British geneticist, author and broadcaster Adam Rutherford is perhaps more well known for his adult books and conversations relating to all things scientific especially in his area of expertise, genetics. His latest book, Where Are You Really From? is his first written for a younger audience and aims to introduce them to an understanding of the story of evolution and their place in the world.
The bright yellow front cover with a bold heading in the shape of a hierarchal organisation chart will certainly enable it to stand out on a library shelf. The book begins with a contents page showing ten chapters beginning with Chapter one ‘A long time ago…’ and ending with Chapter 10 ‘Myth Busting”. There is also a Final Word and detailed Glossary at the end.
Before becoming fully immersed in the book, the entertaining introduction ‘Who do you really think you are?’ will excite the reader by letting them know that they are indeed descended from royalty and that this book will take them back through many many years of human history. The author promises to highlight discoveries along the way and perhaps most importantly discover that all humans are connected no matter where they live, the language they speak or the colour they are. The three contributors to the book, Adam R, Emma and Adam K are also introduced and talk about their own backgrounds. It paints a very diverse picture and shows that all people are unique with their own story to tell.
There is so much information to digest in this book and includes topics such as the Big Bang theory, DNA, evolution, ancestors, dinosaurs, royalty, classification, race, prejudice and migration. Where Are You Really From? is not a short read but the text is accessible and cleverly spaced out with graphic style images as well as some facts presented in a graphic novel-style format. There is humour used throughout - even a reference or two to Taylor Swift! For those children who ask probing questions about evolution, genetics and race, this is a wonderful introduction to a very complex topic.
An entertaining trailer is available from the author Adam Rutherford.
In numerous on-line reviews Underwood has copped flak for admitting that she had not read the whole of The Odyssey before writing Lies, but this can probably be forgiven if you accept that the story is only loosely inspired by The Odyssey, rather than expecting a retelling.
17 year-old oracle Leto is one of the 12 girls of Ithaca who each year are sacrificed to Poseidon by the young prince Mathias. However, after being hanged, she washes up on the shore of Pandou, and is restored to life by the immortal Melantho. Together they decide to return to Ithaca and plot to kill Mathias in an attempt to break Posiedon’s curse and prevent any more hangings.
With chapters alternating between the three main characters’ points of view, Leto, Melantho and Mathias, we follow the women’s efforts, and also see a variety of complicated relationships develop between the three.
Not for the fainthearted, the plot involves numerous knifings, hangings, and drownings, as well as sex, both consensual lesbian and heterosexual, and rape. Unfortunately, it also contains a number of annoying anachronisms, and I felt that some of the important plot points were rather contrived and too conveniently resolved. The pace of this book is a little uneven and at times quite burdened by the characters’ speech and thoughts being recorded in detail, so you really need to be invested in their outcomes, to read through nearly 500 pages of their every move.
However, the development of the relationships between the three was interesting as they balanced their responsibilities to family, countrymen and the Gods, with blossoming romance, jealousy, remorse and fear.
Adventure, with myth, magic, and a teenage love-triangle, the book explores love and loss, as the young characters make decisions that test their morals and sense of duty, in an attempt to outwit the Gods and their predetermined fates.
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781760879839. (Age:Adult)
The staff of St Margaret's Primary School are hanging by a thread. There's serious litigation pending, the school is due for registration, and a powerful parent named Janet Bellevue has a lot to say about everything. As teachers they're trying to remain professional, as people they're unravelling fast.
There's Tyson, first year out of uni and nervous as hell, Derek the Assistant Principal who's dropped the ball on administration, Bev from the office who's confronting a serious diagnosis, and Sally-Ann who's desperate for a child of her own.
Thank goodness for kids like Lionel Merrick. Lionel is the student who steals your heart and makes the whole teaching gig worthwhile: he's cheerful, likeable, helpful - and devoted to his little sister Lacey. But Lionel has a secret of his own. As his future slides from vulnerable to dangerous, will someone from St Margaret's realise before it's too late?
Trent Dalton's quote on the bottom of the front cover reads, "Lionel Merrick stumbled into my heart like a kid late for class, then the whole book swept in after him . gut-wrenching and important.' And that encapsulates this story from the author of the ground-breaking Teacher, perfectly.
As teachers we have all been or met Tyson, Derek, Sally Ann, Bev and Nova and we certainly know Janet Bellevue and Eric Templeton. And, sadly, we also know Lionel and Lacey and Rupert and so many others just like them, and even more with their own stories to tell and challenges to face. They're why we work such long hours, put in the effort, don't walk away when the Janets and the Sampsons try us to the limit - because they're the things that matter most.
This is a must-read for all teachers because even though it will echo their own day-to-day lives, it will reassure them that they are not alone, they are not invisible, that their issues are shared, and that Lionel and Lacey and Rupert, even Abigail are worth it.
This is a must-read for all parents whose only experience of school is their own so many years ago when things were vastly different so they can get some insight into a life that is not limited to 9-3; that teachers are entitled to a life and living that does not revolve around their child; and debunks the myth that teachers are "underworked, overpaid and have too many holidays". If that's the case, why are they not enrolling in uni to become one?
And it is also a must-read for all those who worship the god of Administrivia and who believe that a pile of paperwork is the pathway to heaven. Because when it comes down to it, what are the things that really matter most?
Barbara Braxton
One Hungry Dragon by Alastair Chisholm and Alex Willmore
Hachette, 2023. ISBN: 9781444966602.
Deep in a dark and gloomy forest, a creature stomps through the trees. "I am Bernardo, "he roars, " and I am ONE HUNGRY DRAGON!"
So look out anything that crosses his path including two silly sheep, three hearty heroes, four proper princesses, and a host of other characters straight out of the fairytales of the young readers this is designed for. But is it the end of the world for all those he swallows or is there a twist in the tale? Maybe even more than one twist?
Despite Bernardo's antics, this is a laugh-out-loud book rather than a scary one as both the illustrations and the climax will just delight little ones as they join in the fun, roaring with Bernardo, counting forward and back and learning about the delights of the picture book format.
If the popularity of any of my storybook cushions featuring dragons is anything to go by, the attraction of dragons in stories remains unabated and this is the perfect addition to the collection.
One look at the eerie cover of an orange figure against a black background warns readers that they are in for a thrilling ride. Ife Adebola has won a scholarship in the Urban Achievers program and is finding life at the exclusive Nithercott School very different to her state school. Soon after her arrival at the school, she hears about Lucas, a boy who has disappeared, and encounters his brother Ben, who believes that he would never run away and is determined to find him. Meanwhile rumours about The changing man permeate the school. Has The changing man taken Lucas?
Ife does not want to be pulled into the politics and gossip that circulates throughout the school. Even though her classmate Bijal wants to be friends, she is still caught up with friends from her previous life. When Malika, a girl who was helping her creep out at night to meet her friend from her old school, turns up at school a changed person, she realises that something strange is going on. Is there some truth in the urban legend about The changing man? Why did she see a strange figure and smell a peculiar odour? She joins with Ben and Bijal to investigate what is going on and they follow a series of weird clues while seeking out the truth.
The changing man is a unique take on the trope of scholarship girl trying to fit into an elite school. Ife tries to cover up her feisty nature at the start but it comes to the fore as she suspects what is going on. The supernatural elements about the disappearance of some students and the changed nature of others blend in with the boarding school world and the hair-raising events that the trio face as they face immense danger will have readers holding their breath.
I will look out for more books by Tomi Oyemakinde.
When George the puppy is introduced to Tao the kitten, the two of them "look at each other and wag their tails," and it is not long before they are best friends. playing and together all day long. But when George chases him up the curtain in the living room, and Tao falls, George is bereft. While the kitten is scooped up and taken to the vet, George has no idea where his friend is. He searches in all the usual spots but Tao is nowhere, and so he sits at the door and waits and waits, and waits...
This is a tiny book just made for little hands and being shared with a little one, that focuses on friendship and fun and what happens when things get out of hand - as they often do when little ones play together. The text is simple, but the watercolour artwork carries so much making George's loss when Tai disappears, palpable.
The second in the series following Defy the night continues the story of Tessa and Corrick and their quest to find enough Moonflower petals to cure the kingdom of Kandala from the dreaded fever that has been sweeping the land. When Captain Rian Blakemore an emissary from the neighbouring kingdom of Ostriary takes them onboard his ship to seek an agreement with their king about selling steel in return for Moonflower petals, the pair face unknown danger, while trying to sort out their relationship. Meanwhile back in the kingdom of Kandala, rebellion and treachery is rife and King Harriston must try to bring his people together. Who are the traitors planning to overthrow the King and what is Rian Blakemore hiding on board his ship?
For much of the story, Defend the dawn concentrates on Tessa and Corrick’s relationship told in dual voices. Tess is torn by conflicting feelings about Wes the man who crept through the night delivering medicine with her and the cruel things that Prince Corrick, the King’s Justice, had done to the rebels. This slowed the story down, but the introduction of an unnamed rebel added some suspense while readers will enjoy finding out more of King Harriston and his beliefs.
Lots of action aboard the ship and on land in the last third of the book made for a riveting read and the cliff-hangers at its conclusion will ensure that the next in the series is picked up as soon as it is published.
Outstanding! sydney khoo’s riveting story of a young teenager hiding her true spider self is an original and innovative foray into YA fiction and manages to explore teenage issues of body image, self esteem and gender identity without ever using any of those words. The central character Zhii has to plaster across the six eyes on her forehead, and keep her six other legs tucked inside her body, so as to appear normal to her schoolmates. She lives in dread of being accidentally exposed, and the fear and revulsion that she would invoke if anyone should discover what she really is. She has been taught by her Aunt Mei, her only relation, to “Be small. Be quiet. Be invisible.”
The novel comes with a content warning about assault, violence and gore. But it is the violence of a comic strip story of demons and monsters: the spider devouring its victim, and the beheading of an evil thug. That is not to say it is light reading, it is certainly intense and exciting, but the fantasy element allows some distancing from the events. The themes are most definitely serious, and relate to body dysphoria, psychosis, and suicidal ideation. However the way they are portrayed allows the reader to empathise and learn about those issues on a level that is easier to manage, and at the same time readily absorb khoo’s messages about courage, self acceptance, and tolerance.
Zhi’s relationship with her adoptive parent, Aunt Mei, a ‘tiger mum’, sheds light on the conflict experienced by children of migrant families that hold to different standards to the community in which they find themselves. In this aspect khoo’s book shares themes with writers such as Rebecca Lim Tiger daughter (2013) and Alice Pung One hundred days (2021). Zhi has the added burden of living up to her aunt’s expectations, on top of her personal 'monster' problems.
The central characters of Zhi, the spider demon, and her new friend Dior, the girl who seems to have everything but has secret problems of her own, are absolutely fascinating, and I know that readers will be longing for more stories about the two of them. It’s not a story that immediately suggests a sequel but if khoo comes up with another novel in this vein I am sure it will be a winner.
Themes Identity, Body image, Self esteem, Mental health, Tolerance, Diversity.
Helen Eddy
In my dreams by Chelsea Schar-Grant. Illus. by Aaron Pocock
Little Steps, 2023. ISBN: 9781922678409. (Age:5-8)
This is a charming picture book written by seventeen-year-old Adelaide author Chelsea Schar-Grant. Written during a school English lesson, In my dreams is an exploration of the open future from the point of view of a young child. There are endless possibilities and paths full of wonder. 'In my dreams I float away with the wind over the mossy green mountains...In my dreams I am a movie star. Lights! Camera! Action!... In my dreams I am an army pilot. I wear my badges and medals on my army coat. The plane that I fly is small, silver and speedy. ZOOM...into the sky! Going left! Going right! Straight on!'. Schar-Grant's language is lyrical and floaty and the illustrations make use of anthropomorphic animals and lots of dark and light contrasts, perhaps symbolising the darkness of night dreaming and the lightness of hope. This is a lovely book that will be thoroughly enjoyed and spark conversations with children about their own dreams, both during the night and for their future. It's also a peaceful book, perfect for bedtime.
Themes Dreams, Future, Imagination, Jobs/Careers.
Nicole Nelson
A hunger of thorns by Lili Wilkinson
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781760526948. (Age:13+) Highly recommended.
Lovers of fantasy will welcome this original story with forbidden magic and strange plant life, set in a dark dystopian world. Maude and Odette were the best of friends when they were young. They ran wild together with Maud, the daughter of witches, making up wonderful stories of girls who saved princes and killed dragons. But Maude lost her magic and Odette was no longer interested in being her friend. She is more interested in the ordinary magic that is allowed by the government – glamours to make you look perfect and psychic drinks to give you energy. The strong magic that Maude’s grandmother and mother wielded is forbidden and Maude’s grandmother makes sure that she does not stray along the sorcerous path that led to her mother’s death. Then Odette disappears and everyone believes she is dead. Maude is determined to find her and goes to their childhood haunt, Sicklehurst, an abandoned power plant built over an ancient forest. There she relives the stories that she and Odette have played out, trying to find her lost friend.
Wilkinson has created a unique world, where the reader must navigate between what is real and what is imaginary. Maud’s adventures in the world around Sicklehurst are frightening, with strange stick people, treacherous waters and grasping plants all posing danger as she tries to find Odette. What is inside Sicklehurst? Who is the strange prince? How can she reconcile her stories and her quest for her missing friend?
What makes this a standout fantasy is the author’s original worldbuilding and lyrical prose. The plants described are fantastic and scary, and the combination of a normal world, with Maud dealing with school, and forbidden magic is managed so well that I was carried along with Maud’s storytelling.
A hunger of thorns is sure to appeal to readers who want a unique world with ‘a lost girl in an enchanted trope.’ It is highly recommended for school and public libraries. Teacher notes are available.
This is another one for fans of Emery Lord’s books dealing with emotional issues such as suicide, grief and loss. In this latest novel, the central character Hannah is trying to come to grips with the death of her cousin and closest friend, Sophie, from a drug overdose. Hannah had no idea that Sophie was even taking pills, and is determined to find out who supplied the fatal dose. Slowly she comes to realise that while the two of them were inseparable, there were aspects of Sophie’s life she didn’t know about.
The story becomes like a detective novel with Hannah and another of Sophie’s friends, Gabi, piecing together the clues of who was last with Sophie on the night of her death, and who could possibly be a drug dealer. It is told in two time frames, Junior year leading up to the death, and Senior year where Hannah, disguised and hiding her true identity, enrols in Sophie’s school, and secretly investigates. There is also a romance, an enemies to lovers trope, where Hannah has to overcome her innate competitiveness to better appreciate the contribution of others.
Lord presents a convincing portrayal of the shock and denial that follows the death of a loved one, and the different ways that people try to cope. Hannah’s quest for vengeance becomes a gradual understanding of the complexities of drug addiction and the need for compassion. It is a worthy read, though the format of the two timelines can be confusing, and Hannah is not always the most likeable character. The values are positive and it is good to read a novel showing parents who, though divorced, are understanding and supportive.
Themes Drug abuse, Addiction, Grief, Detective story.
Helen Eddy
Ginger's big day out: A colouring book
Pan Macmillan, 2023. ISBN: 9781761262302. (Age:2+)
64 pages of showing many of the different Vegesaurs will excite younger readers as they get out their pencils to colour them in.
Children will love recognising each animal/vegetable and enjoy colouring them in using the colours they see on their TV screens as well as in some of the books in their libraries.
Most of the pictures are of Ginger and the baby Pea-Rexes: Minty, Split and Wasabi, while many other Vegesaurs make their appearance in Vegesaur Valley. Kids love sounding out the names of these animals, noting the similarities with other dinosaur names which they readily embrace. A greater recognition of the vegetable too will help with aiming for eating five vegetables a day.
Themes Vegesaurs, Colouring in book, Pre history, Dinosaurs, Vegetables.
Eleanor Jones is not a murderer is an absolute must read for fans of mysteries by authors like Karen McManus, Ellie Marney and Holly Jackson. The title is sure to catch the reader’s attention, and once the book is started it is very difficult to put it down. Eleanor Jones is an engaging young woman. She has been to nine high schools in less than five years, learning to stay on the edge of things, observing the students who are cool, the nerds and those who are isolated. The first person she speaks to at Cooinda Secondary College is Angus Marshall, who is stabbed and left for dead. The police are interested in her because she is the last person that he texted. Rumours race around the school that she is a murderer and she decides to investigate. When she becomes involved with Troy, the son of the local mayor, his sidekick, Alfie and brainy Namita, the group start to follow clues to who attacked Angus.
One of the highlights of the book was the friendships that Eleanor made with her little group. She has always been wary of making friends, knowing that her mother will want to move on sooner rather than later, and it was a new experience for her to have people who were on her side. Each brought a unique skill to the investigation and as events became more dangerous, they looked after each other.
Eleanor’s snarky observations about peer groups in high school and her reliance on making a judgement about people depending on their reactions to different books give an insight into her feelings and character. Her relationship with her single mum is also great, and she is tolerant enough to give bad boy Ethan a chance to prove himself.
The story is well paced with enough tension to keep the reader absorbed in this thrilling YA mystery. I can’t wait for more books by Amy Doak.
Themes Mystery, Crime, Friendship.
Pat Pledger
I spy treasure by Vikki Marmaras and Binny Talib
New Frontier, 2023. ISBN: 9781915167361. (Age:4+) Highly recommended.
A wonderful book introducing pirates and treasure will enthuse younger children as they read about the rollicking adventure, and scan the detailed illustrations. Captain Snarkle Tooth arrives at Shimmertown again, convinced that there is treasure to be had. Billy watches the captain as he forages for any shiny things, the shimmering glass and shiny plastic that he finds on the beach.
Billy is puzzled and uses his binoculars to see what Captain Snarkle Tooth does with his collection. He sees a lamp made from bottles, a drum kit made from old large drums and saucepans and bottles, a sparkly chair made frrm forks and a flat iron griddle, a solar papered exercise bike, all made from the rubbish the captain has collected from their bay. Billy is enthused to try this out for himself and collects some of the captain’s left overs. He and his friends make a variety of things from the recycled rubbish: a walk talkie, a telescope, and a rocket ship. Soon the whole town has joined in making wind chimes, and flowerpots, bird feeders and candle holders. They are so busy they do not see that Captain Snarkle Tooth has returned. They brace themselves for his disapproval and are surprised when he congratulates them on reusing the shiny things in the bay to make treasure.
Kids will love to learn about how to recycle the many things our society discards and pore over the illustrations to see what can be made from rubbish.
No reader could avoid the lesson learnt by Shimmertown and cleaning up the bay becomes something they all achieve together.
This books offers a wonderful introduction to the theme of recycling as they see the difference between the old messy bay and the new. Author and illustrator make it clear just what can be made from recycled material, and children will be able to stretch their imaginations to add further ideas. Teacher notes are available.
Allen & Unwin, 2023. ISBN: 9781761180057. (Age:8-11) Recommended.
Flax is a minch-wiggin (a fairy-ish creature from Hallow) who has a secret, and a small satchel of magic. She travels with an enormous pup (he is a Spellhound - but that is supposed to be a secret) and they are on a quest to rescue Hallow from dragons and witches. They form a friendship with Felicia (who chooses an alias and more appealing name - Rose); she also hides a secret and is trying to escape her onerous position as Queen, and her Aunt Delilah, the somewhat forbidding Regent of the realm. Together, the unlikely friends wield magic to rescue and release relatives and to restore the land and the magical country from the scourge of oppression.
This is a whimsical tale of magical possibilities, secrets revealed, and humble but determined characters, but it also a tale that recognises the power of the young. Initially the book flits and rests in a somewhat haphazard manner, so young readers will need to have a little staying power (like Flax herself) in order to connect to the unusual setting and plot and character permutations. The chapters are very short initially, but after a while the magical world starts to coalesce and make sense. There are some delightful moments when the narrator (who will remain nameless as they are a secret, somewhat omniscient recorder of the details of the quest) enters into a dialogue with the reader, keeping secrets (badly) and toying with a reader’s expectations. This adds moments of refreshing humour amongst the tension. Although this is a dramatic quest, with fearful moments for the characters, young readers will not share their fear. The narrator seems to be able to lighten the burden. This is a book for fantasy lovers aged 8-11.
