Text, 2012, ISBN 9781921922541.
(Adult and mature senior students). This is a confronting and
disturbing novel about sadistic domestic abuse and murder. It begins
with a transcript; the defendant has been accused of violence
towards his girlfriend. The second chapter describes a murder. The
action then follows two trajectories four years apart. In the
earlier Cathy is a confident, attractive and risk-taking young woman
supported by friends and on the lookout for attractive men. In the
second a fragile, obsessive-compulsive sufferer clings to routines
that she believes will help her to survive. This is Cathy, four
years after she meets the exciting and mysterious Lee. She has been
traumatized by Lee, then by the police, by the court system and by
psychiatric hospitals. In the earlier story Lee's behaviour follows
the pattern of the classic domestic abuser in many ways. He attempts
to persuade his victim, Cathy, that she is at fault; he shows
remorse for over-reacting and tries to compensate; he also isolates
his victim, in this case by persuading her friends that she is
self-harming. Lee is more than an abuser; he is a sadistic murderer.
Cathy is no easy victim and attempts to escape, but in a frightening
scene she is recaptured and serious abuse begins. Fortunately this
grimness is balanced by the later story in which Cathy has met a
psychologist and starts treatment for her OCD. Lee has been in
prison but is released and Cathy is convinced that he will come to
find her. He does, and begins abuse of a former friend. Cathy is
able to control her fear and plans to confront Lee. The book
concludes with another court case. The description of falling in
love and being with a man whom all her friends admire is convincing.
The scenes of helplessness and paralysis induced by fear are
riveting. The conclusion is compulsive reading. There is little
attempt to explain the actions of Lee or why Cathy's friends so
easily abandon her, and it is unbelievably lucky for her that a
psychologist moves in upstairs. However, the novel is ultimately a
celebration of survival against the odds. Unfortunately the language
and some of the action make this not suitable for general use in
schools.
Jenny Hamilton
The tainted throne by Alex Rutherford
Empire of the Moghul. Headline, 2012. ISBN 9780755347612.
(Age: Senior students, 15+) The Tainted throne is the fourth in the
Empire of the Moghul series which explores the history of the
Moghul conquerors of India. Jahangir, heir of Akbar, has finally
come to power as the fourth emperor. His first challenge is to
suppress a revolt led by one of his sons. This he does, brutally,
and attempts to form closer relationships with his other sons.
Another significant act is to order the murder of a nobleman whose
wife, Mehrunissa, would then be free for Jahangir to marry.
Mehrunissa quickly discovers that she can control Jahangir and
therefore the empire by both feminine wiles and the careful addition
of opium to his wine. She alienates Khurrum, his most capable son,
who is forced to flee with his family. Jahangir anoints a less able
son as his heir but is little concerned with the fate of his empire.
On the death of Jahangir Khurrum mobilizes nobles unhappy with the
control of Mehrunissa and seizes the throne. He will be known as
Shah Jahan. A lot of bloody battles and gory punishments are
described in some detail, as are the banquets, often following the
battles, and other celebrations. A sense of the sweep of history and
time is given, as the emperors remember the actions and advice of
their forebears. The flow of people across the subcontinent,
Persians, Armenians, Portuguese, English attracted to this most
wealthy empire indicates the power of the empire. The many battles
are described colourfully and realistically. The clothing, the
buildings and the jewels could not be more lovingly depicted by the
Moghuls themselves. The account is based on some historical records,
but there is no analysis of the political or economic realities of
an empire of this size and wealth. This is a novel of derring-do,
full of men of action who do a little regretful musing on the burden
of power but who mostly celebrate the ruthless, and two wives who
although supposedly in purdah are strong influences on those men and
their empire.
Jenny Hamilton
The Mapmaker's Apprentice by Peter Cooper
Scholastic, 2012.
(Age: 10+) Recommended.This is the second book in the Tales of
the Blue Jade series. Dillen, Koto and Tajni are free of their
cruel masters and ready for their next adventure. Dillen is drawn to
a respected mapmaker's appeal for an apprentice and hopes to be
chosen. But many others want the job, and the test for them all is
to undertake a journey to a mountain pass haunted by a fearsome
creature said to be the size of a barn and to move like a hunting
snake. Dillen and his friends soon discover they have an even more
perilous mission on their hands, one that could be the end for all
of them . . .
Right from the start, this book grabs your attention. Opening with a
particularly exciting scene involving the aforementioned monster, it
sets the mood for a standard but fun fantasy novel. It continues
right where the last book left off, with the three main characters
finally free of their cruel masters. They're likeable characters,
good for this type of children's fantasy novel, engaging enough to
keep children reading. This book isn't really aimed at older
readers, as one can tell from the writing style and lack of stronger
themes, but it's still very enjoyable. It's a standard fantasy book,
e.g. going off on a quest, battling evil monsters and the like, but
it manages to still be a lot of fun to read.
Fans of fantasy will enjoy this little treat of a novel. It's aimed
at younger readers but older people will enjoy it as well.
I recommend this book.
Rebecca Adams
Operation Trinity by Clifford Riley
39 Clues. Cahill files 1. New York, Scholastic, 2012.ISBN
9780545431439.
Recommended for readers 8+, who will appreciate the link between the
online world and books.
The Cahill Files are an offshoot from the 39 Clues
series which feature the Cahill and Vesper families and have been
very popular with many 8+ readers. This book stands alone and does
not rely on information gained from reading the previous books.
The Cahill files trace the secrets of this most powerful
family over the past 500 years. Operation Trinity tells the
story of a famous art work the Van Eyck Altarpiece from the first
attack on it in Ghent in 1566, through its rescue from the Nazis in
1945 to a modern attempt to steal it in 2008.
The three eras introduce members of the family charged with
protecting the art work and give the modern members of the family
Ian and Natalie Kabra their first solo mission. The appearance of
Grace Cahill to help resolve this attack on the altarpiece links the
middle episode in which she features as the heroine.
The different historical eras and locations add interest to the
narrative and develop the story of the quest for power between the
Cahills and Vespers over the centuries. They also introduce readers
to historical events, the beginning of the Dutch revolt which led to
the formation of the Dutch Republic and the collection of art pieces
by the Nazis during World War 2.
With its link to the
internet not only will readers new to the series be able to access
the website and catch up with the original storylines, but fans will
be able to continue their interaction with the books as well as the
games and online forums.
Sue Keane
Dead, actually by Kaz Delaney
Allen and Unwin, 2012. (Age: 12+) Willow Cartwright is an ordinary seventeen year old, but
at the moment she's having a bad week. When the A-list queen of
Willow's high school, JoJo Grayson, dies, everyone is shocked. But
now the ghost of JoJo is haunting Willow, and she's determined to
find out what happened. But the mysteries keep multiplying. There's
a missing phone, an anonymous blackmailer, and dirty secrets that
won't stay buried. And now the blame is being pointed at Willow. Can
she find out what happened to JoJo before it's too late?
This book has an intriguing story, and one that's very original.
It's layered with mysteries, pop culture references and unusual
characters, and there's enough humour to get you giggling every so
often. Admittedly, it's not a very serious read. It's more of a
'tongue-in-cheek' novel, with lots of little side-jokes and smart
comments. The main characters are well-developed, but one can't help
but wish that some of the side characters - some of which are very
funny - got a little more time in the novel to really shine.
Teenagers will definitely like this novel, if just for the constant
pop-culture references and intriguing male characters.
The story is interesting, the characters are amusing, and it's the
perfect novel to read if you're bored because it'll certainly make
you laugh.
Rebecca Adams
Under a silver moon by Anne Fine
Ill. by Lotte Klaver. Walker Books, 2012. ISBN 9781 4063 1924 8.
(Ages: 7+) Highly recommended. Early chapter book. Fable. A
beautifully told story of two boys who grow up together in a palace,
but one is the prince of the household and the other the gardener's
son. Haroun, Lord of the Rolling Deserts, Mirror of Stars and
Heir to all Gifts and Wonders, is cossetted and pampered until one day
when he goes into the garden, he spies Akil the gardener's son and
begins to play with him. Together they laugh and play but when the
Sultan and Sultana find their son dirty, on his hands and knees in the
garden, they take him away, admonishing the gardener. But Haroun
becomes bored without his friend, so bored that he eats all day, until
he can hardly walk. The family and the doctors are at a loss as to what
to do.
In the garden Akil has a plan and comes to the palace dressed in a
black robe. He tells the Sultan that buried in the garden is a magic
key and that if the prince digs the garden and finds the key he will be
saved. Eventually the prince realises that there is no key, but his old
friend has ensured that through exercise and outdoor living, he has
become fitter and healthier than he was before and so is saved from his
life of idleness and eating.
A delightful fable for our times, Anne Fine has written a handbook for
getting children out of doors and exercising to ensure their long term
fitness and health. The illustrations are magnificent, showing the
increasing size of the prince as he lies about eating, then slimming
down through exercise. The billowing robes of the Sultan and Sultana as
well as the handmaidens are a pleasure to look at, as is the growing
garden created by the boys. This book would make a wonderful read a
loud and discussion starter as well as a great book just to sit and
read.
Fran Knight
When you were mine by Rebecca Serle
Simon and Schuster, London, 2012. ISBN 9780857075161.
This book is meant to refocus our perception of the love story of Romeo
and Juliet: as the cover suggests, what if the greatest love story
ever
told was the wrong one? However, the story itself doesn't quite live up
to the expectations of the blurb.
It is certainly a clever idea to focus the story on Rosaline, the girl
Romeo claims to adore at the beginning of Shakespeare's play, the girl
he forgets immediately he meets Juliet. Serle has also kept the
structure of a play: with Acts and Scenes and even a Prologue and
Epilogue. However, due to the relocation of the action to a Californian
high school, Serle's story feels more like a west coast Gossip Girl,
with the kind of heartbreak wrought from bitchy behaviour - not from
everlasting love.
The reason Romeo and Juliet is considered to be such a great love story
is the tragic irony of their situation; the fact that these young
lovers are kept asunder by a family feud. But this dramatic tension is
missing from the novel; there is indeed a family feud but it is between
Rosaline's dad and Juliet's father, so does not immediately impinge on
the young lovers. Rob (Serle's Romeo) doesn't even know about his
family's link to the feud till very late in the story.
Serle's Juliet is manipulative and deliberately cruel, seeking revenge
on Rosaline for the sins of the fathers. In her effort to make
Rosaline's story seem more powerful, Serle has simply weakened the
original sense of passionate love between Romeo and Juliet and thus
weakened her own endeavours. Rosaline's story, as told by Rebecca
Serle, is nothing more than jilted first love and falling for the wrong
guy. So instead of vying for the role of 'the greatest love
story' - it is really nothing more than Mills and Boon on campus!
Readers who simply want a love story with plenty of heartbreak and a
happy ending will be satisfied with this novel. But those who want to
view the Shakespearean tragedy with fresh eyes are likely to be
disappointed.
Deborah Marshall
The Drum: The Games: The extraordinary history of the modern Olympics by Carole Wilkinson
Walker Books, 2012. ISBN 9781742032221.
Recommended. This book is a new edition of a 2008 publication - just in time to cater for Olympic fever in the build-up
to the 2012 London Olympics. The author, Carole Wilkinson is an
established and highly skilled author of both fiction books eg the
Dragonkeeper series and non-fiction books eg Fromelles.
The summer Olympic Games is the subject of this book. The focus is
very
much on human interest stories, but also included are historical
facts,
high profile events and results eg. :
The black power salute at the 200
metres track medal presentation ceremony in 1968;
The bruising affair between Russia and Hungary in their water
polo
match in 1956;
The absence of the Olympic Games in 1940 and 1944 as Hitler
rampaged
across Europe;
An 11 hour 40 minute Greco-Roman wrestling match in 1912;
A marathon in which the winner hitched a ride by car for part
of the
race and the runner-up was given small doses of strychnine and
brandy
as stimulants throughout the race in 1904;
Golf and croquet played only once in 1900.
This paperback offering of 150 pages has small black and white
photographs, and in each chapter fast fact boxes and tables. The
tables
enumerate the participating countries, sports offered, male
athletes,
female athletes and final medal tally. There are extensive quotes
from
Olympic athletes, officials and spectators as diverse as Jesse Owens
in
1936 and Princess Mary of England in 1908. Frequent sub-headings,
which
break up the text, make this book useful for research purposes or
attractive for a good read.
The book includes Contents, Map of host cities,
Acknowledgements/References and an Index, which has been
well-designed.
It includes the participating countries with each such entry listing
the athletes discussed in alphabetical order.
I enjoy Carole Wilkinson's writing style - personable, clear,
concise
and precise. She is able to draw attention to quirky facts and tales
in
a very natural manner. Her writing moves along at a good pace; it is
easy and pleasurable to read. This book should have wide appeal to
young people.
Margaret Strickland
The greatest liar on earth by Mark Greenwood
Ill. by Frane Lessac. Walker Books, 2012. ISBN 9781 921529 85 6.
(Ages: 8+) Recommended. Humour. Fable.
This extraordinary story is expounded on the pages by Greenwood and
Lessac in a brilliant retelling of the life of Louis de Rougemont and
is wonderfully illustrated with fantastical drawings of his adventures
and presentations on the stage.
Greenwood came across this tale of a media celebrity who made his name
in London, telling the most amazing tales of the adventures of his life
to packed theatres in mid Victorian times. He became a celebrity,
people flocked to his performances, a wax likeness was made and
displayed at Madame Tussauds, he met Queen Victoria but was questioned
by members of the Royal Geographical Society. When some journalists
investigated his life they found him to be Henri Grin, a man who had
been butler to the Governor of Western Australia in 1875, and who may
have heard many stories from the southern lands, but many were said to
be untrue. Despite then calling himself the 'greatest liar on earth',
he was jeered and heckled off the stage. So he fell from the celebrity
status he once held, fading back to the darkness of where he came from,
dying a pauper and buried in London.
Lessac's wonderful illustrations show the man and his stories in bold,
colourful gouache, and represent him participating in the adventures he
talked about: seeing a giant squid, being wrecked on a coral reef,
being marooned on an island with the bones of other shipwrecked
sailors, riding a giant turtle, wrestling a crocodile, almost eaten by
cannibals and finding gold.
The story underlines the momentary status of celebrity, their names on
everyone's lips for a while, then fading as more truth is brought to
light.The book also reflects the willingness of people to believe the
stories they are told, adoring the person about whom the stories are
said, but then dismissing them out of hand. The fickleness of the crowd
is shown clearly in the last few pages where the sparse audiences jeer
the man who recently was adulated.
Fran Knight
Soulbound by Heather Brewer
Legacy of Tril: Book one. Penguin Books Australia, 2012. ISBN:
9780143307181
(Age: Teens) Recommended. Heather Brewer sets her new series in a
quasi-medieval fantasy world, dominated by a secret war between the
Skilled and the seemingly immortal usurper King Darrick and all his
evil henchmen. The Barrons (warriors) and Healers of the Skilled are
controlled by the shadowy Zattai Council, while the ordinary people,
known as Unskilled are apparently totally oblivious to the ongoing
struggle for dominance.
Kaya is a Healer born of a forbidden romance between two Barrons. The
rules are not only severe, but sometimes unexplained and illogical. For
instance, why can't two Barrons fall in love? There's no clear reason
given. And how it is that Kaya is a Healer? What makes it so? There are
actually quite a few obvious plot-holes, so Soulbound isn't completely
engaging.
But in terms of characters and action, most of the time, this book
succeeds. Kaya is a feisty, unapologetic girl, determined to defend
herself (see, why can't Healers learn to fight?). The two boys who come
to care for her show their concern in different ways, and it is easy to
see why Kaya struggles with her feelings for them. The struggle between
the Barrons and the evil graplars is well described and suspenseful.
Once Kaya learns how to defend herself (which is perhaps just a little
too easy), the action intensifies and she is given a chance to prove
her worth. This is the most effective part of the novel.
The plot is a mishmash of high school teen melodrama and Harry Potter.
The popular girl guns for Kaya's Barron, and in classroom scenes crazy
or mean teachers lecture information about Kaya's new world. I'd have
liked the character of Maddox to be more consistent. As a Barron
without a Healer, she is untrained and is given the (lowly) job of
guarding Kaya. At times she is fiercely loyal and terrifically snarky,
yet, given the opportunity to train (secretly) with Kaya, Maddox
refuses, as she doesn't want to break protocol, and is scared she might
have to confront the graplars. These opposing behaviours didn't ring
true. Soulbound has a great premise, it just could have been better
executed.
It really only skims the surface of the ideas, instead of building in
depth and substance. But I am not sure teens will notice, the ones who
love their paranormal romances will devour this.
Trisha Buckley
Two little monkeys by Mem Fox
Ill. By Jill Barton. Penguin/Viking, 2012. ISBN 9780670076529.
(Age: 2-6) Highly recommended. Two little monkeys, Cheeky and
Chee are playing near a tree when along comes something prowling. Up
they jump, climbing to the highest branch. What are they hiding from?
The very talented Mem Fox has once again put her formidable talent to
good use in this engaging story of two little monkeys who are
frightened by something prowling nearby. Every word has been carefully
selected and reads out loud perfectly and will be easy for the very
young to remember and repeat along with the adult reading it aloud. It
would also be perfect for a young child to use to start learning how to
read - a wonderful story, repetition, easy to remember and lots of fun.
The illustrations by Jill Barton highlight the characters of the two
little monkeys, with their delightful facial expressions and complement
the text, helping the young reader to work out what is happening. The
leopard that is prowling nearby is fierce, but not enough enough to
frighten young children and the countryside, awash in pale yellows and
blues bring the monkeys' world to life.
As always Mem Fox has created a story that is sure to become a firm
favourite with young children who will love the love and repetition of
the story, the characters of the cheeky little monkeys and the gorgeous
illustrations. It is a keeper for me and an ideal present for
grandparents and new parents to buy for young children.
Pat Pledger
Birthday Girl by Meredith Badger
Go Girl series. Hardie Grant Egmont, 2012. 91 pages.
(Ages: 6-9) This is a simple early chapter book with large text, a
smattering of black and white illustrations and a simple yet engaging
storyline. Annabelle usually loves her birthday and her birthday party.
Her uncle is fantastic at helping her create and make her party
invitations. Her mum always makes a great cake and together they plan
interesting themed 'at-home' parties like her 'school pool' party last
year. Her friends always love Annabelle's parties. But Annabelle has
just been to her best friend Nicole's birthday party at the rock
climbing centre and they had a beautiful cake from the bakery with
chocolate curls on top. While everyone is gushing about how great
Nicole's party has been Annabelle is busy thinking about her own
birthday party . . . how can it possibly be as great as a rock-climbing
birthday party with a shop bought cake?
Feeling the pressure to conform and have a 'grown-up' party Annabelle
turns to the wisdom of the online 'party princess' which informs her
that 'mocktail parties' are 'so hot right now'. Her party promises to
be very mature this year but when the big day comes Annabelle realises
that her lovingly planned and created birthday parties are far more
special than a bakery cake, exotic foods and grown-up games.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
Love notes from Vinegar House by Karen Tayleur
Black Dog Books, 2012. ISBN 9781742032191.
(Age: 11-14) Recommended. Freya is forced to spend her holidays
with her grandmother at Vinegar House when her parents have to go
overseas to visit her ill Nana. In one way it's not too bad because
there have been rumours about her on Facebook and she is happy to get
away from computers. However her cousin, Rumer, whom she doesn't get on
with, is there as well. Rumer is one of those people who always seem to
get what she wants and she wants Luke Hart, the only boy that Freya has
ever wanted.
When Freya arrives at Vinegar House she finds that things are even more
strange than usual. She spots a light coming from the attic window at
night, the attic that is always locked. When she finally goes go into
the attic, she spies a shadow in the corner of the mirror that stands
in the corner. Mysterious love notes are pushed under Rumer's door,
addressed to 'R' and signed 'L', and Freya is convinced that she will
never have a chance with Luke.
Tayleur's approach to the Gothic house, the ghostly light and the
romance is quite subtle and thoughtful. There are slight nods to
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, with a weird housekeeper, a desolate
beach and old family secrets. Freya, whose voice is often funny and
poignant, describes the love triangle, often coming up with the clever
thing to say when it is too late. She comes alive as a smart teen who
can see her own failings and prejudices and who ultimately does the
right thing for all the people in her family. She knows that she runs
away from trouble, instead of facing it and gradually gets the courage
to face her fears.
This is not a ghost story that will make you quake with fear. Rather it
is a story that is based on the psychological insights that the reader
gains about the characters. Freya states that she doesn't believe in
ghosts, but the reader is left wandering who filled the bath late at
night and shone a light to beckon people in danger, home. And just what
did happen to Rumer's mother so long ago and why was no one prepared to
talk about it?
I enjoyed this story, which on first reading seemed quite simple but on
reflection would open up many more avenues on a second read. I think
thoughtful readers would find a lot to enjoy in it.
Pat Pledger
The year of the gadfly by Jennifer Miller
Text, 2012. ISBN 0781921922886.
(Age: 16+) What a fascinating novel! With an initial quotation
from Plato, and definitions of 'Marvellous Species' beginning each
section, Miller takes us directly into the story of Iris Dupont, a
quirky, and free spirited young woman, who moves to a smart preparatory
school in a leafy town in north-eastern United States in 2012 to allow
her a buffer after the death of her best friend. Iris is
suffering great anguish and her parents are concerned as she has been
heard talking to an imaginary, albeit famous, friend.
This is a novel of individual stories, the characters connected by time
and place, tell their stories, in the first person, in very personal
narratives. Given that a gadfly is an insect that annoys horses,
and is, metaphorically, a person who upsets the status quo, the title
is apt.
In his schooldays, in 1999, Jonah, a fiery red-head, was desperately in
love with Hazel, a manipulative, tempestuous red-head in love with
Jonah's twin brother, Justin, who was desperately in love with
Lily. Lily's early brush with horrendous sun-burn foreshadows the
dreadful abuse that she willingly endures later to fit into the cool
group. Jonah has returned to teach at his old prep school, to put
things right.
The narratives move between 1999 and 2013. We hear of
Lily's story through a video, Sacrificial Lamb, which
chillingly
suggests the pressures to conform and be liked in adolescent years,
even in expensive schools for intelligent students preparing for higher
education.
This novel is captivating in its characterisation and its revelation of
the thoughts and emotions of deeply-troubled young people.
Elizabeth Bondar
The Dead of the Night by Peter Lerangis
The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers series, Book 3, Scholastic, 2012.
Recommended for ages 9-13. Dan and Amy are back in this third
instalment of the follow on to The 39 Clues series. Written by
different authors the books do not suffer from a lack of consistency
and The Dead of the Night is just as readable, interesting and
filled
with intrigue as the first books of the original series. I cannot
pinpoint exactly why I enjoy these books so much but it may be a
combination of historical and geographical information, the warm and
relatable characters and the fast-paced adventure. Totally original as
a concept it is no surprise that these books have received the
open-armed reception that they have from avid young readers. The reader
is treated as intelligent but the series also encourages the asking of
further questions and promotes interest in different countries, history
and places.
In this title Dan and Amy are racing through Prague to Turkey and onto
Uzbekistan collecting items for the Vespers who have kidnapped seven
members of the Cahill family. Faced with the opton of meeting the tasks
Vesper 1 sets or being responsible for the death of their family Amy
and Dan have a lot to deal with. Throw into the mix Dan's best friend
Atticus also being captured and the pressure is really on. Amy and
Dan's characters continue to develop as they take on new
responsibilities and face new truths. Are the messages from AJT really
from their father? How will Amy deal with being thirteen and the head
of the family? Why has Ian disappeared and can he be trusted?
Packed full of adventure, filled with suspense and twists and turns
around every corner The Dead of the Night is certainly a book
to
recommend to those readers who need a fast-paced book to keep them
interested and engaged, but it is more than that. This is a series that
really can and will appeal to nearly every individual within its target
age range.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
