The school between winter and fairyland by Heather Fawcett
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760526542. (Age:11-16) Highly recommended.
Autumn is 12 years old and lives as a beastkeeper for the neighbouring school for trainee magicians. Sadly, her life has been ripped apart since her twin brother, Winter, went missing the year before. Autumn holds out hope that he will reappear, even though most around her assume he is dead, the victim of the Hollow Dragon. Into her world of sadness arrives Cai Morrigan, a young student magician who has been prophesied to save the neighbouring forest and the magician’s world… and defeat the Hollow Dragon, and maybe even restore Winter to his sister. Cai becomes a true friend and Autumn’s determination and fierce attitude links with his gentle nature to reveal truth and solve the magical mystery of his life. Autumn’s beast-husbandry skills are not in the same echelon as Cai’s star-wielding magical skills, but they grow to depend on each other in their quest to find and release Winter and to solve the prophecy that rules like a cloud over Cai’s life.
This is a fantasy saga that is full of incredible monsters and magical powers and it is written with a dusting of humour, intrigue and the power of family and friendship. For lovers of fantasy this will be another enigmatic escape. It is written well, with monsters and magic that do not dominate but have their own ‘charm’. It is the interpersonal drama between the young protagonists that is the strength of the story, with friendship across class lines explored. This is a powerful fantasy and could be recommended to readers aged 11-16 who have enjoyed the Harry Potter and Morrigan Crow series.
Themes Fantasy, Magic, Friendship, Dragons.
Carolyn Hull
Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone
Pan Macmillan Australia, 2021. ISBN: 9781760983031. (Age:Young Adult) Recommended.
Lakesedge is the story of Violeta and Arien Graceling, a brother and sister who have clung to each other through a lifetime of uncertainty, loss and pain. Found abandoned in the woods as young children, they are raised by an adoptive mother who quickly turns abusive once she learns of Arien’s strange and dark abilities; abilities that he cannot control.
This darkness has been a secret shame binding the family together for years until it is discovered by Lord Rowan Sylvanan, a man with his own violent and shadowed history. Whisked away to Rowan’s manor, Violeta fights for Arien’s safety and her own growing feelings for the mysterious lord.
Lakesedge is a dark fantasy that ticks all of the Gothic boxes: isolated location, young and vulnerable heroine, recalcitrant hero with a tragic past and a mysterious evil force which threatens to keep them apart. It is authored by debut young adult writer Lyndall Clipstone, a former youth librarian who lives in the Barossa Ranges of South Australia. While at times Clipstone pushes the Gothic stereotypes just a tad too far – from atmospheric to histrionic – Lakesedge is an enjoyable monster mystery with a good dash of romance thrown in. It is recommended for young adult readers.
Ranger's Apprentice. The Royal Ranger 5. Random House, 2021. ISBN: 9781760890476. (Age:11-16) Highly recommended.
John Flanagan is an amazing author, and his Ranger’s Apprentice and Brotherband series are loved universally by young readers. Escape from Falaise is the next book in the off-shoot series, The Royal Ranger, and it again has action, drama and conflict as the Royal Rangers, or more particularly Will and his young apprentice Maddie must escape capture and rescue a young Prince from the Baron Lassigny. They use their amazing Ranger skills and expert thinking skills to outwit the Baron despite all opposition.
The start of this book launches into the drama with little or no pre-amble or recap, so it is assumed that readers will have come to Book 5 after reading the other books in the series. You could never say the story is dull. Conflict and commotion, action and arrows, wit and wisdom and overcoming the witless and woeful opponents of the young Araluen Rangers happens at great speed. This is a rollicking adventure and will be devoured by readers of the Ranger’s Apprentice series. As an adult reader, I was also impressed at the way that Flanagan maintains the plot progression and makes a story that even adults can enjoy, even though these books are aimed at younger readers. And although young male readers have always loved this series, Maddie the young Ranger’s apprentice connects this series to a female audience too.
Themes Adventure, Historical Fantasy, Rescue.
Carolyn Hull
Echoes of war by Tania Blanchard
Simon & Schuster, 2021. ISBN: 9781760852085. (Age:Adult) Recommended.
Giulia Tallariti lives in a traditional coastal region in Calabria. Her desire is to be a herbalist healer like her Nonna, but her father only sees marriage as her destiny. Giulia though is feisty, forthright and independent and is desperate to follow her own path and resist her father’s traditional views for her life. Against the backdrop of the approach of World War II and the focus of Mussolini to grow Italian influence in the world, Giulia and her family resist fascist and local Mafia ideals and attempt to live their lives simply. Giulia leaves home to train with a renowned healer in a monastery, but cannot escape her father’s plans and arrangements for her marriage. Caught in the dilemma of her gender she must accept the twists of fate and overcome heartache to forge ahead with the perils of war as a constant threatening presence. Love does find a way, but not without complications and griefs along the way.
The hero of this story is the insight into Calabrian life, it is full of familial warmth and Italian traditional culture. This is an adult family saga covering many years, with war, love and grief, and ending with migration to Australia. There are references to Wartime history and political manoeuvring from an Italian perspective, which will appeal to those interested in War history. The social history and gender relationships are intriguing. Relationship and sexual exploration are also explored. This book will be enjoyed by adult readers with an interest in Italian culture and history; it is an entertaining read.
Themes World War II – Italian history, Family saga, Relationships, Calabrian culture, Gender stereotypes.
When Suja leads Jin blindfolded to the top of a building and then takes away the cloth to reveal the view across Pyongyang, they are both elated by the glorious vision of the city and the shared feeling that a shining future lies before them. But their excitement is shortlived, as they gradually come to realise the corruption and terror at the heart of their country, North Korea. The Dear Leader rules the people with a fear that makes everyone distrustful of others. A rash decision leads Jin to be branded a traitorous thief, running for his life.
Author Ann Shin is Canadian with Korean ancestry, and has based her novel on the researched true stories of defectors from North Korea, providing a rare insight into life under the oppressive regime, and also the plight of refugees who escape to China, where as fugitives without any rights, they are hunted down and exploited or deported.
There are many harsh scenes, from the starving Korean villagers scraping pine bark for food, to the brutality of the Korean prison, to life on the run in China where Korean women are sold as wives or worse. And within that world of fear and exploitation, life throws up difficult moral dilemmas: a father forced to beat his son in order to protect the rest of his family; comrades forced to abandon a friend pleading for help; and others, desperate for any work, contributing to people smuggling and sex slavery. The lines of morals and ethics become blurred.
It is the moral decisions that people are forced to make that are at the heart of this story. But the narrative itself is carried by the actions of the two young lovers, Jin and Suja, separated from each other and desperate to be reunited. Alternating chapters follow the paths of each of them as they journey through many hardships, determined to find a better life.
It is a dramatic story offering a rare insight into life in North Korea, and a warning is due that there are some horribly cruel scenes. But readers will be carried along by each exciting chapter, to find out what happens to Jin and Suja.
Themes North Korea, Totalitarian state, Refugees, Morals and ethics, Romance.
Helen Eddy
Land of lost things by Cat Weldon
Pan Macmillan, 2021. ISBN: 9781529045055. (Age:9-12) Recommended.
The land of lost things is book two in the How to be a hero trilogy. It picks up the story just weeks after the end of book one, which is an absolute must-read before diving into this one.
At the end of book one, scruffy Viking boy Whetstone has achieved a heroic task and been given a new quest, along with a riddle. The quest is to find two prized harp strings (before Loki does!), while the riddle reveals clues to the possible whereabouts of his missing parents. Whetstone is now keen to get started on both the quest and unravelling the riddle but is equally keen not to have to do it alone. His new friend Lotta, the trainee Valkyrie, has promised to help him.
The story telling in this book is funny and chaotic, and starts with Whetstone and Lotta separated before their stories intersect again. There are multiple betrayals, misunderstandings and new characters involved – all of which test both the reader (in keeping up!) as well as our two protagonists.
Whetstone and Lotta are, after all, still getting to know each other. Like every new friendship they must communicate effectively and learn to take into consideration what is important to the other. Whetstone desperately wants to find his parents, while Lotta has had her shield stolen and her Valkyrie powers along with it. The pair navigates a tricky path through mistakes and hurt feelings, and come out the other side as better friends, with greater understanding and support of one another.
As with the first book, the illustrations here are cartoony and fun and are full of over-exaggerated facial expressions that tweens will love.This instalment ends with some big mysteries solved but many questions still unanswered.
This book includes a sneak peek at chapter one of the final instalment in the trilogy (A gathering of giants – due out in January 2022) as well as some fun activities such as a God/Goddess name generator and a slimy recipe.
Perkins gradually builds up the tension as two best friends, Neena and Josie, go on a three-day hike deep into a national forest. It is a last chance for the two girls to be together, before going their separate ways to college, and even though they are very inexperienced hikers, have decided that they can do it. But the girls face more than just the trials of carrying a heavy pack, breaking in hiking boots and trying to navigate the right paths, there are other dangers in the woods.
The story is divided into three sections: Together, Apart, Together. In the first section the reader is introduced to the two young women, and it is easy to get to know them, their strengths and weaknesses and the strong bond that they share. Perkins’ clever writing ensures that an atmosphere of unease increases as they struggle with the difficulties of hiking. Then wow! The horror is all there when the pair are separated and the secrets that the trees have been hiding are revealed. Finally together, even more terror is faced.
This is not for the faint hearted, but readers who love horror and enjoyed Perkins’ first horror story, There's Someone Inside Your House, will not be able to put this one down. Its strong themes of survival and friendship make for an enthralling read. Be not far from me by Mindy McGinnis is another book, with its similar theme of survival against all odds in the woods, that should also appeal.
Themes Horror, Survival, Friendship, Hiking.
Pat Pledger
The tiny woman's coat by Joy Cowley and Giselle Clarkson
Publishing ‘curiously good books’, New Zealand’s Gecko Press sources its stock from around the world. But this one is from the pen of renowned New Zealand author, Joy Cowley and first published in 1987 offers a charming story of kindness and perseverance. The little woman is cold and wet and requires a coat, but where will she get one? She pulls some leaves to her then asks how she will cut them to size. Each time she asks a question a response occurs from an animal around her. The goose cuts the leaves with its bill, the porcupine gives her one of his quills as a needle, the horse offers a hair from his mane to sew the leaves together. She plucks a seed pod to make buttons, and finally puts on her coat. And just in time as the weather blows in, the little woman, the horse, porcupine and snail walking into the blast of wind.
This is a lovely story of cooperation, of resourcefulness, of sharing and working together, of asking for help and finding it.
The tiny woman ’s companion, the snail, features on every page, in the jungle of grasses through which they walk. Readers will take delight recognising some of the features of the autumnal garden and its occupants: the animals, bluebells, leaves from a range of trees and shrubs offering vastly different colours and shapes, and blackberries, the autumn fruit which children love to gather.
Class will be encouraged to discuss size and shape, seasons of the year and above all resourcefulness and kindness as the little woman finds what she needs in the garden. A Q&A with the author is available.
Simon & Schuster, 2021. ISBN: 9781471179327. (Age:Adult) Recommended.
I hadn’t read a novel by the husband-and-wife team Nicci French for quite some time, and now, after finishing The unheard in two sittings, I realise that I have been missing out on well written, suspenseful books. In The Unheard, the duo tackle the dilemma that Tess, a single mother, recovering from a divorce, faces. Her daughter Poppy has started to show disturbing signs of having witnessed a murder:
‘He did kill. Kill and kill and kill.’
She has drawn a woman falling from a tower, is wetting her bed and using inappropriate language. Tess is determined to protect Poppy at all costs. Her visits to the police are fruitless and her ex-husband Jason is not sympathetic, believing that she is exaggerating Poppy’s distress. When a young woman falls from an apartment building, Tess is certain that there is some connection with what Poppy may have witnessed.
Tess narrates the story, and the suspense is drawn out with the reader learning more about her marriage, the character of Jason, her ex-husband, her new partner Aidan, and that of the young woman who died. Tess doesn’t know who to trust and the reader doesn’t know whether she is a reliable narrator, or an overprotective mother. However, she is relentless in her pursuit of what she believes Poppy has witnessed, while the reader is bamboozled with red herrings, twists and turns and different suspects until an unexpected conclusion to the mystery.
I am not normally drawn to mysteries set in a domestic setting, preferring police procedurals, but I couldn’t put The Unheard down and will certainly be reading more books by this writing duo.
Themes Murder, Thriller.
Pat Pledger
Look Inside Maths by Rosie Dickins. Illus. by Benedetta Giaufret and Enrica Rusina
Usborne, 2021. ISBN: 9781474986304. (Age:6+)
Almost 40 years ago in a school where literacy and maths classes were streamed from Kindy onwards (an argument for another day) I was assigned a maths group deemed at the lower end of the spectrum and expected to teach them in a way that had already failed them for two years, killing not only their interest in maths but their belief in their being able to master the subject. And so a new approach was needed. For the kids' sake I was prepared to wear the wrath of the PTB who were determined that the be-all and end-all was an English text book series that even to me, spoke in riddles. Having had great success with a whole-language classroom, I decided to try a whole-maths classroom and for an hour a day while they were with me, my Year 2 students were immersed in maths that related to their everyday lives so they could see that it had purpose, meaning and relevance for them. From this grew my first book, Maths About Me and later a sequel, Maths About My Year. By the end of that year my students could see why maths was important to them, how it drove so many aspects of their lives and their belief in their ability to conquer its abstraction reinstated.
So to be asked to review a book that takes a similar approach by demonstrating through bright, busy illustrations and hundreds of flaps to lift and explore, the ubiquity of maths - numbers, shapes, measurement, processes and even a challenge to put what has been learned into practice was such a treat. Even though it is in board book format, that is to ensure the durability of the lift-the-flap design and it has a place in any early childhood collection. In fact, it could be used as a model for older students who might like to create their own page of how maths is embedded in their lives.
There are those who believe that if you have a calculator you have all you need to solve maths problems (just like there are those who believe that all information is available on the internet) but it is that deep understanding of and engagement with the processes and the way they are embedded in everyday life that is the critical element of success. If we can get our youngest students appreciating this through books like these, attitudes will change and competency soar.
Themes Mathematics.
Barbara Braxton
Little Days out: At the park by Illus. by Sally Garland
Catch a Star, 2021. ISBN: 9781922326324. (Age:1-3) Recommended.
Toddlers will love the familiar scenes that appear in Little Days Out: At the Park and will easily recognise the activities that occur. Granny is seen packing a picnic hamper full of sandwiches, cupcakes and fruit for a little boy and his sister. The accompanying lift the flap shows the park on a beautiful autumn day. The little boy has fun stomping through the leaves and hiding behind a big tree, then finding the swings and building a sandcastle. Finally, after feeding the ducks, the picnic lunch is spread on a blanket and the little boy emerges from his hiding spot behind a lift-the-flap urn of red leaves.
One short sentence on each double page spread, plus one behind the flap, make it an enjoyable read aloud and new vocabulary will be learnt. The simple text is beautifully complemented by the brightly coloured pictures and the lift-the-flaps are easy to manage and very strong, making the book ideal for young children.
Themes Parks, Picnics, Excursions.
Pat Pledger
Guinness World Records 2022
Guinness World Records, 2021. ISBN: 9781913484149. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
The Guinness World Records books are some of the most popular non-fiction reads for both children and adults. This latest 2022 edition will not disappoint fans of these annually released books. With reference to the global pandemic and the changes that it brought to the way people choose to do things, this newest release showcases amazing tenacity and accomplishments by people from all over the world.
The Contents page lists ten chapters to browse through with the headings of Environment, Natural World, Humans, Recordology, Adventures, Science & Technology, Society, Young Achievers, Pop Culture and Sports. Each chapter lists the topics or people discussed with adjacent page numbers and recognises one Hall of Fame award under each main heading. In the Society chapter, Malala Yousafzai is the Hall of Famer, and she has a double page spread devoted to her amazing achievements for justice. There is also a weblink on the page to find out more information about her.
At the end of the book is a very detailed index, a list of consultants, acknowledgements, a stop press section where approved entries are added after the official closing date for submissions plus a behind the scenes explanation of the decision to extend the very popular Rod Hunt theme ‘Where’s Wadlow?’ and head to the beach. If you look closely at the front cover, you will notice a Tasmanian student Beth, sliding down a sandcastle after Tassie teacher Katelyn Cramer encouraged her class to enter the Guinness World Records 2022 Cover Competition.
This book is full of fabulous photographs, diagrams, tables and segmented information which is easy to comprehend and follow. In the Human chapter under the title of oldest is a snapshot of Captain Sir Tom Moore (1920-2021) who raised the most money ($44.5 m) by a charity walk (individual). His story resonated with viewers across the world when the COVID-19 pandemic forced all nations into lockdown. In the Society chapter there is a double page devoted to Pandemics from the earliest time to today. The Pop Culture section covers well-known online games and icons such as Minecraft, Fortnite, Star Wars and Pokemon. This latest addition just has so much to offer and will be in demand in any home, classroom, school or public library.
The website is a treasure trove of information, activities and opportunities to utilise this amazing book and all it offers to its readers.
Themes Achievements, Science, People, Pop Culture, Environment, Nature, Sport.
Mouse has never had a friend quite like Pig. Pig is so incredibly kind, endlessly thoughtful and fabulously fun, that he is the best friend anyone could ever have. But Pig also has a big secret. he's a tremendous worrier!
So when he decides to throw a party for all his friends the concern kicks in and he worries about everything from a lion eating the invitations to his guests comparing this party to others. In fact, he worries so much that he decides to call it off.
Luckily, Mouse is attuned to Pig's mental health and suggests a walk so they can talk things over before he makes a final decision...
Anxiety about the what ifs are becoming a real part of the psyche of so many of our students these days because adults seem to be attaching such high stakes to the smallest things. And with lockdown in many places stretching out seemingly endlessly the lack of that interaction with their peers that normally provides some perspective and balance is lacking and so molehills become mountains very quickly. So sharing stories like this in which we are assured that "things don't stay grey for very long" is an essential part of helping our little ones cope and develop strategies for when the what ifs seem to take over.
As well as the positive story which is charming in itself, the quirky illustrations and visual tricks with the text really make this book stand out, offering an introduction to the ways illustrators and designers can add so much to words on a page. It demonstrates the differences in style between artists - compare this pig to one from Three Little Pigs for example and talk about the similarities and differences yet the legitimacy of each style. This is the age when children become super-critical of their own artwork, and if it doesn't look like the real thing or what they envisage, many dismiss their efforts, tell themselves they "can't draw" and this self-talk destroys their creativity.
So, all in all, this is a must-have for so many reasons.
Themes Pigs, Mice, Worry, Friendship.
Barbara Braxton
Squeals on wheels by Renee Treml
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760526481. (Age:6-9) Recommended.
Ollie the owl wants to go skating and tries to encourage a more reticent Bea the bunny to join her. Bea is worried about the size of her feet and feels she will look ridiculous on skates, but Ollie never gives up, offering support and friendship to convince Bea to overcome her worries.
This graphic novel has larger pictures so the amount of text and information on a page makes it easier for younger students to read. There are many fun word plays and jokes throughout the book that students will enjoy.
“Hey Bea. Do you know what the hardest part of skating is?” “Balance? Coordination?” “The ground!”
This is a book about friendship and supporting and encouraging someone who needs reassurance to try something new and overcome personal anxieties.
Renee Treml moved from the USA to Australia in 2007 and is the author/illustrator of Wombat Big, Puggle Small, Sleep Tight, Platypup and the creator of another graphic novel series Sherlock Bones. I am pleased to see more Australian made graphic novels for children.
Do Not Mess With The Mermaids written by Michelle Robinson is an entertaining and amusing adventure fantasy. Set in a fabulous kingdom with mythical creatures, including dragons, unicorns, gnomes and more, this story is sure to please many young story lovers of make-believe.
Grace and her sister Portia are not your average princesses. They, with their Dad King Wonder, live in a magnificent castle in the Kingdom of Wondermere. However, that is probably the only part of being a princess that they are. Grace and her sister, both do things a little differently, and Grace doesn’t like wearing frilly dresses. They are both courageous, brave and bold, but they also break many rules. Grace is not afraid to take on any challenge, however, big or small. So, when they find a large spotted, shimmery egg in the bottom of the moat, Grace decides to take it back to its dragon parents.
There is only one…. or maybe two… or maybe actually an abundance of things that could go wrong!
For one thing, the King has very important guests coming to the kingdom; the Mermaid Queen of the Outer Ocean. Everyone at Wondermere need to make a good impression and be on their best behaviour. Secondly, what do you do when you discover the egg has hatched? Will Grace and Portia be able to successfully reunite the lively little dragon, without upsetting too many people, or will this be the biggest disaster yet?
Michelle Robinson has written an entertaining and captivating story. The plot moves along at a great speed, keeping the reader entertained. The illustrations throughout by Sharon Davey add to the engagement level. A thoroughly good read, combined with strong female protagonists, this book will be enjoyed by many. With another story in this new series to be released, the wonderment of what could possibly happen next will keep the readers waiting in anticipation.
Themes Fantasy, Adventure, Mythical creatures, Problem solving.
