Reviews

Wildcat Run by Sonya Spreen Bates

Ill. by Kasia Charko. Orca Book Publishers, 2018. ISBN 9781554698301
(Age: 6+) Tommy, Jake and Lexie are on the slopes. The cousins have been skiing for a week, but Jake's Dad twisted his knee on the last run and had agreed they could do one more run, provided they stick to the easy levels. Tommy is Jake's little brother, though he's improved a lot, he is less confident than Jake and Lexie. Once they're on the chair lift, it doesn't take much for Lexie to convince her the boys to try Wildcat Run.
The ski trail itself was an old logger's run, unlike its namesake, there haven't been wild cats on the mountain for years . . . until now. What are those tracks? What can they hear near the stream? Jake, Lexie and Tommy are suddenly in a race for their life down the hill, except Lexie has an accident and the trio has to think a bit more laterally.
In this easy read novel, with Jake as the narrator, the reader experiences Jake's ability to lead his cousins to safety, showing survival skills and all the while has a low literacy need. Readers as young as six will easily follow the storyline, so it would also be good as an introduction to narratives or as a read-aloud at bedtime for younger readers. I especially enjoyed the interspersed thought commentary Jake uses to help him problem-solve. For example, " I am a downhill racer, going for another practice run . . . this time I'll get a personal best".
At times the book is similar to Secret Seven or Famous Five where the children have to use logic and smarts to survive a situation. It is also part of a series, where the characters refer back to other adventures they've shared. Those who enjoy adventure will love this quick read.
Clare Thompson

Can I touch your hair? by Irene Latham and Charles Waters

Carolrhoda Books, 2018. ISBN 9781512404425
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. This book is a collection of poems written by Irene who is white and Charles who is black. These poems delve into the differences related to race, mistakes, friendship even hair.
Can I touch your hair? is written like a school project with two students who don't know each other having to work together on a poem project. By the end of the book they start to look beyond their differences and look at what they have in common.
It could be used as a teaching tool for a poetry project helping people to get to know each other, to encourage people to look at others' points of view on everyday things like hair, shoes, beach and church.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it for 10+.
Karen Colliver

My trip to the supermarket: Activity and sticker book by Samantha Meredith

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2018. ISBN 9781408883686
(Age: 4+) Recommended. "Work your way around the supermarket and discover all the amazing things you can buy! Find your way through the maze of aisles to the checkout counter, count how many loaves of bread are in the baker 's basket, help the shop assistant stack the empty shelves and much more." (Publisher)
This activity book has a selection of activities to maintain interest. The stickers are bright and of a variety of sizes to match the page they are designed for.
It could be used to talk about shopping and the sorts of things you get when you go to the supermarket.
I recommend this book for 4+.
Karen Colliver

Flamingo boy by Michael Morpurgo

HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9780008134648
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: World War Two, Gypsies, Nazis, Bullying, Flamingoes, Animals, Trust, Vincent van Gogh. At the end of his final year at school, Vincent dons a backpack and walks though the Camargue in Southern France, once the home of Vincent the name on the painting which has always been in his bedroom. Suddenly ill, he is befriended by a woman and man who share a house: Lorenzo is a seemingly simple man, devoted to his animals, and the woman, Zia, once a gypsy, cares for him as a lifelong friend would.
One night Zia begins her story, allowing Vincent to see what lies beneath their friendship, how they came to share a house, and the tale of how they survived the war.
Morpurgo layers story upon story in this mesmerising account, as he rounds out each of the main characters, filling in their backgrounds as we read. Each story is intimate and revealing, reflecting the way we should all behave in the face of tyranny and injustice.
Zia's family owns a carousel which they play each year in the local town. Lorenzo loves to ride the horse on the carousel and the two families grow closer. Zia hates school where she is bullied for being a gypeo, and Lorenzo's mother offers to teach her at the farm. When the Nazis take over the area, the gypsy family moves to the farm, a place of safety away from prying eyes, as gypsies are one of the groups sent to prison camps.
Here Lorenzo shows Zia his hospital shed where he cares for injured animals, especially the flamingo a familiar sight in the Camargue as they nest there every year. But people stealing the flamingo eggs are stopped by Lorenzo and his father, and in retaliation tell the authorities where the gypsy family is hiding.
This is yet another masterful story from Morpurgo, giving the readers a revealing tale of World War Two, making it more intimate by placing it within a small community, wrapping it with environmental concerns, reflecting the schemes of the Nazi invaders, but tempering it with sympathy shown by the man in charge.
Readers will recognise the bullying which occurs on many levels: the children as they taunt the 'flamingo boy', and Zia, the gypsy girl, the Jewish teacher removed from the school, the townspeople informing on the family hiding at the farm and the Nazi thugs who take the family from the farm, showing readers how easy it is to denigrate others.
Zia and Lorenzo are still friends and Morpurgo ties the story together with Vincent van Gogh, the name he started with, who killed himself because he was so alone. Morpurgo makes his point with composure in this highly readable book.
This novel is most suitable for middle school readers, and teachers wanting a novel to initiate discussion around the idea of bullying in all of its forms, from Nazism to that found in the community and classroom.
Fran Knight

Trell by Dick Lehr

Miss Match: The truth about destiny by Crystal Cestari

Quercus Children's Books 2018. ISBN 9781784299149
(Age: 10-14) The Truth About Destiny is a haphazard collection of mythology and teenage drama drawn together though the main character's ability to see a person's soul-mate. In a word where magic is commonly accepted, Amber's matchmaking ability adds another layer of complexity to her already complicated adolescent life. I would recommend for girls between the ages of ten and fourteen.
When Amber's arch enemy Ivy arrives at her house asking for help Amber doesn't know what to do. Ivy has never looked so desperate before in her life. She's worried about her sister, Iris, who intends to renounce her legs and join her girlfriend in the sea. Amber uses her gift to see that Iris has found her match, but things are only just starting to get complicated as Iris reveals the witch who will turn her from siren to mermaid, Victoria, a corrupt witch who tried and failed to kill Amber. With the new danger realised, Amber must enlist the help of her mother to ensure that Iris's transformation goes as planned.
Finding your place in the word is always difficult. But more so when you have one foot in the supernatural and another in the mortal world. Amber's ability as a match-maker sets her apart from the crowd, but still it's not enough to fully be part of the supernatural world either. She walks a fine line working in her mother's wiccan shop, a supernatural restaurant catering to all kinds of beings, and a plain old mortal bakery. Going between must be hard, but Amber isn't the only one. Her best friend, Amani, gets visions of the future and they deal with the school siren on a regular basis.
Kayla Gaskell, 22

A lion is a lion by Polly Dunbar

Walker Books, 2018, ISBN 978140637153
(Ages: 2-5) Recommended. Themes: Identity, Lions, Child Protection. Polly Dunbar's fun picture book immediately starts to question the readers' perception about the large male lion as he fiercely stares at you. 'Fierce, isn't he? Too fierce for you?' Stop reading and ask the audience to predict what will happen next, where will he go and what will he do? The following pages are humorous. With questioning text, the author paints funny scenarios as the lion dresses up in a trilby hat, matching blue jacket and dances down the street twirling a red umbrella. His antics are watched by a young brother and sister safe behind the window pane.
Ding dong and the door is opened to welcome the large polite lion who even asks about Auntie Sue's health. There's 'hoobie-doobie' dancing and twirling to music from a wind-up gramophone, and a delicious lunch where the plate is also eaten! A little frisson of danger occurs as he opens his mouth wide, showing all his pearly-white teeth, will the children become dessert? With a giant roar, the youngsters quickly hide under the table cloth and make their decision. Boldly they declare hand in hand, strong assertions that it is time for the huge lion to leave with his hat and his umbrella.
Dunbar's easy to read story includes changes of text size, interesting word placements, and emphatic statements, and she uses a questioning style in the narrative. Her ink-and-wash artwork is spirited, and included are large two-page spreads where the action is focussed on the large lion set against white space, then moves to bright scenes filled with movement. The high-contrast red backgrounds underpin capture the change in mood.
A Lion is a Lion carries the keep safe message, highlighting the rights of the child to say no to intimidating behaviour. A perfect picture book to share as a family and in a learning environment as part of the Child Protective Behaviours curriculum and as an introduction in English to punctuation and questioning in dialogue.
Rhyllis Bignell

Face by Benjamin Zephaniah

Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9781408894989
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Martin Turner is good looking, funny, and the leader of his Gang of Three, which also includes his mates Matthew and Mark. He also has a girlfriend, Natalie, who he has even kissed. The four kids make up the main characters in the story, who are all aged about 15. The author writes the characters' speech using a lot of colloquial language that was popular at the time, circa 1985, including homie, guy, man, as terms of endearment and poxy, geezer as insults. This aspect of the novel felt a little stereotypical and didn't add a lot to the storyline.
Martin and his friends are out late one night at a dance party. Here, the reader will learn a little about the under-age drug problems of East London in the 1980s. When offered drugs from over-age sellers, the three lads decide to leave and are offered a lift by an ex-school friend. Unbeknownst to them, the driver is high and out of his mind on heroin; the vehicle is stolen and soon they are pursued by the police. Martin and his friends are all involved in a high-speed crash and he wakes two days later in hospital, suffering deep partial thickness (3rd degree) burns to his face.
The novel then takes on a different aspect. The author, having done a lot of research, writes about burns recovery and Martin's experiences with facial reconstructive and skin grafting surgeries. The language used here is descriptive and well-written, particularly Martin waking up after the accident and eventually looking in a mirror.
Martin's return to everyday life is well documented by the author. Martin works through his feelings of aggression with the help of a clinical psychologist, Alan. Martin begins to understand the idea of everyone managing grief and loss differently, despite the unfailing support of his family. His former friends withdraw; Mark leaves the gang to form a new one where he is the leader; Natalie, now seems vain and self-obsessed.
Most refreshingly, the author has found a way to write about discrimination that is outside of the norms. Martin learns to respond to tormentors and bullies by being honest - I'm still me / I'm not disabled / I can still do everything I did before. He rekindles his passions and interests and makes new friends who don't see him for the facial disfigurement. Readers will enjoy and celebrate as Martin finds his confidence and identity post-accident.
While I would recommend this novel for readers in secondary school, the content is appropriate for capable readers who are younger - 12/13 years.
Clare Thompson

Bobo and Co. : Shapes by Nicola Killen

Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9781408880517
(Age: 2+) Recommended. Board book. This is the fun story of Bobo the panda and his friends as he explores the things around him and what shapes they are in a lift the flap book.
Bobo is celebrating his birthday, and his new tent is a triangle, his pass the parcel is squares; what other shapes does he find during his party?
This book can be used to encourage the reader to look at what other shapes they can see in their immediate surroundings as well as looking at everyday items and identifying the shapes that are there.
The flaps in this book are large so that little fingers can help turn them.
I recommend this book for 2+
Karen Colliver

Bobo and Co. : Opposites by Nicola Killen

Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018. ISBN 9781408880500
(Age: 2+) Recommended. Board book. Bobo the Panda and all of his friends are exploring the concept of opposites in this lift the flap book. This is a simple story about opposites with great illustrations. It explores the concepts of in and out, small and big, down and up, slow and fast and loud and soft.
This book is a fun way to explore with Bobo and his friend's opposites and see what they get up to.
The flaps in this book are a good size for small children to be able to help with opening them.
I recommend this book to 2+.
Karen Colliver

Undercover by Mark Powers

Ill. by Tim Wesson. Spy toys book 3. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408870907
(Ages 7-9) Themes: Toys. Spies. Espionage. Undercover is an action-adventure story in which a cast of misfit creatures, a doll, a teddy bear and robot rabbit join forces and return to solve a new dilemma. Overnight the entire Chimpwick's Chocolate factory has disappeared, and the Department of Secret Affairs is called in to help. Mysterious Auntie Roz calls on the assistance of Dan the superstrong Snugaliffic Cuddlestar bear, Arabella the angry Loadsasmiles Sunshine Doll (who doesn't like children) and Flax a custom-made police robot rabbit to discover who is behind this terrible situation.
Auntie Roz believes Paula Dimple a disgruntled ex-employee, now working a science teacher, is the troublemaker. Dan, Arabella and Flax are equipped with unique disguises, android bodysuits and sent in to Water Shrew Lane Primary to investigate. Arabella's anger and attitude lead her into some amusing confrontations. After school the trio ride across the wasteland on rocket-powered bikes with the Science Club kids to the Learnatorium, an abandoned museum. Here evil Penelope Spume, leader of SIKBAG a secret society for brainy kids, shares her diabolical plot to rid the world of four factories responsible for children having fun instead of learning. Her special teleporting device moves the Snaztacular Ultrafun Factory to the Sahara, and has targeted the Bogey Cola a fizzy drink factory and a kids' television studio.
Flying on an A4 hexi-silicone paper plane, Arabella and Dan fly off to Paris to rescue their captured friend Flax held captive at a secret SIKBAG location.
Tim Wesson's over-the-top comical illustrations compliment the action and brings the strange characters to life. With plenty of action, humour, ridiculous characters and crazy inventions, Mark Power's Undercover is an easy to read novel for the newly independent reader.
Rhyllis Bignell

The poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Hardie Grant Egmont, 2018. ISBN 9781405291460
(Age: Older teens) Highly recommended. Verse novel. The Poet X is a novel which grabs a reader by the heart and transports them into another world. Poet X takes us on an emotional, heart-rending journey through a tumultuous time in her young life and every moment of joy, agony and discovery, is powerfully communicated through her unique mix of prose and poetry. The other players in her life are finely drawn and authentically portrayed; Mami is truly formidable and Twin, in contrast, is sensitive and loving; Ms Galiano is the caring English teacher we all wish we had in our lives and Caridad is the perfect friend, critical when it counts but supportive when it's needed most. But best of all, Xiomara, affectionately dubbed Poet X by the adoring Aman, is passionate, feisty and strong in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles (her Mami), it's impossible not to fall in love with her. Transfixed by the power and magic of her words, the reader can only cheer her on as she strives to find her voice and empathise with her very real, adolescent struggles.
I loved this book. While at first I was apprehensive about its 'verse novel' nature, it wasn't long before I was totally hooked by Elizabeth Acevedo's protagonist and her gorgeously articulated story. Every page offered a new lyrical adventure and there were times when my heart alternately burst with love or was gripped by anxiety and shared pain. Acevedo's way with words is magical and addictive. Teenage and adult readers alike will be mesmerised by the power of the language and the desire to devour just one more delicious page . . .
I would highly recommend this book to older teenage readers. It shares its place with other 'coming-of-age' novels but for me was a much more candid, intense and genuine portrayal of very real, contemporary issues than some.
Jennifer Cross

Feed by M. T. Anderson

Walker, 2018 (2002, 2012). ISBN 9781406345209
(Ages: 12+) Recommended. Themes: Dystopian fiction. Future. I reviewed this book on its rerelease in 2012, and said: "about to be released as a film, this republication of the award winning novel by American author, M. T. Anderson, Feed will engage a new generation of readers as they like me are amazed at the predictions shown in a dystopian future written 10 years ago. Uncannily many of these are now part and parcel of the Y Generation's lives. Feed, is a word describing the constant marketing material pumped into their brains through an implant inserted at birth. Some 'unlucky' ones have this done later in life, and so Violet, who was home schooled and has odd parents, is outside the usual thirst to be connected 24 hours a day. It is she who when her implant begins to fail, see things differently from the friendship group she has just formed and as an outsider, pulls Titus along with her.
On the moon for an experience, the group is invaded by a virus which makes their feeds malfunction. It is fascinating to see them all cope without the feed, just as Generation Y today cannot cope without their mobile phones and internet access.  Anderson was certainly right on target with his prophecies about the future, and his darkly ironic story is most engaging. For an older spectator like me, the images created along with the ideas of a whole society simply being fed information, music, advertisements 24 hours a day was alarming, but to many not so. Being 'tuned in' or wired, is given a whole new level of meaning in this stunning book. Not only advertisements and information, but a transference of texts rather like emails is sent and received between the teenagers, allowing them to chat to each other without a third person knowing. It is incredibly unnerving, foretelling an appalling future.
An informative web site gives further facts about the book and background information as well as a discussion of its impact. The book won two major awards in the US in 2003." And it has appeared on my desk for a third time (2018) with comments on Walker Books' website showing why it has been republished. It is reissued in paperback with an appealing new cover, in conjunction with reissues of Thirsty and Burger Wuss and with the publication of Landscape With Invisible Hand. It is the winner of the L.A. Times Book Award and a National Book Award Finalist, and is a classic of YA dystopian literature, still relevant after 15 years. And it certainly is. It still astounds me that this was written 15 years ago.
Fran Knight

Everless by Sara Holland

Hachette, 2017. ISBN 9781408353622
(Age: 12+) Jules and her father are poor, not of money, but of time. In the world of Everless, payments are collected in the form of time, which is siphoned through blood. Through alchemy, this time and blood is bound to coins (the larger the coin, the more time is captured). In this world, the rich experience both the luxuries of wealth and time. The richer you are, the longer you live. To save Jules' father from spending his blood, she desperately takes a job in the city of Everless; a place of fuzzy and traumatic memories for Jules surrounding the noble Gerling family's boys, Roan and Liam.
While working as a maid, Jules learns of the arrival of the Queen (whom is known to be ancient, beautiful, and fearsome). From this point on, nothing Jules knew will ever be the same. Both her past and her future become unsteady, as she strives to understand the unravelling world around her. In a land where money, time, and blood are consumed, what more will Jules have to give to understand herself, and the truth of the realm around her.
Everless a powerful young adult novel about love, trust, mystery, fantasy, and suspense. It is a story that doesn't fade from the reader's mind after they've put it down. Sara Holland has truly created a novel that engages the reader and captures their attention as they experience the story unfold before them through the eyes and mind of Jules. Jules is a unique and complex character who is the centre of the novel and has solid historical emotions and experiences, as well as strong connections with other story characters. Holland has created a realistic character that has depth to her thinking and actions.
Jules's experiences will connect with readers (12+) and keep them engaged in a story that is full of unexpected developments. If the story and characters weren't enough to keep a reader hooked, the conclusion certainly is. Holland leaves the reader needing to know more; the next instalment will surely be strongly awaited by readers of Everless.
Sarah Filkin

Thunder Creek Ranch by Soya Spreen Bates

Orca Books Publishers, 2013. ISBN 9781459801127
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. Thunder Creek Ranch is a short story full of adventure. When Jake visits the neighbouring ranch, even though he knows he shouldn't, a chain reaction of events unfolds. Jake and his younger brother Tommy are visiting their grandparents at Thunder Creek Ranch. Tommy is the annoying younger brother and Jake is expected to take Tommy wherever he goes. They are both expected to stick together and look out for each other. When Jake sees another boy at the neighbouring ranch, he can't resist heading over to see who it is. He leaves Tommy up a tree to keep watch and meets Cory, the owner's grandson. A quad bike ride, a chase, escaped cows and before the boys know it Tommy is lost and Jake is panicking. The sudden storm complicates things and the boys are about to discover why the ranch is called Thunder Creek.
Thunder Creek Ranch is an easy to read story with themes of adventure and listening to others. Jake has a great imagination and while he might forget to follow the rules sometimes he never gives up and always tries to do the right thing in the end. This short novel would be great for young readers choosing their first novels as well as for reluctant readers who prefer to avoid larger books. The boys in the story are all under 12 years of age and it is highly recommended for readers aged 8+.
Kylie Kempster