Ill. by Stephanie Spartels. Hey Jack series. Hardie Grant
Egmont, 2013. ISBN 9781742975429
(Age: 5-7) Highly recommended. School Life. Friendship. Cooperation.
Competition. The top team is the latest chapter book in
Sally Rippin's Hey Jack series. In each story Jack is
introduced by the emotions he's feeling; here he's grouchy. A black
and white sketch of Jack with clenched fists, a big frown and angry
thoughts illustrate his mood. Jack is angry because the teacher Ms.
Milton hasn't paired Jack with his best friend Billie B. Brown (star
of her own series.) He's paired instead with Alex who is much better
at Maths than Jack. They both learn to cooperate and encourage each
other with the daily lessons.
The books are easy to read with the large font and simple sentences,
making them a great beginning chapter book for emergent readers.
Sally Rippin adds values and life lessons in each story. In The
top team both Jack and Alex learn teamwork, cooperation and
the need to value each other's strengths. The black-and-white
illustrations bring life to Jack and his classmates and add insight
into their emotions.
These books are a favourite at school and are highly recommended for
5-7 year olds. These books are targeted to the boy reader; however
they can be enjoyed by everyone. They are great to read to a class
and can stimulate healthy discussions on moods, emotions and values.
Rhyllis Bignell
The demon trappers series by Jana Oliver
Macmillan, 2013. ISBN 9781447241744.
(Age: 15+) This volume has two books under the one cover: Forsaken
and Forbidden, book 1 and book 2 of The demon trappers
series. There are two other books in the series, Forgiven
and Foretold. On the back it states 'For older readers'.
The books revolve around the story of Riley Blackthorne, who has
always wanted to be a Demon Trapper like her father who goes hunting
demons with his sidekick, Beck. In the first book she is training as
an apprentice Demon Trapper which, with school, takes up all her
time. When younger she had had a huge crush on Beck but her
interests now lie with Simon a fellow apprentice. When a Grade Five
Geo-Fiend confronts Riley at the library and her world crashes
around her, she takes on a massive struggle again the demons. The
second book continues the saga with Riley growing in skill and
confidence as a Demon Trapper.
This is an exciting start to the series. Riley is a strong heroine
who has to grow up in a hurry. Her fights with the demons are
exciting and the world building is well done. Supporting characters
are well rounded and the action is more important than the
inevitable love triangle.
An easy to read, quite addictive duo of books that is pure escapism
and will be enjoyed by readers who like this genre featuring demons.
Pat Pledger
Zombelina by Kristyn Crow
Ill. by Molly Idle. Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN 9780802728043.
(Age: 4+) Picture book. Zombies. Humour. Family. Zombelina
loves to dance. She dances with a spectre, dances like a ghost,
wiggles with werewolves and boogies with bats, but more than
anything she loves dancing for her family, her mother, the witch,
her father and brother, both vampires. In their house at Twisted Tree
Lane are all the things which make up ghost and scary stories, which
readers will love to find in the colourful illustrations.
Sometimes when Zombelina gets engrossed in her dancing, parts of her
body come off, and a leg may end up in the air but she keeps going.
Mum and Dad enroll her in a real ballet school, buying her all the
accoutrements which she will need as a ballet student.
She practices with all her might, until on the night all the girls
are arranged on the stage, she comes down with stage fright, and
cannot move.
But no worries, her parents save the day in this endearing look at
family love and support.
Girls particularly will enjoy reading about this little girl and her
attempts to learn ballet, and boys will love the background of the
house at Twisted Tree Lane.
Fran Knight
Mucked up by Danny Katz
Allen & Unwin 2013. ISBN 9781742379258.
Tom is trying to survive Muck Up Day at his school when the Year 12s
return to create havoc in the school with toilet paper, super
soakers filled with fish sauce, eggs and various other unpleasant
things as well as a baby pig.
The story is written from Tom's point of view as a Year 9 student,
it is also filled with cartoon style pictures and maps. This I
think is one of the problems with the book. In design and
layout it appears more suitable for a younger audience than the
actual story suggests. Whilst some of the episodes are
undoubtedly funny, especially the baby pig, others are less so, and
the so called pranks of the Year 12s appear to be little more than
mindless vandalism with little regard for the safety of students or
care for facilities. The school staff also seem to be
incapable of preventing what is happening and in the end are
somewhat of a caricature that I found distinctly not funny.
I have trouble deciding where this book would fit in the
library. The layout and humour suggests younger students
whereas the content is more suited to middle school readers.
David Rayner
Beauty and the beat by Kate Forster
Smitten series. Hardie Grant Egmont, Richmond, 2013. ISBN
9781742972541.
(Age: 16+) This novel is a pleasant enough foray into the romance
genre but hardly groundbreaking. Somewhat formulaic in style,
plotting and characterisation, we know from the opening chapter that
the 'Princess Perfect' Mia and the 'bad-boy' Rob will be together by
novel's end because they so clearly can't stand each other as they
make eye contact across the crowded hall at their school assembly.
This is pretty standard Mills and Boon territory. Or maybe it is
simply following the script of the musicals that Mia adores (and Rob
despises)? For music forms the background to these characters' lives
and to the storyline.
Of course, we soon discover that neither character is quite as the
other one assumes them to be: beneath her Princess Perfect facade,
Mia is a bundle of self-doubt with a serious anorexia problem whilst
Rob isn't so much a bad boy as an understandably angry young man,
due to family grief. Both find solace in music and eventually, in
each other's arms.
Bossy Mia may not be the most likeable girl at the opening of the
novel but readers are sure to be smitten by hunky Rob with his
smirk, his sadness and his hidden kind heart. His responsible
approach to sex is sure to win some hearts too.
For teenage girls looking for a light romantic novel with plenty of
pop culture and musical references, this story will no doubt provide
an entertaining read.
Deborah Marshall
Chook Chook: Little and Lo in the city by Wai Chin
University of Queensland Press, 2013. ISBN: 9780702249754.
(Age: 7-9) Highly recommended. Family Life. Pets. Modern
China - social customs. Chook Chook: Little and Lo in the city is author Wai Chim's second
story set in rural China. Mei Lin's pet chicken Little and her
rooster Lo now live happily on the farm after their previous
misadventures. She loves watching them dance and is very protective
of them. After the death of her father, her brother Guo is
struggling to cope with looking after their farm and her mother Ma
is finding life difficult. Mei Lin's happiness is threatened when Ma
decides to marry the one-eyed local butcher Jin. After the wedding
life changes on their farm, smoked pigs are stored in the cellar and
an aggressive rooster Itchy causes problems in the chicken house.
What is Mei-Lin's only course of action? She runs away to the city
to find her brother Guo who is now studying at university.
Along the way she meets street-wise orphan Cap who helps her
navigate the dramas of train travel and city life. Little and Lo
play an important role in the resolution of this narrative.
The Chinese country and Guangzhou city setting of this junior novel
add a unique backdrop for the action. Each of the characters Mei Lin
encounters have universal qualities that the reader can understand
like kindness and helpfulness - Cap and the old woman on the train,
or authoritarian like Professor Law. They also are quintessentially
Chinese.
I would highly recommend this novel for readers from 7-9 years of
age. This novel provides the reader with a slice of Chinese life
with adventure, family dramas, pet chickens and a feisty young girl
protagonist.
Rhyllis Bignell
Possum magic animals by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas
Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781862919730.
(Age: 0-3) Recommended. Board Book. This little book has
beautiful illustrations of the animals from Possum Magic. Julie
Vivas' delightful illustrations are a joy to examine, the faces of
the birds and animals just gorgeous to look at.
It is a sturdy treasure that would be a delight to give to babies as
a gift, but also very useful for the young child who might like to
trace the large words with their fingers as they learn the names of
Australian animals like possum, snake, kangaroo, dingo, emu,
echnida, wombat, koalas, kookaburras, and then end the book with the
words, friends and good night!
Pat Pledger
Broken melody by Trudy Adams
Wombat Books, 2013. ISBN 9781922074911
(Age: 13+) Broken melody is the first person recount of a
17yr old's physical, emotional and psychological abuse at the hands
of her foster parents. While friends and teachers commiserate and
boost Danae's self-esteem, conversely, her foster parents are really
villains and her foster siblings also damaged.
Danae Blackburn, the narrator and main character learns to play the
piano exceptionally well with little instruction and an almost total
absence of self-esteem.
The healing power of music and Danae's newfound religious faith
sustain her through a great many complications in her bid to win a
national music competition. The plot has sufficient twists and turns
although they are entirely predictable and when combined with the
didactic narration, events unfortunately contribute to our overall
disbelief. The janus-faced foster parents are complex and
believable, but the novel itself fails to haunt us.
Young Adult readers will ultimately decide whether Broken melody
aligns with Trudy Adam's intention as expressed on her Christian
publisher's website, 'I wanted to explore the battlefield that takes
place in a person's mind when they have been consistently told they
are 'nothing' or 'worthless'. Having worked with young people for
almost four years, I also wanted to create a story that was relevant
to the current generation.'
Deborah Robins
Snowy and snuffles ill. by Felicity Gardner
Lothian, 2013. ISBN 9780734413888.
(Age: 4+) Picture book. Friendship. This slight story of two wombat
joeys is all about friendship and doing things together. But Snowy
does some terrible things, stretching the bounds of friendship and
family life, and I would think their mother's patience. Snowy
upturns his food bowl on Snuffle's head, covers him with water in
the bathroom, tips him off the swing in the park, and when he messes
up the art room, he is made to clean it up, mother baking a cake for
the two when the chore is finished.
Despite all that Snowy does to Snuffles, he is still his best
friend, and they do everything together. The thrust of the tale is
that they are very different and can still be best of friends. The
soft illustrations reflect the Australian wombat well, including a
rare white wombat. For those readers with a sibling who is very
different from themselves this will strike a chord, and for those
wanting a tale about a family with some chaos then this may be
appropriate. The humour in the tale is reflected in the
illustrations.
I seem to be seeing more of these sorts of books, where there is no
author, simply an illustrator acknowledged. Why the anonymity? It
seems very odd to me. Perhaps it is someone in the publishing house?
Fran Knight
The big dry by Tony Davis
HarperCollins, 2013. ISBN: 9780732297633.
(Age: 12-14) Highly recommended. The harsh drought-stricken
landscape totally dominates the lives of thirteen year old George
and his younger brother Beeper. They are desperately trying to
survive after their father fails to return from a shopping trip.
Blasters, strong destructive winds, cause havoc, buildings crack and
crumble, invasive red dust seeps into the houses and water is
scarce. In this dystopian environment that has lasted for years,
people have developed violent survivalist skills, selling water,
stealing food and turning in abandoned children to the Welfare
Authorities.
George and his brother decide to leave the safety of their house and
search in vain for their father. On their return a strange girl has
invaded their space and threatens their very existence. She is
more worldly wise and has developed skills of self protection. Emily
challenges their thinking and confronts George's distorted view of
reality. Their reclusive neighbour Mr. Carey and the rabbitoh man
also aid in the boys' survival.
Powerful imagery and a driven plot take the reader on a journey
through a tough reality. Measured phrases, gritty internal dialogue
and unanswered questions add to the tension of the author's
narrative.
I would highly recommend this novel for readers 12-14 years of
age. As a class novel, students could discuss the impact of the
climate change and drought, the development of survival skills and
the need for self preservation.
Read this novel with a glass of fresh cool water, valuing each drop!
Rhyllis Bignell
World's worst jobs by Tracey Turner
A & C Black, 2013. ISBN 9781408181720.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Fancy a job as a spit boy or an odour
judge? No I hear you say! Well, these jobs might not be around
anymore but we can still read about them and screw up our noses at
the 'yuckiness'! World's worst jobs is packed with details
about a variety of jobs from the past. Readers will see how hard it
was to make leather and what you had to do if your job was to clean
up after the King went to the toilet!
Author Tracey Turner has created a humorous information text with
funny illustrations that will engage reluctant readers. It is
highly recommended for boys aged 10+. After all, who doesn't like
reading about gross stuff!
Kylie Kempster
Koalas, kites and kangaroos: An Australian alphabet book by David Ridyard
Ill. by Doreen Gristwood. Scholastic Australia, 2013. ISBN: 9781742838724.
(Age: 4+) Picture book. Australian animals. Alphabet book. Koalas,
Kites and Kangaroos was originally published in 1985 and this
reprinting introduces a new generation to this loved picture book.
The verse that starts the reader on their 'look and find' journey
invites us to:
Turn over the pages and take a close look
At this wonderful, colourful ALPHABET BOOK!
The search is on for animals and objects from A to Z within each
double page spread. Doreen Gristwood's pastel watercolours and
simple backgrounds are still engaging with the new audience after
twenty-eight years. We search for ants at Ayers Rock, enjoy
kangaroos having fun roller-skating and end with the obvious but
non-Aussie zebras at the zoo. There is also a list of words at the
back of additional objects and animals to look for.
This is a direct reprinting that does bring up a few issues. Ayers
Rock could have been changed to Uluru and the discerning reader may
question why some of the animals are on the wrong page. Why are the
penguins partying on the I-J pages?
This is a classic Australian picture book suited to share with a
young audience from 2 years of age and beginning readers from 4-6
years.
Rhyllis Bignell
Chasing the valley by Skye Melki-Wegner
Random House Australia, 2013. ISBN 9781742759548
Recommended. Chasing the valley by Skye Melki-Wegnner is a
novel that exceeds already heightened expectations. Main character
Danika Glynn, is living off the street in a town called Rourton -
which is surrounded by a huge wall that prohibits escape - that lies
in the north of the land of Taladia. The King of Taladia is someone
who likes to expand his own and conquer neighbouring countries, but
their military and weaponry have developed from modern times and
from what we know, they have magic.
Each person in Taladia has a proclivity, an individual
specialisation of magic. By the time you are of age (18), you are
able to expose your proclivity tattoo which is naturally formed on
your neck, and also, you are conscripted into the king's army. In
Rourton, Danika escapes the horrifying but also bedazzling effects
of an alchemy bomb, deployed by order of the king and finds herself
down the sewers and crashing a meeting of a soon-to-be refugee
group. Refugee crews are well known for dying in the attempts to
reach a place called The Magnetic Valley. Here alchemy doesn't work
and the king and his army cannot move pass successfully, it's a safe
haven but it's a long and dangerous trek. Will this bunch of
refugees let Danika join? And, even if they do, what are their
chances of survival?
The characters in this novel are bright and individual, all having
their own story which really makes them easy to relate to. The
plotline itself is unpredictable and exciting, keeping the reader
enchanted and wanting to hear more of this struggle for freedom and
justice.
Sarah Filkin (Student)
Gloss by Marilyn Kaye
Macmillan Children's Books, 2013. ISBN 9781447223979.
(Age: Teenagers) Recommended. Gloss written by bestselling
American author Marilyn Kaye brings forth a deep and meaningful
story set in 1963 about four American girls who have won a
competition to become interns at a famous national fashion magazine
called Gloss. Sherry, Donna, Allison and Pamela all step out
into an amazing big city called New York where the head of Gloss
magazine is situated. Sherry is a southern belle who has her future
planned out and ready to go. But, in the city of dreams, not all of
their dreams come true or turn out as expected; the big adventure
begins with the dream job of thousands of teen girls and four girls
with totally different personalities and ideas about their future.
The way author Marilyn Kaye alternates between the four girls
throughout chapters is ingenious and insightful; it helps the reader
familiarise themselves with the back story, personal information and
personality of each character while having an overview of the
storyline. The language used, even though some terms and words may
be slightly out dated - the novel being set in the 60's - is all
still understandable and relatable to current language. The novel
itself is a fantastic read and a definite recommendation for
teenagers.
(Sarah Filkin, Student)
There was an old lady who swallowed a mozzie by P. Crumble and Louis Shea
Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781742838526.
(Age: 2-6) Recommended. The front cover of There was an
old lady who swallowed a mozzie presents a 3D surprise for the
reader; as the book is tilted the old lady opens her mouth and
swallows the mozzie. This re-release of a favourite Aussie rhyme
follows the much-loved format of There was an old lady who
swallowed a fly.
The old lady's adventures take her racing through the quintessential
outback chasing a rosella, a dingo and a kangaroo until she swallows
the crocodile, with unfortunate but predictable consequences. Each
page ends with the cry of 'She's gotta be Aussie'. Louis Shea's
vibrant cartoon illustrations add a great comic element that
enhances the simple text. The audience or class will love seeing the
inside of her stomach with the juices splashing, the echidna
sandwich dripping with sauce and the old lady chasing the kangaroo
on a pogo stick. This is a great read-aloud that encourages young
readers from 2-6 years of age to participate with the accumulative
text.
Rhyllis Bignell
