Get me out of here! Foolish and fearless convict escapes by Pauline Deeves. Illus. by Brent Wilson
Allen & Unwin, 2022. ISBN: 9781760526993. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
Australian History has been full of convict folklore and this latest release, Get Me Out of Here: Foolish and Fearless Convict Escapes, adds another dimension to this genre. Written by Pauline Deeves, this book includes seven stories about some foolish and fearless escapees, some of whom may be unfamiliar to the reader. Each story is wonderfully illustrated by Brent Wilson who uses bold colours and graphic-style images. The stories begin with a large portrait of the escapee followed by a brief fact file which includes date of birth, birthplace, occupation, description, crime, sentence, transported to, arrived in Australia, and escaped from. The easily accessible story, told at times in the first person, is presented over several pages with a final page about the outcome of the escape. This is then accompanied by a double page of fun facts related to each individual story. The story of William Buckley, who lived with the Wadawurrung People for many years, and was not trusted by either white settlers or the Wadawurrung People in the end, has been reviewed by the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Mary Bryant’s escape story with her family is one of great determination, danger, and hardship. The final pages of the book give an overview of the Australia’s Convict Prisons, a glossary, index, answers to some questions posed throughout the book plus further research suggestions.
An excellent resource for school or public library.
Themes Australian History, Convicts, Escapes, Humour.
This is such a beautiful portrayal of young love, about two young people, hesitant at first, but who come to realise that each other is ‘the one’. Ray is wary of relationships, having seen how love ended sadly for her mother, and spends her time creating ‘found poetry’ from the words that leap out from literary texts. Orion is a high achieving swimmer, driven by his father’s expectation of him, but clumsy when talking to girls. He has sensory processing disorder, unable to process competing sounds. But his honesty and openness about his condition, and his feelings, makes him more attractive to Ray.
Both young people are dealing with loss and grief in their lives. They are drawn to each other, unaware that their separate family secrets link them in an unexpected way. And the climax hits in a Romeo and Juliet scenario that threatens to separate them forever.
Finding Jupiter by Kelis Rowe is a wonderful new contemporary novel about Black teens, worthy of listing alongside the authors of the Blackout love stories. The novel speaks for love, trust, honesty, and communication. Kelis Rowe is clearly a rising young author to watch out for.
Themes Black Americans, Love, Romance, Loss, Grief, Diversity.
This is an enthralling story, an immense and captivating quest story with Arabian mythology woven in the fantasy tale. Loulie al-Nazari (or Layla) is a young woman living with the sadness of a personal history in which her family is destroyed by attackers and she lives with an aching need for justice. But in the meantime, she works as a collector and seller of magical relics. She is the Midnight Merchant. Her faithful ‘bodyguard’, Qadir, is in fact a jinn (a genie) from the magical underworld that interacts with humanity with a mysterious and usually restrained power. Within the Sultan’s royal household is a history marred by violence and interactions with the jinn world. The older Prince Omar is a hard and violent pursuer of the magical jinns at his father’s direction. Younger brother Prince Mazen is a gentle and peaceful contrast to his older brother. He wishes he could impress his father the Sultan, but is only adept at sharing the folklore stories of his Arabian culture. When Omar concocts a plan to uncover more jinn relics and appropriate their magic, he sends the Midnight Merchant and Qadir on a quest through the desert to uncover more of these relics. He also uses his brother as a scapegoat for other evil actions, by sending him on the quest. With them is one of his forty thieves, Aisha, a woman with her own need for justice. Or is it revenge? The quest is marked by magical interactions and mystery and is a fantastic saga of Arabian mythology intertwined with human tragedy and power. There are battles and mystical interactions, and humans learning to deal with their own uncertainties and frailties.
The Stardust Thief is absolutely awesome in its scope and enchantment, not just because it is 467 pages of story. I was hooked from the beginning and did not want to stop discovering more of this amazing charmed tale. With the cultural influences of the oral story-telling traditions of the Arabian regions, this is a book that is unique, but yet it has the magical qualities of a Lord of the Rings – style dramatic quest. Some actual stories are interlaced through the epic tale in stories that Mazen relates, but the flavour of the mythology or folklore stories are neatly woven in the entire saga. With an author with a Kuwaiti family background and an education in USA, there is a wonderful symbiosis of the literary craft of the two cultures. This is a book that will be loved by enthusiasts of fantasy and magical quest stories, as well as by those who are intrigued by cultural folklore stories. There is violence with a magical quality throughout the story, more like an epic computer game with two forces pitted against one another. Consequently, this is suited to readers from age 15 to Adult readers. But it will be much enjoyed and treasured. It is truly a magical story.
Themes Magic, Storytelling, Arabian legends, Royal intrigue, Quest story.
Carolyn Hull
A Kunwinjku counting book by Gabriel Maralngurra & Felicity Wright
A Kunwinjku Counting Book is a stunning new release celebrating the Kunwinjku language of the Bininj people whose home is West Arnhem Land, a region in the Northern Territory. Artist Gabriel Maralngurra has presented his traditional style of rock painting with a contemporary touch, in a wonderful counting book which showcases twelve different animals on a double page spread with a full-page illustration plus a page of easily accessible and interesting information.
Each of the animals is introduced in English which is then followed by the same introduction in Kunwinjku. For example: One sharp crocodile with many sharp teeth - Nakudgji kinga kakarrne kunyidme. Following this is information about the animal, their habitat, behaviour and how the Bininj people interact with the animal. Included in the animals of this region are the knob-tailed geckos, snapping turtles, freshwater prawns, barramundi, dragonflies, snake-necked turtles, goannas, spoonbills, wallabies, echidnas, and water pythons.
In the final pages of the book is valuable information on the Ancient Tradition of rock art, Tools and Techniques, and the seasons of the West Arnhem Land. There is also a wonderful introduction to Gabriel Maralngurra, followed by a Note on Pronunciations.
This very special book has a place in all libraries. A wonderful resource for both primary and secondary students.
Themes Bininj - First Nations People, Storytelling, West Arnhem Land Northern Territory, First Nation Language - Kunwinjku, Flora, Fauna, Rock Art, Ecology.
For children of any age who have a relative, friend or neighbour living with Alzheimer’s disease, this thoughtful and gentle picture book will be a wonderful read to deal with understanding the progression and complexities surrounding the disease. Grace is young girl who lives next door to Phyllis and regularly visits her with homemade biscuits, cake and jelly. They share similar interests and Grace copes well with the forgetfulness, mouldy food and confusing stories from the past. Over time it becomes clear that Phyllis’s memory is continuing to fade, she is struggling to be home alone, and eventually she is placed in a nursing home. Grace, who has a strong bond and a beautiful friendship with Phyllis, continues to visit her where they talk about Phyllis' love of horse riding. This leads to an opportunity for Grace to ride Phyllis’s old horse Starbright, which Grace is able to share with Phyllis through photos.
The charming illustrations in soft pastels tones combined with the sensitive text will make this a valuable and important read with children who may not understand what might be happening to an elderly acquaintance.
Caryl Hart and Zachariah OHora have collaborated on a vividly coloured board book that will appeal to young children and fans of Salina Yoon. Friends Sonny, Boo and Meemo are playing hide-and-seek when Sonny spots a box. Even though he can read the label that say 'For: Honey' he is intrigued and want to know what is inside. He pokes at the box and sniffs it. When his two friends appear, he shows them the box and then opens it. It contains a beautiful chocolate cake decorated with strawberries and Sonny and Memo cannot resist having a taste. Poor Honey is very upset when she finds that her cake has been eaten, and Sonny knows that he has to say sorry. But Honey keeps crying until Sonny has an idea….
The text flows along beautifully and is a pleasure to read aloud, while the illustrations of the cute little animals are a delight. I was particularly drawn to Meemo the little dog who makes a 'Woof!' to show his displeasure at the actions of Sonny and Boo. Unfortunately, he is ignored, even when he shows them the tag that reads 'For Honey'. Older children who are just beginning to read would enjoy trying Sonny says sorry! as the illustrations complement the text.
This is a book that could be used by caregivers and teachers to discuss with children the importance of not touching things that do not belong to them. Saying sorry if they do something wrong and finding ways to make things right is also emphasised. Activities are available on the author’s website.
Themes Emotions, Honesty, Problem solving.
Pat Pledger
Zadie Ma and the dog who chased the moon by Gabrielle Wang
Gabrielle Wang, Australian Children's Laureate for 2022–23, has written a beautiful middle-grade novel about one young girl’s dream. Zadie Ma, a fourth-generation Chinese Australian girl growing up in post-war Melbourne, desperately wishes to have her own dog to love and cherish. Zadie also has a hidden talent for story writing and magically often what she writes has a way of becoming reality. Hence, she begins to write her story of ‘The Great Beyond’ where she creates her dog, Jupiter. She shares this with her younger much-loved brother Teddy, who truly believes that Zadie has a superpower to make things happen.
Zadie’s family situation is one of great stress. Her father has returned from World War Two a changed man and it is left to her mother to run the local Milk Bar and raise Zadie and Teddy. Zadie and her mother have a strained relationship which is central to the story. A young adventurous neighbour, who calls herself Sparrow, becomes Zadie’s new friend. Together their friendship grows, and quiet, reserved Zadie is brought out of her shell. Their friendship is tested by a bully and a hurtful racial misunderstanding, but the girls weather the storm. Zadie does find her own Jupiter, and after some difficult challenges he finally has a place with her family.
Zadie Ma and the dog who chased the moon has a distinctive and appealing presentation. It engages young readers with the main story, interspersed with other short symbolic and connected stories, as well as the use of graphic novel features. A truly wonderful read that would be a welcome addition to a home, school or public library and would make an excellent class novel.
In the author’s notes, Award winning author John Scalzi says that The Kaiju Preservation Society is ‘a pop song. It’s meant to be light and catchy…’ And it is certainly memorable. Jamie Gray is stuck working for füdmüd, a food delivery service that is doing well during the pandemic. After providing the boss with a great idea, Jamie is sacked and ends up as a delivery driver, the only way to keep the rent paid. Then an old acquaintance suggests a job working for an animal rights organisation and Jamie is keen to finally leave the job of delivering pizzas. But the animals are not on Earth, they live in an alternate dimension, and are huge dinosaur like creatures with internal nuclear reactors. When the kaiju and Earth are both threatened with extinction, Jamie and a group of young scientists must produce solutions to save them all.
The wit and humour that Scalzi brings to the story makes it very easy to read. Jamie’s snarky asides highlight the heartlessness of billionaires who have no thought for employees or endangered species and are just out to make a huge profit. Readers will recognise the troubles that the gig economy offers young employees but also the hope and resilience of young scientists and collective action by people hoping for a better future.
Scalzi sets a great pace as Jamie and friends face the kaiju and a hostile environment. The science is unique and believable, and the ending is wonderful.
Fans of Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton would enjoy this novel. Some strong language may make it more suitable for older adolescents, but the examination of the gig economy and endangered species within action and humour is sure to entice fans of science fiction.
Themes Science fiction, Animals - Moral and ethical aspects, Humour, Satire, The gig economy, Life on other planets.
The stunning cover design of the picture book, Miimi Marraal Mother Earth, with its appealing illustration and tactile feel, will immediately draw the reader’s attention to this beautiful story. Written for babies and very young children by Gumbaynggir storyteller, artist and designer Melissa Greenwood, the story tells of the deep connection First Nations Peoples have to Miimi Marraal (Mother Earth) from the moment of conception. Told in the first person of a mother talking to her baby, the story revolves around sharing the love and hope of a mother for her child as well as the connection to the land: how it provides for us, protects us and how we need to care for it. Simple yet expressive text is surrounded by vibrant illustrations in the spectacular palette of pinks, reds, browns, greens and blues. This striking new release would make the perfect gift for a new mother.
Not getting the answers right in class, feeling like the others are cleverer than he, this cookie felt left out, alone, bereft of friends until he found the thing he is good at.
Cookie went to school in a gingerbread house and here he expected to do well, but he did not. His grade were not what he wanted, he found that he did not raise his hand in class to answer questions as his answers were sometimes wrong. His teacher was encouraging, but he felt sad. Then one day his teacher gave them a homework assignment, one that made him have an ‘aha’ moment. At first he was flummoxed at her request that the class produce something original and present the next day. He thought and thought and his ‘aha’ moment came when he decided to write a poem.
The next day each of his fellow students presented an amazing array of original things. He felt embarrassed to present his poem amongst so many good offering, but his teacher encouraged him. While reading out his poem, he noticed that the other students were engrossed, nodding at some of the things he said. When he had finished his poem to his great surprise, all his classmates congratulated him, and his teacher told him that no one but he could have written a poem like that.
After that he no longer felt alone at school, he was unafraid to raise his hand in class, even if her gave the wrong answer.
And one night he put on a poetry night to present all his poems to his friends. He had learnt that although he may not be as good as the others in his class at some things, at one thing, he excelled.
Using very funny nods to all things food and cookery, the authors have created a funny picture book, encouraging all readers to be themselves.
This is one on a series of books by these authors, focussing on self worth and confidence. The bad seed, The good egg, The couch potato and The good bean make up the set, ensuring readers will laugh at the jokes within the pages while taking heed of the message given.
As a fan of stories set in libraries and featuring ancient manuscripts, I was drawn to the blurb of The devil makes three: “When Tess and Eliot stumble upon an ancient book hidden in a secret tunnel beneath their school library, they accidentally release a devil from his book-bound prison, and he will stop at nothing to stay free. He will manipulate all the ink in the library books to do his bidding, he will murder in the stacks… “
Bovalino has written an engrossing horror story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next. She creates a chilling atmosphere with some gory moments that are not for the faint hearted. The idea of ink bleeding from the pages and a devil possessing bodies is sure to please fans of the horror genre.
The author’s two main protagonists, Tess and Eliot, are well developed and easy to relate to. Tess is a rock, solid and determined that her younger sister will have the life that she deserves, even though it means she will miss a place at a prestigious music school. Eliot, the son of the principal of Falk, appears to be a spoilt young man, but gradually his background and the love he has for his magical mother is revealed. The pair gradually get to know each other better and must rely on each other’s abilities to defy the devil and stop him possessing other people.
Readers who enjoyed Sorcery of thorns by Margaret Rogerson may enjoy The devil makes three, and the setting of an old library and a romance is sure to appeal to other readers.
Pat Pledger
Bluey: Typewriter by Bluey
Penguin, 2022. ISBN: 9781761046070. (Age:2+)
Bluey is busy writing a story using the typewriter at school when it is time for a story with Calypso. She is not happy with Calypso’s story and decides to write her own but when she comes back to get the typewriter it is gone. Meanwhile, her friend Snickers has a problem learning to sit and everyone runs away from Winton who is a space invader, so the three decide to go to Calypso to see if she can solve their issues. On the way the Terriers shoot pretend-real arrows at them, and the trio must produce several strategies to evade them. While problem solving Snickers finds that he has a fantastic sausage roll to knock over the Terriers and Winton discovers that he is not standing close anymore. Meanwhile Bluey shows Calypso a pretend typewriter that she will always have with her.
The Bluey TV show is a favourite with pre-school children and any book featuring Bluey is sure to be a hit. Children will already be familiar with the story and this book will give them the opportunity to transfer their knowledge of it from the screen to a printed book. They will also have fun lifting the flaps to see what happens. The illustrations of the dogs are cute and the humour in the story will bring lots of enjoyment for young children. Adults will also be able to talk about the importance of not pushing too close to people as Winton the ’space invader’ does and discuss how Snickers accepts his unique strengths. And of course, the power of the imagination is emphasised throughout the story. A colouring activity is available.
Themes Imagination, Typewriters, Individuality.
Pat Pledger
Nightwork by Nora Roberts
Piatkus, 2022. ISBN: 9780349430218. (Age:Adult)
Bestselling author Nora Roberts, who has sold over 5000 million books worldwide, returns with a stand-alone novel Nightwork. With Nightwork, she introduces a young man Harry who begins to steal when he is very young to help keep a roof over the head of his mother who is suffering from cancer. For him being a thief is a job, and it is work that he excels at. He is methodical, does his research and learns all the skills that are necessary to avoid being caught. When his mother can no longer fight the cancer, Harry finds himself rootless and leaves Chicago searching for a new life. He believes he finds it in a small university town where he meets Miranda, the love of his life, but Carter LaPorte, a dangerous man from his past, turns up and threatens everything he loves. Once again, he is on the run, and the reader is left wondering if he will ever be able to escape his past and settle down to a normal life.
As a long term fan of Roberts’ books, I found it interesting that in my view she has slightly changed the theme of this book from her usual romantic suspense, which often features a murder or stalker (Shelter in place and Undercurrents). Instead, the reader is faced with the moral complexity of empathising with a protagonist who is a jewel thief. It is easy to relate to the young Harry as he steals to keep his family afloat, but I did find myself ambivalent about his dishonesty as the story progressed and he became an adult. However, in true Roberts’ style, she moves the story forward at a fast pace and the fear that the evil Carter LaPorte will find Harry always looms in the back of the reader’s mind. This makes it very hard to put Nightwork down.
The romance between Harry and Miranda progresses from a youthful love to a more mature and understanding one and will satisfy those readers who enjoy the relationships that Roberts’ writes so well.
Readers new to Roberts’ romantic suspense will want to find others written by her, and fans will have another great escapist story to enjoy.
The best-selling author of Station Eleven and The Glass Hotel returns with a novel that explores the idea of time travel, pandemics, and music. It begins in 19012 with Edwin St. John St. Andrew who has been exiled from England to the very different world of Canada. While there he enters a forest where he hears a violin echoing in a large building, like a cathedral. Two hundred years later Olive Llewellyn, a famous author, is on a book tour. Her book describes a passage of a man playing a violin in an airship terminal. Meanwhile Gaspery-Jacques Roberts is tasked to find the anomaly in the time travel structure of the man playing a violin.
All of St. John Mandel’s characters draw the reader in. It is very easy to relate to Edwin, a young man in a foreign country, with no skills to survive. Olive Llewellyn’s book tour, her descriptions of the loneliness of being in a hotel room by herself and the dangers of a pandemic all strike a familiar note, while Gasper-Jacques’ investigation into the strange violin music and his trips back in time are all fascinating.
The narrative skips back and forth in time but is written so beautifully by St. John Mandel that the reader has no problem imagining the different time zones. Her connections between Olive Llewellyn’s house and novel and Gaspery-Jacques ensure that the tantalising mystery surrounding the puzzle of the violin music keeps the reading wanting to know how the characters are linked. And the conclusion when threads are drawn together in a dramatic way is most satisfactory.
I read this as a stand-alone novel and thoroughly enjoyed it but suspect that readers of Station Eleven and The glass hotel may bring more understanding to a few of the minor characters in the novel. Readers may also enjoy The time traveller’s wife by Audrey Niffenegger.
Themes Time travel, Epidemics, Authors, Relativity, Moon colony.
In the gothic town of Wickdon, seventeen-year-old Maggie waits for her mother to return from her alchemic searches. Then she sees the hala, a magical creature with a frightening capacity for destruction. It’s dangerous but if Maggie can present her mother with the hala’s body, the ingredient she is searching for, perhaps Evelyn will love her again.
Wes Winters is desperate for a chance at an alchemy apprenticeship. As a poor immigrant it’s his only hope for a better life. And the prize money for winning the hunt could heal his mother. But when he teams up with Maggie, they are risking not only their lives but also their hearts.
Allison Saft has crafted believable characters that were easy to relate to. Unlike many love stories there was never a time when I asked, ‘why would they do something so stupid?’ Motivations and actions flowed seamlessly together as I followed Wes and Maggie’s emotional journey. The same attention was given to minor characters such as the mayor’s son Jamie and the barmaid Amber. And I loved Wes’s family, who provided a warming picture of connection especially in contrast to Maggie’s mother.
Along with the characters I enjoyed Saft’s handling of the theme of displacement. Wes’s ambition, his desperate charm and Maggie’s aggressive isolation were all believable responses to being from an unwanted race and religion. Even Jamie’s actions as he tried to stop the despised outsider’s winning the hunt were understandable if not forgivable. A Far Wilder Magic would make an excellent book to explore the experience of immigration and prejudice.
The world building was unobtrusive and centred you in the space, but I felt it lacked magic. It reminded me of the world building of a good contemporary or historical novel rather than the fantasy it advertised. But the largest problem I found with the story was style. The third person present tense point of view was clunky and hard to adapt to. This improved as you read further and the story itself was compelling, but the style could prove an obstacle to any but the most confident reader.
In conclusion I found A Far Wilder Magic to have excellent characterisation and a well-handled theme of displacement. It had the world building of a good historical novel and could be used to expand the genre selection of an avid reader but is probably not the best choice for a less confident student.
