Penguin Books 2018. ISBN 9780141386836
(Age: 12+) Marie Lu brings Batman into the twenty-first century as
an eighteen-year old coming into his inheritance. After an impulsive
joyride, Bruce Wayne finds himself doing community service at Arkham
Asylum where he meets Madeline Wallace, a ruthless killer with a
soft spot for billionaire orphans. Unwilling to talk to anyone else,
Bruce and Madeline soon strike up a strange, distrustful
relationship as they try and understand one another. Bruce allows
her to dupe him multiple times, even getting him arrested for her
escape. But Bruce Wayne isn't the kind of man to simply sit in a
jail-cell when his friends are in danger - it is time for Batman to
emerge and save the day.
This portrayal of Batman is a lot more pacifist than I remember from
previous stories. Bruce acts in self-defence or else contains
threats with as little violence as possible. While I feel that the
films and comics are still superior, this is a much less violent
take on a well-known story. Bruce is not only less violent but more
moral, weighing up many of the decisions which could lead him into
disaster before making them. He is wary and apologetic, yet still
impulsive and strong.
With hesitation I recommend this for a mainly male audience age
twelve and up. I hesitate only for the violence portrayed
throughout, while it is toned back quite a bit, there is a lot of
emphasis on punches to the head which should not be encouraged.
Kayla Gaskell, 22
Butterfly Wishes: Tiger Streak's Tale by Jennifer Castle
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781681193731
(Age: 6+) "Sisters Addie and Clara have just moved to a new house
where they discover that their backyard is a gateway to an enchanted
realm of magical butterflies. These special butterflies - called
Wishing Wings - have the power to make wishes come true!
A new butterfly named Tiger Streak has just emerged, but something
isn't right. She's under a curse that has her confused - she thinks
she's a bee because of her beautifully striped wings! Now, only
Addie and Clara can help her break the spell. But they have to do it
before the day is over or she'll lose her magic forever."
(Publisher)
Well who does not like a girlie book? With the eye-catching cover, I
am sure this will be a hit with young girls who are moving onto
chapter books. The text is reasonably large and set out like a novel
for the skilled reader. This will sit along-side the likes of Juliet,
Nearly a Vet, Clementine Rose and Violet Mackerel.
The storyline follows a traditional narrative but in all good books,
it has a happy ending! This is sure to become a popular series.
Suitable for ages 6 and up
Kathryn Schumacher
I'm a duck by Eve Bunting
Ill. by Will Hillenbrand. Candlewick Press, 2018. ISBN 9780763680329
Highly recommended. Little duck is scared of the water, and worried
he will sink. Sometimes we all need to be brave to face something
that we know we should be able to do and this book looks at the
bravery needed by little duck to overcome his fear and the
satisfaction that he feels when he is successful.
This is a lovely story of how little duck with the support of his
family and friends is able to overcome his fear. This book can be
used to talk with children about their own fears.
The illustrations in this book are beautiful and they support the
text in telling this story.
I highly recommend this book for young children.
Karen Colliver
A skinful of shadows by Frances Hardinge
Macmillan, 2017. ISBN 9781509869305
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Caught between Catholics and
Protestants in the seventeenth century and wielding a dangerous
supernatural power, Makepeace must make herself as inconspicuous as
possible to have any chance at surviving in her father's family and
her Inheritance.
The night is dark and full of terrors for Makepeace, even more so
when she finds herself alone after her mother's death. Alone and
fool-hardy, the girl is desperate to learn more about the ghosts she
has always been told she must keep out. In doing so she soon finds
herself in more than one dangerous situation as something which is
scared and frightened finds itself trapped within her own mind. Sold
to her father's family to offset the burden of housing an insane
girl, Makepeace finds herself caged, a position both she and her
animal friend detest. Soon she learns to be one with Bear and
conceals him from her Elders and Betters. It is with Bear's help,
and that of her cousin, James, that she survives three years with
the Fellmottes and avoids her inheritance, or at least part of it.
Stronger than most of the family, Makepeace's fear of ghosts keeps
her wary and prepared to deal with those that would possess her, as
well as open minded to the possibilities and uses of saving those
souls she deems worthy. But is that enough to save her from the
dreaded inheritance?
Illuminating and engaging, Hardinge's novel draws the reader right
in alongside Bear and Makepeace as they fight for their freedom and
the freedom of the people. Highly recommended to lovers of fantasy,
particularly featuring animals or a medieval setting.
Kayla Gaskell, 22
Jack Fortune and the search for the Hidden Valley by Sue Purkiss
Alma Books, 2018. ISBN 9781846884283
(Age: Primary 8+) Highly recommended. Themes: Adventure, Orphans,
Botany. Sue Purkiss drew inspiration from the British botanist
Joseph Banks and the 'plant hunters' who ventured across the globe
often in dangerous situations to search of rare vegetation, seeds
and cuttings. In Jack Fortune and the search for the Hidden
Valley, a young orphan boy travels with his Uncle Edmund to
the Himalayas in a difficult and dangerous quest. This is
reminiscent of a Boy's Own adventure, filled with
quintessentially British characters who learn to rely on each other
and develop mettle in the face of challenges.
When Jack is orphaned he's sent to live with his Aunt Constance, who
despairs of his boyish pranks and mischievous actions. She's
promised his mother that Jack won't be sent off to boarding school,
so Uncle Edmund is called in to help deal with the situation. His
uncle is a naturalist about to embark on a plant gathering mission
to the foothills of the Himalayas and he reluctantly agrees to take
him along. Jack finds solace drawing in his father's sketchbook,
touching the picture of his mother's face. These secret skills
become very important as he records their travels, the plant
specimens they discover and the myths and customs of the people he
encounters on his journey to the hidden valley.
Along the way they meet with a maharajah, journey with Sherpas and
deal with monks who guard the sacred mountain, all the while
maintaining their very British habits. Through Jack's eyes we see
the wonder of others' lifestyles. He observes the young monks at the
monastery and hangs a prayer flag before he starts his search for
the blue rhododendron. Resilience, courage, overcoming grief and
growing in self-worth develop within Jack along the way.
The author creates scenes rich with imagery, colourful landscapes
and adds a quirky and interesting mix of characters. Jack
Fortune and the search for the Hidden Valley is an enthralling
read, opening up a new historical horizons.
Rhyllis Bignell
Bird builds a nest by Martin Jenkins
Ill. by Richard Jones. Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406355130
Highly recommended. This book about bird building a new nest ties in
science themes into the story in a way that they can be read as part
of the story or left out depending on the age of the audience.
Bird has a task that has to be completed, bird persists until the
job is finished.
This book could be used with primary age students when looking at
the topic of forces. Students could attempt to make their own nest
and see what forces they need to make the perfect nest. It gives a
different way to introduce STEM to students, that can make it easier
to relate to the topic.
I highly recommend this book for use in STEM.
Karen Colliver
The Malice of Waves by Mark Douglas-Home
Cal McGill, Sea Detective book 3. Michael Joseph, 2016. ISBN
9780718182762
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Themes: Mystery. Missing persons. Oceans.
Islands. Criminal investigation. For five years Priest's Island has
guarded the secret of Max Wheeler's disappearance. For five years
Max Wheeler's family gathers on Priest's Island to mourn for the boy
who disappeared without trace. Cal McGill, an oceanographer who is
expert at finding bodies at sea is called in after numerous
investigations have failed to discover what has happened to the boy.
He finds himself in the middle of the angst on the island because
the community had been accused of murder and a father who is so
involved in the disappearance of his son that he ignores his three
daughters, Joss, Chloe and Hannah.
Told from multiple viewpoints the reader soon becomes engrossed in
the happenings and personalities of the people on the island.
Intertwined with the story of Max's disappearance is a thread about
Stanley Pryke, a bird egg collector who desperately wants to add a
unique egg found on Priest's Island to his collection. Add to this
the information about how bodies float in the sea, where currents
will take them, a sea detective with unique skills, and an
undercover Detective Sergeant, Helen Jamieson, and lovers of
mysteries are in for a treat.
The atmosphere that gathers around the arrival of the Wheeler family
is tense and the author gradually builds up the suspense keeping the
reader engrossed and wondering if another murder is going to take
place. This is an intelligent and gripping crime story.
Although the third in the series about the Sea Detective, there is
sufficient background information and in-depth portrayal of the
characters to make it a comfortable and engrossing stand-alone read.
After reading The Malice of the Waves, readers will also
feel encouraged to pick up other books in the series as they would
want to follow the cases of this unique detective.
Pat Pledger
The Snow Angel by Lauren St John
Ill. by Catherine Hyde. Zephyr, 2017. ISBN 9781786695895
(Ages 10+) Recommended.Themes: Personal identity, Africa social life
and conditions, survival, resilience. " . . . climbing is like the
journey of life. You start slowly. You try one way and if it doesn't
work out or you meet some obstacles, you keep searching until you
find another trail. There is always a second chance."
Lauren St John's The Snow Angel is a powerful and
confronting story, a drama played out in three acts, the joys of
family life, in the slums of Nairobi and finally new beginnings in
Scotland. Makena lives with her parents in the busy city of Nairobi,
sharing her father's passion for mountain climbing. She is
fascinated by snow and often dreams of climbing Mt Everest with
Hilary and Sherpa Tensing, and to her delight her father leads her
on a trip to climb Mount Kenya. His sage advice stands her in good
stead when her life takes on a tragic turn. After the mountain trip
her parents leave to nurse Aunt Mary, an aid worker in faraway
Sierra Leone. Struck down by the Ebola virus, her parents leave
behind their daughter who is forced to grow up quickly, facing a
destitute life, struggling to survive.
Forced to leave the family who are minding her, then due to a series
of unfortunate incidents, she ends up running away, sleeping in a
skip, fighting off attackers and desperately looking for food. With
a street savvy albino girl Snow, Makena quickly learns the ways of
slum life, gang warfare, starvation and experiences children being
abducted and sold into slavery.
Music brings joy to their lives and the recurring motif of snow and
magical sightings of the silver fox are signs that lift the young
girl's spirits. Fortuitously Makena's life is changed when she meets
Helen an orphanage director for the forgotten children of Kenya. In
the third act, Makena's luck changes as she flies off to Helen's
homeland Scotland, and slowly makes a new life with her. The Snow Angel is wonderfully written, the shades of African
life, the class and social divide, life and death, the confronting
survival of the impoverished are all realistically portrayed. The
harsh realities of Makena's life are told honestly and make this a
book suited to a teen audience. The moody, dark drawings add depth
to this emotional story which seamlessly explores themes of
friendship, survival, and courage and seeking positivity in the face
of despair. Even in the darkness there's a little glimmer of light
shining from the tail of the magical silver fox.
Rhyllis Bignell
A lion is a lion by Polly Dunbar
Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406371536
(age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Humour, Proverbs, Lions. This
initially tongue in cheek look at a lion charming his way into the
family, doing things that lions definitely do not do: walking down
the street with an umbrella, swinging on a lamp post, wearing a
jaunty hat, then coming inside to sit down with the children at
lunch time begs the readers to be wary of the lion.
The question is always there, that despite appearances, is the lion
still a lion. At first he is shown wearing his hat. Then he adds
another piece of clothing to his body, entering the home of the two
children ready for lunch. He plays with them in the house, swinging
them around and listening to the music. Sitting down to lunch at the
table, he eats all his greens, but after lunch he wants desert. His
demenour changes, his teeth look much bigger than before, his eyes
more cruel. The children realsie that he is still a lion and get rid
of him from their home. So the lion is still a lion despite
appearances and the words that come from his mouth. A lesson to be
learnt, and children will be encouraged to discuss what they can do
when confronted by someone or something which appears benign but is
not.
Several proverbs spring to mind when reading this book, proverbs
that can be shared with the readers. A leopard cannot not change his
spots, beware of strangers, once an eagle - always an eagle, a wolf
in sheep's clothing, don't judge a book by its cover, and so on.
These could be discussed with the class or readers as the book is
read, and lead on to many discussions after the book has been put
aside.
And it makes a wonderful read aloud. Roar.
Fran Knight
Ice Wolves by Amie Kaufman
Elementals book 1. Harper, 2018. ISBN 9781460755273
(Age: 10-14) Recommended. Anders and his sister Rayna are orphans
who survive on the streets of Holbard. They live by their wits
stealing and scheming together, with Rayna being the planner and
organiser of the pair. They are inseparable twins who imagine their
life will always include each other. Both children keep their
distance from the Ice Wolf patrols who ensure the city is safe from
its sworn enemies, the evil Scorch Dragons.
"The Trial of Staff" is a gathering that selects the next 12 year
olds destined to become the new generation of shape shifting Ice
Wolves. By holding the staff, the chosen children will transform
into an Ice Wolf, join the Ulfar Academy and train to fight the
Scorch Dragons.
The twins attend the busy congregation to pick the pockets of the
many attendees but fatefully both children touch the staff. Anders
takes on the form of an Ice Wolf but his twin Rayna shape shifts
into a Scorch Dragon and after being attacked, flies away with other
hovering dragons.
Anders realises he must train at the Academy to secretly discover
how he can reunite with his sister, who he still loves and misses.
The wolf pack demand loyalty above all else and Anders soon finds he
is torn between betrayal of his own pack and the love for his twin
sister. Ice Wolvesis obviously the first in a series as the book ends
with an exciting cliff hanger.
Amie Kaufman has created a fascinating fantasy world that
investigates different perspectives of good and bad.
Most of the book concentrates on Anders as he strives to find his
sister and rescue her. It is only at the end of the novel that his
long-held truths are questioned.
Amie Kaufman is a New York Times award winning Young Adult author. Ice
Wolves is her first solo fantasy novel aimed for a younger
audience. I recommend this book to fantasy readers from 10 - 14
years old.
A book trailer is available at this site.
Jane Moore
Dotty Detective: The birthday surprise by Clara Vulliamy
HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9780008248413
(Age: 7+) Recommended. "Dot, her best friend Beans and her dog
McClusky all love sniffing out a good mystery and together they will
solve the case and save the day . . .
Dotty is sporty, funny, creative, clever and FEARLESS: She is great
with codes and puzzles and most of all - if there's a mystery to
solve - she's your girl. This time round her trusty sidekick, Beans
and TOP DOG, McClusky are keeping secrets from Dotty - will she like
their surprise?"(Publisher)
Dot is a stationery-mad girl with a fondness for coding and
detection and each of the brilliant Dotty Detective books shows her
solving a mystery at school or at home, with the help of her best
friend Beans - and of course McClusky the dog.
The fifth book in the series (although they do not have to be read
in order), will be popular with both boys and girls aged 7 and up.
Dot's friendship with Beans is threatened with the arrival of a new
boy in the class. She is now faced with a dilemma of who will help
her solve the mystery when it presents itself to her? Once again
Vulliamy has hit the nail on the head with the way she is
introducing the children to the appealing mystery and detective
genre while combining everyday life issues including siblings,
friendship and school life. Although it is not a graphic novel, I do
love the snapshots, codes and doodles that are interspersed in the
text. These will certainly be a hit with a wide range of children
and would make a great read aloud.
Kathryn Schumacher
Ruby in the ruins by Shirley Hughes
Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406375893
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Themes: World War Two, London, The
Blitz, Children affected by war. As 1945 comes around, Ruby and her
mother are still living in London, surrounded by devastation as
night after night bombing raids on their city flatten the streets
and houses around them. But they stay, despite neighbours moving to
safer places, in case Ruby's Dad comes home.
Hughes' illustrations depict the area in which they live with an
emotional overlay, looking as they do like any flattened city which
children see every night on their evening news.
Ruby and her mother snuggle down each night in their big double bed
until the all clear sounds in the morning, and when peace is
declared those left in the street celebrate with a street party. One
by one the men return, but when Mum hugs a tall thin man who comes
down from the train, Ruby is shy, unsure of who this stranger is. At
home, he seems to take up the whole space, and Ruby has to return to
her rather dilapidated room in the attic.
One day the boys ask her to go exploring with them and she runs off,
with Mum telling them to stay in their own neighbourhood.
But exploring an old site with a warning sign Ruby falls. One of the
boys rushes off to get help, and it is her father who returns with
him to help her home. He is a stranger no more.
In tightly packed prose, Hughes outlines a story common to many
children, getting to know again a parent who has been away for a
long time. Set during World War Two in London, the story has a wider
significance for many children emotionally lost during war time or
bombing or dislocation. Readers will certainly learn more about the
effect of war on Londoners during the The Blitz, but will also see
parallels to many other children over the world, at a loss trying to
understand the effects of war upon their families. This production
with its haunting illustrations, will draw in the reader as they
look at the details shown, and eagerly peruse the endpapers with
images of banners and instructions advertised by those in charge
during World War Two. The book will create a platform for discussion
in the classroom when war and its effects upon children is
discussed.
Fran Knight
Rescue and Jessica by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes
Ill. by Scott Magoon. Candlewick Press, 2017. ISBN 9780763696047
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Themes: Service dogs, Disability. When
Jessica is in hospital she is told that she is having a leg removed
while still recovering with her other damaged leg. She is unsure of
what life holds for her when the doctor recommends she have a
service dog. Reading the endpiece we find that Jessica is recovering
from her injuries sustained at the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013
and so readers will see that this tale is based on a true story of
Jessica meeting and learning to walk with her dog, trained to be at
her service. Understandably there is some trepidation on her part,
and this book exposes her concerns by paralleling them with those of
the dog, Rescue. He wanted to be a Seeing Eye Dog, but when told he
would be a Service Dog, was disappointed. But in training and then
meeting his partner, the two became firm friends.
This easily read book with copious illustrations details the
training that both members of the team receive in preparing them for
their life together. Children will love seeing the way the dog is
trained, and how Jessica learns to adapt to life with a prosthetic
leg. Part way through their orientation, Jessica learns that her
other leg is not as healthy as it should be and so is also removed.
This informative book will tug at the heart strings as the dog and
Jessica are shown working together. It is amazing what these animals
can be trained to do and readers will pore over the information
given at the end of the book, and look further to extend their
appreciation of man's best friend.
Fran Knight
Piggy: Let's be friends by Trevor Lai
Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781681190686
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. Animals, Friendship, Cooking. Piglet sees a
mole in his garden, but just as he is about to become friends with
the animal, it burrows underground and gets away. Piglet loves
making friends, he also loves reading and having tea parties with
his friends, and another friend is always welcome.
Mole likes reading too, and he bakes cakes, but is very shy and when
he is nervous he sneezes. One day, Piglet makes a tea party and
invites Mole. Mole bakes a lovely cake but bringing it into the
garden, he becomes shy and sneezes, sending the cake into the air,
landing on his head. Before anyone can help, he scurries down into
his hole, embarrassed. Piggy and his friends decide what to do to
make him overcome his shyness and be friendly with the rest of the
group, and the story ends neatly as it becomes smiles all around.
This is a nicely told story of inclusivity, of helping out those who
are in need of friends, of including everyone in what is happening.
It would make a cute introductory story to talk about friendships
and friendship groups in the class, encouraging everyone to be
inclusive. Piggy's huge glasses will certainly intrigue younger
children, and the baking of cakes throughout is an extra treat for
the eyes.
Fran Knight
Radio Boy and the revenge of Grandad by Christian O'Connell
HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9780008200596
(Age: 9-12) Recommended. Spike runs his own radio show from his
backyard shed and with the help of his friends Artie and Holly, all
seems to be running well . . . until the arrival of Spike's grandad
who has been kicked out of his home by Spike's exasperated Nan.
At first Spike lets his narcissistic, showy Grandad talk on his show
but eventually Spike has to "sack" him so that his listeners no
longer have to hear Grandad's repetitive, rambling stories. Grandad
seeks revenge by entering the local "Radio Star" competition, a
contest Spike desperately wants to win.
Spike has other worries, his unlikable headmaster, an unwinnable
love interest and an embarrassing father playing in a band on TV.
Like many radio shows Spike set crazy challenges for his listeners
and funny situations are common occurrences.
There are laugh out loud moments when Spike tries to help his friend
Artie steal back his "kidnapped" cat and things go terribly wrong at
the live reporting of the local show by the four "Radio Star"
contestants.
I found Grandad a very unlikeable character who not only bullies and
demeans his son, Spike's dad, but seems to have no empathy for Spike
and his young friends. He is a self-obsessed character who only
wants the spotlight to be on him.
This is the second "Radio Boy" novel. The author Christian O'Connell
is a famous radio star himself as he "presents Britain's biggest
commercial breakfast show on Absolute Radio".
He has worked with Australian comedians, Hamish and Andy, who are
mentioned on the book cover. My research on Christian shows he has
recently accepted a radio job in Australia, so I am sure he will
become well known here too.
The fun illustrations are by Rob Biddulph, who has created his own
award-winning books.
I recommend this book to 9 to 12 year olds.
A book trailer is available at this site.
Jane Moore
