Miss Austen investigates is a cosy mystery set in the world of Jane Austen and starring her as a detective. She is happily anticipating a proposal from Tom Lefroy at a ball when a shocking discovery is made. A young woman has been found murdered; her body left in a linen cupboard. When her brother Georgie is found with the woman’s necklace, he is arrested and faces the hangman’s noose. Jane is determined to find the culprit, as she knows that her brother is too gentle to commit an act of violence.
The strength of the novel lies in the historical background. Jessica Bull deftly adds in accurate details about the countryside, the way people lived, the role of women, marriage, and the Austen family, and the reader becomes immersed in Jane Austen’s world. A quick perusal shows that the author is knowledgeable about Jane Austen and fans of Austen and mysteries are likely to enjoy seeing Jane as a sleuth. Jane is dogged in her pursuit of the truth, following one clue after another, and having no qualms about accusing different members of the gentry. There are many red herrings and the reader learns much about society of the late 18th century as Jane goes to inns, farms, manor houses and pawnbrokers in her search for the truth.
Jane is intrepid and impetuous, often racing headlong into thinking she has worked out the identity of the murderer, and then having to back down. Her romance with Tom Lefroy is beautifully handled, the author cleverly showing how difficult it was in those times to marry for love, when both parties are impoverished and rely on rich relatives for patronage.
Miss Austen will return in another story The foreign princess, and the first chapter of this can be found at the back of the book. This is certainly an enjoyable book for fans of historical mysteries, and those wanting to know more about Jane Austen’s world.
Themes Mystery, Jane Austen, Murder, Hampshire (England).
Pat Pledger
Digger digs down by Johanna Bell. Illus. by Huni Melissa Bolliger
University of Queensland Press, 2024. ISBN: 9780702268656. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
This delightful story is one of few words but rich in engagement through how the words are used, and the vibrant imagery displayed. What would happen if you kept digging? Where would you end up? And that is exactly what Digger did.
Digger is a playful dog who loves to dig. As he digs, he goes down, down, down to places deep below the surface. He passes by all sorts of things in his digging like skeletons, fossils and utensils, even an extremely precious rock. He eventually comes to a magical underwater world full of wondrous sea creatures. He hears his owner calling and retraces his steps back up to the surface. Only to begin digging again.
This is a story full of imagination with striking images, the vibrant colours layered and softly blurred but with so much depth to what is on the page. There is a strong and inquisitive need for the reader to look carefully to see what treasures Digger uncovers on his travels. The alliteration and rhyme are a joy to read with words moving and flowing as Digger digs. The clever use of positional language for the Early Years age group provides an ideal teaching moment for educators to use. Teacher's notes are available.
A wonderful book for those who love dogs and digging, and whose imagination takes them to places beyond their own backyard.
Kathryn Beilby
Before we met by Gabrielle Tozer. Illus. by Sophie Beer
Before we met, I made a wish Upon a starry night begins this verse story of how a child will be welcomed into its family.
Each stanza begins much the same encouraging readers to read along with the adult. A different second line offers a different set of things the family is waiting for and wanting to do for their new baby. Firstly the child will be brought home, its world to be filled with light. The baby’s face will be stroked and kissed and the parents will sing lullabies, later the parents will hold its hand, run its bath and hug the child tightly. The parents will teach it well, guide its way and fill the days with fun. The parents will watch it grow and see it shine, and love it whether near or far away. All of the things mentioned are virtues that the family shares, loving and caring for their offspring, no matter how it was brought to the home or where it lives. This book is a celebration of the diversity of families, of the array of people that love and care for children, parents known for their part in bringing up a child. At the start the bright illustrations show a variety of ways a child comes into a home. There might be a hospital birth, or IVF, or adoption. The child will be in a home of love and excitement, where a new baby is anticipated and welcomed. The illustrations again show an array of families, all having the one thing in common, the welcoming of an anticipated new baby in their lives.
Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Space Cadet is the second book in Ashleigh Barton's delightful series. Aimed at young readers, eight-year-old Freddie Spector continues his mission to collect interesting facts - this time about space. With so many amazing space facts, and even an oobleck recipe, this book has everything to keep readers page turning with curiosity.
Freddie's excitement reaches new heights when he learns that he will have the opportunity to interact with a real astronaut. As one of only five children selected to ask a question, Freddie feels both thrilled and anxious. He is determined to come up with a fantastic question that will impress the astronaut, but his thoughts are interrupted by the strange happenings in his neighbour's backyard. After hearing a loud bang and noticing a large, mysterious hole, Freddie is convinced that aliens have landed. This suspicion leads him on a fun adventure as he tries to unravel the mystery, while also preparing for his big moment at school.
Barton skilfully balances humour and suspense in Space Cadet, blending Freddie's imaginative theories about extra-terrestrial visitors and his concerns about his question for the astronaut. Cheong’s black-and-white illustrations add a fun and engaging touch to the story. His drawings complement the text beautifully, bringing Freddie’s world to life and enhancing the storyline.
Space Cadet is a delightful read that will appeal to young readers with an interest in space, science and adventure. It captures the joys of learning and discovery. Readers may even find themselves jotting down their own notes and researching further facts, as their curiosity is stimulated
Freddie's boundless enthusiasm for learning is contagious, making him a relatable and endearing protagonist for children who love asking questions and discovering new things.
A perfect book for children who love exploring the unknown and enjoy stories that blend everyday experiences with a dash of the extraordinary.
Song of the six realms is a complex novel for adolescents and young adults. The plot plays out against the backdrop of spiritual worlds and philosophical themes. It is rather a beautifully written book in terms of linguistic content, vocabulary density and also in terms of its ethereal quality. The living focus and driver of the novel is the central character -Xue'er (Guxue) meaning Solitary snow. In simplistic terms the novel is a Cinderella story but it is multilayered and complex steeped in magic and the exotic actual and spiritual realms of China.
Author Judy Lim was born in Taiwan and grew up in Canada. She loves the escapism of imaginary worlds and these she has created for readers who similarly enjoy fantasy and escapism. Her previous Book of tea duology (A magic steeped in poison and A venom dark and sweet) along with Song of the six realms have made her a bestselling author with The New York Times.
Song of the six realms is a coming of age story. It has the intimacy of the first person voice of the main character Xue whose life's story is central to the plot. Xue is an engaging, likeable character. She is beset with major losses and frightening and perplexing incidents but she has a strength and smartness about her- a feistiness and great kindness aswell as a remarkable skill with the ancient Chinese musical instrument- the qin (also known as the "seven stringed Chineses zither"). Mastery of this instrument was seen as a "refined practice" associated with poetry, scholarship and philosophy. Poetry and philosophy and Xue's ability to interpret and apply her skill are crucially important to the events in this novel. There are many references to Chinese mythology, folk religion, astrology and numerology that Lim explains have no connection with real-world practices or belief today. They have been successfully adapted for the purposes of the story creating the mood and atmosphere of the world that Xue has to negotiate and learn to understand.
Readers are challenged with the Chinese characters, the terms for these characters, their pronunciation and their meaning. There is a helpful glossary at the back of the book. There are many characters in the book with the reader being challenged to understand their name including the pronunciation and the Chinese translation. Likewise locations have place names, Chinese names and pronunciations to decipher.
There are six realms: the Mortal, the Demon, the Celestial, the Spiritual, the Ghost and the Barren. All are inhabited by different beings and have different governance structures. Mortal lives for example are governed by the Celestials and the afterlife is governed by the Demons in the Ghost realm. Through the Rite of Ascension some mortals can ascend to the Celestial Realm. Co-existence and balance is supposed to be maintained between these realms but certain seismic shifts are happening and certain beings are able to traverse across realms either saving or destroying.
Song of the six realms is structured musically and poetically with verses and interludes aswell as chapters. There is a lot of interesting fodder for the lover of fantasy, the lover of the intersection between philosophies and spiritualities, for those interested in class and governance structures and representations of good and evil. Though complex in its settings and subject matter, it is also a beautiful story of love and survival as Xue is faced with every monster and deity of the six realms as the realms teeter on the brink of disaster.
Song of the six realms is a "melodic tale inspired by Chinese mythology". It is for capable readers who enjoy the fantasy genre.
Themes Chinese mythology, poetry, music, celestial/mortal realms.
Danielle Binks, author of The Year the Maps Changed, has written a deeply moving and powerful novel looking at the lives of neighbours and former best friends, Tash and Leo. Both Year 6 students, feisty and adventurous South African girl Alytash (Tash) and gentle, studious library monitor Polish boy Leopold (Leo), reconnect at a time in their lives where there are major changes taking place.
For Leo, his dad is away in WA and his mum’s brother and dad’s best friend, Aleks, is living in the family rental to help support the family. Leo’s Dad has left for his reasons which are hinted at often and become clear later in the story. Leo is bereft without him but has a strong relationship with his mum although her expectations can be a source of angst.
Tash has her own devastating reasons for ending her friendship with Leo in Year 4, which left him bewildered and deeply hurt. But when she comes back into his life in the final weeks of Year 6, Leo is confused and finds it difficult to trust her motives. When she announces she is not going to Graduation and asks him to let her friendship group know, Leo is curious and once again drawn back into her life.
The neighbour at No 7, Mrs Shepparson has always been a person of mystery to Tash and Leo, but through a series of unfolding events the children gradually learn her story and the historical tragedy behind it. Unexplained occurrences triggered by the bullying tactics of an American building firm place the children and Mrs Shepparson in grave danger which eventually leads to a time of healing for all.
This contemporary novel which shares events of the past in order to understand the present, will resonate with many library readers, both young and old. There are references to borrowing books by Tristan Bancks, rereading Morris Gleitzman’s Once, librarian Mx Chambers referred to as they, and the significant comment “…where some schools no longer have libraries..” For some children like Leo, the library is a haven of safety but also a place to find out more.
Six Summers of Tash and Leopold is a wonderful read with strong believable characters all having a role to play and connected in the present by very different stories from the past.
Author and illustrator Philp Bunting has a way with words and ideas that leave the reader looking at complex scenarios that they may not have ever considered. I Wonder: A Book of Questions with No Answers is a book that will offer the opportunity to think deeply about all sorts of things that cannot be yet answered.
The book begins with the question: Have you ever wondered what we don’t know? This is followed by a short statement about the curiosity of humans and finding out things, but stresses there is still so much we need to understand. Some of the wonderings given consideration include: I wonder what love is? I wonder why we make art? I wonder what makes us want to be good? I wonder why we’re here? I wonder why we need so much sleep? I wonder what lies beneath? All are cleverly commented on by the author using fact and humour which encourages the reader to question further but of course, no answer is provided.
The graphic-style illustrations are bright and colourful, and in trademark Philip Bunting style. The end papers are busy and showcase a myriad of items that are mentioned in the text. The final wondering may leave us all pondering and overthinking: I wonder if this is all a dream? Where we are left wondering if someone or something is dreaming our life for us!
Themes Science & Technology, General Interest, Wonder, Thoughts, Questions, Humour.
Kathryn Beilby
The mystery at Dunvegan Castle by T.L. Huchu
Pan Macmillan, 2024. ISBN: 9781529097740. (Age:14+) Highly recommended.
The third in the Edinburgh Nights series following The Library of the dead and Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments finds Ropa Moyo back this time on the Isle of Skye, where a magical convention is being held in Dunvegan Castle. Still stuck in an unpaid internship with Sir Ian Callander and aiming to become an apprentice, she hopes to prove herself on the island. When a priceless scroll from Ethiopia is stolen and a librarian murdered Ropa is given the unenviable task of trying to find the murderer. Callander raises a magical dome over the castle, trapping everyone inside, while Ropa and her friends set out to investigate.
Ropa has been studying Machiavelli’s writings and she sees the extent of corruption and power plays between the members of the magical institutions, the MacLeod and McDonald clans and the students of the four magic schools. Politics dominates the story and I found it difficult to see Ropa's skill not being recognised by the ambitious members of the magical societies. Her snarky wit and astute observations about the people around her provide many moments of hilarity and lighten the tension of the chase and the anxiety that overtakes her at crucial times. She is ably supported by her friend Prya, while Jomo plays a lesser role than in the previous books. There are wild chases across the castle roof and in the gardens, a ghost or two to set free and many red herrings to pursue before the thrilling and unexpected denouement.
Huchu mixes in history with the background of the Isle of Skye and an old, haunted castle. He explores themes of Scottish and English magical rivalry between the two countries, the theft of valuable books by the Library of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the effects of colonialism on African countries and the Fae.
I look forward to the next in the series, hoping to see more of Gran and the red fox and the ending left me wondering what will happen to Ropa in the future.
Pat Pledger
Ratbags: Dummy spit by Tim Harris and Shiloh Gordon
Ratbags: Dummy Spit, the fifth instalment in Tim Harris's popular series, is a delightful blend of standard novel and graphic combined. Enhanced by Shiloh Gordon's engaging illustrations, this is sure to be another success with its audience. Aimed at young readers, this book continues the adventures of Jigsaw and his gang of misfit rats, combining humour, action and another challenging quest that will captivate its audience throughout.
The story begins with the introduction of Blitz, a rambunctious baby rat who, despite his small size, creates enormous chaos. Blitz is a whirlwind of energy, leaving a trail of destruction wherever he goes, and his fearless attitude puts him in direct confrontation with Crackers, the meanest cat in town. As Blitz causes mayhem throughout the town, it falls on Jigsaw and his friends to solve the mystery of where this feisty little rat belongs. The quest to find Blitz's parents takes the gang on a series of comedic adventures filled with unexpected twists and hilarious encounters.
Harris's witty writing keeps the storyline lively and entertaining, while Gordon's black and white cartoon style illustrations add a visual punch; perfectly capturing the antics of Blitz and the expressions of exasperation on Jigsaw and his friends' faces. The blend of short chapters with large font, speech bubbles, cool layout and hilarious illustrations, ensures that the story is accessible and engaging. This is a perfect choice for reluctant readers and young fans of illustrated novels.
Dummy Spit is a delightful addition to the series that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next adventure in the Ratbags universe. If you love a little bit of fun and adventure, at a fast-past speed, then this novel will undoubtedly meet your entertainment level. Tim Harris and Shiloh Gordon continue to be masters at their craft, and always knows how to keep their readers engaged to the very end.
Themes Humour, Adventure, Friendship, Problem solving, Teamwork, Family.
With a story that celebrates what happens on each day of the week, younger readers will enjoy reading along with the reader, predicting the words that might be used, and looking closely at the illustrations to see what they can find.
A colour filled board book just the right size to fit into little hands, the book will have immediate appeal to those newly exposed to reading.
They will be reminded of the days of the week as each animal has something unusual happening on the day. Goanna wakes on Monday feeling cold and is warmed by his Dad. On Thursday Little Quoll is feeling angry, but Sister is there to help him feel calm. Each day is linked to an emotional state of the younger animal. Each time a member of the family has a response which makes him feel better.
The book nods to members of the family and their closeness and ability to be there for the younger child. It recognises the importance of the family and its members to the feeling of well-being of the young. But apart from some wonderfully warm feelings, Dreise introduces a number of Australian animals which may not have appeared in many Australian picture books. He presents a goanna, a sugar glider, a turtle, a quoll, a frilled lizard, a butterfly and a fruit bat, each drawn using memorable Aboriginal motifs.
Award winning Gregg Dreise, a member of the Kamilaroi and Euahlayi people of south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales, produces lovely warm books, filled with luminous illustrations that draw the eye. His Silly birds (2014) is a wonderfully funny tale and will always remain one of my favourites. And there are many more.
For more information about Gregg and his week, see the fabulous website which again is very different, telling readers what Gregg loves.
Themes Aboriginal story, Australian animals, Family, Relationships, Feelings.
The Girl in Question is the sequel set one year after Sharpe’s The Girls I’ve Been and although it is possible to read as a standalone, readers will then have to infer much of the important backstory.
Having finished high school, Nora is heading into the Californian forest for several weeks of a summer backpacking/camping trip with her girlfriend Iris, ex-boyfriend Wes and his girlfriend Amanda. Within moments they are testing their survival skills in more ways than one, as her criminal step-father Raymond sends henchmen to track her down and take a hostage to extract retribution for her violent acts that were the basis of The Girls I’ve Been.
Nora has led a series of double lives ever since her con-artist mother recruited her into a life of conning and deceit as a young child, and the extent of the deceptions become apparent as she opens up to her friends in her found family. Told from the friends’ three points of view, The Girl in Question also contains flashbacks from weeks and years earlier that add to the multilayered story-line. Relationships and aliases become quite complex as more of Nora’s previous life and connections come to light.
Although the main characters have good intentions and display courage and team-work in an effort to right past wrongs, their moral compass is often questionable. They routinely keep secrets from each other and the motive of a carrying out a revenge killing drives the plot as Nora in particular seeks vengeance on her abusers. This is a fast-paced YA thriller, with ongoing violence and assault described in some detail, and additional reference to emotional and physical abuse. While this is integral to the plot, given the characters’ personalities and motivations, it makes the book more suitable for a mature reader.
Themes Abduction, Adventure, Found family, Revenge, Thriller.
Margaret Crohn
Millie Mak the Mender by Alice Pung and Sher Rilling
Millie Mak the Mender is the second book in this gentle and delightful series about Millie Mak, a shy and reserved child who has a gift for sewing. In the first story we learn more about Millie’s mum who works in an Aged Care Home. One day Millie visits the home and finds it challenging dealing with the different needs of the elderly people in the home. She continues to return to the home and begins to relax, show more understanding and feel comfortable being with the residents. Millie decides to make them each an amazing hat out of recycled materials and they are an instant hit. She asks her friends Rita and Veesa to help create more and they do a wonderful job.
Meanwhile Millie’s unpleasant classmate Geri copies the idea for the hats for the aged care home with an unsuccessful campaign that results in another classmate, Shanelle, standing up for Millie. Millie and Shanelle form an uneasy friendship. However Shanelle is dealing with her own troubles and the Millie, Rita and Veesa help her and her family out. The four girls end up calling themselves and their sewing group, the Fru-Gals.
The second story deals with the recognition Millie and her friends receive for their recycled sewing but it does not quite go according to plan. Millie makes her younger sister a play outfit that is noticed at a wedding by a fashion blogger who takes photos and wants to learn more about Millie and what she does. Rita and Veesa are keen for Millie to explore the opportunity offered by the blogger but Millie is reluctant. When this leads to an appearance on a television show for all four Fru-Gals, it does not end as expected with friendships between the girls in trouble. Will Millie be able to mend things this time?
These stories have an important message about reusing items and creating new and different things. The important role both sets of grandparents play in Millie’s life and how she adapts to different cultural expectations is not always easy but Millie strives to make it work. At the end of each story are detailed instructions for making items from the story. Illustrations throughout add an extra layer to the narrative.
The retelling of this familiar story is based on the 2008 CBCA Notable Picture Book Purinina: A Devil’s Tale written and illustrated by Christina Booth. Set on the island of Tasmania, this enchanting story tells of the life of Purinina and her family. From birth, through her growing years and to her adult life, the beautifully written prose shares the natural life cycle and the dangers faced by the endangered Tasmanian devil.
Born in a deep dark cave nestled in a valley, pink-skinned Purinina and her brothers, safe and warm in their mother’s pouch, suckle milk and begin to grow. Gradually black and white fur covers their bodies and they find their way out of the pouch into the cave environment. Purinina learns to growl, snarl, snort and scream. She still eats food her mother finds and plays and tussles with her bothers. Sadly, one night her mother does not return with food and in the morning when the young ones find her, she is still. The devils must learn to fend for themselves but not before they realise there is a new danger they must face in the arrival of humans. Life does go on for Purinina and she too becomes a mother.
The striking full-page illustrations vary between light and warm colours to a dark and almost menacing colour palette. The use of movement and descriptive words, bold letters and the careful placement of phrases add to the overall engagement and flow of the story. In the final pages the Devilish Details section is a valuable addition as is the glossary. This is wonderful story to share with children and to learn new interesting facts about this much-maligned Australian animal. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Tasmanian devils, Endangered species, Habitat, Tasmania, Australia, Life Cycles, Survival, Human Danger.
Kathryn Beilby
My dog Bruiser swallowed a scooter by Karen McKinley. Illus. by Francesca Quatraro
Little Steps, 2024. ISBN: 9781922833280. (Age:3+)
Children will laugh out loud as Bruiser chomps on some very odd things around Grandpa’s farm. The children are there on a holiday and when playing in the vegetable patch Bruiser pounces on the scooter and swallows it down.
The audience will all swallow in unison at the thought of such a large metallic object going down their throats. Daisy and her brother try an ingenious array of things to make him give up the scooter.
Told in bouncy rhyming stanzas, the verse rolls along, easy enough for younger readers to latch on to the rhyming schemes and remember some of the lines quickly. They will enjoy predicting the rhyming words and offer some of their own.
But the story of how to rid Bruiser of the scooter keeps going, causing the readers to laugh out loud. Huge illustrations cover each set of double pages, giving a sweeping view of the farm and its rolling hills where the children are staying.
They try rolling Bruiser down the hill to dislodge the scooter to no avail. But when they arrive at the bottom of the hill, the dog next door jumps through the stone wall, scaring them all, causing the scooter to dislodge from Bruiser’s throat. So, all is well on grandpa’s farm, except Bruiser is now chewing on a comb.
Next day the children go home, watching Bruiser dig up an old smelly gum boot.
A funny look at staying at grandpa’s farm will agree with the readers as they work out what to do about Bruiser. The story reinforces strong family values and relationships, the fun of having a dog within the family and the role of grandparents within the family.
The illustrations carry the story forwards and will intrigue young children as they show lots of detail about life on a farm.
Themes Grandparents, Farm life, Family, Dogs.
Fran Knight
Brain is (not) always right by Scott Stuart
Scholastic, 2023. ISBN: 9781761204685. (Age:3+)
Heart loves chocolate and playing hide and seek and fashion, whereas Brain loves lists and broccoli but especially he loves being right. When the two are together, Heart would love to do lots of things, but Brain always vetoes his choices. One day Heart sees something he really wants and does not ask Brain about it. Brain rails and rails against his choice, and Heart hardly has the heart to answer. But every time they pass the music studio, Heart feels sad and his heart is rent, and their home is silent. Their lives become less and less. One day when Brain passes the music studio, he stops and asks what would happen if they failed, would people laugh at them, and what would happen if they made a mistake. Brain is scared, but Heart encourages him to try it out. They go inside and play, Brain is not good, but Heart becomes better and better, his heart coming back together.
Together the two ask each other what they would like to do, and now they do things together aware of each other’s wants. And they each have a voice in their relationship.
A lovely tale of overcoming divisions between friends, the story shows that friends should give and take, and listen to each other’s opinions.
Lovely bright illustrations splash across each page, with the heart and brain shown in their forms with little stick arms and legs, giving a seemingly simpler vision of the main protagonists. Emotions are carried through the upturn of a lip or eyebrow, eyes closed or wide open. Children will be in no doubt about how each is thinking, and happily give their opinions about what each should do.
The endpapers show the beginning of the tale with blank music sheets, and by the end it is filled with music which is a lovely parallel for the story of two coming together, listening to each other’s opinions.
