Ill. by Kate Hindley. Simon and Schuster, 2012. ISBN 978 0857072627.
(Ages 5+) Highly recommended. Picture book. Investigation. Three
friends, Mouse, Dog and Cat dare to climb the hill to the house
where the Snortle lives. In delightful rhyming couplets the trio
talk of their fear and trepidation at searching for the Snortle, the
monster that nobody has ever seen. Along the way, Rabbit joins the
group, adding his knowledge to the scraps of information already
gathered. Each step takes them closer to the monster, and each page
underlines the bravery of the group.
This endearing tale grabbed me form the start with its play on
words. The lines: On a hill bumpy-steepy, there's a house
scary-crreepy, open the book, then words are added which confirm the
readers' fears. The group creeps up the hill, stuttering as they
hear some strange sounds, dropping the torch when Rabbit falls from
the trees, gulping, creeping, whispering their way up the stairs.
But they keep on going. Even when hearing the appalling noises that
the Snortle makes, growls, groans, gurgly moans, they do not hold
back.
The illustrations add to the fun of the group in this hunt, as the
four animals are portrayed convincingly in their wide eyed
adventure, pushing each other along in their quest. The look of each
page is different, the illustrator employing different sizes of font
to stress various things happening, and the words reflecting the
fears of the group. The text follows different routes across the
pages, adding to the fun of reading the book, and showing the
readers that text does not have to be static.
The whole is a pleasure to read and look at and will be readily
picked up by students. Teachers will see uses in the book when
talking to students about danger, listening to rumours,
investigating and of course, befriending others. It would also make
a thunderously good read-aloud.
Fran Knight
Star by Catherine Bateson
Scholastic, 2012. ISBN 978 1 86291 981 5
(Ages: 10+) Recommended. Family. Star is in a muddle. She and
her mother have had a close relationship since her father's death
from cancer, and she has had a good friend at school, but now that
friend has become a bully and Mum has allowed an old school friend,
Charlie, to live with them after separating from his wife. His
former wife and their two obnoxious children often visit, leaving
Star as the babysitter, with promises thrown in as compensation. At
school, Star has learnt to avoid the playground and the taunts of
her former friend, and buries herself in books, particularly the
books of an older generation, telling tales of boarding schools and
horses. And so she settles on her aim of getting a horse.
This astute look at families and relationships had me intrigued from
the start. Although I baulked at the selfishness of the adults, not
responding to the problems Star is experiencing, she has an ally in
Cara, Mum's good friend who lives close by. An ungodmother, she
plays a pivotal role in Star's finding a way through the problems
which have beset her life, and incidentally being a supportive
friend to Star's mother.
Bateson is always able to develop families and their interwoven
relationships with absolute certainty. Each person is a character in
their own right, each one with foibles and characteristics which
make them at once endearing and at times aggravating. A reader will
sense from the start the dichotomy of feelings of all the main
characters. Because they are so emotionally involved, their views of
their future are often at odds with the other, resulting in
conflicts of opinions which must be sorted out. Their shared future
is neatly resolved at the end of the book, making for a most
satisfying read.
Fran Knight
Bush Bash by Sally Morgan and Ambelin Kwaymullina
Little Hare, 2012. hbk. ISBN 9781921714771.
Dingo is on a mission - but no one knows just what it is. He is
dashing through the country, intent on something, and ignores those
around him. So they decide to join him to see just what has got his
attention - two nosy numbats, three flying frogs, four burrowing
bilbies . . .
More than just a unique counting book, this colourful tale not only
tells a story but also introduces our youngest readers to some of
Australia's unique creatures - some well-known, some not-so. And all
the while, there is the speculation about just where is dingo going.
The answer is revealed and children will delight in it.
The illustrations are rich, detailed and bright - just what we
expect of Sally Morgan - but they are actually done by her daughter,
Ambelin Kwaymullina, who is obviously as talented as her mother.
Hidden within each are hidden objects - some made by Aboriginal
people, others animals that should have no place in our bush - and
as well as being guaranteed to engage the reader deeply in the
illustrations, they offer more talking points that can introduce our
littlies to the life of those who have been here forever and the
impact of those who have come since.
This is a very special book that works on so many levels it is a
must-have in your collection.
Barbara Braxton
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Random House, 2012. ISBN 9780857531575.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. What a joy to come across a novel
that held my attention the whole way through and rivalled books like
Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Eona by Alison Goodman
and Daughter of smoke and bone by Laini Taylor!
A talented musician, Seraphina is a complex and clever heroine with
secrets to hide from the court around her. There have been
four decades of peace between humans and dragons, but tension is
building as the anniversary of the peace treaty draws near. To make
matters worse, a member of the royal family has been murdered, and
people believe that dragons have done it. Together with Prince
Lucian Kiggs, Seraphina begins to uncover a plot that will
jeopardise the kingdom.
Hartman has created a unique world where the dragons can appear in a
human form. Intelligent and crafty, their unique characters add a
dash of oddity to the story. They certainly aren't like the dragons
that are found in many fantasy books and this adds greatly to the
enjoyment of the book. The sounds of music soar throughout the novel
as well and music lovers will find this a treat.
This is a stunning debut for Hartman. Her world is so rich that it
feels real and Seraphina's coming of age story is riveting and
unforgettable. I loved the rich descriptions of court life and the
complicated secret life that Seraphina has. The growing attraction
between Kiggs and Seraphina is handled with a delicate hand, but is
not a straightforward romance and this adds to the tension of the
story.
For dragon lovers, music lovers and others who enjoy high fantasy Seraphina
is a must read. I feel certain that the book will be on award lists
like the Locus Best First Novel list and the Andre Norton prize in
the coming year. It is certainly a keeper for me and has a place in
all libraries. It would also be an interesting Literature Circle
book for older readers.
Pat Pledger
In the Beech Forest by Gary Crew
Ill. Den Scheer. Ford Street, 2012. ISBN 9781921665578.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Picture book for older readers.
A young boy goes on a journey through the beech forest, 'Antarctic
beech: ancient, primal. The oldest of trees.' Here he encounters
many of the fearsome beasts that prowl through his computer games.
Undaunted he reassures himself that the images and sounds that he
sees can't be real and bravely he continues his journey.
Sometimes a book comes along that you believe will be on award lists
and this is one of them. Gary Crew's narrative is beautifully
crafted and sweeps the reader along on an imaginative journey of a
strange and wondrous forest where the trees have gnarled and
tortuous limbs and eerie beings play out deathly battles. Fantasy
fans will recognise the quest that the boy goes on and live it with
him as his imagination and then his common sense lead him through
the dark world.
Den Scheer's illustrations, which gradually move from sepia to
colour, are superb. There is much to examine in her fine detail as a
young girl fights off an evil and quite terrifying monster. Indeed
my imagination soared as I followed her parallel story and I needed
time to think about what tale she was telling. I loved the final
page where the young boy has been transformed into a hero with a
swirling cloak and long boots. Indeed his venture, all alone, into
the darkness of the forest, is heroic.
This is the type of book that requires the reader to think deeply
about what is going on. It will be one that people will have
differing viewpoints about and will engender a lot of discussion in
a classroom both for upper primary and secondary students.
Pat Pledger
Bindi behind the scenes: A guest appearance by Bindi Irwin (with Jess Black)
Book #3 in the Bindi behind the scenes series. Random House
Australia, 2012. 187 pages.
(Ages: 10-12) From what I can gather this book is written to be
loosely based on Bindi Irwin's real life but with a largely
fabricated storyline. I find it a little disconcerting however that
this is written as if it is based on an actual experience of Bindi's
(there is even a diary page signed by Bindi at the beginning of the
book) when no mention of a guest appearance by Bindi in any
television series can be found in reality. Written in third person
the fictitious scene for 'A guest appearance' is set when Bindi is
given the opportunity to make a guest appearance on a popular US
tween/teen television show called Riding High. The television
program is based around an elite horse riding school and features
the exploits and adventures of three teenagers attending the school.
The story itself begins with Bindi's trip to New York with her mum
Terri and her little brother Robert. From the beginning it is
clear that the story's intention is to parade the Irwin family as
down-to-earth and unpretentious despite their high profile. For
example, it is bizarrely worked into conversation that the family
have flown economy and when arriving in LA Bindi is modestly looking
around for the movie star who the limousine is waiting for,
completely unsuspecting that the fancy car is there for her. The
story also blatantly dictates a few home truths or 'morals' to the
reader and in some cases it seems that the quality of the storyline
was of minor importance when the authors were trying to work in all
these opportunities for moral teachings. In her short time in LA
Bindi manages to remind everyone of the importance of family and
that money doesn't buy happiness, help her new friends to stop being
teen divas and be grateful for their charmed lives, save the
television show from being axed, fix numerous relationships and lead
the charge against animal friendly fashion. What a week! Overall
this is definitely not the greatest storyline but for what it is
worth it is well written and will probably appeal to Bindi Irwin
fans and animal lovers. My only concern is that these books as a
concept should probably be aimed at a slightly younger audience. The
reading difficulty and the addition of some more mature themes means
that the book is probably out of range for many of the readers who
this subject matter would most appeal to.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
Nerdy Ninjas vs the really really bad guys by Shogun Whamhower
Scholastic Press, 2012. 137 pages.
(Ages: 9-12) Shogun Whamhower has created a humorous school story
about four Year 6 nerds standing up to the school bully in an
irreverent way. The characters of our four nerds are pleasantly
developed over the course of the story. Veejay is an opera
singing, musical loving giant with a 27 page list of activities his
'helicopter mumsie' will not allow him to take part in including,
but not limited to, right turns and sandcastle construction. Combine
him with trumpet-playing Ben, pogo-stick bouncing Pongo and
rocket-science loving Jake with his rocket-powered wheelchair and
you have a combination sure to amuse, confuse and even make the
reader snort with laughter. When the friends, newly teamed up in
their foursome, encounter the infamous Financial Times-reading
school bully Crispin Stanforth they are madly offended when he
follows the Rule for Bullies #2089 and refuses to bully them due to
their 'uber nerd' status. Deciding that becoming ninjas is the best
way to rectify the situation the four friends begin their ninja
training regime and start planning their revenge on Crispin with
humorous results. Wonderful illustrations, varied fonts and various
additions to the text add a real absurdity to this text, such as
each chapter beginning with impractical tips from The Ninja
Warrior's Handbook, humourously labelled diagrams, graphs and
tables, funny footnotes and rules for teachers and bullies peppered
throughout. Elements other than the text are more than just a
partner to the story and really enhance the overall feel of the book
and the story. This was completely indulgent to read, uses clever
concepts and is fabulously witty. I love the way it celebrates the
individual quirkiness of people and in a Roald Dahl-like way
exaggerates their qualities, characteristics and habits. A great fun
read that will be greatly enjoyed by its target age group.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
Holier than thou by Laura Buzo
Allen and Unwin, 2012. ISBN 9781741759983.
Recommended for Year 11/12 students. Wonderfully funny,
heartbreakingly poignant, undeniably bursting with life, Laura
Buzo's second novel Holier than Thou is contemporary fiction
that crackles with emotion and energy.
Holly Yarkov is 24, a social worker in the toughest neighbourhood of
the city. The tragic death of her beloved father during her high
school years propels Holly not only towards her chosen, and
difficult, career but also to a rollercoaster ride of relationships
- with friends, family and lovers.
Set in a gritty but very vibrant area of Sydney, well known to this
reader, Buzo's true-to-life portrait of the Inner West captures its
very essence.
With an intuitive insight into the different ways the human psyche
deals with the tremendous impact of grief and the ensuing, and often
enduring, emotions it engenders, Buzo peels back layers of Holly's
struggle to hold fast to a status quo which relentlessly continues
to slide out of her grasp and strikes a resounding chord with the
reader. The irony of her Woman-of-Steel nickname, bestowed upon her
by her peers, coupled with her drive for perfection and her
'compulsive volunteer[ing]' cannot fail to move even the most
cynical audience.
It is impossible to follow Holly's journey without a true empathy
and involvement with her compassionate character. This novel comes
recommended highly by this reader, but with caution, as suitable for
mature young adult readers - there is a very liberal application of
strong language, drug references and sexual situations. The
completely authentic voice of this outstanding novel is no doubt,
directly attributable to Buzo's own intimate knowledge and
experiences as a real-life social worker in Sydney. This reader
freely confesses a habitual antipathy towards this genre but can
honestly say without hesitation this is a cracker of a novel. Loved
it!
Sue Warren
The wattle tree by John Bell
Ill. by Ben Wood. Hachette, 2012. ISBN 978 0734412911.
(Ages: 5+) Recommended. Picture book. Grief. Molly's grandmother has
died, and not only she but also her mother, miss her terribly. Molly
used to be with her each Friday but now must stay with her mother.
She used to make scones with her grandmother but mum cannot make the
time. One day she dons her grandmother's gardening hat and walks off
into the long garden. She finds a tree that reminds her of her
grandmother. It has dark green leaves like the dresses Grandma wore,
and the tree's curves remind her of her grandmother's curls. So each
day Molly sits by the tree, sometimes hugging it like Grandma used
to do, sometimes brushing her cheek by its soft bark, and sometimes
dancing. Each day her mother asks her where she has been, but she
keeps it a secret.
But one day she comes across her mother in tears. She suggests they
make some scones together and take them down to the bottom of the
garden, where she shows her mother Grandma's tree. Molly tells her
mother that they can visit Grandma any time they like.
A charming story of finding a way to remember a loved grandmother
who has died, this story will have resonance with many members of
the classroom where death has been a part of their lives but also to
others where they are perhaps wondering what will happen when a
beloved relation becomes more frail. A gentle story of acceptance
and love within the family, the book is companionable and tender, as
the two grieving family members find a way to remember together. And
this gentleness is reflected beautifully by the soft and charming
illustrations.
Fran Knight
Green Monkey Dreams by Isobelle Carmody
Allen and Unwin, 2012. ISBN 9781742379470. 305pp.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Isobelle Carmody appeared at the 2012 Byron
Bay Writer's Festival and was described by blogger Michelle Sim as
having 'a sparkle about her; a twinkle in her eye, as though she has
knows a powerful secret. With wild, raven black hair and small elfin
like features, you could actually imagine Carmody stepping straight
out of one of her fantasy books.' (http://byronbaywritersfestival.wordpress.com/)
This seems entirely in keeping with an author who explores the
intersection of fantasy and reality. The title story, Green
Monkey Dreams suggests that the same recurring dreams amongst
disparate people may be indicative of another reality striving to
enter this one. In The Keystone, Raven, the brave heroine,
decides to disappear through a tear or rift in the fabric of the
universe to help others in need.
This collection of short stories was first published in 1996 and is
made up of stories originally published elsewhere. This is the third
edition; they are so vivid and haunting that they invite revisiting
and rethinking. The meaning of truth and death as contemplated by
children are underlying themes.
Many of the stories vividly demonstrate the power of fantasy and
story in neglected lives. In The Phoenix two isolated
children live in a fantasy world where they assume noble roles. A
stranger arrives and he enters into their fantasy, but is he
genuine? The shocking ending here makes this an unforgettable story.
A foundling from an orphanage, in Seek No More uses his
belief in his special powers to stand up to bullies and gain himself
a family.
Sacrifice, hope and courage feature in apocalyptic stories such as Glory
Days where Rian is sent to spy on Angel, a despotic ruler of a
city state who has weapons of mass destruction stockpiled. He plans
to use them, as he believes suffering is a necessary precursor for
spiritual salvation. But Rian falls in love with Angel and then has
a momentous decision to make. In The Lemming Factor the
story of the Pied Piper becomes the story of Kora and her family
following a hypnotic leader to the Promised Land, Evermore. But Kora
chooses to help the handicapped with unexpected consequences.
Delightful feminist twists feature The Pumpkin Eater and The
Red Shoes where the former extends the story of Rapunzel and
the latter is a modern version of the Andersen Fairy Tale.
Dark themes exploring dysfunctional families, the lost innocence of
youth and the effects of poverty, as in The Monster Game,Corfu,
and The Witch Seed and the ambiguity of some endings make
this collection more suitable for upper secondary.
Kevyna Gardner
Poppy's hero by Rachel Billington
Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2012. ISBN 9781847801920. 276pp.
(Ages: 10+ ) Primary school student Poppy learns that her father,
Big Frank, is in Grisewood Slops, a prison not far from where she
lives in England. Convinced that he is innocent, she conspires with
friend Will to help her father escape. Poppy has to also contend
with her unsupportive friends and her distressed Polish mother,
Irene. Freeing a prison inmate is not as easy as it would
seem, apparently, and plans are not helped by Big Frank being
transferred to an island prison further from home.
This novel deals with the effects of imprisonment on family life and
depicts prison visiting realistically. We see the impact of a
prison sentence on several inmates and learn that rehabilitation
isn't always achieved. Thus this novel ventures into little explored
territory for this age group. There is also the theme of
learning to accept your parents as they are.
Unfortunately, Poppy and her friends seem alarmingly naive and never
stop to think through the possible consequences of their
plans. Poppy doesn't even enquire why her father is in prison
until the end of the novel. A sense of anticipation drives the novel
but sustaining interest may be a problem for many readers.
Kevyna Gardner
The Second Forever by Colin Thompson
Random House Australia: 2012. ISBN 9781741662894. The Second Forever is the second volume of the How to
Live Forever trilogy and as we are warned on the first page,
it is perhaps best to read, or reread, the first book before
tackling the second. Even after reading the introduction, a synopsis
of the story so far, I was somewhat confused at times as I read on.
Now however I am keen to read the final book to see how the author
finishes the story.
Peter 15, lives in a Museum, a magical and mysterious place with
lost rooms and corridors and a library containing a copy of all the
books ever written. In book 1, set 5 years earlier, Peter falls
through a wall into another world where books are houses and where,
with Festival a girl exactly his age, Peter finds his father and
destroys the book How to Live For Ever. This book gives the
reader immortality when read once and also had the effect of turning
back a river which threatened to drown Festival and Peter.
Peter comes to the realisation that the massive worldwide drought
which is covering his world in dust and began shortly after his
adventure may be a consequence of destroying the book. This is
confirmed when Festival unexpectedly arrives saying her world is
being flooded and subject to constant rain.
The only solution is to recreate the book and read it at the same
location as they turned back the river, saving both worlds and again
risking immortality, which we discover is not a desirable state to
be in.
Global warming, the interrelatedness of the environment, the circle
of life through the image of The Hourglasses and The River of Styx,
and human frailties are woven through out what is essentially a
quest to save the world and destroy the book once again without dire
consequences.
I would recommend it for mature readers with a social conscience and
expect some questions. What would you risk to save the world? Is the
book really gone or just floating in the wind?
Sue Keane
The Midnight Promise by Zane Lovitt
Text, 2012. ISBN 9781921922930.
(Age: Adult) This debut crime novel by Zane Lovitt introduces the
reader to a new detective using traditional techniques but a new
kind of crime writing. The hero, John Dorn, a 'private inquiry
agent', at first licensed but eventually defrocked, tells his story
in a preface and ten cases. He seems to be a traditional private
detective, working as he does from a grimy office that doubles as
his bedroom and lacking such amenities as a family or a loved one.
He goes about his cases in a tight-lipped kind of way that allows
him to survive encounters with the desperate, the dangerous and the
despicable. As he works his way through his cases, most of which
come to him from his lawyer mate Demetri, John Dorn learns bitter
truths about humanity and himself. He seems to earn nothing but, in
traditional private dick fashion, drinks a lot (how do they do it,
on no income?) and has an outlook that is both resigned and cynical.
He solves cases but manages to provoke and antagonize many suspects
to the point of robust physical contact, which leaves him worse off.
Unlike the traditional crime novel, here the world is not put back
to rights. The detective fails to rescue the kidnapped girl, the
psychopath does kill his business rival and the teacher gets away
with an affair with a minor. In these cases the innocent and
helpless are goaled, and those who should be good are not. Justice
is blind, and so, ultimately, is John Dorn, his final case leaving
him gasping mad promises as, clutching the body of a dying boy, he
pounds along a dark highway. Fortunately for the reader's faith in
the private detective profession, a preface establishes that John
Dorn not only survives but becomes a Better Person and hence a more
compassionate investigator. The writing is crisp and sure. The cases
are intriguing and believable. This is an enjoyable read suitable
for adult readers because of language and themes.
Jenny Hamilton
Our D.I.Y. dad illustrated by Ned Culic
Hachette, 2012. ISBN 978 0734413079.
(Ages: 5+) Picture book. Fathers. The family, mum, dad, the two kids
and the cat pitch in to help erect a cubby house in the tree in the
backyard. While mum cooks the bbq, dad and the kids go off to the
hardware store to fetch the wood and nails and plan. Mum reads the
plan upside down, while the whole group works together to build the
tree house. The story is redolent of a family working together to
get a task done, one which is complicated an involved and requires
concentration to complete. As they go, they use acronyms, letters
that everyone takes for granted in representing words. DIY is a case
in point. Most people know it stands for do it yourself, but some
may not. Included in the tale are other acronyms which are used
often in our culture, such as, ABC, Sao, OJ, easy as 1, 2, 3, and so
on.
Looked at as a whole the book could be a useful tool for acquainting
students with the range of acronyms we take for granted in our
everyday speech, or could be well used for students new to the
language. It is a neat story telling of a family working together on
a project and detailing the plan of attack to get the job
done. The whole has a 'reader' feel to it, and I was surprised
that the illustrator was the only creator acknowledged. The
illustrations are bold and colourful, but again giving the
appearance of a reader.
Fran Knight
Gertie the witch by Valerie Thomas
Little Rockets series, book 2. New Frontier Publishing, 2012. 95
pages.
(Ages: 7-10) This short chapter book will please early independent
readers with its humour and coloured illustrations. Gertie the witch
is not a friendly witch by any definition of the word. She enjoys
being a witch a little too much and gets her kicks by turning people
into ducks and pigs. Needless to say the people of the town are fed
up with Gertie's mischief but they are too scared to stand up to
her! When she turns the postman and his wife into pigs their two
children are horrified and determined to break Gertie's spell, take
her spell book and teach her a lesson. When Gertie's sister Susie
arrives at Gertie's house after making a silly choice to turn the
head witch into a beetle Gertie has a lot to deal with. She can't
reverse Susie's spell without her spell book and the children have a
special trick of their own planned. This story is quirky, witty and
fast-paced. I think most children will enjoy the funny
elements of this book. The storyline is kept simple without too much
complexity and remains light hearted by bringing the non-threatening
and, for the most part, harmless witches into the everyday world as
if it were the norm.
Nicole Smith-Forrest