Scarlet and Ivy: The lights under the lake by Sophie Cleverly
Harper Collins, 2017. ISBN 9780008218324
(Age; 9+) Highly recommended. The lights under the lake is
another instalment in the Scarlet and Ivyseries and is just
as much of an adventure and a mystery as the other books. The great
thing about these books is that they are stand alone stories,
hinting at events in previous books to keep the readers up to date
with what is going on. Like the others, The lights under the
lake will keep readers wondering who is behind the mysterious
events.
Scarlet, Ivy, Ariadne and Rose all attend Rookwood School and have
become close friends, protecting each other through everything. As
part of a plan to relax and forget about the horrible events at the
school, the principal has organised a school excursion to a lakeside
hotel. It will be a chance for the girls to relax and learn about
nature. Unfortunately, the nasty prefects are in charge, mysterious
objects keep appearing in the hotel and someone is ransacking rooms.
The nasty prefects keep targeting Rose. Scarlet, Ivy and Ariadne
really don't know a lot about Rose and doubts start to set in. Will
the girls be able to save Rose from the prefects and her past? The lights under the lake is a mystery and
an adventure with excellent role models for girls. Scarlet and Ivy
are twins and always looking out each other. They will do anything
for their friends and are always working at overcoming their fears.
Ivy is the voice of reason while Scarlet acts before she thinks. The
difference is, Scarlet's seemingly inappropriate behaviour is always
in defence of someone she loves. Ariadne is intelligent and not
afraid to show it.
The story is descriptive and the vocabulary is easy and exciting to
read. Author, Sophie Cleverly, gives away just enough to keep the
reader guessing and they won't solve the mystery straight away.
Highly recommended for girls aged 9+.
Kylie Kempster
What will grow? by Jennifer Ward
Ill. by Susie Ghahremarni. Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781681190303
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Gardening. Natural world. Flora. Seeds. A
book about seeds which allows children to understand that each seed
has the promise of something else, is beautifully illustrated by
Susie Ghehremani, showing in bright pared-back illustrations the
habitat of each seed and the animal which will be found in its
vicinity. In this way children can focus on the seeds, animal and
habitat appropriate to the growing plant, adding to their knowledge
of the world around them.
Each double page represents one seed and in rhyming couplet gives
words that describe that seed or its habitat, and shows it and its
plant. So the first page shows round peas, then a pea plant replete
with seed pods showing clearly the peas inside. Over the page is a
pair of rabbits and small thin shaped seeds in the ground, producing
lettuce which the rabbits will adore. This page as with several
others requires the reader to lift a flap to revel the grown plant.
In this way the reader is introduced to a dandelion, tomato, oak
tree, apple tree and pumpkin amongst other vegetables and fruits.
The lift-the-flap will intrigue younger readers, especially when the
flap opens different ways to adjust to the plant being presented.
The last several pages shows what happens beneath the top soil, and
the last double page gives an overview of the seeds presented in the
book, while the last double page of all shows the seeds from
germination to plant to seed, engaging the younger reader in the
process of germination.
This would be a great introduction to a group of children about to
embark on growing things for themselves or setting up a class
garden.
Fran Knight
In the name of the family by Sarah Dunant
Little, Brown, 2017. ISBN 9781844087648
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. This is a blockbuster, a historical
story of a world in moral disarray, ruled by enormously rich
families, their actions morally bankrupt, driven as they are by lust
for personal gain and power. In fact, lust in all its forms plays a
large role in this story. We read about the sexual romps, the
engorged appetites of the men and the women who pander to their
every need. While the men pursue land, wealth and power, the women
are there to entertain, as courtesans, and to bear children, as
wives. They can, and do, influence the men, however. Yet, this world
is depicted as very much a man's world.
It is a tale wonderfully told, in richly descriptive language. It is
not a light-hearted tale about good families and courageous people.
It is instead a powerful, dark, violent, manipulative and, at times,
despicable story. Yet it is also a wonderful and richly satisfying
book that makes the reader very happy to live in the modern world,
where at least there are strategies and laws that may prevent some
of the megalomaniacal actions that we read about in this history, or
so we hope!
Sarah Dunant has a brilliant grasp of the period, her deep and broad
research enabling her to reconstruct a world of the past, and to
construct it in a strong literary piece that is extraordinarily
detailed. The strength of the novel lies in the detailed retelling
of the times and the historically rich narration of the lives of the
main characters - the famous Borgias and Macchiavellis. When we use
the descriptor, 'Macchiavelian', we speak as if we know what that
means. Yet, after finishing this novel, we find that we may not have
known very much of their lives, and now we see, through a modern
mindset, a sense of the oppression of woman, the demands for sexual
favour, the sometimes terrible deeds such as the slaughtering of
women and children, families and small towns when deemed
'necessary', and we are exposed to truly evil characters. We
discover that most of us would know little about these times and
these families as we are drawn into an appalling world, one of
lechery, devious actions, plotting, evil deeds, and dark secrets.
Dunant makes sure that we know much more by the time we finish
reading this most entertaining historical novel.
Liz Bondar
Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake by Rob Lloyd Jones
Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406361445
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Jake Atlas is not your average 12 and
a half year old. His parents are archaeology professors, his sister
is a genius and he is constantly in trouble.
In Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake, the Atlas
family are on vacation in Egypt when Jake's parents go missing just
hours after checking in to the hotel. Jake and his sister, Pan, are
on their own. With Pan's intelligence and Jake's ability to get into
trouble, the siblings soon find themselves in the middle of a huge
adventure. They rob a museum, invade a tomb and nearly die as they
try and save their parents. Imagine Jake and Pan's surprise when
they discover their parents are just like Indiana Jones with the
fighting skills of a ninja! Once upon a time, Mr and Mrs Atlas were
treasure hunters and a mysterious group has now kidnapped them as
they need their skills to find the Tomb of Osiris. With high tech
gadgets and puzzle solving, Pan and Jake race against this
mysterious group to find the tomb and save their parents.
Set in Egypt with pyramids and tombs as the backdrop, readers will
learn about the mysteries of Egypt while enjoying the adventure of a
lifetime. As they read Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald
Snake, readers will be on the edge of their seats as Pan and
Jake match wits with mercenaries and treasure hunters. The events
are exciting and the vocabulary easy to read.
This novel is highly recommended to all readers aged 10+. It would
also be a great read aloud novel for the year 7 classroom as they
study ancient civilisations.
Kylie Kempster
What is poetry? by Michael Rosen
Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781844287635
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. What is poetry? gives readers
an insight into the messages and technical elements in poetry. In
chapter 1, author, Michael Rosen, looks at the symbolism, the irony
and the rhythm of poetry. He explains how poetry voices and captures
moments. Each section has a poem and some guiding questions or
comments to get readers thinking about each poem and its elements
and messages. Year 6/7 teachers, in a primary setting, could use
these poems in the class and follow Michael Rosen's comments and
questions by handing the discussion over to the students. Young
writers could also use this chapter to help them write better poems
or to understand their writing better.
Chapter 2 covers all you can do with a poem. The tasks include
reading poems, asking questions, looking for connections and using
poems with an arts curriculum. Michael Rosen offers ideas and
examples.
Chapter 3 looks at the thoughts Michael Rosen has when writing
poetry. The poetry examples could be read by students, they can
comment on possible feelings and then the class could discuss
Rosen's thoughts as read by the teacher.
Chapters 4, 5 and 6 look at ways to start writing poems as well as
the technical elements. Michael Rosen offers ideas that would help
guide the teaching program.
This book could be used as part of an author study. Students could
investigate Michael Rosen's poetry as well as other poets. It is
highly recommended for young writers aged 11+ and for teachers to
plan and prepare different poetry investigations.
Kylie Kempster
Mr Postmouse goes on holiday by Marianne Dubuc
Book Island, 2017. ISBN 9781911496045
(Age: 3-5) Mr Postmouse goes on Holiday continues the mouse
family's adventures, begun in Here
comes Mr Postmouse as they travel by camel, hot air
balloon and cruise ship to deliver parcels and visit with family and
friends around the world.
Marianne Dubuc's lively illustrations are entertaining, filled with
small detailed scenes just right for investigation and discovery.
Similar in style to Richard Scarry's picture books, there are
cutaway diagrams of plants, buildings and landscapes. Her background
colour palette of earth and sky tones and careful placement of the
main characters encourages development of directional tracking and
anticipating the story text.
The story is a simple narrative, translated from Canadian French to
English by Greet Pauwelijn.
This large picture book is suitable for sharing one to one, but is
difficult to access for a larger group reading.
Rhyllis Bignell
Darkmouth by Shane Hegarty
Harper Collins, 2017. ISBN 9780007545612
(Age:11+) Highly recommended. Darkmouth is the first book in
a fantasy adventure series of the same name. Boys and girls of all
ages will be instantly hooked on the reluctant anti-hero and his
rite of passage to become the 43rd Legend Hunter of Darkmouth. Finn
is dreading his "Completion" deadline on his 13th birthday, when he
takes over from his dad - Hugo the Great - perhaps the most
successful Legend hunter of them all. Finn's predicament is
demonstrated by his inability to defeat a Minotaur in the opening
chapters, despite having him in his Desiccator's sights. Of course,
Dad comes to his rescue yet again.
The seaside town has more than its fair share of monsters entering
Darkmouth via an increasing number of portals. There seems to be an
invasion afoot just as Hugo is offered a place on the esteemed
Council of Twelve. Friendless, as his father's inept successor, Finn
begins to rise to his destiny with the arrival of Emmie - daughter
of Steve, an equally inexperienced Legend Hunter.
Broonie, the messenger of the evil Gantura, is reanimated by Finn to
deliver a prophesy of the rise of an army of Legends and the fall of
the last Legend Hunter's child. Gantrua is the leader of the
Fomorians of Irish myth - hideous giants who inhabit the 'Infested
Side'. How will Finn, aided by Emmie, defend Darkmouth without his
father?
Shane Hegarty is an Irish journalist of some note yet the novel
borders on high fantasy. Though we have many ordinary reference
points in the town, the "Infested Side", where the Legends live,
would sate the imaginations of fans of Ransom Riggs, Rick Riordan or
Terry Pratchett.
James de la Rue's sparse illustrations are perfect aids to our
imagination, but the premise and the character development makes the
battle between man and monsters deliciously dynamic. Hailed by Eoin
Colfer as "the next big thing," the film rights were sold in 2015
for a six figure sum. But first boys and girls, you need to devour
this series in print to appreciate the origins of this epic of
cinematic proportions. Official
trailer. There is a prequel to the series here.
Deborah Robins
Worlds explode by Shane Hegarty
ISBN: 9780007545674.
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. The second book in the quirky,
action-packed Darkmouth series, finds Finn still 11 months away from
becoming a fully-fledged Legend Hunter upon his 13th Birthday. A
prologue outlines the previous events for those who haven't read the
first book in the series. When Hugo does not return from the land of
behemoths, it falls on poor Finn to defend Darkmouth. Yet his quest
to find his father on the 'Infested Side' means that he must battle
monsters and discover more long lost family members than he
bargained on.
The history of previous skirmishes on the Infested Side, is
documented in a sub-text called 'The Chronicles of the Sky's
Collapse'. It runs parallel to Finn's search for the map and his
father. The journey through another realm filled with monstrous
'Legends' takes a mammoth 400 pages and might put tweens off -
hopefully long enough so that the diehard fans of Darkmouth bk. 1
can get their hands on it in the school library!
Not wishing to dampen desires to experience it for ourselves, the
language and the subject matter are still to easily managed in the
middle school although the sequel is more demanding in many ways. Darkmouth bk 3 : Chaos Descends will be much awaited. Meanwhile,
devotees can view the trailer
and even immerse themselves in all things Darkmouth by watching a
dozen or more explainer animations on the Darkmouth youtube channel.
There is a prequel to the series here.
Deborah Robins
A letter from Italy by Pamela Hart
Hachette, 2017. ISBN 9780733637544
(Age: Senior secondary) Recommended. This richly detailed novel, a war-time
story, takes us back to an Italy that few of us would know, or even
dream of, so different is the Venice painted by Pamela Hart in her
powerful narrative of the 1914 - 1918 War as told by an Australian
war correspondent. Hart explores just how strong a woman had to be
at this time to compete with men in such a traditionally male
dominion. Neither retiring nor shy, she is clearly intending to
fulfill her role as well as, or better than a man, despite the male
correspondents who demean her role. In fact, her courage,
determination and intelligence are at the heart of her strength, and
it is on these that she will draw in the dark days of a city on the
edge of that terrible war.
Newly married to a serving Australian officer, the young woman is
left alone when her husband is sent away and she hears nothing from
him. The crucial element of danger becomes more evident as she
becomes aware of the enemy's moving closer to the city, and of the
nature of the attacks that she discovers. As she pursues
intelligence regarding specific war incidents, we are aware of this
as a critical point in her career. Supported by new friends, she is
determined to pursue a particular inquiry. The depth of her growing
understanding of various incidents encourages her to pursue the
story of one specific attack, and so to reveal the real story. It is
her pursuit of truth and her determination to write the truth, that
gain her a strong reputation in the world of war-time reporting.
This is a story that grows better as the narrative progresses. It is
about goodness and bravery, decency and treachery, love and hatred.
It begins with a lightness that seems typical of a romantic novel.
Yet this is not its outcome, as Hart draws us into the narrative and
leaves us with a sense of recognition of decency, of good character,
loyalty, friendship - in this case evidently emblematic of the
elusive quality at the heart of a strong narrative.
I would recommend this novel for senior students. Its initial
romantic tone, that makes it see to be a lighthearted romance, is
misleading. I found that, as the reality of the strength, talent,
determination and decency of Australia's first female war
correspondent is revealed, the novel gained in strength and
credibility.
Elizabeth Bondar
Hero by Jennifer Li Shotz
HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9780062652218
Hero, a retired search-and-rescue dog, is not prepared for a stray
puppy to come into his life. But when he and twelve-year-old Ben
find Scout injured and afraid, the new addition leads them down an
unexpected and dangerous path. When Scout goes missing, it's up to
Hero to use his search-and-rescue skills to find Scout and bring him
home.
This is a compelling story about the bond between a boy and his dogs
and the lessons Ben has to learn about sorting out priorities as he
promises that he will keep up his schoolwork and grades if he is
allowed to keep the puppy, Scout. But it's hard when you have
friends and baseball also vying for your time.
More for the independent reader, nevertheless it would make a great
read-aloud to a class or younger person who loves dogs, with just the
right amount of tension and a happy ending.
Barbara Braxton
Highest mountain deepest ocean: a pictorial compendium of natural wonders ill. by Page Tsou
Five Mile Press, 2017. ISBN 9781760406387
(Age: 6+) Recommended. Lists, Comparisons, natural world. Akin to a
Guinness Book of Records or books of lists (which I love)
this book will encourage avid readers of facts to delve deeper into
the book, as they are assailed with information about the largest
animals or the tallest trees, the highest mountains and the longest
animal migration. Each double page has a range of illustrations with
information about each thing represented. I was fascinated by the
page of biggest storms. The sepia style of illustrations gives the
page an old fashioned, woodblock look which reflects the time scale
of storms represented. So we have a range of storms given: ice
storms, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, hailstorms, lightning storms
and sonic storms. Details are given about each type of storm with
information about one of the most severe storm in that category. I
can imagines lots of readers being drawn into each page, relishing
the information given and poring over the pictures.
The old fashioned style is used throughout the book by illustrator,
Page Tsou, to wonderful effect.
The endpapers are visually exciting showing the flight of a bird
over the double page, a thrilling introduction and ending to the
large format book. So to find out which is the fastest animals, or
the longest living, the highest mountain, the deepest burrowing
animal or the distance from the earth to the moon, this is the dip
in book to read.
Like many of these sorts of books, it will be hidden on the non
fiction shelves, so needs promoting to readers.
Fran Knight
Fly on the wall by E. Lockhart
Hot Key Books, 2016. ISBN 9781471406041
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Fly on the wall promises all the
workings of a cheesy disaster of a teen read. The old Freaky
Friday trick as a means to self-revelation seems trite and
incredible. But thankfully, E. Lockhart proves us wrong. Gretchen,
who is the quirky, insecure but equally hilarious voice of the
novel; matures quite credibly after a throw away comment to her best
friend traps her in the body of the creature she wished to be.
Gretchen Yee is an outsider for being comparatively normal in a
public school designated as a centre for excellence in fine art.
Boys baffle her and she is constantly overthinking their behaviour
and motivations. Her parents are headed for divorce and her drawing
teacher does not respect her signature comic book style - she isn't
in a good place.
The half of the novel spent as an insect trapped inside the boys'
locker room, is revelatory for Gretchen. To lower secondary
students, the frequent focus on male anatomy may be too confronting
albeit comical. In her wantonness, it is almost as if Gretchen jumps
gender as well as species! The lads behave quite differently behind
closed doors whether naked or not, and we witness bullying,
insecurity, homophobia and mateship. What she learns during her
metamorphosed week, gives Gretchen the confidence to understand that
boys are equally clueless about the world, girls or themselves.
Titus teaches Gretchen that communication and risk of self-exposure
is key if we are ever going to see the good and bad that must
co-exist in every person. Fly on the wall doesn't take a lot
of unpacking - but it doesn't take a lot of effort either. A light
read is sometimes just the ticket. Girls will love reading more
yarns from Gretchen Yee's perspective.
Deborah Robins
The thousandth floor by Katharine McGee
HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9780008179977
(Age: 15+) Romance/Speculative. In every sense, this futuristic
birds-eye view of entitled adolescence seems plausibly speculative.
We can imagine that in the twenty-second century most of New York's
population could inhabit a single, mile-high building complex,
traversed by hovercraft. The futuristic hierarchy is not only
structural but financial - bottom dwellers are outclassed by McGee's
genetically engineered teenagers and their families on the uppermost
floors. However, sex, drugs, rivalry and school are still very much
on the menu for all social classes. Little has changed.
McGee follows the cycling fortunes of romantic couples who are
acquainted mostly through school or friendships. Eris and Mariel,
Rylin and Cord, Leda and Atlas, Avery and Watt transcend social
media by simply 'eye flicking' to chat or meet up at school, parties
and bars. They each have separate problems: divorcing parents, being
orphaned, drugs, poverty, cybercrime, identity issues and not least
a taboo attraction; the last of which may warrant an M15+ rating.
Thankfully there is no homophobia a hundred years from now - that
doesn't appear to be a problem unless you count the irony of the
fateful climax.
The entire romance/sci fi mash-up is retold as a flashback after a
girl falls from the Tower on the first page. The interweaving of
events surrounding a group of empowered and affluent teenagers is
skilful but the addictive page-turning claim of Cecily von Ziegesar
(author of Gossip Girl) has more to do with Leda's plans to
unveil everyone's secrets in order to exact revenge on Avery and
Atlas, her step-brother. With so much unresolved, we are in store
for a sequel.
Deborah Robins
Hooray for birds! by Lucy Cousins
Candlewick Press, 2017. ISBN 9780763692650
(Age: 3-7) Highly recommended. Can you imagine just for one day
you're a busy bird? Lucy Cousins invites her young audience to
visualise themselves as beautiful birds in this wonderfully bold and
engaging picture book. She begins at dawn with the rooster's cry and
ends at night with the brightly coloured owl's 'Tuwit tuwoo!' Set
against solid bright backgrounds, each painted bird displays vibrant
plumage inside strong black outlines. Cousins understands the use of
contrasting and complimentary colours and the use of simple shapes
and design.
Her rhyming text is easy to read to little ones, the bold letters
flow across the page, moving up and down with the swimming swan and
swooping up, down and around like the starlings. The gorgeous pink
flamingo, invites us to 'Stand very tall on just one leg' as the
text stretches to emphasize his stance. In a read aloud story
circle, a kindergarten or library setting, young listeners can
actively participate, predicting the rhyming text and waddling like
a penguin, running like an ostrich or cuddling like a parrot in the
nest.
From the popular author of the Maisy series, Cousins' Hooray
for Birds is a wonderfully engaging picture book that can lead
into extension activities in art, dramatic play and science - the
basic needs of living things.
Rhyllis Bignell
Frogkisser by Garth Nix
Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760293512
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Fantasy, Classic tales, Sorcery. This
novel spins a tongue in cheek fantasy/fairytale which will entertain
readers of any age. Nix includes all the elements necessary for the
genre, a reluctant heroine, an evil sorcerer, magic, royalty,
forests, castles and talking animals.
Princess Anya is second in line to the throne of a tiny kingdom, her
sister Princess Morven is self absorbed, interested only in her
latest beau and throwing tantrums. Anya seeks refuge in the castle
library where she reads about magic. Her step-father Duke Rikard has
become obsessed with magic and sorcery and wants the kingdom for
himself.
He has plans to send Anya off to a remote school from which she may
never return. Rikard has been refining his transformation spells and
has turned Morven's suitor into a frog. Anya has to leave and find
the ingredients for a magic salve which she must spread on her lips
before she kisses the frog to turn him back to a prince.
With help of the Royal Dogs she slips out of the castle knowing that
Duke Rikard will be hot on her heals. Thus begins her quest. But as
she travels through the fractured kingdoms she finds that the
expectations of others complicate matters and her quest becomes one
to return justice and rule of law to the old kingdom which has been
divided by the ill use of sorcery.
I recommend you join with Garth Nix and his wonderful cast of
characters in this magical fantastic journey. Of course you know
that good will triumph over evil as it always finally does, but the
road travelled is amusing, gripping and enthralling.
Mark Knight
