Ill. by Jonathan Bentley. ABC Kids, 2016. ISBN 9780733333422
(Age: 3-6) Recommended. A young teacher poses this question to her
class: 'what do you want to be when you grow up?' Their creative
answers will delight and surprise you. Standing on a student chair
at the front of the class, each child states their goal, their
future dreams. Little Miss Goldy Locks asks the class to imagine the
buns, braids, bobs and beehives she will create. 'So much hair, so
many stories.' What about an inventor - a invention to clean a
bedroom, clear the table, stack and unstack the dishwasher? Floating
in space, the astronaut will see the stars, she will photograph new
worlds and meet strange aliens.
Daddo writes expressively; he uses alliteration, imaginative
descriptions and rhyming text. He also presents strong female role
models, no stereotypes - the princess can rescue herself, thank you!
The last little girl has a wildly creative list and ends with a
special message, she just wants to be herself.
Jonathan Bentley's mixed-media images are lively, and bring Daddo's
story to life. As each student shares their future dreams, the
colourful illustrations show the astronaut swept into space in a
fiery whizz-bang rocketship and into a fantasy adventure with green
goblins and magical wizards.
Andrew Daddo's When I grow up is a delightful story to share
with a family. This entertaining and enjoyable picture book is
suitable for engaging young learners in thinking about their future
careers, creating artworks or a class big book.
Rhyllis Bignell
Once upon a dream by Liz Braswell
A twisted tale bk 2. Disney, 2016. ISBN 9781484707258
(Age: 12+) A twisted tale series written by Liz Braswell
explores the idea that 'a key turning point in Disney movie didn't
work out as planned.' These dark stories are suited to a young adult
audience as they explore themes of revenge, the forces of evil,
greed and the misuse of power.
In Once upon a dream, the story questions what would happen if
Sleeping Beauty did not wake up. When Prince Phillip falls asleep as
he kisses Aurora, this fairy tale's crowded plot takes a radical
turn. The mind of the princess is controlled by a bad fairy's curse
and Aurora has to escape from a different thorny castle and travel
through a dangerous magical kingdom created from her dreams.
Together with the prince, she traverses the land, with Maleficent's
spies following them. The three good fairies are now evil, Aurora's
parents are unkind, and they greedily rule their kingdom,
eliminating the good witches and fairies. Maleficent is portrayed in
a very different light as well.
Written in the third person, Liz Braswell has changed a significant
amount of the story, switching roles for so many of the familiar
characters. At times, the plot is difficult to follow because of all
the changes. Her graphic, descriptive writing style includes scenes
of death and violence. In the background, the pages are smudged with ink
to heighten the dark feel of the story. Once upon a dream is
definitely written for fans of this genre.
Rhyllis Bignell
The Beast within: A tale of Beauty's prince by Serena Valentino
Disney Paper Rocket, 2016. ISBN 9781474840828
(Age: 9+) This novel presents a very different point of view to the
Disney movie Beauty and the Beast, Belle is a minor player
and the central characters are the Prince and Gaston who begin as
childhood best friends.
Valentino begins with the Beast reminiscing about the curse that
places him in his enchanted castle, disfigured and alone. In his
teenage years, he became vain and bigheaded, even with his best
friend and hunting companion Gaston. The Prince's fiancee, beautiful
Circe, is really the daughter of a pig farmer, therefore she is
rejected. Circe is actually the youngest sister of three witches and
she reaps her revenge by cursing him, and he must find true love by
his twenty-first birthday or remain a beast forever.
The Prince searches for a bride selecting Princess Tulip Morningstar
as the perfect candidate. Here the story deviates greatly from the
original, he treats her cruelly, belittling her, happy that she does
not read and thinks only of himself. Some of this is difficult to
engage in, the more astute reader may be confronted by the Prince's
actions, when he sends her off in disgrace with a promised dowry.
The cruel witches, Lucinda, Martha and Ruby, send Circe off to help
poor Princess Tulip who had jumped off a cliff into the sea, deeply
hurt by the Prince's rejection. Ursula the sea witch had taken
Tulip's beauty and voice, leaving the poor princess to live a life
of ugliness and muteness. The story switches back to Belle finally
and her hurried escape from the castle. The evil witches summon
wolves to chase her and 'scratch, bite her until she bleeds and kill
her.' As the story ends, Valentino returns to the original plot,
Gaston hunting the Beast and Belle's tender kiss breaking the curse.
This twisted fairy tale reads as fan fiction, overly dramatic and
descriptive, dark and macabre, with the Prince's sexist comments and
attitude distasteful.
Rhyllis Bignell
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy by Cassandra Clare and others
Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy bks.1-10. Walker Books,
2016. ISBN 9781406362848
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Fans of Cassandra Clare's series will
be delighted with this compilation of ten illustrated stories
previously published individually as e-books. The stories by Clare,
Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson and Robin Wasserman follow the
adventures of Simon Lewis, star of The Mortal Instruments,
as he trains at the Shadowhunter Academy. Simon doesn't know who he
is anymore as he has lost most of his memories so he decides to
train really hard to become a Shadowhunter, hoping that he will
regain his identity as he goes.
This compilation is very clever and engrossing. People who have read
all the books will gain insights into the backgrounds and what has
happened to different characters as Simon progresses through his
training. I was particularly interested to read about Tessa Gray and
what happens to her as an adult, revealed in one of the stories when
she is a guest lecturer at the academy. Other characters appear,
like Jace Herondale and Magnus Blane, but each story grows on the
back of the previous one, and the reader gets to know and sympathise
with Simon as he struggles with his memories of Isabelle, his
feelings of worth and his friendships at the Academy. It makes for a
complete view of the Academy and what is involved in training to
become a Shadowhunter.
Some big themes are touched on - class and privilege, stereotypes
and duty of care, all done in an engrossing way, with Simon having
to make some difficult decisions about who he is and where he
belongs. Each story is illustrated at the beginning, with graphic
novel type of illustrations, which are interesting to peruse.
For readers who are not familiar with the Mortal Instruments,
Infernal Devices, and Dark Artifices series, there is
enough in the stories to ensure that they will pick up the series,
just to find out what has happened in the past and readers familiar
with the books will be eagerly awaiting the upcoming Last Hours
series. Readers may also want to go on and read other books by
Brennan, Johns and Wasserman.
Pat Pledger
Malkin Moonlight by Emma Cox
Ill. by Rohan Eason. Bloomsbury, 2016. ISBN 9781408870846
(Age: 9+) Recommended. Emma Cox's Malkin Moonlight won the
2015 New Children's Author Prize for the National Literacy Trust.
Cox delves deeply into the cat's world, and she creates a believable
society, where cats can communicate, read, marry and support each
other. Similar to Watership Down and Guardians of the
Ga'Hoole, we follow the path of a young kitten as he grows
into cathood, learns life lessons and ventures far from home.
Black cat, Malkin Moonlight is the narrator of this carefully
crafted tale, his story begins with a narrow escape from an unkind
owner. As a kitten, Malkin talks to the Moon who recognises his
special traits and marks him with a beautiful white collar. The
Moon's advice guides his path, and influences the life choices he
makes. He is a kind, brave feline who will make sacrifices for his
friends and use his skills to be a peacemaker.
Malkin's friendship with a beautiful domestic kitten Roux is
mutually rewarding, she teaches him to read and he encourages her to
venture further from her home, to experience the feel of sand on her
paws and the salty sea spray. Malkin's sixth sense assists him in
protecting a swan's eggs from a hungry vole and leads him to rescue
the father swan trapped in netting.
On the night of the Blue Moon Malkin and Roux are married, but
happiness turns to sadness when Roux's owners sell their home and
pub and move across town. A month later, the cats meet again on the
seawall and Horatio the seagull guides them to their new home the
Recycling Centre. Here amidst the sections of Newspapers and
Aluminium and Tin Cans, they settle in to life with the friendly
cats that sleep on the mattresses, read the papers and play amongst
the recycled goods.
On the other side of the wall in the toxic wasteland live the
Putrescibles, evil cats with scarred bodies who eke out their
existence in a dirty disgusting environment. They fight the cats of
the Recycling Plant carrying on a deep-seated feud. Malkin's rescue
of a Putrescible kitten, Calica is the turning point. As the
wasteland is cleaned up and the rubbish removed, Malkin brings both
groups of cats together to live in the safety of the Recycling
Plant.
Emma Cox explores a range of themes including caring for the
environment, sustaining animal life, the impact of pollutants on the
land and waterways. Malkin Moonlight celebrates the power of love,
being courageous, facing your fears and living life to the fullest.
Rohan Eason's line drawings add drama and liveliness to the story.
This is a wonderfully written text, full of descriptive imagery and
well-developed characters perfect for a Middle Primary class novel.
Rhyllis Bignell.
Clash of the worlds by Chris Columbus, Ned Vizzini, Chris Rylander
House of Secrets series. HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN
9780007465859
(Age: 9+) Clash of the Worlds concludes the action-packed
adventure House of Secrets trilogy. Chris Rylander
co-authored this final novel with Chris Columbus after the death of
Ned Vizzini in 2013.
The Walker children are once again in the midst of a difficult
situation; their father's gambling addiction has led to the selling
of their mansion and their subsequent return to their previous small
apartment. Eleanor and Cordelia sneak out in the dark of night;
spend all their birthday money on raw meat to feed their friend Fat
Jagger, a huge colossus who has escaped from his book into their
world. Unfortunately, other book characters have also crossed over
and it is up to the Walkers to remedy the situation. Brendan's
attempt to raise Denver Kristoff the author of the book worlds has
released a Zombie Apocalypse.
Of course, Brendan, Cordelia and Eleanor must return to the story
worlds to right the wrongs and pursue the three Wordkeeper objects
needed for permanently sealing off the fantasy world from the real
one and rescuing Fat Jagger. The evil Wind Witch needs to be
stopped, before she leads her army into San Francisco.
For the best outcome, the three Walkers need to split up, each
paired with a book character. They race through Western world, the
science fiction and fantasy books, to Atlantis, endure epic battles,
frightening life and death situations, with the action continually
switching focus. Unbelievable events occur; Cordelia and Adie's
dramatically escape from the blue whale, Brendan encounters animated
mummies, dealing with duplicate treasure maps and aliens and Eleanor
needs rescuing from Castle Corroway.
The authors have written a nonstop action, fantasy adventure suited
to fans from 9 years, as their offsiders pay a high price for
assisting the Walkers.
Rhyllis Bignell
Frozen heart by Elizabeth Rudnick
Frozen Heart series. Disney Paper Rocket, 2016. ISBN 9781484730515
(Ages: 9+) Fans of Frozen the Disney movie released in 2013
will recognise a large amount of the similarities to the film's
dialogue included in this new novel written by Elizabeth Rudnick.
There is a definite fan-fiction element to the writing, as the
stories of Anna and Hans are developed instead of Elsa's and
Kristoff's. Each chapter alternates as the characters narrate their
stories. Young Anna is confused and concerned by the imprisonment of
her sister Anna, after the incident when she magically filled the
ballroom with snow. We are introduced to Prince Hans' background; he
is the thirteenth and youngest son of King of the Southern Isles,
bullied by his older brothers. He works his way into being the
king's favourite, with the goal of attending the coronation of
Princess Elsa and marrying her.
When Anna meets Hans at the coronation, there is an instant
attraction and she desperately wants to say yes to his proposal. Of
course, when she asks for her sister's permission, Anna becomes
angry; she creates an everlasting winter in Arendelle and then flees
into the mountains.
Elizabeth Rudnick's action and adventure novel explores the
motivations of Elsa and Hans, what drives them to act in certain
ways. With the themes of love, sacrifice, greed, selfishness and the
fight of good and evil, Frozen Heart is suited to a preteen
audience who grew up with the movie.
Rhyllis Bignell
And I darken by Kiersten White
Penguin, 2016. ISBN 9780552573740
(Age: 13+) Highly recommended. Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance,
Action. You become absolutely consumed in the world of Ladislav
(Lada) and Radu Dragwla as you venture with them on their journey
throughout the Ottoman empire. And I Darken, the first book
in a 3 book saga, is a story about Vlad the Impaler, a ruthless
Romanian prince - as a woman. The book also follows the journey of
an alternate personality, her brother, struggling to overcome the
ruthlessness of the 1400's. The book carries the reader through
their early years, birthed as the children of the 'dragon', as they
grow and become young adults.
Lada, becoming victim of the social norms of women at the time,
grows to overcome expectations and rises to conquer. Whereas Radu,
gifted with the tools to achieve an easy life, learns how hard it is
to live up to expectations when he struggles to understand the
brutality of their father. The well crafted story branches from
here, allowing the reader to grasp what it was like in this time, as
they face many challenges and deal with life-rendering experiences.
The book was thoroughly enjoyable. The writing style easy and
understandable, captures the audience with fluent imagery and
enlightenment. Despite the substantial difference in time and
context, the remarkable character development allows the reader to
understand the characters' motivations in order to experience this
journey WITH them. The theme of the book carries a dark tone,
incorporating the reader in the book itself, but also on the
emotional ride of countless ups and downs.
Overall, the riveting tale of Lada and Radu, the two characters at
the core of this story, is an original story and one not to be
overlooked. I am eagerly awaiting for the 2nd book to be released.
Ethan Russell (Student)
My Lady Jane - the not entirely true story by C. Hand, B. Ashton and J. Meadows
Walker Books, 2016. ISBN 9781406372021
(Age: 11+) Highly recommended. Lady Jane Grey was Queen of Tudor
England for only 9 days. That much is true to history. But this Jane
is a very reluctant Queen, married off to Gifford Dudley in the days
leading up to King Edward VI's 'death' in suspicious circumstances.
A collaboration of three authors, the Lady Janies, have created a
humorous alternate version of English history. In addition to
twisting events, the authors add a pinch of magic and frequently
breach the fourth wall. Jane, Edward's heir and favourite cousin, is
a scholar and intrigued rather than disappointed that her new prince
consort is unable to stop turning into a horse each night.
You see, Jane's magical England consists of Verities (regular
people) and shape-shifting people called E∂ians. Not all E∂ians
realize they possess the ability, so the inevitable nudity after
returning to human form is a hoot.
When Edward's mad sister Mary deposes Jane, she immediately decrees
the genocide of all E∂ians. In the pursuit of both love and revenge,
Edward, Jane, Gifford, Bess and their trusted servants problem-solve
their way out of some sticky situations in order to regain the
throne.
This flirtatious fantasy romp through ye olde England is an easy
read not to be dismissed. Hopefully we can look forward to a whole
series penned by the three collaborators: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton
and Jodi Meadows because as Napoleon Bonaparte once proffered, 'What
else is history but a fable agreed upon?'
Deborah Robins
Survivors by David Long
Faber and Faber, 2016. ISBN 9780571316014
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Survivors is a gorgeous
hardback book, offering a collection of survival stories. Readers
can read about known characters such as Shackleton and Mawson as
well as less known characters such as Juliane Koepcke who fell from
a plane. Each story averages 8 pages in length and because each
chapter is a stand-alone event, readers can read them in any order
and over any time frame. The stories of Mawson and Shackleton link
well to Year 4 and Year 6 Science and the story of Greg Rasmussen
surviving the Kalahari Desert is also a good link for these year
levels with the study of Africa and harsh environments. The book
would also be great for reading aloud in a classroom. Teachers could
read a story a week, investigate story sequences, created
storyboards, investigate the vocabulary and study the characters and
how they survived. The short stories are great for comparing events
and characters. The language in each chapter is descriptive and easy
to read, making this book ideal for and highly recommended for
readers aged 9+.
Kylie Kempster
Lisette's Paris notebook by Catherine Bateson
Allen and Unwin, 2017. ISBN 9781760293635
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Paris. Romance. Art. Fashion. When
eighteen year old Lisette hits Paris for the summer holidays before
going to uni in Melbourne, she is aware that she is doing something
her mother always dreamed of doing. Mum has arranged that she stay
with Madame Christophe, a clairvoyant she met online and Lisette
will take French lessons to improve her language skills as well as
gain an appreciation of the arts and fashion, touring art galleries
and haute couture. From the start the reader is aware of some
tension between Lisette and her mother who raised her after her
artist lover abandoned her and fled to Wales.
With misgivings Lisette goes along to French lessons in her vintage
punk and Doc Martins, only to be challenged by much she sees and
hears.
Her great-grandmother was the proud owner of a Chanel jacket and
with a seamstress mother, fashion is part of her makeup.
But she does not reckon with the men she meets and readers will
laugh out loud as I did, when Lisette consents to being a model for
one of the art students at her French class, and then has a worrying
time trying to work out what to wear to disrobe.
But try as she might, this man is not for her and accidentally
meeting an Englishman in the park, begins to fall in love.
This funny, absorbing coming of age novel, full of references to
Paris, fashion, art galleries and food will fascinate teenage girls
yearning like Lisette to try all that Paris offers.
Paris invades every page: its sights and sounds, colours, fashion,
architecture and people are the thread of the novel, making every
reader want to go and capture the essence of the city, while those
who have been will wish to return.
Lisette has some real choices to make, but is always aware of her
return ticket to Australia and the looming departure date. Finding
that her dead father left her money, allows her to make a decision
that had been impossible and in ringing his widow, finds common
ground with the woman she has never met. Middle secondary girls will
love Lisette, seeing Paris through her eyes, looking at her options
as she becomes more involved with Hugo who must return to England.
Bateson has again produced a wonderfully entertaining story of a
young girl in an unfamiliar situation, potent with choices,
impelling the readers to ponder what choice they would make.
Lisette is surrounded by beautifully written characters that will
endear the reader to Lisette and her friends. Hugo is an enigma but
adorable, Madam Christophe magnificent with her tarot cards and
scarves, Fabienne stunning with her stilettos, Anders and Gabi ooze
early warning signals, while the girls Lisette meets give her
courage. All of her experiences encourage her to take her own path,
to find her own way, to be herself. And she does.
Fran Knight
Girl detached by Manuela Salvi
Barrington Stoke, 2016. ISBN 9781911370024
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Sexual content. Fiction. Romance.
Tragedy. Teenage. The book, Girl detached, falls under the
umbrella of romance and tragedy. Aleksandra (Alek) is a teenage girl
with a bad stutter. Living under the roof of her grandmother after
her mother abandoned her at a young age, Alek became a victim of her
Grandmother's strict discipline and protection in order to avoid
making the mistakes her mother made. The book details her story
after her grandmother's sudden death, when Alek is forced to move
yet again, back to where her life started. Living with her mother,
stepfather and half-brother, she struggles to find ground in her
new 'home'.
Although this book employs some very overused themes such as
romance and tragedy, it also stands out on its own. The author's
brave actions bring light to very real and serious themes that exist
for the target audience and is nothing short of commendable.
Although the book is difficult to get into and consists of raw
content, it becomes easier to read throughout the duration of the
book. The writing style is concise and vivid, allowing the reader to
become easily drawn into the reality of each scene. As a result of
this, the themes and the unfolding story resonate on a deeper level.
The book is a cautionary tale for members of the 'love is blind'
club. The morally questionable and often wrongfully considered
actions of the characters, highlights what happens as a result of
certain privileges being granted to young adults.
Overall, the raw components and educational value of the book is
what won it for me. The consistent character development and the
brutal ending also tied this book up perfectly.
Ethan Russell (Student)
The complete adventures of Figaro and Rumba by Anna Fienberg
Ill. by Stephen Michael King. Allen & Unwin, 2017. ISBN
9781760292997
(Age: 5-8) Recommended. Early chapter book. Humour. Friendship.
Adventure. With two Figaro and Rumba stories in one book, newly
independent readers will thrill to the adventures of these two
friends.
In the first story, 'Figaro and Rumba and the crocodile cafe',
good friends Figaro the dog and Rumba the cat plan to catch the Very
Fast Train to the beach. But their friend, Rat, has lost his friend,
Nate, and so an adventure begins.
King's wry illustrations set the scene perfectly, adding a level of
humour and anticipation which readers will adore.
This six chapter book will enthrall and delight as they read of this
wonderful pair of characters and their friends. Chapter four sees
them on the train at long last, but in the carriage of a very shady
character, a crocodile. With his easy charm and wonderful waistcoat,
he invites them to his cafe, redolent of Cuba where Rumba was born.
Figaro, with some suspicion of the crocodile decides not to stay,
but goes off to explore. He finds cats locked in a small shed and
ringing the police, learns that the crocodile is a cat-napper, ready
to add Rumba to his captives.
A lovely story, neatly resolved, it is full of things to take note
of: invitations from strangers, friendship, holidays with friends on
a train, learning to swim and taking risks for a friend while
learning a little about Cuba and the Spanish language. But the main
thing is the story of friends helping each other, and along with the
lively illustrations, will be sought after.
The second story, 'Figaro and Rumba and the cool cats' sees
Figaro singing along with the Cool Cats at their rehearsal. The cats
are those rescued from the crocodile's cages in the first of the two
stories. The lead singer cannot cope with Fig's howling and barking,
even if he does so very quietly. Rolando the cleaner, a small sloth
also found in the cage, listens halfheartedly to Fig's complaints.
But another friend has the keys to the singers' Catmobile, and with
Fig convinced he has seen a monster in the car, they go off on
another adventure.
Both stories have a wide appeal to readers newly attempting chapter
books for themselves and with stories like these, will be most
satisfied.
Fran Knight
Diary of a 6th grade Ninja by Marcus Emerson
Allen and Unwin, 2017 ISBN 9781760295554
(Age: 9+) Recommended. School. Martial arts. Chase talks directly to
the reader, enfolding them into his world of being a Ninja. Eleven
year old Chase has an unromantic view of himself, scrawny,
unpopular, not good at sports, a reader, but when his parents move
into a slightly bigger house, he must go to a new school, Buchanan,
and here things change. The only person he knows is his cousin, Zoe,
but he is unsure about how he will fit in. She takes him under her
wing, showing him around and introducing him to her friends, but
when he sees something flash by his eyes in the woods near the
school, she fends him off. But he is intrigued and going into the
woods finds a Ninja clan, willing to allow him into their fold after
he has passed the test. Zoe joins him, but when they are asked to do
one more test, Zoe balks, walking away. Brayden warns Chase about
joining the group but Chase is unconcerned, even if it means lying.
But when the group gives him Zoe's backpack to return to the school,
and he finds it full of money, the cash missing form the school
money drive, he is torn thinking about what to do.
Friendship and loyalty drive this story as Chase must work out just
who his friends are, and whether lying and stealing to be with the
Ninjas is worth it.
The story about choices will appeal to the target audience. Easy to
read, with chapters of three or four pages, and some illustrations
to break up the print, the series of ten books will be sought after.
Fran Knight
Stone cold by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple
Ill. by Orion Zangara. The Stoneman mysteries bk 1. Graphic
Universe, 2016. ISBN 9781512411553
Graphic Novel. Murder mystery. Dark fantasy. Set in
Edinburgh in the 1930s this very dark graphic tale begins with a
murder and suicide rescue, and a talking Gargoyle on a local church,
and some priests who seem to have issues with one another. The young
lad whose life is saved goes on to join the investigative work of
the gargoyle - a beast trapped in stone. With frightening
progression, murder becomes common and involves evil influences in
the oppressive and gloomy streets. The young lad's work is to
collect information in order to solve the mystery of who is
responsible for the loss of life. But is he being dragged into the
evil net of the dark forces?
This is no light-hearted comic book! Rather it is a dark and ominous
fantasy that involves evil spiritual influences, but tangles this
with traditional faith contexts. Not something to recommend to a
young vulnerable reader. The black and white illustrations in
graphic novel panels are atmospheric, but it isn't always easy to
recognise or identify the characters speaking. Although the graphic
novel genre does cater for the dark story-lines of Noir fantasy,
this didn't appeal to me.
Carolyn Hull
