ABC Books, 2014 Bella Dancerella loves to dance ISBN 9780733332456 Bella Dancerella: Ballet school ISBN 9780733332463 Bella Dancerella: Concert night ISBN 9780733332470 Bella Dancerella: The big test ISBN 9780733332487
(Age: 5-8) Bella loves ballet and every movement she makes is based
on a dance step. As she moves through her chores on the farm,
she whirls and twirls, skips and leaps entertaining the barnyard
audience, but getting into trouble with her dad because she forgets
to do all she has been asked. Even though he knows she loves
to dance, and would dance in her sleep if she could, he sees it as a
waste of time and would prefer her to like something useful, like
fishing. So even though she would dearly love to attend Miss
Tweedie's Ballet School, it's unlikely he will agree... and so her
farmyard friends hatch a plan to persuade him to say yes.
It seems little girls of a certain age like one of two things -
ballet or horses. Bella Dancerella loves to dance is the
first in a series that caters for the ballet-lovers and Miss 8 had
her nose in it as soon as she spotted it, living her own dreams
through Bella. Brightly illustrated (albeit in a Disney-esque
fashion) with just the right amount of text for the newly
independent reader, she enjoyed all four of the series I had,
particularly Concert night which focuses on Swan Lake, a ballet she
and I have attended many times.
There is a website
with lots of activities and an online search suggests that there may
well be other accessories, such as how-to DVDs, all developed some
time ago by a Melbourne mother Mary
Toniolo. Certainly a search of YouTube shows that there is
more to the series than the books, including a video which
demonstrates the five basic positions.
While the books themselves will be a popular addition to your
collection, suggesting it to parents as a possible present for
Christmas may well be a smart move - they will thank you for it and
many little girls will be very happy.
Barbara Braxton
Terror kid by Benjamin Zephaniah
Hot Key Books, 2014. ISBN 9781471401770 (Ages: 14+) Recommended. Justice. Terrorism. Hacktivism. Cyber. Rico
Federico is a teenage boy who is a die-hard computer hobbyist,
having four computers of his own built from discarded hardware, and
hacks websites constantly. He lives in Birmingham, London, and is
constantly under threat due to riotous protesters damaging property
and looting. His friends are among the protesters but Rico believes
that non-violent methods are the most effective and refuses to
partake. This does not stop the police from constantly wrongly
accusing and arresting him since he is always 'in the wrong place at
the wrong time'. Rico knows it's his Spanish heritage that keeps
getting him into trouble and his father is quite vocal in defending
him against the racial discrimination. Rico meets a protestor called
Speech who knows of Rico's tech-savvy talents and offers Rico a
payment of 2000 pounds to create a website for a friend. Speech offers him
more tasks until eventually he asks Rico to hack into a local police
station's computer network and temporarily disable it for 10 minutes
as a means of non-violent protest. Unsure at first, Rico reluctantly
obliges. He is proud of himself for aiding a noble cause until the
day of the protest when a student at his school is notified her
father was killed in a bombing that took place at the same police
station. It is revealed that they were unable to x-ray a delivered
package due to their network being disabled and the package was in
fact an explosive that then killed numerous officers. Rico has to go
into hiding because the authorities now believe that Rico Federico
is a mastermind terrorist planning with the likes of Al Qaeda. Terror kid is a story that involves the reader by giving an
insight into the falsely accused and illustrates the hardships that
are endured by individuals of different cultures in a post 9/11
world due to racial discrimination and ignorance. The reader feels
sympathetic for Rico due to his helpful nature and naivety being
taken advantage of. The Federico family feel like real, authentic
characters that are victims of the corruptness of the system. Rico's
father is an activist at heart and displays this by constantly
questioning authority, especially when that authority is wrongfully
harming his son. It is entertaining to see that Rico has inherited
these traits and reaffirms the theory that the apple doesn't fall
too far from the tree. It is an excellent narrative that is not
afraid to tackle any taboos or controversial subject matter.
Corey Joyce (Student)
Dragon jelly by Claire Freedman
Ill. by Sue Hendra. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408838846
(Ages: 2-8) Highly recommended. Max is having a monster party and
all his monster friends are invited. The party will have all the
usual party attractions, pass the parcel, a magician, a jumpy
castle, paddling pool, hide and seek and more but that's where the
normal everyday party that we all know stops. Max's party is nonstop
creepy-crawly, stinky fun with worms, frogs, buzzing botfly eggs,
bat drool, maggot cream and many more icky sticky things that will
gross out many an adult but have a young child in fits of laughter.
Then it's teatime, with termite tarts, earwig rolls and eyeball
birthday cake but the real treat that wows them all is the red-hot
dragon jelly.
Claire Freedman who previously brought us the hilarious book Aliens love underpants has teamed up with the wonderful illustrator
Sue Hendra. This combination has produced a brightly illustrated
entertaining picture book that pushes the boundary of silly mucky
icky fun.
Steve Whitehead
EJ Spy School: Deep water by Susannah McFarlane
Lemonfizz Media, 2014. ISBN 9781921931642
(Age: 7+) EJ Spy School: Deep water is part of the EJ
Spy School series and is a great first novel for girls aged
7+. At 43 pages long, the story is a quick read and gives budding
readers a chance to move away from the 'reader box'. The stories use
everyday vocabulary and a simple, structured narrative.
Emma Jacks (spy name Agent EJ10) isn't keen on swimming lessons at
school and is relieved when called away on spy business.
Unfortunately, she has to do spy stuff underwater. Armed with new
spy tools and Bubbles the dolphin as a partner, EJ tests her new
equipment. The new team work hard to earn their water spy badge but
when Bubbles goes missing can EJ get over her fear of deep water to
help save Bubbles?
Kylie Kempster
Clariel by Garth Nix
Abhorsen bk 4. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781741758627
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. The long awaited prequel to the
Abhorsen series (Sabriel, Lireal and Abhorsen),
continues this series that Cassandra Clare says has 'influenced a
generation of fantasy writers' (back cover). Sixteen-year-old
Clariel has an affinity for the forests of Estwael, and hates being
in the city of Belisaere. Here she finds that her mother has been
keeping secrets from her about her abilities as a member of the
Abhorsens, and that she is expected to follow the demands of
everyone around her. The King has retreated into solitude after his
daughter left and Guildmaster Kilip is determined to take over as
ruler. The Abhorsen is intent only on hunting and no longer carries
out his duties. There is a Free Magic creature that Clariel is asked
to help capture but things do not go well and her chance to escape
disappears as the land falls into chaos.
Clariel is not your usual heroine. She is solitary and
self-absorbed, determined to live a life alone in the forest. She is
not interested in romance and it was a relief not to have the almost
inevitable love triangle as a major plot. Instead it is the inner
struggle that Clariel has that is central to the plot. She must
learn how to control her berserk nature, even though she has not had
the education in Charter Magic that she needs. As the book develops
Clariel is tempted by the power of Free Magic and her urgings to
give into her dark side. The struggles between the creatures that
belong to the Free Magic and the wielders of Charter Magic are
fascinating to follow. Mogget, the 'cat', makes another welcome
appearance, his wily nature and sarcastic comments adding greatly to
the plot.
I was fortunate that I had read the previous books earlier this year
so had some background about the island home of the Abhorsens, the
paperwing aeroplanes that soared high in the sky and the Charter
marks; however it would not be necessary to have read the series as
Clariel will stand alone. Lovers of fantasy will delight in
this tale and the whole series would be a great introduction to
really good fantasy for those who haven't read it.
Pat Pledger
Starring Jules (Super-secret spy girl) by Beth Ain
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743318850
(Age: Year 6-7) Second grade has ended, which means it's time for
Jules Bloom, beginner actress to film her first movie, The Spy in
the Attic. Unfortunately, Charlotte her ex best friend has
Jules worrying about impressing her teen idol, Emma Saxony. Her new
best friend, Elinor has gone back to her home country England for a
visit and they can only keep in touch by email.
Sadly Jules has been forced to take a road trip to Montreal without
Elinor and she might not have the courage to go down the mud slide
in the movie's climax.
Luckily Elinor has been sending her secret spy missions to keep her
busy and with Jules accomplishing them left, right and centre she
was getting back the confidence to complete the movie. She was so
glad to have Elinor on her email side all through the summer.
I really enjoyed this book, especially Take 6 when it looked as if
Jules would have a lonely birthday until her Grandma Gilda turns up
and everyone has fun making their own waffles and splattering each
other with batter.
I liked the dual personality of Jules - actress and secret spy.
It was a good part when her teen idol Emma shows her true colours.
I would recommend this book to Years 6 & 7.
Gabrielle Priddle (Student, Year 6)
Cured by Bethany Wiggins
Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN: 9781408842959
(Age: Older teens) Recommended. Cured by Bethany Wiggins is
the sequel to her post-apocalyptic adventure of a novel, Stung.
Cured is a story based on another girl's perspective after
the aftermath of Fiona Tarsis and how she helped stop the pandemic
that was claiming the civilized world and destroying the way of life
as we know it. When honey becomes worth more than gold and the small
surviving populations live in secluded, defensive clusters and the
infection beasts are slowly being cured and saved, Jacqui is one of
the only girls living outside of the wall with her well-prepared and
self-sufficient family. Jacqui's older brother Dean was one of her
closest friends and when he leaves the house after nearly three
years of hiding and preparing, Jacqui is prepared to go out into the
wild and crazy world to find him and find the famous Fiona. But when
the beasts are gone, the scourge of humanity has claimed the ruins
of the world and anybody who gets in their way. Numerous threats and
risks are met just by leaving the house by herself. But with
determination and courage, Jacqui may find more than she expected in
the wild, savage world. Cured is a thrilling read with many unexpected developments
in its intense plot and with its detailed characters. This novel is
written in a way that entices readers to keep turning the pages and
stay in the fantasy world full of danger, thrill, suspense, mystery,
love and family dedication. I would recommend this novel to older
readers, teenagers and mature readers. Overall, this novel keeps you
stuck to the pages and wanting to read the adventure all over again.
Sarah Filkin (Student, Yr 12)
The naughtiest girl saves the day by Anne Digby
Hodder Children's Books, 2014. ISBN 9780340917756
(Age: 9-13) This novel is a fiction book.
Elizabeth is known as the naughtiest girl, but is she really the
naughtiest girl? Elizabeth is accused of committing naughty deeds,
but did she do them?
This novel is set at Whyteleafe Boarding School. Elizabeth, who is
also known as the naughtiest girl in the school, is suspected of
doing several naughty things in school. Elizabeth knew she didn't
commit them, but everyone else believed she did. Elizabeth
eventually discovers who really committed them.
This novel was very interesting. It kept me, as a reader, engrossed
in the story. It made me curious to continue reading the novel.
There were a lot of characters that played their part in the book
and it made the book very enjoyable. The way the book was written
made me feel like I was at Whyteleafe Boarding School. The events
were very good and the characters had a very big impact on what was
happening. The things that were happening made me become engrossed
in the book and made me read it for longer because it was so
fascinating.
This book is aimed at girls aged 9 - 13.
I would classify this fiction novel as a mystery novel.
I would recommend this book for a year 4, 5 or 6.
Amber Rose (Student, Year 6)
Ambon by Roger Maynard
Hachette Australia, 2014. ISBN 9780733630484
(Age: Senior Secondary) Subtitled: The Truth About One of the Most
Brutal POW Camps in World War II and the Triumph of the Aussie
Spirit. This book describes the deployment of 1150 Australian
soldiers in a unit called Gull Force, to the island of Ambon in the
Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) just after the Japanese attack on
Pearl Harbour in December, 1941. At the end of the war less
than 300 had survived captivity by the Japanese. The reviewer's
father who is vividly described in the first chapter of the book was
one of the lucky survivors.
The book would be useful for senior students who are studying
Australia's involvement in conflicts overseas and the ethos of
Australian mateship. The stress imposed on a group of men subject to
isolation, boredom, forced labour, starvation, cruel treatment and
illness, resulted in loss of trust in leadership and the breakdown
of discipline and mutual respect. The book also details the massacre
by beheading of 300 Australians and Dutch in February, 1942 and asks
questions about why soldiers were sent to the island to face almost
certain defeat, death and captivity.
An index, 8 pages of photographs, footnotes and a bibliography are
included in the book.
Paul Pledger
Alice-Miranda 2015 Diary by Jacqueline Harvey
Random House, 2014. ISBN 9780857984104
Highly recommended. With a pastel green striped and spotted cover
Alice-Miranda is back with her 2015 diary. What a wonderful
Christmas or birthday gift for a young fan. It is the most
spectacularly special diary you'll ever use!
Once again, the diary is full of fill-in sections about families,
friends, parties, there's 5 things to be grateful for, an
opportunity to say thanks and of course delicious recipes. The Easy
Rocky Road is a simple recipe this would make a great present for
someone special. Friends play an important role in Alice-Miranda's
life and a Friend Finder page is included. Games, puzzles, simple
French and Japanese phrases and a page to list your goals for 2015,
conclude the first section of the diary.
The colourful diary pages are delightful, with a one week spread,
quotes from characters, fun coloured designs and images,
affirmations and suggestions for living a positive life. The diary
ends with pages for notes, a checklist of Alice-Miranda books read
and the suggestion of two more to come in 2015.
Thank you Jacqui Harvey for another wonderful diary, a must-have for
fans. A delightful present for Alice-Miranda readers from eight
years of age.
Rhyllis Bignell (an Alice-Miranda fan too!)
Good Dog Hank by Jackie French
Ill. by Nina Rycroft. HarperCollins, 2014. ISBN 9780732293642.
ebk.ISBN 9780730496397.
(Age: Early childhood) Hank is a very good dog - or so it seems. He
obeys all the house rules like not eating from the table or climbing
on the beds or chasing cars although he does have his own way of
interpreting them! But it's always with the best of intentions or
the taking of opportunities that present themselves. This is a
really funny story from master author Jackie French brought to life
by the charming pictures of Nina Rycroft, the team who created
Dinosaurs Love Cheese. Apart from the humour of Jackie's words,
their interpretation using what has to be the B-I-G-G-E-S-T dog
ever, who is all legs, tongue and tail, makes this the perfect
picture book in which there is such a marriage between text and
illustration that one would be diminished without the presence of
the other.
Written at a fast clip with nothing extraneous, we follow Hank as he
gallops through the day in his own way, being really good in a
wink-wink, nudge-nudge sort of way, depending on whether you are
viewing his actions through the perspective of an adult, a child or
Hank. It would be a great introduction to teaching children that how
we see something depends on our role within it. It might be OK to
wear a sock washed by Hank's slobber if you're a child, but maybe
not so flash if you're in charge of family laundry.
This is a feel-good story that can be a read-aloud, read-along or
read-alone because it will touch the heart of anyone who has ever
had a dog with a mind and a mischief of its own. You don't have to
be a younger reader to relate to this story and enjoy it. One of
these days I'm going to do one of those magical garden tours of
Jackie's garden and I fully expect to see Hank there somewhere.
Barbara Braxton
The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Doubleday, 2014. ISBN 9780857532503
(Age: 10+) Recommended. 'Call!' Alistair barked. His face was pale.
'You absolutely cannot stay at the school. You don't understand -
it's too dangerous. Call, you must listen to me. You don't know what
you are.'
For as long as Callum Hunt could remember his father had told him
that magic and the Magisterium were too dangerous for someone like
him.
Then Call gets in to the Magisterium and starts to doubt everything
his father has ever told him. Why would his father tell him that
magic was dark and dangerous?
Another, more important question lurks in the back of Call's mind.
Why do the chaos-ridden seem to trust him and what is the secret of
his past?
I would recommend this novel to children of any gender above 10 as
this novel has action, humour, mystery and that slight touch of
schoolgirl crushes. I would also recommend this novel to people who
enjoy reading fantasy novels.
Holly Black and Cassandra Clare have done a brilliant job writing
this novel. They use descriptive language and as there is a second
book coming out in 2015 they don't give too much away at the end.
Jazmin H. (Student, Year 7)
Little Dog and the Christmas wish by Corinne Fenton and Robin Cowcher
Black Dog Books, 2014. ISBN 9781742032368
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Christmas. Animals. Customs at
Christmas. At this time of the year, there are so many Christmas
books published that I despair of seeing anything different. Several
years ago, I read a picture book called The gift of the Magi,
an old story by American writer, O. Henry. I was stunned, here was
something sweeping aside all the hype, stunning in its simplicity.
And this one, Little Dog and the Christmas wish is another.
An unadorned story, a story of a simple wish coming true, of the
bond between a child and his dog.
When Jonathan and his family go out on Christmas Eve, the lightning
scares Little Dog so much that he squeezes under the fence to search
for his best friend. Familiar streets soon give way to those less
familiar, until finally he is lost. He walks the streets, watching
the shoppers, the old man in the alley, the busker and then the
people bustling home for Christmas. Eventually he finds things
become more familiar, he finds his house and there waiting for him
is Jonathan, his Christmas wish answered.
A simple storyline, but told with compassion about the loving
relationship between a child and his dog, about something lost being
found, about Christmas being a time of reuniting with those you
love.
The charming illustrations reflect a time half a century ago, when
women dressed in stockings, hat and gloves to go shopping, a time of
a horse led baker's cart, and a time of street side paper
boys. The ink outlines with watercolour sweeping across the pages
entice the reader to spend time reading both the text and the
drawings as the dog walks across the pages in search of its home.
The images of the dog are continued on the endpapers making readers
seek out those same images of the dog used throughout the book. And
in the background are the customs of Christmas with which we are
familiar and can be a point of discussion with a class or attentive
listener. More information about this author can be found at her website.
Fran Knight
The twelve days of Christmas by Alison Jay
Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9781724761145
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Christmas. Carols. Folk tale.
Presents. The beautiful Christmas carol 'The twelve days of
Christmas' is told with the most marvelous of illustrations in this
lovely production from Scholastic. The song is given on each page in
a stylish font reminiscent of former times, starting from the
simple, 'On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me'.
Each time the page is turned a new present is given to the young
woman from her love. For people new to the carol, this will be
a delight and for those who know the song, this edition will add a
new and quite lovely perspective.
The words are the same as always, but the illustrations add a new
level of understanding and interest. In very Victorian clothing, the
pair travels through the streets of their town, revealing the next
line of the song. Off to the pet shop for the turtle doves, then the
bakery for the calling birds, crossing the bridge we see the swans,
at the farmhouse, the milking maids, at the house, the drummers.
Each line adding a new present is given a new page of deft
illustrations, rendered in an old fashioned style. The clothing and
background are all most alluring, adding interest and delight. There
is a myriad of detail to look out for and discuss as the pages are
turned and children will love the anticipation of their own presents
at this time. On its simplest level a counting book, the book
offers so much more in its presentation of Christmas past. Children
will love peering more closely at the details, looking at the way the
pictures are presented with cracked paint, or the background of the
town in its stylised form, looking for the previous presents hidden
on the following pages, getting a kick out of the way this special
day is celebrated, and the customs surrounding the event. It will be
a definite discussion starter as well as a lovely book to read and
share.
Fran Knight
Christmas Wonderland by Yvette Poshoglian
Ella & Olivia series. Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9781743620557
(Age: 5-7) Recommended. The Ella and Olivia series
are enjoyable beginning chapter books recommended for readers from
5-7 years. Ella is seven and Olivia is five and a half, they live with
their baby brother Max and Mum and Dad. It's Christmas time again
and this year the celebrations include an exciting Street Fair and a
competition with the neighbours. Who will have the best decorated
house and front yard?
The girls enjoy the arrival of the big Christmas tree delivered by
Dad and Uncle Stu. Max is old enough to help decorate the lower
branches whilst the girls help him. Bob their golden retriever puppy
is confused about a tree inside the house. With a special Christmas
Street Fair planned, Dad and Uncle Stu, an electrician, bring home a
van filled with festive lights and reindeers, ready for everyone to
help decorate the yard and roof. Ella and Olivia join in and help
with the decorating. The Azzopardi's across the street, however
decorate their front yard with fake snow and a giant blowup Santa.
When a news crew come to film their neighbours' Christmas display,
Ella and Olivia are disappointed that their own house isn't
included. Of course the Street Fair brings all the families together
and Mr. Azzopardi has a welcome surprise.
With decorated borders, simple line drawings and easy to read text,
this book is a great welcome addition to the series.
Rhyllis Bignell
