Ash Barty’s memoir My Dream Time: A memoir of tennis and teamwork first appeared in 2022 and in the following year a Young Reader’s Edition was published which will definitely appeal to many of Ash Barty’s legion of young fans. This highly accessible and relatable non-fiction novel begins with a contents page and pre-Chapter One is a timeline of Ash’s journey from 2016 when she was ranked #623 to being the World’s #1 female tennis player from 2019-2022.
In Ash’s trademark friendly and personable manner, she talks about her journey from her birth in 1996 to her retirement in 2022 after winning the Australian Open. Throughout Ash’s story, she is open and honest about her struggles with her mental health, body image, self-doubt, her fragmented schooling, loneliness on tour in her early years as well as the debilitating homesickness she suffered. Ash shares with her readers the proud story of her First Nations heritage and the amazing support she has had from her wonderful family, her coaches such as Jim Joyce, Jason Stoltenberg and Craig Tyzzer, and two of her incredible mentors and friends: Casey Dellacqua and Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
As well as reading about Ash Barty’s story, this book provides the opportunity for readers to learn about many of Ash’s memorable matches and how she was feeling at the time, her opponents, and what was happening behind the scenes. With support and understanding from her incredible team, Ash was able to overcome injuries, self-doubts and achieve so much.
Ash Barty: Champion is an outstanding and inspirational autobiography and worthy of a place in all school and public libraries.
The striking midnight blue, pink and white front cover of Raised by Moths will draw readers to this beautiful picture book. The front and back endpapers are just as gorgeous and showcase a luminescent fluttering of moths across the pages.
The story begins with an evening visit by Willow and her Mum to the amusements at a fairground. Willow joins an unknown boy on the Ferris Wheel and they set off into the sparkling night sky. There is a sudden stop while they are at the top and the young boy reassures Willow all will be ok. He claps and rubs his hands and there is a magical display of silver moths. The boy tells Willow he was raised by moths until he was three and then adopted by a human family whom he loves. He will always love the moths and be at one with them. They return to the ground safely and Willow and her mum head over to the fields near the fairground and greet the horses that always come willingly to Willow. Will Willow remember the time before she was adopted?
This wonderful book is pure fantasy and brings a sense of joy to the reader with the thoughtful and engaging text. The stunning illustrations add to the imaginative quality of the story and will delight readers, both young and old.
In the second book in the Glass Library series, Sylvia Ashe has been enjoying her job at the Glass Library and is thrilled when an old manuscript is uncovered in the attic. The silver clasps on the wooden cover contain magic and the book itself is written in code. The book appears to have belonged to the powerful Medici family, and Sylvia and Gabe, with their friends, are determined to decode the book and perhaps find some answers to Sylvia’s quest to find her family.
I loved the idea of a magical book belonging to the Medici and it was fun to watch the clues that the group uncovered while trying to work out the cryptic code. There was danger too for Gabe and Sylvia when the book is stolen, and new characters are introduced as they trace suspects who knew the value of the book. Sylvia grows in confidence as she begins to trust the group, and readers will learn more about Gabe and his wartime trials. The romance between the two continues to grow slowly and no doubt more will be revealed in the next in the series, The untitled books.
Lovers of historical fiction set in the 1920’s, with its nightclubs and dancing, motor cars and shorter skirts, and those who enjoy a slow burning romance, magic and a mystery will enjoy this series. I especially enjoyed the plot revolving around a library and ancient books and will continue with the series.
Random House, 1982. ISBN: 9780552118040. (Age:10+) Recommended.
The third book in the Harper Hall of Pern series centres around Piemur, the cheeky boy who befriended Menolly in Dragonsinger, and who helped her learn how to fit into the ways of the Harper Hall. Piemur is devastated to learn that his glorious soprano voice has broken and he can no longer sing the leading part in the latest Harper Hall production at Lord Groghe's Gather. Harpist Robinton sends him off to learn how to play the messenger drums and he tries to come to terms with his changed circumstances. Bullied by the other apprentices, he tries to fit in, while secretly working for Robinton. During one misadventure, he finds himself on the Southern Continent and knowing that he would not be welcome by the dragonriders there, hides in the forest, where he faces danger and adventures, including finding the admired fire dragons.
This is a coming-of-age story. It is fascinating to watch Piemur’s growth from a troublesome young boy to a strong, confident young man. While working as an apprentice, Piemur’s mischievous personality ccame to the fore, and he was often in trouble. When he must survive in the wilds of the Southern Continent, he learns to use his intelligence and canniness to live alone.
Readers will learn more about the Harper Hall, fire dragons and music, in particular messenger drums, as Piemur goes on some secret missions for Robinton. Although some readers may be disappointed that Menolly features only briefly in Dragondrums, the story fleshes out much of the background of the secret work that the harpists undertake as well as fleshing out life on the Southern Continent.
McCaffrey’s classic trilogy has stood the test of time and still has much to offer young readers today.
Themes Dragons, Harpists, Music, Fantasy.
Pat Pledger
History FACTopia! by Paige Towler. Illus. by Andy Smith
Britannica Books, 2023. ISBN: 9781804660409. (Age:7+) Highly recommended.
History FACTtopia! is the fifth book in this clever and very entertaining non-fiction series for children (and the adults in their lives). It is full of incredible information that is easily accessible for younger readers and is told with humour and colourful engaging images. The format of the book encourages the reader to follow the trail of 400 historical facts, beginning with the discovery by archaeologists in China of a pair of trousers 3,300 years old to the very last fact about a group of claqueurs who were hired by theatres in 18th century France to clap, cry and laugh to inspire audience participation.
The reader is able to read this book and follow the dotted or broken lines to view items of their own interest. There is no chronological link as such, but random interactions with semi-connected areas. For example, information about a 3000 year old artificial toe made of wood and leather attached to an Egyptian mummy and is the oldest known prosthetic body part, leads to either more information about mummies or information about the world’s oldest pillow made of stone 9000 years ago in Mesopotamia. Which then leads to running-water toilets discovered in a 2000 year old tomb and added as a ‘restroom for the afterlife’ which then leads to further information about the topic of pee… The path is endless!
Children will enjoy the humour, graphic-style illustrations and photographs throughout and will be offered hours of entertainment. It is a wonderful book to pour over and for those who prefer a more structured path there is an index at the end as well as a detailed glossary of historical terms, credits, picture sources and information about the Factopians.
The Modern is Anna Kate Blair’s first novel. It is set in New York and is all about Sophia. Sophia is an Australian from Sydney who is a fellow at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Sophia is a passive participant in her own life and appears to sleep walk through life. She finds it difficult to articulate what she really wants from life and allows circumstance and others to determine her fate. Her fascination is with what it means to be modern.
In Sophia’s working world, her research centres on Grace Hartigan. Grace is an abstract impressionist painter who moved to New York and was recognised for her work that explored the societal expectations placed on women. Of particular reference for this novel are her paintings Grand Street Brides, June Bride and Wedding Day.
At the beginning of the novel, Sophia accepts an impromptu marriage proposal from Robert who immediately sets out on a 5-month hiking trek. Alone, and with time on her hands, Sophia becomes introspective and obsesses with the aspects of her life, past and present, to the extent that her ruminations present a daily struggle.
Sophia is also ambitious. Her career is important to her, provides her with focus and has the driving seat. At the same time, Sophia is conflicted about her sexual identity. It is this that drives the narrative as Sophia wrestles with her changing perceptions of marriage, her engagement, desire and love. The reader will at times feel compassion for Sophia and at others deep frustration or exasperation.
Is this obsession with self what it means to be modern? This is something for the reader to decide.
Author of the Glass and Steele series, C.J. Archer brings the first in a new series, The Glass Library, featuring Gabe, a war hero with a secret and Sylvia, a young woman on the search for her past. Sylvia’s mother had moved them from place to place, never talking about her father or past events. When Sylvia finds an entry in her brother’s diary that indicates there might be silver magic in family, she is determined to find out about her family history. She encounters Gabe, a consultant for Scotland Yard, when he is investigating a theft of a magical painting, and together they become embroiled in uncovering the mystery of the missing paintings. When Gabe inadvertently makes Sylvia lose her most recent job as a librarian, he secures her another position in the Glass Library which houses books about magic.
Set in 1920, the author brings the post war period to life. Young women like Sylvia, a journalist during the war, has lost her job now that men have returned from the war, and men like Gabe are suffering from the trauma of the battle scenes. The pace of life is fast, as young people try to put the past behind them and concentrates on having fun.
The pace of the novel is slow, and the mystery of the art heist is interesting, but it is the interaction between the main characters that kept me engaged. The main characters, Syliva and Gabe, Syvia’s best friend Daisy, and the members of the Glass household came alive for me and I will follow up their stories in the next in the series, The Medici Manuscript.
This is a solid introduction to the series and will please fans of the 1920’s historical period, as well as those who enjoy a mystery laced with magic.
Themes Mystery, Magic, 1920's, Art heist, Books, Libraries.
Pat Pledger
The busy garden by Mary Luciano. Illus. by Nandina Vines
Little Steps, 2023. ISBN: 9781922678553. (Age:3-8)
The Busy Garden is a colourful and beautifully illustrated picture book telling of life in the garden of a big house. The creatures in the garden all have a job to do each day to keep their home a safe and thriving place. There is Alma the ant, Wilma the worm, Beatrice the bee, Lenny the lizard and Sienna the spider. Their day begins early as they go about their business of weaving, darting, organising, burrowing, building, searching and gathering. During the morning the two energetic children of the house enter their domain and the creatures are disrupted by heavy footprints, the picking of flowers, webs being destroyed and worm holes being covered over. Once the children leave, the creatures go back to their work helping each other to get things right again.
The story is told in clever rhyme and each creature is introduced across a double page spread with delightful and detailed illustrations to engage the reader:
Lurking on the leaf of a willowy palm, a spider sat perfectly still. This was Sienna, all elegance and grace, preparing to unleash her skill.
She surveyed the garden, then began her work, weaving a thread so thin. A beautiful pattern with a hidden motive - to catch unsuspecting guests in.
This is an enjoyable story which would be perfect to share and discuss with younger readers before a garden exploration.
Themes Nature, Gardens, Insects, Collaboration.
Kathryn Beilby
Kill for me kill for you by Steve Cavanagh
Hachette, 2023. ISBN: 9781035408160. (Age:Adult - Young adult)
Amanda’s 6-year-old daughter was abducted and murdered; husband, Luis, couldn’t forgive himself for taking his eyes off her for a moment and commited suicide. Her life imploded in loss, once a law abiding, anti-gun New York liberal Amanda is now a planning to kill the man she believes took her child. The police have a suspect but not enough evidence for a charge so she is meticulously planning to shoot him on a crowded subway train and disappear into the crowd. Her attempt fails but when she meets Wendy at a compulsory grief counselling session, who has similarly had a child murdered, they hatch a plan. Both fixated on the perpetrator, like in Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train they agree, “Kill for me Kill for You”. The point of view shifts to Ruth, attacked at home; another family’s hopes and plans are erased; she survives but won’t be able to have children and her mental health has become fragile. The other point of view is the detective, Farrow, whose failed investigations haunt him. How these points of view interweave takes a while to sort out but after about the first third of the book the plot takes off, twisting and turning in unexpected ways.
Steve Cavanagh is expert at tapping into our fears of being randomly and brutally attacked at home, of having a child abducted and murdered, the suicide of those meant to offer support and failure of the justice system leaving perpetrators out there waiting to get us. His detailed descriptions are effective and the plot quite fast paced but I found none of the characters had depth beyond their need for revenge and ultimately didn’t care what happened to them. A clever, plot driven read that will appeal to thriller fans.
Magic, mystery and mayhem! This story will keep you captivated until the very end!
Spellstone, written by Ross Montgomery, is an enthralling tale of magic, courage, and self-discovery that takes readers on an enchanting journey through a world brimming with wonder and danger. Weaving a spellbinding narrative that cleverly creates moments of suspense and adventure, the reader will be captivated and entranced until the very end.
Evie, a twelve year old, who sees everything good in the world and believes she is just an ordinary girl. However, she is struggling to fit in and be seen by those around her; even her parents. This dramatically changes when she meets magician, Wainwright and is unexpectedly recruited into the secret realm of The Order of the Stone.
As she grapples with her newfound identity as a sorcerer and the ominous task to win an ancient battle, Evie struggles in her journey of self belief. She must work together with the other magicians to find the hidden Spellstone and rid the world of the wicked control of Vale, a powerful and evil magician. With Wainwright’s disappearance the Order is thrown into chaos. Evie has huge responsibilities on her shoulders and is left feeling confused and very doubtful of her supposed abilities. Can she trust those around her and believe in herself, or will Vale’s powers be too much to overcome?
Montgomery has created a narrative that is skilfully paced. The audience will be kept on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning the pages to uncover Evie's destiny and the secrets that lie within the elusive Spellstone. Building in suspense, with twists and turns along the way, the audience is left eagerly reading to find out more. For those lovers of magic, fantasy, adventure and action, this novel is sure to be a winner!
The 2024 Guinness World Record Book will be received with great anticipation from its loyal readers. This year 30,000 applications were reviewed and only 2,638 were featured. The theme for 2024 is the Blue Planet and celebrates a number of underwater achievements including swimmers, sailors, mermaids and sea creatures.
The bright cover and busy end papers reflect this year’s theme and showcase transparent pods of scenes connected underwater. The Contents page lists nine chapters plus the Stop Press to browse through with the headings of Blue Planet, Aquatic Life, Humans, Recordology, Adventures, History, Science & Technology, Arts & Media and Sports. Each chapter begins with an Explainer e.g. in the Aquatic Life section this is about the Giant Pacific Octopus. This is followed by a list of the topics or people discussed with adjacent page numbers and recognises Hall of Fame award winners under each main heading.
In the first few pages it is wonderful to see many Australians featuring prominently. These include Dylan Alcott for the most Grand Slam tennis quad singles titles (5), Raine Kent for the fastest speed on an electric skateboard (132.37km/h), Jenny Doan whose record is for the most consecutive stairs climbed while hula-hooping (10, 241) and perhaps one of the more unusual records from Adelaide South Australia is Dani Reynolds wearing the widest wig! (2.58m wide). Also in the early pages are Kids Records and more information about Young Achievers.
Towards the end of the book is a Stop Press section where entries that came in after the closing date for submissions are added. The first one will be of interest to children, the largest slime making lesson was attended by 491 students in Quebec, Canada. This latest addition of the Guinness World Records book will fly off library and book sellers’ shelves.
Andrew McDonald and Ben Wood, the creators of the middle grade series Real Pigeons, have collaborated once again on a new series for early readers, Hello Twigs. The main characters are three twigs, Red Twig, Ziggy Twig and Noodle Twig, plus a rather large Stump. Stump is expressing his feelings of sadness in unusual ways and the three twig friends watch as he tries to rejoin the large tree he broke off from with no success. The Twigs decide to offer him support and are able to distract Stump with the idea of rolling down a steep hill which provides them all with immense joy.
This brightly coloured book with just 48 pages is a perfect introduction to the graphic novel format that is so popular with children of all ages. There are four books in the series so far and all have a story told with humour and the themes of friendship and exploring emotions.
In a strangely cruel and violent story that is almost the love child of The Gilded Cage and The Hunger Games this compelling tale weaves through the moneyed USA class system and reveals its underbelly. Adina Walker is an outsider at Edgewater Academy, but she is brilliant and deserves to follow her dream of going to Yale, but an argument with one of the ‘moneyed-class’ has turned nasty and Adina is stripped of her dreams. A lifeline is offered by the wealthy and charismatic Pierce Remington IV, but it comes with a challenge and a competition that has deadly consequences. ‘The Finish’ is an awful combative contest pitting twelve young women against one another to win the affections of the elusive Pierce – a prize that may open doors to wealth and opportunity, if only they can survive the challenge.
This is a powerful piece of creative fiction, revealing classism, sexism and racism and the ways it might manifest itself in East Coast USA. It is also a compelling story with intense violence and moral fissures that make for intriguing contemplation. Should the wealthy be able to do what they like? Who can stand up against their power and twisted view of the world? Is naked ambition as ugly as cruel exploitation? Much of this story though is the insight into the sexist, classist and racist opinions of those who look down their noses at those who have not inherited their wealth or position. Adina, the feisty protagonist, is fighting to be seen and acknowledged, by both men and women at Edgewater. Unfortunately, she has been swept into the roiling mess of the Remington’s ‘Finish’ challenge and readers will want her to survive, but also want her to leave the competition unscathed. This is a book for mature readers who have loved The Hunger Games’; it is violent and confronting and quite compelling, but it is not for the faint-hearted. It would make a powerful M-rated movie script.
Rabbit loves being active and to this end, we see him on the see-saw with his friend on the other end, and we see him as he tries diving off the peer, or tries to ski down the slope and then slide down the slippery dip. The problem is Rabbit. He has lots of Uh-oh moments. He seems very accident prone. Everything he tries comes to a sticky end. On the see-saw he slips underneath and falls off. When he dives his dive turns into a bomb, and he splashes his friend who comes off the float she is on. He seems perfectly in control as he skis off the ski slope, but somehow his legs become twisted up and he falls into the snow. The last adventure is on a slippery dip, so the expectation is almost a forgone conclusion, but the prediction does not come to anything, turning the story on its head, causing lots of laughter from the young audience, and the readers.
Children from the start of each trio of pages, will be used to the first illustration showing Rabbit going up, followed by an 'Uh-oh' as he has an accident of some sort, then the last page shows Rabbit down. This is turned right around in the last sequence as he keeps going up. The hiccup in the predictable is wonderful, as both reader and watcher will laugh at the way the author plays with our expectation.
The illustrations add another level of humour as he does the right thing, the expected thing in each of the first frames. He looks to be skiing beautifully, and in the right pose for skiing and diving. Even on the slippery dip, all seems fine. By then the 'Uh-oh' alerts the readers to the change in fortune as he does something wrong to undermine his achievements but this is all askew on the slippery dip.
The stunning black and white illustrations are augmented with a spot of yellow, giving an intriguing highlight on some pages, while the 'Uh-oh' is always on a yellow page, contrasting with the black and white pages. The endpapers add another level of interest which young readers will love, scanning their eyes over the things they have read about but seeing a few more things that Rabbit tries out with similar disastrous endings.
A very funny book for the young toddler, strongly constructed and with thicker pages for them to look at time and time again, and offering a starter for talks about keeping yourself safe.
Yippee! Rabbit and Oops! Rabbit are also available.
Accident prone Rabbit is at it again, not content with falling off the seesaw or falling into the snow on the ski slope in Uh-Oh! Rabbit, in Yippee! Rabbit he is still trying out things inside the house and in the garden to his chagrin.
In this book, each of the trio of pages starts with Rabbit doing something physical, with Rabbit go, as he plays a game, then Yippee when he is happily involved, then Rabbit stop, when the activity fails. So kite flying seems to be going well until it wraps itself around a tree. Rabbit is on a swing, but swinging higher and higher, yippee, means he comes off and lands badly, Rabbit stop. Then riding his scooter through the rain seems great fun, yippee, but comes to a stop in the large puddle, Rabbit stop. Each time there is a recognition of the repeated lines, but the last activity, using a chair to launch himself in space, Rabbit goes.
Prediction comes to an abrupt stop as he succeeds on his last activity. Another cute emphasis on prediction, as Rabbit faces the expected, but then the book comes to an unexpected end. Again as in Uh-oh Rabbit, the book is a great impetus for talking about keeping oneself safe.
