Freak Street Bumper Super-Freaky Activity Book by Knife and Packer
Scholastic, 2011. ISBN: 987 1 74169 557 1.
Containing puzzles, word searches and crosswords, step-by-step 'how
to draw' instructions, cartoon strips, Freak Street facts, spot the
difference pages and a sheet of stickers; this would make the
perfect title for children who love the previous books in the
series. With full colour illustrations and comics, this would suit
the children who are independent readers yet still enjoy graphic
novels and the concept of creating their own characters and stories
using this as scaffolding. As they test their knowledge of the
novels from the series, this would provide them with some engaging
activities.
This is not a book which I would be quick to purchase for a school
library as I know it would (eventually) be returned filled with
writing or colouring and minus the sheet of stickers! Students would
not be able to refrain from 'filling in the gaps'. I would encourage
the parents of children who love the series to purchase this,
however. With more and more students creating their own comics and
publishing their work electronically to the internet, this could
provide some additional ideas.
Jo Schenkel
Silvermay by James Moloney
Angus and Robertson, 2011. ISBN 9780732292034.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Winner of the Gold
Inky 2011, Silvermay is the first in a new fantasy trilogy by
James Moloney. The disturbing prologue demands that the reader
continue with the book as Silvermay says:
'Or should I tell you, instead, that I've held a blanket over a
baby's face to smother it, and to this day I'm not entirely sure I
was wrong to do it?' pg 1.
I was totally hooked and had to read to find out if Silvermay did
smother a baby and why she would do such a horrendous act. Silvermay
is a young woman living quietly in her village when a handsome young
man, Tamlyn, and a young woman Nerigold with a newborn baby Lucien,
arrive at her home seeking aid. Nerigold is ill and Silvermay's
mother insists that she rests and recovers from the birth. However
the wizard Wyrdborn, Coyle Strongbow, is determined to find the
child and use him to gain power. When his men arrive in the village,
searching for Lucien, Silvermay leads the others on a bold quest to
find the secrets that the baby holds. There is much danger,
adventure and death defying moments as Wyrdborn magic is used to
follow them.
This is an enthralling story of good versus evil. The medieval type
setting is perfect for this original quest novel and Moloney has
come up with an original and sweeping story. Silvermay is the main
character in this novel, with the books, Tamlyn and Lucien to follow.
She is a courageous and generous young woman who is prepared to face
danger to look after the small baby, who is at the centre of an
age-old prophecy. Her goodness spills over to Tamlyn, who is
influenced by the way she thinks and acts. He faces the torment of
wondering whether he can overcome his Wyrdborn upbringing and begin
to feel and love like a normal person. This dilemma is a central
theme: Can Tamlyn overcome his genetic traits and be able to allow
his mother's beliefs and Silvermay's influence to help him become an
more empathetic person?
The growing romance between Tamlyn and Silvermay will satisfy those
who enjoy a romance in their fantasy. It is a rocky road for the
pair however as there are many twists and turns in the novel and
Silvermay is never sure whom she can trust.
This is a book that fantasy readers will lap up and teens have voted
it the book that they have most enjoyed in the Inky Awards, 2011. It
is a wonderful change from the vampires and werewolves and deserves
to be promoted in libraries and reading groups.
Pat Pledger
Note on the door and other poems about family life by Lorraine Marwood
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 9781921720611.
(Age 8+) Highly recommended. This is a delightful collection of
poems that describe many facets of Australian family life with
humour and insight. It is well organised into themes such as
holidays, school and friends. Particular favourites for me are a
poem describing a messy bedroom turned to compost and another from
the point of a view of an older sibling describing the impact of a
new baby.
Collections of Australian poetry suitable for many year levels are
not easy to find and this collection would be ideal for both
classroom browsing shelves and library shelves. The quirky
illustrations add fun and interest to the pages. Lorraine Harwood
won the 2010 Prime Minister's Literacy Award, Children's Fiction for
her verse novel Star Jumps which is also well worth
purchasing. This novel and the Note on the Door collection
would be suitable for class or individual study from Year 3 upwards.
Chris Lloyd
City of fallen angels by Cassandra Clare
Mortal Instruments 4. Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 9781406328660.
(Age 14+) Clary Fray is back in New York, training to
be a Shadowhunter and happy to have Jace as her boyfriend. But all
is not well. Shadowhunters are being killed and no one knows who is
doing it. It creates tension and Clary is afraid that war will break
out between the Downworlders and Shadowhunters. Then Jace begins to
act strangely. Does he still love her? And what is Sebastian up to?
Clare has built up an atmosphere of fear and the possibility of
betrayal by friends with a real cliff hanger ending which will
ensure that following books are picked up. The romance between Jace
and Clary is not clear-cut and Clary is afraid of what is happening
to Jace. Magnus and Alec are more of a feature in this book and
there is still room for the development of Simon's new character in
future books.
I loved the Mortal Instruments books and thought that City of
Glass was the last in the series. I loved the way that it
ended and felt thoroughly satisfied with the series and was happy to
read her new series Infernal Devices, so I was surprised
when City of fallen angels came out. I didn't enjoy it as much as
the others in the series, probably because in my head I had put Jace
and Clary to rest. The series, however has been a
great hit with teens.
Pat Pledger
Neville No-Phone by Anna Brandford
Ill. by Kat Chadwick. Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978-1-921529-96-2.
Australia has more mobile phones than people so they are definitely
a must have item which explains why primary school aged Neville and
his friend Enzo are so desperate to have one. At first they harass
their parents for a phone but are knocked back. Enzo's parents think
it is hysterically funny and Neville's suggest he use the baby
monitor or Styrofoam cups with string. How will they cope!
So the two boys are determined and as luck would have it, they
discover a lost phone in a bus shelter. Of course they will return
it, won't they?
I particularly liked the joke at the end of the book, about the one
girl in the class who actually owns and flaunts her mobile phone.
Everything is not how it seems.
A fun read with a light hearted look at consumerism, Neville
No-Phone will appeal to 8 to 10 year olds who will understand
the problems of trying to obtain your 'must have' item.
Illustrations by Kat Chadwick are perfect for the story and the
cover will appeal to young readers.
Jane Moore
Grumpy little king by Michel Streich
Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 9781 74237 572 4.
(Ages 7+) Recommended. Picture book. When the little king is bored,
he becomes grumpier than usual. He tries golf, walking the dog,
buying clothes, going for a drive, but nothing satisfies him. When
his advisors ask him why he is grumpy, he tells them that it is
because he is a little king in charge of a little nation. The
advisors advise to make war upon another nation, and in that way he
would become a big nation and world famous. So he takes their
advice, calls for the general to make plans, declares war on his
cousin in the next country and waits. Meanwhile, a great deal of
money is spent arming the nation - soldiers are trained and
ceremonies put into place to thrill the populace.
But once war is happening, the soldiers ask why their king is
nowhere to be seen, and on scouring the nation, both sides find
their kings a long way behind the fighting. The two are dragged to
the front, where they refuse to fight each other, and so the
soldiers disperse and go home. Once back in his palace, the little
king is grumpy all over again, but this time, nobody cares.
A delightful book extolling the virtues of peace and understanding,
of making love not war, of not following the machinations of those
in power who are only out to engrandise themselves, this funny book
should be read and reread by all politicians, every night. It is a
marvellously funny book to read aloud to a class, to use as an
introduction to a unit on war and peace, to have in the classroom at
all times, to have when talking to students about fighting and
bullying. It would be a wonderful companion to The duck in the
gun by Joy Crowley, reprinted in 2009, 25 years after its
first appearance.
Fran Knight
Lazy Daisy, busy Lizzie by Mary Ellen Jordan
Ill. by Andrew Welden. Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 978 1 74237 429
1. 20p
(Age Early Learning Centres and Junior Primary). Well recommended.
The colourful soft feel of the cover entices the young reader to
open the book and find endpapers revealing the daytime scene of a
normal farm. But all is not normal! The cow eats jelly, the
pig doesn't like mud, chicken Lizzie dances through the air, and
Frankie the dog sits in the armchair watching television while
eating cake and drinking tea. What an unusual group of animals! The
final night endpapers reveal all are peacefully sleeping which seems
to be the only usual activity they do. The paper has a smooth
tactile feel and with the cover is very pleasant, both on the eye
and to the touch. The clear illustrations are boldly painted in
water colours. This story could easily encourage young writers
to make up their own versions.
Sue Nosworthy
Mini Racer by Kristy Dempsey and Bridget Strevens-Marzo
Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 9781408800386.
'Start your engines! Time to race, round the corners. Take your
place.' And they're off! A dozen or more little critters on
the craziest of cars are off on the BIG race. And with more
action than Bathurst, and just as much carnage, we follow them out
the gate and down the hill, over, under, in and through . . .
Who will be the winner? Will it be Giraffe who gets
stuck going into the tunnel? Perhaps Rabbit on his racing
carrot? Maybe the cheeky cats who take a shortcut? Or is there
a quiet contender, a black sheep who surprises?
The rhythm of the rhyme really portrays the speed of the story and
the illustrations are quirky and engaging. Kindy loved it, and
all we can say is Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup better watch
out. Mini Racer is here!
Barbara Braxton
The Un-forgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Walker Books, 2011.
Highly recommended for 9 to 13 year olds and anyone who loves a
wonderful story.
There are books that are so special that even after you have
finished reading them they stay with you and become a permanent part
of your thoughts. For me, The Un-forgotten Coat is one of
those books.
Written by Frank Cottrell Boyce, who won my admiration earlier with
Millions, The Un-forgotten Coat is an intriguing book
for several reasons.
The cover and contents show it is not an ordinary book. It has the
look of a personal journal written on lined paper. The book contains
several photographs and I am old enough to instantly recognise that
they came from a Polaroid camera.
The story is told in the first person by Julie, who is recounting a
particular experience at school. The time two Mongolian immigrants,
Chingis and 'Negrui', joined her class in Bootle, Liverpool.
Their unusual dress and behaviour instantly captivates Julie and
they nominate her their 'Good Guide', to help them learn about
everyday life.
Chingis tells Julie about Mongolia and he has a collection of
Polaroid photos to enhance his fascinating stories. But Chingis and
Negrui worry constantly about a demon that is chasing them and some
of their bizarre behaviour is to keep them out of the demon's way.
This puzzles Julie but it is not until the end of the book that the
identity of the demon becomes clear.
Frank Cottrell Boyce explained that the idea for this story came
from a real experience he had while on an author visit to a school
in Bootle and involved a young Mongolian girl Misheel, who 'lit up
the room'. Her story and that of the fictional Chingis and Negrui is
emotional, touches your heart and can bring you to tears in the last
few pages. Yet there are times when you laugh out loud at some of
the conversations and scenarios.
I was also intrigued by the publication of this book by The Reader
Organisation and the work they do to bring people and books
together. Have a look at the website
for more information and for a link to teacher resources for the
book.
Jane Moore
Compromised by Heidi Ayarbe
Harper Teen, 2010. ISBN 9780061728518.
(15+) The only certainty that teenager, Maya Sorenson, can count on
is that life is unpredictable. The suicide of her mother has left a
haunting sense of abandonment and having a con man for a Dad adds
fuels to her feelings of insecurity. Maya is accustomed to packing
her few possessions and fleeing in the night as her Dad tries to
stay one step ahead of the law. She attempts to impose logic on her
disordered world by applying scientific principles to the challenges
she confronts but this time her father isn't quite fast enough. He
is put in prison and Maya finds herself living on the streets while
trying to trace the only relative who may be able to help.
This is a dark and confronting story that addresses a plethora of
social problems and the harsh reality of street life. Maya is
accompanied by two other vividly drawn characters on her journey.
Nicole is a victim of domestic violence and abuse within her family
and Klondike is a young boy who believes that his Tourette's
Syndrome is evidence of demon possession. Drug and alcohol
abuse, prostitution, violence and death are all issues that make up
the fabric of this novel.
In this third book by Heidi Ayarbe she challenges the reader to see
the sad and hurtful reality behind every story of
homelessness. The random goodness of some people is contrasted
with the mindless cruelty of others. It is not a sugar coated story
and while it is a compelling read it is not for the faint hearted.
Tina Cain
Tin toys by Bruce Whatley
Ill. by Ben Smith Whatley. Random House, 2011. ISBN 978 1 86471 991
8.
This story takes place on Christmas Eve in a toyshop where while the
shop keeper snoozes in his chair the 'older' toys are chatting -
the ones who didn't come with flash poster promotions and gimmicks
to promote sales. They were discussing the Space Ride, a toy that
once was the star attraction but long ago had lost the key to crank
it up to work. The toys had tried many different keys, kindly
donated by other toys but with no success. The new toys,
particularly Megabot, didn't understand the fascination with the
Space Ride however, grudgingly, he agreed to help the toys get the
only key they hadn't tried, the one that hung from a watch chain on
the shopkeeper's waistcoat.
As the mission to retrieve the key began more toys became interested
and involved in what was happening. All was going well until the
shopkeeper stirred and was alarmed by the toys being so close to him
- their mission looking like it had unsuccessful. However all was
not lost and the toys agreed 'it was the best Christmas ever'.
The end papers perfectly capture the three key elements of the
story. The illustrations are bold in colour and reflect the age of
the toys with excellent recreation of the old tin toys that use to
be a treasured possession of young children in times gone by.
The use of shadows in the illustrations helps to create the focus
and suspense of what is taking place and assist the reader,
particularly on pages with little text. This is a lovely
collaboration between a talented author and his son.
Tracy Glover
Evangeline: The Wishkeeper's Helper by Maggie Alderson
Penguin/Viking, 2011. ISBN 9780670075355.
(Age: 7 - 10 years) Recommended. As a big fan of Maggie Alderson's
writing for adults I was interested to see that she had ventured
into the world of children's books. I was not disappointed as she
has written a story that is an ideal read aloud for girls in the
first years of school.
Evangeline is a toy elephant that has been abandoned by her owner
and lies under a bed wishing that something will happen so she can
be useful again. Then she is transported 'Upstairs' a magical world
where children's dreams are granted. During her induction she meets
the Easter Bunny, Santa and the Tooth Fairy and learns a lot about
friendship. There are eleven chapters and the illustrations by
Claire Fletcher are delightful.
The themes of friendship, hope, and making choices are sensitively
explored and Evangeline is an engaging character. Recommended for
girls who need to move beyond the formulaic writing of the many
fairy series available.
Chris Lloyd
Stego-Snottysaurus by Kyle Mewburn
Ill. Donovan Bixley. Dinosaur Rescue Series. Scholastic, 2011. ISBN:
9781775430209.
Arg is back - the smart cave boy living in Neanderthal times.
His task this time is to save the dinosaurs from people flu.
When dad is sick with the flu, Arg sets out to help find a
cure. Along the way he stumbles into an angry cave bear and
his friend Skeet. Skeet is a T-Rex with an equally intelligent
brain. T-Rex is also sick and asks his friend Arg for
help. They go in search of a group of Stegosaurs who have a
cold, but not a bad strain to see what it is about them that makes
them better. With the answer at hand, a misplaced sneeze sees
Arg become the hero again.
Being the second book in the series, it is nice to have small
snippets of information given to tie it into the first book, this
allows readers to begin at any stage of the series, and still have a
sense of character and plot so far.
Full of gross snotty and stinky situations, this book is likely to
appeal to reluctant boy readers and those who love toilet and bodily
function humour.
Zana Thiele
Skulduggery Pleasant: Death Bringer by Derek Landy
HarperCollins, 2011. ISBN: 978 0 00 732604 4.
In this book, the sixth adventure of Skulduggery and Valkyrie, the
heroes' quest to overcome evil and defeat the Necromancers
continues. A new candidate has arisen for the title of Death
Bringer, freeing Valkyrie from this responsibility. Melancholia St
Clair has been chosen to fulfill this role instead. Vandameer Craven
has begun to experiment on her with the aim of creating his own
Death Bringer. The scars and symbols which he has carved all over
her body in the preceding months are designed to assist her during
The Surge, as her powers are developed. Unfortunately, Valkyrie and
Skulduggery cannot escape being dangerously involved, as several new
secrets, with serious consequences, are revealed. A significant
event is the meeting with the Jitter Girls, leading to the emergence
of Darquesse, the part of Valkyrie which seems to emerge as a
defence mechanism when she is being threatened.
Landy has created a fascinating bunch of characters, many of whom
have two sides, with good and evil existing as distinctive parts
within them. These facets do battle with one another as situations
arise and demand resolution. Throughout the series, the characters
grow, change and develop. The suave and confident nature of
Skulduggery Pleasant seems to be adopted by his charge, Stephanie,
as she changes into the more mature and independent Valkyrie. She
takes her responsibilities seriously and learns to predict the
consequences of events and actions as she battles to save the world.
Despite the dark characters and plot, Landy injects many humorous
comments into this series to lighten events. Comparisons between the
characters from Twilight and those in Landy's own books would appeal
to the readers who would never be caught reading such titles! With
the double spaced print, this is an accessible title for more mature
readers from upper primary through to those in secondary school.
Jo Schenkel
Miiku and Tinta: A story from Umpila Country by Liz Thompson
Pearson Education, 2011. ISBN 9781442546936.
Miiku and Tinta comes from the Sharing Our Stories series of 14
books on indigenous culture. Each book shares a traditional story
from a different indigenous community. These stories describe in
detail the different traditions, cultural practices and creation
beliefs of each community.
Miiku and Tinta is a creation story shared by the Umpila community
in Lockhart River, located north of Cairns in Queensland. Along with
the story, the book includes information about the Lockhart River
community, information about the story from two storytellers as well
as perspectives and information shared by children and elders in the
community. Photographs of the contributors help the reader to
connect more readily with the people and the culture from which the
story of Miiku and Tinta originates. The story itself is illustrated
with pictures drawn by children from the community which really
helps to bring the story into a context that students in my year 5
class could relate to. At the bottom of most of the pages is a
glossary which helps with understanding as you read.
As a Read aloud, this book provides the opportunity for rich
discussion about the traditions, beliefs and customs from
Umpila Country. At the back of the book, the inclusion of the story
written in Umpila language adds a worthwhile point of interest. I
would recommend this book as a good tool for teaching research
skills incorporating visual literacies as part of units centred on
indigenous culture.
Matt Eldridge
