Reviews

Meet Nancy Bird Walton by Grace Atwood

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Ill. by Harry Slaghekke. Meet... series. Random House, 2014. ISBN 9780758984883
(Age: 6+) Historical. 1940's. Australian heroes. Another in the series Meet... is a welcome addition for primary classes wanting an easy to read story of one of Australia's little known heroes. For younger readers, it is an introduction to her life and times, and will get them into the libraries or onto the Internet to find out more. For older readers the information is very brief and will whet their appetites to learn more. The illustrations will fascinate older readers too, as illustrator, Harry Slaghekke has taken a deliberate approach to his illustrations ensuring readers will be grounded in the times when Walton lived, using the look promoted by advertisements in the post war years and reflected on the models he loved to put together as a child.
Nancy Bird wanted to fly. She lived at a time of furious aviation activity, when the world gasped as men took extraordinary risks pushing the boundaries of flight. In Australia the achievements of the Kingsford Smith brothers were in everyone's minds, and Nancy at 18 was instructed by Charles Kingsford Smith at Mascot in Sydney, despite her father's disapproval. By 20 she had her first plane and became known as the 'angel of the outback' for her work with the Far West Children's Health Scheme, the first woman to fly commercially.
She followed her dream and became a legend and this is briefly outlined in this book. Every sentence reveals another fact of her life, her journey to fulfill the dream she held, and with a timeline at the end, readers will gain an idea of one of our extraordinary aviation pioneers, Nancy Bird, flying into a man's world, pushing the boundaries for those that followed her. This series from Random House now includes books about Ned Kelly, Mary McKillop, Douglas Mawson, the Anzacs and Captain Cook, all giving a brief but enticing glance at their lives and times, enough to impel readers to find out more.
Fran Knight

Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriger

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Finishing School bk 3. Atom, 2014. ISBN 9781907411618
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Steampunk. Sophronia is back at school, learning how to wield a steel-bladed fan while pretending to be a genteel lady. When her classmate Sidheag hears that her wolf pack in Scotland needs her help she enlists the help of Sophronia, and with Dimity, sootie Soap and Lord Felix Mersey, the group stowaway on a train trying to get Sidheag back home. However there are secrets aboard the train that threaten the peace of London and Sophronia clashes once again with her arch enemy Monique in her quest to save her world from chaos.
Gail Carriger once again triumphs with amusing and snappy dialogue that brings the characters to life in this steampunk romp. Sophronia is rather more introspective in this book, pondering on the worth of both Lord Felix and Soap, and knowing that one day she will have to choose a sponsor or even worse, get married. She has to make decisions about where her loyalty lies, but these are all made while having a great adventure. Her sidekicks, Sidheag, Dimity and Soap are all starting to grow up and also thinking about what is important for their futures, but their friendship remains as steadfast as ever.
Filled with action, flying balloons, landing on the top of moving trains, and facing down Picklemen and the powerful Dewar, the story keeps the reader engrossed and the unexpected twists at the end make for some interesting thinking about just what will happen in the next book in the series.
This is such a feel good series. It has everything - lots of action, humour, unusual characters, exciting adventures and to top it all off, it is very well written.
Pat Pledger

Kipper's little friends by Mick Inkpen

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Hodder Children's Books, 2014. ISBN 9781444918182
(Age: 2-5) Highly recommended. Mick Inkpen's Kipper series is celebrating a milestone with twenty-five years of stories and cartoons. Children who grew up with Kipper are now adults, ready to share the simple delights of new Kipper story with their babies and toddlers.  
Arnold, Kipper's friend is playing with a new toy, a small gray fluffy owl. They begin to talk about baby animal names so Kipper checks his computer (a pear brand obviously) to discover there are owlets, froglets even a baby hedgehog is called a hoglet. The friends decide to visit the park with their net to search for some baby animals. When Arnold throws Small Grey Fluffy owl into the pond, they discover a surprise in the net.
The simple, expressive sentences with large font sizes, carefully placed text and highlighted words help create a sense of wonder and support a child's early literacy development. His simple, bright watercolour illustrations and the careful character placement on a white background, make this another wonderful addition to the Kipper series.
Rhyllis Bignell

Luna the Loom Band Fairy by Daisy Meadows

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Rainbow Magic series. Orchard Books, 2014. ISBN 9781408338988
(Age: 6-9) Newly independent readers. Rachel and Kirsty must use all their ingenuity and problem solving when naughty Jack Frost steals Luna the Loom Band Fairy's golden loom that ensures everyone can make wonderful loom band craft. Suddenly everyone's loom art goes wrong and Rachel and Kirsty use their magic dust to give Luna a helping hand.
Loom band arts and crafts have enormous appeal for this age group and Daisy Meadows has written an engaging story that will hit the spot with the young handicraft enthusiasts. They will get lots of ideas for making loom band articles as well as enjoying a story with magical fairy characters.
Rachel and Kirsty have a special bond of friendship that sees them working together to get the best of Jack Frost when he threatens to spoil everyone's fun. Illustrations interspersed throughout the book will help the newly independent reader and expand on the story.
This book is sure to be a winner with the Rainbow magic series fans as well as those who enjoy doing craft. Activities, games and book news can be found at the Rainbow Magic page.
Pat Pledger

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

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Grisha series, bk 3. Indigo, 2014. ISBN 9781780621166
(Age: 13+) Recommended. 2014 YALSA Teens' Top Ten. The final episode of The Grisha series, brings to a dramatic climax the story that was begun in Shadow and bone and Siege and storm.
The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne and the Apparat forces Alina to stay under his protection, with many zealots worshipping her as a Saint. But she knows that she must hunt for the elusive firebird and find the missing Prince, so that the kingdom can be saved. Her loyalties are stretched to the limit, and she doesn't know whether she needs to break her link to Mal.
Fans of the series will be thrilled with the powerful final book, with its action, character development and the romance and angst of it all.
Pat Pledger

Clariel : the lost Abhorsen by Garth Nix

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Abhorsen series. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781741758627
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Fantasy, Adventure. When Clariel is taken from her home in Estwael to the city of Belisaere, she is aching to return to the Great Forest where she was happy. In the city she realises that she is a pawn in its politics, where the King has not been seen for some years, hiding away in the palace while the real power in the city it taken by Kilp, a powerful guild leader. She finds that her mother, Jaciel, has plans to marry her to his odious son, so joining the Goldsmith Guild with the Abhorsens, With credentials like Clariel's she is a target and must use every skill she has learnt to keep herself safe.
But her powers have long been derided by those in the city. The Charter mark stands prominently on her forehead and she practices Charter Magic, much to the derision of some of those in her classes at the Academy where she is sent to learn the customs of this new place. As her mother insists that she be trained in both the old and new skills she is sent to Magister Kargrin, who realises her talent and begins to develop the skills she has neglected. But all her thoughts are of her old home and Kargrin, realising this, promises to help her. He has sensed that there is someone with Free Magic in the town, hidden by a person of influence, and Clariel's skills will entice this him to show his hand. If she does this, he will help her escape and go back to the Great Forest. She is cornered. But in tackling the Free Magic she feels the pull to the other side of her magic, one where she can have unlimited power. After her parents are killed, she is sent to the old house where many of her ancestors lived. Here she is imprisoned but safe, with Mogget the cat for company, while events take shape around her. But she makes another escape, this time using the Free Magic creatures she finds in the house, breaking the rules once again.
Strong minded and willful, Clariel is the most spirited of heroes, taking chances after weighing up her options, acutely aware that her rage sometimes needs curbing.
Set six hundred years before the Old Kingdom trilogy of Sabriel, Lirael and Abhosren, this prequel is an imperative read for all fans of fantasy, adventure, and books with a strong storyline which tackles the most dire of situations.
Nix writes convincingly of Clariel's battles to survive, her breathless encounters with Kilp and his entourage, bent on forcing her to be part of his plans, her mother's spell forcing her to run, knowing Jaciel will die as a result, her incarceration in the pit at the Winter Palace. All events are credible, with enticing writing that enfolds the reader into the world Nix has created. Putting aside the book when the last page is turned is devastating, but readers can be pacified knowing the next three books are there to be reread.
Fran Knight

Memoirs of mixed fortunes edited by Mary Louise Simpson

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Wakefield Press, 2014. ISBN 9781743053355
(Age: 16+) Samuel Joseph Stuckey made a major contribution to the establishment of the South Australian pastoral industry but believed that he had been overlooked by history. By editing his memoirs, Samuel's great-grand-daughter, historian Marie Louise Simpson, has provided insights into the life of a determined and resilient man, and the process of colonisation itself.
Convinced that he was the first male child born in South Australia, Stuckey seems to have felt a sense of his own destiny as a 'pioneer'. His remarkable achievements include journeys to the far north-east of the colony, the procurement of camels and Afghan cameleers in what is now Pakistan, the establishment of a sheep station in the northern Flinders Ranges, his partnership with the pastoralist Thomas Elder and his exposure of fraud by government employees charged with draining swamps in the South-East. Marie Louise Simpson's interest in her ancestor was prompted by her discovery that he had shot an Aboriginal man known as Pompey. By examining newspapers of the time, a police report and the pastoralist's two memoirs, she has opened a window onto frontier conflict as it was seen from the European point of view. Stuckey's matter-of-fact account of this and other episodes suggest that he was task-oriented and reticent. Yet occasional flashes of emotion - his 'annoyance' at being charged with murder, stress during his handling of embezzlement and bitterness at his failure to gain recognition - reveal a complex human being.
Readers interested in primary sources will be rewarded with descriptions of India under British rule and pastoralism in regions remote from Adelaide. Family trees and photographs offer glimpses of relatives who are rarely mentioned. While the editor's preface and footnotes are helpful, the text and unexplained terms may be challenging for anyone unfamiliar with the historical context in which Samuel Stuckey told his story.
By revealing the actions and beliefs of one among the many who established European-style agriculture on the Australian continent, Memoirs of mixed fortunes can enrich our understanding of nineteenth-century colonial society.
Elizabeth Bor

Lulu Bell and the Christmas Elf by Belinda Murrell

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Random House Australia, 2014. ISBN 9780857985033
Look who's back in town! Just in time for Christmas as well! Christmas in Australia - concerts, carols, cooking, cricket, crafts and community.
Lulu Bell and her family are preparing for Christmas along with their friends and neighbours. One really exciting event is the school concert and parents are busy making costumes and props with real community spirit. Lulu and her brother and sister help their mum to make and bake lovely gifts for the teachers and are planning their letters to Santa.
Amidst all the happy busyness there is some sadness though as Lulu's friends, Olivia and Jo, have lost their cat and are completely distraught. It's a dangerous world out there for a little cat on its own.
The real joy of the Lulu Bell books is the sense of love and warmth and strong community ties that binds the characters together and coupled with that is the opportunity for young readers to learn. In this case, something of Dutch customs and language (through Olivia and Jo's family), the dangers of scrub ticks for domestic pets and 'how to' do things - in this book, making costumes, decorations and cooking delicious recipes.
Thankfully, there is a very happy resolution for all and the Shelly Beach folk are able to celebrate their Christmas with true joy and gratitude.
This one is going straight to Small's Christmas parcel so she can enjoy another adventure from the animal hospital and Lulu.
As a wonderful bonus, Lulu Bell's Christmas kit is available and teacher's notes are here.
Sue Warren

Noggin by John Corey Whaley

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Simon and Schuster, 2014. ISBN 9781471122897
(Age 14+) Highly recommended. John Corey Whaley is a Printz and Morris Award-winning author for his book When things come back and it is easy to see why when reading Noggin, a unique and challenging book. Before 16 year old Travis Coates died from leukaemia, he agreed to have his head frozen and reattached to another body at some future date when the technology was available. Five years later he wakes up with some other guy's body and everything around him has changed - his girlfriend is engaged to a 25 year old adult, his best friend is ignoring the fact that he told him he was gay, and his body just doesn't do what it used to do for him. Change is everywhere.
Whaley has taken a science fiction type scenario and explores the nature of change, of what it means to grow up and move away from friends. Travis wakes up with the same thoughts and memories that he had when he was 16, but everyone else has moved on five years. His old girlfriend Cate has overcome her grief and made a new, satisfying relationship and only wants to be friends. Travis is not prepared to accept this and does his utmost to win her back. Kyle his best friend is in denial about his sexual orientation, his father seems to be acting strangely and to top it all Travis can no longer win at the computer games he excelled in before. But - he can ride a skateboard like a whiz.
This is an exceptional book that packs a huge emotional impact. It is so easy to identify with Travis. Everyone has lost friends and partners because they have moved on, but it is worse for Travis, because he hasn't seen what was happening. He has arrived back into a life expecting that it won't have changed.
The interview with Whaley at the end of the book sheds further light on how the book came about and provides extra food for thought. A curriculum guide is also available. This would be an ideal class novel or literature circle novel.
Pat Pledger

Baby days by Alison Lester

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Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781760111724
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Childhood, Family. Four stories, first published in 1989 are reprinted here in one very tactile book. The plump cover of this child friendly sized book entices the reader to open up and read the pictures and the text. Around the edges of the cover are a handful of different images: carrots, apples, sunflowers, a rainbow, the moon and stars and several animals, framing a picture of mum and her children with their toys in the centre of the page. Children will love to look at all the things presented, and look for them being repeated inside.
Once opening the book, each page is again framed by smaller images, all easily recognised by the younger reader, begging to be pointed at and discussed. The four stories, Bibs and boots, Bumping and bouncing, Crashing and splashing, Happy and sad, reflect activities within the family with warmth and humour. The first talks about the linking of some clothes to particular events and times within the family, while the next two are all about movement, and the last tells us of the range of emotions shown by a new baby in the house until finally everyone is happy to see him in bed.
Each has short rhyming lines which will encourage children to join in when reading aloud, predicting what the next word might be, and trying to tell the line themselves.
Each beautiful page is simply luminous, Lester's recognisable style of illustration demanding attention as the family is shown in all of its variety. It is intimate and at the same time representative of all families, showing the scope of activities and dramas which occur everyday. A lovely book to share.
Fran Knight

Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater

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Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9780545654579
(Age 14+) Highly recommended. Maggie Stiefvater has done it again! Bestselling author of the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, she has returned to the acclaimed series to tie up the loose storyline between two fan-appreciated characters. Stiefvater delivers a fast-paced, adrenaline pumping and scandalous novel all in 350 pages. The author delegates the point of views to fan favourites, Isabel Culpepper and Cole St. Clair. The combination of POVs provides readers a peek into two gripping and different characters. The setting is laid out beautifully on a silver platter and is beautifully written, allowing the reader to imagine it perfectly. Fans of the Wolves of Mercy Fall series will absolutely dive head-first into this book and will not be left disappointed as the author provides us an enrapturing plot line and compelling characters.
For Isabel Culpepper, love doesn't exist. She went through life head-strong, never believing in love and never, ever allowing her true emotions show. But when she meets Cole St. Clair, an insanely popular musician and a drug/alcohol addict, the walls begin to tumble down around her despite her efforts. But after a certain and terrifying series of events, Isabel relocates herself back to California, hoping to escape the undeniable chemistry and pressure of Cole St. Clair.
Living a single life in California, Isabel has finally begun to truly let go of the past and one particular person. But when Cole St. Clair once again walks into her life, she cannot believe that he is here for her. So when she finds out that Cole's next six weeks of his life will be filmed and published onto the internet, Isabel fears that Cole will go down his winding and deathly rabbit hole of drugs, sex and rock 'n roll. But will the opportunity arise for Cole to change his life and attitude and finally journey through his life with Isabel in tow? Will Isabel be able to expose her thoughts and emotions to Cole, the one person she can't and can live without? All will be answered in Sinner.
With an introduction of new characters and an entirely new setting, Maggie Stiefvater has truly delivered a book definitely worth any readers time. Her writing consumes you and compels you to read, read and read. To completely understand the events that happened before Sinner, I recommend reading the Wolves of Mercy Falls series beforehand as it will provide background information.
Samantha May (Student)

Say her name by James Dawson

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Hot Key Books, 2014. ISBN 9781471402449
(Age 14+) Recommended for fans of horror. Queen of Teen author James Dawson has written a chilling horror story that will appeal to readers who like that genre. Roberta 'Bobbie' Rowe doesn't believe in ghosts, but gets involved in a dare when her best friend Naya and local boy Caine summon the ghost of Bloody Mary, by saying her name five times in front of a mirror. Nothing appears to happen but then girls go missing and horrific messages appear in strange places. It looks as if Bloody Mary has really been summoned and she truly has an ugly agenda. Bobby has five days - five days before Bloody Mary wracks havoc!
Dawson builds up the suspense in this nerve-wracking ghost story as messages appear and girls disappear. Bloody Mary is truly a terrifying ghost and her back story is also intriguing, revealed gradually in a very creepy way. Touches of wit and humour lighten the mood, but it is definitely a story to read in the daylight! And that ending is nerve-jangling!
For a scary read, you can't go past Say her name.
Pat Pledger

Broken by Marianne Curley

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Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408822616
(Age 13+) Deep inside, Ebony has always known she was not just an ordinary girl. But when she discovers that she was taken from her mysterious home planet and hidden on Earth, her life is shattered. The only thing that keeps her grounded is Thane, a Seraphim Prince, an angel and the love of her life and her friend; Jordan who she knows loves her too. When Thane is arrested and taken away to her home planet, Ebony is lost and yearns to travel to him, no matter the distance. But Jordan, who has agreed to a deadly deal, tries to keep her from running to him. On top of that, Ebony has found out more about her unshakeable past from a surprising source which leaves her torn between her future and the one she loves.
Broken the sequel to Hidden appeared to be a tantalizing read. I genuinely wanted to delve into the depths of this story and find myself surrounded by beautiful literature. But this book was not the case. I desperately wanted to get into this book but the writing style and characters let me down. Before I criticize, I truly liked the plotline. The subject of angels isn't very common in young adult literature and I felt that Marianne Curley did a great job in playing out heavenly angels with a modern twist. The writing style, though was what stopped me become invested into this book as it was very basic and the beautiful imagery that should encompass a story was bare. The characters were very monotonous and I couldn't put myself in their shoes as I wasn't able to empathize with them.
What appeared to be an interesting read became an appealing storyline but with no spark. Readers who would be interested in delving deep into other angel-esque books would enjoy both series, Penryn and the End of Days by Susan Ee and Fallen by Lauren Kate.
Samantha May (Student)

Adelaide's Dissenting Headmaster: John Lorenzo Young and his Premier Private School by Diana Chessell

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Wakefield Press, 2014. ISBN 9781743052402
The discovery of signatures of the last students of Young's private school under layers of wallpaper when the former school house at Parkside was being renovated, provided the impetus for Diana Chessell to methodically and comprehensively research their origin.
In doing so she details the life and work John Lorenzo Young from his arrival in Adelaide in 1850 through to his establishment of the increasingly highly regarded 'premier' private 'Adelaide Educational Institution'. The school was sited on various Adelaide sites until its move to Parkside where it finally closed in 1880.
Young was a dissenter in the sense of being not Church of England and in his views that the government and church should have no control over schools. In addition he used a practical approach to education rather than the standard rote learning methods of the time. The emphasis on science subjects Chessell also attributes to his non-conformist/dissenting views and traditions. Citing enrolment statistics and newspaper reports of the time Chessell makes a case for Young's school being the premier private school in Adelaide - until this was handed to PAC.
What I find particularly interesting are the details of early Adelaide people (now famous names) who peopled his school - as parents, students or non conformist church leaders.
Men such as Verco, Edmund Wright, Angus, Goyder, Kingston, Simpson, Tolmer, Gosse Scammel, to name just a few.
Did you know Frewville was named after Mr Frew and Auldana after the Aulds and of course Young Street after John Lorenzo Young. His school house still exists at 51 Young Street - I went to look at it.
For anyone interested in Adelaide history, this book is a must for its detail of life at the beginning of its economic, cultural and social development.
The text is supplemented by photos of original documents - which annoyingly at times are too small to read adequately.
Diana Chessell is to be commended for the comprehensiveness with which she pursued creditable sources to put together John Young's educational achievements. She postulates that by educating the generation of the builders of the foundations of Adelaide, his influence is benefiting the city today.
Ann Griffin

The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

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Egmont, 2014. 9781405272209
(Age: 5+) Joe, Bessie and Fanny visit the Magic Faraway Tree where they meet Moon-Face, Silky the fairy and Saucepan Man. They have many adventures at the lands at the top of the tree in places like the Land of Spells, the Land of Treats, the crazy Land of Topsy-Turvy, and the land of Do-As-You-Please.
Enid Blyton's books have been around for many years and a new generation of independent readers will be fascinated by the lands at the top of the Magic Faraway Tree. These lands are so crazy and fabulous that children will be encouraged to use their own imaginations and come up with a land of their own. The book would also be a good read aloud in class and for bedtime, and could lead to interesting discussions about the freedom that the children have in comparison with what children are allowed to do today.
Pat Pledger