Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN 9781471403194
(Age: 11+) Unapologetically sappy, this inoffensive reincarnation
story hits the spot for 11 years plus readers. Immediately after
being killed in the same motor accident which leaves her father
severely disabled, Daisy finds herself in the afterlife and learns
that a limited number of souls exist, necessitating rebirth as
another being. Following an imperfect re-entry, Daisy retains
memories and human understanding (including the ability to read)
when she is born as a dog which leads to an overpowering urge to
return to her human parents for reunification.
Unfortunately for her, upon leaving the litter, she finds herself
owned by a lazy, selfish boy - Cyril, who neglects and fails more
than maltreating her, and Daisy has little compunction about bolting
when she has the chance. The dog embarks on several adventures,
meeting both kindly and intolerant humans on her quest to find her
family. Daisy's greatest impediment is the incapacity to speak and
her excited greetings, speeches and warnings to humans are naturally
heard as frightening or irritating barks. The ability for dogs and
some humans to have a mutually agreeable relationship and the
understanding of voiced communication from both parties is depicted
in a lovely way when she meets Jack, a homeless man who gives her to
Pip, a lad who is sleeping rough.
Like Daisy, Pip is searching for lost family following a bereavement
and the pair roam the countryside, protecting one another from
dangers which threaten those without a home.
This story delivers a lot in terms of showing the value of human
kindness lavished on both people and animals during life's journey.
I also liked the message that different family arrangements can be
loving, nurturing and supportive, a notion that may be some comfort
to children following bereavement or family breakdown. What touched
me the most in this story had less to do with spiritual revisiting
than thinking about the delightful attempts by affectionate animals
to commune with those whom they love.
Believing in reincarnation was no problem for the purpose of reading
this story, however accepting that children in a contemporary
narrative for Australia could be called 'Daisy', 'Cyril' and 'Pip'
was difficult.
Rob Welsh
Shadowcat by Julia Louise
Ill. by Anne Ryan. Five Mile Press, 2015. ISBN 9781760067090
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Bravery, Dreams, Siblings. Edith often sits
in the garden alone, avoiding her baby brother. She feels she is
turning into a garden gnome, sitting there quietly, without moving,
allowing the grass to grow around her. But one day a cat comes by
and asks her why she is doing what she is doing. He inquires why she
doesn't dream, and Edith, surprised asks him how he knows. He tells
her that cats can see when people dream as stardust forms around
them. He takes her hand and together they walk into the overgrown
garden and he teaches her to dance. Each night she dances and
stardust forms around her as she dreams. She dances in the garden
taking her brother's hand in hers. But one night the cat does not
come back, and she begins to feel a bit gnomish, until she finally
sees him through her window and he tells her to dream alone, to be
brave as the stars are always with her.
This is a charming story of daring to dream, of being brave, as
Edith becomes introverted when a baby appears in the household,
losing her place within the family. The stylised acrylic
illustrations show the young girl sitting quietly in the garden,
amongst the gnomes. The shadows of the trees make the garden look
ominous, but the night sky becomes warm and encompassing as she
dances with the cat.
A wonderful addition to the range of stories about the arrival of a
new baby in the household and learning to be resilient.
Fran Knight
The Phantom Bully by Jeffrey Brown
Star Wars: Jedi Academy bk 3. Scholastic, 2015. ISBN
9780545621267
(Age: 9-12) Recommended. Author, illustrator Jeffrey Brown's popular
Star Wars Jedi Academy returns. Roan Sanchez is about to
enter his final year at the Jedi Academy. Middle School proves to be
challenging for the young trainee, as he is honing his Jedi skills,
performing in a class talent show, dating and coping with the class
bully Cronah. Creatively set out as diary entries with class
schedules, notes, holomail, holobook chats, cartoons, graphic
diagrams, Roan's diary is an exciting account of his student life.
After Spring Break Roan settles down to training with his mentor Mr.
G, as he wants to be a pilot like his father and enjoys using the
flight simulator. There's the Jedi Obstacle Challenge Trial to
complete where Roan learns the importance of friendship and
resilience. At the Icecream Social, Roan serves the dessert with
mite sauce and beetle jelly added for extra taste. Of course
Cronah's involved in this mischief. After a light saber battle
between Roan and his enemy, the reader gains an understanding of the
reasons behind the bully's behaviour.
This diary format with personal information, insights and
illustrations is an extremely popular format with preteen readers.
Jeff Brown's setting of the Jedi Academy and his understanding of
middle school life makes this another exciting adventure for Star
Wars fans.
Rhyllis Bignell
When I was me by Hilary Freeman
Hot Key Books, 2015. ISBN: 9781471404924
(Age: 15+) Story: Yesterday, Ella's life was completely normal.
Today, she woke up as a different person. Or, to be more exact, she
feels like the same person, but she looks different, her friends are
different, and every facet of her life is different to what she
remembers. At first she thinks she must be crazy, especially since
she's the only person who thinks that anything is wrong, but when
she meets a stranger named Daniel, she starts drawing closer and
closer to the truth . . .
Review: First things first: When I was me is actually a good
book. It has an intriguing, very original plotline, some interesting
characters, and tremendous amounts of potential. However, this
potential is never fully achieved - despite being very promising at
first, this book ends up just sitting squarely within the genre
of 'teen romance'. While not a bad thing necessarily, the
intrigue of the original idea - that of a girl waking up in a life
that is not hers, and all the consequences of that - almost feels
wasted here. One feels that Freeman could have easily made this into
a complex thriller with a dash of science-fiction sensibilities, but
instead the book remains simple - at times far too much - and
becomes just another run-of-the-mill teen novel rife with romance
and friendship dramas. This is not to say the novel is totally
flawed, however - there are some excellent themes here at play, and
Freeman deals deftly with complicated topics such as finding your
identity, and how we perceive reality. The characters are
interesting, yet ultimately underdeveloped, and it rollicks along at
an exciting pace. But while this novel is definitely enjoyable, it
never quite reaches the heights it could have, and ultimately,
that's the most frustrating thing.
Rebecca Adams (university student)
Me and Earl and the dying girl by Jesse Andrews
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781760290184
(Age: 14+) Recommended. For those thinking this contemporary debut
is similar to John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, think
again. This entertaining and highly realistic novel is not your
average 'sick lit'. Greg Gaines is a bit of a social chameleon. His
goal is to remain civil with everyone at school but not to belong to
any particular clique. After all, Greg just wants everyone to like
him. He only has one real friend, the pint-sized and foul-mouthed
Earl, who shares his love of film making. At least Greg only has one
friend until his mother makes him hang out with Rachel, an old
childhood acquaintance who has been diagnosed with leukaemia.
Despite Greg's protests, his mother believes that he can use his
infamous humour to cheer Rachel up in her time of need. Greg ends up
sharing more with Rachel than just his jokes, and he is well and
truly pushed out of his comfort zone. The one thing that he tried to
avoid, being disliked by anyone, becomes all too hard after all.
Jesse Andrews explores many themes in his debut including grief,
peer pressure, poor family backgrounds, and of course, cancer. He
tells the story of a leukaemia stricken girl in a very honest way
and uses humour to soften the harshness of this topic. Some mature
middle school students could handle this book, but it would better
suit senior school students due to the language used, and the
reoccurring use of drugs and smoking in the novel. Although, both
are well within the context of the story and are necessary in
exploring the theme of poor family backgrounds. Boys will especially
enjoy this truly hilarious and very real novel.
Emma Gay
The Tournament at Gorlan by John Flanagan
Ranger's Apprentice, The Early Years bk 1. Random House
Australia, 2015. ISBN 9781742759302
(Age: 10+) Recommended. I admit that I am a big fan of the Ranger's
Apprentice series and so I was looking forward to reading this
prequel.
This book takes us back to earlier days when Halt was an aspiring
Ranger. He travels with friend and fellow Ranger, Crowley, on a
mission to rebel against Baron Morgarath's evil plotting.
King Oswald is virtually a prisoner and Prince Duncan apparently has
begun to behave in a cruel and un-princely manner, losing the
support of his people.
Halt and Crowley need to find the many Rangers who have been
dismissed and replaced with Baron Morgarath's puppets.
This book highlights the friendship between Halt and Crowley. They
enjoy each other's company and their friendly banter and jibes are
comical and entertaining. Each ex-Ranger that joins their group
brings their own story and skills but they are only a small group
and Mogarath has the support of many.
The action, suspense and dialogue keep the reader entertained and
always curious about the next chapter. This is a classic good
against evil story that delivers a great tale.
I recommend this book for students from 10 years +.
Jane Moore
Emmy and Oliver by Robin Benway
Simon & Schuster, 2015. ISBN 9781471144134
(Age: 15+) Readers will laugh out loud and sympathise with a heart
wrenching story as they enjoy Robin Benway's, Emmy and Oliver.
After the kidnapping of her best childhood friend - Oliver - in 2nd
grade, Emmy has wanted to be in charge of her own life and break
free from her overprotective parents. Now, in her final year of
school and on the cusp of adulthood, Oliver is back. He's not the
little boy Emmy remembers from next door - he is a tall, handsome
stranger. Though he isn't the carefree little boy he once was.
Oliver is dealing with a tumultuous past - he must come to terms
with being kidnapped and lied to all these years by his own father
and learn to fit in to his new life with a mother he barely
remembers and her new family - the one she started after he was
snatched away.
Emmy and Oliver have always shared a connection that neither can
ignore - one that picks right up where it left off. Benway writes
with humour and captures poignantly what it's like to be a teenager
facing grown up decisions. Readers will love her easy-to-read style
of writing and connect with her surprisingly real characters, though
should be aware of the occasional profanity she uses in order to
express the raw emotions of an aching heart. Benway drops the pace
slightly midway through the novel, but finishes strong. This novel
is recommended for public and school libraries for mature teen
audiences. (15+).
Rhiannon Mesner
Devoted in death by J.D. Robb
In death bk 41. Piaktus, 2015. ISBN 9780349403731
(Age: Adult) Crime. thriller. Serial killers. Ella-Loo and Darryl
are a couple on their way to New York, when they they find that they
become addicted to murder after killing a motorist for his car. They
manage to get away with multiple murders until they kill a much
loved musician in New York and Lieutenant Eve Dallas puts together
the clues that link this murder to many others across the country.
Now they have taken another young woman and their grisly acts are
ramping up. Devoted in death is different in that the reader knows who
has committed the murders and why they have been committed. Robb
gives an in-depth description of the two criminals, how their minds
work and what they do and all the suspense in the story is to be
found as the reader desperately hopes that Eve and Roake can put
together the pieces and rescue the pair's latest victims.
Not many authors are able to keep the reader's interest in a series
that contains 41 books, but Robb manages to provide enough thrills,
chills and suspense to keep the reader engrossed and look forward to
another one.
Pat Pledger
Snow bear by Tony Mitton and Alison Brown
Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN: 9781408853344
(Ages 2-6) This is a heart-warming, rhyming narrative with poetic
descriptive language. It uses a common premise in children's books-
a lonely character searching for a home-but is a particularly
pleasing version. We do not know where little Snow Bear has come
from, but he is wandering through the cold, snowy night alone
looking for a place to sleep. He finds some cosy places but other
animals are already living there and there is no room for him.
However, when he spots a warm, cosy farmhouse he discovers a little
girl who is lonely just like him and a place he can call home. The
illustrations perfectly capture the contrast between the white,
wintry world of loneliness and the warm, fiery, cosy world of home.
Descriptive language and imagery adds a poetic tone-'But ahead the
snow's waiting, unbroken and fine'. This would be a good title to
use when discussing concepts of home and feelings of belonging, as
well as for discussions around descriptive language. Equally, this
is a timeless and touching story perfect for just sharing and
enjoying.
Nicole Smith-Forrest
Silence is goldfish by Annabel Pitcher
Indigo, 2015. ISBN 9781510100435
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Tess has just found out a secret - a
secret that hurts her deeply and turns her world upside down.
Nothing can be as it was before. She becomes mute, in a silent
rebellion as she reels from the hurt and shock. But a fish-shaped
torch that she clasps in her pocket becomes a voice for all her
hopes and fears as she struggles to navigate her changed world,
losing her dearest friend in the process, and unsure who she should
trust and who she should not.
Readers will readily identify with the themes of struggling to find
personal identity, broken friendships, and battles with school
bullies - particularly the nastiness of anonymous cyberbullying. The
conversations she has with the toy Mr Goldfish are a perfect foil
for the confusion in her mind - who is a friend, who is enemy, and
who can she really trust?
I read this book in one sitting, swept along with Tess in the stream
of consciousness technique that takes us inside her mind - it is a
natural and authentic voice that quickly draws in the reader and has
its moments of humour as well. The conclusion is a rewarding
affirmation of acceptance of self and others, and finding true and
lasting relationships. Silence is goldfish is Annabel Pitcher's third novel - her
two previous novels My sister lives on the mantelpiece and Ketchup
clouds are both award winners (Branford Boase award and
Waterstone's Children's Prize respectively) and this book clearly is
of the same calibre.
Helen Eddy
A Song For Ella Grey by David Almond
Hodder Children's Books 2014. ISBN: 9781444919547
(Age: Teens) A Song for Ella Grey attempts to incorporate
both visual and aural elements. Every action is easy to visualise
and the writing is completely accessible to young people.
The story takes place in the North of England during the final year
of schooling for Claire and her friends. Since winter, they have
been planning a trip to the beach in Northumberland. When Spring
break comes however, Ella, Claire's best friend, can't go and so the
group leave her behind. The trip is everything Claire wanted it to
be - a week of boisterousness, booze and boys. But without Claire it's
not the same. When a mysterious stranger appears (a musician and a
wanderer), Claire feels like she needs to share the experience with
Ella. She calls Ella and the mysterious man talks and serenades her.
They have an instant connection.
When term resumes Claire notices that Ella is more dreamy than ever.
She is fixated on Orpheus, despite never having met him, and
convinced that he is going to come for her. Unable to do anything to
prevent their meeting, Claire can only stand by as Orpheus comes to
sweep Ella away. But real life isn't so neat and before long,
disaster strikes, snatching poor Ella from their grasp. To prove his
love, Orpheus disappears, searching for a way into the underworld to
rescue her.
The novel incorporates some elements of Greek mythology as one of
the characters, Orpheus, is potentially the mythological Orpheus,
legendary musician and poet. He has the ability to charm all living
things, this is apparent in the novel through Bianca's infatuation.
Despite being a mythological element, there is no direct mention of
Orpheus as a mythological figure and so no prior knowledge is
necessary. Dealing with issues surrounding school, alcoholism,
stress and boyfriends, this is a novel that I would fully expect any
teenage girl to pick up and read.
Kayla Gaskell (age nineteen)
The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
Ill. by LeUyen Pham. The Princess in Black bk 2.Candlewick
Press, 2015. ISBN 9780763665111
(Age: 5-8) Recommended. Fantasy. Chapter book. It's Princess
Magnolia's birthday and just as her guests were due to arrive for
her birthday party, her monster alarm went off. She has to rush to
the broom closet to transform herself into the Princess in Black,
mount her faithful steed Blacky and go off to fight the monsters who
just want to eat goats. When she has finally dealt with one monster
and is all ready to enjoy her birthday party, her alarm goes off
again and again and she has to use all her ingenuity to hide her
secret from her guests, especially Princess Sneezewort.
I am a fan of Shannon Hale's stories and particularly love the idea
of the Princess in Black, whizzing off to rescue the goats, being
bold and daring, while fooling everyone with her perfect pink
princess persona. The pictures are very amusing and LeUyen Pham
shows an increasingly disheveled Princess Magnolia, as she returns
from her rescues.
This is a perfect chapter book for the newly independent reader,
combining humour, a great storyline and witty illustrations to
ensure a fabulous read.
Pat Pledger
Goth Girl and the Wuthering Fright by Chris Riddell
Goth Girl bk 3. Macmillan, 2015. ISBN 9781447277897
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Humour. Lord Goth is holding a
Literary Dog Show at Ghastly-Gorm Hall and literary contestants are
bringing their dogs along, hoping to win. There is Plain Austen with
Hampshire Hound, Homily Dickinson and her Yankee Poodle and Georgie
Eliot and Flossie, as well as other literary figures, including the
judges Countess Pippi Shortstocking and Hands Christmas Andersen.
Ada and her friends from the Attic Club as well as the Vicarage
sisters (Charlotte, Emily and Anne are all in attendance. But
something is going on at Ghastly-Gorm Hall; there are chewed shoes
and howls in the night. Can Ada and her friends solve the mystery?
This is a fantastic book. I loved the first, Goth Girl
and the ghost of a mouse and this is even better. It has the
same gorgeous appearance, black hardback cover decorated with gold
metallic skulls and foliage and a lovely picture of Ada and the
literary dogs on the front and Ada and a cheeky monkey on the back.
The illustrations inside are brilliant, with each literary figure
coming to life and Lord Goth looking particularly saturnine and
handsome in his Regency garb. ;
There are so many hilarious allusions to literary works that older
readers and adults will really relish, but at the same time there is
enough plotting about the Dog Show and the mysterious howls in the
night to keep younger readers enthralled. The misadventures that;
occurred when the train designed by Charles Cabbage carrying the
elaborate dinner to the guests came off the tracks is; Even a flick
through the book, looking at the pictures is totally engrossing.
This is such a feel-good book, one that will be enjoyed by readers
of all ages and certainly one to treasure.
Pat Pledger
Jack versus Veto by Jim Eldridge
Wrestling Trolls bk 5. Hot Key Books. ISBN 9781471402678
(Age: 7-9) Themes: Fantasy, Adventure. The Wrestling Trolls have
travelled to Bun to participate in the Great Bun Wrestle Smackdown,
with two rounds of fighting - Big Rock versus Block and Princess Ava
the Masked Avenger up against the Fighting Pink Fairy.
Unfortunately, during the match their rather grumpy talking horse
Robin has been stolen by ruthless rustlers. The Village Marshall
sends Milo, the manager and the wrestlers off to Badlands Valley,
where the horse-meat gang has hidden the stolen horses. There they
confront Hard Harry and his cross-bow wielding thugs and with
Blaze's help, they set the animals free from the corral. Blaze's
ability to shape-shift into a dragon helps the Wrestling Trolls
family as the battle continues.
In the second story, Lord Veto and his Chief Orc have vanished
leaving this castle deserted. Jack sees this as an opportunity to
return to the castle kitchen and retrieve a special ring he'd left
behind. Of course multiple dangers lurk as the troop use the secret
tunnel to gain access, giant rats, spiders and a huge hypnotic
snake. What Jack discovers about the origin of the ring and his
family members is extremely surprising!
Jim Eldridge's Wrestling Trolls series has all the fantasy
elements rolled into one rollicking adventure ably complemented by
Jan Bielicki's larger than life cartoon characters.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Doubt Factory by Paolo Bacigalupi
Little, Brown & Company, 2014. ISBN: 9780316220750
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Themes: Whistle-blowing; Big Business &
Corporations; Fraud; Terrorism; Family relationships; Belief and
doubt; Science & Truth. The teenage protagonists in this story
have become caught up in the world of big business and the
introduction of doubt to protect wealth. The teens were victims
before they became involved in a plot to sabotage the Public
Relations team who protect the money-making foci and motivations of
big business by obfuscation and spin. The teenagers hatch a complex
plan involving computer hacking, creative use of their own insurance
wealth and intelligence, rats and kidnapping. Their intention is to
bring truth into the open and to remove the influence of the PR
'Doubt Factory'. Their kidnap victim is the daughter of the chief of
the PR company and she herself is transformed in the process.
This complex plot is exhilarating and adult in its focus, and yet
because of the age of the participants it reads like a compelling
adventure for intelligent teenagers. The consequence after reading
the tale is to doubt anything that Big Business is involved in, and
to question science and the law as a means to purvey truth.
I can recommend this to an older Teenage audience - Aged 15+.
(Note: there is a language warning: 'F' bomb sprinkled through the
text, and although it is not surprising - in keeping with the
language use of teens - it may influence purchase selections for
some.)
Carolyn Hull
