Illus. by Chris Chatterton. Candlewick Press, 2019. ISBN:
9780763678289.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Maths, STEM, Problem solving. Puppy
is full of energy but also likes to snooze. He has a pile of
differently shaped blocks and for his snooze, looks at one which is
a rectangle with one long side. Is this the one he needs for a bed,
he ponders. Problem solving skills will be at the fore of every
reader's mind as they turn each page. The enticing little dog picks
up the blocks, wondering how to put them together and how to
use each to its best potential. Each block is described, some
rectangles, some squares and some triangles, while each individual
block is described with its angles and sides mentioned, teaching a
young reader about the difference between the shapes he or she sees.
Wanting a bed, the puppy tries out each of the shapes and decides
why the ones he has tried are not the shape of size he needs. He
eventually begins to combine the shapes into a larger shape that
will prove to be useful. By this time, readers will be calling out
which shapes to use, seeing the configuration that is needed to make
a bed.
Lots of fun will be had reading this book, playing with shapes on
the floor to replicate what the puppy is doing on the pages, and
having all the readers try out the sequence for themselves.
The bold illustrations have the wooden shapes as the main focus,
unhindered by background colour or distraction, making the clear
focus of the book the shapes the puppy is playing with. The playful
dog helps the readers work out exactly what the dog is doing and so
enable the readers to join in and try for themselves.
Fran Knight
Kat Wolfe takes the case by Lauren St John
Illus. by Daniel Deamo. Macmillan, 2019, ISBN: 9781509874217.
(Age: 10-14) Highly recommended. Themes: Mysteries, Detectives,
Palaeontology, Pets, Conservation. When a landslide on the cliffs
above Bluebell Bay reveals a rare fossilized 'dragon' dinosaur and
uncovers a human skeleton, it is time for detectives Kat Wolfe and
her best friend Harper Lamb to investigate. Who was responsible for
the death of an amateur fossil-collector?
The town soon becomes overrun with reporters, scientists, fossil
hunters and attracts famous actors. Harper's palaeontologist father
immediately begins to lead the team in the preservation of the
dinosaur, whilst others are out to steal the skeleton for its
special medicinal qualities.
Kat's pet sitting service Paws and Claws provides opportunities for
her to listen, observe and gather information as she walks dogs and
cares for Mr B the python. Horses, dogs, her pet Tiny an F1 Savannah
cat, a stolen lynx and the python play important roles in the
discovery of an evil plot hatched by a dangerous group of people. A
weekend spent with Kate's grandfather, the British Minister of
Defence at his stately home also provides insight into the Bluebell
Bay mysteries. Kat's high-level computing skills (hacking) proves
crucial as well. Added to the danger of the investigation, the
animal catcher is determined to catch Tiny who loves to disappear at
night.
Author Lauren St John excels with this multi-layered, tense plot,
filled with fascinating characters and an array of pets. She
promotes a vegan lifestyle, explores the dynamics of family
relationships and delves into the illegal trade in exotic animal
products and the extinction of wild animal species. Her descriptive
narrative and detailed settings, her ability to lay the groundwork
and draw the threads together into a thrilling conclusion, make this
an engaging novel. Daniel Deamo's sketches, includes ninjas fighting
on a rooftop and a python curled in a driver's seat, combine with
the catchy chapter headings focus the reader's attention and build
the drama.
'Kat Wolfe takes the case' an excellent novel for readers from 10 to
14 years, opening conversations about conservation and environmental
issues.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Bad Guys Episode 9: The big bad wolf by Aaron Blabey
Bad Guys. Scholastic, 2019. ISBN: 9781742993737.
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. Themes: Humour, Adventure,
Superheroes. Another wacky, hilarious episode of the bad guys is
sure to be a favourite with all the fans of this series. This time
Mr Wolf has been blown up into an enormous size, and he is
determined to go about destroying things. The rest of the Bad Guys
find themselves with problems to solve. How will they get Mr Wolf
back to his normal size and temperament and how will they stop the
alien invasion? Together with the International League of Heroes,
they all have to do some quick thinking and act in dangerous ways in
order to save the world, using their new superpowers.
Fans will have no problem jumping right into the funny story, while
people new to the series will still be able to follow the story and
characters, but will certainly want to go back and read the previous
episodes. There are some over the top incidents that will have
readers laughing out loud. I loved how Mr Snake got into Mr Wolf's
ear and using his superpower, tries to whisper him back to his
normal self. Of course, this proves exceptionally difficult, and it
is only when he reverts to his normal bossy self and tells Mr Wolf
off, that things begin to change.
A boon for reluctant readers and children who have difficulty
reading longer books, The big bad wolf is another winner for
Blabey.
Pat Pledger
The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu
The Eldest Curses book 1. Simon and Schuster, 2019. ISBN:
9781471162145. paperback, 350pgs.
(Age: 14+) This was my first taste of Cassandra Clare's fantasy
world of the Shadowhunters. I tend to see a copy in the hands of my
students frequently so really wanted to try this book.
The Shadowhunter Chronicles is a young-adult fantasy
franchise by American author Cassandra Clare. The series is so
popular with young adults that there are now companion books,
graphic novels, manga, film, and TV series adaptations. Each of the
books, as my students say, follow the supernatural conflict between
the Shadowhunters, a group of powerful human-angel hybrids, and
Downworlders, a society of mythological beings, and their battle
against demons. The Red Sea Scrolls of Magic is the first of a new series
after the Mortal War. It is co-written with Wesley Chu. This story
follows the High Warlock Magnus Bane and his new boyfriend Alec
Lightwood who is a Shadowhunter.
I found the book very easy to read and follow and wanted to know
more about the characters. The Red Sea Scrolls was a love
story between two people who should not be together due to who they
were. Magnus and Alec decide to take a relaxing romantic vacation
together through Europe. Vacation, I think not. Magnus' past catches
up and he is accused of putting a cult together called the Crimson
Hand. Magnus and Alec are on the hunt to find the real leader of
this cult and along the way they encounter vampires, werewolves,
demons and many other people and creatures.
It is action packed, full of love and great twists and turns, while
the reader also learns more about the past of both characters which
was very interesting. I actually did enjoy reading this LGBT,
fantasy love story book and can see why young adults love the
series.
The ending did leave me thinking, 'Will Magnus tell Alec the massive
secret of who his father really is'? Will have to read the next book
in the series to find out.
Maria Komninos
The ghosts of Mars by Ian Napier
Pegagus Publishers, 2019. ISBN: 9781784654528.
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Themes: STEM, Space travel, Mars, Science
fiction. When David arrives in San Francisco after his father moves
from Australia to take up a post at Silicon Valley, he links up with
a friend he met while at a NASA camp during the previous summer
break, Sierra. She and David are space fanatics, so for David to
come from Australia to the camp was impressive. That they hooked up
made their time at the camp even better. But now in San Francisco,
their interest is rewarded, when the heads of department at NASA
come to call.
It seems a door has been found on Mars, an actual door, and it must
be investigated. But NASA is ten years away from suspended animation
for long distance space travel, and an imperative has been added to
the mission to Mars; a meteor is headed its way. The only successful
suspended animation trials have been conducted on children, so David
and Sierra are asked to volunteer.
The premise on which this science fiction tale is based is luminous
- it is so believable, made more so by the writing which oozes with
an infusion of background knowledge. Napier's career in space makes
his setting more than credible: the words, descriptions and
scientific language are easily digested, the position the two are in
seems like something that could happen, the voyage they take seems
almost possible. Readers will love moving about in this engrossing
science fiction story aimed at teens.
The city the teens find on Mars rivals many of the CGI inspired
cities of recent films and the written word brings them to life.
With nods to 2001, a space odyssey, The terminator
and Star trek amongst others along with a splash of The
chariots of the gods (Erich von Daniken) thrown in to stir the
pot, this is a rich read of science fiction and I hope a second
outing for David and Sierra is in the air.
Fran Knight
Catwoman: Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas
Penguin Books, 2018. ISBN: 9780141386898.
(Ages 16+) Recommended. An action-packed and engaging novel based on
the DC comics super heroine of Catwoman. One of the four books in
the DC icons series in which popular Young Adult authors write
origin stories focusing on the teenage years of DC comics heroes.
Caring for her terminally ill sister, Selina Kyle will stop at
nothing to keep her safe. Battling dangerous enemies in the boxing
ring night after night to pay for her medical bills is just the
beginning. When she is finally cornered by the police, with nowhere
to go and the threat of her sister being thrown into a dingy foster
home that wouldn't care for her medical needs, Selina is offered a
deal she can't refuse. Her sister safe in a suitable, upper-class
foster home, Selina is brutally trained as an assassin. Two years
later, she returns to Gotham City as Holly Vanderhees, a wealthy and
mysterious socialite, by day and Catwoman by night. Joining forces
with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, the group wreak havoc across the
city and spark the attention of Batwing, who is proving himself as
the protector of Gotham while Batman is away on a vital mission.
While her expertise helps her thrive as Catwoman, as Holly, Selina
finds herself clueless when it comes to her wealthy, handsome
neighbour, Luke Fox, who she discovers may just have some hidden
depths to himself as well; for in Gotham, no one is really as they
seem. However, Selina's desperate game of cat and mouse is only
exacerbated when a dangerous threat from her past looms in the
background; threatening her ability to pull off her most important
heist yet. While the novel is action-packed, and has vibrant and
complex characters, the descriptive language of Maas can be
difficult to follow. Knowledge of the DC Universe is useful and
presumed by the author, with little explained throughout the book.
Exciting and representative of important issues such as LGBTIQ+
relationships and mental health, Maas launches the reader into the
dangerous and fascinating world of Gotham City and brings them along
a journey they won't easily forget.
Daniella Chiarolli
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
Dread Nation book 1. Titan Books, 2019. ISBN: 9781789092219.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Themes: Horror, Zombies, Alternative
history, Racism. What a roller coaster of a ride - thrilling action
and a complex story that looks at racism and slavery makes this an
engrossing historical adventure about an alternative America. Jane
McKeene is just about to graduate from Miss Preston's School of
Combat in Baltimore, a place where Negro girls are trained to fight
the undead. When families begin to go missing from the area, she and
her colleague, Katherine, are caught up in a deadly conspiracy that
sees her in a deadly struggle not only against the zombies but
against a group of Survivalists who view her and her companions as
fodder for the undead.
I picked this up as it kept appearing on literary awards for young
adult books in the fantasy and science fiction genres (Hugo Award
Nominee (2019), Nebula Award Nominee (Andre Norton Award) (2018),
Locus Award nominee (2019), and Goodreads Choice Award Nominee
(2018)), and I was not disappointed. Ireland's very skilful
narration brings the characters to life while maintaining a very
fast pace. Jane is a feisty and intelligent girl who has outstanding
leadership skills which she uses often while fighting the Shamblers.
But she also has some flaws - she is impetuous and often says things
that get her into trouble. Katherine is her opposite, determined to
remain ladylike in all situations. When trouble strikes them both,
they manage to put aside their differences to fight the evil around
them.
Fans of the zombie genre will want to read this, while fans of
historical fiction will become engrossed in a story that has its
combat school system based on the real Native American boarding
schools, as the author's note explains. And readers who like a good
action story, well written with likeable characters, and which also
explores slavery and racism, will find this difficult to put down
and will be impatient for the sequel that is to come. The complexity
of its themes could also make it a literature circle text, promoting
lively discussion.
Pat Pledger
You're crushing it: Positivity for living your REAL life by Lex Croucher
Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781408892473.
(Age:15+) Recommended. Lex Croucher is an English vlogger whose
videos cover a range of topics including feminism and animal rights.
She uses her influence to advocate for empowering women and girls.
In this book Lex makes use of her extensive experience with
technology and social media to explore the nexus with real life for
teenagers. Immediately relevant to young people are topics such as:
family and friends and creating that team of supporters;
relationships (familial, platonic, romantic, jealousy), body
confidence (acceptance, self-care) and mental health (dealing with
negativity, goals and asking for help). The writing avoids
preachiness and provides a healthy insight into the pitfalls and
pleasures of living in or through an online world. There is hope in
this book. Lex reminds us all that the offshoots from the path we
had mapped out can become the new map. These offshoots can lead to
opportunities that were not dreamed of and yet are just right for
you.
As a common sense guide to being comfortable in your own skin this
book excels. The formatting, anecdotes and the humour will appeal to
the teenage reader but it is the hope and positive examples of ways
a young person might engage with real life that make this book an
unexpected joy to read.
Linda Guthrie
Jaclyn Hyde by Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White
HarperCollins, 2019. ISBN: 9780062954626.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Themes: Science; Perfectionism; Jekyll and
Hyde; Mystery; Personality. Jaclyn Hyde is a girl whose desire in
all of life is to be as perfect as she can be. Mostly she is quite
successful at being perfect, but as is the way with some
high-achievers, she always dreams of more success. The discovery of
a science recipe for a Perfection Potion in the rather scary
abandoned Enfield Manor leads to a series of transforming moments.
With more than a passing nod to the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde story,
Jaclyn Hyde transforms into her 'bad' alter-ego, Jackie. Jaclyn's
best friends, Paige and Fatima, work alongside her in trying to
resolve the disaster that is unleashed at school by the
Jaclyn-Jackie confusion.
This is a wonderful, funny story with some endearing, subtle (and
sometimes more obvious) humour and some explosive moments! Set
within a USA Middle School context in fictional Fog Island, there
are moments of insight into psychological issues for the young
characters, but mostly this is just a fun reconstruction of the
Jekyll and Hyde story. A performance of a school musical has some
positively ridiculous moments involving a Moose costume! Male and
female readers will enjoy the hilarious journey.
Carolyn Hull
Anna of Kleve, Queen of Secrets by Alison Weir
Six Tudor Queens. Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9781472227737.
(Age: Adult - Adolescent) This compelling work vividly recreates the
rule of the iconic King Henry VIII. Anna is forced by her brother,
Wilhelm, ruler of the duchy of Kleve, to marry the English King
Henry, in order to align their countries. Henry had liked her
portrait and finds that he likes her, but cannot make love to her to
produce the important extra heir to the English throne. In this new
historical novel, part of her series Six Tudor Queens,
Alison Weir has vividly recreated Anna's story from the surviving
historical documents. This was a time when alliances were being made
by those who supported the growing Protestant movement, a time of
great upheaval in Europe where Catholicism had been dominant for so
many years.
Weir's narrative is richly detailed and deeply thought-provoking.
She raises the issue of planned alliances, with the 'right' marriage
considered as useful in healing rifts and cementing support among
the many countries of that world. Yet we are aware of the fear of
those who are involved in withholding truth and of those who do not
do what Henry wants, that they may be jailed, beheaded or hanged for
their perceived crime. Anna's secrets make her fear for her life.
While Henry cannot understand his inability to love Anna as he had
planned, her intelligence gives her an advantage that is outside the
realm of her questionable sexual attraction. When Henry decides that
she is a good friend to him as a dear 'sister', her fear begins to
lessen, although the secret that she keeps from him is never far
from her mind, as is her fear that the truths that she conceals will
be her undoing.
This is a compelling story, one that is indeed hard to put down.
Written for those who love history, particularly when the writer
recreates the world of the text so brilliantly, this novel is
powerful, its characters and issues staying in the mind long after
the book is finished. It is appropriate for adolescent and adult
reading, particularly for readers who enjoy the vivid recreation of
the life and times of such an iconic king as Henry Tudor.
Elizabeth Bondar
Nits! by Stephanie Blake
Gecko Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781776572243.
(Age: 3-7) Highly recommended. Themes: Nits, Friendship, Kindness.
Another book featuring Simon, the cheeky rabbit from I
can't sleep, Poo Bum, Super Rabbit and
others, sees Simon falling in love. He loves Lou but Lou loves
Mamadou and he is very jealous and doesn't know what he can do about
it. But then Lou gets nits and even Mamadou teases her. Simon is
steadfast in his love for her, and the reader can guess what will
happen when she kisses him for being so kind.
The bold colours, bright pinks, blues and yellows of the
illustrations are just gorgeous. Each individual rabbits has a
unique personality while Simon stands out from the rest of the
group, because he is a wearing a blue mask. The little hearts that
hover above the head Lou of the rabbits are really cute and make her
stand out as well.
The text is printed in a bold black and its sparseness makes for a
great read aloud, but it is also a book that newly independent
readers might like to tackle for themselves.
The story is a lot of fun to read and children will have plenty to
think about as they watch the growing relationship between Simon and
Lou. Nits are a common problem in schools and Blake will calm
readers' fears about catching them when she has Simon reassure Lou
that her mother will fix it. The humorous illustration of Lou
kissing Simon will also demonstrate just how easy it is to get nits,
regardless of how clean one's hair is. The kindness of Simon,
staying true to Lou and not joining in teasing or isolating Lou, is
a message that comes across strongly in the book.
Pat Pledger
Where Dani goes, happy follows by Rose Lagercrantz
Illus. by Eva Eriksson. My happy life series. Gecko Press,
2019. ISBN: 9781776572267.
This book by Gecko Press publishing house that promises 'curiously
good books' from around the world, will have readers enthralled at
Dani's journey, willing her to find her friend but not a little
concerned for her safety along the way. The book touches on themes
not usually shown in children's books. Her father is depressed over
his wife's death, his parents not a little unhappy at being called
in to help, and the irrepressible Dani is travelling alone to
Northbrook. She runs into trouble on the way which she must contend
with.
Dani is a strong young girl and this the sixth in the series will
delight younger readers who love her character, but also those new
to her stories.
Dani has been left again with her grandparents while Dad goes to
Italy to stay with friends. Dani is not impressed and when she
realises that tomorrow is Ella's birthday resolves to be her present
and be with her old friend on the day. But no one can spare the time
to take her so she is allowed to go by herself on the train. Armed
with a mobile phone and knowing that Ella's family will be there to
welcome her when she arrives, Dani sets off. But hurdles beset her:
there is no one at the station, it is cold and snowing, the
stationmaster leaves her in the waiting room where she is accosted
by two youths and a dog, who take her phone, and someone walks in
when she is hiding under the bench so does not see her.
Each incident will have readers thinking about what they would do in
that situation and admire Dani's handling of her misfortunes. It is
a strength of this wonderful read that Dani although a child is
having to face more mature problems. In simply wanting to surprise
her friend, she takes steps which go awry, but there are people
there to help.
The illustrations show clearly the sort of young girl Dani is:
resourceful, playful and generous, wanting to see Ella again, but
also realising that there are other people to consider. She learns
more about her father even though he is in Rome, as well as his old
girlfriend, Sadie and her new friend, Cushion, and in going on this
journey to see her old friend, Ella, realises that things change and
accepts Cushion as her friend.
Fran Knight
Amazing Transport: Journey through the history of transport by Tom Jackson
Illus. by Chris Mould. Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781408889770.
(Age: 8-12) Highly recommended Subjects: Transport-history, Aircraft
- History, Trains, Ships, Cars. Travel back in time to the beginning
of transportation. The first boats were built over seven thousand
years ago and have transitioned through man power, wind power to
steam engines up to the mighty ocean liners. Every type of transport
is wonderfully presented. In Amazing Transport, author Tom
Jackson presents detailed descriptions, exciting discoveries and
engaging facts from across the globe and through history.
In Overground and Underground read about the Corinthian ships hauled
overland on the Dioklos trackway, the 1515 Austrian funicular built
to cross above the mountains. Where would we be without the wheel?
From carts to Central Asian chariots, a steam-powered Hippo-mobile
to Henry Ford's Model T, the age of cars has revolutionised travel.
Balloons lifts our eyes skyward, from Montgolfiers' wood-fired
balloon flight to the 1999 Breitling Orbiter that flew around the
world for twenty days without stopping to land. Human power
showcases bicycles through the ages, from models without brakes,
push pedals, bone-shakers, BMX sports bikes to the Olympic
superbikes and streamlined helmets.
Chris Mould's outstanding illustrations soar, dive, dig and sail
across the spreads, and black and white detailed images provide a
visual panorama. Add humourous characters, inventors stepping over
clouds, Apollo 11 astronauts walking on the moon, racing cars and an
array of ships swirling in a whirlpool: there's so much to view and
explore. A timeline border presents key dates and facts that can be
matched with a caricature and type of transport. Amazing
Transport is a fabulous resource for History and STEM units in
both the Primary and Secondary school. Families will enjoy sharing
both the engaging information and delving into the wonderful
depictions of transport through time.
Rhyllis Bignell
You're crushing it: Positivity for living your real life by Lex Croucher
Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781408892473.
(Age: Teens) Recommended. 'The trick is to work out how to help
somebody in the way they need most'. You're crushing it is an honest and hilarious journey through
the realities of life in a social media powered world. It is
thoughtful and relatable, and anyone who reads it should brace
themselves for the read of a lifetime.
Social media sensation Lex Croucher is a vlogger who covers topics
from beauty and books to feminism and animal rights. Her YouTube
videos have been viewed by 15 million people, and she has hundreds
of thousands of social media followers over multiple accounts. Lex
utilises her fame to attempt to achieve positive change in our
world. She is particularly invested in female rights and
empowerment, feminism and protecting women from sexism and abuse. You're Crushing It covers family and friends, body
confidence, technology and social media, relationships, mental
health, success and more. It can be described as almost a 'survival
guide' for those struggling to deal with crazy, topsy-turvy,
whirlwind roller coaster ride we call life in modern society. It is
packed to the brim with hilarious anecdotes, which are successful in
making the book more relatable and establishes a sense of belonging
within the reader. You're crushing it gives advice which is not aspirational,
like much of the things that are seen on sites such as Pinterest,
but rather, realistic and inspirational advice, which will actually
help teenagers struggling with real life issues. Lex Croucher writes
with wit, and uses a tone which assists the reader to feel valued
and special, even if they are only one of thousands who read this
book.
As a teenager who has previously struggled with body confidence and
the pressure of social media on a young person's life, I urge any
teenagers struggling with any of these issues to read this book, and
then reread it again and again. It is that amazing and I promise
that it will help you face any of the prominent issues in our
society today.
Isabella C. (Student)
The visitor by Antje Damm
Trans. by Sally-Anne Spencer. Gecko Press, 2019. ISBN:
9781776571895.
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: Loneliness, Friendship. First
published in Germany in 2015, this is another 'curiously good book'
to be published by New Zealand house, Gecko Press. Their books
promise 'good heart and strong character' and in this book, we see
just that. Elise lives alone in her dark, gloomy house. She is
frightened of everything: spiders, people and even tress, and never
goes outside, preferring to clean her house every morning until it
is spotless. She sometimes opens a window to let in some fresh air,
and one morning, a piece of paper flies in. She is nonplussed, and
scoops the paper plane into the fire. But she has bad dreams that
night about the piece of paper taking over her house. The next
morning she is startled by a knock at the door and opening it finds
a young boy looking for his paper plane. He searches the house,
asking questions of Elise and for the first time in a long time she
sits and reads to him. They do all sorts of things together until he
must return home, but that night, Elise makes a paper plane, a
remembrance of the day and hope of things to come.
This delightful story of friendship, reflected in the sorrowful life
of Elise, revitalised by the simple paper plane will resonate with
younger children as they read of the growing friendship between
Elise and the boy. The wonderful illustrations reflect the
developing friendship, colour coming into her world as the boy goes
upstairs, turning the stairway red, they read and the room becomes
radiant, a stark contrast to the greys of her house before the boy
entered. I love the cut out effect, black and white images placed
against the greys and browns of the house, the boy bringing in
colour, the pink coming into her cheeks just like the picture of her
as a young girl on the stairwell. The endpapers show what can be
achieved through friendship, and will trigger responses from the
readers. This book, a New York Time best illustrated book, will lead
to many discussions about older people living alone, grandparents
who may not see their grandchildren very often, the relationship
between youth and age, and would be a natty addition to
Grandparents' Day, an annual celebration in Australia during
October.
Fran Knight
