The Singing Stones, by Margo Lanagan

‘You’re right, sis. Our town is full of odd people and queer happenings.. And now we’ve been caught up in them.’

Lawrie and Jean are out fossicking with their grandfather and thinking about lunch when something strange happens. A willy-willy appears in front of them, and suddenly Lawrence, Jean and their dog Bee-Joo find themselves in a strange land. Scintillon, as they learn the land is called, is a land where stones sing, and keep the land in harmony. But one stone, somewhere in the land, is calling Jean to come and get it and take it home.

The Singing Stones is the second book in the Lost Shimmaron series, a series created by seven of Australia’s leading speculative fiction writers. Like other children from the town of Amethyst, Lawrence and Jean have been chosen by the Shimmaron, the mystical energy beings stranded in the depths of the town lake, to help get them home. Their adventures on Scintillon will entice young fantasy readers to seek out the rest of the series.

Each book in the Shimmaron series is written by one of the seven creators. This instalment is the work of Margo Lanagan, with other authors involved in the project including Tansy Rayner Roberts and Rowena Cory Daniels.

A wonderful concept.

The Singing Stones (Lost Shimmaron)

The Singing Stones, by Margo Lanagan
ABC Books, 2007

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond . Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Rebel Girl, by Susan Geasons

‘You have to come home, Big Sister!’ shouted the little girl. ‘Our father wants you. Now!’ The command made Su-Yin’s heart hammer in her chest. What have I done? she wondered. She suddenly felt dizzy. She seldom got enough to eat these days. Her father had been forced to mortgage the farm to a wealthy landowner in order to pay off gambling debts, and now the Chen family were tenant farmers, working for a pittance.

Life on the family farm is difficult and getting worse, but Su-Yin is still stunned when her family sell her into slavery. She makes a new friend on the journey up the Yangtze River to Nanjing, but they are soon separated when Su-Yin is bought to work in the kitchen of a wealthy Manchu official. Su-Yin is relatively fortunate in her new home. Although the cook is grumpy, Su-Yin is taught a trade and treated well. When the city is attacked by Taiping soldiers, Su-Yin flees with the young daughter of the family. It is a dangerous thing to do, and if she is caught, the consequences will be dire.

Fourth in Susan Geason’s historical series, Rebel Girl is set in nineteenth century China. As in the previous offerings, Geason offers a detailed look into a world unfamiliar to most young readers. Thirteen year-old Su-Yin is a sensible and strong-willed girl in a difficult situation. She is both accepting of her fate and determined to make the best of her challenging life. She works hard and is rewarded with the respect of her boss. Su-Yin shows great courage and resourcefulness when the Taiping army invades the city. This is a fast-moving, action-packed adventure, recommended for 8-12 year old readers.

Rebel Girl

Rebel Girl, by Susan Geason
ABC Books 2007
ISBN: 9780733321733

Oom Pah Pah, by Cecily Matthews

Guess what?’ Rosie cried. ‘I’ve been picked for the school band. I’m going to get an instrument.’ she flapped a note at her mother. She danced around the kitchen. ‘It says there’s going to be a meeting. You and Dad need to go and hear all about it. So do I!’

Rosie is very excited when she is chosen to join the junior school band. She fancies herself a flautist and dreams about being the best flautist in the world. She’s prepared to practice every day. But at band practice, Mrs Thomas hands her a tuba, because Rosie is tall and has long arms and fingers. Rosie decides she wants to be the best tuba player in the world. But there are a few details to sort out first. She needs to work out how to get the tuba to and from school for band practice. Rosie must convince her brother Michael that she doesn’t sound like a ‘sick elephant’. Then a new boy starts at school. Ryan is taller than Rosie, and he wants to join the band too. Rosie is worried that her career as a tuba player will be over before it’s even begun.

 

Rosie is a determined and enthusiastic character, happily adapting to learning a different instrument than she’d imagined. She works hard to discover a solution to getting the tuba to school and only falters when it seems she might not get to play it after all. Her enthusiasm, anxiety and diligence are nicely balanced in this realistic dilemma. Teachers and family, even siblings, offer to help her out, but this heroine finds her own solution. Oom Pah Pah! is realistic about the commitment required to be a band member and the challenges faced by those who play some of the larger instruments. It also sends clear and positive messages about reward-for-effort and the joy that playing in a band can bring. Recommended for lower-mid primary readers.

 

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

 

Oom Pah Pah! (ABC Kids Fiction)

 

Oom Pah Pah! Cecily Matthews & Mitch Vane
ABC Books 2007
ISBN: 9780733320682


Minnie Pearl and the Undersea Bazaar, by Natalie Jane Prior

Every morning, when they had eaten their seaweed-flakes, they swam through the Bazaar’s golden doors. Minnie helped her mother, Marina, put new gowns on the racks for the mer-models to wear in the day’s fashion parade and then she tidied the changing rooms in Modes and Jewellery.

Minnie Pearl and her parents live behind their shop, the Undersea Bazaar. Minnie helps in the shop when she’s not attending school and learning what to do if she should ever encounter a human. She dreams of being an explorer. Then the wide-smiling Manta Ray opens her Marine Emporium next door and everything begins to change. All the fashionable mermaids flock to Manta’s shop, even Aunt Kelpie is seduced. Minnie’s parents begin to frown as they do the accounts. Minnie determines to help them save their business. She follows Manta and discovers where the newcomer finds her stock. Returning home isn’t quite as easy as she expected and humans aren’t quite as they have been portrayed.

Minnie Pearl and the Underwater Bazaar is a longer picture book for lower to middle primary readers. Minnie is an independent, resourceful heroine determined to help her parents save their shop. Others are happy to follow unquestioningly, but not Minnie. Themes include prejudice against those who are different, and the risks inherent in blindly following fashion trends. The text brings to life an underwater community complete with seahorse-as-pets and sandwiches full of sea-cucumber slices. Cheryl Orsini’s illustrations are full of witty and humorous details, particularly in the stock of both shops. Recommended for lower to middle primary readers.

Minnie Pearl and the Undersea Bazaar, by Natalie Jane Prior & Cheryl Orsini
ABC Books 2007
ISBN: 9780733320149

Sweetie May, by Lisa Shanahan

They rolled an old barrel full of diamonds up to the chest. Together they climbed up and slowly peeked over the rim. There on a bed of shimmering rose rubies, curled tight like a perfect pearl, was a tiny baby.

Captain Wildehide and Captain Leanbeam love to argue. They argue about anything and everything, from morning to night. The only thing they agree on is how much they both love treasure. So, when they find a cave filled with treasure they are delighted – until they discover that, as well as treasure, the cave has a baby in it. They can’t leave the baby alone in a cave – so they take her back to their ship.

Now they have something new to agree on – both captains love the baby. But still they argue – over who loves her most, over what needs to be done for her, and more. Perhaps they’ll never stop fighting – unless the baby can get them to stop.

Sweetie May is a gorgeously funny chapter book for early and middle primary aged readers. The two pirate captains are loveable, their fights silly and their discovery of a lone baby will intrigue and delight readers. Whilst Sweetie May doesn’t talk, her character is strong and endearing, aided by the line drawing illustrations by Kerry Millard.

Now part of the ABC kids fiction imprint, Sweetie May was first published in 1998, and was a CBCA Notable Book the following year.

Sweetie May (ABC Kids Fiction)

Sweetie May, by Lisa Shanahan, illustrated by Kerry Millard
ABC Kids Fiction, 2007

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Monkey Come Home, by Bernard Gallate

I climbed the tree and spotted the frightened creature on a branch near the top. It had a long tail and was making a nervous chattering sound. Somehow it didn’t quite look a possum. I pulled myself up onto the next branch for a closer inspection and realised that it wasn’t a possum after all. It was a monkey! I couldn’t believe my luck.

When Avery finds a monkey in his back yard, he is amazed. Where did it come from and what should he do with it? He tries to keep the monkey a secret, but that isn’t easy. After his sister Serenity finds out, it isn’t long before Mum and Dad figure out that something is amiss. Then there’s the staff of PUXCorp who are looking for the monkey. What is so special about this animal?

Monkey Come Home is a fun junior novel, part of the ABC Kids Fiction series. There are twists and turns as Avery uncovers the monkey’s secret past, with other family and community members playing important roles. Reader aged 8 to 10 will enjoy the novelty of a boy owning (even if temporarily) a monkey, and the problems this creates.

An accessible and interesting read.

Monkey Come Home (ABC Kids Fiction)

Monkey Come Home, by Bernard Gallate
ABC Books, 2007

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond.

Seacastle, by Tansy Rayner Roberts

‘It’s been calling us all along.’ Thomas’s voice sounded as if it were coming from far away. ‘That’s why I untied the rope.’
Nick stared at him in horror. ‘You did what?’
‘It needs us, both of us.’

Thomas and Nick live near the shores of the mysterious Lake Shimmer, but only Thomas hears the lake, or something within it, calling him. When Thomas, who can’t swim, jumps into the lake, Nick knows he has to follow. But neither expects to end up in Habitat, another world. They have been called by the Beacon, which needs their help to save itself and to save Habitat from destruction.

Seacastle is the first book in a new series, The Shimmaron, with each title written by a different Australian author. In this volume, Tansy Rayner Roberts creates an intriguing world, with likeable and diverse characters, sure to draw in young fantasy lovers, who will eagerly await the subsequent titles in the series.

Seacastle (Lost Shimmaron)

Seacastle, by Tansy Rayner Roberts
ABC Books, 2007

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond . Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Yirra and her deadly dog, Demon, by Anita Heiss and the students of La Perouse Public School

‘That’s it.’ Yirra’s mum stands up. ‘Demon’s done something disastrous nearly every day for the past two weeks. This is the last straw. You are grounded, Yirra, and you are NOT going on the excursion to Bare Island.’ Yirra’s mum is so angry she says each word louder than the one before, so Yirra knows exactly how angry she is.

Yirra loves her dog, Demon, a Siberian husky. But Demon is always getting into trouble. He steals the neighbours’ underwear, makes a mess in the yard, and jumps on people. Now Mum has had enough of Demon’s naughtiness and is threatening to get rid of him. Yirra only has two weeks to train him, or he will be sent away.

Yirra and her deadly dog, Demon is a fun novel for primary aged readers. Set in the La Perouse community, the book is a collaboration between author Anita Heiss and the students of La Perouse Public School. As such the book gives an insight into contemporary urban indigenous life in Sydney. And, because of the collaboration, the book has an authentic viewpoint character. Kids from all over Australia will connect with Yirra as she plays with friends, goes to school, and worries about her dog.

An entertaining read, suitable for 9 to 12 year ld readers.

Yirra and her deadly dog, Demon, by Anita Heiss and the students of La Perouse Public School
ABC Books, 2007

The Surfing Scientist, by Ruben Meerman

The weirdest waves you can surf break in rivers, not at the beach. They come in twice a day and you can ride them for up to 10 kilometres upstream. They’re called tidal bores and are made by the incoming tide.

The Surfing Scientist is non-fiction, a collection of science tricks, explanations and facts. There are tricks that show how to levitate a ball, make cups fly, stand a can on an angle and make a coin jump from the neck of a bottle. Each opening includes step-by-step instructions, photos and a detailed explanation of the scientific principles behind the trick. The explanations detail how the principles demonstrated are relevant to everyone, not just scientists. For example, friction between feet and surfboard is a good thing to prevent slipping, whereas friction between axle and wheels in a skateboard is not good, hence the use of wheel bearings. There are also ocean animal and beach facts, environmental suggestions for the materials used in the tricks and suggestions for safe experimenting.

Ruben Meerman defines himself as surfer first then as scientist – hence the title. The subtitle ‘40 Cool Science Tricks’ gives the reader more idea of the contents. The cover design is appealing – bright and ‘informal’ and will entice many readers. The tricks (experiments) are laid out on double page spreads with instructions in an engaging conversational style. The trick is detailed on the left page, the explanation and other information on the right page. The ingredients/equipment required for the tricks can be found in most households. Where there is an extra element of skill required, parental supervision is suggested. The tricks range from scientific experiments to April Fool’s gags.

The Surfing Scientist will appeal to a wide range of readers, from mid-primary on, although with more supervision younger children would also enjoy the tricks. Older readers will gain from the explanations while reluctant readers may skim the explanation in favour of the tricks and the random facts. Recommended particularly for mid-primary to upper-primary readers, while many younger and older readers will also enjoy this science-based ‘magic’.

The Surfing Scientist, Ruben Meerman
ABC Books 2007
ISBN: 9780733320804

Five Minutes More – The Princess Who Could Not Choose and Two Brave Knights

‘Hello, I’m Faraway. Whose turn is it to tell a story today? Will it be Louisa? Will it be Florrie? Will it be Sam? Or will it be Georgie?’
‘It might be you, Faraway.’
‘Yes it might! Please will you stay, just for five minutes more?’

Based on a TV program, five furry friends take turns to tell stories from their patchwork quilt home. It’s Faraway’s turn to tell the story and he’s telling the story of The Princess Who Could Not Choose.’ The others help by acting it out, while one friend interjects with questions for clarification. In this story, Princess Dolores the Ditherer isn’t good at making decisions. Her father sends her two footmen to choose between. Dolores can’t decide and chooses them both. Choosing both proves a solution to some of her dilemmas until she encounters a situation where only one solution is possible. At the end of the story, the friends are again on the quilt, deciding what to do next.

In the second story, Two Brave Knights, it is Florrie’s turn to tell the tale. The others don appropriate costumes as townspeople, knights and a dragon The beautiful, tune-playing, perfect-time-keeping Elindrew clock has been stolen by a dragon. The townspeople call on the brave Sir Percival and Sir Ganymede to help retrieve their town treasure. Led by the dragon’s boasting song, the intrepid knights travel into the forest to find the dragon and retrieve the town clock. When the story is finished, the patchwork quilt friends decide to act out the story again, playing different roles.

This series, based on the TV program, was developed to foster a love of storytelling in children. The story-outside-the-story demonstrates how children can create or retell stories, using teddies and the like for characters. Photo-illustrations show characters both in costume and out. The stories are newly-created fairytales and suitable for preschool-age children in both content and length. Each is gentle and imaginative, with simple images and pastel pages. These hardback titles are smaller than a picture book, larger than a chapter book and will fit well into little hands. The cover of each title includes pictures of the five friends and a patchwork image of the story within. Panels on the patchwork quilt suggest other stories and could be used to encourage children into their own favourite or new stories. Recommended for 3-5 year olds.

Two Brave Knights (Five Minutes More S.)

Five Minutes More. The Princess Who Could Not Choose, by Jan Page and Mellie Buse
ABC Books 2007
ISBN: 9780733321382

Five Minutes More. Two Brave Knights, by Jan Page and Mellie Buse
ABC Books 2007
ISBN: 9780733321375

These books can be purchased online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.