Ill. by Mark Wilson. The Secret Histories series. Angus
& Robertson, 2015. ISBN 9780732299439
(Age: Primary) This is the first in a new series from Jackie French
called The Secret Histories. The stories will feature lesser
known identities of Australian history; lesser known because not
much was written about them at the time and sometimes from an
unfavourable perspective. Her first subject is Mr Richard Johnson,
clergyman to the new colony.
We met Mr Johnson in this author's previous Nanberry: Black
brother White. As chaplain to the first white settlement, he
was a man who practised what he preached. He had already taken in
Birrung, a young indigenous girl whose people had been wiped out by
a plague introduced by the new settlers. Johnson knows her as
Abaroo. She leads him to two orphans of the colony, Barney and
Elsie, barely surviving on their daily rations, who come under his
wing as well. They flourish with good care and healthy food from Mr
Johnson's equally flourishing vegetable gardens, spared the raids
that other gardens suffer because of the high regard for Mr Johnson
in the colony. Then the Second Fleet arrives, riddled with disease
and death amongst a starving cargo of convicts; and the promised
replenishments already appropriated by the corrupt crew. Times can
only become darker.
In the meantime, Barney and Elsie are learning more civilised
behaviour from Mrs Johnson and her convict housekeeper Sally.
Burring is also teaching Barney about the ways of the bush. The more
time he spends with her, the more jealous Elsie becomes. We never
hear why because Elsie doesn't speak; the reader is given to think
her elective mutism was caused by a traumatic past. When Birrung
finally leaves the protection of the Johnsons, Barney is warned not
to disclose his friendship with her; associations with the 'indians'
are frowned upon by the white people. Birrung must remain his secret
friend forever.
Within a historical framework featuring real and fictional
characters, French gives a realistic vision of life for the first
white settlers at Sydney Cove. This book would suit serial reading
or novel study in primary school units about this time in Australian
History, as an ideal replacement for the much more mature Nanberry.
Kerry Neary
The Ice Dragon by George R.R Martin
HarperCollins, 2014. ISBN 9780008118853
(Age: 7+) Recommended.
'The ice dragon breathed death into the world; death and quiet and
cold. But Adara was not afraid. She was a winter child, and the ice
dragon was her secret.'
For centuries the ice dragon has been a symbol of fear. It cannot be
stopped. It cannot be tamed by any man. But Adara is different. She
is a child of winter; born during the worst freeze to ever hit for
as long as anyone could remember. But then, on the year of her
seventh birthday, fiery dragons with soldiers on their backs attack
Adara's home. And the only way to save is everyone, is for the child
of winter and the dragon that loved her, to fight the dragons of
summer.
I would recommend this book to children of both genders. Aged 7 and
up. I would also recommend this book to people who prefer to read
shorter books as this novel mainly consists of pictures.
This book from the author of Game of Thrones is a novel,
that while fast moving, is in depth and is a must read for all Game
of Throne fans.
Jazmin Humphries (Student, Year 7)
The last ANZAC by Gordon Winch
Ill. by Harriet Bailey. New Frontier, 2015. ISBN 9781925059298
(Age: 5+) ANZAC, World War One, Remembrance. The true story of Alec
Campbell, the last ANZAC who died in 2002 is told through the eyes
of a young boy, James who visited him in 2001.
The details of Alec's life as a recruit are told in bare simple
prose, outlining the unadorned facts of his enlistment at sixteen
and the time training in Egypt before being sent to Anzac Cove. Each
section of his story as a young teen is interspersed with his
interview with James. The illustrator has vividly contrasted the
young man in his uniform carrying a rifle that seems to tower over
him, with the images of an old gentle man having a cup of tea with
his wife and James and his dad, dunking his biscuit in his tea. That
contrast reinforces the gap between our perception of what Anzac was
like for these men and their reality. That reality is revealed in
many of the images shown in this book, including the letters and
photographs included as the endpapers.
There have been so many books produced for this centenary year that
for some schools it will be difficult choosing which to buy. Each
book takes a different slant and shows things which others do not. I
was intrigued with the information about Alec as a water carrier,
with the scenes of the soldiers eating oranges, of Alec in hospital
and his arrival back home. Each image adds another layer of
knowledge about this war for younger readers, and as it is about a
real person, will add some resonance to those looking at this book.
Fran Knight
The greatest Gatsby: A visual book of grammar by Tohby Riddle
Penguin, 2015. ISBN 9780670078684
Highly recommended for readers, students and educators from 8 to 80!
Like electricity or the soul, grammar is invisible. But when present
among a group of words, language comes to life.
Tohby Riddle's new picture book is a visual feast, he uses colour,
collage, text, comedy and emotion to delve into the definitions of
grammar in our English language. The front cover entices the reader
with the title The greatest Gatsby (superlative adjective),
to the rail bridge where the singular word bird and picture travel
on a flat rail car followed by the plural S and bird-filled car.
Each concept is clearly and concisely defined with the Latin
derivation. The eight types of pronouns come alive when matched with
Tohby's drawing of a wooden chair - indefinite pronouns - dotted
outline, demonstrative pronouns - solid, dark inked lines and
interrogative - a simple line drawing of the chair on its side.
Adjectives follow using the chair motif again with the possessive
adjectives displaying a chair reserved!
Transport and locomotion are common themes, photos from the 1800's and
1900's provide wonderful backdrops for the grammatical explanations.
The creative use of loose letterpress type, his mother's typewriter,
stamps with innovative colours, and artistic placement of font
styles and sizes add to the enjoyment of exploring this informative
book.
Even those tricky matters - it's or its, well or good, was or were,
lie or lay are amusingly depicted. This visually delightful book is
a must have for English and Literacy educators, libraries and
classes. An excellent and insightful tool for studying the English
language.
Tohby's illustrations could be adapted as videos, imagine animated
pipes for conjunctions and connectives, or the cyclist and the
bridge explaining prepositions!
Rhyllis Bignell
The door that led to where by Sally Gardner
Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN 9781471401114
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Time travel. Mystery. Murder. Family
relations. Even though AJ Flynn has failed all but English in his
GCSE exams, he has been lucky enough to get a job at a London law
firm, which is a mystery in itself. When he finds a key labelled
with his name and date of birth, he sets out to discover the
whereabouts of the door that it opens. He time travels to 1830, a
period of time that he has found fascinating because of his love of
Charles Dickens, and is enthralled to travel the cobbled streets of
Clerkenwell and Holborn, where life is cheap. His friends in modern
London are facing difficulties but they find that in 1830 their
lives have more meaning as they are treated as young men not as
adolescents with no purpose. AJ is also intrigued by a murder that
only he can solve and by the mystery of his father who disappeared
before he could get to know him
A clever use of time slip back to the 19th century provides a
contrast with the difficult life in modern London that AJ and his
friends have. Life in both times are vividly brought to life and the
contrast between the loneliness and isolation of life in an inner
city estate in London with drugs and unemployment and the smelly
streets of Dickensian London is well developed. One of the dilemmas
that AJ and his friends face is whether to stay in Victorian London
or to return to the 21st century.
The reader gets to know AJ really well, as he struggles with his
mother who he has dubbed the 'red reptile with the poison tongue'
and tries to help his friends who are in trouble. Gardner uses
contemporary dialogue with some strong language as she describes the
plight of the friends as they face death, drug lords and poverty. AJ
comes into his own when he travels back to 1830 and gradually
uncovers many mysteries involving murder, poison and madness.
The skilful narration and vivid prose with its contemporary issues,
a mystery, sound historical information and a touch of romance
create a very enjoyable read and the conclusion leaves an opening
for further adventures.
Pat Pledger
Yak and Gnu by Juliette McIver
Ill. by Cat Chapman. Walker Books, 2015. ISBN 9781922077684
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Rhyming story. Animals. Friendship. When best
friends, Yak and Gnu row their canoes down the river, they wonder
about who they will meet and what adventures they may have. They
assume that only they can row down the river and sing of their blue
and brown canoes as they row. They sing their refrain, Yippe ai Yak,
Woo hoo Gnu, There are no other beasts like me and you. But a goat
in a boat comes sailing by, upsetting their assumption that only
they can row down the river. And now their song must be changed a
little. Along comes a snail setting sail, and a calf on a raft, and
a flotilla of gorillas, and so on. It is fun to predict the nautical
word which may be used to rhyme with the animal, and even funnier to
see the illustrations by Cat Chapman which accompany the river
journeying group of beasts.
Clever rhymes, startling illustrations make this a wonderful read aloud and a book to ponder as the friends come to see that their
friendship is important.
Readers young and old will love the rhymes used in this tale, and
laugh at the amazing round up of animals all finding their way down
the river, much to Yak's distress. Gnu hastens to assure him that
they are still the best of friends and their song still applies.
This is a gentle story of friendship amidst the crowds, of remaining
true to a friend despite all the other attractions.
Fran Knight
Virgil and Owen by Paulette Bogan
Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN 9781619633728
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Arctic and Antarctic animals. Friendship.
Virgil finds a lost polar bear and claims him for his own. He takes
him with him but is dismayed when the bear plays with the other
animals on the ice and snow covered land. He splashes with the
terns, slides with the seals, plays with the penguins, and each time
Virgil reminds him that he belongs to him. Owen stands his ground
and tells Virgil that he is called Owen, and turns to play with the
other animals. Virgil goes away disappointed until the whole group
comes to ask him to join them. He has found the meaning of
friendship and what it means to have friends.
In soft watercolours with lots of differing shades of blue, the
Antarctic is brought to life for the younger reader. They will be
able to spot the different animals that live in this cold region of
the earth and it might be worth pointing out to your readers that
polar bears are Arctic animals while penguins live in the Antarctic,
so Owen is well and truly lost.
The theme behind this story is one all children will instantly
recognise, of not smothering someone you like, of giving your friend
room to be themselves, of not taking up all their time. Teachers and
parents alike will be able to discuss this issue with the readers
alerting them in a funny way to the ways that friendship can occur
and the barriers to that developing relationship.
Fran Knight
The honest truth by Dan Gemeinhart
Chicken House, 2015. ISBN 9781910002131
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. The theme of children facing terminal
illness has been explored in other novels recently but this one
deserves consideration as a lovely story with realistic characters
and an authentic plot.
Sick of treatment, sick of relapses and sick of the pain and illness
caused by cancer, Mark is fed up and feels that it is time to die
after climbing Mount Rainier, a challenge which he and his late
Grandfather had dreamed of achieving. Such a story could easily
degenerate into a morbid and hopeless portrayal of a child's fear
and desperation or a traumatic examination of emotional torment felt
by family and friends contemplating loss. Not so in this novel. The
main character possesses wisdom, ingenuity and stoicism which
enables him to press on against adversity and the presence of his
brave and faithful little dog provides comic relief and the desire
to cheer.
The author has clearly not intended this tale to be a wallowing,
heart wrenching ordeal for the reader. There is a great deal of
emphasis placed upon goodness, shown in the devotion by parents, the
innocent, guaranteed love from his best friend, the unconditional
trust from his dog and the kindness shown by strangers, sometimes at
a cost. There is no shying away from the truth however and it is
made clear from the start that Mark believes he will die. It is
important to emphasise that there is no suggestion of suicide,
rather it is acknowledged that grave illness and severely dangerous
environmental factors make it likely that he will not return.
The clever methods used by the child to travel great distance and
his strategies to overcome problems are believable, as are the
reactions and behaviours by loved ones and authorities as they try
locate the young boy. I liked the style of alternate chapters
narrating Mark's exploits in the first person versus third person
descriptive passages explaining what is happening to Mark's parents
and his best friend Jessie, printed in a different font. Chapter
numbers are quirky with Mark's having whole numbers and the
alternate perspective chapters being assigned half numbers, a
statement which underlines that for Mark, it is about trying to slow
time down, to delay the inevitable and stretch his allotted days to
accomplish his dream.
The engaging characters and exciting plot makes this a great read
which avoids undue distress whilst dealing with a painful topic.
Rob Welsh
Frida and Bear by Anthony Browne and Hanne Abartholin
Walker Books, 2015. ISBN 9781406353990
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Frida and Bear both love to draw, but
sometimes they have trouble thinking of a topic. So Frida draws a
shape for Bear who adds to it and turns it into puppy. Bear then
draws a shape and Frida uses her creativity to turn it into a big
fish. Together the two have great fun using their imaginations to
play the Shape Game which Anthony Browne introduced when he was the
UK Children's Laureate.
This is a delightful book that celebrates art and the power of the
imagination. Browne's prose is short and succinct and the print
would be suitable for the beginning reader. The introduction of
Browne's signature gorilla one page will enthral the reader who is a
fan of Browne's Willy books.
Any child (or adult) will have great fun looking at a shape and
turning it into something else. Using pieces of scrap paper or
objects found in the garden or at the sea as the initial shapes will
also motivate the creative mind to come up with some fabulous
pictures as Hanne Abartholin shows in her whimsical and memorable
illustrations. Children would really enjoy making their own shapes
or finding some in the world around and then sharing with a partner
to come up with some wonderful ideas.
The Shape Game is a really interesting, creative and fun way of
using the imagination and this book that illustrates how it works
would be invaluable to have in a library, classroom or home.
Pat Pledger
The shadow cabinet by Maureen Johnson
The shadow cabinet by Maureen Johnson Shades of London Bk 3. Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN
9781471401800
(Age 14+) Recommended. Mystery. Thriller. Ghosts. Rory feels all
alone. Stephen has been taken from her and Charlotte her classmate
is missing, taken by the same people who tried to kidnap her. She
has left school and is now an important weapon in the secret
government unit that Stephen was involved with. There is danger in
London and something called The Shadow Cabinet seems to hold the key
to the mysteries that Rory needs to uncover.
Johnson sets a crackling pace with ghosts in Highgate Cemetery and
strange supernatural occurrences and cults. Her opening chapter is
set in December 1973 and relates the diabolical ritual that the
twins Sid and Sadie, assisted by Jane have instigated. This sets the
tone for the novel and the themes of life and death for the
remainder of the book permeate the story.
Sid and Sadie would have to be among the scariest characters that I
have read about in YA fiction and take this story into the horror
realm which will delight fans of Johnson, who has been voted Queen
of Teen in the UK and who certainly writes relatable characters.
Rory continues to grow as she faces new challenges and Callum and
Boo persist in intriguing and making the reader want to find out
their back stories. With the introduction of Freddie who has been
communicating with Stephen and following him around London, Johnson
provides the reader with interesting information about the Shadow
Cabinet and the rites that Sid and Sadie may have been involved
with. For fans of the series Johnson has provided Stephen's
backstory, The
boy in the smoke, at the Wattpad website.
This is an enjoyable read and fans of the series will be anxiously
waiting the climax in the fourth and last book.
Pat Pledger
You are (NOT) small by Anna Kang
Ill. by Christopher Weyant. Hachette, 2014. ISBN 9781444918304
Highly recommended for 3-6 year olds. Husband and wife team Anna
Kang and Christopher Wayant won the ALA's 2015 Theodor Seuss Geisel
Award award for the most distinguished beginning reader book with You
Are (Not) Small!
Anna Kang looks at size perception in a uniquely simple way. Two
furry creatures meet and disagree on just who is big and who is
small. Each state their observation plainly, and as they are joined
more of their own kind, they become more vocal.
The larger orange and yellow fuzzy animals shout, 'You are all
small!'
The smaller grey and purple creatures reply, 'You are all big!'
The argument is halted by a BOOM! A huge green hairy foot appears,
both groups are surprised when tiny pink creatures parachute in to
join the fun.
Christopher Weyant is a cartoonist for the New Yorker. He translates
his understanding of the young audience in his simple illustrations
they are bold, expressive and humorous. This is a great read aloud
story, an exciting reader's theatre and is a great tool for teaching
expression and punctuation.
Rhyllis Bignell
Digger, the dog who went to war by Mark Wilson
Lothian, 2015. ISBN 9780734415745
(Age: 7+) Recommended. War, World War One, Animals, Animals in war,
Friendship. Mark Wilson has the knack of distilling a story into its
bare bones making it accessible to a younger audience, but also
nourishing those older students picking up this book.
With the tale of a small dog smuggled aboard a troop carrier headed
for Europe during World War One, Wilson adds to the many stories of
animals in war that have appeared in recent years. Digger
accompanies his friend, Matthew, a stretcher bearer, adding another
level of knowledge to the readers as they absorb the tasks carried
out by these men. They share the knife edge existence of the
soldiers, risking their own lives to spend days and nights going
into the battlefield to retrieve wounded and dying men. Early in the
story we are shown the men fashioning a small gas mask for the dog
and this figures prominently later in the tale.
Digger accompanies his master doing his work, always there to help
the wounded pull through adding a level of comfort to those brought
back.
This most touching of stories has illustrations to match. Wilson has
a recognisable style using a variety of techniques to augment the
emotional tone of the story. Oil on board and canvas along with
etchings reveal and complement the story. I spent a long time
pouring over the battle scenes, taking in the detail, absorbing the
emotional impact of these drawings.
In a class or library this adds to the array of books being
published giving an insight into the horrors of war and the small
things which added comfort to the men deployed. The story is based
on a true tale of a dog smuggled overseas, and is one of many
researched and offered in books recently.
For further stories of animals in war, see The Literature Base,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (Animals in war, by Fran Knight), Animal
heroes (Anthony
Hill, whose page has an excellent website giving more stories)
and M is for mates (Australian War Memorial, with an
excellent website
accompanying the book)
Fran Knight
Unspeakable by Abbie Rushton
Atom, 2015. ISBN: 9780349002064.
(Ages 15+) Highly recommended. 'Megan doesn't speak. She hasn't
spoken in months. Pushing away the people she cares about is just a
small price to pay. Because there are things locked inside Megan's
head - things that are screaming to be heard - that she cannot, must
not, let out. Then Jasmine starts at school: bubbly, beautiful,
talkative Jasmine. And for reasons Megan can't quite understand,
life starts to look a bit brighter. Megan would love to speak again,
and it seems like Jasmine might be the answer. But if she finds her
voice, will she lose everything else? Some secrets are too dangerous
to be told.' (Publisher)
I don't think I can ever stop recommending this novel. I thought I
knew what I was getting into when I started reading Unspeakable,
but within a few chapters I was captivated and riveted. I could not
stop reading. Abbie Rushton did an amazing job telling Megan's
story. Looking through Megan's eyes and reading her thoughts were
outstanding and absolutely heartbreaking. The growth of Megan within
the story was astonishing. I was left a horrible emotional wreck
after reading it but it just made me love this novel even more so.
Cecilia Richards
Big Game by Dan Smith
Chicken House, 2015. ISBN: 9781909489943
(Age: 12+) Oskari is 13 years old and embarking on an ancient test
of manhood (the Trial) in a remote mountain area in Finland. Armed
with a bow and arrow he must survive the night and return with the
animal he kills. This animal will symbolize who he will become as a
man. Oskari is small for his age and lacks confidence in his
abilities. He is unable to pull back the string of the huge
ceremonial bow that he must use.
Oskari has hardly begun his night in the wilderness before the sky
is lit with explosions and Oskari finds a steel pod. The person
inside is revealed to be the President of the United States. The
action starts and the book becomes a real page turner with Oskari
and the President running for their lives: jumping off a waterfall;
finding a severed animal head; hanging from a helicopter; and
swimming through a crashed plane.
Oskari relies on his skills as a hunter to save the President and
himself from the terrorists who pursue them and return to the Place
of the Skulls a hero.
This book will be a real hit with readers who love adventure
stories. The book is based on the movie written and directed by
Jamari Helander. The movie (starring Samuel L. Jackson) will be
released in May.
Linda Guthrie
I was here by Gayle Forman
Simon & Schuster, 2015. ISBN 9781471124396
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. 'I regret to inform you that I have
had to take my own life'.
Cody is learning the difference between a memorial service, a vigil
and a prayer circle. Her best friend Meg, with whom she has shared
everything, has let her know by time-delay email that she has
already taken her own life.
Survivor guilt leads Cody on a journey, bravely searching for a way
to explain the incomprehensible. Cody discovers Meg's other life
that had been kept secret from her and Meg's family. The boy who
broke Meg's heart (Tragic Guitar Hero) and an encrypted file on
Meg's computer open the door to solving the mysteries and finding
'someone to blame'.
This is a powerful and well written novel that sensitively explores
the issue of suicide and the impact on survivors. This book is
highly recommended as it optimistically invites the reader to
consider the complexities of suicide and depression, along with the
role of family, friends and bystanders in supporting individuals who
are suffering from depression.
The author's note at the back of the book explains the inspiration
for this novel (a young woman named Suzy) and includes a link to
support materials. The movie rights to this novel have already been
negotiated with New Line.
Linda Guthrie
