Reviews

Shhh! Don't wake the royal baby! by Martha Mumford

Ill. by Ada Grey. Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 9781408844632.
(Age: 4+) Warmly recommended. Picture book. Babies. Royalty. What a hoot! A royal family, looking very like Liz and Phil, with William and Kate all try in vain to get the new baby to sleep. Humour abounds as they try lots of different methods in getting the child to sleep, with each resulting in a very much awake baby. Finally the queen has had enough and treks off to her helicopter where she hopes the babe will sleep. But it does not, so with a Geronimo, she jumps out of the helicopter, a la OO7, leaping towards the landing spot near Buckingham Palace. And the baby falls asleep. All is well until a King (!) looking very Phil like, loudly congratulates his wife and wakes the baby. On it goes, all in the palace exhorted to be quiet, even the corgis, of which there are many.
Lots of fun will be had with this book. Discussions will centre around the monarchy and of course, William and Kate's new child and its place in the inheritance of the line, but also about the changes a baby causes in any household, and ways to get it to sleep, and how the family copes with a new member. A warm hearted well illustrated book with lots of laughs to be found in the drawings. Watch out for those floating corgis.
Fran Knight

The Heaven I swallowed by Rachel Hennessy

Wakefield Press, 2013. ISBN 9781862549487.
Recommended. The main character of this novel is Grace Smith, a seemingly widowed and devout member of a Catholic parish, who decides to take in a twelve-year-old aboriginal orphan named Mary. Grace's ostensible aim is to train and educate Mary, so that she would overcome 'the disadvantages of what she was, while never .(.forgetting).. exactly what she was'.  This sentence captures precisely Grace's attitude. To be black, to be aboriginal was shameful in her eyes and those of the white community.  However, Grace herself has lived a life of loss and abandonment. As a child she experienced cruelty and neglect in a Catholic orphanage. Moments of religious ecstasy and a vision of the Madonna did not compensate for the lack of loving kindness. As an adult she was a failure as a teacher, her baby was stillborn and her husband Fred, rather than being dead, has abandoned her for a Japanese woman in Japan. Grace's insecurities mean that she is not strong enough to ensure that Mary is educated as she should be, and instead she trains Mary as a domestic servant. Grace begins to love her, and recognizes her own childhood reactions to cruelty in Mary.  She is appalled to learn that Mary's mother is alive and longing to see her daughter. Ashamed but fearful of her own loss Grace does not tell Mary.  However, Mary finds out and runs away, leaving Grace deserted again.  Meanwhile Fred encounters racism in Japan, where his child is looked down upon by the Japanese. Penniless he is forced to return to Australia and by chance encounters Grace. Given the chance to love again Grace accepts it, but continues to look for Mary. The casual racist cruelties that are dealt to Mary by all the white community are well captured, but the characterization of Grace depicts a nuanced view of the situation while not excusing it. The use of the first person narrative is skilled as the reader clearly understands Grace's motives, and understands Mary better than she does. All the characterizations are strong and the claustropbobic atmosphere of the widows' circle in the parish is particularly believable.  The style is assured and the reader is skilfully drawn into the story. The book is recommended for all ages.
Jenny Hamilton

Hunted by Gabrielle Lord

Conspiracy 365: Black Ops. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781742835198.
(Age: 10+) Crime. Thriller. Mystery. Young Adults. The second book in the Black Ops Trilogy hits the ground running as Cal narrowly escapes detection in Damien Thoroughgood's office. He's on a mission to find the truth behind the disappearance of missing girl Sophie and the suspicious activities of youth retreat leader Damien on Shadow Island. The pressure is on. He has 60 days to solve the mystery and it's crucial his 'double-act' cover as his twin brother Ryan isn't blown. With barely a moment to catch his breath, Cal is weaving through underground tunnels, driving mining machinery and venturing through a laboratory filled with strange potions, clues and robotic contraptions. Never far away, are the robotic spythons, watching every move he makes. But the sinister rumblings of the Island volcano create an even greater urgency for Cal to complete the mission.
With several books of action-packed fodder for young adults under her belt, Lord has truly mastered the formula for engaging young readers. The language is not overly technical, making it an easy read for 10-12 year olds. The power of the first person narrative will channel the adolescent psyche to Cal's quests and struggles in a hostile world.
Any negatives? With barely time to make my second cup of coffee, the book finishes abruptly amidst a scene of chaos. I wanted more - a little extra substance to sustain me until the next instalment. I guess I'll have to wait patiently - ready to tousle with all the other young readers out there when Combat is released, the last book in Black Ops trilogy. It can't come quick enough.
Michelle Hunt

Lilli and Shadow in Trouble by Laura and Sabrina Dudgeon

Ill. by Tracey Gibbs and Sally Morgan. Waarda Series. Fremantle Press, 2013 ISBN 9781922089359.
Recommended for Year 3. This is story set in the north of Western Australia where Lilli is spending the school holidays with her Grandmother. Lilli is looking forward to leaving the city and being with her extended family in her home country and being reunited with Shadow. Shadow lived in the Mango tree at the bottom of the garden, but his home had been taken over by someone called Glog. Glog had been evicted from his home in a mangrove tree which had been cut down to make room for a jetty. The story tells how Lilli and Nan solve the problem.
Rhoda Jenkin

Raven flight by Juliet Marillier

Shadowfell bk 2. Pan Macmillan, 2013. ISBN 9781742612249.
(Age 13+) Recommended. The second in the Shadowfell series follows the story of Neryn, who has finally joined the rebel group at Shadowfell and must find the Guardians of Alban who will train her as a Caller. The Guardians have hidden themselves away from human eyes and prove difficult to convince to aid her. Accompanied by the tough soldier and guard, Tali, Neryn journeys across the land in search of them. Meanwhile Flint has returned to the king's service and must play out his dangerous role as double agent.
Raven Flight is a really strong second book in the series. It concentrates on the characters of Neryn and Tali, two very different women, who are both strong and steadfast in different ways. Quiet Neryn is not a soldier but under Tali's guidance, she becomes strong enough physically to undertake the dangerous journey and grows in self knowledge on the way. Tali is tough and outspoken and keeps her emotions hidden. Much of the interest in the book is the contrast between the two women and their growing friendship and the way that they are loyal to each other and the cause. Flint's dangerous role in the evil king's court also provides some heart stopping moments and empathy for the dilemmas that he finds himself having to contend with. War inevitably means death and Marillier doesn't flinch away from that either.
This is high fantasy, with a setting of dangerous terrain and abounding with mythical creatures, powerful Guardians and stalwart humans. The cliff hanger at the end of the story will ensure that readers pick up the next in the series.
Marillier is a favourite author of mine and this is another with signature wonderful settings, loyal young women coming to terms with themselves and their powers and action enough to keep the reader interested. Shadowfell and Raven Flight are both exceptionally good books that are sure to garner a following.
Pat Pledger

To get to me by Eleanor Kerr

Ill. by Judith Russell. Random House, 2013. ISBN 9781742758831.
(Age: 4+) Warmly recommended. Picture book. Travel. When Peter rings his friend Ahmed in North Africa to come to the zoo with him, readers will be surprised and entertained at the lengths to which Ahmed must go to to get to Australia. Friendship, travel, different countries around the world, differing modes of transport - all are given a very inviting airing in this highly coloured and decorative book.
Ahmed must first cross the desert to get to a bus, and what better form of transport, than a camel. From the camel he gets to a bus then a plane takes him to Australia, where he catches a train to Sydney Harbour, then a ferry to cross the harbour to get to Taronga Zoo. Transport is still an issue so a chairlift takes him to his friend, Peter.
In rhythmic lines, the different forms of transport are presented to the reader, making this an apt little book to introduce the topic in a junior classroom, or a book at home to talk about different countries in the world and different modes of transport and of course, a trip to the zoo. However it is used, it is a simple, endearing story which will appeal to younger readers and those reading it aloud as well.
Fran Knight

Lina at the games by Sally Rippin

Our Australian Girl series. Penguin, 2013. ISBN 978 0 14 330702 0.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Australian history. Olympic Games. Migrants. Lina, the daughter of Italian migrants who settled in Melbourne after World War Two, is aiming to be a journalist and so jumps at the chance to accompany the principal at her exclusive girls' school to the swimming. It is 1956 and the Olympic Games are in Melbourne, and as Lina holds Dawn Fraser in the highest esteem, she longs to see her swim. But at home, her brother comes home with a bloodied face, and Lina finds he is seeing an Australian girl, and her brother does not want her mixing with migrants. At school too, Lina finds that her friend, Sarah, derides her to others as a wog. As with the first two books in this excellent set of four, Lina is in an awkward position, keeping her home life separate from school and friends.
At the Olympics, hostility is brewing between some of the teams. Hungary has been invaded by Russia and so the water polo event between these two countries turns into a blood bath. A new friend that Lina meets on the tram, takes action and writes a letter, imploring them to do something about the closing ceremony to make the games truly peaceful.
All of this happens through Lina's eyes. We see the different people who inhabit her world, Sarah's racist father, the bodgies who hate the Italian migrants, the Chinese friend on the tram, the growing number of children at Lina's school from migrant backgrounds and over all, the Mother Superior at Lina's school, celebrating the diversity of her students.
This set of four books creates the new world of Australia after World War Two for today's students with easily absorbed historical detail. Lina's tale sits well against this background and readers will enjoy reading of her life during the Olympic Games.
Fran Knight

Gamer's rebellion by George Ivanoff

Ford St., 2013. ISBN 978 1 921665 4.
(Age: 12+) Science fiction. With much awarded Michael Pryor saying 'this is the best computer game you will ever play. You play it by reading it', means this is a must read sci fi series.
Zyra and Tark are teenage thieves in a world created by the Designers. Everyone in this world struggles and fights to gain enough money to get a 'key', allowing them to escape their reality briefly and become avatars in Designer's Paradise. In their quest they encounter other characters and must figure out if they are to be trusted or defeated. Upon reaching Paradise however, Zyra and Tark discover something is wrong, and that their Suburban avatar existence is flawed. Eventually they are faced with the thought that their world may not be all it seems. (Donella Reaid, first book in the series, Gamer's quest, 2009)
But there has been a sequel, Gamer's challenge, and now Gamer's rebellion, following the activities of the pair, Tark and Zyra.
Now they have found their way out of the game and into the real world, nothing is what they expected it to be, and they must take the fight to the authorities all over again, but not only in the real world, but the gamer world as well.
I love the sci fi background of this book, and this the third in the series emulates the first two with fast paced action and twists to keep people enthralled. The story of the two main characters, kept me reading as they swayed from reality to the game and back again, still not knowing quite where they are or who to trust.
Fran Knight

Murder at Mykenai by Catherine Mayo

Walker Books, 2013. ISBN 9781922077943.
(Age 14 +) Recommended. This is a vibrant and credible historical novel for teens. It recreates the atmosphere of Ancient Greece with all the brutality, violence and political intrigue that would have belonged to the era. And in a move that will delight teenage readers, the main characters in this novel are teenagers themselves, albeit teenagers whose names will be familiar with anyone who has a passing interest in Ancient times.
The young Odysseus in this novel is adventurous and daring, quick to act on his own desires but also smart enough to know how best to plot and plan and manipulate others into doing his bidding.Whilst on a visit to Mykenai with his father, Odysseus befriends the shy Menelaos, second son to the King. However, when this king is brutally killed, Menelaos and his brother, Agamemnon must flee for their lives and it is some months before the friends meet again. At this meeting it is clear to Odysseus that young Menelaos is a shadow of his former self, however, with political plotting hinged on a delicate balance, Odysseus finds that he must take great care when trying to help his friend.
Whilst young readers will enjoy the action and adventure and the historical feel of this book, teachers and librarians should be aware that the subject of rape becomes a strong driver of plot and character in the second half of the novel. Although this is handled sensitively by the author and it is mentioned after the event rather than described in detail, the inclusion of this theme may make the novel more suited to mature readers.
Deborah Marshall

Scarlett and the scratchy moon by Chris McKimmie

Allen and Unwin, 2013. ISBN 978 1 74331 515 6.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Picture book. Animals. Loss. Scarlett cannot sleep. She has tried counting sheep, but as she can only get to three, this is not of much use. Her pets, Holly and Sparky have died, and the two dogs are pictured sailing away on a boat. Scarlett thinks things are out of kilter. her honey has been stolen, she has clouds in her eyes, and at breakfast time her eggs are too runny. It is so quiet outside that she can hear the swans on the distant lake.
A knock at the door reveals something has come for her, a tiny Rex and Harriet. Happily she goes to bed that night after brushing her teeth, with Harriet and Rex, along with an array of other pets, but the moon is still scratching the sky.
As with his other books, McKimmie fills his pages with drawings and illustrations from his family, using a host of different techniques and equipment. Both family and methods are listed on the publication page, contrasting with the list of family pets listed at the front. The endpapers are also included in the story with the front endpapers showing Scarlett and her pets, while the back endpaper gives us drawings of the pets listed.
His work is endearing, children will love to discover different things on each page, and older readers will enjoy working out just what methods and tools were used to create the drawings which cover the pages. All who read will be reminded of times when they lost pets and sympathise with Scarlett as she deals with her loss. And of course, parents, teachers and readers will all look at the wider implications of what loss means in the family, and how it is part of their lives.
Fran Knight

Killer ute by Rosanne Hawke

Green as a bean by Alison Lester

Allen and Unwin, 2013. ISBN 9781 74331 547 7.
(Age: Pre school) Warmly recommended. Picture book. Colours. In rhythmic and rhyming sentences, Alison Lester gives children an introduction to some of the world of colours using comparisons which any child will recognise. Green as a bean and red as an apple, pink like a jelly or a jar of strawberry jam are all similes the child will know and take delight in recalling when having this book read to them. Children will readily learn the words because of the rhyme and simple comparisons, neatly represented in the unadorned illustrations. Children will learn their colours, recognising them once the book is finished, and pick up the book again to rehearse and learn them over, easily holding the board book in their hands.
This is one of a group of four books by Lester, the series called, Read Along with Alison Lester. A second in the series, is One clucky hen (ISBN 1 74331 548 4) which uses the same techniques, rhyming sentences, rhythmic prose, simple illustrations, this time teaching the young child its numbers from one clucky hen to ten yellow ducklings. Some the things listed will be familiar to the young child, and they will learn some more things about what these animals do, and the noise made by some of them. The idea of counting is reiterated throughout the book, asking the child to add some of things together.
Fran Knight

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Atria Books, 2013. ISBN 9781476743554.
(Age: 17+) Highly recommended. I'm sold. I haven't ventured yet into the New Adult genre but it's one I've been meaning to try out, especially due to its recent popularity. Featuring more serious issues and romances that young adult novels rarely venture into, it's an interesting change.
Hopeless is an endearing, shocking, and strangely heart-warming novel. It slowly envelops us into the story of a girl named Sky who feels nothing for guys even when she's making out with them. Her mother has shielded her from technology and public schools ever since she was adopted at 6, and it's her first time going into public school with a reputation of sleeping around.
Then she meets Dean Holder, a guy who has a temper and a reputation rivalling her own. He's a high school drop out who was thrown into juvie for a hate crime, after beating a gay guy up at school. Holder envokes strange feelings of lust and passion that she's never felt before, and even though she's confused by his strange, violent outbursts and foreign behaviour, she can't stay away. As it turns out, Holder is the person who will change her life forever and uncover secrets that she has kept hidden away all of her life.
Hopeless slowly draws you in and before you know it, you're heavily invested in Sky and Holder. It's told in a very intimate way which I've never quite encountered with such intensity before, with the chapter's set out like Sky's diary with all of her emotions, thoughts and confusion laid out to bare. Interactions between her and Holder are intense, passionate and powerful. It's clear the two have a connection that many other literary couples cannot rival.
From picking up the book from its humble beginnings, the journey that it takes you on is not one I would have anticipated. But amazing nonetheless, and my heart breaks for the suffering that these two teenagers have gone through. The author handles shocking and disturbing subject matters very elegantly and realistically, and kudos her for being able to do so.
This is not a book you pick up when you're feeling like a light read or a simple romance. It's one that will tear you up, make you smile, break your heart, and realise how lucky you are for what you have. Hopeless is a book that stays on your mind long after you've read it and you'll be hooked.
I can't wait to read Losing Hope, the 2nd in the series which has just been released. Due to heavily mature content, sexual situations and language, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone below 17.
Jeann Wong

What's wrong with the wobbegong? by Phillip Gwynne and Gregory Rogers

Little Hare, 2013. ISBN 9781921714962. Hbk RRP $A24.95.
Crab is worried. Wobbegong has his towel, his music on his retro radio and his sunscreen and looks set for a day on the beach sunbaking, but he has no picnic basket or esky or any sort of food. 'What's wrong with the wobbegong? He doesn't eat a thing' says the crab to the stingray. And so begins a quirky cumulative tale as the various marine creatures become more and more concerned about the wobbegong, until  . . .
A wobbegong in budgie smugglers, an ice cream loving crab, a clam in boardies, a humpback in a floral dress and a seabird selling beach treats make up the cast of this endearing story and accompanied by the unmistakeable illustrations of Gregory Rogers - one of the last books he did before he died - it is just delightful. The ending is delicious!!!
This is a story that works on all levels - the rhythm of the language will engage the little ones, while older students will appreciate the humour. Miss 7 will love to share this one with her school friends when she donates it to her school library.
Barbara Braxton

Sweet damage by Rebecca James

Allen & Unwin. 2013. ISBN 9781742373010.
(Age 15+) Recommended. Mystery. Gothic. Tim Ellison is thrilled when he finds a cheap room to rent in a beautiful old mansion. His only worry is that Anna the young girl who owns the house and whose parents have tragically died is aloof and rather strange. Then weird things start to happen and Tim begins to wonder if he has made a mistake.
I was hooked from the first line:
I still dream about Fairview.
With its overtones of Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca, James has written a thrilling mystery that kept me reading quickly to find out what was going to happen and asking questions about whether Anna is mad and whether the house is sinister. With lots of red herrings thrown in and an odd assortment of characters, the tension builds up to an unexpected and very exciting climax.
While all the excitement of the mystery is engrossing, equally appealing is the character of Tim, the young man who is at the centre of the story and who relates what is going on. He is laid back, working at his father's restaurant, and seemingly without any ambition. He is trying to get over his obsession with Lilla, his ex-girlfriend who can't seem to keep out of his life although she declares that the romance is over. As Tim delves into Anna's family mystery, the reader can't help but empathise with Anna who has lost her parents in such a tragedy and who is just holding herself together as she deals with grief and depression.
This is definitely a story that could be classed as 'new adult', (publishers aiming at 18-25 year old bracket), but the sex is handled subtly and the mystery, Manly setting and characters are so good that it is likely to have wide audience appeal. I am now very tempted to find James' earlier book Beautiful malice since I enjoyed this one so much.
Pat Pledger