Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN: 9781408819616.
(Age 14+) Highly recommended. Sarah Burke's life is about to get
complicated. She's agreed to help her gorgeous best friend, Kirsten,
catch the eye of the hot new guy at school, only to discover that
he's actually perfect for her. And to make matters worse, Sarah's
convinced that the guy of her dreams won't be able to see past her
unusually large nose.
I felt truly into this book as I could relate to the main character.
We all have our flaws and things we don't like about ourselves and
we always feel like they are the reason for all of our rejections. I
was gripped throughout the whole story wondering how it would turn
out and if she would get the guy and keep her best friend. All in
all a very gripping, exciting story that any girl would love to read
and a must have if you have insecurities about your body.
Taylor Oxenham (student)
Ted goes wild by Michael Wagner and Tom Jellett
Puffin Books, 2011. ISBN 978 0 14 3304227.
This is a quirky story about a teddy bear owned by a young boy named
Oliver. Ted has an undercover life that causes great concern for
Oliver. When Ted receives a letter from Papa Guru, Leader of the
World Teddies Oliver knows Ted must embark on another mission. His
goal is to rescue Talia, a rag doll who has been trapped in a cave
guarded by a grizzly bear.
Teds adventures involve many diverse skills and place him in extreme
danger at times. The text, sometimes in comic format, and the
illustrations work well to explore the perils of Ted and the
concerns of Oliver as this adventure unfolds. With ever page turn
Ted is faced with increasing peril therefore encouraging the reader
to keep reading to ensure the ending is a satisfying and safe one.
Another adventure of Ted is scheduled to be released soon.
Tracy Glover
The koala bounces back by Jimmy Thomson
Ill. by Eric Lobbecke. Random House, 2011. ISBN 978174275 0071.
(Ages: 4-5) Picture book. Environment. A sequel to The koala who
bounced, this story shows the koala along with other animals
and birds in their stretch of the forest. But cats have moved in,
cats that have been dumped by their unthinking owners, and the
animals must decide what to do about this problem. A clear
environmental message is brought to bear with the animals grappling
with the problem of the cats destroying their neighbourhood. They
decide to have a football competition, and the cats seem to win
hands down, that is, until it rains, when they must run for cover.
But Karri takes pity on the cats, and goes off to find a place where
they can live. He smells BBQ smells coming from the new housing
estate built near the forest and when investigating, finds the cats
have followed the smells too. And the owners of the new houses take
the cats in as their own.
This is a neatly told little story which could well be used to
introduce themes such as destruction of habitat, or environmental
damage, or suburban encroachment upon animal habitat when studying
this in the classroom. Readers will be highly amused by the
different characteristics shown by the illustrator, giving another
layer to the story.
Fran Knight
Shift by Em Bailey
Egmont, 2011. ISBN 978 1921564390.
(Ages: 12+) Thriller. Recommended. A new girl at school,
Miranda,catches the attention of Olive and her friend, Ami, as the
rumours fly that she has killed both her parents. The rumour seems
odd however, when the girl herself is so dreary and thin, quiet and
mousey, until she latches onto Olive's former best friend, Katie.
Olive and Ami notice with suspicion that the once vibrant, vivacious
Katie, the centre of attention, begins to pale in comparison with
her new friend, Miranda. So much so, that Olive is most concerned,
Katie looks thin and emaciated, she seems lost in the background,
and then when she is admitted to hospital, Olive is devastated. All
the while hints are made about Olive's own state, as the hospital
where Katie now resides is also the hospital Olive was once in.
Katie's death is the catalyst for Miranda to begin to move in on
Olive, and Ami's voice keeps warning her that she is a shapeshifter,
one adept at taking over other people, just as she did with Katie.
Lachlan too, warns Olive to stay away form Miranda, but the lure is
compelling, as Miranda has become friendly with Dallas, the singer
in a band whom Olive likes.
A well written horror story, Shift will have readers eagerly
staying until the end of the book, following the exploits of Miranda
as she plies her villainous tricks upon the school cohort. Behind it
all is the boy who has shown interest in Olive, but who Olive keeps
at arm's length, lest she reveal too much of her background.
Cleverly, the author deals with some bigger issues, teen suicide,
anorexia, bullying and the breakup of families, but not in a slavish
manner, wanting this to be an issue book, but rather as the
background to a well written and chilling thriller.
Fran Knight
Let's go Baby-O by Janet and Andrew McLean
Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 9781742375649.
(Age 3-5) Recommended. A toddler and his young companion have great
fun, playing, 'Let's go, Baby-O', whirling and twirling, up and
down. In between energetic dances, they stop and look out the window
and what do they see? The little boy concentrates on the birds
in a tree and what they are doing, but the reader can see so much
else going on outside: children building a cubbyhouse, a dog being
washed, people gardening and a cat climbing a tree.
The young child will have such fun playing the 'Let's go Baby-O'
games, learning about bouncing and pouncing, jumping, bumping and
thumping as well as flipping, flopping and hopping. They also clap
and flap, twist, twirl and whirl. In between this frenetic dancing,
come the quiet moments when both the little boy and the reader can
look out the window and have a chance to check what is happening
outside. The language of this story is exuberant and young children
will learn lots of new words as well as long to be up and dancing as
the story is read to them.
I love the illustrations as well. There are little details like the
toys that the little boy brings one by one to the windowsill to
observe what is going on, until there is a long line of them looking
out as well. The activity in the garden is amazing and the reader or
child who is listening to the story will be amazed at the fact that
the little boy is concentrating on the birds when there is so much
else going on. The illustrations are in soft pastels, and the antics
of the cat and dog add a depth of humour to the garden scene.
This is a very special book that will teach language as well as
giving children the opportunity to have lots of fun with the story.
Pat Pledger
Horses for King Arthur by L. S. Lawrence
Omnibus Books, 2011. ISBN: 9781862919198.
(Age 14+) Recommended. Britain, the year 475. The world is
darkening. In the darkness, there are some who dream. Artorius
dreams of victory over the barbarians who raid the night. And Alexa,
half-Roman, dreams of breeding the horses that will carry him to
victory. But Alexa's mother has very different plans for her, and
will stop at nothing to see them fulfilled. Alexa needs allies, and
finds them - her father's old groom, Syragus, and the mysterious sea
Captain, Grecca. With their help she will follow her dream, wherever
it leads her.
A beautiful story of love and loss that you immediately get lost in.
This story captivated me and I fell in love with it. But the title
confused me a bit: after I read the book I realised that there
Artorius was another word for Arthur. But other than that I loved
the book and would love to read others by this author.
Taylor Oxenham (Student)
Blood Money by J.E. Fison
Hazard River series. Ford Street, 2011. ISBN 978 1
921665 462.
(Age 9+) You know Blood Money is going to be an adventure
when the opening pages introduce our characters - Jack and Ben - and
a fist full of $50 notes. It is only chapter 2 and the boys are
already up to no good - claiming money that is not theirs and
dreaming about how they will spend it. Throw in an encounter with a
poisonous snake and now the story involves all four friends - Jack,
Ben, Mimi and Lachlan. Working together, they hide the money and set
a trap. Who does the money belong to? Are they criminals? Will Mimi
make the boys hand the money in? Will Jack ever get a yacht or a
quad bike? Who has wrecked the shed? Are the friends safe or is
there really a curse? Blood Money is a quick moving short novel with short descriptive
chapters and lots of adventure to keep readers engaged. Boys aged 9+
will enjoy the humour and the action. It is part of a series
but this story stands alone and readers will not have to read others
in the series to understand what is going on. Of course, they will
want to check out more adventures, I am sure! The thing I love about
this book is it is Australian, exposing children to Australian
humour, animals and places - a good thing in the world of computer
games.
Kylie Kempster
Riley and the grumpy wombat by Tania McCartney
Ill. by Kieron Pratt. Ford St., 2011. ISBN 978 1921665493.
(Ages 5+) Picture book. The fourth in the Riley series, see Riley,
digging in his grandmother's garden to make mud pies, happens upon a
wombat hole. Inside is a very grumpy wombat and it soon scurries off
to find safety elsewhere. The indomitable Riley then heads off on
his contraption to find the hapless animal, thus flying over parts
of Melbourne and Victoria, giving the reader a visual tour of the
state and its attractions.
The little red plane, replete with Riley at the controls, and
accompanied by his friends, panda and koala and two toys, flies over
Melbourne searching in the strangest of places for the wombat.
Children will love telling the reader that these places could not
possibly be the places to find wombat, as they see Bourke Street
Mall, Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, South Bank amongst
others. They then go to places more likely to find a wombat, Royal
Botanic Gardens, Dandenong Ranges, and Great Ocean Road, but still
with no success.
Eventually of course the wombat is found, in of course a mud villa,
thus returning to the theme of the opening lines.
A neat introduction of the sights of Victoria, this will be well
used in classrooms where books about Australia are there for younger
children to research, particularly in light of 2012 being The
National year of Reading, and using Alison Lester's book, Are we
there yet? as its theme.
Fran Knight
Dark and hollow places by Carrie Ryan
Orion, 2011. ISBN 9780575094840.
(Age 14+) Recommended. Zombie. The third in the Forest of Hands and
Teeth series stars Annah, Gabry's twin sister. Annah has a lot to be
sorry about. She and Elias lost Gabry in the forest when she just a
little girl. She has a horrific scar from the barbed wire that keeps
out the Undead. They have lived a precarious existence in the City,
with Elias protecting her and providing a reason for her existence.
Then he left to become part of the Recruits and her whole existence
has revolved around waiting for him to come home. But one day she
meets Catcher and decides that perhaps life is worth living after
all.
As in the first two books in the series, there is plenty of action
to keep the reader's interest. It takes place in the ruins of the
City, but is no less terrifying that the scenes of hands and teeth
clutching at the living through the fences in the previous two
books. The Horde swarm everywhere and the machinations of those in
command of trying to keep the living safe are horrifying as well.
Annah is a compelling character who grabbed my interest right from
the start. It was good to see her growth and bravery in this coming
of age novel. Catcher too is a fascinating character. He has dark
secrets and his future is unknown. The growing feelings between the
two are central to the plot. Ryan handled Annah's feelings for Elias
and then for Catcher in a sympathetic and believable way. I
especially liked Annah, even more than Gabry and Mary in the
previous books, as she grew to be brave and determined. Catcher too
is strong and courageous.
This series has been fast paced and engrossing: all the books are
ones that I haven't wanted to put down. If teens want horror
stories, complete with zombies, they can't go past this group of
books or Jonathan Maberry's Rot and ruin.
Pat Pledger
Flip by Martyn Bedford
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN: 9781406329896.
(Age 14+) Recommended. One morning 14 yr old Alex wakes up to find
himself in the wrong bedroom, in an unfamiliar house, in a different
part of the country. The family at the breakfast table are total
strangers. And when he looks in the mirror he gets the shock of his
life. How is it possible that Alex has become another boy - a boy
called Philip, or Flip? But more importantly, how will he switch
back to become himself again?
At first when I started reading this book I was a little confused
with the story but then I realise the switch was at the start of the
book and not later on. A very different approach to a story but I
really liked it because I learnt things just as he remembered them
and not in the intro to his life. Very cute, funny story with lots
of twists and bends and a lot of friend making.
Taylor Oxenham (student)
The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide by Stephenie Meyer
Atom Books, 2011. ISBN: 9781905654437
(Age 13+) Highly Recommended. This must have edition is the
definitive encyclopaedic reference to the Twilight Saga and provides
readers with everything they need to further explore the
unforgettable world Stephenie Meyer created in Twilight, New
Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn and The Short
Second Life of Bree Tanner. This comprehensive handbook -
essential for every Twilight fan - is full-colour throughout, with
nearly 100 beautiful illustrations and photographs, and with
exclusive new material, character profiles, genealogical charts,
maps, extensive cross references, an in-depth conversation between
authors Stephenie Meyer and her idol Shannon Hale, and much, much
more.
A definite must have for any Twilight fan, you get all of
the inside secrets that only Stephenie Meyer and her close friends
and workmates knew. For me getting the chance to review this book
was amazing. I am a major Twilight fan and anyone who loves
Twilight or even if they don't, should definitely get this
book to truly understand what Stephenie was thinking when she wrote
the series and how she came to write it. All in all, it is a great
informational book on a great series.
Taylor Oxenham (student)
The Accidental Princess by Jen Storer
Penguin, 2011. ISBN 978 0 670 074969.
(Age 10+) The Accidental Princess brings to life the magical world
of fairies, imps and talking creatures. It brings forward the
possibility of a normal child being a princess in a magical world
and young girls being heroes, relying on their wits instead of
turning to adults.
Matilda and her older sister, Iris, are home for the school
holidays. The girls do not get along and as a result Matilda hides
Iris's lucky penny to get back at her. The consequence of this
action opens up access to the mysterious hedge - a place the girls
were always warned about. Matilda is seen as the princess who will
save the fey world and with the help of her sister and advice from
their nanny and the gardener, the girls battle nasty imps,
disgusting toads and an evil witch queen.
Will Iris succumb to the influence of the witch? Why do Nanny and
Joseph know so much about this magical world? Can Matilda be brave
enough to save the day? The Accidental Princess is aimed at girls who are independent
readers aged 10+. The text is small but the chapters are short and
descriptive and the further you read, the more interesting it
becomes. The girls meet interesting characters - my favourite
is the hedge troll who only likes it when you talk in questions -
and learn to become friends and trust each other.
Kylie Kempster
Battle of the Mutants: Aquaterros by Mac Park
Scholastic , 2011. ISBN 978 1 92168 430 2.
This story is part of the Boy vs Beast series which has been written
with large font to assist reluctant readers.
It has a science fiction flavour and is filled with technological
gadgets. There are elements of computer game playing with the way
the border guards, who are hoping to become border masters, go about
their daily tasks of guarding the border wall and keeping earth
safe. The base where the guards are is a series of secret tunnels
and passages.
Alternatively the beasts live in four main areas - rock, water, air
and land. There is a constant battle by the beasts to infiltrate the
base on earth.
The battle sequence is depicted in cartoon format. The illustrations
provide screen vision, gadget diagrams and special message pods that
enhance the story and aid the readers understanding of the battle
occurring.
Tracy Glover
Whisper by Chrissie Keighery
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2011. ISBN 9781921759321
(Age 14 +) Highly recommended. Demi Valentino is facing the sort of
situation that many teens face: starting at a new school, trying to
make new friends, falling in love, thinking about her career.
However, Demi has an extra challenge to face, for two years ago she
lost her hearing after a serious bout of meningitis. And this is why
she has decided to change schools, moving away from her much loved
childhood friends, and against her mother's wishes. Demi believes
that if she wants to achieve at school (and get her dream job) she
needs to be able to understand what is going on around her, so in
the opening chapter of this novel, she nervously attends her first
day at a school for the deaf.
Attendance at this school introduces Demi to the broader deaf
community, and one of its fiercest advocates, Stella, a strong and
determined fellow student. Stella's singular approach brings her in
conflict with Demi, who finds she has a more delicate balancing act
to consider, given that her family and old friends come from the
hearing world. However, their battles are always woven into the
story in a realistic and engaging manner so that it does not become
an issue driven story with a message to push. The character's
journey is what drives this story and makes it an enjoyable reading
experience.
Demi is a likable young girl, a credible mix of resilience and
anxiety. She worries about her place in the world and her place in
her family. Her mother is a strong character who has fought fiercely
on her daughter's behalf and Demi must draw on her own strength to
make decisions for herself. Demi also grows in understanding as the
novel proceeds; she realises that her anxieties about her deafness
have sometimes caused her to misjudge many people, including
herself. She learns that she isn't the only one with battles to
face.
This is a compelling novel which will encourage teen readers to
reassess their own values and understanding of life's challenges. It
is sure to appeal to girls, in particular. Highly recommended.
Deborah Marshall
Nana's colours by Pamela Allen
Penguin/Viking, 2011. ISBN 9780670075379.
(Age 2-5) Recommended. It is Nana's birthday and the children all
have a colour to give her to celebrate. Each present is a different
colour.
In a deceptively simple picture book that on the surface could be
regarded as a teaching tool for colours, Allen has brought alive the
joy that giving a present brings to not only the person who receives
it but to the person who gives it. The love that both the children
and Nana have for each other is also evident and this book will
deepen the young reader's understanding of love and family.
With very few words and wonderful illustrations, Pamela Allen has
produced a beautiful picture book that will also teach children
about the different colours. On a two-page spread, Allen has draw
six children holding six bouquets of flowers all in different
colours. The children's faces and bodies are hidden by the flowers
and their stems making the children look a bouquet of flowers in
themselves, one that grandmothers will relate to I'm sure. The
following pages have a single word for the colour and then a picture
of the little child, who is carrying the bouquet to Nana. It
finishes off with an exuberant grandmother and her grandchildren
dancing through a sea of different coloured flowers.
A beautiful picture book that will be winging its way over to London
to my grandchildren, Nana's colours is sure to bring delight
to any grandmother's heart.
Pat Pledger
