Reviews

Zombies vs unicorns ed. by Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black

Allen and Unwin, 2010. ISBN 9781742375502.
(Age 14+) Short stories. Recommended for lovers of the paranormal and fantasy genres. This collection of 12 short stories written by favourite authors in these genres is highly entertaining. With authors of the calibre of Cassanda Clare, Libba Bray, Carrie Ryan, Margo Lanagan, Scott Westerfeld, Garth Nix, and Naomi Novik and edited by Larbalestier and Black, I expected some thrilling stories and I was not disappointed. I have also gained some new to me authors, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Kathleen Duey and Diana Peterfreund, whose works I now want to sample.
The stories are linked with witty banter by Larbalestier and Black about the respective merits of Team Zombie and Team Unicorn and the humorous debate continues to the final story by Libba Bray, Prom Night. They range from a very scary fairytale-like story of a young princess' love for a unicorn and the havoc that it causes in A thousand flowers by Margo Lanagan to the hilarious Princess Prettypants by Meg Cabot, where the unicorn farts rainbows and unfaithful boys get their come-uppance. One of my favourites was The care and feeding of your baby killer unicorn by Diana Peterfreund, where Wen, a teenager is called to rescue a newly born unicorn and has to learn how to look after it. The cliff-hanger ending is a shocker as is the ending in Love will tear us apart by Alaya Dawn Johnson, which does contain some sexuality and strong language.
All the stories were excellent, some thought-provoking and others scary. Readers will have fun deciding if they vote for Team Unicorn or Team Zombie.
Pat Pledger

The great big enormous book of Tashi by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg

Ill. by Kim Gamble, Allen and Unwin, 2010.
(Ages, 8-12) Highly recommended. Fantasy.  This is an absolute treat. For all those fans of the wonderful Tashi, and for those who do not know Tashi, then this compilation of all the stories will stand them in good stead. I can imagine mums and dads who knew and loved Tashi when the stories first began appearing on 1995, reading them to their kids in years to come from this amazing volume, grandparents reading them to their children's offspring, and teachers reading them to a new bunch of kids. Each chapter is a single adventure, originally published as a small book, told by Tashi of events in his amazing life. Jack takes it all in, the slating of a dragon, the story of the genie, the tale of the giants and so on, all imaginative and just great fun.
Jack tells his parents that he has a new friend, Tashi, but the story behind his becoming a friend does not faze them, even though he was brought by a swan from the warlord who owned him after his parents sold him to get enough money to escape! Jack's parents get on with their tasks although some of their questions do annoy Jack, and this interplay between parent and child forms a familiar and humerous dialogue the whole book through. In later stories the adventure involves Jack and Tashi rather than Tashi relating the tale, and these include stories about the phoenix, a stolen bus and an unexpected letter, amongst many others (32 in all) Jack and his parents along with Tashi are an endearing set of characters, subtly drawn and evocative of family relationships.
I particularly love the family intimacy surrounding the telling of stories, of the family sitting around listening to the tales told by Tashi or Jack, even when Dad is ill in bed with a cold, the family members stop all they are doing to listen to another story.
Fran Knight

Bookaboo: Dogs in disguise

Walker Books, 2010. ISBN 978406326543.
(Age 3-6) Bookaboo, the world famous rock and roll drummer puppy is in Paris with his band. Besieged by fans and photographers it seems that he can't get out of the Bookabus for the story that he really needs to hear. But then he has a great idea. Donning a pink wig and girl's clothing Bookaboo sets out for storytime at the Bow Wow Bookshop. When a huge sneeze dislodges his wig, Bookaboo's disguise comes unstuck but he still gets his daily story.
This funny story starring BAFTA-award winning Bookaboo is sure to appeal to young children. Bookaboo is a most appealing character and his addiction to a daily story will be welcomed by both children and parents who can't do without a story themselves.
The illustrations are bold and bright and add to the humour of the story. The delightful addition of, The hare and the tortoise, a mini book, gives the young reader or listener the opportunity to share a second story with Bookaboo.
Pat Pledger

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy. Penguin, 2010. ISBN 978-1921518904.
Rose Hathaway is in trouble, BIG trouble for a crime she didn't commit. Being held in prison for the highest offence imaginable: the assassination of a monarch, Rose's time is running out. But the only thing on her mind is getting Lissa acknowledged to the Moroi elite with the note left by the late queen. Meanwhile, Lissa, Christian and Adrian are trying to find out who really killed the queen and save Rose. Can they save Rose and put the real murderer behind bars?
All the favourite characters are back in Last Sacrifice, the last Vampire Academy novel. This novel and the rest of the series was wonderful to read. They were so easy to get into the story line, that I had problems putting them down. Last Sacrifice holds twist and turns readers won't think were coming and other turns that readers want to find. I got to a stage when I wanted to continue reading to find out what happens but didn't want to finish novel because I was enjoying the book so much.
I would recommend this book to teenagers and highly recommend not just this novel but the whole series to anyone wanting to read a brilliant book.
Lauren Pfeiffer (16 years old)

The wish pony by Catherine Bateson

Woolshed Press, 2008. ISBN 978 741663242. Available as e-book: ISBN: 9781742741161. (Ages 10-13) When the older neighbour comes in to look after Ruby when her mother has to go to hospital, Ruby is defensive and put out. Things have not gone well. Her best friend, Sarah, has abandoned her for the new girl in the class, Mum is always ill with her pregnancy, Dad is wrapped up with his wife and Ruby feels left out. Magda from across the road smells and asks strange questions, but soon the two become firm friends, Ruby finding in Magda the friendship which has deserted her at school. Magda gives Ruby her wish pony, and the little figurine takes on a life of its own on Ruby's dressing table, where it hears Ruby crying and hears her wishes. Gradually Ruby's life turns around, her baby brother is born, somewhat premature, her parents begin to listen to her, she takes on more responsibility, and she makes new friends. All simple, but each in itself is a huge stepping stone for Ruby as she works out what is important in her life. And as she develops, so the importance of Magda declines.
A stunning story about loss, growing up and friendship, The wish pony had me on the verge of tears, wishing along with the figurine, that Ruby would find her feet in her muddled world. All of the children in the story are subject to change, change in their circumstances, change in their school friends, change in their homes, and each has to cope with those changes, and luckily for some, Magda is there to help them along.
Bateson's writing is always impeccable, finding the right series of words to describe what is happening and the characters' feelings. In this book, she gives a voice to children whose lives are not going along smoothly, and helps them see that things will right themselves. I wrote this review in 2008 when this wonderful book was first published, and on reading it again, my review holds. This new edition, published alongside Magenta McPhee, with similar covers making them a pair, will entice new readers to Bateson's amazing writing.
Fran Knight

Friendship on fire by Danielle Weiler

Sid Harta, 2010. ISBN 1921829699.
(Age 13+) Year 12 starts off with a bang, when Daisy has to give a speech to the whole school, with her hair, dyed disastrously red, covered in a turban. Things look up when she spots a gorgeous boy, Nate, who goes to her rival school Addison Grammar. But she has been best friends forever with Roman and what will a romance with Nate do to that relationship?
This story looks at the trials of Year 12, and finding your place in the world. The characters are skilfully developed and seem real Daisy is a likeable girl who gradually finds out who her real friends are and where her future path lies. She makes the sort of mistakes on the way that teen readers, especially girls, will identify with. The problems of working out meaningful connections and trying to find love are ones that will strike a cord with teens. The familiar setting of school, parties, and the beach, also make it an easy book to access.
What I most liked about the free flowing prose was the humour that was an integral part of the book. Daisy has some very amusing lines that kept me chuckling as I read. The inclusion of diary entries was a good device that also kept me informed of Daisy's thoughts and feelings.
Friendship on fire is a debut book by Weiler, who is a teacher and obviously understands the angst and pitfalls of being a teenager well. She has certainly captured an authentic voice in Daisy that girls will enjoy.
Pat Pledger

Diva series by Sue Lawson

It's a girl thing (ISBN 978 1742031675), Rising star (ISBN 978 1 74203 1682), Going solo (ISBN 978 1 74203 169 9), Finale (ISBN 978 1 742031705). Black dog books, 2011.
(Ages 8-12) Realistic fiction. First published in 2006, BDB has republished this successful series of four books with shining new covers and small, harder covers making the books easy to handle. The stories will be readily snapped up by the pre teen group, eager to read of girls their age and a little older winning a singing competition and then competing interstate with a whole lot of others. Reminding me of several TV shows in which amateurs try out their skills, the stories are full of the background to these shows, being selected, practice, rehearsals, make up, cloth buying and above all publicity.
Mickey fills out an entry form in her girlie magazine in the first book in the series, It's a girl thing, and then has to front up at the first audition with what seems to be every girl her age in Australia. The usual mix of characters is interestingly portrayed as several take nasty tactics too far. Rising star follows her journey through the audition stage, while Going solo shows her at the national competition where she meets some even more undesirable competitors and a few other girls like her. Finale satisfyingly rounds the story off.
The issues are straightforward and easy to follow, the humour lightly played out, the characters neatly drawn, with some older people making their mark. The stories will be eagerly picked up by that group of kids for whom little is written, and showcases some of the background and glamour of the competition world that they see on TV.
Fran Knight

Even Monsters Need Haircuts by Matthew McElligott

Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN 9781408813935.
(Age 5-7) On the night of the full moon, Vlad picks up a young boy and together they go to his father's barbershop. He gets out his scissors, rotting tonic, horn polish, and stink wax and gets ready for his customers. He has some regulars, all of whom are monsters, but even monsters need haircuts. Then a normal customer comes in. What is he to do?
McElligott has a wonderful sense of humour. The use of words like 'shamp-ewww' ensures that young children will giggle all the way through the book. Children will also have fun identifying the monsters that come to have their hair cut.
The accompanying illustrations are equally as humorous as the text. The little boy wears green monster slippers, and each one of the monsters is drawn with a deft touch. Pictures of monsters getting haircuts that really suit them, like Frankenstein with a flat top and Medusa with snake plaits, are very funny. Vlad, who changes from a bat that accompanies the boy to the shop, to a vampire with a swirling cape, is a great companion for the boy to have. Little touches like changing the pictures in the shop from famous people to monsters are also fascinating. The idea of cutting the hair of monsters takes away any scary aspect of them as does the bright colours and cartoon like characters.
This is a hilarious, original story that will delight children, especially boys and reluctant readers and is ideal for a Halloween theme.
Pat Pledger

The betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate

The perfect present by Sally Rippin

Egmont, 2010. ISBN 978 1921859277.
Series: Billie B Brown
(Ages: Junior primary) Recommended. A seemingly simple tale, charmingly told, puts this series in the forefront of the groups of books being offered for newly confident readers. Exuberant Billie (the B stands for Bursting) is making gingerbread biscuits for Christmas. She and her friend from next door, Jack, have a problem leaving some on the plate for others to eat. Billie and Jack talk about presents and Billie shows Jack what she thinks is her Christmas present - a bicycle hidden in the shed. Jack is saddened because that is what he has asked for and the pair quarrels, which Billie later regrets. Her bubble is burst when her parents tell her to leave the shed door closed because that is where the people next door have hidden Jack's present. So the stage is set for a surprising Christmas Day.
Full of the warmth of family and friends around Christmas time, the story is delightful in resolving the quarrel between the two children. And the bubbly Billie B is a lovely character for children to read about. They will have fun answering the questions that Sally Rippin poses through the text, flagging what may be about to happen and asking children to make predictions. All wrapped up in a neat easy to hold, stiff covered book the illustrations by Aki Fukuoka add to the humour of the text.
Fran Knight

Last tree in the city by Peter Carnavas

New Frontier Publishing, 2010. ISBN 978 1921042218.
(Age 4-8.) Picture book, Recommended. The power of one is stunningly illustrated in this story of a young boy re-treeing the city. Dismayed when his one tree is cut down, he finds a discarded piece of it, and plants it in some soil in the carriage of his tricycle. He has always had fun on that tree, climbing it, playing in it and appreciating its greenness in the grayness of the surrounding city. But to find it cut down is devastating. His solution is carried around on his tricycle for all to see, and so many other people in the city, follow his example, making the city greener than it has been before.
The illustrations meld with the words as the reader views the colourless outlines of the city in the first few pages, contrasted with the vibrant green tree which fills the following pages, overshadowing the pale buildings. The middles pages of the book when the tree is cut down are stunning, showing mainly white pages with a short sentence in small print in the centre of the page and a despairing boy. The sad face and pages of white space change when he works out what to do, and the face gets happier and the pages fuller until the last double page is full of colour, people and life. The designer and illustrator have worked hard to use the white space with great effect.
This is a wonderful book with which to start talking to students about their environment.
Fran Knight

Odd and the frost giants by Neil Gaiman

Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN 9780747598114.
(Ages 10+) Myth. With his father dead and a new man and his children taking his place, Viking boy, Odd, feels rejected, and has no choice but to leave his once happy home. He meets a bear, an eagle and a fox, who tell him of their home now beset by the frost giants, who have stolen spring and summer, making everything cold, snowbound and frozen. They implore Odd to help them rid their place of the frost giants, but Odd, crippled when a tree he was felling crushed his leg, finds it hard to believe that he can. But try he will, always carrying his father'[s unfinished piece of wood sculpture with him.
Through cunning and bravery Odd carries out their wishes and returns in summer to the people of Asgard, finding that his three companions are more than they seem.
This is a wonderful tale of courage in the face of overwhelming failure, tenacity in the face of fear, and home in all its variations. Kids will love to read of Odd, and feel close to him as he uses his crutch to climb massive mountains and slippery ravines in his quest. The illustration on the front cover will surely encourage the readers to delve into the trials of the unflappable Odd.
Fran Knight

Mortlock by Jon Mayhew

Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN 978 14088 0392 9
Suggested reading age 13. Whilst much of this tale is set in Victorian England, the narrative commences in Abyssinia in 1820 with an exploring party led by Sebastian Mortlock searching for a magical plant called the Amarant. His companions on this expedition are Thurlough Corvis and Edwin Chrimes and after locating the plant but finding that it has evil powers, the trio swear a blood pact to never return or reveal its location.
Little more is explained and the story proper opens with teenaged Josie Chrimes performing as a knife thrower alongside her guardian 'The Great Cardomom'. Josie is happy living amongst the entertainment community yet this is all destroyed when her guardian and benefactor is visited and killed by sinister women acting for the Lord Corvis.
It is revealed that Cardomom is actually Edwin Chrimes and Mortlock has mysteriously disappeared with the Amarant which Corvis is prepared to recover at any cost. The Amarant gives the power to revive the dead and control or destroy people. The holder of this plant may rule the world.
Josie is forced to flee, pursued by the women who morph into horrific giant crows which skewer people and dismember them with their beaks. In making her escape, Josie meets a twin brother of whom she was unaware and the two seek to survive and destroy the Amarant whilst untangling the mystery of their family origin.
Pitched at young teenagers, the story will appeal to those who enjoy Gothic horror and the chapters of this sparse narrative are extremely short which will appeal to those who find extended description challenging. The theme of death permeates every aspect of this story, from the desire to achieve immortality to the involvement of undertakers, grisly murders, frequent appearances by zombies or walking dead and the use of graveyards as settings.
Younger readers will not be overly critical of implausible events or the simplistic narrative style and are likely be intrigued to discover the truth of the twins' parentage and the unpleasant motives behind the quest to hold the Amarant.
Rob Welsh, Xavier College

Girl Saves Boy by Steph Bowe

Text, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-921656-59-0
Recommended. Jewel has spent the past 10 years living with her grandparents, now she has come home. Sasha had leukaemia as a kid, now it's back and it's terminal this time. When Sasha receives this news he tries to end it, Jewel finds him and she saves him. Has Sasha found a new reason to fight the cancer? Read on, the answer awaits you...
The plot of this story, although not straight forward, a good book never is, is complex and well written. It is the sort of book you just simply cannot put down. The book leaves you thinking about it long after you have finished reading it and is told from two different people's perspectives. The story and its characters are quite believable, however most people would not encounter anything like the story in their lifetime, only a select few. Most of the characters you would expect to bump into in the street, but they are unlikely to be like Jewel and even less likely to be like Sasha. It is set in the suburbs a slight distance from a city, there is no evidence to conclude where this area is though.
The author, who is 16 year old, uses a fairly high level writing style for that age. She uses a fair amount of sensual imagery to depict the story and uses it well.
This novel deals with some more serious themes; they are depression, suicide, fighting to live, cancer, terminal illness and death, as well as love and a minor theme of starting year 12. Because of the serious nature of the themes, this book is not recommended for the faint-hearted and under 14's. I would recommend it for ages 17 and up, male or female. However, although it can be read by 14 to 16 year olds, I would recommend only those of this age group with a higher degree of maturity should read it for it to be best understood. I would rate this book 9.5/10 stars.
Amelia Kelly (17 years old)

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

Penguin Books, 2010. ISBN 9780143204961.
Meet Sam, just your average guy rocking the fast-food career. Meet Douglas, not just your average guy, but a powerful and violent necromancer, who immediately recognises the threat Sam poses.
When one Sam's friends dies and comes back as a head, Sam's life will never be the same. Jumping into the-world-of-the-dead, Sam finds a hidden family blood-trait that will change the way he looks at them forever. With the help of his new-found talent, Sam will have to battle it out to a world shaking end.
Aimed at teenage readers, this supernatural fantasy book is likely to set the imagination into overdrive. Set in a first person text it will leave you wanting more. Lish McBride has left the window open for a sequel, fingers and toes crossed, because Hold Me Closer, Necromancer is spilling over the edge with action and deserves a follow-up.
Zoe Pfeiffer (aged 14)