Hodder & Stoughton 2020. ISBN: 9781529330243.
(Young Adult/Adult). Recommended. Chosen Ones is the first
in a new series by bestselling Divergent
and Carve the Mark author, Veronica Roth. Unlike her
extremely popular dystopian young adult series, Chosen Ones
is aimed at an adult audience, likely to capitalise on teen Divergent
fans who are now adult readers.
The book tells the story of five friends, the "Chosen Ones" who, as
teenagers, defeated the magic, otherworldly figure known as the
"Dark One", halting his reign of terror and destruction. Plucked
from their families by a secretive government agency, the five lived
and trained together to fulfil a prophecy that predicted that they
were the only ones able to destroy the Dark One. Ten years later,
the world is celebrating a decade of peace, viewed very differently
by each of the Chosen Ones - Sloane, Matt, Esther, Albie and Ines.
It is during this celebration that the unthinkable happens - one of
the Chosen Ones dies. Suddenly and viciously, the other four are
thrown back into the chaos of a decade ago, realising that the Dark
One was never really defeated after all.
Too often in young adult fiction do we see the heroes defeat their
enemies and assume that they are able to live happily and
trauma-free ever after. Chosen Ones sets out to prove that
this is not the case. The five friends are all damaged in their own
ways and have spent ten years using different methods - drugs,
social media, therapy and busy schedules - to try and cope. The book
is an interesting and clever subversion of many of the tropes common
to recent and popular young adult fiction. While still suitable for
older teen audiences, it is an adult offering that will be appealing
to many of Roth's long time readers. Themes: Friendship,
Relationships, Trauma, Death, Magic.
Rose Tabeni
Black Summer by M. W. Craven
Washington Poe. Little, Brown, 2019. ISBN: 9781472127495.
(Age: Adult - Senior secondary) Recommended for readers who enjoy
the mystery genre. Jared Keaton, Michelin Star chef, is in jail for
the murder of his daughter Elizabeth. Detective Sergeant Washington
Poe was largely instrumental in his conviction, although Elizabeth's
body was never found. Then Poe finds himself in danger of losing his
job and worse when a young woman claiming to be Elizabeth turns up
after claiming to have been held captive for the last six years.Her
blood tests match that of Elizabeth, and Poe with the help of the
brilliant Tilly Bradshaw, must work out how someone can be both dead
and alive at the same time.
This was an intriguing mystery with the problem of blood at its
heart. Craven had obviously researched the science of this
intensively and this scientific evidence made the plot quite
different to any I had read before. There were many twists and
turns, quite a few heart stopping moments for Poe and some clever
research by Tilly, as Poe followed many clues in his attempt to
prove that the girl claiming to be Elizabeth could not be her, even
though her blood matched that of Jared Keaton's daughter.
The background of cold and stormy Cumbria, what happens in a master
chef's kitchen, where truffles can be found, and old war bunkers all
make for an absorbing mystery.
Craven won the CWA Gold Dagger Award 2019 for The Puppet Show which
I will be sure to pick up now that I have met Poe and Bradshaw. Black
summer can be read as a stand-alone as the characters and
setting are described vividly.
Pat Pledger
Lottie Luna and the Twilight Party by Vivian French
Illus. by Nathan Reed. HarperCollins, 2020. ISBN: 9780008343019.
144pp., pbk.
This is the second in this series for newly independent readers
about Lottie Luna who is a werewolf and follows Lottie
Luna and the Bloom Garden. While she's super-fast,
super-strong and has X-ray vision. she doesn't really like to use
her skills. She just wants to be like everyone else. But when it's
her friend Marjory's birthday, Lottie sees a way she can use her
special powers to get her the biggest surprise ever.
Characters having alter egos with special powers continue to be
popular with readers and this new series for newly independent
readers will satisfy those who like this genre. Richly illustrated
with monochrome cartoon-like illustrations to support the text,
young girls will see themselves in Lottie - on the surface being
just regular little girls, but with a heroine not too far below the
surface.
Barbara Braxton
Steerswoman series by Rosemary Kirstein
Amazon Digital Services The Steerswoman. ISBN: 9780991354689 The Outskirter's secret. ISBN: 9780991354658 The lost Steersman. ISBN: 9780991354665 The language of power. ISBN: 9780991354672
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Intrigued by the following quote by
Jo Walton, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner, I picked up the first in
the Steerswoman series and was hooked:
"If you like science, and if you like watching someone work out
mysteries, and if you like detailed weird alien worlds and human
cultures, if really good prose appeals . . . you're really in luck."
I then went on to read the next three books in the series and really
wish that there were more.
Rowan is a Steerswoman. If she is asked a question, she must speak
the truth and if she asks a question, the truth must be given to
her. As a Steerswoman, she travels around the world, observing,
questioning and recording what she discovers, making maps and always
on the quest for more information and more knowledge, which she
shares with all. When she finds some little blue jewels that seem to
be made of a magical material, she is determined to find out their
origin. The wizards are the only ones who have knowledge of magic,
and her determination to uncover the secrets of the jewels leads her
into danger from them. With every wizard in the land determined to
find her, Rowan, accompanied by Bel, a warrior from the Outskirts,
meets many dangers as she gradually uncovers the truth.
Readers will meet many fascinating characters as she travels around
the land. Bel is surprising - not only is she a wonderful fighter
but is a poet as well. William is a young teen who can blow up
buildings with his magic and longs to know more. The leaders of the
Outskirters are fascinating as is their nomadic way of life, and
Rowan's liaison with Fletcher is beguiling and her dealings with the
lost steersman are heartbreaking.
The countryside is described in detail and readers will enjoy
travelling with Rowan as she navigates dangerous seas, lives with
nomadic people and then in towns in the Inner Lands. But it is the
melding of science (Magic) and the mystery of the little blue jewels
that will keep the reader glued to every page of these four volumes.
There are hints along the way about the Guidestars that hang in the
skies and help travellers navigate and the material that William
uses to blow up structures. The language of power brings
many answers but leaves room for more books to come.
This is a series to give to any reader who enjoys a combination of
science fiction and fantasy, dealing with big questions of science
and knowledge, truth and humanity. It is a must read for young women
and men and would encourage many to look at STEM subjects with a
different and inquisitive eye.
Pat Pledger
Timmy the ticked off pony and the poo of excitement by Magda Szubanski
Illus. by Dean Rankine. Scholastic, 2020. ISBN: 9781743832165. 40pp.
Recommended. This is the first book in a new series by the hilarious
Magda Szubanski, and she really delivers the laughs with this one.
It follows the story of Timmy who is a self-centred, cranky, and
bold pony that believes he is a gift to everyone who knows him. He
has the flashy cars, a big house and servants to complete his
lifestyle until one day things go very wrong for him . . .
He thinks that he is making his big debut and during an audition for
a big movie, he sees his dream pony and well, he does the poo of
excitement. Timmy almost gets through the shock and uses it to his
benefit, but it seems that he is not a one trick pony!
This story is funny, but also easy to read so will certainly suit
children that are emerging from levelled books and wanting to be
independent readers. The text is clear, has lots of space around it
and is beside the wonderful illustrations by Dean Rankine. There are
some interesting words used which children will enjoy and it
predictable enough to give them confidence to continue.
The illustrations deserve another mention as they are so funny, add
huge value to the text and the pops of green (very reminiscent of
the Hot Dog series by Anh Do) are really eye catching, but
do not clutter the page. I think that readers who enjoy Anh Do's
series (Hot Dog or Weir Do) would also love Timmy
the ticked-off pony, as it is of a similar level and
structure.
I am really looking forward to reading the second instalment of the
Timmy the ticked-off pony series and cannot wait to see how he
enacts his revenge . . .
Lauren Fountain
Diary of a young naturalist by Dara McAnulty
Text, 2020. ISBN: 9781922330000.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. A book about an adolescent's love of
the natural environment of Ireland, the birds, insects, animals, the
hum of life; how relevant would that be to readers in other parts of
the UK, and in the case of this reviewer, on the other side of the
world, in Australia? I must admit I was pleasantly surprised, I was
drawn in from the first page; the descriptive language is so
beautiful, and the feelings that are expressed will resonate with
anyone who longs for a better connection with the natural world, and
a better response to climate change. Was McAnulty really once
described by an unsympathetic teacher as incapable of "complet[ing]
a comprehension, never mind string a paragraph together"? This book
is beautifully written and is a testament to the intelligence and
perseverance of the author, the power of understanding and
encouraging parents, and of the love that unites and enriches this
particular family of five, all of whom, apart from the conservation
scientist father, are described as autistic.
McAnulty's diary records the changes of seasons and the plants and
wildlife he revels in discovering in the natural patches of country
around his home. At the same time he provides insight into the
anxieties that wrack him in his interactions with other people and
the fears of bullying that persist from his past school experience.
We learn of the challenges of going to new places, and the people
noises that overwhelm him. Nature is his passion; it is the plants
and birds and insects that enthral him and bring him peace. But
sadly so much of the natural world is threatened by human
development. And so McAnulty has become an activist speaking out to
save the environment that is so precious to him. He is the youngest
ever recipient of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Medal, among other awards, in recognition of his contributions to
conservation. His book will provide inspiration to other activists
to speak up on issues of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss and
the persecution of birds of prey. Read a Q&A
with McAnulty on the Booktopia site. Teaching
notes are also available from Text Publishing.
Themes: Nature, Conservation, Autism, Activism.
Helen Eddy
Tell 'em! by Katrina Germein, Rosemary Sullivan with the children of Manyallaluk School
Illus. by Karen Briggs. Working Title Press, 2020. ISBN:
9781921504921. 32pp., hbk.
It starts with a little girl answering a question asked by an unseen
asker - "I know what you should tell 'em " - and, apparently
prompted by that unseen asker asking "what else?", continues with a
joyous celebration of the lives of the children as they share the
activities of their community and country. And even though the
children of this remote community live about an hour east of
Katherine, NT much of what they do and enjoy is very similar to what
all children enjoy because kids are kids, everywhere. Tell 'em how us kids like to play. We got bikes and give each other rides. Tell 'em about the dancing and singing, And all the stories the old people know.
Yes, there are things that may be unfamiliar like the buffalo and
the crocodiles - "just freshwater ones" - and maybe families hunting
for bush turkey, goanna and kangaroo for dinner might not be the
norm for city kids but dancing and listening to stories and hunting
for phone reception will all resonate.
But what threads through this achingly beautiful picture book apart
from those similarities is the sheer delight and joy that these
children have in their lives, the respect they have for their elders
and their country and their understanding of the intertwining of the
past, present and future.
I wonder what the children in our communities would share if they
were asked the same question!
Maybe the first step could be figuring out the question these
children were asked, and then given that most were so keen to get
back to school after their enforced weeks at home, build a class
response that helps them focus on why!
A stunning, exuberant joyful celebration of being a child that has
to make you smile.
Barbara Braxton
The Kangaroo Islanders by W.A. Cawthorne, edited by Rick Hosking
Wakefield Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781862546554.
(Senior secondary - Adult) Highly recommended. Cawthorne's original
story, written in the mid-1850s, although a fictional account of the
murder of Captain George Meredith serialised for a Melbourne
magazine, is based on real people and events in the early 1800's. It
thus provides fascinating insight into the lives of early settlers
on Kangaroo Island, rugged Robinson Crusoe types, carving out an
existence dealing in seal and wallaby skins, living rough and free,
and collecting extra bounty from shipwrecks lured too near their
coast. With multiple 'wives', they were men who stole Aboriginal
women in so-called Sabine raids of the mainland and kept them in a
relationship of slavery, dependent on the women's hunting and
foraging abilities. Practices such as thigh and ear slashing kept
the women submissive; however there are examples of a certain
respect and admiration for some individuals such as Black Bet, and
Cawthorne even writes how much more valuable such a talented wife
would be over some civilised lady of polite society who could only
be a hindrance in such an environment.
One chapter reveals the bounty of Indigenous food enjoyed by the
Islanders, baked wild dog, goanna in wallaby fat, ant eggs, heart of
the grass tree, and witchetty grubs. The garments of the men become
indistinguishable from those of the women, with skins and furs slung
around their bodies. Past readers of this tale must have been
fascinated by all these exotic details, and they are even more
valuable now, providing us with a historic record of a much
forgotten past.
This publication of Cawthorne's story is much enhanced by the
extensive notes and explanations by researcher and editor Rick
Hosking. The subtleties of the text are revealed to us, lost
meanings revived, so we too can appreciate what was probably the
first Aboriginal joke in print, among many other insights. Hosking's
essay 'Beyond the pale' provides historical context and an in depth
analysis of the complexities of the relationships revealed in the
story that could fuel many an interesting discussion for students of
Australia's colonial history.
The book also includes a selection of watercolours by Cawthorne, now
held in the State Library of NSW, providing an enduring archive of
scenes of Aboriginal life.
All in all, this book preserves a valuable historical record and a
reminder of a past that Australia as a nation seems too ready to
gloss over and forget. Thanks is due to Wakefield Press for their
commitment to publication of outstanding South Australian research.
Helen Eddy
Giraffes can't dance by Giles Andreae
Illus. by Guy Parker-Rees. Big book edition. Hachette, 2011. ISBN:
9781846164446.
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Beginning readers will love the reprint of
the big book version of this wonderful, timeless story that has been
in print for 20 years. The beautiful verse by Andreae will be very
appealing read aloud to young children and the rhythm will make it
easy to remember the words and read along with the teacher. The fact
that many children may have heard it at home, as it is so popular,
will add to the appeal and the familiarity will be enjoyed by them.
Those new to the story will love it.
The pictures are very appealing, and the humour of the warthogs'
waltz, the chimps' cha-cha, and the lions' tango will be enjoyed by
all. Of course, the important message about finding your own way of
doing things is also an important one.
Gerard the giraffe really wants to dance, but his body with its long
neck and skinny legs, makes it hard to find his rhythm and the other
jungle animals laugh at his attempts. Despondent, he leaves the
gathering but a wise cricket tells him
" . . . sometimes when you're different You just need a different song."
And when Gerard finds that song he is able to do the most beautiful
dance in his own way. Children will love the warthogs' waltz, the
chimps' cha-cha, and the lions' tango, but most of all they will
love Gerard's dance, and his final words, "We can all dance, he said, When we find music that we love."
This is a lovely, feel good book, perfect for beginning readers.
Themes: Dancing, Giraffes, Verse story.
Pat Pledger
Frankie Pants and Mr Fox by Helen Lear
Illus. by Katya Swan. Little Steps, 2020. ISBN: 9781925839654. 28pp.
Recommended. This is a classic superhero story that follows the
story of a presumably lazy cat, who transforms into Frankie Pants -
a modern day hero here to save his animal pals. His nemesis Mr Fox
is on the radar in this story and with all his bravery and might
Frankie Pants saves the day . . . and his chicken friends!
This is a lovely, short story that is filled with wonderful words
and an easy to follow rhyme. Some of my favourite words/phrases used
are dastardly doings, devilish, villainous, gleaming, and wrestling!
All such wonderful words that required explanation for my younger
reader, who afterwards tried to use them whenever possible. The text
includes larger words (and s t r e t c h e d words) so the reader
can add addition sounds/curiosity for the listener.
I really enjoyed the illustrations in this story and felt that they
accentuated the characters, added interest and engagement for the
reader. The colours were vibrant and bright, and I particularly
enjoyed the expression on the chickens' faces. You can see the sense
of fear, despair and relief at being saved.
The year 1 boys I read this story to both enjoyed the adventure of
Frankie Pants, but unanimously said that it should have been longer
so Frankie could go on more missions to save more of his friends.
With a review like that, I think there would be great interest in a
sequel!
We gave it 4 out of 5 in the hope that a sequel comes along one day
so we can read more about the fun adventures of Frankie Pants!
Lauren Fountain
Alex Rider: Nightshade by Anthony Horowitz
Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781406395877.
(Age: 10-16). Highly recommended. This book is number 13 in the
series from Horowitz and does not disappoint his fans with another
action-packed, exciting story involving Alex Rider, the teenage spy.
Alex has officially retired from his duties with MI6 Special
Operations and is looking forward to a normal life at school. A
series of events involving a new terrorist organisition called
Nightshade that uses children to perform their acts of violence
convinces Alex to assist for one last time. Having caught Frederick
Grey, one of the Nightshade children, MI6 special operations decides
they need to send Alex into the prison where he is being held to get
close to him and find out more about Nightshade. He is impersonating
a former prisoner called Julius Grief who had plastic surgery to
look just like Alex in the past. His handler Mrs. Jones has a
personal interest in this project as her children were kidnapped to
be part of Nightshade and Alex is tasked with trying to bring them
home too.
Time is of the essence for Alex as MI6 knows Nightshade is planning
a major terrorist attack on London within 3 weeks. Now, going into
the highly secure prison is one thing as he has contacts there that
can help him, but then Alex and Frederick escape Alex is taken back
to Nightshade headquarters in Greece. Here things start to unravel
for Alex as the attack draws nearer and the Nightshade controllers
realize who he really is.
The book is certainly a great addition to this exciting series and
fans of Alex Rider will love this story as it presents the
real-world issue of terrorism and the horrifying idea that children
are used to perform violent tasks in this way. The end of the story
lets us know that this will not be the last of the books involving
Nightshade. Themes: Espionage, Intelligence agencies, Terrorism,
Adolescents.
Gabrielle Anderson
In the city by Holly James
Illus. by Hannah Tolson. Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526616241.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. Introducing young children to the delights of
an urban environment will be enhanced using this vibrant, detailed
and fascinating book.
As the city wakes, Oscar and Lucy set off, complete with backpacks,
camera and a map. Each double page begins in the same way as they
get on the train to go into the city, or have a picnic or look at
the skyscrapers. "Let's visit the museum", for example, shows the
children exploring this cavernous place looking at the art on the
walls, the statues, the plants, the mobile and the dinosaur bones,
while the book offers questions along the bottom of the page, asking
the readers to look at something in particular. On this page the
reader is asked to count the number of artefacts spotted, a new word
being introduced.
Each double page explores the range of things to be found in that
area of a city, and children will be delighted looking at the detail
on each page, sharing with others what they have seen or would like
to see, exploring the range of city offerings together, perhaps even
planning their own trip.
My favourite page, "Let's cruise on the river", shows a small boat
cruising down river, passing a range of other craft, highlighting
the bridges, waterfront, walkways and buildings nearby. A question
directs readers to look at the other things gliding along the water,
while several words in larger font reiterate the words that are
possibly new to the reader.
The family goes shopping and takes a train and bus ride, eventually
heading for home and bed. A double page after the children have gone
to bed, has images of a number of things and asks the readers if
they were spotted, so ensuring the readers will go back and read the
story again. And I can imagine the list of things noted and pointed
out will far exceed the 22 listed at the end of the book.
Themes: Travel, Cities, Urban environment.
Fran Knight
Be plastic clever by Amy and Ella Meek
Dorling Kindersley, 2020. ISBN: 9780241447079.
(Age: 8-12) Recommended. Amy and Ella Meek have been activists in
the area of plastic since becoming aware of the large amounts of
plastic in their local area in the United Kingdom. They started a
group called "Kids against Plastic" with the goal of ridding the UK
of single use plastic bottles. They have been inspired by several
other like-minded people who believe young people can strive for
change to help combat the growing issue of plastic pollution.
The book is set up like a nonfiction book into chapters that cover
everything young people need to know about plastic and what we can
do to reduce, re-use and recycle it. It has a good glossary and a
very useful index for research. In between each chapter there is a
short bio of someone the girls admire - their heroes. Famous
environmentalists such as Mahatma Gandhi and Sir David Attenborough
are followed by more contemporary heroes like Greta Thunberg, Grace
Hopper and Maddie Moate.
The girls themselves have set a goal to collect 100,000 pieces of
plastic in their local area and are well on the way to their goal.
They set out in this book what kinds of plastic there are and how
they are impacting wildlife around the world. They also discuss what
is being done in different parts of Europe about recycling these
materials and what individuals can do in their everyday life to
reduce the amount of plastic they use.
Easy to read and interesting content will make it popular for anyone
wanting more information for young people on this topic. The book is
a great resource, but it focuses on the United Kingdom and Europe
and therefore lacks the links and information about what is being
done in Australia and other countries around the world. Themes:
Plastic, Recycling, Environmental impact, Activism.
Gabrielle Anderson
TrooFriend by Kirsty Applebaum
Nosy Crow, 2020. ISBN: 9781788003476.
(Ages: 9+) TrooFriend by Kirsty Applebaum is a
thought-provoking look at Androids and the concept of Artificial
Intelligence (AI). The AI topic is sensitively handled and while at
times the situation for Sarah becomes unsafe, her ever-developing
relationship with her Android Ivy is key to the story. Sarah is
given a TrooFriend 560 Mark IV Android as her parents are too busy
and her best friend has moved away. The Android is marketed as the
best kind of friend for a child: I do not Bully I do not Harm I do not Lie I do not Covet or Steal or Envy I am your perfect friend Your one TrooFriend
Sarah would rather have had a dog and does not take to the Android
at first. Eventually she turns Ivy on for more and more hours per
day and discovers Ivy can do amazing things like tidy her room and
play games. Sarah decides to take Ivy to school for Bring Your Tech
To School Day even though there are media reports and demonstrations
that all is not right with this particular model of Android. The
school visit is a disaster for Sarah as Ivy makes inappropriate
comments and Sarah's friendship issues are exacerbated. The negative
media attention surrounding this Android batch reaches fever pitch
as another child is injured. Meanwhile Sarah has realised that Ivy
has developed human feelings and is responding in ways unusual for
an Android. Her parents are influenced by the media reports and want
to return Ivy to the factory where the Androids will be destroyed.
Sarah decides to take Ivy and run away but a dangerous situation
develops. Eventually Sarah's enduring friendship with Ivy enables
Ivy to be safely hidden away.
There are a number of social and family issues shared throughout the
story that will be familiar to readers, i.e. fitting in, impressing
the popular girl and feeling alone. This would be a fascinating read
aloud to a middle grade class as it offers a different view of
friendship and the resulting discussion would be both interesting
and beneficial. Themes: Family, School, Relationships, Feelings,
Friendships, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Technology, STEM.
Kathryn Beilby
Tippy and Jellybean by Sophie Cunningham
Illus. by Amil Tortop. Albert Street Books, 2020. ISBN:
9781760878474.
(Age: 5+) With the recent devastating bushfires and lots of
media coverage about the plight of Australian animals, particularly
koalas, this book with its sub title, The true story of a brave
koala who saved her baby from a bushfire, will have readers
instantly alert, their heads swimming with images they have seen,
ready for a happy story in the midst of much that was not. And they
will not be disappointed.
The baby koala and its mother realise that one day is not the same
as the rest. Hot winds are blowing, it is hot and smoky. The other
animals in their vicinity all protect themselves; the kangaroos hop
away, the wombat burrows into its hole, the cockatoos take off, but
the koalas can only climb. At the top of the tree, Tippy's fur is
singed and her paws are sore, but Jellybean is safe. A man coaches
them down and takes them to a vet, Kami. After her burns are
treated, they are taken to an animal sanctuary to recuperate and
when this is over, taken back to their home to rejoin their other
animal friends.
This endearing story tells of what has happened to many Australian
animals during the last bushfires, showing younger readers of their
plight and what happens to them if they survive but are injured.
In concise prose, the story tells of the people involved in their
rescue and the stages their rehabilitation takes.
The illustrations add to the sincerity of the story, giving younger
readers a look at the places these animals live, the other animals
in their environment, and their dependence upon the gum tree and
most importantly the effect of fire upon their domain. This book
will introduce students to the theme of fire and its effects upon
the animals and what happens to them once the fire has passed.
Themes: Koalas, Bushfires, Australian bush, Family, Love,
Motherhood.
Fran Knight
