Belinda Murrell is probably most familiar to readers of the popular Lulu Bell and Pippa’s Island series. The Golden Tower, a time-slip fantasy story, transports the reader to the land of Tuscia, a location inspired by the Italian Renaissance.
Sophie, has been spending time with her grandmother in the English countryside while her younger brother, Archie, is attending a camp at Oxford University. She feels overshadowed by him and somewhat jealous of his adventure.
Nanna is a comfort to Sophie and introduces her to the magic and mystery of some nearby Roman ruins and suggests that she explores a bit on her own. Nanna seems to sense that her granddaughter’s bravery is soon to be tested. This is a good beginning to a well-structured story; Murrell, quite effortlessly, takes Sophie to Tuscia, and the readers with her. By accident, Sophie saves Isabella, the daughter of a wealthy family, but things are not so straightforward. There are shades of fairy tales with the presence of a dominant stepmother, a talking cat and Pegasus horses.
The author’s descriptions of time and place are excellent and the characters met by Sophie are drawn well. The adventure has just the right mix of intrigue and enjoyment. The theme, though, is one of bravery and facing one’s fears: Sophie learns to overcome her feelings of inadequacy and not worry about what others may think of her.
I only have one rule in my classroom And I call it the human rule. It’s very simple. I will treat you like a human and I expect you to treat me like a human, too.
Aussie Stem Stars: Eddie Woo begins with harrowing details of the relentless bullying Eddie received in primary school. For some students the school yard is not a safe place and being small, suffering from allergies and one of only three Asian students in the school meant that Eddie was easy fodder for bullies. During these long and difficult school years Eddie learnt empathy. This trait would be important in years to come. For Eddie, winning a coveted place at James Ruse Agricultural High School, would be the longed for salvation to years of trauma suffered at primary school. At high school Eddie blossomed. He made friends with like interests, joined clubs and experienced learning under his terms. It was also at high school that Eddie encountered teachers who actually cared about him. It was during these very happy years that Eddie’s beloved mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. Eddie struggled to maintain his grades during Year 12 as his mother’s condition was worsening and it was during this time that Eddie made the decision to become a teacher as he wanted to pass the joy of learning onto others. He wanted his students to always feel safe, respected and cared for at school. His parents were horrified as they had planned that Eddie would be able to take on a highly paid prestigious career however they understood his decision. Eddie’s mother passed away once his exams were over and her loss had a profound effect on him and further enhanced his incredible understanding of empathy for others. Once at University Eddie was hoping to become a teacher of History and English but a chance encounter led him to pursue Mathematics. From then on his life pathway changed.
Students today will appreciate the struggles Eddie had and the story of his journey to where he is now. His name is recognisable all over the world and students from all walks of life know the brilliant Mathematics teacher Eddie Woo. This book would be a wonderful class novel to share with students. The bully and racism suffered by Eddie, his siblings and family is quite distressing but needs to be told and discussed. A perfect addition to any school or public library.
Have you ever wondered how you can write stories that capture the audience’s attention and leave them wanting more? Well, if so, this is a must-read story for you! Comedian and author of The Funny Life Of. . . stories, Campbell knows how to entertain the masses with his clever wit and knack of enticing an audience. Write You Own Funny Stories is a highly useful, purposeful and entertaining book that parents, and teachers will be spruiking, and will have kids aspiring to be an author. Either way, both audiences won’t be able to put it down due to its highly engaging and entertaining illustrations and writing journey.
Throughout the book, Campbell demystifies the art of funny writing. Jam packed full of awesome tips and tricks to help you create your own great humorous piece, you won’t be able to get your pen out quick enough! Introducing characters like the Inspirational Elf and tackling the theme of boredom, Campbell demands that you “show him the funny!” This book includes multiple sections where you become the writer and by the end of the book there is a whole section for your inspirations to flow freely. Each part provokes your thinking as he encourages you to join him in creating something funny, while giving you an abundance of ideas to inspire you. When reading this book, picking up a pen and finding your inner funniness seems easy. Rob Jones’ illustrations emulates and captures Campbell’s ideas, as he challenges you to be a writer. Budding writers and those struggling for ideas, will easily make connections with Campbell and Jones’ suggestions, while seeing their ideas come to fruition. As a reader, you will feel easily inspired to pick up a writing instrument and create your own witty wonders.
This is a very clever novel, that will have both children and adults reading and creating in no time. A MUST have for all those who want to find and release their inner creative, intellect and wit!
Iris Hollow and her two older sisters are unquestionably strange. Ever since they disappeared on a suburban street in Scotland as children only to return a month later with no memory of what happened to them, eerie occurrences seem to follow them. And they’re changing. First, their dark hair turned white. Then, their blue eyes slowly turned black. They have insatiable appetites yet never gain weight. People find them disturbingly intoxicating, unbearably beautiful and inexplicably dangerous.
But now, ten years later, seventeen-year-old Iris Hollow is doing all she can to fit in and graduate high school – something her two famously world-travelling older sisters, Grey and Vivi, never managed to do. But when Grey goes missing without a trace, leaving behind bizarre clues, Iris and Vivi are left to piece it together. They aren’t the only ones looking for her though. As they brush against the supernatural they realise that the story they’ve been told about their past is unravelling and the world that returned them seemingly unharmed ten years ago, might just be calling them home.
I absolutely inhaled this book. It was dark, eerie and at times made my skin crawl. Krystal's writing had me captivated from the very first page. Her description of the scenery was so on point I could almost see/smell/feel what she was writing about. The mystery of the three sisters was completely unpredictable and I had to stop myself from skim reading to find out exactly what happened to them as children!
I was creeped out, I was sad, I was tense and I was thrilled reading this book. Highly recommended to anyone who would love a good fairy-talesque, creepy, eery and dark novel that will have you avoiding abandoned doorways for all of eternity.
TW: blood, gore, violence, murder, attempted murder, death, death of a loved one, self-harm, suicide, body horror, attempted sexual assault.
Themes Death, Family Relations, Guilt, Horror, Identity, Memory, Supernatural.
Lockdown and the effect it had on everyone is the theme of this beautifully illustrated first-person narrative, written and illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Using a small black cat to guide us on every page, the book depicts the global impact of the Corona virus pandemic (without ever mentioning the disease) in 2020.The story and detailed, colourful illustrations capture the variety of things people did in their homes during the lockdowns. It shows what happened inside – baking, working from home, watching TV, using screens to talk to loved ones and doing our schoolwork, making things and exercising indoors.
The world outside is also included showing that nature continued as usual but the only people who went outside were the workers who kept hospitals and other vital services operating. The sentiments throughout this book are touching, hopeful and uplifting. They explain that although we are all different on the outside, we are the same on the inside and that we went into lockdown because it was the "right thing to do". I think the author has encapsulated our experiences of this pandemic brilliantly and the book would be a great addition to every school library.
Themes Epidemics, Quarantine, Resilience.
Gabrielle Anderson
The other side of perfect by Mariko Turk
Allen & Unwin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760526252. (Age:13+)
Alinta, a disciplined ballet student, has devoted her childhood to studying classical ballet. After shattering both her tibia and fibula, her hopes of a ballet career are likewise shattered. The teenager struggles with heartbreak, loss and jealousy when settling back into regular school life without the significant dance component that would have fast tracked her to a place at the American Ballet Theatre.
Her best friend, Margot, encourages Alinta to try out for the school musical, Singing in the Rain, though she fears it a poor substitute for her lifelong dancing dream. But a group of stage musical tragics, one of whom she is attracted to, begin to change her mind.
Alinta’s sister Josie, also a dancer (albeit modern dance) and obviously Japanese-American too, confronts Alinta about her jealousy and enlightens her about the systemic racism Alinta glossed over whilst attending her old ballet school. Alinta becomes concerned for Colleen, an African American ballet dancer, who continues to be marginalized in favour of white dancers of lesser talents. Unlike her new friends, Alinta cannot malign the focus and perfectionism of the musical’s female lead. She recognizes her own commitment to her art in Diya.
Alinta grapples with immense life changes, not least the racism in the arts – always topical in any sphere. Certainly, The Other side of Perfect is no sentimental teenage romance – but lightweights need not be disappointed as there are more than enough romantic interludes for Alinta and Jude.
This layered art form discussing other art forms, is a refreshing shift in YA reading fare. Secondary school collections will be incomplete without this distinctive narrative. Teacher's notes are available.
Themes Bildungsroman, Romance, Racism.
Deborah Robins
Music for tigers by Michelle Kadarusman
Pajama Press, 2021. ISBN: 9781772781892. (Age:9+)
It’s not easy being an aspiring violinist growing up in a family of Canadian conservationists. Before Louisa’s uncle Ruff is evicted by developers, from his own slice of Tasmanian wilderness, the narrator agrees to travel to Australia for the summer. Nature must run in the blood, because it doesn’t take much for Lou to adjust to the remote camp with scary Tasmanian spiders and critically endangered marsupials, despite fretting about practicing for a very important upcoming audition.
Louisa finds a friendly, if not neurodiverse guide and cook in Colin, who lives in the Eco village next door. Colin piques her curiosity, but it is her great grandmother’s journal which unlocks the hefty conservation legacy handed to Uncle Ruff. Within days of her arrival, her Uncle’s pet, the last Pig Footed Bandicoot, previously thought extinct, dies. Piggy’s death hits Uncle Ruff hard. But according to Eleanor’s journal, the family have kept more “black swans” close-by on Convict Rock. You’ll have to read the book to learn about the Black Swan Theory.
Can Louisa learn to overcome her own anxiety in order to help her family protect a species believed to be extinct for nearly 100 years? Uncle Ruff, Mel, Colin and the local elders, have run out of ideas to lure “Tigers” to a new location for their ongoing protection. Louisa believes she has found a way using Eleanor’s diary and her own talents.
Music for Tigers extolls a fictional ecological crisis, through the eyes of a Canadian. It is resplendent with sensory descriptions of our iconic and rugged Australian wilderness. Yet the writing is layered with myth and natural history, adolescent angst and diversity but above all, family and music.
Themes Family, Adventure, Conservation.
Deborah Robins
Heaven by Mieko Kawakami
Pan Macmillan, 2021. ISBN: 9781509898244. (Age:16+) Highly recommended.
It starts with a folded message in a pencil case. Despite the narrator’s fears, it is not another trick by the school bullies but the beginning of a secret friendship. The 14 year old narrator is known only as Eyes because of his lazy eye, and he suffers constantly from callous and cruel bullying by Ninomiya, Momose, and their group. The girl, Kojima, dirty and unkempt, on the other side of the classroom, is also kicked and hit by a girls' group. Gradually the two teenagers draw closer through the exchange of secret messages.
Stunning in the beauty of the writing and the creation of the interior world of the two teenagers, Kawakami’s novel is also shocking in its graphic depiction of bullying that is unrelentingly violent and sadistically cruel. It is a world that the two are forced to endure silently every day.
Kojima seeks to make meaning out of their suffering. Almost Christ-like in her attitude she is prepared to accept the violence, because it is wrong, and believes that one day the abusers will come to understand that. She holds onto an idea of Heaven. Juxtaposed with this, is the view expressed by the bully Momose, who believes there is no right or wrong; he is free to do whatever he wants if he feels like it. He says that if there is a Heaven or Hell, it is here right now, this is it. He has absolutely no regard for the feelings of others; Eyes’ words are nothing to him.
So while Kawakami’s novel starts as a story of two lonely suffering friends, as it progresses it becomes more of a philosophical argument between two contrasting world views. Eyes has to work out where he stands. The ending is a surprise, and really throws a challenge as to how to understand it. There is so much to provoke thought and discussion.
Whilst that all may sound bleak and hard to read, there are some really lovely moments in the exchanges between the two friends, and there are adults, a doctor and a step-mother, who turn out to be surprisingly caring.
This is a really unusual book. If you read it, you will be thinking about it for many weeks afterwards. Whilst it tells the story of 14 year olds; because of the content, I would put the readership at 16 and over. And Kawakami is definitely an author to look out for.
A magnificently illustrated cautionary tale for young children from clever French author/illustrator Philippe Jalbert. We are put in the position of the mother of a young child who is about to touch a butterfly. Having said “NO” she then goes into what the consequences of touching it might be. Readers will delight in the possibilities of this story as each part unfolds before their eyes in superbly, graphic illustrations of each escalating calamity. The drama of each mishap is enhanced by the close-up illustrations of on each page. Jalbert includes some interesting animals that are affected in this tale - a dung beetle, a mole, a bear, and then a whole circus troupe! Classes could use this as a springboard to explore different consequences, using different characters and change the story to suit themselves.
According to the publisher this is a way of introducing young children to the chaos theory of the butterfly effect. The butterfly effect is the idea that a small change can make much bigger changes happen; one small incident can have a big impact on the future. The term is associated with the work of mathematician and meteorologist Edward Lorenz.This may provide some interesting research for older students as well.
Themes Parental behaviour, Butterflies, Cause and effect, Cautionary tales.
Gabrielle Anderson
The whale who wanted more by Rachel Bright and Jim Field
The humour in Field’s illustrations is matched by Bright’s text, brimming with nods to our acquisitive lifestyle and our dissatisfaction with what we accumulate.
The whale, Humphrey wanders the ocean spying things he thinks he needs to collect. Each new day brings a new want as those collected yesterday loose their shine. One day he comes to a fabulous reef, full of marvellous things and brimming with an array of fish and coral, creatures and a mass of flotsam and jetsam that speak to him.
The reef creatures are too busy bickering to notice the danger overhead even though the tiny crab, Crystal keeps warning them. As Humphrey dives down to take, Crystal calls out loudly for him to stop. She questions his motives in taking what he wants, and he responds after a lot of thought that they make him feel whole. Crystal questions this and suggests that being caring and kind will make him feel whole, and asks him if he has a gift to share. Humphrey thinks long and hard and remembers a gift given him when he was new. He opens his mouth to sing the song and all the creatures join in.
A charming story told in verse, underlines the theme of friendship as Humphrey realises what he has is enough. Friendship, companionship, singing together fills his heart and makes him feel whole.
Children will love reading about Humphrey and his ahah moment, when he stops just taking from his environment but gives back. Kids will see the parallel to their own lives, underscoring that sharing and cooperation is more important than the accumulation of goods.
Kids will love predicting the rhyming words, offering suggestions as to what it might be and pore over the detail given in the glorious illustrations, recognising the corals and seaweeds and fish which inhabit the reef. A multi layered story, kids will talk about what makes them feel whole, as well as the good feeling that friendship and giving gives them. Discussions about reefs, environment, amongst others will evolve as kids take in the layers of this book. This duo has produced several other books, The way home for Wolf being amongst my favourites.
Aussie Stem Stars: Gisela Kaplan is the story of a German Australian woman who from very challenging beginnings has become a leading expert on animal behaviour. In the first few chapters, the story is centred on the Gisela’s life in Berlin post-World War Two. Life was a struggle with both poverty and family traumas and there was little joy for this young girl. However her Nan was the one shining light who showed Gisela that there was a life to be enjoyed outside of the walls of her tiny apartment. From the bullying she was constantly subjected to at her school to eventually finding out she was Jewish, Gisela dealt with each of these in her stride. The gift of a bright blue budgerigar was the greatest joy for Gisela and was the beginning of her passion and need to understand animals. After moving to Munich, Gisela embarked on a career as an opera singer and moved again to Frankfurt. Here she married and had a child and then as a single parent decided to move to Australia. Life was very difficult as an immigrant but Gisela persevered. She taught herself to speak English from watching children’s television, studied, worked in a factory and became a driving instructor. All the while observing the local wildlife and never giving up on her dream to study birds and animals and their behaviour. Gisela won a number of scholarships to University and completed a number of degrees in a variety of fields. The scientific research completed by Gisela focused on the Australian magpie, tawny frogmouths, primates and other birds. She has written important books and papers on animal behaviour.
Gisela Kaplan’s story is a long and complicated one. How one person can achieve so much in life is truly inspirational. This story is one of hardship, endurance and resilience and is a perfect addition to any home, school and public library.
Themes STEM-girls, Biography, Animal behaviour, Birds, Primates, War, History, Research, World travels, Resilience.
Kathryn Beilby
Dreams from many rivers by Margarita Engle. Illus. by Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez
Henry Holt and Co, 2021. ISBN: 9781627795319. (Age:10+) Highly recommended.
Subtitled, A Hispanic history of the United States told in poems, this attractive hard cover book invites the reader to broaden their horizons and question the beginnings of the USA as portrayed in history books and on film and television. Puerto Rico, a territory of the USA has been settled for more than five centuries, preceding The Mayflower and Plymouth Rock, while the Indigenous history of the USA goes back millennia. But their voices are rarely heard. Engle in presenting this book of her poems aims to give readers a few glimpses of this country’s vast and complex past. After reading extensively from diaries, journals, history books and numerous firsthand accounts, she has built up an exciting book of poems reflecting a history often left unheard, and using many perspectives, not just those of the downtrodden. We hear voices from places as diverse as Boriken (Pueto Rico) in 1491, Mexico in 1812, Montana in 1900, Rhode Island in 1962 promoting through the poetry a sympathy for those affected.
And this is done beautifully. Some of the images presented in the poems are breathtaking: the opening poem 'Courage' ends with the line ‘there will be time enough for courage when I grow old’, written for a 1491 Perto Rican man. Or the Mexican view of slavery introduced by the squatters, expressed in Lawbreakers, 1829 as he watches the men, women and children forced to work in ‘fiercely hot, dusty, miserable cotton fields.’ And The Triumph of Children set in Puerto Rica in 1915, when children refused to go to school where they were forced to use English.
Each poem sings with a perspective not often heard, a voice reflecting those often mute, denied by their ethnic background or socio economic status, a place where their voice can be heard.
A well produced book of poems that will enlighten and entertain, beautifully illustrated by Beatriz Hernandez.
Themes Verse novel, Poetry, Indigenous themes, Puerto Rica, USA, Hispanic history.
Fran Knight
Holocaust by Hugh Dolan and Adrian Barbu
Scholastic, 2021. ISBN: 9781742996202. (Age:9+ as part of a unit of study)
Holocaust opens with a family enjoying their meal in a cafe “(somewhere) 2019”, the older boy, Thomas, mentions he is studying “The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising” at school. David, the man serving them, says “In 1943, I was there”. What follows is David’s story from when his Jewish family were thrown out of their village in Poland to his escape to a better life after the war. The black and white, lifelike illustrations bring immediacy to David’s story with a splash of blue colour clearly identifying him in each frame. He recounts the personal stories of Jews caught up in the conflict and how the rise of Nazism in Germany led to the dehumanisation of the Jews. Milestones along the way are described, including the enactment of the Nuremberg Laws in 1935 which stripped Jews of their rights as citizens and Kristallnacht where Jewish synagogues, businesses and homes were destroyed. Occasionally we see a frame with David speaking to Thomas in 2019 explaining a point. With the invasion of Poland and declaration of war in 1939 David’s father left to fight for his country, this is the last time he saw his father. What followed was the systematic persecution and killing of Jews throughout German occupied Europe, the graphics include maps and documents attesting to the numbers killed in each country and the named death camps where Jews were gassed. David’s family did not survive.
As a support to World War Two teaching material this slim graphic novel will be valuable, particularly to students from non-English speaking backgrounds and those who struggle with wordy texts. However, the material, while accurate and well researched, really needs to be viewed in historical context and younger children might find it disturbing.
Themes War, Genocide, History, Family.
Sue Speck
Every thing we keep by Di Walker
Scholastic, 2021. ISBN: 9781760972349. (Age:12+)
Agatha is 13 and very independent. She’s had to be, given both her parents, floundering in their grief for a sibling, have neglected her physically and emotionally for years. She has spent time in an array of temporary foster homes but the system has let her down in regularly returning her to her parents who have no ability to care for her. Nell, the social worker, is powerless to allow her to stay with Katherine (whose husband works away) but when Agatha’s home inevitably reverts to chaos, Katherine cared enough to teach her how to find her way back.
Staying with Katherine permanently entails going back to school, including the inevitable bullying she has experienced in her home community. Agatha takes a risk because the adults convince her that it will be a fresh start in a supportive school, but moreso because of a chance meeting with her soon-to-be best friend, Tully.
In Tully we see a confident and compassionate teenager, as mature and tolerant as Nell, Katherine, Lawson (her husband) and Rita - the neighbourhood grandmother figure. A number of novels have been written about the kinds of problems that lead to child care authorities placing children in foster homes. Agatha’s situation is not unique but now, thanks to Di Walker, lesser known circumstances of neglect will be better understood. Moreso, Agatha’s story will resonate with children who have mentally ill parents.
Together, her growing support network must convince Agatha that in order to ultimately help her parents, she needs self-care and a regular lifestyle – one in which there are people who will never let her down. We keep turning pages because this tough cookie takes a lot of convincing – don’t worry, she’s worth it.
Themes Family, School, Hoarding.
Deborah Robins
Super geeks : Fish and chips by James Hart
Penguin, 2021. ISBN: 9781760895129. (Age:8+)
Fish and Chips introduces us to Zeek and Arnie, best friends since infancy. Arnie is admirable. On the other hand, Zeek’s obsession means that Arnie puts up with a LOT. Clearly, though it’s only Vol 1, James Hart has plans for growing Zeek’s character.
Zeek is a megalomaniac focused on world domination. Arnie, his workhorse, definitely has the skills to help his friend achieve his goals. Despite Arnie’s reservations, he allows Zeek to implant a microchip into the brain of Eleanor - Arnie’s goldfish. Eleanor learns so much in one night, that she is in a position to bring the earth to its knees with an army of robots controlled by fish - aka “FishBots”.
Zeek is furious to be pipped at the post by Arnie’s goldfish, but everyone must pull together to save the planet. Zeek needs to prioritize catastrophe ahead of his ego and an unlikely mentor emerges in Gunther, who owns Tech Hedz, where the boys buy all their electronics.
You’ll won’t waste any time finding out if the friends prevent WORLD DOMINATION at the hands of Eleanor, because the graphic novel genre makes Fish and Chips a super quick read. The final pages “About the Author” are entertaining too.
Illustrator James Hart has gone solo for his new Super Geeks series after a solid partnership with author Tim Harris, for the Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables series. Fans of Wimpy Kid, Dog Man and Real Pigeons will find Arnie and Zeek’s cartoon adventures hilarious. Watch out for Super Geeks #2 because Zeek has threatened to carry out PLAN B. Gotta feel sorry for Arnie!
