The corpse walker and other true stories of life in China by Liao Yiwu
Text, 2011. ISBN 9781921656514.
(Age: Senior school) Recommended. Liao Yiwu is a Chinese writer and
performer who was imprisoned for his poem Massacre, written
and performed in response to the suppression of the Tienanamen
Square student protests. In this collection of twenty-seven
interviews translated by Wen Huang, Liao presents a view of a
complex and multi-layered society, in which threads from the past
inform the present. Some of the interviewees, the Human Trafficker
and the Corpse Walker, were chosen because of their connections with
traditional life while others, the Rightist and the Former Red
Guard, because their lives epitomize the experiences of many during
the cataclysmic events of the last century. The Corpse Walker
describes the traditional practice of 'walking', by carrying on
one's back, a corpse back to its home and family. Corpse walking
becomes a metaphor for the burden of history carried by many of the
interviewees in this collection. Chairman Mao is a dominant figure
in the stories of these ordinary people's lives.The deprivations
suffered during the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution and
the Tienanmen Square massacre are described in a number of
interviews, The Rightist, The Former Landowner and The
Yi district Chief's Wife for example. The hunger, the loss of
family members, the destruction of personal dignity, and the waste
of years spent in unproductive activity are clearly revealed, as is
the stoical bewilderment caused by living in a society where the
political values were unpredictable. What is also clear is the
extent to which traditional life and values exist; the family is
important, and above all, a robust sense of humour that helps ensure
and sweeten survival. This collection is recommended for any reader
interested in China, and in the great events of the twentieth
century in Asia.
Jenny Hamilton
All I ever wanted by Vikki Wakefield
Text, 2011. ISBN 9781921758300.
(Age 15+) Highly recommended. Mim has a set of rules that she is
determined to live by. The first is not to be like her mother. She
lives in a down trodden suburb, her mother sits on the sofa all day
and her two brother are in prison for drug dealing. She longs to get
away from her life and see the world, but she is stuck even though
she is determined to finish school and do something. When she
retrieves a package for her mother and Jordan, the boy she has had a
crush on forever, takes it away from her, she is faced with lots of
questions and danger. How will she be able to solve her problems?
This is a compulsive read on many levels.& Wakefield has kept
the suspense quite tense for the reader as Mim struggles to get back
the package her mother sent her to obtain. There are the sinister
people who are involved with drug dealing and this thriller like
thread makes for an excellent story. But it is the interactions that
Mim has with the many characters in the street that flesh out this
story and make it stand above many other adolescent books. Tahnee,
her best friend for many years, is changing. She has discovered boys
and booze and Mim is not sure that the friendship can last. There is
a strange girl next door and she hates the elderly neighbour nearby.
Jordan, who she has worshipped from afar for years, may not be the
hero that she always thought and will the monster dog Gargoyle
attack her?
Mim makes many discoveries on the way about herself, her perceptions
of others and whether she can manage to live by a set of rigid
rules.
An ideal class set or literature circle book, one that would appeal
to reluctant readers, especially girls, All I ever wanted is sure to
become popular if promoted in the library. Vikki Wakefield has been
interviewed by Readings
and teacher
notes are available at the Text website.
Pat Pledger
The golden door by Emily Rodda
Omnibus, 2011. ISBN 978 1 86291 912 9.
(Ages 10+) Warmly recommended. Fantasy. With the skimmers attacking
every night, getting through the heavily guarded and blocked doors
and crevices of the homes in the Weld, actually killing one family,
the Warden finally acts. A proclamation stirs the passion of Dirk
and Sholto and their friends, intent on being able to get outside of
the wall and find the source of the skimmers, so destroying them. In
so doing they will win the hand of the Warden's daughter, and be
named his heir.
In a very few chapters, Emily Rodda introduces her new world, a
world once safe behind its wall, where a myriad of rules keep people
comforted and secure, but when a few of the younger generation find
things too safe, the restrictions too cloying, and with the
opportunity provided by this recent threat, they go searching for
action. First Dirk and Sholto go off in search of the reason behind
the skimmer attacks, and fail to return, their mother receiving a
badge to wear showing that her sons have died in the line of duty.
But when the skimmers destroy their home and livelihood, Rye and his
mother must seek shelter at the Keep. Here they are separated and
Rye seizes the opportunity to also go beyond the Wall.
A fantasy series full of adventure and colour, Rye's journey into
the Fell Zone outside the Wall takes him far further than he could
have imagined. I love this new series and am looking forward to book
2, as I am sure all readers will.
Fran Knight
For all creatures by Glenda Millard and Rebecca Cool, illustrator
Walker Books. 2011. ISBN 978 921520 81 8
(All ages) Recommended. Picture book. The array of creatures on the
front cover impels the reader to quickly open this book to read what
is going on. The title, reminding us of the hymn, All creatures
great and small, too evokes many different memories and hints as we
turn the page. Each page gives us a stanza with four lines of
phrases, each phrase containing a group of words which describes a
set of animals. But the descriptions are not those usually found,
they are words which evoke a response from the reader, memories and
observations, rounded off by the refrain, We are thankful. Frogs,
for example, are described as a chorus of croakers, and this
evocative phrase made me immediately think of times listening to
frogs along a riverbank or pond. The words used are amazing, and
Millard does not baulk at using words which will send both reader
and teacher to the dictionary.
Each page is illustrated with animals and plants, surrounding the
words in a visually stunning way, enticing the reader to look both
at the words so framed and the illustrations complementing the
words.
The colourful pages offer a dense series of richly detailed pictures
for readers to look at over and over again. Their warmth and naiive
quality will have immediate appeal to all readers, and are a
stunning companion to the text.
Readers who enjoyed Isabella's garden by the same two will love this
prayer to thankfullness for all we have around us. A wonder filled
contribution to the array of animal picture books, this is a stand
out.
Fran Knight
Once upon a time: A pop-in-the-slot storybook by Nick Sharratt
Walker Books, 2011 (c 2002). ISBN 9781406331929.
(Age 2-5) In this imaginative and slightly irreverent take on the
traditional fairy tale where the princess makes three wishes, Nick
Sharratt has produced a fun picture book that young children will
love. It is different to the usual pop up book, in that it is a pop
in the slot book, which allows young children to choose their own
picture to complete the story, often with hilarious results. Imagine
the results when the beautiful princess has the choice of a duck,
toilet or fairy to grant her the three wishes. And what if the
wishes were a pencil case, marrying a frog or being a pop star?
The illustrations are in bright colours and the princess is cartoon
like with a range of amusing expressions. The pop in the slot idea
gives active children the opportunity to be fully involved in making
the pictures and story come alive. The pictures that go into the
slots are on sheets in a pocket in the front of the book and will
need to be carefully pressed out and perhaps put into a plastic bag
to keep them together once they are out of their sheets.
Providing lots of funny alternatives, as well as pictures for the
traditional story, this will provide children with different things
to giggle about each time they look at the book. It will appeal to
both girls and boys as there are things like a magic toilet that
will interest boys and a fairy to interest girls.
I think that this could be an amusing choice for a gift to young
children, especially if you would like a different storyline each
time it is read.
Pat Pledger
Little sister by Aimee Said
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN: 9781921529214.
(Age 14+) Highly recommended. There are just thirty-eight days until
Al's smart, pretty, popular and perfect-in-every-way sister Larrie
finishes Year 12. Thirty-eight days until everyone at Whitlam High
will stop seeing Al as Larrie's little sister and start appreciating
the real Al Miller. But when rumours about Larrie start spreading,
Al discovers that having a sister everybody is talking about is
worse than having one everyone loves.
A very real-to-life story explaining how a sibling can react to a
big secret. When I was reading this book I truly felt in the story.
Al thought she was the one going through the hard time when really
her sister was going through a harder one. Al has always been
outshone by her sister and expected to do just as well as her if not
better. Al hates always being outshone by her sister and can't wait
until her sister graduates so that she can be herself. But things
are never that easy.
A great book for anyone going through a hard time or just wanting to
sit down and read a book over and over again.
Taylor Oxenham (Student)
Divergent by Veronica Roth
HarperCollins, 2011. ISBN 9780007420414.
(Age 14+) Highly recommended. This is one dystopian story that I had
to finish in a day and that hasn't happened to me for quite a while.
Reminiscent of The hunger games by Suzanne Collins;
Divergent is the engrossing story of Beatrice (Tris for short) who
has to choose what faction she will live in when she turns 16. The
factions are Abnegation (selflessness), Candor (honesty), Amity
(kindness), Dauntless (bravery) and Erudite (knowledge seeking).
Each faction has placed enormous value on their own particular trait
and members live their lives completely involved in it, believing
that it keeps their world peaceful. Once a faction is chosen then
that person must abide by its way of life or become displaced with
no support and no group to belong to. When Tris makes her choice she
has no idea of what she has let herself in for or that there are
evil plans afoot to take power.
Tris is a fascinating main character. She is short, not pretty and
finds it very difficult to live the selfless life that is expected
of her in her Abnegation society. She is curious, wants to know what
is going on and yearns for something more than always looking after
others. When she is tested to see what faction she belongs to her
tests are inconclusive and she is told that she is a Divergent - a
person who has more than one trait - but her tester tells her to
keep it a secret as it is dangerous.
There is action galore as Tris is pushed to her limit both
physically and mentally in her training in her new faction. Many
exciting moments had me holding my breath as Tris struggles to learn
how to control both her mind and body and her growing attraction to
Four, her trainer. She makes friends, one of who will betray her
badly and uncovers a plot that could change her whole world. There
is violence, murder, a near rape and bloodshed to content with.
I have read a lot of novels with dystopian themes and this is up
there with the most engrossing. It wasn't difficult to place the
factions into today's society - scientists being Erudite, the risk
takers as the Dauntless and people like doctors and teachers who are
often selfless as belonging to Abnegation. It had me thinking the
roles that they play and what sort of society we would live in if,
as in Tris' world, those selfless from Abnegation were the only ones
allowed in government. But of course in any world there are the
power seekers, the greedy and the selfish.
Nominated for ALA's
Best Fiction for Teens award, this novel has every ingredient
to make it very popular with both girls and boys. Tris and Four and
secondary characters grab the reader's interest immediately, the
theme of survival of the fittest is gripping and the world making is
original.
Pat Pledger
Yulu's coal : a story from Adnyamathanha country by the Adnyamathanha community with Liz Thompson
Sharing our stories (series). Pearson Australia, 2011. ISBN
978 1 4425 4690 5.
(Ages 8+) Recommended. Aboriginal folklore. Yulu's coal, a story of
how the coal came to be at Leigh Creek in South Australia's far
north, is a story told over and over again by members of the
Adnyamathanha community in explaining their heritage to their
children.
The story tells of a ceremony at Wilpena Pound in the Flinders
Ranges, where all the community was waiting for Yulu the Kingfisher
Man to begin the ceremony. When he failed to appear, Wala the Wild
Turkey Man was asked instead. But Yulu did not think that Wala could
do this and lit a fire letting people know he was on his way.But two
serpents also saw the smoke signals and came down to where Copley is
today, curling around themselves forming the mountains now seen
there. Arriving at the ceremony ground, the serpents made a lot of
dust, and then ate many of the people, becoming so ill they needed
to rest, and so formed Wilpena Pound. Yulu and Wala then formed the
ochre pits near Copley and the coal now found at Leigh Creek.
The story itself tells people how the Flinders Ranges came to be and
tells much about sites found in the mountains, Copley, Chamber's
Gorge, Leigh Creek, Wilpena Pound, as well as giving much of the
cultural detail about the Adnyamathnha people. It is a
marvellous story, and is told by Noel Wilton, and illustrated by
children from Leigh Creek Area School. At the end of the book the
story is told in Adnyamathanha language and details are given about
the elders and the children in this community. I appreciated the
double page spread at the beginning introducing the Adnyamthanha
community, detailing just where the people live, and the brief but
very useful index.
All of the books in this series are similar, taking a story from one
of the Aboriginal groups in Australia, having an elder tell the
story, with children illustrating it, then adding much information
about the community, the elders and the children. Bright, inviting
illustrations round off a visually exciting range of books, sure to
add much to the teaching of Aboriginal Dreaming stories in the
classroom. But much more can be edduced from reading this with a
class. The elders' stories give an insight into our shared history
and what has happened to many Aboriginal people in the past, making
these books an ideal springboard for class discussions not only
about Dreaming stories but also the Stolen generation,
Reconciliation and the Apology. For more about this fine series, go
to this website.
Fran Knight
Northwood by Brian Falkner
Walker, 2011. ISBN: 978 1 921529 80 1.
Recommended for ages 9 and up. Nothing about Cecilia Undergarment's
life is ordinary. In addition to her most unusual name, she lives
with her parents in a six storey house, which looks like a bunch of
balloons, and is able to speak to and understand animals and vice
versa. When she and their maid rescue (or kidnap) Rocky, the dog
owned by Mr. Proctor from next door, she becomes involved in a major
adventure. Her attic room detaches itself from the rest of the house
and drifts off in the direction of the forests of Northwood. Once
the balloon comes to rest in the top of a tree, she and Rocky
disembark and investigate the forest. They meet the other
inhabitants of the area and attempt to rescue those who live there
and take them back to her home. Not everything goes quite according
to plan, however, and she meets with some resistance.
This title, although containing many everyday events and needs,
crosses into the realms of almost parallel universes or fantasy
worlds. Cecilia is a champion for the 'underdog' (no pun intended!)
as she tries to support the inhabitants of the forest, particularly
those who have not known any other life. She displays independence,
compassion, persistence and resourcefulness as she fights for that
in which she believes. Although she knows life is sometimes less
than perfect, she endeavours to make things better for all whom she
meets. Young children will undoubtedly enjoy reading about a girl of
their own age, able to outsmart the 'unsavoury' adults in the tale,
and be swept up in this adventure. Short chapters, double spaced
print and full page illustrations liberally scattered throughout
make this an easily accessible tale for younger, more competent
readers through to the older children who are looking for an easy
read.
Jo Schenkel
Vampyre by Margaret Wild
Ill. by Andrew Yeo. Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 9781921529221.
(Ages 10+) Picture book. In a few evocative and imaginative words,
Margaret Wild gives her story. A boy, the son of a vampyre family
strives for something else. He loved being young, able to ride on
his father's shoulders, talk to the deer and the birds, being part
of his family. But now he is older, the birds and deer shun him, he
cannot go into the light, the townspeople wait for him with
sharpened spears.
But he still wants the light, and so goes out, only to be dragged
back by his father, and lying ill for three days, is nursed by his
mother. This however does not deter him, and he repudiates his life
once again, to be greeted by the deer and the birds, walking into
the light.
Blue grey dominates the first few pages, giving an emotive look at
the home of the vampyre, with its lack of light, a place that is
always night. But as the youth approaches the light, the pages
soften to a reddish brown, a lighter, softer look is given. The
acrylic work of Andrew Yeo is stunning, adding to the image created
by the words, of a boy trying to escape the fear and loathing of his
past to the light of the future.
Much could be read into the words and images created by this book,
and perhaps an astute librarian could use it to introduce other
books about standing firm, believing in yourself or rejecting the
past. And there are quite a few around at the moment, notably I
am Thomas by Libby Gleeson and Armin Greder. As with I am
Thomas, I found this book to be very scary. The boy is
rejecting all that he knows and wants to follow his dream, even
though in this case it may lead to illness if not death.
Perhaps upper primary and lower secondary students could discuss
this book in the light of other vampire books which abound at the
moment, comparing it with some in which the vampire rejects his
background, striving for something better. The novel by Catherine
Jinks, The reformed vampire support group comes immediately
to mind where vampires meet together to support each other in their
quest to be normal, and not to fang. For others of this ilk, see my
article in Magpies, To fang or not to fang, in which I list
all the vampire books which show a vampire rejecting what he was
born to do.
Fran Knight
Sounds spooky by Christopher Cheng
Ill. by Sarah Davis. Random House, 2011. ISBN 978 1864718799.
(Ages 6+) Picture book. The little ghost in the old crumbling house
is awakened by strange noises and whistling wind as three small
children brave the bleak exterior to find out what is inside. In
smart repetitive lines, each second double page spread has a series
of phrase with marvellous imagery of scary things happening. And
then each series of lines finishes with the question 'What's that
noise I hear?' It's enough to make readers tremble as they turn over
the page to find out what is happening in the ghost's house. The
repetition of 'I'm not scared', underlines the scary look on the
child's face, as the tables are turned in this haunted house.
The illustrations are wonderful, full to the brim with wonderful
images of things found in an old haunted house, falling apart, yet
still having the furniture, clothes and things of times long past.
Readers will love delving into the detail of the world created, at
once recognising things possibly in their parents or grandparents'
houses, and or seeing things new to them. The illustrations will be
the platform for many discussions of olden times in classrooms, and
the images of gargoyles, amongst other things could be used in art
lessons. The words used by Cheng on every second page are a delight
both to read aloud and to yourself, as a group or alone. The images
created will prompt much discussion about how words are used to
develop a felling of dread, and can be used as a springboard for
work in the classroom on using words to create an image or feeling.
Fran Knight
1 2 3 Count to ten with Gumnut Babies
Pictures by May Gibbs. Scholastic, 2011. ISBN 9781742830230.
(Age 2-4) Recommended. Board book. Another beautiful book featuring
May Gibbs' classic illustrations of the gumnut babies, children will
learn to count the numbers 1 to 10 in this book. Each number has
wonderful pictures from the May Gibbs collection.
Especially delightful is the number 1, 'One special hug' which has a
lovely wattle fairy hugging a tiny baby. 'Four cuddly chicks'
perched in a nest, with their mouths wide open ready to be fed, will
engage a young reader's attention. I have a wattlebird nesting in a
hanging basket on my verandah and these little chicks look just like
the babies in the nest!
Another feature of the book is the way it is organised. Young
children will have fun counting the little gumnut babies, wattle
babies, Australian plants, insects and birds, and looking carefully
on the page to find the one that is often hiding in foliage. Each
page has both the number and the word for the number featured on the
page so that they both can be highlighted.
I love this little book and it is winging its way to London for my
grandchildren.
Pat Pledger
We can be heroes by Catherine Bruton
Egmont, 2011. ISBN 9781405256520.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. This novel is an engaging combination of
action, adventure, humour and emotion. It describes the impact of
9/11 on modern day Britain, as seen through the eyes of a young boy.
Ben is a quiet, observant boy who copes with life's mysteries by
making lists of questions (often quite poignant) and drawing
cartoons (often quite funny). Ben's dad died in the 9/11 attacks and
his grieving mother is in hospital, so Ben is spending the summer
holidays with his father's grandparents. Here he meets Priti, who is
everything that Ben is not: loud, outspoken and fearless. She is the
youngest daughter of the Pakistani family who live next door to
Ben's grandparents. Within a few days they are joined by Ben's angry
cousin, Jed and then the fun really begins.
Soon the three youngsters are caught up in the adventure of spying
on Priti's brother, Shakeel, who they suspect (on very flimsy
evidence) of being a terrorist bomber, and trying to hide the
unsuitable romantic liaison of Priti's eldest sister, from her hot
headed brother, Mik. But what seems like a game to the children
suddenly takes a more sinister turn when adults become involved.
Only then can the true heroes emerge.
This is where the author plays a deft hand - allowing the
consequences of racism, and the fear of terrorism, to play out with
a finely balanced blend of humour, horror and high drama. The
children gradually realise that it is easy to see terror where there
is none and to use anger to hide grief.
Ben, Priti and Jed are all about 12 or 13 years of age, so the
readership of the novel is likely to be the same age. The author has
certainly given young readers plenty to think about whilst also
charming them with an action-packed adventure story. Young readers
will especially enjoy Ben's comic at the end of the novel which
helps to lessen the sombre tone of the story's end. It also allows
the children to finally be the heroes they yearned to be!
Deborah Marshall
Fairy bad day by Amanda Ashby
Penguin, 2011. ISBN 9780143565772.
(Age 13+) Recommended as a light-hearted read. Emma was convinced
that her rightful designation is to slay dragons, but Curtis Green
snatched the title from under her nose and instead she is assigned
to slay fairies. To top it off fairies are not mean and menacing -
they are cute and pesky, wear hipster clothes and just love to taunt
her. But there is one giant killer fairy and it is up to Emma to
chase it down and only one person can help her - Curtis.
I really enjoyed this laugh a minute paranormal story that was
original and pacy. From the cover illustration of Emma in heels and
spiking a fairy with a sword to witty repartee between the main
characters, Ashby maintains a line of humour throughout the whole
book that is quite something to achieve.
Emma is a girl who just loves action and is quick to pursue the
dragon-like creature that can bypass the wards that surround her
school, Burtonwood Academy. To make things even more difficult for
her, no one else can see the creature and her warnings are ignored.
When she is told that she has to teach Curtis about the fairies, she
discovers that there are hidden depths to him and that he is an able
assistant in her quest to find out what is happening. All the
characters, main and secondary, are well fleshed out and very
likeable. Emma's friend Loni is amazing with computers and Trevor,
who has a pet cockroach, is a hoot.
Ashby has brought together the tried formula of a school for
talented paranormal teens, a quest to save the world from evil and
an interesting romance to make a very enjoyable, quick read. Teen
girls who are after something amusing and cheerful will enjoy this
one. I will certainly be reading anything else by this author purely
for the laughs I know I will receive from her clever dialogue.
Pat Pledger
The red wind by Isobelle Carmody
Penguin/Viking. 2010. ISBN: 9780670074037.
(Ages 9+) Recommended. Fantasy. Winner CBCA Younger Readers Book of
the Year, 2011.
Brothers, Bily and Zluty, born from an egg live in a stone building
with a cellar in an unforgiving landscape. They are little furry
creatures, whose lives are bound by their need for food. Bily has a
garden at the side of the house which produces much of their needs,
but every season, he goes off to the forests to collect sap,
mushrooms and honey. This excursion takes him ten days. When he
returns, food is kept for the coming winter, and their cellar is
full of preserved food, jars of honey, ground cones, bags of wheat
and rice. But this time it is different. When Bily leaves for the
forest they both notice a red cloud hovering in the sky, seeming to
get closer. As Bily taps the trees in
the forests, stones fall from the sky and then heavy rain falls as
he has never seen before. Meanwhile back at their house, Zluty is
coping with the strange weather as well, but in taking refuge in the
cellar with the birds, a stranger enters, scaring them all. This
monster has been bitten and so Zluty cares for him, despite being
terrified of the large animal.
On Bily's return, the stone walls of their house have caved in with
the stones and rain, and the cellar is almost full of water. He is
bereft and digs frantically to find Zluty's body. But he is safe and
the three, Zluty, Bily and the monster, along with Redwing, set out
to find a safer place to live.
A charming story of courage and loyalty, of tenacity and survival,
the characters in this book will endear themselves to the readers,
as they bravely take off for places unknown. The detailed
descriptions of the landscape, along with the hints of the other
beings within their community, make this a magical read, a fantasy
yet with ramifications of a wider theme.
A wholly engrossing read, middle and older primary readers will find
much to enjoy in this, the first in the series, The Kingdom of
the Lost. It would make a marvellous readaloud.
Fran Knight
