Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743319413
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. World War One, Spanish Flu, Returning
soldiers, Adelaide. The day Tiney Flynn tuns seventeen, bells ring
out over Adelaide to announce the end of World War One. Tiney and
her sisters go into the city to join the celebrations, and there
follows a six month hiatus as the world leaders negotiate peace.
Soldiers are returning home, some damaged and many changed, Tiney's
sister, Nette, marries a soldier who takes up soldier settler farm
at Cobdogla in the Murraylands, Thea goes to Art School, while Tiney
and Minna help prepare for a masked ball to celebrate peace. But the
family is still subjected to prejudice because of their German
heritage. During the day Tiney works at the Cheer-Up hut, where
soldiers can find some companionship but Tiney begins to find this
cheerless, as the long peace negotiations drag out. They are
devastated when they learn that their son and brother, Louis has
been killed in France within weeks of Armistace. Her father hides in
his study putting together a scrapbook of their brother's life and
Tiney has the idea that the family should somehow go to Europe to
find their brother's grave bringing them some relief from their
overwhelming grief.
In the background we see the girls coping with a changed world.
Tiney's world becomes smaller as her sisters leave home, and is
ecstatic when her aunt and uncle give her the money to accompany
friends of the family in their search for their dead son's grave.
Her dream has been realised.
The reality of war hits hard as she walks across battlefields with
bodies being exhumed for reburial, discovers mass graves, bombed
villages and people like her searching for their war dead.
This is a wonderfully astute look at the changing fortunes of young
women at the end of the war, a time of change for them as well as
society as a whole.
The story of Tiney and her sisters reflects many of these changes as
Nette marries someone she really does not know, Minna escapes to
Melbourne, to avoid the unwanted overtures of a returned soldier,
and Thea goes to art school, where her friend, Seb commits suicide.
The determination of Tiney in bringing some sense to her family
after their momentous loss, holds them together in a time of
desperate need. And at the same time, Tiney develops as a person,
going from a naive seventeen year old to a more politically aware,
confident and assured young woman ready for the new world.
Amongst the many books about Australia's involvement in war, this is
a standout. Not only a good story about one girl's development, but
a harrowing look at the family at home, desperate for news about
their son at war, while the thread of their German heritage, reminds
the readers that Australia is a land of immigrants, with some
treated in a manner which does us no credit.
A wonderful stand alone, this book could also be used in a
literature circle, in which a number of books with war as their
theme are presented to a class. Secondary students will find Tiney's
story engrossing, and along the way learn a lot about war and its
impact on those at home. Murray has skillfully incorporated
historical detail into the story, making this a luminous addition to
the genre of historical fiction.
Fran Knight
The 100 Society by Carla Spradbery
Hodder, 2014. ISBN 9781444920086
(Age: 13+ secondary). Highly recommended. Carla Spraybery's The 100
Society delivered an enormously unique plot and well-developed
relationships between the key characters. The setting of the book
was well thought out as well as the storyline. Characters
included in the novel were fun and easily likeable and no two were
the same. The plot twist was definitely unexpected, an element in a
story that I love and it left me second guessing each character's
agenda. This book has undoubtedly altered my opinion on dark
literature and throughout the story, I found myself enjoying the
progression and development of the plotline and characters. As a
standalone novel, it concluded the storyline well but the author did
leave a couple of storylines untouched so it will be interesting if
there will be a sequel.
The story follows Grace Becker, a boarding school student and tag
artist who is determined to win the game, The 100 Society. She has
persuaded her close knit group of friends to join her on this quest
despite the dangers that may lie ahead. Already nearing the 100
target, Grace and her friends have become targets of a sinister and
mysterious shadow who is on a mission to end their game. The only
thing they know about this shadow is their tag, a Grim Reaper who
haunts each friend's nightmares and pops up in the most unlikely
places. It is a race against time to discover who this 'Grim Reaper'
is but will they be too late? Will Grace be able to save her friends
or will they be the end of each other? The results will shock you.
The relationship between Grace and her friends is an element of this
novel that I thoroughly enjoyed as well as the plot twist and the
mystery genre.
Samantha May
Alfie's big wish by David Hardy
Magabala Books, 2014. ISBN 9781922142535
(Age: Pre-school) Recommended. Aboriginal themes, Loneliness,
Australian bush. A sequel to Alfie's search for destiny,
this charming picture book tells of Alfie's need for a companion. He
is lonely, and his attempts at playing with others comes to nothing
as his friends have left with their parents and the others are too
old. He sees a falling star and makes a wish. The very next day he
wakes and hearing a noise int he grass nearby, creeps over to take a
look. He is instantly surprised and happy when he finds a young girl
hiding there, the answer to his wishes.
David Hardy is a descendant of the Bankitndji people of northern New
South Wales, and for many years has worked as a freelance
illustrator for Walt Disney Studios. The influence of working here
is obvious in his illustrative style, with large eyed chubby
children taking up the central position on a full colour background.
The charm of the illustrations invites the reader to immediately
identify with the sad boy, and read on until the promised denouement
is realised.
In the background can be seen images of the Australian bush which
will further delight readers, recognising flora and fauna. I like
the use of the sketched outlines of Alfie in the endpapers, as this
gives a model for younger children to try their own drawings of the
young lad.
Fran Knight
Every time you close your eyes by Bel Schenk
Wakefield Press, 2014. ISBN: 9781743053195
(Age: Secondary - Adult) Recommended. Themes: Connection and
isolation; New York; Irony. Style: Prose Poetry. This is an
atmospheric telling of the intermingling of connection and isolation
during two Blackouts in New York. Set in both 1977 and 2003 during
two distinct Blackouts in New York's history, it is told in bare
Prose poetry where every word carries weight. There is irony in this
tale of the world's most energetic city being 'powerless'. The
characters, few though they are, have their stories woven gently
from poem to poem with a sense of relationship that creates an
impression of both the isolation and social cohesion of life in the
Big Apple. Schenk shows how the Blackouts emphasised how the members
of the community related to one another. The oblique references to
the 'Son of Sam' murders and the 9/11 events and the impacts of
those tragedies highlighted the impact of events outside one's
personal control on the fabric of relationship in a big city.
The title evocatively reminds us that Every time you close your eyes
there is the opportunity for 'blackout' and internal connection,
isolation and also remembrance of relationship.
This is an 'adult' book, but easy to read. Its power is in its
sensitivity.
It could easily be used for Secondary Study, looking at Prose
poetry.
Carolyn Hull
Hasel and Rose by Caroline Magerl
Penguin, 2014. ISBN: 9780670077342
When Rose moves to a new house in a new town, life is not as she
wishes it to be and she obviously misses her old home. Although she
tries her best to settle in, she knows that something is missing.
Despite her standing at the window and looking out, desperately
wishing, Rose's wish thing does not come. When she draws it, the
image is indistinct. On the other side of the world, another journey
begins. A parcel, swinging over snow covered peaks, flying through
cloudy skies and sailing across stormy oceans continues its trip,
ever closer to Rose. When, 'at wits' end', Rose and her family head
toward the sea and sit, listening to the waves, a magical meeting
occurs. Has Rose found her wish thing?
A perfect tale to help those children who have been forced to move,
leaving behind all that is familiar or have lost something dear to
them. In this book, Magerl's focus is on the process of settling in
to a new place and discovering a way of learning to belong. The
necessity of friends and family in the tale are paramount. In the
classroom, one could discuss what gives us a sense of belonging and
how one could go about settling into a new place and the concept of
connections. This could be paired and contrasted with other texts
about loss and friendship, for example, Amy and Louis.
Jo Schenkel
That car by Cate Kennedy
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743310953.
(Ages: 4-6) Highly recommended. Ellie, Luke and Joey find an old car
at the farm their family has moved to. The car becomes the base for
a multitude of imaginative adventures, taking them to tea with the
Queen, a trek up Mount Everest and on an African safari. When they
meet the original owner of the car they enjoy hearing about her
real-life adventures.
The beautiful illustrations perfectly complement this lovely, gentle
story, highlighting the imagination of children growing up in rural
Australia.
Donella Reed
Literature to support the Geography curriculum by Fran Knight and Pat Pledger
Pledger
Consulting, 2014. ISBN: 9781876678418 (book) Also available as
an ebook
(Age: Teacher reference) Highly recommended. This comprehensive
annotated bibliography is a great reference tool for school
libraries, school teachers and History and Social Sciences
faculties.
Pat Pledger and Fran Knight have carefully selected picture books,
junior novels and age appropriate fiction and nonfiction and aligned
these with the Australian Curriculum. Each section explores
resources suited to different year levels from Foundation to Year 2,
Years 3-4 and continuing to Year 10. The authors have drawn on their
breadth of literary experience and the extensive range of resources
and reviews available from ReadPlus.
Each of the key geographical concepts is explored with both familiar
titles, My Place, Are we there yet?, favourite
authors - Rosanne Hawke, Bob Graham, Jacki French and newly
published titles - Ambelin Kwaymullina's First Flight
included.
Arranged alphabetically by author's surname, with a concise
description included, this is an easy to use bibliography. Books
listed in one section can be utilised by a broader group of
students, sharing picture books with older readers provides
opportunities for research stimulus and inquiry-based learning.
Jeannie Baker's Window is included in the Year 8 topic -
Changing Nations. The individual title's suitability for classroom
use needs to be gauged by the teacher or teacher-librarian.
This is an insightful curriculum tool for HASS educators. It
highlights resources from a broad range of genres and acknowledges
the wealth of literature available to support and engage students
within the geography curriculum.
Rhyllis Bignell
Elephants Have Wings by Susanne Gervay
Ill. by Anna Pignataro. Ford Street Publishing, 2014
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Susanne Gervay's picture book, Elephants
Have Wings is a retelling of the parable of the six blind men
and the elephant, found in many religious traditions including
Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and Sufi faiths.
At bedtime an Indian father tells his children, one of their
grandfather's tales. Six children are sent outside in the dark to
search for the secret. They find different objects, a rope, tree
branch, marble, a scarf and a sandy wall. They cannot agree and
begin to shriek like a babble of monkeys. When the grandfather
illuminates the scene with a candle, they realise these form the
parts of an elephant. After the brother and sister climb onto the
creature's back, their magical journey begins across cities and
jungles into the diamond sky with a golden moon. When the bedtime
story concludes, the children have gained an understanding of the
moral. Everyone is different, but we're all the same, too.
Anna Pignaturo's multi-modal illustrations, utilise painting with
soft watercolours, Asian and Indian motifs, collage and sketching to
bring life to Susanne's Gervay's tale. The detailed double-page
spread with the ruby red background and the abundance of paisley
patterned elephants, provides opportunities for teachers to explore
and engage their students with the study of Indian art.
Recommended for readers from 7+ and as a classroom resource to
explore inclusivity and diversity.
Rhyllis Bignell
Background to Elephants Have Wings by Susanne Gervay
I was deeply inspired by my journey to India and South East Asia
where I spoke in Delhi, Goa and Singapore. I experienced the Baha'i
Temple in Delhi where I was part of a service under the open-air
lotus roof of the temple. Five young people read from their holy
books from five different faiths.
I also became aware of mystical stories. One was the parable of the
blind men and the elephant which is part of Buddhism, Hinduism,
Jainism and Sufism and the search for truth. Another was in Hindu
mythology, that during the monsoon rains which refresh the earth,
the clouds are regarded as the wings of elephants.
I returned home imbued with the cultures and spirituality of India
and Asia. On entering The Hughenden in Sydney, I faced, the
exquisite kalaga tapestry, embroidered with gold and silver thread
and beads, revealing elephants and Hindu and Buddhist stories.
Young people today are overwhelmed with media reports of terrorism
and conflicts of faith. It was time to reach out and create a safe
space for young people to explore want they want their world to be.
Elephants Have Wings came out of all of this.
The Blake Prize is a non-denominational art and poetry prize,
created after the war in 1951 by a Jesuit priest and a Jewish artist
to explore art and spirit as a way towards inclusion. The Blake
wanted to extend this vision to youth. They looked everywhere for an
illustrated text for young people, when they discovered 'Elephants
Have Wings' in draft form. In a first, the Blake Prize for Art and
Poetry www.blakeprize.com.au have endorsed a children's book. Elephants
Have Wingscarries its logo.
What is Elephants Have Wings? At its heart, it is a peace
book for young people and adults to share.
As the daughter of refugees, action for inclusion and peace is
personal and a driving commitment to share with young people. I was
privileged that Anna Pignataro, also the daughter of refugees,
wanted to travel with me on this creation.
For those who go on the journey into Elephants Have Wings,
it is an extraordinary illustrative picture book that has so many
layers. A child can experience it as the journey on a mystical
elephant to discover home. However there's so much more including
multi-faith, inter faith, the meaning of the mandala, the tree of
life. Each aspect of Elephants Have Wings is rich with story
from the end papers which are the colours of enlightenment, to the
circle of life. It is a book that I hope brings pleasure in its
beauty but also questioning and search for harmony.
There is information on it here.
Susanne Gervay
Disappearing act by James Moloney
Angus & Robertson, 2014. ISBN 9780732295752
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. (Central character is aged 14).
Themes: Magic and Illusion; Family; Truth and lies.This is a story
with magic, illusion, the elixir of life, a contemporary teen, an
imaginary foreign country with a sad history, love found and lost,
family tragedy and the restoration of the memory and reputation of
an infamous conjuror and illusionist. This combination could have
been disastrous, but Moloney has conjured an amazingly readable and
enjoyable storyline, that weaves a contemporary tale of a young teen
with a passion for magic, with his discovered family history from a
fictitious principality named Montilagus. The disaster of a
historical magic trick that has gone wrong is revealed to the teen
Matthew as he visits inner city Sydney. This sets Matthew off on his
own pursuit of Magic, and eventually to Montilagus in the hope that
he can repair the reputation of the Magician.
There are some very unbelievable aspects to this story; despite
that, the essence of the story is that 'Only the heart knows that
the magic is real'. The magic of the story is real!
Carolyn Hull
The Last Thirteen series by James Phelan
Scholastic, 2014. The Last Thirteen: 4. Book 10. ISBN 9781742831930 The Last Thirteen: 3. Book 11. ISBN 9781742831947
The extremely popular The Last Thirteen series by James
Phelan continues its fast-paced ride toward the ultimate conclusion.
Following the characters as they travel the world, deal with their
enemies, face each dangerous situation head on, the reader is drawn
into the Dreamer's world. Each book ends with a cliffhanger and the
next begins with a recap of previous events, the end is in sight.
In The Last Thirteen: 4 Sam is dramatically rescued in the
waters near Japan by the Japanese Prime Minister - a Dreamer as
well. His dreams foretell his next destination, Cambodia and the
ancient temple of Angkor Watt where he needs to search for the tenth
Dreamer. Eva's story continues, she confronts her worst fears while
participating in the Dreamer Doors game. She travels across the
world with her team to locate Solaris' hidden Gears. In the
meantime, Alex too, is caught up in a different adventure, captured
by Hans, on a boat headed for icy waters. Sam's exploration of the
temple of Angkor Wat is fraught with danger, he has to outwit
ancient traps to escape with the next Gear. Unfortunately, his
journey is marred by tragedy and he questions his ability to
continue.
In The Last Thirteen: 3 Sam's quest continues with Eva his
friend the eleventh Dreamer as they travel to the Australian outback
racing to find the next gear. Meanwhile, Alex is still caught up in
a dangerous sea voyage with Hans as they fight pirates, explore deep
under the sea in Antarctica.
There is a comprehensive website
with exclusive information, competitions, updates and book trailers.
The countdown clock shows how many minutes until the next book is
released.
Rhyllis Bignell
Gus & Me: The Story of My Grandad and My First Guitar by Keith Richards
Ill. by Theodora Richards. Orion Books, 2014. ISBN 9781444011760
(Age: 6+) Recommended. Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards'
debut picture book draws from his cherished childhood memories. He
explains how he gained his love for music and guitar playing. His
much loved granddad, Theodore Augustus Dupree - Gus, who lived in a
'house filled with instruments and cake' was his inspiration.
Richards has written this picture book in an easy to read style,
resonant with musical terms, alliterative and descriptive phrases.
As they 'wandered skinny streets and smoky alleys' Gus would hum
symphonies and tunes to Keith. When the young boy was taken to the
London workshop, there is a real sense of wonder portrayed in the
account of the making of the instruments. In the room with the
conveyor belt of guitars and the bubbling buckets of glue, Keith
falls in love with instruments.
Artist Theodora Richards, Keith's daughter has collaborated with her
father to bring his story to life. She combines inked sketches, bold
splashes of colour, repetitive handwritten words, and layered
patterns in a unique and graphic style.
A bonus audio CD includes photographs from the Richards family
collection and an inspirational tribute to Gus, as Keith plays the
complex instrumental Malaguena.
This picture is recommended for readers from 6 years of age and for
fans of the Keith Richards.
Rhyllis Bignell
This little piggy went singing by Margaret Wild
Ill. by Deborah Niland. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743319123
(Age:3+) Recommended. Rhyme, Activities. A companion to This little
piggy went dancing, this tale like the other is based around the
nursery rhyme, This little piggy went to market, a rhyme played with
small children. Each page shows the five little pigs in various
poses and clothing, doing something quite different. The first
little pig is always doing something outside the home, the second
stays at home and is involved with something there, the third is
always involved with food, while the fourth little pig seems to miss
out, and the fifth sings, plays a drum, or dances all the way home.
Each double page is full of action and activity, inviting the reader
to do the same. From making costumes to making decorations, dancing,
eating out, eating watermelon and wrapping presents, from the first
page, readers will see that the five little pigs are doing Christmas
things. And this invites the readers to do some as well. Noisy,
active, playful readers will get a buzz from this book, shared with
an adult, learning the customs of Christmas, and helping the family
get ready for their celebrations. The mischievous illustrations will
be doubly entrancing to those who read the book, and glitter on the
front cover will ensure it is picked up from the library shelves.
Fran Knight
Count my Christmas kisses by Ruthie May
Ill. by Tamsin Ainslie. ABC Children's Books, 2014. ISBN
9780733332203
(Age: Preschool) Recommended. Count my Christmas kisses is a
counting book that shows a brother and sister describing ways that
they can share their kisses with Baby during the festive season.
Both the text and the illustrations leave the reader with a warm
feeling about the love that the siblings share and the joy that they
feel about the festive season. The children are seen skating,
singing, making paper chains and decorating a Christmas tree, all
shared with Baby who has a gorgeous little hat, complete with ears.
This is a delightful counting book, which would be ideal for reading
aloud to young children in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Even
though it features a northern winter Christmas: 'One kiss for baby
under mistletoe, Two kisses for baby, catching falling snow,' adults
could easily use it to compare what Christmas is like in different
places, and young children could come up with things that they could
share with a young baby in different seasons.
Selected by the Little big Book Club, this is a feel good book that
adults will enjoy sharing with children.
Pat Pledger
There is a monster under my Christmas tree who farts by Tim Miller and Matt Stanton
ABC Books, 2014. ISBN 9780733332951
(Age: 4-7) Recommended for boys and reluctant readers. The Fart
Monster who has appeared in There is a monster under my bed who
farts is back again, just in time to spoil Christmas for
everyone. There are farts under the Christmas tree, farts while
presents are being wrapped, and even farts that destroyed the boy's
photo when visiting Santa Claus. Will he get the blame and be put on
Santa's naughty list?
This is an ideal book for the reluctant reader and the young boys
who delight in anything that smells! The authors have come up with
hilarious scenarios where farts would have a devastating effect on
what is happening. Scenes like decorating the Christmas tree,
putting up Christmas lights, and pulling Christmas crackers will be
familar to children and what happens when there are farts is very
amusing.
The humorous illustrations are in the wide-eyed comic style that
also appeals to young children and the final page is very funny and
will delight the young children who either read or listen to the
book.
Pat Pledger
