Raven Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781408889657.
(Age: Senior secondary/adult) Recommended. In the mid 1600s the
Dutch East India Company had cornered the spice trade and were
powerful, extremely rich and ruthless where trade was concerned.
Turton has set his extraordinary tale aboard the Saardam sailing
from Batavia to Amsterdam. Any voyage from the East Indies to Europe
was dangerous, but this one had some extra dangers to contend with.
Jan Haan the Governor General of Batavia was returning home with his
wife, daughter, mistress and a very valuable cargo of spices. Also
on board as a prisoner is Samuel Pipps a celebrated detective on his
way for trial in Amsterdam, which may lead to his execution,
and his protector Arent Hayes. Just as the company is boarding the
ship a disconcerting and eerie incident takes place at the docks. A
figure dressed in rags like a leper foretells disaster for the
voyage before bursting into flames.
Unease among an already superstitious crew, and fear among
passengers that there may be a demon among them multiplies as
peculiar events take place. Strange marks appear over the ship,
animals are slaughtered, the dead leper stalks the ship and a fierce
storm almost sinks them.
The endpapers of this edition provides a map of the ship which shows
the layout of the cabins in which many of the main characters
reside. And as the book is 550 pages long, a guide is most welcome.
Stuart Turton weaves a complex mystery with its origins in the past
which connects many of those on board. Greed, lust for power and
revenge are the elements he uses while the Saardam itself is
an oppressive force which links all the characters. There are many
twists and turns in Turton's narrative which make it nigh impossible
for the reader to solve the crimes committed on the ship. He creates
a genuine atmosphere of fear which keeps the pages turning and the
interest piqued.
Inspired by the true story of the Batavia shipwreck, one of
Australia's most thrilling maritime stories, this novel is the
second written by Turton, whose first novel, The seven deaths of
Evelyn Hardcastle was acknowledged as Best First Novel of
2018.
Themes: Power, Dutch East India Company, Java, Batavia, Dutch East
indies, Ships, Murder mystery, Historical novel.
Mark Knight
Fish by Brendan Kearney
Penguin Random House, 2020. ISBN: 9780241439470.
(Ages: 4-8) As with the recent publication Mama
Ocean this book addresses the significant problem of
ocean pollution, however, Fish takes a much more didactic
approach, explaining to the reader exactly what we can do to resolve
and reverse the problem. The problem and solution is encased within
the story of elderly fisherman Finn and his quest to catch a fish
for dinner. We get early clues to what is coming, with rubbish
floating in the water and some unhappy seals grappling with plastic
bags under the water. Finn, with his dog Skip for company, is having
absolutely no luck. There are no fish biting in their favourite
fishing spot. 'Suddenly, Skip spotted something bobbing in the waves
. . . and with a huge SPLASH he jumped in to investigate'. A
double-page spread shows the reader the enormity of the situation;
there is rubbish of every kind hiding just under the surface. Finn
works to scoop out as much of the rubbish as he can and before long
the small boat is inundated. Hungry and tired they head to shore and
are met by a group of young children who offer their help. 'We're
beach cleaners' the girl explained. 'We pick up litter that has been
washed ashore by the tide, so that it doesn't get swept back into
the sea'. What follows is the children explaining to Finn why
rubbish, especially plastic, is so destructive to the ocean and what
we can do on a simple level to help (recycling, repairing and
reusing, avoiding single-use plastics and spreading these messages).
The book hints at the other significant ocean problem of
unsustainable fishing with the juxtaposition of the huge fishing
boats in the marina next to Finn's tiny wooden boat, but this is not
directly addressed. It could be a conversation starter though. There
is a nice message here for children about their ability to influence
attitudes and make a difference in the world. It also reflects the
current climate where young people are taking a stand for the
environment, educating older people and becoming harbingers of
change. Unfortunately, the didactic portion of the book feels a
little tacked on to the actual story and the seemingly instant
revival of the ocean a little too optimistic. Themes: Ocean
pollution, Rubbish and recycling.
Nicole Nelson
Kitty is not a cat: Bath time by Jess Black
Hachette, 2020. ISBN: 9780734419798
(Age: 5-7) Highly recommended. Bath time is one of a series of
junior fiction books based on the popular animated television series
Kitty is not a cat produced by BES Animation based in
Melbourne. The TV series has screened in over 85 countries and is
voiced by well-known Australian actors and comedians. So, it is no
surprise that the book series, written by Jess Black, has been very
well received.
There are 4 books so far; Lights
out! , Teddy's
bear, Hired hound and Bath time.
In this series Kitty arrives at the front door of a house filled
with stray cats who love making music and parties. The cats have
strict rules about not allowing any humans in their house, but this
human seems to believe she is a cat. She is dressed in an orange cat
suit and only purrs, meows or hisses. Slowly the clueless cats take
on the task of teaching Kitty how to be a human, in the hopes of
sending her back to the human world, and in this book they tackle
the task of keeping clean. But cats and water are never an easy mix
and it seems Kitty also shares their aversion to the idea of getting
wet. But with furballs seriously cramping her singing abilities
Kitty needs to stop licking herself clean and take the plunge. The
cats just need to work out what will make the bath attractive enough
for Kitty to jump in.
This easy to read novel uses illustrations that match the graphics
from the TV series except not using full colour, just blacks, greys
and orange. It is a funny and engaging novel for early readers.
Themes: Girls, Cats, Baths.
Gabrielle Anderson
Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760878283.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. A reprint tying in with the Netflix series,
readers will be sure to enjoy the original book first printed in
2010. Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have again produced a sparkling
collaboration, with two main characters, Lily and Dash, passing
dares. Dash finds a red notebook full of dares from Lily on a shelf
in his favourite bookshop. He decides to take up the challenge over
the Christmas holidays and leaves dares for Lily as well. They both
have lots of fun leaving messages and carrying out weird dares, but
will they be able to get along when they first meet each other in
real life?
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the humour and some of the witty
repartee had me laughing out loud as Dash and Lily went out their
funny and exciting dares. The fact that much of the book was taken
up with a flirtation through a red notebook made it even more
enjoyable and I was sorry when their journey ended. Their love of
books and the many literary allusions made the story one for book
lovers as well.
Dash and Lily were such likeable characters that I was compelled to
follow their story virtually in one sitting. Even though Dash's
nickname is Snarly, he comes across as a caring boy who looks out
for his friends. I loved that Lily played soccer and followed her
gradual coming of age, gradually convincing her large extended
family that she could manage on her own. All the supporting
characters were well rounded and interesting, especially Lily's
homosexual brother Langston, who instigates the notebook dare and
Boomer, Dash's friend. These supporting characters added to the
depth of the story and gave the reader an insight in Dash and Lily's
personalities.
The humour, funny banter and amusing events, as well as an
engrossing romance, make this a compelling read for the mature teen.
Their story continues in The
twelve days of Dash & Lily and Mind the Gap,
Dash & Lily.
Pat Pledger
Slinky Malinki's Christmas 123 by Lynley Dodd
Puffin, 2020. ISBN: 9780143775355.
(Age 1+) Highly recommended. Right from the front cover, with its
cheeky little black cat, clutching a toy Santa and surrounded by
Christmas decorations, any young reader will be enticed to open the
book and see what Slinky Malinki is up to. Turning the page, Slinky
is seen creeping up to a beautifully decorated Christmas tree - 1
one creeping cat, followed by 2 two red-nosed mice, 3
three shimmering shells, with Slinky getting closer and closer
to the tree. Finally, 10 ten busy hands put all the
decorations back on the tree with the end papers, showing Slinky
peering out from behind the top branches. Oh, Slinky Malinki.
Happy Christmas!
This is a joyful book that is just perfect to read aloud in the days
before Christmas. The colourful illustrations are exquisite, and any
cat lover will recognise the actions of Slinky as he pounces on the
decorations and plays with those he gathers from the tree. The glee
on his face will bring smiles to the reader's face, too. And readers
will have fun guessing which decoration he will grab next and
counting numbers 1 to 10 as he plays havoc with the tree. Big bold
black text will help a beginning reader as well.
This is a delightful, durable and strong board book, that would be a
perfect Christmas present for cat lovers and young children. It
would also be a lovely bedtime story.
Pat Pledger
The wizard in my shed: the misadventures of Merdyn the Wild by Simon Farnaby
Hodder & Stroughton, 2020. ISBN: 9781444954388. 323p.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Merdyn the Wild was the world's greatest
Warlock in the 6th Century before the showdown of Chapter One
wherein his nemesis Jerabo discredits Merdyn in King Paul's eyes,
before casting Merdyn into the rivers of time as punishment. Will
Merdyn ever see Princess Evanhart again?
Meanwhile in the 21st Century, Rose doesn't fit in at school and is
harangued afresh by a group of bullies after auditioning for the
school Talent Show. Suzy, her mum, is still grieving the loss of
Rose's father who was always the one to assure Rose that she would
develop one exceptional talent. Rose had hoped it was singing, which
makes it easier to aid and abet a crazed magician who promises to
give Rose the singing spell to fulfil her destiny.
Merdyn is like a fish out of water and causes havoc at every turn.
The fun begins when the broken but hospitable family realizes that
Jerabo has followed Merdyn through time, to finish him off, crown
his own descendent as king of the world, before returning to the
Dark Ages to marry Princess Evanhart and murder the King. Along the
way, Merdyn's down to earth logic changes Kris (Rose's brother),
Suzi, Rose and all her friends and neighbours more than the
spectacular magical spells.
One couldn't be blamed for misjudging this book as frivolous fare
with Claire Powell's cover design and illustrations reminiscent of a
feature animation. The Warlock's name seems a spin off of Merlin,
history's most famous fictional wizard. Lastly, we have watched a
wise but ditzy medieval wizard in the 1970's television sitcom, Catweazle.
But Simon Farnaby is no lightweight author claiming his inspiration
came from all children's books and films where children encounter
magical creatures.
Farnaby's characters and what happens to them is thoroughly
believable despite the impossibility of spells, talking guinea pigs
and time travel. In addition to the embossed neon cover, over 300
pages is bursting with publishing gems to flesh out the reader's
total experience. Bold fonts emphasise the really awesome stuff.
Footnotes explain the meanings of Olde English insults and phrases.
Chapters end with rhyming teasers before appending a guide to
grasses to highlight natures magic and function can be seen in a
blade of grass.
Farnaby's unpredictable narrative entertains and educates through
epic events bisected by myriad themes of identity, grief,
self-confidence, power, faith, friendship, nature, history, belief
and more. Readers of all ages will look forward to future titles in
the series and the inevitable movie version. Meaty enough for
read-aloud and study, we can but hope Simon Farnaby keeps writing
and gives up acting! (Horrible Histories and The
Dectectorists) Themes: Fantasy, Magic.
Deborah Robins
Harry Potter: Christmas at Hogwarts: a movie scrapbook
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781526628244.
(Age: 8+). Highly recommended. Fans of the Harry Potter
phenomena will be thrilled to receive this latest offering to add to
their collection. Christmas at Hogwarts takes the reader on
an intimate and fascinating journey through the Christmas scenes
showcased in the film versions. The book goes into great detail
about the decorating of Hogwarts, the Yule Ball, the Slug Club
Christmas party in addition to other key Christmas events. As well
as offering the avid reader of the series new understandings into
the wizarding world at Hogwarts and further afield, there are
numerous interesting facts about the films that many fans would not
have known - such as the special effects department added witches on
brooms circling the top of the Christmas trees or that the costume
department kept a dedicated knitter on hand for all eight films to
produce Molly Weasley's jumpers and scarves. This collectible
scrapbook contains removable objects to entice the reader to delve
deeper with anticipation into its pages. There are bookmarks,
stickers, posters, sketches, illustrations and pre-drawings. Of
particular interest are the sketches of the costumes worn at the
Yule Ball. Behind the scenes photographs from the movies are
explained carefully and provide a valuable insight into the
complexity of creating the movie version as true to each book as
possible. This movie scrapbook has a beautiful cover with raised
gold writing and will unlock more of the Harry Potter curiosities
and make a wonderful addition to a Harry Potter fan's Christmas
gifts. Themes: Harry Potter, Wizardry, Witchcraft, Christmas, Magic,
Wonder, Film effects.
Kathryn Beilby
The book collectors of Daraya by Delphine Minoui, translated by Lara Vergnaud
PanMacmillan, 2020. ISBN: 9781529012323.
(Age: Adult) Highly recommended. How do you even begin to describe
this book? For most people, Syria is a far-off place in the midst of
a war that not many could say what it is about. We just know that
cities are being destroyed and its people are fleeing as refugees.
President Bashar al-Assad has painted the rebels as militant Islamic
terrorists led by Daesh or ISIS. However journalist Delphine Minoui
stumbles on an online photograph of the secret library of Daraya,
the Damascus suburb under siege by Assad's forces. It shows young
men browsing before neatly arranged shelves of books. It is an
underground library of books rescued from the rubble of bombs, each
book with the previous owner's name meticulously recorded on the
first page, in the hope that one day the book will be reunited with
its owner. In the meantime, the library is the haven of the young
rebel fighters, not terrorists, but idealistic young men who want
freedom and democracy for their country. They collect the books and
share them; the titles range from the love poems of Nizar Qabbani to
Shakespeare, to Saint-Exupery's Little Prince, to American
self-help books, to J.M Coetzee and Paulo Coelho. The library
becomes a safe meeting place for ideological discussions and English
language classes.
Outside the library the inhabitants of Daraya faced the ongoing
barrage of barrel bombs, sarin gas attacks and napalm. Minoui tells
us the story through snatched moments on WhatsApp, FaceTime and
Skype, text messages and shared photographs and videos. We get to
know each of the young men who protect the library, their passion
for books, photography, art, and poetry, and their dreams for a
better future for their country.
Daraya falls in the end, the besieged inhabitants beaten by
malnutrition and starvation. But Minoui's book remains a testament
to the courage of the young men who fought back against a cruel
dictator and aspired for a better world.
Themes: Books, Libraries, War, Resistance, Freedom, Syria.
Helen Eddy
A Guinea Pig Night before Christmas
Guinea Pig classics, photographed by Phillip Beresford, sets
made and designed by Tess Newall. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020 ISBN:
9781526613561.
(Age: All) Recommended. Guinea pigs photographed in cute costumes
are the feature of this rendering of the classic Christmas story The
night before Christmas. The publishers have not changed the
text of the original poem at all, they have just used the guinea
pigs and a cute little stuffed mouse as the"actors" in this story.
The detail of each costume is amazing, my favourite being the line
of guinea pig reindeers in the centre of the book, priceless.
Many children who saw this book commented that the lead reindeer was
not Rudolf, but the publishers have added 'the ninth reindeer' in a
cute little cameo at the end of the book with an explanation as to
why he doesn't appear in the original poem. There is a brief
paragraph towards the back of the book about pets being abandoned
around the Christmas season reminding us that we can support local
rescue centres with donations in the holiday season. The Guinea Pig
actors are also credited at the end of the book.
This book is one of a growing number of adorable titles in this
series with some of the other titles including The Nutcracker,
A Christmas Carol, A Guinea Pig Nativity,Romeo
and Juliet, Oliver Twist and Pride and Prejudice.
A Facebook page "Guinea Pig classics" is also mentioned by the
publishers on their website. Themes: Christmas, Guinea pigs, Classic
stories.
Gabrielle Anderson
The werewolves who weren't by T.C. Shelley
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781526600806.
(Age: 10-12). Recommended for mature readers who have read the first
book. Follow up to 2019's The
monster who wasn't, which is a must-read before picking
up this one. This story continues from the events in the first book
and there are multiple concepts and relationships that are difficult
to make sense of without the earlier background.
Sam looks like a normal boy but has a unique secret. He is half
monster and half fairy, hatched only 4 months ago, with great
strength and heightened senses. He is adopted by a human family and
settles into a human life, including starting at school.
At school he meets three other students who smell nice to him but
initially act very oddly. It turns out they have a secret too, one
that makes them just as strange as Sam is, and so the foursome
quickly form a strong bond.
Then a figure from Sam's past returns and seems to be using fairy
dust to subdue and gather up monsters. Sam's friends vanish and new
threats emerge as Sam races to figure out what's happening and why.
He must weigh up where his loyalties lie and what he is willing to
lose, and this sets the scene for a mighty struggle for survival.
This story is quite complex overall, rather wordy in parts (I found
myself skipping through some of the longer descriptive passages
between action scenes) and full of wonderful detail about various
types of fanciful monsters. A younger reader may find this book
difficult and/or frightening.
For the mature reader though it has lovely themes of belonging,
identity, loyalty and friendship. West Australian author Shelley
includes some humour too showing Sam still getting used to human
life and speech (at one point he says "mistaken toe" where he means
'wrong foot'). The ending is hopeful and very intriguing, obviously
paving the way for book 3 which is due in 2021.
Themes: Monsters - fiction, Gargoyles, Families, Fairies,
Relationships, Dogs, Werewolves, Adventure.
Kylie Grant
I stole my Genius sisters’ brain by Jo Simmons is a cautionary tale that will have children (and their parents) laughing out loud. This story is about a not so smart boy who hatches a plan to get his smarty-pants sister’s brain! He is a funny kid who loves experimenting and inventing and just really wants to go to an Invention Fair in Paris. He thinks that by becoming smart his parents will treat him better and give him more attention.
This funny book really hooked me in and had me staying up late to finish it! I really enjoyed the character portrayal, and how the author engaged the reader with plot twists and turns.
Children will also love this book because it is full of disgusting inventions sure to make them giggle, this part especially engaged by 11-year-old who would usually rather read a comic!
The illustrations added to the humour of the story and really made the characters come to life. The hair in particular is worth a mention…..It has movement, height and flair! It really adds to the engagement factor!
My only disagreement with the author is the depiction of the parents. They were very focused on Keith’s sister Minerva and didn’t seem to treat Keith well when he had something he wanted. Otherwise, it is a really fun read about sibling relationships.
I liked that by the end there is a realisation that the siblings really want what the other has and there is a possibility that they will unite as a family and become happier and more as one.
Illus. by Matt Ottley. Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781925381894.
(Age: children to adults). Highly recommended. How to Make a
Bird written by Meg McKinlay is a poignant and striking
picture book that would be suitable for readers of any age. The
story is of a young girl who creatively constructs a bird from
objects she finds in the natural world such as bones, shells and
feathers. We see her growing collection of smallish items in an old
battered case that she spreads on the floor to choose from in order
to enhance her ever-evolving bird. She adds a heart and colour but
still the bird sits as cold as a statue. The child knows that to set
her bird free she must gather it in to her hands, give it life and
gently let it go. This young girl has worked through a design
process from the conception of an idea to her final creation. This
story shows how even the smallest idea can be transformed into a
work of beauty and creativity.
The illustrations by artist Matt Ottley are simply stunning. Muted
in tones but steeped in detail they complement the text perfectly.
One reading is not enough of this book, there is so much to be
gained by poring over each page and searching for more clues to
understand the flow of the story. A truly inspiring and gentle read.
Teacher's
notes are available. Themes: Birds, Ideas, Design, Nature,
Imagination, Creating.
Kathryn Beilby
The Greatest Inventor by Ben Brooks
Hachette Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781786541123.
(Age: primary) Recommended. This is a quirky story, full of whimsy.
Many children already know Ben Brook's books through the very
popular Boys who Dare to be Different 1 and 2 and Kids
who Dare to be Different. These books do not languish for long
on shelves. Brook's new book The Greatest Inventor does not
disappoint.
Victor, our hero, is a really good sort. In an unusual beginning the
prologue is narrated by the story teller who has writer's block. The
writer, lost in a forest in snowy Finland, is rescued by a boy who
subsequently becomes the hero of the story. My class of ten year
olds were captured after the prologue.
Victor feels that his little village is too boring and safe. He
desperately wants adventure. The villagers have hard, honest lives
and owe nobody anything. One day the self- styled . . . "greatest
inventor ever to set foot in the land of King Marshalla" arrives and
attempts to sell contraptions. The villagers won't buy. In anger he
casts a malicious spell over the village. Victor must release the
village from the spell. He travels with an unlikely companion a
talking turtle (tortoise?) called Saint Oswald. As they follow the
inventor, they come upon villages that are under the spell of the
inventor's contraptions. Other children, intent on rescuing their
villages, join them on their quest.
It becomes apparent that other villages have fallen into debt and
are doomed to permanent servitude. A monumental battle between the
children and the forces of evil ensures. In the end they all go home
which is where all good stories should end.
This book is a satisfying, mischievous romp - pure escapism. George
Ermos's black and white illustrations enhance the text. The children
are grounded in solid values. Sanity is restored to a world that has
lost touch with what really matters. Victor realises that he is part
of a world much bigger than himself. A delightful, fantastical romp
with a message.
Recommended for Primary aged children.
Wendy Jeffrey
October, October by Katya Balen
Ill. by Angela Harding. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN:
9781526620491
(Age: 10+ ) Highly recommended. October is a girl who thinks of
herself as a wild wolf living in the woods with her equally wild
father. In the woods she is confident and self-sufficient. She
spends her days digging, climbing, running, learning, scavenging,
growing food and using her imagination to make up fantastic stories.
She does not need the 'woman who is her mother' and the only time
she feels out of her depth is on rare trips into town for supplies.
On her 11th birthday October has just adopted a baby owl. She and
her father are following their annual birthday ritual when something
terrible happens, and suddenly everything is different.
October is wrenched out of her wild life. She feels lost and angry
in equal parts and shuts down.
It takes time, bravery, love and friendship for October to let new
people into her inner circle and become open to finding something to
be excited about again.
October's relationship with her parents is a clear theme throughout.
Her father is fair, wise and warm as he guides, encourages and
protects her. Her connection with her mother is complicated and
sometimes ugly, but her mother offers unconditional love along with
great patience, grace and kindness.
Katya Balen uses long sentences to brilliantly convey the
breathlessness, anger, excitement, bewilderment and imagination of
October. The illustrations by Angela Harding show the baby owl
maturing, stretching and thriving throughout the story, mirroring
October herself.
The end is very moving and satisfying as October comes back to the
woods, where nothing and everything has changed.
"Being wild and free is different for every person and every thing
and it can be folded into the woods or whirling through the city
streets".
Includes a sneak peek at Balen's 2019 middle/upper grade novel, The
space we're in.
Themes: Family, Relationships, Imagination, Nature, Fathers,
Mothers.
Kylie Grant
A dog's perfect Christmas by W Bruce Cameron
Pan Macmillan, 2020. ISBN: 9781529010114.
(Age: Secondary/Adult) Highly recommended. Winstead, a nine year
wolf hound becomes aware one day that his Daddy is sad. His owner
gets up in the morning with aching bones and crooked fingers, and
turns to the pillow next to his where his wife once slept. Their
house has been sold to cover the debts her illness accrued, and he
is now living with his son and his family. His granddaughter comes
in each morning to wake him, but Ello is a taciturn young girl on
the brink of becoming a teen, at odds with everything around her.
Her three year old twin brothers, Ewan and Garrett cause mayhem
within the household, and mum, Juliana cannot wait to drop all three
at school and have some time to herself, going to Target for
respite. She is meeting her husband, Hunter for lunch and has
something to tell him.
Hunter is given a promotion in his office but warned that a lack of
success means being fired. He cannot understand his wife's distress
at home, and is at a loss to help with the children or his father,
Sander, who counts the pills in the medicine cabinet. This chaotic
household is very recognisable and the descriptions poignant and
very funny. The readers' involvement builds as Juliana reveals she
is very unhappy, Hunter's work nose dives into a scrambled mess,
Ello's friends bully her and she is saddled with baby sitting Dad's
boss' son, newly arrived at school. When Mum is taken to hospital
and the diagnosis becomes dire, the family grows together, helped by
the stray puppy Ello has found on her walk home from the skating
rink. Named Ruby it becomes part of the family, a crutch for the
children as they cope with their mother's illness.
This is a beautifully written story of a family and their fractured
relationships, repaired by a stray dog which adopts them. And did I
mention this story happens at Christmas, adding another layer of
stress and the cold in Michigan in December is finger numbing.
Themes: Family, Death, Christmas, Grandparents, Suicide, Pets,
Animals, Twins, Anxiety, Michigan.
Fran Knight
