Reviews

Birthday Drama! by Rachel Renee Russell

Dork Diaries book 13. Simon and Schuster, 2018. ISBN 9781471173158
(Ages 9-12) Themes: Family life, Birthdays, Friendship. Birthday Drama is the thirteenth book in the very popular Dork Diaries series by Rachel Renee Russell. 'The Private Diaries of Nikki J. Maxwell' take us into the high and lows of her teenage life, friendships, frenemies, parents, bullying and her teenage crush. Presented in a notebook format and illustrated with line drawings, doodles and comic strips, fourteen-year-old Nikki's world is filled with drama, tension and emotion. Russell and her daughter Erin's Nikki are excitedly planning her ultimate birthday party with her two BFFs Chloe and Zoey; this will be the social event of the year. After lots of fun discussions they decide a POOL PARTAY - a tropical island theme at the local pool. Nikki's must-haves include a DJ, lots of delicious food and exciting decorations, with a hundred guests invited. Will this impress Nikki's crush, handsome teen Brandon?
One major problem with the expensive party plans is Nikki's lack of funds, her secret sock contains only $8.73, not quite the $500 Chloe needs for the budget. Mum's plans are also problematic, her $100 offer includes their neighbour Mrs. Wallabanger's accordion music and two ladies performing from her senior's belly-dancing class. Her little sister's offer to make the birthday cake is fraught with disaster as well. She decides to cancel her party; however, Chloe's already posted the invitations. The girls decide to retrieve the letters before they are sent out. Their hunt for the posted invitations leads to the Mail Room where the Mail Man is nearly wiped-out by three 'birthday-party-obsessed psychotic girls.'
Nikki's summer plans are also causing problems, should she tour with Brandon and the Bad Boyz band or join the trip to Paris? Luckily, her sister Miss Bri Bri's unusual flavoured dog cookies help save the birthday party in a special way.
Russell's series is extremely popular, tween readers love the excitement, drama and fun that makes up Nikki's life. Birthday Drama is aptly named and will be enjoyed by Dork Diaries fans.
Rhyllis Bignell

The dodo made me do it by Jo Simmons

Ill. by Sheena Dempsey. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408877777
Recommended. This is a hilarious tale of wish fulfilment gone wrong that every child will relate to and is perfect for fans of My Brother is a Superhero by David Solomons.
A funny book with plenty of set-pieces that fans will giggle their heads off at sees scenes with the characters dealing with Dodo poo and attempting to teach a flightless bird to fly. There is also a lot more going on, not least the yin-yang relationship between the cool-headed Scientific Susie and the feet-first think-later Danny.
The remote Scottish Village of Kinoussie is also awash with eccentric characters.
I would like to see more stories set here (and to find out a bit more about porridge-mad Granny Flora's backstory.
Donna Isgar

Trouble on the Farm by Chris Higgins

Ill. by Emily MacKenzie. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408868874
(Age: 5-7) Themes: Farms, Friends. Trouble on the Farm is a delightful easy-to-read story for the newly independent reader. Chris Higgins captures all the sights, sounds and smells of the countryside and she voices the excitement felt by young Bella and Sid as the visit the farm.
On a sunny Saturday two children who've never been to a farm before, can't contain their excitement. Since Bella and her younger brother Sid and their parents moved from the city a month ago, they've enjoyed all the new country experiences. Tom, a boy from Bella's class has invited the children to spend a day on the dairy farm.
After several changes of clothes, Bella is ready. Mum loads them up with a bunch of flowers and some iced lollies for Tom and his sister Kizzy. Magda their next-door neighbour invites herself along for their farm day, Magda is a force to be reckoned with and doesn't always listen to instructions.
Five-year-old Sid is surprised by the funny looking chickens and even more surprised when Kizzy explains they are turkeys raised for Christmas dinners. Megan, Tom and Kizzy's mother carefully explains what the children can do on the farm and where they can go. She's very specific about not driving the new tractor or riding horses bare-back. Bella's visit soon turns into a major disaster, with Magda leaving gates open, the cows escaping and an unexpected tractor ride.
Chris Higgin's adds lots of fun and drama when the runaway cows are herded into the Farmer's Arms carpark just before a big wedding. With cow poo everywhere, the bride refuses to walk down the red carpet. Bella saves the day which results in a grand entrance on the farm's shiny new red tractor and Megan's farm-style pasties are a winner at the wedding reception.
Emily MacKenzie's energetic drawings show the highlights and the dramas involved in Bella and Sid's farm day. Trouble on the Farm is an engaging story about friendship, being responsible and understanding the consequences of your actions. Young readers will enjoy reading this fun farm story.
Rhyllis Bignell

Angry Cookie by Laura Dockrill

Ill. by Maria Karipodou. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406383089
(Age: 4-8) Recommended. Themes: Anger, Friendship, Feelings, Self-worth. The cover on this book is an intense fluoro orange! It will shout at young readers from the shelf, and ironically, the central character does just that towards the reader. Angry Cookie is aptly named . . . he is fuming and really does not want the reader to keep poking their nose into his business and turning the page. However, of course we do! Eventually getting rid of the reader seems like a waste of time, so he tries to explain why he is angry in order that we understand the reason for his poor temper. A recorder playing incessantly, an embarrassing haircut, an attack on his 'cookie' body, a missing ice-cream treat all compound his ill humour, but eventually he realises that they are all symptomatic of feeling ignored and unheard. The persistent reader is of course still 'paying attention' and 'listening' so is able to restore Angry Cookie's sense of self-worth and give him a change of humour and a new way of dealing with life.
This book joins many others of similar ilk (Don't let the pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems; Don't Open this Book by Andy Lee) with the book's characters engaging with the reader and almost teasing them to make a response. Young children will enjoy this almost inherent interactivity. The colourful and quirky illustrations by Maria Karipidou will also appeal, not because they are detailed, but because they are cartoon-like and most characters are food items. (Cookie's hairdresser is a banana!) Cookie's defused anger also gives an opportunity to discuss with children about their own responses to feeling angry.
Recommended for ages 4 - 8
Carolyn Hull

Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Nevermoor book 2. Hachette, 2018. ISBN 9780734418227
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Themes: Magical realism, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Missing Persons. Jessica Townsend's second book is a richly rewarding read, fast-paced, brimful of powerful magic, foreboding dark forces and amazing wonderfulness. Twelve-year-old Mog's life is about to change, she's beginning her academic journey at the elite Wundrous Society. Her confidence and loyalty are tested as she develops her Wundersmith powers and tries to make friends with her Unit 919 brothers and sisters. Luckily her best friend Hawthorne Swift's part of the unit, his unswerving belief in her helps during some of the most difficult times she faces.
Morrigan's left to fend for herself, as she struggles with her school life. She only has one class, the History of Heinous Wundrous Acts which frighteningly relay all the 'missteps, blunders and fiascos' enacted by former Wundersmiths. With her patron Jupiter North busy investigating the mysterious disappearance of Wunsoc members, she doesn't have any adult to confide in and help her in the difficult times. There is a dark side to the city of Nevermoor, villain Ezra Squall and his eerie Hunt of Shadow and Smoke return, holding Ghostly Markets selling the most frightening goods. A devious blackmailer is determined to break up Unit 919 and lure Morrigan away from safety, delivering her into Squall's clutches so he can use her for his nefarious plans.
Townsend's fast-paced narrative is powerful; the world of Nevermoor is wonderfully detailed and descriptive. Travelling by brolly rail, delicious feasts and the quirky, funny Deucalion Hotel characters will be delightfully familiar to the fans of Nevermoor. As we venture down Tricksy Lanes and discover evil forces at play, the author opens our eyes to the malevolent powers at play. Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow continues to reveal the strength of the protagonist's character, her depths, insecurities and her determination to right the wrongs she encounters.
Jessica Townsend's much awaited second novel is powerful and relatable, resonating with themes of friendship, loyalty, inclusiveness, activism, happiness and humour and the power of good and evil.
Rhyllis Bignell

An absolutely remarkable thing by Hank Green

Trapeze, 2018. ISBN 9781473224193
(Age: Young adults+) A recent graphic design graduate working in New York comes across a larger than life sculpture on the sidewalk on her way home from a late stint at the office. The robot sculpture so impresses her that she rings a friend and together they name it Carl and make a YouTube video. By the morning their video has gone viral and 23 year old April May and her friend Andy Skampt are famous, not just because they made the video but because they were the first to name and publicise the sculptures which have popped up all over the world simultaneously and are now universally known as 'the Carls'. All of their training in visual engineering comes into play and Andy's lawyer dad ensures they get paid for the use of their material and all their media appearances. April begins the process of  'intentionally converting myself into a brand' p. 83 and as their fame grows so do the compromises she makes trying to stay in the front of the internet storm. One of the casualties of their fame is April's relationship with her partner Maya and it dawns on her that life will never be the same again. As it becomes more and more apparent that the sculptures are not of this world April finds that, while her audience still strongly link her with the Carls, they start to polarise into either loving her or hating her. 'People all over the world whom I had never met and would never meet hated me. Hated. And what they thought about me was completely out of my control' p. 168. As the plot unfolds April bravely tries to counter the negativity and fear using the power of collaboration and open communication with the online community, harnessing human talent and ingenuity beyond individual possibilities and beyond borders.
Hank Green, with his famous author brother John Green, and his own internet fame as a blogger and YouTube science educator understands celebrity and contemporary culture better than most and the technical side of the story was refreshingly thorough. April is an engaging narrator, wryly acknowledging the compromises and mistakes she makes but sometimes the author's commentary on the strengths and weaknesses of contemporary culture gets in the way of the story.
Set in today's globally connected world this is a relevant book for a wide range of readers, from young adults who might be warned of exploitation, to older readers who might discover the true extent of the online world and how it impacts our lives.
Sue Speck

The funny life of pets by James Campbell

Ill. by Rob Jones. Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408889947
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Pets; Humour. Written with the potential for choosing your own path through the muddle of information and complete fabrication related to pets and owning pets, this is essentially a book of nonsense. Campbell obviously has a great sense of humour that would appeal to the generation that loves fart jokes and stories about poo and is mildly interested in animals. Note: serious interest in animals should automatically preclude you from reading this book, and certainly it should never be used as a source of reliable information for a school project! But this information is clearly spelled out in the introduction. The quirky illustrations (similar in style to Diary of a Wimpy Kid) would instantly reveal that this book is designed to amuse and not educate. Young people will probably enjoy the silly humour, but this is not a work of great literature, and the constant references to the disgusting things that animals do may offend animal lovers and some adults. There are certainly many times when the 'facts' are fake and the animals are the work of an active imagination.
Recommended with caution, as diversionary reading material for the reluctant reader who likes animals and who says they want a funny book. But if you want them to avoid reading material that mentions poo, bottom-burps and bums this may not be a book to put in their hands. But don't be surprised if their best friend shares it with them!
Carolyn Hull

Mirror Mirror by Cara Delevingne (with Rowan Coleman)

Trapeze, 2017. ISBN 9781409172758
(Ages 16+) Highly recommended. Red, Naomi, Leo and Rose are four misfits who become the closest of friends upon the formation of their band, Mirror Mirror. Band rehearsal is an escape for all four, giving them momentary freedom from the hardships they face in their regular lives. Red has an alcoholic mother and often absent father, Leo's criminal brother encourages him to follow in his footsteps, Rose uses alcohol and boys to numb her painful past and Naomi runs away from home to finally be free. Just as the band are coming to terms with their group identity and feel as close as a family, Naomi goes missing and subsequently turns up half dead in the Thames. The police believe that she did this to herself but Red begins to find clues suggesting that things are not as they seem. The trio decide that they must take matters into their own hands to truly find out what happened to Naomi.
A tale of determination, mystery and friendship in the face of adversity, this novel reminds its reader that they are stronger than they know and can make a difference in this world. In her debut novel, Delevingne presents realistic characters, deep emotional twists and an all-round inspiring story. Through Red, the reader is brought on a journey of self-discovery while learning some powerful messages along the way.
A beautiful yet sorrowful story that truly captures the turbulence that is our teenage years.
Daniella Chiarolli

Girls of paper and fire by Natasha Ngan

Hodder and Stoughton, 2018. ISBN 9781473692190
(Age: senior secondary) Highly recommended. Not suitable for young readers. Contains scenes of violence and sexual assault (not described but heavily implied). Themes: YA, fantasy, LGBT+.
Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most persecuted class of people in Ikhara. Ten years ago, her mother was snatched by the royal guards, and her fate remains unknown. Now, the guards are back and this time it's Lei they're after - the girl with the golden eyes, whose rumoured beauty has piqued the king's interest.
Over weeks of training in the opulent but oppressive palace, Lei and eight other girls learn the skills and charm that befit a king's consort. There, Lei does the unthinkable - she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens her world's entire way of life and Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide how far she's willing to go for justice and revenge.
Girls of Paper and Fire is an intriguing analysis of significant societal issues including racism, abuse, and consent, with Ngan's writing opening many pathways for discussion. The characters come from various Asian backgrounds and are diverse and complex, a brilliant example of well-rounded representation. Their unique, masterfully crafted backstories and motives allow the reader to connect and identify with the struggles of both main and minor characters. Lei's characterisation and continued defiance of the oppressive ruling system emphasised the importance of continuously opposing injustice and never giving in to despair. Ngan's description of the way Lei fell in love was beautifully written and philosophical, revealing the great lengths people will go to for people they care about. While the story is confronting, it critiques and challenges these issues and starts much-needed discussions. Ngan writes with elegance and poise, handling these serious topics with grace.
Despite the story's dark nature, it conveys positive messages for people who have experienced traumas similar to those of the paper girls, detailing the value of healthy relationships, the power of female strength, and reminds the audience of humanity's ability to find hope in darkness, to not just survive, but to live through struggles.
This novel was an engrossing read which, while dark, aims to lift its readers and remind them of their own power and ability to create change.
Stephanie Lam

The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan

Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408889930
(Age: 10+) 'Set your sails east with this stunningly original new history of the world. Peter Frankopan, number one bestselling author and historian, explores the connections made by people, trade, disease, war, religion, adventure, science and technology in this extraordinary book with a remarkable voyage at its heart - the journey along the Silk Roads. From ancient world laws laid down by Kind Hammurabi and the mighty Persian empire, to terrifying Huns, the rise of Europe, two world wars and politics today, The Silk Roads moves through time and history sewing the threads from different peoples, empires and continents into a phenomenal history of the globe.' (Publisher)
This book is absolutely exquisite. The illustrations are to die for and the detailed accounts of the times in history are informative and easy to read. The book centres around Europe and the Middle East, with other countries being mentioned briefly. It begins with Medieval times and passes through centuries finishing in the 2000s. Each chapter is divided into an historical period and the significant events that influenced it. The book does not provide indepth information about each time, but it does entice the reader to seek more information. The book is unique in that it delivers the historical content from an Asian perspective, rather than the traditional USA and English.
This would be a welcome addition to the collection for readers 10 and up or it would make a beautiful coffee table book.
Kathryn Schumacher

Stories for kids who dare to be different by Ben Brooks

Lots of frogs by Howard Calvert and Claudia Boldt

Hodder Children's Books, 2018. ISBN 9781444939644
(Age: 2-6) Recommended. Themes: Counting. Frogs. Tommy Fox has a box that he takes to school for show-and-tell. Of course, as the box jumps right and left, Tommy sneezes and the frogs leap away. The children are delighted and the teachers shriek as the frogs play hide-and-seek.
This is a very humorous story that will have children giggling out loud at the antics of the frogs. They poke their tongues out at the teacher, sit on the teacher's chair and even jump in the head teacher's hair. When Tommy tries to catch them with a net, there is even more fun. The expressions on the faces of the frogs are priceless, each unique, and the frogs featured on the end pages are just hilarious. Tommy's cheeky personality is evident from the illustrations of him trying to catch the frogs. All the drawings are in bright, eye-catching colours.
The rhyming text is very well constructed and would make a great read aloud for the young, while the rhythm and rhyme, and shortness of the text would help emerging readers work out the words. Children will be happy to predict what is going to happen next, especially after Tom finally gets all the frogs in his box and then smiles wide.
Children will have lots of fun counting the frogs on different pages, as the number in Tommy's net changes as does the number that are free to get into mischief.
I can see this becoming a firm favourite for bedtime stories with the very young and a brilliant book for beginning readers to try.
Pat Pledger

Princess in practice by Connie Glynn

The Rosewood Chronicles. Penguin, 2018. ISBN 9780241334454
(Age: 11-14) Following on from book one, Undercover princess, this is a delight to read. It perfectly balances drama, adventure, friendship, secrets and self-discovery and the characters are wonderful and instantly likeable. Each chapter ends with a small cliffhanger and leaves you wanting to read more every time.
Rosewood is a magical place to get lost in and explore with the characters. Lottie Pumpkin is an ordinary girl who longs to be a Princess; Ellie Wolf is a princess who longs to be ordinary. When fate puts them in the same dorm at Rosewood Hall, the two come up with the perfect solution: to swap places. The story shows great character development and how they've grown so far.
Back for their second year at Rosewood, Connie and Ellie are close as ever, and learning more about their new roles. But strange things are happening at Rosewood. With pupils being poisoned, it seems like the threat of secret organisation Leviathan is growing closer. Lottie and Ellie are determined to find the culprit. But is danger closer than they think?
Donna Isgar

The football book: The teams, the rules, the leagues, the tactics by David Goldblatt and Johnny Acton

David Goldblatt and Johnny Acton
Ill. by Phil Gamble, Mike Garland, and Mark Walker. Dorling Kindersley, 2018. ISBN 9780241332856
(Age: 8+) Recommended for sports fans. Subjects: Soccer. Team sports. Football. The football book, published by DK, is a comprehensive compendium of football, from the history of ancient ball games, to how the game is played, even the results of the 2018 World Cup. This is a visually outstanding information book with graphics of team players, maps, diagrams of the evolution of the pitch and text boxes filled with statistics. Each double-page spread is set out in an easy-to-read format, just right for a quick read, to find relevant information about teams from across the globe, tactics and techniques.
Four thousand years ago, the Chinese played cuju with two teams and a ball, kicking towards a fixed goal. Spectator ball sports developed in Mesoamerica three thousand years ago. Football has evolved over the centuries into a variety of different games with five players a side, beach football, freestyle, indoor games and Paralympic football. Detailed descriptions of how the game is played, each player's position and quotes from famous players are included in 'How the game is played.'
'The footballer's anatomy' looks at strength, height, shape, muscular structure and discusses the hypothetical ideal player. This includes Beckham's right foot, Rinaldo's upper body and Maradona's left foot! Detailed diagrams of spectacular moves, spins and turns, shooting for goals, heading the ball, all help players both young and older to study the techniques.
'Planet Football' takes us across the globe with the FIFA Confederations and its more than 200-member countries divided into six geographical areas. Starting with the English clubs and an inside look at Wembley Stadium, we branch out across the United Kingdom then into Europe. 'Australia's Stat Attack' describes the Socceroos, our national team, the A-League teams, and the origin of the Old School teams, Sydney City was founded in 1939. The football book is packed with data and statistics, finishing with the International Awards and Records, including Women's World Cup Winners; Men's and Women's Player of the Year and Club World Cup winners.
The football book is a most comprehensive, all-inclusive visual encyclopedia of football perfect for sports fan, families to delve into, armchair players and anyone who loves the game.
Rhyllis Bignell

Snow Penguin by Tony Mitton

Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408862964
(Age: All) Recommended. This little penguin can never stay still.
He's always in search of excitement and thrill.
In the frozen Antarctic one curious little penguin decides to explore the ice and the snow and the sea. On his travels he sees two blue whales, a family of sea lions and a whole school of orca, but soon Penguin starts to miss his own family. Sometimes coming home is the best adventure of all.
This is a gorgeous book about penguins having a wonderful time in the snow. This is sure to become a family favourite that will eventually fall apart. I can see a child snuggled up on a parent's lap discussing the questions and answering them over and over again! The young readers will identify with the cold weather and the fun that can be had in the snow. Would make a fantastic addition to the Christmas stocking. Suitable for all.
Kathryn Schumacher