October 2011 – Page 3 – Aussie Reviews

Panda Chase, by Justin D'Ath

Pingwu was huge and scary. His big yellow teeth were as thick as Jordan’s fingers.

Jordan and Harry have got a lot going on. They’ve got an orphaned possum to hand feed, a bathful of yabbies to rehome and sheep to chase off the highway. If that’s not enough, they’re also the first on the scene when a giant panda escapes from a crashed truck. But really, it’s just another day in the life of Mission Fox: Animal Rescue Service.

Panda Chase is the second title in this series for middle primary aged readers and, in true Justin D’Ath style, raises the stakes for the twins, who in the previous book only had to deal with a giant python, a swarm of wasps and an escaped cockatoo. Their operations don’t always go smoothly, and their mother doesn’t approve of some of their antics, but young readers will.

Good stuff.

Panda Chase (Mission Fox), by Justin D’Ath
Puffin Books, 2011
ISBN 978014330582

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Lioness, by Katherine Scholes

Angel’s mother has been killed by a snake, and she is alone in the Tanzanian desert. When she’s confronted by a lioness she is sure she will die. But the lion doesn’t kill her…

Angel pushed herself back against the rock as the lioness walked towards her. She knew nothing could save her now. ..Her heart raced with terror, her breath snagged in her lungs. But then, a thought came to her. She would die here, like Laura. She would not have to live on. With a sense of calm, she closed her eyes and waited for the lioness to come.

Angel’s mother has been killed by a snake, and she is alone in the Tanzanian desert. When she’s confronted by a lioness she is sure she will die. But the lion doesn’t kill her.

Emma Lindberg has come from Australia to visit the medical research station where her mother died. When she gets caught up in the search for the missing child, her plans for the future are turned upside down, and she must find a strength she didn’t know she has.

Lioness is a moving tale of love on many levels – love between mother and daughter, between lovers and potential lovers, between human and animal. Readers will be especially intrigued by the latter, with the lioness Moyo caring for Angel and seeming to have an intuitive link with other humans.

Set in rural Tanzania, and with a diverse cast, Lioness is a heart-warming read.

Lioness, by Katherine Scholes
Penguin, 2011
ISBN 9781921518768

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond .

The Golden Day, by Ursula Dubosarsky

There were only eleven of them, like eleven sisters all the same age in a large family. Because it was such a very small class, they had a very small classroom, which was perched at the very tip of the school.
‘Today, girls,’ said Miss Renshaw, ‘we shall go out into the beautiful garden and think about death.’

It is 1967 and eleven young girls take regular trips to the local gardens with their teacher, to observe life, to write poetry and to learn from the gardener, Morgan, who is a poet. But on the day that a man is hanged, Miss Renshaw takes them to the gardens to think about death. Glad of the chance for fresh air, the girls don’t object. But when Morgan offers to show them a cave at the beach near the park, something terrible happens. Miss Renshaw disappears.

When the girls are forced to return to school alone, they are not sure how much they should share with the adults who question them – after all, Miss Renshaw told them that Morgan and the cave were their secret. Will they get in trouble if they tell the truth?

The Golden Day is a beautiful novel with and atmosphere and dream-like intrigue similar to Picnic at Hanging Rock. Readers are invited to know the girls and to suffer with them in their child-like confusion, at the same time trying to puzzle out what has happened to Miss Renshaw, and unravel other mysteries which arise as the story unfolds.

Not a long volume, there is still a lot here to digest, leaving the reader thinking about the story long after the last page is turned.

The Golden Day, by Ursula Dubosarsky
Allen & Unwin, 2011
ISBN This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Snake Escape, by Justin D'Ath

The twins looked up…
‘Shishkebab!’ they gasped.
Bella was enormous.

Twins Jordan and Harry are on a mission. With their dog Myrtle they have set up Mission Fox Animal Rescue Service, and now Mrs Seabert wants them to help her find her missing pet – a giant python called Bella.

But catching a scary, and hungry, snake is not easy – especially when you add in a scared cockatoo, an angry cat and a swarm of wasps. This could be Jordan and Harry’s slipperiest mission.

Snake Escape is the first title in a new series for junior readers by Justin D’Ath, author of the extremely popular Extreme Adventures series. Harry and Jake are fairly normal nine year olds – they have fears, illnesses and foibles – who, in their quest to do something special, find themselves in extraordinary situations. Eight to ten year old readers will love this.

Snake Escape (Mission Fox), by Justin D’Ath
Puffin Books, 2011
ISBN 9780143305811

This book can be purchased from good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

The Aunties Three, by Nick Bland

Don’t fart or burp or sniffle or sneeze.
Remember your ‘thank you’ and practise your ‘please’.
Speak when you’re spoken to, never before,
take a deep breath and open the door…
IF YOU DARE!

The Aunties Three are on their way to visit, but their exacting standards make it pretty hard to prepare for their visit. When they do come calling, things go wrong, and one by one the three aunties leave in disgust. Luckily, after they’ve gone, Aunty Four comes, ready for fun and comfort.

The Aunties Three is a fun rhyming romp full of the kind of silliness that youngsters love – rhyme that scans well, quirky characters and illustrative details which they’ll love to discover and explore. Nick Bland is a master of the picture book form and this new offering will not disappoint.

The Aunties Three, by Nick Bland
Scholastic, 2011
ISBN 9781741697919

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

The Day the World Ended, by Lizzie Wilcock

The day the world ended began sunny and bright. There was no lightning, no thunder. No fiery comets soared across a darkening sky. No ravens screeched. No frenzied dogs barked, except for Winston, the dog next door. He always barked – morning, noon and night – which made the last day of the world seem exactly the same as any other day.

When they go for their favourite early morning swim on the 21st of September, Annie and Mac don’t think anything is different about the day. But a strange flash of light under the water alerts them that something – everything – is wrong. Out of the water they discover that they are the only ones from their home town alive. Soon it becomes apparent that the whole of humanity has been wiped out, except for them.

For a whole terrible day the twins try to unravel what has happened, how they will survive alone – and why it is them who remain alive. But when they wake up the next morning they discover they have gone back in time, till before the extinction took place. Now they have the opportunity to find other teens who also survived the extinction, and figure out a way to stop it ever happening. But there is someone who will do anything to stop them – someone who wants the human race obliterated.

The Day the World Ended is the first in an exciting new series for teens, based on the premise of a group of teens who are able both to survive an extinction and to travel through time. As they attempt to locate the other teens, Annie and Mac also try to unravel the mysteries of how they survive, what it is that will wipe out the human race and how they can stop it from happening.

The Day the World Ended is suitable for upper primary and lower secondary aged readers.

The Day the World Ended (Extinction), by Lizzie Wilcock
Scholastic, 2011
ISBN 9781741696462

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond< /a>. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Meet Rose, by Sherryl Clark

In her bedroom, Rose poured cold water from the flowered jug into the bowl and washed her hands and face, shivering at how icy it was. She used the hand towel to clean her boots, and brushed her dark, unruly hair. There. Surely Mother wouldn’t scold her on her birthday?

It is 1900 and Rose is growing up in a wealthy Melbourne household. Life should be easy, but Rose’s mother expects her to always act like a young lady – which means no cricket, no adventurers, and no school. But Rose desperately wants all of those things. When her favourite Aunt Alice comes to stay, Rose is happy – but Mother isn’t. She thinks Aunt Alice is a bad influence.

Meet Rose is the first of four stories about Rose which form part of the Our Australian Girl series. The series comprises four sets of four books, each exploring the story of one girl from a different period of Australian history. Rose differs a little from the other three girls because she comes from a more privileged background, yet, just like the other girls, she faces struggles and challenges as she tries to find her place in the world.

Meet Rose will appeal to middle and upper primary aged readers.

Meet Rose (Our Australian Girl), by Sherryl Clark
Puffin Books, 2011
ISBN 9780143305361

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Paris Dreaming, by Anita Heiss

I’m telling you now: I’m never having another boyfriend – EVER!’

Libby is over men. Every time she’s been serious with one, they’ve cheated and hurt her. Now she’s on a man-fast, and happy to keep it that way. After all, she has plenty of good stuff in her life – a great job that she loves, three wonderful tiddas, and two cats for company at home. She doesn’t need a man. But when she gets the travel bug, Libby finds herself in Paris, surrounded by men and by lovers. Will her resolve falter?

Paris Dreaming is the second in Anita Heiss’ ‘Dreaming’ series featuring strong Koori characters each on a quest for personal fulfilment which includes, but is by no means limited to, romance. Set initially in Canberra, then in Paris, the story follows Libby’s adventures as she travels to Paris to represent the National Aboriginal Gallery at an exhibition in the Musee du Quai Branly. In Paris Libby hones her fashion skills, makes new friends and explores exciting career possibilities, whilst also protecting herself from again having her heart broken.

Libby is an endearing narrator, sharing her story as a first person narrator. The book is Heiss’s special blend of Koori chit-lick, with strong female Aboriginal characters, and the exploration of serious issues such as racial tolerance and cultural sensitivity alongside romance, fashion and fun.

Paris Dreaming is fun and intelligence in equal measure.

Paris Dreaming, by Anita Heiss
Random House, 2011
ISBN 9781741668933

This book can be purchased from good bookstores, or online from Fishpond.

The Runaway Hug, by Nick Bland & Freya Blackwood

‘Mummy,’ said Lucy, ‘can I have a hug before I go to bed? I promise I’ll give it back.’

When Lucy’s mum gives her her last hug, Lucy sets out to share it with everyone in the family. Daddy give sit back, a little bit stronger. The twins vie it back, a little reluctantly, but twice as big as before. Baby Lily gives it back all peanut buttery. But when Lucy hugs the family dog, Annie, Annie runs away without returning the hug. Lucy is devastated. How will she tell Mum that she lost the last hug? Luckily, though, Annie is not a bad dog – just energetic, and eventually she finds Lucy and gives her a slobbery hug, just in time for bedtime.

The Runaway Hug is a gorgeous picture book from two of Australia’s finest picture book creators, Nick Bland and Freya Blackwood. Bland’s story is strong, yet gentle and is well complemented by Blackwood’s watercolour and pencil illustrations. The family and their home are a lovely mix of whimsy and the kind of chaos that comes with big, loving families.

The Runaway Hug is a warm tale of love and laughter.

The Runaway Hug, by Nick Bland & Freya Blackwood
Scholastic, 2011
ISBN 978186504405

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

My Father's War, by Sophie Masson

It scares me a lot, thinking of Dad out there, far away in that dangerous, terrible place, wondering how it will be when he comes back – if he comes back, that is…

Annie’s dad has been away fighting in the Great War for two years leaving Annie and her mum at home in Australia. But Dad’s letters have stopped coming, ad Annie’s mother is sick with worry, so she’s decided to do something about it. She will travel to France to find him. Soon Annie and her Mother, who is French, are in France trying to find out what has happened to Dad. As she pieces together the clues to her father’s disappearance, Annie finds out for herself what war is like.

My Father’s War , part of the My Australian Story series, presents a fictional first person account of the events and impact of the first world war on a twelve year old girl. Told using diary format, Annie’s mixed parentage and feisty nature enable the reader to experience the war first hand as she travels through the war zone in search of her father.

Excellent historical fiction for primary aged readers.

My Father’s War , by Sophie Masson
Scholastic, 2011
ISBN 9781741698282

This book can be purchased in good bookstores, or online from Fishpond .