Reviews

Snowdrift and other stories by Georgette Heyer

Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2017. ISBN 9781492650461
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Regency romance. Short stories. Originally published as Pistols for two, Snowdrift and other stories contains three brand new stories that previously haven't been in a collection. These three stories, Pursuit, Runaway match and Incident on the Bath Road, make a delightful addition for readers who love the work of Georgette Heyer.
All the stories felt very familiar to me and indeed many could be described as precursors to the full length novels. I have been a fan of the author since the very first time I read a book by her when I was a teen. She is an author that I come back to repeatedly whenever I need a feel-good read because her witty dialogue, sparkling characters and charming atmosphere always lift my spirits.
In this collection, I was happy to be re-united with Pistols for two as Heyer is so able to convey the jealousies and strong friendship of the youths who had suddenly found that the annoying little playmate from their childhood had grown into a beauty. Pursuit, one of the new stories, also was a hit with me, as I enjoyed the romance between the older couple, the Earl of Shane and Mary Fairfax, the governess and have always had a soft spot for the young woman who falls in love with a military man.
I particularly enjoyed the foreword by Heyer's official biographer, Jennifer Kloester, as she describes the importance of the women's magazines as places for authors to be published.
Heyer brings to life all the romance of a bygone era and her wonderful characters will linger in the memory. She is truly the queen of the Regency romance.
Pat Pledger

The snow angel by Lauren St John

Zephyr, 2017. ISBN 9781786695895
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Orphans. Poverty. Family. Miracles. Friendship. Overcoming difficulty. Resilience. The snow angel; is a wonderful, magical mix of African culture, sadness, dreams, grief, resilience and the awful sobering realities of poverty and homelessness - but despite this sad litany of ideas, it is filled with bright moments of love and optimism. This is both a fantasy tale with a light dusting of imagined mystery and a sobering expose of the reality of modern Africa. The central character, Makena, experiences the highs of living out her dreams within a loving family and then the horrors that no child should ever have to experience, after tragic circumstances swamp her life. Woven into this tragedy is the vision of the 'snow angel' - a magical illusion that appears and silently offers hope. Makena also meets an amazing friend and a rescuer that are just what she needs. Even though there are incredibly bleak and heart-breaking aspects to this story, it is ultimately a story of hope for Makena. (But a mature reader will also realise that there are many unnamed characters in the story that will not experience this same hopeful ending.)
Lauren St John has written this book with understanding of the Kenyan setting that comes from her own experience of life in Africa as a child. She also peppers lightly the telling of this dramatic tale with some profound quotes and pearls of wisdom, as well as a glimpse of how those in poverty can retain joy in their lives, despite the hardships they face. There are some chronology leaps as the story unfolds that may confuse some young readers initially, but the story is compelling and worth promoting.
Carolyn Hull

La la la by Kate DiCamillo

Ill. by Jaime Kim. Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406378009
(Age: 4+) Voice. Singing. Loneliness. The young girl on the front cover loves to sing, but wants to share her singing with someone else. She is hesitant, looking longingly at her front door, and eventually moves through the door into the world outside. Here it is golden and light filled, and she moves through this environment, singing, trying to attract someone else. She goes back inside, but the swirling leaves call her again and she moves outside into the darker space. She sings again, to no avail, but sees the large white circle of the moon shining. She tries to climb to the moon, singing all the while, but still there is no one there.
Disappointed yet again, she retreats to her house, her small voice singing the words to herself, but this time she hears them come back to her as someone responds.
Author Kate DiCamillo is well known for her stories of children not usually seen in children's books. Because of Winn-Dixie is a superb story of one girl's school year as she is forced to go to an integrated school after a law change. Raymie Nightingale looks at a child for whom winning a competition is the epitome. In these books, favourites of mine, I can see hints of the child in La la la: all children are hesitant, unsure of what to make of their situation, trying to find a friend in a world that seems hostile.
In La la la, the world eventually becomes less hostile, and she finds a friend.
Children will love filling in the story, adding words to this almost wordless picture book, as they see the child striving to take charge of her situation. Many will recognise themselves in this story, the hesitation at meeting new people, the loneliness of not making an effort to go outside, striving to be part of someone else's life, of finding a friend. Kim's illustrations reflect her feelings of being alone as a child, being hesitant and timid. The pictured girl is a small figure on a large white page, emphasising her aloneness for most of the story. A story of hope.
Fran Knight

I want to be in a scary story by Sean Taylor

Ill. by Jean Jullien. Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406363463
(Age: 3-7) Recommended. Little Monster wants to be in a scary story. He asks the author to help him but as the story is constructed from Little Monster's requests, he gets too scared and wants changes to the plot.
Eventually the monster wants a funny story but the author has his own fun by putting in a few surprises. In the end, the big revelation for the reader is made by Little Monster himself.
This is an entertaining book and younger children love the stories that seem to be written in front of them. Press here by Herve Tullet and The book with no pictures by B J Novak both have that interactive feel and are hugely popular in my school library.
I think children will relate to monster's fear of being scared and laugh at the tricks that are played on both the monster and the narrator or reader.
The pictures are bold and brightly coloured and the font is coloured purple when the (purple) monster speaks, making it easier for children to understand who is talking. The monster is cute and looks young and his facial expressions in the illustrations make it clear when he is scared or anxious about what is coming up next.
I enjoyed this humorous picture book and I am sure younger children will be delighted with it too.
I recommend this book for 3 to 7 year olds.
Jane Moore

Baabwaa and Wooliam by David Elliot

Ill. by Melissa Sweet. Candlewick Press, 2017. ISBN 9780763660741
(Age: Junior primary) Highly recommended. As you can guess by their clever names, this is a book about sheep. Baabwaa loves to knit and Wooliam loves to read. "It sounds boring but they like it".
They decide to have an adventure and while walking about the field, come across a wolf in disguise. At first the wolf chases them, while the sheep make a dash for safety deciding that being adventurous is not as wonderful as they first thought.
The wolf stops his pursuit as he is distracted by Wooliam's comment "It's that Wolf in sheep's clothing I've read about". The sheep show him the book but discover that he cannot read. They begin reading instruction for the wolf who still sporadically chases them, which they decide is good for their fitness and health.
This is a delightfully comical picture book as David Elliot makes humorous comments throughout the story, that children will love. I love the forgiving nature of the sheep and that they put up with the wolf chasing them as he is "just following his nature".
I enjoyed the end of the story where the wolf is engrossed in a book, wearing knitted garments made by Baabwaa.
The illustrations by Melissa Sweet are perfect for the story and the strands of wool on the endpapers are a great touch.
I highly recommend this picture book for junior primary aged children.
Jane Moore

What makes me a me? by Ben Faulks and David Tazzyman

Forest dark by Nicole Krauss

The story of Tutankhamun by Patricia Cleveland-Peck

Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408876787
(Age 8+) The discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun is one of the most celebrated events in the history of archaeology. It has intrigued Egyptologists and enthusiasts alike since 1922, when Howard Carter unearthed the young pharaoh's burial chamber and revealed its extraordinary treasures.
Patricia Cleveland-Peck has told the story of that discovery in three parts. Firstly, she has explained the family, beliefs, life and death of Tutankhamun. Secondly, she has focused on the moment when Carter entered the tomb, then described how the artefacts were documented before their relocation to Cairo. The author has also demystified the so-called curse. In the final section, Patricia Cleveland-Peck has explained how technologies unknown to Carter have thrown new light on the cause of the pharaoh's death, but failed to solve all the mysteries which surround him. Instead of reproducing photographs, Isabel Greenberg has illustrated the entire book with stylised drawings. The inclusion of speech bubbles and the occasional use of a handwriting font enable readers to experience the text as a combination of graphic nonfiction and conventional, information book. The narrative is readable but, in places, lacks fluency. Younger readers may find the font small but will delight in the colourful illustrations on every page. Although the book can be used as a source of information, it lacks an index and a reference list. The picture book format suggests that this is a book to be shared and enjoyed.
The story of Tutankhamun will attract readers who are fascinated by Ancient Egypt and its youngest pharaoh. It will also provide insights into the quest by archaeologists to find evidence that helps to explain the lives of those who lived in the past.
Elizabeth Bor

Sour heart by Jenny Zhang

(Age: Adult) This story consists of interweaving chapters about Chinese refugees and migrants struggling to make a new life in the U.S. It begins with a chapter about 'Sour girl' and the places her parents are forced to live - including a shared room with five mattresses on the floor with various other families on the other mattresses, and a blocked toilet that they use chopsticks to force the contents down the pipe. They are at the mercy of unscrupulous landlords and street gangs that steal their possessions. Life is so hard that eventually Sour girl's parents have to send her back to Shanghai to live with her grandmother until they can afford to care for her again. Family members are frequently separated, with people sent to different places around the world. And that breaking, reconnecting and breaking up of relationships again and again takes its toll on them all. Parents sacrifice and suffer, and children harden their hearts. This is set within the historical context of the Cultural Revolution in China where people were turned against each other. Some of the childhood cruelty and heartlessness of that time becomes hard to read at times.
The language of the book captures the continuous thought processes of children, often telling the story in one long rambling sentence as another thought adds another clause, twisting on and on; sentences can be a page long. We are drawn into the experience of each narrator, seeing things from each perspective, gradually working out how people connect together.
The families endure the hardships and do survive, and people manage to make a new life; thanks to their own determination and perseverance - qualities we read about again and again in refugee and migrant stories. The values of caring for family, working hard, and protecting memories, continue to hold strong despite the hardships and challenges.
Helen Eddy

Big box little box by Caryl Hart and Edward Underwood

Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408872772
'Big box, little box...
My box, YOUR box!'
Cat loves boxes - all sorts of boxes - big, small, fat, thin, huge tiny... and in this romp in rhyme so many boxes are explored. But it is not just a collection of rhyming words or opposites, there is a story told in the clever choice of words and their accompanying pictures that early readers will be able to tell for themselves, delighting in their ability to read.
This is a great story to share with little ones because there is so much to share and talk about. If a fat cat sits on a little box, what will be the outcome? And if a box has a corner nibbled out of it, what might be inside?
And given the obvious answer, is this story about to end badly? Two word phrases, rhyme, bold pictures, humour, predictability that engages the reader - a perfect combination to take our youngest readers further into their love with reading.
Barbara Braxton

Alfie in the woods by Debi Gliori

Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408872048
Alfie, the little rabbit with the big imagination, is back in a new adventure, this time walking through the woods. As he gathers woodland treasures and plays hide-and-seek he notices many of the little creatures and his mind morphs him into becoming each of them. Such a busy day - luckily Daddy is there to carry him and his treasures home.
Deb Gliori's distinctive illustrations bring the woods to life but with soft lines, textures and palettes, it does not become a place that is too scary for the littlest reader. It will encourage lots of imaginative and active play and then be perfect for drawing the curtains on the day as a bedtime story.
Barbara Braxton

Secrets in death by J.D. Robb

In death series, book 45. Little, Brown, 2017. ISBN 9780349415789
(Age: Adult) Recommended. Mystery. It is amazing how J.D. Robb manages to come up with new plots and twists even after 44 previous books. Secrets in death is just as compulsive as the previous books and leaves the reader wanting more of the fabulous couple, Eve Dallas and Roarke.
This time, the plot centres on the murder of Larinda Mars, who bled out in front of Dallas while she was in a fashionable bar. As the investigation gets underway, it becomes apparent that Mars not only traded in gossip for her show, but traded in blackmail on the side. With so many suspects to choose from, Dallas and her team have a busy time trying to uncover the secrets that Mars carried with her, not just about the people on her list but about the reasons that her face had been virtually reconstructed. And for readers, there is a secret close to home that is finally revealed.
The success of this series is a tribute to J.D.Robb's ability to write a tight, interesting murder story, this time concentrating on how the team do the investigation. I was left wishing that the story hadn't finished. Fans will not be disappointed.
Pat Pledger

Duck, Duck, Porcupine! by Salina Yoon

Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781619637245
(Age: 4-8) Beginning readers.This new series is similar to the Elephant and Piggie books. It is comprised of crisp, simple, full-page illustrations with bold outlining and page borders. It contains no narration, mostly speech bubbles and some sounds and environmental text. The small amount of large, bold text on each page makes it perfect for beginning readers. There are some visual clues to help young readers and it uses mostly high frequency and phonetic words. Duck, Duck, Porcupine! includes three short stories, each featuring Big Duck, Little Duck and Porcupine. Big Duck is organised, bossy and knows just about everything. Porcupine is a great friend who will go along with just about anything. Little Duck cannot talk yet but he thinks outside the box and is very clever. The three characters are all incredibly lovable. In the first story the friends go out for a picnic but it starts raining. Big Duck and Porcupine are disappointed that their picnic is ruined but Little Duck shows them how to have fun in spite of the wet weather. In the second story Big Duck knows she has forgotten something and Little Duck is trying ever so hard to tell her what it is. In the last story the friends decide to go camping. While Big Duck and Porcupine are still busy gathering the 100 necessary camping items Little Duck is already having fun camping! This is an engaging text for young children with pictures that help tell the story and beautifully illustrate the nuances of the three friends. Simple illustrations, a restrained colour palette and minimal background detail will help to keep young readers focused on the text and the expressions and actions of the characters. The characters are endearing and both children and adults will enjoy their humourous adventures.
Nicole Nelson

Jigsaw of fire and stars by Yaba Badoe

Zephyr, 2017. ISBN 9781786697981
When a boatload of African refugees is rammed and sunk by people smugglers, Sante's family set her adrift on the sea in a chest containing all their wealth, in the hope that she will survive.
Discovered by Mama Rose and raised as her own alongside two other foundlings Cat and Cobra, Sante grows up in a small Gypsy community, travelling throughout Europe and performing circus tricks for a living.
The youths possess unusual talents. Sante sees the terrible demise of her family in dreams, can sometimes read the thoughts of people and communicates with Triss, an eagle which protects her and does her bidding. Cobra has an affinity with snakes and can charm them to behave as he pleases whilst Cat is an unerring knife thrower.
Sante's family and friends are used to constantly moving to escape the attention of authorities who often chase and harass them. When they realise that the appearance of suspicious men is somehow connected to Sante's dead relatives, their instinct is to remove themselves and disappear, rather than engaging the help of police whom they naturally distrust.
The arrival of the mysterious Scarlett, a young girl of similar age who is clearly traumatised, prompts Sante, Cat and Cobra to remain and assist her against the wishes of their elders. The trio discovers a sinister people smuggling network where adolescents are sold into sexual slavery and they become embroiled in a dangerous and nasty situation.
In order to survive and to attempt to bring the criminals to justice, Sante, Cat and Cobra summon all of their powers, both physical and magical as they navigate a confusing maelstrom of events.
The theme of sex trafficking seems out of place in a story which appears to be written for early teens, however nothing explicit is depicted. The writing style, language and plot developments may not appeal to older readers and the topic seems worthy of a more sophisticated presentation in my view.
Rob Welsh

Piglettes by Clementine Beauvais

Pushkin Press, 2017. ISBN 9781782691204
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. This superb YA novel deals with some pretty gritty issues like bullying (cyber and real life), self image, identity and family relationships and is one of the most wickedly funny books you'll read all year.
Mireille, Astrid and Hakima are three girls at the same school and recently voted as the first three place-winners in a Facebook 'Pig Pageant' for the ugliest girls by their schoolmates. This event was initiated by Mireille's erstwhile childhood friend Malo, who is one of the most odious youths ever. Since they both started high school Malo has made it his mission in life to humiliate Mireille at every turn.
While the girls are all pretty crushed by this horrible bullying, they are not going to let it get the better of them and form a friendship that will fly them forever. Each has a particular reason for their proposed plan to cycle to Paris for the huge Bastille Day celebrations; Mireille, wants to confront her biological father, now married to the President, Astrid wants to meet her idols Indochine and Hakima wants to berate the commanding officer about to be awarded the Legion of Honour for the debacle that resulted in her brother Kader losing both his legs in battle.
Overcoming the opposition of parents, the girls set off on what must be the craziest road trip ever with Kader in his super wheel chair as their chaperone. Along the way they garner the respect and adulation of thousands via newspapers and social media and in real life.
Told through Mireille's witty and philosophical voice, the reader is alongside the girls for the entire trip which is joyful, uplifting and totally hilarious.
Proving themselves as true Mighty Girls the trio triumph over the online bullies and even horrid Malo shows some indications of redemption, especially when the reason for his nastiness is revealed. Each girl learns valuable lessons about herself particularly when they finally attain their goals and find that something has changed about their motivations.
Definitely worthy of its achievement of winning France's biggest award for YA/teen fiction I highly recommend this to you for your girls from around 14 years upwards.
Sue Warren