Random House Australia, 2012. ISBN 9780370332291.
(Ages: 10+) Warmly recommended. With a face that through some
of his younger years he keeps hidden from others with a helmet,
August is home schooled, partly because the countless operations on
his facial deformities necessitating weeks away for school, but also
because of the need for the family to protect him from prying eyes
and cruel comments. His face is lop sided, his ears jut out badly,
he has some difficulty eating and his eyes are a little odd. In a
society obsessed with appearance, his looks draw comments, and
sometimes shock and derision.
But when he approaches middle school, the family decides that he
needs to go to school, and so he is set along a path that forces him
to deal with bullying and cruel laughter, but also companionship and
friendship, support and encouragement.
His first year at middle school is beset with problems. The staff,
in an attempt to ease this clever boy into their school, ask some to
befriend him, causing problems later on Some obviously avoid him,
and when an incident occurs which causes some to take sides, the
nastier group within the school set out to alienate him even
further. But several kids shine through in their friendship with
Auggie and it is them who help the lad cope with the bullying that
he receives.
At a school camp, a group from another school take exception to this
oddly faced boy and in setting him apart for some more violent
treatment, incur the wrath of many of the others at Auggie's school,
suddenly protective of him.
With chapters given from Auggie's point of view, alongside chapters
giving his sister's perspective, his friend, Jack, his sister's
friend, Miranda and several others of his group, the story builds to
a climax, with each set of chapters filling in the background to one
boy's life.
This is a warm, sensitive and engrossing read. We are astounded at
Auggie's matte of fact way in dealing with the others in the school,
disheartened when some bully him, alarmed when his friend, Jack
reveals why he is friendly and cheered by the support shown by the
others in his year at the school camp. At some points the story is a
little overstated, but the whole is an enlightening, warm hearted
story of one boy coping in his first year at school, carrying a
disability many would find alarming.
For middle school readers this will prove a story to make them think
about our society's stress on how we look, and of how they react to
someone's disability, and above all of acceptance and friendship and
courage.
Fran Knight
Ladder to the Moon by Maya Soetoro-Ng
Walker, 2011. ISBN: 9781406337730.
Recommended for ages 6 and up. Although Suhaila has never met her
grandmother, her mother tells her how special she had been and that
the older woman would have been happy to 'wrap her arms around the
whole world'. One evening, a ladder appears at the child's window
with Grandma Annie on the bottom rung. Together, the two climb the
ladder directly to the moon. When the child becomes cold, her
Grandmother's lap grows 'wider than the biggest crater' and Suhaila
leaps into her arms to allow her Grandmother to support and warm
her. As they watch, listen and feel what is happening on Earth, the
two attract a multitude of people from different countries and
faiths, each with his or her own experiences or challenges. The
cycle of life is played out before their very eyes, with Suhaila
developing a deeper understanding as she watches and helps.
This moving and stunningly illustrated book contains deep and
profound messages. As a book for the very young child, much would
undoubtedly be lost. Older children would be more able to learn from
the story as they read of the troubles in the world and realise the
importance of accepting cultural differences and working together to
overcome war and create peace, through a genuine love of others.
Jo Schenkel
The Best Kind of Kiss by Margaret Allum
Ill. by Jonathan Bentley. Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 9781921894084.
(Age 2-4) A little girl just loves kisses of any kind - big kisses,
small kisses, fluttery butterfly kisses but most of all she
loves the 'great big bristly-growly-daddy-kiss' from her father.
The language in this book would make it a good read aloud for
bedtime. Charming sentences like 'I kiss the cat for a fluffy kiss
. . . and the dog for a waggly kiss' will lend themselves to
little children making different kissing noises. It is also an ideal
book for fathers to read to little girls with its gorgeous
conclusion.
The illustrations by Jonathan Bentley complement the text. The
little girl, with her puckered lips ready to kiss just about
everything, is very captivating. The big bow in her hair and
cute little dresses for different occasions add to her appeal. of
the book. Coloured in soft yellows, pale orange and browns,
the pictures are tranquil, ideal for a bedtime story.
Pat Pledger
The perfect present by Fiona Robertson
Penguin, 2011. ISBN 0 670 07476 1.
Picture book. Friendship. The night before Henry's birthday he was
unable to sleep. He was so excited about the next day and was
looking forward to the present his best friend, Spot would give him.
It had been quite a quest for Spot, finding the perfect thing that
Henry would like and cherish. Many hours of thought had gone into
it, making it the prefect present. But just as he was unwrapping
Spot's present his grandparent left theirs for him. The box wriggled
so much that Henry pushed aside Spot's present and unwrapped the new
present. It was a little pup and Henry was besotted. Spot of course
was bereft and turned away, later to leave a note and march off into
the night, rejected and alone.
The resolution is lovely as the new pup wakes his master to let him
know what has happened to Spot and the two go off in search of him
A charming story of friendship and love, of trust and forgiveness,
this will make a story to tell over and over again with small
children, reminding them of what makes a true friend, and that three
can be a happy combination for friendship.
Fran Knight
Mister Creecher by Chris Priestley
Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 9781408827987.
(Ages: 15+) Set in England in 1818, this book follows the story of
Mr Creecher, also known as Frankenstein's monster, who follows his
creator to England to make sure Frankenstein keeps his promise of
making him a mate.
Young Billy, an orphan boy living a precarious life on the mean
streets of London, comes across Mr Creecher lying in an alley.
Hoping to rob his body, he instead becomes reluctantly entangled in
the creature's obsession. In return for Mr Creecher's protection,
Billy agrees to help him track Frankenstein and his friend Clerval
as they slowly make their way from London to the Lakes District, and
then on to Scotland
Billy and Creecher's is an unlikely friendship with
misunderstandings and mistrust undercutting their mutual reliance on
each other. As Creecher slowly reveals his story, Billy is both
horrified and sympathetic to his plight, but can he overcome his
divided feelings and a true friendship form?
Chris Priestly has expanded on the fictional world of Frankenstein
by giving us insights into the life and mind of Frankenstein's
monster, and it is easy to feel understanding at times towards his
quest.
This is a slow, dark, evocative and atmospheric novel, which also
includes a smattering of real life people in the form of the
Romantic poets, and with literary and filmic references scattered
throughout. There are some wonderful descriptive moments, but
the story can be repetitive and clunky in parts. Even though there
is a little humour and wit running through it, the story can never
in reality overcome its sense of impending doom. We know that Mary
Shelley's book ends in tragedy, but you hold out hope for Billy,
whose life is changed in numerous ways by his interaction with the
creature.
The author asks the question can poverty, discrimination, brutality,
abandonment and the lack of love make monsters of us all? Does
your own inhumane treatment justify you treating others
inhumanely? I'm not sure if this question is answered
satisfactorily, but this theme is used to reveal a twist at the end
for those readers familiar with villains in Victorian literature.
A thoughtful, sad read.
Alicia Papp
All the way to W.A. by Roland Harvey
Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 9781 74175 883 8.
Warmly recommended. Picture book. Humour. Subtitled Our search
for Uncle Kev, the book is brimful of humour and colour, as
the family boards the Indian Pacific, travels to Perth, stays at
Fremantle, then heads off north via Cottesloe, to the site of the
Batavia, Monkey Mia, Broome and finally Wyndham. It is a Cook's Tour
of the Western Australian coastline from Perth to the border with
the Northern Territory taking in sights and sounds along the way
familiar to some but unfamiliar to many. After reading this book,
the sights will be familiar and exciting as Harvey wraps his search
for Uncle Kev around the search for the Night Parrot, a most
secretive bird. Bright fun filled pictures replete with many zany
characters and things happening, will entice the readers to seek out
various things on each page.
This is another in his series of books which includes, To the
Top End, In the bush, To the city and At
the beach. All great reads to include in the library for 2012
National Year of Reading, centering around Are we there yet?
Alison Lester's funny story of a family doing the round Australia
journey.
Fran Knight
Goliath by Scott Westerfeld
Leviathan trilogy. Viking, 2011. ISBN 978 0 6 70305 4.
(Ages 11+) Adventure. Alek and Deryn are high over the wastes of
Siberia in the Darwinist airship, a beastie, when they are told to
collect a backpack from a bear, a huge house sized animal on the
ground, waiting for them to take his load. But when the two
midshipmen, Deryn and Newkirk descend, they realise that the load is
far heavier than anyone thought and that the airship is tossing off
ballast, some falling perilously close to these two hanging in mid
air. They survive, taking the load into the cargo hatch, and are
there when it is opened and sorted. The dimensions initially given
as to its weight are far exceeded by the parcel, and they find
machine pieces inside the beef and bacon.
So begins a heart stopping incredibly paced story of the scientist
in the middle of the snow, Nikola Tesla, who they have been sent to
rescue. Alek and the others are suspicious from the start, but more
is to happen along the way.
The third and final volume in this thrilling trilogy of a steampunk
variation of the beginnings of World War One, the escapades of the
young prince, the imagined son of the doomed Archduke Franz
Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, and his companions, one of whom is a
girl in disguise, will have the readers sitting up all night to find
out what happens next. The illustrations serve the text well,
putting into line drawings what is being read, in intricate and
minute detail. Readers will love to search the drawings for the
beasties described in the text and be thrilled over again.
The whole is a great read as both Alek and Deryn have adventures
crowded on top of each other, and along the way have some serious
arguments about what it is to be male, as well as debates about the
two opposing points of view, the Clankers versus the Darwinists.
Amongst the plethora of bleak adventure novels, this stands
out with its wit and philosophy, a story that will thrill those who
read it giving them something to chew on when it is finished.
Fran Knight
The scariest thing of all by Debi Gliori
Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 978 0 7475 9969 2
Picture book. Pre school. Fear. The smallest rabbit of them all,
Pip, lives in fear. He has a long list of his fears, a list rolled
up and taken with him wherever he goes, to check and add to as he
goes along. The other rabbits go about their daily tasks with alacrity,
leaving Pip to scoot past the lily pond where the bubbler lives or
to shelter from the raindrops which hiss at him reminding him of
something else he is fearful of. But when he hears a loud growly
noise he runs off into the woods, to escape the thing that lies
behind the noise, until he realises that it is something much closer
to home and there is nothing to be fearful of after all.
A reassuring little story, Pip realises for himself that his fears
are groundless, when running from the terrible noise. A wonderfully
bright and colourful picture book to share with small children,
encouraging them to laugh at Pip's silliness, his fears and the
resolution of his fears are neatly and economically told. Children
will love to look at all the other rabbits in the pictures, seeing
what they are doing and comparing their quietness and going about
their business with Pip's frantic machinations to run away from his
fears.
The reassurance at the end of the book, of Pip coming home for
supper, is a lovely satisfying end to this tale which small children
will enjoy. A parent or pre school teacher could use the tale to
talk about the children's fears and their resolution, allaying their
fears, giving them strategies to overcome them.
Fran Knight
Runelight by Joanne Harris
Doubleday, 2012. ISBN: 9780857530820
(Ages: 16+ Advanced readers)
Highly recommended. Runelight is the second book (begun in Runemark)
in the continuing adventures of the now 17 year old Maddy Smith. In
the previous book she discovered that she is one of the new gods,
daughter of Thor and a demon, and granddaughter to Odin. This story
follows her continuing attempts to control and develop her magical
powers, whilst trying to avert the end of the world, being brought
about by the disgruntled and insane Mimir, aka the Whisperer. Her
newly found family, who are the dysfunctional remnants of the
pantheon of Norse gods, are not helping with their continual
bickering and undermining of each other. Having lost most of their
own powers in the other 'End of the World' 500 years previously, and
having formed an uneasy alliance with demon-kind and the Vanir, it
falls to the resourceful and intrepid Maddy to bring all these
disparate forces together. She is never sure who to trust or put her
faith in, and when she discovers the existence of a sister, she
finds herself conflicted in her loyalties.
Set in an alternative, vaguely medieval universe (not unlike Terry
Pratchett's Discworld), this book is peppered throughout with
anachronisms which add to the enjoyment. This is an amazingly
intricate, rich and very funny book. There are secrets, lies,
betrayals and wonderful descriptions of the Nine Worlds and the
incredible creatures that inhabit it. Not to mention Loki, The
Trickster; a truly memorable character. The only quibble I have with
this book is its complexity. I got a bit impatient with the breath
taking speed that the story switches between characters and
storylines. This made it hard at times to keep up, but once I got
into the rhythm of the storytelling, those concerns fell away (and
the list of characters is useful!) This is a minor criticism, more
than made up for by the invention, humour, imagination and
beautifully realised characters and situations.
Though different in tone, I enjoyed this book as much as Melina
Marchetta's Finnikin of the Rock and Froi of the Exiles.
Wonderfully written, a joy to read.
Alicia Papp
Mr Chicken goes to Paris by Leigh Hobbs
Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 9781742378350.
There is little to add to all the praise and accolades that this
title received when it was first released in 2009. But now in
a new paperback version, it is time for a new wave of children to
meet this lovable character who Leigh Hobbs first introduced in
Hooray for Horrible Harriet. In this story, Mr Chicken has taken up
his friend Yvette's invitation to travel to Paris and we join him in
his adventures as he explores the city. But while he is
viewing the sights, the locals are viewing the sight of him.
The back endpaper is superb.
In his distinctive style, Hobbs has created a funny story that is,
at the same time, educational as we are introduced to the wonders of
Paris, the buildings and their treasures. There is also much to
explore about preparing for an overseas trip, especially if the
children are asked, 'What would Mr Chicken need to know and do
before he went to Paris?' Then they could be challenged to put
together 'Mr Chicken's Guide to Paris' investigating and providing
the background information to the things that Mr Chicken saw and
did. Perhaps they could even include a recipe for frog-leg
souffles and other traditional French dishes and extend their
palates.
There are some discussion
questions and activities available but the more you read
it and explore it, the richer it becomes. Already an award winner,
it deserves to be a hit all over again, and for the lucky ones in
NSW, NIDA
is presenting it as part of National Year of Reading 2012
Barbara Braxton
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Harper Voyager, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-00-738698-7.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. What if you knew exactly when you
would die? Would you be able to travel the world as you planned or
would you even be able to encounter something as simple as being
able to experience true love? For 16 year old Rhine Ellery she has
been born into a world where everyone knows exactly when they will
die. In search of treatments for diseases, DNA engineering has
resulted in a genetic flaw. Women die at the age of 20 and men at
the age of 25.
Rhine has feared the Gathers for most of her short life and now she
has been taken by them. She is sold as a bride to a rich young man
with the idea of having children of their own to try and save the
dying human race. But Rhine is desperate to escape her new home and
family especially her cruel father in law and get back to her
brother before her time is up. With the help from a friendly servant
will Rhine be able to see her brother one last time?
Wither is the first novel in Lauren DeStefano series The Chemical
Garden Trilogy and her very first novel! This story is set in a not
too distance future where there is no longer the concern for
diseases but as a result people are dying at a young age. Wither
would be a good novel to be read by yourself or with a group as
there are issues within the plot that could start good group
discussions. The easy flow of the story line lends itself to be hard
to put down and you will find yourself craving for more.
Lauren Pfeiffer - 18 years old
Editor's note: Wither was judged one of ALA Best Fiction for
Young Adults 2012
The boy who ate himself by Colin Cardwell and Tony Lowe
Random House Australia, 2011. ISBN 9781742752433.
This book by an author new to the Australian scene is quirky and
unusual. Written in verse, it tells the story of Harold Bartholomew
Jones "whose regular diet was ice cream cones, And chips, more chips
and tomato sauce. Never anything green of course." But when his
mother said "Enough is enough, you're going to start eating some
healthy stuff," Harold takes himself off to his room and hatches a
crazy plan. Or so it seems. What follows is a story that will appeal
to younger readers that has an unexpected twist which shows there
are worse things than cabbage and broccoli, carrots and beans.
With the need for students to understand the necessity of a healthy
diet, this is a fun way for students to explore what might have
happened to Harry had he continued on his junk food ways, as well as
designing suggestions for healthy meals that Harry's mother could
cook to keep him happy and satisfied. Maybe they could even try some
of the vegetables mentioned and discover some new tastes and
flavours for themselves.
With its rhyming format, the story moves along at a fast pace
cleverly illustrated in a style that is reminiscent of onscreen
cartoon and game characters, which will appeal to its audience. A
new author and a new illustrator, and both to be looked for in the
future.
Barbara Braxton
Mole's sunrise by Jeanne Willis
Ill. by Sarah Fox-Davies. Walker Books, 2012. ISBN 9781 4063 3778 5
Recommended. Picture book. The adventure of the mole, a small
underground creature, being taken by the vole and his friends, above
ground to see the sunrise, is a delightful story to read to
children. Full of description, the story begs to be read aloud and
discussed, as the blind mole enjoys what he cannot see through the
explanations of the other animals in the group. Gathering at the log
with rabbit, sparrow and squirrel, each describes what is happening
as the sun takes to the air. Similes are used to enhance his
experience. The sun is like a small gold button, which the mole can
feel on his coat: the clouds are like raspberry icecream and the top
of the sun is like the yolk of an egg, which he can taste. Each
description uses one or other of the mole's senses, until he can
imagine just what it looks like, and it is beautiful. The
illustrations on each page beautifully depict the English
countryside, and the readers will follow the journey the animals
make with ease. The pages showing the sun climbing out of the lake
and unto the sky will thrill younger readers as they can match the
descriptions given by the animals to the mole, with the illustration
shown, as each page becomes lighter with the rising of the sun.
For the experience of seeing something without using your eyes, this
is a stunning tale to introduce discussions about the five senses
and to initiate discussions about losing one of the sense, in the
classroom. The English background, particularly the animals, the
vole and mole may need some explanation, but the story and its
charming illustrations carries the day.
Fran Knight
The watch that ends the night by Allan Wolf
Candlewick Press, 2011. ISBN 9780763637033.
Poet and author, Allan Wolf, gives a fresh insight into the triumph
and tragedy of the Titanic using the voices of twenty four
passengers. The rats and the iceberg have their story to tell as
well! The accounts, whilst fictional, are based on research of
historical documents and give an intimate and personal perspective
to this infamous episode of the past. The voices include those of
the operators of the new, revolutionary Marconi wireless radio, the
captain, the socialite, the undertaker, the refugee and the ship
builder. The reader is able to gain an appreciation of all facets of
ship life and the varied reasons passengers chose to undertake this
ill fated journey.
2012 marks the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic ensuring this
book will be a timely read for young adults. This book will make a
great teaching aid. Every page contains a different voice telling
just a small portion of their story. The momentum builds gradually
as each character evolves. There is so much history, so beautifully
told, that this book is guaranteed to engage the interest of even
the most reluctant reader. All the sources used by the author are
listed as is recommended further reading for the Titanic enthusiast.
Tina Cain
Editor's note: This was
listed on the American Library's Association's Best Fiction for Young
Adults 2012 list.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney
Puffin, 2011. ISBN 9780143306641.
(Ages: 8+) Highly recommended. The sixth book in
the hugely successful and hugely entertaining Wimpy Kid series does
not disappoint. This book is set around Christmas and chronicles a
few weeks in the always chaotic life of Greg Heffley. Again
Greg manages to get himself into many awkward situations despite
desperately trying to do the right thing. Teachers will immediately
think of similar real life students that are always likeable but
always in trouble.
There are laugh out loud moments, and other moments that are quite
poignant, as Greg reflects on the value of friendship and having a
family that shows unconditional love for each other. This is another
Wimpy Kid book that will not stay on the shelves for long.
Chris Lloyd
