Penguin, 2011. ISBN: 9780143566595.
Winning a scholarship to the prestigious Jersey Ballet School is a
dream come true for sixteen year old Sara. However living the dream
brings challenges and sacrifices that she had never considered. The
world of the elite dancer is one of grueling rehearsal schedules,
injuries, diets and rivalries. Even worse are the feelings of
isolation as she is denied the teenage pursuits that her school
friends enjoy like movies, team sports and school formals. Audition is not just about the pain and joy of pursuing a
dream to the highest level but also a coming of age story. Sara
finds love, develops a passion for writing and becomes increasingly
aware of choices available beyond the ballet studio. Increasing
maturity bestows the confidence to assert herself.
Reading this debut novel feels initially awkward because it is
written entirely in verse. However Kehoe has such beautiful
expression and the story is so absorbing that one quickly adapts to
the unconventional format. The characters are credibly portrayed and
momentum is sustained to the very end.
This is an enjoyable, unique book that will appeal to girls,
particularly dance enthusiasts.
Tina Cain
A year in the life of Bindi by Jess Black
Random House, 2011. ISBN 978 1 86471 838 6. 95p
(Age: Primary students) Well recommended. The reader follows a year
in the life of this very high profile young Australian who seems to
have the world at her feet and yet is portrayed as a very happy,
caring teenager, who loves what she does and equally enjoys her
family and friends. Colourful, happy family snaps adorn
almost every glossy page. We read, month by month about a year
in Bindi's busy life, from tracking crocodiles to meeting Oprah and
visiting Universal Studios and even catching up on schoolwork!
But along with all the glamorous hype, Australian animals are the
focus. From the Southern Boobook Owl, the Brown Goshawk and Gould's
Long Eared Bat, small creatures are as important as the camels,
Carly the goat, a Sumatran Tiger and of course the Saltwater
Crocodile where we all have seen family pictures of Dad Steve, Mum
brother Robert and Bindi! The photographs are impressive in their
variety, exciting to view and show a healthy respect for our animals
in their environment. Many are endangered and each animal's
characteristics is detailed. It was pleasing to note that rescued
animals were also discussed and their ability to return to their
native habitat discussed.
Sue Nosworthy
The little refugee by Ahn Do and Suzanne Do
Ill. by Bruce Whatley. Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 978 1 74237 832 9.
(Ages 6+) Recommended. Picture book. Subtitled The inspiring true
story of Australia's happiest refugee, Ahn Do's story of his early
life in Australia comes hot on the heels of his memoir, The happiest
refugee (Allen and Unwin, 2010) His memoir is an amazing story of
his life from being born in Vietnam, to the family's escape on a
fishing boat, coming to Australia, then his life as a school boy,
uni student, finally becoming a standup comedian, marrying and
becoming a father. This memoir, told in his own unflappable, dry
style, is recreated here in a a picture book format, with stunning
illustrations by Bruce Whatley. The story is shortened to the
family's time in Vietnam and their boat trip across the seas to
Australia, then finding their feet in this new country. It is a
story of courage and hope, of tenacity and family, and will have
wide appeal, particularly as the debate about refugees continues.
But it is more than story about refugees, Ahn's tenacity is very
obviously a trait that was passed down from his parents. The group
on their boat survived storms and heat spells, lack of food and
water, pirates who wanted to kill one of the children, and stole
anything of value on the boat. When in Australia, they survived the
theft of their sewing machines, bought to sew clothing to make a
living. Ahn and his brother wore hand me down clothing from a
charity, his brother being given girls' clothing to wear. They
survived school, Ahn being made year 5 captain, making his parents
very proud.
It is a story about hope, about keeping faith with the future, of
knowing that the future is in the hands of the children, and
offering them a solid start.
Whatley's illustrations are fascinating, beginning in brown sepia
tones of the time in Vietnam and on the boat, then adding more
colour as they settle into life in Australia. I was particularly
struck by the illustrations of the group on the boat, the despair on
their faces is awful to see, and the picture of the little boat
being tossed about in the ocean, made me feel icily cold, although I
could not see the logic in the wide eyed faces in much of the book.
Students will have much to discuss when looking at life in Vietnam,
or life on the boat, or the illustrations showing the Vietnam War,
or the pirate coming aboard. Each offers a great deal of detail to
discuss and think about.
Fran Knight
Velvet by Mary Hooper
Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 9780747599210.
(Age : 13+) Recommended. I am a fan of Mary Hooper's historical
novels, so I eagerly picked up Velvet, the tale of a young
orphan girl who works in a Victorian steam laundry. The work is back
breaking and after Velvet has fainted twice from the extreme heat,
the manager, Mrs Sloane warns her that she could be dismissed. She
pleads for a second chance and is allowed to do the painstaking work
of caring for the clothes of rich individuals. She is noticed by one
of her clients, Madame Sayoya who is a famous medium, and goes to
work for her. At first she is beguiled by Madame and her helper the
handsome George. She finds it wonderful to live with a generous
employer, with work that she enjoys. She believes that she is making
a new life for herself and is not interested in the attentions of
Charlie, a young man from her past. However she begins to realise
that all is not as it seems with Madame Sayoya.
Hooper's description of life in 1900 for young girls who have no
family and are penniless is poignant. They have little chance of
lucrative employment, and are lucky if they manage to get a job in a
laundry or as a servant. Many scavenge on the street for scraps and
turn to prostitution to stay alive. Life is terrible for girls who
have illegitimate children and they are forced to send their infants
to baby farms where they have little chance of survival. So it is
not surprising that Velvet, who has suffered from an abusive father
and lives in a dilapidated room, wants to believe the best of
Madame. However, Velvet is a girl with a conscience and gradually
begins to question the ethics of the mediums who were so popular in
those times.
Hooper's chapters where she describes what happens in a private
meeting with Madame Sayoya, give an in-depth picture of how grieving
people were taken in by unscrupulous spiritualists. Spiritualism was
very popular in the late 19th and early 20th century and the
addition of figures like Conan Doyle to the spiritualist's meetings
gave an extra historical dimension. Notes at the back of the book
about how spiritualists manoeuvred spectral appearances and seemed
able to accurately describe what has happened to people also gives
interesting information.
This was a book that I read in a couple of sittings and I loved it
for the historical information that I gained so effortlessly through
Hooper's vivid writing. A book
trailer is available.
Pat Pledger
Just right by Birdie Black
Ill. by Rosalind Beardshaw. Noisy Crow. 2011. ISBN 978 0 85763 030
8.
(Ages 4-7) Picture book. Humour. Christmas. An absolutely delightful
story about giving a gift for Christmas has the king buying a large
roll of beautiful red cloth for the dressmakers to make his wife a
lovely cloak. The leftover cloth is then left by one of the maids on
the doorstep where it is picked up by a kitchen maid. She uses some
of it to make a jacket for her daughter, then leaves the scraps on
her doorstep. Badger, spying the red cloth takes it home to make a
red hat for his father. The scraps again are picked up and mittens
are made for the squirrel's wife. The last little piece is found by
the mouse and she finds it just right to make a scarf for Billy.
Each present is wrapped or not, and left under the tree in each of
the households, and on Christmas morning each is opened and
appreciated. A beautiful double page spread at the end of the book
shows all the givers and recipients proudly displaying their gift as
they skate on the frozen lake.
This charming book shows the range of gifts given for Christmas and
will elicit responses from the students listening or reading it
themselves about what they receive and give for Christmas. That each
piece of leftover cloth is used by the characters, makes a telling
reminder that the giving of a gift is not about its monetary value
but the impetus behind the giving of the gift. This book will be a
valued inclusion in the Christmas stories used in classrooms and by
parents at this time of the year, when discussing what the children
will give for Christmas. It is a humorous look at what is important
about giving, and incidentally a tale about recycling and making the
best use of an object.
Fran Knight
The creation of Trowenna : a story from the Neunone people of Bruny Island by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community with Liz Thompson
Sharing our stories (series). Pearson Australia. 2011 ISBN 978 1
4425 4689 9.
(Ages 8+), Recommended. Aboriginal folklore. The creation of
Trowenna shows how Tasmania and all of its flora and fauna came to
be, and confirms the ongoing resilience and tenacity of the
Aboriginal people who live there, particularly the Neunone people of
Bruny Island.
The story tells is of Punywin, the sun, and his wife, Venna, the
moon and their part in the development of Tasmania. It is a
wonderful story, full of similarities to other Creation stories, and
yet very different. That is has survived is a wonder for us all.
The first few pages of this book tell us of the attempts by the
European settlers to obliterate any Aboriginal people living in
Tasmania. It also tells us how and why these attempts failed. This
particular story was found in the journals of the infamous
Protection officer, George Robinson, and is retold by Leigh Maynard.
The story is illustrated by the children of Bruny Island, and the
last few pages, gives us potted biographies of some of the people
involved in the project. The whole is finished off with a brief but
adequate index, and on the bottom each page, difficult or unusual
words are defined.
A stunning addition to the library of books about Aboriginal stories
and cultures which are now available for schools, this is one of a
set of 14, published by Pearson, called Sharing our stories,
outlined on the back cover of each volume. More about this series
can be found at; this
website.
Fran Knight
Pip and Posy : the scary monster by Alex Scheffler
Noisy Crow, 2011. ISBN 978 0 85763 031 5
(Age: Pre school) Picture book. A read aloud book for the young
audience, this will make them quietly scared as a monster appears at
the kitchen window while Posy makes cakes. Kids will love predicting
what the monster might be and feel with Posy as she hides when the
monster eventually comes into the house. She makes for her frog doll
for comfort and hides behind the couch, only to find that the
monster is Pip in disguise. They then take turns to don the costume.
Vibrant illustrations illuminate each page as the reader is
introduced to the characters and their home. Many points of
discussion will evolve from the book, from the earliest washing
hands before touching food, to how friends play with each other to
even cooking. The themes of the story that of bravery and being
kind, taking turns and being friends can be the starter for many
discussions in younger classrooms and groups. Perhaps some early
learners classes will be able to make the cup cakes that Posy has
made when the book is read to them. A lovely soft cover adds to the
attractiveness of the book to younger readers.
Fran Knight
Unicorn riders series by Aleesah Darlison
Ill. by Jill Brailsford. Walker Books, 2011.
(Age 7-10) Recommended. Four young girls, Willow, Ellabeth, Quinn
and Krystal and their magical unicorns feature in this fascinating
series for young girls. The young unicorn riders live in the kingdom
of Avamay and are sent off on dangerous missions when their country
and its people are in danger. Not only do they have action packed
adventures, each girl manages to find her inner strength, overcoming
fears and obstacles and becoming stronger in themselves.
I really enjoyed the books in this series. I loved how the girls
were introduced in the front of each book. Each girl has her own
symbol, which fits with her personality, her own uniform colour and
special gifts. The unicorns too have different horns and special
gifts, which help the girls on their missions. Young girls will have
fun deciding which rider most appeals to them and which personality
most fits their own and their friends. Jill Brailsford's
illustrations have ensured that the reader has a clear picture in
her head of the different girls and their personalities shine
through the simple black line drawings. The girls' large eyes are
sure to appeal to young readers and each has a distinct hairstyle.
The unicorns, too, are quite unique both in their appearance and
personality.
The girls are courageous and bright and have a wonderful
relationship with their unicorns. Each book features a different
girl and her unicorn, facing danger and becoming more self-confident
and self-reliant. Quinn must solve riddles in the first in the
series,Quinn's riddles. Girls will love the challenge of
trying to work out what the message is in the rhymes that the
Prince's kidnappers send. Willow learns how to forgive her uncle in
the second story Willow's challenge, while managing to lead
the riders and save the town of Arlen. In Krystal's choice,
Krystal has to decide whether she wants to be a Rider and in Ellabeth's
test, Ellabeth must overcome her self doubts, and learn how to
be a leader when Willow is injured.
This is an excellent series for young girls. It combines all the
ingredients that make for a good read - magical creatures,
adventurous girls and dangerous missions as well as giving girls the
opportunity to think about issues such as forgiveness, leadership,
family and what is important in life.
The books are: Quinn's riddles by Aleesah Darlison. Walker Books, 2011. ISBN
9781921529979. Willow's challenge by Aleesah Darlison. Walker Books, 2011.
ISBN 9781921529986. Ellabeth's test by Aleesah Darlison. Walker Books, 2011. ISBN
9781921720000. Krystal's choice by Aleesah Darlison. Walker Books, 2011.
ISBN 9781921529993.
Pat Pledger
Marshmallow Skye: The Chocolate Box Girls by Cathy Cassidy
Penguin, 2011. ISBN: 978 0 14 132524 8.
Recommended for girls 10+. Skye Tanberry, twin of the ballet mad
Summer, is feeling as though she is being overlooked by her family,
best friend and the kids from her class. Changes at home have
impacted on the various members of the family in different ways.
With her mother, Charlotte, engaged to Cherry's dad, Paddy, Skye's
older sister, Honey, has distanced herself from events and
responsibilities within their home and chocolate business. Whilst
working on the house, Paddy unearths some family 'treasures'
including vintage clothing, letters, a bird cage and a violin. The
items are claimed by the different girls. While wearing the clothes
and jewellery, Skye starts to dream of her ancestor and a boy named
Finch. These dreams are so vivid; she finds it hard to decipher fact
from fiction as she continues to look for the boy of her dreams.
This is the second book in The Chocolate Box Girls series and the
narrator in each is the sister whose name appears in the title.
Family relationships, friendship, boys, history and the differences
between how others see us and the ways in which we perceive
ourselves are amongst the themes explored in this novel. Cassidy
examines the changing relationship and character development of the
twins. Ultimately, she suggests that it is important to be true to
ourselves whilst being sensitive to the feelings of others. Middle
primary girls will be likely to enjoy the storylines of this series
as 'grown up parties' and boys become part of the sisters' lives and
they learn how to cope with these different events.
Jo Schenkel
City of lies by Lian Tanner
The Keepers series. Allen and Unwin, 2011.
(Ages 10+) Recommended. Adventure. Fantasy. Six months have come and
gone since the country called Jewel was restored to a normal state,
with the Guardians defeated and the evil Fugleman overthrown and
cast out of the country. Goldie is safely living with her parents,
released from the House of Repentance, but still suffering the long
term effect of torture and imprisonment. When a request comes from
the Museum of Dunt offering her the position of Fifth Keeper, she is
thrilled, but with her parents in the state they are in, she cannot
accept.
Meanwhile when Goldie and Toadspit are investigating some missing
children, Bonnie and Toadspit are captured and taken by ship to
Spoke. With Goldie also hidden on the ship, adventures are about to
happen all over again. Finding other children to help them in this
Dickensian world proves to be difficult, but when they find
themselves in the midst of the Festival of Lies in the city,
everything is topsy turvey and they find that people cannot be
trusted. But back in Jewel, the evil Flugleman is beginning to worm
his way back into his sister's good graces, so everyone needs to
keep their heads clear for action.
Another fast paced fantasy thriller, City of Lies follows
Goldie as she tries to understand what is happening both in Jewel
and Spoke. Her dream job, that of being the Fifth Keeper is nearly
in her grasp, but her sorrow about her parent's imprisonment stops
her accepting it. But in Spoke she can see what is happening back
home and struggles to free the group to enable them to get home to
stop the Flugleman's machinations.
Fran Knight
Brother/Sister by Sean Olin
Brother/Sister by Sean Olin
Razorbill, 2011. ISBN 9780141338453.
(Ages: 15+) Teenagers Will and Asheley are siblings and best
friends bonded together by the violent and dysfunctional upbringing
they have endured. The story is told in hindsight in alternating
diary form by the two characters. We meet Will and Asheley on what
should have been a wonderful day for them both as they separately
win important sporting events. However from then on their lives spin
from one very violent situation to the next. Will becomes fixated on
protecting Asheley even when there are no real threats to her. Even
Asheley becomes afraid of him, playing along only with his decisions
because she's afraid for her life. The ending is unexpected but
believable.
The story is fast paced and gripping and I read it all in one
sitting. The bullying that Will endures at school is heartbreaking
to read and as a reader you can understand the warped view of the
world he develops. I strongly recommend that librarians and parents
read this book themselves before including it in a collection, as it
is a very dark and disturbing book. Recommended for senior students
who are fans of Scot Gardner's books and keen viewers of TV shows
such as CSI and Criminal Minds.
Chris Lloyd
Parrot carrot by Jol and Kate Temple
Ill. by Jon Foye. Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 978 1 74257 686 8.
Picture book, Pre school. In a lovely soft covered padded book, each
double page has a pair of unlikely objects pictured with their
names, that rhyme. These are combined to make an unusual thing on
the next page. The cover illustration is the last double page with
the rhyming two things, a carrot and a parrot, then the page is
turned to see a picture of the combination of these two things. The
funny illustrations will bring gales of laughter, and the pair of
rhyming objects will encourage children to look further. Rhyme is
most important for the early reader to connect similarities about
words, and increase their word knowledge and understanding. This
book will be one of a group of books used in pre school groups to
encourage this.
Fran Knight
Death in the desert by Jim Eldridge
Egmont, 2011. ISBN 9781405251945
I would recommend this book for 12 to 18 year olds. The front cover
says it all. A dramatic photograph of a group of fully armed
soldiers in combat gear run through an explosive war zone. This book
is high action and deals with the war in Afghanistan.
Six Black Ops soldiers, Mitch, Two Moons, Gaz, Tug, Benny and Nelson
are on a secret mission and must help a peace negotiator travel
through Taliban controlled areas in Afghanistan. Danger surrounds
them, they are constantly at risk of death or injury and are
involved in combat on several occasions. This sense of constant
threat makes for a very suspenseful read and keeps the reader
wondering 'What will happen next?' or 'How will they get out of this
one?'.
Friendship and camaraderie are strong themes throughout the story
and all of the men look out for each other and will put themselves
in danger to save their mates.
The realities of war are apparent and the book does come with a
warning that it contains graphic scenes of warfare but Jim
Eldridge's writing style makes this book readable for young teens.
A secret file of all the Black Ops soldiers at the end of the
book is an interesting addition.
This book is the second in the Black Ops series, the first being Jungle
Kill.
Jane Moore
The Outcasts by John Flanagan
Brotherband: Book 1. Random House, 2011. ISBN: 978174664492.
(Ages 10+) Highly recommended. Sixteen year old Hal, with half
Skandian and half Araluen parentage, has never been quite accepted
by his fellow villagers. With his father having died on a raid when
Hal was only a baby, the boy and his mother befriend Thorn, a
drunkard who had lost a hand on a sea voyage many years before. They
give Thorn's life purpose and he becomes something of a surrogate
father to the boy, assisting him with his creative pursuits. Whilst
watching Stig, one of his peers, Hal rescues him when he falls into
the ocean, thus beginning a solid friendship. When Hal buys a partly
finished boat from his boss, he sets himself the task of completing
it with some modifications.
On reaching the age of sixteen, boys are sent off to do Brotherband
training. Here they are to learn 'tactics, weapon skills,
seamanship, ship handling and navigation.' They are broken into
groups in a manner similar to choosing teams for school sport . . .
someone is always unwanted and left until last. By default, he and
Stig are part of a smaller gang of boys, un-wanted by the popular
boys. When these misfits are announced to be members of the third
team, Hal is elected as 'skirl', the leader of the group. Thus
begins their battle to defeat the other Brotherbands with their
popular leaders in an effort to become the victors for the year.
Following a very similar formula to the successful Ranger's
Apprentice series, this title, with its different band of
characters and focus on the sea, works equally as well. There is a
certain amount of humour to balance the more serious themes of being
the 'underdog', acceptance of others, valuing diversity and team
work, loyalty, resilience and creative problem solving. The book
could be used as a comparative text alongside Emily Rodda's Rowan
of Rin or Sandy Fussell's Samurai Kids series. Each
title could be used to analyse the elements of the hero's journey.
Both Fussell and Flanagan include multiple characters with
disabilities, each of whom uses their skills in unexpected ways to
overcome the difficulties they face. The Outcasts is a
thoroughly enjoyable and engaging title.
Jo Schenkel
Stay with me by Paul Griffin
Text Publishing, 2011. ISBN 9781921758713.
(Age 15+) Highly recommended. This is a beautifully written,
emotional roller coaster of a love story that I could not put down.
Cece and Mack, the two main characters, both have difficult lives
with alcoholic parents and major personal challenges. Cece is a
gifted student who is a seemingly perfect match, raising each other
up, when neither have any self worth. When they fall in love they
think it will be forever. However Mack loses control and there are
tragic consequences.
All the characters are engaging and believable and the plot is
gritty but hopeful. At times I cried and laughed on the same
page. Cece and Mack are characters that will stay with me for a long
time and I will definitely be reading other Paul Griffen books, Ten
Mile River and The Orange Houses. These are also about
kids living on the fringes of society.
Highly recommended for senior students, it would be a useful
comparison text with other novels about redemption, love, loss, hope
and following your dreams.
Chris Lloyd
