Allen and Unwin, 2016. The boy book : a study of boy habits and behaviours from me, Ruby
Oliver. ISBN 9781760293765 The Treasure Map of Boys: Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch, Gideon -
and me, Ruby Oliver. ISBN 9781760293772
(Age: 14+) Recommended. Dating. Friendship. Humour. E. Lockhart, the
author of the outstanding We were
liars, had previously written a series of books for young
adults, starring the indomitable Ruby Oliver. These have been
reprinted and will be a welcome addition to any young adult
collection. Although they are a series, each book can be read as a
stand-alone and the character of Ruby will delight anyone who
pursues the books.
The books are narrated in the first person, present tense giving
them an immediate relevance. Ruby suffers from anxiety attacks and
is very interested in boys and she describes all her thoughts and
actions in a most entertaining and interesting way. Readers will
find themselves laughing out loud at many of the antics that Ruby
gets up but will appreciate the moments of wisdom as well: Life isn't like the movies, and it can never be real and
uncomplicated at the same time. (Treasure map of boys pg.
241).
Ruby struggles with all the issues that teens face: the dilemma of
knowing who your real friends are, and deciding who is the ideal
boyfriend, as well as facing the very real mental problem of anxiety
attacks while navigating the treacherous waters of high school.
These are all handled with a deft and humorous touch by Lockhart and
will resonate with readers.
These are fun entertaining reads, ones to make the reader laugh and
think.
Pat Pledger
Poison by Bridget Zinn
Hyperion, 2013. ISBN 9781423153306
(Age: 12+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. Humour. Poison.
Sixteen-year-old Kyra is a highly skilled potion master and is on
the run. After seeing in a vision that the kingdom will be destroyed
by events surrounding her best friend Princess Ariana, she has
failed in an attempt to assassinate her. Facing being hung for
treason if the King's guards catch up with her Kyra flees into the
forest, where she meets a very cute pig and a very cute wanderer
named Fred.
What makes this story stand out is its humour and witty dialogue.
Readers will have lots of fun following the adventures of Kyra, her
pig and Fred as she continues on her quest to find Princess Ariana
and save the kingdom. Kyra is a feisty heroine who grabs the
reader's attention right from the first chapter. Smart, quick witted
and daring, Kyra has to come to grips with her powers while evading
the guards. The low key romance between Kyra and Fred is very sweet
but is not the central theme of Poison - Kyra's quest dominates the
plot.
A most enjoyable stand-alone adventure, filled with lots of danger,
laughs, twists and turns and some unexpected events at its
conclusion, the late Bridget Zinn has created an easy to read book
full of feel good moments, laughter and suspense.
Pat Pledger
Every heart a doorway by Seanan McGuire
Wayward Children bk 1. St Martin's Press, 2016. ISBN
9780765385505
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Fantasy. Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for
Fantasy (2016), Alex Award (2017). Eleanor West's Home for Wayward
Children caters for children who have disappeared, tumbling through
doorways and into old wells and going into strange lands. When they
reluctantly reappear, the school looks after them when their parents
despair of them fitting back into normal society. Nancy's entry into
the home is not a smooth one with murder making a nasty appearance.
She and her group of misfits must find out what is happening, while
they search for the doorways back into their beloved fantasy lands.
This is not an easy book to categorise or to explain. It is short,
engrossing and strange, but very compelling. As well as the nasty
murders that must be solved there are many themes the reader will
have to explore and think about, not least why the children want to
return to the fantasy worlds and not to the life that is considered
normal by society.
There is an assortment of characters, including a weird scientist,
an asexual main character and nods toward gender diversity, none too
explicit but also thought provoking.
This is an extraordinary and perplexing story, one that stays with
the reader. I am sure to follow more in this series. (Seanan McGuire
also writes as Mira Grant).
Pat Pledger
The secret horses of Briar Hill by Megan Shepherd
Ill. by Levi Pinfold. Walker Books, 2016. ISBN 9781406367584
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Fantasy. World War Two. Britain.
Horses. When other children in London are evacuated to the country,
Emmaline is taken to Briar Hill, Shropshire, a place for children
with breathing difficulties, their 'stillwaters'. Her friend Anna,
is sixteen and confined to bed, while some children are allowed to
walk around the halls of the once beautiful building, and sometimes
Emmaline is allowed outside. Here she finds a garden, and in that
garden, a winged horse. She has already seen these animals in the
mirrors in the house, but now one is in the garden with a damaged
wing. Emmaline finds a letter left for her from the Horse Lord,
asking for her help with the wounded animal, Foxfire, but to be wary
of the Black Horse, whose shadow Emmaline has sometimes seen nearby.
A beautiful and touching story, the group of children cared for in
this building are all in various stages of illness, and their lung
problems come to the fore as the story unfolds. Emmaline is a
wonderful character, wanting to be an explorer, knowing her
tuberculosis means this is a pipe dream but heartened when Anna
tells her that she already is an explorer, seeking out the garden
and its secret, keeping the horse safe. The gardener Thomas has also
seen the horse and helps Emmaline with her quest, particularly when
the Horse Lord tells her that Foxfire is in danger with the coming
of the new moon. She is told to collect colours of the rainbow to
protect Foxfire, but finding colour in this grey wintry environment
needs all of her skills.
A moving fantasy story of a lonely child, traumatised by what has
happened to her family in Nottingham, the resolution of the story
will bring tears to the readers' eyes as she learns to accept what
has happened and comes to see there is more to life than her bleak
surroundings.
War and privation is ever present, with the house cut off from the
village and therefore the pharmacy and doctor by the weather, the
children aware of the bombing raids on the cities, their talk filled
with stories of what has happened and sometimes hearing of death.
The illustrations add a mesmerising dimension to the story and offer
the reader a visual accompaniment as they read. Several stand out
for me: the children sitting in the cellar with their gas masks on,
listening to an unsettling story told by the bully, Benny, (pages
39-40) along with Emmaline sleeping with the sheep (pages 146-7) and
Emmaline sitting on Anna's bed (pages 182-3). I kept coming back to
these as I read. But all the illustrations are deeply moving with
their greys reflecting the children's lives. With links to The
secret garden and the Narnia stories, this wonderful
story will be eagerly sought after by middle to upper primary
readers.
Fran Knight
Spy toys by Mark Powers
Ill. by Tim Wesson. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408870860
(Age: 7-9) Spy toys is an action-adventure story in which a
cast of misfit creatures, a doll, a teddy bear and robot rabbit, join
forces to protect the prime minister's son. Along the way, there is
pandemonium, with daring rescues, giant snowballs, slapstick antics,
an evil elephant and a Mayonnaise Bomb to defuse.
Snaztacular Ultrafun is the world's largest toy company with an
amazing range of high quality toys, each fitted with 'a tiny
computerised brain and a unique personality.' Poor Dan a Snugaliffic
Cuddlestar bear is rejected because of a faulty chip that makes him
so strong he can crush a car (not a child). He teams up with
cast-off Arabella, a Loadsasmiles Sunshine Doll that fails because
of her short temper and her inability to interact with children. The
mysterious Auntie Roz recruits Dan, Arabella and Flax a custom-made
police robot rabbit to become THE SPY TOYS ready to fight crime.
Mark Powers' junior novel is fast-paced, humorous, with eccentric
villains and strange situations. Tim Wesson's over-the-top comical
illustrations compliment the action and bring the strange
characters to life. The McBiff triplets are suitably scary and so is
Rusty Flumptrunk the humanoid elephant.
Rhyllis Bignell
Ned's Circus of Marvels by Justin Fisher
Ned's Circus of Marvels bk 1. HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN
9780008124526
(Age:12+) Film and television animator and designer Justin Fisher's
debut novel Ned's Circus of Marvels conjures up a
frenetically paced fantasy adventure, with a huge cast of bizarre
characters set in an alternate world beyond the Veil. Here,
mysteries unfurl, dark magic abounds and good and evil forces fight
for control. Fisher weaves an intricate multi-layered story, where
he combines elements of steam punk engineering with a coming of age
tale and a quest to bring two pivotal characters together to save
the world.
Ned Waddlesworth is an ordinary boy who lives with his engineer
father in the quiet London suburb of Grittlesby. Unbeknownst to Ned,
he holds the key to saving the world and his life will dramatically
change forever on his thirteenth birthday. With evil clowns chasing
them, his father races him across town to the safety of Benissimo's
Circus of Marvels. George the talking, book reading, banana loving
giant ape becomes his protector, Ringmaster Benissimo is there to
guide Ned's journey and blind Kitty the farseer and witch supplies
him with sage advice and wisdom. The circus performers are really a
trained army of creatures, shape shifters and darklings, ready to
wage war to save the world. Ned constantly questions the people and
creatures around him, as well as trying to come to terms with a
travelling circus that flies to different locations.
The overarching plot is lost in the middle of the narrative, with so
many subplots, character additions and deviations. Ned's search for
Lucy the other key holder who can stop the veil disintegrating
needed to be central to the storyline. There are however, moments of
love, sacrifice, humour and friendliness, a family reunion all set
against the preparation for war and the ultimate marathon battle led
by warring brothers. Ned's Circus of Marvels is suited to the confident reader who
enjoys reading fast-paced fantasy adventures.
Rhyllis Bignell
AniMalcolm by David Baddiel
Ill. by Jim Field. HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9780008185152
(Age: 8-10) Recommended. For Malcolm's eleventh birthday, he has
written out the specifications for a brand new Apache 321 computer
and left the list displayed on the kitchen wall. After the usual
birthday song, Malcolm's happiness turns to disbelief when his
present is a little white chinchilla in a cage. Malcolm stands out
in a house full of pets; he really dislikes animals, after a nasty
incident at the zoo when Louie the chimp threw poo at him.
The one surprise for his birthday is Mum and Day paying for his Year
6 camp to Orwell Farm - a nightmare setting for Malcolm - one filled
with animals! When Malcolm stares deep into the eyes of KPax the old
goat with the hypnotic eyes, his life suddenly changes. The boy
magically morphs into the body of a tortoise. Over Malcolm's
three-day school trip, he embodies a range of animals, experiencing
their lifestyles, their abilities as he develops these
understandings he also has a change in attitude.
Each change is filled with highs and lows, with funny incidents and
some interesting food options. There's manky lettuce for Malcolm the
blue-eyed baby tortoise, a cat fight with Zsa-Zsa the farm cat and a
fun conversation about cats drinking toilet water. Malcolm is
cleverly able to communicate cross-species and all the farm animals
assist him on his journey back to being a human. When Malcolm now a
tiny piglet asks his animal friends to travel into the city and find
his family, their long journey begins. He rides Snowflake the pony
and two bigger pigs, three sheep, a cat and a dog accompany him to
City Zoo. His family love the zoo and visit every Sunday. Of course,
there's plenty of fun as Malcolm morphs into a chimp and encounters
Louie the dominant male for another poo throwing encounter.
Jim Field's cartoons add humour and life to fun Baddiel's story of
growth, change and acceptance.
This is a great story for sharing with a Middle Primary class and
for readers who enjoy animal stories with a twist.
Rhyllis Bignell
Such stuff: a story-maker's inspiration by Michael Morpurgo
Ill. by Michael Foreman. Walker Books, 2016. ISBN 9781406364576
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Themes: Writing; Inspiration; The craft of
story-writing; Authors. Michael Morpurgo is a much loved author for
young readers. He has managed to craft stories that connect with
young readers and yet never speak down to them. He often combines
real life stories involving children and animals and well-known
historical scenarios, with the added ingredient of his fertile
imagination, to weave a compelling narrative that children do not
want to stop reading. In this book he gives an insight into the
history of these stories from the author's perspective and from a
historical perspective. Unfolding before us we hear how he has
struggled with an idea until it has matured and developed into a
complete and engaging plot, and we also glimpse something of his own
life and experience on the way.
Each chapter unfolds the unique story of each of his own literary
creations, and it is like discovering the story of the birth and
early life of his children as we, the readers, are given a personal
insight into 'family' truths and struggles along the way. What
follows is an excerpt from the books he has written or a historical
explanation of the facts upon which the story was based.
Understandably then, this is a disjointed book, but it does allow us
to discover much of the personal history of Michael Morpurgo and to
understand why the name 'Michael' appears so frequently in his
books. I have read many of Morpurgo's books, and have loved every
one, recommending them to able readers who come into the school
library; but now I think I may have to go back and read his entire
anthology of work, so well does he introduce their genesis in 'Such
stuff'. (Note my school has a good collection of students who
clamour for 'More Morpurgo'!)
Recommended for those who have already devoured a number of
Morpurgo's books; the references to his works would be meaningless
without some connection to the author and his written work first.
Carolyn Hull
Can I tell you a secret? A tale about being brave and sharing your worries by Anna Kang
Ill. by Christopher Weyant. Hachette Australia, 2016. ISBN
9781444926439
(Age: 3-7) Highly recommended. The husband and wife team of author
Anna Kang and illustrator Christopher Weyant's colourful picture
book asks an important question - 'Can I tell you a secret?' This is
a valuable resource for teaching wellbeing in kindergartens,
preschools and Early Years education.
'Pssst!' says Monty as he leans in to talk to us from the bulrushes.
'Could you come here for a sec?' The little green frog has a secret
he wants to share, he can't swim and is afraid of the water! A lot
of quick thinking, creativity and hard work have helped him to keep
this from his family and friends, a doctor's note for his swimming
coach, a protective umbrella, even catching a ride on a tall bird's
leg. Questions and responses keep the reader engaged and Weyant's
colourful, comical scenes add to the fun of the story. Monty is a
cute character, with his large green head, expressive eyes, giant
flippers and little hands that show a range of emotions.
When Monty decides to share his secret, he first builds up his
courage by complimenting his mum and dad on dinner and on their
awesome parenting. Facing your fears and sharing your worries are
important life lessons. With his parents' loving response and
reassurances, Monty is able to start learning to swim.
This delightful picture book supports teaching the Health, Wellbeing
and Protective Behaviours curriculum. Young learners can read, view
and discuss how Monty was able to bravely overcome his fears and
take a risk in sharing his secret. They can identify characters that
help the main character stay safe and healthy and the importance of
establishing a safe network of people you can trust.
Rhyllis Bignell
The witch's tears by Katharine Corr and Elizabeth Corr
The witch's kiss bk 2. HarperCollins Children's Books, 2017.
ISBN 9780008182991
(Age: 14+) Witchcraft. Magic. Romance. The second in the series,
following The
witch's kiss will really appeal to lovers of the paranormal
and those who like fairy tales mixed up with the narrative. Merry is
still trying to get over the heartbreak of losing Jack and to make
matters worse she and her brother Leo are drifting apart. Leo is
having problems because of Dan's death and when Ronan, an attractive
and powerful stranger comes into the district he falls for him.
Merry is having other problems as well, trying to learn witchcraft,
and putting up with Finn, a young wizard who is staying at the
house, and she fails to connect the strange things that are
happening around her. Her Gran has disappeared and other witches are
being killed around the countryside and ultimately it is up to her
to do something about it.
This is an engrossing story that is easy to read and very enjoyable.
Obviously it is best to have read the first in the series, as this
is necessary to understand many of the references. Merry and Leo's
great relationship was a feature of the first book, so it was hard
to see them growing apart, and Merry's romance with Finn didn't
quite ring true, but the narrative was interesting enough to keep
the reader wanting to read on.
The action really picked up towards the end of the book and the
strong and startling conclusion to this first book was riveting.
This will ensure that readers pick up the next in the series to find
out what happens.
Pat Pledger
Lady Helen and the dark days pact by Alison Goodman
Lady Helen bk 2. Angus and Robertson, 2017. ISBN
9780732296100
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Regency period. Brighton. Paranormal.
For lovers of both the paranormal and the Regency period, Lady
Helen and the Dark Days Pact is a must read. It follows on
closely from the events in Lady
Helen and the Dark Days Club and has everything in it
that a reader would want from a sequel - Lady Helen grows in
strength and understanding, Lord Carlston is as enigmatic and darkly
attractive as ever and the action is very exhilarating. Lady Helen's
family have disowned her and she is staying with Mr Hammond and his
sister in the fashionable town of Brighton where she must learn to
control her powers. When the secretive Mr Pike, who is in charge of
the Dark Days Club, arrives with a difficult task for her and Mr
Hammond, and casts doubts about the loyalty of Lord Carlston, It is
Lady Helen who must bring together all the threads of magic and
betrayals to ensure that all is well in England.
Set in the fabulous town of Brighton, Goodman vividly describes the
fashionable life of the aristocrats in Regency times as well as the
poverty, brothels and grimness of the lower classes. Those who have
travelled to Brighton and enjoyed seeing the grand homes and
wonderful buildings that the Prince Regent installed will enjoy
seeing it all again in the mind's eye, while others will want to go
there just to feel the ambiance.
Lady Helen is an indomitable character, who is able to think things
through and make decisions for herself by the end of the book.
Dressed as a young man she has no hesitation about putting herself
in danger in order to protect the realm and those in her circle. The
action was quite breathtaking at times and the unexpected ending
will ensure that the next book is grabbed as soon as it appears in
the bookstores.
Pat Pledger
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
Throne of glass bk 5. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408872895
(Age: Adult - Older teen) Empire of Storms is the fifth
instalment within the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J.
Maas and with it comes an in-depth and detailed world written with
realism and complexity that is the broad setting of Maas's realistic
and relatable characters. With the world in chaos and the threat of
the Dark King's army set upon them, it is up to Aelin and her unique
and powerful court-come-companions to stop the menace of this evil.
This threat makes Aelin slowly consider and understand what she is
willing to sacrifice to save her people from disaster as she
attempts to heal old wounds and bond the land she is attempting to
save, uniting a kingdom while under the threat of destruction. Empire of Storms is well written and a pleasure to read for
those whom have also enjoyed fantasies and epics about kingdoms and
heroics, each character is unique and their personalities and
histories run deep within the book. The Throne of Glass
series is aimed for an adult audience due to themes such as
violence, fantasy and romance that are blended within Empire of
Storms. The world itself is given meaning with elaborate detail to
locations and their significance throughout the book, providing the
reader with a sense of reality and connection as they progress with
Aelin's journey to stop the malevolent Dark King. Overall, this is
the type of book that readers can get lost in and can enjoy
accompanying the characters throughout their vital decisions,
actions, and expeditions as they fight for what they believe in and
for those they love.
Sarah Filkin
The Satanic Mechanic by Sally Andrew
Tannie Maria Mystery bk. 2. Text, 2016. ISBN 9781925355130
(Age: 16+) Recommended. Murder. South Africa. Post-traumatic stress
disorder. Bushmen. Once again Tannie Maria, who writes an advice
column for the local newspaper, uses her unique understanding of
food and people to solving a murder. The Bushmen have just won a
court victory over their land from two large corporations, when
their leader, Slimkat Kabbo, is murdered at a festival. At the same
time she is fighting flashbacks to her violent marriage with her
late husband, Fanie, while trying to establish a relationship with
Henk the detective she met in the first book in the series, Recipes for
love and murder.
Readers who enjoyed the first book, will have another treat in store
for them. Newcomers would perhaps be best to read the books in
order, however The Satanic Mechanic would stand on its own.
Tannie Maria is a capable, caring woman, and her recipes are to die
for. She had met and liked Slimkat Kabbo and is determined to find
out who killed him, even though Henk wants her to keep away from
murder. As she struggles with her PTSD, one expert prescribes diet
pills and another, anti-depressants. Tannie Maria then discovers a
group led by the Satanic Mechanic, and it is during these
counselling sessions that she begins to find peace and encounters
another murder.
The sights and sounds, animal life and community affairs of the
Klein Karoo in South Africa, the huge diversity of people and
cultures and the big issues that face the Bushmen, all form a
fascinating background to the murder mystery. Woven all the way
through are little bits of advice that Tannie Maria gives to her
readers, as well as the mouth-watering recipes that she has to help
lift the spirits and keep bad thoughts away.
Although The Satanic Mechanic has some very dark and
depressing themes, it is lightened by the humour, especially about
Henk and his pet lamb, and the thought of all the delicious food and
ends on a hopeful note.
Pat Pledger
American Monsters by Derek Landy
The Demon Road Trilogy bk 3. HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN
9780008157081
(Age; 14+) American Monsters by Derek Landy is the third in
a fantastic trilogy centred on Amber and her bodyguard-now-friend
Milo and their time on the highway of horrors across the U.S as they
continue their escape from Amber's flesh and power hungry mother and
father. But now, after the events at Desolation Hill and the choices
that Amber has had to make in regards to her love life as well as
her forced position at Astaroth's side, the hunters have become the
hunted as they flee while attempting to persuade Amber to join them
and overthrow the almighty Shining Demon, Asaroth. While dealing
with murderers, demons, and wretched beings from hell on her way,
Amber fights to save the friends and relationships she has made on
this terrible and bloody journey. To make matters worse, Amber has
life-threatening propositions forced upon her from all sides that
are all near impossible for her to complete so that she can finally
guarantee her own life and her safety in this evil-tainted world
that she has become exposed to. Amber and Milo face a fight against
the possibility of death while accompanied by unsuspecting allies
and the fact that they are changed because of it, this fight against
evil is the last stand and the end of a gruesome and fear-inducing
chase. American Monsters is a fantastic end to the Demon Road
Trilogy due to its sheer cleverness and utilisation of plot devices,
characters, and relationships from the last two books in the series.
The novel itself is written in a way that keeps the story feeling
like it's progressing at a realistic pace without feeling rushed.
This novel, just like the two before it, is suited to a young adult
audience as there are mature themes within the story. It's fair to
say that American Monsters exceptionally ties together the
trilogy in one final epic read and leaves you wanting for more.
Sarah Filkin
Desolation by Derek Landy
The Demon Road trilogy bk 2. HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN
9780008156961
(Age: 14+) Desolation by Derek Landy is the second in a
trilogy about a girl named Amber whose family issues are considered
more supernatural than most. As discovered in Demon Road,
the first novel in the series, Amber was born and raised by her
parents so that she may (unknowingly) aid their efforts to gain
power after their centuries old agreement was made with Astaroth,
one of the great demons of hell. The only catch in such a role is
that Amber was destined to become a feast as soon as she became of
age and her own demonic powers started to develop and show. Still on
the run from her parents' enormous appetites, both for flesh and for
power, Amber and Milo (Amber's gunslinging bodyguard and friend)
find themselves being chased by Astaroth's hounds of hell as they
make their way towards the town of Desolation Hill where refuge
potentially hides. While seeming a lovely mountainside town,
Desolation Hill is hiding a large and evil secret, the closer Amber
gets to feeling safe from her parents and the Hounds of Hell, the
more she finds herself tangled in the mysteries and evils in this
town. Desolation provides a refreshing point of view, gaining an
insight to Amber's mind and thoughts as she struggles with
complications from both the outside world and her own mind as her
chaotic life gets thrown in every direction. The characters that are
introduced in this book are quirky and vibrant, allowing the reader
to imagine them while reading and to realistically understand their
relationships and feelings. Desolation is better suited for
an older audience due to the mature nature of some of the content.
Overall, Desolation is a fantastic read that keeps the
audience trapped in its pages due to its individuality and realistic
characters.
Sarah Filkin
