Orion Publishing, 2016. ISBN 9781409158370
Themes: Murder mystery; Truth and Lies. Horowitz is a masterful
writer of mysteries and in the Magpie Murders he weaves two stories
together - the mystery of the unfinished manuscript by Alan Conway,
the renowned Murder Mystery writer, and then the death of that
writer in unusual circumstances. Those circumstances though have
parallels to the book that he has written. Susan Ryeland, the editor
who would normally rework the manuscript making it suitable for
publishing, becomes embroiled in the mysteries and her normal joy in
having the narrative denouement revealed by the clever but
mysterious private detective character (comparable to Hercule
Poirot) is hijacked as she takes over the detective role herself in
uncovering the missing chapters. The consequence is that we see
woven together two stories with many parallels and the reader is
forced to predict and disentangle red herrings and attempt to solve
the mystery. The original Conway work (and its missing chapters) are
set in Post-War England and are very reminiscent of Agatha Christie
style murder mysteries; but the work of Ryeland in uncovering the
missing chapters and determining if Conway's passing was at his own
hand is more contemporary, but still a formulaic Murder mystery tale
with an inquisitive and untrusting 'detective' very keen on bringing
to light the truth.
For everyone who has enjoyed an Agatha Christie novel or loved
watching a British Murder mystery drama on television, this book
will entice and appeal. I cannot believe how disappointed I was
(joining Ryeland) when the Magpie Murders was not initially solved .
. . I too wanted to find a solution. The fact that this occurs half
way through the tome should have given me more insight that this
book was more than a straightforward story, but don't be surprised
with the twists and turns; that is the nature of a murder-mystery!
Carolyn Hull
Hug this book! by Barney Saltzberg
Ill. by Fred Benaglia. Phaidon, 2016. ISBN 9780714872841
(Age: 3-7) Recommended. Barney Saltzberg's Hug this Book is
a delightful rhyming story, which celebrates the joy of reading. The
enjoyment of receiving a new book, the smell, the adventure, the
tickling pages and the warmth of a story wrapping you inside all
provide pleasurable sensory experiences. You can make up a story to
tell to this book, imaginary lands and marvellous creatures fly out
of a wordless picture book. The places to read are limitless - up in
the air, upside down, reflected in a mirror or sung as a song to the
birds. Books help to calm and quieten, share a story with a grownup
and there are stories to read while dancing and eating. The joy of
reading this entertaining story is that it can be shared again and
again.
Fred Benaglia's retro illustrative style is reminiscent of picture
books from the 1960's, with big bold characters, wrap-around scenes
and warm emotive settings. Children in bright clothes with
multi-coloured faces and hair, blue, olive green, tan, black and red
share this story in the bath, on a hippo's back and in a hot air
balloon. Hug this book is a feel good story just right for sharing
with a kindergarten, preschool or junior primary class. Use this
picture book as a springboard for art, a story starter and as an
encouragement to read.
Rhyllis Bignell
Pancakes! An interactive recipe book - no food required! ill. by Lotta Nieminen
Phaidon, 2016. ISBN 9780714872827
(Age: 2-5) Recommended. Hardcover, Board Book. Lotta Nieminen's
interactive board book delights with sturdy tabs, wheels and flaps,
an enjoyable change for the technology-obsessed toddlers of today.
Each sturdy page with simple stylised computer generated graphics is
visually appealing. This procedural text has the ingredients and
tools listed at the beginning. The whisk, fish slice, bowls and
plate are shown carefully balanced on the jug.
Each step is simple to follow with easy to read instructions, pull
the flap and the flour pours into the bowl, while the wet
ingredients mix at the turn of a wheel. When the mixture is cooked
in the frying pan, toddlers will enjoy flipping the pancake circle
onto the plate.
This interactive book provides a no-mess no-fuss approach to pancake
making! How many families will make the real thing after sharing
this recipe book? One consideration is that young cooks need to have
adult assistance in the kitchen.
This is the first in a series of interactive cookbooks.
Rhyllis Bignell
Great Australian journeys by Graham Seal
Allen and Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760291013
The interesting true stories in this collection are all based on
journeys in Australia, journeys to Australia, or Australians
undertaking journeys in other regions. I was pleased to discover
that this was not just another history book where the achievements
of famous explorers are summarised in chronological chapters. Some
famous names like Burke and Wills, Mawson and Leichhardt have their
place, yet the majority of stories concern relatively unknown
individuals who undertook a variety of journeys. Motivations ranged
from brave and adventurous spirits, patriotism, strict senses of
duty and stoic attitudes to accomplish a job under harsh conditions.
Careful consideration is evident in the selections and the author
demonstrates great skill in restricting each adventure to just two
or three pages whilst still explaining events in a meaningful way. I
had never heard some of the tales and I very much enjoyed reading
about the exploits of everyday people, ranging from otherwise
forgotten convicts to swagmen surviving the Great Depression and
incredibly plucky women who took to the road by horse and car on
pioneering travels.
The journeys range from the ancient era when our first inhabitants
ventured from Asia to populate the Great Southern Land, through
colonial settlement and expansion, the World Wars and contemporary
events. Every mode of transport makes an appearance and characters
are drawn from all walks of life, some of which I was not even aware
of. I could not help being reminded of the myriad nationalities
which made a contribution to our country - both significant, well
known feats and common hard work, largely forgotten.
This won't be too heavy for teenagers to read. If one story fails to
engage, the next one will and anyone who picks it up will learn many
things which they didn't know before. Unfortunately the book is let
down by a poorly executed cover which is a shame because those who
are not attracted by it will be missing out on a great read.
Rob Welsh
The fox and the ghost king by Michael Morpurgo
Ill. by Michael Foreman. HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9780008215774
Like all foxes, the Fox family love to watch football and from their
den under the garden shed, Father Fox and his eldest son venture
forth to watch their favourite team, the Leicester City Foxes,
although the night usually ends in disappointment because their team
is soundly beaten each time. On the night that they were beaten by
Chelsea, the foxes were making their way home trying to keep their
spirits up by raiding the dustbins along the way looking for food
scraps, especially pizzas, but anything that had been left behind
that would make a quick and easy meal. As usual they venture into a
city carpark that is being dug up because there is a good chance of
finding some fresh, juicy worms but this night their attention is
caught by an invisible voice seeking their help.
The voice purports to be the King of England who desperately wants
the foxes to dig a tunnel to him so the archaeologists can find him
and give him the fitting regal burial he is due and help clear his
reputation that he believes, 'that villainous scribbler Will
Shakespeare', 'that wretched man, that ruinous rhymster, that
dastardly dramatist', has ruined. Eventually the foxes agree but
being cunning creatures, there has to be something in it for them
- 'such stuff as dreams are made on'.
If anyone can draw a connection between the remains of King Richard
III being found in a carpark in Leicester City and the Leicester
City Foxes winning the English Premier League for the first time
ever, it would be Michael Morpurgo. This is a short, humorous story
retold by Master Fox whose story is backed up by articles in the
Leicester Echo that will appeal to younger readers who are almost
independent but who still need the support of short chapters, larger
fonts and supporting illustrations.
Morpurgo is a master at creating new stories that are unique in
their storylines and this one is no different. Superb.
Get a taster on YouTube.
Barbara Braxton
First day at Bug School by Sam Lloyd
Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408868805
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Starting School. Insects. A humourous
look at starting school - for bugs! Sam Lloyd has created a funny
walk-through of what the first day of school is like and what can be
learned. The twist is that all the characters are insects or small
creatures that creep and crawl. Because of this, some of the lessons
to be learned are unique to this micro-world, and the
characteristics of individual creatures impact their participation -
Chloe Cricket is singing, the Stink bug is seen in the toilet, and
the Ladybird's spots are very useful in Maths! Lessons for young
humans are not directly made, so this is not a book that will teach
life lessons in a humourous way, but it is just fun! And the
illustrations are in a peculiar cartoon style, and there is much to
look at for pre-readers.
Carolyn Hull
The Rules of Backyard Cricket by Jock Serong
Text Publishing, 2016. ISBN 9781925355215
(Age: Senior secondary to adult) Highly recommended, Crime Fiction,
Cricket. Darren 'Daz' and Wally Keefe have an obsession with
cricket. Their childhood memories are all about the backyard cricket
matches on their home made pitch on the back lawn. The rules of the
game are strict and any twisting or breaking of those strictures
lead to a serious bit of 'biffo'.
Pamela, the boy's mother brings them up on her own, supporting them
and their cricketing careers through working behind the bar at the
local pub. They both have enormous talent, though Darren, who tells
the story, doesn't quite know where it comes from. Each shows a
definite, but very different character; Wally is contained,
seemingly unemotional, technically correct and full of
concentration, while Darren is flamboyant, brilliant and a larrikin.
They meet 'Craigo' who sees off a group of private school elitists
who are not impressed that a couple of lads from the wrong side of
town have given them a cricketing lesson. Craig and Darren develop a
friendship, with Darren always there with his dubious contacts in
the background somewhere. Wally it seems doesn't want much to do
with him, but Darren is content to be part of the boozy, drug taking
scene.
As their careers take off Darren is the first to be recognised by
the Victorian state team and to play Shield Cricket, but Wally soon
follows, and eventually it is Wally who plays for his country, and
eventually captains the Australian side. It is also Wally,
conservative and careful of his image, who marries and has a child
called Hannah.
Then something very strange happens. Hannah is abducted. The police
are baffled as no one can see a good reason why. There has been no
ransom demand. There is no evidence.
Darren's narrative continues and notes his spectacular fall (or
falls) from grace and also his resurrection as a 'media
personality', his mother's gradual decline into dementia and of
course his relationship with Wally.
This is a fascinating insight into the world of sport, where money
and entertainment take precedence over the game itself. The reader
will of course find many parallels with cricket personalities past
and present and with the role that gambling has had and will
increasingly have on professional sport.
With Daz trussed in the boot of a car at the beginning of the book
it's no surprise that there will be an unhappy ending, but Jock
Serong has ensured that his story of two cricketing brothers will
keep you enthralled until the end.
Mark Knight
Frenemies forever by Rachel Renee Russell
Ill. by Nikki Russell; Erin Russell. Dork Diaries bk 11. Simon &
Schuster, 2016. ISBN 9781471158032
(Age: 9-11) Nikki J. Maxwell returns with another 'dramafest'; her
diary brimming with the ups and downs of home and school life. Each
year at Nikki's school eighth graders participate in a one-week
exchange program. Her friends are excited about their placement
however, Nikki is devastated. North Hampton Hills is a prestigious
school with fabulous uniforms, an excellent school program and one
big problem. Nikki's archenemy MacKenzie Hollister started there two
weeks ago. At home, Nikki's little sister Briana is experimenting in
the kitchen trying to perfect a recipe to gain her cooking badge for
scouts. Nikki refuses to eat the burnt chocolate pudding complete
with eggshells. The cute factor is added with a new golden retriever
puppy Daisy who interrupts Nikki's sleeping. Nikki's new school is
super-cool, she's excited and nervous as well, there are new friends
and experiences - horse riding, French class, Science Club and more
MacKenzie dramas. Added to the mix is a new queen bee Tiffany and
her gang who make life interesting for all the exchange program
students. Nikki is forced to team up with MacKenzie to survive. Frenemies Forever has all the essential elements fans love.
There are expressive diary entries with loads of exclamation marks;
cartoon sketches of Nikki's dorky life and humorous situations like
the blue face mask and a caramel popcorn explosion. The themes are
relevant to preteen readers, a first crush, friendships, school life
and overcoming bullying. Rachel Renee Russell's Nikki continues to
be admired for her quirky dorky traits and her down to earth
relatable portrayal of everyday life.
Rhyllis Bignell
One Small Donkey by Dandi Daley Mackall and Martina Alvarez Miguens
Tommy Nelson, 2016. ISBN 9780718082475 One small donkey
Hunting for a blade of grass
Sees big horses full of power and might
Prancing proudly as they pass.
This is the story of The Nativity told from the perspective of
Joseph's donkey. Despite its apparent smallness and insignificance,
the donkey still played a massive role in this event that continues
to be celebrated around the world. Though the donkey wasn't the
biggest, fastest, or strongest of all the animals, he had an
important job all the same.
Told in rhyme, this is a way to explain the story behind all the
Christmas hype to the very young so they begin to understand what is
really being recognised at this time. With its bright pictures and
strong message that even the smallest of us has a role to play, it
will appeal to parents who want their child to begin to know this
enduring story and the common symbols associated with it including
the angels, shepherds and the birth in the manger.
Barbara Braxton
Horse of fire: Horse stories from around the world by Lari Don
Bloomsbury Education, 2016. ISBN 9781472920966
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Myths and legends. Horses. Unicorns. Short
stories. The fabulous black horse on the front cover will entice any
reader who likes horses to open up this book and dip into the
amazing array of stories about horses. As the author writes on her website,
'Any story with a horse in it has so much potential - for speed, for
power, for beauty, even for magic. Lots of the adventures I write
(about centaurs and about kelpies) are inspired by old myths,
legends and folktales about horses, so I've gathered my favourite
horse stories into this collection.'
Narrated in a conversational tone, the stories include many tales
from all around the world. Of course, the first, Pegasus and the
monsters will be one that readers will want to try immediately
as the name Pegasus has so many connotations, and they won't be
disappointed to learn about the beautiful Pegasus and the heroes who
used him to effect rescues. Another one that I really liked was the
Scottish folktale, The kelpie with the tangled mane, which
tells the story of Meg who lives beside a loch where mythical
kelpies and water bulls live. Flint Feet is a Navajo tale of
the creation of the first people and the way they used horses while
What you learn at Wolf School is a humorous story about a
wolf who thinks that he is very clever. At the back of the book, the
author has given the origins of each story and the name of a text
where it could be found, providing a good bibliography for those who
might like to further pursue their interest in these myths.
All the stories were very enjoyable and would be ideal to read aloud
to children at home or in the classroom. Independent readers who
love myths and legends as well as horses will enjoy the variety of
stories.
Pat Pledger
Molly and Mae by Danny Parker
Ill. by Freya Blackwood. Hardie Grant Egmont, 2016. ISBN
9781742975276
A railway station in rural Anywhere, Australia and Molly and Mae are
looking forward to their journey to the city. On the platform there
is fun to be had like hide and seek to play as they and the other
passengers wait for the train to arrive and their friendship is full
of laughter and giggles as the excitement builds. Even being stuck
in the bubblegum doesn't dampen their delight. And even as the
waiting goes on and on, there is fun to be had as they enjoy each
other's company. When at last the train comes the fun continues as
they colour in, dress up their dolls, experience the dining car, and
even do crazy stuff like hanging upside down from the seats!
But slowly as the trip seems interminable cracks start to appear as
boredom sets in. Molly thinks Mae is silly and tells her so and Mae
doesn't like it and before long the girls are not speaking to each
other, turning away and spending their time peering through the
window at the wet, smeary countryside. The whole world looks murky,
echoing their feelings. Will they resolve their spat or is this the
end of something special?
This is a story about so much more than a long train journey as it
mirrors real-life friendships - the excitement of new shared
interests, the pleasure in just being together and doing everyday
stuff and the anticipation of adventures to come. But there are also
times when it is boring, when difficulties happen and there is a
choice of building bridges and continuing on the main track or
branching off onto another one.
This is a true marriage of text and graphics. Blackwood's soft
palette and somewhat retro feel and clever headings of platform,
timetable, journey, signal failure, destination that replicate both
the stages of the journey and the development of the friendship
express Parker's concept and text perfectly and the reader is drawn
deeper and deeper into the story from the early morning endpaper
through the title page to the explosion of the big city station and
as night falls over the city. Blackwood has explained her thought
processes and choices here
showing just how much goes into such a project.
If teachers were ever looking for a book to explain metaphor, this
is it!
Would not be surprised to see this among the CBCA shortlisted titles
in 2017.
Barbara Braxton
A monster calls by Patrick Ness
Walker Books, 2016. ISBN 9781406365771
(Age: 10+), Highly recommended. Death. Cancer. Nightmares. Fear.
Bullying. School. Hospitals. With this new collector's edition,
published to coincide with the film's release in 2016, extra
material is included, making this a larger heavier tome than its
first publication in 2011. Interviews with the cast, Liam Neeson,
Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones and Lewis MacDonald, extra
material from Patrick Ness, Jim Kay and producer, J A Bayona, stills
from the film, extra graphics from Kay, all add to the luxuriousness
of the book.
I read it from cover to cover, poring over the illustrations and
stills, reeling again at its impact. The story of one family,
particularly the lone boy and the effect of his mother's cancer,
will stop readers in their tracks as they read the tale, augmented
by the most emotive of illustrations. This is a marvelous
publication and will ensure a dedicated following of the book and
forthcoming film. My review written in 2011, follows.
From the start, the creeping menace of the Yew tree outside Conor's
window invades the imagination of the reader. The amazing
illustrations by Jim Kay storm through the book, evoking the shadow
world that the monster lives in, paralleling the world now inhabited
by Conor as he tries to care for his mother. The threat evoked by
the malice of the monster's presence is palpable, but Conor derides
its ability to make him cower in fear, as he knows something far
worse. He has lived with his nightmare for a while, waking at 12.07
each night with a thuddering heart and sick dread. His mother
sometimes stirs from her own disturbed sleep, vomitting in the
basin, or awake with the aftermath of chemotherapy.
In this phenomenal tale begun by the late Siobhan Dowd, and written
by Ness, we are treated to a superlative horror story, one that will
ensure that word of mouth impels its speed around any group of young
people from 10 to 15. Fenced in by the cancer which affects his
mother, Conor finds that he is invisible at school, his one time
friends avoid him, the bullies eventually giving up on him, bringing
his resentment to the surface. All the time, the monster calls at
12.07, telling his stories which impel him to action. His
destruction of his grandmother's front room brings no respite.
Beating up the bully, finds only compassion from the school, not
expulsion. Everywhere he turns he is pitied, not punished, and it is
only with the last story that the monster makes him understand what
he has kept hidden from everyone else as well as from himself.
Death makes its way into every family and this is the story of how
one boy deals with it in the most extraordinary way, transferring
his feelings to the Yew Tree outside the house, using it as a prop
for his emotionally charged life, coping with an absent father, a
grandmother he does not care for, and ultimately his dying mother.
What began as a horror story, pulling in the reader through its
breathtaking illustrations and storytelling, ends as an acceptance
of the reality of death and the coming together of the boy and his
mother.
Fran Knight
Undercover: one of these things is almost like the others by Bastien Contraire
Phaidon, 2016. ISBN 9780714872506
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Shapes. Identification. Similarities and
differences. The cover shows the reader clearly what will be found
on each of the pages inside the book. A set of hats awaits the eagle
eye, and readers will instantly laugh seeing the turtle as the odd
one out in a group of things that look surprisingly similar. The
stylishly presented three colour format with a clutch of things
continues on each page, prodding the reader to identify the shapes
as well as point out the oddity. Not only will they get used to
questioning what is on each page but they will identify the similar
objects shown and be able to recognise why one is different.
Identification, pointing out similarities and differences are all
important skills which the early learner needs to develop and here
is a tool which can be easily used at home or in the classroom to
further refine those skills.
The bold colours used, the humour, the wordless nature of the book,
its design, the spacing of the objects on each page, the selection
of the objects shown, all adds to the teaching credentials of the
book, and would be very handy in a classroom where the children's
exposure to these things is less than it should be.
Fran Knight
The beach at night by Elena Ferrante
Ill. by Mara Cerri. Trans. by Ann Goldstein. Text Publishing, 2016.
ISBN 9781925355741
(Age: 6+) Fable. Loss. Abandonment. Beach. This most unusual fable
for modern times is narrated by a doll, Celina, left on the beach by
its owner, Mari, besotted with her new playmate, a kitten. During
the night the doll explains what is happening on the beach, the dark
forbidding illustrations making the story feel most unsettling.
First comes the beach inspector, a gruff man who the doll does not
like, with his friend, Mr Rake. All the detritus left on the beach
is swept up into a pile and the man lights a fire. Readers will cry
out with distress seeing the pitiful bits and pieces on the beach
pulled into one pile to be destroyed. And Celina's eyes peer out at
the reader, calling for a response.
At first, Celina is warmed by the fire but after a while sees that
her friends from the beach are being affected. Bottle Cap sizzles in
the heat, Pony burns, and as Celina feels too much warmth, asks the
wave to come closer. Eventually it does and sweeps her away, away
from the man who is trying to steal her words. Eventually the kitten
finds Celina and takes her back to her owner who has cried all night
at her loss.
This unusual tale will have readers thinking about its
ramifications. A lost toy, rejected by its owner because something
has taken its place, is a familiar tale for younger readers, but the
level of horror on the beach lifts it to appeal to an older
audience. The stream of saliva taking the words from the doll's
mouth too, requires more mature refection by the reader. A
fascinating story well worth a look and offered to more mature
thoughtful readers.
Fran Knight
When the music's over by Peter Robinson
Hodder and Stoughton, 2016. ISBN 9781444786729
(Age: senior secondary to adult) Highly recommended. Crime fiction,
Cold case, DCI Banks, Rape, Celebrity crime, Racism, Prostitution.
When DCI Banks is promoted to Detective Superintendent, his first
case is likely to be his last at this posting because of the high
profile of the accused. He is to investigate an accusation of rape
against an under age girl which happened in Blackpool in 1967 by a
television and stage show celebrity now long retired. Having to
interview this man, now in his mid eighties, as well as the accuser,
takes all Banks' patience and stamina. The woman has not called this
out lightly, but the recent exposure of such people as Rolf Harris
and Jimmy Saville has brought it all back. And the police have
several other women come forward with similar stories. During this
investigation, Banks comes across the suspicious death of Caxton's
road manager in the same year, and this creates another level of
investigation which Banks finds was under-investigated, the paper
trail now no longer able to be found.
Meanwhile Annie Cabot is called to investigate the death of a young
girl, seemingly thrown from the back of a van, naked, in an out of
the way minor road. The investigation into her background reveals
connections with a group of Muslim men and so the cry of racism
stirs up some of the populace of Eastvale. But her short life is
exposed as one of a number of girls, groomed by these men to perform
sexual acts for them and their friends, part of a network across the
north of England, paralleling the sex abuse cases brought to court
in Rochdale, Bristol and others in England in the past several
years.
Both stories are disturbing, showing the level of sexual
exploitation that occurs within our community against vulnerable
women. And in some cases how personal influence keeps the stories
from being brought into the public eye. The women are all under age,
and those groomed for sexual exploitation from dysfunctional and
lower socio-economic communities where grooming can be done easily
at a local take away where young people gather. Both stories dove
tail each other, reflecting some of the nastiest aspects of
communities that I have read. Banks and Cabot and the usual
entourage keep unearthing evidence and piecing things together to
the satisfaction of all readers. And their investigations led me to
research the cases alluded to in the book, although with a great
deal of trepidation.
Fran Knight
