Tag: jen banyard

Riddle Gully Secrets by Jen Banyard

She darted along the shadowy trail, adrenalin sparking through her limbs. Her eyes scanned for the snatches of white shirt flickering through the trees of the forest ahead; her nostrils twitched for shifting scents; her ears strained for every snap, every cry, every rustle, every …

‘Let’s go back now!’

The voice was like a frypan clanging on the head of Pollo di Nozi, Youth Reporter for the Coast newspaper. She leapt around to face its owner. She turned around to face its owner.

‘You can’t be serious, Will!’ Pollo hissed. ‘We’re chasing the first case we’ve had in weeks and you want to go back?’

‘The first case you’ve had in weeks,’ said Will.

She darted along the shadowy trail, adrenalin sparking through her limbs. Her eyes scanned for the snatches of white shirt flickering through the trees of the forest ahead; her nostrils twitched for shifting scents; her ears strained for every snap, every cry, every rustle, every …

‘Let’s go back now!’

The voice was like a frypan clanging on the head of Pollo di Nozi, Youth Reporter for the Coast newspaper. She leapt around to face its owner. She turned around to face its owner.

‘You can’t be serious, Will!’ Pollo hissed. ‘We’re chasing the first case we’ve had in weeks and you want to go back?’

‘The first case you’ve had in weeks,’ said Will.

Things have been mighty quiet in Riddle Gully. While this might be good news for the town, it’s not good news for intrepid reporter, Pollo and her slightly less enthusiastic, and often hungry sidekick, Will. But this trail, which leads them deep into the bush is sure to lead to super-scoops and further advance Pollo’s blooming career. And it does lead them to a mystery – with more leads than even Pollo could have imagined. Why don’t the campers want to be found? Who else is interested in the secrets of the hills? Pollo is desperate to find all the answers. All she has to do is convince Will to help her, untangle all the stories and fame will surely be hers.

Riddle Gully Secrets is the third mystery in this series set in a small town, Riddle Gully. While everyone else goes about their business, intrepid reporter (junior) Pollo sees intrigue and mystery everywhere. Her offsider, Will, is supportive but sometimes overwhelmed by Pollo’s enthusiasms. And there are many. ‘Riddle Gully Secrets’ explores secrets, greed, history, family and belonging, wrapped up in a mystery full of fun and wide-ranging adventure. Recommended for mid-primary readers and lovers of mystery.

Riddle Gully Secrets, Jen Banyard
Fremantle Press 2016 ISBN: 9781925163957

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Riddle Gully Runaway by Jen Banyard

Someone had said the view from the top of the rollercoaster was amazing but Will Hopkins had only one thought as the carriage rattled its way up the steep steel incline: ‘I’m only thirteen! I’m too young to die!’

Beside him in the lead car, Poll di Nozi strained against the safety bar, pointing excitedly. ‘Would you look at that bolt there, Will! It’s wobbling like crazy! This rig needs a good going over with a welding torch if you ask me! There’s another loose one! Look!’

Someone had said the view from the top of the rollercoaster was amazing but Will Hopkins had only one thought as the carriage rattled its way up the steep steel incline: ‘I’m only thirteen! I’m too young to die!’

Beside him in the lead car, Poll di Nozi strained against the safety bar, pointing excitedly. ‘Would you look at that bolt there, Will! It’s wobbling like crazy! This rig needs a good going over with a welding torch if you ask me! There’s another loose one! Look!’

Will Hopkins is not a huge fan of rollercoasters. It’s clear that too much can go wrong. His friend, Poll, couldn’t be more different, she seems to have no fear. In fact, Poll seems determined to run at everything, sometime too fast to be sure it’s a good idea. When the Mayor’s nephew, Benson, leaves town in a hurry, Poll and Will and Poll’s pet ram Shorn Connery give chase. More than one reputation is at stake. Will is a timid but resourceful Watson to Poll’s madcap Holmes. And Shorn? Who knew that this adventure would make his heart beat so fast.

It’s often said that life is a rollercoaster, and it’s certainly true for the characters in this novel, both literally and metaphorically. Particularly for Will Hopkins who really doesn’t seem to have much control of this adventure. Despite this, he hangs on for the ride and provides assistance that the adventure cannot succeed without. Even when he’d really rather be at home having takeway Chinese dinner with his mother and stepfather. Puns abound in this adventure mystery, while the problems encountered by the characters are all too realistic. Riddle Gully Runaway is a wild adventure with a clear message about facing your fears, even if running away initially seems an easier option. Recommended for mid- to upper-primary readers.

 

Riddle Gully Runaway, Jen Banyard Fremantle Press 2014 ISBN: 9781922089878

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Spider Lies, by Jen Banyard

A shivering, low moan invaded the room – a moan not so much heard as felt. Connor stiffened, feeling the sound grow in his chest. He tried to speak, but the moan only intensified as Connor’s cracked voice choked in his throat.
He could just make out the tiny shape of Alf. The spider was standing on a piece of broken jar facing the window, flailing his two front legs. Was it the sudden view of life without glass walls bringing on the strange movements? Or was it something to do with the long, spiky leg, thick as a tree branch, that was now snaking through the gap in the window, and waving, searching about the room?
Connor went rigid. He couldn’t utter a sound.

Connor likes spiders and he likes space science. Now an email conversation with Herman, a NASA scientist, has resulted in a spiders-in-space experiment. The class collects spiders and hands them over to unsmiling NASA officials. One escapes as the officials take the spiders back to the USA before their space flight. Connor takes him home, ‘Alf – the spider who almost became an astronaut’. Connor’s school cred may have risen with the NASA connection, but it takes a nose dive as new student, Wart, decides – none too subtly – that they are great friends. Now Connor is alone in his house, sure he’s being watched. Millie, the old lady next door, is muttering about his pet spider and Herman the knitting NASA scientist is acting strangely.

Spider Lies is a story about spiders and friendship, space and the secrets around it. Connor is the main character but most of the subsidiary characters are given an opportunity to say their piece in their own voice. Connor thinks he’ll enjoy some time alone and is happy when his ‘babysitter’ suddenly becomes unavailable. There are red herrings and power struggles, science facts and science speculation, school bullies and new friends. Jen Banyard keeps the story rollicking along and uses plenty of humour. The chapters are short and there are enough story threads to please any spider. Spider Lies’ viewpoints switch from chapter to chapter – sometimes within chapters – but it is easy to follow. The spider language is fascinating and inventive and may well inspire readers to invent words of their own. Recommended for mid-upper primary readers although it would also have interest for older, less confident readers.

Spider Lies

Spider Lies, Jen Banyard
Fremantle Press 2009
ISBN: 9781921361517

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