Reviews

Jake Atlas and the hunt for the Feathered God by Rob Lloyd Jones

Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406377712
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Themes: Action, Adventure, Twins, Mystery, Aztec - history. Hunted by international police and hiding from the evil People of the Snake, treasure hunters and tomb raiders Jake Atlas and his family are in danger. During this enforced stay in an English stately home twins Jake and Pan hone their martial art skills, train in using new developed technology, learn ancient languages and bicker, argue and question their parents' motives. Why aren't they searching for the second emerald tablet? When their friend and tech whiz Sami is poisoned, they are forced by the People of the Snake to undertake a dangerous mission to discover the tablet in exchange for a cure.
Their destination is a legendary Aztec tomb dedicated to the god Quetzalcoatl, hidden in the Honduran rainforest. The Atlas family must face traitors, bandits, big cats, tarantulas and crocodiles and learn to rely on other's abilities to help them. Their arguments and squabbles lead them into deeper trouble as they face monsoon rains and arduous conditions on their lengthy trek in the jungle. They barely survive ancient Aztec snares, climb a cliff built from skulls, leap over a huge waterfall, escape from a trap made out of swinging blades as the momentum builds to a crescendo.
Rob Lloyd Jones channels Indiana Jones, Lara Croft Tomb Raider and Alex Rider in this fast-paced action adventure. Each of the main characters are relatable, Jake's gung-ho attitude means he's quick to jump into dangerous situations while his sister Pan is a thinker, skilled in linguistics and a student of history. A family of tomb raiders and treasure hunters is unique in this fiction genre and adds a different and realistic perspective. The author's historically accurate facts are fascinating and eye-opening - the Aztec's religious practices of human sacrifices and worship of Quetzalcoatl. Filled with exciting new technology - nano-drones, smart-goggles and satellite trackers and Biosteel reinforced jungle suits, "Jake Atlas and the Hunt for the Feathered God" will appeal to a wide range of readers.
Rhyllis Bignell

The making of Martin Sparrow by Peter Cochrane

Penguin, 2018. ISBN 9780670074068
(Age: 16+) Recommended. Set on the Hawkesbury river, a community struggles to survive in the early years of the New South Wales Colony.
Emancipated convict Martin Sparrow has led a disastrous life but has been granted the standard thirty acres of land to farm. Having no knowledge or experience, Sparrow's agricultural endeavours are hopeless and he appears to have been set up to fail in the sense that he cannot possibly meet the Government's produce requirements or repayments to his creditors.
In 1806, a monstrous flood completely destroys all of his miserable possessions and produce, prompting him to fantasise about bolting to the fabled paradise West of the Blue Mountains. Aptly named, Sparrow is revealed to be physically weak, unremarkable and unable to assert himself. Lacking a strong sense of identity or purpose, he is susceptible to suggestion and manipulation by violent men with no scruples. Naively accepting tales of easy living in nature's bounty, surrounded by exotic, affectionate women, Sparrow agrees to accompany desperate men on a shambolic expedition to cross the mountains to the mythical land of plenty.
Cruelty and suffering appear on many levels in this story. Convicts struggled in freezing cold and blazing heat to build roads and infrastructure in a colony clawing for survival. Military overseers mistreated convicts, free settlers and each other whilst government administrators profited from the labour and hardship of the convicts and settlers.
The treatment of the local Dharag people by vicious soldiers and bloodthirsty settlers is extreme. Foraging for food on their traditional land is considered theft by settlers who respond with unspeakable brutality, torturing, raping and murdering without any consideration of moral or legal restraint.
Some of the female settlers also lead brutal lives, subjected to sexual violence and exploitation, illegal imprisonment and even being traded and sold by men who consider them property.
In a landscape filled with harsh individuals trying to eke out an existence, Sparrow embarks upon his ill-conceived journey and for the first time in his life comes into contact with solid, decent people. These include a Romany girl who has been grossly mistreated, the local constable charged with trying to sort out complex and dreadful crimes, an eccentric explorer and a kindly landowner.
Fighting to survive in the bush, Sparrow stumbles from one disaster to another, yet the extreme nature of his adventures and reaching the point of no return cause him to commence thinking for himself for the first time in his life. Part of Sparrow's awakening involves consideration of the welfare of others and he develops a capacity for moral consideration and altruism which he had not previously possessed.
Grim in places, this novel is still instantly appealing to those who enjoy historical fiction. I knew I would enjoy this book from the outset and was captured and taken on a long, dark journey.
Recommended for age 16+
Rob Welsh

Running on empty by S. E. Durrant

Nosy Crow, 2018. ISBN 9780857637406
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Themes: Disability. Athletics. Family. Grief and loss. Persistence and perseverence. AJ is a pretty normal kid, trying to work out life after the death of his loving and gracious grandfather - a man who was a mentor and an inspiration in his life. This grandfather had created a passion for running in AJ's life and he was desperate to honour his grandfather's memory by continuing to run. And... his parents have learning difficulties. Because of this AJ is very much missing his grandfather's support, because now he has to take on even more responsibility and try and avoid any bills that 'have red' on them. AJ also has an Aunty, Uncle and young cousin, Aisha, in his life. None of them have a problem with AJ's parents - they are all just people trying to do their very best; and Aisha just brings joy wherever she goes with her innocent enthusiasm and honesty. This is the story of the pre-teen AJ as he adjusts and strives and copes with supporting and caring for his parents, while trying to make them proud and protecting them from the worst of reactions from those outside the family, including his school teachers. AJ also has the added fear that if anyone finds out that Grandfather can no longer help them, that he might have to be taken into care. His growth and budding maturity is hinted at in his insights into how others may react, and in his own misdirected responses to those around him, but he lacks the discernment that would save him from some pain.
This is a beautiful story of unconditional love, of people doing their absolute best in the most trying of circumstances and of one young boy's fierce loyalty in the face of loss and great difficulty. This is a book that will inspire, as AJ only knows the richness of the love he shares in his family. AJ and his parents' honourable simplicity and naivete will be evident to an older reader, and this makes this a book that can be enjoyed by older readers. Just as the two books, The boy in the striped pyjamas and Wonder communicate complex ideas through a naive narrator, this book speaks with incredible power through the youthful voice. A pair of running shoes becomes a powerful symbol of love, hope and care. This is a 'must read' book, and will be enjoyed by all who pick it up to read. And please allow young teenagers to read it too, because they will recognise the themes, but also be buoyed by the persistence of AJ and his parents despite their lack of privilege.
Highly recommended for ages 10+
Carolyn Hull

Tropical Terry by Jarvis

Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406378627
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Difference. Friendship. Coral reef. Fish. Terry is an unexciting blue fish swimming amongst the coral of a coral reef. His large eye watches as the beautiful, differently coloured coral fish swim by and longs to be with them. They seem to have all the fun as they swim by in a large group, showing off their plumage and colours. But Terry's friends, Cilla the crab and Steve the sea snail, tell him not to worry but to keep playing with them. They play hide a fish (which Terry is very good at as he blends into the background so well) and dodge a dolphin, while the coral fish above swirl around and around. Terry is dismayed, so he takes a fish net and gathers up a lot of seaweed, asking his friends to help make him look more interesting.
When they finish making him up, he looks stunning, equaling the coral fish in appearance and they accept him as one of their own.
The brilliantly coloured illustrations reveal the secrets of a coral reef with its large numbers of brightly coloured fish, the corals and seaweed alongside the other sea animals. The colours are engaging and younger readers will enjoy picking out all the different things they can see.
But with Terry gamboling amongst the coral fish, going around and around, a hungry eel passes by targeting the brightest fish he can see, Terry. Terry must avoid being eaten and his friends Cilla and Steve call out to him helping him escape the eel.
All ends happily as the coral fish come to realise that appearance is not all it's cracked up to be, and readers will be able to discuss concepts such as difference, envy, friendship and keeping up with the crowd.
Fran Knight

Hello, Horse by Vivian French

Ill. by Catherine Rayner. Nature Story Book. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406349948
(Age: 5-10) Highly recommended. Themes: Horses, Fear. Another in the highly successful and exceptionally well produced series, "Nature Story Book", comes a heart-warming story from popular author Vivian French and illustrated by Kate Greenaway Medal winner Catherine Rayner. With two such talents, the book can only be beautiful!
The little boy featured in the story meets Shannon, a big brown horse. Initially he is intimidated by the size of Shannon but Catherine reassures him that the horse is very friendly and gentle. As the story develops the boy learns much about horses and gradually overcomes his fear. By the end of the story the reader sees the little boy riding along a leafy lane.
On most double page spreads, not only is there the fiction story, but in different print, there is information about horses' behaviour, their size, what they eat and how to groom them. At the back is an index that tells the reader to look at both sets of type when finding a word, and there is a 'More Information' section.
As a lover of horses, it was immediately evident to me that the author and illustrator knew and loved horses and this was confirmed by the 'Author's Note' at the end of the book, which states that Shannon the lovely bay mare featured in the book is real and has belonged to Catherine for more than twenty years. Catherine's water colour illustrations of Shannon the horse are delightful and the horse's gentle inquisitive nature comes to life as the little boy gradually gets to know her.
This such a beautiful story that begs to be read aloud at home and in the classroom. Readers will not only learn about horses but the story would help children who are fearful of such a large animal and those familiar with horses will revel in the details found in the book.
Pat Pledger

I got a chicken for my birthday by Laura Gehl

Ill. by Sarah Horne. CarolRhoda Books, 2018. ISBN 9781512431308
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Poultry, Birthdays, Presents. Ana really wants tickets to the amusement park for her birthday and she has told her abuela (grandmother) three times. But the day of her birthday arrives with a large gift wrapped crate and inside is a chicken. She is disappointed, but realises that she needs to feed it, and going to do just that, the chicken displays a sign saying she has no time for food. Ana thinks that perhaps she likes scrambled eggs, but going to the chicken she has another sign telling her that she has no time for laying eggs, and gives Ana a huge list of things to collect and buy.
When all the things are amassed for the chicken, she spends her time with pencil and ruler, working out dimensions, and then roping in Ana's dog to help. Next she has the cat working as well. The hamster becomes the tractor driver, and lots of other animals call in to help. Readers will be agog to see what the chicken is building, as lengths of wood are hoisted into the air, and a framework built.
By now readers will be making guesses at what they will eventually find, and laugh out loud at the illustrations showing the animals donning builder's belts, hard hats and wielding building tools for the task.
Readers will have guessed that Ana's abuela has given her what she wanted for her birthday but in a more roundabout way than she expected.
The vibrant illustrations are full of humour, reflecting the disappointment Ana holds in not getting what she wanted, but intrigued with what the chicken and the other animals are doing.
Young readers will love picking out the various farmyard animals portrayed, and recognise aspects of building and the equipment needed for such a task.
I particularly love the look on the chicken's face as she goes about her task, especially when capped with a safety helmet.
Fran Knight

Along came a different by Tom McLaughlin

Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408888926
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Difference, Rules, Shapes. The Red shapes loved being red. They loved wearing red hats, eating red apples and sang red songs. But along cam some Yellow shapes. They loved being yellow, eating yellow bananas, yellow books and yellow cars. But the two groups found fault with each other, forcing each other to make areas for themselves separate from each other. But then along came another different, this time, a Blue shape. The Blue shapes loved their blue guitars and blow ties, but ran foul of the other two shapes, the red and the yellow.
The three groups then separated themselves from each other, making rules about what they could and could not do.
By now readers and listeners will have realised that the story is telling us about how we separate ourselves from others, making rules and regulations to further restrict interaction. Younger readers will be able to see that rules often divide, but be heartened when a new group comes along in the book, overturning all the rules made by the first three groups.
The new group is quite different, reflecting all the colours that have gone before, and talking to the three shapes, encouraging interaction, communication and friendship. Children will easily see that discussion and communication is better than making rules which only serve to divide. Being different does not mean that we have to make rules to divide us from our friends.
Fran Knight

Marge and the secret tunnel by Isla Fisher

Ill. by Eglantine Ceulemans. Marge in charge series, bk 4. Piccadilly Press, 2018. ISBN 9781848127333
(Ages: 6-8) Themes: Babysitting, Family Life, Adventures. Isla Fisher's amusing stories about flamboyant Marge the babysitter and her unique style of babysitting Jake and Jemima are fun to read aloud and just right for a newly independent reader to enjoy. These three short stories involve a secret tunnel that might lead to Australia, Marge's unusual shopping techniques and a rather crazy search for Clover the lost kitten.
In "Marge and the Secret Tunnel", when Marge arrives to babysit Jemima and Jake, she's wearing a pink ski suit, goggles and a helmet, the perfect outfit to explore the secret tunnel Jemima's discovered in the backyard. Marge shares some Australian slang and some fantastic palace stories as they travel through the dark space into their neighbours' yard. They solve the mystery of their disappearing toys and make a new friend Angie.
Marge's unique style, singing ability and unusual approach to shopping makes for a fun adventure for Jake and Jemima. Racing shopping trolleys down an empty mall and discovering what happens when the shopping centre is locked for the night make for more silly escapades.
In the final story, Angie's fluffy, white kitten Clover is lost and Marge and the children decide to play detectives.
Isla Fisher's entertaining stories are just right for young newly independent readers. Marge's unique fashion sense, her entertaining ways and ability to turn the ordinary into humorous and fun activities make her a loveable character. Eglantine Ceulemans' cartoons add to the fun of the stories.
Rhyllis Bignell

LIFEL1K3 by Jay Kristoff

Lifelike book 1. Allen and Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760295691
(Age: 15+) Recommended for adrenaline junkies. Themes: Dystopian fiction, Robots, Artificial intelligence, Memory, Extrasensory perception. This book grabbed me right from the first page where the reader meets Eve, a prisoner in a cell, who has to watch her family being killed one by one. From then on, the story takes the reader on a wild ride, with Eve fighting a in a robot gladiator that she has built herself, only to find that she can destroy electronics with the power of her mind, having the Brotherhood chasing her across the barren landscape for her weirdness and then finding an android named Ezekiel who claims to have known her from the past. With her best friend Lemon Fresh and a little robot called Cricket, she treks across irradiated glass trying to find her grandfather who has been taken away by androids.
Time just flew away as I followed Eve's journey. There is so much action, fighting and violence as well as some slight romance and heart breaking moments, that the book will hold the attention of all readers who like a fast paced sci-fi thriller. For those who have read Asimov's book "I, Robot", the whole idea of robots and artificial intelligence will be questioned as the androids in "LIFEL1K3", change the 3 laws of robotics and start questioning what they can do.
Kristoff brings his characters to life, especially Eve's friend Lemon Fresh, whose delightful wit brings much humour to the story. The robots' characters are so well developed that they seem like real people and this also makes that reader think about where artificial intelligence could lead the world.
With a totally unexpected twist at the end, readers will be sure to pick up the next in the series and I for one, will be reading some of Kristoff's previous award winning series, "The Lotus War" and the "Illuminae files" written with Amie Kaufman.
Pat Pledger

Skylarks by Karen Gregory

All of this is true by Lygia Day Penaflor

Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408890936
(Age: 15+) Unusually scripted, this novel is not constructed in the common form of a novel related by a known or unknown narrator. Daring to be quite different, this new form of storytelling is constructed through the use of a various personal and written interactions, using narrative accounts of experiences, scripted interactions and television interviews. As we read the individual 'parts', we are challenged to build a story of the events, as we understand them to have happened, and it is in our recognition of what we gather that appears to be a valid account of the truth of the events as we think they have occurred. We are certainly drawn into the world of the text by what we realize as the wrongful use of data, collected without the permission of the characters concerned.
Its 'story-telling' methods consist of television interviews of people involved in the events, of other apparently on-line interviews, of excerpts from a New York magazine, of one character's story, and of passages from the novel that engendered the whole 'story' that we gather as it emerges. It is through these repeated models that Penaflor chronicles events, past and present, to construct her book. We construct our idea of the story, and indeed of what we decide is 'truth' or 'lies', and indeed of the element of 'betrayal', by linking what we discover in the various models.
The novel begins with the script of a television interview and the story evolves through each passage, as the novel segues between the various models. The narrative is constructed through articles in the New York City Magazine, interviews of characters involved in the 'story' by unrevealed interviewers, excerpts from a new book written by this television interviewer, using, illegally, it is alleged, the adolescents' opinions and stories, as gleaned from the TV 'chats'. Added to this is the questioning of the young people involved by an unnamed interviewer, through which we glean sufficient understanding to create a 'story', As readers, we work to make sense of the events, and thus we are drawn into the affront felt by the characters, those emotional responses of those whose words, in interviews, were used by the writer of the novel, without permission, to construct her new novel.
Complex, challenging and emotive, this new work is powerful, set absolutely in the world of modern media, both private and public, and responding to the ideas of betrayal and loyalty, and of naivety. Penaflor has created a 'text' that is very vibrant, and reflects that part of life where adolescents must decide on their set of values, of aspirations, of what matters in this world, of who they are and what they will become, and most of all, what they will value. This is appropriate for adolescents, and would be apt for adults, especially those who work with young people.
Elizabeth Bondar

Nobody Real by Steven Camden

HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9780008168384
(Age: 16+) Real or Not? This book teeters between reality for the central character, Marcie, and the world and life of her imaginary friend, Thor. The reader is always in a state of uncertainty as the world of imaginary friendship is revealed. This is not a straightforward or juvenile revelation. Marcie (or Mars as she is often called) is dealing with an uncertain future as she stands on the cusp of leaving school and facing the prospects to come. Her secret 'friend' Thor is facing a transition of his own . . . a transition that is revealed through his counselling sessions. Maturity comes with all sorts of challenges.
Marcie's family life is complex and Thor has enabled her to survive through the traumas of her childhood, but what will happen now that childhood is disappearing? Her real-life friend, Cara, is ready to launch, but Marcie is far from ready and their relationship is showing the first signs of complication. Will Thor be able to manipulate circumstances and her attitudes so she is ready to be the person she should be? Coming out of her corner is fraught with problems. Her father is a writer battling his own life-blocks and with limited input into the personal dramas that she faces. His battle with creativity is in juxtaposition to Marcie's imaginary creation and the closeness and comfort that Thor brings. The angst of the teenage Marcie, is replicated in the creative struggles of her father.
This book is highly original, captivating and complex and requires extreme persistence to unravel the unique floating 'voices' that communicate Marcie's realities and the world of the imagination. This confusion is part of what makes this an interesting read and adds a level of intricacy and perhaps a hint of the manic or perplexity that a mature reader would find worthy of persistence. I liked the idea of the imaginary friend (creature) who is not ready to fade from his critical role as confidante; but the complexity of the journey will only be appreciated by those who read in 'meal-sized' portions, rather than a 'snack and nibble' approach, as confusion will be a companion. If the identity of the narrator was clearer (perhaps with chapter heading hints), then the reader would not need to spend critical time re-reading sections to identify whose voice is being heard, and whose feelings and identity is being revealed. (Note: differing fonts used for different 'voices' do not always clarify the confusion.) 'Living inside someone's head' is inherently confusing, so the author has deliberately created mystery as he reveals what is real and what is not.
Carolyn Hull

Star Wars Maker Lab: 20 Galactic Science Projects by Liz Lee

DK Children, 2018. ISBN 9780241314234
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. What person won't be tempted to pick up this book and see just what craft and science projects can be made using the ever popular Star Wars brand? This book has 20 projects that can be made at home or in a maker lab. Some of them include making a lightsabre beam, kyber crystals, Jabbba slime and a Mustafar volcano, as well as a Hoth snow globe and galactic planets.
There is a 'Before you start' section which emphasises safety, a note to parents that the projects may require parental supervision, how to use the templates found at the back of the book and where to get supplies. Each project gives a level of difficulty from easy, medium to tricky, tells the maker what supplies they will need with clear illustrations and then gives a step by step instructions, accompanied by pictures. Much of the equipment is stuff that would be found around the house, but some needs to be specially purchased, like batteries and light pens, and The Death star tractor beam, for example, needs a glue gun.
Each project gives a Star Wars context with pictures and there is a 'How it works' section that explains the science in clear concise language and an illustration. A glossary at the back gives definitions of many of the scientific terms, as well as references to the Star Wars Galaxy.
This would be a very useful addition to a school library with a maker-space, but would be an equally ideal gift to a child, giving lots of inspiration for things to do during long holidays.
Pat Pledger

There's a dragon in your book by Tom Fletcher

Ill. by Greg Abbott. Puffin, 2018. ISBN 9780141376127
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Dragons. Humour. With the opening page warning of the egg which is about to hatch, eager fingers will turn the page with glee, anticipating what may happen next. A baby dragon appears from the egg and the book asks the reader to tickle her nose which has a not unexpected consequence, a sneeze, which makes small spot fires around the page. Readers will be puzzling over what to do next as they watch the cheery little animal joining in the quest of how to put out the fires. Her suggestion put into place, the book gives another warning to the reader as the problem escalates, each time a solution begetting another problem to solve. Readers will laugh out loud at the situations she finds herself in, and admire the solutions, seemingly the one that is needed.
When all is peaceful once again, the dragon flies off, only to find another heap of problems around the corner.
A funny, involving text with illustrations that beg to be closely looked at, this dragon book will keep readers amused to the end, not only reading a highly amusing tale, but learning a lot about dragons along the way.
A sequel to the highly successful, There's a monster in your book.
Fran Knight

Riding a donkey backwards retold by Sean Taylor and Khayaal Theatre

Ill. by Shirin Adl. Otter-Barry, 2018. ISBN 9781910959305
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Read a loud, Myths and legends, Middle Eastern stories, Trickster. Uqman Ali and Eleanor Martin set up the Khataal Theatre, devoted to performing the poetry, stories and tales from Muslim culture, many of which feature Mulla Nasruddin, a trickster whose stories figure in the myths and legends of countries from Asia to Turkey. Some of Mulla Nasruddin's tales are brought together in this book, retold by Sean Taylor and illustrated by Shirin Adl, stunningly reflecting her Iranian background. Reading these stories is an absolute treat, learning why Nasruddin sleeps in his bed in the thieves' house after his goods were stolen, or why he rides his donkey backwards, or what 'the other side' means to someone already on the other side. Beguiling, full of humour, wisdom and jokes, while begging to be read out loud, children will love the use of language and the seeming simplicity of the tales as Nasruddin tells of incidents in his life. One very short tale tells of Nasruddin walking with his umbrella. When it begins to rain he opens it and sees it is broken. A young girl asks him why he brought it if it was broken. He replied was that he didn't think it would rain.
Another story details Nasruddin's early days at school where he fell asleep when he was supposed to be drawing. When the teacher woke him and asked him to come to the front of the class and show his drawing, he only had a blank piece of paper, but he used this to explain that it is a donkey eating grass. Scoffing, the teacher was then told, that the donkey ate the grass and when it was all gone, it left.
Teamed with vibrant, energetic illustrations reflecting the Iranian motif, they are filled with detail and delight for young readers to absorb. An introduction gives readers background to the stories across the Muslin world, and a glossary at the end will help explain some of the unfamiliar words. A worthwhile addition to any school library wanting a range of stories from across cultures and religions.
Fran Knight