According to Luke, by Rosanne Dingli

The problem sometimes with stories that have fast paced action is it can often be at the expense of character. That is not the case with According to Luke. The characters are well drawn and fully developed.

The problem sometimes with stories that have fast paced action is it can often be at the expense of character. That is not the case with According to Luke. The characters are well drawn and fully developed. Jana is meticulous in her research and patience in authenticating historical artefacts. She also encounters a fellow Australian sent along to oversee the handling and authentication of this artefact. The Roman Catholic Priest, Rob Anderson, has his own share of problems, some of which are medical and which challenge his vocation. The two become closely involved as they set out to uncover the truth of the portrait she uncovers. Of course this is not as easy as it sounds. There are those who want to prevent this at any cost. One woman, Jana’s assistant, has already lost her life because of it.This portrait Jana finds could have significant implications if her suspicions are correct and they are certainly not the only ones who desperately want the portrait. Each group wants the portrait for different reasons.

The characters and their quest quickly draw the reader into the lives and problems they find themselves in. The relationship between Jana and her wealthy, domineering mother provides further depth and insight into the character of Jana and underscores the reasons behind some of her life decisions,

It is obvious from the writing that a great deal of research has gone on prior to the writing of this novel. Place is so effectively evoked, it is almost a character, with the scenes of Venice. Other places in Italy, as well as Malta and Syria are brought to life. Many of the artefacts and historic events revealed add an authenticity to the novel and the sleep disorder that plagues Rob is suitably unusual but also one would suggest soundly researched. Such titbits will have the reader longing to explore these tangents further but without ever taking away from the story and the problems of the main characters. All of these factors and more make this a thoroughly engaging read. The sign of good book is one that stays in the mind after the last page has been turned. That is what Rosanne Dingli has managed to do withAccording to Luke.

According to Luke

According to Luke, by Rosanne Dingli

BeWrite Books

RRP $21.99

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe

 

This book is available from Amazon  or Fishpond. Buying through these links supports Aussiereviews.

When We Have Wings, by Claire Corbett

When We Have Wings is a debut novel of originality and powerful, beautiful writing. It took me longer than usual to finish because I didn’t want it to finish, and, yes, it’s quite long.

Reviewed by Judi Jagger

When We Have Wings is a debut novel of originality and powerful, beautiful writing. It took me longer than usual to finish because I didn’t want it to finish, and, yes, it’s quite long.

Told in two voices; the first is the jaded first person of Zeke, in the great tradition of the noir ex-cop turned detective. He lives in a dystopian not-too-far-in-the future City (Sydney?) where the rich and powerful have access to Flight through expensive medical manipulation that gives them custom wings. They live in extraordinary constructions high above the rest of the overcrowded city. Who are the non-fliers? The five Rs: ‘Retarded, Retired, Religious, Rationed and Regional. In other words anyone too poor, or too old or too disabled for Flight.‘ The City is multicultural (loved that Murni’s Warung – hello Ubud – had its moment) and inaccessible to anyone from RaRA-land (Remote and Regional Areas) and without an almost impossible-to-obtain permit. Zeke’s world includes Taj, his amazing car (even more cynical than Zeke – yes, it is a true ‘smart car’ and it talks) and the underbelly of the city. It’s also the world of the Perpetual Pup (forever cute) and the modified, miniaturised pet lion. Zeke’s case concerns Peri, nanny of one of the most powerful of the privileged, Peter Chesshyre, who has vanished with Chesshyre’s child Hugo.

The other voice is third person, but is Peri’s point of view. The complex plot is impossible to summarise but Claire Corbett gives us a bold novel that explores, among other things, genetic modification, trafficking, surrogacy, child rights, ethics and social justice woven with religious allusion and imagery. The writing is breathtakingly beautiful, particularly when we too become Fliers and begin to understand the intoxication that makes Flight so desirable. Corbett has researched meteorology and the science of flight to give her descriptions great authenticity.

We finish this thought-provoking book wondering what the future holds for our children. There is no question that technology is taking us to a point when we will have wings, metaphorical wings that can substitute for any of the modifications we are already scientifically capable of. It’s not a question of ‘if’, it’s ‘when’ we have wings. Read it.

When We Have Wings
When We Have Wings, by Claire Corbett
Allen & Unwin, 2011
ISBN 9781742375564

 

This book was reviewed by Judi Jagger, and first appeared at Goodreads. It is reprinted here with the author’s permission.

Transported – A Pioneer’s Story, by Terry Spring

Reviewed by Kathryn Duncan

George Smith’s story is not unusual; many people have risen from poverty to achieve great things in their life, but author Terry Spring’s Transportedlets us get to know a man who, with a little bit of luck, achieved a lot more than what was expected of convicts in the 1800s. George’s story is one of inspiration and proving you can overcome obstacles – sometimes with a bit of luck – but mostly with a lot of passion and determination.

Claiming to be the illegitimate son of the King, George leaves his country home after the death of his mother to try and make a living in London. But London is not what he expected and despite his efforts to get ahead, George is eventually left with no option but to steal, a decision that changes his life and eventually sees his death sentence become a life sentence in the new colony.

Arriving in Sydney Cove in 1825, George’s experience with cows sees him out looking for new grazing pastures, an enviable position for any convict. This opportunity changes George’s life. Over the years he becomes respected for his skills and the chance finding of gold sets him up for life – but only once he has his ticket of leave. The reader is left in no doubt though, that regardless of the gold find, George would have found a way to buy the land he desperately wanted.

George is ambitious and determined to own as much property as he can. He marries Mattie, an indigenous girl from the local tribe with whom he has five children. After her death, George marries Maria, a devoted wife who lovingly raises George’s children until her early death.

Terry Spring brings George’s story to life; we get to know his character, his ambitions and his achievements. George is not always likeable; his ambition to own land is almost obsessive and may have been to the detriment of his family relationships; he grabs every opportunity that presents itself to increase his land holdings, but does not want to spend money to improve the family’s living conditions.

We learn about the opening up of rural NSW, the hardships that existed at the time and it is a change to read a story where the focus is on a NSW convict.

Transported is the type of story that makes the reader want to research their own family history. This is an interesting and enjoyable story that will appeal to many readers.

Transported: A Pioneer’s Story Terry Spring
PB rrp $24.99

Check on Me, by Andrew Daddo

Reviewed by Julie Murphy

My best bedtime goes exactly like this.
There has to be a story…
A cuddle, please…
Don’t forget to check on me!

It is almost bedtime, and there are a number of things to do before this little fellow will drift off to sleep.

Check on Me is a charming look at the things we do to make children comfortable before they settle down to sleep. The text is warm and engaging, and the illustrations by Jonathan Bentley are cheerful and fun.

Real world parents already happy with their existing bedtime routine may run the risk of their children discovering unwelcome new possibilities, such as a last-minute drink before bed or an extra cuddle in the middle of the night. However, this is a sweet book, which will be particularly appealing to parents seeking to establish a bedtime ritual for their own baby or toddler.

Check on Me, by Andrew Daddo & Jonathan Bentley
ABC Books – Harper Collins, 2009
ISBN9780733324192

You can visit Julie Murphy online at http://members.optusnet.com.au/~julieamurphy/

 

Mariella and the Stars, by Selena Hanet-Hutchins

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe

In a story vaguely reminiscent of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, Mariella is sent to her room because of misbehaviour.
The night the stars fell from the sky
Mariella had gone too far.
(She knew she had, right before Mum said so.)

Having been told she is not allowed to read, Mariella feels sorry for her behaviour. In the dark room she feelssmall and lost and afraid. That is, until she goes to the window and sees the shooting stars shining and twinkling as they fall from the sky. The stars give Mariella an idea. She attaches the glittery, fallen stars to her slippers. This turns them into tap shoes and she starts to dance to the music inside her. But then Mariella comes to realise it’s not fair to keep the starlight magic to herself.

This is a gentle and delightful story about creative use of imagination as Mariella deals with the consequences of her behaviour and learns to think of others. The text is made more attractive by the whimsical illustrations and brilliant use of colour. The starlit night scenes are particularly attractive and effectively convey the magic of the night.

Mariella and the Stars

Mariella and the Stars, Selena Hanet-Hutchins, Illustrated by Michelle Pike
ABC books, 2009
Hardcover $24.99
Age guide 3+

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

Hopscotch – Mudsa's Stone, by Ian Trevaskis

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe

An ancient scroll, a rhyme, a game of hopscotch and a quest are the key elements in Hopscotch: Medusa Stone, an intriguing book from Ian Trevaskis and another of the great books coming out of Walker Books.

The opening plunges the reader right back into the Trojan War. It then moves back to the present, to Hannah’s move to Pelican Bay, before leading the reader to want to learn how she ended up back in the ancient time. It’s all because of Jake Peters, a boy from her school. It also raises questions about how Kostas the giant of Pelcan Bay fits into what happens.

The humour in the story works well and sounds so typical of the age group. Hannah and Jake are in year nine. According to Jake, Adam Price, the local heartthrob with the girls is ‘a legend in his own lunch box.’

It is while playing a game of Hopscotch that Jake disappears and becomes trapped in another time. Only Hannah has a clue of how to find Jake. Hannah meets the Game Lord and is required to test out and play his new game to rescue Jake. In doing so she has three different adventures based on Greek myths and even travels with Odysseus.

She also has to bring back three items from these adventures. In the course of these adventures, Hannah decides being involved in violence for real is a lot different and more scary and gruesome than just watching it on TV. She wants out of the whole situation but knows without her there is no way for Jake to return home. So she agrees to play again in an effort beat the giant Cyclops and to rescue Jake.

The story is full of action and clever in the way it integrates the mythical characters into the story. It sets up a great contrast with the present day and Pelican Bay.

At the end of the novel are some author’s notes which give further information about the ancient Greek civilization and the characters and gods of Greek Myth. This could be just the sort of book that will cause a young person to further investigate Greek Myths. After reading Hopscotch: Medusa Stone, my guess is readers from 11-14 will be eagerly awaiting the next instalment, Hopscotch: Golden Scarab.

Hopscotch: Medusa Stone

 

Hopscotch: Medusa Stone, by Ian Trevaskis
Walker Books, 2009
RRP PB $16.95

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

Yellow Zone, by Janelle Dyer

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe

Scott and Sally Ryan find themselves in Yellow Zone after the world changes. Together, and with the help of some new friends, they learn to make a stand in a changed world.

It’s good to see a well presented novel coming out of a relatively new publishing company. I was looking forward to reading this book. The opening did not disappoint. It starts with a chase and a sense of danger. The reader is left to wonder who are the mysterious figures pursuing the journalist and what is the secret he has discovered. That sense of danger runs in various guises throughout the rest of the book.

The scene flashes forward two years to a Mardi Gras and the lone prophet trying to stem the tide and warn of God’s judgement, before whipping us off to Brisbane and a group of girls at the movies. Even at the movies the possible threat of terrorism hangs over the young girls, making Sally suspicious of the Middle Eastern man waiting outside the movie theatre.

From here, the story alternates for a time between Rome where eighteen year old Scott Ryan is holidaying and Brisbane where the rest of the Ryan family, including Scott’s younger sister, Sally, are. An explosion in Rome devastates the city and another that goes off in Paris has Scott’s parents and those of his cousins, Brad and Damien, concerned, as do the Black Hawk helicopters that fly over Brisbane and the terrifying reports on the TV. Anticipating further terrorist attacks Australia is put on high alert.

Attempts by the two families to contact their sons prove fruitless. Meanwhile in Rome there is talk of the end of the world, something Scott doesn’t even want to think about. Scott is trapped over the other side of the world from his family and unable to communicate with them. He doesn’t even know if they survived the series of bombs that exploded over Brisbane. To add to the confusion, Scott and Sally’s mother has disappeared and the family holds fears for her safety. Sally begins to question God, especially when Sally and the rest of her family end up being detained like refugees in Yellow Zone.

Meanwhile Scott is airlifted out of Europe and is shocked to find himself taken to Yellow Zone. While there, Scott uncovers a secret at Covenant House. The elderly and unproductive members of the community are disappearing. But what can he do, without putting his own life and those of the rest of his family at risk?

Scott and Sally, along with others under the leadership of Jack Koppel, realize they have to make a choice. If they want things to change they have to be willing to take the biggest risk to gain freedom.

The cover and title Yellow Zone are enticing and should ensure readers will pick up the book. Filled with plenty of action, as well as the budding romances that spring up between Scott and Rebekah and Sally with Ben who meet in the Yellow Zone, this novel is sure to appeal to both teenage girls and boys. There is a lot to recommend in this novel. It has an intriguing plot and a story that keeps the reader wanting to know what happens next. It’s obvious there had been a lot of thought and time put into constructing the plot and developing the characters. The characters are well defined and likeable. It also raises questions for the readers to think about after they have closed the pages of the book. I enjoyed Yellow Zone.

Given the plot line and dramatic situation raised presented this novel should have been gripping. While others may find it so, I didn’t…quite. But it is still an interesting novel and a good read that will have teenage readers and enthusiastic 11-12 year olds, turning the pages. Pace intensifies as the story reaches towards its conclusion.

The ending leaves one to suspect that the opening has been set up for a sequel or maybe a trilogy.

Yellow Zone

Yellow Zone, by Janelle Dyer
Wombat Books, 2009

This review first appeared online at Write and Read With Dale. It is reprinted here with permission.

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

God Is, by Mark Macleod

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe

Mark’s name is well known is the book and publishing industry, as an editor and publisher, through his involvement the CBCA and more recently picture book workshops, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that’s he’s finally decided to turn his hand to writing a picture book.

God is with its colours of traditional pink and blue cover is the type of picture book many parents and grandparents may be prompted to buy. It is cute and is very firmly centred around family and enjoying the simple pleasures of friends and creation.

The gentle text has a soft lyrical quality. Each word in the text has been chosen with care. Two of those I particularly liked were

God is
in the light of the moon and
stars that chart a shining course
above the dark that never seems to end.
And more.

God is
in the changing colour of sunrise
and the shadows
that creep across your pillow
and stroke your cheek.
And more

The repetition of God Is at the beginning of each page and And More at the end is effective and gives a pleasing sense of rhythm and unity to the text.

Mark has very carefully avoided being closely aligned to any particular spiritual belief, so it is a general look at where God is in a young child’s life – in all the things that surround them and what they see and what they do. This well crafted book highlights friendship, love, family and creation- all the things that make up the details of a young child’s life. It could be a useful introduction to a young child of who God is.

I am sure a lot of people will find it very cute. I have no doubt it will sell well. It is the type of book I can see many grandparents and other relatives reaching for to give new parents and their little ones. It would be a good book for bedtime reading.

The subdued and gentle colours of the illustrations are effective and fit the mood of the text. The simplistic illustrations of the babies didn’t particularly appeal to me, although the dog was very cute. But I’m prepared to admit that many other people may well disagree and enjoy the illustrations.

God is

God is, by Mark Macleod, ill by Kirrily Schell
ABC Books, 2009
HB RRP $24.95

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe
Out now The Goanna Island Mystery
www.daleharcombe.com
Write and read with Dale blog at
http://livejournal.com/users/orangedale/

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

My Sister Has a Big Black Beard, by Duncan Ball

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe

Considering the dearth of poetry books around for children and the number of teachers crying out for them, plus the fact this collection is written by Duncan Ball who already has an established following with his Selby and Emily Eyefingerbooks, this book should do extremely well.

In these poems Duncan Ball’s quirky sense of humour and playful use of words and rhyme is sure to appeal to children. This is evident in the title poem and also in his ability to pick up something as small and insignificant as a bookmark or a mozzie bite shows there is nothing outside the scope of poetry.

Readers might even learn something about spelling as in the humorous Old Mrs McKeller.

This book is destined to be a hit with children who will chuckle over the poems. It is one where everyone is going to have their particular favourites, whether it is the long narrative of Amanda Hass who eats glass, or the pitfalls of eating food past its prime as in Quentin’s Lunch. One I liked was

All Poemed out
I’m poemed out
I’m poemed out
I’ve just developed poem doubt
I don’t know what to write about.

could easily be expressing the feeling of any child told to write a poem in class.

There’s the innate honesty in Epitaph for Lonely Man. What child can fail to feel the impatience of waiting to get out of school and the exuberance of Daylight Savings Spent?
It’s three o’clock
It’s three o’clock
It’s I-will-soon-be-free o’clock

The whimsical black and white illustrations by Kerry Millard add to the text. I especially liked the one of Moncrieff, Mrs McKeller’s butler with his imperious look and the humorous drawing that accompanies Uncle Norm.

My Sister Has a Big Black Beard and Other Quirky Verses

My Sister Has a Big Black Beard and Other Quirky Verses, by Duncan Ball, illustrated by Kerry Millard
HarperCollins Australia, 2009
PB RRP $14.99
This review first appeared online at Write and Read With Dale. It is reprinted here with permission.

This book is available online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Pippa's Perfect Ponytail, by Julie Nickerson

Reviewed by Dee White

Anyone who has tried to organise the ‘perfect party’ will know that it’s full of anxious moments.

But Pippa has arranged everything perfectly. She has the perfect party dress, the perfect birthday cake and eight perfect ponies lined up for rides. Now all she needs is the perfect ponytail.

When Pippa’s hairdresser falls sick, she must use all her ingenuity and resilience to come up with the ‘perfect’ solution.

Author Julie Nickerson’s great humour and talent for simplicity are complemented by Janine Dawson’s lively, hilarious illustrations.

This new Aussie Nibble is sure to resound with young readers because of the way it talks to them in such an engaging way about things they can relate to like parties, hair and popularity.

Julie Nickerson uses great dialogue and action to build the tension, and readers will admire the determined, creative way Pippa goes about solving her dilemma.

Pippa’s Perfect Ponytail will resonate with any young reader who enjoys action, a likeable heroine – and a story that makes them laugh out loud.

Pippa's Perfect Ponytail (Aussie Nibbles)

 

Pippa’s Perfect Ponytail , (Aussie Nibble) by Julie Nickerson, Illustrated by Janine Dawson
Puffin Books – Penguin Group Australia, 2009
PB RRP: $12.95

Reviewer: Dee White www.deescribe.com.au

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