor and Park, will enjoy how Robyn Schneider
has presented the characters and the theme of this book. The
character's dry sense of humour is appropriately written and makes
the other characters' charms more attractive. I loved the simplicity
of Sadie's character which made her more real and accessible. Lane's
character is more complex, an overachiever and socially awkward at
first, but as their relationship grows his personality becomes more
relaxed and likable.
This is Schneider's second book and I can't wait to read her other
book The beginning of everything. I thoroughly enjoyed this
book and would recommend it to young adults and any one above.
Jody Holmes
The Potion Diaries by Amy Alward
Simon and Schuster, 2015. ISBN 9781471143564
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Samantha Kemi has a bright future as a great
natural alchemist, as generations of Kemi's have done so before her.
If only she could further her skills instead of staying behind to
help out with her families slowly dwindling potion shop. An
opportunity arises when she is summoned by the royal family to take
her place in the Wilde hunt, a national wide hunt held to help find
a cure for the princess who has been poisoned by her own love
potion. Also in the hunt are her family's rivals, the father and son
team of Zol and Zain Aster, who own the synthetic potion company
ZoroAster Megapharma Company. Samantha must travel through wild
terrain with the family's ingredient finder, Kirsty. Together they
must race together to beat the other competitors to gather all the
ingredients, mix the potion and save the princess before it's too
late. The potion diaries is a magical modern fairy tale adventure
story. Amy Alward has also written under the name Amy McCulloch. She
has beautifully crafted easy relatable characters that are
bewitching and enchanting. The story is fast paced and simple to
follow the two main story lines. The potion diaries will be a hit for senior primary students
and above who loved the Harry Potter series or even Divergent.
I loved reading this book and could not put it down, it left me
reading 'just one more chapter'. I can't wait to read book 2 coming
out in July 2016.
Jody Holmes
Jackaby by William Ritter
Algonquin, 2014. ISBN 9781616202535
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended, Crime, Detection, Supernatural,
Historical novel. When seventeen year old Abigail Rook lands at the
port of New Fiddleham in New England in 1892, she must look for
lodgings and then work to support herself. Work comes first as she
falls into the wake of one R F Jackaby, a detective who does not
dismiss the supernatural in his musings. She answers his
advertisement for an assistant, and she goes with him to investigate
the mysterious and bloody death of a man at a boarding house. But he
includes many things in his investigations, laughed at by the police
detective, Marlowe and his assistant, Crane, who like Inspector
Lestrade in some of the Sherlock Holmes stories, provide a play it
by the rules foil to Jackaby's sleuthing. A second even more bloody
death sees the pair imprisoned by Marlowe, and while incarcerated
they hear the banshee's cries, just as the two men did before their
deaths the previous nights.
This is a wonderful read, set brilliantly in the New England area of
the USA at the end of the nineteenth century, evoking the delightful
Jackaby with his Sherlock Holmes style of investigation, looking
closely at clues unseen by others, but with a does of other worldly
things reminiscent of fantasy stories. At his house is a duck, the
unfortunate Douglas, his previous assistant, and a ghost, the
wonderful Jenny who keeps Abigail informed. The house is an eclectic
clutter of things, deliciously described, enticing the reader to
look into every corner of each of the rooms. But beware those who
stare at the frog, because this initiates a smell which causes the
whole house to be evacuated.
I read this with relish, laughing at the black humour, revelling in
the blood and possibilities of other worldly creatures, admiring the
wonderful characters and marvelling at the setting. And I am pleased
to see that Jackaby has a sequel, Beastly bones.
With a chapter ending, 'Across town Mr Henderson - the man who had
head the banshee's silent scream spent the evening dying. To be more
accurate, he spent a brief portion of the evening dying, and the
rest of it being dead,' who could resist the call to read on.
Fran Knight
Poppy in the field by Mary Hooper
Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN 9781408827635
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. World War One. Historical fiction.
Nursing. Historical fiction at its best, Hooper continues the story
of Poppy, a parlour maid from a grand house who joins the VAD's at
the outbreak of World War One. This group of volunteers were able to
rely on money sent from home, but Poppy is supported by a former
teacher, wanting her to break free from her humble origins. In the
first book, Poppy serves at a hospital in Southampton, dealing with
soldiers ferried across the channel from France. She sees the end
result of war, the pain and suffering it causes, the death and
carnage of trench warfare. But rejected by someone she thought loved
her, she volunteers to go to France to serve in the frontline
hospitals. She is sent to a small coastal town where she deals with
soldiers sent on from the hospitals at the fronts. Here she must
deal with soldiers who have received initial help, surgery,
bandaging, assessment, and now are in the second line of aid. She
meets men with limbs amputated, those who feel life is at an end,
those who can't wait to get back home and those who lie to avoid
their girlfriends and families knowing the truth.
She joins a pair of American nurses who try to capture any moment of
fun they can, and several times take out a car to go on a picnic or
simply drive. She meets again Dr Michael from Netley and is drawn to
him. But the strict moral code of Edwardian times still imposed in
time of war sees Poppy almost sent home.
A wonderful story of a young woman learning that she can do things
beyond those set by custom and society as she plays an important
role in the hospitals abroad. Her hospital is an old casino in
Boulogne and here she proves her metal. She meets other women who
have come to be of service, none more so than the two women who set
up a surgery near the front line in Belgium to treat soldiers for
minor complaints to allow the doctors to get on with the war wounds,
and the two American nurses wanting to do their bit.
Based on much research, this story is easy to read and engaging,
giving a well grounded look at how the immediate aftermath of
fighting was dealt with. And the romantic involvements running
through the story add an extra piquancy which readers will enjoy.
Fran Knight
Phyllis Wong and the waking of the wizard by Geoffrey McSkimming
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781760113384
(Age: 9+) Phyllis Wong is a sixteen year old girl who lives with her
father and a small dog, Daisy. Her life to an outsider seems normal
bordering on mundane. Only her best friends, Clement, and Chief
Inspector Barry Inglis know that she really is a great magician and
has just started time travel, or time hop. With help from her
Grandfather, great magician, Wallace Wong, they both transit across
centuries to find history's greatest magician of all time.
However, as they journey through the ages, they are being followed
by another traveller. He appears to be two steps in front of them but
why? Phyllis Wong and the waking of the wizard is aimed at
pre-adolescent readers, which is why I found it difficult to enjoy,
however in saying that the characters are genial and a younger
reader would find them easy to relate to. The chapters flow well
together and it is simple to keep track of the story. Readers will
appreciate the book more if they have read the previous two books in
the series (Phyllis Wong and the return of the conjuror and Phyllis
Wong and the forgotten secrets of Mr Okyto), but Geoffrey
McSkimming made it easier by making footnotes regarding previous
books.
For young fans of the Harry Potter series, they are sure to
enjoy this magical, mystery book.
Jody Holmes
Ten tricky dinosaurs by Amanda Tarlau and Karen Mounsey-Smith
Scholastic Press, 2015. ISBN 9781742761336
(Age: Preschool - 8) Recommended. These ten, quirky dinosaurs are
vivid and vibrant, and not VERY fearsome at all.
Excitement bubbles in this enchanting rhyming book. The little
dinosaurs are all so high-spirited and energetic as they climb,
swing, slide and do magic tricks.
As Mum calls 'dinner time', the tenth worn-out little dinosaur goes
home.
I recommend this brilliantly illustrated book for children from
about 8 years old, down to the very young.
J Smith
An armadillo in Paris by Julie Kraulis
Tundra Books, 2014. ISBN 9781770495265
Arlo the armadillo from Brazil is always up for an adventure, a
love he inherited from his grandfather Augustus who wrote a series
of journals about his favourite destinations so that one day Arlo
could see them for himself. On this, his first adventure, Arlo is
off to Paris to explore its art, history and life and the mysterious
La Dame de Fer, the Iron Lady, whom he might get to meet if he
follows his grandfather's instructions.
Written in two strands; the first the journal entry of Augustus, and
the second the narrator's description of what he sees and does; the
reader is taken on a journey through the iconic sights of Paris
beginning with the mad traffic circle whirling around the base of
the Arc de Triomphe, eating flaky croissants at a traditional French
cafe and on to meeting the Iron Lady. Who could she be? Throughout
the journal entries, Augustus provides information and clues about
this enigmatic figure until finally she is revealed.
Beautifully illustrated with a delicate palette this is an
intriguing book which straddles the faction-fiction and fact-genre
perfectly, entertaining and educating at the same time. It will
introduce a fascinating city to new travellers and bring back
memories for those who have had the pleasure of visiting. The inside
of the dust cover is an imaginative use of what is usually blank
space and there are snippets of extra information about the Iron
Lady at the end. It has broad appeal, there is the cuteness of an
armadillo having an adventure and solving the mystery of the Iron
Lady for the younger readers, while there is an introduction to Paris
and its culture for the more advanced reader. So much more
interesting than some of the strictly factual books we ask our
students to learn from.
Barbara Braxton
Charlie plays ball by Ree Drummond
Ill. by Diane deGroat. HarperCollins, 2015. ISBN 9780062297525 (Age:
Preschool - Yr 2) Charlie is a hard-working ranch dog. There is
always so much to do on the ranch - riding, roping, feeding, fixing,
and making sure pesky critters stay away from the homestead. But
there's fun too, especially when it's time to play ball. His
favourite is football, or is it soccer? Or basketball? Or something
else?
This is a cheerful story that will appeal to all those who have
dogs, or who would like one, and the ending will provide a laugh.
Even though it is American it emphasises the fun dogs can offer as
well as how they contribute so much to our lives in a practical way.
Recently there was a news story about Molly, a little dog who
accompanies twins to an ACT school because her super-sensitive nose
can detect when their ketones change and they are in need of
insulin, and this story about Charlie (who is real) could be a
kick-starter to how dogs help us in everyday life. The children will
be familiar with the work of guide dogs but there are all sorts of
assistance dogs whose work is often unknown. Perhaps it is time to
celebrate all that these fun, four-legged furry creatures do for us.
Getting to know Charlie with his floppy ears, droopy eyes and short
legs would be a great start.
Barbara Braxton
To Hold the Bridge by Garth Nix
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781743316559
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Short stories. Fantasy. Science
fiction. This is an intriguing collection of short stories that will
be sure to beguile fans of Garth Nix, of whom I am one. It is a
mixture of fantasy, science fiction, horror, vampires and even has a
murder mystery to solve. The stories are gathered under the
following headings: Creatures of Darkness and Light, Standing up to
be Counted, Check your faint heart at the door, A wink and a nod and
Under other skies.
The highlight of the collection is the first in the book and a
novella from the Old Kingdom, To hold the bridge, and will
be eagerly read by people who love the Abhorsen series. The young
protagonist, Morghan, has been left a share certificate in the
Bridge Company and desperately wants to work as a guard. He is a
diffident young man, easy to like and when danger threatens, he has
to overcome his fears and defend the bridge from invaders. I really
enjoyed this and it is one that I will return to, to reread about
loyalty, courage and overcoming odds. Vampire weather is Nix's nod to the obsession with vampires
in some young adult fiction and it is frightening and very thought
provoking. Amos belongs to a closeted community that won't allow
modern medicine including vaccinations against vampire bites, and
the only freedom that he is allowed, is to go to the road to collect
the mail. One day he meets a young girl there and even though he is
not supposed to talk to any women or girls, she strikes up a
conversation with him. I cannot put in any more information without
adding spoilers - this is one that must be read to fully enjoy the
surprises and dilemmas that Nix provides. Another one with vampires
at its core is Infestation, equally poignant and heart
stopping.
This is a great collection to read from cover to cover and the
twists in the stories make them very memorable. It also would be a
good book to have to dip into for moments when a reader wants
something short, interesting, and unique to read or to read aloud in
a class.
Pat Pledger
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
Penguin, 2015. ISBN: 9780141361734
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Adolescent. Coming of age. Change.
Sydney has always felt second best in her family, her brother Peyton
always the star. But Peyton has become increasingly reckless and
finally after badly injuring a teen in a drink driving accident, is
sent to prison. His mother refuses to believe that he is guilty at
all and no one in her family seems to be worried about the victim of
the accident. Then she meets Leyla and her brother Mac and finds a
haven in the warmth of the Chatham family.
The story flows along beautifully as Sydney has to come to terms
with the dynamics in her family and the social impact of having a
brother in jail. She leaves the expensive private school and goes to
the local high school to avoid the whispers that follow her around.
At home things are difficult. It is hard for the reader to fathom
how Sydney's mother can overlook her and concentrate all her
energies and affection on Peyton and how her father can withdraw
from facing the problems, and Sydney's slow recognition of her own
worth holds the story together. The warmth of Leyla and Mac and the
group that befriends her at her new school help her self-esteem grow
and she is able to take a step back from being in her brother's
shadow and begin to value herself and her own beliefs.
The growing feelings between Mac and Sydney are gently described,
and Mac is a great character, caring and supportive. It was also
interesting to read about a boy who has been overweight and who has
managed to regain a healthy lifestyle. The Chatham family has its
own problems but the kind-heartedness of its members and the
attentive care they give Mrs Chatham who has multiple sclerosis is
heart-warming.
I am a fan of Sarah Dessen's books. I love her characters, the way
they manage to overcome adversity and learn to value themselves. I
read this in a couple of sittings and it is sure to appeal to
readers who enjoy stories about families and change.
Pat Pledger
