EJ12 Girl Hero series, book 12. Scholastic/Lemon Fizz Media, 2012.
(Ages: 8-10) Emma Jacks can't wait for the school holidays so she can
get away from school for a while and stop worrying for two weeks. Not
only is she concerned that she won't make it into the A netball team
with her friends but her archenemy Nema now has an ally in the
unfriendly new girl, Laila. However, Emma's chances of a lazy holiday
spent on the couch are dashed when her mum wins a family trip to
Africa. What only Emma and her mother know is that the prize holiday is
a cover-up. Emma, known in the spy world as EJ 12, and her mother, SJ
45 are Special Agents for the Shine Agency and are being sent on a
secret mission to put a stop to an evil scheme being carried out by the
debauched spy agency, Shadow. Not only does EJ know that her mean
schoolmate Nema works for Shadow but by the end of the book she starts
to wonder whether the close relationship between Nema and Laila is
indicative of more than just a mutual nastiness.
This is a pleasant series as it fills a real gap left by the fairy,
kitten, princess and ballerina books which are targeted to females of
this age range. This is an easy to read novel which portrays the oft
fantasised 'double-life' of a child's dreams. The world of Shine and
spies is almost a fantasy world, filled as it is with camouflage charms
and animal food dispensers that magically produce bottles of milk
suitable for feeding to baby cheetahs. However this is exactly what is
required when you are transporting young girls into a parallel world
and transforming them into their super spy alter-ego!
Nicole Smith-Forrest
The Secret Promise by Paula Harrison
The Rescue Princesses series, Book 1. Nosy Crow, 2012.
(Ages:7-9) This is exactly what you would expect from a book
with this series title and cover. The only surprises here are the
somewhat odd combination of a traditional fairytale land of royal
kingdoms and castles with super fast jets and ex-undercover agent/ninja
maids. Very much in the vein of the 'tween' super series such as
Rainbow Magic and Magic Kitten this title is the first in what promises
to be a vast collection of stories about these four 'rescue
princesses'.
As this is the introduction to the series the reader is privy to the
meeting of the four princesses who have travelled to Mistberg Castle
with their respective King and Queen parents from their own lands.
Gathered together for the Grand Ball in which they are being presented
to the twenty royal families from around the world the four princesses
form a friendship over their love of all things exciting and
un-princess like, namely an outdoor obstacle course. So when they
discover a wicked plot to destroy all the deer in Mistberg Forest the
princesses get caught up in an adventurous rescue to save the day and
set things right. This is a chapter book for the slightly older rather
than beginning reader but will only interest a small age range within
its appropriate reading age. This being said the book is well within
the interests of its female target age range as it combines favourite
topics of princesses and animals. A real hit no doubt!
Nicole Smith-Forrest
Pennies for Hitler by Jackie French
Angus and Robertson, 2012; 311 pages; p/b. ISBN 9780732292096.
(Ages 14+) Highly recommended. From its opening pages, Pennies
for Hitler will hold the young (and not-so-young) reader within its
grasp. Pennies for Hitler is the latest in Jackie French's
impressive
list of works, and again she does not disappoint. For those familiar
with her bestselling novel Hitler's Daughter, Pennies for
Hitler is its
companion piece. French tells her story with artistry, and with such
poignant sensitivity for the small boy Georg, the reader cannot help
being drawn into his world.
Georg is the only child of his English academic father and German
mother. It is 1939 and he is happy attending the Adolf Hitler Schule in
Alfhausen - meanwhile Hitler is amassing his troops to the cries of
Heil Hitler. On graduation day at his father's University, Georg learns
that his great-grandfather was a Jew, and he witnesses the death of his
own father. Unwittingly he is caught in the rising power and terror of
Nazi Germany. His mother arranges an escape from Germany that enables
Georg to reach England and the relative safety of his auntie's home in
London.
However hatred has long arms, and this child who has already lost so
much, is soon facing a familiar foe in a new environment. Georg buries
his German origins deep within, and eventually, after surviving the
London blitz, he prepares for a journey across dangerous waters to
Australia. Soon however, a new foe emerges providing Georg with a new
perspective. Two years older, and not wishing to run anymore, he learns
a life lesson.
This novel highlights the hardships, hatred and horrors of war. Jackie
French weaves her story through these sensitive waters admirably. While
factual incidents have been her inspiration, it is a work of fiction
nonetheless. In the author's notes, French has included background
information supporting the origins of some of the scenes used in her
narrative. I highly recommend this novel for middle and senior school
students of history and literature.
Colleen Tuovinen
The very hungry bear by Nick Bland
Scholastic, 2012. ISBN 9781742831701.
(Age: Preschool - 7) Recommended. Environment. The very cranky
bear is back and this time he is hungry. He goes on a fishing trip and
catches nothing until something huge goes on his hook. It is a large
white bear who has an armful of fish and is happy to share if only the
very hungry bear would help him find a home. His iceberg is
shrinking and his home is very far away. The very hungry bear is keen
to have the fish so off he goes with the polar bear to find a home. His
cave is too hot, Mole's hole is cooler but too small, the croc is not
helpful, but finally they find him a home on top of a snow covered
mountain.
This captivating verse story will delight its young readers. The rhymes
make it an ideal book to read aloud, and will also help the emerging
reader predict what is coming next. Bold print emphasise words and
using these for emphasis when reading aloud will make the story even
more appealing. In a very subtle way, Nick Bland is pointing out what
happens to animals when their habitat is destroyed. In this case the
polar bear's iceberg has melted and he has no way to get home. This
could lead to an interesting discussion about why the polar ice is
melting and whether anything can be done about it.
Bland draws great expressions on the face of his very hungry
bear. There is no doubt of what he is feeling when he is grumpy -
the frown on his face leaves no doubt about that. The smile on the face
of the polar bear shows his willingness to be friendly and cooperative
without the need for words to describe this character trait. And the
face of the croc, busily gulping down Polar Bear's fish and eyeing him
evilly, leaves the reader is no doubt about the nature of that animal.
This will be a welcome addition for fans who have enjoyed reading about
the cranky bear.
Pat Pledger
Adorkable by Sarra Manning
Atom 2012 . ISBN 9781907411007.
(Age: for teens 15+ ) Jeane Smith is a 17 year old dork and proud
of it. So proud of it she's made a successful career out of it. As
'Adorkable' she blogs, Tweets and texts her way to overseas
conferences, newspaper columns and interviews. She's an authority
on her generation but one who disdains their conformity. She's a loner,
and her friends are the Internet, her iPhone and her iPad. She wears
clothes from Jumble sales (read orange tights), lives on her own, dyes
her hair grey and survives on Haribo jelly sweets. Her separated
parents live abroad and her guardian older sister is a doctor in
Chicago. Jeane is confident, witty, clever and bitchy. But is she
really a dork or is it all an act to be noticed?
Jeane's dork status is sorely tested when the most popular, straight
and desirable boy in the school falls for her and before they know it
they are in a sexual relationship. The sex here is honest, open and
believable. The book alternates chapters from his point of view with
hers. This captures the way the same event can be totally differently
interpreted by the two people involved. Jeane persuades Michael to lie
to his parents and fly with her to New York for a weekend. Naturally
trouble then brews. Eventually Jeane is alone on Christmas Eve,
in difficulty, and with no-one to turn to but Michael and his family.
When she then experiences his happy family life she has to decide who
she really is and what she really wants.
This is a witty, entertaining book full of punchy come-back lines.
Themes of identity, family influence, social norms and growing up are
explored, and the character of Jeane, despite her voicing
authorial-sounding insights on her generation, is memorable.
Girls will love this very contemporary look at Gen Y set in England.
Michael is perhaps too good to be true but the theme of celebrating
difference is refreshing and 'dorky maybe the new cool.'
Kevyna Gardner
Rainbow Street pets by Wendy Orr
Allen and Unwin , 2012. ISBN 978174237 9081
(Ages: 8+) Highly recommended. Short stories. Animals. The author of
the books about Nim, again reveals her skills at teaching young readers
about animals and how to look after them in this book of 6 stories
about the Rainbow Street Shelter. The stories may be about animals and
finding a human to look after them but each story contains a
considerable amount of information about the animal and its care, as
well as showcasing the range of animals suitable for homes and families
of various types.
The first, Lost Dog Bear is about a family breakup. Mum and her
son move to the city, leaving dad to work on the farm. Much discussion
occurs about where Bear the sheep dog will be and eventually he moves
to the city too. But he gets lost. During his first day at school,
Lachlan is about to tell about his lost dog when a girl in his class
tells a story about finding a dog during the holidays. So all is
resolved, the two becomes friend and the dog is found.
The next story continues the tale of the two friends, while the third
introduces a new family living in a flat and wanting a small pet. The
next story is about Mona's feelings for animals and tells an amusing
tale of her encounters with a lion cub. Mona's childhood interest has
led her to set up the Rainbow Street Shelter.
Each of the stories is positive and informative, engaging and neatly
resolved, and will be highly appealing to middle primary people wanting
a story to read or to read all the stories as one novel.
Fran Knight
Preloved by Shirley Marr
Black Dog Books, 2012. ISBN 9781742931903.
(Age 12+) Recommended. Amy always feels as if her glamorous friend
Rebecca sidelines her. To add to her woes she has a Chinese mother
who is always coming out with strange superstitions. She is obsessed
with stuff from the 1980s, and helping her mother in their vintage
store is not a great chore. When she comes across a silver locket
with a photo of a boy dressed in authentic 80s clothes, her life is
turned upside. Logan is the ghost of a boy from the Eighties and
even though it is obvious that he was meant to haunt Rebecca, Amy
becomes obsessed with this annoying and persistent ghost.
Preloved is a really interesting story with fabulous characters that
were quite different to many found in young adult books. The loving
but sometimes irritable, relationship between Amy and her Chinese
mother, who is a firm believer in ghosts and has many stories about
them, comes across as real and authentic. Rebecca is a strange girl
and seems to be a poor choice for a best friend, and Logan's
character and story are fascinating.
I loved the humour in this book. Amy's smart comments were a joy to
read and kept me entertained throughout the book. Readers who like
the 80's period, will love the references to The Princess Bride and
the clothes and culture of the period. They will also enjoy the
references to the contents of the vintage shop and the idea that
preloved things can be loved again
It is difficult to categorise Preloved. It is not a standard ghost
story or a standard adolescent novel. It is part a coming of age
story, part romance and part an exploration of family and succeeds
very well as an unusual and interesting read.
Pat Pledger
Winter's light by M.J. Hearle
Winter Saga, book 2. Pan Macmillan, 2012. 9781742611037.
(Age: 15+) Paranormal. Blake has sacrificed himself to save Winter.
He has gone and she is left alone. Hunted by the Demori she has to
fight for her survival. She is haunted by nightmares of Blake and
the Deadlands. After two Demori viciously attack her, she makes an
uneasy alliance with Sam, one of the Bane. Together they travel to
the Bane's stronghold seeking out the solution to the mystery of the
Deadlands.
When I received this book to review I immediately bought the first
in the series, Winter's shadow and read it very quickly as I
loved Winter's character, her angst over her relationship with Blake
and the action packed suspense. I was able to continue on with the
second in the series without the usual wait of a year or so and this
increased my enjoyment of the books.
Hearle's world building makes this series stand out. He is able to
describe the everyday life of an orphan and her relationship with
her sister and best friend, while at the same time bring in a
paranormal world that seems equally real and quite different to many
of the series that abound at the moment. Winter's strength and
belief in herself grows during the second book. Left alone she must
take action and think for herself. With Blake gone, the romance of
course plays a minor role, while the action and suspense builds into
a crescendo that was very enjoyable. There are enough hints that
Blake may be somewhere to keep the ardent romance fans happy and
looking forward to the next book in the series. The cliffhanger at
the end will also help to get fans hooked into picking it up. Winter's light is an entertaining paranormal that fans of the
first book will surely enjoy. A book trailer is available
.
Pat Pledger
The fabulous flyer by Terry Deary
Ill. by Helen Flook. Terry Deary's Victorian tales (series). A and C
Black, London. 2012.ISBN 9781 4081 5408 3.
(Ages: 7+) Early chapter book. Humour. Historical.
Deary seems to have made a hit with his tales of derring-do, set in
ancient times. There are four each in the series about Egypt, Rome
and Greece, with another four set int he times of the Vikings,
Pirates and Knights. Each story is complete in itself, consists of a
half dozen chapters of about 6 pages each, is well illustrated and
is interesting and exciting. Each has all the ingredients to keep
newly independent readers reading to the end and feeling most
successful at doing so. This is one of a new series set in Victorian
times.
In this particular tale, our hero, Henri Giffard is about to fly his
contraption, a steam driven airship. Seen through the eyes of Marie,
the homeless child living in the loft in the top of the barn where
Henri is making his machine, we see the derision hurled at him from
his landlord, Mr Herbert as he demands more money for the use of the
barn. Through Marie's observance we hear about how the machine has
been invented and built, finally flying over the roof tops of Paris
in1859.
Deary's story gives a potted history of Giffard and his machine and
incidentally tells the reader a great deal of information about the
life of street children at the time, ensuring readers will be glued
to each page. Two pages at the end of each book render the
historical facts in a brief summary for the reader. In this case the
tale is very sad, as Henri could not replicate the success of 1859,
eventually going blind.
Fran Knight
How to keep a boy as a pet by Diane Messidoro
Electric Monkey, 2012. ISBN: 978-1-4052-5816-6.
The book How to Keep a Boy as a Pet by Diane Messidoro is a
very gripping story written as a blog by the star of the show, Circe
Shaw. Circe is a pending journalist who wants to become exactly like
her idol, Jess Bradley; a famous journalist who tells things like
they are. Joining in our tale is Circe's best guy-friend, Ben and
her best friend, Tash. Ben has known Circe all her life and results
in calling her 'Witchy' a nickname suited to her because her name
sounding like the word 'Curse' when said incorrectly. Tash and Ben
are an 'Item' and much to Circe's displeasure they tend to get a bit
carried away. Circe's summer project is to write a journalistic
article on a new totally hot topic, something so stunningly,
fantastically, sophisticated that it will benefit not only the rest
of her life, but her career and maybe even her love life. After
posting a few things online about her conundrum of not finding an
article for her blog, an unexpected comment appears. When reading
this inspiring comment (posted by the fantastically mysterious,
super smart, Savvy Rose, a stranger from overseas) Circe sees that
the writer of this comment (Savvy) mentions that boys are like pets;
how odd. Keen to investigate this meaning Circe digs deeper, using
all her journalistic powers to find out the answer and to see if
this theory is true. During her investigation, Circe discovers more
than the meaning to these words, a meaning that puts everything in
perspective and changes her life for the better.
This wondrous novel by Diane Messidoro is very inspiring and keeps
you wanting more as Circe follows on her journalistic quest to save
her love life and her future. The text is written in a blog format
so you know absolutely what's going on with whom, what, when and
where. This format makes the book so easy to dip in and out of but
demands not to be forgotten, especially if you are taking on more
than one book at a time.
Sarah Filkin (Student)
Ella and Olivia series by Yvette Poshoglian
Ill. by Danielle McDonald. Scholastic, 2012 Best friend showdown. ISBN 978 1 74283 355 2 Cupcake catastrophe. ISBN 9781 74283 354 5
(Ages: 6+) Early chapter books
Designed for those young girls newly arrived at reading chapter
books by themselves, these stories about two best friends, Ella and
Olivia, will not stretch the imaginations of its readers. Simple
stories, simply told, without too much complication will make these
an easy read for new independent readers, wanting to achieve quick
success. In Best friend showdown, the girls' teacher gives them a
carton of chocolates to sell as a fundraiser for their new school
hall. Each girl has some difficulty selling the chocolates, and the
result is neat indeed as Ella's younger sister sells them for her
when she is at netball. Along the way the selling of chocolates is
not questioned, but the idea of winning and coming second is nicely
explained, as is the idea of the sister helping out. Cupcake catastrophe is also very straightforward, and will
give young newly independent readers a sense of achievement when
they get to the end of this story. In this one the two girls apply
their skills in the kitchen, making cupcakes for a party with their
family. but when someone bites into the cake, they realise that
perhaps they have used salt instead of sugar. A lesson is learnt.
Attractively packaged, with clear, simple line drawings, these books
(and yes, there are more to come) will have an instant audience in
junior primary classes.
Fran Knight
My book of jokes ill. by Bronwen Davies
Scholastic, 2012. ISBN 1 74283 165 7.
(Ages 6+) Jokes. These take me back to the playground, when on yard
duty, teachers are a target for the jokes of the younger primary
children who had just heard many of the humorous jokes that have
been around in various forms for generations.
Why didn't the chicken cross the road?
Because it was chicken.
This one, printed across the back cover reveals the sorts of jokes
heard countless times at home and in the classroom, as youngsters
cotton on to the idea of a joke.
Where do cows like to go on the weekend?
Off to the moovies, of course.
Printed in large clear font, with the question of the recto, and the
answer the next page on the verso, the riddles are enhanced by
clear, bold coloured illustrations, adding to the humour in the
joke. 23 jokes in the book will add to the fun to be had in the
classroom when first talking about the difference between jokes,
riddles and funny stories, poems, limericks and quintains. Students
could be invited to add to the number given in the book, a class
book could be collated, or jokes shared between classes. Whatever
way the book is used it will add another level if humour in the
classroom, and help kids and indeed the teacher, to smile.
What kind of dog can tell the time?
A watch dog.
And there are 20 more!
Fran Knight
Diabolical by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Candlewick Press, 2012. ISBN 9781921977626.
'Slipped' angel Zachary and his werewolf friend, Kieren enrol in a
New England boarding school, a school full of hand-picked students
with their own secrets. Zachary feels he has to protect the soul of
Lucy, a friend of Miranda's and a student at the school. Zachary and
Kieren plan to talk Lucy into leaving the school but soon realise
that it's easier said than done. The school's ten students need to
work together to survive the school's challenges. Worse, is this all
a setup to trick Zachary to become a fallen angel?
Everyone is back for the final installment of Tantalize. I loved the
idea of Miranda being redeemed. Diabolical is told from three
perspectives; Kieren (the werewolf), Zachary ('slipped'angel) and
Miranda (vampire). It was a little confusing reading form three
perspectives but it kept the book interesting. A really good end to
the Tantalise series.
Cecilia Richards (student).
The friendship match maker goes under cover by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Scholastic, 2012. ISBN 978 1 86281 948 8.
(Ages: 9+) Highly recommended. Humour.
The second in this entertaining series has Lara giving up her
matchmaking skills to spend time with her new best friend, Tanya.
But looking around the schoolyard, shows her that her skills are
still required, and when a new boy, Majur joins the class, she has
to do something, but secretly. Emily has asked to join Lara and
Tanya to do a presentation for class, and with the problem of Chris
bullying Majur, Lara finds that she must spend time away from the
library where the girls are doing their work, and go into the
schoolyard and particularly the sports area.
When Emily and Tanya begin to suspect she is not pulling her weight
with the class work, a problem occurs. How can Lara retain her new
best friend, keep up with her school work, but also help those who
require her considerable talents. Saddled with Chris taking her
behind the canteen, his favourite bullying spot, Lara is in a
quandary, even more so when he asks her to find him a friend.
Full of wit, and told with a light touch, this story is funny and
serious, alighting on the problems of classroom control, schoolyard
friendships, bullying and how home life impacts upon the classroom.
I loved the library described as a refugee camp, waiting for those
needing protection from the likes of Chris, and was dismayed at the
bullying he receives from his father, pointing to the fact that
bullies are often bullied at home.
Again the writing flows smoothly, each incident adding another layer
to the well drawn characters, leading to finding a friend for Chris.
Lara is a most appealing character, her foibles cleverly being part
of her charm. She is so self assured and confident in her own
skills of people management that she cannot see things which the
reader can see, right in front of her eyes. The subtle humour will
be obvious to the book's readers, who will take delight in Lara's
attempts at going undercover.
Fran Knight
Raven Lucas : Dead wrong by Christine Harris
Scholastic, 2012. ISBN 9781 86291 928
0.
(Ages: 10+) Recommended.
Adventure.
The second in the series of stories about young gun, Raven, the
storyline is at once familiar and startlingly different as Raven
pursues lines of inquiry trying to track her father's disappearance.
There are many people on her trail: the slimy Gerald, her father's
business partner, the stepsister, Bell, her father's secretary,
Marissa, as well as the two from the papers, the journalist and
photographer, who seem to be there at every turn. But there is also
someone she does not know, but is aware of their presence, stalking
her in the dark underground passages of the car park, returning her
shoes that she threw off while running away, watching from a safe
distance. Marissa asks to meet her but she is found in her car,
wrecked in a ravine, and when Raven and Bell go to visit her in
emergency, wanting questions answered, they find she has been moved
to a different hospital, but no-one knows where. The plot darkens.
The storyline has familiar overtones, but the main characters are
full of life and interest and will intrigue middle to upper primary
students. Raven's support group of friends, an interesting and
diverse group, adds to the pleasure of reading, as do her encounters
with Joe, who may or may not be an undercover agent. Police wearing
sneakers who bundle her into the boot of their car, Joe who will not
give a straight answer, and the mysterious biker who she sees
kissing Bell, all add an air of mystery which will keep readers
glued to the end.
Fran Knight
