Reviews

Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave

Walker, 2011. ISBN 9780802723550.
I admit that I am not fond of novels written in verse. However Unlocked has helped me overcome this dislike. The book deals with a number of important issues, such as friendship and should all secrets be kept regardless of the consequences.
Andy is a loner with problems of his own, not the least being that he is the son of the school's cleaner and caretaker. He meets another boy who is a loner like himself and they begin to be friends. The friendship starts when Andy volunteers to find out if the rumour that Blake has a gun in his locker is true. He does this as he hopes to impress Becky Ann and become friends with her.
Usually the problem I have with novels written in verse is that the characters are not developed and it is hard to have any empathy with them. In Unlocked the author avoids this and as the story progresses you begin to have an insight into Andy and why he is like he is and why Blake has the gun in his locker. Even while not approving of his actions you can have some sympathy with what has caused him to get to the point he does. At the end I realized that I had enjoyed the book. It was easy to read, provided insight into the characters and their problems and ended convincingly.
It could easily be used as a basis for discussion in middle school.
David Rayner

When the World was Waiting for You by Gillian Shields and Anna Currey

Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 9781408806302.
'When the world was waiting for you, the air was bright, the sun seemed new ...' begins this gentle rhyming book about the preparation and anticipation that precedes a new baby. With its little rabbit characters, it is designed to show the newcomer that they were loved and wanted right from the very beginning, and their arrival caused great excitement and anticipation. The nursery is made ready, gifts are bought and everyone is delighted when the moment finally arrives. It also gives older brother/sister the opportunity to reflect on how exciting their own birth was for everyone.
Everything about this book is designed to convey the special-ness of birth - its padded cover, the soft, watercolour illustrations and the whole, positive message all contribute to a very special picture book. A simple concept beautifully executed.
I first shared this book with Miss 5 as she awaited the arrival of her new sister so she could understand how we were just as excited about her arrival as that of her new sister. It really helped her feel included in the event and we talked about the things we were doing for Stacey that we also did for her. She seemed to really relate to it, and now, when Stacey is 12 weeks old, she often makes comparisons between what we do for Stacey and whether it was the same for her. 'Did Grandad hold his nose like that when I was little?' (Yes.) 'Will we take Stacey to the snow and make a snowman?' (Maybe not this year.) She really seems to be getting an idea of the passage of time and how she has grown and changed already.
The press release says, 'The traditional story and illustrations reminiscent of the work of E.H. Shepard and Beatrix Potter, give this the feel of a classic picture book. The padded jacket and gold foiling make it an ideal gift'. I agree.
Barbara Braxton

The dead I know by Scot Gardner

Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN 9781742373843.
(Age 14+) Highly recommended. 'Aaron Rowe walks in his sleep. He has dreams he can't explain, and memories he can't recover. Death doesn't scare him - his new job with a funeral director may even be his salvation. But if he doesn't discover the truth about his hidden past soon, he may fall asleep one night and never wake up.'(Publisher)
In Aaron Rowe, Scot Gardner has created a memorable and complex character, one I will not forget. I found myself sympathising with this young boy who is a dropout from school. He is looked down by the local townspeople because he lives in a caravan park with his Mam an eccentric woman who forgets things. She is becoming increasingly difficult, often injuring herself and becoming dangerous to leave alone. Not yet an adult, Aaron finds himself in the role of a carer, uncertain of what to do. Life is becoming very difficult for him and to make matters worse, he has begun to have strange dreams and to sleep walk.
Fortunately for Aaron, John Barton, the funeral director, sees potential in him, and is willing to employ him in his funeral parlour. Barton is a kind man, who encourages Aaron to speak and who supports him when his Mam is taken to hospital with a broken arm.
As I followed Aaron in his journey to learn about the funeral industry, which was quite fascinating, other intriguing mysteries emerged from Gardner's skilful writing. What was going on with the druggie family in the caravan next door and who killed one of them? Why is Aaron dreaming of blood and sleep walking?
This is an engrossing and well told story that will appeal to teenagers. The themes of death, responsibility, murder and friendship are challenging but very positive and life affirming. The funeral industry and the deaths that Aaron encounters are handled sensitively, but it is Aaron's coming of age and dealing with the mysteries that surround him that will enthral readers. I think this would make a great class text or literature circle novel. Teacher's notes by Fran Knight are available at the publisher's site.
Certainly it is a book not to be missed.
Pat Pledger

Where she went by Gayle Forman

Random Books, 2011. ISBN
(Age 14+) Highly recommended. The sequel to the highly recommended If I stay, Where she went continues the story three years after Mia walked out of Adam's life without any explanation. Adam, now a popular world-weary rock star has always wondered why she left him without a proper farewell. When he is in New York and discovers that Mia is about to perform in a concert, he can't resist the urge to attend. He finally gets the chance to see her again and together they revisit the past.
I was lucky enough to have both books on hand and read them one after another. I loved the fact that If I stay was written in the voice of Mia and Where she went in the voice of Adam. If I stay concentrates on the devastating accident that leaves Mia in a coma, and the way that Adam is determined to bring her back to consciousness. Their relationship is heart rending and I used up quite a few hankies on this book so I had to rush to read the second immediately to find out just how their story ended.
Forman uses her writing craft brilliantly to depict two people who have to make their way in the world but who could have a second chance at love. But these two books are not just a simple love story. They explore the complex issues of death, the difficulty of being left alone, love and its responsibilities.
The books are not too long, about 250 pages each, and are not difficult to access, so they are sure to be picked up. However it is the depth of emotions, the exploration of love and death, that will ensure that they are passed from one teen to another. I am very keen to read more from this talented author.
Pat Pledger

Digger Field: World Champion (maybe) by Damian Davis

Cardboard robot by Felix Hayes and Hannah Broadway

Bloomsbury Books, 2011. ISBN 978 1408806555.
(Ages 4+) Picture book, Humour. A seemingly simple story of the disagreement between two friends, Robot and Monkey, becomes a tale of reconciliation and co-existence, when Monkey is unhappy and refusing to play the usual games with Robot. The two friends share a large house with lots of things to play with, read and do, but one day when Robot suggests a range of things to occupy their time, Monkey says no to them all.
Robot proceeds to make a cardboard robot to play with, but the robot cannot respond to his games. The Cardboard Robot cannot throw back the ball, or play at being a pirate or run a race. Monkey's interest is piqued when Robot asks him for help to make his Cardboard Robot more adventurous, and so he too builds a cardboard monkey, named Super Monkey. Together the two friends and their cut out playthings work together to have fun.
A charming story of working together, of finding common ground and what it means to be a friend, parents and teachers will make good use of this story in the home and classroom to mentor co-operation and working together. With good humour the story also reflects things the children can do at home, especially making things to play with. The fold in page at the end of the book has cut out pieces for children to make their own Monkey and Robot and dress them up to play with when the story has finished.
Fran Knight

Co-Designing e-books Literacy Mystery Quest

Read about a project from Hazel Edwards, author and Jane Connory, graphic designer to set up a store for ebooks and merchandise to match.
A Guest Blog for Read Plus by Hazel Edwards and Jane Connory
Hazel's Viewpoint:
Our e-quest began in a local park. School holidays. My 10 year old grandson and his mate were to cook 'hippo footprint pancakes' on camera at Channel 31's 'Kids in the Kitchen' while I read my picture book to screen.
Serendipitously, I met graphic designer Jane Connory and her children, playing in the park. Innovative Jane lectures in e-skills amongst other graphic subjects, and wanted to illustrate children's books and followed up with her portfolio.
I'm a formatting tragic, but have a backlist of intellectual property rights. My author website was undergoing a major overhaul as my daughter Kim became my e-business manager and I learnt how to upload my own material. I was aware I needed help in re-formatting selected past titles so they would be accessible on all e-readers, not just Kindle, plus they would need new covers and ISBN and updating of some content.
Initially I wasn't aiming to become an e-publisher, just to rescue some 'orphaned' titles which have been good stories, but take-overs, mergers or poor distribution had lost opportunities to get them to appropriate readers. As an educator I had always supplied teacher resources with my books, and wanted to consolidate these on my own web-site. Often readers of my picture books had no idea that I wrote adult non-fiction or mysteries.
1. My long term goal was to sell my own e-books internationally to save time and learn the new electronic medium.
2. The choice of junior literacy mysteries in two proven print series for the test was deliberate. Literacy is an area I am passionate about. Hero Art, the sleuth in Project Spy Kids is an ace problem-solver but is challenged by reading. The Frequent Flyer Twins are international Asian-Australian ten year old sleuths.
3. Creating a series name and using the same cover but with a different colour, linked the titles. Thus 'Project Spy Kids' was created. The Frequent Flyer Twins had always been a sub title on the second series, but this was reversed on the e-book listings.
4. Aware that the cover, title and one line descriptor were the only clues, the covers had to be enticing for the age group.
5. Jane would create the e-formatted books and new covers and would merchandise the illustrations on Red Balloon or elsewhere in t-shirts, mugs and logos.
6. Jane also formatted my rough 'How to Design Your Own Mystery' resources. This has become the MOST valuable download for teachers and librarians giving a follow-up activity involving writing and problem-solving skills..
7. We added valid curriculum dot points to reassure teachers of our reading relevance.
8. The shopping cart took considerable planning to put into place and make simple for a potential customer to buy. The variables were that I have some print titles where publishers sell those books, some where I hold the e-rights, others where I hold both print copies or others where I will be offering only the e-version like in Project Spy Kids and The Frequent Flyer Twins. Later we may offer POD (print on demand) but at the moment, we are testing with electronic versions, only, from my site.
9. Jane experimented with a FaceBook page for the titles and explained:
'The world is still trying to find ways of utilising social networking.
Asking your existing database to 'Like' your Facebook page, allows them to see all the updates, photos and links you post to the page.
The pages are free to create, Google add them to searches .'
While aware some schools do not permit use of Facebook, we're still experimenting with ways of encouraging reading.
Own Face Book Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Spy-Kids-Series/181162638598927?sk=wall
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Frequent-Flyer-Series/162505443811158
10. Security of e-book versions to prevent piracy also meant complex structuring on my website. Unfamiliar with e-books, the web designer thought we were talking Visa and credit card security at first. This has been a significant and almost a year-long process for all of us.
11. I had to buy a collection of ISBNs to add new ones to any e-book versions of older print titles. You can buy these singly or in groups from DW Thorpe.
12. Publisher name. We haven't got one. Using the author as brand.
13. American bank accounts and tax file numbers. The paperwork involved in publishing on Amazon is very American centric, and so I decided to stay very local, and just from my own website at present.
14. Had to get a PayPal business account in order for clients to have safe payments On Kim's advice we priced the individual mysteries at $2.95, rather than Amazon's 99 cents. Already getting bulk orders of sets.
Winning a Giraffe Called Geoffrey ISBN 978-0-9871078-6-2.
Mindspaces ISBN 978-0-9871078-7-9
Birds on the Brain ISBN 978-0-9871078-8-6.
Zoo Poo Clues ISBN 978-0-9871078-9-3
15. In future, the dilemma for me is to sub-contract e-book formatting, learn how to do it myself (which detracts from my core business of actually writing the books) or just put up pdfs for creations like classroom playscripts.
I've always offered some free resources, but the decision is which ones?
16. Choice of e-text titles is vital e.g. I think the junior literacy mysteries are viable for the next year. After that, students will expect more hypertext links and games style whizz bang options.
17. My 'Writing a Non Boring Family History' title is a viable e-book because there are linked workshops and talks and a niche market of international genealogists. The Mormon lady author in the USA, who is a fan of my book, tells me the family history market is eternal for her but I'm an atheist. She sells her book at 99 cents on Amazon.
18. Picture books are more complex, and on hold especially since I'm not the illustrator. Currently my website has links to the e-books for sale by my publishers and also to their print books.
19. I'm featuring a monthly print book from my site. Longterm I'd prefer to offer only e-books, and to link with future web chats or mentoring. 'Authorpreneurship' is my planned 'original' e-book only, to be created in the next year and linked to workshops.
20. 'read the t-shirt' for Project Spy Kid may be a future literacy project.
That park meeting with Jane has been a year-long apprenticeship to put up our trial e-books, but long term, these titles will have to be self-sufficient financially. Now, some literacy skills will be shared via the website.
And we hope, new readers (of the human variety) will be created.

Jane's Viewpoint:
Being able to learn new technology as it appears has become part of my job as a graphic designer, and collaborating with Hazel on this project was no different.
Hazel is a strong ideas woman and envisaged these two series of books as eBooks without either of us really fully comprehending what this would entail. It was a great opportunity for me to illustrated the covers in Adobe illustrator and format the documents into books in InDesign. I then had to teach myself how to produce these files as ePub documents and navigate the process of marketing the books.
A steep learning curve but the idea that we are forging our own path is exciting.
I have two young kids who are as much at home on the iPad as they are at home. They are always grabbing for my mobile devices and I am happier when they sit and read the eBooks I have created rather than watch the movies I have downloaded.
Combining reading with new technology makes it interesting and fun for all the young digital natives out there!
I now also have the opportunity to teach this new concept of publishing to my graphic design students at Holmesglen Institute. Maybe they'll be teaching their employers a thing or two in the years to come.
Hazel has an online store and these e-books are available.
Illustrated and merchandise designed by Jane Connory

Faerie winter by Janni Lee Simner

Random House Australia, 2011. ISBN 9781742750682.
(Age 13+) Recommended. In this sequel to the thrilling dystopian novel, Bones of faerie, comes a dark tale of survival as Simner relates the story of how Liza and Matthew must survive in a land that is dying. Liza is a summoner who can both draw life to herself and drive life away. When winter crops won't grow and with starvation imminent, Liza must fight the evil deep in the forest to save her community.
Set against a background of a winter that doesn't seem to end and dying crops, Simner has created a frightening look at a land that has been devastated by people. Add to this the aftermath of a war with the faeries and children, the Afters, who have emerging magic and you have a fascinating world that drew me in again as I followed the plight of Liza as she grew into her power.
This is a survival story, where Liza is required to learn to use her magic to overcome the plants and animals that attack people. Not only is nature turning against her, but she draws the attention of a strong magical faerie, Elin who is stealing young children. Elin is related to The Lady, who attacks Liza when she tries to stop the children being stolen. However Liza has developed into a strong and determined young woman who is not afraid to use her magic and wield her powers to keep her friends alive. The Lady is a terrifying entity and her battles with Liza are frightening. I had to continue reading as it was never certain who would win the hearts of the young boys, Johnny and Kyle, and whether Liza herself would be skilful enough to stay alive. Even Matthew in his wolf form is threatened by the vast strength of the faerie.
Often a harrowing story, with death, disaster and children, changed by magic, performing violent acts, Faerie winter is ultimately very satisfying with a conclusion that brings hope. It is one of the better books in the dystopian/faerie genre.
Pat Pledger

The demon collector by Jon Mayhew

Bloomsbury 2011. ISBN 9781408803943
The Demon collector is different from the usual fantasy type book. Set in Victorian London it vividly brings to life the sights and smells of the London of this period. Edgy Taylor is a prime collector. He collects dog droppings for use in tanning leather, but he is also able to see demons.
Each chapter is prefaced by a quote from a poem or a traditional folk ballad and this idea helps set the scene for the chapter. It is a dark book and many of the characters reflect this. Edgy, after he is rescued from some particularly nasty demons by Envry Janus, is introduced to the Royal Society of Daemonologie.
It is hard for him to distinguish some of the members from the demons themselves and it is difficult for Edgy to know whom to trust. He is a likeable character, seemingly tough from the life that he lives with his dog Henry. The story moves along at a good pace as Edgy and Janus go on a quest to recover the body of the demon Moloch to prevent it being used by Salome to bring disaster to the world. There are plenty of twists and the final truth of who Edgy is and why he can see demons is not resolved until the very end. I particularly like the language and think readers will enjoy the highly unusual names, action and diverse range of characters and settings. The ending has a number of surprises and everything is satisfactorily answered.
Recommended for readers who like fantasy but are looking for something a little different.
David Rayner

Not Like Georgie by Scott Hatcher

All I Ever Wanted by Vicki Wakefield

Text Publishing House, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-921758-30-0.
(Age 12+) Highly recommended. 'Happy pills. At best you're a dancing queen with a direct line to God: at worst you can fry your brain.' Such an opening line not only got my attention but also had a message in it. I excitedly read on and was not disappointed. This debut young adult novel by Adelaide writer Vikki Wakefield was truly outstanding.
16 year old Mim lives in a low socio-economic area and describes it as 'the last street in a forgotten suburb, an hour from the city.' At one stage she feels like running home but walks as 'in our street everybody knows everybody's business.' The whole story revolves around the theme that things are not always as they seem, and Mim eventually realizes that her family and neighbourhood are actually a positive rather than a negative.
Mim has etched her 'rules' on the steps of the old train signal box. These include: 'I will finish school. I will not take drugs. I will not have sex until I'm over 18. I will trust only myself. One day I will leave this place and never come back. I will not turn out like my mother.' Her Mum is a single parent with two drug running sons, one of whom is in jail. Her street contains a range of eclectic characters, and a huge threatening dog. Mim is disappointed when Tahnee, her best friend, loses her virginity in the back seat of a car and the closeness of their friendship is put at risk.
All I Ever Wanted is a relatively thin 200 pages but this is a positive, as many reluctant readers will be inclined to read it. It covers themes of family, friendship, ambition and teenage life. The storyline is well developed and the people are richly described. It will resonate with teenagers from either rich or poor backgrounds, as it is human nature to want more or different than what you have.
Highly recommended for 12 years plus and could well be used as a Yr. 8 text.
Kay Haarsma

The 39 clues: Vespers rising by Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman and Jude Watson

Scholastic, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-545-29059-3.
(Age: 12+) Fourteen year old Amy Cahill and her younger brother, Dan thought they could return to their regular lives when they found the 39 clues that safeguarded their family's great power. But they were wrong. Their powerful enemies (the Vespers) have been waiting in the shadows, and they'll stop at nothing to get the clues. The Vespers are rising - and the world is in jeopardy.
I liked this book because it was told from four different authors' perspectives and it was set about 500 years ago. It was told from the Cahill family's perspectives all the time as they tried to keep the clues from the Vesper family. In the last chapter it is told from Amy and Dan's perspective as they try to find the Cahill family ring, but all the time the Vespers are tailing them. This book includes adventure and family as its main two themes.
I loved the adventure in the book. Adventure in a book is always great to have as it almost always draws the reader in. The way it was set out and how the four different authors combined their ideas made this an engaging novel. This style of writing is uncommon in some books but when it is applied well it always brings the plot together and makes it great to read. I would highly recommend this book to people who like the adventure book genre.
Emily Madden (yr 9)

Bloodline by Kate Cary

Egmont, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-4052-5468-7
(Age: 14+) When 19 year old Lieutenant John Shaw arrives back in an English hospital suffering from a serious case of trench fever, young Mary Seward takes it upon herself to care for him until he regains his full health. Through caring for John, Mary's childhood feelings towards him deepen and blossom into something quite special. In order to treat Lieutenant Shaw, Mary reads the journal he has kept since being away from England. Mary discovers more than the reality of life in the trenches but also the horrors of serving under commanding officer, Captain Quincey Harker.
So when Captain Harker arrives in England, Mary feels that the Captain can not be trusted. The captain's arrival causes concern to not just to Mary but to John, for his sister, Lilly has fallen to the charm of Captain Harker. So when the captain leaves England with Lilly there is no choice for John and Mary but to rescue her from the clutches of Captain as he is not what he seems.
This novel is the sequel to the original vampire novel, Dracula, which will reveal surprises up until the very end leaving the readers wanting more. I enjoyed reading this story as it was easy flowing and enjoyable to read. I found myself liking the story being told through diary entries of the main characters and the hardest thing I found was putting the book down. I would highly recommend this story to anyone that is into vampires. If it wasn't for the fact it was late at night when I finished reading Bloodline, I would have started the sequel, Reckoning, straight away.
Lauren Pfeiffer (Student- year 12)

Essential Classics retold by Pauline Francis

Evans Publishing, 2010.
It is no small ambition to take the great classics of western literature and make them accessible to today's young readers. Pauline Francis has succeeded in doing just that in this charming series reducing plot, theme and character to their essence and maintaining the threads of these complex tales. Presented in an easy read format and beautifully produced with detailed air-brush style illustrations by Gary Andrews. As an introduction to the classics of fiction these little books will enhance any school collection adding a new dimension to the Quick Read collection in the library or as class sets for Year 8 students. They give access to works that children may never come across and may succeed in inspiring readers to go on to read the original works. Presented with a glossary of terms and a Test Yourself quiz at the end English teachers will find them a great asset in encouraging a love of reading. Students may need some guidance in understanding some of the concepts in the texts and the short biography of the authors which introduce the stories will help readers to understand the stories in their historical contexts. I really enjoyed reading the selection and was transported back in time to when I first discovered Robinson Crusoe, Frankenstein and the brave dog Buck in Call of the Wild. A must have series.
Trisha Walker

Bouncy bouncy bedtime by David Bedford and Russell Julian

Egmont, 2011. ISBN 9781405257428.
'Have you ever wondered what the animals do? Do they go to bed like me and you?' This fun story takes the child on a delightful trip to the big, bouncy bed in the sky which gradually fills up with all sorts of sleepyheads, each arriving in their own inimical way. How does anyone get any sleep with all this noise and movement and fun? Until - somebody is tired, stretching, yawning - and it becomes a woozy, snoozy bed in the sky.
The language, movement, pictures and colours of this book just meld together perfectly into a gorgeous tale of bedtime that revs Miss 4 up and then brings her gently and quickly into sleep mode, ready for lights out and sweet dreams. This is always the last one we share and it's like a signal - when it's over it's snuggle-in, last-kisses and eyes-shut time.
Barbara Braxton