(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. The second book in the quirky,
action-packed Darkmouth series, finds Finn still 11 months away from
becoming a fully-fledged Legend Hunter upon his 13th Birthday. A
prologue outlines the previous events for those who haven't read the
first book in the series. When Hugo does not return from the land of
behemoths, it falls on poor Finn to defend Darkmouth. Yet his quest
to find his father on the 'Infested Side' means that he must battle
monsters and discover more long lost family members than he
bargained on.
The history of previous skirmishes on the Infested Side, is
documented in a sub-text called 'The Chronicles of the Sky's
Collapse'. It runs parallel to Finn's search for the map and his
father. The journey through another realm filled with monstrous
'Legends' takes a mammoth 400 pages and might put tweens off -
hopefully long enough so that the diehard fans of Darkmouth bk. 1
can get their hands on it in the school library!
Not wishing to dampen desires to experience it for ourselves, the
language and the subject matter are still to easily managed in the
middle school although the sequel is more demanding in many ways. Darkmouth bk 3 : Chaos Descends will be much awaited. Meanwhile,
devotees can view the trailer
and even immerse themselves in all things Darkmouth by watching a
dozen or more explainer animations on the Darkmouth youtube channel.
There is a prequel to the series here.
Deborah Robins
A letter from Italy by Pamela Hart
Hachette, 2017. ISBN 9780733637544
(Age: Senior secondary) Recommended. This richly detailed novel, a war-time
story, takes us back to an Italy that few of us would know, or even
dream of, so different is the Venice painted by Pamela Hart in her
powerful narrative of the 1914 - 1918 War as told by an Australian
war correspondent. Hart explores just how strong a woman had to be
at this time to compete with men in such a traditionally male
dominion. Neither retiring nor shy, she is clearly intending to
fulfill her role as well as, or better than a man, despite the male
correspondents who demean her role. In fact, her courage,
determination and intelligence are at the heart of her strength, and
it is on these that she will draw in the dark days of a city on the
edge of that terrible war.
Newly married to a serving Australian officer, the young woman is
left alone when her husband is sent away and she hears nothing from
him. The crucial element of danger becomes more evident as she
becomes aware of the enemy's moving closer to the city, and of the
nature of the attacks that she discovers. As she pursues
intelligence regarding specific war incidents, we are aware of this
as a critical point in her career. Supported by new friends, she is
determined to pursue a particular inquiry. The depth of her growing
understanding of various incidents encourages her to pursue the
story of one specific attack, and so to reveal the real story. It is
her pursuit of truth and her determination to write the truth, that
gain her a strong reputation in the world of war-time reporting.
This is a story that grows better as the narrative progresses. It is
about goodness and bravery, decency and treachery, love and hatred.
It begins with a lightness that seems typical of a romantic novel.
Yet this is not its outcome, as Hart draws us into the narrative and
leaves us with a sense of recognition of decency, of good character,
loyalty, friendship - in this case evidently emblematic of the
elusive quality at the heart of a strong narrative.
I would recommend this novel for senior students. Its initial
romantic tone, that makes it see to be a lighthearted romance, is
misleading. I found that, as the reality of the strength, talent,
determination and decency of Australia's first female war
correspondent is revealed, the novel gained in strength and
credibility.
Elizabeth Bondar
Hero by Jennifer Li Shotz
HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9780062652218
Hero, a retired search-and-rescue dog, is not prepared for a stray
puppy to come into his life. But when he and twelve-year-old Ben
find Scout injured and afraid, the new addition leads them down an
unexpected and dangerous path. When Scout goes missing, it's up to
Hero to use his search-and-rescue skills to find Scout and bring him
home.
This is a compelling story about the bond between a boy and his dogs
and the lessons Ben has to learn about sorting out priorities as he
promises that he will keep up his schoolwork and grades if he is
allowed to keep the puppy, Scout. But it's hard when you have
friends and baseball also vying for your time.
More for the independent reader, nevertheless it would make a great
read-aloud to a class or younger person who loves dogs, with just the
right amount of tension and a happy ending.
Barbara Braxton
Highest mountain deepest ocean: a pictorial compendium of natural wonders ill. by Page Tsou
Five Mile Press, 2017. ISBN 9781760406387
(Age: 6+) Recommended. Lists, Comparisons, natural world. Akin to a
Guinness Book of Records or books of lists (which I love)
this book will encourage avid readers of facts to delve deeper into
the book, as they are assailed with information about the largest
animals or the tallest trees, the highest mountains and the longest
animal migration. Each double page has a range of illustrations with
information about each thing represented. I was fascinated by the
page of biggest storms. The sepia style of illustrations gives the
page an old fashioned, woodblock look which reflects the time scale
of storms represented. So we have a range of storms given: ice
storms, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, hailstorms, lightning storms
and sonic storms. Details are given about each type of storm with
information about one of the most severe storm in that category. I
can imagines lots of readers being drawn into each page, relishing
the information given and poring over the pictures.
The old fashioned style is used throughout the book by illustrator,
Page Tsou, to wonderful effect.
The endpapers are visually exciting showing the flight of a bird
over the double page, a thrilling introduction and ending to the
large format book. So to find out which is the fastest animals, or
the longest living, the highest mountain, the deepest burrowing
animal or the distance from the earth to the moon, this is the dip
in book to read.
Like many of these sorts of books, it will be hidden on the non
fiction shelves, so needs promoting to readers.
Fran Knight
Fly on the wall by E. Lockhart
Hot Key Books, 2016. ISBN 9781471406041
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Fly on the wall promises all the
workings of a cheesy disaster of a teen read. The old Freaky
Friday trick as a means to self-revelation seems trite and
incredible. But thankfully, E. Lockhart proves us wrong. Gretchen,
who is the quirky, insecure but equally hilarious voice of the
novel; matures quite credibly after a throw away comment to her best
friend traps her in the body of the creature she wished to be.
Gretchen Yee is an outsider for being comparatively normal in a
public school designated as a centre for excellence in fine art.
Boys baffle her and she is constantly overthinking their behaviour
and motivations. Her parents are headed for divorce and her drawing
teacher does not respect her signature comic book style - she isn't
in a good place.
The half of the novel spent as an insect trapped inside the boys'
locker room, is revelatory for Gretchen. To lower secondary
students, the frequent focus on male anatomy may be too confronting
albeit comical. In her wantonness, it is almost as if Gretchen jumps
gender as well as species! The lads behave quite differently behind
closed doors whether naked or not, and we witness bullying,
insecurity, homophobia and mateship. What she learns during her
metamorphosed week, gives Gretchen the confidence to understand that
boys are equally clueless about the world, girls or themselves.
Titus teaches Gretchen that communication and risk of self-exposure
is key if we are ever going to see the good and bad that must
co-exist in every person. Fly on the wall doesn't take a lot
of unpacking - but it doesn't take a lot of effort either. A light
read is sometimes just the ticket. Girls will love reading more
yarns from Gretchen Yee's perspective.
Deborah Robins
The thousandth floor by Katharine McGee
HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9780008179977
(Age: 15+) Romance/Speculative. In every sense, this futuristic
birds-eye view of entitled adolescence seems plausibly speculative.
We can imagine that in the twenty-second century most of New York's
population could inhabit a single, mile-high building complex,
traversed by hovercraft. The futuristic hierarchy is not only
structural but financial - bottom dwellers are outclassed by McGee's
genetically engineered teenagers and their families on the uppermost
floors. However, sex, drugs, rivalry and school are still very much
on the menu for all social classes. Little has changed.
McGee follows the cycling fortunes of romantic couples who are
acquainted mostly through school or friendships. Eris and Mariel,
Rylin and Cord, Leda and Atlas, Avery and Watt transcend social
media by simply 'eye flicking' to chat or meet up at school, parties
and bars. They each have separate problems: divorcing parents, being
orphaned, drugs, poverty, cybercrime, identity issues and not least
a taboo attraction; the last of which may warrant an M15+ rating.
Thankfully there is no homophobia a hundred years from now - that
doesn't appear to be a problem unless you count the irony of the
fateful climax.
The entire romance/sci fi mash-up is retold as a flashback after a
girl falls from the Tower on the first page. The interweaving of
events surrounding a group of empowered and affluent teenagers is
skilful but the addictive page-turning claim of Cecily von Ziegesar
(author of Gossip Girl) has more to do with Leda's plans to
unveil everyone's secrets in order to exact revenge on Avery and
Atlas, her step-brother. With so much unresolved, we are in store
for a sequel.
Deborah Robins
Hooray for birds! by Lucy Cousins
Candlewick Press, 2017. ISBN 9780763692650
(Age: 3-7) Highly recommended. Can you imagine just for one day
you're a busy bird? Lucy Cousins invites her young audience to
visualise themselves as beautiful birds in this wonderfully bold and
engaging picture book. She begins at dawn with the rooster's cry and
ends at night with the brightly coloured owl's 'Tuwit tuwoo!' Set
against solid bright backgrounds, each painted bird displays vibrant
plumage inside strong black outlines. Cousins understands the use of
contrasting and complimentary colours and the use of simple shapes
and design.
Her rhyming text is easy to read to little ones, the bold letters
flow across the page, moving up and down with the swimming swan and
swooping up, down and around like the starlings. The gorgeous pink
flamingo, invites us to 'Stand very tall on just one leg' as the
text stretches to emphasize his stance. In a read aloud story
circle, a kindergarten or library setting, young listeners can
actively participate, predicting the rhyming text and waddling like
a penguin, running like an ostrich or cuddling like a parrot in the
nest.
From the popular author of the Maisy series, Cousins' Hooray
for Birds is a wonderfully engaging picture book that can lead
into extension activities in art, dramatic play and science - the
basic needs of living things.
Rhyllis Bignell
Frogkisser by Garth Nix
Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760293512
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Fantasy, Classic tales, Sorcery. This
novel spins a tongue in cheek fantasy/fairytale which will entertain
readers of any age. Nix includes all the elements necessary for the
genre, a reluctant heroine, an evil sorcerer, magic, royalty,
forests, castles and talking animals.
Princess Anya is second in line to the throne of a tiny kingdom, her
sister Princess Morven is self absorbed, interested only in her
latest beau and throwing tantrums. Anya seeks refuge in the castle
library where she reads about magic. Her step-father Duke Rikard has
become obsessed with magic and sorcery and wants the kingdom for
himself.
He has plans to send Anya off to a remote school from which she may
never return. Rikard has been refining his transformation spells and
has turned Morven's suitor into a frog. Anya has to leave and find
the ingredients for a magic salve which she must spread on her lips
before she kisses the frog to turn him back to a prince.
With help of the Royal Dogs she slips out of the castle knowing that
Duke Rikard will be hot on her heals. Thus begins her quest. But as
she travels through the fractured kingdoms she finds that the
expectations of others complicate matters and her quest becomes one
to return justice and rule of law to the old kingdom which has been
divided by the ill use of sorcery.
I recommend you join with Garth Nix and his wonderful cast of
characters in this magical fantastic journey. Of course you know
that good will triumph over evil as it always finally does, but the
road travelled is amusing, gripping and enthralling.
Mark Knight
How the queen found the perfect cup of tea by Kate Hosford
Ill. by Gabi Swiatkowska. Carolrhoda books, 2017. ISBN 9781467739047
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Humour, Tea, Adventure, Quest. When
the queen sips her morning cup of tea, she finds something is amiss.
It simply does not have the taste she is looking for. Her servant
James is puzzled: is there too much milk or not enough sugar. She
takes to the skies in a hot air balloon to seek out the perfect cup
of tea. She calls in at several places and a child makes her a cup
of tea each time. The three are from different cultures and sharp
eyed readers will notice the very different ways that their tea is
made. Each time it is prepared, the queen becomes more involved, and
children will see that her participation in the ritual of making tea
is making her happier.
Repetition in the story makes it even funnier, as the same thing
happens but with a different outcome each time, until she finally
realises that she can make it for herself, and if she can make a cup
of tea, then many other things she can do flow on.
This is a funny tale, sure to raise a laugh from the audience,
whether read aloud or by themselves. Children will be sure to join
in once they see the repetition, and watch out for the many animals
that join in the fun along the way. The illustrations too compliment
the tale well, adding another level of humour to the story. Readers
will be looking to make a cup of tea at the end of their reading.
Fran Knight
The magic word by Mac Barnett
Ill. by Elise Parsley. Balzer and Bray, 2016. ISBN 9780062354846
Paxton C. Heymeyer seems to have forgotten his manners, so when he
asks his babysitter for a cookie she asks him for the magic word.
But instead of saying, "Can I have a cookie, please", Paxton C.
Heymeyer shouts "Can I have a cookie, alakazoomba?" Suddenly, in a
puff of blue smoke he not only discovers a cookie in his hand but
the power to summon up anything he wants with that one magic word. A
walrus to chase the babysitter to the North Pole; a waterslide in
the living room; a jungle bedroom; anything his imagination lets him
dream. Even an elephant and a robot-servant!
But when Rosie comes to play he finds that things aren't quite what
he wishes for because elephants can't play cards or any of the other
things friends do together...
There would be few of our littlies who have not been asked for "the
magic word" so they will relate well to this engaging story of being
able to have whatever you want - it brings life to the saying "Be
careful what you wish for." Asking them what they would wish for or
dream of having will elicit a lot of discussion and drawing, but
there is also much to think about when Rosie refuses to play and
goes home. Friendship and happiness are not all about material
things and instant gratification, and this book may provide food for
thought for those who want to have the latest thing NOW, and those
who wish they could.
Barbara Braxton
Worm loves Worm by J.J. Austrian
Ill. by Mike Curato. Balzer & Bray, 2016. ISBN 9780062386335
Worm loves Worm. So they decide to get married. It shouldn't be a
problem but suddenly all their minibeast friends chip in. "You'll
need someone to marry you. That's how it's always been done." You'll
need a best man, bridesmaids, rings, a band... and so on and so
on, because "that's how it's always been done."
Worm and Worm agree to each suggestion hoping that after they
acquiesce they can get married but no... there is always
something else. So when they are told that they need to have a bride
and groom, worms being hermaphrodites, they have no trouble with
being either or both - but that isn't how it's always been done.
Will they ever just celebrate their love by getting married???
This is a charming book that, on the surface, is just a story about
two worms wanting to get married because they love each other, and
that, to a four-year-old is a natural thing to do. It is just a
celebration of love. For those in different circumstances or a
little bit older there is a sub-text of marriage equality and things
can change - things don't always have to be because they have always
been. It's enough to love each other without all the other
trappings; it's about inclusion and equality and showing affection
regardless of any traditional views and values that have been
imposed on a natural state of mind. That's what little ones
understand and accept - intolerance is something they learn.
Choosing worms as the main characters is a masterstroke because
there are no physical differences between worms - there is nothing
to say which is female and therefore the bride or male and therefore
the groom. So the central message of love being the key ingredient
and the rest of the elements of a wedding just being seasoning
remains the central theme. Perhaps some of our politicians and those
who influence them should read this and get to the core of what
really matters.
A great addition to a school library collection that allows children
to see their own family structure in a story, to show others that
there are all sorts of family structures, and to explain marriage
equality to those unfamiliar with the concept.
Barbara Braxton
Big picture book of long ago by Sam Baer
Ill. by Wesley Robins. Usborne, 2016. ISBN 9781409598725
Take a city, an English city, and then take a journey back through
time and discover how people have lived and worked there over the
centuries right back to its Stone Age camp beginnings.
Interspersed with double-page spreads of how people travelled, what
they wore and the structures they built, this is a Richard
Scarry-esque picture book loaded with pictures and captions that
will fascinate the young reader fascinated with history. Or it might
be the one that sparks an interest as the reader looks for the
changes across the centuries and thinks about why they have
occurred.
More to this than meets the eye.
Barbara Braxton
Three little monkeys by Quentin Blake
Ill. by Emma Chichester Clark. HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN
9780008164478
Hilda Snibbs is not like other people. She doesn't have a dog or a
cat or even a goldfish - she has three little monkeys. Their names
are Tim and Sam and Lulu and they are very lively. Every time she
leaves the house and leaves them on their own, they trash it.
Nothing is safe - not her hat, her knitting, her favourite shampoo,
the toilet paper...
She tells them she is disappointed in them, she asks what she has
done to deserve such wretched little monkeys; she wonders how long
she can put up with them - and each time Tim and Sam and Lulu look
at her with their big round eyes and say nothing. One day after they
had been into everything in her bathroom, she cries, "Oh, for a
peaceful life without these wicked little monkeys!" But when she
comes home the next day and they are gone, she realises how much she
misses them until...
This is a funny, lovable story that will become a favourite of
little ones as they recognise some of the mischief they themselves
might have created over time. Quentin Blake's words marry so well
with Emma Chichester Clark's illustrations - little vignettes that
are full of action and fun as they show the monkeys at work - that
this is a masterful collaboration. Even though the monkeys are so
naughty they remain lovable and it's Hilda Snibbs who becomes the
"villain". As Miss 5 said, "Why did she keep leaving them on their
own? She's stupid!" Three little monkeys is the perfect bedtime read-aloud as the
children delight in the antics and naughtiness of the monkeys and
see that they are loved regardless of what they do, while Hilda
Snibbs will resonate with exasperated parents who sometimes long for
the quiet life they had before their own little monkeys were born,
even though they know they wouldn't have it any other way.
Joyful.
Barbara Braxton
Lift-the-flap questions and answers about Science by Katie Daynes
Lift-the-flap questions and answers about Science by Katie Daynes
Ill. by Marie-Eve Tremblay. Usborne, 2016. ISBN 9781409598985
From the time they are born children are innately curious and as
soon as they are able to articulate the words, they ask questions so
they can make the connections they need as they try to make sense of
their world. As the nearest adult we try to help them with the
answers. Some of the answers are at our fingertips but some need a
little more digging.
Often those answers lie in science and this book is a great
introduction for the budding young scientist who has the questions
and wants a basic explanation that can be followed further if they
wish. Just 16 pages long, it is divided into double page spreads
with the headings what, why, when, where, which, who, how and yes or
no. Each page has several questions, the answers for which are
hidden under the flaps. Starting with the basic "What is science?"
and "What do scientists do?" it goes on to explore other questions
about science itself as well as others such as "Is the sky really
blue?" Simple explanations and quirky pictures under the flaps
provide a straight-forward answer as well as the starting point for
further investigations. Having the answers under the flap gives the
child an opportunity to consider the question and then suggest their
own explanation before checking to see if they are on the right
track.
Aimed at the young reader with an interest in science, nevertheless
it is a book to be shared with a grownup who can help with some of
the words, interpret the answers more fully and suggest other
sources for finding out more including the Usborne
web page for the book which has more questions, links to websites
and other books in the series that delve deeper.
Books like this start the young child on their way to being
information literate - able to locate, evaluate, analyse, interpret
information so they can then use it to satisfy their curiosity,
discover the world around them and ask new questions. With the
current emphasis on STEM (science technology, engineering and maths)
in the school curriculum not only does this book provide answers,
it demonstrates that those answers can be found in print as well as
modelling how to ask questions that require more than a one-word
answer to take an investigation further.
It could even be the springboard for an ongoing class activity with
a question posed each week so students can share their answers which
are then compared to the explanation provided, discussed and
investigated, sparking an interest in science that endures.
This is a dip-and-delve book - one the reader will come back to time
and time again.
Barbara Braxton
Goodnight world by Debi Gliori
Bloomsbury Children's, 2016. ISBN 9781408872734
"Bedtime and time to say goodnight to the world.
Goodnight planet, goodnight world,
Peaceful clouds around Earth curled."
In a gentle, lullaby-like rhyme the little one is getting ready for
bed and wishing everything a goodnight before sleep takes over. The
polar regions, the Northern Lights, the oceans and seas , cars,
boats, planes, birds, bees and fish - everything that he knows is
included in this final farewell for the day.
"Goodnight houses, nests and burrows.
Goodnight daylight, until tomorrow's."
The text is captured in a soft palette of muted colours, softened
even further by subtle tones and shadings and blurred lines and
within each picture everything is settling down for the night,
snuggled together and listening to a bedtime story. Even the tiniest
insect is reading or listening as the flowers and grasses curl
around them. In fact the whole theme is one of being curled up in
the arms of something that loves and protects, and that night and
darkness and sleep are a time of safety and security.
This would be the perfect inclusion as the final read for the
bedtime reading routine, gently calming everyone and sending them
off to dreamland comforted and comfortable, loving and loved.
Barbara Braxton
