Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables by Tim Harris ill James Hart

Mr Bambuckle’s first day at Blue Valley School was a most remarkable day. the fifteen students of 12B straggled in after the bell to find their new teacher balancing on a unicycle, on top of a desk. He was singing in full voice about ‘glorious days’ and ‘magical ways and, as the students took their seats, he told them it was a rare Mongolian welcome song.

Mr Bambuckle is like no teacher the students of 12B have ever encountered. It’s not just that he can balance on his unicycle on the desk. It’s not just that he seems more exciting than Miss Schlump. He has an answer for their every question, even when he’s saying that it’s too dangerous to meet his Indian spark-maker beetle. Within minutes, he is smiling at their principal, Mr Sternblast, despite the latter’s gruffness. ‘Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables’ begins with character sketches of all the class, and illustrations are scattered throughout.

Mr Bambuckle is more than a little magical. He knows the students’ names before they tell them and he can immediately see what they need from him as a teacher. But even though he can see it, he structures his classes so the students discover their own strengths and challenges. There are no cross words, no punishments, and every member of the class starts to perform to their abilities. In between these subtle lessons, there are stories, jokes, magic and even bacon. What’s not to love? Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables’ is a new series for readers who like their stories wrapped in ridiculousness and humour. Recommended for mid- to upper-primary readers. Would also work a treat as a read-aloud.
Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables by Tim Harris ill James Hart Random House Australia 2017 ISBN: 9780143785859

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller
www.clairesaxby.com

Exchange of Heart by Darren Groth

Brisbane
Have you always wanted to travel to other FAB parts of the world?
Not so much.
Do you want to immerse yourself in an AWESOME new culture?
If it helps.
Are you ready for the RAD adventure you’ve always dreamt about?
Not my dream.
Then YOU are srsly the sort of student YOLO Canada is looking for!
I srsly doubt it.

Munro Maddux is stuck. Stuck in a destructive and seemingly inescapable loop of ‘if only I had …’ He agrees to go to Brisbane from Canada on a six-month student exchange, hoping that the voice in his head will finally shut up. Never mind that by going, he’s living his little sister’s dream. But although his host family is great and the school welcoming, the only place the voice is silent is at Fair Go, an assisted living residence, where his new school sends him to complete compulsory volunteer hours. His ‘team’ decide they will help him get to know their town, their world.

Exchange of Heart’ sees Munro fly half way around the world, desperate to escape his grief at his sister’s death. But of course, grief doesn’t work that way. It travels with him and no matter how he tries, it grabs at his heart and stops him. Stops him sleeping. Stops him developing friendships and relationships. Stops him functioning like a ‘normal’ 16-year-old teenager. Whatever ‘normal’ is. His volunteering at Fair Go is his lifeline, his safe place, his refuge from and journey back to living. His ‘team’ mentor as much as are mentored, accept him, challenge him. ‘Exchange of Heart’ doesn’t miss a beat. Recommended for secondary readers.

Exchange of Heart, Darren Groth, Random House Australia 2017 ISBN: 9780143781578
review by www.clairesaxby.com, Children’s author and bookseller
www.clairesaxby.com

Silver Shoes 4: Dance Till You Drop by Samantha-Ellen Bound

‘You can’t what?’ Ellie crossed her arms and narrowed her big green eyes at me.

Uh-oh. I knew I was in trouble.

I looked at Ellie’s fluoro-pink jazz boots. Then at Ashley’s bag with the ripped handle. Then at a picture of a young Miss Caroline dancing on a cruise ship above the bluest water I’d ever seen.

But I couldn’t look at Ellie.

‘I can’t come to your birthday party,’ I whispered. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Why not?’ said Ellie.

I picked at my leotard. Then I gave a little cough. Wow. Sometimes Ellie can be scary when she’s excited or passionate about something and can’t stop talking. But when she’s silent? That’s terrifying.

‘You can’t what?’ Ellie crossed her arms and narrowed her big green eyes at me. Silver Shoes 4: Dance Till you Drop, Samantha-Ellen Bound

Uh-oh. I knew I was in trouble.

I looked at Ellie’s fluoro-pink jazz boots. Then at Ashley’s bag with the ripped handle. Then at a picture of a young Miss Caroline dancing on a cruise ship above the bluest water I’d ever seen.

But I couldn’t look at Ellie.

‘I can’t come to your birthday party,’ I whispered. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Why not?’ said Ellie.

I picked at my leotard. Then I gave a little cough. Wow. Sometimes Ellie can be scary when she’s excited or passionate about something and can’t stop talking. But when she’s silent? That’s terrifying.

Paige has been dancing forever. She takes almost every dance class on offer at Silver Shoes dance school, as well as others. But she’s exhausted and starting to lose her passion. An extra dance commitment means she’s going to miss her best friend’s birthday and now her best friend Ellie is not talking to her. Paige is sure all of her friends are better dancers than she is and now she’s starting to wonder if Benji, her ballroom dancing partner is sick of dancing with her too. Paige’s mother was once a dancer and is keen for Paige to take as many opportunities as she can. Her mother also manages the costumes, but Paige is so tired, she’s struggling to be enthusiastic about the costume her mother is making for the ballroom competition. Black and white illustrations are scattered throughout. Added extras include a bio for Paige, a glossary and some dance step instructions.

Dance Till You Drop is a fourth title in the Silver Shoes series from Random House. Each features one of four friends who dance together at Silver Shoes dance school. Paige is feeling the pressure to dance in every class, so much so that’s she’s not sure what she wants to do. All she knows is that she’s not doing anything as well as she’d like to. Her friends have their own challenges, and it’s up to Paige to take control and tell her former-dancer mother how she feels. Her fatigue is feeding her anxiety, but she eventually does make her own decisions. Recommended for mid-primary lovers of all styles of dance.

Silver Shoes 4: Dance Till You Drop by Samantha-Ellen Bound
Random House Australia 2015 ISBN: 9780857983725

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Samurai vs Ninja 2: The Race for the Shogun’s Treasure by Nick Falk and Tony Flowers

On Honshu, the largest island in Japan, is a city called Tokyo. Three hundred years ago, Tokyo was called Edo. The streets were dark and dusty. The houses were made of paper.

It was a city of mystery and magic.

It was midnight. Somewhere in the darkness a pig snuffled. Nearby an old man picked his nose. But nobody noticed. There were not lightbulbs in Edo Period Japan.

A thief, dressed in black, raced through the city streets.

On Honshu, the largest island in Japan, is a city called Tokyo. Three hundred years ago, Tokyo was called Edo. The streets were dark and dusty. The houses were made of paper.

It was a city of mystery and magic.

It was midnight. Somewhere in the darkness a pig snuffled. Nearby an old man picked his nose. But nobody noticed. There were not lightbulbs in Edo Period Japan.

A thief, dressed in black, raced through the city streets.

The Great Bear has been stolen from Edo Castle and the shogun has promised a wonderful reward for the return of his most prized possession. Whoever brings back the Bear will become ruler of the Hidden Valley. Kingyo-Sama, head of the samurai, and Buta-Sama, head of the ninja have woken to a normal day which includes flying ninja poo and other treats. But before their battle can escalate, both are called to Edo Castle to participate in the quest to find the Great Bear. How hard can it be? The brothers are both sure of victory and equally sure that victory will allow them to finally outwit and oust the other. There are black and white illustrations on every opening and text sometimes wanders around, up and down the page.

The Race for the Shogun’s Treasure is the second adventure in this silly and ridiculous new series from Random House. Kingyo-Sama and Buta-Sama are very different characters. And they are brothers. Their rivalry is as fierce as it is relentless. And it’s hilarious. The insults are inventive, the action fast-paced and outrageous. Newly independent readers will revel in the silliness.

Samurai vs Ninja 2: The Race for the Shogun’s Treasure , Nick Falk & Tony Flowers
Random House Australia 2015
ISBN: 9780857986368

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Samurai vs Ninja 1: The Battle for the Golden Egg by Nick Falk & Tony Flowers

In the deepest depths of Japan, high in the hills of Hokkaido, were two mighty mountains. The Mountain of the Tiger’s Claw was steep and stony, covered in rocky ridges and crumbling cliffs.

The Mountain of the Dragon’s Tooth was tall and twisty, filled with tangled trees and craggy caves.

In the Edo Period, when the shogun ruled Japan, these were the mountains of Bushido, home of the ninja and the samurai.

In the deepest depths of Japan, high in the hills of Hokkaido, were two mighty mountains. The Mountain of the Tiger’s Claw was steep and stony, covered in rocky ridges and crumbling cliffs.

The Mountain of the Dragon’s Tooth was tall and twisty, filled with tangled trees and craggy caves.

In the Edo Period, when the shogun ruled Japan, these were the mountains of Bushido, home of the ninja and the samurai.

The serious samurai and the scheming ninja both claim to be the best. They cannot agree so a contest is held, a contest to win the ultimate prize: the Golden Egg. There are rules to be followed, but both sides are determined to win, and rules are not going to get in their way. What follows is a wild battle full of hot custard and exploding puffer fish. And insults and outrage. Black and white illustrations appear on every opening. Added extras include a glossary, samurai battle dress and more.

Never was there such a battle between brothers! ‘Samurai vs Ninja’ offers a feast of ridiculousness, at full volume, as they battle for the Golden Egg. The brothers may be opposites but they both are sure they are superior. The neat and tidy samurai cannot believe the scruffy, silly ninja are a real threat, but the latter make up for their scruffiness with excessive cunning. Newly independent readers will revel in this silliness.

Samurai vs Ninja: The Battle for the Golden Egg by Nick Falk & Tony Flowers Random House 2015 ISBN: 9780857986054

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Silver Shoes 3: Breaking Pointe by Samantha-Ellen Bound

There were thirty seconds to spare when I ran into jazz class on Wednesday. I passed my best friends, Eleanor, Ashley and Paige, coming out of the dressing room just as I dashed in.

‘What a surprise,’ said Jasmine, Silver Shoes’ resident ballerdiva.

‘Get a life,’ I called out, as I tore off my school sweatshirt.’

‘Or find the one you lost,’ I heard Ellie add.

I didn’t catch Jasmine’s reply. But I’m sure it wasn’t any good.

Today was hot and I was already sweating a bit, so my jazz gear was extra hard to get on. After some harsh words with my leggings, I was finally ready. I pushed my school clothes under the bench, took a deep breath and walked out.

There were thirty seconds to spare when I ran into jazz class on Wednesday. I passed my best friends, Eleanor, Ashley and Paige, coming out of the dressing room just as I dashed in.

‘What a surprise,’ said Jasmine, Silver Shoes’ resident ballerdiva.

‘Get a life,’ I called out, as I tore off my school sweatshirt.’

‘Or find the one you lost,’ I heard Ellie add.

I didn’t catch Jasmine’s reply. But I’m sure it wasn’t any good.

Today was hot and I was already sweating a bit, so my jazz gear was extra hard to get on. After some harsh words with my leggings, I was finally ready. I pushed my school clothes under the bench, took a deep breath and walked out.

Riley loves ballet, and she’s good at it. She loves the Silver Shoes dance school. She also loves athletics and basketball. She’s good at them too. But as each of them demands more of her time, she finds herself running to be able to manage them all. And it’s more than a little exhausting. But Riley is determined not to give up anything. No matter the cost. But it’s harder than she can imagine, and no one seems to quite understand the effort she’s putting in. They all want her to focus more, to work harder. Or to make a choice. Riley is determined to prove them wrong, to show that she can do it all. On her own. Added extras include a Riley biography, a dance tutorial, a glossary and a chapter from another ‘Silver Shoes’ title.

‘Silver Shoes 3: Breaking Pointe’ is the third ‘Silver Shoes’ title in this dance series from Random House. Each features a different main character who attends Silver Shoes dance school and tells their own story. Riley is talented and determined but stretched too thin. Even so, she refuses to seek help until it’s almost too late. Breaking Pointe offers young dancers a chance to read about the sport they love, while gently pointing out that it’s okay to ask for help. It also suggests that sometimes it’s not possible to be the best at everything and that is okay. Recommended for mid-primary, particularly lovers of dance.

Silver Shoes 3: Breaking Pointe, Samantha-Ellen Bound Random House Australia 2015 ISBN: 9780857983749

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Tank Boys by Stephen Dando-Collins

‘Where the heck are we?’ Frankie’s voice was muffled by the walls of earth on either side of them.

‘Flanders,’ answered Private Nash, the young soldier trudging along the narrow communication trench in front of Frankie, as the Australian troops moved in single fileup to the front line in darkness.

‘I know we’re in Flanders! Where in Flanders?’

‘Near Messines.’

‘Yeah, but where near Messines?’

‘How should I know? Do I look like an officer or something? Only officers know where they are in this war. Anyway, what’s it matter, Pickles?’

Frankie shrugged. ‘I was just curious, that’s all. I’d like to know where I’m about to die.’

‘Where the heck are we?’ Frankie’s voice was muffled by the walls of earth on either side of them.

‘Flanders,’ answered Private Nash, the young soldier trudging along the narrow communication trench in front of Frankie, as the Australian troops moved in single fileup to the front line in darkness.

‘I know we’re in Flanders! Where in Flanders?’

‘Near Messines.’

‘Yeah, but where near Messines?’

‘How should I know? Do I look like an officer or something? Only officers know where they are in this war. Anyway, what’s it matter, Pickles?’

Frankie shrugged. ‘I was just curious, that’s all. I’d like to know where I’m about to die.’

Frankie and Taz are both sixteen-years-old Australians who lie about their age to be accepted into the Australian Army. Their reasons for enlisting are different but the two are united by their youth. Richard is also sixteen-years-old and in the army, but he’s on the opposite side. War is nothing like the adventure the Australian boys imagined when they signed up and nothing has prepared Richard either. The three boys are destined to meet on the battlefields in France, around Villers-Bretoneux, amid the horror and destruction of war. Tank Boys is the story of one of the most well-known battles of WWII from the perspective of three youth and explores the personalities and the politics of both sides of the battle. Although fiction, Tank Boys is based on real tanks, and real battles.

Tank Boys explores the realities of war. It is not gratuitously graphic but neither does it shy away from the deaths and injuries suffered by soldiers of both sides. It offers a range of different personalities and explores the myriad reasons men fight wars. On one level ‘Tank Boys’ is a ‘Boys Own’-type adventure full of action and adventure, but it also provides many opportunities for discussion about war. There are enough details for readers to be able to ‘walk the trenches’ with the characters, and to learn about the different hardware each side used. As the centenary of the beginning of WWI draws closer, it’s not surprising that there are stories about war being published for young people. From our vantage point, stories that have long been locked up are finding their way into the public consciousness and providing perspectives that were not always evident in earlier times (for many reasons). These stories help us to understand our past and shape our future. Recommended for upper-primary readers.

Tank Boys, Stephen Dando-Collins Random House Australia 2014 ISBN:9780857981301

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Saurus Street 5: A Plesiosaur Broke My Bathtub by Nick Falk ill Tony Flowers

There are three reasons I’m scared of Granny and Grandad’s outdoor loo.

The door might close and leave me locked inside forever.
Every creepy-crawly in the whole wide world lives in there.
(and the big reason) The toilet has no bottom.

There are three reasons I’m scared of Granny and Grandad’s outdoor loo.

  1. The door might close and leave me locked inside forever.
  2. Every creepy-crawly in the whole wide world lives in there.
  3. (and the big reason) The toilet has no bottom.

It’s not like a normal toilet, with water and a U-tube. Granny and Grandad’s toilet is just a hole over a big black pit. Anything could be hiding down there. Like a witch or a werewolf. Or a hideous green water monster with gigantic teeth.

I don’t consider myself a scaredy-cat. I’m nine years old and I wear size 7 shoes. And that’s big for my age. But only a fool wouldn’t be scared of that toilet.

Thomas loves everything about his once-a-month weekends at his grandparents’ house. Everything, that is, except their scary outside loo. Anything could live in that bottomless pit. But even Thomas hadn’t fully realised just what was down there. But he has a chance to find out, when he falls in. He encounters a plesiosaur, a man wearing a skirt, some avaricious neighbours and a fellow-adventurer, Ellie. When everything begins to spin, Thomas and Ellie need all their smarts to keep Saurus Street safe. There are black and white illustrations on every opening. Potentially challenging words are in a range of different fonts and styled to help support their meaning.

‘Saurus Street 5: A Plesiosaur Broke My Bathtub’ is a whirlwind of an adventure, built around that familiar scary place – the outside loo. Spiders and bugs and webs are one thing, but it’s the unknown at the bottom of that hole that generates the most fear. Nick Falk takes the reader to the bottom and beyond, in an explosive tidal wave of an adventure, all the way to the sea. Along the way, people behave badly, and it’s up to the intrepid young main characters to save the day. And they do, using all the ingenuity and imagination that they are capable of. Saurus Street survives to adventure on. Ideal for independent readers in transition to full-length novels. A rip-roaring read.

 

Saurus Street 5: A Plesiosaur Broke My Bathtub, Nick Falk ill Tony Flowers Random House Australia 2013 ISBN: 9780857981820

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores or online.

Saurus Street 6: A Diplodocus Trampled My Teepee by Nick Falk ill Tony Flowers

‘Wake up, Toby. It’s time to inspect our treasure.’

I open my eyes and sit up. Jack’s already awake. His dad and his scary sister, Saffi, are asleep in their sleeping bags. The coast is clear.

Jack unzips his stegosaurus schoolbag. That’s where we put all the treasures we found on the beach today.

He empties it onto the floor of the tepee. That’s what we’re camping in. A great big family-sized tepee. Jack’s dad made it out of branches, ropes and plastic sheets.

This is the first time I’ve ever been camping.

‘Wake up, Toby. It’s time to inspect our treasure.’

I open my eyes and sit up. Jack’s already awake. His dad and his scary sister, Saffi, are asleep in their sleeping bags. The coast is clear.

Jack unzips his stegosaurus schoolbag. That’s where we put all the treasures we found on the beach today.

He empties it onto the floor of the tepee. That’s what we’re camping in. A great big family-sized tepee. Jack’s dad made it out of branches, ropes and plastic sheets.

This is the first time I’ve ever been camping.

Jack and his friend Toby had no idea just what treasures they had collected on the beach during their beach camping trip. But by the time they do realise the importance of one of their finds, they are on the path to the biggest dinosaur adventure of all. Suddenly their little corner Saurus seems to be host to all manner of supposedly extinct creatures, from the smallest ammonite to the most dangerous dinosaur to the VERY big diplodocus. It seems the boys and Saffi have activated the curse of the legendary dinosaur pirate, Captain Saurus. Now the race is on, to solve the clues left behind by Captain Saurus and lift the curse before it is too late. Black and white illustrations appear on most openings and potentially challenging words are presented in different, larger fonts.

The Saurus Street series offers wild adventures in not-quite-your-average suburb. There are always dinosaurs. Small ones, big ones, and just about every size in between. And Saurus Street and surrounds is just not designed for these visitors. Adults are present in each adventure but manage to stay well in the background, allowing the main characters the freedom to solve their (considerable) challenges. In ‘Saurus Street 6’ Jack’s scary older sister, Saffi, assists in between bouts of ‘teenage-ness’ but it is Jack and Toby who are the heroes. A Diplodocus Trampled My Teepee offers a rip-tearing, heart-thumping read for young independent readers.

 

Saurus Street 6:A Diplodocus Trampled My Teepee , Nick Falk ill Tony Flowers Random House Australia 2013 ISBN: 9780857981844

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Availabil from good bookstores or online .

The Kensington Reptilarium by N J Gemmell

‘How long do you reckon it’d take to fry an egg on Matilda’s bonnet?’

Scruff is looking longingly at our car, which is already boiling hot in the 44-degree heat – and it’s only nine a.m.

‘Fifty-two seconds!’ Bert rises to the challenge. ‘Do it, Scruffy boy, come on. Anything would be better than Kick’s cooking.’ She shoots a glance at me, knowing I’ll take the bait. Which I most certainly do.

‘Just you try being a mum plus a dad around here, young lady.’ I poke out my tongue. Everyone knows that any experiment at being a grown-up ended months ago. ‘Twenty-nine seconds,’ I exclaim, ‘and not a fly’s fart more!’

My attempts at breakfast – a frypan with a rug of eggs tastefully congealed on its bottom – is grabbed and said eggs are flung wid into the yard. They spin like a dinner plate. Land – plop! – in the red dust.

Cooking. Pah. I give up. I’ve had enough of it.

‘How long do you reckon it’d take to fry an egg on Matilda’s bonnet?’

Scruff is looking longingly at our car, which is already boiling hot in the 44-degree heat – and it’s only nine a.m.

‘Fifty-two seconds!’ Bert rises to the challenge. ‘Do it, Scruffy boy, come on. Anything would be better than Kick’s cooking.’ She shoots a glance at me, knowing I’ll take the bait. Which I most certainly do.

‘Just you try being a mum plus a dad around here, young lady.’ I poke out my tongue. Everyone knows that any experiment at being a grown-up ended months ago. ‘Twenty-nine seconds,’ I exclaim, ‘and not a fly’s fart more!’

My attempts at breakfast – a frypan with a rug of eggs tastefully congealed on its bottom – is grabbed and said eggs are flung wid into the yard. They spin like a dinner plate. Land – plop! – in the red dust.

Cooking. Pah. I give up. I’ve had enough of it.

Kick (13) and her three siblings, Scruff (11), Bert (9) and Pin (4), live in the middle of Australia. Their mother died some years ago, and their father is on an expedition somewhere and the children look after themselves. WWII is over and the world is gearing up for the first post-war Christmas. When it appears that their father may be lost forever, a solicitor arrives to take this wild foursome to London to stay with their father’s brother, Uncle Basti. They have not met their new guardian before, and he seems to much prefer the company of his extensive collection of reptiles. And as if that is not enough, it seems that the local neighbourhood is less than happy about the goings-on at the Kensington Reptilarium and would be happy to see them all gone.

It’s hard to imagine two worlds more different than outback Australia and inner-city, post-war London. But despite their dislocation, the four Australian children in ‘The Kensington Reptilarium’ stick together and determine to find a way to adjust to their new circumstances. They have to face the possibility they may never see their father again, and in that case, it’s important to convince their reluctant uncle that family stick together, no matter what. The Kensington Reptilarium is full of hilarity and innocence, role-reversals and secrets. It speeds towards Christmas with the joy and trepidation of riding a wave all the way to shore. The characters are rapscallions one and all, and this is a wonderful wild ride. Recommended for mid- to upper-primary readers.

The Kensington Reptilarium

The Kensington Reptilarium, N J Gemmell, Random House Australia 2013 ISBN: 9780857980502

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Available from good bookstores or online.