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Nov 20 2008

The fatal fire by Terry Deary

Terry Deary's Roman tales. A and C Black, 2008. ISBN 978071368970 9
(Ages 6-10) The Horrible Histories writer is now targeting younger readers with a series of short novels telling a fanciful story of some aspect of ancient times. In this, Mary, the slave to Master Tullus, is waiting for him to finish watching the games from which she is excluded. From her vantage under the table, she sees a familiar man throw a frying pan of fat against the wall setting it alight. She hurries to tell her master and together they flee Rome as the buildings burn around them. As he leaves she sees Nero, the emperor and recognizes his face as that of the arsonist.
A story which gives its readers a huge amount of information about Nero and his place in Rome's history, Deary speculates on how Rome began to burn, thus making Nero's plans to build a new palace able to be put in place. Deary gives the readers titillating facts about Nero's life and times, and by making Mary the focus of the story, allows the reader to empathize with the fate of some of the poorest of Rome's population.
Fran Knight

Nov 20 2008

Nocturne by Diane Armstrong

Fourth Estate, 2008
ISBN 9780732284305
(Ages 14+) There is no doubt that Diane Armstrong has the ability to capture and hold the reader engrossed, as she relates her story of courage and cruelty set in one of the most horrendous periods of our history. The overall quality and design of this paperback, with good sized print, makes reading this 560 page book fairly easy. Readable with a clear continuity of plot and setting, Armstrong brings us a story which remains embedded in our memories.

Nocturne is based on historical events which took place during and immediately after the Second World War. Part 1 takes the reader from the start of war in Poland to the end of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, with the heroine Elzunia emerging safely, after losing most of her family and so many of her friends to the Nazi onslaught. She has met Adam, a young Polish pilot, at the beginning of the war - indeed he rescues her in an ambush - and it is this memory which drives her ambition to make it through to the end of the war. In Part 2, Adam, now a valuable member of the Resistance, goes to London to petition for help, meeting words of acknowledgement and empathy, but not action on the part of the Allies. In the final section of the novel the two characters meet after months of hardship and adversity.

Armstrong is the author of two powerfully written non-fiction works and a novel, Winter Journey, each based on Polish history and heritage.
She brings to Nocturne, a wealth of meticulous research, part of her family's background and stories of real players in this country's past.

There is a strong sense of political feeling running through the novel - Armstrong believes that all nations denied the Jews in Poland their freedom, closing their eyes to the unfolding disaster. She explores this issue, revealing to her readers the courage and independence of a people determined to fight for freedom. The world of the Ghetto is real, and we become emotionally involved in the lives of its inhabitants. The human qualities of loyalty, bravery, sacrifice and endurance emerge as the people face insurmountable odds.

At times the language is clumsy and overly wordy - it may be that Armstrong is better placed as a writer of memoir, for she frequently includes historical details in the narrative which seems contrived; however, the strong sense of place and authenticity of subject excuse her from this weakness.

Here too is a valuable addition to the field of reads for 'connected texts' work in Years 11 and 12.
Julie Wells

Nov 19 2008

If you're reading this, it's too late by Pseudonymous Bosch

Allen and Unwin, 2008
(Ages 10+) Highly recommended for boys and girls. Part of The Secret Series with a third title promised shortly, this book follows The Name of this Book is Secret. Cass the survivalist and Max Ernest, her faithful side-kick, partner up again; this time to search for an ancient terrifying creature - a homunculus. Cass is the keeper of the Sound Prism, a role which both mystifies and excites her. The dangerous Ms Mauvais and evil Dr. L relentlessly pursue them both, resulting in some very exciting chases and captures.

While not essential that the first in the trilogy be read, the continuity between the two books works well. One becomes accustomed to the intrusions of the narrator as he keeps an ever present eye on the young ones, frequently commenting on the action and probable resolutions. This interaction provides extra opportunities for negotiating the storyline, and adds great humour to the story. This style reminded me a little of Lemony Snicket's voice in The Series of Unfortunate Events.

The plot is fast-paced throughout, with a wonderful range of entertaining, likeable characters and wicked, criminal types. The action is tightly controlled with a good feel for place. We follow Cass and Max-Ernest from home to school, to the Magician's Museum, and to sharks at sea; followed by camp sites to graveyards - it's all part of finding the secret!

This is a most enjoyable read, and bound to appeal with its action-packed episodes and author interjections.
Julie Wells

Nov 18 2008

The boy in the dress by David Walliams

Harper Collins, 2008.
(Age 9+) I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started The Boy in the Dress - it's hard to approach a book by half of Little Britain in a completely objective state of mind.

Walliams' style is reminiscent of Roald Dahl, and I don't think it's just Quentin Blake's wonderful illustrations that made me feel this. Walliams has a habit of addressing his readers directly and his writing is straightforward, unaffected and humorous, while still managing to convey a depth of feeling that tugs at the heart strings.

Dennis is an ordinary boy who loves football. He lives with his Dad and older brother and there is a gaping hole in all their lives since the departure of Mum. Dennis also has an interest in fashion and keeps a copy of Vogue under his mattress. He meets glamorous Lisa, who befriends him and encourages him to dress up in some of the gorgeous frocks she has created. One thing leads to another and before we know it Dennis finds himself wearing a dress to school and posing as Denise, Lisa's French exchange friend.

Walliams makes some very interesting observations on the nature of identity and tradition. He does not comment on Dennis' love of dresses, and much emphasis is placed on Dennis' role as star striker for the football team. There is certainly nothing effeminate about Dennis. Dennis's friend Darvesh is supportive and takes it in his stride when he discovers his best mate has a penchant for dresses. Indeed Walliams is careful not to describe Dennis as 'dressing as a girl' but simply as 'wearing dresses'. These are all interesting pointers for discussion with young readers. After all what does dressing as a girl mean? Women can wear trousers, so why don't men wear dresses? There are some lovely touches of humour - Raj the owner of the corner shop fights Dennis' corner in an unusual way and the cup final football match is an absolute joy.

The main sticking point will be to get boys to read this book. OK so there is a (small) picture of a football on the front cover, but that is accompanied by a large title that many boys in my school will find impossible to overcome. I can predict that the copy in the school library will be borrowed by the girls and shunned by boys. Sadly street cred is everything, even in primary school and it's a shame because the boys will be missing out on an entertaining, thought provoking read. One way around this would be to read it aloud. It is perfect for year 5s and 6s and I can guarantee it will raise some laughs and even more importantly plenty of discussion.
Claire Larson

Nov 17 2008

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Adapted and illustrated by P. Craig Russell. HarperCollins, 2008.
Highly recommended. I came to the graphic novel adaptation of Coraline with trepidation as I had enjoyed the original so much. Could the illustrated version match up to the story that lingered in my mind? Would pictures enhance the story or spoil the images from my imagination? Would it be able to send chills up my spine? The answer is yes to all three questions. It is a totally engrossing and powerful read that will captivate the reader who comes across it first, and enhance the experience for those who have enjoyed the novel.

Coraline is an intrepid heroine who discovers a strange door in her new home when exploring. She opens it and enters an alternative world, with an 'Other mother' and 'Other father'. At first she enjoys 'all the remarkable things in there she'd never seen before' but eventually decides to go home. However, her 'Other mother' is evil and when Coraline's real parents disappear into the other world she decides that she must try and rescue them. What an adventure she has!

Russell's illustrations perfectly complement the story. Coraline is portrayed realistically as an ordinary girl dressed in shorts or jeans. This contrasts with the horrendous pictures of the black button eyes of the people, and the red eyed rats that inhabit the 'other world'.

There are enough thrills to please the fans of horror. It is great to see a feisty heroine discovering that being courageous is doing something when you are really scared, and then having the ability to come up with brilliant and tenacious solutions to her problems.
Pat Pledger

Nov 13 2008

The way of the warrior by Chris Bradford

(Young Samurai 1) Puffin, 2008.
What an unusual but original book! No wonder it has been long listed for the Carnegie.
I picked this up because I was lucky enough to meet the author recently, and as I used to play Judo, we began to chat. His book sounded so interesting that I bought a copy as soon as I could lay my hands on one, and have since bought a few more!
Jack is the only survivor when a group of Ninja pirates attack his dad's ship. He is taken in by Masamoto Takeshi, and, after saving his son's life, is treated as his son, and sent to warrior school. However, he's an outcast there, and his new 'brother' treats him in the same way as all the other students - as a foreigner, someone who cannot be a real warrior, and give him a hard time. However, Jack brought something with him from the ship. Something the ninjas are trying to get hold of and will quite happily kill for. Can Jack keep hold of his 'treasure' and finally win the respect of his peers?
This book is brilliant, and teaches you much of Japanese culture and martial arts. It's a story that mixes fiction and history together beautifully. Book 2 is already being advertised on his website, and the trailer for book one is absolutely awesome!
Nikki Heath

Nov 12 2008

Necropolis by Anthony Horowitz

Walker, 2008.
This book seems a long time coming, but boy, was it worth the wait! It continues the tale of Matthew Freeman and the Guardians, a good versus evil saga that began 4 books ago.
The last of the Guardians is discovered in the shape of Scarlett, a year 11 girl, who is totally unaware that she has powers and that people are trying to kill her, until she goes through a door into another world and goes 'missing' for almost two days. Once both sides become aware of her and who she is, there's a race to get to her - but will Matt and crew beat the Old Ones? Why are they trying to lure the Guardians to Hong Kong and can they do anything to halt the horror and destruction that awaits them? Read on to find out, and prepared to be reading by torchlight as this is one book you will NOT want to put down!
Nikki Heath

Nov 11 2008

The First Escape by G. P. Taylor

(Dopple Ganger Chronicles 1). Saltriver, 2008.
WOW! WOW! WOW! This is such an amazing book!!
The story itself is fabulous - mischievous twins Saskia and Sadie Dopple cause chaos yet again at Isambard Dunstan's school for Wayward Children and are split up, seemingly forever. One is sent to live with Muzz Elliott, a woman who doesn't seem to be very nice at all, whilst the other is left behind at school. Upon arrival at her now 'home' Saskia discovers that previous children have disappeared. It turns out that Muzz Elliott has an evil twin, thought dead, and that there is some long 'lost' treasure hidden somewhere in the house. However, her evil twin sister isn't dead at all, and has infiltrated the house, working with the staff, intending to find the treasure, murder the nice twin and take her place. Meanwhile, Sadie, along with Erik, the dogsbody at the school, escape, and set off to rescue Saskia. Sounds great, eh?
The story itself is fantastic, but what really complements this book it its layout. It's a 'marmite' book - you will either LOVE it or HATE it. (I'm sure which side I'm on, which is strange as I HATE marmite!)
Every page is set out differently. The pages all have a black edging to them, and you get a mixture of words, pictures, some black and white, some colour, and then you'll have a few pages of MANGA like drawings, then back to words. Some swirl, some fall, and some are white on black. It's as fascinating as the story itself, as you genuinely do not know what you will get when you turn the page. The text is at the same level as that of the Philip Pullman's Northern Lights series, yet it's accessible by ever the most reluctant of readers due to the way your eyes dance all over the page! The layout has been deliberately been designed to be dyslexia friendly.
How popular has it been in my library? Well, I bought my own personal copy after meeting the author last month. I read it on the hour long journey home. I took it into school to show a few of the students and had 10 reservations for it within 30 minutes. So I am now lending out my own copy to keep up with demand.
Nikki Heath

Nov 10 2008

Double Cross by Malorie Blackman

Doubleday, 2008.
Even though I have never forgiven Ms Blackman for the cliffhanger at the end of book 2 of Noughts and Crosses and the long long wait for the arrival of book 3, I was so pleased to see that another of these books was to be published that I literally danced around the room!
And it is as brilliant as its predecessors. Absolute genius. The series begins after the bomb, with Callie-Rose still having not told her family the real truth. Tobey and Callie-Rose finally get it on, but Tobey is slowly realising his dream of getting off the estate through hard work and qualifications won't be as uncomplicated as he hoped. After a few conversations with Dan, his seemingly wealthy best mate, who makes deliveries for a local gang, he makes an ill judged decision which leaves Callie-Rose in a critical condition in hospital. Determined to avenge her injuries, Tobey dices with death by trying to play the two local gang leaders off against each other with shattering consequences. Roll on book number 5!
Nikki Heath

Nov 10 2008

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Doubleday, 2008
(Age 10+) Daniel is a 15 year old alien, sent to Earth with his parents to hunt out and destroy a long list of evil aliens. Unfortunately for Daniel, his parents are both killed when he is only three years old leaving Daniel to fend for himself. Unlike Earth children however, Daniel has many powers that help him to survive, such as the ability to transform himself into just about anything, travel at turbo speed, and imagine what he wants into being, which together with a highly intelligent brain, makes him quite able to look after himself. Daniel's on a very dangerous mission to continue the work of his parents, which means finding the nasty aliens on the list headed by the very evil Ergent Seth, an alien whose main aim is to totally destroy Earth. In addition, Daniel is also determined to hunt out and destroy the very nasty Prayer who killed his Mum and Dad. Daniel's mission takes him across the United States and back to his home planet of Alpar Nok, during which his powers are challenged by forces much more experienced than his.

This is a fast, action-packed adventure that's quite graphic and violent in parts, including the fact that Daniel gets shot in the stomach and has to hold it together. Probably not for the faint hearted.
Marilyn Coleman

Nov 06 2008

Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson

Puffin 2008
As a child I was fortunate enough to be read to and I am eternally grateful to my Mum for introducing me to Anne of Green Gables. I was intrigued and also slightly dubious when I heard that someone had written a prequel to L M Montgomery's classic story. How could anyone apart from L M Montgomery herself get into the mind of that red haired, stubborn, romantic, impetuous whirlwind that is the Anne Shirley we know and love?

Budge Wilson writes with a confident sensitivity that draws out the story of Anne's early life. Before Green Gables is peopled with immensely complex characters. After Anne's parents die she lives with the Thomas family - father is an alcoholic and mother is struggling to keep her growing family together. Both characters are shown warts and all and the reader is reminded of the little things that affect Anne's life - nobody in the family holds conversations and Anne is never thanked for anything. At the age of nine Anne moves to another family which, due to the woman's propensity for having twins, includes eight children under the age of five. Much of Anne's stoicism must stem from these early experiences.

Hints regarding Anne's future are offered. She already hates her red hair, but feels her nose (inherited from Bertha, her Mother) is quite pretty. She names a pond 'The Pool of Mirrors', a precursor for 'The Lake of Shining Waters' perhaps. Her love of words and books is clear from the start. There is even a mention of the puffed sleeves she so desires that form the basis for one of the stories in Anne of Green Gables. Anne is desperately lonely and creates an imaginary friend in the glass reflection of her parents' old bookcase. This friend, Katie Maurice, is a huge solace to Anne during her time with the Thomas family. When she has to leave the bookcase and Katie behind her grief is palpable. The value she places in later books on her bosom friend Diana is understood.

This is a book for Mums, aunties and female role models to read aloud to the girls in their lives. There is so much to discuss and savour - it's definitely a book to be shared. All in all I was enchanted and on finishing moved straight on to my old favourite Anne of Green Gables. The transition was seamless. What greater compliment could I give?
Claire Larson

Review blog

Nov 20 2008

The fatal fire by Terry Deary

Nov 20 2008

Nocturne by Diane Armstrong

Nov 19 2008

If you're reading this, it's too late by Pseudonymous Bosch

Nov 18 2008

The boy in the dress by David Walliams

Nov 17 2008

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Nov 13 2008

The way of the warrior by Chris Bradford

Nov 12 2008

Necropolis by Anthony Horowitz

Nov 11 2008

The First Escape by G. P. Taylor

Nov 10 2008

Double Cross by Malorie Blackman

Nov 10 2008

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Nov 06 2008

Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson

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