Reviews

The great snortle hunt by Claire Freedman

cover image

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

cover image

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

cover image

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

cover image

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

cover image

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)

cover image

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

cover image

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

cover image

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

cover image

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

cover image

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

cover image

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

cover image

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

cover image

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

cover image

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

cover image

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