Figaro and Rumba and the Crocodile Cafe by Anna Fienberg
Allen and Unwin, 2014. ISBN 9781743314883.
(Ages: 6 to 9) Recommended. The Crocodile Cafe is the first title in
a new series by Anna Fienberg (of the Tashi books), based around two
very likeable characters Figaro and Rumba. Figaro is a energetic,
happy-go-lucky dog who lives with his best friend Rumba, a very
conscientious and somewhat melancholy Cuban cat. Rumba misses his
home in Cuba, and channels his energy into a rigorous cleaning
routine. Figaro on the other hand would rather play and explore, and
catch the Very Fast Train. Rumba agrees they can go on the train
after they have mopped the floor and cleaned the windows. After a
few interruptions they finally catch the train, and meet a Cuban
conga0playing crocodile. They learn some important lessons about
friendship and trust, and we get to meet some other interesting
characters who will appear in future titles.
Stephen Michael King's illustrations enhance the story beautifully
capturing the quirky, bohemian, and suaveness of the various
characters. Every page has a small colour illustration, with a few
full-page pictures along the way, making it a perfect book for
readers moving from picture books to novels. A lovely introduction
to what is sure to become a favourite new series among primary
students.
Donella Reed
Crooked Leg Road by Jennifer Walsh
Allen & Unwin, 2014. ISBN: 9781743316931
(Age: 10-12) Highly recommended. Both boys and girls who enjoy
mystery/adventure stories will love this new book from Jennifer
Walsh. Somewhat like a contemporary, fast-paced Famous Five but much
edgier - a group of friends from Balmain become embroiled in a
dangerous game of political intrigue and financial
misappropriations. David, Martin, Kitty and Andrea are both friends
and schoolmates, each with their own interests and strengths, who
combine well as a group hanging together in the regular sense. When
David mysteriously disappears, feared kidnapped, his friends pool
their combined observations and knowledge with some startling
results.
Parallel to this plot are timely ideas such as multiculturalism,
ethics in positions of power, judgemental behaviour, tolerance and
acceptance and friendships. New girl, Samantha, who is despised in
general, because of her 'posh' background and ineffectual attempts
to impress, and mysterious new boy, Skender, technically a 'boat
person' and whose family comes under suspicion by the sleuthing
teens, add a depth to the plot that leads the reader to examine
initial perceptions of 'outsiders'.
Thoroughly engaging and completely compulsive reading (I read it in
one sitting) - this is a real page turner with very plausible plot,
characterisations and complications/resolutions.
Highly recommended for readers 10 and up, put this one on the
shopping list for any of those readers who are looking for an
exciting read.
Watch the trailer.
Visit the author's website .
Jennifer Walsh writes children's books under this name and adult
books under Jennifer Spence (she is married to Bruce Spence, the
actor) and lives in Balmain, Sydney. Her previous book The
tunnels of Tarcoola featured the abandoned coal mines under
that suburb and her new book Crooked Leg Road is also set in
this lively and historic area.
Sue Warren
The Caller by Juliet Marillier
Shadowfell series, bk 3. Pan Macmillan, 2014. ISBN
9781742612454.
(Age 13+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. Only when Neryn has been
trained by all four of the Guardians will she be ready to play her
part as a Caller and help the rebels to topple the evil King Keldec.
She seeks out the mysterious White Lady but she is not what Neryn
expected and is fast facing extinction. Neryn pushes on, knowing
that Flint is in mortal danger of being exposed as a traitor to the
King, who has found a Caller of his own, one who is grabbing hold of
the minds of the Good Folk of the Kingdom. Marillier is one of my
favourite fantasy authors, whose books I always look forward to
reading. It has been a pleasure to read this beautifully written
fantasy series, and to follow the growth of Neryn as she progresses
from a shy girl to a leader who is prepared to take risks for what
she believes in. Not only do her skills develop as she learns from
the Guardians, but her self-confidence and ethic certainly also
grow.
Marillier's ability to write wonderful fantasy romances is on
display in this series. The romance between Flint and Neryn is
bittersweet, each knowing that the fate of the Kingdom is more
important than being together, and even though they don't spend much
time together, their feelings for each other are beautifully
described. Flint is such a courageous young man, and as a reader I
had to hold my breath as he faced possible betrayal by his team and
the King's Caller.
There is plenty of action as Neryn travels across the country to
find the White Lady and then finally faces the King and his Caller.
Readers who enjoy the quest in fantasy will be satisfied by the
conclusion of this series as Marillier wraps up the story in a
satisfying way.
The Shadowfell series was written for young adults who are
sure to enjoy the well written prose, wonderful setting, and
memorable characters. They could then move onto Marillier's Sevenwaters
series or The Bridei chronicles written for adults, equally
as powerful and memorable.
Pat Pledger
Hard nuts of history series by Tracey Turner
Ill. Jamie Lenman. A&C Black, 2014. Warriors: Who's who in hard nut history. ISBN 9781472905642. Ancient Egypt: Who's who in hard nut history. ISBN
9781472905635.
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Humour, Easy reads, History. Two more in this
series of books which showcase some of the memorable people in
history who many young people may have heard mentioned, but known
anything about, are offered here to delight, inform and entertain.
In short, snappy and funny pages, an outline of their lives is given
which will intrigue younger readers.
People covered in Warriors, for example, include the Duke of
Wellington, Julius Caesar, Geronimo, the Trung sisters, Joan of Arc,
Tomyris and Napoleon. Each is given a double page spread about their
life and its impact and why they are remembered. Some are well know,
others not so well known, there is a range of women and men and a
world view is taken by the author.
At the back is a most useful index and glossary, while the quiz will
ensure some students will have a great time asking questions of
others. A time line completes the information given to this most
interesting little book. I longed for a world map, so make sure you
have one handy.
Similarly in Ancient Egypt, double pages are devoted to
famous people, Cleopatra, Ptolemy, Tutmose, Nefertiti and so on, as
well as sites, the River Nile, the Pyramids and the Valley of the
Kings, while double pages are also devoted to the Gods and the
embalming process. All is designed to be informative and fun, with
an emphasis on gaining information quickly and easily. A good index
and glossary are at the back with a quiz and timeline, ensuring
students will have fun with these two new books in this series.
Fran Knight
Shadow spell by Nora Roberts
Cousins O'Dwyer trilogy, bk 2. Piatkus, 2014. ISBN
9780749958626.
(Age: Adult) Fantasy. Romance. The second book in the Cousins
O'Dwyer trilogy following Dark Witch, concentrates on
gorgeous Connor O'Dwyer and Meara Quinn. Meara is convinced that
love is not for her. Scarred by her childhood, she is happy to have
an affair with Connor, but falling in love is not on her agenda.
However danger threatens the circle of O'Dwyers and friends and
Connor must face the evil Cabhan, who knows that if he can get to
Meara the circle will be broken.
Another of Roberts' Irish trilogies, long time fans of her writing
will feel a lot of familiarity with her characters and the way she
often uses the trilogy, with three men and three women as the main
protagonists overcoming evil and falling in love. Her setting of
hawks and horses is a change of pace and the time travel back to an
older Ireland with characters developing in that period, adds
interest to the series.
I was eager to read the second in the series and found it very
enjoyable and easy to read if somewhat predictable. Readers new to
Nora Roberts would find it even more enjoyable, and are sure to
become fans, as her combination of romance, danger, friendship,
strong women, gorgeous men and the supernatural is always
entertaining.
I look forward to reading the next in the series as Finn and
Branna's romance develops and the quest against evil continues.
Pat Pledger
Fast track by Julie Garwood
Buchanan-Renard series, bk 12. Penguin, 2014. ISBN
9780143570998.
(Age: Adult) Romantic suspense. Sexual content. When her dying
father reveals that her mother is still alive and living in Sydney
with another family, Cordelia Kane is devastated and on the death of
her father, decides to travel to Sydney to find out why her mother
left her. She has always had a crush on Aiden Madison, even though
he treats her like his little sister and when Aiden decides to
accompany her to Sydney, sparks fly. From then on danger grips the
two as the mystery surrounding her Mother's death brings unforeseen
consequences and the romance between the two heats up.
When I read this I was unaware that it was the 12th book in Julie
Garwood's Buchanan-Renard series. Undoubtedly if I was following the
series, I would have been much more aware of the depth of the
characters and interactions between the friends and family in the
book. However there was enough back story to make it an entertaining
stand-alone read.
I had previously read and enjoyed her historical romances but found
Fast track to be a very light read with little in the way of real
suspense and much more emphasis on the romance, which was very
predictable.
I particularly enjoyed that Cordelia was portrayed as a very
intelligent woman who was able to hold her own in the scientific
field, even though she ended up holed up in Aidan's penthouse, being
guarded from danger from that over-protective alpha male. The side
story of the corrupt Congressman who wanted the Madison family to
buy his land was interesting and there was plenty of hints about
future stories especially featuring the wayward Madison brother.
This was a light, entertaining, if very predictable read for those
who enjoy a steamy escapist romance.
Pat Pledger
Floods 13: The Royal Family by Colin Thompson
Random House Australia Children's, 2014.ISBN: 9781742755328.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Colin, how can you do this to us - I mean,
the kids?!?!?! The final Floods???!!!!! Arggghhhh!! And sob,
sniffle, slime trails and all that.
Ok, huge breath.....The Royal Family is #13 in The Floods series -
and the final episode.
King Nerlin, that lovable and rather docile ruler, is quite fed up
with being in charge of Transylvania Waters and is dreaming of a
sweet little cottage in Enchanted Valley with a real garden and real
chickens (as opposed to magical ditto). Mordonna, his only
occasionally charming spouse, is disposed to agree but there is an
insurmountable problem. None of their children want the job of
ruling the kingdom it seems. Just when the pair devises a sensible
plan to ease the children into semblance of responsible trial ruling
- that is, alternatively leaving a child in charge while the
monarchs weekend at the cottage - a complication arises ... literally.
From the dank and odorous drains under the royal city, from whence
the royal family arose, following the deposition of loathsome King
Qautorze, now arises Gertrude who just happens to be Nerlin's older
sister. And we all know what that means - Gertrude is the rightful
ruler!!
As one might expect, the youngest royal child Betty, 'a right little
madam' according to Mordonna, secretly wants the throne herself -
and by chance, is the first to encounter Gertrude.
Amid the usual hilarity, diabolically hilarious scheming, somewhat
dubious magic and quirky characters, the kingdom's future is
resolved eventually to the satisfaction of all.
While Floods devotees will no doubt feel the pain of knowing that 13
is indeed the magic number in this case, they will revel in the last
chapter of what has been a phenomenon in all my libraries. Highly
recommended for anyone over 10 years old - with a sense of humour.
Sue Warren
Alberta by Tania Cox
Ill. by Janine Dawson. Working Title Press, 2014. ISBN
9781921504037.
(Age: 4-8) Recommended. Penguins, Family, Eggs, Siblings,
Antarctica. Alberta is thrilled when her penguin parents tell her of
the imminent arrival of a sister. Being Alberta, she expects the
sister to be big, just as she was able to bring in a big fish to
show her friends, or find a huge slide for her friends to slide
down, or gather together a huge snowball, much larger than those of
her peers. Everything Alberta does is on the large size, and her
expectations are just the 'Alberta way'.
When her parents build their nest of stones, she builds one too, a
tower which sways over the land. Her father realises that her
expectations are not realistic, and she is disappointed when the
first egg arrives and is rather small. The second egg is just the
same, and Alberta is asked to look after them when her parents go
off to catch some fish. Alberta almost loses the eggs to an egg
thief but throws a stone to the bird just in time. Then when the
eggs hatch she is thrilled.
A charming tale first published in 2007, of siblings, of family and
parenthood, the penguin depicted reflects the feelings shown by
children when a new addition occurs within the family, and lead to
much discussion about what this means.
The Gentoo (Gentu) penguins shown in this tale do build nests of
stones, unlike the ones many children will be used to from Happy
Feet, so discussion about these penguins and where they live
will bring in another point of interest for children. The lively
illustrations show clearly what life is like in this part of the
world, a barren landscape with little vegetation, snow and ice and a
very cold sea.
Fran Knight
Miaka by Anne-Louise Channon
Windy Hollow Books, 2014. ISBN 9781922081315.
(Age: 5-10) Highly recommended. When Anya's happy life with her
loving parents is turned upside down, her only chance of survival is
to go and live in the village with the bakers. Her only comfort and
consolation is magnificent Maika.
Maika is no ordinary bird and Anya loves her pet dearly.
However, she must take drastic steps, in the bitter cold of winter,
to save Maika from a fate even worse than starvation. Anya must make
a heart-wrenching decision for her pet.
Can poor, sad Anya save her beautiful bird?
Stunningly illustrated by Beatriz Martin Vidal, I highly recommend
this book to children aged 5 -10.
Joan Smith
Twisted by Lynda La Plante
Simon and Schuster, 2014. ISBN 9781471125881.
(Age: 16+) Crime fiction, Murder. Although the Fulfords are getting
divorced they seem to be coping well. Lena is a successful business
woman and is beginning to go out on her own again, Marcus her
husband is handsome and seems able to get along with everyone, while
Amy the daughter is intelligent and does well at her private school
both academically and at sports.
When Amy disappears the characters begin to reveal themselves. DI
Reid finds himself in a difficult situation. In charge of missing
persons investigations he quickly finds he doesn't have the
resources to deal with the case. He also finds that no one is being
honest. All involved have something in their past which they'd
prefer to keep hidden; the house keeper, the driver, her best school
chums, her teachers and her father's best friend.
A diary Amy was given records sexual encounters between her father
and the prostitutes he uses and, given the language she uses when
she writes her journal, we see that she is not the innocent Miss
Perfect that she has been made out to be.
La Plante keeps the plot moving along so that the reader is never
sure who has the best motive for Amy's disappearance, and how and
why she has gone missing. The murder squad is eventually called in
and the abrasive DCI Jackson and his assumptions bring matters to
a head.
The ending is however so contrived and unbelievable, even given the
contexts of the narrative, that it is a let down after all the
emotional trauma La Plante has put her readers through.
Mark Knight
Knockout by Michael Wagner
Ill. by Terry Denton. Maxx Rumble Soccer series bk 1. Black
Dog Books, 2014. ISBN 9781922244802.
For readers from 7-9 years. Knockout is the first book in the three
part Maxx Rumble Soccer series. Rexxy, Maxx's younger brother is now
old enough to play for the Stone Valley Saints Soccer team in the
knockout competition. In their first game they are up against the
Kreepy Crawlies. Maxx is team captain who leads his team in their
play fair chant. Of course the opposition replies with a taunt and
the game is on. After Rexxy is knocked out he returns to play with
his good luck charm Trevor his teddy. The Saints utilise a secret
weapon, a force of nature - Peli the pelican who helps their team to
victory.
Michael Wagner's sense of humour show as the players are named after
famous people like - Cleo Patra, Benny Franklin. The action-packed
descriptions of the game and the use of different font sizes make
this another exciting chapter book for emergent readers and soccer
fans. Terry Denton's fun cartoons capture the key moments of the
match.
Rhyllis Bignell
A thirst for home by Christine Ieronimo
Ill. by Eric Velasquez. Walker Books, 2014. ISBN 9780802723079.
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. Picture book, Refugees, Water,
Friendship. Alemitu and her mother walk for miles every day to
collect water to drink. The sun beats down upon their backs,
reminding the reader of just how pitiless some places can be. This
is Ethiopia, and her mother tells her that water is the most
precious thing on earth, and shows her the water hole where they get
their water, deep and bottomless. Alemitu looks deeply into the
water hole and wonders what is on the other side.
One day her mother leaves her with some people and later a woman
comes to take her with her to America where she will be her
daughter. Here she learns to live quite differently, turning on a
tap to get fresh clean water whenever she wants, but she always
remembers where she is from, and imagines her mother at the other
end of the water she sees in a huge puddle after a rainstorm in her
new home. They are connected by water.
This is a tender story about links between people, about the world's
need for water, about the poverty of life in Ethiopia where a mother
gives up her child for the chance of a better life for the child.
The bold illustrations depict the two communities clearly, sweeping
across the pages, linking the two together with a butterfly, with
wings the colour of her first home. Alemitu's scarf forms a link
across pages and the child's face stares at us, the people with
water that comes form a tap. The author conceived the idea for this
book when she saw her adopted child drinking from a puddle in her
new home. Weblinks are given for readers to find out more
information about water and Ethiopia.
Fran Knight
Crossing by Catherine Norton
Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9781742990286.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Dystopian, Dictatorship, Freedom. With
overtures of the wall that separated East and West Germany until
1989, this tale of Cara, growing up in the shadow of a wall and the
dictatorial nature of the grim society in which she lives is most
engaging. We learn early that she has done something which has
affected another family in her apartment house, and is beginning to
regret her actions. The Suspicious Act reported meant that Leon's
mother was taken away for re-education. In this sort of society any
comment or joke is viewed with suspicion, but Cara learns that not
all Suspicious Acts are designed to undermine the society.
When Leon's sister, Ava takes the children to her secret place they
have fun as she teaches them to fire a bow and arrow, Cara little
understanding just how important this skill will be.
A tantalising tale, the author gives only little snippets of facts
away as we follow Cara's daily routine, queuing for food, using the
dozens of eggs left by their absent parents, looking after her
younger sister. Leon and his father live upstairs an it is to them
she goes when she has problems, finally asking their forgiveness
when their mother is taken away. But it takes her a long time to
realise the impact of her reporting this Suspicious Act, so immersed
is she in the dogma of the government.
This is a good read, not very long, but loaded with a pile of
ethical and moral questions which any reader will be impelled to
ponder.
That Marco's family welcomes her in despite what she has done is
stunning, just as is the selfless deed Marco does at the end
of the book.
Fran Knight
Poppy cat by Sara Acton
Scholastic, 2014. ISBN 9781743620168.
(Age: 4-6) Recommended, Cats, Family. Sara Acton's distinctive
illustrative style beckons the reader from the first lovely
endpapaer showing the cat, Poppy Cat, coming through the cat door.
The spin on the words copy cat reveals itself from the first page as
we see the young girl doing things which her cat copies. The girl
walks through the house with a feather on a string, followed by the
cat, then she dresses herself with the cat crawling under the mats
on the floor. She goes to breakfast spilling milk over the table,
emulated by the cat splashing milk from her bowl on the floor.
Her antics are followed through the day but when she walks through
the paint and puts blue paw prints across the floor, it is time to
be by herself under the couch, while at the end of the day, she is
loved, the girl and her cat curling up together on the couch.
The warmth shown between the child and her cat parallel that of the
whole family, where the child is loved and valued, despite what she
has done. The warm soft watercolour illustrations suit the story
admirably, giving expression to the story of the young girl and her
cat. The simple line drawings are filled with muted colour sometimes
done in splotches which carry the image being presented. I love the
image o the cat trying to catch the raindrops as they fall down the
window, the cat stretching up and the drops slithering down, and the
last endpaper with the cat stalking off leaving its blue par prints
across the white expanse is simply beguiling.
Fran Knight
You Choose... Mayhem at Magic School by George Ivanoff
Random House Australia, 2014. ISBN 9780857983848.
Recommended 7-12 year olds. For youngsters who want to read,
or to be seen to read a novel length book, this genre is a godsend.
The You Choose format enables the reader to sample as many endings
or as few as they like without needing the stamina to complete the
book. Making a choice between two options on an average of every
second page means the least committed reader will enjoy the fast
pace of this story of mayhem and magic.
When a ball freezes in front of your nose you know something strange
is going on. Choosing between ignoring the whole thing, or racing
home to tell your parents, begins a roller coaster ride that leads
to Magic school or a therapist, fame and fortune or meeting long
lost great aunt Agnes.
The situations you can find yourself in vary from meeting the
strange fringe boy to ending your days as a toad in a specimen jar
in the science lab; joining the Enchanted Espionage Division as a
spy or an encounter with the school bully; meeting students Reggie,
Dougie and Hermione, despite magic school having no connection to
Hogwarts, and creating a Random Spell that can destroy the world.
With sixteen separate endings the reader is spoilt for choice as
they make their decisions and soon find out the consequences. This
series is bound to be popular with modern students used to an
interactive environment with the beauty of being able to change the
outcome if you come to an abrupt end.
Sue Keane
