HarperCollins, 2021. ISBN: 9780008389062. (Age:Young adult and adult) Highly recommended (with proviso about abuse).
Lex is a force to be reckoned with, a company lawyer, based in New York who knows what she wants and seems perfectly in control. But she is also one of the seven Gracie children, neglected, abused and chained to their beds in the 'House of Horrors' at Moor Wood Road. Alexandra, designated 'Girl A', by the investigation that followed her escape, aged 15, is back in England because her mother has died in prison and the director has requested an interview. Lex has been appointed executor in her mother's will, a role which necessitates contacting her siblings, each adopted by a different family, each assigned a different psychologist, each assimilating what happened in a different way and with whom she has had limited or no contact. As she decides what to do, Lex looks back on their imprisonment and abuse, reflecting on her relationship with her brothers and sisters as they were then and the various ways they have been shaped by their experiences since.
The 'House of Horrors' story is based on an actual horrific family abuse case but the description of the family's gradual descent into the worst conditions imaginable, while detailed and specific is never sensationalised. What is profoundly moving are the psychological journeys of these children indelibly marking their adult lives.As she visits each of her siblings Lex delves deeper into their shared experience of childhood trauma in a layered narrative which cleverly blends the timelines, regressing as she breaks down some of the walls erected for her own protection. The author carefully builds her character studies from the start and consistently sustains them throughout the narrative. I found them believable and tragic, damaged but resilient. I immediately turned back to the start to see how this beautifully crafted book was put together and a second reading was rewarding. Senior students and adults will enjoy the book with warnings about sexual content and traumatic abuse of children.
The Secret Explorers series will continue to hold the interest of younger readers especially those that enjoy learning new facts while reading a fiction story. Once again the eight highly gifted children, Ollie, Cheng, Gustavo, Leah, Kiki, Roshni, Tamiko and Connor are responsible for a mission to rescue animals or humans and encourage readers to learn about a natural environment. In Book 6 The Secret Explorers and the Smoking Volcano, Cheng the geology expert with a passion for volcanoes and Leah the biology expert, are on a mission to Vanuatu to experience a volcanic eruption and save some new friends. Throughout the rescue mission Cheng shares with the reader many new and interesting facts related to volcanoes. Will this exciting action-packed story have a successful ending?
In every mission, a vehicle aptly named the Beagle, transforms itself into an all-terrain machine suitable for the environment the secret explorers are visiting. Each book contains mission notes, a quiz and a glossary of new and important words. All books in the series introduce younger readers to natural environments around the world that need to be cared for. There are illustrations throughout providing visual links for the reader. Any of the six books would be a great read-aloud in the classroom related to an environmental topic or shared as small group read. A welcome addition to a home, school or public library.
Abdel-Fattah's book collects the voices of Muslim youth born since the 9/11 twin towers attack, young people who have grown up in the climate of Islamophobia and fear of terrorism. Her aim was to compare the impact of 9/11 on Muslim and non-Muslim youth.
Of course, 'Muslim' does not denote a homogenous group, as readers of Abdel-Fattah's previous co-editored publication with Sara Saleh Arab, Australian, other will be well aware. Muslim young people could be migrants or descendants of migrants from 22 different nations with different languages and different cultures. But the impact of 9/11 was shared by them all, with responses ranging from hiding their identity and keeping a low profile, to feeling that they were expected to have the answer to every question about terrorist activity.
The experience of the interviewees was one of racism, regardless of the fact that there is no Muslim race. They felt regarded as 'other' or non-Australian. Abdel-Fattah draws a link between how Muslim people are regarded and how Indigenous Australians are regarded - their identity and experience is not that of the mainstream 'White' culture. And she exposes the failings of our education system to truly be multicultural, from the attitudes of teachers varying between good and bad, and the omission of Muslim culture and history from the Australian curriculum, a huge omission when you consider that 1 in 4 people in the world are Muslim.
The last chapters of this book provide a challenge to teachers and education departments to consider how to truly be more inclusive, how to break down barriers and change the story to one of empowerment. The book as a whole is also a significant record of young people's accounts of their personal experiences, and would resonate with both Muslim and non-Muslim readers.
Themes Muslim youth, War on terror, Racism, Islamophobia.
This is a clever and unique cautionary tale told entirely through the dialogue of three young monkeys and their adult monkey. A cheeky tone and the wonderful expression that is somehow miraculously conveyed through the very simple illustrations of the monkeys make this a really powerful and visually interesting story. "Ok, monkeys! I'm off", says big monkey. "Whatever you do, do NOT go down to the mango tree. There are tigers down there". Children will love predicting what is going to happen next and will absolutely be able to relate to the 'maybe we could just . . .' reasoning of the little monkeys. Children who stick to the rules and are more risk averse will be screaming at the monkeys: "Noooo! Don't go down there!", whereas risk takers will be eagerly anticipating whether they will be okay and how far they will go before the risk becomes too great. There is fantastic room for discussion here about risk, boundaries and following rules, but ultimately this is a very fun tale of adventure that will leave kids and adults laughing. And perhaps the big monkey is encouraging the risk taking behaviour somewhat, because as all adults know telling a child NOT to do something is definitely going to increase their determination! Indeed, the monkeys have learnt how to CAREFULLY go down to the mango tree as well as how to escape a tiger attack. Was this the plan all along?
Right from the words on the cover ('Being an account of their daring exploits and audacious crimes') I was drawn into this exciting, dystopian adventure, by one of my favourite authors, Jonathan Stroud. I have always picked up his books from the time I encountered the Bartimaeus trilogy and then went on to be enthralled by the Lockwood & Co. series. What a thrill to see that he had started another series. This story is set in a future England where the country has been broken up into regions, as shown by the map at the beginning of the book. Scarlett McCain is a loner, an outlaw who has no compunction about robbing banks and is adept at fighting off both the law and the monsters that roam the land. When she comes across a wrecked bus, she rescues Albert Browne, a strange, naive boy and agrees to take him to safety. But Albert is hiding secrets and as they travel across the desolate countryside, danger follows the pair.
The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne was very difficult to put down as the exciting action pulled me in while the characters of Scarlett and Browne were so interesting that it was almost impossible to leave the story. I wanted to find out their backgrounds, what had happened to them in the past and whether they would have the skills to survive the perilous chases from their enemies and find sanctuary. The witty dialogue was also a plus.
Gun fights, bank heists, cannibals, the frightening Tainted people, and the truly scary Dr Calloway directing Browne's capture, provide much of the action. Meanwhile themes of what it means to be human, and who should be able to wield power will provide discussion points. The author can be heard talking about his book here, and extensive teaching notes are also available.
This would make a good class novel or literature circle choice and readers will want to read the next in the series.
Themes Dystopian fiction, Outlaws, Theft, Power, Being human.
The Broken Raven, sequel to The Good Hawk by Joseph Elliott does not disappoint the iniated readership and in fact calls for a third book to follow up the powerful, operatic ending. Joseph Elliott creates a highly visual setting in the readers' mind and an almost visceral bodily reaction; the books would lend themselves to screen adaptation.
The reader is taken to the old Norse world of clan survival; of ice, peat bog and savage living. The imagination is excited with cracking pace action and sometimes beautiful, sometimes brutal but always harsh imagery. The characterisation is tight. The plot itself requires hard work on behalf of the reader as it is comprised of multiple threads with the story progressing in alternating chapters which switch to track the story of the three main characters. The reader has to mentally jump backwards and forwards to follow these stories and pick up the threads. Each story fragment ends with such cliff hanging situations that it is not difficult to recall previous action but mental leaps on behalf of the reader are required.
It is exciting to find a writer who is bold enough to make serious demands of young readership again. Elliott is not going for the cheap laugh, the easy plot. His readers are going to have to work hard. They will have to overcome difficulties with the strangeness of the Norse elements and the dialects of the Norse people: of Skye, Scotia, Raasay, Ingland and Norveg. Like reading Shakespeare the synapses will be firing. This is good literature. This is what we want our young readers to be exposed to and to wrestle with. These books are not lazy reads.
The Broken Raven is about the politics, alliances and skullduggery of a bygone period in some ways similar to the Vikings. The young protagonists are willing to give their lives in the firece protection of their clans and loved ones in the most ferocious of contexts with fantastic, murderous foes. They are on exceedingly dangerous quests. This is survival. Elliott does not hold back in his descriptions of unspeakable violence and brutality. Like the protagonists, the young reader has to find the strength and resolve to understand that there are nasty realities in the real world and they must learn to cope. The overriding values of loyalty, love and protection of the vulnerable are paramount.
Highly recommended to a discerning readership.
Themes Norse fantasy, Clan loyalty,.
Wendy Jeffrey
Iran rising by Amin Saikal
Princeton University Press, 2021. ISBN: 9780691216874. (Age:Senior secondary -Adult) Recommended.
The third great revolution of the twentieth century occurred in 1978-79. Like the Russian and Chinese revolutions it changed everything within its sphere of influence. It changed the source of the power and how it was administered, a system change, complete as it was rapid.
Prior to the revolution much of Iran's oil wealth was squandered by the US-backed Shah of Iran on a military build-up and an ineffective modernisation plan, neither of which benefited the vast majority of the population. The Shah's reign, at times brutal, and US policy, and many other factors discussed in the book, created the ideal environment for revolution. Add to this the undoubted charismatic and pragmatic leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini and the events of 1979 became inevitable.
Many of the groups that participated in the overthrow of the Shah's regime did not anticipate the total Islamisation of Iran. Some expected an inclusive method of governing. This did not eventuate; under the leadership of Khomeini his Shia faction dominated. What followed were purges and the elimination of those that were now deemed traitors to the cause.
In the first half of this book, Amin Saikal covers other significant events such as the war with Iraq that took a terrible toll on both countries. The successor to Khomeini as Supreme leader (Khameini) and the various elected presidents of the republic (some of them traditionalist, some reformist) feature here as well.
Any progressive change to the strict Islamic order was going to be difficult. Only with the arrival of the popular Rouhani (president 2013 onwards) did Khameini begin to ease the society's restrictive ways.
This comprehensive book will be essential reading to those interested in Iran, the region, its politics, people and culture. The country and its people are often portrayed in negative terms by opportunistic politicians in the west. Iran is a complex country with a complex history. Bear in mind that a country's politics do not necessarily reflect its people. I have been fortunate enough to meet many Iranians; they are warm, welcoming and generous.
Half of Iran's 80 million people are under the age of 30 years. Born after the revolution many of them have a desire for greater liberty. It remains to be seen if the republic is able to accommodate their wishes with progressive reforms and greater involvement in the global community.
Amin Saikal has provided a balanced and informative history of the republic that helps explain its past and its possible future. This book would be a great resource for students of global politics.
Similar in concept to the Ten Minutes to Bed... series, Goodnight, Little Monkey is one in a series of simple bedtime stories designed to send little ones off to sleep. The longish text is notable for its predictable storyline and calm tone. As with others in the series, Goodnight, Little Monkey makes use of everyday events, so will be relatable for young children without causing too much bedtime excitment. Sweet, earthy, watercolour art is punctuated with photographic illustrations of a baby monkey playing with his friends before bed. Whatever game Little Monkey is playing he always wants to be the best: "Look at me, look at me!", he keeps saying. But Little Monkey is so busy showing off and boasting about what he can do that he falls from a high branch. Luckily, his friends are there to catch him and Little Monkey feels very silly. "I was trying to be the best at everything. But I wasn't the best at being a good friend", he says.
This is a gentle and soothing story that ends with Little Monkey settling down for a lovely long snooze. This peaceful ending and simple, flowing language make it perfect for bedtime or nap time.
Themes Monkeys, Friendship, Winning.
Nicole Nelson
My favorite memories by Sepdeh Sarihi. Illus. by Julie Voelk
Blue Dot, 2020. ISBN: 9781733121248.
When her parents tell her that the family is moving to another country, the little girl is quite excited particularly as she is allowed to take her favorite things. But she changes her mind when she discovers that she cannot fit her aquarium, her wooden chair that her grandpa made, the pear tree that was the exact same age as she is, her bus driver and her best friend into the small suitcase her parents give her.
"In that case, I cannot come," she tells her mother and wanders down to the ocean, another of her favourite things. But there, she has an idea and discovers a way that perhaps she can go with her family and have her favourite things. And it takes sharp eyes to see her solution!
Moving to a new place, even if it is not a new country, can be a tough time for children as they don't yet have the knowledge and wisdom to understand that while it may mean leaving the old and familiar, it is also an opportunity to explore the new and unknown so this touching story, translated from the original German is one that will resonate with many of our students. It will also help them understand that while we may have to leave some things behind physically, there is always the memory that we can revisit when we want to remember them.
With illustrations as gentle as the text and its message, this is something new and different to share and talk about. If they were asked to pack their favourite things, what would they be? what would they do with those things that are too big for the suitcase?
Barbara Braxton
The secret explorers and the rainforest rangers by S. J. King
The Secret Explorers series will continue to hold the interest of younger readers especially those that enjoy learning new facts while reading a fiction story. Once again the eight highly gifted children, Ollie, Cheng, Gustavo, Leah, Kiki, Roshni, Tamiko and Connor are responsible for a mission to rescue animals or humans and encourage readers to learn about a natural environment. In Book 5, The Secret Explorers and the Rain Forest Rangers, rainforest expert Ollie and engineering expert Kiki are sent on a mission to rescue a baby orangutan lost in the Borneo rainforest. In this story the readers will learn about selfish plantation owners who are plotting to cut down the rainforest in order to plant more trees to harvest palm oil for commercial production. Will Ollie and Kiki with support from the other children at the Exploration Station help save the rainforest?
In every mission, a vehicle aptly named the Beagle, transforms itself into an all-terrain machine suitable for the environment the secret explorers are visiting. Each book contains mission notes, a quiz and a glossary of new and important words. All books in the series introduce younger readers to natural environments around the world that need to be cared for. There are illustrations throughout providing visual links for the reader. Any of the six books would be a great read-aloud in the classroom related to an environmental topic or shared as small group read. A welcome addition to a home, school or public library.
Ten little yoga frogs by Hilary Robinson and Mandy Stanley
Catch a Star Books, 2021. ISBN: 9781922326126. (Age:2-5) Recommended.
Yoga is gaining increasing traction with the under five crowd so little movers will love this story that counts up from one to ten as one little frog is joined by nine friends in some kid-friendly yoga. This is similar to Mike Brownlow's Ten Little... series, except that this counts up rather than down. Bright, vibrant illustrations will capture and hold the attention of young listeners, who may even like to try out the poses themselves. The names of the poses and a silhouette of each are helpfully included on the corner of each page. Some pose inclusions are tree, lotus, garland and cow face. The last page also shows and names each pose. The text itself is simple and rhythmic: "Three yoga frogs stretching out for more, Noor joined in and then there were . . ." As with all classic counting books like this, children will enjoy shouting out the next number and large, colourful numerals in the top corner will aid with visual recognition. No doubt, they will also love perusing the fun illustrations which show the frogs in various peaceful places in the great outdoors: on lilypads, on yoga mats on the beach and in the vegetable garden, as well as being able to replicate the moves themselves. This will be a perfect introduction to yoga for beginners or a fun interactive book for those who already have a few poses in their arsenal.
Similar in concept to the Ten Minutes to Bed... series, Goodnight, Little Panda is one in a series of simple bedtime stories designed to send little ones off to sleep. The longish, nonemphatic text is notable for its predictable storyline and calm tone. Sweet, earthy, watercolour art is punctuated with photographic illustrations of a baby panda hunting for something tasty to eat before bed. She has had bamboo for breakfast and bamboo for lunch and she really wants something different for dinner. "Have you got anything nice to eat?" she inquires of the monkeys. But the lichen they suggest is icky and sticky and Little Panda doesn't like it at all. The seeds suggested by the birds are too itty and bitty and the worms suggested by the frog are much too slithery and slimy. The problem is resolved by the red panda, whose suggestion of bamboo really is the best one!
This is a gentle and soothing story that ends with Little Panda settling down for a lovely long snooze. This peaceful ending and simple, flowing language makes it perfect for bedtime or nap time.
In 2020 frontline workers in the health industry came to the fore showing their skills and passion for their work and dedication to helping people all over the world struggling in the COVID-19 pandemic. Life Savers written by Eryl Nash recognises twelve emergency real life workers from many different countries. There is a foreword from Dr Zoe Williams, a NHS Doctor and television presenter, who talks about heroes that are in everyday life and that 'their heroic powers come from their minds, hearts and able hands'. Some of the life-saving heroes include Fabien from France who rescues people from danger in the mountains, Jin from China is a cancer research scientist detecting ways to treat deadly diseases, Johanne from Germany is a counsellor who supports adults and children through hard times, Ashan is a surgeon from Pakistan who performs life-saving operations and Andrew from Australia who is a Flying Doctor.
Each double page spread presents a concise and easy to understand written account of a day in the life of the particular worker, a brief storyboard of them at work plus a whole page dedicated to the equipment or kit they require including the uniforms they wear and tools they use. The clever images are presented graphically and labelled clearly. At the end of the book are acknowledgements with photos of the real-life heroes. There is a list of resources with additional information and with website addresses for further research.
This book would be a welcome addition to a school or public library.
Dreckly is a sprite, hiding in plain sight as an oyster shucker at the Sydney Fish Market, while forging documents for the supernatural beings who are desperate to escape persecution from the Treize. When she is approached by a group of rebels to join their cause, she refuses - her father had always taught her not to be a hero, but to hide herself away.
An Aurealis award winner, Lewis deftly tells Dreckly's story in alternative chapters: what is happening to her in the present and her life story from the past. She was born in a notorious prison deep below ground in Scotland in the late 19th century to a forbidden union between a selkie and an earth elemental. She never knew her mother who died there and her father desperately tries to teach her as much as he can while using all his energy as an earth elemental to arrange for her escape. It is fascinating to follow her life as a florist in the US, a set designer in Hollywood, a spy in the second world war and then in the present, quietly hiding on board her boat in Sydney Harbour.
Life in Sydney becomes very dangerous for her, and the tension builds up with capture, imprisonment, escapes, a touch of romance and a finale that will have readers waiting desperately for the next in the series. Although this the 7th book in the series, I believe that it could be read as a stand-alone. I had read the first, Whose afraid? and The wailing woman, book 5, but Lewis gives enough information for a reader new to the series to catch onto what is happening. But of course, they will want to go back and read the other six books.
This series is one for people who enjoy supernatural stories with strong female protagonists and a touch of humour.
Neal Shusterman's books are impossible to put down. Unwind, Dry and Challenger Deep are testimony to Shusterman's ability to craft a compelling novel. Game Changer is no exception. The author builds on scientific theory that multiverses are inevitable to prompt the reader to consider the extent to which the decisions we make in this universe have implications for others living in parallel worlds.
Set in the present, the book follows Ash Bowman, a successful lineman on his high school football team. Linemen do not have the limelight in a football game, but are essential for the success of the team. The essential Ash experiences a head injury that's like a concussion, and yet leaves him feeling like something has shifted in his world.
In Game Changer the reader is expertly guided though alternative realities through which Ash processes the changes to his relationships, friends, family and world view. Shusterman provides the reader with opportunities to reflect on Ash's personal revelation that ". . . so much of history - the good and the bad - is influenced by hidden factors that no-one even thinks about . . . What choices are being made, what things are being said in high places that might seem so unimportant now, but are laying the groundwork for truly horrible things tomorrow?"
Game Changer casts the reader's attention to historical events and the social structure of our world while drawing a line to their consequences for ordinary people living ordinary lives. The characters are richly drawn so the reader feels drawn to them and invested in their futures.
This book is thought provoking with an ending that invites the reader to identify their own interpretation of Ash's experiences and the threat to his reality continuing to exist. Game Changer will intrigue and provoke heated discussion. Questions for group discussions and extension activities are available in the Educator's Guide and Discussion Guide.
