Reviews

Dyson's Drop by Paul Collins

Lion by Suzi Eszterhas

Series: Eye of the wild. Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2012. ISBN 978 1 84780 311 5.
Brown bear by Suzi Eszterhas
Series: Eye of the wild. Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2012. ISBN 978 1 84780 308 5.
(Ages: 6+) Recommended. Non fiction. These beautifully photographed books of animals in their habitat will find a ready parade of readers wanting to add to their knowledge of animals in the wild from birth to maturity. There are four in the series, Brown bear, Lion, Gorilla and Cheetah, and the two I have for review are outstanding. Large clear photographs are augmented by paragraphs of information in large clear font on each page, while at the end of each book is a page of information.
In Lion, the first few pages show the cub when it is born, struggling to open her eyes and crawl. We are told she will be kept in the den for two months until old enough to go out and see the world. At six months she will stop drinking milk from her mother and must start eating meat, and when she turns one year old, the time has come to hunt alongside the others in the pride. At each section of her life's journey, the blend of photos and words gives a remarkable view of the animal and its place within its community.
Brown bear too, shows the bear from its time as a cub to a grown animal. The text details its life as a cub, when as part of a pair, they are raised by mother in a den, only venturing out when about five months old. They will stay with their mother until about two, when they will leave to strike out on their own, complete with all the survival skills she has taught them.
Multi award winning photographer, Suzi Eszterhas, lets her talents speak for themselves in this amazing series of books which will find a home on library shelves, picked up readily by inquisitive readers, fascinated by the detail and information given about these endangered species.
Fran Knight

Dead reckoning by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill

Bloomsbury, 2012. ISBN 9781599906843.
(Age 12+) Recommended for fans of Westerns, steampunk and zombies. Yes - this is a Wild West ride, with our two feisty heroines, Jett a girl disguised as a boy, and Honoria who drives an early steam driven wagon, taking on a zombie invasion. Joined by the handsome White Fox, a freelance scout for the Army, the trio track down the mystery of why the dead are rising from the grave and who is controlling this undead army.
I'm fond of all three escapist genres, Westerns, steampunk and Zombie, so I was keen to sample this book. I was lured in by the cover which features a black clad Jett striding forth with gun at her side, flanked by a very gorgeous White Fox and a blond Honoria and followed by zombies. Once into the book I found myself really enjoying the antics and problem solving of two very unusual young women as they go about trying to stop the zombie invasion. In between I learnt bits of history, the advent of the railways and the role of scouts.
This is great escapist fiction. As one would expect from well-known authors like Lackey and Edghill, it is well written with a fast pace and great characters. It is easier and less scary than the Rot and ruin zombie series by Jonathan Maberry or The Forest of hands and teeth by Carrie Ryan and I think young teens would enjoy both the plot and the action. Although the books end in a very satisfying manner, there is scope for more stories about this intrepid trio.
Pat Pledger

Phyllis Wong and the Forgotten secrets of Mr Okyto by Geoffrey McSkimming

Allen and Unwin, 2012. ISBN 9781742378213.
There are many reasons to love the wonderful world of Phyllis Wong. For a start, she lives in the penthouse of a famous Art Deco built by her great Grandather, brilliant magician, Wallace Wong. Her apartment has its own cinema, a French patisserie in the lobby and interesting tenants like the enigmatic Chief Inspector Inglis and flamboyant Minette Bulbulos.
Even better, Phyllis has inherited Wallace Wong's talent and passion for magic, impressing everyone who is lucky enough to watch her perform. When Phyllis discovers that her friend and owner of LowerBlast's Antiques and Collectables Emporium has been robbed, she begins to suspect sleight of hand. Putting her analytical mind to work, Phyllis is determined to solve the mystery of the stolen, valuable bookend.
Fortunately Phyllis has the help of her friend Clement, who will do anything to escape xylophone practice and Chief Inspector Inglis. As head of the Fine arts and Antique Squad he is not happy to learn that the Lowerblast case may be connected to another unsolved jewellery heist.
Phyllis, her loyal little dog, Daisy and Clement set off to do some sleuthing, unaware of the danger that is coming their way.
This is a fast paced and sophisticated novel for over ten year olds. In addition to enjoying a thrilling adventure, readers are able to take a peep into the secret world of magic. Like the Cairo Jim Chronicles, Phyllis Wong is sure to be a hit.
Tina Cain

The Best Kind of Kiss by Margaret Allum

Ill. by Jonathan Bentley. Little Hare Books, 2012. Pbk. ISBN 9781921894084.
Picture book. There are all sorts of kisses a little girl can have - big kisses, small kisses, pecky kisses, and smoochy, lip-smacky kisses - and they don't all come from mummy. In fact, in this cute book for pre-schoolers, they come from the most unlikely sources, all of which underline that delightful innocence of the very young child. Accompanied by appealing illustrations which are integral to telling the tale, the author has created one of those special stories that I know will become a bedtime favourite.
Miss 6 loves the rosy-cosy-grandma-kiss but agrees with the choice of the best sort of kiss of all; Miss 16-months just liked snuggling in and listening to the flow and rhythm of the language and looking at the pictures.
This would be one to put in that special collection you have for parents who are looking for that just-right bedtime book. Give them this one and they'll know you know your stuff and come back for more.
Barbara Braxton

The interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina

The Tribe. Book 1. Walker Books Australia, 2012 IBSN: 9781921720086
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. For readers who love dystopian novels, or even those whose appetites are becoming jaded with the plethora that abound at the moment, The interrogation of Ashala Wolf, opens up a new dimension in excitement and thought provoking themes in this genre. The book begins with a terrifying scene where a young girl named Ashala is being taken to a machine to begin an interrogation because she has a supernatural power, an Ability. From then on the reader finds out snippets of Ashala's life as an illegal, a person who society believes will disturb the Balance which has been carefully built up after a catastrophe has destroyed the way the world worked.
Kwaymullina explores a future where difference is feared. Instead of fearing the difference in colour and ethnicity that occurs in present society, those barriers have broken down, as the world became one large country. Instead those who have the Ability are put into detention centres to protect the normal society from their powers. Some people with different abilities, like Healers, are given an Exemption, but Ashala, afraid for her life, had escaped to the forest of Firstwood, where she lives with a group of young people. This theme of tolerance is combined with the thread about whether it is ethical to use violence to maintain a society or to change it. As Ashala's companion Ember says, 'You can't change a society for the better with violence, Ashala. Only with ideas.' (pg 208).
Along with these big themes, comes excitement and thrills as the reader follows what is happening to Ashala. The suspense is built up in a very clever way. Each time Ashala is taken to the machine to be interrogated, she reveals more memories of her life and her ability, even though she fights to keep her comrades' names and location a secret.' As a reader I was gripped with terror about what she was going through and what would happen to her little band in the forest and the twists and turns keep me fully engrossed in the story. Ashala's feeling for Justin Connor, the young guard who had betrayed her to the evil Chief Administrator Neville Rose, also add an emotional feel to the story.
I found myself neglecting all sorts of work to sneak off and finish this book - a good indication of its original premise, interesting characters and wonderful Australian setting. A teacher's guide is available. I believe that this would be a fascinating class text or book to use with a literature circle.
Pat Pledger

Dead Time by Anne Cassidy

Bloomsbury, 2012. 344 pages; p/b. ISBN 978 1 4088 1550 2.
(Age 13+) Dead Time is a fascinating tale by author Anne Cassidy, and is the first novel in her new mystery series. Dead Time follows the exploits of Rose who is doing her best to conceal her new butterfly tattoo from her grandmother's prying eyes. Since her mother and stepfather disappeared when she was twelve, Rose has been living with her grandmother, and feels constrained in the perfectly appointed modern house they share. But now, five years later, nothing will dampen her spirits as she looks forward to meeting her 'stepbrother' Joshua, whom she has not seen in all that time.
But before she can even meet with Joshua, disaster strikes following a chance encounter with Ricky Harris, one of the boys from her college. A boy she doesn't like. This event has consequences, and Rose becomes a witness to two murders. These events spur her on to discovering who is behind the murders.
When Rose and Joshua finally meet, they discover a mutual attraction for each other, but also a shared desire to solve the mystery surrounding the disappearance of their parents five years earlier. When they unearth a mysterious notebook, they are hopeful its cryptic messages might be key to their puzzle. With their lives frequently in danger, they search out the truth behind each mysterious event.
Dead Time is easy to follow, and introduces the characters and setting with tension and intrigue, paving the way nicely for the sequels to follow. With loads of dialogue and action it should appeal to young adult girls ages 13+. A great new series to enjoy.
Colleen Tuovinen

Metro Winds by Isobelle Carmody

Allen and Unwin, 2012. ISBN 9781865084442.
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. From the award-winning author of the Obernewtyn Chronicles, this is a collection of short stories. A girl is sent across the world to discover her destiny in the dark tunnels of the Metro. Another seeks a lost sister in a park where winter lasts forever. A young man fulfills a dying wish. A mother works magic to summon a true princess for her son. A man seeks an ending to his story. An old man goes in search of his shadow.
Isobelle Carmody, the talented Australian author of the young adult classic Obernewtyn, has released a collection of short stories. Except they aren't all that short. In fact, one of the stories, The Wolf Prince, is just under 150 pages long. All of the stories are very well written, as is to be expected from one of the best young adult authors in Australia. The writing is detailed and lyrical and the stories are inventive and original. One theme that runs throughout the whole collection is a sort of magic realism, that idea of worlds that are just on the other side of reality. Most of these stories involve ordinary people thrust into extraordinary situations. It's always a pleasure to read Isobelle Carmody's work because she manages to combine reality and fantasy in interesting, original ways.
For fans of Isobelle Carmody, or really anyone who likes wonderfully inventive fantasy stories, this is a must.
I highly recommend this book.
Rebecca Adams (Student)

2013 Magabala Australian Indigenous Diary

Magabala Books, 2012. ISBN 978 921248 73 3.
(All ages) Highly recommended. Diary. This stunning diary produced by Magabala Books, is not just a diary, but a compendium of fascinating insights, bits of information, arresting photography and art works, all bound together in a hard cover spiral bound book that can be leafed through out of interest, used as a weekly diary and then kept as a reference for years to come.
Beginning with the covers and endpapers, the book brims over with art work. The covers featuring Freddie Timms' painting will stop people in their tracks, picking up the book where they see it to admire the bold work. Inside, the work of Edwin Lee Mulligan is featured and the back endpaper has a fold out map of the language groups of Indigenous Australia, a boon for anyone wanting to know the extent Aboriginal Australia before European settlement.
Each double page spread shows a week of days, and significant days in the Indigenous calendar are highlighted. At the top of the page is a Moment from History, which gives a snippet of information about Indigenous History. So we can find out about the 1963 eviction of people in Far North Queensland or the walk off at Wave Station in 1966, as well as significant days such as the day Uluru was handed back on October 26, 1985. Each time a page is opened, new information appears, making this far more than a diary. Each month begins with the beautiful photography by Wayne Quilliam and art work by a range of Indigenous artists, with notes telling the reader about the photographer and artist. The art work is then reprised on the edges of the pages for that month, reminding the user again of the work at the beginning of the month. At the top of each verso page is the month with the months before and after for reference.
The last few pages of the diary are committed to outlining the protocols used in preparing the diary and then information about he Arts and Culture of Indigenous Australia, making this a worthwhile addition to a school library, something to treasure for yourself or give as a gift. A glossary of some terms is followed by information about he artist, Wayne Quilliam and references to other artworks used in the dairy.
This lovely book is far more than a diary, it is a useful, up to date albeit brief, reference of Indigenous culture, illustrated with some outstanding works by contemporary artists and filled with pieces of information that will attract the attention of the user.
Fran Knight

The butterfly by Roger Vaughan Carr

Ill. by Ann James. Walker Books Australia, 2012. ISBN 9781921977664.
(Ages:6+) Recommended. Picture book. Environment. Another classic Australian tale is republished by Walker Books, complete with comments by the original publisher and the author and illustrator, outlining their thoughts about the book and why it was published. Reading these at the end of the book gives another level of enjoyment to this happily reprinted book.
This book admirably espouses the idea of the butterfly effect or chaos theory for the young and not so young. The idea that a butterfly's beating wings can produce a puff of wind capable of being part of a mammoth change as it builds around the world, is stunningly portrayed in this book. The words and illustrations combine to make a representation of this complex theory to make it understandable to all.
Malani is captivated by the butterfly she sees in the forest as her father works with his elephant. She feels sad that the butterfly does not have the strength of the elephant, but when the puff of wind created by the butterfly is incorporated in the dying breeze from Russia, it gains strength and moves on.The breeze moves onto Morocco, eventually becoming a stronger wind which blows the trees in Africa. Building up it blows the sand across the desert, making the people have to pull their clothes tightly around themselves, then on to the seas, creating a gale, then to Peru, making the crops sway. The ocean is hipped up and a tornado develops, forcing Malani and her father and their elephant to higher ground where they will be safe.
The water colour pictures are stunning, from the detailed views of the butterfly to the sweeping swathes of colour denoting the seas. A book to treasure in the library, making a scientific idea comprehensible.
Fran Knight

What makes my Dad happy by Tania Cox and Lorette Broekstra

Allen and Unwin, 2012. ISBN 978 1 74237 838 1.
Recommended. Just in time for Father's Day comes this wonderful celebration of Dads and the things the little people in their lives share with them that make them happy.
According to this book, Dads like surprises, towers, flowers, talking on the phone, spinning around in circles, helping with the cooking, dancing and singing, building cubbies, having notes, pushing kids on swings, and most of all, big BIG hugs.
I liked that this book celebrated ALL types of Dads - young Dads, old Dads, Dads in wheelchairs, Dads with glasses - Dads of all kinds. It's really rare to find a picture book which caters to such a wide range of different types of people without seeming tokenistic.
This would be the perfect book to read to the twos and threes, and for fathers and children to share together. The illustrations are colourful and friendly, but with a lot of white space on the page, so that the pages are not visually overwhelming.
The rhyme and rhythm of the story is gentle and predictable, and it is an enjoyable book to read aloud.  A recommended addition to any inclusive library.
Freya Lucas

City of lost souls by Cassandra Clare

Walker, 2012. ISBN 9781406339147.
Sebastian has come back to life, only to kidnap Jace and bind him to his plans of evil. Most of the shadowhunters think he is lost forever but Clary has taken on a perilous mission by herself, putting all on the line for a chance to save Jace. Heaven and hell collide as 'Team Good', a determined bunch of shadowhunters, vampires, warlocks and werewolves flurry to come up with a plan to save Clary, Jace and the rest of the world from Sebastian's wrath, and they must do it all behind the back of the clave.
Written with enchanting description and endearing characters, City of Lost souls transports you into a thrilling world of myth and fantasy where all the stories are true. You'll fall in love with the floundering teenagers of this novel as they struggle to understand themselves and each other, all the while striving to save the world.
Filled with thrilling action sequences and great chunks of hilarious dialogue this book will engage your imagination and pull at your heartstrings making you glad that our world is empty of such dangerous adventures, yet wishing that you had a handsome shadowhunter (or werewolf, vampire or warlock for that matter) of your own.
The fifth in a series, City of Lost souls covers many themes which centre on relationships and family, life and death and finding your identity, which are, while entertaining, not hugely though provoking or life changing. I would recommend this book as a fun escape from reality, not to be take too seriously.
Bonny Miller (Student)

Everything left unsaid by Jessica Davidson

Pan Macmillan Australia, 2012. ISBN 9780330424950.
If you are looking for a sad story, then this book is for you. Best friends Juliet and Tai have no sooner become romantically involved than he is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and given a year, at most, to live. This novel charts Tai's gradual decline in heartbreaking detail.
Tai and Juliet take turns to tell this story so we do get slightly different versions of events. Whilst Tai's focus is mainly on coming to terms with his new medical regime, Juliet tries to balance her grief with battling through her final year of school and impending exams.  
Tai and Juliet are certainly drawn as realistic characters, neither of whom is perfect. The inclusion of their families in this story also adds a realistic dimension to the story: neither Tai nor Juliet can act solely on their own instincts, they must take into account the needs and desires of those around them. And the detailing of Tai's hospital visits and meetings with counsellors, certainly strengthens the aura of credibility.
However, there is a slightly saccharine feel to the tale as well. Perhaps this is because there is a curious lack of dramatic tension in the novel. The blurb hints at the plot twist of Tai's illness, so it comes as no surprise. Furthermore, the suffering endured by Tai and Juliet is predictable and even their occasional moments of conflict are all too easily resolved. Perhaps also it is the unchanging mood of the story: there is little humour or tonal change to the way the story plays out, it is unrelentingly sad.
Whilst watching Tai gradually submit to the indignities of his illness, only the hardest of hearts would not feel sorry for his predicament but the reader may well feel like they have learned little from reading this story. Nevertheless, there is no doubt an audience of teen readers who will be quite happy to immerse themselves in the sadness of Tai and Juliet's situation, albeit with a tissue box at the ready.
Deborah Marshall

Blackwood by Gwenda Bond

Strange Chemistry, 2012.
(Age: 14+) Set on Roanoke Island, Virginia, a place where 114 people had mysteriously vanished from the Lost Colony, Blackwood is a novel that cleverly combines history with fantasy to come up with a theory about how the people had disappeared. With the sudden disappearance of 114 people now in modern times, Miranda, a strange girl who doesn't fit in on the island, and Phillips, a teen who has been exiled from the island, are on a quest to find out what has happened to them.
I really enjoyed the combination of history and fantasy. When I discovered that the original disappearance of 114 from Roanoke Island had actually happened I did a search on the web to get the background to the story. John Dee too is a fascinating historical figure who is important to the story. One of the devices the author used was the reenactment of the disappearance in a play and when I discovered that there was actually a play performed today, it made it all the more interesting.
The character of Miranda, a girl who is a lonely misfit is central to the story. Her background of coming from the wrong family, having an alcoholic father and not being part of the in group is one that will interest teens. They will identify too with Phillips, son of the Police Chief. He has left the island so that the secret of his hearing the voices of the dead will be kept. This combination of real life themes that teens face with the supernatural make it a fascinating read.
The growing romance between Miranda and Phillips, their courage in face of the evil of John Dee and the suspense that the author builds up will keep teens reading this clever, chilling story.
Pat Pledger

Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

Shadowfell book 1. Pan Macmillan, 2012. ISBN 9781742611341.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. When the evil Enforcers from the Albanian king burn the boat that contains her father, Neryn has to make a choice. Will she travel north with Flint the man who rescued her or will she travel alone to the place called Shadowfell, where it was rumoured that a rebel band was gathering to try and save Alban. The Enforcers had killed her family and she is alone, desperately trying to hide the magical powers that make her a target for the king.
I have to admit that Juliet Marillier is one of my favourite authors. I loved her Sevenwaters series and her other series based on history and fantasy. Shadowfell has the feel of her earlier novels but is clearly aimed at a cross over audience of young adults and adults. The main characteristic of Neryn that stands out is her sheer determination and courage. Alone and hungry, she faces a daunting trip through rugged terrain to try and reach the North. She is helped by the Good Folk, who tell her she must pass a series of tests in order to recognize her full potential. Uncertainly is part of her journey. Although Flint comes to her rescue when she becomes seriously ill, she is still unsure whether she can trust him, She also is uncertain about the tests that she must perform to fully learn her magic. By the end of her journey to Shadowfell, she has grown in strength and self-belief into a heroine whose next journey is one that I will follow avidly.
Marillier's characters are often angst ridden and facing difficult moral and ethical decisions. This is certainly true in the case of Flint. His trials are exceptionally difficult, and his actions are so clouded in mystery that the reader is uncertain whether he is good or evil. This clever ambiguity keeps the pages turning to see what will happen next.
The addition of old Gaelic folklore is fascinating. The Good Folk, from tiny fairy like creatures to huge ogres and a trickster all have distinct personalities and are not like nursery rhyme characters. I particularly loved the old rhyme, 'Stanie mon, stanie mon, doon ye fa ' (Stony man, stony man, down you fall) and its use to help the rebels.
Readers of fantasy will welcome this intriguing world and will want to follow the paths of the Neryn, Flint and the rebels in following books.
Pat Pledger