What the ladybird heard on holiday by Julia Donaldson
Ill. by Lydia Monks. Macmillan Children's Books, 2017. ISBN
9781509837328
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Crime. Ladybirds. Zoos. London. With the two
previous books What the ladybird heard and What
the ladybird heard next, warmly praised, our hero, the
ladybird going on holiday and stopping another crime will be equally
well received.
Ladybird is taking a well deserved holiday. She is in London, and
readers will be able to point out the well-known features of this
city as she flies overhead. But her destination is London Zoo, and
while there she overhears the two crooks, Lanky Len and Hefty Hugh,
plotting a new plan of thievery. They intend to steal a monkey from
the zoo and train him to get into the Queen's bedroom and steal her
crown. But the ladybird hatches an even craftier plan to foil them.
She rounds up support from many of the zoo animals, a tiger,
elephant, monkeys, crocodile and camel, along with the two corgis
who live at the Palace, to foil the plan being executed by these two
scoundrels.
Told in wonderful rhyming pairs of lines, the book begs to be read
aloud, with encouragement given to the reader to emulate the animals
in the verse. Readers will love predicting the next rhyming word,
and learning some of the lines to read along or read themselves. The
illustrations too will delight and intrigue as children will
recognise the attractions of this city, as well as the animals
placed in the zoo, amongst the colourful range of things shown on
each adventure filled page. Finding the ladybird will also be a
source of enquiry for younger readers.
Glitter is used on each page enhancing the tactile experience for
younger readers already excited by the verse, colour and adventure
filled pages.
Fran Knight
Saints for all occasions by Courtney Sullivan
Fleet, 2017. ISBN 9781844089383
(Age: Senior secondary - Adults) Immigration. Families. Siblings.
Irish/Americans. Catholic faith. Nuns. This family saga opens in
2009 with Nora Rafferty rushing to hospital to find her 50 year old
eldest son Patrick has died in a car accident. One of the first
things she does is to phone her estranged sister to let her share
the grief. Nora and her sister Teresa left their small Irish village
in the mid-1950s to join Nora's fiance Charlie in Boston. Nora is
quiet, careful and protective of her younger, more outgoing sister
and they settle in with other catholic Irish from their area. They
find work and Teresa is also able to study to become a teacher.
Teresa loves the new life, especially the freedom to go to dances
and meet boys but she soon falls pregnant to a married man. Nora
devises a plan where she and Charlie marry and pretend she is
pregnant while Teresa goes to a Catholic home for unwed mothers.
Instead of having to give up the baby, Patrick, to strangers, Nora
and Charlie adopt him as their own and allow Teresa to live with
them and have contact with her baby. It doesn't work out and Teresa
leaves, goes to New York and gets a job teaching then eventually
joins a cloistered order of nuns. Nora and Charlie go on to have
three more children; she is strict with them but always has a soft
spot for Patrick whose adoption is kept a secret, as is the
existence of Teresa. The story switches between the preparations for
the funeral, as the siblings reflect on their relationship with
their brother and mother, interleaved with chapters going back
looking at the family and convent life in the 60s and 70s.
Books about immigrant Irish in America are not new and there are
echoes of Brooklyn to be found; but this is carefully
constructed without melodrama looking at the interplay of culture
and religion in generational change with people doing their best to
live with the decisions they have made, never sure if they were
right or wrong. Nora and Teresa make very different decisions in
their lives but religion has helped sustain them both. It starts
well but develops at a slower pace, more a book for adults but
senior students could compare it with other Irish immigrant
experiences like Angela's ashes or Brooklyn.
Sue Speck
Chase by Linwood Barclay
Hachette, 2017. ISBN 9781510102194
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Chase, written by famous adult
crime author, Linwood Barclay, is a thrilling adventure full of
secrets, danger and of course running. The book is action-packed
with loads of suspense and a major plot twist, which meant it was
impossible to put down as the tension built up. An on-edge novel, it
was exciting from the start when Chipper, an experimental
cyborg-like dog, escapes 'The Institute' before he is run over by
Jeff, who is driving underage. Jeff, an orphan, and his friend
Emily, nurse Chipper back to health in the woods. But when they plug
Chipper into a computer, it becomes apparent that this is not a
random meeting and the new friends are in a world of trouble.
At the beginning you get to know the characters and become one with
them as they face life or death. The friends launch into an endless
adventure of cat and mouse, always looking behind them. The newborn
friendship will be put to the test. Chase keeps you guessing
what will happen to the strong friendship between man and dog. The
author's words captivate you until you turn the last page and will
leave you breathless and wanting more till the very end. Overall,
everyone can enjoy this, not just kids and teens - adults too!
Cara F. (Student)
The girl who drank the moon by Kelly Barnhill
Algonquin Young Readers, 2016. ISBN 9781616205676 (hardback) ISBN
9781848126473 (Paperback)
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. Locus Awards 2017. Newbery
Medal (2017), Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Nominee
(2018), Andre Norton Award Nominee for Young Adult Science Fiction
and Fantasy (2016). Every year a tiny baby is left in the forest as
an offering to the witch. The people of the Protectorate believe
that this is the only way to keep the witch from terrorizing their
town. But the reader soon discovers that the witch Xan, is not evil,
instead she collects up the abandoned baby, fills it with some
starlight and takes it to the other side of the forest where as a
Star Child it is loved and wanted. One year Xan takes a baby and
instead of the little girl being filled with starlight, she
accidentally is fed with moonlight and becomes enmagicked. Xan
decides to keep Luna the baby and together with her friends, Glerk
from the Bog and Fyrian, a tiny dragon, brings her up, but as her
magic grows wild, Xan is forced to lock it away until her 13th
birthday. As Luna approaches her 13th birthday, she finds that she
must protect her friends.
This is a beautifully woven story with fully realised characters,
from the witch Zan, who is loving and wise, to the sinister Sisters
in the tower and the elders of the town. I loved the little dragon
Fyrian whose personality brought many smiles to my face and worried
along side Luna's mother as she went mad with grief at the loss of
her daughter. The rich descriptions and the intrigue of the Elders
and the Tower will leave the reader breathless as they follow the
many characters who have been affected by the ghastly practice of
leaving a baby as a sacrifice.
As the many awards testify, The Girl Who Drank the Moon is
an outstanding fantasy and a must for every library. It would also
be a stunning read aloud in the classroom.
Pat Pledger
The hired girl by Laura Amy Schlitz
Candlewick Press, 2015. ISBN 9781406361407 (hardback) ISBN
9781406365931 (paperback)
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. A beautiful tale of adventure, love,
courage and religion. Set in 1911, Joan decides to begin a diary
documenting her life at Steeple Farm where she lives with her
abusive father and three unsympathetic brothers. Fourteen and
motherless, Joan is expected to do 'women's work' - cleaning,
cooking and washing the boys' clothes, day in and day out. A lover
of literature, her only friends are the strong female protagonists
of the books given to her by Miss Chandler, a teacher that Joan
greatly admires. Inspired by these women, Joan stands up to her
father, only for him to retaliate by burning the books she holds so
dear. Upon losing her most precious possessions, Joan decides that
she has had enough of this miserable life and, with all of the inner
strength she can muster, packs up her remaining few belongings, and
takes off on an adventure; determined to reinvent herself. She heads
to Baltimore, where she seeks work as a hired girl. Along the way
she finds hope, love, and a new meaning of family; and discovers
more about herself and the world as each day passes. Relatable,
empowering and beautifully written; this is not a novel that you
will easily forget. Joan's determination and perseverance makes her
a heroine whose heart-warming tale inspires all who read it. A
stunning story for book lovers everywhere - the type of novel that
makes you want to curl up with a cup of tea and let yourself be
transported into another world.
Daniella Chiarolli (university student)
Editor's note : Boston Globe-Horn Book Award fiction honor book, 2016 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, YALSA Best fiction for young adults 2016
When the world is full of friends by Gillian Shields
Ill. by Anna Currey. Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408849668
(Age: 1-4) Recommended. Themes: Friendship, Working together 'When
the world is full of friends, the fun and laughter never ends'.
Author Gillian Shields and illustrator Anna Currey celebrate
friendship and creativity in this gentle story When the World is
full of friends. From a pastel yellow background, little
Albert the rabbit hops across the grass to begin the tale. Tom,
Flossie and Pipkin love to escape from their little thatched cottage
into the green meadow ready to play. Each one has special
characteristics, Albert the oldest is the most active, he loves to
run and race. Young Tom enjoys dressing up, in his pirate, monster
and Prince costumes he acts out plays for his whole family. Sister
Flossie is creative, she loves to be inventive, making and painting
windmills, forts and pretty umbrellas. Baby Flossie loves playing on
his blankie in the sunshine.
When a family of squirrels appear on the opposite side of the
riverbank, each of the rabbit's special abilities are needed to work
together and find a way across the river to meet their new friends.
Currey's delightful ink and watercolour paintings add liveliness to
this easy to read story celebrating family and friends.
Rhyllis Bignell
Six Tudor queens: Anne Boleyn, a King's obsession by Alison Weir
Hachette, 2017. ISBN 9781472227638
(Age: 14+) Recommended. British history, Tudor history, Kingship.
Anne Boleyn is certainly a name most people will recognise as the
one for whom King Henry VIII split with Rome. When all of Europe was
Catholic, owing allegiance to the head of the church, the Pope in
Rome, then political intrigue garnered power behind his headship and
those in favour could call the shots. Henry was desperate to father
a son, one to take up the rule of England after he died, to carry on
the Tudor lineage. His older wife, Katherine was past her child
bearing days and so Henry looked around for a new bride. He had read
Leviticus which forbad a man to marrying his brother's widow, and
using this Biblical reference as the reason for not having a son,
lobbied Rome for an annulment. But Rome was in the thrall of the
Holy Roman Emperor, Katherine's nephew, so no such annulment was
forthcoming. This forced Henry to break with the church and set up
the Church of England, a move which paralleled the Reformation in
Europe.
But what of Anne? Alison Weir develops a page turning story of
Anne's life both before and after her marriage and we see her as a
young woman sent to several countries in Europe where she learnt the
pattern of surviving in a court. Weir paints a rather
headstrong girl, used to getting her own way, wary of the obstacles,
but looking out for a likely marriage prospect. She knew her father,
Thomas Boleyn well. He was rising in Henry's court, making himself
useful to the great king, always on the lookout for how his children
could benefit from royal patronage. The machinations behind the
scenes make for fascinating reading, particularly when Anne's sister
Mary becomes the king's mistress and Anne can see how problematic it
is, especially when she has a child. All the court detail is given,
and conversations developed from the extensive research done by
Weir, making this a riveting read into the private lives of Anne and
her family. A long list of the cast of characters is given at the
end in the order in which they appear in Anne's life, and a useful
family tree is given at the start.
Fran Knight
Middle School mayhem Rachel Renee Russell
The Misadventures of Max Crumbly book 2. Simon and Schuster,
2017. ISBN 9781471164279
(Age: 9-12) 'I knew middle school was going to be challenging, but I
never expected to end up DEAD in the computer lab, wearing a
SUPERHERO COSTUME, with four slices of PIZZA stuck to my BUTT!' Max
Crumbly returns in Middle School Mayhem, and this sequel
starts immediately after the cliffhanger scene that ended the first
madcap adventures of this dorky teenager. Max is desperately trying
to find his dad's lost comic book and stop three thugs determined to
steal the school's computers.
In Russell's familiar notebook style, punctuated by her quirky comic
illustrations, Max reveals his crazy thoughts, mad antics and silly
humour. Dressed in his best friend Erin's ice princess costume, he
has to think quickly and creatively to stop the thieves from leaving
the building with the new computers. Why he doesn't ring the police
is a little hard to take, instead he sends Erin the school's
computer password to allow her remote control access to the PA
system, lights and security cameras. With his limited battery life
in his cell phone, every minute counts as they coordinate turning
off the lights and turning on the sprinkler system. The school
cafeteria scene is filled with slapstick comedy as one of the
thieves Moose accidentally butt-dials the stove burner, cools his
burning pants at the kitchen sink, then endures being slimed, his
head is stuck in the bucket and finally being plastic-wrapped.
Max's unique point of view is strong, he stops to contemplate his
super-hero life, invent crazy raps and totally, totally (his
favourite word) take the fans along on his crazy journey. Of course,
Russell ends with another cliffhanger ensuring her audience is
committed to the series.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Usborne Big book of animals by Hazel Maskell
Ill. by Fabiano Fiorin. Usborne, 2017. ISBN 9781474928953
From the icy polar regions, the steaming tropics to the depths of
the oceans, our planet is inhabited by some amazing creatures and
many of them are gathered here to tempt the budding David
Attenborough as they investigate the tallest, longest, fastest,
heaviest and most dangerous animals in the world, complete with
facts and measurements.
With easily accessible text, bite-sized facts, and fold-out pages
which introduce a myriad of creatures, little ones cannot only learn
about the creatures that share their environment but also that books
can educate as well as entertain. They are for information as well
as the imagination. And for those who want to know more, Usborne has
a page of Quicklinks that offers safe, vetted links to information
and activities. The Usborne Big Book of Animals is just one in this series of
early non fiction for young readers that help them find more about
the world they live in and which would be quality additions to any
school or home library.
Barbara Braxton
Dinosaur Munch! The Diplodocus by Jeanne Willis
The World of Dinosaur Roar series. Macmillan, 2017. ISBN
9781509835652
(Ages: 2-4) Recommended. Board Book, Dinosaurs, Rhyme. A tactile
front cover and a bright blue, cheeky-looking diplodocus will draw
young children to this small board book. It is just one in a series
of books (The World of Dinosaur Roar) based on the classic
picture book Dinosaur Roar, which have been developed in
association with the Natural History Museum in London. An initial
introduction page provides the reader with a helpful pronunciation
guide for those hard to pronounce dinosaur names, also giving them a
cute moniker (e.g. Dinosaur Chew, Dinosaur Whack, etc.). The text
length is age-appropriately short but manages to provide a basic
introduction to the diplodocus's physiology, diet and habitat. The
simple story is about Dinosaur Munch and his tummy that never felt
full after lunch. He eats and eats and eats but he is still hungry.
Facts are cleverly hidden within the main text (e.g. 'With a swish
of his neck and his rows of huge teeth') and the illustrations
(different types of dinosaur are shown side by side to highlight
size, shape, form etc.). It uses suitable analogies that will be
within young readers' realms of experience (e.g. 'long neck like a
giraffe', 'as long as three buses') and appropriate and familiar
vocabulary as well as some topic specific words such as 'herbivore'.
The humorous ending sees the still hungry Munch chewing on his own
tail. The fact page at the back reinforces all the visual
information provided about the dinosaur's appearance in short, clear
sentences (also represented visually). The dinosaurs are fun and
cheeky and the unique traits of different species of dinosaur are
emphasised both visually and textually. This book has obviously been
developed with the highest regard for the prior understandings and
needs of its young target audience. It is a high-quality
story/information book for very young children, especially dinosaur
lovers.
Nicole Nelson
The Eureka Key by Sarah L Thomson
Secrets of the Seven book 1. Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN
9781681190617
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. When middle school puzzle master Sam
and history wiz Martina win a contest for a summer trip across the
US, they discover they've been drafted into something vastly more
extraordinary. Joining another kid on the trip, Theo, a descendant
of George Washington himself, they must follow clues to find seven
keys left behind by the Founding Fathers. Together the keys unlock
Benjamin Franklin's greatest invention - a secret weapon intended to
defend the country. Each key is hidden in a unique location around
the U.S., protected with puzzles, riddles, and traps. This has kept
the weapon safe . . . until now! Gideon Arnold, a dangerous
descendant of the infamous Benedict Arnold, is on the chase.
Competition heats up between Arnold and his thugs and Sam and
Martina to reach the artefacts first. Sam, Martina and Theo must use
their problem solving skills to solve tricky puzzles, escape death
and survive booby-traps. By the end of the series, they must be able
to save the USA , uncovering many deep, dark secrets.
Readers will love trying to solve the clues themselves using
deductive reasoning to escape and survive the high-stress situations
the characters find themselves in. Will they be able to stay one
step ahead of the baddies? The story is a fast paced, action
thriller that is highly entertaining. It will appeal to students
aged 11 and up who will eagerly await the release of each new book
in the series of which will need to be read in order. It would make
a great read aloud, particularly if studying American history as
many of the clues are linked to this.
Kathryn Schumacher
Court of Fives by Kate Elliott
Court of Fives book 1. Little, Brown Books for Young
Readers, 2016. ISBN 9780316364300
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. Kate Elliott, an award
winning fantasy author for adults has turned her hand to a young
adult novel with exciting results. Court of Fives is a
winner for readers who love fantasy and will also appeal to readers
who enjoyed The hunger games, as the heroine in the story,
Jessamy, trains for The Fives, a complicated athletic competition.
Jessamy is one of four daughters, all with vividly described
characteristics, with the author giving subtle references to Louisa
May Alcott's Little Women.
Set in the land of Efea, similar to ancient Egypt, Jessamy lives in
a stratified society. Her father, Captain Esladas, is a Patron from
the conquering land of Saro, and an outstanding commander in the
army but has chosen to live with an Efean woman, known as a
Commoner. By law, he cannot marry her. The four daughters have to
tread a fine line in their behaviour in this society bound by class
and privilege. When her father's patron is killed he stands to lose
everything, and is forced to renounce his family and marry into
Patron royalty. Jes seizes the opportunity to train in The Fives and
together with Kalliarkos, a Patron Prince, learns about the scheming
politics of the royal family and they have to try and save her mother and
sisters from a horrific death.
Written in the first person by Jessamy, the reader is carried into a
whirlwind of dangerous sport and political intrigue. Jessamy is an
intrepid but impetuous heroine, who has great intelligence and the
ability to analyse not only the game plan of the Court of Fives, but
what is happening around her.
I devoured this exciting novel in almost one sitting and am sure
that it would appeal to both teens and adults alike.
Pat Pledger
Poisoned Blade by Kate Elliott
Court of Fives book 2. Little, Brown and Company, 2017. ISBN
9780316344388
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. 2017 Locus Awards nominee.
An exciting sequel to Court of fives by World Fantasy Award finalist
Kate sees Jes now moving up the ladder as she competes in the The
Fives, the difficult athletic contest that she loves. She goes to
the countryside with Lord Gargaron's entourage, competing against
others on the way and gaining good experience while earning enough
to help her family. At the same time, she gets caught up in the
political machinations that are happening in the country. An attack
on her party finds Jes caught up in a battle and meeting up with
Lord Kalliarkos once more.
In Poisoned Blade, Jes once more proves that not only is she
an outstanding athlete, she has the capacity to think things through
and to see the patterns in the events that surround her. She also
has to prove herself as a warrior, taking on the enemy that is
trying to slaughter the army her father leads.
This is a thrilling story with much to recommend it. Jes is a
wonderful main character, her personality and bravery shine
throughout the story. Her relationships with her family are complex
and the reader gets to know her sisters better as they begin to take
on important roles in the story. Her feelings for Kalliarkos remain
strong even though it appears that this romance should be doomed
because of her position as a Commoner.
Themes of class, race, belonging and power permeate the story and
make it a fabulous read. It is however ideal to have read the first
in the series, Court of Fives to gain the best understanding
of the setting and plot.
Pat Pledger
The tale of Angelino Brown by David Almond
Ill. by Alex T. Smith. Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406358070
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. 'Bert Brown discovered the angel in his
top pocket when he was driving his bus. Bert and Betty's friends
think he's lovely. So do Nancy, Jack and Alice from Class 5K. But
Acting Head Teacher Mrs Mole is not so sure. Nor is Professor
Smellie. And the mysterious bloke who claims to be a school
inspector. He is downright suspicious.'
Then there's big, lumbering Basher Malone. He does not like Angelino
at all. In fact he just might be out to get him . . . (Publisher)
Strange things begin to happen to Bert and Betty, while at the same
time Angelino fills the huge void left when their own son died,
bringing happiness and love to the house once again.
This is a lighthearted book for those willing to believe in a
little bit of magic. Imaginations can run wild and strong
connections made to both the storyline and characters. I
particularly love the illustrations of Angelino as it is not your
stereotypical angel. Good and evil is questioned and you can not
help but feel sympathetic to certain characters. It would make a
beautiful read aloud for students aged 9 and up.
Kathryn Schumacher
Revolt against the Romans by Tony Bradman
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781472929327
Author, Tony Bradman has created a short read (115 pages) about a
young Roman boy called Marcus. He has a complicated relationship
with his father a high-ranking official within the Roman Civil
Service. When Marcus is captured by Catuvellauni in Britannia, his
father suggests that Marcus makes the ultimate sacrifice for his
country. Despite the reputation the Britons have for being savages
who tattoo themselves and take the heads of their enemies in battle,
Marcus wins the trust and respect of the village and is adopted into
a Briton family where he experiences the love and warmth he so
craved.
But soon the Romans are on the march against the Britons and Marcus
must face his old enemy in his father. Will he be recognised by his
long-lost father? Who will Marcus support?
This is a fast-paced book, full of adventure, battle scenes and an
interesting ending. Being a lover of historical fiction, I found
this book left me wanting to google the period in history to learn
more. Bradman has done a fantastic job of mixing fact with fiction
to allow the characters to come alive throughout the book. It is
difficult not to feel sympathetic towards Marcus and will him to
victory. These will be a fantastic addition to read aloud if one is
learning about ancient civilisations and an exciting carrot to
dangle in front of reluctant readers.
I am hoping this will become a series.
Kathryn Schumacher
