Ill. by Tony Ross. HarperCollins, 2018. ISBN 9780008172770
(Age: 5+) Highly recommended. Themes: Difference, Polar bears, Brown
bears, Adventure. When the polar bear falls asleep after eating her
magnificent lunch, she wakes to find that the ice on which she has
slept has broken away and been swept far from where it started. She
is most concerned, and the words, 'oh dear' begin to appear on the
pages as her situation goes from bad to worse. The ice melts as she
drifts towards a warmer climate, until finally it melts altogether,
dumping her into the sea. Spying an island nearby she bear paddles
towards it only to be confronted by many pairs of eyes. Her
situation becomes more dire when she finds that the eyes belong to a
pack of brown bears, who are not altogether happy with this
interloper. She climbs a tree, only to be shaken and she falls into
a muddy puddle. Here things happen which make her see things are
about to get much better.
The tale of how one polar bear is accepted by the pack of brown
bears underlines the idea of cooperation and acceptance, of being
different but the same. The tale will make readers laugh out loud
and they cannot help but understand the theme of diversity. The
little additions of bear facts will further enhance the fun in the
book.
Tony Ross' laugh out loud illustrations will intrigue and delight
the readers, as he shows the bear in all her glory, merrily floating
out to sea, falling haphazardly into the water, attempting to find
land and then dealing with an angry mob of brown bears. Each
illustration of the bear adds to the humour as Ross with a few
seemingly simple lines can add touches of emotion to the faces of
the animals. Children will be in no doubt about the polar bear's
anxious moments and her finding resolution at the end, and may even
see the link to climate change and the changing environments that
animals now have to deal with.
Walliams' books have sold over 20 million copies around the world,
and his collaboration with Ross has seen some great picture books
and novels being published.
Fran Knight
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
Ill. by Jon Klassen. HarperCollins, 2017. ISBN 9780008158286
(Age: 11 - adult) Highly recommended. War, peace, Animals, Foxes.
When his gruff and distant father leaves to fight in the war,
motherless Peter is forced to stay with his grandfather and made to
abandon his pet, a fox called Pax.
At his grandfather's he learns of the dog his father once owned and
cared for. They were inseparable. Duty and responsibility overwhelms
Peter. He feels abject guilt at leaving his pet behind and decides
he should be with Pax. He packs his rucksack, takes some water and
food, and sets off, back to the place where he abandoned the fox,
and in alternate chapters we learn of what Pax is doing to get back
to his human.
After he falls and breaks a bone in his foot Peter meets Vola a one
legged recluse living in the woods. Through her he comes to
understand the effect of war, as he is maneuvered to use her
marionettes to tell the story of Sinbad. She killed a man in a
previous war and finding a tattered copy of the Voyages of Sinbad in
his coat pocket, carved the puppets as a memorial to him, but now
she needs to see it performed. Peter is forced to stay with her
until his foot has healed enough for him to move on, but he is
anxious to leave and she is just as anxious that he is able to
survive alone. The two rub against each other just as Pax is finding
it difficult surviving with the other foxes he meets, learning the
skills he missed as a kit,
An involving story of survival, the author is able to get inside the
fox's head to portray its survival with assured realism. She
beautifully contrasts the development of all three characters as
they adapt to the changes in their world, while Klassen's brittle,
black and white illustrations form a majestic backdrop to the
events.
Beautifully written, Pax can be read by children and adults alike.
The image of war is ever present, from the father going off to war,
the woman, Vola and her wooden leg and her mission to see the Sinbad
story performed, and the threat of encroaching war.
Peter eventually leaves to find the fox, and a heart stopping
conclusion brings the reader to rethink the idea of friendship and
challenge the concept of war and its effects on the people involved.
Allusions to Sheherazade, the tale of the phoenix, the stories of
Sinbad, the roc, and so on are throughout the book, impelling the
reader to look further into the tale. The stories behind Vola's life
too are captivating as she becomes the teacher she wanted to be,
rather than the soldier she was.
This wonderful book held me to the end.
Fran Knight
The brilliant fall of Gianna Z. by Kate Messner
Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781681195476
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. E.B.
White Read Aloud Award 2010. On your mark... get set... go
finish your science project? All Gianna Zales wants is to compete at
the cross-country finals, but there's something standing in her way
- a science project. She has less than a week to collect and
document twenty-five leaves, and she'll lose her spot on the team if
she can't pull it off. With a forgetful grandmother, a
hearse-driving father, a mean-girl running rival, and new feelings
toward her best friend, Gianna wishes life would just leave her
alone to finish the project. Can Gianna Z. get the stroke of
brilliance she needs to make it all work out?
Gianna will quickly draw people in with her infectious personality
and will resonate with many tweens. With themes of family,
friendship and being true to oneself, connections will be able to be
made throughout the story. The various storylines including the
lengths some will go to avoid completing homework, an ailing
grandmother who is developing signs of Alzheimer's and the
stereotypical mean girl all combine together to make an enthralling
book. Gianna is torn in so many directions while trying to balance
her commitment to the track team and taking on the roles of artist,
daughter, friend and grand-daughter. This book will be a huge hit
with a wide variety of children and I would strongly recommend it
for ages 10 and up. A must have for the library collection.
Kathryn Schumacher
Deception by Teri Terry
Dark Matter, book 2. Orchard Books, 2018. ISBN 9781408341742
(Age: 13+) Recommended. Themes: Science fiction. Epidemics.
Dystopian fiction. Following on immediately from Contagion, the first book in the series, readers are swept into the
British countryside as an epidemic sweeps the country. Shay is
convinced that she is the carrier of the virus and without telling
Kai, has left Shetland to give herself up to the authorities. Kai
follows her trail, desperate to find her and faces danger on the way
as the survivors of the plague are hunted down by vigilantes and the
secret service.
This is an adrenaline fuelled story that is fast paced and very
exciting. Told in short snappy chapters from three viewpoints, Shay,
Kai and Callie, recount their stories and give different viewpoints
of what is happening. Shay comes into her own, as she learns to use
her towering intellect and new powers, while Kai's determination and
skills of survival are wonderful. Some more survivors, including
Spike and Freja, are introduced and enrich the plot, giving insight
into how people are coping with the epidemic.
Readers with a bent for science will also find the descriptions of
antimatter and matter fascinating as Terry gives an explanation of
the origin of the virus and the creation of the survivor's strange
powers. There is much to ponder about the misuse of scientific
experimentation even if the end result might provide cures for
diseases.
There are some unexpected twists and turns and conclusion which will
keep the reader enthralled and waiting for the next book in the
series. Both Contagion and Deception would engage
anyone who likes easy to read but totally engrossing stories.
Pat Pledger
Valensteins by Ethan Long
Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781619634336
(Ages: 5-10) This can be summarised simply as monsters learning
about love. Fans of Long's previous book Fright
Club will love this as it uses the same cast of
characters and illustrative style. There are dark gritty
illustrations with a smattering of pink to suit the love theme. The
bright pink highlights on the front cover will definitely grab
attention and the use of familiar monsters (Frankenstein, etc.) and
their witty banter will even please children who think they are too
old for picture books. While the rest of the Fright Club is busy
working on their scaring techniques, Fran K. Stein is working with
pink paper, scissors and glue. "Are you making a mask?" asks
Vladamir. He is, of course, making a Valentine's Day heart. An
explanation of Valentine's Day and love follows: "That's when two
people feel all mushy mushy about each other". The rest of the
Fright Club members respond mainly with horror and disgust,
especially when they discover that love involves kissing on the
lips. Fran ignores them and goes off to find his Valentine. While
pondering love he decides that it isn't really about fluttering your
eyes or cutting out paper hearts, but "something you feel in your
real heart, even if it does feel a little funny sometimes."
This has a very American look and feel to it, perhaps owing to
America's pioneering of both Valentine's Day and Halloween, as well
as some of the vocabulary and phrasing ("it looks like a paper
butt", "tee-hee"). I wouldn't read this to young children who still
have a one-dimensional understanding of love as it may be confusing
for them. In addition, they wouldn't understand the repartee between
the monsters. Older children with an understanding of the difference
between familial love and romantic love and a keen sense of humour
are the target audience here.
Nicole Nelson
Julius Zebra: Entangled with the Egyptians by Gary Northfield
Walker, 2018. ISBN 9781406371802
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Themes: Animal Stories, Ancient Egypt. Julius
Zebra: Entangled with the Egyptians is the third graphic novel
written and illustrated by Gary Northfield. This is another laugh
out loud story, filled with puns, jokes, sarcastic one-liners and
plenty of slapstick comedy.
Shipwrecked on a foreign shore, the friends fall headfirst into a
new adventure. Captured by an Egyptian Commander and his troops,
they are marched off to be imprisoned. At this time, Egypt is
experiencing a drought, however when Julius raises his hands to
protest his capture, a fortuitous shower of rain occurs. Suddenly
their luck changes and he becomes revered as Heter the horse god -
bringer of good fortune.
They move quickly through the Egypt, visiting familiar landmarks,
living in the palace, visiting and nearly wrecking the ancient
library, generally causing drama wherever they go. Felix the
antelope's exploration of an underground tomb and greediness in
stealing a precious stone, intensifies the action. Factual
information is included, writing Roman numerals, hieroglyphics and
the art of mummification.
Northfield's hilarious cartoons highlight the perks of the zebra's
reign as pharaoh and his special treatment as an Egyptian god.
Palace life is luxurious, the food, the bath in donkey's milk and
the special clothes, wigs and Cleopatra's beard to wear. Even the
chapter headings add to the humour: "I want my Mummy", "Don't rain
on my Parade" and "Wheel of Fortune". Julius Zebra: Entangled
with the Egyptians delivers all the familiar characters,
historical touches and humour, just right for a springboard into
studies of ancient civilisations.
Rhyllis Bignell
Release by Patrick Ness
Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406331172
(Age: 17+) Themes: Homosexuality; Family; Friendships; Sexual
Identity; Ghosts; Freedom from the past. Patrick Ness is a patron
for a group that promotes diversity in schools, and this book
introduces sexually diverse representations. The central character,
Adam, is exploring his identity through a series of homosexual
relationships. This exploration is at odds with his family
background - his father is a pastor in an Evangelical American
church, and the basis of Adam's experience of family love and
acceptance is derailing as he explores his sexual relationships and
his view of love. A close connection to a female friend gives him a
sense of connection even when things go wrong - 'she has his back',
despite his 'first love' turning his back on him. The young, high
school-aged Adam is sexually active with his new boyfriend, and
their sexual encounters are described in detail (although some
facets of the coupling are left to the imagination, mostly the
descriptions are fairly overt for a YA book). This coming-of-age
tale, involves deserting the expectations and influence of family,
not an uncommon motif in YA fiction; Adam's parents are painted as
the 'evil' spectre in the background as they grapple with their own
worldview and struggle with Adam's choices. But this is also a story
where sexual diversity is assumed and the opinions of the parents
are maligned. Adam also becomes the target of workplace sexual
harassment, that is not dealt with well.
In contra point to this story of breaking away from conventions and
the critique of those norms, is the spectral appearance of the
Spirit Queen who inhabits the tortured spirit soul of a recently
murdered young woman as she wanders the lake shore where her body
was dumped. There is struggle as she works out how to be released
from the torture, and will the Spirit Queen be trapped in this
metaphysical half-light? Ironically this location is where Adam will
be attending a farewell party for his former 'love interest', whose
influence he cannot shake. This metaphysical appearance is about
being released from the holds of a past life and the story thread
weaves amid Adam's story of release.
Ness has demonstrated his usual capacity to write with great
finesse, but I won't be recommending this in my school context. It
is far too graphic and the fact that Ness needs to state that his
own father was nothing like the father in the book, is evidence that
he recognises the cruelty in the representation of Adam's father.
Free expression of sexuality and desire may be common in today's
culture, but it may not be helpful for all young readers to have
this presented so boldly.
Carolyn Hull
My brigadista year by Katherine Paterson
Candlewick, 2018. ISBN 9780763695088
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. "When thirteen-year-old Lora tells
her parents that she wants to join Premier Castro's army of young
literacy teachers, her mother screeches to high heaven, and her
father roars like a lion. Lora has barely been outside of Havana -
why would she throw away her life in a remote shack with no
electricity, sleeping on a hammock in somebody's kitchen? But Lora
is stubborn: didn't her parents teach her to share what she has with
someone in need? Surprisingly, Lora's abuela takes her side, even as
she makes Lora promise to come home if things get too hard. But how
will Lora know for sure when that time has come?" (Publisher)
I absolutely loved this book by award winning author, Katherine
Paterson. It gave me a wonderful insight into a time in Cuba's
history that I had no idea about. Many countries could take a leaf
out of this plan in current times. Many teenagers during this time
volunteered to teach fellow Cubans of all ages to read and write,
while participating in their daily lives. There was the
ever-constant threat and dangers from the counterrevolutionaries
hiding in nearby hills. The author's notes and timeline at the back
of the book, outlining this period in history is a great source of
information. This book was an easy read, with quite large text.
Themes such as hardship, bravery, friendship and perseverance are
evident throughout the book. It would make a fantastic read aloud
and provide great learning activities about perspective and
responsibility. A must have for the library.
Kathryn Schumacher
Three cheers for women by Marcia Williams
Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9781406374865
(Age: 8-80) Highly recommended. Subjects: Women - History, Women -
Biography. Popular British author and illustrator Marcia Williams
(Dot) celebrates the astonishing achievements of women from all over
the globe, from ancient to modern times. Her unique comic-strip
style creatively showcases more than seventy brave and noteworthy
role models from writers to social activists, scientists to artists.
Cartoon animal and bird characters float with Dot with her friend
Abe around the frames of the cartoon strips, providing fun comments
and additional facts.
Brave Boudicca, Warrior Queen of Iceni led over 100000 untrained men
into battle against an army of 10,000 Roman soldiers. Williams draws
her charging into battle, sword raised, fiery long red hair flowing
as she exhorts her soldiers to fight. Cleopatra, Joan of Arc and
Queen Elizabeth 1 are included as historical figures. Each figure's
childhood, formative years and adult life are told through speech
bubbles, easy to read statements and sketches. Williams includes
their key achievements, messages and their role in the society of
their times. Eleanor Roosevelt was a Human Rights activist who
refused to follow the Alabama segregated seating policy in 1936,
sitting midway between the white and coloured sections.
Williams has drawn inspirational stories of girls, teenagers and
women from many countries, cultures and backgrounds who have made an
impact. There's Pakistani bomb survivor and human rights advocate
young Malala Yousafzai, Olympian Cathy Freeman, artist Frieda Kahlo,
Indian President Indira Ghandi each illustrated with engaging
biographies. Three Cheers for Women is an exciting resource for schools to
use across the curriculum, teaching positive gender roles,
celebrating diversity, inclusivity and the important contributions
of women both today and historically.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Book of Dust: La belle sauvage by Philip Pullman
Book of dust, vol. 1. David Fickling Books, 2017. ISBN 9780857561084
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Many years have passed since the
completion of His dark materials and now Pullman fans have
been graced by the first in a prequel series following baby Lyra and
her protector, Malcom. Diving back into this world was a magical
experience - for this reviewer it was like coming home. A knowledge
of the world of His dark materials is unnecessary for the
enjoyment of La Belle Sauvage, but like the original series the
book thrusts you into a world of daemons and children thirsty for
knowledge.
The novel follows the unusually bright innkeeper's son, Malcom, and
his need to protect baby Lyra, who was left with the Nuns at the
priory for safe keeping. Working in the pub, Malcom meets all sorts
of people - even strange men with three-legged hyena daemons whose
presence unnerves everyone. But this strange man isn't the only to
visit the Trout since Lyra's arrival - Lord Asriel, a famous
explorer calls, employing Malcom to take him to the priory to visit
his daughter and swearing the boy to secrecy. Befriending a
librarian and a gyptian, Malcom's days are soon filled with the need
to protect little Lyra - even if that means braving the Thames in
flood and outsmarting the man with the three-legged hyena.
I would highly recommend La belle sauvage for boys or girls
twelve years and up who love fantasy. In particular those who have
already fallen in love with Lyra in His dark materials or in
the 2007 film The golden compass.
Kayla Gaskell, 22
Dino Diggers: Crane calamity by Rose Impey
Ill. by Chris Chatterton Bloomsbury, 2018. ISBN 9781408872468
The Dino Diggers have a new project - this time they are building a
new house for Mr and Mrs Triceratops and all the little ceratops.
But not not all of them are working hard - Ricky Raptor the
apprentice is day-dreaming about being a proper Dino Digger driver
and he very nearly lands in all sorts of trouble because he is not
concentrating. Is he going to end up in the barrel of the cement
mixer???
With its bright pictures and a cardboard model crane and
brachiosaurus to build, this will appeal to young readers who like
big machines and dinosaurs. Each dinosaur has its own personality so
this series is great for encouraging young readers to recall what
they already know and ponder on how the new story will evolve.
Barbara Braxton
The School of Good and Evil: Quests for Glory by Soman Chainani
HarperCollins, 2017. ISBN 9780008224479
We all know that life isn't just a fairy-tale and there aren't
handsome princes and beautiful princesses waiting around every
corner. But that's real life, not the Woods where the School for
Good and Evil holds more sway than almost anything else. Agatha and
Tedros might have gotten their Ever After but for how long? With the
Woods under threat and Tedros' position as successor to King Arthur
in question, the fourth-year Questers must band together to overcome
an enemy even greater than the evil School Master.
After everything goes wrong at Tedros' coronation he does all he can
to secure the trust of his kingdom, persisting with his efforts for
Excalibur, the most powerful sword in the woods which is now lodged
in stone and trying to put Camelot's problems above his neighbouring
kingdoms. But is this a mistake in the making? Before long it
becomes apparent that something very wrong is happening in the Woods
and it might be time that the fourth-year quests find a new
direction. Chaddick is missing and while Tedros cannot afford to
leave the castle, his bride-to-be can. Agatha sets off on a new
quest - a quest to secure Tedros' kingdom and recover his lost
night. But is it too late? With witches, pirates, and robbers to
contend with, can the Evers and Nevers save themselves and Tedros?
Or will they be out-smarted by a children's story? And what role
does Sophie have to play this time?
Reminiscent of Pratchett and Carroll, Chainani presents a story
seeped in wonder which draws together a variety of fairy-tales and
folk law to present a world where not only are these fairy-tales
real, they are continuing to be written by the Storian. Like
Cornelia Funke's Inkheart, Quests for Glory blurs
the lines between story and reality. The fourth in the series, I
came to the novel with no prior knowledge and quickly became
immersed in Sophie and Agatha's world.
Kayla Gaskell, 22
The hunting of the princes by Peter F Hamilton
The Queen of Dreams series, book 2. Macmillan Children's
Books, 2016. ISBN 9781447291145
(Age: 10 - 16) Highly recommended. Fantasy. The Hunting of the
Princes is the second book in The Queen of Dreams by
the famous science fiction author Peter F Hamilton. This is his
first ever children's fantasy trilogy. The first book of the series
title is The Secret Throne.
In the first book of the series Taggie Paganuzzi learns that she is
the Queen-To-Be of the magical first realm as her father is an
otherworldly prince in exile. He had been overthrown by the King of
Night. Taggie has to learn very quickly how to use magic to succeed
in defeating the King of Night. The Hunting of the Princes continues the adventures of Taggie
and her younger sister, Jemima. Someone tries to assassinate Taggie
as she is cycling home from the local swimming pool in Samford,
England. Taggie, with the aid of Jemima and other friends, sets to
solving the mystery of who is trying to kill her. She learns that
someone has been killing royal heirs throughout the magical
kingdoms.
Peter F Hamilton grabs and holds the attention of the reader
throughout the happenings and adventures of Taggie and friends as
they use all their skills and reasoning to solve the puzzle of who
is behind the assassinations of the royal heirs and to avoid being
killed themselves. The reader will not want to put the book down.
This book is reminiscent of books written by Enid Blyton such as The
Famous Five series.
This series is an excellent introduction to fantasy novels for all
young readers.
Glen Avery
Dolls of war by Shirley Parenteau
Walker Books, 2018. ISBN 9780763690694
(Age: Year 5+) Recommended. "In 1941, eleven-year-old Macy James
lives near the Oregon coast with her father, the director of a small
museum. Miss Tokyo, one of fifty-eight exquisite friendship dolls
given to America by Japan in 1926, is part of the museum's
collection - and one of Macy's most treasured connections to her
mother, who recently passed away. When the Japanese bomb Pearl
Harbor, many of Macy's neighbours demand that Miss Tokyo be
destroyed. When her brother joins the Navy and devastating news from
the war begins to pour in, Macy starts having doubts - does
remaining loyal to Miss Tokyo mean being disloyal to America? "
(Publisher)
Author Shirley Parenteau has done a magnificent job of bringing to
life this real life little known story. She provides an interesting
insight into the hatred to the enemy held by many Americans. It is a
well written historical fiction book where the young girl, Macy, is
torn between the loyalty to her mum and the beautiful Miss Tokyo and
the patriotism for her country. The doll is a constant reminder of
her recently lost mother. The local people in the town see her as a
Japanese symbol that should be destroyed. We see a good friend of
Macy's sent to an interment camp - something which Macy struggles to
deal with.
This is a well written book that is descriptive and would make an
excellent read aloud for Years 5 and up. For fans of historical
fiction this is a must read and will no doubt spark an interest in
the reader to investigate the facts more.
Kathryn Schumacher
Lucky button by Michael Morpurgo
Walker, 2018. ISBN 9781406371680
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Jonah has always struggled to fit in at
school. He's too busy caring for his mother to make friends. But
when he finds a lucky button, it connects his world with
Nathaniel's, a foundling boy from the eighteenth century. Can
Nathaniel's story help Jonah? And can the lucky button work its
magic again? A moving story about friendship, fortune and music.
The mastermind of story writing, Michael Morpurgo has done it again.
It certainly piqued my interest in investigating the Foundling
Museum further after reading the brief summary at the end of the
book. The descriptive language is enticing and allows the reader to
gain a clear vision of the world Morpurgo creates. The clever
intertwining of the two boys' lives is evidence of true friendship.
Themes such as hardship, loneliness and compassion are throughout
the book. The beautiful illustrations by award winning Michael
Foreman are absolutely stunning. Children aged nine and up who are
lovers of historical fiction will love this book.
Kathryn Schumacher
