Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 978 1 74237 216 7.
Suitable for upper secondary students and adults. At first glance
this collection of 39 short, black ink comics featuring Mandy Ord's
trademark 'one eyed girl' seems to belong in the company of those
slightly offbeat street and graffiti art books. However the
'sensitive creatures' that inhabit the stories, finding ways to live
conscientiously in a sometimes challenging urban environment,
deserve a wider readership. Mostly autobiographical, Mandy's
challenges range from finding ways to deal with aggressive thugs on
public transport and engaging disinterested students in art classes
to agonising over having almost driven her car into a pedestrian.
Simply linked with frames showing the artist struggling to find a
new idea for a story, this collection reminds us that to live with
integrity and care about the people we interact with every day is
not always easy. Orr lives and works in Melbourne so the urban
landscape has a familiar feel, one of my favourite parts is her
comment, on visiting her sister in Brussels and observing the
differences, 'I can't ever imagine there being a hard rubbish in
Brussels' p.130. Art and media students will find her comic style
interesting and accessible.
Sue Speck
The traitor's smile by Patricia Elliott
Pimpernelles. Book 2. Hodder Children's Books, ISBN
978-0-340-95677-9.
Pimpernelles: The traitor's smile is a fantastic book which will keep
your curiosity kindled and make it very hard to put this book down.
Pimpernelles is a series of two books that are set in England and
France back in the revolution. The main characters are Eugenie, a
beautiful French aristocrat who is fleeing the horrid revolution
with her quiet and handsome French companion, Julien. Hetta,
Eugenie's English cousin who is such a tomboy, believes that the
revolution in France is fantastic as she dreams about one day being
involved in it.
As Eugenie and Julien appear in England, Julien not speaking fluent
English, things start to become intense between Hetta and Julien
when she offers to teach him the English language. Suddenly
everything changes when Guy Deschamps appears in Deal, the small
coastal town in which this book is staged. Guy had been close
friends with Armand, Eugenie's brother who is being held in a prison
awaiting trial by the guillotine due to acts against the republic.
Eugenie is astounded that something might be going between Guy and
Julien.
A truly spectacular story of: loss and love, revolution and
hardship. This book would be more appropriate/ suited to the age 15
and upwards.
Sarah Filkin (Student)
On Orchard Road by Elspeth Edgar
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978 1 921720 29 1.
(Ages 10+) Recommended. A gentle story of finding friends in unexpected
places, Jane moves to a country town where she knows no-one. A new
school, a smaller house, her mother and new baby sister are still in
Melbourne, where the baby is in intensive care. Jane is sullen and
sometimes uncooperative, but then immediately contrite. An incident on
her first day at school puts her off side with a group of the boys, who
when seeing her on her bike on the weekend threaten her causing her to
fall off and injure herself. She is helped by another boy from school,
Michael, and when a woman comes out of the strange dilapidated house
nearby to help, Jane feels the tension between her and the others. But
taken inside, she soon comes to see that this woman is a recluse,
picked on by the same group of boys, and very much alone.
Beautifully written, full of wonderful descriptions, this story will
win the readership of many young girls, particularly, in middle school.
The change in Jane's life is one felt by all as she must cope with not
only living with just her father as he begins his new job, but also
find new friends in a new school, and work out where she belongs. All
the time the separation of the girl and her mother is felt keenly and
the health of her baby sister hangs over them all.
The relationships between Jane and her parents and new sibling are
exquisitely told, bringing another layer of reality to the story
already overflowing with verisimilitude.
But the old woman draws her back and Jane's life becomes entwined with
hers as she learns more about her and her past while they share their
innermost thoughts, their writings and drawings. Teamed with Michael at
school, they and two others conduct a presentation about the old woman
and her garden, showing some of the drawings Jane has done and giving
life to the old garden. A lovely story of coming together, of finding
new friends, of getting along with those outside your own experience,
this story will remind many of the anxiety felt when trying to fit in.
Fran Knight
Waltzing with Jack Dancer: a slow dance with cancer by Geoff Goodfellow
Wakefield Press, 2011. ISBN: 9781862549593.
(Age 16 +) Recommended. Geoff Goodfellow is a well known South
Australian whose poetry has been studied at Senior School level for
many years. In 2008 he was diagnosed with throat cancer and in this
collection of poems he documents with humour and candour the harsh
realities of cancer and treatment. The poems work best as a
collective narrative rather than as individual poems as Geoff takes
readers on his journey through misdiagnosis, unsympathetic medical
staff and the awfulness of the treatment and its side effects.
His teenage daughter Grace also contributes to the book with a
moving prose piece that documents the effects of the cancer journey
on family members and the anguish she feels watching her strong
father battle such a formidable enemy.
Be aware there is some very strong language so it is recommended
that your copy is reserved for senior students. Teachers can contact
Geoff Goodfellow for school visits through his website. Highly
recommended to anyone who has been a cancer patient and family or
friends who have cared for someone with cancer.
Chris Lloyd
Captain Blunderbolt by Carol Ann Martin
Ill. by Loren Morris. Mates (series). Scholastic. 2011. ISBN 978 1
86291 823 8.
(Ages 6+) Recommended. Life on the goldfields is tough for Alberta,
Maudie and Tully Flannigan. Their parents work hard to get money for
the family to live, but the school lessons cost threepence a week
which they can barely afford. Father goes off to try and find work,
but often gets lost coming home. The children would prefer to wag
school, and in so doing one day, climb upon a mound of rocks near
the town and find it is the hide out for the notorious captain
Blunderbolt, the local bushranger. There they watch his antics, and
Tully, knowing that their father has gone off again in search of
work, comes to the conclusion that the bushranger, an inept rider
and thief, is their father. When the police set a trap for the
robber, things escalate and Blunderbolt escapes, but not before Alberta
works out who he really is.
A fun little story in this great range of books, Captain Blunderbolt
will be enjoyed by the early chapter book readers, looking for a
humourous tale to read. Lots of pictures reflect the action, adding
to the overall picture of what it was like to live on the gold
fields in the nineteenth century. Some words, as in the others in
this fine series, are highlighted, adding variety and interest to
the text. Short chapters ensure readers will follow what is
happening, and the whole package is inviting. A list at the end of
the book outlines the others in this series, which will be eagerly
sought out in the school library and bookshop shelves.
Fran Knight
Beautiful days: A Bright Young Things Novel by Anna Godbersen
Penguin, 2011. ISBN 9780141335551.
(Age: 16 +) Recommended with reservation. This is the second in a
series by an author already well known for her Luxe series. A
historical romance novel, it continues the story of three young
women living a glamorous and decadent life in New York in the late
1920's. Cordelia is becoming involved in the family
bootlegging business, Letty is trying to mark her mark as a singer,
and Astrid is deciding whether she wants to become a young bride.
There is fascinating detail on the period, particularly on the money
to be made by gangsters during prohibition and the fashions and
decadent lifestyle of the rich. The characters of the 3 girls are
engaging and you care about their fates and worry about their
naivete. The middle part of the book does move slowly but as the
main characters are drawn into danger the pace picks up. It is well
written with rich language and an ending that leads you to ponder
their fates as the Depressions looms. Recommended for readers who
would have some knowledge of the period already.
Chris Lloyd
Vicious little darlings by Katherine Easer
Bloomsbury 2011. ISBN: 978-1-59990-628-7. Vicious Little Darlings is a gripping novel which you will
either hate or love. The one thing that doesn't change is the
knowledge you will want to read it through time after time. Emotive
and diabolical, Katherine Easer's first novel is nail biting and
packed with drama and a touch of the paranormal.
From a broken home Sarah Weaver has two choices, have her Nana pay
for her tuition at Weatherly Women's Collage or make her own way at
UCLA. Poorer than poor Sarah chooses the former - not that her
Nana's word means much to her, but a bit of cash now and then is
much better then working between classes. Sarah keeps this in mind
as she enters her dorm, nothing can prepare her for what happens
next.
You name it this story's got it; sex, romance and horror, mystery,
humour and it's jam packed with life lessons and warnings. This is a
book every girl should read. Lies, lust and love are featured themes
and there are wickedly crafted characters. Join in the mind games
with Agnes, Maddy and Sarah as they show you what it's like to feel
like you're sitting in a pressure cooker.
Kayla Gaskell (Student)
Act of Faith by Kelly Gardiner
Angus and Robertson, 2011. ISBN 9780732292805.
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. Intelligent and strong minded
Isabella is forced to flee Cambridge in 1640 with her scholarly
father and seek refuge with a printer in Amsterdam. The story, told
engagingly in the first person, also takes us to Venice and Spain as
Isabella and a young friend, Willem risk their lives to save their
Master from the perils of the Inquisition.
This book will inform the reader about the damage that can be done
through religious intolerance and the importance of freedom of
thought. It is fast paced and the intriguing and well researched
detail of life on the Continent in the 17th Century will be enjoyed
by readers. The three main characters (Isabella, Willem Signora
Contarini, and Master de Aquilla) are all passionate book lovers and
the moments of humour and of romance in the story act to break some
of the tension during the frantic race across Europe.
This would be an interesting paired text with Fahrenheit 451
or The Book Thief for Senior English students. It could also
be used by students seeking a strong female protagonist. There are
excellent Teacher Notes available
and a sequel The Sultan's eyes will be published in 2013.
Chris Lloyd
When we were two by Robert Newton
Penguin, 2011. ISBN 9780143566830.
Sometime around 1916, seventeen year old Dan and his younger brother
Eddie leave home from Gunnedah to walk to Port Macquarie, hoping to
find their mother who left home many years before whilst escaping
their violent father. The boys are ill prepared to undertake this
road trip and by necessity find themselves associating with various
characters, good and bad whom they meet on the journey.
Eddie has an intellectual disability from a brain injury caused by
near drowning when he was small and the greater part of the tale is
centred around his elder sibling's protective and loving nature
toward him. The complexity of this relationship is gradually
revealed during their adventure which is realistic when considered
in the simpler, more austere time in which it is set.
Plausibly, the boys encounter the unpleasant side of life, however
Dan's ingenuity and courage prevail and they soon find themselves in
the company of a family whose daughter shows them kindness. On the
next stage of their journey Dan and Eddie meet a delightful
character called Ah Ling. The boys initially find this Chinese man
confronting with his limited language and strange customs, however
his benevolence and wisdom soon prevail and the boys accumulate
skills and knowledge from him as they journey onwards.
The latter half of the novel involves the pair falling in with a
band of volunteer soldiers who are marching to the same destination
to enlist. These likeable ruffians contribute depth to the tale as
their background stories and daily interactions involve humour and
pathos which occasionally relates to the boys' own experience.
Concepts such as decency, resilience, dedication and responsibility
are presented and considered by the various characters who are led
by the fatherly figure Henry who is firm but fair with his comrades,
including the boys.
The concept of where you're going, as opposed to where you've come
from is a powerful theme in this narrative as is the consideration
of relationships founded upon choice, alongside bonds from birth.
This enjoyable story will appeal to and have meaning for early and
mid teens. The cover illustration is especially poignant.
Rob Welsh
Santa's Aussie mix-up by Colin Buchanan
Ill. by Simon Swingler. Scholastic Australia. 2011 ISBN 9781 74283
007 0.
(Ages: 4-7) Picture book. Christmas. When Santa comes to Australia
to deliver his presents, he finds that he needs the help of an
Australian animal to deliver them all. But which animal can he
chose? He must test them all to find one that is suitable. Each
animal in its turn tries the test, but none of them is up to
the task. The Tasmanian Devil wraps up the wallabies, the platypus
slips and falls in the wombat hole, the kangaroo smashes the
presents with its hopping and the emu trips. The kangaroo an emu
begin to argue over which animal is the best, and Santa then takes
the middle road and has emu and kangaroo deliver the gifts, despite
their shortcomings. The children receive their presents even though
this year they are a little worse for wear.
A pleasing little tale told in rhyme will have the readers
predicting what is going to happen to each animal, and recognising
each Australian animal as it appears. They will find much to laugh
at with the animal antics, and will find more humour in the brightly
executed illustrations which cover each page.
A parody of Advance Australia Fair, the students will recognise the
similarities once the story is begun and start to sing along as it
is read. A CD accompanies the book adding another layer of enjoyment
for the reader and listener at Christmas time.
Fran Knight
Pearson Picture Books
Pearson Australia, 2011.
The ten titles listed comprise half of this series, each being a
slim picture book of sixteen pages, just a tad smaller than A4 size.
Their brightly illustrated covers contain simple, cartoon style
pictures and bold titles, displaying the unique styles of the
different illustrators yet working cohesively as a set. These would
be useful as either class readers for students just starting school
or in the Library, perhaps as a boxed set, for children who wish to
borrow books they can read by themselves. Most 'readers' seem to use
a smaller format but these, being larger, seem to be more like
ordinary picture books. Many children would experience a greater
sense of satisfaction from reading these as they seem to be a bridge
between the two types of texts. Any of the themes or story lines
could provide a starting point for discussions in a classroom as the
messages in each title is positive and the stories amusing.
Robby in the River
Judy Waite, Judy Brown (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4792 6
When Robby, the dog, falls into the river while trying to retrieve a
stick, Lucy needs to be creative and persistent in order to get him
out.
Jolly Hungry Jack
Carrie Weston, Nick Schon (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4784 1
A counting book involving food, this also acts as a cautionary tale
about what one should eat and perhaps hints at the old adage
regarding one's 'eyes being bigger than one's stomach'.
The Day the Sky Fell Down
Michaela Morgan, Janet Cope (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4802 2
This rhyming story has a slightly different take on the traditional
tale of Henny Penny.
Lion's Lunch
Hiawyn Oram, Woody (il.l) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4796 4
Tiger endeavours to encourage the other animals to aid Lion in
getting his lunch! The illustrations of the devious Tiger wearing
dark glasses appealed to me.
No Running!
Alison Hawes, Michael Reid (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4788 9
Rules at the pool are made for a purpose but, in some instances,
they are also broken for good reasons.
Try Again, Emma
Jane Langford, Ann Kronheimer (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4800 8
Persistence, determination and effort are important as Emma works to
create an entry in a poster competition.
Jasmine's Duck
Barbara Wood, Barbara Vagnozzi (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4786 5
Not everything is as it seems when Jasmine tries to share her food
equally with the ducks at the park.
Answer the Phone, Fiona!
John Priest, Andy Cooke (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4790 2
A simple rhyming tale, familiar to many families, Fiona fails to
hear or answer the persistent ringing of the phone.
Goal!
Jane Langford, James Browne (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4798 8
Alex longs to be part of the soccer team but is too young. Will he
let this put him off of practicing or not?
Hullabaloo at the Zoo
Michaela Morgan, Bill Ledger (ill.) ISBN: 978 1 4425 4794 0
A delightful rhyming tale in which the animals at the zoo are
observed by the children, this story has a funny ending which will
appeal to young readers.
Jo Schenkel
Too small to fail by Morris Gleitzman
Puffin Books, 2011. ISBN 9780 14 330642 9
(Ages 10+) Recommended. Yet again Gleitzman has distilled the
financial crises besetting the world at the moment down into bread
and butter terms. Oliver's parents own a bank and from the outset we
know that things are not doing well. There are disgruntled investors
knocking at their doors, media conferences to get through, staff
being laid off and then packing a bag and running off in the
middle of the night. Oliver has tried to do his own financial
dealing at school, promising that for every $50 invested, he will
return $100. Not usually good at maths, it seems a real earner,
until he realises that with so many wanting to be involved he will
soon owe millions. A little lesson at schoolyard level gives the
reader a small insight into the financial doings of the world.
But meanwhile, Nancy has told Oliver of her predicament with her
camels. Expecting a large payout of her investment with his parents
to save her camel farm, has now seen the camels near death as the
investment fell sour. Oliver runs away from his parents as they
prepare to leave for Europe to avoid scrutiny, and drives with Nancy
and her daughter, Rose across Australia to the camel farm, his dog,
Barclay, in his arms. An accident sees the trio make do with part of
the camel float and they limp back to the farm to be greeted by the
police and Oliver's parents. Oliver has some decisions to make.
An informative story about the machinations of big business and
their impact at the grass roots level, Gleitzman has managed to make
some sense of the words heard everyday in the media, making this an
exciting, involving story about business by showing the impact the
bank has on its smallest investors.
Fran Knight
Dangerous to know by Katy Moran
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 978-1-4063-1729-9.
(Age 14+) Recommended. When Jack sees Bethany for the first time
there is an immediate connection and both believe that it is true
love. But Jack's older brother, Herod, has had an issue with drugs
and has been hospitalised and Jack comes from a broken home, so
Bethany's mother is certain that Jack is a bad influence. She is
determined to separate them, especially when she discovers that they
are sneaking around to see each other and going off to music
festivals. Bethany's father is terminally ill with cancer and
she is torn about her relationship with Jack and keeping the peace
at home. When Jack's brother disappears from the Peace Centre where
he has been staying, and his very rich father arrives from the
States to take over, things begin to get very difficult for Jack.
The front cover states: 'You can't choose who you fall in love
with', and Moran explores the theme of first love and whether it can
be lasting in an engrossing way. Jack, the narrator of the story, is
a very likeable character and he tells his story in a very vivid
manner, bringing to life the personalities of his friends, their
strengths and weaknesses, fears and dreams. His family
relationships, the estrangement from his father, separation from his
older twin brothers, and the difficulties of living in a broken
family are also fully realised.
The theme of drug taking and its consequences is also handled in a
non-didactic, sympathetic way. Moran clearly describes the effects
that drugs can have on certain individuals and the devastating
consequences that can have on a family. However this is all tied in
with the main theme of Bethany and Jack's growing relationship and
the difficulties that the young couple face trying to keep their
love alive.
When I read in Katy Moran's biography that she 'has worked the
graveyard shift at many festivals', I realised why the setting of
music festivals felt so authentic. This added immensely to the
appeal of the book.
This is an easy to read book, which I read in one setting and the
first and only one true love theme is sure to appeal to teens.
However the author has given them much more than romance to think
about and it has a perfectly wonderful ending.
Pat Pledger
Editor's note: This review first appeared in Fiction Focus.
Forgotten by Cat Patrick
Hardie Grant Egmont. ISBN: 9781921690624.
(Age: 16+) For London Lane, life is a mystery. She can the future in
flashes like memories but yesterday has gone just like the days
before. Her only memory of the day before is the journal entries she
leaves herself the night before. London is able to remember what she
will wear tomorrow and a funeral that won't happen until years to
come but the boy she loves today has evaporated from her mind. She
can't see Luke in her past or her future but today she loves him and
that's what matters.
London is also able to see her best friend, Jamie, getting it on
with one of the teachers at their school. She can see him breaking
Jamie's heart and London sets herself the difficult task of changing
Jamie's future before he is able to hurt Jamie.
This novel has a bit for everyone with romance and mysteries that
surrounds London and Luke. When you think you know what is going to
happen, something different happens. This novel was really well
written and once I started I couldn't put it down making the end of
the story come too quickly. I would highly recommended Forgotten
to anyone that is looking for a great read. The author was able to
make me feel sorry for London at times and other times were able to
express London's feelings that I was able to feel what she would be
feeling.' I would reread this book again and again.
Lauren Pfeiffer (Student)
Operation Eiffel Tower by Elen Caldecott
Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 978 1 4088 2573 2.
(Age 11+) What happens to children when their parents separate? How
do children cope? Elen Caldecott tackles this sensitive topic in Operation
Eiffel Tower. Lauren, Jack, Ruby and Billy have been listening
to their parents argue for a long time and finally, in the summer
holidays, their Dad moves out. The children come up with a plan to
try and get their parents back together and with the help of
Lauren's fashion magazine they decide to save and send them to
Paris. Their hope is that their Mum and Dad will fall in love again
as they won't have the kids to worry about!
As the holidays progress, they try several ways to make the money -
from busking to winning a mini golf tournament - but they just don't
get enough. Finally, after one of the children is hit by a car, they
get their parents together under the Eiffel Tower at the Mini Golf
Course where Jack works. With the help of some older family friends,
the children have finally gotten their parents to talk about what
happens next instead of arguing and while the parents aren't getting
back together, they are starting to think about the effects on the
children as well.
Elen Caldecott handles this tricky topic with seriousness and
comedy. Many children today will relate to the story of this family
and hopefully they will understand they have a voice as Jack bravely
stands up to his parents and asks if they know what he and his
brother and sisters want. Due to the sensitive nature and
descriptive language used, I would recommend this book to
independent readers aged 11+.
Kylie Kempster
