Bloomsbury Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9781408847664
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Space Jackers: The Pirate King
finds Kid Cutler as the only survivor of a bombing that has killed
many leaders who came together to discuss their futures. Kid Cutler
(also known as Jake) vows to go against the Interstellar Government.
Kid Cutler is a teenage pirate and with his friends, some borrowed
space ships and the desire to do the right thing, Kid Cutler heads
for the seventh solar system. Along the way, Kid Cutler has the
chance to free his captured crew, finds out his friend could
actually be his long lost dad and gets the chance to capture Admiral
Vantard. Will Kid Cutler get to the seventh solar system? Can he
defeat the Interstellar Government? Will the other worlds join him
in the battle? Space Jackers: The Pirate King is part of a series and it is
recommended to read them in order. This novel refers to many
characters and events in the previous instalments. Readers will need
to understand the connections. Space Jackers: The Pirate King
is a detailed adventure, using space themed vocabulary to set the
themes. Many of Kid Cutler's friends are from different worlds to
him, giving an interesting element to the story. This book is easy
to read and moves quickly.
Kylie Kempster
The secret cooking club by Laurel Remington
Chicken House, 2016. ISBN 9781910655245
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Cooking, Relationships, Age, Clubs,
Dementia, Death. Scarlet once an outgoing clever girl at school has
been worn down by her mother's latest scheme to set herself up in
business. She has produced a blog which discusses being a single
mother, offering advice to others in her situation. But she uses
Scarlet as the basis of many of her posts, so Scarlet shrinks at
school, aware that people know so much about her, things she would
prefer they did not know. But mum is unaware of how Scarlet thinks
and complains online of how distant her teenage daughter has become.
This only exacerbates the situation, Mum unaware that people have
easily worked out who she is talking about.
Hearing the cat next door Scarlet lets herself into the elderly
woman's house and feeds it knowing the woman has been taken to
hospital. But the house has a beautiful kitchen and the recipe books
and Scarlet cannot help herself and cooks a recipe from a special
book. She is joined by Violet a new girl in the school, and they set
up the Secret Cooking Class, which is then joined by two other
girls, and when Mrs Simpson returns from hospital, she begins to
teach the girls how to cook.
This lovely story of neighbours coming together, of the young girls
helping the older woman to avoid being bullied by her nephew, eager
to get her into a home so he can sell the house, of the girls taking
action to set Scarlet and her mother on an even keel, of friendships
forged, and above all about cooking, will be well read. The recipes
and cooking instructions throughout the book will intrigue readers
who may be impelled to try them out for themselves, (or at the very
least, look up some of the recipes like banoffle!) but the
companionship offered by the cooking club, will resonate with the
book's audience. Scarlet's transformation from the quiet girl in
school to a more confident leader amongst her peers, being able to
speak to her mother with authority is beautifully portrayed, and
readers will symapthise with this endearing main character.
Winner of the Times Children's Fiction Competition, 2015.
Fran Knight
Alex, approximately by Jenn Bennett
Simon and Schuster, 2017. ISBN 9781471161537
(Age: 14+) Recommended. The novel Alex, approximately shows
that you can know someone behind the computer screen and also
face-to-face yet not know that it is the same person. The book,
written by Jenn Bennett, explores a story of summer, first love,
hidden identities and friendship. After moving in with her dad on
the other side of the country, 17-year-old Bailey goes on a hunt for
a great guy she knew from online, who happens to live close by. Alex
is a film geek and not nearly as irritating as her hot workmate at
the local cinema. But Porter is also keeping secrets.
Bennett's female character goes through a thrilling summer into
school. On the way, she tests her strength, loyalty and trust
against those around her. The book is a wonderful read and Bennett
has a great sense of humour making you laugh at casual jokes. Alex, approximately will show that falling in love can
happen, even when you think it is with the wrong person.
Cara F. (student)
Timmy Failure series by Stephan Pastis
Walker Books, 2017. The Book you're not supposed to have. Book 5. ISBN
9781406373653 The Cat stole my pants. Book 6. ISBN 9811406377163
(Age: 7-10) Recommended. Themes: Detective stories, Humorous
stories, School stories, Mysteries. The popular Timmy Failure
series follows the exploits of this self-assured young detective,
with his smart and witty straight talking; he is a very popular
character. Stephan Pastis understands exactly what his fans want, a
multi-layered story with a large cast of quirky characters and
another set of crazy situations that show Tommy's unique way of
coping with them. The Book you're not supposed to have warns the reader to put
the book down immediately. Do not continue! Why, because his mother
has banned Timmy from detective work for six months, so is there any
point reading the rest of the story? His life is in turmoil, his
mother is about to marry Doorman Dave, his cousins Merry and Larry
arrive for an extended visit and there is a teacher's strike at
school. Ms Hardie-Heron torments Timmy with piano lessons, he is
involved in a great bike tragedy and his best friend Rollo is
kidnapped. Timmy's determination leads him to set up a covert
operation at Home Depot in a garden shed.
Pastis' comic illustrations are entertaining: there is his dancing
polar bear, his bicycle with a flag advertising Bras for Sale and
his cousins' takeover of his bedroom. This illustrated diary style
is accessible for junior readers who enjoy a balance of text,
graphic cartoons, speech bubbles filled with prickly comments and
strong central character who rolls with everything that comes along.
In the sixth episode, The Cat stole my pants the action
moves to Key West, Florida. Timmy, his mother and her new husband
Doorman Dave fly there for their honeymoon. In addition, Dave brings
along his nephew Emilio who becomes Timmy's unpaid intern when his
former partner Total the Polar Bear swims off to Cuba. Timmy's
exploits in this tropical paradise involve attacking chickens, a
bout of seasickness, his writing a book and stealing and selling
hotel items to make money so for admission to the Lighthouse.
Stephan Pastis continues to surprise and delight his fans, with
Timmy Failure's inimitable approach to life.
Rhyllis Bignell
Alex Rider: Never say die by Anthony Horowitz
Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406377040
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Spies. Adventure. Alex Rider
is a young super-spy who has been utilised in the past by MI6 - but
he should really be still at school. In this action-packed thriller,
he is driven by the loss of his companion Jack Starbright, to
unravel a mystery that eventually leads him into life and death
scenarios. His amazing skill and quick thinking gets him out of many
awful situations. But this is a spy and action novel and the 'bad
guys' will stop at nothing including death and torture to attempt to
thwart anyone who is opposed to them. Alex is at great risk, and
many others will need him too. Bullets fly, violence is directed at
those who get in the way of the nefarious few and technology is used
in James Bond-esque ways to solve problems; and the hero is 15 years
old!
Anthony Horowitz writes well for the visual generation. His
experience as a script writer for television enables him to write
plot twists that stimulate the imagination and draw in those who
love action and adventure. This is a real page-turner, and unusually
for this genre there is no swearing (lots of violent and
life-threatening acts, though). Scenarios in the plot are very like
a 'James Bond' movie - without the romance. This will fly off a
library shelf into the hands of the young teenage readers - enjoyed
by male readers first, but realistically it is exciting for any
reader that enjoys the action-adventure genre. Note: readers could
easily transition from the Alex Rider series into adult spy novels.
Carolyn Hull
Wild animals of the South by Dieter Braun
Flying Eye Books, 2017. ISBN 9781909263970
(Age: All) Highly recommended. How beautiful is this book! Wild
Animals of the South looks at many of the animals that live in
the southern hemisphere. Africa, South America, Asia, Australia and
Antarctica each receives a chapter that highlights many of their
indigenous creatures. A map of the world clearly shows the areas
covered in the book and a simple drawing indicates where each animal
lives.
Dieter Braun has created stunning stylised pictures using muted
colours on naturally coloured paper. Each animal is given both the
common and scientific name. The focus of the book is on the
illustrations, as only a few animals receive a paragraph of
information. Even the index is one of the most beautiful I have seen
with an illustration for each entry.
Dieter is a freelance illustrator and children's book author from
Germany. He strongly believes in the importance of the role of the
human race in ensuring that the wonderful creatures illustrated in
this book do not become extinct.
'Humankind could exist without tigers, tapirs or ocelots, but it
would be wrong to assume that we are the most important creature on
Earth. We are intruders in the animal kingdom and with every animal
that dies out, our life on this planet loses a part of its power and
colour and beauty.'
Dieter has shown how remarkable our world is and the animals are so
stunningly created that the reader is in awe of their 'power, colour
and beauty'. I would readily buy another copy of this book to turn
into framed prints. It is an art exhibition in a book.
Dieter has also created the companion book Wild Animals of the
North.
I would highly recommend this book for purchase. For whom? Everyone!
Jane Moore
The upside of unrequited by Becky Albertalli
Penguin Books, 2017. ISBN 9780141356112
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Non-identical twins who couldn't be more
unalike will ultimately grow apart - as all siblings must when their
adult worlds expand. That's basically the gist of this readable
romance in a nutshell. However arriving at this painful realization
is not without some angst and laughter. Albertalli describes a
variety of modern relationships and teaches us that friendship is
the foundation of love, not physical attraction.
Molly is a late bloomer by comparison to her outgoing twin. Cassie
is blonde, green-eyed, willowy . . . and gay. Whereas our narrator
is a brown-eyed, chubby brunette who has never kissed a boy despite
having an inordinate number of unrequited crushes on the opposite
sex. Living with an anxiety disorder is no fun and Molly's stream of
consciousness supplies heaps of insights.
When Cassie meets Mina, Molly is positioned to 'hook up' with one of
Mina's friends, Will. He's attractive and it makes sense to get
closer to him in order not to lose Cassie completely, given he is
Mina's best friend. But Molly's summer job means she is spending a
lot of time with Reid, who, actually seems to be attracted to her -
for a change. Who will she choose?
Cousins and friends extend the teenage worlds of both sisters but
their own nuclear family consists of a baby brother, Xavier and two
Jewish mothers - Patty and Nadine. When the same-sex marriage law is
passed, Patty and Nadine announce their intention to marry as soon
as possible. Crafty Molly is asked to take charge of the
decorations. The upcoming nuptials heighten tensions between the
sisters, who are both grappling with their first serious
relationship. Will there be happy endings for everyone?
Readers will delight in Albertalli's clever dialogue and text
messages to track the complexities of both love and friendship in
this cosmopolitan family.
Deborah Robins
Mosquitos can't bite ninjas by Jordan P. Novak
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2017. ISBN 9781681192154
(Age: 4-8) Recommended. 'Mosquitos can bite all kinds of people -
you me, old ladies with blue hair, and even babies. But they can't
bite Ninjas!'
With bold and clear colours, Mosquitos Can't Bite Ninjas will
have children engaged from the beginning to the end.
With a not very stealthy appeal, Jordan P. Novak's debut text
delivers a buzzy, wacky and hilarious story that will have children
rolling on the floor laughing.
Keely Coard
Mimi stories by Fatima Sharafeddine
Ill. by by Rasha Mouib Al Hakim. Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2017, Mimi and the Piano. ISBN 9781408887448 Mimi in Paris. ISBN 9781408887400
(Age: 6-8) Recommended. These are two culturally diverse stories
following a girl called Mimi as she goes on a number of exciting
adventures and will promote intercultural understandings. They are
quite simply written with bold illustrations and perfectly capture
small adventures in a little girl's life. The important thing to my
mind is that this little girl is Muslim and with all the negativity
about Islam in the media it's even more necessary for our readers to
understand that diversity is not something to reject.
In Mimi and the piano, like many kids Mimi decides on a new
hobby - in this case the piano. She really does love it but oh my
goodness, the practice as her lessons grow harder. Her teacher wants
her to perform in the end of year concert but Mimi puts on her
seriously grumpy face and wants to pack it in. Will her mum
and teacher be able to persuade her to keep going? Sounds like quite
a few children I've known!
In Mimi in Paris Mimi and her family are off to Paris for a
vacation. How very exciting! So much to see, so many new things to
explore and people to meet - not to mention the glorious food! Even
though her mum warns her not to wander off, Mimi can't resist
chasing some very amusing pigeons and oh oh! She's lost. Luckily she
has a card from the hotel in her pocket and so even though she can't
speak French, a kind female police officer helps her find her way
back. Lesson learned!
Sue Warren
This side of home by Renee Watson
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781619639300
(Age: Teens) African Americans. Identity. Love. Friendship.
Student activism. Identical twins Nikki and Maya are in their final
year at Richmond junior high school in a predominantly African
American part of Portland. Their best friend, Essence, lives across
the road and they hang out with three boys, Malachi, Ronnie and
Devin. The friends notice a change in their neighbourhood as more
white people move into the area. Shops are changing hands and being
reopened as cafes and fashion outlets that seem to favour the more
affluent white population. Essence's family have to move out as the
landlord renovates their house and puts it on the market. It is
bought by a white family with two kids of similar age; Nikki
befriends Kate while Maya reluctantly gets to know Tony who is in
their year at school. Kate and Nikki spend their time fashion
shopping and visiting the new cafes much to Maya's annoyance. She
feels her sister is abandoning their old friends and their heritage
and the sisters grow apart. Richmond school is actively trying to
project a more multicultural image which Maya, the student body
president, feels is abandoning the school's African American
heritage and she starts a campaign to celebrate African American
high achievers. She feels there is no point lamenting the negatives
without emphasising the many positives in their community. During
the campaign she grows close to Tony and has to face her own
prejudice and admit to having a white boyfriend.
This is a coming of age story of change, friendship and love
underpinned by a thoughtful examination of African American identity
which is relevant for all cultures trying to make their way in a
changing world without losing what it means to part of their own
community. The first person narrative makes the story very
accessible as do the short, sometimes very short, chapters. A light
touch which will appeal to teens discovering their own identity and
seeking love.
Sue Speck
The butterfly dance by Suzanne Barton
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408864845
(Age: Pre-school - Year 1) Recommended. Caterpillars Dotty and
Stripe are good friends and do everything together. One day, as
caterpillars must, they spin cocoons and begin their journey as
butterflies. How wonderful to rediscover the world as a blue dotty
and a red stripy butterfly. Sadly, they are separated when they join
different butterfly groups that match their own colours. Can they
ever be together as friends again?
This is a delightful story about friendship and following your own
beliefs. Dotty and Stripe learn that their colour and patterns do
not make a difference to their relationship. Although they enjoy the
company of others, they share a bond that makes their companionship
special. Children will understand the importance of 'the special
friend', which is a theme in many pre-school books.
Illustrations show the ideal beautiful world Dotty and Stripe live
in. Collage is used throughout the book and I particularly love the
use of lace for each caterpillar's cocoon. The double page meadow
scene has lots for the child to enjoy and they will delight in
trying to find both butterflies. Suzanne admits to a love of
Japanese prints and papers and this is evident on each page.
Dotty and Stripe are very appealing characters and it is easy to
identify with their problems and emotions. Children will be keen to
see how their difficulties are resolved and will be sad when they
are not together.
I would recommend this picture book to both pre-school children and
reception, year 1 students.
Jane Moore
Yvain - The Knight of the Lion by M.T. Anderson
Ill. by Andrea Offermann. Candlewick Press, 2017 ISBN
9780763659394
(Age: 11+) Recommended. Themes: Chivalry, Knights, honour, medieval.
This graphic novel version of Chretien de Troyes twelfth century
epic poem vividly retells the Arthurian legend of Sir Yvain, who
travels to the magic fountain in the forest of Brocceliande to
avenge the honour of his cousin Sir Calogreante. The knights at the
court of King Arthur love adventure especially if it involves
bravery and chivalry and Yvain wants the glory all to himself. He
succeeds in defeating the owner of the fountain, Sir Esclados,
chasing him into his castle where Escaldos dies but Yvain's horse is
killed and he finds himself on the wrong side of the portcullis. He
is helped to escape detection by a servant, Lunette who remembers
him treating her kindly at King Arthur's court and magically renders
him temporarily invisible. While in hiding he falls in love with the
bereaved Lady Laudine who Lunette contrives to persuade to make a
political decision to marry Yvain on the understanding he will
defend the magic fountain and her lands against all men. When King
Arthur and his men arrive at the fountain Yvain defeats one of his
knights in a joust and then reveals his identity and invites them to
be entertained in the castle. Laudine grants Yvain leave to go on a
year's adventuring with Arthur's court. When he fails to return
after a year Laudine sends a message telling him never to return.
Yvain goes a little mad at his failure, hating himself for his
disloyal behaviour and he wanders aimlessly in the wilderness until
he rescues a lion from a dragon regaining some self-esteem and
finding a loyal companion in the lion. The rest of the story
involves brave deeds, chivalry, magic and monsters as Yvain fights
to regain his honour and his lady as an anonymous knight fighting
for the good of others.
It is a ripping tale of the age of chivalry where men are warlike
and women clever and politically astute. The images graphically
convey the action and we are immersed in the medieval world. The
rhythms of storytelling and poetry are conveyed in the pictures,
some reminiscent of illuminated texts and the Bayeux tapestry. The
edition I reviewed was let down by the cover, a swirl with a red
blob which conveyed no clue to the story and its setting. The author
and the illustrator notes at the end of the book are insightful and
I got a lot more out of the book on a second reading. Recommended
for middle school fans of King Arthur and a rewarding read for
senior students from non English speaking backgrounds.
Sue Speck
How to outsmart a billion robot bees by Paul Tobin
Genius factor bk 2.Bloomsbury Publishing, 2017 ISBN
9781408881804
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. How to Outsmart a Billion Robot
Bees starts with a bee attack. Delphine and her friends are
under attack. To escape, the girls run into the street but the bees
seem to want Delphine. A few pages in and readers will already be
laughing. Delphine is then kidnapped. Next, she is rescued by her
genius friend Nate. This book seems to be on fast forward, there is
so much happening and it is very fast paced. The two friends are
then chased by The Red Tea Society (and it is not even lunch time
yet!). We then read about a car chase and Nate explains some of his
more unusual inventions. Before you know it, a wetsuit is flying and
saving the day. Keep reading to find out why The Red Tea Society is
after Delphine and Nate. Why does Delphine need to argue with a
talking car? Can you really make friends with a robot bee? How to Outsmart a Billion Robot Bees is the second in the
series following How to
capture an invisible cat and it is recommended that
readers read the series in order. This is an extremely busy and
active story. It will keep independent readers engaged and giggling
at the antics.
Kylie Kempster
Horizon by Scott Westerfeld
Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781743817605
(Ages 11+ - Middle School) A group of Tech Savvy teens are heading
to Tokyo for a Robotics competition when their plane crashes
somewhere in the ice and snow of the arctic. While they mourn their
mentor, trying to find remaining passengers and scavenge what they
can from the plane, they group together to realise that of the 500
plus people onboard there are only 8 survivors. They also find
themselves in the middle of a hostile jungle with flora and fauna
which does not want them there.
The first in a 7 part multi-author series, Horizon sets the
scene for a multi-perspective story of survival which borrows
aspects of many stories before it. There is some good character
development, but characters are also cliched stereotypes ie the
bossy one, the reluctant scaredy one etc. As the teenagers learn
survival skills, they also learn that working together and
cooperation will be key elements in finding their way home. The more
they explore, the more questions they have. Westerfeld gives readers
only a taste of what is to come in further stories. The story is a fast-paced adventure
with some very technical sci fi elements.
Clare Thompson
Cinnamon by Neil Gaiman
Ill. by Divya Srinivasan. Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408879238
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Speech. India. Cinnamon was a princess
who didn't talk. Her parents the Rajah and the Rani were determined
to find someone who could teach her to speak and offered a mango
grove, a portrait of the Rani's aunt, a parrot and a beautiful room
in the palace to the person who was successful. But no one was able
to get her to speak. Then one day a fierce and hug man-eating tiger
appeared at the palace and said that he was there to teach the
girl-cub how to talk. She was left in the room with him and there
she experienced pain, fear and love. It was love that woke
Cinnamon's voice and she told her parents that she had nothing to
say before but now the tiger has told her of love and the world she
has decided to go away with him.
This is a witty and fascinating story told by the award winning
Gaiman. The illustrations are outstanding. The palace of the Rajah
and Rani is depicted beautifully with peacocks strolling in the
gardens and swans floating in the lily pond. The saris of the women
are in gorgeous purples and greens Cinnamon comes alive with pearl
eyes, beautiful hair and nose ring beautifully drawn. The colours
are pastel and soft until the tiger comes along with his bold black
and orange stripes, wide mouth and sharp teeth, terrifying enough to
make the reader fear for Cinnamon and wonder just who he will eat.
Perfect for reading aloud, this fabulous tale is sure to become a
favourite with children who will be enthralled by the idea of a
talking, man eating tiger who can teach about love and entice a
princess to leave with him.
Pat Pledger
