Reviews

Mimi and the blue slave by Catherine Bateson

Woolshed Press, 2010. ISBN 978 1 86471 994 9.
(Ages 10+) Warmly recommended. Death. When Dad dies unexpectedly, Mum and daughter, Mimi are bereft, Mimi turning to her imaginary friend, Ableth, her blue slave for comfort, and Mum taking to her bed. Their secondhand shop downstairs is running out of stock, and people have stopped coming around with Mum giving excuses not to see them. Mimi returns to school, knowing that people will treat her oddly for a while, and is surprised when the one who does not, Fergus, is the by she likes.
But some people do notice Mum is not around nay more and that the shop hours have been reduced and she no longer attends the auctions to buy stock. And Mimi takes action as well, discussing what to do with Ableth and now Fergus. When one of Mum's friends takes her to a course in IT, Mimi insists on being left home alone, but someone steals into their shed, causing fear for both women.
Mum's friend Guy takes Mimi to one of the auctions and there she meets some of the family of buyers who sell on what they buy. They all ask after her mother, and take time out to talk to Mimi about what to do. Mimi has been looking for a dog to protect her when Mum goes out again, and finds one at the auction, the last of the litter of one of Mum's friends.
Gradually Mum recovers from her depression, taking more control over what is happening, with the help of Mimi and her aunts, plus some of the friends, so that their first Christmas without Dad is loving and joyous, thinking about the future and remembering good times in the past.
A charming story, Mimi and the blue slave creeps up on the reader, stealthily showing the situation and its solution but all the while enveloped in the care and love of family and friends.
Fran Knight

Beautiful chaos by by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Razorbill, 2011.
(Age 14+) The third in the gothic, paranormal Beautiful creatures series, Beautiful chaos continues the story of Ethan and Lena, a Castor girl, who has changed everything in the world with her supernatural powers. Gatlin, the small Southern town where Ethan lives, is besieged by swarms of locust, heat waves and crippling storms. Mrs Link is declaring that the end of the world is nigh. Ethan is being haunted in his dreams with vision of falling and death and is losing small pieces of his memory,while Amma is visiting strange people with voodoo powers. Will they be able to mend the crack that has opened up between the Castor and Mortal worlds?
As with the first two books in the series, which are essential to read first, the action and plot move along at such a swift pace that I found it difficult to put this book down. There were many twists and turns that kept me guessing. It seemed obvious that someone would die but who would have the unhappy ending that is hinted at on the blurb? Amma's visits to the voodoo man were intriguing and her fear was palpable.
As in the other books the well written main and secondary characters and the small town setting make the story so interesting. Lena is desperately trying to come to terms with her powers, while Link, the ever steady friend is coping with his transformation into Linkabus and trying to woo the unattainable Ridley. Ethan and Lena's love story develops in a satisfactory way, but Beautiful chaos centres on Ethan and the suspense that is engendered by his nightmares.
With a cliff-hanger ending that was a surprise, although there were plenty of hints on the way, fans of this series will be waiting impatiently for the next book.
Pat Pledger

Goldilocks and the three bears by Emma Chichester Clark

Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978 1 4063 3075 5.
(Ages 5+) Picture book. Nursery tale. This retelling of an old favourite Nursery Story, with the overlay of a moral tale, is given another outing in this new version by Emma Chichester Clark. Everyone knows the story of Goldilocks and the three bears, but this one has a few tweeks to give it some difference to the other versions. The moral at the end, for example, is given more stress, as we see Goldilocks hiding under her bed, vowing never to poke her nose into other people's houses again.
And Clark's illustrations too, gives the retelling of the Goldilocks story a different look, so Goldilocks' hair stands on end when found by the bears, and as they watch her running away, they laugh together.
Readers coming to this story will love the small changes and be able to compare it with other versions they have read. They will also delight in the plethora of things to look for and find in the Bears' house. It will be well used as a book in its own right, but also one to compare and contrast with other versions.
Fran Knight

Bleeding Hearts by Alyxandra Harvey

Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 9781408814970.
Bleeding Hearts is a really enjoyable novel that has action, thrill, love and mystery. It is also the fourth in the series, The Drake chronicles.
Late teenager Lucy is the star of the book, being the main character and the one with the connections to the Drake family (a family of vampires in which includes her best friend and boyfriend). It all changes when Lucy's cousin from the city, Christabel, unknowingly threatens to reveal the Drake's secret, especially when she comes face to face with a Hel-Blar, one of the most dangerous vampire/monsters you have ever encountered.
At the beginning of the novel, the annual Blood moon Vampire council meeting is in process. Solange (Lucy's best friend and the Vampire Princess of the Drakes) is avoiding Lucy for reasons unknown, and is acting suspicious after almost drinking a poisoned batch of blood. The Drakes have their hands full when they are called to help prevent the rising of the Hel-Blar, Blue skinned monsters that smell like a marsh and horribly like rotting mushrooms and to run the Blood moon. Everyone is [erplexed when a messenger arrow arrives with a message from Saga (whoever that is). Nobody has a clue to who this stranger is. Could she have had anything to do with the poisoning of Solange's blood? The end of the novel is wrapped in action and thrill as Christabel goes missing, what could have happened to her? Everyone is suspicious of the Hel-Blar, considering their recent population boom.
This novel is excellent and keeps you bound until the end. If you haven't read the others in the series, it doesn't matter, it still makes sense and is a brilliant book. I would age this book early to mid-teen.
Sarah Filkin (Student)

Note on the door by Lorraine Marwood

Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978 1 921720 61 1.
Note on the Door is a book of poetry aimed at children and I would recommend it for children aged 10+ to adults. Lorraine Marwood explores topics of everyday life from snapshots of family life and burning cakes to adventures at the beach and the birth of a baby. The poems are descriptive and entertaining and as you read they are telling their own little stories that you can relate to yourself.
It is a good collection to expose children to as many read poems that rhyme, the type of poetry that most children are exposed to as they go through school. The collection is also a good teaching tool for the classroom as children are exposed to the different ways poems can be set out for the best impact on the reader.
Kylie Kempster

Winnie-the-Pooh and the Grand Christmas Surprise by Andrew Grey (illustrator)

Based on the Winnie-the-Pooh works by A.A. Milne and E. H. Shepard. Hardie Grant Egmont, 2011. ISBN 9781742970295
'Nothing is better than a surprise Christmas letter!' Pooh is stumping home through the snow from Christopher Robin's house, humming a little hum, when he has an idea. Next day, Piglet, Christopher Robin, Kanga, Roo, Tigger, Eeyore and Owl all receive mysterious letters telling them to go to the North Pole at luncheon. Piglet is very worried that Pooh has been kidnapped by Hostile Animals or a Heffalump so they all go to see Rabbit for advice. But Rabbit also has a letter, and, appointing himself in charge, he leads them off to the North Pole where they find . . .
This is the most delightful story in the traditional Winnie-the-Pooh style that is my favourite. It has beautiful coloured illustrations akin to the originals of E.H. Shepard with the added excitement of five real letters in envelopes, as well as something special in Pooh's envelope.
I know whose Christmas stocking this book is going into, but if your students love Pooh and the excitement of opening envelopes then this is just perfect. Maybe they could pretend they have been invited to the North Pole too and create an acceptance card for Pooh or a Christmas card for all the friends. Lots of ideas for this special time of the year.
Barbara Braxton

The Coming of the Whirlpool by Andrew McGahan

Ship Kings: Book One. Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 9781742376479.
(Ages 14+) Highly recommended. In the first few pages of this young adult novel we discover there will be four books featuring Dow Amber, who will become a famous and courageous mariner. When we encounter Dow for the first time he is living in a poor village and reluctantly following his father into a career as a woodchopper. However Dow has a intense longing for the sea and through the actions of his village elders  is apprenticed to a bitter and angry fisherman in a village hundreds of miles away. The people who live around the bay known as The Claw have a bleak life, gathering fish and other goods to be given in homage each year to the powerful and ruthless Ship Kings. When town along the the bay and the visiting Ship King fleet are attacked by unknown ships Dow finds himself sailing away from his homeland on a quest for answers.
Australian author Andrew McGahan has written award winning books for adults and this book highlights his writing talent.. The vivid creation of another world was reminiscent of the islands featured in the Earthsea trilogy by Ursula Le Guin. The detailed descriptions and the engaging character of Dow make this a compelling new series for teenagers
Highly recommended for fantasy lovers.
Chris Lloyd

Shadows on the moon by Zoe Marriott

Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978-1-4063-1815-9.    
(Age: 14+) Fantasy. Romance. One day soldiers came to Suzume's house. She and her cousin Aimi were excited to see them, but their excitement soon turned to horror as Suzume's father was killed and his servants slaughtered before their eyes. Then Aimi, too, fell victim to the soldiers' weapons and Suzume just managed to escape because of her magical powers. A shadow weaver, her ability to cover herself in darkness saved her. Declared officially dead because her father had been accused of treason, Suzume was forced to hide her identity as she travelled with her mother and Lord Terayama.  Determined to avenge the death of her father and Aimi, she took on many identities in her quest for personal safety and revenge. As she played the part of a subdued young girl of noble birth, then a kitchen drudge and finally a courtesan, the real Suzume seemed to be difficult to find.
Set in a fantasy Asian country much like feudal Japan, Marriott has created a vivid world that seemed very real to me as I read. The land and the life of the people were described in beautiful detail. I was also able to suspend disbelief and accepted that Suzume was able to mask her real self by shadow weaving. The strangers from the land of Athazie, especially Otieno who was attracted to Suzume, also have magical powers, but in their country they were accepted as part of normal life.
One of the most heart wrenching aspects of Shadows on the Moon, was the relationship that Suzume's mother had to her. She was content to go off with Lord Terayama, not allowing Suzume to grieve for her father, or indeed to mention his name again. When she had twin boys, she no longer wanted Suzume, as all her attention went to the babies. Not only was she selfish and heartless, she was also prepared to betray Suzume to Lord Terayama, knowing that he would kill her.  
This could be read as a retelling of Cinderella, but in this case there was a wicked mother, an evil stepfather and a girl who self harms to remind herself that she was alive. The romance between Otieno and Suzume was subtle, and Otieno was such an attractive, caring individual that it was difficult to understand why Suzume didn't forget her plans for revenge.
An enjoyable fantasy that was easy to read, with a tortured heroine, evil characters and a magical world, this book is sure to appeal to teenage girls.
Pat Pledger
Editor's note: This review first appeared in Fiction Focus.

Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst

Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 9781742379166
(Age: 15+) Pearl enjoys life as a sixteen year old vampire, prowling the streets at night, snacking on humans and driving fast cars. All of that changes when she is stabbed in the heart by a white Unicorn which then heals her. Her family denounce the existence of Unicorns, dismissing this brush with death but Pearl begins to notice some unusual changes. Firstly, she has a new ability to tolerate daylight and secondly, she is developing a conscience, which impedes her ability to hunt.
Pearl's family decide to put her ability to survive daylight to good use. They are preparing to host the vampire king of New England and need to prepare a sumptuous, bloody feast. If Pearl attends High School she will have access to a large number of students and consequently lots of lovely blood! Pearl is torn between betraying her friends or her family. Either option could have fatal consequences for her.
Vampire stories seem to be the ever popular choice for young adults and this one will not disappoint. Ultimately a variation of the classic good versus evil theme, the novel creates a sense of tension which unfolds in a climatic way. It has all the elements that teenage readers will find appealing, adventure, high school dramas and romance.
Tina Cain

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

The Lorien Legacies series. Penguin, 2011.
(Age 13+) The Power of Six follows quickly on from the popularity of the first book of this series, I am Number Four and the subsequent late 2010 release of the Hollywood film version. This novel continues following the destruction of the Paradise school, when John, Sam and Number Six are labelled wanted 'International Terrorists' and are forced to flee the small the American town. This means John is forced to leave his human girlfriend Sarah and thus positions the story with an ongoing subject of John continuously missing Sarah balanced with an emerging physical attraction to Six. The Power of Six simultaneously follows the one of the other nine Gardes from the planet of invaded Lorien, Seven, also known by her adopted name on earth, Marina. Unlike John (or Number Four) Seven went to Spain when they arrived on earth and was living in St Teresa orphanage and convent with her guardian (known as Cepan) Adelina. Marina's Cepan has failed to train her in the skills that would later require in fighting the enemy Mogadorians because she was influenced and distracted by her new devotion to the church and God. As a consequence, Marina (Number Seven) is forced to discover her new special powers (called Legacies) by herself, which for her includes the ability to heal others. John, Six and Seven soon discover that their connection to each other occurs in the context of their special chests, the contents of which are further revealed throughout the book. Unfortunately for these three Gardes, the Mogadorians have also gained access to these chests and have using the powers contain within these chests to hunt down and destroy the remaining members of Lorien on earth. The Power of Six has certainly plenty of action, plots and sub-plots to keep readers engrossed. The themes of lust, loyalty and love that permeate both John's and Marina's stories make this popular novel slightly more than just an entertaining fantasy fiction novel. The Power of Six film version would soon be anticipated by fans of this series.
Adam Fitzgerald

Darkness Falls by Mia James

Orion, 2011.
Age 14+) (Darkness Falls is the second book in the Ravenwood Vampires series and picks up several months from the first book which revealed that a large percentage of students at the exclusive Ravenwood School are in fact vampires. April is recovering from a shocking attack from a fellow student and the horrific death of her father.
Although I haven't had a chance to read the first book in the series I was able to piece together the story line. April the main character is a very complex individual whose story draws the reader in - I could barely put the book down wanting to know what was going to happen next. In some parts of the book April is your typical teenager and yet in others she shows maturity beyond her years. She is coming to terms with the fact that her Mother may be dating again so soon after the death of her beloved Father. She is trying to get her head around the fact the she is Fury and if this fact is discovered by the vampires at Ravenwood her life won't be worth living and that she has given her vampire boyfriend a virus that is killing him.
The story takes the readers on a twisting mysterious journey that keeps them guessing at all times. Just when you think that you have the story line figured out another unexpected situation pops up. It not only looks at April's adjustment to what she really is but it delves deeper in the dynamics of all of her relationships. Although it has similarities to other books in this popular genre, it offers unique qualities that make it ever so appealing. The creepy atmosphere of the Highgate Cemetery and the unseen forces watching April's every move make it more than a creepy romance. I also liked the fact that it was set in Britain. I would thoroughly recommend this book to older teenage readers and I eagerly await the third in the series.
Elaine Grottick

Beat the band by Don Calame

The Christmas Book by Dick Bruna

Hardie Grant Egmont, 2011. ISBN 9781921288814.
This is my all-time favourite Christmas book sparking one of the most enduring activities that I did with the re-telling of the Christmas story. This re-issue of the 1964 original by Dick Bruna (of Miffy fame) tells the story in a simple, uncomplicated way that ensures children learn about the events that underpin this important celebration and help them understand that there is more to it than a fat man in a red suit and bulging stockings.
The illustrations are typically Bruna with simple lines and colour blocks that have a character all of their own. There were few children in my 35-year career who were not exposed to this book and it's great to know that it is on the market again. If it is not in your collection, it should be. I'm looking forward to sharing this with Miss 5 on Christmas Eve.
Barbara Braxton

The Summer Gang by Cornelia Funke

The first CHIX adventure. Chicken House, 2011. ISBN 9781904442868. $16. 166 pages.
(Age 10+) Best friends Charlie, Hannah, Izzie and Xa form a secret girl's club (CHIX) to seek adventure and have fun. They have to deal with rivalry from an all boys gang and some family dramas. The story ends with us wondering about a family secret so readers will be keen to find the next in the series on the shelves.
Cornelia Funke is a best selling German author and with her blend of warmth and humour in writing about children's lives it is easy to see why. This series will be popular with girls looking for an easy to read series with engaging characters. The publishers have chosen wisely with an eye catching cover.
Chris Lloyd

Angel Creek by Sally Rippin

Text Publishing, 2011. ISBN 978 1 921758 05 8.
(Ages: 11+) Fantasy. The idea of a guardian angel is given a tweak in this fascinating story from Sally Rippin. Jelly (a nick name for Angelica) and her two cousins, Gino and Pik, find a small angel in the creek nearby her house, a a place they are told not to visit following the drowning of a young boy several years before. The angel is distressed and clutches Jelly in alarm, so they take it to somewhere safe where they can feed it and help it regain its strength. It is Christmas and Gino's family has come to stay with Jelly and her parents and their grandmother who lives in a flat at the back of the house. When her grandmother has a heart scare, the house is disrupted, the parents keeping vigil at the hospital while the children are left, under the eyes of a neighbour, but with more freedom than is normal.
So the story pans out, the children helping the angel, Jelly feeling more and more uncomfortable about why the angel is here, no-one knowing for sure whether Grandma will return from hospital. Getting to the angel in the shed at the local school, closed for the summer, means avoiding the bullies who try and take advantage of them. One boy however, stands out from the crowd and helps Jelly unexpectedly at the end. A story of Jelly's growing up, of taking a stand and finding friendship both with her cousin and the boy who helps her, promising to be a friend when she attends high school the following year, the story has aspects which will surprise the reader, involved in the fascinating story of Jelly and her brush with an angel.
Fran Knight