Fans of psychological thrillers are likely to find Seven sisters a taut, gripping story. Naomi is a young woman whose sister had been murdered and the man who committed the crime got away with it. When her grief counsellor, Mia, suggests that she might find a group helpful in overcoming her loss, she is at first sceptical but decides to give it a try. In the group she meets Gabrielle, Brooke, Katy, Olivia and Amy, other women who have also suffered disappointment at the hands of the justice system. Together with Mia, they concoct a plan of revenge, each helping to kill one of the men who have murdered their loved ones.
Kovacic manages to steer the reader through the story, giving insight into the seven main characters and the men they are hunting. It is tautly plotted and each method of murder is different and believable. The suspense builds as each woman grapples with a means to take revenge. I was gripped with fear that the crimes would be discovered by the police, while struggling with the ethical dilemma of whether it is right to take the law into your own hands.
With themes of domestic abuse and its impact on family members, failure of the judicial system, and whether taking an eye for an eye is ever justified, readers are left with a memorable story, ideal for fans of Patricia Highsmith and Candice Fox.
Softie is the only bear in the library who has not been borrowed. All the others have had adventures and tell their stories each night after being returned. Softie gets up each morning, and sits on her shelf, waiting to be borrowed, but nothing happens.
One day she is borrowed, her library card filled out and stamped and filed. But going off with her new friend, KB, is not as great an adventure as she expected. She ends up a little scared, very sweaty and covered in potatoes.
KB takes her into her bed and cuddles her to stop her tears. She tells Softie about all the things in her room and what they mean to her. She tells Softie that tomorrow they will take notice of all the things they do, so that Softie can tell a story like the others. They eat delicious toast and jam, see the biggest daisy, meet a friendly cat and sit in the warm sun and read together. They write down all the things they have done during the day and go to sleep exhausted. The next day Softie is returned to the library and Stuffie, Softie’s friend, is waiting to hear how she went. At the end of the day, she sits in front of all the other bears and tells them what she did. They cheer her at the end of her story. The next morning, she gets herself ready and waits on the shelf, ready to be borrowed for her next story.
This charming book about resilience and being positive will be loved, especially with the many teddy bears shown on each page. Poor Softie feels left out and when she is finally borrowed things are not as she wants them to be. She must take time to see how different everyone’s adventure is and write down the story that she shares with KB.
Kids who feel overlooked or left out, will gain a positive outlook following Softie’s story. She felt just as they do and overcomes this making new friends to write stories about. She ends up on the shelf, with a positive look on her face, ready for her next adventure.
Pages are covered with all sorts of teddy bears, prompting the readers to compare these with the ones they have at home. What an opportunity for a Teddy Bear’s picnic or bringing your favourite bear to school when listening to the story. The endpapers are a delight, and the handmade clothes and furniture will give the readers another layer of interest while the read. Cat Rabbit is a textile artist and more of her work can be seen here.
As the human world continues to encroach, raze and build on the natural environment of both native Australian plants and animals, it becomes a dangerous place for creatures to live and move about safely. This newly released book, Creature Corridors, carefully tells the story of what needs to be done in order to allow our animal life to continue to thrive and share their environment with the human population.
Written as a factual narrative, this debut picture book written by author Billie Rooney, is an interesting and informative book explaining the term ‘creature corridor’ in clear and accessible text. For younger readers it is an engaging introduction to the needs of the animals to move around to find food, to breed and seek shelter. There is information about the different types of wildlife corridors already established in the form of metal, concrete or rope bridges, tunnels, newly planted trees, free flowing rivers and the pulling down of fences to allow animals access to safe areas.
The detailed full page illustrations are both colourful and striking in their detail and add to the message of the story. The shared information in the final pages about Wildlife Corridors and the Corridors in the story are valuable for further background information and research. There is a simple glossary perfectly pitched at this age group. An excellent book about a topic that may be unfamiliar to many children and adults.
The Australian bush is a new wild world for 11 year-old Alex, newly arrived from London with her mother Hailey, come to live with her mother’s Aussie boyfriend Art. It’s a culture shock for them both, with the heat and humidity striking them as they get off the plane, but for Alex it is especially hard leaving her home with its memories of her beloved father, Papa, who was taken from her by a fatal asthma attack. Feelings of panic can threaten to overwhelm her.
They make a fragile blended multicultural family in Australia. Alex’s mother is Irish and her father was Hindu Indian. Alex inherits her father’s dark skin and hair. Meanwhile, Art’s former wife is a Mirning woman, and his son Koen takes after her. Koen’s twin sister lives in Perth with their mother. There is a barely suppressed antagonism between Art and the teenage Koen as the boy shows his resentment at the situation he is in.
Crampton-Larking is particularly good at depicting Alex’s loneliness as the new girl in school, unable to make friends and in fear of the bullies who target her. The bushland near her house becomes a refuge, and she discovers the peace and tranquillity of the natural surroundings. Her world is brightened as she meets other kids who also have hideaways in the scrub, and she learns about the significance of Country to First Nations people and issues of climate change and its impact on the environment.
The theme of climate change is explored in a careful way, with emphasis on caring for the country and acting together to make positive change. Alex feels a connection with the global youth movement, ‘the billions that will make a difference’.
There are a number of serious themes in the book, family conflicts, bullying, colonialism and Aboriginal displacement, bushfires and climate change, but the author manages to keep the tone up-beat and easy to read. The emphasis on family and caring, good friendships and positive attitudes means that it stays appropriate for the middle-grade readership it is aimed at. The manuscript was a joint winner of the State Library of Queensland’s black&write! Writing Fellowship competition in 2019, and it’s great to now see it published and available to young readers.
Football Superstars: Kerr rules by Simon Mugford. Illus. by Dan Green
Wellbeck, 2024. ISBN: 9781804536520. (Age:6-10)
In this simple book Sam Kerr’s career and its highlights are presented in a youthful style. With cartoon-like and fun illustrations the journey to greatness is presented in a way that is accessible for 6-10 year olds. Written outside of Australia (the author makes a slight faux pas in his description of AFL ball handling - a ‘handpat’), the book is just a collection of facts, highlights and stats that might interest a sport lover.
This book is a quick read. It would be good for Silent Reading time at school - not challenging and easily consumed in small nibbles of information. There are no hints or clues about how to develop as a player from Sam herself, so this is just for those interested in Sam’s playing career.
This is a poignant and gripping story, a book that I will not easily forget! It follows the painful and fear-filled steps of young mother, Ciara, as she extricates herself from her marriage and the coercive control of an emotionally and psychologically bruising husband. Despite being set in Ireland, this is a universal story. Separated from her own family who live in England, she is alone in trying to solve her circumstances and feels the weight of her decision every day. With her two young girls, pregnant and homeless, she must strike out on her own while negotiating the ongoing criticism from her ex-husband and the difficulties of homelessness or temporary accommodation. The love of her children and the possibility of a life without fear is all that she can hold onto as she attempts to move forward. With profound resilience in the face of constant insecurity, Ciara is both strong and vulnerable. Her future must first negotiate courts, legal orders, housing applications, financial hardship, and job applications while pregnant. All this while fielding the regular threats and manipulation directed to her by her ex-husband and his family. When there are no external bruises it is difficult to prove abuse, but Ciara must persevere to protect herself and her children. Understanding the dynamics of power expressed badly is so clearly unveiled in this heart-rending story. I was often brought to tears as I journeyed with Ciara through the pain of her early time as a single mother and the abuse that she had endured. That she had survived was a testament to her ability to see love for her children as a motivation to keep moving forward.
This is a very painful story, but it is echoed by many women around the world, and it is powerfully written. Some women who are abused also carry physical scars or die before receiving help, but this book demonstrates that psychological distress can create awful marriages. Toxic masculinity can even be expressed by ‘nice men’. This book is an adult story, its subject is harrowing and yet there are elements that are worth reading to create empathy for those who struggle with abusive partners. A mature teen 17+ could also learn from the warning signs that this story flags, but this is not a love story and the hope that is possible must take a very tortuous route. I could not put this book down, but it has left me with an aching heart for all those who suffer in their relationships with controlling partners.
Twins Pew and Basket Church dream of escaping the miserable misfortune of their isolated orphanage. Or, even better, the return of their unknown parents. But even in their wildest dreams, they never imagined the truth, that they come from a family that can travel through time.
And so begins the story of how Time Travelling Twins battle against an enemy who likes to change history to gain riches for himself.
The twins after growing up in a terrible orphanage that has ultimately prepared them for their destiny escape through a portal and discover they have landed in 1877 amid George Washington’s camp as he fights in the American Civil War. They meet many different historical figures, but they also meet two other time travellers, one who is like them and a protector of time the other a time traveller who is trying to change time to benefit himself and he wants to get rid of the twins so he can continue his nefarious plan.
This story is a cross between historical fiction and fantasy with a bit of Lemony Snicket to flavour the pot. It is a fabulous read and one that will appeal to readers of The Magic Treehouse, and I Survived series. The history portrayed isn’t entirely accurate, but the information is there and the reader if interested can do further research; this does not detract from the story and the reader doesn’t need to know about this period in history to enjoy the book. Unfortunately, the book ends on a cliffhanger and the next book isn’t due out until late in 2025 so it will be a long wait but as the story is so enjoyable a second read before the new book is released could be made.
I can see this being used in a classroom to talk about history and the ways that historian’s perspectives can change how we think about and remember the events of the past. It is also a good way to think about what would happen if one small event had happened and how this could have affected history. This is such a great book and one that will be a hit in any primary classroom.
Themes History, Family, Time travel, Fantasy, Good vs evil, Adventure.
Mhairi Alcorn
Little Love List by Summer Macon & Bethany May Clark
Bethany Clark, author of the hilarious You’ve Got Yoghurt In Your Nostrils, has written a charming book about the very special relationship that exists between a mother and child. With thoughtful words and glorious illustrations, this book will be one to be shared time and time again.
I love you when you’re muddy. I love you when you’re cross. I love you when you’re laughing. I love you when you’re the boss.
I love you when you’re brave. I love you when you’re done. I love you when you won’t wear pants. I love you when you’re fun.
The clever rhyme is bookended by a brief discussion about a list that begins in the mother’s pocket and is never ending. This long and lengthy list appears on each page and floats delightfully over the gorgeous illustrations of the mother and child. The use of repetition to encourage early word recognition and the sharing of feelings that small children may feel during the course of the day provides a ‘real world’ experience for young readers. The striking cover and dreamy endpapers add to the overall appeal.
A very special book for Valentine’s Day, a new baby or Mother’s Day.
Themes Babies, Mothers, Unconditional Love, Family Life.
Kathryn Beilby
Magic: The life of Earvin 'Magic' Johnson by Roland Lazenby
In 783 pages of intense detail this book interrogates the life and intensity of 'Magic' Johnson. From a family of hard-working and faith-inspired ordinary folk, (descendants of Southern slaves, now struggling to find their place in Lansing, Michigan) to the dizzy heights of the NBA in the Los Angeles Lakers Dreamtime team, we are given insights into the extraordinary life of Earvin Johnson II. This is a book for devotees of basketball and the NBA, filled with the genetically blessed and fanatically trained goliaths of the sport; this book details many astonishing aspects of the life of one of the stars of the game. Despite its length and my lack of basketball skill (one season as a poorly skilled adult player will never make me a devotee), I found the intricate detail of this book strangely mesmerising. Magic Johnson’s incredible drive to succeed was profoundly compelling. The world of the highly successful sports star is so far removed from most realities that this too is like peeking into a forbidden world that ordinary people enable but can never really understand. Johnson’s personal proclivities are a sad statement about the dangers of the ‘life of the rich and famous’, but it is the sheer joy of basketball played with passion and excellence that is the overriding highlight of the book.
The sheer length of this book means that few will persevere to journey through the 60+ years of a ‘magical’ life. As a reviewer I was often daunted by the intricacy and dense complexity of the facts and opinions of the many contributors to this work as they recount their experiences rubbing shoulders with Magic Johnson on court, in championship encounters and in his life in general. But someone who ‘lives and breathes’ basketball may well find this book an experience to remember, but will have to devote many hours/days/weeks to the endeavour. The sadness of HIV does impact the basketball journey but obviously has not limited a life in the same way that it impacted his career, but it should be noted that younger readers may be confronted by Magic’s choices. Consequently, because this is a weighty tome, this can be recommended to the stoic and passionate basketball tragic only. They will need to have reading stamina to persist (and muscles to carry the book too). For readers aged 16+.
Themes Basketball, NBA, LA Lakers Basketball team, Hopes and dreams, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, Afro-Americans - 20th and 21st Century, HIV/AIDS, Biography.
Carolyn Hull
Hooray! It's our first day by Martha Mumford. Illus. by Cherie Zamazing
Bloomsbury, 2024. ISBN: 9781526660435.
It's the first day of school and the bunnies are rushing around getting themselves ready.
We're going to a new school. Come and join the fun!
But first, there are things to find and friends to say hello to on their way and they need the help of our youngest readers to find them.
As with its predecessors, this is another charming book in this series that allows our youngest readers to not only engage with familiar characters doing familiar things, but encourages them to interact with the text through repetitive phrases and predictable rhyme and the illustrations as they lift-the-flaps to help the bunnies find their things.
And even though the bunnies' new school might be a little different from that to which they are going, nevertheless the fun and excitement are the same and catching!
A peek inside...
Themes Rabbits, First day of school.
Barbara Braxton
A feather so black by Lyra Selene
Hachette, 2024. ISBN: 9780356522364. (Age:Adult)
When the wicked Fair Folk waged war on the humans of Fodla they stole away twelve girls and left a changeling in the place of one, the princess Eala. Eventually the high queen bestows her love on the changeling girl, Fia, and calls her daughter, but her purpose in life is to retrieve the stolen princess, the true daughter, from the fairy world where she is imprisoned. Fia is a thing of wild forests, twining vines, thistles and brambles, a mix of human and fae folk. She trains hard as a fighter, but has yet to test the potential of her untried magical powers.
Selene’s novel seems to have a kind of medieval setting and is full of bewitching descriptions of wild plants and forest growths. The language is frequently interspersed with Gaelic words, all conjuring a world of magic and mythology. The story is reminiscent of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, Swan Lake, and other fairy tales. Although it fits the basic structure of a quest, it also has themes of discovering one’s identity, self-empowerment and acceptance. For all her life, Fia has been called many things: Changeling, A stor (my treasure), Little witch, Colleen (girl) or Chiardhubh (dark-haired), it is only when someone finally calls for her as Fia that she feels truly known.
The novel starts well, setting the scene. Fia’s heart is torn, as she desperately loves Rogan, her companion on the quest, and the intended husband for Eala. There is much banter between them with innuendos that perhaps he desires her too. But in a twist as they enter the fairy world Fia finds herself drawn to the dark-hearted lord Irian, holder of the Sky Sword that could free them all.
I found it quite jarring how the object of Fia’s love/lust switches so quickly between Rogan and Irian. And I found myself suspecting that the sizzling sex scenes are the real focus of the story and the rest is pretty decoration without a lot to sustain the middle chapters of the book. In the end it reads like soft porn. I think it is what’s been termed ‘romantasy’ and is written for lovers of that genre.
Kingfisher, the author of the Hugo Award winning Nettle and Bone, and other award nominated books like Wizard's guide to defensive baking and The Twisted ones has written a complex and unique take on the Goose Girl by the Brothers Grimm. Cordelia is a 14-year-old girl whose mother, Evangeline, is unusual. There are no doors in her house and as a punishment she is forced to be still and silent for hours on end. The only time Cordelia finds peace is when she is riding Falada, her mother’s white horse, to whom she confides all her feelings and secrets. Then one day her mother packs up their belongings and together they ride away from their home, following a suspicious murder in the nearby village. They finally arrive at the Squire’s house, a kind man that Cordelia’s mother is determined to marry. But Evangeline does not consider the fierce intelligence and determination of Hester, the Squire’s sister. Will Hester be able to combat the sorceress’ wicked magic? And what will happen to Cordelia, an unwilling victim of her mother’s evil?
It is Kingfisher’s melding of two disparate women that makes this a memorable story. Cordelia’s plight is described vividly in the first part of the book, leaving the reader to imagine that she may be able to stop her evil mother. But it is Hester, crippled with arthritis, who must work out ways of outwitting her and help Cordelia who sits terrified under her mother’s spell. With the help of a family friend Penelope, and her suitor Richard, Hester hosts a party hoping that she can expose Evangeline before it is too late. Danger follows, with the suspense building up to thrilling climax.
A sorceress comes to call is a compulsive read with overtones of a Regency style novel, coupled with engaging characters, witty repartee and a group of geese. It is likely to appeal to readers who enjoy unique retellings of fairy tales, and when they finish it, they might like to pick up The seventh bride, a retelling of Bluebeard and Thornhedge, a retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
Themes Witches, Magic, Mothers, Fairy tale retelling.
Pat Pledger
Howzat Pat: Mission wildlife rescue by Pat Cummins and Dave Hartley. Illus. by Serena Geddes
HarperCollins, 2024. ISBN: 9781460764695. (Age:8+ (but perfect for any independent reader)) Highly recommended.
In the second book of the latest Pat Cummings series, Pat and his mates discover an area of pristine bushland that has been bulldozed. This is particularly upsetting for Beth as this is an area that holds cultural significance to her family and the local Indigenous community. The three friends work together trying to stop the destruction of both the now bulldozed area and the area surrounding it but life gets in the way and when an accident sidelines one of them they need to engage their teammates to ensure that the animals and the trees are protected.
After some investigation, which reveals the mayor’s involvement, the trio plan a daring wildlife rescue!
Mission Wildlife Rescue is written in the same way as the first book in the series, making it a great read. The story is so engaging that it really is one that readers will want to read in one go. The easy-to-follow text, brilliant illustrations and the reflection of an Australian childhood all combine to make this a series that will be immensely popular with young readers.
Pat and his friends are relatable and written realistically, they all have their faults, but these are worked through and make each character more likeable. The series is one that is going to be popular with all readers as there is something for everyone, from the sporty to the environmentally conscious as it is a great read for all ages. Teachers and parents will enjoy reading this to their children and children will enjoy reading it independently and talking about it with their friends. The environmental links in this book make is one that should be on every shelf.
I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.
Allen & Unwin, 2024. ISBN: 9781761470349. (Age:Adult) Recommended.
Louise Milligan is an award-winning writer and journalist who has brought her expertise and writing skills to produce a searing novel tracing what happens to a young woman who humiliates the wrong man, The Guy, on a girls’ night out. Kate Delaney is that woman, finding herself living a nightmare, grabbed by The Guy, brutalised, bound and gagged and hauled into the boot of his car. She has no idea of what will happen to her and tries to keep herself sane by imagining the good times especially with her boyfriend Liam. Meanwhile, the police initially concentrate on Liam as an obvious suspect and it is up to him and Kate’s close friend to try and follow the clues along the Hume Highway in a desperate attempt to rescue Kate.
Milligan’s cleverly crafted story makes it easy to imagine Kate’s terror; as a journalist she has in-depth knowledge of what happens to missing women. Milligan also vividly describes the fears that Liam and close friends and family have for Kate and the background story of the trauma that police go through when they cannot locate missing persons or find suicide victims gives depth to the story.
I found Pheasants Nest difficult to read because of the dark reality of the violence that women face. However, I was forced to return to it after several breaks to find out Kate’s fate. It is a memorable, suspenseful book. The publisher has provided a set of reading notes that give a focus for in-depth discussion.
Themes Journalists, Kidnapping, Missing persons, Violence against women, Police.
I picked up The Crimson Moth (also published as Heartless Hunter) as it was a nominee for the Goodreads Choice Award Readers of Young Adult Fantasy (2024) and found myself quickly immersed in the story of Rune and Gideon. Rune is the Crimson Moth, a young witch posing as a mindless socialite, because witches are purged after a devastating revolution. Gideon is a witch hunter, dedicated to eradicating all witches and their supporters, and is determined to find the Crimson Moth, who repeatedly releases witches that he has captured. When Seraphine, a witch that Rune’s grandmother told her to find, is captured, Rune sets out on a dangerous path, targeting Gideon as the most likely person toknow where she is imprisoned. Meanwhile Gideon suspects that Rune is the Crimson Moth and decides to court her. Sparks fly!
Ciccarelli combines thrilling suspense with an enemies to lovers romance. Ably supported by Alex, Gideon’s music loving brother, Rune and her best friend Verity search for ways to find and release imprisoned witches, aware all the time that they could be caught and purged. Readers will be forced to continue reading long into the night to find out whether Rune can escape the traps that Gideon sets for the Crimson Moth, while battling her growing feelings for him. Meanwhile Alex her best friend, begins to show that he is in love with her and she is uncertain about her relations with the two brothers.
The Crimson Moth will tick a lot of boxes for young adult readers. There is magic and suspense, blood and violence, a love triangle and a shocking twist and cliff-hanger at its conclusion. They are likely to wait impatiently for Rebel Witch, the next in the duology. Meanwhile, Defy the night by Brigid Kemmerer, and Mask of mirrors by M.A. Carrick would satisfy readers who enjoy fantasy with heroic young women fighting injustice.
Trigger warning: There is one spicy romantic encounter.
