My first day at school by Rosie Smith and Bruce Whatley
Scholastic, 2016. ISBN 9781743622964
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. School, Starting school, Animals,
Procedures. The first page of this lovely book opens with a duck, a
dog and a bird above the title, reprising the front cover,
encouraging the young reader to follow the adventures of these three
friends as they go to school for the first time. Each double page
which follows has the sequence of events which take place before
school, leading into what will happen at school. Dressing, eating
breakfast, then when at school meeting new friends, doing some
finger painting, counting to ten, then finding it is time for lunch.
After lunch playing with friends then settling down to hear some
stories, before going home, the first day at school is over.
Each image created by Whatley parallels and enhances the spare
words, entreating the reader to take in what will happen at school,
to allay any fears, to calm any nervousness. The closeness of the
friends, shown happily playing together to experience new things
further enhances the event for the reader. Touches of humour too
will support the reader, and the last page showing the duck going
home with its parent is a delightful and comforting image to remain
with the child as the book is closed.
Whatley's clear bold images of the animals on each page are a treat
for young and old: his caterpillar with its range of socks, the
octopus doing finger painting, the mix of animals reflecting the
variety of people to be met at school, all encourage the reader to
see themselves in that situation. Counting is included in the book,
with images which will encourage the reader to count all the things
on each page, while small things represent what going to school
means for the child.
Each animal has a back pack showing the young reader what they will
need to take to school, examples of school activities are depicted,
warm friendly associations between the animals are drawn. Each
positioning, each event, each object is there for a reason and will
be picked up by the reader as they move their way through the book,
taking in what school will mean to them and encouraging them to see
the positives that school will give them.
Several others with the same theme include Hugless Douglas goes
to little school (David Melling, Hodder, 2015) Jessica's
box (Peter Carnavas, New Frontier, 2014) Just Jack
(Puffin, Jane Tanner, 2012) and the Little Lunch series
(Danny Katz, black dog books).
Fran Knight
Excuse me by Lisa Kerr
(Age: 3-5) Five Mile Press IBN 9781760069780 Board book. Another in the Cheeky Monkey Manners
series, sees Cheeky Monkey learning when to use 'Excuse me'. When he
really wants to go to the park and he can't get his mother's
attention, Mr Owl suggests that he just says 'Excuse me' and perhaps
his mother will listen to him. And it works! While he was at the
park, he keeps doing things like bumping into his friends on the
slide or sneezing on their faces and his friends say 'Excuse you,
Cheeky Monkey'. It takes his friends a few reminders before Cheeky
Monkey finally remembers to say 'Excuse me' after a big burp.
The examples given in the story are a fun way for young children to
learn how to say Excuse me and when it is appropriate to use the
phrase. All the examples are ones that they would be familiar with:
a trip to the park, sliding down the slippery dip, playing in the
sandpit and sneezing at the sand, and listening to stories.
The five page spread is just long enough for the young child
listening to the story to get the message and not be bored and the
colourful illustrations add lots of humour to the narrative.
This series is an effective and fun way for parents and teachers to
re-inforce good manners.
Pat Pledger
Studio showdown by Samantha-Ellen Bound
Silver Shoes series, bk 8. Random House Australia, 2016. ISBN
9780857989093
(Age: 9+) Recommended for young female readers. Themes: Dance;
Friendship; Conflict resolution. The young girls in this book love
to dance - they are passionate about it. Their lives revolve around
dance classes, learning new dance styles and learning how to get
along with their dance school friends. Paige is the focus in this
book, as she prepares for a Ballroom competition with her dance
partner, Benji. At the same time the Dance studio begins to prepare
for a major Dance Performance, and Paige and her best friend are
asked to choreograph a routine for younger students. Unfortunately
they don't communicate well and the friendship shows signs of
fracture in a 'Studio showdown'.
This book will be enjoyed by girls aged 9+. Book 1 in the series has
the girls as 10 year olds, but by this book (#8) we are beginning to
see them express romantic interests. The resolution of issues
amongst friends is gentle and unsophisticated.
A brief explanation at the end of the book describes the Dance style
- Jive.
Carolyn Hull
Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan
Penguin, Random House; 2015. ISBN 9780141342429
(Age: YA) Recommended. Themes: Norse Mythology; Adventure;
Overcoming obstacles; Bravery. Rick Riordan takes the reader on an
adventure into Norse mythology with the character Magnus Chase.
Magnus is a young teen who is living a miserable existence -
homeless and orphaned in horrifying circumstances, when he becomes
caught up in an adventure into the world of mythology. His life of
adversity and endurance on the streets prepares him for the journey
into the world of the dead, with dwarfs, giants, Valkyries and other
mythological figures. He becomes a key to prevent significant
disaster from overtaking all in the alternative worlds of Norse
afterlife.
This is an amazing and magical adventure/quest story. Rick Riordan
has mastered the genre of mythological adventure. Young readers who
began the journey of discovery of Mythology with Percy Jackson will
be delighted that there is another area of mythology to explore in
this latest mystery exploration. Riordan writes with humorous
moments scattered through the text, and even weaves current cultural
references (eg a Powerpoint presentation by a Norse god) into the
alternate worlds. Essentially though this is an engaging and
exciting quest adventure, requiring the central character to display
great bravery as he faces extreme opposition with the help of a few
faithful side-kicks, all of whom are unlikely heroes, but display
their worth as they support Magnus, the reluctant hero.
This book is quite a lengthy tome, and is well crafted. It is worth
recommending to YA readers who like this style of
magically-influenced fantasy. It is exciting and entertaining even
for an adult reader, but will be most enjoyed by fantasy lovers, who
also enjoy discovering aspects of mythology from other cultures.
There is another book in the series due in 2016.
Carolyn Hull
The adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat
Hachette, 2016. ISBN 9780734416834
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Inclusivity, Imaginary friends, Friendship,
Patience, Courage. On the island where imaginary friends are
created, one such friend is waiting. Others are taken up by their
new friends and go away to be with them, but not so this fellow.
He decides that he should do something about his predicament,
something totally unexpected, something unimaginable. He goes to
hunt out a friend himself.
He wanders through the city streets noticing something about the
city which he does not like. People do not talk to each other,
people pass others on the street not noticing them at all. He spies
another imaginary friend and follows it to a place where children
and their imaginary friends are playing. He waits for his friends
but no one comes. He sits in a tree and eventually something
wonderful does happen.
This lovely story of finding a friend, of finding someone just like
you, someone who shares your interests, games and passions, will
have wide appeal to everyone in the class. It not only speaks to
those with an imaginary friend, but those with friends of all sorts.
Some may not be like themselves, others may be just like them, but
all are friends who share interests. It is only when this imaginary
friend finds his partner that he also finds his name, Beekle.
The digital illustrations by award winning artist, Dan Santat, are
most entertaining. Children will find lots to keep them interested
and alert to nuances of meaning. I enjoyed the pictures of the
children and their imaginary friends doing things together and I
particularly liked the layered meaning of the word 'imaginary' which
will lead onto discussions about words.
The author won the Caldecott Medal, 2015 for this book.
Fran Knight
Alone in the dark by Karen Rose
Cincinnati series, bk 2. Headline, 2015. ISBN 9780755390014
(Age: Adult) Recommended for fans of romantic suspense. Human
trafficking. Murder. Scarlett Bishop is called out in the night by
former Army Ranger Marcus O'Bannion. When she arrives she discovers
a young girl murdered and Marcus injured. Marcus had responded to
the 17 year old Asian's girl's call for help. Further investigation
shows that the girl was a victim of human trafficking and had been
held as a sex slave. Scarlett and Marcus are plunged into a
dangerous world of corruption where crime bosses have no compunction
about murdering anyone who gets in their way.
Although very long (589 pages) Rose maintained a high level of
suspense as the authorities, aided by Marcus, follow a trail that
uncovers human trafficking at its worst. There are some ugly scenes
of torture and murder which are not for the faint-hearted and a lot
of good people are targeted by some very nasty villains. The main
theme of human trafficking is explored in depth and gives the reader
much to think about greed and exploitation of innocent people.
The romance between Scarlett and Bishop, both flawed characters, is
a highlight of the book but doesn't dominate the suspenseful plot,
so that readers of mysteries and also romantic suspense will enjoy
the combination. Rose explores the nature of being a police member
and having to face trauma, mutilated bodies and depravity constantly
and how her main characters cope with this is also a riveting theme
for the reader.
Although this is the second in the series, there is enough
information given about the large supporting cast for it to be read
as a standalone novel. These secondary characters are also
fascinating and some of them no doubt will be explored more fully in
subsequent books in the series.
Pat Pledger
Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum bk. 22. Headline, 2015. ISBN 9781472201652
(Age: 16+) Recommended for fans of the series. The Stephanie
Plum series is back with the 22nd book, and readers will
welcome the familiar themes and humour that Janet Evanovich offers.
Stephanie is chasing a student, Ken Globovic (Gobbles) who was
supposed to have beaten up the Dean of Students at Kiltman College
and has not appeared for his court date. At the same time Doug
Linken has been gunned down in his back yard and Stephanie becomes
involved as Joe Morelli, her boyfriends and Ranger, the darkly
handsome security expert try to find the murderer.
I had not read many of the more recent novels in the series, but
found that little had changed: Stephanie is still involved with Joe
Morelli, although this time he breaks the relationship off; Ranger
is still alluring and hot and prepared to supply her with an
unlimited number of cars, and Lula and Grandma Mazur provide some
wonderful side-splitting lines.
The mystery surrounding Gobbles builds up to a surprising climax and
Stephanie proves once again that she can overcome almost
insurmountable obstacles. There are some moments of suspense but it
is the humour that keeps the reader absorbed.
Fans of the series will be happy to sit back and read this happily
entertaining escapist novel, a perfect summer read.
Pat Pledger
Who's Afraid? by Maria Lewis
Hachette Australia, 2016. ISBN 9780349411149
(Age: Adult) Paranormal. Werewolves. Scotland. Romance. Tommi is a
young Scottish woman who visits New Zealand in search of her father.
Once there she is flung into frightening situations as she discovers
her birthright as an exceptionally powerful werewolf. Lorcan
MacCarthy turns up as her Protector, inveigling himself as her
flatmate in Dundee and guiding her through the stages of her ability
to change into a werewolf. The training that he gives her in the
martial arts are essential for her to survive in a world where her
evil half-brother Stephen wants her and centuries old people are
watching what powers she will bring to the centuries old battle that
is going on.
I enjoy urban fantasy and Who's afraid has a fresh take on
the werewolf scenario. Tommi, with her bright blue hair, her plans
to complete a Master's Degree and her ability to set up art shows,
is a great main character. The few friends she has, she cares for
deeply and her relationship with them is fleshed out really well as
the reader begins to learn about her life in Dundee. Meanwhile
Lorcan is an enigmatic character, and the growing attraction between
the two is a slow smoulder throughout the novel. I enjoyed the fact
that Tommi was prepared to examine her feelings and what was good
for her in a relationship, while Lorcan was a patient, stoic warrior
Guardian.
The action heats up towards the last third of the book, when Tommi
comes into her own, and there are lots of surprises and twists to
keep the reading fully involved in what's happening. The book ended
in a satisfying way, not on the common action cliff-hanger, and left
the reader wanting to know what was in the future for both Tommi and
Lorcan.
The interesting locations of New Zealand and Scotland set it apart
from others in the genre. The next in the series could well be set
in Berlin, so that is one to look forward to.
This is sure to appeal to readers of paranormal urban fantasy,
although a near rape, party scenes and drugs make it more suitable
for an adult or new adult audience.
Pat Pledger
Clancy of the Undertow by Christopher Currie
Text, 2015. ISBN 9781925240405
(Age: 14+) Recommended. This book is an easy read about Clancy who
is 16, coming to terms with her sexuality, and living in a country
town. It is the beginning of the summer holidays and Clancy, despite
having a part time job, has time on her hands. The Australian
country town and countryside is painted delicately, giving the
reader a genuine feeling of being there.
The story fleshes out a typical Australian family, complete with
inappropriate behaviours, arguments and lots of love. After a
tragedy involving Dad, the Underhill family members cope in the best
way they know how while grappling with the judgmental 'bogans' in
the small town community who attempt to ostracise the family.
Clancy's efforts to connect with her Dad are tender and evocative of
the Australian way: fathers retreating to the shed and finding it
difficult to reveal their true feelings. Clancy's ambivalence toward
her Mum (who has 'greeting-card racks worth of motivational quotes')
is played out with humour and insight.
Clancy's membership of the Nature Club introduces her to the new
girl in town, Nancy. This is a complicated developing friendship as
both are holding secrets that have affected their lives deeply.
Clancy is also drawn in to older brother Angus' search for the Beast
of Barwen. Readers from Northern NSW and Queensland will be well
acquainted with the very popular urban myth (going by a variety of
names) of a panther/mountain lion that haunts the bush.
Clancy has a crush on a Sasha. Her inner turmoil is believable as
she worships from afar and also when the totally unexpected happens
- Sasha notices her. The reader is presented with a birds-eye view
of the uncertainty and self-deception that overtakes a teenager in
love for the first time.
The themes of friendships, family relationships, bullying and
difference are explored sensitively in this book with an Australian
flavour and humour that could possibly leave some readers not from
Australia a little flummoxed.
Linda Guthrie
Phoenix rising by Bryony Pearce
Stripes Publishing, 2015. ISBN 9781847154507
(Age: Young adult) Highly recommended. Themes: Dystopian literature;
Environmental issues; Piracy; Adventure. This is amazing! It is a
cross between an environmental disaster story and Pirate adventure,
with a teen hero discovering his own strengths, rising to overcome
opposition while working on a risky salvage operation on the high
seas. A blurb quote describes it as 'Junk-Punk'. Whatever the genre,
it is an entertaining read.
A preface with clips of newspaper headlines gives some idea of the
reasons this world is so different to our own. As an example of a
dystopian futuristic world, it is unique and gives the reader a view
into a disastrous view of the world following a major environmental
disaster. The oceans are seething with 'junk', which is either a
major shipping hazard or is being salvaged and repurposed in a new
world where power sources cannot be relied upon, and those in power
cannot be trusted. The pirates are out for themselves and will not
let anything get in the way in their search for 'treasure'. The
Phoenix is the vessel upon which Toby sails as a self-trained ship's
engineer. His coming of age and his acceptance as a mature member of
the crew comes after he attempts to rescue a ship stowaway from an
attack from a rival pirate ship. There is a violent encounter, a
potential romance and renewed respect from his own crew, and
eventually the wounded vessel makes its way into further danger.
This book is full of drama, and is well-written. It will definitely
be enjoyed by young adult readers. It is stirring, fast-paced and .
. . there will be a sequel! Unusually for a YA book, there is no
offensive language, and although there are violent encounters and
sword fights which might be problematic on film for a young
audience, in text this imagination limitation just makes the story
spectacular.
Carolyn Hull
Career of evil by Robert Galbraith (AKA J.K. Rowling)
Cormoran Strike, bk. 3. Hachette, 2015. ISBN 9780751563580
(Age: 18+) Recommended. This is the third book in the Cormoran
Strike series, but can read as a stand-alone. This book
continues story of Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott who work as
Private Investigators.
The story explores a range of relationships: Cormoran with his
mother (now dead), Robin with her fiance, Matthew, and the
complicated relationship shared by Robin and Cormoran. Cormoran is
also strongly connected to the three suspects in this murder
mystery: Donald Laing, Noel Brockbank, and Jeff Whittaker. And these
relationships underpin the plot of the book. An interesting addition
to the relationships is that of Shanker to Cormoran and Robin.
Shanker has a pivotal role in the book, exuding the virtues loyalty
and honour from behind an unkempt and very smelly exterior.
The relationship between Cormoran and Robin is deftly examined
throughout the story, and is the glue that holds the plot together.
Relationship to self is also explored in an interesting way through
including Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) in the plot. This
disorder causes sufferers to seek to have an otherwise healthy body
part amputated. Here the story presents two very opposing views and
gives the reader opportunity to learn more about the personalities
of Cormoran and Robin.
The tone of the segments written from the point of view of the
killer in the story is extremely gruesome, to the point of excess at
times. There is an unevenness to the writing that leaves the reader
confused at times. The very obvious hints in the story, as to who
the suspect really is, are seemingly missed by Robin and Cormoran,
and this doesn't fit with the impression otherwise generated for the
reader: that Robin and Cormoran are a tight team, missing nothing.
There is, however, some very welcome relief throughout the story in
the form of black humour, such as Cormoran's remark upon the
delivery of a leg by courier, 'And it's not even my size.'
Musically knowledgeable readers will enjoy the references to Blue
Oyster Cult and the song lines that are from this group that open
each chapter of this captivating book.
Linda Guthrie
Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, and Deborah Biancotti
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781925266955
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. 'Every Power Has A Price'. Reading
this book is like reading a graphic novel, with the pictures all
unfolding in your head as the images take the story and literally
run. Impossible to put down, this is a story told seamlessly by
three authors, creating a world that is believable and
extraordinary.
Is there anything special about being born in the year 2000? This
book tells us there might be. We meet ordinary teenagers with
extraordinary powers. Every power has a price, with some more costly
than seem bearable. They refer to themselves as 'Zeroes, not Heroes'
and the book places the reader right in the middle of the action as
the reluctant heroes are coming to terms with their abilities.
Ethan (Scam), Nate (Bellwether), Thibault (Anonymous), Kelsie (Mob),
Riley (Flicker) and Chizara (Crash) each tell the story from their
perspective. This is well crafted and leaves the reader feeling
empathy and compassion for these flawed and thoroughly engaging
characters.
This is a book that explores the themes of acceptance, forgiveness,
friendship and trust. Kelsie and Thibault have complicated and
conflicted relationships with family that invite the reader to
ponder the necessary and difficult act of forgiveness. All
characters have a part to play in expanding on the nature of
consequence. The heroes grapple with the consequences of their
powers and the reader is compelled to think more deeply about the
implications of wielding great power.
An important additional theme in the book is the power of
collaboration. The social super powers of the group are the subject
of ethical and moral consideration by the characters in this book.
From the understanding they are being manipulated by their 'glorious
leader', to the crowds that seize the super power and take it beyond
the control of the teen characters, this book presents food for
thought in our current social media environment.
Linda Guthrie
Silence is Goldfish by Annabel Pitcher
Hachette, 2015. ISBN 9781780620008
(Age: 13+) Recommended. 'I am Pluto. Silent. Inaccessible.
Billions of miles away from everything I thought I knew.'
Did you, as a child, look around and wonder if you belonged in your
family? Are you a person who thought they must have been adopted?
Tess has just read that her father, Jack, is not really her father.
Not only that, but he was revolted by his first sight of her.
Tess is an introverted 15 year old and her already uncomfortable
world has been turned upside down. Now she is looking through eyes
that see everything Jack and her mother do as somehow sinister and
deceitful. She begins a mute protest, refusing to speak to anyone.
Her once strong, and mutually strengthening relationship with her
friend Isabel is the first casualty of this decision.
Tess' relationship with her Grandmother is touching and genuinely
caring. It also serves as another lens through which Tess examines
her parents and relatives.
Tess has been ruthlessly bullied at school, and on the internet.
Being mute escalates the bullying and Tess survives this torment by
relying on Mr Goldfish. Mr Goldfish acts as confidante and ally. The
challenges to Tess' thinking and decisions are generated by Mr
Goldfish and at times prevent her immaturity and naivety overtaking
her. He helps her understand that people are not always as they
appear, even when you think you know them really well.
This book sensitively probes the intensity of the teenage years
through the themes of friendship, family relationship, bullying and
body image. The bullying is unfortunately not addressed or resolved
in this story. The characters are believable and there is humour
provided by Mr Goldfish that serves to break the tension.
Linda Guthrie
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School by Jeff Kinney
Puffin Books, 2015. ISBN 9780143309000
(Age: 7-12) The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are still as
popular as ever and the new title (number 10 in the series), Old
School will please DOWK fans.
As usual Greg has many misadventures and mishaps. His Mum has
convinced the town to unplug and be electronics free, his granddad
has moved into Greg's bedroom and Greg has to share with his little
brother Manny, his lemonade stall has problems and volunteering in
the community has it's drawbacks.
Despite his original misgivings, Greg ends up going on camp to
Hardscrabble Farm. Life at the camp involves a variety of unpleasant
activities and experiences but the biggest issue is the camp story
of Silas Scratch, an undead farmer who couldn't be killed. The
constant fear of his appearance impacts on all the campers, but Greg
is determined to discover more about this scary character.
I laughed out loud at several parts of this story, the little
brother Manny with his 'no pants' antics, the not to be crossed girl
scouts and the grandfather driving the car were very funny.
The amusing storyline and simple cartoon illustrations are still a
hit and the book appeals to confident and less independent readers
alike.
I recommend this book to the many old and new fans of DOWK and
suggest that readers from 7 to 12 years will enjoy this novel.
You can hear Jeff Kinney talk about his book here.
Jane Moore
Lady Helen and the Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
Lady Helen bk. 1. Angus & Robertson, 2015. ISBN
9780732296094
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Regency period. Paranormal. Lady
Helen Wrexhall is a young woman, about to be presented to Queen
Charlotte and ready to be launched in Regency society and into the
marriage mart. She is haunted by the memory of her mother who was
tainted by the reputation of being a traitor, and when she meets the
dark and dangerous Lord Carlston, she finds it very difficult to
believe that she has another destiny that of a member of the Dark
Days Club, fighting demons and rescuing people.
Goodman's research into the Regency period provides a fascinating
background to the story of Lady Helen, just making her debut, and
seeking a suitable man to marry. Marriage was the only way that a
woman could secure her future and the lack of independence and
economic power that were the lot of women was graphically described.
Lady Helen, although very intelligent, remains a Regency lady,
shopping, riding in the Park and looking over prospective suitors.
The customs, the shops, the clothes, and many real characters like
Beau Brummell, Lord Byron and the Regent himself too, are all
vividly described and make compelling reading for anyone who is
interested in this period of history. An especially interesting
aspect was the relationship between Lady Helen and the many servants
in the house, including Darby her ladies' maid and young Berta who
goes missing.
I loved the combination of Regency setting and paranormal
excitement. As more of the demonic world is revealed and Lady
Helen's acquaintance with the dark Lord Carlston grows, she is
plunged into great danger and sees first-hand what the demons in her
world get up to. She has inherited powers and a secret duty and has
to decide whether she will become part of the Dark Days Club and
ostracised by the ton, or marry a Duke and become a matron leading
high society.
It was a great read, one that lovers of the Regency period, and
authors like Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen and Mary Robinette Kowal
are sure to enjoy. I am eagerly looking forward to the next in the
series.
Pat Pledger
