Reviews

The Dollmaker of Krakow by R M Romero

Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406375633
(Age: 10+) "In the land of dolls, there is magic.
In the land of humans, there is war.
Everywhere there is pain.
But together there is hope."
Karolina is a living doll whose king and queen have been overthrown. But when a strange wind spirits her away from the Land of the Dolls, she finds herself in Krakow, Poland, in the company of the Dollmaker, a man with an unusual power and a marked past. The Dollmaker has learned to keep to himself, but Karolina's courageous and compassionate manner lead him to smile and to even befriend a violin-playing father and his daughter - that is, once the Dollmaker gets over the shock of realizing a doll is speaking to him. But their newfound happiness is dashed when Nazi soldiers descend upon Poland. Karolina and the Dollmaker quickly realize that their Jewish friends are in grave danger, and they are determined to help save them, no matter what the risks.
This book is beautifully written in quite an unusual way. There are two worlds in the story - the stark reality of Krakow, Poland in the 1940s and the fantasy world of The Land of Dolls where Karolina hails from. The reader is certainly drawn to the similarities between them. It is heart-warming to see the friendship develop between the dollmaker and Karolina and how a little wooden doll begins to warm the heart of an old lonely man. Faith in humanity is restored with the bond developing between the two main characters and a Jewish girl and her father.
I believe this book would appeal to children 10 and over and as the worlds of fantasy and historical fiction collide, lovers of both genres would certainly enjoy this book. I believe this book would make a great read aloud and I can see interesting discussions with children as they discuss good and evil, develop their awareness of empathy and see that good can prevail over evil.
Kathryn Schumacher

I hate everyone but you by Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin

Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760631482
(Age: 16+) Highly recommended. A modern coming-of-age novel written through a series of emails and text messages, I hate everyone but you tells the story of best friends Ava and Gen, who are starting their first year of college on opposite sides of the country. Humorous, relatable and quirky, this book, authored by best friends Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin, previous writers at Buzzfeed Video and currently featuring on their largely popular Youtube channel Just Between Us, delivers an important glimpse into the modern teenager, raising diverse themes from first loves, long-distance friendships and family relationships to mental illness, sexual orientation and discovering who you are. This novel is innovative and insightful in its inclusion of diverse themes, including some which are still quite controversial, ensuring that any reader is able to relate to Ava, Gen or their experiences. Although this novel is riddled with hilarious quips, a fantastic storyline and relatable characters, there are some sexually explicit elements that are inappropriate for younger readers. Further, due to the fragmented structure of this book, expressed through text messages and emails, readers may have a hard time keeping up with the simultaneous experiences and milestones of Ava and Gen. Nevertheless, this novel provides a wonderful exploration of the bonds of friendship and family, and an insight into the unpredictable nature of life. Through Ava and Gen, the reader is brought on a whirlwind of a journey, and is given the opportunity to perceive the world through two vastly different perspectives. These contrasting yet complementary protagonists provide every reader with something to relate to, and a vital message to take away; change isn't always a bad thing.
Daniella Chiarolli (university student)

The start of me and you by Emery Lord

Bloomsbury 2017. ISBN 9781408888377
(Age: 12+) Recommended. A new year, a new plan, a new start. Grief is hard, no matter what, but it can be more complex when you're grieving for someone you hardly knew. Paige's first boyfriend died in a swimming accident leaving her to deal with her newfound reputation as 'the girl whose boyfriend drowned'. With a new school year Paige is determined to pull herself free of her grief and embrace teenage life. She decides that this year she will date her long-time crush, apply for a screenwriting course in New York, join a club, and overcome her fear of swimming. It can't be that difficult, right? With the support of her three best friends, Paige leaps back into high school life, underestimating all the challenges she will face throughout the year as new friendships form and old ones evolve. Nothing could be worse than losing Aaron again. Nothing. Not now that her parents are being civil again after the tumultuous divorce. Paige will discover that her goals are more of a challenge than she first thought, particularly with her growing friendship with Ryan Chase's nerdy cousin.
Moving, funny, and intelligent, I would highly recommend The Start of Me and You for girls twelve and up. This coming of age story deals with ideas surrounding grief and relationships as well as presenting messages about being true to yourself and open to trying new things, despite the stigma (Paige joining Quizbowl). Paige faces her fears throughout the novel, learning that what is right and what is wrong is not always as simple as we would sometimes like to think.
Kayla Gaskell, 21

Ali-A adventures. Game on by Alastair Aiken and Cavan Scott

Lead artist: Aleksandar Sotinovski. Puffin Books, 2017. ISBN 9780141388168
(Age: Primary - Lower secondary) Recommended. Themes; computer games, aliens, superheroes. Ali-A is attending a gaming convention with his dog, Eevie and partner Clare, reporting to his online fan base of gamers. It is the launch of the new game "Alien Liberator II" and as he is about to do an interview everyone starts to morph into Thralls, vulnerable aliens from the game. Things go from bad to worse as the models of the Giant Tyrantors come to life too and imprison the Thralls and Clare. It is up to Ali-A to become the Liberator with his knowledge of playing the game to help him overcome the evil ones. We progress through the levels of the game, Ali and Eevie picking up super powers on the way but Ali also loses some of his allocated five lives on the way and it is touch and go at the end. Fast paced and engaging, the story blends the excitement of a computer game of alien forces and special powers with a traditional story of teamwork and belief in oneself triumphing over bullies. Beautifully crafted graphics maintain the excitement and add depth and dimension to what is a simple adventure story. Readers will probably be familiar with Ali-A's online presence; according to Wikipedia his YouTube subscriber count is 4.6 million so this book can be a useful bridge for young online fans who might be reluctant readers. Recommended for primary and lower secondary students.
Exclusive Video! Ali-A Introduces Ali-A Adventures Game On! - YouTube
Sue Speck

Father Christmas's Fake Beard by Terry Pratchett

This mortal coil by Emily Suvada

Penguin 2017. ISBN 9780141379272
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. When the plague breaks out and all hell breaks loose Cat thinks she is safe enough living with her father, a genius gene-hacker, and his assistant, Dex. But everything changes when Cartaxus, the organisation responsible for messing up her father's Influenza X cure, comes to take them both away. Cat knows that it is important she remains hidden, otherwise Cartaxus might use her against them. Little does she know, that is not the only reason. When Lachlan dies, he sends a blackout agent to Cat to protect her along with the message that she holds the cure for the dreaded virus, Hydra, which has been turning people into mindless zombies and forcing the Wrath down on those who have continued to live above-ground. With the arrival of Cole, Cat is soon to learn she is much more important then simply being Lachlan Agatta's daughter or the Skies best hacker. She is the cure and the only hope for the survival of the human race. But can she stay out of Cartaxus' hands long enough to spread the cure and redeem her father's legacy?
Emily Suvada's This mortal coil is a thrilling young action fiction which will glue you to your seat. Having completely exceeded my expectations I would highly recommend this for people aged twelve and up. A dazzling novel about gene hacking, this apocalyptic techno-dystopia hits all of the tropes, while keeping the love interests understated, allowing Cat's strong female character to shine.
Kayla Gaskell, 21

Learning to swear in America by Katie Kennedy

Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2016. ISBN 9781619639119
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Minor sexual references. Katie Kennedy's gripping first novel brings the reader a suspenseful, compelling yet touching story. Learning to Swear in America follows the trials of Yuri Strelnikov, a 17-year-old Russian physicist prodigy who must put his skills to the test to save the world from a potentially planet-destroying asteroid. Despite being respected as an expert in his theory of antimatter back in Russia, Yuri finds himself fighting to be heard in NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, often undermined due to his age. Just as the pressure Yuri is carrying on his shoulders begins to take its toll, he meets Dovie Collum, his perfect antithesis. Artistic, caring and poetic, Dovie provides the scientific and systematic Yuri with a different way of seeing the world, and acts as his motivation to save it. Yuri's arrogance and intellect, which may be difficult for some readers to connect with, is well-balanced by Dovie's humour and compassion, allowing a wide range of readers to find a relatable element in either of their personalities. Touching on sci-fi, action, adventure and romance, Kennedy's debut novel finds the reader holding their breath as they devour page after page of nail-biting action. The reader will be unable to peel their eyes away from the book, determined to discover how and if Yuri will be able to save the world, accompanied by expertly crafted characters that draw the reader further into the world of the novel. This is a novel that will not only touch your heart, but will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Daniella Chiarolli (university student)

Provenance by Ann Leckie

Orbit Books, 2017. ISBN 9780356506968
(Age: Adult) Highly recommended. Themes: Science fiction, Coming of age, Power, Sibling rivalry, Theft, Alien culture. Ingray, in a desperate bid to outwit her brother and impress her mother the Netano, frees a thief from Compassionate Removal, a prison planet from which nobody has ever returned. She returns home to her planet where she finds things are unsettled and when she is the first on the scene of a murder in a public park, danger escalates.
This is a stand-alone novel set in the Imperial Radch universe, where her award winning Ancillary Justice was based, but it is not necessary to have read any of the other novels that the author has written. The background of the space station, the alien Geck, the strange customs of collecting artefacts and the family dynamics are all vividly described, but it is the character and action of Ingray that grabs the reader's attention and keeps it focused on the story. At first glance Ingray seems to be rather an ineffectual young woman, a bit prone to losing her hair pins and crying, but as Captain Tic comments, give her 10 minutes to fall apart and then she will come up with an outlandish but workable solution to any problem that is facing her. The problems include getting a thief off an inaccessible planet, solving a murder, being diplomatic with an important Geck ambassador and rescuing her mother and orphan children when they are held captive by an invading army.
The family dynamics are fully fleshed out, with Ingray desperate to gain her foster mother's attention, while putting her brother Danach in his place. As the story progresses so does Ingray's growth in understanding of what she wants for herself and what is the best position for her in the family. A fascinating side plot is the reverence that artefacts hold for members of the planet, and the fact that they could be fraudulent but still important in the eyes of the populace.
Provenance introduced me to the author, winner of the Hugo, Nebula, Arthur C. Clarke and Locus Awards, and I will definitely be picking up her first three books,
Pat Pledger

Saving Marty by Paul Griffin

Text Publishing, 2017. ISBN 9781925498868
(Age: 10-12) Themes: Friendship, Family Life, Pets, Music. Saving Marty is an honest story of family life, love, friendship and sacrifice. Eleven year old Lorenzo Ventura has a difficult life, physically he's over six feet tall and 250 pounds and his life with his mother and grandfather on a failing peach orchard is a constant struggle to survive. Renzo's soldier father is deceased, all that is left are his letters to his son, his guitar and his Bronze Star. Music is an important part of Renzo's life; he enjoys playing the guitar with his best friend songwriter and singer Paloma Lee.
When Renzo returns home after school to find his mother has sold Reggie and her piglets to the butcher, he is saddened but that's just part of life. In the barn he discovers their dog Bella has had her puppies in the pigpen and hidden in the straw is a fuzzy piglet, the runt of the litter. Marty (named for his dad) becomes Renzo's special project, saving him from Mum's desire to sell him off, feeding him up and stopping the rapidly growing pig from destroying property.
For a school project on their personal heroes, Renzo delves into his father's life and death, discovering conflicting and confronting details. Paloma's songs and poignant lyrics provide a contrast to the vicissitudes of Renzo's life. As the months pass, and Paloma leaves for music camp, Marty becomes the one constant friend in Renzo's life.
Paul Griffin's Saving Marty champions the underdog, the boy who doesn't fit in, and friends, family and music bring the light and shade to this story. His characters are realistically portrayed, even Marty the pig who grows to 350 pounds is a loveable friend with his dog-like antics. This is a realistic portrayal of the effects of war and to the struggles of everyday life.
Rhyllis Bignell

Hugo makes a change by Scott Emmons

Ill. by Mauro Gatti. Flying Eye Books, 2017. ISBN 9781911171218
(Age: 3-5) Themes: Diet and Nutrition, Vampires. Hugo the vampire is a carnivore, he's 'crazy for red, juicy meat!' After dark, he prowls through town looking for a meal. He' a hungry young creature with only one thing on his mind, gobbling up 'hot dogs, a roast and a ham, a T-bone or two and a big leg of lamb.' Hugo Makes a Change is an entertaining rhyming story all about nutrition and eating a balanced diet. Emmons and Gatti have created a lively tale with bright, bold digital images.
Hugo discovers his meat only diet leaves him bloated, slow, and lacking any energy. He comes to the realisation that he needs to change his food choices. Instead of visiting steakhouses and diners, he drops into a vegetable garden where he sees new foods with wrinkly leaves, red lumpy blobs and long green mystery objects. Hanging upside down on an apple tree he tastes a small juicy fruit and discovers a new taste sensation. One big white fang pierces the skin and Hugo's life changes. Back to the vegetable garden he walks, sharing a delicious picnic with his friendly black cat. His kitchen bench is filled with a variety of fresh produce and he plans delicious meals using meat, fruit and vegetables. Hugo's energy levels rise as he enjoys raisins on a moonlight ride and has healthy snacks watching television.
Emmons' simple poetry is engaging and this story provides teachable moments and opportunities for discussion about healthy food choices. Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy the graphic pictures, vibrant backgrounds and identifying the foods mentioned in the rhymes.
Rhyllis Bignell

The Doldrums and the Helmsley Curse by Nicholas Gannon

Greenwillow, 2017. ISBN 9780062320971
(Age: 9-12) Themes: Good and Evil, Adventure stories, Friendship. Nicholas Gannon's beautifully crafted sequel The Doldrums and the Helmsley Curse brings Archer's infamous explorer grandparents' home after a lengthy and mysterious disappearance. Their return causes much controversy in Rosewood with the Chronicle newspaper printing false accusations about them orchestrating their iceberg shipwreck and supposedly cursing the city with Arctic weather. With the help of his close friends, Oliver and Adelaide, Archer sets out to find out the truth because family loyalty and honour are worth fighting for.
Grandma and Grandpa Helmsley are summoned to a grand banquet and to give an account of their actions to the members of the Society. Archie, Oliver and Adelaide use their time to explore the rooms in the huge building, uncovering more secret plots and learning of the Society's President Herbert Birthwhistle's plans to destroy the Helmsley's reputations. While Oliver's father continues to print the truth in The Doldrums Press, townsfolk aren't convinced and set out to banish the explorers.
The three friends learn to rely on each other as the creatively plan to unravel the mystery, outwit unscrupulous villains and narrowly escape from some dangerous situations. Visits to the delicious Duttonlick's Sweetshop, creating special chocolates with behaviour altering Doxical Powder makes for a funny party scene. Adelaide's wooden leg does little to hinder her full engagement with the activities and the addition of a new friend Kana further assists their plans. As the blizzard worsens and Christmas approaches, Archer's determination to help his grandparents heightens the excitement. Their derring-do capers include the use of a ham-radio, a crazy ride in a three-wheeled van and the judicious use of a dumbwaiter.
Nick Gannon's architectural drawings, stylised colour illustrations, black and white spot sketches add definition to the literary text. The Doldrums and the Helmsley Curse presents a new world, brimming with charm, relatable characters, with plenty of action and intrigue, perfect for confident readers.
Rhyllis Bignell

A jigsaw of fire and stars by Yaba Badoe

Head of Zeus, 2017. ISBN 9781786697981
(Age: 13+) Themes: Magical Realism, African folklore, Human trafficking, Resilience. A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars is a fast-paced present tense narrative told from fourteen year old Sante Williams' point of view. As a baby she was tucked in a treasure-filled sea chest and thrown overboard from a sinking African refugee boat. Sante was rescued by a ragtag bunch of adults who live on the edge of society performing as Mama Rose's circus troupe. Together with Cobra the snake handler, her closest friend and Cat the knife thrower, these children grow up within the confines of a unique close-knit family environment. Sante's companion Priss the golden eagle is her constant friend, a powerful protector in troubled situations. Sante is a mind-whisperer too, she conjures up dreams and memories of the past when she plays on her bamboo flute.
When Sante's musical performance is observed by two mysterious characters, Grey Eyes and the African, her life begins to unravel. They seek the treasure from the sea chest and employ unscrupulous measures to capture Sante, her friends and the goods. The rescue of a troubled teenager Scarlett from drowning, soon adds a much darker element to Sante's perilous situation. She is running from a drug and human trafficking ring and Sante, Cat and Cobra join forces to help her. Sante's headstrong ways lead them into many precarious situations, narrow escapes, fleeing across Spanish rooftops, stealing motor scooters as she calls on her spirit guides and eagle Priss for assistance.
Badoe's lyrical novel draws imagery with powerful alliterative descriptions, unusual dream sequences and intuitive scenes. Sante's world is peopled with flawed characters out for their own gain, even those close to her have different agendas. The author takes the young adolescent reader into some topical issues - sexual exploitation, human trafficking, the near-suicide of one character and the killing of refugees by sinking their boats. The main character has a distinct voice, driven by the desire to learn about her heritage. A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars is an unusual story alternating between action that rushes chaotically and dream sequences that conjure up sensory memories of her past African life.
Rhyllis Bignell

Timeless : Diego and the rangers of the Vastlantic by Armand Baltazar

Harper Collins, 2017. ISBN 9780008258955
(Age: 10-14) Highly recommended. What would the world look like if the past, present and future collided together? Timeless : Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic describes that world in words and approximately 150 beautifully executed illustrations.
Diego Ribera lives in a merged world, created during the catastrophic Time Collision. At the beginning of the novel, Diego's parents who have come from two different time periods, are celebrating his thirteenth birthday. His father Santiago, a gifted engineer, gives Diego his present, a gravity board which allows him to fly a skateboard type device. More importantly, Diego also learns of another gift, a special inherited skill that allows him to develop the same amazing talents of his father.
Santiago, New Chicago's top engineer, is abducted by the evil Aeternum and his followers, who are trying to alter the Time Collision's world. It is up to Diego, his teenage friends and a small band of pirates to try to rescue his father and other prisoners.
This novel is an epic accomplishment for Armand Baltazar, a former art director for Disney and Pixar. The intensely coloured plates show a world where dinosaurs walk alongside robots and steam punk, fantastical machines exist beside WWII planes.
Illustrations imitate a movie and students who have enjoyed this same cinematic style in Brian Selznick's, The invention of Hugo Cabret will appreciate this colourful version.
This is obviously the first book in a series as the final pages reveal a surprise that will encourage the reader to continue with this fantasy/science fiction world.
I highly recommend this novel for students from middle primary school to early high school years.
Jane Moore

I went to see Santa by Paul Howard

Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408844724
It's a classic scenario of little ones and their need to be just that bit better than their friend. So when the little girl announces that she went to see Santa and got a pair of Christmas glasses, her friend says well he not only got Christmas glasses but also an amazing magic set!
And so it goes on and on, getting more and more fabulous until the most unexpected end!
Young children love stories like this where they can not only join in but also help the ageing, forgetful adult remember all the things in the list. If you share this with more than one, prepare for a rollicking, raucous time that will bring joy and delight and an affirmation that stories and books and reading are FUN!
Barbara Braxton

Snow penguin by Tony Mitton

Ill. by Alison Brown. Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408862957
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Themes: Penguins, Antarctica, Adventure, Exploration. In the Antarctic, one little penguin decides to explore his surrounds. He leaves the warmth of his family, and looks outward, standing on a piece of ice which cracks and floats away from the land. On his little piece of ice he sees the most wondrous things: a blue whale which thrashes its large tail nearby, its baby calf at its side, a school of orca swim by, an elephant seal waking from its nap, a seal and its pup.
Told in rhyming lines, the words are easily remembered by young people willing and eager to say the story out loud, while predicting the rhyming word at the end of each sentence.
It is when the baby penguin sees the seal and its pup that he begins to think about his own family and wonders how to get back to them.
Thankfully his piece of ice knocks into the ice near the pack of penguins and he is able to be reunited with his family.
Younger children will love reading of the little penguin and its adventures on the ice, reading along with the teacher or parent, predicting the words that rhyme, learning about the animals and their environment in the Antarctic. The illustrations add to the enjoyment of the read, covering every page with the cold blues and whites of the Antarctic environment.
Fran Knight