Dragonkeeper bk 5. Black Dog Books, 2014. ISBN 9781922179579.
(Age: 9-12) Highly recommended. Dragons - China. Adventure. Fantasy.
Good and Evil. Shadow sister is the fifth fantasy adventure novel in the
Carole Wilkinson's Dragonkeeper series. She is a meticulous
researcher who has blended the ancient Chinese ways of life and
Buddhist teachings into this wonderful engaging story.
Tao leaves the Buddhist monastery, just as the evil monk Fo Tu Deng
takes over as abbot. The fifteen year old boy's courage, wisdom and
strength are tested as he learns the duties and trials of
dragonkeeping with a contrary dragon. An unusual diet of scorpions,
tiger's blood, bat dung and cockroaches are sourced by Tao in his
search to help the sick dragon. The tenets of Tao's religious faith
also prove challenging, he's a vegetarian and won't harm living
creatures.
They have a dynamic relationship and the reader builds up empathy
for Tao and his dragon's journey, faced with so much evil. Safety is
a huge concern with a band of marauding nomads in close pursuit,
encounters with a ghost-spirit and an attack by a giant snake with
seven heads. There are lighter moments when they take care of a
young baby and an old man. Who knew that Kai understood about baby
food? Two girls, one a ghost and the other Pema his friend who has
joined the Black Camel Bandits, play important roles in the
narrative.
Sonia Kretschmar's bold artwork uses a Yin and Yang style, with Tao
in the bold foreground and dragon Kai in complementary colours in
the background. Carole's
website includes additional information and a short story
about Pema.
I highly recommend this book to readers from 9-12.
Rhyllis Bignell
Kick with my left foot by Paul Seden
Ill. by Karen Briggs. Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743313442.
(Age: 3-5) Highly recommended. Preschool picture book. Left and
right. Football.
In bold colourful pages, the simple tale of a young boy learning to
handle the football, and then to kick it, will have enormous appeal
to the preschool readers.
At first, he puts on his boots, then he laces them up, each time,
telling us quite definitely which foot is which. Each double page
shows him achieving a new skill with both his right and left leg or
arm. He learns to run, catch and bounce on each side. But when it
comes to kicking, he pas a problem. His kick with his right side is
a dribble. The ball just falls to the ground, so over the page he
kicks with his left foot, and scores a goal.
Through the story, children will learn what is left and right, they
will learn to differentiate arms, feet and legs. They will see
clearly the procedure needed to get themselves ready for sport, and
follow the boy's trials to kick the ball. For beginning readers this
story will be fun, as the pages turn to each new skill the boy is
learning. The bold print is easy to grasp, and the repetition will
make it easier for a beginning reader to predict what will happen.
The illustrations are infectious, making any reader involved in the
boy's attempts to use the football effectively, and the endpapers
show clearly the community in which he lives.
The background in a community with its sparse trees and red dirt
oval, gives readers a clue to where it is set, but the attempts by
the boy to master the skills are universal.
This book has been produced under the auspices of Allen & Unwin,
and the Little Big Book Club, with funding through the Australia
Council for the Emerging Indigenous Picture Book Project.
Fran Knight
On the nose by Robert Favretto
Ill. by Kevin Burgemeestre. Morris Publishing, 2014. ISBN 9780987543479.
(Age: 7-12) Recommended. If you have a nose for a good
story this could just be the one for you but you need the good
scents to pick it up. And be warned... the author has taken
plenty more opportunities to play with words related to noses and
smells.
Justin Credible is the hero of this story about smells, odours and
all things nasal. In fact Justin has an incredible sense of smell
which goes with his incredibly long nose. Having honed his skills by
collecting an amazing array of jars each containing a nasty odour
and achieving fame at school by solving the problem of the revolting
gas leak, he is recruited by the DNA (Department of Nasal Affairs as
a detective.
After training, led by Sergeant Sinus, he is given a 'licence to
smell' and with his driver and body guard Len D'Hand embarks on his
first mission to catch a skunk thief. Soon after, he is called in by
the Mayor of Aroma City, Willy Winn to save the city from a terrible
stench.
The face paced story is a mixture of clever references to all things
smelly and names with double meanings which will delight that group
of students which have become aware of the delights of playing with
language. The black and white pictures interspersed throughout,
which highlight the extreme length of Justin's nose, added to the
short length of the story, help make the story funny and accessible
for the most reluctant reader.
Sue Keane
Happy birthday, royal baby! by Martha Mumford
Ill. by Ada Grey. Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN 9781408854822
(Age: 5+) Recommended. Picture book. Humour. Babies. Royalty.
After the successful Shhh, don't wake the royal baby and
its laugh out loud story of a new born child in royal circles, this
book follows the child as he has his first birthday.
With people gearing up for Prince George's first birthday in July,
it seems appropriate to have a book which celebrates that event but
also all other birthdays of those about his age.
With the Queen parachuting from the sky holding onto a load of
balloons on the front cover, children will be in little doubt about the fun
to be had inside. Every page is covered with little things to
delight the eye and the words match the young prince finding nothing
of interest in his vast array of presents. That is until the Queen
parachutes in bringing him a present that she knows he will love.
Wonderful illustrations of the Queen and the family will tickle the
funny bones of all readers, young and old, and the array of presents
will engender much laughter, while the picture of all the guests
sitting down to the birthday party is just fun.
A wonderful read aloud, a book to discuss babies and their
birthdays, or anyone's birthday, and even a talk about the monarchy,
this book is a treat.
Fran Knight
Violet Mackerel's helpful suggestion by Anna Branford
Ill. by Sarah Davis. Walker Books Australia, 2014. ISBN 9781922244369.
Recommended. The list of Violet Mackerel books continues to
grow but the warmth, charm and freshness of these stories centred on
family and friends never ceases to delight. The recent shortlisting
of Violet Mackerel's Possible friend in the CBCA Book of the Year
awards is sure to rekindle interest in this series.
Rose, Violet's best friend from next door, is excited about her
coming trip to Japan for six weeks, but Violet is sort of excited for
her and also worried that Rose may forget her.
The other news is that Vincent, Violet's stepfather, has a trial
for a job at Nuts and Beans, a self serve bulk store. While the
family are excited for him he is worried and needs to learn the
prices for all the various beans, lentils, dried fruit and rice he
will sell before starting work.
While at the family's usual Saturday market stall, Rose and Violet
enjoy their remaining time together learning Japanese words from a
flashcard set Rose has been given. This gives Violet an idea, a
helpful suggestion, to assist Vincent remember the names of the
goods and their prices. The whole family join in making flash cards
to help Vincent.
Just before Rose leaves Violet comes up with a new theory to help
the friends feel closer, the 'Theory of Sending Small Things' which
helps them feel closer whilst they are apart.
As with the other books in this series there are step by step
instructions at the end of the book to assist the reader in making
whatever idea Violet has come up with. In this case there are how to make and
use a set of flash cards for something you wish to remember. The
suggestion that times tables and spelling cards could be an idea will
surely curry favour with teachers and parents.
Sue Keane
Thief's magic by Trudi Canavan
Orbit Books, 2014. ISBN 9780356501116.
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Fantasy. Adventure. Science Fiction. Thief's magic is the first book in the new Millenium's rule trilogy
by author Trudi Canavan. The book comprises two stories which, in
this first book at least, run parallel to one another with no
crossover. Magic is at the heart of both stories, however its use is
viewed very differently in each.
The hero of the first tale is Tyen Ironsmelter who is a student of
sorcery and archaeology at the Academy. In Tyen's world sorcery is a
valued profession and extensive use of magic to power great machines
has been responsible for society's development. So heavily has magic
been depleted in this world that there are fears it will run out.
An archaeological expedition at the beginning of the first chapter
sees Tyen find a magical book in an ancient tomb. The book calls herself Vella and we discover that she was once a living person. Vella
is a repository for knowledge - she is able to learn from those who
touch her and communicate with writing which appears on her
otherwise blank pages. Tyen develops a 'relationship' with Vella and
is determined to find a way to return her to human form. His desire
to hold on to her, coupled with his concern for how others may use
her knowledge, see him become a fugitive on the run from the Academy
and, ultimately, from his own world.
The parallel story is that of Rielle Lazuli whose parents own a
respected dye works. We learn early in the tale that since a young
age Rielle has been able to see 'stain' - the evidence of where
magic has been used. Rielle's world appears significantly less
advanced than Tyen's and here the use of magic is forbidden by all
but priests as it is seen as stealing from the Angels. As being able
to see 'stain' is associated with the ability to use magic Rielle
has been encouraged by her aunt to hide the ability from everyone -
including the rest of her family.
When Rielle strikes up a relationship with an artist, who her
parents see as being below her status, she turns to magic for help.
A series of events sees her crime discovered and she is arrested and
banished to a far off land. Thief's magic is an intriguing start to this new series. I was
considerably more engaged by Tyen's story than by Rielle's however I
suspect that in future books the two will intertwine. A substantial
read at 553 pages, I would consider Thief's magic equally as
appealing to both sexes and would recommend if for fantasy fans 13+
years of age.
Nicki Paterson
Prisoner of night and fog by Anne Blankman
Headline Publishing. 2014. ISBN 9781472207821.
Recommended. There are not too many readers who don't enjoy a good
murder mystery. Prisoner of night and fog is, in essence,
just that - something to keep the reader turning the pages as the
heroes search for the truth, face danger, experience betrayal and in
amongst it all find love and friendship. However Prisoner of
night and fog is so much more than that, set as it is, in the
turbulent times of Munich, 1931, when Hitler is on his rapid rise to
ultimate power.
The hero of the story is Gretchen Muller who is a favourite to her
Uncle Dolf (Hitler) who calls her his 'little sunshine'. At the
beginning of the tale she leads a relatively stable life, believing
in the doctrines of her uncle and with dreams of becoming a doctor.
Her home life is a little difficult as she is required to help her
mother in the boardinghouse and is sometimes subject to
mistreatment from her brother Reinhard, a member of the thuggish
Brownshirts. Then she meets a Jewish reporter who not only raises
questions about the death of her father but also causes her to
question some firmly held beliefs as she comes to realise that his
features 'all combined to make it difficult to remember he wasn't
subhuman' (p. 93) as she had been taught. This new understanding is
gradually consolidated as she meets other Jews and discovers the
real intentions of her Uncle Dolf. As the story progresses Reinhard
is revealed for the psychopath that he is and parallels are drawn
between him and the Fuhrer by Whitestone, the English doctor who has
come to Germany to write a psychological profile of Hitler.
Together with the reporter, Daniel, she sets about to discover,
firstly what happened to her father during the Beer Hall Putsch of
1923 and indeed who was really responsible for his death. Along the
way Daniel and Gretchen face increasing danger, both as their
relationship is 'verboten' and because in their search for truth
they uncover details, the knowledge of which would see them killed.
Their bravery and sometimes recklessness all combine to ensure a
thrilling finale.
As Anna Blackman herself says, 'although Prisoner of night and
fog is a work of fiction, much of it is rooted in fact'
(Author's note p. 361) and it is this which adds tremendously to the
quality of this novel.
Barb Rye
St Kilda Blues by Geoffrey McGeachin
A Charlie Berlin Novel. Penguin, 2014. ISBN 9780670075898
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Detectives. When the daughter of a
rich and powerful property developer disappears, Charlie Berlin is
hauled out of the Fraud Squad to solve the case. He connects the
appearance of the body of another teenager with the disappearances
of other girls over a period of years. He is convinced that there is
a serial killer on the loose and that the missing teen might be in
his clutches.
Award winning author McGeachin sets this novel in 1967, some years
after the first Berlin novel, The Diggers Rest Hotel, which
won the 2011 Ned Kelly Award for Best Fiction, as did the second in
the series, Blackwattle Creek, in 2013. The year 1967
provides an intriguing and engrossing background to the story.
Melbourne is swinging with discos and teenagers are creeping out at
night to go to seedy dances. Berlin's wife is making a name for
herself as a photographer and his children are now grown-up. Charlie
still suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and he is shaken
by the appearance of the father of the girl who has disappeared. He
is struck with the similarity between him and the German SS officer
who casually murdered a young Jewish woman when he was on the road
as a POW; a murder which has haunted him ever since.
Charlie Berlin is a complex and fascinating character, who is clever
and intuitive and the case of the Melbourne serial killer and the
murder of the young Jewish woman in World War 2 are a perfect
platform to show off both his detective skills but also his
vulnerability and passion and his inability to let an injustice lie
untended. Readers who have followed the books will really enjoy the
overall understanding that they get of his family life and his
relationship with Rebecca his wife and his children, and will weep
for the heartbreak that they both face.
Geoffrey McGeachin is my favourite crime writer at the moment. His
mastery of a chilling narrative from the serial killer, his
portrayal of family relations and his wonderful depiction of the
1960's era make this a stand-out detective story, equally as good if
not better than his previous award winning novels. This is one
series that I will happily follow.
Pat Pledger
The collector by Nora Roberts
Hachette, 2014. ISBN 9780749959319.
(Age 15+) Thriller. Romance. Lila Emerson is an author who loves
looking after other people's homes while they are away. That way she
experiences houses that she could never afford to live in herself
and she enjoys watching the world go by from the windows of
different places. But one day she sees the brutal murder of a young
woman in an apartment across the way and her life is threatened.
Teaming up with Ashley Archer, an artist, she embarks on a dangerous
quest to find out what is behind the murder.
Although The collector has slightly less sparkle than
earlier romantic thrillers from Roberts, like Angel Falls
and Northern Lights, it is still a solid read in the
romantic suspense genre, of which Roberts is a master. Both Lila and
Ash are likeable characters and the romance between the two is a
satisfying one for readers who love romance. The little miniature
poodle, Earl Grey, is a delight and adds a touch of humour to the
read.
The theme of seeing a murder through a window is reminiscent of Rear
Window, and the introduction of Faberge eggs is also a
familiar ploy from other romantic suspense novels that I have read.
However the familiarity won't bother readers, especially those who
are relatively new to both the genre and the author.
I particularly enjoy the fact that Roberts writes her romantic
suspense books as stand-alone novels, and as a reader I don't have
to follow a series. It also makes for an easy reread for that
feel-good sensation that reading a Nora Roberts book leaves.
Fans of Nora Roberts will find this an easy to read romance with a
dash of thriller thrown in and won't be disappointed.
Pat Pledger
Prince of shadows : a novel of Romeo and Juliet by Rachel Caine
Penguin, 2014. ISBN 9781743482988.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Rachel Caine, author of the bestselling
Morganville Vampires series brings her formidable creative talent in
this retelling of Romeo and Juliet basing it on characters and
events surrounding the ill-fated pair. Benvolio Montague, Romeo's
cousin, is the Prince of Shadows, a thief who risks everything when
he decides to steal from the House of Capulet. There he meets the
calm and beautiful Rosaline, who is destined for the convent. From
then on events overtake him as the House of Montague and the House
of Capulet continue their feud.
Caine's authentic blend of the familiar drama with the introduction
of other characters and events flesh out the story for the reader.
This combination gives the reader an insight into the characters and
motivations of the people in Shakespeare's play and provide a
wonderful story for the reader.
Benvolio is an intriguing main character who is known as the
greatest thief in Verona, stealing from the rich. He knows that he
might die on the streets fighting for his house, but knows too that
is what happens in the world he lives in. The women in the story are
depicted as strong characters, although they too are bound by the
strictures of their society. Rosaline is a wonderful young woman,
tranquil and sensible, and the love between her and Benvolio will
thrill the reader. There are still the familiar characters from the
play. Tybalt doesn't improve in this retelling and Mercutio is given
a secret love that could prove disastrous in the eyes of society.
Caine has created a rich backdrop to the story of Romeo and Juliet
that is sure to please those who are familiar with the play and
delight any reader who is not.
Pat Pledger
Jasper Zammit Soccer Legend by Deborah Abela and Johnny Warren
Random House, 2014. ISBN 9780857983206.
With a partnership between Deborah Abela who brings her fabulous
storytelling skills and former Socceroo captain Johnny Warren who
brings his in-depth knowledge of soccer, readers are treated to a
series of stories about kids who love their soccer and their team
the Rovers but each has obstacles to overcome and issues to deal
with.
In The Game of Life Jasper Zammit is a soccer legend - in
his own head. Whole stadiums cheer as he bends balls and scores
magic goals. When Lil joins the Rovers Under-11s, Jasper finds
someone as obsessed with soccer as he is. But Lil's dad is the
reason Jasper's dad lost his job. Can they be friends?
The focus of The Striker is Aamir who can't speak English,
but who is a brilliant soccer player for the Rovers. The trouble is,
Eastville Kings star player Badger can't resist badgering his
opponent to put them off their game. Now his target is Aamir. Who
will be sent off the field with a red card?
The third book in the collection is The Finals. In this, the
Rovers get a new coach just before the finals. But winning is all he
cares about, and playing soccer isn't as fun anymore. Lil's big
brother devises a plan to get the Rovers back on track. Can he save
them? Time is running out and he's their only hope.
Interspersed throughout the chapters, are anecdotes and advice from
Johnny Warren that will help the soccer reader improve their game.
There is also a glossary at the end of the first book which not only
explains soccer terms but also tips on how to perfect them.
Soccer fans, both boys and girls, will be wanting to read this as
their dreams, like Jasper's, about being an Australian soccer
superstar are fuelled by the World Cup inspiring them to work just
the little bit harder.
For those wanting to read the novel aloud as the World Cup
progresses and support it with activities, here are some links which
may be useful: World
Cup for Kids Activity Village World Cup
Teaching Ideas Information
Collection Flags
and Activities World
Cup for Kids on Pinterest
Barbara Braxton
Maxx Rumble Soccer Knockout by Michael Wagner
Black Dog Books, 2014. ISBN 9781922244802.
Highly recommended for boys aged 7+. Maxx Rumble Soccer Knockout
is a great story for independent readers moving into their first
novels. The soccer theme and Terry Denton illustrations will keep
them engaged, the descriptions and events are funny and the text is
large and easy to read. The chapters are short, quick moving and
full of action.
The main character, Maxx, and his brother Rexx are involved in a
soccer competition. Their team, the Saints, is up against the
Crawlies and with names like Einstein, Freud and Newton you know the
Crawlies are smart. Are the Saints smart enough to beat them? When
Rexx gets a ball in the face and a pelican seems to be the Crawlies
goal keeper, all seems lost! Maxx tries an inspirational speech but
maybe Rexx's idea will help them win.
Kylie Kempster
Edge of the world by Ian Trevaskis
Ill. by Wayne Harris. Walker Books, 2012. ISBN 9781921150210.
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Life and loss. Death. Memory. Remembrance.
Sea. In the winter when snow and ice pile up around the harbour, and
the men cannot go out fishing, most mend their nets, and talk of
narrow escapes, all except Toby McPhee who is alone with his
memories and cannot smile. Even when the ice melts and the men go
out on their boats once again, still nobody smiles, thinking of what
might happen before they return. The women sit in groups knitting,
the children go to school unsmiling, at the village at the edge of
the world.
Toby McPhee weighs anchor and goes out as well, but pulling in his
nets, he captures colour. The first colour he brings home is giallo
(yellow) and he brings the sun's golden rays back to the forbidding
town, then he brings gremisi (crimson) and this colour too returns
to the village. Each time he goes out, he pulls in another pot of
colour, until he has all the colours he needs to paint a memorial to
his lost family and so brings colour back to the town at the edge of
the world. Once his memorial is complete he can at last smile. This
is a sad tale of grief and loss, made real for Toby McPhee, but
always in the hearts of the villagers, knowing their menfolk are out
on the cold grey seas for days on end. The incredible illustrations
reflect the feeling of time standing still until the men return, of
a stillness amongst the villagers, knowing that what happened to
families in the past may happen to their loved ones. I felt like I
was holding my breath looking at the illustrations, waiting for
something to happen to the village men out on the seas, so real is
their representation.
Children will be drawn into the tale of Toby McPhee and the village,
talking about what may have happened to his family, of what the men
do for a living, of how cold it is. They will be drawn in by the
fabulous use of words describing the village's position the edge of
the world, and wonder at the illustrations so deftly making the
words real.
Fran Knight
Elegy by Amanda Hocking
Tor, 2013. ISBN: 9781447205753. Elegy by Amanda Hocking is the latest and most likely the
last instalment in the Watersong series. The novel is
written with a certain poise and delicacy that makes the characters
come to life in the readers mind, making the reader become involved
and apart of the chaotic lives of Gemma, Harper and their friends.
With chapters going between differing character's points of view,
the reader gains a great spread of understanding about the
happenings in Elegy and feels involved in plans and the
share of information. Alleviating the mermaid-like images and sweet,
gentle notions of the mythical and beautiful creature the Siren,
Hocking puts in place the characteristics of underlying power and
drive. Laced with magical abilities and talents, the reader becomes
intrigued at every sign of a Siren transformation at the already
tense kinship between Gemma and Penn and the actions of ravenous and
power hungry Liv, a newly turned siren. With the essential themes of
mystery, action and romance, it's hard not to be swept away by the
classically written and emotional relationships found between both
Gemma and Alex and Harper and Daniel. Even eccentric Marcy finds the
opportunity for some companionship while they all try to translate
and ancient scroll that may hold the secret to getting rid of
domineering Penn, wild Liv and inert Thea, breaking the curse on
Gemma once and for all.
With the beauty and suspense expressed throughout this novel, the
reader will have no choice but to remain entranced and wanting more.
Sarah Filkin
Flower Power by Yvette Poshoglian
Ella and Olivia series. Scholastic Australia, 2014. ISBN
9781743620533.
Recommended for 5-6 year old girls. Ella and Olivia are sisters and
best friends. Ella is seven years old and Olivia is five-and-a-half
years old, they live with their mum, dad, brother Max and puppy Bob.
At school, both girls enjoy gardening lessons and planting in the
vegetable beds. Ella and her family decide to build a garden bed in
the backyard. Olivia wants to grow flowers but Ella only wants to
plant vegetables. Ella's bossiness and Olivia's jealousy result in
the garden not being looked after and Olivia learns about the
consequences of not watering the garden. Responsibility, sharing and
caring are themes in this junior novel.
This popular series by Yvette Poshoglian is written for young girls
who are beginning to read chapter books. They are written in a
simple, engaging way with relatable characters. The extremely large
font and line drawings add to the fun of the story.
Rhyllis Bignell
