Penguin/Viking, 2012 (c1955). ISBN: 9780670076840.
Highly recommended. Alan Marshall's partially autobiographical novel
I Can Jump Puddles is a wonderful tale of hardship and hope in the
Australian outback; this is an emotional story guaranteed to move
the reader. This novel provides the reader with a highly detailed
picture of what it was like growing up in early twentieth century
Australia. Set in the first person Alan recounts the suffering he
endured and the doubtless commitment he showed when trying to be
like the other boys.
Alan is the unfortunate sufferer of Infantile Paralysis, an
incurable ailment which can cause various degrees of paralysis;
however he is lucky enough that the paralysis is contained to his
legs. Legs which he is told will never allow him to run races or
break in horses like his father. A boy of the bush, Alan doesn't
allow his condition to hold him back and he persists in walking and
swimming and riding. He refuses to give up on his dreams and shows
extraordinary strength of character in this superb novel about never
giving up hope.
I would highly recommend this novel for people of all ages as it is
a perfect representation of true events and of rural living at the
time. While I cannot say that Alan Marshall's writing is
unparalleled I cannot stress enough how satisfying and life
affirming a read this is.
Kayla Gaskell (Student, Year 11)
I made lattes for a love god by Wendy Harmer
Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 2012. ISBN 9781742379913
(Age 14+) This is the second YA novel by Wendy Harmer and again
follows the ups and downs in the life of teenager, Elly Pickering.
So it is a sequel of sorts and continues the humorous tone of I
Lost my Mobile at the Mall.
However, Harmer's first novel cleverly shone a spotlight on the use
and abuse of social media by the teens in her novel. This added a
unique touch to a story which was essentially about friendship woes
and broken hearts. Although I Made Lattes for a Love God
focuses on the cult of celebrity, this in itself is less original
and the plot unfolds in a rather predictable pattern: Elly and her
sister must learn some humiliating lessons about friendship and
loyalty before the world is restored to normality. Furthermore, the
drama queen lurking in Elly was well balanced in the earlier novel
by her sharp intelligence. Unfortunately, in Harmer's new novel
there is far too much drama queen. Indeed, how two such intelligent
girls as Elly (English award winner) and her sister Tilly (Chemistry
whizz) could be so lacking in smarts when it comes to Jake Blake,
teen mega-star and mega-celeb, may push the bounds of credibility
even as readers chuckle in bemusement.
Elly's parents are well-drawn, in fact this novel could well be an
ode to mothers, for it is Mrs Pickering who is able to steady the
ship both professionally and personally, thus saving some
characters' careers and her own daughters' further embarrassment.
And Grandma's words of wisdom again help Elly to resolve some of the
conflicts in her life, especially when it comes to handling secrets.
Harmer handles dialogue well and knows how to write a funny line.
So, for teen girls looking for a light read, this novel is sure to
please, especially if it is their first taste of Wendy Harmer and
Elly Pickering. However, lovers of I Lost my Mobile at the Mall
may feel a little let down by this continuation of Elly's life as
bright, savvy Elly can only be seen in the last few pages.
Deborah Marshall
The boy who howled by Timothy Power
Bloomsbury, 2012. ISBN 9781599908526.
(Age 8-12) Recommended. Callum lives in the Wild with his family, a
pack of North American Gray Wolves. To Mom he is a 'furless mascot',
Dad sees him as dinner and his Aunt Trudy, Uncle Rick and Grandpa
tolerate him because Mom, as Alpha female, protects him.
Whilst he has vague recollections of a human family, having been
adopted by Mom who found him abandoned in a clearing when he was
three, Callum crawls along on hands and knees with the pack, trying
desperately to fit in, and avoid being eaten.
As the story begins Callum is about to be left at the edge of the
wood to fend for himself, having been supplied with clothes from a
school bag Mom stole earlier from a camp site in the woods.
This begins Callum's education into the ways of the human world. Not
only does he need to relearn how to communicate, though he seems to
have a remarkably good memory of language from his pre wolf pack
days, he needs to learn to fit into the social structure of the
human world.
As luck would have it Callum, or Clam as he calls himself, is
wearing the uniform of the Hargrove Academy for the Gifted Bright
and Perceptive Child and consequently begins school which brings a
new set of problems. One day with a class of his peers is more
complicated than living in the wolf pack.
He meets a range of quirky and interesting characters, Tom, Dick and
Harry, the homeless men and Buzz Optigon, world famous wildlife
wrangler, amongst them who help him develop his social skills.
Recommended for 8-12 year olds this book will appeal to boys who may
identify with Callum's struggle to understand where he fits and how
to behave. Identifying different characters such as Billy the bully,
as an Alpha male but discovering his behaviour is not in keeping
with a leader, is a lesson for both Callum and the reader. Whilst
the family reunion and ending seem a little subdued and I was
disappointed we didn't meet the wolf pack again, the author's use of
humour throughout will appeal to even the reluctant reader
Sue Keane
The Wolf Princess by Cathy Constable
Publisher: Chicken House. ISBN: 9781908435347.
(Ages: 12+) 4 stars. Magical, inspiring and it kept me on the edge
of my seat. This book is about a girl, Sophie, who's an orphan. But
when she's chosen to go on a trip to Russia she finds more than she
bargained for . . . I recommend that you read the book to find
out what.
Although the book is predictable, it's still wonderful. I also
learnt a bit about Russian culture and that is what all books should
be like: you should be able to take a little away with you after
reading it. Do read this lovely book as its magical and worth it!
Lilly S.(Student)
Tanglewood by Margaret Wild
Ill. by Vivienne Goodman. Scholastic, 2012. ISBN 978
Highly recommended. Picture book. Environment. Friendship. I found
myself gulping back tears from page one as we hear of a tree,
Tanglewood, alone on an island in the middle of nowhere. Dolphins
swim by, debris washes up on the beach, clouds pass overhead, but
Tanglewood remains all alone.
Vivienne Goodman's intense and meticulous illustrations stir the
imagination from the start as we see shells, leaves, bones on the
beach, the roots of the tree clinging to its solitary existence,
seals swimming by, and large sweeps of spectacular blue sky
overhead.
From the double page panoramas of the island and the clouds and then
the stormy seas, we turn the page, to find quietness after the
storm, a rainbow has appeared, and into the tree, a seagull has
fallen.
Tanglewood shelters the gull as it rests after the melee, hoping it
will stay, but it cannot. It needs to return to its family a concept
it must explain to the tree. It belongs to the sky and its
companions, but in leaving promises to return.
Tanglewood keeps itself ready for the gull's return, and we see the
breadth of the seasons come and go as Goodman renders a series of
illustrations clustered together like pages in a photograph album,
reinforcing the image of time passing.
The words and images in this incredible book overwhelm the senses as
the loneliness of the tree is portrayed. Readers and listeners alike
will feel joy at the last few pages as the tree's loneliness is
resolved and the gulls do something for the tree. The warmth of
giving, of family, of togetherness is redolent throughout, making
this book a wonderful adjunct to a class's discussions about family.
For older students discussions around technique of both author and
illustrator would do no better than having this book as their guide.
But for anyone wanting a quiet few moments of reflection then this
book will reward its readers over and over again.
And what a pleasure to see Vivienne Goodman's distinctive,
intelligent illustrations again.
Fran Knight
Butcher Paper, Texta, Blackboard and Chalk by Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach
One Day Hill, Distributed by Scholastic, 2012. ISBN: 9780980794847.
Highly recommended for all ages. Beginning with Archie Roach's
wonderful foreword, filled with love and respect and written as a
dedication to his long term partner, Ruby Hunter, this book is an
inspiration. On first glance, because the illustrations are filled
with vibrant colours and Ruby's naive style, some may fail to be
immediately engaged. Personally, I found them to be quite enchanting
and can imagine children trying to re-create her style in their own
work. Likewise, the songs appeared to be simplistic and repetitive
and not certain to engage every reader/listener immediately. When
seen as a whole, however, the package is truly one I found to be
impressive and heart-warming. The songs, written by the children of
the Cape York Peninsula, together with Ruby and Archie, bring the
countryside and culture of the children alive, thereby fulfilling
Ruby's dream.
This project was obviously a long time in the making and, sadly,
Ruby didn't live to see it to its completion. The accompanying CD is
simple and joyous but it is the DVD which truly shows her amazing
personality and passion for both the task and the children with whom
she created the songs. Archie cites her childlike naivete and
freedom in relating to the children and this is especially obvious
in the footage which appears. I have a whole new appreciation for
her work and approach to the children through having seen these
excerpts. Already, I have used the book as a focus while working
with several of my classes and have been proud of the songs/poems
they created about their location too. I think this would be a
wonderful addition to any classroom or school library.
Jo Schenkel
On two feet and wings by Abbas Kazerooni
Allen and Unwin, 2012. 258 pgs., p/b. ISBN: 9781743311059.
(Age: Suitable for upper primary - lower secondary) Highly
recommended. On two feet and wings is based on real events that
happened to the author Abbas when he was 9 years old. This is Abbas'
story as he remembers it. The story starts in Tehran in the 1980's
during the Iran-Iraq war where Abbas lives with his mother, father
and grandmother. With Iran reducing the Army recruitment age to 8,
Abbas' father decides he must get his son out of Iran. Abbas will
leave for Turkey with his mother to apply for a British visa. Abbas'
father is unable to travel with them because his passport was
confiscated by the new rulers of Iran. It is at the airport that
Abbas' mother is told she can't leave Iran. Abbas is forced to flee
the country by himself, leaving his parents and everything he loves
behind. At the age of 9, Abbas is alone and terrified in the strange
and frightening city of Istanbul. He doesn't speak the language, has
to fend for himself, find his way around, apply for a British visa
and guard against being taken advantage of.
This is a gripping and page turning debut novel by Abbas Kazerooni,
now a lawyer in California. It is an inspiring and moving true
story, told from a child's point of view. The courage shown by 9
year old Abbas is inspiring and On two feet and wings is a
book that can be enjoyed as much by 12-14 year olds as by adults.
Michelle Thomson
Coming home by Sharon McGuinness
Ill. by Shannon Melville. Wombat Books, 2012. ISBN 9781921633775.
(Ages: 5-9) Highly recommended. Gemma cannot understand why her
father seems to be so sad. She watches him as he sits alone in his
garden and sees how he can laugh with his friends when they come
around, but then how he goes into a silent mood when they leave. She
dances and talks and laughs but he doesn't seem to listen. Then one
day he feels the sun on his face and he starts to smile.
Very few picture books look at the topic of depression, which, from
the notes at the back of this book, one in five people will suffer
from in their lifetime. Sharon McGuinness has tackled this tough
topic with sensitivity and hope, vividly portraying how Gemma feels
when her father is depressed. Nothing that Gemma does to try and
lift her father's mood works. Children who are living with someone
who suffers from depression will be able to identify with Gemma as
she tries her best to understand the greyness that surrounds her
father. The ideas contained in this book will assist children to
gain an insight into the illness of depression, allowing them to
know that it is not their fault. Adults who suffer from
depression themselves will better understand the effects that it has
on family members.
The illustrations by Shannon Melville complement the text and add to
the understanding of the nature of the illness. Starting with blacks
and greys the pictures are coloured to show the depth of the illness
but by the end of the book, the illustrations are in warm yellows
and blues demonstrating the light that has come back into Gemma's
father and her life.
Information is given at the back of the book about the importance of
seeking help and support if someone the reader knows seems depressed
and links are given to various organisations that can help.
Author royalties will go The Black Dog Institute, which has endorsed
the book.
This is an invaluable book for a library to have because it would be
of immense help to many children who know or who are living with a
person with depression.
Pat Pledger
Maddy West and the Tongue Taker by Brian Falkner
Ill. by Donovan Bixley. Walker Books Australia; 2012. ISBN
978192197767.
Know any 8+ readers interested in witches, magic and adventure? The
then this is the book to keep them reading. With a ninja, a monkey,
a Bulgarian wrestler and a feisty girl with an amazing talent added
to the character list they will be looking for more books by Brian
Falkner.
Maddy's Mum took her to the doctor when she started speaking
Japanese to get her 'fixed'. The doctor found out that she could
speak other languages too and really didn't think she needed fixing,
indeed he thought she was extraordinary.
After her mother arranges for her to appear on television, where she
demonstrates her ability with languages, strange things begin to
happen to Maddy. She meets an old man on the train who warns her
about dark magic and then a Professor Coateloch calls and convinces
Maddy's parents to let her travel with her to Bulgaria to help
translate some ancient scrolls. Whilst Maddy is quite excited about
the journey she soon discovers that there is more to Professor
Coateloch and the ancient scrolls.
Kidnapping, magic spells of great power, an exciting trip up the
mountain and a heroic rescue, make for heart stopping conclusion to
the story.
The friendship between Kazuki and Maddy is a feature of the story as
is the importance of communication, especially as one of the spells,
the 'Tongue Taker' of the title, takes away the ability to
communicate, a person's language. Maddy's ability to speak and
read any language will reaffirm in some children the benefits of
being multilingual.
The detailed illustrations by Donovan Bixley add to the drama of the
situation. I particularly love the picture of Maddy and Kazuki
driving as they are speeding down the mountain.
Sue Keane
Breathe by Sarah Crossan
Bloomsbury, 2012. ISBN 9781408827192.
Recommended. Sarah Crossan has imagined the unthinkable - a treeless, oxygen
deprived world where the Ministry rules and the people are divided
into Premiums and Auxiliaries.
Quinn, as a Premium, has it all, especially oxygen.He and his
family can breathe easily. However, the Auxiliaries, like Bea and
her family, and Alina, must pay for every breath that they
take and it is hard to work and earn when there is never enough
energy giving oxygen.
Bea has four options: to be chosen for the Ministry's
Leadership Program where she will gain Premium status; remain an
Auxiliary and spend a life struggling to breathe; be banished to, or
escape to the Outlands where she will most certainly die without the
life giving canisters of oxygen. Alina has no choices.
Part 1 of the series, Breathe, presents the reader with a realistic
picture of a destroyed and controlled world where every breath is
literally accounted for. Yet even in this world, small pockets of
resistance flourish, giving voice to those who challenge the
Ministry and where an act of terrorism is the growing of a tree.
Conspiracies abound as Quinn, Bea and Alina narrate individual
chapters of the book, giving the reader a different voice and
viewpoint as they forge an unlikely alliance where no-one completely
trusts the motives of the other.
Crossan avoids the sentimental as she presents the reader with a
detailed depiction of a possible future. She has developed a
believable range of characters and events that, as she intended,
leaves the reader wanting more.
Ros Lange
Maze cheat by B.R. Collins
Bloomsbury, 2012. 310p. ISBN 9781408827604
(Age: 12+) Fans of Game runner, will need no recommendation
for the sequel, complete with a female protagonist rather than a
male 'Gamerunner'.
The citizens of Ario's dystopian future world are forced indoors by
toxic acid rain that erodes skin and eyes, unless one can afford
protective clothing. Naturally, many are drawn into the challenge of
the world of virtual computer games. Ario is a 'Cheat' by trade,
assisting players in their attempts to beat various levels of 'The
Maze', an interactive computer game designed and operated by an
all-powerful corporation called Crater. Ario, considered by many to
be the best Cheat, is able to make a good living at Dion's
underground 'tankshop' by selling her cheat codes.
Since the expansion of The Maze by Crater, Ario's cheats appear to
fail just as Gamerunners conquer 'the roots', harming more than just
her reputation. To redeem herself, Ario develops a cheat to take a
beautiful female Gamerunner, Pir to the 'end game'. But a brief,
although subtly homoerotic friendship foreshadows Pir's death in The
Maze. Afterwards, the divide between reality and virtual reality
becomes murky as Ario alone realizes that Pir's thoughts and
experiences have been used to expand the game worlds further. Like
writers of The Matrix, Collins explores the mind-body
conundrum as we grapple with our perceptions of reality and the
final paradox of losing in order to win and vice versa.
Rick, the prodigal son of Crater's chief programmer, Daedalus
(undoubtedly named after the creator of The Labyrinth in Greek
mythology), is rescued by Dion's Tankshop and eventually both Ario
and Dion agree that he is their best shot at stopping Crater from
devouring more minds and lives. Maze Cheat will appeal to teenagers as it is set in a very
gloomy, dystopian city. There's a futility in the restrictive indoor
landscape, leading to recreational drug taking and an obsession with
virtual worlds. However, the writing is fast-paced and we have to
admire the complex relationships between the characters - they
struggle to comprehend their own inner worlds as much as they seek
to overcome their political and environmental powerlessness. Ario's
drive to survive and thrive in an ugly world dominated by an evil
conglomerate, is probably a more resonant rite of passage than most.
Deborah Robins
The Amazing Illustrated Floodsopedia by Colin Thompson
Random House; Australia: 2012. ISBN 9781742751047.
Highly Recommended for all Floods aficionados. For all other readers
it will act as an introduction to the strange and interesting world
of the Floods, and the quirky humour and illustrations of the self
proclaimed 'Amazing Illustrating Colin Thompson'.
This is an eclectic collection of information regarding the Floods
and Transylvania Waters.
Articles include the personal profiles of an array friends and
relations such as Nerlout, Nerlin's twin brother and Crown Prince
Corduroi the future king of Transylvania Waters. Recipes, Gardening
tips from Queen Scratchrot and Winchflat's wonderful inventions also
give us a more intimate knowledge of this family of immense wisdom
and magic, as they would have us believe.
Tourist information includes the Transylvanian Waters Post Office,
the famous Transylvanian Waters Clock and a visitor's guide to
nearby towns and resorts. Of general interest are the poetic
interludes, Horoscope, Aunty Crumble's Problem Page.
Whilst followers of the Floods will appreciate the characters in
this book it's true value is alluded to in the caution on the inside
cover which reads,
'Caution: This book contains words. Some of them have more than four
letters and may improve your life in exciting and dramatic ways.'
Colin Thompson appears to be having a wonderful time playing with
words, adding footnotes with outrageous explanations and generally
poking fun at everything with his richly coloured, computer enhanced
illustrations adding to the mayhem. I loved the risk assessment
report at the front of the book and now realize the importance of
horizons (you'll have to read it to understand!!)
Sue Keane
Who could that be at this hour? by Lemony Snicket
Ill. by Seth. Egmont, 2012.ISBN 9781405256216.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Adventure. Lemony has been apprenticed to
the unlovely S. Theodora Markson. From the start we are unsure why
this has occurred but strange things do happen which the reader
hopes will all be made clear by the end of the fascinating book. She
books a room at the hotel at Stain'd-by-the-sea, where a burglary
has taken place. She and Lemony have taken the assignment to get the
statue back to its rightful owners. Theodora keeps reminding Lemony
just how lucky he is to be with her, his chaperone, but berates him
when things go awry as they inevitably do. Once at Stain'd they meet
an extraordinary array of characters, from the amazing proprietor of
the hotel, to Moxie trying in vain to reconstitute her parent's
business of running the local newspaper, to the pair of police
officers and their odious son, Stew.
Late one night, Theodora and Lemony break into the house on the
hill, steal the statue and go hand in hand down the hawser to
safety. But all is not as it seems, and when the police catch Lemony
at Moxie's she wraps it in newspaper and sends Lemony off to post it
away from prying eyes.
The next day Lemony finds he has been duped with a bag of coffee and
so needs to start over again.
The first in the series, All the wrong questions, this book
has an emphasis on words and their meanings, on phrases and sayings
heard everyday, of idiotic conversations which make the reader laugh
out loud, of people with the most extraordinary names and situations
quite out of the ordinary. All the while Lemony narrates his tale,
reminding us that he is asking all the wrong questions! At the end
of this first book, we are none the wiser, but intrigued enough to
eagerly wait the next volume in this new series.
Fran Knight
Armageddon by James Patterson
Daniel X. Young Arrow, 2012. ISBN 978 0 0995 4407 4.
Armageddon is the fifth book in the Daniel X series. Daniel X
is an alien teenager who lives on earth and looks like a typical
teenager but he has an amazing array of super powers to help protect
the Earth and humankind from dangerous extraterrestrials. In
this book Daniel has to prevent Number 2 from enslaving the earth's
population in preparation for the return of Number 1, the most
powerful alien in the Universe. Along with an almost endless
number and variety of super powers, Daniel has the support of secret
government agencies and his own imaginary friends to help battle the
seemingly unstoppable Number 2.
The authors use very short chapters and plenty of action to move the
story along at a cracking pace. There are many scenes of
destruction and plenty of hideous aliens and humans to battle.
Given Number 2's talent for creating images it is not always
apparent what is real and what isn't.
I imagine that boys especially and Men in Black fans would like the
fast pace and action involved. It would suit the reluctant
reader as well as those just looking for an enjoyable story that is
not demanding.
David Rayner
The Young Inferno by John Agard and Satoshi Kitamura
Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2012; 80 pages; p/b. ISBN 978 1
84780 109 8.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. The Young Inferno is a collaborative
work from award-winning duo, poet John Agard and artist Satoshi
Kitamura. Their graphic poem is an outstanding contemporary
adaptation of Dante's epic, Inferno. Together with Agard's
lively verse, and Kitamura's gritty images, it thrusts Dante's
fourteenth century epic forward into the edgy world of the
twenty-first century teenager. Old and young alike however, will
appreciate the genius of Agard's lyrics.
Through the hoodie hero's eyes, and with Aesop as his guide, the
slightly offbeat allegorical content of The Young Inferno
makes this a clever introduction to Dante's work.
Agard and Kitamura clearly understand the modern young adult
culture, hitting close to its beating heart with a hoodie
protagonist who clutches a mobile phone, where hell is likened to a
scary movie, and a chilly finger runs down his spine when he meets
with Frankenstein.
The poem follows our hoodie who is lost in a wild and sombre wood,
unable to find his way forward. Soon, Aesop of fables fame, appears
to him above the treetops, and becomes his guide. As they journey
together through the 'rooms' of Purgatory and Hell, 'Hoodie' meets
hypocrites, torturers, money lovers, powerbrokers, and tyrants, and
is uncomfortably aware of the presence of dark and evil. Out of this
mix emanating from Shakespeare to the Bible, and much in between,
will he find his way back to the world above? Will he find love with
his ideal woman, Beatrice?
John Agard's work is a light-hearted, yet thoughtful parody of
Dante's epic; Kitamura's artwork is witty, edgy and contemporary.
Their collaborative work is highly recommended for inclusion in a
school library collection, and would be a useful addition to the
English Literature Curriculum for secondary students.
Colleen Tuovinen
