Candlewick Press, 2019. ISBN: 9780763697501.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Eran is a passionate student who
believes in standing up for social justice. His discussions with his
teacher Mr Riskin explore the boundaries of when violence is
necessary and legitimate and when it becomes terrorism. Eran is
leading a protest against increased police powers to stop and
arrest. He believes that his anger is a justified response to
oppressive forces, and in moments of conflict he refuses to bow
down, he always rises to the fight. And that is what happens, in a
split second, when a counter protest meets with the student group,
and a belligerent bearded guy provokes him, Eran reacts with a push.
The man falls backward, and suddenly Eran's mother, Eema, is there
before the news cameras saying 'This is not our fight'.
That moment changes Eran's life. An astute reporter makes the
connection between Eema's words and an incident 15 years earlier
when a Jewish terrorist blew up a group of people and himself. The
Jewish terrorist was Eran's father, the man who left them when he
was only a toddler. Suddenly Eran comes face-to-face with his hidden
identity, and obsesses over whether he has the same violent
tendencies, and whether his anger is part of his genetic
inheritance. Can anger be justified? Can it be a good thing? Or is
it something that is always going to get him into trouble?
The issue of anger and anger management is explored thoughtfully in
the novel, as the tide of community anger turns against Eran and his
mother, the supposed terrorists in their midst. It is a new young
friend, Jade, also discovering hidden secrets in her family, who is
finally able to provide the calmness and insight that Eran needs.
The descriptions of the community's blind violence towards the
perceived 'other', the Jewish terrorists, is very powerful, and is a
reminder of the destructiveness of ignorance and prejudice, the kind
of prejudice that currently often has expression towards Muslim
people in our society. Mittlefehldt's novel is a very clever and
thoughtful exploration of the issues, and deserves to be included in
school discussions of racism, bigotry and terrorism. The book is so
well written, I am sure that teenagers will readily identify with
the character of Eran and the dilemma he faces. It is also
encouraging to see the portrayal of a caring and involved teacher,
Mr Riskin, who tries to interrogate some of the fear and anger that
Eran carries. And the loyalty and friendship between the young
students is also another strong positive value throughout the book.
There is much to think about and enjoy in this book. I can highly
recommend it to teenage and adult readers.
Helen Eddy
Tiger Heart by Penny Chrimes
Orion Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781510107045.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended.This is a fantasy story set
'magically' in the period of English life that the author describes
as "somewhere between the Georgians . . . and the Victorians" and in
the gutters of London. In this environment abandoned workhouse-girl
Fly works in extreme hardship as a chimney sweep. She manages to
escape her brutal 'boss', but finds herself in a cage with a tiger
instead. This however proves to be a delightful meeting and the
tiger recognises her immediately as someone who needs his
guardianship, but also someone who has far more worth than her
blackened and ragged outward appearance would suggest. With the
ability to communicate together and also to use some magical skills
to obfuscate and distract, the pair work together with the
assistance of other 'gutterlings', to save other animals destined
for life as caged entertainments for the wealthy toffs of London.
Woven in the story are magical moments of good and evil, and Fly
must do her best to survive and escape London with her menagerie.
The second half of the story has Fly escaping from another brutal
and shady character who has connection to her hidden past life. The
love and connection between Fly and the Tiger is deep and moving and
leads then both to a changed life.
Penny Chrimes has written a delightful fantasy, with some historical
detail woven together with a fantasy country and despotic
governance. The gentle tale of friendship and fantasy powers and
concern for creatures who are powerless is delightful. The language
of the London guttersnipes is delightfully quirky (a glossary is
included at the end of the book) and adds touches of humour . . .
leaving the reader with a 'gigglemug'! Young readers will enjoy the
adventure and the inventiveness of the poor children as they survive
in extreme situations and try to outwit adults, and the presence of
a benevolent tiger to provide wisdom and care is also appealing.
Themes: Poverty; Animals; Fantasy; Friendship.
Carolyn Hull
When we were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald
Simon and Schuster, 2019. ISBN: 9781982148713.
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. Zelda is unusual. She has a
fascination with all things to do with Vikings, and she wants to
live her life by their code. We learn that she suffered brain damage
at birth due to her mother's alcoholism during pregnancy. Now,
having escaped from creepy Uncle Richard, it is just her and her
brother struggling to get by. But the problem is that in order to
get away and set up their new life, her brother Gert has become
embroiled with thugs and the world of crime. There are some dark
scenes in this novel, but throughout it all we are buoyed by Zelda's
curiosity, her naive questions and literal interpretations of what
people say. It will make you laugh, but at the same time you know
that she is in danger and some of the people around her are really
bad characters.
This novel has been compared to A critical incident of the dog
in the night-time, but this is definitely an adult version.
Zelda is 21, and she wants to have sex with her boyfriend Marxy, a
fellow participant in the community centre programs for 'different'
people. The people around her have varying attitudes to her interest
in sex, from her counsellor, Dr Laird, to Marxy's mother Pearl, to
her brother Gert, to her friend AK47, Gert's ex-girlfriend. But
Zelda is very strong willed and determined to do what she wants.
It is that determination and courage, part of the Viking code of
honour, that sees her enter some very dangerous situations, in the
quest to become her own legend, and save her brother from danger.
This novel will keep you laughing and engaged until the end. And you
can't help but admire Zelda's determination and courage; it is her
values that are at the heart of the novel, and ultimately see her
conquer the evil Grendels.
Helen Eddy
A is for ant illus. by Kate Slater
Dorling Kindersley, 2020. ISBN 9780241435922. 16pp. board book.
(Age: 1-5) Recommended. Young children are in for a treat as they
learn about ants in this engaging board book from DK. As is usual
for this publisher, the information and artwork is beautifully
produced in a most enticing board book. Every young child who has
this read aloud will be certain to learn lots about ants, while at
the same time, learning the words that start with 'a' (ant, antenna,
apple, anthill, air, ant farm, awesome, anteater and amazing). The
facts are basic and memorable: 6 different types of ants are
illustrated on the beginning double page spread and then a single
page is used to give information about specific parts of the ant and
what they eat. Children will be fascinated by the idea of an
ant farm and I am sure there would be some requests to have one in a
classroom or home.
The illustrations are bold and colourful, with some humour being
added; for example the long red tongue of the cute anteater will be
sure to bring smiles to the faces of children who are listening to
the well-structured narrative, which reads aloud very well.
This is a lovely non-fiction introduction to the world of ants, an
ideal book for any child who is interested in nature.
Pat Pledger
The haunting of Peligan City by Sophie Green
Illus. by Karl James Mountford. Potkin and Stubbs book 2.
Picadilly Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781848127630. 384pp., pbk.
(Age: 10-12) Everyone needs a friend like Lil. Dependable,
courageous and with a nose for a story, Lil's dream is to write for
the underground newspaper, the Klaxon, to report the REAL news. Some
ghastly events are happening in Peligan City. It's creepy! Prominent
people are simply disappearing. Who is behind it all, what happened
to poor Delilah, and is the Doll Hospital really just that? Lil's
good buddy, Nedly, makes people shiver when he passes near them. But
Nedly has invaluable skills that most people lack, like passing
through walls, because he just happens to be . . . a ghost!
Lil 'noses' her way into situations by tagging along with private
investigator, Abe Mandrel and his little dog Margaret. Abe is
baffled with the furtive happenings and when the Governor is
murdered too, Lil knows she must use all her knowledge and
experience to assist in solving the shocking crimes.
This book is definitely not for the faint hearted! Nor should it be
read late at night or if you are home alone! 10-12 yr olds should
enjoy this book.
Joan Smith
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781526619211.
This collection of Norse Myths translated and adapted from original
texts by Neil Gaiman examines some of what has become the source
material for countless books, films and TV series. A mythology is
clearly articulated with an introduction to the gods and their
worlds before launching into stories of powerful players, strong
women, great trials of strength, betrayal and brutal retribution.
Stories of gods who shape men's lives; fickle, vain and
unpredictable beings who fight giants and sea monsters using magic
and cunning in stories which have been told and retold for
centuries. We learn that Odin is prepared to sacrifice a great deal
in his quest for wisdom and that he transformed himself several
times to steal the Mead of Poets. Great storytellers are
said to have tasted "Odin's gift" and the bad ones the wet fart he
let out as he escaped. In Freya's Unusual Wedding Thrym,
lord of the ogres has stolen the hammer of the gods, Mjollinir
wanting to marry the beautiful Freya as ransom. Mighty Thor is
persuaded to disguises himself as the bride to steal his beloved
hammer back. Always in the background is the devious Loki, never far
away when things go awry.
This is storytelling at its best, clear, accessible, funny and
engaging. It is a surprise when we read a text so rhythmic and
immediate that it cries out to be read aloud. In this era of high
definition video and amazing special effects we sometimes miss the
power of the spoken word to waken our own imagination and activate
memories that go back to the scary fairy tales we heard as children.
This is just scary enough to be loved by all.
Themes; Myths, fantasy, magic.
Sue Speck
Two can keep a secret by Karen A. McManus
Penguin, 2019. ISBN: 9780141375656. 327pp. pbk.
Twins Ellery and Ezra must stay with their grandmother in a small
town in Vermont, Echo Ridge, near the Canadian border while their
mother, Sadie is in rehab following a conviction for crashing her
car under the influence of a prohibited drug. They know that the
town lies under a cloud. Their mother's babysitter, Melanie had a
daughter, Lacy, who was killed five years ago. This is still an
unsolved murder and everyone has an opinion about who killed her.
And Lacy's boyfriend, Declan leaving soon after her funeral, divided
people's opinions.
But on the way to Echo Ridge from the airport, the twins discover a
dead body on the road - a popular teacher, victim of a hit and run.
Settled in, Ellery begins watching. She is a true-crime buff and
wants to know as much as she can about Lacy's murder, and her own
aunt's disappearance some twenty five years before.
She and Ezra go to the local fun park, once called Murderland, but
after the discovery of Lacy's body there, had its name changed to
Fright Park. Here the two apply for part time work.
Declan's brother, Malcolm has never felt comfortable with the burden
of being in the same family, and now when things begin to happen
again, it is Malcolm who is found at the crime scenes. Graffiti is
sprayed at the fund raiser for Lacey, Malcolm found with the spray
can in hand. At the cemetery where he and Mia go to put flowers on
the teacher's grave, he finds a montage declaring that a third
homecoming queen will be killed.
When Ellery plucks up enough courage to ask her Grandmother about
her missing aunt, she sees the impact the deaths have had on the
people of the community and resolves to uncover the secrets hidden
in the town. She and Malcolm follow the clues and almost lose their
lives in their endeavours to uncover the truth.
A gripping read, this tightly plotted story has an underbelly of
secrets, some reaching back into past history, others more recent,
but each obscuring the reality of what is going on. Set at the time
of the homecoming ball, the backdrop of life in a school in the USA
is illuminating.
McManus is the author of acclaimed, One of
us is Lying (2017) where five teens walk into the detention
room and only four walk out. A thriller writer, McManus is honing
her crime writing skills with these two books and will gain a
willing audience.
Fran Knight
Frostheart by Jamie Littler
Puffin, 2019. ISBN: 9780241355220.
(Age: 9-13) Highly recommended. Ash is the hero of the story and he
lives in an inhospitable village in a frozen land.
I was instantly grabbed by the exciting opening, where Ash and
friends kick their ball onto the frozen sea. He foolhardily decides
to step onto the solid surface to retrieve the ball, even though
treading on the ice is forbidden. Underneath the surface lurks
monsters, Leviathans, who hear and see him, break through the
surface and to try to devour Ash. He only just escapes and is helped
by his grumpy Yeti guardian.
Ash has never fitted into the Fira community and the fact that he
can hear the monster's song and wants to sing back himself, fills
the locals with fear and suspicion. This all comes to a head when
rare visitors arrive at the village and it is Ash and his forbidden
skills that save them from certain death.
He decides to leave on the visitors' ship Frostheart and the Yeti
Tobu loyally follows him.
Ash is on a personal journey or quest to discover the mystery of his
missing parents who were 'Pathfinders' and the meaning of his gift
of 'singing', of being a 'Song Weaver'. Along the way he becomes
part of many exciting adventures and interacts with an assortment of
Frostheart crew members, closely befriending a Drifter girl
named Lunah.
Black and white illustrations are distributed throughout the novel
and they help to give a deeper understanding of the characters and
settings. The monsters are wonderfully scary, threatening and fast.
This fantasy tale is a debut novel for Jamie Littler and other books
will continue the tale. I feel this will be a popular series for 9
to 13 year olds and readers of Nevermoor and Harry
Potter will find this a thrilling read.
I highly recommend this novel as part of your school/public library
or personal collection.
Jane Moore
All the bright places by Jennifer Niven
Penguin Random House, 2020. ISBN: 9780241395967.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Two young teenagers meet on the
narrow outside ledge of the school clock tower. Theodore Finch is
known as Theodore Freak, the weird boy always doing something crazy.
He is contemplating whether this day is the day that he will die.
Violet Markey is one of the cool girls, but who now suddenly feels
alone and guilty, having lost her sister in a car accident that
Violet blames herself for. Both find themselves looking down on the
school grounds far below.
Violet gets the credit for talking Finch down. Little do family and
school friends know but it was actually more in the reverse: it was
Finch who saved Violet's life. Thus begins a tenuous relationship as
Violet gets drawn more and more into a friendship with a person who
seems so charismatic, so dramatically in love with life, and so
irrepressibly full of enthusiasm - nobody can read these pages
without loving Finch. Only gradually the reader becomes aware of the
violence, the apathy, and the neglect that have coloured his life,
and which have left their deep scars. Finch however constantly
strives to find the joy and beauty in life. It is not until the
latter pages of the book that the reader, like Violet, comes to
really understand his situation.
The two students collaborate on a school geography project that
challenges them to explore the unique and celebratory places in
their home state of Indiana. In doing so they draw closer together,
and Violet gradually braves the demons that hold her back. She
becomes 'Ultraviolet Remarkey-able' as Finch likes to call her.
Author Jennifer Niven has written a tender story about two teenagers
struggling with thoughts of suicide, drawn together by a shared
experience of loneliness, rejection, depression and guilt. It is a
sensitive portrayal of grief and teenage love that is sad but
ultimately uplifting in its resolution. I am sure it will be a very
popular film when it comes to Netflix.
The end pages remind young readers that they are not alone, and
there is help out there. They list support services in the U.K.,
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Helen Eddy
Top marks for murder by Robyn Stevens
Murder most unladylike series, book 8. Puffin, 2019. ISBN:
9780241348383. 400pp.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. This murder mystery is the 8th in the series
(nine in total) and the two leading characters Daisy and Hazel have
returned to their school, Deepdean, to find that a new, more popular
girl is now the focus of most of the students.
Deepdean is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary and there are
several days of activities and presentations for both the students
and their visiting parents.
Of course, 'A murder most unladylike' needs a body or two and the
first alleged murder is seen in the distance from the girls' dorms.
As Daisy, Hazel and their small group try to uncover the mystery of
the strangulation in the woods, more murders and attempted murders
occur throughout the story.
It is all very proper 1930's young lady's school meets Midsomer
Murders, as the bodies seem to mount up around Daisy and
Hazel.
Except for Inspector, who has a great respect for the girls'
sleuthing, the rest of the local police seem incapable of solving
any crime. Daisy and Hazel are encouraged to collect information
about the people present at the school anniversary and report their
observations back to the Inspector.
Robin Stevens illustrates how the girls interact and the way that
they treat each other. Class snobbery contributes to some of Daisy's
opinions about people. The narrator, Hazel, is a much kinder
character and doesn't see the world in the same black and white way
as Daisy.
This is the first book I have read in the series and although the
characters refer to other stories it was still successful as a
stand-alone book.
Many students at my primary school are very keen to read murder
mysteries and this gives them a chance to enjoy the genre, solving
puzzles and guessing 'who did it'. They are not gruesome or bloody
just good old-fashioned sleuthing.
I recommend this book to 10 year olds and above.
A book
trailer is available.
Jane Moore
Fairies in the forest by Lindsey Kelk
Illus. by Pippa Curnick. Cinders and Sparks book 2.
HarperCollins, 2019. ISBN: 9780008292140. 208pp.
(Age: 7+) Very highly recommended as a series. Recommended as a
stand-alone book. I haven't read book one Magic at midnight
but after reading this I am now looking out for it and book three as
I think you need to read them all in quick order so that you get the
full joy of these books.
The book begins with Cinders who is a modern day Cinderella on the
run in the deep dark woods with her dog Sparks and mouse who is now
a horse (of course) and Hansel. If you haven't read book one there
are a number of things that you either have to take for granted or
work out as the story progresses that have obviously occurred in
book one, however the story flows in such a way that you are pulled
along on a wild and enjoyable ride.
As Cinders ventures deeper into the forest she encounters the Three
Bears, sleeps in their beds, convinces Daddy Bear not to eat her,
escapes forest monsters and meets Rapunzel. In this convoluted fairy
tale adventure children will certainly be engaged and giggle as they
read the book, especially if they have experience with a number of
fairy tales. I love the illustrations and feel that these really add
to the story and help to support the story and engage the younger
readers.
This is a fantastic book, however I think that children would find
the cliff-hanger ending frustrating which is why I feel that this
series of books would be best read together rather than
individually. Saying this does not change my opinion that these
would be fantastic as class novels or as a read-aloud and will
become favourites within classes and libraries with all students,
especially those who have moved onto short novels. Themes: Family,
Friendship, Fairies, Fairytales, Animals, Magic.
Mhairi Alcorn
The impossible boy by Ben Brooks
Quercus, 2019. ISBN: 9781786540997. 256pp.
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Oleg and Emma are best friends, hang out
together at school and have their own little hideaway in the
schoolyard. They use their imaginations to invent a student,
Sebastian, and even add him to the class register and hand up work
in his name. What shocks them both is when their imaginary friend,
Sebastian actually shows up, in a bizarre cardboard spaceship.
He is very friendly but not very wise in the ways of the world and
Oleg and Emma feel responsible for him as he is their own creation.
Sebastian participates in school lessons and eventually befriends
the class.
The impossible boy brings with him impossible adventures, as a
menacing group of masked people seem determined to capture him and
make him disappear again. Exploits include snow women who have come
to life, the groundsman who never seems to age, a pop-up goat and
the mysterious "Institute of Unreality".
Emma and Oleg have personal problems in their home lives which make
their daily existence difficult and uncomfortable. Both have issues
with parents who are not able to parent for differing reasons and
are unaware of their children's day to day life as well as the more
bizarre happenings around Sebastian.
Author Ben Brooks, well known for his Stories
for boys who dare to be different, has written a
rollicking tale where factual and imaginary worlds blend together
and the characters from stories or imaginations have their own life
in the real world.
He tells a fun story but also gives insights into the children's
world of friendships, loyalty and home responsibilities.
The front cover, illustrating Sebastian's arrival is bright and
appealing and there are black and white illustrations scattered
throughout the book. I recommend this story to students aged 8 and
over.
Jane Moore
The Frozen Sea by Piers Torday
Quercus, 2019. ISBN: 9781786540768. 352pp.
(Age: 9-12) Recommended. It is 1984 and Jewel lives with her mother
Patricia and her only friend, a hamster named Fizz. Patricia has
always been obsessed by her missing sister and there is a family
mystery regarding her childhood. Official information is gradually
released throughout the novel and this infers there was an
unsanctioned experiment regarding an alternative world.
Jewel tends to be an outsider and when she is chased by school
bullies, she seeks refuge in a bookshop. She falls into a book and
continues an adventure started by her mother and her aunt and uncles
many years ago. She is guided into the fantasy world of Folio where
she has to rescue her aunt who has been missing since childhood. In
this fantasy world, Fizz has the power to speak and gives lots of
comical, self-centred advice to Jewel.
Folio is inhabited by many storybook characters and a fearsome
collection of robots. Everyone is obsessed with their Stampstone,
which gives information and tells the wearers what to think. It's
interesting how nearly everyone in Folio relies on the Stampstone
and are obsessed with their screens and information, a strong
comparison to the tablets and iphones of today.
Aided by a copper robot and Fizz, Jewel must travel to the Frozen
Sea to find her aunt and meets a variety of fictional characters
along the way. The Frozen Sea holds all the answers to her quest and
she must face this danger to find a solution.
Piers Torday has written acclaimed fantasy books such as The
Lost Magician, short listed for an award by The Times.
I recommend this book to children 9 to 12 years old.
Jane Moore
The lonely dead by April Henry
Palgrave, 2020. ISBN: 9781250233769. 240pp.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Adele is walking through the woods when she
sees Tori, the girl she had a fight with at a party. She realises to
her horror that Tori is a ghost and has been murdered. Adele has
always been able to see the dead, a talent passed down in her family
and even though she has been diagnosed with schizophrenia she knows
that she has this ability. Now with a murderer on the loose, she
must try to find out who it is without becoming a victim herself.
This is a quick easy read for fans of mystery and the paranormal. It
is easy to relate to Adele who has been on medication for years but
who feels so much better when she isn't taking them. However when
suspicion of the murder turns to her, the fact that she hasn't been
taking her meds makes her a more likely suspect. Her relationship
with Charlie the nephew of one of the detectives investigating the
murder adds interest to the story.
A lot of information about the effects of drinking and how
overindulging can lead to blackouts, is also a timely warning of the
physiological effects of alcohol, and Adele's inability to remember
much about when she left the party is also a useful device for
getting the reader to wonder if perhaps she did really murder Tori.
At 240 pages, The lonely dead is sure to please readers who
want a stand-alone that is entertaining and engrossing.
Themes: Mystery and suspense, Paranormal, Ghosts, Psychic ability,
Murder, Reluctant readers.
Pat Pledger
China through time retold by Edward Aves
DK, 2020. ISBN: 9780241356296.
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Themes: China, Canals, Yangtze,
Ancient history, Regeneration. Two and a half thousand years ago, an
emperor had a brilliant idea - joining the two mighty Chinese
rivers, the Yangtze and Huai to form a magnificent canal which would
enable him to move troops quickly to places where they were needed.
The next thousand yeas saw canals built and waterways joined to
create an incredible canal capable of trading between Hangzhou in
China's south and Beijing in the north.
Each double page of this outstanding large format book recreates a
scene in the life of this canal system, shadowing the rise of China
as a powerful nation in the Asian realm. The first double page,
entitled, Construction begins, Yangzhou 486BCE, shows an army of
peasants digging and carting soil. Information around the edges of
the pages gives details about how the people worked, while the
illustration shows in no uncertain terms the brutality of the regime
in charge. Several men in chains are being taken away by heavily
armoured warriors, one dying man is being carted off by fellow
workers, high towers surround the project with soldiers on the
alert. Eager eyes will pick out the work the men do, the
magnificence of the emperor and his retinue, the tools with which
these people worked.
Each subsequent double page displays the history of the Grand Canal,
completed in 605 CE. So readers will see the impact of the canal
bringing peace, civilisation and trade to towns along its banks. But
people became complacent and in 1699 CE a great flood threatened so
the emperor demanded that the river course be changed and the canal
dredged to avoid further floods destroying towns and cities. More
care was taken of the canal, reversing its decline and even though
fewer barges ply their trade along the waterway the Grand Canal is a
showcase of China's ancient heritage, a canal of some 1800 ks, the
longest and oldest canal in the world. This book shows readers the
people who use it: the builders, the soldiers, merchants, rivermen,
the emperor and his advisers, children and mysterious travellers.
The richly detailed illustrations are enticing, giving the reader a
panorama of Chinese life and customs, showing building styles, dress
and food, bridges and boats, life along the canal from small farms
and villages to the outstanding modern city of Tianjin, a stark
contrast to the pages before and after with their images of past
treasures. The last page offers a short quiz and glossary with
information about the illustrator, Beijing artist Du Fei who
specialises in detailed historical illustrations.
This is a remarkable book which reflects China's importance in the
world today while highlighting one of its past achievements.
Fran Knight
