Plainspeak Publishing, 2014. ISBN 9780980594737.
'One October day in 1984, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in
Canberra was advised by telephone, 'We have a first contact here.'
Located in the Gibson Desert, nine Pintupi people had been picked up
in a four-wheel-drive and taken to Kintore near Alice Springs. They
had never see a non-indigenous person, let alone cars and towns.
Wearing human hair belts and armed with spears and boomerangs the
Pintupi Nine quietly stepped out of the desert and into modern
society. They are believed to be the last people to have lived a
traditional Ancient Australian lifestyle.'
This beautifully illustrated and factually verified book uses
archaeology to track the lives of our indigenous peoples from those
ancient times of 50 000 years ago to modern day society in a
timeline format that makes it a perfect accompaniment to the
Australian Curriculum history strand for Yr 6+. Begun when its
English/History teacher author went to 'spruik the Young
Archaeologists' Program to the Head of Humanities' and continuing to
a blog Ask the
Archaeologist , this book has evolved with the help of
crowd-sourced funding to be a most important resource that fills a
critical gap in both our collections and our knowledge.
Drawing on all the elements of format and layout that attract
today's readers including photographs, maps, information in
manageable chunks, it also actively encourages readers to
investigate, to understand, to inquire and to create with explicit
suggestions. For example, students are asked to consider whether the
early journeys to Australia were accidental or deliberate; to
investigate whether 'firestick farming' is in use today and to
create a description and illustration of a first glimpse of a
kangaroo. There is a broad range of task embracing all levels of
Bloom's taxonomy that can kickstart the teachers' thinking as well
as that of the students. It might even inspire an interest in
archaeology.
Supported by its own website
and a trailer
this book has a place both in the library's general collection and
that of the history faculty.
Barbara Braxton
Gargoyle Hall by Angie Sage
Araminta Spook series, bk 6. Bloomsbury, 2014.
(Age: Junior novel) Themes: Ghost, Haunted houses, Boarding School,
Families
Araminta Spook lives in Spook House with her Aunt Tabby, Uncle Drac,
Wanda Wizzard her best friend and a house of crazy characters. She
is honing her detective skills and is on the hunt for mysteries to
solve at home. When her uncle returns from a holiday in
Transylvania, he brings back an unusual souvenir and barricades his
bats in the bat turret. Minty has fun collecting and building spider
pyramids, however, her mission is to solve all of the mysteries
going on at home. Trouble abounds when Araminta's around!
Unfortunately Araminta's final act of helpfulness results in her
being bundled off to boarding school on the weekend. Gargoyle
Hall lives up to its name, there are strange night noises, chains
that clank and two creepy head girls who are up to no good. Araminta
seems to be the only student, until she discovers a friendly
surprise in her trunk.
Annie Sage's enjoyable quirky characters and spooky settings all add
up to make this another fun junior novel. John Kelly's dark sketches
and spider web embellishments add atmosphere to the story.
Rhyllis Bignell
The last thirteen series by James Phelan
Scholastic, 2014. The last thirteen: 6. ISBN 9781742831916. The last thirteen: 5. ISBN 9781742831923.
(Age: 10+)The countdown is on with these next installments of James
Phelan's The Last Thirteen series. These stories deliver
more fast paced, almost frenetic action at times, with an array of
high-tech tools, devious enemies, evil plots and more globe-crossing
adventures for Sam. His quest for the Dreamers and the Gears
intensifies as reality becomes blurred in the battle for the
Dreamscape.
This adventure, 6 involves the Russian Dreamer Nikah and
includes settings in Moscow and Siberia as they fight with the enemy
who knows their every move. New villains, intense battles and the
loyalty of friends is questioned, as Sam seeks to find the Gears.
In 5 Sam travels to Japan with Tobias to meet the next
Dreamer, a professional gamer who is a tournament player. They
combine their skills to avoid the ever present enemy Solaris.
Unfortunately, Alex and Shiva are captives in New York with wrist
bombs set to detonate. As always, Sam and his friends are required
to use their cunning, ingenuity and scientific knowledge in the
fight.
James Phelan continues to keep the quest alive and the fans happy,
as they wait for the final four novels to be released.
For readers 10+
Rhyllis Bignell
Bully on the bus by Kathryn Apel
University of Queensland Press, 2014. ISBN 9780702253287.
(Age: 6-8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Bullying, Friendships,
School life. Seven year old Leroy is physically and verbally bullied
on the school bus each day. The bully D J's words spew out of her
mouth like volcanic lava, she's a high school student who takes
great pleasure in tormenting Leroy. He loves school, reading,
playing and being part of Mrs. Wilson's Superkids. His weekends are
filled with family activities, but he loathes the trips to and from
school, even his older sister Ruby doesn't help him.
This story is powerfully written in present tense and told from
Leroy's point of view. The author's use of alliteration, shape
poetry, metaphors, figurative language and imagery - my heart is
howling like a hyena, add richness and insight to the themes of
bullying, courage and empowerment.
The verse novel builds to a crescendo, however the resolution needs
more impact. As a class read aloud, students could write alternate
endings to help Leroy. Bully on the Bus is written for the newly
independent reader from six to eight years and can be enjoyed by
older readers. This book is an important new tool for schools to
utilise in their anti-bullying lessons.
Kathryn Apel's blog
and the UQP website provide additional information and teacher's
notes.
Rhyllis Bignell
Crikey and cat by Chris McKimmie
Allen & Unwin, 2014 ISBN 9781760110031.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Friendship, Creativity. McKimmie's abstract
drawings filled with colour, using a multitude of different
techniques and styles, media and fonts drag my eyes across each of
the pages, looking from one unusual image to the next, all the while
pondering the how, why and the what. It took me a few readings to
get into the why of the text, but this interest buoyed me along. It
always intrigues me to think about how kids view his work, but as I am no
longer in a school, this remains a mystery to me.
But I can imagine they will pour over the pages as I do, grabbing at
every clue, every word, every image, thinking about the plot line
and the end point. In this particular book, are two main characters,
Crikey the dog, and Cat. They are concerned that the stars have
disappeared and so their owner, Reg, drives to the hardware shop to
get some equipment. Cat goes home with Eve. Reg builds a ladder and
makes some stars, but a ferocious storm undoes all his work and
Eve's caravan is torn apart. Eve picks up all the fallen stars and
drives to Reg's place to give them back and he refixes them in the
sky.
The family is enlarged when Eve joins them, their friendship melded
through the creative use of the purchases from the all night
hardware shop. The image of the night sky, a brush of dark blue,
dominates many of the pages. Without the stars the night sky feels
cold and unfriendly and the fixing of the stars brings warmth to the
story.
The sparse words will make readers think about what is being said,
and ponder the characters making the stars, and their working
together to make this happen. The image of the storm, throwing
around everything in its path contrasts with the quietness of the
last page with everything in its place. I can imagine lots of stars
being made and placed around the classroom after reading this and
discussing it with a group of children, their imaginations roaring
ahead of the adult presenter.
Fran Knight
Sunny Sweet is so not sorry by Jennifer Ann Mann
Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781619633629.
(Age: 8-10) Themes: Sisters, Families, Neighbours. This
humorous novel introduces the reader to eleven year old Masha and
her wild, precocious super-intelligent sister Sunny. Poor
long-suffering Masha wakes up to find Sunny has used a thermal resin
to glue plastic flowers to the top of her head. Despite Mum's
frantic efforts to remove the floral bouquet including using peanut
butter, nothing works. Masha is forced to remain at home while
Mum leaves for a meeting and Sunny is taken to school. Mrs. Song is
home next door in case of an emergency. Masha's day unfolds with
much drama and a hospital visit. Luckily Sunny decides to leave her
boring Grade 1 classroom, at just the right time and assist the
ambulance officers as they take the girls and an injured Mrs Song to
hospital.
There are some funny moments and some which are difficult to read,
as all the adults are charmed by Sunny and let her get away with
everything. The girls are quarantined for suspected whooping cough,
Masha suffers an exam by the medical barber, has her unbroken arm
plastered while Sunny is taken on doctor's rounds.
Interwoven into the plot are the issues of divorced parents, an
elderly neighbour's illness, a preteen crush and extremely ill
children coping with life in hospital. The sketch style
illustrations and the cover are more suited to a younger audience
whilst the story is more appropriate for readers from 8-10 years.
Rhyllis Bignell
Hey Dad, you're great by Corinne Fenton
Black Dog Books, 2014. ISBN: 9781922244864.
(Age: 1+) Hey Dad, You're Great follows Corinne Fenton's popular
books from the same series including Hey Mum, I Love You and
Hey Baby. Young readers will be able to relate to the text
that describes many ways in which a Dad can be great. The text is
accompanied by cute pictures of animals. Children will especially
like the pictures that show grown and infant animals together. The
cover page is an eye catching example of this as it shows a funny
picture of a young bulldog and his Dad. This is a great book for
parents to read to their child from birth upwards.
Stephanie Bell
The Big Book of Old Tom by Leigh Hobbs
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743318447.
'Angela Throgmorton lived alone and liked it that way. One day,
while doing some light dusting, she heard a knock at the door.
There, on her front step, was a baby monster. Angela was curious so
she carried him in . . . and brought him up'. And so begins one of the
most enduring series that has captivated younger readers since 1992.
In a few lines of pen-and-ink, Leigh Hobbs created a most
captivating cat, Old Tom, and in this bumper book, five of his most
iconic adventures are drawn together. There is the original Old
Tom (whom the author himself describes as 'more like an
Australian cattle dog, or blue heeler, perhaps with a touch of
Tasmanian devil, than he is a cat') as well as Old Tom at the
Beach, Old Tom Goes to Mars, Old Tom's Guide to
Being Good and A Friend for Old Tom.
With a few lines of text on each page and the real story being told
through the dramatic movement and emotion of the pictures, this
series captivated my reluctant readers right from the start and all
these years on, still does. A graphic novel, before the term had
been widely adopted, Leigh Hobbs has captured what it is that
readers of this age like without going down the toilet-humour path.
Here is boldness, determination, courage, resilience and humour all
packaged in a cat who changes Angela Throgmorton's safe, predictable
life for ever. Even though Old Tom drives her crazy at times, she
loves him.
If your younger readers haven't met Old Tom yet, then they must. He
is one of those literary characters that will be remembered most
fondly by parents who will be delighted to see their own children
bringing him home in their library bags.
Barbara Braxton
Teenagers and Reading edited by Jacqueline Manuel and Sue Brindley
AATE Interface Series. Wakefield Press, 2012. ISBN: 9781743050972.
(Teacher reference) Themes: English Teaching (Professional reading);
Reading. This book includes a collection of well-researched papers
about Reading, and particularly Reading by Teenagers within the
context of education. This is an excellent Professional
resource for English Teachers who are trying to promote good Reading
and Teaching strategies to improve reading skills in their students.
There are many practical examples of strategies to employ to improve
success for all in their classes. The strong emphasis in the papers
is on the need to engage students in independent reading for
pleasure or to enable them to rise above the tyranny of the English
set text.
A number of the papers make a strong case for creating time in
the English program for self-selected reading (as distinct from
Teacher-selections linked to writing tasks.) The evidence for
the success of this strategy could be useful for justifying this
programming within the School timetable.
My personal favourite article is: Really teaching reading:
Revisiting a MyRead strategy in a Secondary English classroom, by
Rita van Haren and Janette Vervoorn. This revisiting of a 2002
Professional development resource gives wonderful examples of how
English teachers can both model/teach successful reading strategies
and release their students to display their comprehension in
accessible ways that can be successful for all readers in a class,
regardless of their perceived 'reading skill'. The examples of
student responses to a complex text reveal the success of the
strategies employed.
Librarians could recommend this book for English Teachers
Professional Reading as it is both professionally enriching as well
as containing practical advice for teaching practice.
Carolyn Hull
As stars fall by Christie Nieman
Pan Macmillan Australia, 2014. ISBN 9781743517697.
(Age: 13+) As stars fall is the first book authored by
Australian Christie Nieman. The story is set in modern day Victoria
with the location switching between the city, presumably Melbourne,
and a rural area nearby. A bushfire ravages the countryside and a
woman studying the local fauna is killed. This woman is Delia and
Seth's mother, and consequently the events in the book happen after
the death.
The novel explores how grief is dealt with by those closest to the
tragedy by providing a unique perspective told from Delia and Seth's
point of view. Throughout the book, there are many parallels
relating these events to the ecosystem, with Delia and Seth's
mother's notes providing clear and interesting insight into the
scientific side of nature.
I thought that overall, the novel was a very good stand-alone book.
The setting and premise of the story were very refreshing and at
most times an enjoyable read. The plot surrounding the bush stone
curlew was very well thought out and told convincingly, making you
forget how unlikely it was. On the flip side, there were times that
I felt like it was a chore to read, mainly in the chapters told from
Seth's point of view when he was high from the 'angel joints'. After
I finished the book, I was surprised - it seemed like the story
ended without a full resolution (especially in Seth's case) but this
ending provided a kind of mystery and allows your own take on what
could happen next.
Teaching this book to a high school class would allow students to
expand their knowledge of the Australian environment, while also
exploring characters' relationships and how certain events can alter
someone. I would recommend this book to any who enjoy realistic
Australian fiction, or anyone who has an interest in nature. The
writing and setting reminded me of the Tomorrow series by
John Marsden, so any who enjoyed those books I think would enjoy As
stars fall.
Sara Mitchell (Student)
That car! by Cate Kennedy
Carla Zapel. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743310953
(Age: Preschool - Year 2) The first day the children move to the
farm, they find an old car in the shed. Mrs Crosbie, the previous
owner of the farm, tells the children that the car has been in her
family for 60 years. But, 'It doesn't go too far, nowadays, though.'
However, she doesn't take into account the imaginations of Joey,
Luke and Ellie and, once more, the car begins to travel again. It
takes them to Buckingham Palace for tea with the Queen, to base camp
on Mt Everest, to the Ruff's International Dog Show, and on safari
to discover a rhinocersaurus and a rare, one-horned buffabulleroo.
Wherever their imaginations can roam, that old car takes them. But
as well as making memories, they also learn that the car has its own
history and memories and the generations are joined.
This beautifully illustrated story is a celebration of the
unstructured, inventive play of children, free to follow their
fancies to wherever their minds may wander. If the children in your
class had an old car, where might it take them? What journeys might
it have already been on? I really liked this story because it exudes
the joy and exuberance and fun of childhood - the right of every
little person in our lives.
Barbara Braxton
Billy is a dragon series by Nick Falk and Tony Flowers
Random House, 2014 First bite. ISBN 9780857983053. ebk ISBN 9780857983060. Werewolves beware. ISBN 9780857983077. ebk ISBN
9780857983084.
(Age: Year 2+) Billy's life changes the day he walks into Benny's
Pet Shop because they are having special discounts for 10th birthday
presents for boys named Billy. Billy already has Bertha, an ageing
bulldog whom he loves very much, so he thinks about a fish or a
parrot. But Benny leads him towards the lizards, and even though
Billy knows both his mum and sister are terrified of them, he is
captivated by one which Benny tells him is called the dragon lizard.
Determined to know what it feels like he sticks his finger in the
cage... and it bites him. With a painfully swollen finger which
keeps swelling, they head home and eventually Billy goes to bed,
nursing it as it continues to swell, and thinking of his upcoming
birthday party. Next morning, while his finger no longer hurts, he's
amazed to discover it has turned green and grown an enormous black
claw! And that's just the start of it... even though Billy might
find being a dragon protects him from bullies, teachers and his
sister Becky, when his parents decide that dragons belong in a zoo
he has to make a critical decision as well as an agonising
discovery. Is he a Shifter who can change shape or a Plain who stays
stuck as he is?
Written at a fast clip, interspersed with eye-catching fonts to
emphasize the mood and the meaning, this is a new series from the
creators of Saurus Street written to capture the
imaginations of those on the cusp of being independent readers and
moving onto novels. Billy's adventures will appeal to all those who
can think of better ways to spend their days than being at school,
secretly wishing the teacher would disappear in a puff of smoke -
which is almost what happens when he sets her hair on fire as he
morphs into a dragon in the classroom. And his new persona is very
helpful when dealing with bullies. Who wouldn't want to be able to
do that? With the continuing popularity of characters with super
powers and creatures from the realm of fantasy, the series is a
great introduction to a new genre that ventures beyond the more
traditional witches and wizards.
Tony Flowers' quirky illustrations are more than just decoration -
they are an integral part of the story that teach as much as they
tell. While they have a cartoon-like appearance, the detail in the
diagrams and the accompanying text not only explain the story but
also provide a model for the reader to produce their own. Not only
has Tony Flowers tapped into his imagination, but he has offered an
opportunity for the reader to get inside theirs. For example, just
what does a bully look like on the inside? How else would you
explain the characteristics of a shifter or a squiff? How empowering
it would be for a child to dissect their own fears in such a way.
Perhaps there is even an outlet for the writers and drawers in the
class to co-produce their own story about being a dragon, or
persuading the principal that such a creature would be an asset to
the school.
Series are a perfect way to support the developing reader as they
already bring their knowledge of the characters and circumstances to
the sequels, providing a familiarity that helps them cross the
bridge to independence just that bit more easily. This series (with
two more episodes due in June) are sure to capture the attention and
imagination of a clientele who can be hard to engage.
Barbara Braxton
Tortoise and the hair by P. Crumble and Louis Shea
Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9781743625286.
(Age: 4-6) Picture book. Humour. Rhyming verse. Folk tale. This
parody of the tale The tortoise and the hare will have
young readers laughing out loud as they read this take on the old
story, where Tortoise is searching for his hair to put on his head
when he plays in the local singing competition. He has passed his
audition and now needs to dress himself in the same way, but where
is his wig?
There follows a funny tale as Tortoise searches high and low for his
hairy accessory. From under the bed to under the table, Tortoise
cannot find the thing, and feels desolate that he cannot sing
without it. He finally finds it on the bus, but it slips from his
fingers. His friends join the search but at the gig, he realises
that he does not need this prop to win, his own voice will do the
trick.
A charming tale of not needing to dress in a special way to do well,
of image not being the most important thing, the rhyming verses will
bring laughter to a group listening or joining in. I love the play
on words of hare and hair, and the words used in the verses to rhyme
(rendition and audition, for example) because this tale will
increase a child's vocabulary and interest in language. The bright
illustrations add to the overall fun of the book and children will
perhaps look at some of the talent shows on television with a more
critical eye.
Fran Knight
The crystal heart by Sophie Masson
Random House Australia, 2014. ISBN 9780857982070.
(Age: 13+) Recommended for girls who enjoy romantic fantasy.
Fantasy. Fairy Tales. Forgiveness. Conflict and peace. Sophie Masson
has again used the scaffolding of a traditional 'fairy tale' to
create a magical story that explains the rescue of the Princess of
Night from her imprisonment in the Tower by a noble young man. In
true fairy tale style, love blossoms between the two - the royal
prisoner and her humble rescuer, viewed as a traitor by his own
countrymen. In a series of Parts/Acts, the story takes the pair on a
journey through magical and conflicted lands and eventually to the
peaceful settlement of long-held animosities.
The heritage of the Princess means she is half-fey (her magical
powers though have been stifled by her imprisonment) and in her
possession is a magical crystal heart which awakens in the course of
her rescue. There is darkness and light, love and vengeance,
forgiveness and a future of hope and peace woven through this
fantasy for teenagers. The appearance of goblins and house domevoys
(benign goblins) and a smattering of magical spells is sufficiently
sporadic to prevent the book from becoming too fanciful, although a
healthy suspension of disbelief is still necessary.
Although this is not 'classic literature', it is an interesting
weaving of a classic fantasy into a strong narrative driven romantic
quest. The narrative is told through the voice and perspective of
the two main characters, giving the opportunity of knowing the
motivations of both of the protagonists.
Carolyn Hull
Emilio by Sophie Masson
Through My Eyes series. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN:
9781743312476.
Thirteen year old Emilio's life, in Mexico City, is much like that
of his friends. They attend school, 'hang out' together and plan
weekend trips to the beach. Having been the man of the house since
his father's death three years earlier, however, Emilio often feels
he shouldn't join them. Instead, he feels the need to support his
mother, owner of a travel business. When, instead of his mother, his
aunt arrives at their home one evening, accompanied by a policeman,
he feels a sense of dread and discovers that his mother has been
kidnapped by a local drug gang. Against his wishes, Emilio must stay
with his Aunt and her family, whilst they negotiate with his
mother's kidnappers. With the support of his family and the American
branch of the travel company, Emilio's strength, intelligence,
resilience, love and hope all work together as he joins with the
police to try and effect his mother's eventual release.
At times, I felt the story was quite slow paced and wondered if it
was perhaps a tad too long. In hindsight, this may have been a ploy
on the part of the author, to highlight the frustration of the
protagonist at having no control over the situation and needing to
wait for the kidnappers to take the lead.
The motivation behind this series is the desire to inform children
about some of the contemporary issues faced by similar aged children
in other countries which are currently experiencing conflict. I
believe these books do so admirably and appreciate the diverse range
of cultures and issues explored thus far. The comprehensive teaching
notes are a real boon for any educator. Direct links to the
Australian Curriculum in the areas of English and Geography, civics
and citizenship and global education, the provision of background
information about Mexico and current relevant websites looking at
culture, religion and the drug war are also provided. The teacher
notes state: 'Although the Mexican drug war is the background
setting for this text, there are no explicit references to illegal
drug use or the trafficking of such drugs in the story of Emilio.'
As a result, this text could potentially be used in classes from
Year 5 through to secondary students. If a paired text were required
for upper primary classes, Deborah Ellis' books Diego's Pride
and Diego's Run could perhaps be considered, although they
do contain explicit information about drug use and creation. Inquiry
learning, information technology and tools and apps are included as
are a variety of graphic organisers and other strategies to assist
students in organising their thinking. This series provides a very
neat teaching package!
Jo Schenkel
