Ford Street Publishing, 2012, 189 pgs., p/b. ISBN: 9781921665677.
Recommended for readers 12+. In 1997, Greylands won the
Aurealis Award Winner for Best Young Adult novel. This 2012
revised edition with a foreword from the author is a moving and
memorable story. The story is told from Jack's point of
view, and like Carmody's father who died tragically in a car
accident, Jack's mother also recently died in tragic
circumstances. When Jack looks into a mirror, he enters into
the greylands, which is a dreamlike world lacking in colour and
noise and has ferocious animals called wolvers that hunt Jack when
he crosses. What is this grey silent land that Jack discovers
on the other side of his mirror and why does Jack keep bumping into
Alice, a strange girl with a secret who tells Jack she belongs in
the greylands. It is Alice who also tells Jack it is the
wounded that seek refuge in the greylands. Jack soon realises
that he enters the greylands due to his state of grief and it is his
thoughts of his mother that moves him to the greylands. Will
Jack be able to deal with his fears and find answers to his
questions in order to escape the greylands before the terrifying
wolvers find him, or will he become trapped in the greylands forever
like Alice?
Carmody, who is also the best-selling author of the award winning
Obernewtyn chronicles has written a powerful story about a young boy
dealing with tragedy and emotions. I would recommend this book
to anyone who wants to learn the secret that Alice guards so
furtively?
Michelle Thomson
Stop! there's a snake in your suitcase by Adam Frost
Ill. by Mark Chambers. Bloomsbury, 2012. ISBN 9781 4088 2706 2.
(Ages: 8+) Early novel. Animals. The second in the series, Zoo
Story, this amiable tale introduces the readers to all sort of
information about snakes, how to care for them, what they eat, why
people like them and keep them as pets. Sophie and Tom Nightingale
are the children of parents who work in the London Zoo, and so have
access to all sorts of information and are also vitally interested
in all animals. When a scruffy looking man approaches on his barge
and tried to sell them some snakes, they are instantly alerted by
his appearance as well as the poor condition of the snakes. Grandpa
realises that they may be illegally imported snakes, and so they
ring the police.
Following the culprit along the river to the zoo, the children
notice the man throws out some pillowcases that move, and opening
one, get more than they bargained for.
This series offers pleasant stories which are more the vehicle for
telling lots of information about animals and the zoo, although the
facts are incorporated very neatly into the story. Sophie and Tom
are likable characters, living a life many animal lovers would love
to emulate, on a barge/houseboat moored near the London Zoo where
the parents work.
Fran Knight
Ella and Olivia series by Yvette Poshoglian
Ill. by Danielle McDonald. Scholastic, 2012.
(Ages: 6+) Friendship. For newly emerging readers wanting more
than a picture book, then this series will help them move into easy
chapter books before taking on something a little more imaginative.
The stories about two best friends, Ella and Olivia will not
stretch the imaginations of its readers. Simple stories, simply
told, without too much complication will make these an easy read for
new independent readers, wanting to achieve quick success. The new girl. ISBN 978 1 74283 499 3.
This story has the girls starting a new term at school. Within the class is a
new girl who appears not to like anything about her new school or
the people in her class. Ella decides to do something about this
situation and the girls all come to realise that they are all
friends and no one is trying to break up friendships. Ballet stars. ISBN 9781 74283 498 6.
The girls both love their ballet lessons, but when the teacher
decides that they will put on Cinderella as their term production,
the girls are mystified about who will take the lead role. A
solution is found for both girls to be a star.
Fran Knight
Baby Bilby's question by Sally Morgan and Adele Jaunn
Little Hare, 2012. hbk., RRP $A24.95 ISBN 9781921714856.
Remember when you asked your mum how much she loved you, she said,
'I'll
love you to the moon and back?' In this gorgeous book by Sally
Morgan
and
Adele Jaunn, Baby Bilby asks his dad the same question and the
response
is a
unique exploration of Australian fauna and the amazing feats they
might
perform. 'I will love you until a crow catches a falling star', is
just
an
example. Whether it's kangaroo kissing a koala or a platypus playing
with a
porpoise, the effect is the same - there is a feeling that this
little
baby
bilby will be loved forever, and there's a certain reassurance about
that.
This book works on so many levels - the story, the message, the
humour,
the
illustrations and the rhythm of the language make it a brilliant
read-aloud
while, at the same time it introduces the child to some of the
amazing
animals that are part of our landscape and culture. Slightly older
readers
might like to invent their own responses and draw these, while the
alliteration could provide an introduction to this grammatical
feature
for
those just a bit older again. But, above all, there's this warm,
snuggly,
secure feeling of being loved.
I will love this book until an echidna eats an eggplant!
Barbara Braxton
A medal for Leroy by Michael Morpurgo
Ill. by Michael Foreman. HarperCollins, 2012 ISBN 978 0 00 736358 2.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Historical fiction. War. Racism. Leroy is
happy to visit his crotchety old aunt and her sister in Folkestone
mainly because of their dog, Jasper, which loves him with a passion
that is reciprocated. But Mum is wary of the two older women, Auntie
Pish makes snide remarks that hurt and since Leroy's Dad died in the
war, Mum has been struggling to bring up her son alone. On this
visit the day goes much the same as it has done for nine years, but
Leroy asks to see his father's medals, cared for lovingly by Aunty
Snowdrop, the nicer of the two women, the one who looks after the
medals, packed into the man's school pencil case and polished with
affection. Leroy realises when they all go to the beach to spread a
bunch of snowdrops, a ritual remembering his father, that Aunty Pish
is slower than usual, her breath is coming less easily and she lags
behind as they walk home. It comes as no surprise to the reader that
Leroy learns later that she has died. Her gift to him is his
father's photo, one always kept on the mantelpiece at Folkestone,
but when the glass cracks, hidden behind the photo he finds a diary
of sorts from his aunt.
This is a charming story of war and its effects on the next
generation. It is a story of what happens in the war, a time
of extraordinary situations and decisions, and the secrets that
remain hidden for years after. It is the story of one family and the
effect of the two world wars on it, of the changes which occurred
not only for men but for women, as Morpurgo makes astute comments in
passing about changes in attitudes towards women in war. Morpurgo
writes stunningly of animals, using the little dog as a link between
generations, and the historical facts upon which this story is based
give the tale an extra poignancy which is hard to resist.
Fran Knight
Hammering Iron by L.S. Lawrence
Omnibus Books, 2012. ISBN: 978-1-86291-971-6.
Recommended for 10 to 14 year olds. Hammering Iron is an
historical fiction novel that describes from a personal perspective
of a commoner how the Ancient world changed from the Bronze Age to
the Iron age. It follows the life of Paramon, a boy who went from
working a scribe for a mean Lord to joining the Ancient Greek Danaen
Army, going to war, becoming a slave and then eventually discovering
with his new master the secrets to creating a cheaper and stronger
metal than bronze. All these experiences transform Paramon from a
boy to blacksmith, adapting to all the problems that he encounters
as well as developing new friendships, some from past enemies. Hammering
Iron features many battles and fighting segments where the
feeling of stabbing a man with his new sword is described in detail.
The novel moves quickly enough to stay engaging and could possibly
spark an interest in this part of ancient history in readers aged 10
to 14 years old. Whilst Hammering Iron is historical
fiction, the battles, tribes and cities have existed and therefore
prompt further research by readers. The themes of growth and
development, overcoming obstacles and making the most out of
difficult situations are also positive.
Adam Fitzgerald
There was an old lady who swallowed a star by P. Crumble
Ill. by Louis Shea. Scholastic, 2012. ISBN 1 74285 330 9.
(Ages: 4+) Recommended. Picture book. Christmas. Using the familiar
refrain of, 'I know an old lady who swallowed a fly', this lively
and brightly illustrated tale has the old, grizzled lady swallowing
all the accoutrements of Christmas. She gobbles down a star, a
stocking, an elf, the Christmas lights on top of the house, the
reindeer and finally Santa Claus. Each thing she eats is sent down
to retrieve the other, until finally she bursts and all the things
tumble out. Children will delight in picking up the rhyme of
the tale, joining in when they can predict the next words, and
learning it so they can say it all the way through. It is infectious
and partly familiar and so will be enticing for them to do. Each
time she swallows a new thing the line, 'Now that's bizarre'
follows, giving another point of repetition for the children to
predict and learn. The plethora of Christmas imagery in the
background adds to the fun of using this in the classroom to
introduce the festivity, and at home where lots of fun can be had in
the family.
The bright illustrations will entice younger readers and this is one
in a series of 'I know an old lady', published by Scholastic.
Fran Knight
A pet isn't just for Christmas compiled by the RSPCA
Random House, 2012. ISBN 978 1 74275 714 8
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Picture book. Christmas. Published as a
stocking filler, this lovely little book will achieve its goal of
being a neat hand held book to give to all age groups to bring a
smile at Christmas. Nearly 50 beautiful photos of animals are paired
with a commentary which extols the virtues of looking after a pet
when it is given as a gift. In between the many images of dogs, pups,
cats and kittens there can be found a picture of a duck, a lizard,
several birds, fish, rabbits and the odd guinea pig. All the photos
are delightful, showing many of the animals in cute poses, often
with movement and sometimes with other animals.
The commentary shows the long term responsibility of owning a pet,
reiterating the closeness that an animal can bring to the family.
This is a timely book for many children who may be getting a pet for
Christmas and need to discuss with their parents exactly what is
involved.
Published by Random House in partnership with RSPCA, the royalties
from the sale of the book will go directly to the RSPCA to help with
their work. It is a salutary reminder that the incident of dumped
and abandoned pets rises dramatically after Christmas.
Fran Knight
Are trees alive? by Debbie S. Miller
Bloomsbury Publishing, 2012. ISBN 9781408173893.
(Age 5+) Recommended. Debbie S. Miller was inspired to consider the
question 'Are trees alive?' when it was put to her by her daughter
during a walk in the forest. The result is a book which invites
younger readers to question their assumptions about the environment.
The life cycle of a tree and the roles of its parts are explained in
simple but vivid language. Analogies with human life and the use of
trees as sources of food and shelter, underscore the message that
each tree is a living entity whose existence is intertwined with our
own. The picture book format and the inclusion of a guide to the
species of trees and animals pictured, ensure that the book's
credibility as non-fiction is not undermined.
The illustrations by Stacey Schuett strengthen the concepts
explained in the text. Each double page spread shows a richly
coloured scene from a different part of the world and illustrates,
in a sympathetic manner, how the people and animals there interact
with a particular tree. Although written by an American author, the
focus is global and multicultural. One of the trees presented is a
ribbon gum in Australia.
Parents and teachers can decide if this book is appropriate for
their audiences. Very young children may find the life affirming
text and illustrations appealing but the small font could be
challenging if they are independent readers. Older students can use
the book as an introduction to the subject but will need to turn to
more complex sources if they want to do further research. The
information about tree species at the end of the book appears to
have been written in very small font for adults. Are trees alive? has a place on bookshelves at home and in
primary school libraries. It will enrich both the book sharing
experience and the discussions which follow.
Elizabeth Bor
Can it be about me? by Cheryl Moskowitz
Ill. by Ros Asquith. Harper, 2012. ISBN 9781 84780 340 5.
(Ages 9+) Poetry, Humour. Moskowitz wanted to write poems about
being at school, and so asked her local primary school if she could
be a fly on the wall for a while to capture the essence of life at
school. The volume containing the 48 poems is the result of her
efforts when being as unobtrusive as possible at the school. But she
did cause interest and the first poem in the volume is based on one
boy's interest as he enquired 'can it be about me?' Many of the
poems presented grew out of Moskowitz's observations in the school
ground and class room, and present situations familiar to us all.
Themes such as being alone, bullying, how to make friends, what
games to play in the break, range alongside more detailed poems
about Egypt or a spelling test, or simply a poem of all the
abbreviations there are in a school. She also presents a brief
introduction to each poem, giving it a context and also explaining
the type of poem it may be, so giving teachers a model to use when
doing poetry in the classroom.
Fran Knight
The gift by Penny Matthews
Ill. by Martin McKenna. Scholastic, 2012. ISBN 1862916985.
(Ages: 3+) Highly recommended. Picture book. Christmas. The little
brown bear sits on the shelf in the shop, surrounded by toys which
offer so much more than he. Others sing and dance, clap their hands
or are festooned with colour, all designed to attract a buyer. But
all the plain brown bear has is a red ribbon tied around his neck.
When his companion the green crocodile and he watch the other toys
being sold, they lament that they are still left on the shelf. Bear
gives the crocodile his ribbon, and sure enough the crocodile is
sold. Bear falls behind the counter, and is overlooked yet again
until he is restored to his spot on the shelf, where a baby in a
pusher calls out 'bear', impelling its father to buy him for their
tree. At home, the baby calls out again and the bear is given the
best gift of all, a place in someone's heart.
This is one of those books where tissues are needed, the subtle text
accompanied by the beautiful soft illustrations will draw an
emotional response from all who read it and hear it read aloud.
Everyone has had the feeling of being left out, of being overlooked,
of feeling unloved, so the fate of the bear and the crocodile will
immediately elicit a response. Younger children will not only hear a
beautifully told text, they will be engaged in thinking about those
less fortunate than themselves, those left alone at Christmas, and
so begin to understand the wider issues that Christmas brings in our
community. Older children may begin to discuss the idea of gift
giving, and think about the way things are sold in shops, marketed
and displayed. But the basic story is one that can be read over and
over again, a beacon outshining most of the other books offered by
publishers at Christmas.
Fran Knight
The Crystal Code (The Billionaire Series) by Richard Newsome
Text Publishing Australia, 2012. ISBN: 1922079030
(Ages 11-14) Recommended. The Crystal Code is the latest novel in
The Billionaire Series by Robert Newsome. Readers who are familiar
with this series of books which originally began with The
Billionaire's Curse (2009) features the slightly more grown-up and
world's youngest billionaire Gerald Wilkins. This instalment in the
series begins with Gerald, his friends and family taking an
ridiculously expensive Christmas holiday at their privately owned ski
resort in a remote part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California.
The extravagant Christmas holiday involved a journey via private
plane to San Francisco followed by flying in a fleet of helicopters
to the resort. On route to the ski resort, Gerald and his friends
happen to come across a dry cleaning docket of the evil Sir Mason
Green, who we also learn has conveniently just been released from
prison. Once collected from the dry cleaners, the contents of Mason
Green's jacket sets the scene for the further problems that the
group of friends, Ruby, Sam, Felicity, and Ox (whose real name is
Oswald) experience for the rest of the novel. Whilst the story line
in The Crystal Code takes a little while to develop, with elements
of jealously being resolved between Ruby and Gerald's new girlfriend
Felicity, once the action begins, the novel becomes addictive to
read. The now older teenagers in this latest edition of the series
have developed new skills, including the ability to fly planes,
which has them literally flying around the world in pursuit of their
kidnapped family and friends. On the other hand, whilst the
characters are older, the appropriateness of age level for which The
Crystal Code is recommended remains for 11 to 14 year olds, as the
violence is moderated.
Adam Fitzgerald
RSPCA Animal Tales series by various authors
Random House, 2012. Dog in danger by Jess Black. ISBN 1742753361 Night fright! by Jess Black. ISBN 1742753388 Race to the finish by David Harding. ISBN 1742753426 Lost in translation by Helen Kelly. ISBN 174275340X
(Age: 8+) Warmly recommended. Animals. Adventure. This new series of
books that numbers eight, with two more due for release in December,
2012, will have instant appeal. All the stories are about 80 pages
long and revolve around families and animals. Written under the
auspices of the RSPCA, they have straight-forward plots, easily
absorbed and recognised characters, and lots to learn about animal
care and responsibility as the story is read. Dog in danger has a family, Cassie, Ben and Dr Joe, going on a
bushwalk and coming across another family whose dog, Snowy, has run
off after a rabbit and become lost. Dr Joe works for the RSPCA and
so is able to direct the group as to the best way to search. One is
sent off to ask their neighbours and alert other people to join the
search. Flyers are made and posted, and the weather checked for
possible changes. Sure enough, the weather does change and as rain
falls, the dog is found stuck on a ledge. In this short story we not
only get an adventure story, engrossing and involving, but learn how
best to search for a missing animal, how to go on a bushwalk and
what the bush offers for walkers.
Similarly Night fright! has Cassie and Ben searching for the ghost
that is making their neighbourhood jumpy. Noises in the night are
spooking everyone until they find out the cause after Cassie and Ben
decide to stay out all night in the hope of trapping the ghost. Race to the finish takes a different turn from the others as it
deals with greyhounds and a race when Ben's new friend's father
trains and races greyhounds, a sport Cassie dislikes. Lost in
translation has a group of vet trainees working with Dr Joe who are
asked by ben and Cassie to help with their fundraising.
Each story has a different take on owning animals and the readers
will certainly learn a great deal about the responsibility of owning
a pet from this easily assimilated series of books.
Fran Knight
Mr Penumbra's 24-hour bookstore by Robin Sloan
Farrar Straus Giroux, 2012. ISBN 0374214913.
This novel is written about and perhaps for Gen Y readers.
Traditional fantasy quest meets the digital age, and something more
human than either, the power of friendship, wins out. Hipster Clay
Jannon rarely touches paper until retrenched, despite winning a
design award, and taking a job in a shop selling what seems to be
books. Clay works the night shift catering to borrowers rather than
customers, borrowers who request their volumes by shelf placement in
the Waybacklist rather than author or subject. Clay's friends are
successful digitocrats, Neel who designs pixilated breasts, or 'boob
simulation software', Kat who is a Google worker and uncritical
believer in the power of technology, and Matt, the maker of
artifacts. Clay's employer, Mr Penumbra, forbids him to read the
books on the Waybacklist and so of course Clay starts examining them
to find they are a code linked to their place on the shelves.
Urged on by Kat and using the resources of Google, Clay, a fantasy
reader from childhood, becomes a quester. He builds an online data
visualization of the movements of the borrowers and discovers they
are all members of the Unbroken Spine society funded by the Festina
lente company whose aim is to discover the secret of immortality
recorded somewhere by the medieval philosopher Manutius. The
action shifts to New York where the society meets in secret and is
directed by the sinister Corvina, once friend but now enemy of the
genial Penumbra. Clay builds a paper scanner and secretly digitizes
the key work of Manutius. Kat, now on Google's management team,
Clay's girlfriend and determined to eliminate mortality, throws the
power of all its technology into the task of solving the riddle.
Google fails. Clay turns back to Old Knowledge. He learns that the
author of his favourite fantasy series was once a member of the
Unbroken Spine society but was expelled. When Clay listens to the
series on tape he realizes that he is listening to clues about where
the message is hidden. In a neat twist he finds the message and
delivers it to the society. The answer is a victory for humanity
over the machine. Immortality is a dream; friendship is what should
be sought. Clay loses Kat but gains more friends and establishes a
career with Mr Penumbra in both digital and print publications.
The writing is witty, the plot intriguing. It flags a little
three-quarters through but picks up again to finish triumphantly.
The novel is about balance, about the incredible power of the
digital world, but also about the need for mystery and about the
need for friends.
Jenny Hamilton
Shark attack by Jackie French
Scholastic Australia, 2012. ISBN 1742833845.
(Age 8+) In the fourth book in the Animal Rescue series by Jackie
French, Leo and his friend, Mozz, must rescue a shark colony from a
flood of toxic mud. Aimed at readers 8+, Shark attack is a fast
paced, life threatening mission, which needs to be completed in time
for Leo and Mozz to do their homework.
Mozz is the granddaughter of a wealthy scientist, Dr Drizzsock, who
rescues wild animals and the latest task she gives the two friends
is the hardest of all because Leo cannot communicate with sharks as
he does so easily with other animals.
The sharks are in danger because a dam holding mine tailings, a
sludge of dangerous chemicals, has collapsed in a thunderstorm. As
they speed towards the shark colony in Sky Tiger, a jet made of
recycled plastic bottles, the question they ask is, 'How can
governments let things like this happen?' Jackie French, with her
love of nature and her considerable research, encourages her readers
to think more deeply about issues of conservation.
Despite inclusions such as a guinea pig with attitude and an amazing
watch with satellite navigation which can repair shoelaces, it is
easy to identify with the characters and become involved in the
dilemmas they face. The introduction to the story is overlong but
children will find this adventure as absorbing as the others in the
series.
Thelma Harvey
