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
An interview with Ian Trevaskis by Fran Knight
The Elevator Pitch: Ian Trevaskis is a children's author living in
rural Victoria with some twenty books to his name, ranging from
books for the very young to young adult adventure stories.
It intrigues me that many picture book authors and illustrators have
a background in teaching, and Ian Trevaskis is no exception. For
many years a primary teacher, he was put in charge of the library
and began to see the paucity of content in books he was reading to
the kids or putting on the shelves, and said, 'I can do better!'
When helping organise a writer's festival in the Albury Wodonga
region of Victoria, he had Michael Dugan stay and in talking to him,
was able to hone some of his skills in the writing of a story.
Dugan's help was fortuitous and Ian was able to send off manuscripts
to publishers, to test the water. And one publisher liked what was
sent.
In 1990, Quincy was published by Scholastic, and since then he has
put a number of picture books and several young adult novels into
the mix. But as all children's authors know, publishing does not pay
the rent, so teaching has continued, now as a relief teacher, with
articles in many magazines, including those that deal with walking
and cycling, along with articles in newspapers in Victoria and the
ACT. Combined with the publication of short stories, anyone can see
he is a very busy man.
A recipient of the May Gibbs Fellowship in South Australia, means
living for a month in an apartment in Norwood writing unencumbered.
Ian has spent some time visiting schools or talking to reviewers
like Pat Pledger and me for Readplus.
I asked Ian about one of his books, Edge of the World,
published in 2012 by Walker Books Australia, a book I love. The big
ideas behind this book, of loss and grieving seems an amazing thing
to have in a picture book, and he said that it was meant for older
readers, something not made clear by book sellers. The idea for this
book came when some friends visited and they talked about 'painting
the town red'. He mused on this idiom for a while, drawing it out,
adding the 'what if' to the musing, until he was able to write
something down. Unlike many stories, this came quite quickly and he
was able to write much of it over the following week. It is a
spectacular book, full of layers of meaning and language that hits
the heart, sumptuously illustrated and presented.
Pat Pledger asked him about his series of books, Hopscotch,
which she read and reviewed several years ago. The series was
envisaged as a trilogy with possibly more to be written, but after
two successful books, Medusa
Stone (2009) and Golden
Scarab(2010), the publishers declined the third. Each
is an adventure based on the myths of Greece and Egypt, set in those
ancient realms. Ian planned to set the third in Rome and did the
research for it. It would be wonderful to see it in print.
Asked about his work while at Norwood for the residency, Ian
explained that he is writing a book set in the year of the Melbourne
Olympics, 1956. With a background of sailing and mixed with a story
of World War One, the book is coming along well.
Research plays a large part of some of his work, but Quincy, his
first published story came out of an incident with his young son
going to school. He was frightened by a dog he needed to walk past,
and Ian gave him alternatives, and thinking about this came up with
Quincy, which won a CBCA Notable award in 1991. Similarly others of
his stories have risen out of the ordinary while books like the Hopscotch
pair required a great deal of research.
Ian's book, The Postman's Race was awarded a Notable Book in
the CBCA awards in 1992. He was awarded a Varuna Fellowship in 2006,
and this year has the May Gibbs Fellowship in South Australia.
His website outlines
his other books and gives information about him and his writing.
June 2014.
Chasing Stars by Helen Douglas
Bloomsbury, 2014. ISBN: 9781408828700.
(Age: 13+) Chasing Stars, the sequel to After Eden, follows the
story of Eden Anfield and Ryan Westland - her time travelling
boyfriend. Picking up from where its predecessor left off, Eden is
running for her life. Travis, her almost step-uncle and
time-travelling peace keeper, is intent on terminating her life to
protect the secrecy of Ryan's mission, however Ryan arrives and the
tables turn. By doing so Ryan chooses Eden over his friends, his
family and ultimately his life as he knows it. But his decision to
leave it all behind for a life in the past isn't solely his
responsibility. Another time traveller, Lauren, a mission cleaner,
arrives to tie up loose ends and repatriate Travis' body. Confronted
by the cleaner Ryan and Eden must make the decision between life in
the future or a quick death in the past. Upon their entrance to 2123
Ryan is apprehended for the crime of stealing a time ship to return
to Eden - no easy feat. Eden is issued with a resettlement package
while she awaits the outcome of the trial and she must do all she
can to get by in the future and save Ryan from a life-sentence to
hard labour on the moon.
Helen Douglas captivates her audience with Chasing Stars with
excellent imagery and a balance of the world we know and world as it
could be with technological innovations in four dimensional time
travel and rising sea levels. A sci-fi romance designed for teenage
girls, this novel is a fairly straightforward read which I would
recommend to fans of romance aged thirteen and up.
Kayla Gaskell (age eighteen)
The Hug by David Grossman
Bloomsbury Publishing, 2014. ISBN 9780715645871
Recommended for independent readers aged 10+. At first glance of the
images, I imagined this to be a story about the loss of a child or
parent - the images seemed sad and separate. However, The Hug shows
the perspective of being alone because you are the only one in the
world like you! It is written as a conversation between a mother and
a son as they walk together. The young boy's thoughts of being alone
in the world develop into how wonderful it is to be one of a kind
while being part of a whole - part of a family, part of the world.
While The Hug is a children's picture book, the theme is
quite mature and would be a great discussion starter in the
classroom or between parent and child. Children could look at what
makes them individuals as well as how they belong because of
similarities. This book would be a great lead in to many topics from
Child Protection and the right to be safe to using Venn diagrams to
compare peers.
Kylie Kempster
Game Changer by Paul McNamee
Text Publishing, 2013. ISBN: 9781922147387.
(Age: Secondary) Genre: Autobiography. Theme: Tennis;
Dedication; Perseverance; Professional Sport. For a Tennis lover, or
for someone interested in Sport Management as a profession, this
book makes an interesting read. It is an autobiography, so you
cannot avoid the sense of this as a chronological unfolding of
events and personal history, rather than a great work of literature.
Despite this, it does give insights into the focus required to 'make
it' as a professional tennis player and the world of Professional
Tennis as an Australian participant.
Paul McNamee gives glimpses of his family background and early years
and more detail of his rise to Wimbledon Doubles champion. The
detail of his transformation into a Sports Event Management
specialist after his playing career was also fascinating. The
book does reveal details of the progress of a life lived in pursuit
of a dream, but it is not overly emotionally charged. McNamee seems
to hint that for him the skill of professional sport is to
acknowledge and celebrate wins, but to move on quickly after
losses. I would imagine that this book would appeal to a more
masculine readership, and for those who appreciate Tennis history.
Carolyn Hull
