Penguin Random House, 2020.ISBN: 9780241411827. 16pp.
(Age: 1-4) Peppa has an idea: "Let's have a surprise Easter-egg
hunt, George!". "Yippee!" cheers George. Peppa and George decorate
Easter eggs and hide them in the garden for their friends to find.
Peppa has another idea: "Can I surprise my friends and dress up as
the Easter Bunny?". "Cheep? Cheep?" asks George. After a riffle
through the dressing-up box, Peppa and George are all set and it
isn't long before their friends arrive. "This is the best Easter-egg
hunt ever!" cries Candy Cat. But where are Peppa and George? Tap!
Tap! Tap! There are two enormous eggs and they are beginning to
crack! "Surprise" says Peppa the Easter Bunny. "Cheep!" says George
the chick.
The beauty of the world of Peppa is that it so often shows the
family working and playing together and this is no exception as
Mummy and Daddy Pig help George and Peppa prepare the hunt, dress up
and hide. It's a fun book that emphasises a giving element of Easter
(preparing something that will be enjoyed by others) and of making
your own fun. This will be enjoyed by little ones who love Peppa,
dressing-up and treasure hunting. Themes: Board book, Peppa Pig,
Easter.
Nicole Nelson
19 love songs by David Levithan
Text Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 9781922268921.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Short stories. This collection by
award-winning author David Levithan is full of heart-warming,
sometimes funny, stories of young friendship and love. The scathing
humour of quiz bowl team member, Alec, immediately drew me into the
first story 'Quiz Show Antichrist', the story of a mismatched quiz
team vying in an interschool competition, and I often had to laugh
at his jokes. But at its heart is the story of his unarticulated
crush on Damien, the cool guy, little realising that true love lies
elsewhere, close at hand.
'The Good Girls' is the story of a boy who hung out with all the
good girls - a sisterhood and he was the brother. Only gradually
does he become aware of his gayness and develop a circle of good
guys. It is a gentle story, no bad things happen, just a gradual
awakening.
This is the flavour of this set of stories - gentle love songs. I
must admit I caught my breath on reading of the date between
six-foot-four transgender star quarterback Infinite Darlene and cute
male cheerleader Cory from the opposing team. I kept anticipating
something mean, some cruel sabotage, but no, it is a lovely first
date, ending with a first kiss.
The other stories, which include a cartoon strip on first kisses, a
song playlist and a poem, all provide insight into the gradual
exploration of identity, friendships and love.
The final poem 'Give Them Words' dedicated to librarians, teachers,
writers and others, highlights the power of words to share
experience and understanding of others. This book is a wonderful
collection of words that provides insight into the experience of
LGBTQ+ young people in a way that we can all identify with and enjoy
reading. I recommend this book for all school libraries. Teacher's
notes are available.
Helen Eddy
When sadness comes to call by Eva Eland
Andersen Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781783447954. pbk., 32pp.
(Age: 5+) When sadness calls the images in this book show the child
trying to deal with the cloud that hangs over his head. At first he
tries to shut it away, then he finds that he becomes the sadness so
must find another way of dealing with it. The book shows the child
grappling with the cloud: giving it a name, talking to it, doing
things together, taking it outside.
Each strategy offers the child feeling sad a way to deal with it
themselves: trying different activities, walking in the park,
playing games. By accepting that this sadness will come along, the
child develops mechanisms to help him cope with its existence.
This book would be a good starter to talk to children who may suffer
some bouts of sadness and depression. It is a starting point that
some may need to discuss with children, as well as a starter for
children to open up about their own misgivings.
Strategies are given which may help children think about how to cope
with feelings of sadness, and certainly with help and guidance may
find the book a useful tool within a self help program.
The reduced illustrative technique serves to reduce the sad feelings
to their basics; there are no intrusive backgrounds to distract the
reader, but simply a child in need with a blue cloud hanging
overhead. The endpapers too, reveal other people with sad feelings,
broadening the topic for the child to see he is not alone. Themes:
Depression, Sadness, Emotions.
Fran Knight
Somebody give this heart a pen by Sophia Thakur
Walker books, 2019. ISBN: 9781406388534.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. An ode to the emotional release of
writing, Gambian-British poet Sophia Thakur's poems are courageous
in the exploration of identity, racism, love, violence, sorrow,
faith and so much more. This is the first published collection of
poems by the performance poet who has been writing, speaking and
performing since a teenager. When I found her extremely moving
spoken performance of her title poem 'Somebody give
this heart a pen' on YouTube I was surprised at how young she
is, because the tone of her work sounds mature and experienced, and
her language is so rich and expressive. And while the subjects may
sometimes be harsh there is none of the swearing that characterises
some slam poets, so this volume of poetry can easily be recommended
for teenage as well as adult reading. Some of the subjects will
resonate with teenage readers - such as conflict with parents, and
love and relationship break-up. Also, political topics such as
refugees and racism could be focus for classroom discussion.
Following an introduction titled 'the process', Thakur's poetry is
ordered into sections: Grow, Wait, Break, and Grow again, following
the path of life experience. It is clear she sees writing as
self-expression and growth. She writes Slow down and clock back
into yourself / Give your heart a pen. Her final poem is also
an exhortation to write - Write through and write around /
Absolutely everything that tries to steal your sound. I think
young budding song composers and writers could find her words
inspirational. It was Thakur's love of hip hop that initially
fuelled her passion for writing. Her book shows that performance
poetry can be read and enjoyed over again in written form. I can
recommend this book for teenage readers and also for adults who
enjoy savouring the language of poetry.
Helen Eddy
The bat book by Charlotte Milner
DK/Penguin Random House, 2020. ISBN: 9780241410691.
Recommended for readers aged 8+. Themes: Bats, Ecology. Bats are
often misunderstood, so this book written and illustrated by
Charlotte Milner helps to demystify these mammals and describe the
features of bats and their important role in the environment. Giving
a broad overview of different types of bats around the world - big
and small, plus explaining their food preferences, and physical
features, this book is a simplified introduction to the creatures
that few get to see because of their nocturnal habits.
Set out in a clear way, answering the common questions related to
bats in short paragraphs utilising simple language and through
simple illustrations, this is a book that young readers can access
and enjoy. You won't find photographs of bats, distribution maps or
a comprehensive list of all known bats or a focus on Australian
species, but that would be far beyond the scope of this simple
introduction for younger readers. The 'picture book' cover would
attract both male and female readers (the wisdom of using pink and
blue colours a not-so-subtle visual hint to this). (Note Charlotte
Milner has other books presented in a similar way: The
bee book, The sea book).
Carolyn Hull
What makes us by Rafi Mittlefehldt
Candlewick Press, 2019. ISBN: 9780763697501.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Eran is a passionate student who
believes in standing up for social justice. His discussions with his
teacher Mr Riskin explore the boundaries of when violence is
necessary and legitimate and when it becomes terrorism. Eran is
leading a protest against increased police powers to stop and
arrest. He believes that his anger is a justified response to
oppressive forces, and in moments of conflict he refuses to bow
down, he always rises to the fight. And that is what happens, in a
split second, when a counter protest meets with the student group,
and a belligerent bearded guy provokes him, Eran reacts with a push.
The man falls backward, and suddenly Eran's mother, Eema, is there
before the news cameras saying 'This is not our fight'.
That moment changes Eran's life. An astute reporter makes the
connection between Eema's words and an incident 15 years earlier
when a Jewish terrorist blew up a group of people and himself. The
Jewish terrorist was Eran's father, the man who left them when he
was only a toddler. Suddenly Eran comes face-to-face with his hidden
identity, and obsesses over whether he has the same violent
tendencies, and whether his anger is part of his genetic
inheritance. Can anger be justified? Can it be a good thing? Or is
it something that is always going to get him into trouble?
The issue of anger and anger management is explored thoughtfully in
the novel, as the tide of community anger turns against Eran and his
mother, the supposed terrorists in their midst. It is a new young
friend, Jade, also discovering hidden secrets in her family, who is
finally able to provide the calmness and insight that Eran needs.
The descriptions of the community's blind violence towards the
perceived 'other', the Jewish terrorists, is very powerful, and is a
reminder of the destructiveness of ignorance and prejudice, the kind
of prejudice that currently often has expression towards Muslim
people in our society. Mittlefehldt's novel is a very clever and
thoughtful exploration of the issues, and deserves to be included in
school discussions of racism, bigotry and terrorism. The book is so
well written, I am sure that teenagers will readily identify with
the character of Eran and the dilemma he faces. It is also
encouraging to see the portrayal of a caring and involved teacher,
Mr Riskin, who tries to interrogate some of the fear and anger that
Eran carries. And the loyalty and friendship between the young
students is also another strong positive value throughout the book.
There is much to think about and enjoy in this book. I can highly
recommend it to teenage and adult readers.
Helen Eddy
Tiger Heart by Penny Chrimes
Orion Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781510107045.
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended.This is a fantasy story set
'magically' in the period of English life that the author describes
as "somewhere between the Georgians . . . and the Victorians" and in
the gutters of London. In this environment abandoned workhouse-girl
Fly works in extreme hardship as a chimney sweep. She manages to
escape her brutal 'boss', but finds herself in a cage with a tiger
instead. This however proves to be a delightful meeting and the
tiger recognises her immediately as someone who needs his
guardianship, but also someone who has far more worth than her
blackened and ragged outward appearance would suggest. With the
ability to communicate together and also to use some magical skills
to obfuscate and distract, the pair work together with the
assistance of other 'gutterlings', to save other animals destined
for life as caged entertainments for the wealthy toffs of London.
Woven in the story are magical moments of good and evil, and Fly
must do her best to survive and escape London with her menagerie.
The second half of the story has Fly escaping from another brutal
and shady character who has connection to her hidden past life. The
love and connection between Fly and the Tiger is deep and moving and
leads then both to a changed life.
Penny Chrimes has written a delightful fantasy, with some historical
detail woven together with a fantasy country and despotic
governance. The gentle tale of friendship and fantasy powers and
concern for creatures who are powerless is delightful. The language
of the London guttersnipes is delightfully quirky (a glossary is
included at the end of the book) and adds touches of humour . . .
leaving the reader with a 'gigglemug'! Young readers will enjoy the
adventure and the inventiveness of the poor children as they survive
in extreme situations and try to outwit adults, and the presence of
a benevolent tiger to provide wisdom and care is also appealing.
Themes: Poverty; Animals; Fantasy; Friendship.
Carolyn Hull
When we were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald
Simon and Schuster, 2019. ISBN: 9781982148713.
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. Zelda is unusual. She has a
fascination with all things to do with Vikings, and she wants to
live her life by their code. We learn that she suffered brain damage
at birth due to her mother's alcoholism during pregnancy. Now,
having escaped from creepy Uncle Richard, it is just her and her
brother struggling to get by. But the problem is that in order to
get away and set up their new life, her brother Gert has become
embroiled with thugs and the world of crime. There are some dark
scenes in this novel, but throughout it all we are buoyed by Zelda's
curiosity, her naive questions and literal interpretations of what
people say. It will make you laugh, but at the same time you know
that she is in danger and some of the people around her are really
bad characters.
This novel has been compared to A critical incident of the dog
in the night-time, but this is definitely an adult version.
Zelda is 21, and she wants to have sex with her boyfriend Marxy, a
fellow participant in the community centre programs for 'different'
people. The people around her have varying attitudes to her interest
in sex, from her counsellor, Dr Laird, to Marxy's mother Pearl, to
her brother Gert, to her friend AK47, Gert's ex-girlfriend. But
Zelda is very strong willed and determined to do what she wants.
It is that determination and courage, part of the Viking code of
honour, that sees her enter some very dangerous situations, in the
quest to become her own legend, and save her brother from danger.
This novel will keep you laughing and engaged until the end. And you
can't help but admire Zelda's determination and courage; it is her
values that are at the heart of the novel, and ultimately see her
conquer the evil Grendels.
Helen Eddy
A is for ant illus. by Kate Slater
Dorling Kindersley, 2020. ISBN 9780241435922. 16pp. board book.
(Age: 1-5) Recommended. Young children are in for a treat as they
learn about ants in this engaging board book from DK. As is usual
for this publisher, the information and artwork is beautifully
produced in a most enticing board book. Every young child who has
this read aloud will be certain to learn lots about ants, while at
the same time, learning the words that start with 'a' (ant, antenna,
apple, anthill, air, ant farm, awesome, anteater and amazing). The
facts are basic and memorable: 6 different types of ants are
illustrated on the beginning double page spread and then a single
page is used to give information about specific parts of the ant and
what they eat. Children will be fascinated by the idea of an
ant farm and I am sure there would be some requests to have one in a
classroom or home.
The illustrations are bold and colourful, with some humour being
added; for example the long red tongue of the cute anteater will be
sure to bring smiles to the faces of children who are listening to
the well-structured narrative, which reads aloud very well.
This is a lovely non-fiction introduction to the world of ants, an
ideal book for any child who is interested in nature.
Pat Pledger
The haunting of Peligan City by Sophie Green
Illus. by Karl James Mountford. Potkin and Stubbs book 2.
Picadilly Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781848127630. 384pp., pbk.
(Age: 10-12) Everyone needs a friend like Lil. Dependable,
courageous and with a nose for a story, Lil's dream is to write for
the underground newspaper, the Klaxon, to report the REAL news. Some
ghastly events are happening in Peligan City. It's creepy! Prominent
people are simply disappearing. Who is behind it all, what happened
to poor Delilah, and is the Doll Hospital really just that? Lil's
good buddy, Nedly, makes people shiver when he passes near them. But
Nedly has invaluable skills that most people lack, like passing
through walls, because he just happens to be . . . a ghost!
Lil 'noses' her way into situations by tagging along with private
investigator, Abe Mandrel and his little dog Margaret. Abe is
baffled with the furtive happenings and when the Governor is
murdered too, Lil knows she must use all her knowledge and
experience to assist in solving the shocking crimes.
This book is definitely not for the faint hearted! Nor should it be
read late at night or if you are home alone! 10-12 yr olds should
enjoy this book.
Joan Smith
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN: 9781526619211.
This collection of Norse Myths translated and adapted from original
texts by Neil Gaiman examines some of what has become the source
material for countless books, films and TV series. A mythology is
clearly articulated with an introduction to the gods and their
worlds before launching into stories of powerful players, strong
women, great trials of strength, betrayal and brutal retribution.
Stories of gods who shape men's lives; fickle, vain and
unpredictable beings who fight giants and sea monsters using magic
and cunning in stories which have been told and retold for
centuries. We learn that Odin is prepared to sacrifice a great deal
in his quest for wisdom and that he transformed himself several
times to steal the Mead of Poets. Great storytellers are
said to have tasted "Odin's gift" and the bad ones the wet fart he
let out as he escaped. In Freya's Unusual Wedding Thrym,
lord of the ogres has stolen the hammer of the gods, Mjollinir
wanting to marry the beautiful Freya as ransom. Mighty Thor is
persuaded to disguises himself as the bride to steal his beloved
hammer back. Always in the background is the devious Loki, never far
away when things go awry.
This is storytelling at its best, clear, accessible, funny and
engaging. It is a surprise when we read a text so rhythmic and
immediate that it cries out to be read aloud. In this era of high
definition video and amazing special effects we sometimes miss the
power of the spoken word to waken our own imagination and activate
memories that go back to the scary fairy tales we heard as children.
This is just scary enough to be loved by all.
Themes; Myths, fantasy, magic.
Sue Speck
Two can keep a secret by Karen A. McManus
Penguin, 2019. ISBN: 9780141375656. 327pp. pbk.
Twins Ellery and Ezra must stay with their grandmother in a small
town in Vermont, Echo Ridge, near the Canadian border while their
mother, Sadie is in rehab following a conviction for crashing her
car under the influence of a prohibited drug. They know that the
town lies under a cloud. Their mother's babysitter, Melanie had a
daughter, Lacy, who was killed five years ago. This is still an
unsolved murder and everyone has an opinion about who killed her.
And Lacy's boyfriend, Declan leaving soon after her funeral, divided
people's opinions.
But on the way to Echo Ridge from the airport, the twins discover a
dead body on the road - a popular teacher, victim of a hit and run.
Settled in, Ellery begins watching. She is a true-crime buff and
wants to know as much as she can about Lacy's murder, and her own
aunt's disappearance some twenty five years before.
She and Ezra go to the local fun park, once called Murderland, but
after the discovery of Lacy's body there, had its name changed to
Fright Park. Here the two apply for part time work.
Declan's brother, Malcolm has never felt comfortable with the burden
of being in the same family, and now when things begin to happen
again, it is Malcolm who is found at the crime scenes. Graffiti is
sprayed at the fund raiser for Lacey, Malcolm found with the spray
can in hand. At the cemetery where he and Mia go to put flowers on
the teacher's grave, he finds a montage declaring that a third
homecoming queen will be killed.
When Ellery plucks up enough courage to ask her Grandmother about
her missing aunt, she sees the impact the deaths have had on the
people of the community and resolves to uncover the secrets hidden
in the town. She and Malcolm follow the clues and almost lose their
lives in their endeavours to uncover the truth.
A gripping read, this tightly plotted story has an underbelly of
secrets, some reaching back into past history, others more recent,
but each obscuring the reality of what is going on. Set at the time
of the homecoming ball, the backdrop of life in a school in the USA
is illuminating.
McManus is the author of acclaimed, One of
us is Lying (2017) where five teens walk into the detention
room and only four walk out. A thriller writer, McManus is honing
her crime writing skills with these two books and will gain a
willing audience.
Fran Knight
Frostheart by Jamie Littler
Puffin, 2019. ISBN: 9780241355220.
(Age: 9-13) Highly recommended. Ash is the hero of the story and he
lives in an inhospitable village in a frozen land.
I was instantly grabbed by the exciting opening, where Ash and
friends kick their ball onto the frozen sea. He foolhardily decides
to step onto the solid surface to retrieve the ball, even though
treading on the ice is forbidden. Underneath the surface lurks
monsters, Leviathans, who hear and see him, break through the
surface and to try to devour Ash. He only just escapes and is helped
by his grumpy Yeti guardian.
Ash has never fitted into the Fira community and the fact that he
can hear the monster's song and wants to sing back himself, fills
the locals with fear and suspicion. This all comes to a head when
rare visitors arrive at the village and it is Ash and his forbidden
skills that save them from certain death.
He decides to leave on the visitors' ship Frostheart and the Yeti
Tobu loyally follows him.
Ash is on a personal journey or quest to discover the mystery of his
missing parents who were 'Pathfinders' and the meaning of his gift
of 'singing', of being a 'Song Weaver'. Along the way he becomes
part of many exciting adventures and interacts with an assortment of
Frostheart crew members, closely befriending a Drifter girl
named Lunah.
Black and white illustrations are distributed throughout the novel
and they help to give a deeper understanding of the characters and
settings. The monsters are wonderfully scary, threatening and fast.
This fantasy tale is a debut novel for Jamie Littler and other books
will continue the tale. I feel this will be a popular series for 9
to 13 year olds and readers of Nevermoor and Harry
Potter will find this a thrilling read.
I highly recommend this novel as part of your school/public library
or personal collection.
Jane Moore
All the bright places by Jennifer Niven
Penguin Random House, 2020. ISBN: 9780241395967.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Two young teenagers meet on the
narrow outside ledge of the school clock tower. Theodore Finch is
known as Theodore Freak, the weird boy always doing something crazy.
He is contemplating whether this day is the day that he will die.
Violet Markey is one of the cool girls, but who now suddenly feels
alone and guilty, having lost her sister in a car accident that
Violet blames herself for. Both find themselves looking down on the
school grounds far below.
Violet gets the credit for talking Finch down. Little do family and
school friends know but it was actually more in the reverse: it was
Finch who saved Violet's life. Thus begins a tenuous relationship as
Violet gets drawn more and more into a friendship with a person who
seems so charismatic, so dramatically in love with life, and so
irrepressibly full of enthusiasm - nobody can read these pages
without loving Finch. Only gradually the reader becomes aware of the
violence, the apathy, and the neglect that have coloured his life,
and which have left their deep scars. Finch however constantly
strives to find the joy and beauty in life. It is not until the
latter pages of the book that the reader, like Violet, comes to
really understand his situation.
The two students collaborate on a school geography project that
challenges them to explore the unique and celebratory places in
their home state of Indiana. In doing so they draw closer together,
and Violet gradually braves the demons that hold her back. She
becomes 'Ultraviolet Remarkey-able' as Finch likes to call her.
Author Jennifer Niven has written a tender story about two teenagers
struggling with thoughts of suicide, drawn together by a shared
experience of loneliness, rejection, depression and guilt. It is a
sensitive portrayal of grief and teenage love that is sad but
ultimately uplifting in its resolution. I am sure it will be a very
popular film when it comes to Netflix.
The end pages remind young readers that they are not alone, and
there is help out there. They list support services in the U.K.,
Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Helen Eddy
Top marks for murder by Robyn Stevens
Murder most unladylike series, book 8. Puffin, 2019. ISBN:
9780241348383. 400pp.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. This murder mystery is the 8th in the series
(nine in total) and the two leading characters Daisy and Hazel have
returned to their school, Deepdean, to find that a new, more popular
girl is now the focus of most of the students.
Deepdean is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary and there are
several days of activities and presentations for both the students
and their visiting parents.
Of course, 'A murder most unladylike' needs a body or two and the
first alleged murder is seen in the distance from the girls' dorms.
As Daisy, Hazel and their small group try to uncover the mystery of
the strangulation in the woods, more murders and attempted murders
occur throughout the story.
It is all very proper 1930's young lady's school meets Midsomer
Murders, as the bodies seem to mount up around Daisy and
Hazel.
Except for Inspector, who has a great respect for the girls'
sleuthing, the rest of the local police seem incapable of solving
any crime. Daisy and Hazel are encouraged to collect information
about the people present at the school anniversary and report their
observations back to the Inspector.
Robin Stevens illustrates how the girls interact and the way that
they treat each other. Class snobbery contributes to some of Daisy's
opinions about people. The narrator, Hazel, is a much kinder
character and doesn't see the world in the same black and white way
as Daisy.
This is the first book I have read in the series and although the
characters refer to other stories it was still successful as a
stand-alone book.
Many students at my primary school are very keen to read murder
mysteries and this gives them a chance to enjoy the genre, solving
puzzles and guessing 'who did it'. They are not gruesome or bloody
just good old-fashioned sleuthing.
I recommend this book to 10 year olds and above.
A book
trailer is available.
Jane Moore
