Transit Lounge, 2023. ISBN: 9781923023031. (Age:Adult - Young adult)
A cast list is a helpful start along with a contents page with some dates showing how the two threads of this historical novel are interleaved between 1500 and 1535. We meet Jehane, the daughter of a journeyman printer who was killed in a fire. When her mother remarries, through no fault of her own, she is compromised by her stepbrother and cast out. To survive on her own she disguises herself as a boy and as Josse, sets out to find her father’s family. The second thread, based on historical writings, is that of Marguerite de Navarre, whose ambitious mother Louise of Savoy, is determined to see her son, Marguerite's brother, François take his place as heir to the French throne. It is a story of power and ruthless ambition as the nobility jostle (and joust) for influence while living a life of luxury far removed from the common people’s struggle. Jehane’s fictional story is more relatable, following her adventures and encounters across France. Marguerite’s is more episodic, following actual historical events with a lot of detail. All this is viewed through a modern, feminist lens, asserting men’s power over women who are always victims or complicit. I would have appreciated a historical precis and a map at the start for a historical and geographical perspective.
This is the first in a series of three novels based on the Queens of Navarre and will appeal to lovers of women’s historical fiction.
What is lost when knowledge is withheld, is a cornerstone question which permeates Pip William's new book, The bookbinder of Jericho.
Set during World War One, the lives of twins Peggy and Maude are changed in ways they could never have predicted. Clever, outspoken Peggy has watched out for her sister since their mother died when they were seventeen. Peggy often recalls her mother’s words which help her see Maude without criticism, helping her understand the world she inhabits.
The twins work in an Oxford University bindery, in a team of girls who bind together the pages into a new book, a laborious procession of folding pages accurately, tapping them together, stitching, then sending them on to be covered by the men. Peggy looks wistfully at the books she puts together, always on the alert for a rejected copy, taking it home to store in the narrow boat, to be read then added to the collection started by her mother.
Into their world comes a group of Belgian refugees, then wounded soldiers, each group requiring the girls and the readers to question their beliefs about the war.
Peggy joins a volunteer group who read and write letters for the hospitalised soldiers. She learns to love one soldier, his face blown apart, as she guides him out from his self imposed solitude and despair. One of the refugees, Lot becomes close to Maude, noting her differences, paralleling her own dead son. The story is framed by major events during the war as we hear of the Gallipoli campaign, the Somme, the Belgian towns where families were slaughtered, Etaples and Armistice, peace and going home. These events impact the Jones family as they hear of the front through letters from mother’s friend, Tilda, joining as a VAD but becoming more useful in the field surgeries’ tent where she sees things she cannot unsee. Other people around the Jones family come and go, some of the men who joined up not returning, those who do come back, shattered by their experiences. They wait for letters, each eagerly read and shared, each adding another aspect of the war both at the front and at home.
All the while, Peggy develops a strong friendship with Gwen, who pushes her to think about getting an education, but Peggy is hesitant, feeling she must look after Maude.
Peggy is a town girl, working for her living, Gwen a gown, studying at the university, and between the two we see the great divide in society, not only between women and men but between the classes.
The relationship between Peggy and Bastian comes to a head, forcing Peggy to make decisions about her future.
She has failed in her attempt to join Summerville as an undergraduate and feels defeated. The readers wondering whether she would rally to try again.
The writing of this book is wonderful, making it an easy read seamlessly incorporating new information about bookbinding, encouraging the reader to take another look at the book they are holding, sensing the enormous changes that technology has wrought.
Nods to her previous book The dictionary of lost words are given through the characters of Esme and Gareth and the City of Oxford and the town and gown divide is clearly represented in the new characters. The fight for women’s suffrage roams behind the scenes, and Peggy’s attempts to be admitted to university exemplifies the fight that society is undertaking.
A short interview with Pip Williams can be found here.And this is followed by a clip of Pip showing the ways the bindery worked.
Themes Social class, World War One, Oxford, Printing, Book binding, Amputation, Spanish flu, Women's suffrage.
Fran Knight
Montgomery Bonbon: Death at the lighthouse by Alasdair Beckett-King. Illus. by Claire Powell
This is a quirky, twisted tale involving a lighthouse, far from believable characters, onions, an ice-cream van and a fake moustache! Something is decidedly ‘odd’ on Odde Island when Bonnie arrives with her grandfather for a holiday. She didn’t think her alter-ego, Private Investigator Montgomery Bonbon, should need to make an appearance on her holiday, but murder most foul and onions have created a foul-smelling scenario that drags the erstwhile sleuth back into action. Bonnie must hide her real identity while solving a series of crimes. Her intelligence and problem-solving skills are again far greater than those of the adult characters, but it is the silly factor that wins out in this Primary years story.
This is book 2 in Montgomery Bonbon’s whodunnit sagas, but it could easily be read alone. It is light-hearted and spoof-like in character, so despite the serious crimes it is easily consumable by Primary years readers. They will love the twisted wisdom of the Odde Island adults and the trouble that Bonnie and her alias have in maintaining control of their identity (and the fake moustache). The scattered illustrations throughout the book by Claire Powell have a Quentin Blake-like caricature quality and broadcasts that this is obviously a book to be read for fun! Young readers aged 8-11 will enjoy this romp in the world of whimsy and sleuthing.
It is always edifying when one gains access to the minds of people who have walked the world stage. Hence the market for autobiographies, memoirs and exegeses written by prominent people remains strong. The abuse of power: Confronting injustice in public life is the first book written by Theresa May (Prime Minister of England and leader of the Conservative Party from 2016-2019). Throughout her long political career, May has held many portfolios. The breadth of knowledge and experience gained from this work and the abuses of power that she has seen has clearly provided the driving force for this book.
The abuse of power: Confronting injustice in public life is well structured. The reader can dip into areas of particular interest or read sequentially. May begins with an introduction and outline of her perspective. The book is then divided into four separate parts: Power and politics, Social injustice, The international scene and Learning from the past. Further divisions follow the format of introduction, description and conclusion with each highlighting particular cases of abuse of power which May has encountered during her political life.
It is not surprising that May, the daughter of an Anglican vicar, may have a default setting which seeks out and fosters justice and debate. She writes in a logical, matter-of-fact style, presenting facts as they exist and not holding back on naming names. At times, the reader may find her style dry or pedantic, but this may be necessary when one is earnest and passionate with such an important message to deliver. May’s message, backed by multiple examples from experience, is detailed and well researched. She has much information to deliver about the background machinations behind many issues and situations including but not limited to: some instances of international news such as the Salisbury killings and Afghanistan, of institutional entrenchment of power such as parliamentary abuse and Brexit and of social injustice such as child sexual abuse, modern slavery and Grenfell. In all it is clear the abuse of power is by those individuals or groups who were in a position of power and could trample on, ignore and deny the rights of the downtrodden. A sequence of abuse, cover up and failure to bring abusers to account for their actions is a theme along with the pattern that those in power abused their power because they could. May’s insight stems from direct knowledge and experience as a public political figure.
In The abuse of power: Confronting injustice in public life, May confronts, relives and examines selected instances and rotten cultures that have evolved to become more than “just a few bad apples”. She assesses her past actions and is prepared to admit that some things could have been handled differently in retrospect. She is clearly on the side of the victim and weary of hierarchy and entitlement. At heart, May fears for Western Democracy. She quotes Bishop James Jones in his report to her as PM (2017) where he describes the abuse of power as “…the patronizing disposition of unaccountable power”. May sees the overall behaviour pervading parliament, the civil service and elsewhere as failing the principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
The abuse of power: Confronting injustice in public life is not just a whinge and lament. It is an argument for a rethink of what is going on in today’s politics and public life. Solutions are offered.
This book is a worthwhile and sobering read for anyone with an interest in public life.
Themes Abuse of power, Politics, Public institutions.
Wendy Jeffrey
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
Random House, 2023. ISBN: 9781529136364. (Age:Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended.
Appearing in The New York Times Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2023 and a Sunday Times bestseller, Ink Blood Sister Scribe is sure to appeal to readers who enjoy themes that centre around books and libraries. Sisters Joanna and Esther have grown up in a family that treasures books – books of magic that must be protected. Then the sisters are separated, Esther working in Antarctica, and Joanna living a lonely life, setting the wards around the house that guards the family’s books after the sudden death of her father. Esther moves regularly, believing that that keeps her safe, but this year a budding romance sees her renewing her stay in the cold remote station instead of moving on. Meanwhile Nicholas a young man who lives in a mansion filled with magic books, is becoming restless and wants to see beyond the Library. Secrets that have been passed down through the ages, danger that surrounds blood letting and writing of magic books and magical spells all become known, showing treachery and betrayal. Will Esther and Joanna be able to protect their magical books, and will Nicholas be able to escape the risks to his life?
The author maintains a steady pace, gradually allowing the reader to get to know the characters, their flaws and dreams, while unfolding the mystery of the magic books, the death of the sisters’ father and the secrets that have been kept through generations. The modern setting, especially that of Antarctica, is very appealing as is the warded house that Joanna lives in and the huge mansion where Nicholas resides. Secondary characters especially the bodyguard Collins and the Pomeranian are engaging and the themes of loyalty, betrayal and magic are engrossing.
Ink blood sister scribe is not high fantasy and could be recommended to readers as an introduction to fantasy. I enjoyed this and read it in a couple of sittings and certainly will pick up any future books that Torzs authors. Adult fans of fantasy could move to Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo or the very popular Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.
Themes Magic, Libraries, Secrecy.
Pat Pledger
Popo the Emperor Penguin by Beverly Jatwani. Illus. by Annabelle Hale
New Frontier, 2023. ISBN: 9781922326843. (Age:4+) Recommended.
An expedition ship Southern Ice, cruises past an island off the coast of Antarctica. Seb’s parents are indulging in their breakfast on the deck but Seb only has eyes for the Emperor penguin, his favourite animal. He has been looking forward to this trip for months. At last they have arrived and Seb and the other expeditioners don their outside protective clothing for a trek on Snow Hill Island. But once there, Seb finds it harder than he thought and when an avalanche occurs, the group is inundated by snow. Hannah contacts the ship and help is on its way, but by now their teeth are chattering, and someone has realised that Seb is missing. Metres away Seb is being warmed by an Emperor penguin. The Emperor’s squawk brings many of its compatriots to the scene, and soon enough all the trekkers are being kept warm by the penguins, long enough for the rescuers to appear and take them back to the ship. Seb and the others are full of gratitude to the penguins for saving their lives.
Suitably cold illustrations with lots of ice ad snow fill the background on every page, and readers will empathise with the group trapped beneath the snow, waiting for rescue. It's enough to make their teeth chatter. Lots of information about these penguins is given at the end of the book, with a double page devoted to the virtues exemplified by each of the seven books in this series, Together we can change the world. One is set on each of the seven continents and each has a virtue told within the story. These are applied to a map of the world and a montage of each of the series can be found inside the back cover. Each provides a leap into discussions about the environment and how we can help it along. Teacher's notes are available.
In a castle, somewhere near Blumwald, in the Duchy of Scwartzstein, lives a witch. The local people know of her through her curse on the town, that once every 50 years they must supply the witch with a companion or bad things will happen and the town will fail to thrive. Daughter of the Duke, 20-year-old Mina has other worries as she vies with her stepmother and stepsisters for her father’s attention and can see no future for herself. He is totally absorbed with his plans for industrialization and the building of railways and has no time for his lonely daughter who is still grieving the death of her mother and seeks release from her pain in self-harm. When the witch comes to exact her due Mina offers herself up as the new companion and meets little resistance from her family. Mina narrates her new life in the mysterious castle where time shifts and her loneliness takes on a whole new dimension, but she seems in no immediate danger and occupies herself by exploring the castle and grounds while the witch disappears into her tower. Slowly Mina negotiates communication with the reluctant witch and a relationship develops between the two.
For a gothic-style, Beauty and the Beast reimagining this fell flat. The pace was slow and the dramas weak and although some of the costume detail was interesting the geology aspect didn’t quite work and the ending seemed contrived. The cover design with its silver skull wrapped in thorns is stylishly carried through the seasonal divisions in the book but I was unable to find the designer’s name anywhere. The gothic, fairy tale style seemed more suitable for younger readers but the sexual relationship and instances of self-harm didn’t really fit. However, lonely, or grieving young adults may find solace in this hopeful story where love conquers all.
Themes Gothic, Fantasy, Lesbian, Romance.
Sue Speck
Every exquisite thing by Lauren Steven
Electric Monkey, 2023. ISBN: 9780008627355. (Age:15+) Recommended.
Laura Steven has created a modern-day homage to Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, setting it within the image-centric world of an emotionally tortured young actress. Penny Paxton is the daughter of the famous, beautiful and youthful-looking, Peggy Paxton. Penny’s place at the famous Dorian Drama Academy is on her own merits, but inside Penny is the perpetual torment of not being good enough, beautiful enough or thin enough, and the overriding ‘never-enough’ to be really loved by her mother is always with her. Amongst her fellow students Penny experiences competition, friendship and uncertainty and the beginnings of romance, and the quest for the lead roles comes with added internal turmoil. But not everything is about the modern-day competitive world of the potential stage and film stars of the future, there is also the darkly gothic influence of a past almost-ghostly mystery. Interweaving story threads from The Picture of Dorian Gray this is a powerful tale of the dreadful nature of unhealthy beauty principles and of misplaced ideals bordering on idolisation.
This is a deeply moving and strangely confronting story! The darkly mystical world that overlaps the real world In Every Exquisite Thing makes this book a brilliant YA coming-of-age drama with gothic overtones. There are many aspects of the plot that draw closely from Wilde’s storyline (even names are borrowed from the original, and the title comes directly from an Oscar Wilde quote), but it is not necessary to have read the original inspiration to enjoy this book. The central character also grapples with contemporary issues – her identity, her same-sex attractions, and her motivations for success. But behind much of the story is the power of image and its compelling influence – a thematic thread that is so prevalent in the lives of teens in our image-obsessed digital world. Initially the story is mostly embedded in the stresses and joys of the contemporary world of the USA Drama institution and that itself is fascinating and compelling, but as the story progresses and it enters the mystical, dark world behind images and mirrors, the story becomes gothic in tone and direction. This will appeal to a whole new cohort of readers – provided they are mature.
Recommended for readers aged 15+.
Themes Body image, Identity, Acting, Beauty, Disordered eating, Addiction, Family disfunction, LGBTIQ+.
Carolyn Hull
The Blunders by David Walliams. Illus. by Adam Stower
Blunder: a stupid or careless mistake or to make one.
That pretty much sums up the family in this new release from one of the most popular authors for young readers. "The Blunders are the most blundersome family in the blundering history of blunderdom. They live in a crumbling country house named Blunder Hall. It has been in the family for hundreds of years in the heart of the English countryside."
And like so many stately homes of its ilk, it is slowly crumbling and the family is constantly and desperately seeking ways to raise funds to maintain it. For Lord Bertie Blunder ("a classic upper class twit"), this means inventing something that will make the family a fortune but sadly, his inventions tend to be so silly and impractical that they cost more than they raise. But if he is to keep his family together and his home his castle, he needs to do something before The Man from the Bank who has his own plan to seize Blunder Hall can close everything down.
Fans of David Walliams will appreciate finding this either in their Christmas stocking or on the school library shelves, as will those who are just embarking on their independent reading journey because of its easy-to-read text liberally illustrated with line drawings that not only support the story but are also LOL in themselves. The characters are caricatures, the humour is slapstick, and the whole read one that will support the young reader in their belief that they can read, even thick books like this one.
Themes Upper classes, Houses.
Barbara Braxton
How it works: Electricity by Victoria M. Williams. Illus. by Miguel Bustos
Whoever labelled the magic that happens when you turn on a light switch "electrickery" nailed it, in my opinion. Never one to understand the phenomenon, even I, as a 'more mature' adult learned something from this new book from Usborne. So if I can, your students certainly will.
The source of our energy is a hot topic right now as the switch to renewables becomes more necessary and urgent, and so, more than ever, understanding how it works and where it comes from is becoming a part of even the primary school curriculum. So starting with the basics of what electricity actually is the reader is led step by step through diagrams, explanations and lift-the-flap discoveries to understand how electricity is naturally generated to being able to harness it and even look at future sources, some quite unexpected. And there are the usual Quicklinks to support further investigation.
Living in a town whose history is steeped in the building of the original Snowy Hydro project and whose future is closely tied to Snowy 2.0, this was a must-read for me and IMO, an essential part of your non fiction collection.
Another in the series, Big Bright Feelings by Tom Percival, teaching acceptable behaviours in a very direct way, Finn's little fibs uses humour as a means to this end. In this book we see a young boy telling a little lie, but as he is asked about it, the lie compounds and he becomes overwhelmed with the extra lies he must tell to hide the truth.
Finn loves visiting his grandma, but one day he breaks his grandma’s clock, something she held dear. Instead of owning up to the accident Finn blames his younger sister, Simone. Grandma asks how Simone could have reached the clock and he tells another lie to cover the first. A blob appears whenever he tells a lie, and he continue the lie when his parents return and ask about the clock. He becomes burdened with the blobs because he has had to tell so many lies.
This little fib leads to some awkward situations where Finn is forced to tell another lie.
Over the weekend the blobs get in the way of him doing anything, they are all he can think about.
He thinks and thinks and decides that the only way to rid himself of this burden is to tell the truth. And he does, to the relief of everyone else who saw through his lies.
A neat resolution sees Finn promise ever to lie again, or if a lie did slip out now and again, he would own up straight away.
This is a wonderful vehicle for discussions about the difference between lying and telling the truth, a book for use at home or in the classroom.
Themes Truth, Lying, Humour.
Fran Knight
Bluey Advent Calendar Book Collection by Bluey
Puffin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761342240. (Age:3+)
What better way to start this year's Christmas Countdown than with a countdown for the youngest readers of one of their own all-time favourite characters?
There are 24 special mini Bluey books from story books to colouring in, bundled together in this Advent calendar which will keep kids entertained all the way through December finishing with a very special edition of Verandah Santa for Christmas Eve. Starting with Meet Bluey and Bingo, and then Meet Mum and Dad, this is a collection for all the Bluey fans as they revisit some of the popular episodes of the television series while also being able to engage with the characters in the colouring books.
What a way to inspire the excitement and joy of reading - Bluey AND Christmas.
Themes Bluey, Christmas.
Barbara Braxton
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library by Chris Grabenstein. Illus. by Douglas Holgate
As a fan of the novel Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library (and related books in the series), I was keen to see if the transition to the graphic novel format would be as successful. More than anything it added another unexpected dimension to the story with the visual aspect. Being able to view each of the diverse characters, the expressions on their faces when experiencing success, disappointment or hurt, and to ‘see’ the busyness of their quest made for an enjoyable and entertaining read.
The storyline of the quest to escape from the library is true to the novel version and the way the children form alliances and solve the clues is cleverly shared with readers. The use of the Decimal Dewey Classification (DDC) as the background to the story is a wonderful introduction for those unsure of what it actually is and how it all works. Throughout the quest the children solve puzzles using the DDC related to famous people from historical times, well known or unfamiliar book titles and library subject areas. The story shares the values of teamwork and problem-solving as well as reinforcing the age-old saying ‘Cheats never prosper.’
The colours used throughout are bold and bright with subtle changes made when the emphasis in time and action changes. The full page rebus on page 127 and the list of progress so far on page 154 were welcome additions for the reader to fully connect with the story. This wonderful version of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library reinforces how amazing libraries are and is now accessible for a new generation of readers who enjoy the graphic novel format.
Casander Darkbloom and the Threads of Power, written by P A Staff is a new fantasy series with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader intrigued. This story will appeal to those who enjoy reading a fantasy adventure, while intertwining messages of embracing differences and accepting uniqueness in oneself.
Twelve-year-old, Casander wakes every morning with no memory of his days before. He has no idea where he belongs and at times has outbursts of uncontrollable spasms in his limbs. After waking, again with no idea about what has happened in previous days, weeks or years, Casander finds himself outside Crane’s Curiosity shop, and in the rain. Invited in by the manager, he is momentarily relieved. However, everything suddenly changes, and his life is turned upside down, when he unexpectedly brings to life a taxidermied raven and then strangers try to grab him.
Rescued and whisked away by a girl he doesn’t know called Warrior, he is taken to the Wayward world for safety. Warrior believes Casander has the powers that she and all those around her need. As the potential ‘Foretold’, Casander must quickly learn his skills and prepare to defeat the evil powers of the Master of All.
Together, with new friends Warrior, Paws and Fenix, they work together through many challenges that arise within a year at a magical school. Casander must learn his new craft and magic with the aim to defeat the Master of All; to bring balance back to their world.
Staff has written an intriguing story; entwined with how one’s differences should be celebrated and embraced for the strengths that they are. Building in suspense, with twists and turns along the way, the audience is left eagerly reading on to find out more. For those lovers of fantasy, adventure and action, this novel is worth a read!
Questions & answers about growing up for boys and girls by Joanna Cole. Illus. by Bill Thomas
Farshore, 2023. ISBN: 9780008587871. (Age:9+)
Fifty years ago, in 1973, Peter Mayle and Arthur Robins collaborated on two books that provided answers (with illustrations) on many of the questions that children have about growing up, body changes and their own origins. And Where Did I Come From? and What's Happening to Me? were so revolutionary at the time that they are still in print, recognisable and readily available today because there is still a need for them.
Questions about puberty, sex, and transitioning into adulthood will always exist, and given the fuss made about a recently released book written for teens and the banning of so many similar titles in so many states in the USA, it is clearly a topic that many parents are still not comfortable discussing with their children. What we used to learn behind the shelter sheds in the school playgrounds is now available everywhere just by watching a movie, television or an internet search, although there is no guarantee that what is learned is accurate or healthy.
And so, no-nonsense, factual books such as this new one from experts in relationships and sex education remain a necessity in library collections so that our children can learn and know for themselves. While the average age for girls to start puberty is 11 and for boys it is 12, it's perfectly normal for puberty to begin at any point between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys and thus this book has a place on primary school shelves as well as this blog. Using a Q&A format it covers the usual areas of the changes that boys and girls will experience but also touches on issues such as gender identity and contraception, the explanations being factual and straight-forward so that not only are the questions shown to be common and normal but also the answers and actions. Children experiencing the changes and wondering what's happening do not need to feel alone, abnormal or even dirty, and thus, they can understand that they are just like everyone else about the same age, but they have the advantage of knowledge.
For those born in a time when babies came from the cabbage patch or were delivered by a stork, when homosexuality was a criminal offence with an attached jail term, and the only source of information was from behind those shelter sheds, the normalisation of the conversations these days may seem strange and hence the actions in those US states where teachers and school librarians can face criminal charges for sharing books like this (or even having them in the collection) but IMO, the more information our children can access the better and so this is an important addition to your 612.6 section.
