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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
