The ballad of songbirds and snakes by Suzanne Collins
Scholastic Press 2020. ISBN: 9781743836811.
(Young Adult/Adult). Recommended. Fans of The Hunger Games,
rejoice! Suzanne Collins is back. A decade after the last book in
the original trilogy was published, Collins has finally released a
prequel novel. Set decades before the events of The Hunger Games,
The ballad of songbirds and snakes takes us back to a Panem
that is feverishly preparing for the tenth annual Hunger Games.
Centering on eighteen year old Coriolanus Snow - yes, THAT Snow - we
see this eventual master villain in a new light. Snow is a member of
a once mighty but now fallen family. His only chance to redeem his
house and make a name for himself is to mentor the winning tribute
in this year's Hunger Games. He is therefore appalled when he is
assigned the tribute from District 12, a district that never
produces winners. But the tribute is Lucy Gray Baird, a girl with a
beautiful voice who has captured the attention of the Capitol. Snow
begins to see a way forward working with Lucy but what he does not
expect is for stronger feelings to develop.
While this novel is never going to produce the same levels of
adoration that are still associated with The Hunger Games
trilogy, it is nevertheless an interesting take on a much-maligned
and much-hated character. The book acts as a villain 'origin story'
of sorts and gives readers much greater insight into the background
of Snow. There is perhaps a little too much internal dialogue and
focus on Snow's feelings about what is occurring around him. Fans of
the original series may also find the pacing and tone different from
Collins' previous works. However The ballad of songbirds and
snakes is a worthwhile and engaging read with a very explosive
ending. Themes: Dystopias, Violence, Inequality, Romance, Identity.
Rose Tabeni
Wonder Woman Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse Anderson
Illus. by Leila Del Duca. DC Comics 2020. ISBN: 9781401286453.
(Age: Upper primary+) Recommended. Lovers of DC Comics' creation Wonder
Woman will recognise the birth story of Princess Diana of
Themyscira on that mythical island populated by Amazons, but in this
story she is celebrating her 16th 'born day' like any other gawky
teenager, hoping she will shed childhood weakness to join the
warrior women of her island. Her gifts include the magical lasso,
bracelets and tiara which will contain Wonder Woman's signature
power but just as the celebrations begin the warrior women are
called to repel mortals who are washing up on the island's shore.
Diana ignores warnings and leaps to their aid, rescuing those in the
sea and returning them to their boats. But her island has
disappeared and she is left to join the refugees in their boats and
experience first-hand their plight when they reach land, as they are
processed and interned in a camp. Her aptitude with languages means
she is able to be of great assistance to the people which attracts
the attention of United Nations inspectors who organise for her to
go to America and study to help refugees. There Diana has to learn
that not all societies are like hers, that there are homeless
people, poverty and injustice in America. She also learns about
being an American teenager, about 'facepox' 'moonbleeding' mood
swings and friendships as well as enjoying parcour and polka. When
she learns about child trafficking she draws on her 'heart strength'
and we see her tap into her superpowers to fight evil.
The graphics are strong and accessible, using varied and interesting
framing and point of view. Important moments occupy double page
spreads and insets and border art keep it lively. Diana is tall,
energetic and relatable as a teenager with clear speech bubbles and
thoughts in blue. The dedication is to refugees and asylum seekers
and the title echoes the inscription on the Statue of Liberty
welcoming exiles. There are resources at the end of the book for
those in need of support. Recommended for upper primary and middle
school lovers of superheroes who may learn something about poverty
and refugee issues.
Themes: Superheroes, Refugees, Justice.
Sue Speck
Roald Dahl: Words by Roald Dahl
Illus. by Quentin Blake, Penguin Random House, 2020. ISBN: 9780241440001.
(Age: 0-4) Highly recommended. Another sturdy board book will bring
joy to both faces of very young children and their parents as they
explore the world of words as illustrated by the wonderful Quentin
Blake, at the same time being introduced to some of the characters
that they will encounter when they begin to read the Roald Dahl
stories.
This is a very colourful, durable board book, which has the addition
of substantial lift the flaps that should stand up to rugged use by
young children. Right from the first page, where children will hear
the instructions, "Up, up and away!" they will have fun finding the
pictures of the words that are read, and then counting the balloons
that are soaring on the page. The engaging crocodile, so familiar to
many adults, is on the next page, and there is a lift-the-flap for
children to uncover a fabulous elephant. The book continues in this
manner, with several pictures and words, fun exclamations and
exciting lift-the-flaps, sure to engage any young child, while they
learn new words and skills.
This is a perfect gift for a young child whose vocabulary will
increase in a very fun way, and all will love the exhortation at the
end, "Never stop reading".
Pat Pledger
Burn by Patrick Ness
Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781406375503.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. It is 1956, the Cold War is at its
height, and Sarah Dewhurst's father has decided to hire a dragon to
help him work the farm. Sarah and her father are grieving over the
death of Sarah's mother and are finding it difficult to cope and the
arrival of a blue dragon doesn't help matters. Kazimir, the blue
dragon, saves Sarah and her friend Jason Inagawa from a racist
policeman, and then tells Sarah that she is part of a prophecy and
will be instrumental in saving the world. Meanwhile Malcolm, a young
man who is part of a dragon-worshiping cult, is travelling to
assassinate Sarah believing that he will be the one to save the
world.
Ness cleverly combines details of a universe where dragons co-exist
with humans, but where there are alternative universes, where fear
of the Soviet Union using a satellite to spy on the United States
might escalate into a nuclear war, and where racial harassment is
almost a daily event for Sarah and Jason, who are just trying to
survive from day to day. Then he adds a LBGTQIA relationship into
the mix, making Burn a memorable story, both as fantasy and as
historical fiction.
The twisty plot and the surprising creation of an alternative
universe make for exciting reading, as it is impossible for the
reader to predict what is coming next. Scenes of the devastation
that the fierce dragon has wrought across the countryside are vivid.
There are many characters, all deftly fleshed out by Ness. Malcolm's
relationship with Nelson is handled sensitively and the FBI agents,
especially Woolf, are quite fascinating characters. Readers too,
will find the comparison of the actions of the different people in
alternative universes an engrossing plot device from a master in
narrative prose.
Themes of racial discrimination, historical insights into the Cold
War and Japanese internment camps, tension between dragons and
people and gay relationships all make for a fabulous story. Anyone
who loves dragons will be interested in this one and might like to
read on with The
story of Owen: Dragon slayer of Trondheim by E. K.
Johnston.
Pat Pledger
All the science you need to know by age 7 by Katie Daynes
Illus. by Stefano Tognetti. Usborne, 2020. ISBN: 9781474968966.
80pp., hbk.
Little people always have lots of questions about the world around
them - it's how they find out how it works. Often the answers to
those questions lie in quite profound science and relate to topics
like plants, animals, materials, time, weather, forces and energy,
all of which are gathered together with others in this single volume
that provides the basic answers beginning with the premise that a
scientist is one 'who studies the world around us' and therefore
anyone can be one using their powers of observation and some simple
tools.
Author Katie Daynes is a specialist in answering questions
about science for young people and so you can be assured that the
information in the book is pitched at just the right level and
offered in a format that is accessible and appealing. As well as the
colour-coded sections there are also a glossary and an index, both
supporting early information literacy skills as students learn to
navigate nonfiction texts efficiently and effectively. And, as is
common with publications from Usborne, there are curated quicklinks
which provide further information to support
further questions.
This is an ideal text to capitalise on children's natural curiosity,
demystify what science is and open up a whole new world at the same
time. Perhaps an interest piqued today will be the knowledge that
defeats a pandemic tomorrow.
Barbara Braxton
Mermaid School: The clamshell show by Lucy Courtenay
Illus. by Sheena Dempsey. Andersen Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781783448388.
(Ages: 6-9) Recommended. The clamshell show is the second
book in a series of three so far by Lucy Courtenay and is perfect
for those younger children who have a higher reading ability. The
series started with the book Mermaid School which introduces
the main character, Marnie Blue, a girl trying to fit into a new
school and make friends. This second book in the series focusses on
a large-scale school musical production in which Marnie and her
friend Orla vie for the lead role of Queen Marietta. However, there
is a new girl called Gilly who gets the part. Gilly tries to make
friends with Marnie to meet her famous Aunt Christabel Blue and her
friends are suspicious of her motivation. She and her brother seem
more focused on themselves and their rise to stardom than really
putting any effort into the performance for her school. Her actions
put the performance in jeopardy along with the appearance of a human
at the concert venue, leaving Marnie and her friends to pick up the
pieces and save the day. Underlying this storyline is more about
Marnie's famous aunt who is also a singer and her mystery love
interest that has sparked Marnie's curiosity.
The books in this series incorporate aspects of school life that
will be familiar to children but in the unique underwater setting of
the Mermaid world. Aspects of life as a mermaid are well
incorporated including lovely details of the food being eaten and
the beautiful flowing clothing and unique pets in Mermaid Lagoon.
The illustrations that are scattered throughout the book provide
some lovely details of the characters and life in Mermaid Lagoon.
The map at the beginning of each book also adds interest for young
readers to make Mermaid Lagoon come to life for them in these
stories. Themes: Mermaids, Marine animals, Friendship.
Gabrielle Anderson
That's not my narwhal by Fiona Watt
Usborne, 2020. ISBN: 9781474972109. 10pp., board book.
A little board book in this popular series that encourages children
to explore both language through its repetitive text and their sense
of touch through its textured patches actually has the potential to
appeal to a much wider audience as students get ready to enjoy the
2020 Book Week theme of 'Curious Creatures, Wild Minds'.
This almost mythical creature, which actually lives in the cold
waters of Greenland, Canada, and Russia, is rapidly becoming the
'creature-du-jour' with young readers looking for something more
exotic than the unicorn which has become a bit ho-hum. So even
though this book in this popular series explores why none of the
five narwhals depicted is the reader's narwhal, the question that
begs to be answered is, 'What IS a narwhal?', a question that could
spark an interesting investigation and perhaps lead to a
presentation entitled This is My Narwhal satisfying the Critical and
Creative Thinking outcomes of the Inquiry strand, as they pose
questions to identify, explore and organise information and ideas.
I love discovering books written for littlies that have application
across the ages and this is surely one of them, and a most timely
release.
Barbara Braxton
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K Rowling
Illus. by Levi Pinfold. Gryffindor House Edition. Bloomsbury, 2020.
ISBN: 9781526618153.
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Collectors of the Harry Potter books
will rejoice in this latest offering featuring the courage, bravery
and determination of Gryffindor House. The book is handsomely
produced, from its bold red cover and sprayed red edges to the
gorgeous gold foils around the rising phoenix in the centre of the
cover and striking illustrations surrounding it. Inside the book,
Levi Pinfold, winner of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, has done an
outstanding job of portraying Godric Gryffindor, surrounded by
twining leaves, a rampant lion and slithering snake. Also, at the
front of the book is a beautiful map of Hogwarts School and an
introduction to the story. Right at the end there is a portrait of
Sirius Black and an outline of his life and achievements.
This is one in a series of highly collectable Harry Potter
books and fans will find it difficult to resist this edition.
Readers new to the series will be happy to have such a splendid
book, telling the tale of Harry finding that he has the Order of the
Phoenix at his back to fight Voldemort.
Pat Pledger
The blue giant by Katie Cottle
Pavilion, 2020. ISBN: 9781843654513. 32pp., pbk.
Meera and her mother are planning on a day at the seaside, something
they've done before often. But this time they are greeted by a
large blue giant who beckons them to follow him beneath the waves
and see the problems of the ocean creatures that have been caused by
human laziness and degradation. Both learn valuable lessons and
although they do their best, it is a job too big for one, so it's
time to call on family and friends for help.
As warmer days approach and the lure of the beach becomes stronger,
this is a poignant and timely picture book that introduces children
to the issues of pollution, waste management and the oceans, with
suggestions of lifestyle changes to help the world become a better,
cleaner place. As the worldwide lockdown because of the pandemic has
provided the planet with a brief breathing space and shown that it
can heal given help and time, perhaps this story will help students
start to see their favourite place through a new lens as they
consider what they can do (or not) to contribute to the health of
this vital resource.
Barbara Braxton
The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein
Code Name Verity. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN:
9781526601650.
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Elizabeth Wein delivers another
stunning, engrossing story of war-time pilots and dogfights,
espionage and friendship which will thrill her many fans, but can
also be read as a stand-alone. Louisa Adair has been left an orphan,
her mother killed in the Blitz and her father at sea. Desperate for
a job, she hides her age and Jamaican background, and finds work
caring for Johanna von Arnim, a retired German opera singer, whose
niece lives near Windyedge Airfield in Scotland. There she meets
Jamie, the 19-year-old pilot who flies Blenheim bombers and Ellen a
driver for the RAF and becomes involved in a conspiracy to find a
codebreaking machine known as the Enigma.
Told in three voices, that of Louisa, Jamie and Ellen, the reader is
immersed in their lives and the stirring events that occur around
them. Louisa is the daughter of an English music teacher and
Jamaican sailor and must fit in, while Ellen hides her Traveller
background to avoid prejudice. Jamie's arguments with his commanding
officer mean that he is willing to hide the Enigma machine so that
he can get an advantage over the superior German aircraft.
Descriptions of the bombing raids, the intense pressure that the
pilots were under and the grief when friends are killed will keep
readers glued to the page as they follow the exploits of Jamie and
his comrades. They will also find it easy to identify with Louisa
and the growing bond she has with the old woman who has taken the
English name of Jane Warner, to fit in at the pub that her niece
owns.
This is an exciting and emotional story that I could not put down.
It was mesmerising to read about the youth of the bomber pilots,
their heart-breaking losses, the work of young women in World War 2
and the importance of breaking the German codes. The Enigma Game
follows The
pearl thief, and comes before the heart-breaking Code
Name Verity and Rose
under fire and readers who haven't yet read them can
expect the same compelling and outstanding stories of courage and
strong young people.
Pat Pledger
Baby Touch : Night-Night by Ladybird
Penguin, 2020. ISBN: 9780241422366. Board book.
(Age: 0+) Recommended. What a lovely book to read at bedtime. Little
children are sure to love this touch and feel book, right from the
vibrant purple cover that has star cut-outs and a little touch and
feel circle. Opening the book up, the rhyming words will make for an
enjoyable read aloud, with the refrain 'Baby, say' repeated as the
child says 'Night-night' to flowers, tree, bird and bee. Then there
is a final line on the double page spread, "Time for bed, sleepy
baby."
The large star cut-out appears on each page, gradually getting
smaller as the story progresses and all coloured in different pastel
shades. The pages are made of strong board and the star cut-out is
sturdy enough for fingers to trace around it.
Each double page spread has not only the rhyme but pictures of
little creatures and objects with words and sounds underneath, which
will enhance the reading experience for a toddler. The final double
page spread is done in a deep blue with a gorgeous rocket ship
blasting off to the moon, its tail a pink soft fabric.: Baby, say. Night-night stars, And night-night moon. Night-night, baby . . . It's dream time soon.
A gorgeous bed-time story, perfect to read aloud, Night-Night
will have happy fans and make bed-time a restful and happy time.
Pat Pledger
Little Disasters by Sarah Vaughan
Simon & Schuster, 2020. ISBN: 9781471194900.
(Age: Adult - Senior secondary) Published in 2020, Sarah Vaughan's novel matches the unsettling
situation of this year, in which the world became almost universally
tense, with an abiding concern about the disasters of the outbreak
of the coronavirus, where we have begun to ask questions about our
competency to face the reality of a new and changing world. Placing
the narrative in the apparently comfortable social group of young
families, with parents who want to be 'the best' in this role, and
to do everything they can do to ensure that their children thrive,
Sarah Vaughan raises questions that are so much a part of coping for
many people in today's world.
Plunging us immediately into a home, a crying baby and a parent who
is tense with anxiety, questioning her capacity to be a good and
loving mother, we are alert to the possibility of her losing
control. Sarah Vaughan challenges us to make sense of the different
situations, as well as the central issue of a baby's well-being, by
moving us in and out of different times, and also focusing on
different characters and places. Through this device, the writer
enables us to seek to understand just why the situation that
dominates the narrative has occurred. As we are drawn into this
particularly difficult and tense time, we are challenged to see how
the expectations of parenthood in the modern world pose such a
challenge to families. We are led to question how, with their drive
to be involved in the education, social life and well-being of
children, they can cope. With their own well-being, their
questioning of their competency, and sometimes bearing the added
responsibility of ensuring the well-being of the older generation,
that is the grandparents, the parents must find the strength to make
a happy family while coping with every aspect of the fast-paced
modern world.
This is a vibrant, thought-provoking, and somewhat unsettling novel,
set very much in the reality of the modern world. It is not
appropriate for younger readers but it is a challenging, and
sometimes disturbing, read for older adolescents and adults.
Elizabeth Bondar
The Curator by M.W. Craven
Washington Poe book 3. Constable, 2020. ISBN: 9781472131959.
(Age: Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended for readers who enjoy
the mystery genre. Another engrossing mystery featuring Poe and
Tilly is sure to grab fans of this pair. In another unique plot,
following The
puppet show and Black
Summer, the pair are faced with a strange case. Why are
some women anaesthetised before they are killed and others not? What
is the mean of the message #BSC6 left behind and how is the killer
managing to leave his macabre messages behind with no one seeing
him? The intervention of the disgraced FBI agent who gets in touch,
brings even more information. She believes that Poe is dealing with
a man known as The Curator, more deadly than a serial killer.
Craven is an amazing writer who comes up with quite different plots
in his novels. This one is bizarre and engrossing and kept me glued
to the page right until the unexpected end. It left me thinking back
to the clue left early on for astute readers but which can easily be
overlooked.
After reading a couple of stories in a series, I am often a bit
fatigued by the sameness of the characters but this is not true of
Poe and Tilly. Their working relationship, trust and friendship
grows in The Curator, and DI Flynn, now heavily pregnant, is
a sympathetic character too. And the writing, full of suspense and
some humour, the bleakness of the Cumbrian landscape, flows along
smoothly and makes for a book that begs to be read in one or two
sittings.
Books by Craven are not to be missed by anyone who enjoys a good
mystery.
Pat Pledger
We're going on a treasure hunt by Martha Mumford
Illus. by Laura Hughes. Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781408893395.
(Age: 1+) Recommended. Lots of fun can be had as four bunnies go off
on an exciting quest to find ten gold coins and a treasure chest.
Children will enjoy following the cute rabbits, all dressed as
pirates, as they prance along avoiding obstacles and uncovering gold
coins one by one.
The repetition of the refrain on every second double page spread
ensures that children will be able to join in as they hear it again
and again: We're going on a treasure hunt. Yo! Ho! Ho! Help us find the golden coins . . ARRRRR! Off we go!
Even very small children will enjoy the rhythm and repetition and
will love to see the cute little animals and birds on the way. Older
children will find the repetition of every second double page will
be a great help when they are just beginning to read and the story
is sure to be one that children who want to start to read aloud will
pick up. Sounds made as the cute little rabbits chase the coins add
to enjoyment of the narrative: Watch out for the Crabs . . .
Snip, snap, snip! and the parrots, squawk, squawk,
screech.
The lift the flaps are quite sturdy and reveal a gold coin with the
number written on it. This will enable older children to enjoy
counting from one to ten. Other lift the flaps reveal animals and
even a very hungry shark to delight all and bring smiles to faces.
Laura Hughes illustrations are very engaging. The rabbits are so
cute, dressed in pirate hats, bandanas and eye patches and the
bright colours of the beach, sea and vegetation are gorgeous.
This is perfect to read aloud for younger children and one that
older children can use to practise their reading as was the previous
book, We're
going on an elf chase, which followed a similar
format. It is sure to be a keeper.
Pat Pledger
Jacinda Adern: A new kind of leader by Madeline Chapman
Nero, 2020. ISBN: 9781760641818.
(Age: Senior secondary/adult) Highly recommended. There are few
women in powerful positions around the world, and this story of
Adern's rise makes for an amazing read, one which may excite other
young women to strive to follow their passion.
Adern came from an unusual background, a small farm in Muruparo the
daughter of Mormon parents. The book details her early foray into
human rights issues at school, then attending Waikato University and
volunteering at the New Plymouth by-election. From there she worked
for a grass roots MP in Wellington when she became attracted to the
Young Labour Movement, eventually becoming world president of the
International Union of Socialist Youth in 2008. A spectacular rise
for one so young, but as the book points out, she did not become
president through being naive. She was clearly cunning, astute and
clever, using her opportunities to perfection.
On leaving home her views of the world changed and she espoused
Maori rights and climate change action as well as championing gay
rights, bringing her into conflict with her family and her religion.
The Labour Party at this time was trying to bring more women into
leadership roles. She was in the right place at the right time. And
she is a worker. Through a series of quick leadership changes in
2017, she became leader of the party just a couple of months before
election day with Labour polling 23%. Tirelessly promoting a
positive position, using social media to perfection, her boundless
enthusiasm saw her party neck and neck with the National Party which
had ruled for the past nine years. The NZ First party backed Labour
and which led to Ardern becoming Prime Minister in a minority
government. Here she promoted climate change policy, gender equity
and Maori rights. She attended the UN world summit in 2018, the
first world leader to bring a baby into the proceedings. Her speech
promoted the need for gender equality around the world, trade and
climate change and was universally applauded. But, it was her
response to the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch in
2018 that has defined her. She received the news at 1:50 pm about a
situation in Christchurch on her way to speak at New Plymouth. She
went to the police station, by 4.20 pm held a press conference, and
by 7 pm gave an address to the nation. This speech, quoted in the
book named the killer as a terrorist, and called not for revenge,
but love and kindness. She flagged the changes to gun laws and
within the week this was being formulated. She attended the Muslim
Centre wearing a headscarf as a sign of respect, calling for peace.
Radio stations broadcast the Muslim call for prayer, and Adern's
names was broadcast around the world, showing a compassionate leader
putting herself on the line. Her speech is well worth reading.
The book gives hints to what makes her such a fine leader, that
fearless determination to do what she sees as right for New Zealand
and all of its population. Sometimes she appears naive and sometimes
it is hard to separate that from a born politician, but people do
not call her the 'smiling assassin' for nothing. Details about
election wins, take up many pages, but then it is a biography of a
politician.
This is an eminently readable, sometimes frustrating, book which
gives a broad look at a woman who has made a difference.
Speeches are quoted at the end of the text, with pages of sources
and a useful index. Themes: Jacinda Adern, Biography, Christchurch
NZ, New Zealand, Politics, Terrorism.
Fran Knight
