Truly Tan, by Jen Storer

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe

There seems to be a trend these days for spunky female characters with a slightly acerbic wit. Tan is such a character. She and her three sisters, all named after colours, her parents and an assortment of animals move to the country. A house with an attic, it sounds like a great place for keeping an eye on the neighbourhood and for Tan setting up her world headquarters with her telescope. That is if she can find anything more interesting to watch than cows.

Then Tan, Amber, Emerald and Rose meet up with Ted, hear of the dead fox curse and are welcomed into the Purple Haunt. Suddenly Tan thinks life here might get better after all, especially when Rose develops photos which Amber claims show a ghost.

Tan’s attitude and humour comes through, in the way she speaks about her sisters and toward Amber’s dog, Doodad, who wear a bow with sequins. ‘Things with sequins belong on people not dogs. You cannot respect a dog wearing sequins.’ Anyone who ever owned a Box Brownie will smile at the comments about this now antiquated item.
Truly Tan

The occasional black and white illustrations add to the humorous text. This book is sure to be a winner with girls around the 9 year old age group. A lot of fun to read.

Truly Tan, by Jen Storer, illustrated by Claire Robertson
ABC Books, 2012
ISBN 9780733331213

Available from good bookstores or online.

The Billionaire’s Curse and The Emerald Casket, by Richard Newsome

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe

The Billionaire's Curse (Billionaire Series)

In 2008 The Billionaire’s Curse was the winner of the Inaugural text prize for children’s and young adult fiction. It’s easy to see why. It is very readable with a plot that I’m sure would appeal to most young people.

What would you do if your suddenly became a billionaire? When his great aunt dies and leaves all her wealth to 13 year old Gerald, she also leaves a letter asking him to find whoever it was who murdered her. Now that he is her heir, Gerald’s life is also in danger. But he is not alone thanks to the new friends meets at the museum.

Together Gerald, Sam and Ruby set out to try and discover who stole the world’s most valuable diamond, as well as who murdered Gerald’s great aunt and is now seeking to get rid of him. The trouble for Gerald is to know who he can trust, especially among the adults.

This is a story with plenty of action, drama and suspense the humour and characters like Constable Lethbridge who scratches his bottom with a plastic fork, will have children laughing as they turn the pages.

The Emerald Casket (Billionaire Series)

The second book in this trilogy The Emerald Casket has already been published. It takes Gerald Sam and Ruby on holiday to India. There they have to save another friend Alisha, from a deadly cult. As well they hope to find the emerald casket. But of course there are those like Sir Mason Green who stand in their way.

Each of the books is very readable and action packed. Children from 8-12 years old  will lap them up.

The Billionaire’s Curse
ISBN 9781921922756
The Emerald Casket
ISBN 9781921922763
By Richard Newsome
The Text Publishing Company
Paperback RRP $19.95

Black Fella White Fella, by Neil Murray

Blackfella, whitefella
It doesn’t matter what your colour
As long as you a true fella
As long as you a real fella

Blackfella Whitefella

Neil Murray was living in Papunya in 1982 when he wrote the lyrics that would become Blackfella Whitefella. His fellow Warumpi Band bandmates loved it and subsequently recorded it.

Now Blackfella Whitefella has a new life as a picture book text, with the lyrics illustrated by schoolchildren from around Australia in a variety of styles and media.

With a percentage of the profits going to Ian Thorpe’s “Fountain for Youth” project and with the song and illustrations promoting a wodnerful message of harmony, this is an excellent book which belongs in every school and home.

Blackfella Whitefella, by Neil Murray
One Day Hill, 2012
ISBN 9780980794892

Available from good bookstores or online.

Totally Twins: Birthday Bonanza by Aleesah Darlison

Monday 3 May. 3:42 pm

In the kitchen, scoffing home-made caramel cookies.

Hi, and welcome to my fourth fabulous diary. I can’t believe I’ve managed to fill three diaries already.

In less than three months.

WOW?

Who would have thought I’d have so many amazing things to write down?

BTW (by the way), you simply must read my other diaries. They’re meant to be TOP SECRET, but I think I’ll let you read them. They’re too good not to share. So, when you’ve finished this diary go back and read the others – if you haven’t already. If you dare!

Monday 3 May. 3:42 pm

In the kitchen, scoffing home-made caramel cookies.

Hi, and welcome to my fourth fabulous diary. I can’t believe I’ve managed to fill three diaries already.

In less than three months.

WOW?

Who would have thought I’d have so many amazing things to write down?

BTW (by the way), you simply must read my other diaries. They’re meant to be TOP SECRET, but I think I’ll let you read them. They’re too good not to share.  So, when you’ve finished this diary go back and read the others – if you haven’t already. If you dare!

Totally Twins 4

Persephone Pinchgut is back with her fourth diary. It’s countdown time to her eleventh birthday and there are so many things to be done. Birthday wish lists to be drawn up, a party to plan, negotiating with Portia about party themes and with mum about how many guests they can have. Dill next door is still trying to make friends with Portia and asking Perse why it’s not happening. As if that wasn’t enough to keep a girl occupied, all the adults in her world are acting strangely. Even her father seems to be behaving oddly when she and Portia talk to him in England via Skype.

In this fourth ‘Totally Twins’ diary, Persephone continues to have a love hate relationship with her twin sister, Portia. They are both still adjusting to life since their parents divorced and began seeing other people. In their family, Perse is the thinker and Portia is the ‘doer’, as if each received an unequal portion of individual character traits. But when it is necessary, their differences are dwarfed by their connection and their ability to support one another. Together they ride the wave of change that typifies the goings-on of the modern family. Exaggerated as ‘Birthday Bonanza’ is for comic effect, there is an undercurrent of reality about the ties that bind families together. Illustrations by Serena Geddes are interspersed throughout and break up the text.  Different text types are included and make this a more accessible text for newly-confident readers.  Recommended for early- to mid- primary independent readers.

Totally Twins 4, Aleesah Darlison ill Serena Geddes New Frontier Publishing 2012 isbn: 9781921928208

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Dragon Hunter by Nazam Anhar

It was close to sunset when he first saw them. Baran was bringing home his goats after a day of grazing on the mountainside. He stopped to look back for one of the stragglers. Then his eye was caught by something in the western sky. Against the golden light of the setting sun there were two small, dark specks hanging high in the air. At first he thought they might be birds – two of the broad-winged vultures that haunted the skies over the mountains.

But as he watched them, he felt something stir in the pit of his stomach – the beginnings of a shapeless fear, a dark instinct that told him they could not be ordinary birds.

It was close to sunset when he first saw them. Baran was bringing home his goats after a day of grazing on the mountainside. He stopped to look back for one of the stragglers. Then his eye was caught by something in the western sky. Against the golden light of the setting sun there were two small, dark specks hanging high in the air. At first he thought they might be birds – two of the broad-winged vultures that haunted the skies over the mountains.

Dragon Hunter

But as he watched them, he felt something stir in the pit of his stomach – the beginnings of a shapeless fear, a dark instinct that told him they could not be ordinary birds.

Baran lives in the mountain village of Shenzing with his mother and siblings. When he spies dragons in the distance heading for his village, he tries to warn the villagers. But Baran is an outcast, and the villagers will not listen. And so the dragons attack. Many villagers are killed, and the village is decimated. The survivors send for the legendary Dragon Warriors, as mysterious as the dragons. Just as they doubted the existence of the dragons, they are not sure the Dragon Warriors even exist. To their surprise however, Hajur, Dragon Warrior, answers their call. But in return for his help, the village must give one of their sons to become a warrior.

Baran’s life has not been a joyful one. His father disappeared leading to speculation about not just his integrity, but the worth of the entire family. And being without a father, Baran lacks many of the skills a father would have passed on. But despite this, he warns the village when they are under attack. The landscape is remote and inhospitable to begin with, and becomes more so as the stakes rise. Baran’s sense of self is fragile, and his ability to trust others has been damaged by repeated bullying, and not just from other children. With the arrival of the dragons, Baran begins his journey from child to man. He learns about strength and forgiveness and how the two are linked. Recommended for mid- to upper-primary readers.

Dragon Hunter, Nazam Anhar Scholastic 2012 ISBN: 9781742830308

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Go Jojo Go! by Tessa Bickford & Jennifer Castles

Go Jojo Go!: A Little Penguin on a Big Swim

On Macquarie Island in the Southern Ocean, half way between Australia and Antarctica, a gentoo penguin named Jojo is born. From the moment she first peeps out of the nest she can’t wait to go to sea, but every time she asks Daddoo or Mummoo ‘Am I ready yet?’ they tell her ‘Not yet, little Jojo, not yet’. First she has to get bigger, grow feathers and learn to swim. When at last she is old enough for her first swim, she finds a whole new world just waiting to explore. Now she’s ready for anything.

Go Jojo Go! is the delightful fictionalised story of a young penguin’s early life, told in first person narrative and supported with beautiful photography supplied by the author from her own time on Macquarie Island.

Go Jojo Go! is well balanced between entertainment and education.

Go Jojo Go!: A Little Penguin on a Big Swim, by Tess Bickford & Jennifer Castles

Allen & Unwin, 2012

ISBN 9781743310175

Luke's Way of Looking, by Nadia Wheatley and Matt Ottley.

Whenever Mr Barraclough saw one of Luke’s pictures, he went off his brain.
“Why do you do this, boy?” he yelled.
Luke didn’t know. So he said nothing.

Luke's Way of Looking (Walker Classics)

All the boys in Luke’s class see things the same way – except Luke. So every Friday in Art class, all the boys paint what is in front of them – but Luke paints things the way he sees them, with bright colours, or noses and ears in the wrong places. When he does this, Mr Barraclough goes ballistic. Even Luke’s class mates think he’s odd, and Luke feels like he does’t fit in. Until he visits an anrt gallery and feels right at home. Suddenly his whole world changes.

Luke’s Way of Looking is a celebration of difference and of creativity from the award-wining pairing of Nadia Wheatley and Matt Ottley. First published in 1999 and now re-released as part of the Walker Classics series this is a beautiful and important picture book offering.

Luke’s Way of Looking , by Nadia Wheatley & Matt Ottley
Walker Books, 2012
ISBN 9781921977725

Available from good bookstores or online .

Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby, by Ray Hawkins

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe

This book of 31 devotions is a little gem. It would be ideal advent project in the lead up to Christmas. Each devotion has a short bible passage or two, a meditation on the text, a prayer and a gift (read – suggestion of how it could be applied.)

There are some great ideas and images in this short book. In the  one titled someone is coming I liked the comparison  of  the coming of the Promised One coming at Christmas to a jigsaw needing all the interlocking pieces and also the idea of Christmas being God’s ‘invasion strategy’ to take back what was lost by fall in Genesis 3.

Just as interesting was the concept that ‘God can be unsettling.’ In other words God doesn’t always behave as we night ask or expect. He has His own plans and they are far better and more long- reaching than ours. It was good to have a fresh take on Abraham’s call and ‘tenacious faith’ despite his ‘high profile mistakes’.

I liked the way Ray Hawkins separated the sentimental traditions regarding Christmas, which sees nativity sets with the magi at the manger, from the few biblical facts about these mystery men.

It would be a great book to read as a family in the lead up to Christmas and could bring up lots of interesting questions or just as an individual devotional. Well worth reading at any time.

 

Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby

Ray Hawkins

Even before Publishing

Be Home for Armageddon, by Luke Edwards

‘What the hell is that?’
‘Just a sec,’ said Anna, turning now.
A plummeting orb was upon them, filling the sky, while clouds, as if magnetised, swirled and joined the growing mass.
The orb crashed mid-street, engulfing the entire region in vapour, which instantly began to implode, drawing back into the impact site with a cyclonic roar as all surrounding matter was now enveloped by the force.

Be Home for Armageddon

When he witnesses a seemingly inexplicable explosion in his street, Victor is only scared for a little while – because he loves science, and he and his friend Soo are soon busy investigating just what is going on. Whilst the rest of the street is willing to accept the explanation of a gas explosion, Victor knows that whatever it was came from the sky. But even he isn’t prepared for what he finds when he explores the craters. The beings setting up home there might be aliens, but they’re not like any other alien ever imagined. They are black holes. And it doesn’t matter how friendly a black hole might be, their destructive habits can be a bit disturbing.

Be Home for Armageddon is a funny science fiction offering for teens and pre teens, with humour, science and action well blended, although some of the science may go over the heads of some readers.

The main characters are ostensibly 17, though seem younger, and the book is more likely to appeal to readers in upper primary.

Be Home for Armageddon, by Luke Edwards
Omnibus, 2012
ISBN 9781862919419

Avaialable from good bookstores or online.

The Silver Door and The Third Door, by Emily Rodda

The Doors are magic, Faene,’ Rye broke in, as the young woman turned her repraochful gaze on him. ‘They could lead … anywhere. The Golden Door led Dirk here. But I am certain that Sholto would have chosen the Silver Door. So to be sure of picking up his trail, we must go through the Silver Door ourselves. Do you see?

Now that one brother is safely back from beyond the Golden Door, Rye is determined to do anything he can to rescue his other brother, Sholto who, he is sure, will be beyond the Silver Door. Only then will he be ready to venture beyond the third door, the wooden door, in a quest to rid Weld of the menace of Skimmers, creatures who come in the night to eat anything that moves.

The Silver Door (Three Doors)

The Silver Door continues the adventures of Rye and his new friend Sonia as they work through their dangerous quest. Weld has been under seige for too long and, for too long, the young men of Weld have ventured through one of three magical doors in an effort to discover the source of the Skimmers and thus destroy them. With both of his brothers gone through the doors, and his mother now forced into a pauper’s life of service, Rye is determined to reunite his family and find a way to free Weld.

The Third Door (Three Doors)

In The Third Door the adventurers venture through the third and final door in their attempt to end the quest they began when they entered the first door.

Young fantasy lovers will delight in the adventures of Rye and his friends, with intriguing characters, twists and turns, magic and satisfying resolutions. Whilst each book is fairly self contained, they are best read as a trilogy.

The Silver Door , ISBN 9781862919136

The Third Door, ISBN 978186291914
both by Emily Rodda
Omnibus, 2012