Reviews

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

Tiffany Aching book 1, Discworld book 30. Corgi Childrens, 2017. ISBN 9780552576307
(Age: 10 - Adult) Highly recommended. Fantasy, Locus Award for Best Young Adult Novel (2004), Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee for Childrens Literature (2004) (2016), Parenting Book of the Year Award (2003), WH Smith Teen Choice Award (2003). Terry Pratchett needs no introduction. An award winning author, he has excelled himself in The wee free men, which introduces the spirited Tiffany Aching. First published in 2003, this 2017 edition will delight another group of readers with its feisty young witch-to-be and the horde of wee free men in their kilts who help her chase down the wicked queen who has stolen her baby brother.
The wee free men is an absolute delight to read. Pratchett's unique sense of humour is evident on every page as he manipulates words in the best possible way. Not only does he make the reader laugh aloud at some of his descriptions and dialogue, but he also makes the reader think about the power and use of the written word: "Tiffany thought a lot about words, in the long hours of churning butter. 'Onomatopoeic', shes discovered in the dictionary, meant words that sounded like the noise of the thing that they were describing, like 'cuckoo'." pg. 129.
Tiffany is a brilliant young girl who longs to be a witch. Sensible and practical, she knows that it is the right thing to go and rescue her brother even if he is annoying. Granny Aching is her grandmother, a powerful shepherdess, who looked after all the sheep and lambs on the chalk lands and protecting those who don't have a voice and from her Tiffany has learnt about doing the right thing even if it is hard. As the story progresses the reader will grow in understanding with Tiffany as she works out what is important if you have power, sympathize with her as she sorts out her feelings for her brother and laugh at the antics of the wee free men.
This would be an ideal book to give any reader as an introduction to fantasy and lovers of fantasy who have not tried Terry Pratchett's wonderful books before will be in for a wonderful read.
Pat Pledger

Oi cat! by Kes Gray and Jim Field

Hodder, 2017. ISBN 9781444932515
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Cats, Rhyme. Oi frog and Oi dog, the previous books in this wonderfully subversive series, tell us that the rules are simple: cats do not sit on mats and dogs do not sit on frogs. These rules have come of course, from the frog, so the cat must now find another rhyming word that can be used for him to sit on, the phrase, 'the cat sat on the mat' being terribly passe.
The obvious answer is gnats, but readers will quickly surmise that the cat is upset by the nasty nipping gnats and so must move on to another rhyming word. So the fun and games continue, with rhyming words being offered, but all being found wanting. Lark belongs to shark, and armadillo to pillow, dogs sit on logs, lemurs on streamers, and trolls sit on dolls. The very funny illustrations underline the humour of the text and readers will laugh out loud at the ludicrous pairings offered, as well as the animals and lists of rhyming words.
The dog seems to be most interested in the cat's bottom, causing readers to shriek with laughter, as they well know that dogs and cats do sniff around this particular part of other animal's anatomy, and they will laugh too at the different meanings for the word bat or the pageful of rhyming words for cat. All in all the book offers immense fun for the readers who will predict, laugh and engage with this highly amusing text accompanied by wonderful illustrations. And the lift the flap on the last page will be infectious, readers wanting to take turns at finding out what is beneath the flap. Have your whiteboard marker ready for all the suggested rhyming words which will be offered.
Fran Knight

The City of Secret Rivers by Jacob Sager Weinstein

Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406368857
(Age: 9+) We stood there for a moment, the drop of water and I. And then we both leapt at once. Hyacinth Hayward has accidently unleashed magical powers flowing under London. The shambling Saltpetre Men have kidnapped her mother and the Toshers want to trap her in the sewers. Then a giant pig in a swimsuit, Oaroboarus, insists on an underground tea party, but Lady Roslyn has other plans. The clock is ticking and Hyacinth must figure out who to trust.
For those children who like books such as A Series of Unfortunate Events, where good needs to conquer evil, this is a must read for them. It is easy to read with the text being relatively large. Weinstein has written a book that is extremely imaginative with clever little twists and turns. It is full of action, humour and descriptive language that truly brings alive the repulsive stench associated with sewers. Historical places in London have been cleverly interwoven throughout the storyline.
Hyacinth is a strong lead character, ably supported by Lady Roslyn. Their friendship strengthens as the story unfolds.
Themes such as friendship, perseverance and adventure run strongly through the book. This book will sit nicely alongside other fantasy books on the shelf and is the first in a trilogy. Suitable for ages 9 and up.
Kathryn Schumacher

The explorer by Katherine Rundell

Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408885284
Highly recommended. Like a man-made magic wish, the aeroplane rose into the sky. It did not stay there for long. Fred has always dreamed of becoming an explorer, of reading his name among the lists of great adventurers. But when his tiny plane crashes in the Amazon jungle on his way back to England, his dreams suddenly become all too real. Fred, Con, Lila and Max are stranded without hope of rescue, and their chance of getting home feels terrifying small. The pilot dies and the children are forced to survive alone for days until Fred finds a map that leads them to a ruined city and a secret. Except, it seems someone has been there before them...
This book was fast-paced, warm and descriptive. Themes such as resilience, survival, adventure, hope and friendship are developed as the book unfolds. The words used by Rundell allow you to feel the heat of the jungle, taste the unusual foods including tarantula eggs, share the highs and lows the children experience and see friendships develop between children who are all extremely different. It would make a fantastic read aloud, but it is not for the faint hearted as it is 399 pages, but the text is relatively large. I can imagine a class completing some amazing visualisation activities based on the rich, descriptive language Rundell uses. This is a must-have in the library.
Kathryn Schumacher

How to resist: Turn protest to power by Matthew Bolton

Bloomsbury, 2017. ISBN 9781408892725
(Age: Secondary - Adult) Recommended. Matthew Bolton was Citizen UK's lead organiser for the national Living Wage Campaign whereby different community groups united to win the 'national living wage' for low-paid workers. In this little pocket-sized book he shares what he has learnt about campaigning on social justice issues - 'practical tools and principles to show how people can get together and make change happen'. He puts great emphasis on democratic participation, helping people to be effective citizens. It would be really useful for students of Civics and Citizenship to read this book, to go beyond the feel-good protest march, and gain the sense of empowerment from actually uniting and achieving goals through well-planned strategies.
History students would also gain greater insight into civil rights movements of the past. Bolton reveals how the famous incident where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus was not just frustration at the end of a long hardworking day; Rosa had been active in the civil rights struggle for ten years before the bus action. But at the right moment her action captured national attention.
Similarly the strategy of 'action in the provocation of overreaction' is illustrated by the events of Selma 1964-65. Selma was chosen by Martin Luther King and other key civil rights leaders precisely because of its reputation for violent conduct towards African Americans. The violence directed towards a peaceful march at Selma drew national attention and became impossible to ignore.
Other strategies are revealed in the book - with lessons learnt from the failures as well as the successes. There are many useful tips, but none more useful than the Iron Rule - shift from trying to solve people's problems for them, to building the capacity of people for collective action and political change. It is a great lesson. I think all readers could learn something from this guidebook.
Helen Eddy

Leaf by Sandra Dieckmann

Flying Eye Books, 2017. ISBN 9781911171317
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Polar bears. Climate change. Hope. Difference. An animal floats into the bay, and finds a cave to shelter in. The animals all stay away from him, they have never seen anything like him before, and when he goes out into the forest and eats leaves, they run away. The other animals view him with suspicion, concerned that he is different. Everyday the creature they have called Leaf, is discussed amongst the other animals. One day they see him covered in beautiful leaves running through the forest. He leaps off the edge of the cliff but falls into the water, retreating to his cave. When he attempts this again and is lying exhausted on the shore, the crows decide to talk to him. He tells them that he is a polar bear and has drifted a long way from his home and desperately wants to go back. The crows work out a way that they can take the animal back to his own environment and the other animals decide to tell his story, so that no animal would ever get lost again.
Children will love hearing of the polar bear's plight and the way the animals are at first suspicious of something so different, relating it to their own classroom or neighbourhood, where someone new is not initially welcomed. The story of the animals working together to help the polar bear will encourage them to feel for the newcomer, and marvel at the way things can be resolved.
This story of the outsider is beautifully illustrated with brightly coloured detailed drawings that will entice younger readers to look more closely at the pages to see what they can see.
Fran Knight

The secret garden and other stories

Usborne Illustrated classics. Usborne, 2017. ISBN 9781409586562
Usborne have added another volume to their stable of illustrated collections that bring us the myths and legends that have been shared with and enjoyed by children throughout the generations. This collection includes The secret garden, The railway children, The wizard of Oz, Black Beauty, Little women and Heidi, all based on the original stories and beautifully illustrated to entice the young reader ready to take their reading in a new direction.
There are some stories that have endured over time for very good reasons and this collection is one that celebrates some of those that continue to be published in full so many years later. They are the sorts of stories that grandparents and even great-grandparents remember fondly and love to give, so these abridged versions are the perfect introduction to the longer, original stories. Apart from just being a good read, they give 21st century children a glimpse into the lives of children of the past, to a time when life wasn't dominated by screens and technology. Who wouldn't be tempted to explore the mysteries of Misselthwaite Manor, wander down the yellow brick road or be afraid of going from luxury to poverty overnight?
As well as being an essential addition to the collection, this could be one to flag in your suggestions for Christmas purchases for parents!
Barbara Braxton

Poe stories and poems: A graphic adaptation by Gareth Hinds

The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson

Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9781407170992
(Age: 10-14) Highly recommended. 'Goldfish Boy' is the nickname given to Matthew by one of the visiting grandchildren of a neighbour. Matthew is in his own form of goldfish bowl, staying in his bedroom night and day, staring out of the window, looking at the goings-on in his neighbourhood.
His OCD behaviour has made it impossible for him to attend school or join in any family activities. He records all the actions of the people who live in his small street in notebooks. They are all everyday occurrences until toddler Teddy disappears from his grandad's front garden. Who has taken him and can Matthew solve the puzzle?
Matthew is helped by a young neighbour, Melody Bird, who insists on supporting him in his quest. She has her own issues and problems (as do all the street residents) but her own determination and acceptance of Matthew creates a friendship between them.
Lisa Thompson has made Matthew a believable character who struggles with a family tragedy by keeping germs at bay. He is flawed but likable and his humour and observations of others adds a lightness to her writing.
Bullying, kidnapping, OCD, loneliness and personal loss are all issues discussed, as the mystery of the missing child is slowly unravelled.
The cover by Mike Lowery shows Matthew 'alone' in a crowd of his neighbours. Its restricted pallet of colours works well and demonstrates this book is not a mainstream mystery story.
This was an engrossing read and the nearly 400 pages of story passed very quickly. A very accomplished first novel by Lisa Thompson. I highly recommend this book for students aged 10 to 14 years old.
Jane Moore

On the night of the shooting star by Amy Hest and Jenni Desmond

Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406377330
(Age: 4+) Highly recommended. Friendship. Borders. In this fable for modern times, Dog and Bunny live next to each other. They carry on their own lives, doing what each does: Dog loves to knit and sits in the garden knitting and listening to his radio, while Bunny nibbles all day in the long grass on her side of the fence.
The beautiful illustrations show us the two lives, living next door but not interacting at any time. Each wonders what the other is doing but no one speaks. Each wonders why the other has no friend, but does nothing about it. Until one night a shooting start passes overhead. It is gone in an instant, but as each animal retires to their own houses, they think about what they have seen.
They resolve to do something, and Dog takes a plate of biscuits to the fence, while Bunny brings out cocoa.
Once the ice is broken, the two become inseparable friends, spending each day with each other doing the things they love to do and doing them together.
Readers will understand the message of the book immediately. It is a situation they will all know well, finding new friends, meeting new people, being reticent to make the first move. All sorts of discussion will emanate after reading this book, and children will eagerly scan the pages for detail about the lives of Dog and Bunny shown in the witty illustrations. And of course, talk about shooting stars, and how they occur and when they can be seen. Wikipedia has a concise definition of a falling or shooting star, and there are some photos of them on the internet.
Fran Knight

Toto: the dog-gone amazing story of the Wizard of Oz by Michael Morpurgo

Ill. by Emma Chichester Clark. Harper Collins, 2017. ISBN 9780008134594
(Age: 8+) Highly recommended. When I had my sixth birthday my older sister gave me an illustrated copy of The Wizard of Oz and I immediately fell in love with the story. This poor book (which I still have) was re-read many times and is now looking a little shabby but is still treasured deeply.
How absolutely marvellous to have one of our greatest modern storytellers bring a fresh new take on this now 'antique' tale - first published in 1900 by L. Frank Baum. Michael Morpgurgo has conceived a wondrous version which re-tells the story from the point of view of Toto, Dorothy's courageous little dog.
Now an old Papa dog, Toto delights in telling the young pups stories and of course the favourite is the story of his and Dorothy's adventures in the Land of Oz. Most of the pups get bored with the endless reminiscences but not the youngest who laps them up especially the Oz story no matter how many times he hears them.
Toto's voice is completely as one might imagine from a little Kansas country dog and this re-tell keeps closely to the original story which is especially satisfying. Morpgurgo also keeps closely to the language style of the original while still making it accessible to modern readers.
Colourful and contemporary styled illustrations give this book a really attractive and vibrant look which will thoroughly engage young readers for what might be their first introduction to the Oz stories. They will definitely love the 'emerald' foiled highlights on the cover!
Much as I love my original even after so many years this was simply a joy to read - as indeed are all Morpurgo books!
Highly recommended for readers from around 8 years upwards!
Sue Warren

City of saints and thieves by Natalie C. Anderson

Oneworld Publications, 2017. ISBN 9781786072290
(Age: 14+ ) Highly recommended. This novel grabs your attention from the very first page and races along at an intense pace. Christina, a young refugee from Congo, commonly known as Tiny Girl, is living a life of danger as a thief in Sangui City, Kenya. We learn her rules of survival: don't exist, trust no-one, don't have friends, have a plan etc. Her plan is: Dirt. Money. Blood. She wants to get the dirt on Mr Greyhill and his secret gold and arms deals with corrupt militia, pass the information on to the Goonda gang for their blackmail extortion racket, and then take the ultimate revenge on Greyhill himself, in retribution for his murder of her mother. With his death she will finally be free to take care of her sister Kiki, in hiding in a convent school.
Tiny sticks to her rules, she is highly skilled, fearless and dangerous; but not everything goes to her plan. She finds that at moments of desperation, she has to count on help from people she had not allowed herself to consider as friends, the gifted tech-savvy Boy-Boy, and her childhood playmate, Michael, Greyhill's son. Can she allow herself to trust them, and count on them when all their lives are in danger?
The characters, whilst larger than life, are still believable: Tina's grief for her mother, her struggle to find her roots and what that means for her identity, finding her own values, these are all things that young readers may readily identify with. The themes of refugees, social justice, modern day conflict and corruption are also very relevant.
The story is an incredibly exciting and tense thriller; I could easily envisage it as an action movie, with each suspenseful moment holding the audience on the edge of their seats. But it is also draws on real-life persecution stories that the author heard firsthand in her work with refugees in Kenya, as well as from documentation from Human Rights Watch and the UN Security Council. A Q&A with Natalie C. Anderson tells about her experiences and how they shaped the book.
Helen Eddy

Dog Man: a tale of two kitties by Dav Pilkey

Dog Man book 3. Scholastic, 2017. ISBN 9780545935210
(Age: 7+) Recommended.  Humour, Graphic novel, Crime. The third in this series of graphic novels about Dog Man solving crimes is sure to be scooped up by those who love Pilkey and his work (Captain Underpants), those who look out for graphic novels and those who just love to laugh out loud.
The first in the series, simply called Dog Man shows the beginnings of this hybrid creature, when Greg the police dog and his human companion are injured and must undergo surgery. But coming out of the anesthetic reveals Dog Man, the body of a human and the head of Greg the dog. With the smelling ability of the dog, Dog Man is able to sniff out crimes and solve them.
In this tale, Dog Man is on the trail of the lost kitten, Li'l Petey, and this is told in graphic format over ten easy chapters alluding to some of Charles Dickens work. At the end of the story several different ending are given for those who want to keep reading, and Pilkey follows this with instructions on how to draw cartoon animals.
Dog Man is still learning a few tricks of the trade and causes the Chief of Police no end of grief as he chews up the furniture. So Dog Man is on slippery ground and must prove his worth. Littered with outrageous puns on anything doggie and catty, and drawing on Dickens' A Tale to Two Cities, the story will case hilarity amongst the target audience, and have older readers who know A Tale of Two Cities, marvelling at the parallels.
Fran Knight

Here I stand : stories that speak for freedom by Amnesty International

Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406373646
(Age: 15+) In an eclectic collection of themes, forms and style, Amnesty presents short stories which invite us to walk in the shoes of those who suffer various injustices.
Whilst confronting, not all of the stories deal with the grimmest of subjects yet those which consider molestation, sex trafficking and suicide as a consequence of relentless bullying make this suitable for a 15+ readership.
Other situations are equally moving. An overworked public defender seeks the best legal outcome for a black youth entangled in gang culture. A young girl is tormented by the fact that her former best friend, with whom she shared a mutual devotion, now shows contempt and disgust for her sexual orientation. In a tale with a similar theme, a black youth is incredulous that his former best friend shows vile hatred towards him because of his skin colour. The very real situation of a child being embarrassed by having to interpret for her mother in delicate conversations with doctors and school teachers is the subject in another story.
A sliding doors moment is considered in the life a young migrant who is groomed to become a suicide bomber but also has the option to pursue the path of education and enlightenment towards a fulfilling life.
The brutality and futility of state sanctioned execution in a U.S. prison prompts a lawyer to ruminate on meaningful ways to manage 'redemption'. He imagines a remote island with a futuristic penal facility which protects wider society but enables prisoners to engage in environmentally productive work which generates income as compensation to victims of crime.
Industrial pollution destroys a river system in a developing country and completely devastates the communities which live upon its banks. No longer able to fish, these people starve in an unequal battle against a powerful international corporation with no concern for those who suffer from their negligence.
A recurring element in these stories is bullying which appears in various ways and on a range of levels. The trauma and pain caused is clearly evident but what I liked about this book is that the intention is to provoke thought and introspection. Despite the dark and harsh realities of many situations, these stories largely focus on the possibility for change and the creation of a safer, more just world.
Rob Welsh

Tell it to the moon by Siobhan Curham

Walker Books, 2017. ISBN 9781406366150
(Age: 14+) Friendships. Identity. This book focuses on one year in the lives of Sky, Rose, Maali and Amber - the Moonlight Dreamers. The Dreamers are a group of teenage friends whose friendship (and dreams) propel this book through a series of dramas that reveal their growing identity explorations. Sky is a poet who is also learning how to cope with the life and schooling change that has been forced upon her; Rose is coming to grips with her sexuality and her dysfunctional family; Maali is coming to grips with losing her love interest and seeks guidance from her Hindu goddess statue, but something more serious is on the horizon; Amber is the unusually-dressed daughter of two gay dads and would really like to know the identity of her surrogate mother in order to know herself, but instead needs to rely on Oscar Wilde's influence through his scattered quotes and writing. They are all struggling to work out who they are, and what lies ahead in their lives.
Everything about this book seems a touch too dramatic and perhaps tries too hard to address many issues, and the power of the friendship group is perhaps too strong to be realistic when read from an adult perspective. The consequence is that there is a naive superficiality about the treatment of quite serious issues that could be handled with more gravitas. Peer friendship is esteemed above all other authority. There are some redeeming aspects, but this almost reads like a Baby-sitters Club or Pony Club book for older teenagers, with a dose of romance and some serious family concerns thrown in for good measure. Life does not always turn out as they expect or dream, but their friendship remains a source of strength in a sentimental way.
Carolyn Hull