Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 9781406331134.
Graphic novel, 120 pages. Much has been written about anorexia and
bulimia, however this little graphic novel seems to deliver fresh
insight into one person's struggle with these eating disorders. Anna
finds puberty a distressing time as her breasts grow and her body
changes. Then she finds that she can slow the 'rounding out' of her
body by dieting, thus regaining some control. Her perception that this
thin self is desirable is reinforced by media images and the comments
of her peers. Fashions fit and she feels pretty, her boyfriend finds
her attractive so thin must be good. Somewhere within these feelings,
common to those many adolescent girls experience, things go wrong. The
association in Anna's mind, that dieting equates with control of her
life means that she can't give it up. Outside messages don't get
through and the side of her that represents this control manifests
itself as Tyranny, who keeps her thin. The author's graphic design
skills and personal experience with this eating disorder mean the
deceptively simple cartoon images deliver a convincing message with
consistent characterisation. The images of Anna's increasing
emaciation dispel any illusion that thinness is glamorous. Her
controlling demon, the dynamic yet skeletal Tyranny is a very strong
force and overcoming it in the end is less convincing. Still it is a
great little book, accessible to many readers, and recommended for
middle to upper secondary students, especially girls. The only real
reservation is that the publisher has rendered the text so thin as to
be barely legible.
Sue Speck
The queen's lady by Eve Edwards
Razorbill, 2011. ISBN: 9780141327334. The Queen's lady is the second in the Lacey chronicles by Eve
Edwards.
This superb novel is set in 1584 and has been thoroughly researched for
historical accuracy. A beautifully crafted romance, it follows the
trials and persecutions of Lady Jane as she struggles to gain and
maintain her independence in life. As I have not yet read the first in
the chronicles I look forward to discovering the beginning of Jane's
story with The other countess and then the end with The
rouge
princess.
After Jonas's passing the dowager marchioness is admitted into Queen
Elizabeth's service as one of the Queen's ladies - the complementing
flowers of the court bouquet. As the newest addition Lady Jane wants to
keep herself as a quiet member of the household but that wish is
challenged by the insistence of her stepsons and their want for her
dowry and inheritance. As if that weren't bad enough, family matters
become more frequent with the Earl of Wetherby and his son making an
appearance at court with a Frenchman, Montfleury, who is after the
Lady's hand. How can she wriggle out of this engagement when her lover
has rejected her and left on an expedition to America?
This story is quite complex, full of twists and turns in the plot
turning the lives of the characters upside down. I would recommend this
book for young adults with advanced reading skills as the captivating
plot is likely to confuse most and the historical period is long
before our time. This is a brilliant novel which would fascinate any
lover of historical fiction.
(Kayla Gaskell, 15)
The Maya Brown Missions: Circle of fire by S.M. Hall
Frances Lincoln, 2011. ISBN 9871847801210.
(Ages 13+) When 15 year old Maya was younger Pam Brown saved her life.
That was the last time she saw her family, after that Pam adopted her.
Now it's Maya's turn to save Pam's life when she is kidnapped by
terrorists. All of Pam's hopes lie in that Maya is smart enough to use
the password she gave her to open the 'Red Moon' file on her laptop and
that she understands the message she gave her in that one phone call:
'Look for the moon'.
In an attempt to find her mum Maya leaves the safe home of Pam's mum
and goes to the Red Moon bookshop in Leeds to talk to Pam's informant,
Khaled.
But he a friend or is he her enemy? Can she infiltrate their cell
without risking Pam's life? And will she get there before it's too late?
This book was hard to get in to and a little boring at first but it was
a good book after that.
Tahlia Kennewell (student)
I am Thomas by Libby Gleeson and Armin Greder (ill.)
Allen and Unwin, 2011. ISBN: 978 1 742371429.
Highly recommended for children 8 and above. Thomas
is not a child who is prepared to simply 'go with the flow'. He
is not like other members of his family or community but is willing to
question and go against the norms of society. As a teenager, he
retreats into his music, to separate himself from the rest of the
world. Despite the pressures brought to bear by those in authority, be
they family, teachers, politicians, preachers or those in the forces,
Thomas fails to relent or accept what he is told. Finally, Thomas seems
set to board a bus, en route to a future of his own choosing.
Libby Gleeson and Armin Greder are again perfectly paired in this
wonderful picture book. Gleeson is always prepared to challenge the
reader through her ideas and Greder does not beautify those he depicts
in his illustrations. Greder's use of colour adds a sense of positivity
and strength to the pictures showing Thomas, the trappings of his
childhood and the glimpse into his future. In direct contrast, the
figures of authority are seen as powerful, often unattractive, black
and white images, appearing to have a sense of menace about them.
This title is another to be used in picture book studies for upper
primary students. Whilst containing powerful messages about coming of
age, independence, peer pressure and conformity, this text leaves much
unsaid and gives great opportunity for discussion with children,
particularly in light of its open ended conclusion.
Jo Schenkel
Falling under by Gwen Hayes
Penguin, 2011. ISBN: 9780143565260.
Falling under follows seventeen year old Theia Alderson, as she
discovers secrets about herself, friends and her family.
The plot of this novel is great. Theia is just a normal seventeen year
old high school girl until she meets a devastatingly handsome boy named
Haden Black. Haden is hiding a very dangerous secret. He is a demon. If
Theia finds this out she will put a lot of people in incredible danger
from Haden's mother Mara who is also a demon. It becomes even more
dangerous when Theia realises that she has feelings for Haden and he
has feelings for her. If Theia finds out Haden's secret the cost of her
knowing this is her soul, and lots of people will get hurt. If Theia
finds out his secret how is he going to protect her?
The novel is mainly told from Theia's point of view but in some places
it is told from Haden's point of view. There are some great themes in
this novel including: friendship, mystery, love and family. These
themes are present all the way through the book.
This is set in two different places: London and a place named Under.
Under is located in Hell and is also where the demons can be found.
Throughout the novel we meet many new characters including: Mara who is
Haden's mother. We also meet Donny (short for Donnatella) and Ame
(short for Amelia). These are Theia's closest friends.
Overall this is a spellbinding book and I would recommend it to teenage
girls who like reading love/horror novels.
Emily Madden (Student)
Beautiful Monster by Kate McCaffrey
Fremantle Press, 2010. ISBN 9781921361982.
It's a very ordinary day in Tess's life. She's learning to fit
into high school, making new friends and enjoying the usual up-down
relationship
with her ten-year-old brother, Brodie. Today is his birthday so she's
trying hard to be especially nice, and is as thrilled as he is that he
has an
award for excellence to show mum, because she knows how much mum values
that
sort of thing. 'Yeah, you're just a genius for a brain-dead dead
head', she says, not knowing that within seconds, that's exactly what
Brodie will
be, the victim of a hit-and-run driver.
It takes just a few short seconds of distraction for Tess's life to be
irrevocably changed, and that of all those around her. But how do
you deal with the loss of your brother, especially when your mum goes
to a deep,
dark place that demands all your dad's attention and your friends won't
even mention his name in case it causes you pain and hurt? And
whenever you think of him, all you can think of are the nasty things
you said and
did? How do you make your life whole again, when everyone else has
gone? You try to be perfect - the perfect daughter, the perfect student
and
have the perfect body. You control those things that you can. You set
goals that you can achieve through strict discipline and willpower, and
you
have a boyfriend like Ned who encourages you to keep going, scoffing at
your efforts if you deviate. Knowing that if you didn't have Ned, you
would really be all alone and so you strive even harder to meet his
expectations. Rowing, running, studying, starving, rowing, running,
studying,
starving. And still your mum stays in her dark place. And still you're
on your
own, except for Ned. A's remain elusive, the rowing team gets a
dead-heat
not a win, and 47kg is not enough when 45kg beckons.
Is this Tess's life forever, until she, too, becomes a brain-dead
dead-head? Or is there a breakthrough? Is there a happily-ever-after
ending? This is McCaffrey's third novel and it is just as intriguing as
Destroying Avalon and In Ecstasy. She writes with a
knowledge of the
issues that
gives insight rather than just information, as anyone who has had a Ned
in
their life would know. Written in three parts, each distinct phases of
Tess's life, Beautiful Monster explores the issues of grief,
self-perception
and self-worth, anorexia and bulimia. In keeping with the
characteristics of contemporary realistic fiction, it focuses on the
people, their
problems, and their challenges allowing the reader to combine their
social
development with a greater knowledge and understanding of the world -
the epilogue
is very powerful to those who read between and beyond the lines, not
just
along them - but its situation and circumstance is sadly common enough
that
this novel could also be used in a therapeutic setting.
There are teaching notes available
but,
in
my opinion, as with many
contemporary realistic fiction titles, teachers need to really know
their students
before they set this as a one-size-fits-all study. A student may well
be in a Tess-Mum or Tess-Ned relationship already that requires
professional intervention. Beautiful Monster was one of 11 Australian books selected by the
International Youth Library in Munich for the White Ravens 2011. This
is their annual recommendation list of outstanding international books
for children and young adults, presented at their stand at the Bologna
Children's Book Fair. The books for this year's exhibition, 250 titles
from more than 40 countries, were selected from the thousands of books
that
the library received as review copies from publishers, authors,
illustrators, and organisations from all over the world within the last
year.
It deserves it place.
Barbara Braxton
No passengers beyond this point by Gennifer Choldenko
Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 9781408815724.
(Age 10+) A unique and memorable story by Choldenko, author of the
Carnegie Medal shortlisted novel Al Capone does my shirts sees India,
Finn and Mouse having to pack up their belongings when their house is
foreclosed. They have to fly to Colorado to stay with their Uncle Red,
while their mother, a teacher, finishes the school year. They do not
know their uncle and when a mysterious taxi driver picks them up at the
airport, they go along for the ride. They find themselves in strange
place where weird things happen, and they have to stick together
and find the black box in order to get home.
With the opening sentence Choldenko grabbed my attention. I loved her
descriptions of family life with each sibling playing a different role.
India, the eldest, is a typical teen, dependent on her best friend and
easily led. Ben is a worrier, always afraid the worst will happen and 6
year old Mouse, intelligent and aware, relies on her imaginary friend
Bing to help her sort through things. When they arrive in a strange
land, they will all need to use their strengths and rely on each other
to survive.
The land that Choldenko has described seems very eerie and strange at
first. The trio is cheered when they arrive and taken to separate
houses where they are given a mother, the type that they may have
dreamt of. They are then taken off on fantastic adventures, each being
tempted by things in this new land that may make them want to stay.
However, they eventually decide that they really want to get back home,
even if it is to an uncle they don't know. It is not easy to return,
and they must cooperate with each other and trust each other's
strengths. Will time run out before they can all get together?
I found it easy to suspend belief, which is essential to enjoying this
book, and became involved in the bizarre happenings that occurred
around the children. The ending caught me completely by surprise,
although there were plenty of clues to what could be happening spread
throughout the book.
I won't easily forget this story. I can imagine it being read aloud and
engendering much discussion about the importance of family and
persevering in the face of danger.
Pat Pledger
Defiance by Lili St. Crow
Razorbill, 2011. ISBN 9781921518935.
(Age 14+) Recommended. This, the fourth in The Strange Angels
series,
following Strange Angels, Betrayals, and Jealousy,
is just as
engrossing as the previous books. They are best read in order of
course, so that the characters and events are clear. Dru Anderson, a
strong tough girl, is determined to face the King of the Vampires and
rescue her best friend Graves, from his clutches. She decides that she
can no longer wait for Christophe with his enigmatic ways and decides
to go it alone.
I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Dru. She is strong and caring and
thinks for herself. The love triangle between her, Graves and
Christophe is not at all clearcut, and the author has managed to keep
me on the edge of my seat, wondering just whom she will end up with.
With physical training and pushing her psychic powers, she began to
move towards being the Order's svetocha, with all its responsibilities.
There is plenty of action, with vampire attacks, runs with the
werewolves and conspiracies to foil. A few surprises at the end kept
the momentum going and left enough questions to make me want to read
the next in the series.
Pat Pledger
Minivers Forever by Natalie Jane Prior
Puffin Books, 2011. ISBN 978 0 143303671. Minivers Forever is the 4th book in the series and the
story begins with some background information on the
miniature heroine - Emily and Rosamund Miniver. This explanation
will give the reader some insight into who the characters are but I
would recommend readers start with book 1 - this is one series where
you do need to understand what has happened in previous books so
as they are referred to. Minivers Forever is a longer novel so is recommended for
girls aged 10+ who are confident readers. The story is set in the
fictitious world of Artemisia. Emily and Rosamund are trying to make
sure the right person becomes queen and they get back their
reputation, career and lifestyle stolen from them. Along the way
they have to deal with a rival in their music world and Titus, the new
prime minister whose nasty surprises could ruin everything for them.
Kylie Kempster
Sydney Bridge Upside Down by David Ballantyne
Intro. by Kate De Goldi. First published 1968, Robert Hale Ltd NZ. This
edition published 2010, Text Publishing Company. Louis Braille Audio
Book - 8 Hours. Read by Humphrey Bower.
Harry, his brother Cal and his best mate Dibs Kelly seem to have an
idyllic location for their long summer holidays, playing around the
wharf and abandoned meatworks while observing the comings and goings of
the inhabitants of the small New Zealand community of Calliope Bay.
Then things start to change, triggered by the arrival of Caroline on
the boat that connects them to the outside world. Harry is charged with
looking after his older and more sexually aware cousin as his mother is
away in the city. His desire to impress, triggers his own awakening
sexuality and develops into a need to protect her, especially from the
attentions of the womanising butcher, Mr Wiggins. When the butcher dies
in an accident soon after a similar accident claims the life of Harry's
nosey neighbour Susan Prosser this classic coming of age novel reveals
a more sinister side of the story and veers increasingly into
unexpected directions. Humphrey Bower's narration lends a subtle sense
of place and keeps this sprawling novel moving at a comfortable pace.
Suitable for senior secondary students (there is a fairly graphic sex
scene) and adults.
Sue Speck
Song of the Dove by Errol Broome
Ill. by Sonia Kretschmar. Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 9781921529245.
Picture book. In Song of the dove Errol Broome relates the true story of
the musician Bellini and his tragic love for Maddalena Fumaroli. While
he began to write his beautiful music, Bellini made a living teaching
young people to sing. One of his pupils was Maddalena, and they
gradually grew closer. They believed that they would be like doves,
which live in pairs and 'stay that way for life'. However Signor
Fumaroli did not want his daughter to marry Bellini and ordered him
from the house. Bellini was determined to become famous and win the
hand of his beloved and vowed that after he wrote ten operas they would
be together. He eventually triumphed but their love was put to the test.
This moving love story is sure to delight children who enjoy a sad
story. Young music lovers will be pleased to be able to read about such
a famous musician and will feel sorry for the tragic lovers. They will
also question whether Bellini put fame before love, by not returning to
Maddalena as soon as he could have. Short biographical information
about Bellini, as well as a list of his ten operas, is also given at
the back of the book.
The illustrations are sumptuous. Beautiful details like richly embossed
wallpapers, extravagant flower gardens and figures set in cameo like
frames make the historical period come alive. The gorgeous clothes,
hairstyles and buildings of the 19th century are faithfully drawn and
add to the reader's understanding of the period.
I am always happy to read a love story and I enjoyed learning about
Bellini and Maddalena, especially as with the visual feast of
Kretschmar's beautiful illustrations gave me such pleasure.
Pat Pledger
Spaced out by Moya Simons
Walker Books, 2011. ISBN 9781921529917. Spaced out is a shorter novel with easy to read text. Boys aged
9+ will
enjoy it but I am sure any child who likes space will enjoy it
too. It is an individual story among a series of books under the
heading of Lightning Strikes and with titles such as 'Freaky',
'Egghead' and 'Haunted', they will have reluctant readers busy.
What boy wouldn't want to go into space with his Dad? In Spaced Out,
our main character, Jesse, can't believe it when his Dad makes the
offer! This futuristic space story is set on the planet Centuria where
Jesse and his Dad spend a week. Jesse is hanging out for a spending
spree and with a pocket full of credits, anything is possible! Readers
will enjoy some of the insights into the far out technology and the
possibilities of space travel.
The author, Moya Simons, has kept the feel of the story light but with
the promise of adventure as Jesse seems to be attracted to mischief. In
this case, he buys a robot boy called Michael and the adventure begins.
Can Jesse show his dad how responsible he can be? Can he save
Michael from being a slave?
Kylie Kempster
No and me by Delphine de Vigan
Translated from the French by George Miller, Bloomsbury, 2010.ISBN
9780747599838.
(Ages 12+) Recommended. Promoted into higher grade because of her high
intelligence and abilities, Lou has one firm friend in her class, the
older and much wiser Lucas, whose wit and knowhow steers her away from
any trouble. But she is quiet and mouselike, sitting at the back,
afraid to participate less she look foolish to the older students. On
her way home one night she notices a homeless girl begging in the
subway, and intrigued talks to her and becomes more involved in her
life. Asked by her teacher to nominate a topic that she will
investigate for her class she agrees to look more closely at homeless
people and so takes steps to interview the girl she knows as No.
When she finds that No has been forced out of any accommodation, she
asks her parents if she can live with them, and surprisingly they
agree. So begins a melding of the two groups, the reticent No, and the
even odder trio that makes up Lou's family. Lou's parents lost a child
and this has had an incredible impact upon all their lives. Mother has
become a recluse, rarely acknowledging the other two, while Lou's
father can sometimes be heard crying in the room which was her sister's
room. Slowly the foursome becomes more of a family, Lou's parents
become more responsive, Lou comes from behind the mouse like veneer she
has built for herself, and No goes out to work. Each person changes,
develops, grows as a result of No's entering the family. But No always
warns Lou that this cannot last, and unsurprisingly No returns to the
world she has left, drinking and taking drugs. She is asked to leave
the apartment but one day she turns up at Lucas's home and so stays
there instead. The future for all the protagonists is profoundly
changed by No's being part of their lives, but in the end she cannot
survive the change herself and the open ended completion to the novel
opens the way for many classroom discussions.
Fran Knight
Raven's Mountain by Wendy Orr
Allen and Unwin, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-74237-465-9.
(Age 11+)The story is set in the present time in northern
America. A family consisting of Mum, Stepdad and two sisters is the
focus. Raven, the younger of the two girls, is approaching her
teens and is missing her natural father (whom she has never met). The
family set out on a holiday. Newly-wed Mum stays back while
Raven's new stepdad, Scott, her sister, Lily and Raven begin their hike
into the mountains. Raven sees a family of bears (especially the
cubs) and a raven in the wild among various other wildlife but keeps
this discovery her secret. While they continue their hike, Raven
occasionally sees this family of bears and feels a bonding with
them. As Raven runs ahead, she accidently causes a
landfall. Rocks and boulders trap Scott and Lily and it is up to
Raven to rescue them. She embarks on a journey back to their
starting point, with the occasional presence of the bear family, and
has adventures along the way. Needless to say, everything turns
out alright.
This is a story about self-discovery and being able to extraordinary
things in extraordinary situations where inner strengths come to the
fore.
Janet Cassidy
Chime by Franny Billingsley
Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 9780747583813.
(Age 14+) Highly recommended. Briony blames herself for the troubles
that beset her family. She has the face of an angel but believes that
she is wicked and deserves to be hanged. She can talk to the Old Ones,
but only witches can see them and witches are hanged in her village.
With her stepmother dead, she must look after her strange twin sister
Rose. When Eldric, a handsome blonde stranger, comes to visit the
vicarage, things are turned upside down and she begins to find out
things that have been secret for too long.
The words on the back cover of Chime describe the themes in this book
perfectly: 'Briony witch Electric Eldric handsome stranger Midnight
Flood Fire Poison Passion'. I became engrossed in Briony's story from
the very first line: 'I've confessed to everything and I'd like to be
hanged'. Billingsley really built up the tension about whether Briony
was a witch and would be hung and this kept me reading to the end in
virtually one sitting.
The setting of a village in the early 20th century was quite
fascinating. It seemed to be a parallel world that still believes in
witchcraft and evil women who deserve to drown, but it could also have
been a village so isolated from the world that beliefs haven't changed.
With the advent of the motor car and the train line the modern world is
encroaching, but old ways and customs are deeply embedded. And what is
the role of the person who is called the Chime?
Exceptional dialogue and clever word building by Billingsley made this
a standout novel. The humour and witty exchanges between Briony and
Eldric gave me many a smiling moment and helped to alleviate the fear
and angst that surrounded Briony. The wordplay also fleshed out the
character traits of both Briony and Eldric so that you felt that you
knew them really well. The pitfalls surrounding the romance between
Briony and Eldric were also handled with a deft hand.
I loved this book and can recommend it highly. I will certainly seek
out her earlier book, The folk keeper, which won the Notable
Children's
Book Award and the Boston-Globe Horn Book Award.
Pat Pledger
