Allen and Unwin 2010. ISBN 978 1 74175 8425.
Graphic Novel. Any reimagining of Shakespeare's Hamlet is sure
to
create opinions that are poles apart, and this one certainly will,
having Hamlet portrayed as an ink blot, weaving his way through the
morass of pressures that he has on his young life. Sometimes the plot
is outlined as a graphic novel, in comic strip style, sometimes a full
page takes up the story, but all is easily read and followed. Having a
copy in the classroom where Hamlet is being studied will give
inveterate students a different perspective on this most known of
plays, while copies in the library will serve others well as they
peruse the pages for images not usually seen on the black and white
texts we are used to.
Imagined as a theatre on which these ephemeral actors 'strut upon the
stage', the inkblots score a visual joke from the artist, all in black,
of course, dropping like a blot upon the page but now adorned with
faces, and in the end, return once more as blots to be removed with
blotting paper. Sometimes the ink blot of Hamlet removes his face, a
mask, not wanting to see what is happening around him, sometimes his
face is happy, belying what is going on underneath. Other characters
are imagined in different ways, Ophelia is a monkey faced creature with
a voluptuous Mae West figure, dancing to the tune of her father;
Polonius, a walking dead man, with a skeletal face and whiskers
about his jaw line, using a cane to walk; the king and queen are
seahorses; Hamlet's friends, Rosencratz and Gilderstern are a single
being with two heads and so on, all making the reader think about why
Greenberg has used such tantalizing images to portray the known
characters.
Hamlet's sword, a fountain pen, sways around the place, emphasizing his
impatience with his lot: 'oh cursed spite that ever I was born to make
it right'. The pages all are heavily black, underscoring the deep
tragedy of Hamlet's role as the agent for revenge for his dead father,
while the stage actors who play a pivotal role in exposing the king's
guilt, are in red. I love the clock innards used often on the pages,
underscoring the time element in the play, 'the time is out of joint'
but could as easily represent Hamlet's inner thoughts as he meets his
fate. There is a myriad of images, of subtle puns, of visual jokes to
be gained from this reimagining, and discussions with classes will
further endear the play to the next generation of students who are
endowed with a greater visual awareness.
Fran Knight
Raven's gate. The Power of Five: Book One. The Graphic Novel by Anthony Horowitz
Adapted by Tony Lee. Ill. by Dom Reardon and Lee O'Connor. Walker
Books, ISBN 978 1 406306477.
A gripping novel both in the fast moving plot and the stylised graphic
llustrations. Horowitz is a master of strong believable
characters from the protagonist Matt, to the evil Mrs Deverill and the
unusual variety of characters in between. Curiosity leads Matt to try
to unravel the confusing signals he observes: from the flowers put in
the house for him and which Mrs Deverill says have beautiful colours
but are all poisonous, to the black sinister cat Asmodeus and the farm
helper Noah, who delights in hearing pigs squeal as they die! The
plot builds rapidly and when Matt is befriended by the newspaper
reporter Richard, they meet the Nexus group who exist to help Matt do
what he must do. Raven's Gate is about to open and Matt is told that
the Old Ones who existed before need three things for this to occur:
ritual, which Matt heard in the woods near Mrs Deverill's home, fire
which he saw and blood. The best sacrifice is that of a child! So Matt
is inextricably involved. As this is book one the reader is left
knowing that Matt is one of the five children who will save the world!
Boys especially will enjoy the storyline and the black and white
illustrations.
Well recommended for Upper Primary and Early Secondary students.
Sue Nosworthy
Snuff by Quentin Blake
Red Fox, 2010. (Re-issue, originally published 1973). ISBN
9781849410489.
(Ages 3+) Sir Thomas Magpie is a gallant knight, who spends his days
dancing, sword fighting - and trying to prevent his boots from being
eaten by mice. Snuff is his loyal page, whose job it is to mend Sir
Thomas's boots after they have been chewed.
Snuff longs to become a real knight, but tends to be dreamy and
accident prone. However, when the local boot-maker is threatened with
robbery it is Snuff's ingenuity that saves the day, and his reward
helps him on the road to successful knighthood.
The combination of deadpan text and whimsical illustration has timeless
appeal and it's hard to believe this classic story was first published
37 years ago. Blake's spiky, distinctive illustrations are so full of
life and deserve to be shared with a new generation of young readers
who will relish the story of the small boy who saves the day.
Claire Larson
The little drummer boy by Bruce Whately
Random House Australia, 2010. ISBN 978 186471992 5.
Picture book. A beautiful addition to the Christmas list, The
little
drummer boy is an enticing look at growing old, as the figurine on
the
Christmas Tree is placed on the tree each year by its owner. We see the
young girl, Annie, making sure that the figurine has pried of place
near the top of the tree each year throughout her childhood. Even when
the family goes travelling, the figurine is taken with them. Then when
she marries the little figure is still placed near the top of the tree,
When her children come along, the drummer boy is as always placed on
the tree. In time however, the tree becomes more and more crowded, and
the figurine becomes less bright. Annie's grandchildren then see the
drummer boy in his rightful place, but one day Annie moves to a smaller
home, and still the tree, although much smaller than in the past, is
there with him near the top. As the figurine has aged, so has Annie,
but both are loved.
A realistically illustrated, wistfully told story, this will have wide
appeal, stressing that Christmas time is a time of families and love,
and underlining the passage of time. A wonderful antidote to the morass
of sentimental offerings in Christmas books.
Fran Knight
Many coloured realm by Anne Hamilton
Wombat Books, ISBN 978 1921633065.
Wombat Books, ISBN 978 1921633065.
This fantasy has a very complicated plot and needs close scrutiny. The
reference to numbers is fascinating for they have a symmetry all of
their own and when teaching mathematics joy comes when a student picks
the connection. In this book, other than the paragraph about the
author, the mathematical illusion is difficult to pick, but the concept
of the way numbers form patterns is beautiful and magical. The story
revolves around Robbie, Chris and the missing Stephen. The young people
enter other worlds through the chimney and here begins the roller
coaster ride. There are many wonderful modern day comparisons, for
example, when the swans bicker and honk their disagreement and want a
stop work meeting to discuss the situation. All this amidst a storm
about to destroy the boat they are pulling! It's a very humorous
situation and often replicated in real life! Younger readers may
struggle with the rapidly changing scenes. The delightful play on
words reminds the reader of Philip Pullman's 'The Scarecrow and his
Servant'. Time change has a huge effect on the plot. This is a
book for students who love other worlds, extravagant and exaggerated
characters, humour and the many ways of interpreting our
language. It's quite a sophisticated novel but readers of
adolescent years may enjoy a challenge after Harry Potter and this
could be an intriguing follow on. It would be a wonderful
classroom read for the discussion that would ensue would entail
freedom, love, particularly self belief for Robbie but overall, a
delightful foray into another world with challenges just like ours! A
book for students and teachers.
Well recommended for good Upper Primary and Early Secondary students
and their teachers
Sue Nosworthy
The Cabinet of Curiosities by Paul Dowswell
Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN 978 1 4088 0046 1. The Cabinet of Curiosities is perfect for readers who like
history. Set
in 1598, around the time of the Spanish Inquisition, we meet teenager
Lukas. He is on his way to Prague to become an apprentice to his uncle,
Anselmus, the apothecary to the Emperor. The Cabinet of Curiosities is a dark story, starting out with
attempted
murder and robbery, with Lukas having to steal and trick his way to
Prague. He makes friends with Etienne, a quick-talking, confident
con-artist.
Life in the castle is very different for Lukas and he is put to work,
learning the ways of an apothecary. His uncle shows Lukas the
Cabinet of Curiosities, a room full of wonders and treasures from
around the world.
The dark themes continue as Spanish diplomats vie for the attention of
the Emperor (in hopes of him following their ways). Lukas has made
friends but they make plans to con and steal. The question is - from
who?
Is The Cabinet of Curiosities on their agenda?
What will Lukas's uncle say when he finds out?
Kylie Kempster
Slog's dad by David Almond
Ill. by Dave McKean. Walker Books, 2010. ISBN 978-1406322903.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. From the blurb: 'Do you believe there's life
after death? Slog does. He reckons that the scruffy bloke sitting
outside the pork shop is his dad come back to visit him for one last
time. But Slog's mate Davie isn't convinced.' The bloke seems to
know things about Slog's dad that are impossible for Davie to
understand.
The collaboration of Almond and McKean had a winning book in The
Savage, and Slog's dad is equally as compelling. The exploration of
the
possibility of life after death is a thought provoking one that is
handled very well. Almond's sparse prose, interspersed with McKean's
fabulous pictures, graphically tells the story of how Slog's dad, a bin
man, gradually becomes more and more ill, until he loses his legs and
dies. Slog's belief that his father has come back is so compelling that
I rushed to the end to see what the outcome of Slog's encounter with
the tramp would be. After reading the story, I then went back and read
more slowly, examining the pictures and thinking about all the ideas
that are presented in this tender tale of love. I was fascinated by the
supernatural hints that McKean drew in his illustrations of the man
sitting on the park bench and the sepia toned newspaper articles that
alluded to other things happening.
This is a very touching tale that will appeal both to those who believe
in life after death and the possibility of someone returning for one
last farewell, and to those who are sceptical. Almond's story combined
with the illustrations, allow for both beliefs to exist side by side. Slog's dad is a wonderful story that should give rise to much
discussion in a classroom.
Pat Pledger
Haunted by Barbara Haworth-Attard
Random House Australia, 2010. ISBN 9781742750491.
(Age 12+) Recommended. Winner of the 2010 Arthur Ellis Crime
Award, Haworth-Attard has created a scary, engrossing story that kept
me reading to the end. Dee is frightened when bones are discovered on
the mountain. To make it worse, a ring belonging to her friend Mary Ann
Simpson was found with the bones, and other girls have disappeared from
the area as well. Dee, like her grandmother, has the 'sight', and she
catches glimpses of people who have died, but whose spirits are
unwilling to move onto the afterlife. This ability, as well as the fact
that her mother disappeared when she was a baby, makes her an outsider
in the small town where she lives.
The suspense that Haworth-Attard builds up is totally gripping, as she
describes the small town gossip and stifling attitudes that Dee and her
grandmother have to tolerate. I virtually read this book in one sitting
as I followed the progress of the police investigation as they
attempted to find what turned out to be a serial killer. The plot
twists are excellent, with few clues given to the identity of the
murderer until the very end and the addition of the ghosts that Dee
sees make it an enthralling read.
The book is rich with well-developed characters. Dee is a pragmatic
child, intelligent and forthright and I loved the way that she was
determined to have an education and do something with it. Descriptions
of the health care that her grandmother gave the poorer people show
what a strong and helpful character she was. Clarence, the soldier who
has returned from the war in France, appears often to talk to Dee and
the reader learns much about the First World War and what it was like
afterwards for the families whose men had been killed.
I enjoy mystery stories and feel that Haunted is an excellent
example
of the genre.
Pat Pledger
Up and down by Oliver Jeffers
HarperCollins Children's Books, 2010. ISBN 978-0007263844.
Recommended. Picture book. The penguin and the boy are the best of
friends. They always do things together. Because he does have wings,
the penguin decides that he wants to fly and that is something that he
tries although his wings didn't work very well. Ignoring the
boy's advice, he continues on his quest to fly alone, leaving his
friend behind.
This is a beautiful warm story about the power of friendship. Although
the penguin is determined to fly by himself, the boy doesn't give up on
him and is there to help him make a happy landing after his adventures.
Beautiful colours and amusing images of the boy and the penguin make
this a visually appealing book to look at. Jeffers uses sombre colours
and wistful expressions on the faces of the two companions to show how
they were missing each other, and more vibrant happy shades to denote
cheerfulness. My favourite picture comes at the end of the book and has
a gorgeous pink background, with the penguin scooting along and the boy
walking on stilts, making 'a break for home.'
Although Up and down is the fourth book about the boy and the
penguin,
it reads as a stand-alone and would be a valuable addition to a
collection.
Pat Pledger
Zac wipes out by H.I. Larry
Zac power. Spy camp Mission 6. Hardie Grant Egmont, 2010. ISBN
9781921690518.
(Age: Newly independent readers) Zac is sitting in the dentist chair
when he is suddenly whished off to Spy Camp to learn some more spying
skills. Here he pairs off with Cam, code name Agent Wave because he
loves surfing. They are taken by helicopter to a volcano, and here Zac
has to put all his training and skills to work to rescue Cam from the
lava flow.
Another in this great series for young readers, especially boys, Zac
wipes
out will especially appeal to children who enjoy surfing. They
will really appreciate how Zac uses a stretcher as a surfboard and
rides the lava wave.
Fifty-six pages of large print, interspersed with black and white
illustrations make it a good book for the emerging reader.
Pat Pledger ,
The legacy by Gemma Malley
Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN 978-1408800898.
The third in the series following The Declaration and The
Resistance,
sees a return to a dystopian future where very few children are born,
as Longevity, a drug developed by the Pincent Pharma laboratories,
keeps all the adults alive, promising eternal life. However blackened
corpses are turning up everywhere as a virus sweeps the world and it
appears that Longevity is no longer working. Richard Pincent is
determined to find the original formula developed by Albert Fern but in
the meantime blames the Underground movement for releasing the virus. The Declaration is one of my favourite dystopian novels, its
theme of
what would happen in a world where new life no longer brings new ideas,
fresh and original. The legacy brings to a satisfying
conclusion the story of Peter and Anna, Jude and Sheila. Malley
cleverly
describes a world where the prevailing drug stops working, just as
drugs today can lose their potency and fail to perform. The frightening
machinations of politicians and drug company director are very
realistic, as are the actions of the adults who could see their
existence coming to an end.
Richard Pincent is a frightening villain, and Jude comes into his own
in this volume. It was good to see how he used his computer skills to
research and the slight romance with Sheila was engaging.
Malley's plot is engrossing and the ending has some unexpected twists
and turns, which were a surprise, but nevertheless, very satisfying.
This series is sure to please readers who like to think about issues
like overpopulation, power of big drug companies and the selfishness of
human nature, all themes in these books.
Pat Pledger
The Christmas book by Dick Bruna
Hardie Grant Egmont, 2007 (c1964). ISBN 9781921288814.
(Age 4-8) Recommended. Dick Bruna, the creator of the Miffy books,
tells the Nativity story in this charming book. Although first
published in 1964, it is a timeless book that will appeal to today's
children, who may want to know the story behind Christmas.
Bruna has retold the story of the shepherds and the three wise men
following a bright light that is an angel, to a stable in Bethlehem in
a manner that is simple and easy to understand. The language is direct
and sincere and describes the Nativity in a very straightforward way.
The delightful illustrations complement the words. I can image children
using ideas from the way that Bruna has constructed his figures to
making their own Nativity scene.
A useful addition to a collection of Christmas books, The Christmas
book would also be book to read aloud to tell the story of the
birth of
Jesus.
Pat Pledger
Totally Bindi by Jess Black
Random House Australia, 2010. ISBN 978 1864718584.
(Ages 7+) Picture book/non fiction. A stocking filler for young girls
and boys, this compilation of all things Bindi and the Australian Zoo,
will please many. Pages of photos of Bindi with various animals, her
family and father Steve Irwin will keep the reader involved and
interested in all the things Bindi does from day to day. Each double
page is sumptuous in its photography and has bites of information aimed
at getting information quickly and easily. From swimming, skiing,
snorkeling, riding a horse, showing people and friends the zoo, to
motorcycling, the child does a range of activities which will entrance
the reader. Seeing her grabbing a tortoise, listening to a koala's
heartbeat, cuddling a snake, feeding a crocodile, Bindi is shown in all
possible stances at Australia Zoo.
Interspersed with the many animal photos is a range of photos of Bindi
and her family, making this feel like a family album, and those
entranced with Steve Irwin and his life, will see many photos of him in
action. Along the way are cross word puzzles, recipes, questions to
answer and quizzes, word games and activities, all designed to
keep the reader interested and reading. With pages of information about
animals the books will please all comers.
Fran Knight
Mice by Gordon Reece
Allen and Unwin; 2010.
(Suitable for Year 10-12) The first part of this novel is quite
disturbing due to girls
subversively bullying and harassing Shelley. When the truth becomes
evident Shelley and her mother decided that it is best if they move
from their comfortable lifestyle to a quiet life in the country. This
was meant to be the plan however not all goes according to this plan.
This novel is about gaining strength and realizing that you cannot be a
victim forever. But in order to have this strength, compromise and
morals are called into question. The characters are well defined and
the story is well written with the reader constantly questioning what
is fair and just.
Wendy Rutten
The Dead of Winter by Chris Priestley
Bloomsbury 2010.
(Ages 10-14) Recommended. I loved Chris Priestley's Tales of
Terror
from the Black Ship and this marvellously gothic ghost story more
than
lived up to my expectations.
Following the death of his mother, Michael is sent to stay with his
benefactor who inhabits a crumbling mausoleum in the featureless
marshlands of East Anglia. Sir Stephen is weak of mind, tormented by
mysterious ghostly noises and apparitions. Michael himself is also
haunted by these ghosts and his Christmas visit to the house is truly
terrifying.
The death of Lady Clarendon, Sir Stephen's tragic wife, is shrouded in
mystery and her ghost now haunts the house and grounds. To add to the
air of threat, Sir Stephen himself is plagued by memories of a
childhood ordeal when he was imprisoned in a priest hole by his father.
He has never recovered from this trauma and when the same thing happens
to Michael he relives his terror.
Priestley's steady build up of atmosphere and tension is outstanding as
Michael gradually uncovers the mystery surrounding Lady Clarendon's
death and we learn that although ghosts are present, responsibility for
her death lies firmly at the feet of the living. The terror intensifies
to a cracking denouement that will leave readers with nerves
jangling and their hair standing on end!
Priestly has almost certainly borrowed ideas and characters from the
best examples of gothic novels and I could detect elements of Jane
Eyre, Great Expectations and Rebecca here. Although
not exactly
Christmassy The Dead of Winter is set over the festive season,
so you
could recommend it as a scary Christmas read.
Claire Larson
