Category: Young Adult

Grim Tuesday, by Garth Nix

Yesterday Arthur Penhaligon saved the world. Today he should be resting. But the sound of a telephone warns him that that’s not going to happen.

Having vanquished Mister Monday, the first Trustee of the will of the Architect of the Universe, Arthur is now being challenged by the second Trustee, Grim Tuesday. Grim Tuesday, as well as holding the Second Key, controls the depths of the pit from where Nothing comes. He is demanding Arthur repay a vast debt owed by the previous Mister Monday. Failure to pay will mean financial ruin for Arthur’s family – and the whole world.

Despite his misgivings, Arthur ventures back into the house to take on Grim Tuesday and win the Second Key.

Grim Tuesday picks up where Mister Monday left off, drawing the reader straight back into Arthur’s adventures. Arthur, an unlikely hero, will be someone many teens will relate to: he doesn’t want to be a hero and, on the surface, doesn’t seem to have many of the necessary attributes for a hero. But with a combination of inner strength and help from his varied friends, he triumphs.

Readers will be anxiously watching for the next in the series.

Grim Tuesday, by Garth Nix
Allen & Unwin, 2004

YA AudioBook Review: Deadly Unna?, by Phillip Gwynne

Blacky (Gary Black) and Dumby Red play for the same football team, but they come from different worlds. Blacky lives in town with his seven siblings, his long-suffering mother and his alchoholic father. Dumby lives on the point, in the Aborignal settlement.

At first, Blacky thinks he hasn’t got much in common with Dumby, but when Dumby saves his skin by defending him, Gary realises Dumby is his friend. Unfortunately, its might be okay for a Nunga and a Gunya to play football together, but it isn’t so easy for them to be firends.

Through his friendship with Dumby, Blacky starts to see his town through different eyes. He starts to question some of the things which he has previously accepted – racist jokes, rude graffiti, and the separation of black and white.

Deadly Unna is a story about racism, but it is also a story about much more – friendship, family and self-identity being among the themes explored.

The voice of actor Chris Pittman is an excellent fit for the first-person narration of the text, which won the Book of the Year (Older Readers) Award in the CBCA Awards in 1999.

A great version of an outstanding novel for teens.

Deadly Unna, by Phillip Gwynne, read by Chris Pitman
ABC Audio, 2001

The Dark, by Marianne Curley

Twelve months ago Marduke, the lover of Lathenia, the Goddess of Chaos, was slain. Now Latheinia is orchestrating her revenge. She is altering history, with subtle yet potentially devastating changes in the present day.

When Lathenia manages to capture Arkarian, one of the named, the danger grows. Isabel, another of the named, who has found herself growing increasingly attracted to Arkarian, is determined to find and rescue him, no matter the cost. Accompanied by her brother, Matt, and friend Ethan, also among the Named, she enters the darkest realms, where the trio face their most gruelling challenges ever.

The Dark uses a powerful and contrasting combination of contemporary setting and chilling fantasy. The use of the dual perspectives of Isabel and Arkanian adds an extra dimension, increasing the appeal to both male and female readers.

From a dark and almost awkward prologue, this book emerges into a gripping read. A sequel to The Named, The Dark is the second in the Guardians of Time Trilogy.

The Dark, by Marianne Curley
Allen & Unwin, 2003

Wolfchild, by Roseanne Hawk

Morwenna is not frightened of the wolf she sees in the woods across the stream. But she is not so certain of the Wolfchild who hides in the high places. The child, Raw, is a vagrant who must stay hidden for a year and a day to get his freedom.

Set in the year 1099 in the lost land of Lyonesse, this is the tale of Raw’s struggle to accept himself and his past, and of Morwenna, who helps him in secret, knowing the villagers will not accept him. When calamity strikes, Morwenna has to choose betwwen their new-found friendship and the ancient rules.

Inspired by the Cornish legend of Lyonesse, Wolfchild is vividly portrayed and a delight to read.

Wolfchild, by Roseanne Hawke
Lothian, 2003

Watch Out for Jamie Joel, by Mike Dumbleton

Craig Elliott is the new deputy principal. Jamie Joel isn’t new. She’s been at the school long enough to have a reputation. What the pair have to work out is how to get to know each other, and how to work together to get Jamie through school and allow Craig to do his job.

Watch Out for Jamie Joel tells the powerful story of Jamie Joel, a teen with an unpalatable home life and a chip on her shoulder and the teacher who wants to help her.

Author Mike Dumbleton writes from dual perspectives – using the first person narrative of the deputy principal, entwined with the third person perspective of Jamie Joel.

A gritty and engrossing novel.

Watch Out for Jamie Joel, by Mike Dumbleton
Allen & Unwin, 2003

Dragonkeeper, by Carole Wilkinson

In ancient China a slave girl who is told she is not worthy of a name witnesses the brutal carving up and pickling of a dragon. When the remaining dragon is threatened, the girl takes a chance and rescues him, fleeing her brutal master.

The pair are free, but a long way from safety. They must travel across China, evading a ruthless dragon hunter and protecting a mystic stone, the dragon stone.

This is a story of incredible beauty, with a delightful mix of fantasy and history. The dragon and his young keeper are created with such intricacy that it is hard to believe author Carole Wilkinson was not a first-hand witness to the events she describes.

Wilkinson’s earlier books were good – but this one, her longest yet, is simply brilliant.

Dragonkeeper, by Carole Wilkinson
Black Dog Books, 2003

Edward Britton, by Gary Crew and Philip Neilsen

Most Australians know something of the history of Port Arthur, the notorious convict prison in Tasmania. Not many are aware, however, of the boys’ prison across the bay from Port Arthur. Point Puer was built as a special prison for boys as young as ten who were brought to Australia to be reformed.

Edward Britton tells the story of two teenage residents – Edward Britton and Izod Wolfe. Although the pair are fictional characters, the book tells the very real story of Point Puer.

Authors Gary Crew and Philip Neilsen combine to offer insights into the two boys and the way their stories become one.

This is a haunting story which draws the reader in, fascinating in its presentation both of the boys’ story and of this absorbing part of Australian history.

Excellent.

Edward Britton, by Gary Crew and Philip Neilsen
Lothian, 2000

Jump Man Rule 2, by James Valentine

Jules Santorini and Geneveieve Corrigan are on their first date. It’s taken loads of planning and gallons of sweat from Jules’ palms, but at last it’s happening. Jules may even summon the courage to kiss Genevieve.

Meanwhile, in the future, Theodore Pine Four, who met Jules and Gen on a time jump once before, is the biggest celebrity in the two planets. He knows there’s only one rule for time jumping: Don’t touch anything!

When a stranger interrupts Jules and Gen’s date, a reunion with Theo seems imminent. The modern day pair have to time jump into the future, become invisible, spy on Theo and try to save the world. And they also need to be home on time.

Jumpman Rule 2 is the second JumpMan title by media man James Valentine, who writes these entertaining books in between commitments for ABC Radio and Showtime Movie News. This doesn’t make him another media-face penning a book in his spare time – Valentine is a talented story teller, and kids will love the Jumpman series.

A great read for 10 to 14 year olds.

JumpMan Rule 2, by James Valentine
Random House, 2003

The Other Madonna, by Scot Gardener

Madonna O’Dwyer is not the mother of Jesus and not a sex-powered pop diva. She’s a pretty ordinary girl, who works hard in a pizza shop and lives with her drama queen sister and her acoholic father.

Madonna’s mother died not long after she gave her the name she struggles with. The loss of a mother she never knew is a raw, black hole inside Madonna.

Now, at seventeen, Madonna’s friends are convinced she has an extraordinary gift – a gift of healing. Madonna isn’t convinced – she isn’t extraoordinary. She makes pizzas and washes dishes. Why would her hands have the gift of healing others, when she herself is so badly in need of healing?

The Other Madonna is an outstanding young adult read, combining humour and initimacy in a delightful blend. It is most suited to teens aged 14 and up.

The Other Madonna, by Scot Gardner
Pan Macmillan, 2003

Bringing Reuben Home, by Glenda Millard

Cinnabar and Judah are stunned when Cinnabar’s grandfather Reuben makes his request. He wants the teenagers to help him escape the confines of the domed city. In spite of their shock, the friends are determined to help Reuben. But time is short. Reuben’s cessation date is coming. If they don’t act soon, it will be too late for Reuben.

New Carradon is a domed city where conditions are strictly controlled. Population growth is tightly contained and only those who are deemed genetically compatible are allowed to reproduce. When a person outlives his or her usefulness, he is ceased, with a cessation party to mark the occasion and to say goodbye to loved ones.

Cinnabar has never been oustide the city walls, but Reuben remembers the old city and is determined to take his wife’s ashes there before he dies.

Judah and Cinnabar need to figure out a way to smuggle Reuben out of the city. In doing so, they uncover more about their own pasts than they ever suspected could be true. Bringing Reuben home will be only the beginning of a whole new life.

The setting of this story is familiar – the concept of a domed city is the basis of many science fiction stories. What chills and intrigues is this city’s approach to population control. The prospect of a planned cessation – a bizarre expiry date – has the reader squirming. Millard manages to create a rich contrast between the cold, sterile emotions of the protected city and the warm emotions of the outside. She does this without preaching or over-analysing. Instead, the story is fast paced, with plenty of action and intrigue.

Millard’s novel for younger readers, The Naming Of Tishkin Silk has gathered wide acclaim. Bringing Reuben Home, for an older audience, will also be well-received.

Bringing Reuben Home, by Glenda Millard
ABC Books, 2004