Macmillan, 2015. ISBN 9781447294139 (Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. This was a stunning read, worthy of all the awards and nominations that it has been given (Hugo Award Nominee for Best Novel, 2016, Nebula Award for Best Novel, 2015, Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction, 2015). Agnieszka loves her quiet valley home which is bordered by an evil Wood that can swallow people or turn them mad. The village and valley is shielded by the Dragon, a wizard, who in return for his protection takes a village girl every ten years to serve him. When the girls return to the village they are changed forever and no longer want to stay in the valley. The time of choosing is fast approaching and everyone expects that Agnieszka's beautiful friend Kasia will be selected, but no one can really predict who the Dragon will take and it is not Kasia that he finally chooses. Novik has written a beautifully imaginative story loosely based on European folklore. Agnieszka is a wonderful heroine who gradually learns of her magical powers as a witch. Together with Sarkan, the Dragon wizard, she faces the corrupted Tree woman who is determined to take over their world. There are sorcerous battles, magic summonings and frightening heart-trees that can absorb people into their trunk and limbs that keep the reader breathless with suspense. A touch of romance between the unlikely pair - the cranky Dragon and untidy Agnieszka add to the interest in the story and the enduring friendship between Agnieszka and her friend Kasia that all make for a very engrossing fantasy novel. I loved this story from the author of the Temeraire series. It is sure to please lovers of high fantasy and fans of Robin Hobb, Trudi Cavavan and Juliet Marillier. Pat Pledger
Eliza Rose by Lucy Worsley
Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408869437
(Age: Older teen readers) Themes: English History; Royalty; Life as
a Courtier; King Henry VIII; Katherine Howard. This book is marketed
as a children's novel. The cover is sweetly 'cute' and cartoon-like
and the narrative begins naively, recounting the early life of the
main character. However this is not an innocent telling of this
historical period! As the life of the feisty red-headed Eliza
progresses, we are taken into the somewhat risque and adult world of
King Henry VIII's court. Lucy Worsley does not leave out detail
about adultery and the coquettish role of the Ladies-in-Waiting and
even detail about the King's bedroom behaviours are included. For a
sub-teen, this detail is confronting and although the history is so
well known that it is expected, it is not easy to recommend this for
a naive, immature reader. (How early is too early to lay bare the
rampant behaviour of the Henry VIII court, with adultery and sexual
exploitation as part of the norm? I am sure that Worsley has toned
this down for the book, but it is still perhaps too scandalous for
the under-12 audience suggested by the cover.) Katherine Howard's
ultimate fate and execution might be well known to an older reader,
but this too is fairly clearly detailed.
Having given warning, I can still say that this is an interesting
tale and a compelling novel for an older reader, written from the
perspective of Katherine Howard's fictional cousin. We get a good
look at life for those who were attempting to marry well by being
placed in the Royal Court in a position that could lead to a
profitable marriage. The Royal life and the surrounding entourage
and life-style of grand dresses and feasts are all interesting when
seen from the perspective of the female Courtiers, trained from a
young age to 'play their part' in adorning the Royal world. King
Henry VIII is revealed with all his flaws, and the central character
is uncomfortably close to the grieving King after Katherine's death.
Worsley has written in a youthful and simple style, but the mature
content does not translate well for a child audience.
Carolyn Hull
Editor's note: Teacher's
notes are available.
Lenny and Lucy by Philip C. Stead
Ill. by Erin E. Stead. Allen and Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760292119
(Age: All) I recall reading a short piece by Stephen Romei, the
literary editor of The Australian, speaking about the best reads for
2016. On top of his anticipated list was the new picture book by
Philip C. Stead. Stead's earlier book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee,
and a winner of the Caldecott Medal, is a charming story of how the
animals at the City Zoo visit the zoo-keeper when he has to take a
sick day. Gentle drawings in muted shades illustrate both books,
with charcoal being the medium for Lenny and Lucy, his new
title. Peter and his Dad, along with Harold the dog, are moving to a
new house, but they have to drive through dark woods and over a
bridge before they get there. Harold and Peter are very unsettled at
night as they look out to the landscape beyond the house. The next
day Peter improvises a 'guard of the bridge', called Lenny, made
from pillows and blankets. Inevitably, Peter realises that Lenny is
lonely so Lucy is made from leaves and cloths, to keep him company.
Daytime play centres around the two new friends, with Millie soon
joining them from next door. With just the right amount of text,
placed so well amongst the delightful illustrations, this picture
book has great appeal for young and older readers. Overcoming fears
and making new friends in unfamiliar places are observed
beautifully.
Julie Wells
The Haters by Jesse Andrews
Allen and Unwin, Australia, 2016. ISBN 9781760291891
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Wes and Corey have been friends for a long
time, founded by their love of hating music and searching for music
so good they can't hate on it. When they are booked into a summer
jazz camp they quickly realise that due to the lack of females this
is going to be a lame camp. Then they meet free spirited Ash, the
stand out female in the whole camp. During a three hour jam session they
soon realise together they have some talent and embark on The
Haters, Summer of Hate World Tour 2016. What follows is an exciting,
fun filled adventure across America in the world's smelliest car,
which feels like there are scorpions built into the seat.
Jesse Andrews has written a coming of age story which is funny, a
little wicked and with a heap of teenage wit thrown in. Even though there
is a lot of comedy it also gives us serious topics, one being the
relationships the three main characters have with their parents which
helps understand the main characters. I love the referencing to
bands and Youtube clips that feature throughout, and the dialogue
Wes has when imagining or explaining conversations. I loved Jesse
Andrew's style of writing especially the way he made me laugh out
loud many times throughout the book. This book will appeal to those
more mature teenage readers with a deviant sense of humour. If you
loved Me and Earl and the dying girl (also written by Jesse
Andrews), or John Green's Paper towns you will love this
story.
Jody Holmes
The snow wombat by Susannah Chambers
Ill. by Mark Jackson. Allen and Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760113810
This homage to the High Country in south east Australia shows off
the environment, both natural and man-made, its flora and fauna and
those who live there. I was struck as I read at the range of
indigenous and introduced animals represented in the illustrations,
as well as depictions of the way the environment is used.
The story of the wombat and its journey through the snow to its
warm, snuggly den makes for exciting reading for younger people, as
they are asked to predict the rhyming word which completes each
stanza of four short lines. Younger readers will call out the words
with gusto, learning that the wombat has a nose, ears and a tum
just like them and where they are on its body. The wombat's journey
is delightfully shown on maps on the endpapers, and the watercolour
illustrations show the many animals that live in the area, along
with some stunning renditions of the snow covered eucalypts. Each
page is a treat, teaching the reader about this area of Australia
not often seen in books, and they will learn to appreciate the lives
of the animals and people that live there. We are shown the stations
with miles of fencing to keep in the wool covered sheep, the rugged
up skiers coming down the mountainside, the alpine signs on the
roads warning motorists of kangaroos and wombat, and plenty of other
animals looking for shelter from the harsh winds and sleet. This is
a charming introduction to an area of Australia which children know
little of, learning about wombats along the way with rhyming words
to predict as well. And with the animal snuggled up safe and warm at
the end, what more can a picture book offer.
Fran Knight
This girl that girl by Charlotte Lance
Allen and Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760291709
(Age: 3+) Recommended. Difference. Neighbours. Families. Living next
door to each other, two girls cannot be more different. This girl is
neat and tidy, with neatly combed hair, tied up shoelaces and neat
clothes, while that girl has every which way hair, floaty clothing
with a cape and seems careless of which colours go with what. The
soft watercolour illustrations will attract the reader's attention
from the start as they turn the pages and take in the differences
shown. Over the page we see the sort of things each girl likes,
further underlining their differences. This girl likes to collect
plants to add to a scrapbook, hoovering up the scraps at the end of
her day, and is particular about setting the table, and often sits
in a corner and reads. That girl, on the other hand loves running
through the leaves, scattering them around, climbing onto a brick
wall and walking along the top, and eating worms. They could not be
more different. Over the next few pages we see their families and
their houses, marking their differences again, but now their fathers
seem the exact opposite of each girl. One dad is neat and tidy, the
other dressed in unusual clothes with wispy floating hair. Each dad
has attributes seemingly more aligned to the girl next door, not
their own daughter.
But when it comes to building a treehouse, despite all the
preparation on one side and the haphazard manner of building on the
other, both finished tree houses look exactly the same. Readers will
love comparing both girls and their fathers, comparing the
attributes of each of the people shown, comparing the preparation
each does to build the tree house with the final results. Readers
cannot help but see that despite outside appearances, we are all the
same.
Fran Knight
The royal baby's big red bus tour of London by Martha Mumford
Ill. by Ada Grey. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408868966
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. London, Royal family, Great Britain,
Babies. After the success of the first three books devoted to the
offspring of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Shh don't wake
the royal baby, Happy birthday royal baby, and Hooray
it's a new royal baby, it's great to see a fourth book devoted
to the children's view of the city in which they live, London. Few
books exist extolling the main features of some of our great cities,
so this will make a perfect introduction to London and the iconic
features of that place to a child or class. I loved looking at the
views the book offers, reminding me of the things I saw when there.
For children it will be a fabulous journey on the big red bus, the
well known London transport system. The shiny red bus on the cover
will ensure readers open the book and read on.
The Royal Family is sitting in the gardens at Buckingham Palace when
a big red bus pulls up calling them to come on a tour of London.
They all pile on board, taking along a bus load of accoutrements!
The bus pulls into a range of major London sights, Natural History
Museum, ZSL London Zoo, Regent's Park, British Museum, National
Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Nelson's Column before going
onto the River Thames. Here they cruise past the Houses of
Parliament, Tower of London, Big Ben, Tower Bridge and on down to
Greenwich, where they spy the Observatory and Planetarium. On the
return journey they stop at London Eye and then return to the palace
for tea. Going to bed, the prince realises that he has lost his toy,
a baby dinosaur, so mum retraces their steps to find it for him.
This is a fun book to read, encouraging discussion of the Royal
Family and what it does during the day, as well as showing off the
wonderful sights of London and what the city offers to its visitors.
The funny illustrations will encourage discussion about travel and
transport as well as city life.
Fran Knight
The next together by Lauren James
Walker Books, 2015. ISBN 9781406358056
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Kate Finchley and Matt Galloway have started
to fall in love during the year 2039 whilst both attending
University of Nottingham Campus, England. The peculiar thing isn't
that they have both just met but the feeling that they have been
through this all before. Rewind to 1854, where Katy (Kit) is living
as a boy to be able to work as a kitchen boy in the house of a lord.
Lord Sommerset wants her to assist journalist Matthew Galloway,
reporting on the war front in the Crimea on the condition that she
spy on the journalist and report secrets back home. Rewind again to
1754 and Katherine is tired of her Aunt introducing her to
prospective marital matches, so whilst she excuses herself to spend
time in the garden she is secretly hoping to spend time with the
family's coachman Matthew Galloway. How can these two people be
linked throughout time and share memories that aren't their own? As
2039 Kate and Matt search for clues on the murder of their Aunt and
Uncle (Kate and Matt) they discover the secret on why their lives
seem to be destined to be together again and again.
Whilst the concept of this book intrigued me at first I found it
difficult to be able to follow the timeline of each of the Kate and
Matthew characters through history. The characters are written with
strong personalities and with added charm and plenty of humour. The
chapters do jump from one period to the next and as the story
evolved I found it easier to follow along. I appreciated that Lauren
James has intertwined the genres together making it a great book for
lovers of historical, science fiction and even romance novels to
enjoy. I would recommend this book to young adults from the ages of
14 years and above. I look forward to finding out what happens with
Kate and Matt in the sequel The last beginning.
Jody Holmes
Series set in Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb
Harper Collins, various dates.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Books set in the Realm of the
Elderlings by Robin Hobb
have grabbed my reading time over the last few weeks - and are
fabulous for readers who enjoy epic fantasy. Although The
Farseer Trilogy (Assassin's apprentice, Royal
Assassin, Assassin's quest,) were first published many
years ago Hobb's fantastic storytelling has ensured that their
popularity has endured and the books have been reprinted. The
Farseer Trilogy is followed by the Tawny Man series (Fool's
errand, Golden fool and Fool's fate), Liveship
Traders (Ship of magic, The mad ship, Ship
of destiny), the Rainwild chronicles (The dragon
keeper, Dragon haven, City of dragons and Blood
of dragons) and The Fitz and the fool series (Fool's
Assassin, Fool's Quest and Assassin's Fate due
in 2017).
These series of books are a very valuable addition to a library or
if budgets don't allow for their purchase, would be worthwhile to
recommend to readers to borrow from a public library. Those who
start following the adventures of Fitz and the Fool, both compelling
characters who face strange and compelling times in a wonderful
setting, are likely to want to read all in the series.
Pat Pledger
The war of the four isles by Andrew McGahan
Ship Kings series, Book 3. Allen and Unwin, 2014. ISBN
9781760291693
(Age: Junior secondary) Young readers have a treat in store when
award winning author, Andrew McGahan, turns his hand to adolescent
fiction. It is a pleasure to share his skill with words, which makes
his young Admiral, Dow Amber, so convincing and appealing, and the
many twists and turns of fortune so intriguing.
In this episode of the Ship Kings saga, the legend of his
bravery grows as he and his colleagues face the anger of the sea and
the monsters of the deep.
Together, they face the dangers of battle and most of all they face
the danger of betrayal. With differing factions within the two
opposing enemies, the Ship Kings and the Twin Islanders, who can be
trusted? It is hard to unravel the truth.
After visiting the legendary home of the Twin Islanders, Amber
devises a plan to rescue Nell and the other leaders who stood
against the dominance of the Ship Kings. Amber is successful but
what has he achieved? Have innocent people died because of his
actions?
When Amber journeys to New Island to reunite with his family, he
discovers he is hated for supposedly abandoning them and his
people. After the horror he discovers there, he rejoins the battle
between the two opposing powers with new purpose, his heart set on
revenge.
Those who love a fast paced adventure will enjoy this novel and look
forward to the fourth episode to come.
Thelma Harvey
MARTians by Blythe Woolston
Walker Books, 2016. ISBN 9781406341393
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Consumerism. Dystopian fiction. Zoe
Zindleman has been abandoned by her mother and the government has
shut down her school. She is given the opportunity to start work at
ALLMART, where 'your smile is the AllMART welcome mat'. Her house is
going to be repossessed and when she meet MORTimmer, he warns her
that it is not a smart idea to live in ALLMART's dormitories.
Trusting him, she moves into the Warren, a deserted shopping centre
where a laundromat becomes her home, shared with the little boy 5er
and Timmer. Then her ordeal as an employee of ALLMART begins as she
learns the ins and outs of selling in a big store.
This is a grim but totally engrossing story about consumerism gone
wild told in the heart wrenching voice of Zoe, an intelligent girl.
As her training progresses she realises that there is no future for
her as she will always be in debt to AllMART, who charge her
enormous prices for uniforms and food. As Zoe battles her way
through learning about how to sell, the reader will find many
familiar descriptions of different store departments and how they
are set up. Equally bleak are the stories of abandoned children,
whose parents have left them behind, and the stories of repossessed
houses that are pulled apart for their metal, and a government that
has abandoned everyone.
However there is one small glimpse of hope that Timmer gives: Look
for the ones who need help and spread the good around.
This was an exceptionally thought provoking book. References were
made to Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles but don't
detract for those who haven't read it, and will make them want to
pick it up.
This would make an ideal literature circle book or class novel with
the themes of consumerism gone wild, governments who cannot help
people whose homes are repossessed, unemployment, and abandoned
children making for great discussion points for their relevance for
today's society.
Pat Pledger
Marmaduke the very popular dragon by Rachel Valentine
Ill. by Ed Eaves. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408862667
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Friendship, Dragons, Medieval times. A sequel
to Marmaduke the very different dragon (2014), this one has
friendship as its core theme, as Meg and Marmaduke again do
everything together. The two are inseparable, that is until one of
the princesses, locked away in her tower asks Marmaduke if they can
play together. So popular is this new experience, all the princesses
join them, and the other dragons join in and eventually the princes
too. Meg is happy that Marmaduke has built up a large friendship
group, and all play together well. Meg reminds Marmaduke of the
forthcoming Whizz Cone Competition knowing that the two of them will
easily win the trophy. She watches the preparations uneasily
wondering where Marmaduke has got to, and eventually goes searching
for him. He is not in any of the usual places so she goes over the
hill and there she hears Marmaduke and Prince Bertie making
arrangements to compete for the trophy. She is distraught and when
the day comes, sits outside the arena listening to the accolades
received by the victorious Marmaduke and Prince Bertie. But
Marmaduke suddenly remembers Meg, and goes off to search for her. He
hears sobbing and flies down to fold her in his wings, apologising
for being such a bad friend. They both realise that there is more to
being a friend than meets the eye.
Young children will love the dragon theme, and be intrigued with the
sparkly wings, and more importantly come to see that being a friend
also involves some responsibilities. Young children will eagerly
discuss their own friendship groups and how they work out their
differences.
Fran Knight
The words in my hand by Guinevere Glasfurd
Two Roads, 2016. ISBN 9781473617865 (Age: 16+) Highly recommended for mature readers. Themes:
Philosophy; Education of women; Rene Descartes; Relationships.
Weaving together the story of Rene Descartes with the young maid
with whom he has a relationship, the reader gets an insight into the
way the world has changed on so many fronts. Descartes was a French
philosopher, scientist and writer whose thinking and words were
germinal in beginning a transformation in the way the world was
understood. This was a dangerous occupation as it upset the status
quo. This very well crafted first novel by Glasfurd, enables us to
see Descartes life through the eyes of the young maid, Helena Jans
Von Strom, that he meets while lodging in the Dutch house where she
works for an English Bookseller. She is portrayed as an intelligent
woman trapped in her role because of her gender and the
intransigence of her circumstances as a maid. From the perspective
of the 21st Century reader, this level of discrimination seems so
unfair and we mourn with her as she attempts to self-educate herself
and to be respected and to be acknowledged as a woman of worth in
the highly patriarchal and socially discriminative era of the 1600's
world. She becomes Descartes' love interest and the mother of his
child and yet her position needs to remain hidden to protect
reputations and to enable her to fit into the society of the day.
Helena's love of learning and her exploration of ideas live in
parallel to the philosophical world of Descartes. We see how the
power of paper and the words that it can carry enters the world of
the young woman, and yet the words in her hands remain constrained
by her status. Her sorrows and powerlessness are potent for the
reader.
This book is not unlike The Girl with the Pearl Earring in
portraying a piece of Dutch history in a fictional way albeit a
century earlier. It will be enjoyed by Book Club readers who will
enjoy the insight into the world of the philosopher who challenges
the world in which he lives as well as comparing the role of women
from the past. (It does also portray the illicit relationship in
detail and there is a violent incident that is quite distressing, so
readers need to have some maturity.)
Carolyn Hull
Gary by Leila Rudge
Walker Books, 2016. ISBN 9781925081695
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Birds. Adventure. Maps. Difference.
Gary the pigeon cannot fly, so sits at home when the others are
taken in the basket to a place far away to compete in a pigeon race
and return home. Gary loves hearing their stories and adds their
mementos to his scrapbook. This includes maps and tickets, postcards
and timetables. He adroitly uses a roll of sticky tape with his beak
to stick each of the items into his scrapbook, and listens intently
at night as they recount their adventures, adding their stories to
his collection.
But one night Gary leans a little too far, tumbling into the basket
with his scrapbook. Next day the basket is taken away with the other
pigeons for their race home. Finding himself a long way from home is
a challenge for Gary because he cannot fly and so find his own way
home. But he has his scrapbook, and opening it he is able to chart
his way using other methods of travel.
The wonderful pictures tell the story of Gary and his cohort,
dressed in their finery for the big race, with the plain Gary
looking on. His scrapbook is wonderful, with little drawings of the
mementoes that he keeps tucked away. Kids will love looking at these
and working out where the pigeons may have collected them from, and
then later how Gary uses them to get back home. His adventure will
open up all sorts of avenues for classes to discuss maps and
mapping, directories, finding your way around your area and so on.
As part of the Geography focus this book will be well used, but it
is also about someone taking the bull by the horns, about difference
and solving a problem, so having their own neat adventure.
The illustrations are wonderful, the pages full of pigeons as they
strut around in their cages, the delightful scrapbook used as the
endpapers as well, the flowing tumble of Gary into the pigeon
basket, Gary in the city using public transport. Each is very funny
and shows Gary off to the reader, as he uses his difference to solve
his problem. What a treat to reinforce the difference in us all,
that everyone has their own characteristics, that one trait is not
superior to another.
This will be one of those books in the library where children will
cluster around to hear it read out loud, thinking about how Gary can
possibly get home, or dreaming of their own big adventure.
Fran Knight
When we collided by Emery Lord
Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408870082
(Age: Senior Secondary) Highly recommended. Extroverted Vivi,
her cheerfulness hiding her fragility and the embarrassing memories
she wants to forget, arrives with her mother to spend the summer in
Verona Cove, a tiny coastal town, its details 'so perfect that it
feels like a film set'. It is an idyllic setting and the inhabitants
are kindly, caring, considerate and gentle.
Here octogenarians enjoy a drink of coffee in Betty's Diner, their '
. . . white puffs of hair hovering like clouds over the back of the
aqua vinyl booths . . . ' and the owner greets everyone with
endearments.
Vivi has a summer job at the pottery shop and this is where she
meets Jonah and his five year old sister, Leah.
Jonah, the third oldest of six children, must share the role of
father and mother to his younger siblings following the death of his
father and his mother's inability to cope with her grief. He must
share the responsibility of keeping the family restaurant operating
to bring in income for the family. He loved and admired his father
and grieves for him and he is sure this girl 'who looks like lemon
meringue pie tastes, sunny, tangy, sweet', will refuse Leah's
impulsive invitation to dinner. But Vivi accepts and falls in love
with not only Jonah, but his siblings as well.
Vivi declares, 'I'm not much for silence: it simply doesn't suit
me', Her vitality, creativity and sense of fun, even though her
emotions are sometimes too high, sometimes too low, is like a tonic
for this family, helping them breathe more easily 'in the stiflingly
sad house'.
Vivi has found a family who needs her and this is balm to her
troubled spirit. Vivi feels that Jonah complements her 'like mint
ice cream and chocolate chips' and they draw close together with
Vivi forcing Jonah to rethink his plans for the future and to try
new ideas in the restaurant.
But Vivi's behaviour becomes more erratic. Without her mother's
knowledge, she has been throwing away one of the tablets she is
supposed to take every day to prevent another episode similar to the
painful memories she is trying to suppress.
Vivi discovers her father's identity and after facing him and his
hostility, she spins out of control and Jonah witnesses the road
accident which nearly claims her life. During her recovery, Vivi
faces up to the fact that she has bipolar disorder, and she and her
mother reassess their future and decide to return to their former
home.
These are warm, vital characters, with genuine concern for each
other. It is so easy to become involved in their story and so
refreshing to read of characters who know there will be difficult
weeks in their lives but who move on with courage and optimism. They
reach for 'happiness even in uncertainty'.
Emery Lord closes the novel with advice about dealing with bipolar
disorder. Her belief that 'maybe the path isn't perfect but you get
there' reflects the feeling of optimism that floods this book.
I highly recommend this book to teenage readers of either sex, just
as I would recommend Jandy Nelson's novel, I'll give you the sun,
for its honesty and compassion.
Thelma Harvey
