Text Publishing, 2021. ISBN: 9781922458117. (Age:Adult - Senior Secondary) Recommended.
Jinks has written a taut thriller with a plot unlike any I have read before. Written in two time-lines, 2009 and 2019, the author takes the reader on a suspenseful trip into the past and the present as Robyn Ayres, a caretaker on Finch Island, recognises a boy from her former life as a teacher. A group of vets run a tough-love program for disturbed teens at the camp and a boy named Darren catches her eye. She spots him as the child, named Aaron, who was at the centre of a vicious custody case when she was his teacher. Things did not go well for her at the school, mainly because of Aaron’s vindictive grandmother, and Robyn is left wondering why his name has been changed and what will the consequences be for her if he recognises her.
Jinks builds up the tension as the narrative switches from 2009 to 2019. In the 2009 classroom the child throws tantrums and is uncontrollable. Robyn finds herself caught between Aaron’s inept mother and his terrifying grandmother. I found myself holding my breath wondering what was going to happen to both Robyn and Aaron. Meanwhile on Finch Island, which was once a leper colony, Robyn faces nasty pranks and the danger surrounding her builds to a crescendo at the final assembly. Is it the boy now called Darren who is threatening her and will she get safely out of the mess that seems to be her life?
There will be triggers for teachers reading this – difficult children in both the classroom and on camp – but it is a story that can’t be put down. An interesting article about cross-genre writing by Jinks can be found here. Readers who were gripped by The attack may want to read her other recent books for older readers, Shepherd and Shelter.
Spirit of the Earth Books, 2020. ISBN: 9780648905707. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
Melody Klomp, from drought-stricken Charleville in Queensland, regularly visits her Nanna Bell on the Coorong in South Australia. Nanna Bell is passionate about the wildlife in the Coorong region and knows that the plants and animals, as well as her ecological boating tours, are suffering from the effects of drought further along the Murray Darling Basin River system. On returning home to Charleville Melody finds herself transformed into the body of a Diamond Firetail Finch and she learns from the secret frog network that the big rains are coming. Melody knows she must travel south along the river system to tell Nanna Bell that the rains are on their way and not to sell her beloved boat, The Isabella. Melody’s journey is one of great risk, fear and wonder. She finds friends amongst the bird and wildlife population especially a Rainbow Bee-eater named Ramon who supports her through some very difficult challenges. She encounters danger from a cane toad, a white goshawk, a human intent on wiping out the seal colony and taking over Nanna Bell’s boat as well as a nasty giant osprey named Silverclaw who is cruel to all animals. At the end of her journey Melody discovers an amazing secret about Nanna Bell and with her help and help from the birdlife, the Coorong seals are saved.
This book is an exciting adventure which middle primary children will enjoy. Along Melody’s journey there are so many interesting facts to learn both about the wildlife, ecosystems and the environment. This wonderful story reinforces how we must interact thoughtfully with our natural surroundings so animals and humans can live together harmoniously. It would make a great class novel. Information about the authors and the book can be found here.
Themes Australia, Drought, Sustainability, Australian Wildlife, Family, Danger, Excitement.
Power Up by Charles Hope is an excellent non-fiction resource for middle-upper primary/lower secondary students and their teachers researching and discussing the topic of Power. The contents page clearly lists each topic covered and includes headings such as: Primary & Secondary sources, Renewable & non-renewable power, Fossils fuels, Wind, Solar, Biomass and many others. Each topic has either a single or double page spread of clearly written text presented in paragraphs surrounded by white space and containing easy to comprehend facts. There are large photographs throughout as well as labelled diagrams, timelines and images. At the end of the book there is a glossary and index. The relevant chapter on climate change will be of interest to today’s environmentally aware students and the inclusion of the large diagram provides a visual explanation. The author has included a snapshot of the Industrial Revolution and how it changed the way people lived. The future of power is a particularly engaging chapter looking at developing energy sources both on a small and large scale.
This book is a worthwhile and valuable resource for a school or public library.
David Atherton, winner of The Great British Bake Off 2019, has written his second cook book for children, My First Green Cook Book. It follows his first book, My First Cook Book: Bake, Make and Learn to Cook which has inspired a generation of young cooks. This newest book focuses purely on simple, easy to cook vegetarian recipes and will be an asset to those families who follow this style of eating. The Contents pages contain many recipes set out under the headings of ‘Yummy Meals’, ‘Savoury Snacks’, ‘Sweet Treats’ and ‘Showstoppers’. Each recipe is set out on a single or double page spread and features a list of ingredients, an introduction to the dish with the method clearly set out on a step-by-step table with large colourful graphic style illustrations. Recipes include the Curry Korma Bowl, Spooky Carrot Soup, Cauli Hot Wings, Cheesy Nutty Gnudi and Apple Rock Cakes. The final pages of Showstoppers include four recipes for each of the seasons: Spring Butterfly Cupcakes, Summer Sandcastle Cake, Autumn Woodland Cake and Winter Reindeer Puds. This book is not just purely for children or vegetarians, it would suit cooks of all ages who love to follow new recipes in a very easy format.
Another fabulous resource for home, school or public library or a perfect book to gift an aspiring young cook.
A beautiful story about passing on knowledge and memories to the next generation, Leaves shows an older tree and a sapling, walking hand in hand as one helps the other learn the lessons she needs to know to survive.
Relationships between generations takes centre stage in this mesmerising picture book, luminous with outstanding images of trees and leaves, rippling with the memories that each holds, reinforcing the relationships between older and younger in all communities and the memories we hold dear.
The sapling is sheltered and nurtured by the older tree in their journeys through life, one getting near the end the other just beginning.
The older tree teaches the younger one how to bend with the wind, to deflect the sun on its boroughs, to weather the storms, each a lesson in life skills that are pertinent to us all.
He teachers her about love and companionship, memories and life’s journey, and when his leaves begin to fade, it is up to the younger sapling to take over the role of her mentor, to face the world by herself but with a great store of knowledge, to teach others in her turn.
Younger children will love the images of the two trees walking through life, hand in hand, learning as they go, each helping the other with major lessons in life. The sweep of illustrations cover each page with outstanding colour and movement. Readers will love spotting the seasons, the different aspects fo he weather, the leaves leaving a trail for home.
Norwegian artist and writer, Stephen Hogtun lives near a fjord and brings with his work a sense of isolation and wonder at the environment he recreates on the pages. I loved looking back over each page, noting the small details. And the last few pages where the smaller tree must survive on her own will resonate with all readers, looking at loss and surviving without that cherished person by their side.
Themes Loss, Death, Intergenerational relationships, Old age, Mentorship, Love, Companionship.
Anyone who loves a twisty intriguing mystery will immediately want to grab The Hawthorne Legacy, the sequel to The Inheritance Games. It follows immediately from the events in the first book, and heiress Avery Grambs is on the hunt to find out why the billionaire Tobias Hawthorne left his fortune to her and not to his children and grandchildren. Assisted by the charismatic brothers, Grayson, Jamieson, Xander and Nash, she must sort through clues left in wills, on walls and on rings, at the same time avoiding the paparazzi and threats to her life. Then there is the allure of Grayson and Jamieson; who is the one she would see standing with her alone on a cliff?
Avery’s name, Avery Kylie Grambs, is an anagram for “a very risky gamble” and Avery is certainly up for some gambles, least of all on who she can trust. As the group goes on the hunt to decipher the enigmatic clues left by Tobias Hawthorne, Avery is determined to find Toby the long-lost son believed to have died in a fire. There are some unexpected and heart-wrenching scenes as secrets start to unravel, and some moments that will leave the reader breathless as Avery faces death threats.
Not only will the intrigue keep the reader in suspense, the background of living as a billionaire is also fascinating. Who wouldn’t want to live in a mansion with secret doors and tunnels, a vault with priceless jewels, private jets and many, many gorgeous estates scattered over the world? But who would want to have to face the press and have their face plastered over newspapers?
I couldn’t put The Hawthorn Legacy down and look forward to reading other books by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (there is a small hint at the end for the group to solve more mysteries). Fans of Karen McManus (One of us is lying) and E. Lockhart (We were liars) would enjoy this series.
Ideal for both very young children and those just beginning to read Dear Zoo is a gorgeous picture book that is sure to become a keeper and passed on to the next generation. This version of Dear Zoo, which was first published in 2012, is an interactive touch and feel board book, with the child invited to name the creature that the Zoo has sent home as a pet, while touching and feeling some aspect of it.
The repetition of the words: ‘I wrote to the Zoo to send me a pet. They sent me a … ‘ will have children chanting along and then guessing why the animal was sent back. Children just beginning to learn to read will love the repetition, enabling then to memorise the words on the page and feel very confident that they are decoding them correctly. Of course, the illustrations are delightful and the touch and feel aspects are very inviting. What child (or adult) could resist touching the soft hairy neck of the giraffe or sticking their finger in the lion’s mouth to see if he bites?
Dear Zoo gives children the opportunity to learn about some of the animals that live in a zoo, while learning in a very enjoyable way what animals are suitable for pets. It is an ideal gift for a young child (there is a warning that it is not suitable for children under 10 months), and a book that can be kept for those learning to read.
Themes Zoo animals, Pets.
Pat Pledger
Treasure in the lake by Jason Pamment
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760526238. (Age:8-12) Recommended.
Independent, adventurous Iris is on the trail of treasure, just like the explorers in her favourite books. Loyal and supportive best friend Sam is always there to share the adventures, even when they are just in their local creek. Iris hasn’t told Sam that she has applied to go away to school, but just as she gets her acceptance letter her mum says they can’t afford it. Angry and confused she plans to run away and when Sam finds her she still doesn’t confide in him. Just then they discover the creek has dried up and they follow a trail of previously submerged artefacts until they come upon a ghost town. Intent on discovering the answer to the mystery town Iris pushes ahead in spite of an impending storm and she finds more than she had bargained for. Meanwhile Sam, with the help of an old local, Benjamin who lived in the town before it was flooded, bravely sets out to rescue Iris before it is too late. The friends not only learn a lot about their town and its history, they learn about themselves and the value of friendship.
This beautifully drawn and richly coloured comic style graphic novel has an extra page at the end about real submerged towns in Australia, Argentina and Italy. It also has an interesting section on the process the artist/author goes through to develop an idea using thumbnail sketches and character sketches. This section could be a useful teaching aid to encourage students to tell their own stories.
Themes Adventure, Friendship, Treasure, Mystery.
Sue Speck
In Australia: A down under baby animal counting book by Marianne Berkes. Illus. by Jill Dubin
Very young children will delight in the gorgeous collage illustrations of Australian animals and birds and have fun counting their babies, while older children will learn not only counting 1 to 10 but the extensive notes at the back of the book will give detailed information about each animal. A lovely addition is a hidden creature for the inquisitive to find on each double page spread, with facts about those animals and birds given on the Hidden Animals page.
The illustrations are delightful and what make this a stand-out counting book. Made from collage, they are bright and colourful with each animal living in its habitat. For example, the sugar glider and her seven joeys cling to branches, set against a gorgeous blue/purple sky highlighted with gold sprigs. The long-eared bilby and her nine joeys are slurping in a red sandy place, while the crocodile snips and snaps in a swamp.
The rhythmic narrative makes the book one that is easy to read aloud, and which will be enjoyed by both the reader and the listener. Another feature which will make parents and teachers happy is a Tips from the Author page, where a series of handy activities for home and the curriculum are given. The illustrator gives ideas on how to make collages which will inspire children to try and make their own collage pictures.
I loved the illustrations in the book and schools and parents will find it a very useful addition to their collections.
Themes Counting, Australian animals, Australian birds.
Pat Pledger
Frankie and the Fossil by Jess McGeachin
Puffin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760898847. (Age:3+)
Frankie knows all there is to know about dinosaurs because not only is she fascinated by them but she has memorised all the labels at the Natural History Museum, a place she loves to visit. But one day she notices a new sign, one that says "Don't feed the fossil". Thinking that was unfair, she pulled a cheese sandwich from her pocket and sneakily gave it to the dinosaur.
That single action leads to a whole new 'career' for Frankie as her knowledge about dinosaurs deepens to understanding.
In an earlier time, the significance of this book may well have passed me by but with so many schools currently in lockdown and students isolated at home. no plan to get them back to school because school staff have still not been identified as front-line workers (and where they have, vaccinations are stretched too thinly), and many surveys examining the effect of the lack of contact with others on children, particularly their mental health, this underlying message of this story was crystal clear. Both people and dinosaurs are herd creatures and lack of contact with others can and does have a long-term impact. (My friend and I still laugh that going for our flu shots in 2020 (on her birthday) was the best outing we had in weeks! So now we make the most of our days as we can.)
So in these days of enforced confinement, how can we as teachers, promote our students connecting with each other? Can we design collaborative projects? Can we develop a team game or challenge? Can we plan an online celebration like a dress-up for Book Week or an unbirthday party? Can the walk around the neighbourhood looking for teddies in windows be expanded to something more? What are the students' suggestions? How can they connect with a family member, a neighbour, someone else they know so they can make that person's life easier? Classmates are the equivalent of the dinosaur's herd and the teacher is the leader of that herd, so apart from setting lessons, what else can we do to promote connectivity and well-being so when our kids do return to school their resilience and enthusiasm for life is intact?
When Jess McGeachin first started planning this story, she would have had no idea of what was to come and how timely its release would be. But what a windfall that we can share the story (Penguin Random House, the parent publisher are permitting online readings) and then use it to help our students and help them help others.
Australian singer-songwriter and author Josh Pyke (A Banana is a Banana and Lights Out, Leonard) has written this fun, rhyming story about two individuals who are so different but still the very best of friends. Chaterpuss is a cat who absolutely never stops talking (most often about nothing of importance), while Glenn, her chicken friend, is quiet and reserved. Children will giggle at Chatterpuss's constant commentary and questions ('Why don't fish have eyebrows, Glenn?') and many adults will identify with Glenn's silent frustration. Games of hide and seek, learning at school and birdwatching are impossible, not to mention meditation and movie-watching. Libraries are simply out of the question.
But Glenn's patience for Chatterpuss's constant chatter is wearing thin. 'HUSH!', she says and disappears to read her book in peace. But when Graham the bully goat comes along and teases Glenn for being all alone, it's her best friend Chatterpuss who steps in to talk him dizzy. It's clear to Glenn that despite her talking, Chatterpuss is a great friend, so they find a peaceful compromise: a pair of ear muffs.
This is a short rhyming text, interspersed with ALL of Chatterpuss's mindless chatter, providing a nice break from the narration. This has a similar feel to Aaron Blabey's Pig series and Matt Stanton's Pea and Nut series, both of which also feature two characters with very different personalities. This is another great story for discussing how we are all unique and contribute different, yet important traits to our relationships with others. Daron Parton's illustrations (Stupid Carrots, A Crocodile in the Family) are always pleasing and inject fun and humour.
Always is the seventh and final book in Morris Gleitzman’s stories about Felix Salinger who survived WW2 under the Nazis in Poland. At the age of 87 he is living a quiet life as a respected, retired surgeon in Australia. However, his life is overturned when 10-year-old Wassim turns up on his doorstep all the way from Eastern Europe. Wassim is being raised by his Uncle Otto after the disappearance of his parents. Their lives are being threatened by the Iron Weasels, a fascist bunch of thugs. Wassim is intent on getting help from Felix based on a letter from his Grandpa who told him to seek Felix out if he was ever in trouble. Felix is reenergised by Wassim. They are awfully alike at the same age, brave and hopeful. After they receive what seems to be a peace offering from an old Nazi enemy of Felix’s, they leave Australia to resolve past wrongs. What follows is a race against the Weasels, and the dark forces which back them, to solve a mystery stemming back to the Holocaust.
There are some quite sinister events in Always, such as Felix’s dog being deliberately killed as a menacing threat. Racism is a major theme. I believe Gleitzman saw parallels in the disgraceful real-life treatment of indigenous AFL players in recent years and the scenes he created when Wassim and the football star, Daoude Ndione, are harassed by Weasel sympathisers with monkey noises and taunting “monkey boy”. Other important ethical issues involve using violence for survival and revenge. The improbability of the story’s chains of events can be a bit much. I hope I have Felix’s courage and physical abilities when I am 87! However, I also acknowledge the excitement of the action and the effortless readability of the story. I appreciate Gleitzman’s intent and passion for anti-fascist themes and dedication to his readers. He is able to juxtapose the awfulness of the events with hope, oh so necessary for today’s young.
Themes Racism, Harassment, Bravery, Love.
Jo Marshall
Poppy, the punk turtle by Aleesah Darlison. Illus. by Mel Matthews
Poppy, the Punk Turtle is the second story in the multi-book Endangered Animal Tales series which will focus on many of Australia’s most susceptible creatures. These Mary River turtles have been nicknamed Punk turtles as they have an algae mohawk and spikes under their chin. They live in freshwater near the Mary River in south-eastern Queensland.
The story begins with an introduction to Poppy and her attributes - the most important one being, which children will love, that she is a bum-breathing turtle! Poppy begins a journey to find a safe place to live as her habitat is threatened by humans, animals and pollution. She finally finds a new home on the river and along the way the reader learns all about Poppy’s species. The story is enhanced perfectly by the bright and colourful illustrations as well as a key fact shared on many of the pages. On the final page is a map of Australia with more interesting facts to share as well as a detailed diagram of these very special turtles.
This is a perfect book for sharing with children. Early Years teachers and students could use this book as a resource for writing an information report as it clearly gives simple facts about features, diet, habitat, predators as well as other fascinating facts. A very welcome addition to a school or public library.
Themes Endangered Animals, Australia, Punk Turtles.
The author has written several fiction books with a Paris location. In The Riviera House, two parallel stories, one set during the World War II German occupation of Paris, and the other set in current times and centred about a Riviera house, are linked by a looted art work.
The story focuses on French resistance workers who attempted, at great personal risk, to secretly document looted art works for future restoration to the owners. It is a story of courage, loss, betrayal, romance and Nazi plunder, greed and atrocities. As the author details in a Notes section, the events are based on historical fact. Rose Valland, one of the characters, existed and was highly decorated after the war.
The modern story element details loss and grief of a different kind – loss of family as a result of a car accident. The romantic element is somewhat predictable. The events that tie the two stories together are told in a suspenseful, engaging manner.
A very interesting and readable book suitable for senior students.
Themes Art thefts, Women spies, Nazis, Paris (France).
Ann Griffin
Ada and the galaxies by Alan Lightman and Olga Pastuchiv. Illus. by Susanna Chapman
Mit Kids Press, 2021. ISBN: 9781536215618. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
The striking cover design and the beautiful endpapers will entice the reader, both young and old, to explore this gentle story. Ada loves stars but where she lives in New York is so illuminated by city lights that she cannot see the stars. She and her Mum travel to her grandparent’s home on an island in Maine where the night sky is very dark. Ada waits impatiently for nightfall and it is up to her grandparents, Poobah and Ama, to keep her entertained until it is dark. During the day they visit the beach where they tell Ava all about the sea creatures and local wildlife. When it is finally dark, fog rolls in and Ava still cannot see the stars. Poobah suggests they look at pictures of stars and galaxies to which Ava reluctantly agrees but she listens to Poobah’s explanation of galaxies and has lots of questions. Finally, the fog clears and Ava and her family venture outside to observe the night sky.
The authors have provided interesting facts about galaxies at the end which add to the information shared already throughout the story. The stunning illustrations complement the text perfectly and add to the appeal of this very captivating read. A perfect book for home, school and public libraries.
Themes Family, Diversity, Sea shores, Galaxies, Night Sky.
