Random House, 2023. ISBN: 9781529136364. (Age:Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended.
Appearing in The New York Times Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2023 and a Sunday Times bestseller, Ink Blood Sister Scribe is sure to appeal to readers who enjoy themes that centre around books and libraries. Sisters Joanna and Esther have grown up in a family that treasures books – books of magic that must be protected. Then the sisters are separated, Esther working in Antarctica, and Joanna living a lonely life, setting the wards around the house that guards the family’s books after the sudden death of her father. Esther moves regularly, believing that that keeps her safe, but this year a budding romance sees her renewing her stay in the cold remote station instead of moving on. Meanwhile Nicholas a young man who lives in a mansion filled with magic books, is becoming restless and wants to see beyond the Library. Secrets that have been passed down through the ages, danger that surrounds blood letting and writing of magic books and magical spells all become known, showing treachery and betrayal. Will Esther and Joanna be able to protect their magical books, and will Nicholas be able to escape the risks to his life?
The author maintains a steady pace, gradually allowing the reader to get to know the characters, their flaws and dreams, while unfolding the mystery of the magic books, the death of the sisters’ father and the secrets that have been kept through generations. The modern setting, especially that of Antarctica, is very appealing as is the warded house that Joanna lives in and the huge mansion where Nicholas resides. Secondary characters especially the bodyguard Collins and the Pomeranian are engaging and the themes of loyalty, betrayal and magic are engrossing.
Ink blood sister scribe is not high fantasy and could be recommended to readers as an introduction to fantasy. I enjoyed this and read it in a couple of sittings and certainly will pick up any future books that Torzs authors. Adult fans of fantasy could move to Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo or the very popular Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.
Themes Magic, Libraries, Secrecy.
Pat Pledger
Popo the Emperor Penguin by Beverly Jatwani. Illus. by Annabelle Hale
New Frontier, 2023. ISBN: 9781922326843. (Age:4+) Recommended.
An expedition ship Southern Ice, cruises past an island off the coast of Antarctica. Seb’s parents are indulging in their breakfast on the deck but Seb only has eyes for the Emperor penguin, his favourite animal. He has been looking forward to this trip for months. At last they have arrived and Seb and the other expeditioners don their outside protective clothing for a trek on Snow Hill Island. But once there, Seb finds it harder than he thought and when an avalanche occurs, the group is inundated by snow. Hannah contacts the ship and help is on its way, but by now their teeth are chattering, and someone has realised that Seb is missing. Metres away Seb is being warmed by an Emperor penguin. The Emperor’s squawk brings many of its compatriots to the scene, and soon enough all the trekkers are being kept warm by the penguins, long enough for the rescuers to appear and take them back to the ship. Seb and the others are full of gratitude to the penguins for saving their lives.
Suitably cold illustrations with lots of ice ad snow fill the background on every page, and readers will empathise with the group trapped beneath the snow, waiting for rescue. It's enough to make their teeth chatter. Lots of information about these penguins is given at the end of the book, with a double page devoted to the virtues exemplified by each of the seven books in this series, Together we can change the world. One is set on each of the seven continents and each has a virtue told within the story. These are applied to a map of the world and a montage of each of the series can be found inside the back cover. Each provides a leap into discussions about the environment and how we can help it along. Teacher's notes are available.
In a castle, somewhere near Blumwald, in the Duchy of Scwartzstein, lives a witch. The local people know of her through her curse on the town, that once every 50 years they must supply the witch with a companion or bad things will happen and the town will fail to thrive. Daughter of the Duke, 20-year-old Mina has other worries as she vies with her stepmother and stepsisters for her father’s attention and can see no future for herself. He is totally absorbed with his plans for industrialization and the building of railways and has no time for his lonely daughter who is still grieving the death of her mother and seeks release from her pain in self-harm. When the witch comes to exact her due Mina offers herself up as the new companion and meets little resistance from her family. Mina narrates her new life in the mysterious castle where time shifts and her loneliness takes on a whole new dimension, but she seems in no immediate danger and occupies herself by exploring the castle and grounds while the witch disappears into her tower. Slowly Mina negotiates communication with the reluctant witch and a relationship develops between the two.
For a gothic-style, Beauty and the Beast reimagining this fell flat. The pace was slow and the dramas weak and although some of the costume detail was interesting the geology aspect didn’t quite work and the ending seemed contrived. The cover design with its silver skull wrapped in thorns is stylishly carried through the seasonal divisions in the book but I was unable to find the designer’s name anywhere. The gothic, fairy tale style seemed more suitable for younger readers but the sexual relationship and instances of self-harm didn’t really fit. However, lonely, or grieving young adults may find solace in this hopeful story where love conquers all.
Themes Gothic, Fantasy, Lesbian, Romance.
Sue Speck
Every exquisite thing by Lauren Steven
Electric Monkey, 2023. ISBN: 9780008627355. (Age:15+) Recommended.
Laura Steven has created a modern-day homage to Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, setting it within the image-centric world of an emotionally tortured young actress. Penny Paxton is the daughter of the famous, beautiful and youthful-looking, Peggy Paxton. Penny’s place at the famous Dorian Drama Academy is on her own merits, but inside Penny is the perpetual torment of not being good enough, beautiful enough or thin enough, and the overriding ‘never-enough’ to be really loved by her mother is always with her. Amongst her fellow students Penny experiences competition, friendship and uncertainty and the beginnings of romance, and the quest for the lead roles comes with added internal turmoil. But not everything is about the modern-day competitive world of the potential stage and film stars of the future, there is also the darkly gothic influence of a past almost-ghostly mystery. Interweaving story threads from The Picture of Dorian Gray this is a powerful tale of the dreadful nature of unhealthy beauty principles and of misplaced ideals bordering on idolisation.
This is a deeply moving and strangely confronting story! The darkly mystical world that overlaps the real world In Every Exquisite Thing makes this book a brilliant YA coming-of-age drama with gothic overtones. There are many aspects of the plot that draw closely from Wilde’s storyline (even names are borrowed from the original, and the title comes directly from an Oscar Wilde quote), but it is not necessary to have read the original inspiration to enjoy this book. The central character also grapples with contemporary issues – her identity, her same-sex attractions, and her motivations for success. But behind much of the story is the power of image and its compelling influence – a thematic thread that is so prevalent in the lives of teens in our image-obsessed digital world. Initially the story is mostly embedded in the stresses and joys of the contemporary world of the USA Drama institution and that itself is fascinating and compelling, but as the story progresses and it enters the mystical, dark world behind images and mirrors, the story becomes gothic in tone and direction. This will appeal to a whole new cohort of readers – provided they are mature.
Recommended for readers aged 15+.
Themes Body image, Identity, Acting, Beauty, Disordered eating, Addiction, Family disfunction, LGBTIQ+.
Carolyn Hull
The Blunders by David Walliams. Illus. by Adam Stower
Blunder: a stupid or careless mistake or to make one.
That pretty much sums up the family in this new release from one of the most popular authors for young readers. "The Blunders are the most blundersome family in the blundering history of blunderdom. They live in a crumbling country house named Blunder Hall. It has been in the family for hundreds of years in the heart of the English countryside."
And like so many stately homes of its ilk, it is slowly crumbling and the family is constantly and desperately seeking ways to raise funds to maintain it. For Lord Bertie Blunder ("a classic upper class twit"), this means inventing something that will make the family a fortune but sadly, his inventions tend to be so silly and impractical that they cost more than they raise. But if he is to keep his family together and his home his castle, he needs to do something before The Man from the Bank who has his own plan to seize Blunder Hall can close everything down.
Fans of David Walliams will appreciate finding this either in their Christmas stocking or on the school library shelves, as will those who are just embarking on their independent reading journey because of its easy-to-read text liberally illustrated with line drawings that not only support the story but are also LOL in themselves. The characters are caricatures, the humour is slapstick, and the whole read one that will support the young reader in their belief that they can read, even thick books like this one.
Themes Upper classes, Houses.
Barbara Braxton
How it works: Electricity by Victoria M. Williams. Illus. by Miguel Bustos
Whoever labelled the magic that happens when you turn on a light switch "electrickery" nailed it, in my opinion. Never one to understand the phenomenon, even I, as a 'more mature' adult learned something from this new book from Usborne. So if I can, your students certainly will.
The source of our energy is a hot topic right now as the switch to renewables becomes more necessary and urgent, and so, more than ever, understanding how it works and where it comes from is becoming a part of even the primary school curriculum. So starting with the basics of what electricity actually is the reader is led step by step through diagrams, explanations and lift-the-flap discoveries to understand how electricity is naturally generated to being able to harness it and even look at future sources, some quite unexpected. And there are the usual Quicklinks to support further investigation.
Living in a town whose history is steeped in the building of the original Snowy Hydro project and whose future is closely tied to Snowy 2.0, this was a must-read for me and IMO, an essential part of your non fiction collection.
Another in the series, Big Bright Feelings by Tom Percival, teaching acceptable behaviours in a very direct way, Finn's little fibs uses humour as a means to this end. In this book we see a young boy telling a little lie, but as he is asked about it, the lie compounds and he becomes overwhelmed with the extra lies he must tell to hide the truth.
Finn loves visiting his grandma, but one day he breaks his grandma’s clock, something she held dear. Instead of owning up to the accident Finn blames his younger sister, Simone. Grandma asks how Simone could have reached the clock and he tells another lie to cover the first. A blob appears whenever he tells a lie, and he continue the lie when his parents return and ask about the clock. He becomes burdened with the blobs because he has had to tell so many lies.
This little fib leads to some awkward situations where Finn is forced to tell another lie.
Over the weekend the blobs get in the way of him doing anything, they are all he can think about.
He thinks and thinks and decides that the only way to rid himself of this burden is to tell the truth. And he does, to the relief of everyone else who saw through his lies.
A neat resolution sees Finn promise ever to lie again, or if a lie did slip out now and again, he would own up straight away.
This is a wonderful vehicle for discussions about the difference between lying and telling the truth, a book for use at home or in the classroom.
Themes Truth, Lying, Humour.
Fran Knight
Bluey Advent Calendar Book Collection by Bluey
Puffin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761342240. (Age:3+)
What better way to start this year's Christmas Countdown than with a countdown for the youngest readers of one of their own all-time favourite characters?
There are 24 special mini Bluey books from story books to colouring in, bundled together in this Advent calendar which will keep kids entertained all the way through December finishing with a very special edition of Verandah Santa for Christmas Eve. Starting with Meet Bluey and Bingo, and then Meet Mum and Dad, this is a collection for all the Bluey fans as they revisit some of the popular episodes of the television series while also being able to engage with the characters in the colouring books.
What a way to inspire the excitement and joy of reading - Bluey AND Christmas.
Themes Bluey, Christmas.
Barbara Braxton
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library by Chris Grabenstein. Illus. by Douglas Holgate
As a fan of the novel Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library (and related books in the series), I was keen to see if the transition to the graphic novel format would be as successful. More than anything it added another unexpected dimension to the story with the visual aspect. Being able to view each of the diverse characters, the expressions on their faces when experiencing success, disappointment or hurt, and to ‘see’ the busyness of their quest made for an enjoyable and entertaining read.
The storyline of the quest to escape from the library is true to the novel version and the way the children form alliances and solve the clues is cleverly shared with readers. The use of the Decimal Dewey Classification (DDC) as the background to the story is a wonderful introduction for those unsure of what it actually is and how it all works. Throughout the quest the children solve puzzles using the DDC related to famous people from historical times, well known or unfamiliar book titles and library subject areas. The story shares the values of teamwork and problem-solving as well as reinforcing the age-old saying ‘Cheats never prosper.’
The colours used throughout are bold and bright with subtle changes made when the emphasis in time and action changes. The full page rebus on page 127 and the list of progress so far on page 154 were welcome additions for the reader to fully connect with the story. This wonderful version of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library reinforces how amazing libraries are and is now accessible for a new generation of readers who enjoy the graphic novel format.
Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power, written by P A Staff is a new fantasy series with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader intrigued. This story will appeal to those who enjoy reading a fantasy adventure, while intertwining messages of embracing differences and accepting uniqueness in oneself.
Twelve-year-old, Casander wakes every morning with no memory of his days before. He has no idea where he belongs and at times has outbursts of uncontrollable spasms in his limbs. After waking, again with no idea about what has happened in previous days, weeks or years, Casander finds himself outside Crane’s Curiosity shop, and in the rain. Invited in by the manager, he is momentarily relieved. However, everything suddenly changes, and his life is turned upside down, when he unexpectedly brings to life a taxidermied raven and then strangers try to grab him.
Rescued and whisked away by a girl he doesn’t know called Warrior, he is taken to the Wayward world for safety. Warrior believes Casander has the powers that she and all those around her need. As the potential ‘Foretold’, Casander must quickly learn his skills and prepare to defeat the evil powers of the Master of All.
Together, with new friends Warrior, Paws and Fenix, they work together through many challenges that arise within a year at a magical school. Casander must learn his new craft and magic with the aim to defeat the Master of All; to bring balance back to their world.
Staff has written an intriguing story; entwined with how one’s differences should be celebrated and embraced for the strengths that they are. Building in suspense, with twists and turns along the way, the audience is left eagerly reading on to find out more. For those lovers of fantasy, adventure and action, this novel is worth a read!
Susie works as a facilitator in the 'crying room', a place for people to come and release their suppressed tears. Bizarrely, the other short-term job she takes on is contributing to a laughter sound track for films. Is Susie a worker in some kind of future world, or perhaps, as we read on, this is all just a chapter in a novel that Susie’s niece Monica is writing about the emotional world of the people she knows.
The focus of Shirm’s book is relationships, particularly the relationships between mother and daughter, between sisters, and between aunt and niece. Bernie loves her daughters Susie and Alison, but her constant criticism of them has led to a schism in their relationship. Alison is like her mother, not able to express love for her daughter Monica. Susie, though weighed down with self-doubt and sorrow, opens her heart to her niece Monica and takes her into her home.
The book takes a very unusual form, with a chapter printed but striked out, as Monica decides she doesn’t want to include it. Other chapters have little side notes telling what Monica is doing at the time. It is then that the reader realises that there is more than one perspective to this storytelling.
We are presented with scenes that provide insight into the characters, and how they are shaped by their family experiences, the conflict, misunderstandings and careless cruelties. Bernie and her daughter Alison often act coldly and unsympathetically but it is the two of them that act decisively to protect a bumbling bank robber about to be confronted by police. But neither of them seem able to demonstrate caring towards their own family members.
A scene I found particularly authentic is when Bernie expresses irritation at a child ‘wailing’ in a café, blaming the parents for the child’s ‘whingeing’, whereas Susie simply crouches down and shares a silvery shell with her, capturing the child’s wondering gaze. It is a scene described with such clarity it is like watching a film.
Shirm’s book shares many recognisable moments in family relationships, and explores questions about how people are shaped and influenced by their upbringings. There is conflict and resentment, but ultimately a kind of comfort and understanding.
Themes Families, Relationships, Grief, Conflict.
Helen Eddy
Questions & answers about growing up for boys and girls by Joanna Cole. Illus. by Bill Thomas
Farshore, 2023. ISBN: 9780008587871. (Age:9+)
Fifty years ago, in 1973, Peter Mayle and Arthur Robins collaborated on two books that provided answers (with illustrations) on many of the questions that children have about growing up, body changes and their own origins. And Where Did I Come From? and What's Happening to Me? were so revolutionary at the time that they are still in print, recognisable and readily available today because there is still a need for them.
Questions about puberty, sex, and transitioning into adulthood will always exist, and given the fuss made about a recently released book written for teens and the banning of so many similar titles in so many states in the USA, it is clearly a topic that many parents are still not comfortable discussing with their children. What we used to learn behind the shelter sheds in the school playgrounds is now available everywhere just by watching a movie, television or an internet search, although there is no guarantee that what is learned is accurate or healthy.
And so, no-nonsense, factual books such as this new one from experts in relationships and sex education remain a necessity in library collections so that our children can learn and know for themselves. While the average age for girls to start puberty is 11 and for boys it is 12, it's perfectly normal for puberty to begin at any point between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys and thus this book has a place on primary school shelves as well as this blog. Using a Q&A format it covers the usual areas of the changes that boys and girls will experience but also touches on issues such as gender identity and contraception, the explanations being factual and straight-forward so that not only are the questions shown to be common and normal but also the answers and actions. Children experiencing the changes and wondering what's happening do not need to feel alone, abnormal or even dirty, and thus, they can understand that they are just like everyone else about the same age, but they have the advantage of knowledge.
For those born in a time when babies came from the cabbage patch or were delivered by a stork, when homosexuality was a criminal offence with an attached jail term, and the only source of information was from behind those shelter sheds, the normalisation of the conversations these days may seem strange and hence the actions in those US states where teachers and school librarians can face criminal charges for sharing books like this (or even having them in the collection) but IMO, the more information our children can access the better and so this is an important addition to your 612.6 section.
The sequel in the Hurog duology, following Dragon Bones, is set four years on and sees Ward, ruler of Hurog, trying to keep his lands and people prosperous. When a friend seeks refuge in Hurog Keep, after being tortured by King Jakouen, Ward is forced to think about the growing rebellion against the king and consider what side he will choose to join. When he realises that the King has a magical artifact that could ruin the country, he knows that he must find it as it is dragon’s blood, the very blood that runs through his veins, that will awaken it.
Readers will find Dragon blood to be much darker than Dragon bones, with themes of torture, abuse and rape, trigger points. Briggs does not overtly go into detail but these themes may make it suitable for adult readers only.
Ward grows in strength and self-confidence and his belief in looking after strays and his people shines throughout the book. He must use his wits to stop the High King from taking Hurog Keep and destroying the countryside.
The side romance between Ward and Tisala lightens the dark elements of the plot, with Ward gradually winning Tisala’s trust and love. Action is nonstop and keeps the reader breathless, eager to continue to see Ward’s developing leadership skills and how he will fare in his quest to save the kingdom.
Briggs has packed complex characters, dragons, dwarves, dark themes and romance, in 275 pages of well written, engrossing high fantasy. Readers who enjoy this may like Robin Hobb’s novels.
Themes High fantasy, Torture, Court intrigue, Abuse.
Pat Pledger
The impossible secret of Lillian Velvet by Jaclyn Moriarty
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761067570. (Age:9+) Recommended.
Jaclyn Moriarty is a multi-award-winning and internationally bestselling Australian author. Australian children have probably discovered or had their teachers and librarians introduce them to the Kingdoms and Empires books back in 2021 when The stolen prince of Cloudburst was an Honour book of the Children's Book of the Year Awards: Younger Readers. Readers of The impossible secret of Lillian Velvet will recognise some of the characters from other books in the series.
Moriarty is certainly able to spin and weave a story. The reader is taken (with Lillian) backwards and forwards in time. In today's world she lives with her extremely cold grandmother and is homeschooled. She knows no one and has never met other children. Her grandmother just calls her "Child" - never by her name. Grandmother sets her tasks. No matter how commanding she is, Velvet always responds with unending kindness, thoughtfulness and helpfulness. Everything changes when Velvet is given a jar of coins on her tenth birthday.
At the beginning of the book is a map of fantasy kindoms. With the aid of the coins, Velvet is "shoved" to these kingdoms where she meets and tries to help troubled people. It is unusual for characters to be "shoved" into other worlds in literature. Usually they go through portals. Velvet has little control over when or where or for how long she will be shoved into other worlds. As the story progresses, she learns a little more about herself and starts to make connections about the people she meets in these fantasy worlds.
Narrated in the first person by the delightful and courageous Lillian Velvet, the story follows her challenging adventures across time and different enchanting and dangerous worlds. She deals with Shadow Mages who make trouble, true Mages who make joy and Spellbinders who deal with trouble by taking it up in their nets. The question is - "Who is Lillian Velvet - the baby who was left on the doorstep in a basket."
Moriarty's writing is sensory. She evokes settings powerfully eg. "... the scent of fresh pine needles filled the air, murmers and laughter drifted on the breeze...the soft plashing of the lake...seemed to be making shy contributions to the conversation." With constant time travel to different places, the reader could become confused but Moriarty has Velvet summarise her experiences from time to time so that the reader doesn't lose the plot.
As a fan of Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series, I was interested to pick up her early series and I was not disappointed. Ward of Hurog has pretended to be stupid, ever since his abusive father almost killed him. A very tall, large man it has been easy for him to play the fool, duping his family and members of the Hurog household. However, when his father dies, he must hold onto his kingdom by proving that he is worthy and sets off with a party of supporters to a war at the border to show that he is capable of leading Hurog. But Ward has enemies who want the dragon bones that are hidden under Hurog Keep and he must not only prove himself but keep his enemies at bay.
In her short (295 pages) high fantasy, Briggs packs in well developed characters, setting and action. Ward is an engaging hero, who narrates his journey in the first voice, alternating with occasional chapters that relate to what is happening in the court. In this way the reader is introduced to all the key players in the story. Briggs is an adept author and it was easy to follow who was who and to visualise the events in Hurog Keep and the King’s court. The theme of abuse is strong, with Ward and his brother and sister being abused terribly by their father and this may make it unsuitable for younger readers. For those who enjoy romance with their fantasy, there is a slight romance that is likely to develop in the next in the series.
Overall, I found Dragon Bones difficult to put down because I was vested in finding out how Ward would manage in his difficult quest. I immediately began the second in the duology, Dragon Blood. Certainly, this is a novel for fans of Patricia Briggs, high fantasy and dragons.
