The billy that died with its boots on, and other Australian verse by Stephen Whiteside
Walker Books, 2014. ISBN 9781922077431.
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Australian poetry, Humour. With a childhood
entranced by the rollicking poetry of the bush balladists of the
like of Banjo Paterson, then finding the humour of C. J. Dennis,
Whiteside found writing poetry in the form of rhyming verse, with
stories begging to be read aloud, something which he did from a
young age.
In this compilation of some of his work, poems are grouped in
themes, such as Dinosaurs, the garden or the street, dogs and cats,
birds, at the beach or in the snow. Each grouping contains a range
of poems suited to younger people and made more pleasurable by being
read out loud.
The opening poems about dinosaurs will be a hit with one and all,
and I defy people not to hoot and giggle at the thought of a dad and
his son trying to make a kennel for a brontosaurus on their back
yard, or sympathise with the lad told to tidy his room, or wonder at
the number of coffee cups that mum can leave around the house, or
laugh at the people who leave their boots out all night in the snow,
or in reading the title poem feel just a little sorry for the billy.
There are poems which would be great models in the classroom, poems
that small groups of kids would love to read aloud, poems which
would be suited for an adult to read aloud, and I can envisage
groups of students practising different ways of reading some out
loud to the merriment of their peers.
Fran Knight
One Sunday by Pamela Allen
Penguin Australia, 2014. ISBN 9780670077656.
Recommended for young readers 3 and up. The indefatigable Pamela
Allen has a picture book to delight young readers of any age,
focusing on the simple pleasures of the warmth of home and the
ritual of family hospitality.
A little old man and a little old woman live in a little old cottage
on the edge of the woods. Every week they look forward eagerly to
their regular visitors (grandchildren) coming for a special Sunday
lunch. One Sunday the terrible weather buffets the little cottage
until it shudders and creaks. The little old man confidently begins
the usual preparations - fetching the baking dish, peeling the
potatoes, while the little old woman is equally sure that no
visitors will come on such a dreadful day. Inside the cottage it is
cosy and warm and the roast lunch fills the house with the quiet joy
of love and welcomes. No grandchildren arrive in the awful storm but
there is a surprise visitor who comes knocking on the door and
proves a delightful and appreciative guest.
As usual, Pamela makes splendid use of white space with her
distinctive illustrations - the double page spreads of the wild wind
howling outside are particularly striking.
For almost thirty years we have had the joy of Pamela's wonderful
books and this latest one will not fall short with her young
readers.
Sue Warren
Dead dog in the still of the night by Archimede Fusillo
Ford Street Publishing, 2014. ISBN: 9781925000344.
Recommended for readers 13 years +. Highly recommended for
boys. Themes: Families, Teenage Boys. Primo Nato is struggling with
a host of personal issues in addition to his year 12 study. We learn
early in the story that Primo's father is in a nursing home with
dementia. His father had previously operated an automotive mechanics
business and Primo had always coveted his father's pride and joy - a
red Fiat Bambino. Dead Dog In The Still Of The Night starts on a
bright note with Primo having just passed his driving test and
obtained his licence. An ill-fated decision to borrow the Bambino
without permission ends badly when Primo has an argument with his
girlfriend and subsequently crashes the car.
Primo tries to conceal the accident until he can afford the repairs
but his efforts to raise the funds set in motion a series of events
which, as they unfold, reveal much about Primo's tumultuous family.
We are introduced to his long suffering mother whom his father had
cheated on numerous times; his eldest brother Santo who is 20 years
senior to his siblings and who believes he is the heir who should
inherit both the Bambino and his father's business; his brother
Adrian who is separated from his wife and young daughter after
following his father's philandering ways; and his sister Kath who
moved out of home to escape her family's past and present issues.
Set in a working class part of Fitzroy, Archimede Fusillo's book has
crafted a vivid picture of a family in hard times and the
surroundings in which they live. Ultimately the story reflects the
growth in Primo's character and although his circumstances remain
unchanged his way of looking at life does. Developing a better
understanding of his family and friends enables him to make positive
decisions about his future direction.
Nicki Paterson
Usborne's Knights and Armour by Rachel Firth
Ill. by Giacinto Gaudenzi and Lee Montgomery, designed by Stephen
Moncrieff. Usborne, 2014. ISBN 9781409566915.
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Knights, British History, Middle Ages.
Well, I for one read this book from cover to cover, enthralled with
the informative text and equally instructive illustrations. From the
first two pages outlining how the book is set out, and acquainting
readers with the internet links, and the next six pages telling the
reader of life at the time, what life was like before, and a brief
look at knights, the book is jam packed with information which will
enthrall its readers.
The next four sections headed, Battle gear, Knights at war, Knights
at peace, Knights and chivalry are rounded off with a section
entitled Knights fact file. Each section warrants close inspection
as the illustrations draw the eye in.
Battle gear for example, has a double page spread about the horse
and its use in war, then four pages of the weaponry carried into
war, a double page follows showing the use of the bows, including
the Longbow, the famed English bow, four pages of the knight's
armour, helmets, shields, and the horse's armour. The story of the
longbow was fascinating, telling how it is used and showing how its
use carried the day in the Battle of Crecy, while giving the
information that men were to practise the longbow on Sundays rather
then play sport. The Battle of Crecy again is mentioned in the next
section, Battle tactics, where the reason the British won this
important battle of the Hundred Years War is shown.
Internet links dot the pages allowing students to find more
information, and the last section, Knight fact file, gives further
facts about famous battles and famous knights. The whole has a dense
glossary and most useful index, making the book a useful addition to
anyone's library.
Fran Knight
Chooky-doodle-doo by Jan Whiten
Ill. by Sinead Hanley. Walker Books Australia, 2014. ISBN
9781921977879.
Recommended for Pre-school students. Picture Book. This fresh and
colourful picture book is an introduction to simple counting and
rhyming which will delight children and parents. The short verse
structures are repeated with the only changes in the third line and
of course the numbers.
One little chooky chick
Pulling at a worm.
Clucky cluck, worm's stuck.
What should chooky do?
As more chickens are added to the line and the worm proves to be
long and strong, five chickens are recruited before the rhyme
changes to the concept of lots, being six, and a rooster are
introduced along with cock-a-doodle-doo.
With a bit of team work and an extra effort the worm comes loose to
reveal a surprise for all, a farmer's buried shoe with the lace being
the expected worm.
By using the question, 'What should chooky do?' children are
asked to respond and make suggestions establishing connections
between their own experiences and the story. The final question, 'Who
knew?', invites a conclusion before the answer is revealed over the
page again encouraging participation in the story.
The large easy to read font, plenty of white space and stylised
chickens created using both digital and hand crafted collage
techniques using a limited range of colours keeps the focus on the
chicks.
Sue Keane
First Book of Emergency Vehicles by Isabel Thomas
A&C Black, 2014. ISBN 9781408194577.
(Age: 4+) What little boy doesn't enjoy playing with cars, trains
and trucks? First Book of Emergency Vehicles is full of
bright, labelled images and easy to read descriptions. Each page is
dedicated to a different emergency vehicle and will engage any boy
aged 4+.
Independent readers aged 7+ will enjoy reading the technical
language and discussing the different features of each machine.
Kylie Kempster
Billy Slater presents . . .series by Patrick Loughlin
Random House Australia Children's, 2014.
Billy Slater 1: Try Time. ISBN: 9780857982469.
Billy Slater 2: Banana Kick. ISBN: 9780857982667.
This series from Random House is going to be a knock out
success with younger readers, particularly boys, especially as rugby
league season ramps up into full swing.
Simply but well written, with lots of turn-the-page action and
realistic characters and settings, these will see reluctant readers
particularly fully engaged.
In Try time, Josh is ten years old and is finally allowed to join
his local footy team, the West Hill Ravens - urged on by his
league-obsessed grandfather. After all his anticipation, Josh' first
game is pretty much a disaster with embarrassing sideline barracking
from grandad, and fluffing the potentially winning try.
As he wonders if he has what it takes to make a good team member,
his all-time favourite player and NRL legend, Billy Slater, turns up
at training and gives the boys a few pointers. He also agrees to be
their special mentor. What more could a team of ten year olds want? In Banana Kick, Billy Slater continues to support the West Hill
Ravens as their mentor which is great news for Junior - the team's
youngest but biggest player. While it's great for the team
that Junior is their top score maker, it's hard on him to feel that
he is only recognised because of his size. Billy's new team
challenge seems to only make things worse - or does it? It seems
Billy has a lot of good advice to offer these young aspiring
players.
Billy Slater is arguably one of Australia's best ever league players
(and yes, I have often wished he played for MY team!). He is also a
well-regarded player especially in these times when our professional
athletes can often be disappointing role models.
I think it's a tremendous combination to have Billy promoting
reading alongside this fabulous sport, so popular with our primary
aged students. With two more titles scheduled for release in a
few months, this will be one series that will very likely be in high
demand in your libraries.
Read what Billy has to say about reading here.
Sue Warren
The adventures of Stunt Boy and his amazing wonder dog Blindfold by Lollie Barr
Pan Macmillan, 2014. ISBN 9781742613673.
Recommended 7-12. Combining the appeal of a circus with the world of
stunt motorcycles is sure to attract young readers who dream of an
exciting life. From the opening sentence 'Someone was out to get my
dad.' , the reader is aware that the main character, William Stoked,
aka Stunt Boy is determined to find out the truth behind the
accident that has left his father and owner of Stoked Stunt Circus
in a coma. The fact is that everyone else including his sister Jem
believes it was an unfortunate accident.
With only the help of his best friend Benny, an aspiring Olympic
wrestler who is not a circus member, and Blindfold the dog, Stunt's
suspicions centre on rival Circus owner Barry Chesterly of
Chesterley's Family Circus from across town. In his ambition to find
the truth and save the circus, he accuses many of his circus family
of complicity, attracts the attention of the local police and
alienates Benny.
The arrival of Caleb Calloway a famous stunt motorcyclist who
promises to perform in the Stunt Circus raises more issues for
Stunt, attracts unwanted attention from the media and his father's
twin brothers, but assists in revealing the surprise saboteur. A
Monster truck, some amazing stunt riding and an angry rampant
elephant bring the story to an exciting conclusion.
Written in an easy to read style the voice of Stunt is believable as
he agonises over his father's situation and argues with his sister.
There is almost a feel of a movie script with the visuals of stunts
and circus setting. The experience of the author with the Spaghetti
Circus brings realism which is reflected in the description of
circus life and the odd hint given by Stunt, for example how to
climb a rope.
Sue Keane
Love letters to the dead by Ava Dellaira
Hot Key Books, 2014. ISBN 9781471402883. Love Letters to the dead has definite appeal to the female teenage audience. It combines tragedy, romance, friendship, family dysfunction and search for one's identity.
The story is told in the first person by young Laurel, who at the beginning of the year is set the task of writing a letter to a dead person. Laurel doesn't hand up her first assignment but continues to write to a wide range of deceased people throughout the year. It is through these letters that the reader discovers Laurel's own story both past and present.
An interesting aspect is the range of people she writes to. While the first letter is to Kurt Cobain she also includes Amelia Earhart, Jim Morrison, Judy Garland and many others in her correspondence. With each letter she relates aspects of her own life and emotions to those of the recipient and provides the reader with some biographical detail of these famous characters. Some start with 'hero' appeal but as Laurel's own life story evolves she explores more deeply the life/death choices they made.
The focus of the plot is the death of Laurel's sister, May, which resulted in the breakup of her parent's marriage and her choice to attend a different school where she can 'start anew'. It is here that she develops new friendships and has her first boyfriend. Although, naturally these relationships, too, have their ups and downs.
The circumstances surrounding May's death are shrouded in a mystery which is very slowly revealed and it is largely the desire to discover the detail that keeps the reader turning the pages.
Love Letters to the Dead explores the angst of adolescence compassionately but not baulking at some of the weightier issues of modern society.
Barb Rye
The Floods: The Royal Family by Colin Thompson
Random House, Australia, 2014. ISBN 9781742755328.
Is this the final book in The Floods series? As the 13th in the
series The Royal Family seems to round off the story of Nerlin and
Mordonna but as the Colin Thompson website suggests '..IT MAY WELL
BE, THOUGH I WOULDN'T BET MONEY ON IT.'
In the usual chaos and amazingly outrageous and imaginative style of
the previous books we are again drawn into the Royal house of
Transylvania Waters where we find Nerlin, King of Wizards, wishing
to retire from the stresses of Kingship and live out his days in the
Enchanted Valley of the Impossible Waterfall raising chickens, ducks
and quail. Though Mordonna is not keen to relinquish power, the
vexed question of succession must be considered.
Unfortunately not one of their seven children are volunteering for
the job, though Satanella decides to change back into a human having
been a dog most of her life, and Betty, the youngest and most human
like child has a secret desire to become Queen however Mordonna is
adamant that she will not succeed.
In a convoluted story Gertrude, Nerlin's twin sister appears from
the sewers much his horror when he finds out as he is forced to
reveal a family secret that even Mordonna wasn't aware of and
doesn't appear on the published family tree.
With Gertrude's help and the support of her siblings, Betty
manipulates the situation and uses a bit of magic to achieve her aim
while Nerlin enjoys a family reunion.
With the usual extensive referencing, explanations and author
comments at the bottom of many pages, author generated illustrations
and random additions at the end including Winchflat's Hats and an
explanation of Ultimate Super Wizard Powers, the madness loved by
all Floods Fans continues.
Sue Keane
This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl by Esther Earl with Wayne and Lori Earl
Penguin Australia, 2014. ISBN: 9780141354033
'Just be happy, and if you can't be happy, do things that make you happy. Or do nothing with the people that make you happy.' Esther Earl
Sometimes reading an autobiography or memoir is so intensely personal that one develops an emotional connection to the hitherto unknown writer that is quite profound. Esther Earl's short life has been encapsulated in this collection of her sketches, letters, journals, photographs and fiction in a way that presents this remarkable teenage girl in the true essence of her sparky and bright personality. It is little wonder that her online presence in the last few years of her life generated such a following and influenced so many others.
At age twelve, Esther was diagnosed with thyroid cancer which threw her own life and that of her family into complete disarray but inspiringly, never despair. In 2010, shortly after turning 16, Esther died leaving a legacy of grace, hope and love that continues to provide inspiration to thousands.
Celebrated author John Green, a personal friend and fellow nerdfighter, dedicated the best selling The Fault in Our Stars to Esther, naming her as his inspiration for the novel. He also writes a moving introduction to this memoir.
Through Esther's creative journaling we are privy to not only her thoughts, aspirations and dreams but her warm and loving family, friends and support network. This is a remarkable book and destined to become one of those that will serve to feed the souls of many who are in similar circumstances as well as inspire others to strive for the stars.
Sue Warren
Indonesia: the story of a nation by Adrian Osterley
Trocadero Publishing, 2013. ISBN 9780864271433. Indonesia: the story of a nation is part of the Asia-Pacific
Relations series and its focus is the story of Indonesia as a
nation from its earliest history through to its relationship with
Australia today.
Each book has a modern layout with the text presented in manageable
chunks accompanied by a range of photos, maps and tables that offer
extra insight. A contents page and full index allow for easy
location of information.
Even though there seems to be a demand by some to replace
non-fiction titles with online resources only, such demands are
ill-considered because they are ignoring the evidence that students,
even those who are independent readers, prefer and need print
resources when they wish to read deeply for meaning rather than just
skimming a text as they do with online-based materials, and
therefore we have an obligation to meet those needs. These series by
this publisher are fulfilling this need with modern Australian
Curriculum-related resources very well.
Barbara Braxton
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Macmillan, 2014. ISBN 9781447263227.
Moving away from home to University is exciting, but for twins Wren
and Cath, whose mother left when they were small and whose manic,
highly creative father has relied on them for support there are more
challenges. Wren decides she wants to live in separate student
accommodation upsetting Cath who immerses herself in writing fan
fiction as a coping strategy. Cath's 'canon' is the Simon Snow
series of books by Gemma Leslie (Harry Potter analogy). Cath has a
huge and growing 'fandom' following online for her stories that push
the characters from the Simon Snow books into doing things the
original author would never do. When she submits one of her stories
for a university assignment she is devastated by accusations of
plagiarism. There is of course the inevitable love story, which is
very engaging and the resolution of the personal growth of the
characters is well done but the most interesting for me was the
exploration of the issues of intellectual property, creativity,
collaboration, and ethics. Fan
fiction is a modern phenomenon where stories are shared
freely, remixing favourite fictional worlds.
Cath uses it as a stepping stone to finding her own identity and the
writing of truly original fiction but for many it is just a way of
extending their enjoyment of a book, and that has to be good. Senior
secondary readers would enjoy Fangirl; though it is very
American in its setting the themes of love and identity are
universal. The cover cartoon illustrations of the characters are
great and the book club link
on the back has some good content.
Sue Speck
Choose Your Own Ever After: How to get to Rio by Julie Fison
Hardie Grant Egmont Australia, 2014. ISBN 9781742977744.
It is refreshing to find a new spin on the Choose Your Own Adventure
which was so popular years ago. Whilst from memory many of the old
titles were aimed at boys and generally resulted in some paths
leading to a fatal end, this book features teenage girls and all
endings lead to an 'ever after' full of promise.
Kitty and her friends are about to start school holidays. After a
longish introduction to the characters, covering the last few weeks
of term and establishing the relationships between the girls and
boys, the first choice is made. Does Kitty go camping with her
'besties', or with Persephone to the luxury resort of Paradise Point
where, coincidently, Rio, the object of her affections, is also
staying?
With camping, bonfires on the beach, pool parties, mobile phone
problems and an encounter with members of a boys' band 'The Lads',
the story lines become entwined especially when Kitty discovers the
camping ground is only a walk away from Paradise Point.
The feel of the story is modern and the dialogue realistic and
engaging as the holiday romance blossoms or faces challenges and
that not all endings turned out as Kitty might have wished at the
beginning. The choices offered are reflective of realistic
situations and the dilemmas facing many teenager girls, especially
if they are a bit shy as Kitty is portrayed. The beauty of the easy
to read writing is that it is not difficult to go back and make a
different choice just to see how it turns out.
I look forward to the next Choose Your Own Ever After title just to
see what choices will be offered and how they affect the outcome.
Sue Keane
Clementine Rose and the seaside escape by Jacqueline Harvey
Random House, 2014. ISBN 9781742757513.
(Age: 8+) Clementine Rose and the Seaside Escape sees 5 year
old Clementine and her family heading for the English seaside while
their home is getting a new roof. Clementine meets Della and Freddy.
She enjoys spending time with Freddy but tries to avoid Della -
she's annoying. Freddy and Clementine love spending time at the
beach and are surprised when they find a baby seal. When Della
decides to go and investigate at night time, both children go after
her, worried she will get into trouble. Watch out Freddy and
Clementine, it looks like you might need rescuing! Clementine Rose and the Seaside Escape is a descriptive novel
aimed at girls, who read independently, aged 8+. It is a sweet story
with easy to read text and is great for readers moving on to novels.
The story is easy to follow, has a definite narrative structure and
is accompanied by black and white illustrations.
Kylie Kempster
