HarperTeen, 2009. ISBN 9780060872656.
After her mother's death of AIDS, young Chanda is forced to drop out of
school to look after her younger brother and sister. Dreams of civil
war and lost children disturbs Chanda sleep nightly. Things take a turn
for the worst and suddenly the dream comes true. Rebel solders brutally
attack the family village while taking the village children with them,
including Chanda's younger siblings Soly and Iris. Together Chanda and
Nelson, the young tracker from next door, risk their lives to save the
ones they love the most. Can they overcome their differences and work
together to find their love ones before it's too late?
This young adult book is based a fictional war in Africa while the
issues and themes within these pages are true to so many people. The
way this novel has been created, placed me inside the story and I
was able to see the terror and heart break of the characters. While
being a particularly sad novel, I enjoyed reading this book as it's
easy to be absorbed within the storyline.
I would recommend this novel to young adults because some of the
violent and adult themes might distress some younger readers. Chanda's
War follows the first book Chanda's Secrets. Chanda's
War is a
stand-alone book, but there are slight references to some of the themes
in the first book in the series. After reading Chanda's War I'm
very
interested in reading the first book and can't wait to get my hands on
it.
Lauren Pfeiffer (Student - year 12)
Violence 101 by Denis Wright
Black Dog Books, 2011. ISBN 9781742031781
(Age 14+) Violence 101 starts in a juvenile detention centre,
following an extremely intelligent and violent boy named Hamish Graham.
The dialogue switches from the normal type to parts of Hamish's
journal. Hamish is 14 years old and has spent most of his life being
sent between juvenile detention centres. While his intelligence is
obvious, he does not really understand the world. He has three heroes,
Te Rauparaha, a Maori chieftain, Charles Upham, a New Zealand war hero
who was awarded the Victoria Cross two times, and Alexander the Great,
a Greek general. In his journal he talks a lot about things he had done
as a child. Then he hears about the accident that made one of his
teachers resign from the army. He sets out to replicate what happened,
almost killing himself.
This book was very well written, and it really made me think. The way
Hamish changes over the course of the book, and his firm belief that
the means are justified by the end make him a very interesting
character.
Gareth Peer (Year 9)
Editor's note: This book was awarded New Zealand Post Book of the Year
2009, and was an Esther Glen Award finalist 2009.
And Red Galoshes by Glenda Millard and Jonathan Bentley
Little Hare, 2011. ISBN 9781921541469.
Picture book. Recommended. Subtitled A story about a rainy day,
two
small children get up to all sorts of adventures using their bright red
galoshes and their imaginations. The little girl fills one up with
leaves to throw around while the little boy uses his as a kite that
soars high in the sky. The wind gets into their umbrella and swoops
them up into the air, with their little dog safely in the galosh.
What fun to have galoshes in wet windy weather.
In a deceptively simple verse story, Millard has used internal rhyme
like the lovely line 'Kite tails swooping, dancing, looping' to make
this story stand out. The repetition of the phrase 'and red
galoshes' ends each sentence and makes for an ideal word for a toddler
who can shout it out, or for a new reader who can begin to see how
words are structured.
Jonathan Bentley's delightful watercolour illustrations make the
reader's imagination soar with the words. With a rainy day palette of
soft blues and greys, the vivid red of the galoshes stands out.
Ideal for use with young children in a unit of work on weather, the
seasons, rainy days, and the wind, this book is one that grew on me the
more I read it.
Pat Pledger
Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen
Penguin, 2010. ISBN 9780141335346.
(Age 13+) Recommended.
New York City : 1929 : Summer = Glamour : Glitz : Excess + Danger :
Corruption : Power
Cordelia and Letty share a dream. They both wish to escape from their
drab, small and predictable home town of Union, Ohio. Letty seeks
stardom and Cordelia wants to find her rich bootlegger father whom she
hasn't seen since she was a baby. So together they set off for New York
City to create futures of their own choosing.
They discover that beyond the facade of beauty and decorum there
is danger and deceit. It is a city of excitement and bright lights and
of course, opportunity, but knowing whom to trust is a struggle and
remaining safe is equally treacherous.
This is a delightful read which provides a snapshot of an exciting, yet
unpredictable time in history. Cordelia and Letty are resilient
and strong, yet flawed characters who lead the reader on a journey into
the exciting and extravagant times of New York City in 1929.
Sue Mann
The Boy Who Cried Ninja by Alex Latimer
Corgi Books, 2011.
(Ages 4-7) Recommended. Tim has a vivid imagination and
whenever a problem arises such as missing chocolate cake, the loss of
Dad's hammer or forgotten homework he blames it on a passing Ninja,
astronaut or giant squid. For some reason his parents don't believe
him, even though Latimer's comical illustrations demonstrate Tim is
clearly telling the truth.
Tim decides that the only option is to lie. So when trouble is caused
by a sunburned crocodile and a time travelling monkey Tim accepts all
the blame. However even this doesn't satisfy his parents, who punish
him even more. In desperation Tim invites all the badly behaved
creatures to a party and when his parents realise he is telling the
truth they set the real culprits some well deserved punishment chores.
The combination of Alex Latimer's vivid imagination and wacky
illustrations make this new interpretation of The Boy Who Cried Wolf
a
perfect choice for children beginning to grasp the fine balance between
literal and figurative storytelling. The children I read this with
enjoyed debating whether the incredible tale could be true - which
would be great fun, or whether Tim's phenomenal imagination had
successfully hoodwinked his parents - which would be even better as
it's great when children run rings around a bunch of grown-ups!
Whichever way you look at it Latimer dishes up a comical plot which
could lead to extensive exercise of that favourite muscle, the
imagination. Just how many scenarios can young readers come up with for
their own excuses? After reading this, 'the dog ate my homework' simply
won't cut the mustard!
Claire Larson
Hush, hush! by Margaret Wild
Ill. by Bridget Strevens-Marzo. Board book. Little Hare, 2010. ISBN
9781921541926.
(Age 1+) Recommended. Baby Hippo couldn't sleep. His mother told him to
'hush, hush', but he decided to go for a walk. Wherever he went he
heard
mothers telling their babies to hush, hush. There were baby crocodiles,
baby giraffes, baby leopards and baby monkeys all having trouble
sleeping. Baby Hippo listened to all those 'Hush, hush' words and
finally
decided he was ready to go to sleep, but his mother was making a
terrible 'Snort, snore! Snort, snore!' noise.
I really enjoyed this bedtime story. It is one that I will be keeping
for my grandchildren and I am sure that they will have lots of fun with
the repetition in the story. They will also learn about different
baby animals in the most delightful way. The humour is infectious and I
particularly loved Mother Hippo snoring and snorting in her sleep,
refusing to hush for her baby.
The illustrations are very engaging and toddlers will get a giggle out
of the grin on the face of Baby Hippo and revel in his antics,
especially when he stands on his head. The deep purples of the sky and
beautiful greens and blues make for a memorable story.
This is a sturdy board book. It should hold up to much use, which I am
sure it will get, as it is certain to be a favourite with young
children.
Pat Pledger
Across The Universe by Beth Revis
Penguin, 2011. ISBN: 9780141333663.
This novel follows 17 year old Amy and 16 year old Elder. Both of the
characters are very different from each other. Seventeen year old Amy
is going to a new planet known as Earth but in order to get there she
has to be frozen for three hundred years. Fifty years before Amy is due
to land on the new planet she is violently awoken as an attempted
murder victim. Now Amy is on board an unfamiliar, unusual and
mysterious ship that is taking a whole world of people to a new
planet. Nothing on the ship makes sense to Amy. How will she
survive if nothing makes sense to her?
On the other hand sixteen-year-old Elder is getting ready to become the
leader of the ship. Getting ready to become leader is no easy task for
Elder because he has a lot to learn about the ship and about the people
on it. He also has to catch a murderer on board the ship. Will Elder
succeed and become the leader of the ship?
The style of writing that the author has put in to this novel is
unusual. It is told from Amy and Elder's points of view, but in
different chapters.
There are a lot of great themes in this book and these are just some of
the main ones: murder, friendship, differences, and love. These themes
are the strongest throughout the novel.
The characters
in this compelling novel are very different from each other with some
of the characters being human as we know it and some of them being
manipulated to keep them quiet on the ship. These are just some of the
characters that we meet during the novel: Harley, Eldest, Doc, and
Steela, who are some of the main characters.
This novel is set in
space two hundred and fifty years from now.
I think that this is an amazing novel and I would recommend it to
teenagers who like reading fantasy novels.
Emily Madden
Rot and ruin by Jonathan Maberry
Benny Imura 1. Simon and Schuster, 2011. ISBN 9780857070951.
(Age 13+) Highly recommended. When I discovered that Rot and Ruin had
won the Cybils Award for Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction
(2010) and was on YALSA's list of Best Fiction for Young Adults (2011)
I knew that I was in for a treat. Benny Imura lives in a world where a
virus has infested the human race and turned the majority of the
population into zombies. The small, fortified community, where he and
his brother Tom live, has rigid laws to keep the people safe. One of
them is that every teenager must find a job by the time they turn 15 or
they have their rations cut. Tom wants a reluctant Benny to join him in
the family business, which is to kill zombies. What he discovers about
the Rot and Ruin, the place that the zombies inhabit, will change his
life forever.
A fast paced plot, lots of action and great characters, are a feature
of the book. But for me what makes it stand out are the issues that
Maberry addresses. All the following questions are examined in depth
and I was left thinking about them long after I finished the book. What
qualities make a good human being? What is the nature of fear? Should
you turn a blind eye to things that you know are wrong? What is
courage? How much change is good for a society?
The relationship between Benny and Tom is also a highlight of the book.
At the beginning of the book Benny is a typical teenager, self centred
and blinkered, believing that Tom is a coward. By the end he has come
to realise that sometimes your perception about things can be
wrong. He also has a great relationship with his friends, Chong
and Morgie, and a budding romance with Nix.
I would have no hesitation in recommending this to boys. I think that
reluctant readers may enjoy it for the action and originality. It is
also a book that girls will enjoy, especially those fans of The
forest
of hands and teeth by Carrie Ryan or Peeps by Scott
Westerfeld. I am
really looking forward to the sequel that is due out later this year.
Pat Pledger
Princess for hire by Lindsey Leavitt
Egmont, 2011. ISBN: 9781405246125.
(Age: 11+) Recommended. Desi's life sucks. She has to wear a
stupid, furry costume at work, the guy she likes doesn't know she
exists and her former best friend hates her. So when she's accepted as
a substitute princess, it looks like she might finally have a chance to
shine - and there's a hot prince to meet! But is Desi really up to the
royal challenge? After all, the life of a princess isn't just tiaras
and slippers.
Follow Desi as she travels to other countries helping out young
princesses who want to get away from it all, family disagreements,
unwanted suitors and lost family/friends.
I really, truly liked this book. I read it in just a matter of days and
enjoyed every page. Lindsey must have a good grasp of what young
readers want and enjoy because this book really hit the spot. I think
that I might even give my younger cousin this book for Christmas as I
really think that any young child getting into reading (or anyone
really) would absolutely love this book as much as I have.
Taylor Oxenham (student)
Den of Thieves by Julia Golding
Egmont, 2008. ISBN 9781405241847.
Recommended for upper primary-female targeted audience.
Set 200 years ago in Georgian England, this story follows the life of a
very adventurous orphan by the name of Catherine (Cat) Royal.
Named 'Royal' after the theatre where she was abandoned as a baby, the
character does exhibit traits worthy of nobility despite her commoner
upbringing. Cat, as well as being a shortened version of her
name, also refers to her ability to get herself out of trouble - as if
she had nine lives.
This adventure takes Cat out of her usual comfort zone and into French
Revolution. Cat finds herself in the middle of trouble - something I
feel from information given in the story is something she always
does. With the support of her friends, and some good luck, Cat
manages to see things right. There would be a small window at
some points throughout the story to expand upon real world events and
conditions to give students an insight into English history.
This is the third book in a series of nine. Each of Cat Royal's
adventures may be read on its own as each adventure is complete.
Full of interesting characters, action, romance and a huge problem to
solve, readers will enjoy the story. Julia Golding has a
wonderful website
where readers can find out more about the characters and read other's
responses to the Cat Royal stories.
Zana Thiele
Boris gets a lizard by Andrew Joyner
Series: Boris . Penguin, 2011. ISBN 978 0143305033.
(Ages: 5-7 )Warmly recommended. The second in the series of
books about a pig called Boris, this too will please younger readers,
just becoming acquainted with early chapter books. With an easy to
follow story, engaging characters and accompanying humerous
illustrations, Boris will be around for quite a while, encouraging
younger readers to follow his adventures.
In this book, Boris wants a pet. He already has a cat, and has had a
sheep, some chickens and a duck called Quince. He tells his parents and
his classmates about the Komodo dragon, and writes to the local zoo,
offering to give their dragon a holiday. Excited by his efforts, Boris
tells everyone that a dragon is coming and so he and his friend build a
cage in readiness. The day arrives for the viewing, but no dragon has
appeared, so Boris places his little lizard in the cage. When it
disappears, Boris calls out that it has escaped, causing pandemonium
amongst his visitors. A letter from the zoo shatters his dreams of
having a dragon for respite, but the zoo sends him instead a number of
passes, and so the class and his family get to look at the dragon and
all the other animals instead.
Another charming story about Boris, sure to please the early readers
venturing into chapter books and learning to take note of the
illustrations that accompany a text, full of wit and often with a story
alongside the words.
Fran Knight
Ondine by Ebony McKenna
Egmont, 2011. ISBN: 9781405253420.
(Age: 12+) Recommended. What is the point of falling in love with
a man if he turns back into a ferret when the moon goes down? Ondine's
summer is turning out to be very eventful. When she discovers that her
talking pet ferret is actually a gorgeous boy trapped under a witch's
spell, she knows she has to help him.
But then other things get in the way. An assassination plot is
uncovered, a long-lost treasure discovered, and Ondine meets the
devastatingly handsome son of the duke.
Will Ondine ever have time to find the spell that will turn her beloved
back into a human?
This book has a great storyline going but I felt as if it was a bit
repetitive; don't get me wrong one of the best stories I've ever read,
but a bit over explanatory. Over all a good book but if you get
frustrated easily, not highly recommended but still recommended.
Taylor Oxenham (student)
Zero hour by Mark Walden
Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN 978 14088 00164.
(Suggested reading age 10+) Zero hour is sixth in the Hive
series which
will appeal to younger readers, especially boys who appreciate fast
paced action. The plot is familiar, employing an evil megalomaniac who
seeks nothing short of world domination, resisted by a group of
courageous and intelligent teenagers who have only one chance to stop him.
Overlord is the villain in the tale and he has or rather is, artificial
intelligence which takes over other people, using their bodies as hosts
which do his bidding. When Overlord captures some revolutionary
armoured combat machines called 'Goliath' from the American Government
and takes critical international figures hostage, the HIVE school led
by Nero becomes involved.
Amazingly, amongst the frenetic pace, the author manages to weave
teenage attraction and affection into the story. The male characters
are appropriately awkward and embarrassed by the romantic developments,
ensuring that young male readers will not be put off!
Infiltrated via a dastardly plan, the students at HIVE must flee from
Overlord and his forces who seek to destroy all except Otto Malpense
who has a computer assisted brain. It appears that Otto in previous
stories had been created as a receptacle for Overlord yet was saved and
attends HIVE to use his powers for good rather than evil.
Led by Nero, the group set out to find Overlord and destroy him, yet a
series of betrayals lead to elements of the group being captured and
held hostage.
The remaining HIVE members are aware that their comrades will be killed
and that Overlord will control the world's armaments unless he is
defeated. The group must pool their special powers and intelligence in
a bid to rescue their friends and overcome an enemy who has no morals
and is incapable of showing mercy.
Mark Walden uses humour, action, technology and excitement in this
story which will enthrall young readers as it gallops along. The story
will especially appeal to readers who dislike stories which develop
slowly, employ more complex scene setting, detailed characterization or
introductory preamble.
Rob Welsh
Just a dog, Michael Gerard Bauer
Omnibus, 2010.ISBN 978 1862918870.
When the family is given a pup, a runt from a litter out of a pedigree
dalmation, but with an obviously non pedigree father, the family is
unsure. Put downstairs to sleep, it whines until it is taken upstairs
and given a spot in the porch to sleep. As it grows bigger so does its
impact upon the family. Through Corey's eyes we hear stories of the
dog, Moe and the part it plays within the family. The funny stories how
it got its name and of Amelia dressing it up, of sad stories of it
being run over by a car, and then the saddest of all when it comes to
the end of its life. Behind each story is always the complete loyalty
the dog gives its family, its trust and companionship, its unwavering
devotion and in some cases, its protection. For all of us the warmth of
owning a dog shines through, and Corey learns some truths about life
through this ownership.
In the background the reader can see the disintegration of Corey's
family, torn apart through lack of work and mounting debts, suspicion
and mistrust. For Corey the dog is always there, and its death does a
great deal to heal the family and bring it back together.
Shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year, Younger Readers, 2010, and
deservedly so.
Fran Knight
Lulu's lunch by Camilla Reid
Bloomsbury, 2011. ISBN 9780747599906.
(Age 1-3) Recommended. Lulu has an utterly delicious lunch. After
putting on her bib, she starts with a crunchy carrot, then eats a pizza
and finishes with yogurt and honey. Sometimes she has fish fingers for
lunch or goes for a picnic with her friends and eats sandwiches and
fruit. And guess what her favourite lunch is? Spaghetti!
This is a gorgeous interactive book that looks at a variety of
nutritious foods that could be eaten for lunch. Children will have lots
of fun undoing the Velcro tabs to put on Lulu's bib and touching the
sticky honey page. There are pages where little fingers will itch to
feel the textures and best of all is the flap at the end of the book
where Lulu is shown eating her favourite food, spaghetti that is made
out of pieces of string. The book is very sturdy with a very thick
cover and pages. The flaps are attached securely and should hold for
much exploration by curious children.
Colourful, interesting illustrations are sure to hold the attention of
the young children who could spend a lot of time naming different
objects on the pages. The double spread about fruit provides the
opportunity to learn the names of many different fruit. Aside from the
learning opportunities, it is a delightful book that reads aloud well
and is sure to become a toddler's favourite.
I am certain that my grandchildren will enjoy this treat of a book. It
is a keeper.
Pat Pledger
