Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781526629418.
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Eleven year old Kate and her younger
brother Tom embark on a remarkable adventure in a magical steam
train aptly named The Silver Arrow. In Kate's mind her life so far
is mundane and boring as her parents are busy with work and she
feels it is time for something interesting to happen so she contacts
her wealthy Uncle Herbert and asks for a present. Uncle Herbert
delivers a steam train much to the horror of Kate and Tom's sensible
parents and they are forbidden to climb on it. However as children
do, they ignore their parents and are whisked away for the adventure
of a life time. Along the journey they collect an assortment of
talking animals who are waiting patiently at train stations in a
variety of continually changing landscapes and environments. The
steam train is their teacher while they are on the journey and
encourages the children to solve each problem thoughtfully as it
arises, as well as managing the roles of the driver, conductor and
carrying out maintenance on the train. Both Kate and Tom show
surprising resilience and perseverance to overcome some challenging
situations and they learn to work as a team. The animals befriended
by Kate and Tom finally admit that they are running away from humans
who have destroyed their habitats and they are on the brink of
extinction. The children form a close bond with the animals and grow
to understand how dangerous the human world is for them.
This is the first children's novel written by author Lev Grossman
who is well known for his Magician's trilogy. In The
Silver Arrow he has created a wonderful world of magic and
fantasy where animals have an opinion and are listened to, where two
young siblings overcome dangerous situations and learn to be kind to
each other, as well as realising the adult world is fraught with
complications. An exciting and action-packed read which young
readers who love to escape into imaginary worlds will appreciate and
enjoy. Themes: Adventure, Magic, Endangered Animals, Steam Trains,
Siblings, Fantasy.
Kathryn Beilby
The abstainer by Ian McGuire
Simon and Schuster, 2020. ISBN: 9781471163609.
(Age: Senior secondary/Adult) Highly recommended. In 1867, three
members of the Fenian Brotherhood were hanged in Manchester for the
murder of a policeman. McGuire imagines a story of revenge flowing
from this event as an Irish American man with a heart set on
retribution is brought to Manchester fresh from the bloody Civil War
that had engulfed the USA in previous years. He must keep himself
well hidden, knowing the local police have a network of informers.
Within a day of his landing he has killed three of these men,
sending a brutal message to others who may be tempted to help the
police.
Constable James O'Connor, brought over from Dublin to help the
Manchester Police find this man, is under suspicion from the start:
his accent, his sympathy with the Irish cause, his recent history
with his superiors, all contrive against him. His dead wife and
child form a cross he carries and and he must fight his need to
resort to drink.
The paths of Doyle and O'Connor are destined to cross as one seeks
mayhem and the other justice for his dead informer.
McGuire captures the atmosphere within the city of Manchester with
impressive detail. Poverty is ever present as O'Connor walks the
streets, visits people in their slum accommodation, talks to his
superiors, all the while noting the vast difference between Irish
and English with detail about food, housing and access to work.
We meet all sorts in McGuire's Victorian Manchester from the pimps
to the well healed, the prostitutes and drunks who inhabit the pubs,
the informers, corrupt police, and those who want the case to be
wrapped up quickly, so putting O'Connor at odds with his own
organisation. After the hasty hangings at the beginning of the
novel, sympathy lies with the Fenians struggling to free Ireland
from the British overlordship but their methods alienate O'Connor
and the reader. Both men struggle with the burden of their pasts,
and their contest makes for involving reading. Themes: Crime,
Manchester (UK), Fenian Society, Revenge.
Fran Knight
Cursed by Thomas Wheeler
Penguin Random House UK, 2020. ISBN: 9780241376621.
(Ages: 13+ or Yr 9+) In this Arthurian legend retold, women play
more of a part in the story, with strong female characters
supporting the female lead. Following outcast Nimue, Fey born though
cursed by The Hidden, this adventure filled fantasy begins when
Nimue's entire village is slaughtered. Before passing, her mother
charges Nimue to get the Sword of Power to Merlin, but on the way
Nimue discovers her own power and joins forces with other outcast
Fey. Now working to protect those who made her an outcast, Nimue
must find a way for them to survive. With royalty, religious groups
and Fey kind coveting the Sword of Power, Nimue has an arduous
journey ahead of her.
Now available as a series on Netflix, Cursed is a dark (and
loose) retelling of the traditional Arthur stories, with plenty of
battles and action. Having read the book, I am curious how the
TV-show adaptation might be in comparison - I expect it would be
just as epically violent and bloodthirsty (which means I might not
watch it!). Littered with illustrations throughout, the book has
more female characters than I've ever heard of in an Arthur legend,
which is a nice addition. As is the potential for a legendary QUEEN
(back cover), in place of the traditional legendary king. Along with
the renowned Merlin, Arthur makes his appearance, but the story
focuses on Nimue, her quest and the battle for the Sword of Power.
Themes: Folklore, Myths and legends, Vengeance, Refugees, Unifying
groups, Girl power.
Melanie Phillips
The World of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl
Penguin, 2020. ISBN: 9780241447970.
Highly recommended. The World of Roald Dahl is a fabulous
book for anyone who thinks that Roald Dahl's books are wonderful
(and who doesn't!) and also those who love activity books.
This book is 95 pages of laughter, interesting facts, amazing
illustrations, and anything else you could imagine to be written
about Roald Dahl. There are fascinating pieces of information such
as how he only wrote on yellow lines paper and hated beards! And
even a section dedicated to teaching readers how to be a storyteller
just like Roald.
I also enjoyed reading about Quentin Blake, the illustrator who at
almost 90 is still illustrating the new editions and writing his own
books. His pictures are on every page and that makes this book
unapologetically all about Roald Dahl and his famous style.
The book has pages where readers can add in their own information;
such as what they would do if they had their own giant peach,
tallying up how many books they had read, make their way through a
maze and using a special code to make up their very own Wonka style
chocolate bar.
On top of all of that there is a delicious sounding chocolate cake
recipe and a 30-question long Roald Dahl quiz. This book really has
it all and covers so many of his wonderful books, characters and
curious facts that go along with it.
This is a really great addition to any library, or as a gift, as
Roald Dahl is one of those authors that seems to have the ability to
reach out to so many children at so many stages of their reading. He
is funny, quirky, and a pleasure to read about.
4.5 out of 5.
Lauren Fountain
The world's worst parents by David Williams
Illus. by Tony Ross. HarperCollins, 2020. ISBN: 9780008430306.
(Age: 6-10) Highly recommended. The plot of this book is all about
introducing you to terrible parents who are either embarrassing or
mean to their children.
My favourite character is: Terry Tech, because when he sees queues,
even queues of only one person, which isn't really a queue until you
join it, it is so funny.
My opinion/rating out of 5: I'd say 5/5.
I liked this book because: The parents are sooo funny.
My favourite part of the book was: When Miss Tutelage kicked Mr.
Slab into the air and he landed in the bin.
I would recommend this book to: anyone between 6-10.
Adella, aged 8 years
Knowledge Encyclopaedia: Ocean! by DK
DK., 2020. ISBN: 9780241412886.
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Knowledge Encyclopaedia: Ocean!
is a really great resource for students to have access to, as it
covers a variety of topics surrounding oceans. It is split into 7
sections encompassing Ocean science (How oceans are formed, ocean
life evolution and tides), Open ocean (food chains, jellyfish and
the various ocean zones), Shallow seas (animals from the sunlit
areas), Seashores (turtles, rockpools and seabirds), Polar oceans
(all things ice related), Oceans and us (human impacts) and Ocean
maps.
All of these sections are filled to the brim with excellent
information that can be read or accessed by children aged from
approximately 7 years old. There are lots of diagrams and charts
which explain various concepts such as tropical cyclones, salt
marshes, and how a fish farm works (an underwater view). Each of
these (and all images) are well labelled and split into smaller
sections so that that the reader knows which part that information
is specific to but also, so they do not get too overwhelmed by the
text.
I really think that this book would be a huge benefit to any
library, but also to any animal or ocean loving child as it really
is just filled with information. My 10-year-old (who has a long
history of loving animals) thought that this book was amazing. He
had it next to his bed for a week and read it every night in bed. He
would come out and tell us all the cool facts he learnt and has now
begun trying to remember all the interesting words and their meanings
from the glossary.
This is also a great non-fiction book for students to use and
practice their skills using a contents page, glossary, and index.
I give this book 5 out of 5 - another winner in the DK range.
Lauren Fountain
Kitty is not a cat: Lights out by Jess Black
Hachette Children's Books 2020 ISBN 9780734419750.
(Age: 6+ years) Recommended. Kitty is not a cat: Lights out
by Jess Black is one of four books being released this year by
Hachette. The book series is based on the Australian animation
television series which has been sold around the world. The story
begins with a brief introduction to the characters and an
explanation of the context of the story. Kitty is a girl who is
dressed in a bright orange costume with ears, a tail and paws. She
joins the clutter of cats that live in the mansion on the hill. Each
cat has its own name and special qualities it brings to the group.
In this story the cats settle down to watch scary movies. While
watching the movies, the cats hear a loud "MEOW" from Kitty's room
where she is having nightmares and wakes up frightened. The cats try
all sorts of ways to comfort Kitty and let her know that nothing can
hurt her in the house. They realise in the end that her night light
is missing and create a new light to help her sleep and feel safe.
During the night Kitty wakes and hears the lullaby from the night
light and finds it in a surprising place.
This book is a very simple, enjoyable story that will entertain
young developing readers who are ready for short novels. The fact
that it is a series will also appeal to those students who will
benefit from word repetition. The book contains very detailed
illustrations and highlighted text where emphasis on a specific word
is important to the flow of the story.
Themes: Cats, Friendship, Scary movies, Nightmares
Kathryn Beilby
Aunty Lee's delights by Ovidia Yu
Singaporean Mystery book 1. HarperCollins, 2013. ISBN:
9780062227157. 288pp.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. A perfect book for mystery lovers to read in
these troubled times, Aunty Lee's delights introduces the
intelligent Rosie Lee, who owns a restaurant in Singapore featuring
her delicious home cooking. When two young women who had dined at
one of her dinner parties are murdered, she turns her hand at
solving the mystery, with the aid of her domestic Nina and Police
Commissioner Raja.
The large cast of people involved are introduced at another dinner
party as well as the spicy food she prepares. There is her stepson
Mark and his rather obnoxious wife Selina, Lucy and Frank
Cunningham, an elderly couple visiting from Australia, Harry
Sullivan an expat trying to make his way in Singapore, and an
American looking for the two young women. Interwoven are
descriptions of the mouth-watering Singaporean food, which is an
integral part of the plot.
This could be described as belonging to the cosy section of the
mystery genre. There are no lingering descriptions of the murders,
other than a memorable section when one of the bodies was discovered
in the water. The story concentrates on Aunty Lee's preoccupation
with solving the mystery of the deaths. As she says, if people have
eaten her food, she considers them as family. Themes of gay love,
the treatment of foreign domestics, and women striving to climb the
social ladder are all dealt with subtly and with compassion.
Easy to read, with often amusing asides, this was an enjoyable story
with a great setting, diverse characters and lots of food! I am sure
to pick up more by this author.
Pat Pledger
The Lost City by Amanda Hocking
Pan Macmillan, 2020, ISBN: 9781529001303.
(Ages: 12+) In this Urban Fantasy where Trolls walk amongst us,
Ulla, abandoned as an infant, is desperate to know more about
herself and her heritage. After spending her youth in the care of
the inn owners where she was left as a baby, and her teen years as a
nanny to a family with six children, Ulla embarks on an internship
at Mimirin located in Merella (the capital city for Trolls hidden
from humans). On the way, she discovers a stowaway - the eldest
daughter of the family she nanny's for! Having travelled too far to
return Hanna home and arrive to Merella in time to start her
internship, Ulla has no choice but to travel on with Hanna. Upon
arrival in Merella, Ulla attempts to navigate the intricate
political nuances that thrive in the capital. Meeting Panuk at her
internship, she learns more about the prejudice that she, Pan and
other TOMBs experience - that is, Trolls of mixed blood. Adventure
in the form of a lost and often confused young Troll, Eliana, adds a
new level to the story, while creating more depth to each of the
characters.
Similar to Harry Potter or Percy Jackson series, The
Lost City is about a magical/mythical Earth where Trolls walk
amongst us. The start of a new series, this book is mainly
political, setting up the histories and traits of the various Troll
tribes, and setting up the next book. The story starts slowly, but
is eventually well paced and very descriptively written, with a
variety of characters, including the mysterious Eliana. Throughout
the story, food plays a significant role, while readers are
introduced to intricate Troll history. Located at the end of the
book is both a glossary and a tribe guide.
Themes: Prejudice, self discovery, mystery, folklore/myths and
legends.
Melanie Phillips
Blood Moon by Lucy Cuthew
Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781406393446.
(Age: Teenagers) Highly recommended. This novel looks at some hard
topics that teenagers deal with including their first sexual
experience, periods, the internet, the importance of friendship and
having someone to talk to.
Frankie thinks she is just an ordinary high school student, until
things take a dramatic change for her. She has her first sexual
experience with Benjamin, which she is excited about until someone
turns it into a horrible meme that starts to affect her whole life,
on top of this she has a huge fight with her best friend leaving her
with no one to talk to and she finds herself dealing with all of
these horrible things alone.
Frankie doesn't want to talk to her mum as she is worried what she
will think of her, she longs to be able to talk to her best friend
but that is just not going to happen.
As things continue to get worse Frankie confronts Benjamin and he
explains what happened and that he is trying to help, he also showed
her that her best friend was not involved in all the horrible things
like Frankie had thought.
Frankie becomes overwhelmed by everything and tells her mum about
everything that has been going on. Her parents leap into action to
try and help her.
Frankie is finally aware that her best friend did not have anything
to do with the horrible meme, and they talk. They come up with a
plan to stand up for themselves at the school assembly in front of
everyone.
This is a great novel that all teenagers should have the opportunity
to read.
As a teaching text this novel confronts some serious issues in a way
that can open up discussion and look at how something that someone
thinks is just a bit of fun can get out of hand and have a huge
impact on someone else's life. Also the importance of having someone
you trust that you can talk to when horrible things happen is
emphasised. Teacher's
notes are available.
The format in which the book is written adds another layer to the
story.
I highly recommend this book for teenagers.
Karen Colliver
A room made of leaves by Kate Grenville
Text Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 9781922330024.
(Age: Senior secondary) Highly recommended. 'Our nation rides on the
sheep's back' and John Macarthur was supposedly the 'father of the
wool industry' but, as Kate Grenville points out, the merino sheep
were largely developed whilst Macarthur was actually in England for
two lengthy periods being prosecuted for crimes in Australia.
Grenville suggests that perhaps the Father of the Wool Industry was
actually the Mother of the Wool Industry, his wife, Elizabeth
Macarthur, a figure lost to history. What remains in the historical
record, the letters of Elizabeth, reveal very little, but a closer
more clever examination of her written words, could present an
entirely different picture of the life of the Macarthurs. It is this
idea that Grenville pursues. She imagines the life of the forgotten
Elizabeth, as another example of the neglected contribution of so
many pioneer women; for history only tells us of the exploits of the
men. Grenville imagines the discovery of a memoir, and shares it
with us, as an alternative picture from a woman's point of view.
Grenville's novel examines the limited prospects for women, denied
education and dependent on marriage for security. Elizabeth fails to
heed the warnings to 'keep herself safe' and her moment of
wilfulness leads to a necessary marriage to the taciturn Captain
Macarthur. Then it becomes the problem of how to manage his moods,
and make some kind of life together in New South Wales.
A strong theme throughout the novel is the idea of false stories:
from the need for women to protect their reputation, to the
colonialists' versions of the conflict with the Aboriginal people,
to the innuendos about the astronomer William Dawes' relationship
with young Patyegarang. It just depends on who is telling the story.
Life in the colony managing a sheep farm, alone for long periods
without her husband, could be imagined as one of hardship and
loneliness. However for Elizabeth, thrown on her own resources, it
actually becomes an opportunity to discover her true self.
Grenville's book is well researched and she even makes use of
Elizabeth's own words from her letters to suggest a hidden
alternative interpretation of her life. It is historical fiction but
perhaps creates a more true understanding of the past.
Themes: Women, New South Wales colony, Aboriginal people, Conflict,
False stories.
Helen Eddy
Dark Blue Rising by Teri Terry
ISBN: 9781444957105.
The Circle Trilogy book 1. Hachette Children's Books, 2020.
9781444957105.
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Fans of suspense will be sure to enjoy this
thriller from the acclaimed author of Contagion and other exciting
stories. Our heroine is Tabby, a teenager living with her mother
Cate, moving from place to place hiding from an unknown threat. Then
one day Tabby finds that her whole life has been a lie. Cate is not
her real mother, instead she is arrested for kidnapping her as a
child. She finds herself with a whole new family and finding it
difficult to adjust, turns to swimming and the ocean where she feels
at home. Spending the summer at a swim school, she uncovers some
startling facts about the Penrose Academy which has been treating
her since she was a baby. Totally isolated and locked inside the
training compound, Tabby desperately seeks answers to the mysterious
DNA found in her blood.
Told in Tabby's voice, a high level of suspense is maintained right
through the book. Tabby is a self-contained, intelligent young
woman, who is not prepared to blindly accept what she is told and
always attempts to work out things for herself. Readers will
empathise with her search for friends and people she can trust and
be prepared to avidly follow her quest for answers about the
mysterious Circle that Cate had warned her to beware. The mixture of
the genres of fantasy and science fiction will also intrigue as
Tabby dreams of beings in the ocean, and grapples with the knowledge
that her DNA is different.
I am a fan of Teri Terry's character driven suspenseful stories and
enjoyed trying to work out the mystery of was happening to Tabby,
her relationship with the ocean and dolphins and the sinister
Penrose Academy. The subtle theme of climate change in the
background also kept me guessing and I look forward to the next book
in the series.
Themes: Genetics, Ocean, Climate Change, Science Fiction, Fantasy.
Pat Pledger
The LEGO Games Book: 50 fun brainteasers, games, challenges, and puzzles! by Tori Kosara
Dorling Kindersley Ltd, 2020. ISBN: 9780241409466.
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. A great book for all those LEGO fans,
The LEGO Games Book gives 50 interesting games and things to
do with LEGO. It also has small bricks and figures that come with
the book. These can be used in conjunction with other LEGO pieces
that will be in any household which contains people who love to
play.
The games span a large variety of things to do. TIC-TAC-TOE caught
my eye on a quick flick through the book. It has clear instructions
on how to build a board with nine squares and choose five game
pieces of one design for each of the two players. Some of the games,
like Whisper It, require a player to write down ideas and others
challenge players to use patience and skill like Sliding Squares
where a picture must be built and Impossible Puzzle where a puzzle
has to be taken apart without breaking the whole thing. Another one
that I liked was Sort-A-Thon, where the bricks were sorted by
colour, type, size of shape, trying to beat the clock, or using a
blindfold to feel the shape of the bricks. Of course, with any of
the DK quality products, this book has a clear and easy to scan
Contents page which allows the user to find games quickly.
All the family will certainly have fun with the games in this book,
and it will be a wonderful tool to have on hand for those people who
have a bucket of bricks and want to make something different. It
would also be a perfect present for any LEGO lover.
Pat Pledger
Loveless by Alice Oseman
HarperCollins, 2020. ISBN: 9780008244125.
(Age: Older adolescents - Adult) Brilliant in its explanation of
love, captivating in a beautifully empathetic consideration of
friendship and human relationships, Alice Oseman's new book reveals
some of the ways in which human beings are different. In this
emotive tale, Oseman focuses on the areas of love, loyalty,
sexuality, friendship, support and kindness.
Having successfully been offered a place at University after
completing her schooling, Georgia is assigned to share a room with a
young woman whom she has not met before. Learning to adapt to such a
situation prompts her to seek a considered understanding of who she
is herself, and to ponder what drives her. When she joins a dramatic
society, Georgia meets new people, and in this world of play-acting,
she becomes aware of, and is deeply puzzled by, her notion of
herself, in terms of what drives her, and in what loving friendship
means to her.
When she finally discovers the reason for her inability to 'fall in
love' or to desire a sexual relationship, she is stunned, initially.
She is determined to come to terms with her diagnosis and is moved
deeply when her dear friends pledge ongoing, loving support. Knowing
that she is 'aromantic' and 'asexual', Georgia realizes that she had
often felt intimidated, indeed throughout her adolescence, by her
indifference to the idea of romance or strong sexual attraction to
anyone else. The diagnosis finally enables her to face life with a
new sense of who she is, and to think about what is important to her
in this newly considered version of herself.
This compassionate story would be appropriate for older adolescent
and adult readers.
Elizabeth Bondar
Lightfall: The girl & the Galdurian by Tim Probert
The Helen Keller quote at the beginning of this beautifully illustrated graphic novel asserts “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light”. The Pig Wizard’s adopted daughter Bea and her irrepressible companion Cad take us on an adventure that is all about darkness, light and friendship. While Bea is out collecting ingredients for one of their potions she loses her footing high in a tree. Cad happens to be nearby and catches her as she falls. It seems he is on his way to see the Pig Wizard who might be able to translate a document in the language of the Galdurian, a race that was thought to have died out 500 years ago. Cad appears to be the last of his kind but is searching for others. When they get back to Bea’s home the Pig Wizard has disappeared and something sinister seems to be awakening. They find a note from the Wizard indicating he is looking for ‘The Seal of the Restless Sleeper” and that she should keep the jar of light safe at all times.
As they set out to find the Pig Wizard they face many challenges but with Bea’s courage and Cal’s optimism and great strength they endure what seems to be the first part of an epic journey. The world of Lightfall is in the vein of Lord of the Rings with warm coloured pastoral landscapes intertwined with cold dark sinister threats. Bea struggles with panic attacks and self-doubt but she bravely carries on while Cad refuses to believe his race is extinct and insists of looking at the bright side of things. Lightfall is a lovely story, which will appeal to lovers of fantasy. Well-paced, beautifully drawn and carefully constructed, look out for the next instalment. Teacher's notes are available.
