THE LIBRARIAN’S GUIDE TO BOOKS FOR KIDS & TEENS

INSIDE MEET Ann-Marie Finn Author & Artist Student Illustration Challenge Wombat Books

CBCA AWARDS Special Supplement+ Detailed reviews on the latest

APR 2018 bookcurator.com.au | 1

ISSN 2204-5708 fiction to help you choose » ARTICLES & FEATURES

WELCOME ABOUT THE PUBLISHER The Book Curator is published by Apt School Resources, an Australian EDITORIAL business jointly owned by two families who share a passion for books and a determination to provide Each year we are amazed at the abundance of outstanding service to our members. incredible Australian literature represented in the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book We help schools all over the country by providing them with of the Year Awards. This year is no exception, access to helpful information, with an incredible 170 books represented. detailed reviews and the latest You’ll find them all in our special CBCA Awards fiction titles for their libraries. supplement,which was so packed this year its Our goal is to provide the resources coming to you in two volumes! librarians need to choose the best Meanwhile in this April issue of The Book Curator, books for their school library across a wide range of genres, age groups we introduce you to author/illustrator Ann-Marie Finn, whose creative and formats. We provide a wide talents are helping kids on the spectrum to make sense of their world. range of services to help support our There’s the opportunity for your students to become published members so they can get the best illustrators by participating in the Wombat Books Illustration return for their time and their budget. Challenge, and many more books for you to discover and enjoy. This magazine (previously called Review) and our service have See you next issue! developed based on what our members want. We invite your ideas, suggestions, feedback and constructive criticism to help us provide solutions to the challenges you face as you work ROWENA BERESFORD to build an outstanding library for your school community. PS. If you have any comments on The Book Curator or suggestions on what we could In addition to library titles, we improve or include in future issues, please call 02 8985 9435 or email your feedback to source and supply a wide range of [email protected] interesting and effective resources to help teachers, counsellors and chaplains work with and support their students. We also help equip teachers and school leaders with professional development resources. For more information about our services or to provide feedback please contact us. Apt School Resources Unit 3, 5 Currumbin Court Capalaba QLD 4157 AUSTRALIA P 02 8985 9435 F 02 8007 0510 W aptschoolresources.com.au E [email protected] The Book Curator ISSN 2204-5708 »»For information on our traffic light ratings, please refer to page 10

Disclaimer: The reviews contained in this magazine are based on each individual reviewer’s opinion only. While we do our best to pick up every potential concern in fiction titles, we cannot guarantee that to be the case. Should you purchase a book based on our reviews and then discover an issue of serious concern to you that was not included in our review, please contact us.

2 | The Book Curator: April 2018 Contents

» ARTICLES & FEATURES 17 BILL BAILLIE: THE LIFE AND 32 MUNMUN ADVENTURES OF A PET BILBY Jesse Andrews 4 FEATURE INTERVIEW Ellis Rowan 33 THE WAY BACK FROM BROKEN Meet Ann-Marie Finn 17 BREAK YOUR CHAINS: Amber J. Keyser 6 NOTABLE DATES THE FREEDOM FINDERS Emily Conolan 34 MORE THAN WE CAN TELL 7 IN THE SPOTLIGHT Brigid Kemmerer 18 BRINDABELLA Student Illustration Challenge: Ursula Dubosarsky 35 I HAVE LOST MY WAY Wombat Books Gayle Foreman 19 THE UNICORN QUEST 8 NEWS & VIEWS Kamilla Benko » IN EVERY ISSUE

» BOOK REVIEWS 20 FEARLESS FREDERIC 37 USEFUL INFORMATION Felice Arena 12 I DESPAIR OF MY HAIR Websites & apps, festivals & literary events, conferences & Ann-Marie Finn 20 THE LIGHT JAR seminars Lisa Thompson 12 THE DREAM BIRD 38 INDEX Aleesah Darlison 21 THE BOOK OF ANSWERS: THE ATEBAN CIPHER # 2 This issue’s titles in 12 ALFRED’S WAR A.L.Tait alphabetical order Rachel Bin Salleh 22 A WHISPER OF HORSES 39 UPCOMING TITLES 13 YOUNG MACDONALD Zillah Bethell What’s on the horizon Guiseppe Poli 23 BIGFOOT, TOBIN & ME 13 DROUGHT Melissa Savage Jackie French 24 THE DIAMOND HORSE 14 MY AUSTRALIA Stacy Gregg Julie Murphy 25 THE STARMAN AND ME 14 MESSAGE IN A SOCK Sharon Cohen Kaye Baillie 26 STORY THIEVES 14 NEVER LOSE HOPE: THE STORY James Riley OF AUSTRALIA’S FIRST SCHOOL Mark Wilson 26 OPERATION HOTEL CHARLIE DJ Stutley 15 MISSING MARVIN Sue deGennaro 27 DEFY THE WORLDS Claudia Gray 15 MY MUM IS A MAGICIAN Damon Young 28 TRULY, WILDLY, DEEPLY Jenny McLachlan 15 THE KNIGHT WHO SAID NO Lucy Rowland 28 BELOW ZERO Dan Smith 16 UNCLE SHAWN AND BILL AND THE ALMOST ENTIRELY 29 MAYDAY UNPLANNED ADVENTURE Karen Harrington A.L.Kennedy 30 LOVE AND FIRST SIGHT 16 PROJECT DROID #1: Josh Sundquist SCIENCE NO FAIR! Nancy Krulik & 31 SMALL SPACES Amanda Burwasser Sarah Epstein

bookcurator.com.au | 3 FEATURE INTERVIEW MEET Ann-Marie Finn

FEATURE INTERVIEW MEET ANN-MARIE FINN Meet author and illustrator Ann-Marie Finn, whose book Gus the Asparagus is helping kids on the spectrum make sense of their world.

What inspired you to become an of his illustrations, but also the Are you an avid reader yourself? illustrator? wonderful use of colours and I do still love to read, and owning layout; I just couldn’t stop thinking As a child I owned a series of a bookshop means I need to about his work! books by Jayne Fisher called The keep on top of new releases as Garden Gang. I knew she was very What is your favourite artistic much as possible. I get excited young when she created those medium and why? whenever there is a new Jon books, and it made the possibility Klassen or Oliver Jeffers book out. I love to sketch and much of my of becoming an illustrator seem My kids get excited when a new finished artwork still has that more real for me. She was such Treehouse or Dav Pilkey book feel to it. I do work in various a huge inspiration I never really arrives. I’ll enjoy reading anything mediums, including paint and wanted to be anything else. that’s a bit humorous. I also love digital, but for children’s books to escape into a well-done fiction How long have you been my preferred method is to hand story, or a good crime novel or illustrating? draw images onto a specific type biography. of paper that I enjoy working with. Professionally, since I left college. I’ll then often layer the colour My first job was designing with painted backgrounds and greeting cards for Marks & The best photographs in Photoshop, kind Spencer, a major UK department experience of all is of like a digital collage. store. Since then I have worked in finding common ground many areas of design, including Are there any books you read textiles, television sets and, of as a child that made a lasting with my kids. I love course, children’s books. impression on you? sharing whatever they Is there a book or experience There were a few, such as Enid are reading ... that influenced your decision to Blyton’s The Faraway Tree series. work in this industry? I also owned a beautiful edition The best experience of all, of Hans Christian Andersen’s When I first told someone I however, is finding common fairy tales that had wonderful wanted to illustrate children’s ground with my kids. I love colour illustrations. But I think my books, I was instructed to go sharing whatever they are favourite memory is of a book out and do some research; to reading, so that we can chat that I would love to find again: A surround myself with the kinds about it together. It was a great Book of Milliganimals by Spike of books I loved. I immediately joy for me when they discovered a Milligan. It was a collection of silly went out and did just that. One of love of reading for themselves. poems and illustrations that were the first books I bought and fell in guaranteed to cheer me up if I love with was Oliver Jeffers’ Lost was ever upset! and Found. I adored the simplicity

4 | The Book Curator: April 2018 Your book Gus, the Asparagus is the most important thing for missing the connections to get it helping children with Asperger’s. me is visualising it as I am created. What has your involvement in reading it. I love to see the ideas A Trip to the Moon became the that book been like for you? conceptualise in my head. That first book I wrote and illustrated, instant connection to text allows The most inspiring thing about for two reasons: 1) to prove I could me to communicate my thoughts this book has been the responses illustrate picture books, and 2) to the author. I’ve received from complete to learn the process for myself strangers who engaged with and become confident that it was the story. I’ve been contacted by The most inspiring something I could do repeatedly. teachers across Australia and thing ... has been What is on the horizon for you? New Zealand saying that Gus has had life-changing effects in the responses I’ve The Cloud Conductor, written by people’s lives. I hoped Gus would received from complete Kellie Byrnes, is being released have an impact, but I could never strangers who engaged next month. I’m also in the have foreseen the impression he’s process of illustrating an early truly made. with the story. reader due for late 2018/early 2019 release, and I’m working on I co-wrote it from my personal Is there one project that has a story about Gus the Asparagus’s experience as my son has been particularly memorable for brother, Charlie the Chilli. Asperger’s, so it has been really you, or shaped your career? great to raise others’ awareness about what life can be like for This would have to be A Trip to kids on the spectrum. More the Moon. I’d been working as an A review of Ann-Marie Finn’s importantly, Gus gives those kids illustrator for a number of years newest picture book a connection with ‘someone’ who before I moved to Australia. When I Despair of My Hair feels the same way they do. I arrived, I had children pretty can be found on page 12. much right away and didn’t really What do you like most about have time to establish a career or illustrating other people’s make any contacts here. I knew For more information about Ann- stories? that I wanted to be a children’s Marie’s work, or to contact her, When I read a manuscript book illustrator and I had already please go to: that I am asked to illustrate, written a story … I was just amfillustrations.wordpress.com SPECIAL OFFER: To celebrate the launch of I Despair of My Hair, SAVE 20% on these Ann-Marie Finn titles when you order by 30/4/2018.

bookcurator.com.au | 5 NOTABLE DATES

NOTABLE DATES

National Simultaneous Storytime

23 May, 2018 Libraries, schools, bookshops and homes around the country will simultaneously read the same Australian picture book to the young people in their lives in this fabulous event. This year’s book, Hickory Dickory Dash, is a playful twist on the popular English nursery rhyme. Get involved by viewing the event activities and teachers’ notes on ALIA’s website. Last year, 686,324 children were involved in 6,129 events nationally. alia.org.au/nss

200 years – Birth of Karl Marx 125 years – Wall Street Crash 30 years – Parliament House

5 May, 1818 5 May, 1893 9 May, 1988 Famous for his anti-capitalist works, The Wall Street Crash heralded the USA’s Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the including The Communist Manifesto, worst economic depression to that date. New Parliament House in Canberra at this German philosopher was the By the end of the year, 600 banks were Australia’s bicentenary celebrations. founder of the revolutionary socialist closed, 15,000 businesses bankrupt and It was the first permanent Parliament school of Marxism. 20% of workers were unemployed. House since Federation in 1901. tinyurl.com/y7rywz4u tinyurl.com/y7d49a4o tinyurl.com/y9fxsvaq

1150 years – Diamond Sutra 50 years – Coral & Balmoral

11 May, 868 12 May, 1968 The oldest printed book in existence, On this date our soldiers fought their this Sanskrit text was discovered largest battles of the Vietnam War. The in 1900 by a monk in China, within a Coral attack was “the most sustained secret library hidden in ‘The Cave of a ground attack” since the Pacific war. Thousand Buddhas’. It is dated A.D. 868. tinyurl.com/yay5q7dp tinyurl.com/39y9k48

750 years – The Crusades 150 years – Aboriginal Cricket

18 May, 1268 25 May, 1868 The Second Siege of Antioch (now The first Australian cricket team to tour Antakya, Turkey) saw the forces of England arrived in the UK on this date. Baibars, Sultan of Egypt and Syria, It consisted of 13 Aboriginal men. They capture the city, burn it to the ground, played a series of 47 matches, winning and kill or enslave the entire population. 14, losing 14 and drawing 19. tinyurl.com/ya7s5gvm tinyurl.com/yboxd45e

20 years – National Sorry Day 65 years – Mount Everest 80 years – Superman

26 May, 1998 29 May, 1953 31 May, 1938 This annual effort to make amends Edmund Hilary, New Zealand The iconic character made his debut for the historical mistreatment of the mountaineer, and Tenzing Norgay, appearance in Action Comics #1, the Indigenous Australian population and Nepal Sherpa, became the first first ever superhero comic. In 2014, their families is now in its 20th year. explorers to reach the world’s highest an original sold for $3.2m, the highest summit. price ever paid for a comic book. tinyurl.com/ybhldkc9 tinyurl.com/yaqc7vs5 tinyurl.com/yccjqll8

6 | The Book Curator: April 2018 IN THE SPOTLIGHT

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

ILLUSTRATION CHALLENGE Australian competition gives aspiring illustrators the opportunity to get published Independent Queensland-based children’s book publisher Wombat Books has announced its third illustration challenge! All school-aged children are invited to enter for an incredible opporunity be published in Wombat Books’ upcoming title Around Australia in 30 Places. Entrants can find the manuscript online for further instruction and inspiration on what to create. With no constraints on medium or style, this is a fantastic chance for young artists to exercise their imagination and dip their toes into industry waters. To enter, students need to purchase a copy of either Zoo Ball or Yay! It’s Library Day, the previous books illustrated via the Challenge. Both are written by popular Australian author Aleesah Darlison. Students can enter multiple illustrations and are not required to purchase additional

books in order to do so. Discounted class sets of 20 copies or more are available to make it easier for teachers coordinating groups of student entries. Entries close 31st August 2018 The winning entries will become the illustrations for Around Australia in 30 Places, and will include names of the illustrators. For detailed information on how to enter, please select ‘Competitions from the main menu on the Wombat Books website at: wombatbooks.com.au

bookcurator.com.au | 7 NEWS & VIEWS

NEWS & VIEWS

New Children’s Laureate: Speculative Stories Create our Future Fiction Awards The theme chosen by Morris Gleitzman’s for his tenure as Australian Announced Children’s Laureate (2018-2019) is: ‘Stories create our future’. The winners of the Aurealis Awards for 2017 have been With an ambitious program of travel scheduled for the next two years, announced. Gleitzman will be doing his best to ensure that children’s engagement with literature is encouraged, developed and celebrated. Winners include Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend for Best At the launch event held in the Blue Mountains, he spoke of his strong Children’s Fiction and In the Dark commitment to engaging politicians and policy makers and his Spaces by Cally Black for Best determination to persist until they listen and take action to ensure our Young Adult Novel. young people have the resources and opportunities they need. In the Dark Spaces is also in this As a writer of books that balance the sometimes difficult and dark year’s CBCA Awards short list for realities of life with the light of friendship, love and hope, Gleitzman Older Readers, while Nevermoor continues to champion the role stories play in helping kids develop is a Notable in the Younger empathy, resilience, problem solving skills, optimism and hope, as well Readers category. as the ability to learn from their mistakes and move forward. Reviews of both titles can be On the 3rd of May, he will join Chris Riddell (UK Children’s Laureate from found in the CBCA Awards Special 2015 to 2017) at the Sydney Writers Festival where they will be discussing Supplement (included with this the question: “Can children’s stories save the human race?”. In this not- issue of The Book Curator). to-be-missed daytime event specifically targeting teachers, teacher- librarians and other interested adults, the talented pair will explore what Source: aurealisawards.org writing and reading can mean for children today. For more information on this event or to book tickets go to: tinyurl.com/yby46zqy To find out more about the role of the Australian Children’s Laureate, go to: childrenslaureate.org.au Author Will Kostakis wins IBBY Award The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis has New Marcus Zusak story won the 2018 Ena Noël Award, a biennial prize awarded to an It’s been 13 years since Markus Zusak’s breakout title, The Book Thief, Australian creator under the age was released and fans have endured a long wait for more stories from of 35 years. the gifted writer. The award is administered by the His new novel, Bridge of Clay, the result of a 20 year journey, will finally International Board on Books for release in October. It’s a story he has had difficulty telling, in no small Young People (IBBY). part due to The Book Thief’s success. While that success was obviously welcome, it was also a distraction. The Sidekicks, Kostakis’ third book, was a Notable in the CBCA Zusak recently spoke at the Leading Edge bookseller’s conference about Awards Older Readers category in the difficulties he faced writingBridge of Clay and his journey through 2017. A review of the book can be the self-doubt that was getting in the way. While many suggested he found in the Member’s Database. should move on to something else, it was a story he just couldn’t let go. A review of Bridge of Clay will be included in our October magazine. Source: ibbyaustralia.wordpress.com A brief video expressing some of Markus’s journey to write his new book can be found at: tinyurl.com/yae6wsjm

8 | The Book Curator: April 2018 Podcasts for Librarians Exploring Colonial A perfect companion for the busy, multitasking librarian, podcasts allow Childhood you to listen, learn and laugh whilst your hands are preoccupied with The National Library of Australia other responsibilities. These channels are directed at a combination of has published a stunning new book-lovers and librarians, some more fun or informational than others. book that captures the life of We suggest you check them out! children in colonial Australia, BETTER LIBRARY LEADERS with extraordinary photographs offering captivating insight into When librarians lead with purpose, we can never become obsolete… A an era of hardship. Spinning podcast, blog and community exploring the elements of great libraries Tops & Gumdrops focuses on the and great library leaders. ‘imagination, skill and daring’ that tinyurl.com/y97pkfsf was the source of children’s play during that period. BOOK RIOT Author Edwin Barnard wanted The editors of Book Riot talking about what’s new, cool or worthy, and to elucidate the qualities of reviewing books. children growing up between bookriot.com/listen 1788 and 1900 which put them in good stead for the challenges CYBERPUNK LIBRARIAN of life; qualities which are still Join Daniel Messer as he talks about ideas, trends, and cool stuff for greatly valued by contemporary technologically minded librarians who are high tech and low budget! society, but are now perhaps tinyurl.com/ybf6lwfj more elusive. He suggests these qualities were developed PROFESSIONAL BOOK NERDS through a lack of choice. During We’re not just book nerds: we’re professional book nerds and the staff the colonial years, death was librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and prevalent and children were often audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. required to work in poor factory conditions or commit to long overdrive.libsyn.com days doing chores such as animal LADIES WHO LIBRARY tending and crop harvesting. Because of these circumstances, Female librarians who talk about the books they read and they’re children learnt self-sufficiency, experiences working in the library. resilience and acceptance. tinyurl.com/y9mfa4ed As well as the fascinating THE WORST BESTSELLERS differences this book portrays about Australian children’s Writer Kait and librarian Renata talk about popular books of upbringing and play, it explores questionable quality in an attempt to understand their appeal. We read past and present ways of life, stuff so you don’t have to. including the distinctive gender tinyurl.com/y7pp6zzk roles and dress conventions. Nostalgic of a simpler, but also tougher and grimmer time, Spinning Tops & Gumdrops is Indie Book Award Winner a rich and wonderful historical In a commemorative turn of events, the 10th anniversary of the Indie resource for children participating Book Awards has seen its first ever children’s book win the overall book in Australian studies to relate award. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow took out Indie Book of and compare their own lives to. the Year 2018, as well as the award for the Children’s category. Along See your order form for a special with the novel’s many other accolades, it is quickly becoming one of offer on this title. Australia’s favourite books. Source: tinyurl.com/yc62j72j Source: tinyurl.com/y8ksrs8c

bookcurator.com.au | 9 Bruce Pascoe Readings Book Original Text: wins Australia Prize Shortlist Frankenstein Council Award This year’s Readings Children’s SP Books has just published Book Prize shortlist has been a facsimile of Mary Shelley’s Indigenous author Bruce announced. The award aims to original Frankenstein manuscript Pascoe is the latest recipient celebrate and draw attention handwritten during her nine of the Australia Council Award to debut and rising Australian months by Lake Geneva. Shelley for Lifetime Achievement in authors, considering books by drafted the story in two large Literature. those writers who have published notebooks and being famously The award recognises ‘eminent no more than three children’s challenged by Lord Byron, her literary writers over the age of 60 books for five- to 12-year-olds. lover Percy Shelley, stepsister Claire Clairmont and Byron’s who have made an outstanding The six shortlisted titles are: personal physician John Polidori and lifelong contribution to Tarin of the Mammoths: The Exile to “each write a ghost story” in Australian literature’. by Jo Sandhu, Nevermoor: The the summer of 1816. She was 18 Trial of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Pascoe is the author of more at the time and finished it in the Townsend, Lintang and the Pirate than 20 books, including Fog a spring of 1817. Dox(winner of the 2013 Victorian Queen by Tamara Moss, The Boy, Premier’s Literary Award) and the Bird and the Coffin Maker by SP Books has also published the Mrs Whitlam. Both these titles Matilda Woods, The Extremely original manuscripts of great featured in the CBCA Awards. Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte literary classics such as The Reviews can be found in the Mettlestone by Jaclyn Moriarty and Great Gatsby, Jane Eyre, Alice’s Member’s Database. Home Time by Campbell Whyte. Adventures Under Ground and Madame Bovary. The winner of the $3,000 prize Source: tinyurl.com/gp47eds will be announced in April. Source: tinyurl.com/ybqp2l8q Source: tinyurl.com/ychto8aj IMAGE ATTRIBUTIONS Understanding traffic light ratings Page 6: NSS Social Media Tile from www.alia. org.au/nss#getinvolved . The traffic lights are a grading system to assist schools with Page 6: Diamond Sutra by The colophon, at conservative collection policies to easily identify which reviews they the inner end, reads: Reverently [caused to be] should read more closely. made for universal free distribution by Wang There are no concerns with this book. Jie on behalf of his two parents on the 13th of There are likely very mild concerns which we consider the 4th moon of the 9th year of Xiantong [i.e. unlikely to be an issue for the age group, but you 11th May, CE 868 ]. - Zoomable image from should check them out just in case. the British Library’s Online Gallery. Originally uploaded to en:Wikipedia (log) in January Mild to medium concerns, whether this book is 2008 by Fconaway (talk) and in November suitable will depend on your collection policy. 2009 by Earthsound (talk)., Public Domain, Medium to high concerns. These books my be https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index. unsuitable for most schools with conservative php?curid=6925162

collection policies. Page 6: Parliament House Opening by Celcom A high level of concerns which are likely to make this at the English language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA book unsuitable for the vast majority of schools with 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/ conservative collection policies. index.php?curid=17906863 When considering how to rate each book we weigh up the level of concerns with the quality of the book and the benefits to be gained from it. More information about the ‘scales’ process has been provided in a previous article. For a copy, please contact mag@aptschoolresources. com.au. Your feedback on the traffic light rating system is very welcome.

10 | The Book Curator: April 2018 The Bad Guys Movie Power of Pictures The Centre for Literacy in Primary DreamWorks Animations has picked up Aaron Blabey’s popular Education (CLPE) is a London- children’s series The Bad Guys for movie adaptation. Screenwriter and based charity working to raise the director Etan Cohen—known for live action comedies and Madagascar: literacy achievement of children Escape 2 Africa—will be responsible for adapting the junior chapter by ensuring all those involved books into a feature-length animated film. in teaching literacy in primary The story stars four hilarious anamorphic baddies—Mr Wolf, Mr Shark, Mr schools have access to quality Snake and Mr Piranha—who want to be heroes, and is currently six books material. Their Power of Pictures long, with The Bad Guys Episode 7: Do-you-think-he-saurus?! due to be project provides some excellent released in May. Since the first title was published in 2016, the series has online resources—including become an international hit, selling millions of copies worldwide. videos, book recommendations and teaching sequences The production’s development is already underway, with the author and approaches—to support himself set to co-produce the film, but there is no confirmed release educators who use picture books date as of yet. to enhance critical thinking in Source: tinyurl.com/ybqj97ql their students. There are also research papers and case studies on the organisation’s website that Gaming in Libraries provide some insights into the Local libraries today may have rows of kids playing computer games importance of illustrations, inside. Whist some might consider gaming indicative of libraries drifting narrative creation through from a focus on printed word, or a technological plight of the twenty- drawing, and the effectiveness of first century, gaming has been an activity in libraries since somewhere certain CLPE teaching sequences. around the 1850s. Access to some of their materials requires a quick and free In mid-nineteenth century Great Britain, social reformers responded registration, but their trove is to intense industrial workdays by creating game rooms and billiard well-worth a look. parlours at libraries. Spending off-hour time in this gaming environment was viewed as a more respectable leisurely pursuit than gambling, a Explore the site: popular pastime of the era. tinyurl.com/ybwkfhz6 Around the same time, libraries in the United States were campaigning to use libraries for leisurely activities. Some influential voices—for example, founders of Boston Public Library—decided recreational Waterstones reading and fiction books were inappropriate inclusions in libraries. However, to entertain the growing population of the American gold rush Children’s Book years, the Mechanics’ Institute Library in San Francisco opened a chess room, winning a hard-fought argument. During the Great Depression, Prize public libraries also started hosting puzzle contests. Queensland author Jessica Mid-twentieth century libraries continued to focus on the evolving Townsend’s Nevermoor: The needs of children, building up their collections of games and creating Trials of Morrigan Crow has won clubs, competitions and school holiday programs. By the time electronic the Younger Fiction category of games were introduced in the 1970s and 1980s, the use of games as the 2018 Waterstones Children’s entertainment in libraries was already established. Nowadays, gaming Book Prize. Championing new in libraries can be viewed not only as a way to entice children into the and emerging talent in children’s building, but as useful educational tools, adding both social and learning publishing, the middle-grade value to our library spaces. novel was referenced as ‘spellbinding’, ‘inventive’ and Source: tinyurl.com/y9efwq9q bursting with ‘magic, intrigue and wonder’. Source: tinyurl.com/ydhwz2w5

bookcurator.com.au | 11 » BOOK REVIEWS

BOOK REVIEWS

IAnn-Marie Despair Finn of My Hair TheAleesah Darlison Dream Bird Alfred’sRachel Bin Salleh War Author: Ann-Marie Finn Author: Aleesah Darlison Author: Rachel Bin Salleh ISBN: 978-0994557049 ISBN: 978-1925563337 ISBN: 978-1925360608 Published: 1/04/2018 Published: 1/04/2018 Published: 1/04/2018 Publisher: Yellow Brick Books Publisher: Wombat Books Publisher: Magabala Books » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION Do you know the feeling when you Once upon a time in a faraway Alfred’s War is a powerful just can’t do ANYTHING with your land there lived the rarest of rare story that unmasks the lack of hair, no matter how hard you try? birds. The Dream Bird. George is a recognition given to Australian Well Alice has that problem every day child. He rollicks and romps in Indigenous servicemen day, but what can she do about the light. But at night, George just who returned from the WWI it? At the end of the day is it really can’t seem to get to sleep. That battlelines. worth the worry? is, until Gran tells him a bedtime Alfred was just a young man when story about a magical bird who » OUR REVIEW he was injured and shipped home sings children to sleep. Will the from France. Neither honoured This very relatable tale will Dream Bird’s magic work on as a returned soldier or offered be instantly recognisable to George? government support afforded those whose hair refuses to be A stunning bedtime book that will to non-Indigenous servicemen, controlled. As the young girl in the enchant readers young and old. Alfred took up a solitary life story is finding out, it’s a battle walking the back roads – billy tied she’s not going to win, so she » OUR REVIEW to his swag, finding work where must either accept defeat and This enchanting picture book tells he could. Alfred was a forgotten keep her sanity, or wear a big hat! the story of George, an energetic soldier. Although he had fought An enjoyable rhyming verse boy by day who struggles to get bravely in the Great War, as an follows her trials and tribulations to sleep at night. His family try Aboriginal man he wasn’t classed using various fonts, sizes and all sorts of things to help, but it’s as a citizen of his own country. accentuations to emphasise up to wise old Gran to find a way Yet Alfred always remembered components of the story. that works in the end. What finally his friends in the trenches and does the trick is the tale she tells The cartoon style illustrations the mateship they had shared. him of the magical Dream Bird. add a great deal of amusement Sometimes he could still hear to the tale. Ideal for discussions A lovely story with some beautiful the never-ending gunfire in his on appearance and perhaps the and endearing illustrations. head and the whispers of diggers pressure we feel to conform. Recommended Age: 3 years + praying. Every year on ANZAC Day, Recommended Age: 4 years + Alfred walked to the nearest town, where he would quietly stand behind the people gathered and pay homage to his fallen mates. Rachel Bin Salleh’s poignant narrative opens our hearts to the sacrifice and contribution that Indigenous people have made to

12 | The Book Curator: April 2018 Australia’s war efforts, the true extent of which is only now being revealed. » OUR REVIEW A heart-wrenching story that sensitively relays the social inequality and mistreatment of Indigenous Australians during the era of the first World War. After serving in the Army—where YoungGiuseppe Poli MacDonald DroughtJackie French feelings of comradery were so Giuseppe Poli Jackie French prevalent—Alfred returns to his Author: Author: 978-0994557018 978-1743817599 home country where it quickly ISBN: ISBN: 1/04/2018 1/04/2018 becomes clear there will be no Published: Published: Yellow Brick Books Scholastic war heroes welcome for him. Publisher: Publisher: PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION Despite the bravery he exhibited » » and the lifelong friends he made, In this fun twist on an old I remember when rain stopped, Australian civil rights had not favourite, Young MacDonald’s When day by day the water progressed in his time abroad, vivid imagination transforms an dropped, All across a sun- and so he receives no recognition ordinary day on the farm to the bleached land, Drought spread for his honourable sacrifice. grandest adventure yet! its withered, deadly hand. From the award-winning creators of Alfred cannot forget his » OUR REVIEW Flood, Fire and Cyclone comes experiences in WWI, and as he Old MacDonald gives his son a Drought, a moving story about struggles to adjust back to civilian bicycle on which he has some the devastating effects drought life and find work, readers are awesome adventures. To the has on many Australians and their prompted to consider themes rhythm of the familiar nursery farms. of remembrance, acceptance, rhyme, Young MacDonald’s bike is respect and perseverance. » OUR REVIEW transformed into various vehicles This moving and thought- that take him underground, This latest offering in the provoking rendition of WWI underwater and into space, to Australian ‘climactic conditions’ from the historical perspective name just a few. series is as evocative as its of Aboriginal and Torres Strait predecessors, depicting drought This is a fun transport-themed Islander soldiers will make an from its unseen beginnings take on the well-known ditty, full excellent Anzac Day resource for to devastating hold on rural of action-packed illustrations. older primary students. Australia. A farming family’s Recommended Age: 6 to 10 years Kids will love singing along to this resilience is sorely tested as crops rollicking story, which could also whither and stock die or are sold be used to encourage them to off. Even the native animals and invent their own verses. plants suffer. After a long wait, Recommended Age: 3 years + the rains eventually come and the greatest joy is a long bath. Beautifully written, the carefully chosen words conjure up all aspects of drought’s challenging effects, with the stunning illustrations setting the scene. A wonderful work from a proven and unsurpassable author/ illustrator collaboration. Recommended Age: 5 years +

bookcurator.com.au | 13 appealing collage style illustrations. Recommended Age: 5 years +

MyGiuseppe Poli Australia MessageGiuseppe Poli in a Sock Author: Julie Murphy Author: Kaye Baillie ISBN: 978-0642279163 ISBN: 978-1925227383 Published: 2/04/2018 Published: 2/04/2018 Publisher: National Library Aust Publisher: Midnight Sun Never Lose Hope: » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION The Story of My Australia is a poetic journey Tammy is safe at home, but her Australia’s First across the Australian landscape. heart is with her father at the Celebrating both the ancient and SchoolMark Wilson warfront. While her mother knits modern Australia, the book invites Author: Mark Wilson socks for the soldiers, Tammy readers to travel across the ISBN: 978-0734416797 slips a message inside each delights of our continent—from Published: 27/03/2018 pair. But will her one special dry deserts to lush rainforests, Publisher: Lothian message find her father, and from high mountains to stormy bring him safely home? Based on » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION seashores, from winding rivers a true exchange between Lance to fertile swamplands—all the John is a child convict, transported Corporal A. McDougall and a magical places that are my to New South Wales for stealing young girl, Message in a Sock is a Australia. a shirt. Life is grim in the fledgling gorgeous collage-style tale which colony and when food runs short, With colourful illustrations by pays respect to the ANZACs and John once again has to steal to Garry Fleming, Julie Murphy’s their families, a century after the survive. Starving and alone, he story is beautifully simple, and end of World War I. is taken in by Australia’s first sure to excite young readers, » OUR REVIEW schoolteacher, Isabella Rosson. encouraging a greater awareness In her simple classroom, John and appreciation of our precious Amongst the plethora of books learns to read and write and soon and irreplaceable natural places. being released around World War becomes her star pupil - until One, Message in a Sock stands » OUR REVIEW he is discovered by the soldiers out as a very relatable true story and again sent away in chains. A visually stunning and which is simply told and truly Yet John never forgets Isabella’s evocatively poetic book which heartwarming. lessons, the power of words - and takes the reader through It follows an appeal for people to the hope for a brighter future. Australia’s richly varied landscape knit woollen socks for the soldiers and the creatures which inhabit it. Inspired by the life of convict at the Front. Tammy’s mum gets Isabella Rosson, the first teacher The rhyming verse is really quite busy knitting and before wrapping in the colony at Port Jackson, and simple, but when coupled with each pair, Tammy writes a note, John Hudson, the youngest First the exquisite illustrations, very hoping that one pair will go to Fleet convict, this touching story powerful that celebrates Australia her father. Eventually a letter is illustrated with Mark Wilson’s in all its wonderful and unique arrives from one of the recipients, vividly realistic and evocative diversity, much to Tammy’s delight. She artwork. Recommended Age: 4 years + speculates about the soldier, what he looks like and wonders if » OUR REVIEW he might have a daugher too. A wonderful fact-based story A lovely story, well told with about hope and overcoming

14 | The Book Curator: April 2018 adversity. Though a convict, but when those jokes start to » OUR REVIEW Isabella Rosson became be at his expense, he feels hurt. This next book in a series on Australia’s first school teacher. No one notices, until Marvin no quirky family members, looks Arriving on the First Fleet, and longer turns up for work. He’s at at the world of mums and their with the support of Reverend home in the hope that staying antics. As usual, there are a Johnson and his wife, she took to in bed will make his problems myriad of jobs or activities teaching any children who turned disappear. When he realises that’s depicted, and thankfully they up at her door. One such attendee not going to work, he decides to don’t stereotype women was a child convict called John, talk to his friends. or motherhood. From hang who was also an orphan. He In the meantime his friends gliding to kung fu, science to proved a natural and was soon (who have now experienced for animal rescue, there’s a feast reading, writing and doing sums. themselves what it is like to be of vocabulary and action. The However, an earlier indiscretion the butt of others’ jokes), have rhyming text is full of humour resulted in him being seized by seen the error of their ways and and the illustrations great fun. the authorities and transported are quick to apologise. With the to Norfolk Island. While he Content Notes: There is mention air cleared, their friendship is eventually returned to the of spells (because of mum being a restored. mainland, there are no records of magician) but it is all very tongue what became of him. A creative look at feelings, being in cheek. hurt by friends and how open A fascinating account of very Recommended Age: 3 years + communication is the best early colonial life with Wilson’s solution. Well written, with some usual beautiful illustrations. great characters and delightful Highly recommended. illustrations. Recommended Age: 6 to 10 years Recommended Age: 4 years +

The Knight

WhoLucy Rowland Said No Author: Lucy Rowland ISBN: 978-1788002073 Published: 28/03/2018 MissingSue deGennaro Marvin My Mum is a Author: Sue deGennaro Publisher: Nosy Crow

MagicianDamon Young ISBN: 978-1742769509 » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION Published: 1/04/2018 Author: Damon Young Publisher: Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702259944 Ned the knight ALWAYS does Published: 2/04/2018 exactly what he’s told. When his » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION Publisher: UQP parents ask him to pick up his toys, dig up the cabbages or go Marvin loves his job. He has never » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION missed a day of work. Sometimes to bed on time, he does it all with his friends play jokes to pass the Some mums gulp green tea, a smile. And when the dragon time. Sometimes the jokes are with bitter barley blends. But my swoops into town every night, on Marvin. Then, one day, Marvin mum is a magician . . . her cup of he always runs inside just as he’s isn’t where he usually is. Where is coffee never ends. All mums are asked. But one morning, instead Marvin? different. But what if your mum of saying ‘yes,’ he says ‘NO!’ And, was really different? What if your refusing to go inside at night, he » OUR REVIEW mum was a magician? confronts the dragon... making Marvin the moose’s work a very unlikely best friend in the colleagues love practical jokes, process.

bookcurator.com.au | 15 » OUR REVIEW rescuing things. He has a rescuing Recommended Age: 5 to 9 years plan, which involves dancing, Suitable class novel: YES There was once a very polite Good read rating: and a mole, and an electric fence. and compliant young knight Literacy value rating: What could possibly go wrong? who always said ‘yes’, much to the delight of his parents and The first book in a hilarious, heart- town folk. Much to their surprise, warming series for children from after an encounter with the local Costa Award-winning author A. L. dragon, Ned starts to say ‘no’— Kennedy, illustrated by Gemma very vehemently! Correll. His newfound anger causes quite » OUR REVIEW a stir, but it might be just the thing Snatched from his woodland for scaring the dragon away, home by the horrible sisters Ethel unless of course the dragon is and Maude, Badger Bill’s future tired of being cranky all the time is not looking bright. Meanwhile and just wants a friend ... their equally horrible brother Project Droid #1: A fabulous book which pairs Farmer McGloone has lured ScienceNancy Krulik & Amanda Burwasser No Fair! superb and highly amusing four naïve llamas from Peru to Author: Nancy Krulik & Amanda rhyming verse with excellent his soggy Scottish farm with Burwasser illustrations. promises of a wonderful holiday. ISBN: 978-1742768991 Instead they are shorn to provide Recommended Age: 4 years + Published: 1/02/2018 wool for socks and are likely to Publisher: Koala Books end up in the exotic meat pies the horrible McGloone family adores. » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION Thankfully help is at hand in the When you have an android person of Uncle Shawn. He has cousin, losing your head takes on a nose for when an animal is in a whole new meaning! There’s danger and quickly sets a rescue nothing Logan Applebaum has plan in motion. His plan may seem ever wanted more than to have a little unorthodox, but with a another kid around the house. So clan as obnoxious and wily as the when his inventor mum builds McGloones, thinking outside the him a robot cousin, Logan’s really box is the only solution … excited—until he finds out that it’s not so easy keeping Java’s android Uncle Shawn and A very enjoyable, humorous story identity a secret. Bill and the Almost interspersed with illustrations of Entirely Unplanned the main characters and scenes. Even though Java is really smart, These drawings wonderfully he doesn’t seem to understand AdventureA.L. Kennedy capture the repulsiveness of the anything. Still, with the third grade Author: A.L. Kennedy McGloones, the cuteness of the science fair coming up, having a ISBN: 978-1406378337 animals and the quirkiness of cousin with a computer for a brain Published: 1/04/2018 Uncle Shawn’s offbeat methods. just might come in handy. Does Publisher: Walker Books There’s plenty of background having Java around mean Logan » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION building and the characterisation finally has a chance at winning is fabulous. Highly recommended. first prize? Or will those nasty, Badger Bill needs rescuing. He’s super-sneaky Silverspoon twins Major themes: animal napping, been kidnapped by two nasty outsmart him again? sisters who are about to make exploitation, llamas, Scotland, him fight a boxing match against kindness versus cruelty, rescue, » OUR REVIEW adventure three even nastier dogs. The four Logan Applebaum is a regular most depressed llamas in the Content Notes: Not applicable. 8-year-old. Logan’s mum history of llamas need rescuing however, is a little on the crazy too. They are about to be turned side. She is an inventor and she into llama pies. But never fear is always experimenting, like – Uncle Shawn is here! He loves the time in Grade One when she

16 | The Book Curator: April 2018 built a dancing bear. If it weren’t » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION A very enjoyable and enthralling for the dancing bear picking the tale that should be in every Welcome to the fascinating, teacher’s nose, it would have library collection, for its social exciting and sometimes been a great Show ‘n Tell item! history aspect if nothing else. frightening world of ‘His Highness This is an 85 page hardback, This time though, Logan’s mum Bill Baillie of Goongarrie’, the most illustrated novel complemented has created her biggest surprise adventurous and well-travelled by an additional 15 pages of yet - a talking, walking, friendly bilby in Australia. Bill Baillie tells glossary, author notes and other robot named Java (which is the story of a bold and inquisitive information in the back. short for Jacob Alexander Victor bilby, originally published in 1908 Applebaum). Java proves to be by Ellis Rowan. Bill Baillie lives Content Notes: Not applicable. a handful for Logan at school - with his owner and friend, Tabitha, embarrassing and unpredictable, and accompanies her when but friendly to the other children. she goes to interesting places Recommended Age: 8 to 13 years to paint wildflowers. Bill Baillie: Suitable class novel: YES To the nasty Silverspoon twins, Good read rating: The Life and Adventures of a Pet Sherry and Jerry, Java is perfect to Literacy value rating: help them with their Science Fair Bilby is an abridged adaptation project. However, Logan decides of Ellis Rowan’s fictional memoir he will make it “too difficult” for about an orphaned bilby that the Silverspoon twins to win first she adopted and raised as a pet. prize. So, does Java’s loyalty to Beginning in the middle of the Logan mean Logan might win the desert in Western Australia, Bill Science Fair project? Or will those Baillie’s travels and escapades nasty Silverspoon twins find a provide an insight into the way to win the competition? Australian geography and lifestyle of the early 1890s. Major themes: friendship, science experiments, inventions, robots » OUR REVIEW Content Notes: Not applicable. Originally published in 1908, this new adapted and abridged Break Your Chains: version has been updated and The Freedom modernised for ease of reading. Recommended Age: 7 years + FindersEmily Conolan It is a fictional story inspired by a Suitable class novel: NO Author: Emily Conolan Good read rating: bilby owned by the author, which ISBN: 978-1760294915 Literacy value rating: accompanied her on her painting Published: 28/03/2018 expeditions. Publisher: Allen & Unwin The story offers an interesting » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION insight into life in early 20th century in both outback and To find freedom, you must leave city Australia. The interest in our behind everything you’ve ever unusual native wildlife is clear, known. It is 1825. You and Ma as people clamour to meet ‘Bill’. have survived on the streets of The bond between painter and London ever since the soldiers bilby is lovingly depicted, with took Da away and you fled Ireland. both getting a great deal from the Now, with Ma gone too, you find relationship. yourself facing life-and-death choices at every turn. Can you The various situations which Bill Baillie: The Life carry a secret treasure across the Tabitha and Bill find themselves and Adventures of ocean and finally be reunited with in range from the amusing to the Da? You’ll be asked to betray your aEmily Conolan Pet Bilby scary, depending on where the friends, survive storms at sea and Author: Ellis Rowan little bilby’s curiousity has led attacks by bushrangers, and trust ISBN: 978-0642279200 him. Thankfully Tabitha generally thieves. At every turn, the choice Published: 02/04/2018 manages to save the day, albeit is yours. How far will you go for Publisher: National Library Aust just in the nick of time. freedom?

bookcurator.com.au | 17 » OUR REVIEW a family with Sarah and her When Pender rescues Brindabella husband living nearby. Her father from the pouch of her murdered This is one of those books where turns up as an old man to see his mother, an unusual friendship the reader is the protagonist and grandchildren. blossoms between the lonely must choose a course of action boy and the orphaned joey. at various stages throughout An interesting tale of Australia’s But Brindabella is no ordinary the story. It is set in the early early history told in an engaging kangaroo. And though Pender has 1800s. The protagonist is a manner. saved her life, the untameable young Irish girl who moves to Major themes: Irish rebels, wildness of the bush—and London with her mother when her transportation, poverty in freedom—call to her... father is arrested for his part in 1800s, justice, bushrangers, Lyrical and unforgettable, Ireland’s efforts to free itself from early settlement in Tasmania, Brindabella explores the brutal England’s rule. Her mother dies of endurance smallpox. The orphaned girl then beauty of the Australian bush. Content Notes: 1. Language: makes a number of decisions that » OUR REVIEW either end in death or prison. ‘bloody’ x 3 (p187, 189, 191). Pender lives with his artist father She does have one break when in a hut in the bush. His father is she calms a distressed horse in a Recommended Age: 8 to 12 years quite ill and getting weaker. They carriage accident. The Irish lady Suitable class novel: NO have some hens, a dog called in the carriage rewards her with Good read rating: Billy-Bob, a couple of cows and a Literacy value rating: a gem stone bracelet with the horse. The animals have a voice in message that when she discovers the story and talk to each other. its meaning, it’s time to pass it on. One winter morning, kangaroo If she makes choices that ensure shooters kill a roo with a joey her survival, our Irish lass is in her pouch. Pender rescues transported to Van Diemen’s Land the joey and takes her home (Tasmania) where she works for naming her Brindabella. The vet a Mr Tilsome who later brings his is contacted and provides a milk wife and son out to live on the formula for her. Pender does farm. The girl’s main aim is to find numerous drawing of his new her father after she discovers he pet to whom he becomes very has also been transported there. attached. She befriended Sarah, a sensible

BrindabellaUrsula Dubosarsky girl in prison when they share The growing animal causes a cell in London. she and Sarah Author: Ursula Dubosarsky some problems eating the eventually both work for the ISBN: 978-1760112042 garden vegetables. One night, Tilsomes. Published: 28/03/2018 Brindabella heeds the call of Publisher: Allen & Unwin the wild and escapes into the The Shadow Gang of bushrangers » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION bush with the help of Billy-Bob. rob the place and the girl However, she doesn’t have recognises her father as the This is a story about a boy called any bush skills so camps with leader of the gang. He had Pender and a kangaroo called a wombat for a while and gets escaped prison. The girl meets Brindabella, about how they her tail caught in a rabbit trap. an Indigenous boy, Waylitja when became friends, and all the things Eventually, she meets another he steals their chooks. She also that happened to them because kangaroo, Dashwood and she meets a young Irishman who is of it. Pender and his father live then has her mob. helping transported Irish freedom in an old house made of honey- fighters. One ending has the coloured stone in the bush by After again hearing shooters in girl join her father’s gang. She the river, with only the company the bush, Pender heads out with gives each member of the gang of his father’s paintings and the Billy-Bob. His dad, who is now a gemstone from the bracelet as loyal dog, Billy-Bob. Then, on almost bed-ridden, wakes in the they spell FREEDOM. one winter morning, a gunshot night to find his son gone. With amongst the trees changes the help of the local vet he heads In another ending, she marries out to look for Pender. the young Irishman and has everything. His now grown joey, Brindabella,

18 | The Book Curator: April 2018 is in the hunter’s sights and a fireplace and enter the magical becomes clear that Sophie has Pender yells as the hunter fires. land of Arden. spent far more time in Arden Brindabella escapes but Billy-Bob than Claire imagined could be There, they find a world in turmoil. is felled by the bullet and doesn’t possible. The villagers aren’t just The four guilds of magic no longer survive. looking for her, they claim she has trust each other. The beloved stolen their greatest treasure—the A year later, Pender returns to unicorns have disappeared, Unicorn Harp. the place he originally found and terrible wraiths roam freely. Brindabella, and she has now Scared, the girls return home. Certain her sister is no thief, Claire returned there with her own joey. But when Sophie vanishes sets out with Sena and Nett to in the night, it will take all of find both Sophie and the Unicorn A pleasant well-told story of Claire‘s courage to climb back Harp. It is a journey filled with an orphaned joey and life in up the ladder, find her sister, and adventure and danger. When the Australian bush. It avoids uncover the unicorns ‘ greatest she finds out who is really behind sentimentality and the animal secret. their disappearance, Claire also characters provide a welcome discovers that courage doesn’t touch of humour. Blending the timeless feel of The always come in bold packages. Chronicles of Narnia with Frozen’s Major themes: hand-raising an powerful themes of identity and The true history of Arden is also orphaned joey, call of the wild, sisterhood, The Unicorn Quest revealed and it is very different Australian bush animals, cycle will draw you into a magical world than the history books—and the of life, family, death of a pet, roo you’ll never want to leave. Royalists—would have you believe shooting … » OUR REVIEW Content Notes: Not applicable. Major themes: quest, adventure, Eleven-year-old Claire and her magic, unicorns, sisters, courage, older sister Sophie are staying gifts, illness, friendship, history Recommended Age: 8 to 12 years at their late Great Aunt Diana’s Suitable class novel: YES mansion while their parents sort Content Notes: 1. The ‘magical’ Good read rating: out her estate. Sophie, who is content is very mild. Essentially Literacy value rating: recovering from a life threatening the four Guilds of Arden can illness, is adventurous and encourage the magic that is collects ‘Experiences’ while Claire already in the things around is the quieter, artistic sister. Their them to accelerate, e.g. Tillers aunt was a treasure hunter, and can make plants grow bigger, her home is filled with unique faster and stronger. Forgers can and unusual pieces. It also has a make mirrors so shiny they reflect ladder in a chimney that leads to the future, or forge swords that another world … will never lose a fight. Unicorns enhance their abilities, but the Arden is not the land it once was. unicorns were all killed during the In the aftermath of theGuild War, wars. 2. When Claire and Sophie the four Guilds live in isolation first go up the ladder they are from each other, forbidden to TheKamilla Benko Unicorn Quest scared by a ‘monster’. Sophie cross each others’ borders. In Author: Kamilla Benko tells Claire (who was freaked out the background, secret Royalists ISBN: 978-1408878316 by it) that it was just a bat flying work to try and restore the last Published: 1/04/2018 at them. Later, when Claire goes queen and the last unicorn (both Publisher: Bloomsbury toArden, she is told they are lost during the last great battle). » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION wraiths and they only come out at When Sophie disappears, Claire night. They exist because of the Claire Martinson still worries finds evidence that she has gone absence of unicorns. Although about her older sister Sophie, up the ladder, despite promising this initial scene is a little bit scary, who battled a mysterious illness Claire she wouldn’t. Determined it is the only scene like that. 3. last year. But things are back to find her, timid Claire gathers Claire inadvertently hits someone to normal as they move into her courage and makes the climb. on the nose, and they respond Windermere Manor ... until the When she finds herself in the ‘Dee god, my dose’ (p49). sisters climb a strange ladder in village of Greenwood, it quickly

bookcurator.com.au | 19 with horses, he gets a job as a stable hand. Recommended Age: 10 to 13 years Suitable class novel: NO Shortly afterwards, a terrible Good read rating: flood hits Paris which will enable Literacy value rating: Frederic to redeem himself (in his own eyes) and also get justice for his father’s death. He and his mother are evacuated to a shelter where he forms a friendship with Claire and Thierry. The three new friends set off to rescue a fellow

evacuee’s cat and end up on a TheLisa Thompson Light Jar variety of adventures. Along the Author: Lisa Thompson way Frederic learns the value of ISBN: 978-1407171289 friendship and also the stupidity Published: 1/04/2018 of rushing into dangerous Publisher: Scholastic situations unprepared. » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION FearlessFelice Arena Frederic When he spots his father’s killer, Author: Felice Arena Nate and his mother are running he confronts him, but soon ISBN: 978-0143786757 away, hiding out in a tumbledown realises that will get him nowhere. Published: 2/04/2018 cottage in the middle of a Having overheard his plans Publisher: Penguin forest. When Mum heads off for he sets a trap which will finally provisions, and then doesn’t » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION secure justice and ultimately return, Nate is left alone and bring Frederic some peace. When the river rises and the city afraid, with the dark closing in of Paris begins to disappear under An excellent novel for middle all around him. But comfort can water, Frederic decides to help school readers, full of daring come from the most unexpected those who can’t help themselves. adventures, lucky escapes and of places—a mysterious girl trying But as his heroic acts escalate, the true meaning of friendship. to solve the clues of a treasure so does the danger. Frederic will The historic 1910 flood provides a hunt and the reappearance of an have to battle an escaped zoo great backdrop which the author old friend from his past. animal and fight off pickpockets builds on superbly. Many actual Will Nate find the bravery needed and looters but, as the waters situations are incorporated which to face the troubles of his present subside, can he find justice for his also adds depth and authenticity and ultimately illuminate the father and find out what courage and gives the reader a sense of future? really means? the era. A highly recommended » OUR REVIEW » OUR REVIEW read. When he’s woken by his mum Set during the great Paris flood Major themes: Early 20th Century in the middle of night to ‘go on of 1910, this fabulous novel richly Paris, flood, evacuation, death, holidays’ Nate knows something deserves to become a firm thieves, grief, loss, friendship, isn’t quite right; he’s just not sure favourite. bravery, helping others, justice what. They drive to a cottage in Content Notes: Not applicable. For his 13th birthday, Frederic the woods owned by a family accompanies his father to work friend, which obviously hasn’t at the Louvre, where he’s a night been inhabited for some years. time security guard. However, Recommended Age: 9 to 14 years His mum goes out to get food, Suitable class novel: YES tragedy strikes when a group of Good read rating: but by the next morning she thieves ambush them and kill Literacy value rating: still hasn’t come back. Nate his father. Though powerless to hears a noise, and discovers his intervene, Frederic still blames imaginary friend Sam is in the himself. With his father dead he house—it’s been six years since must now look for work to help they’ve seen each other. Sam support himself and his mother. is welcome company and gives Upon realising that he has a way him very sage advice to help him

20 | The Book Curator: April 2018 make it through. Kitty is an imaginary friend. Her In the second gripping Ateban human friend, Charlotte, died of Cipher novel, Gabe and his He also meets a girl called Kitty an asthma attack when she was companions journey to a remote in the woods. Kitty wants Nate 6-years-old, and Kitty has found mountain citadel where they to help her track down the clues it hard to let go. Her friendship learn the secret of the mysterious, to an old treasure hunt created with Nate helps both of them to encrypted book that Gabe has by William, the head gardener, move on from the past. In the been tasked with protecting. But for Charlotte and James (Kitty’s story, imaginary friends help their enemies are close behind father) who grew up in the big kids dealing with difficult times, them, and new dangers lie house. Charlotte passed away and then move on to a new child ahead. As Eddie seeks to regain when she was 6-years-old, so when they are no longer needed. his crown, and Merry and Gwyn the hunt was never completed. 4. Nate’s mum had gone to the race to free their father, Gabe will When his mum still hasn’t house for help and fallen through discover the answer to his own returned, Nate decides he must the rotting wooden floor. She great mystery - his true identity. go and ask Kitty’s family for help. broke her leg and was stuck there But instead of a family home he » OUR REVIEW until Nate found her. finds a crumbling mansion. As he Gabe, Eddie and the girls have frantically looks for Kitty, he hears been travelling for three weeks cries for help and discovers why across the entire kingdom of his mum has not come home … Recommended Age: 10 to 13 years Suitable class novel: YES Alban, with their pursuers close This is a beautiful story about a Good read rating: behind them. With his dying Literacy value rating: family in crisis (told appropriately breath Brother Benedict implored for the target age group), Gabe to keep the Ateban Cipher reconciliation, restoration and safe and the only way he can the special role played by the to do that is to reach Hayden’s imaginary friends who help kids Mont before their pursuers do. through tough times. Highly When they eventually arrive, recommended. instead of providing answers, Hayden’s Mont just generates Major themes: imaginary friends, more questions. Questions about family crisis, broken families, Gabe’s parentage and the reason controlling behaviour, freedom, he was left at the Monastery as a friendship, courage, restoration, baby; questions about just why reconciliation the Ateban Cipher is so precious Content Notes: 1. As the story The Book of and questions about how they will progresses, it becomes clear that Answers: The keep it safe and rescue Merry and Nate’s stepfather Gary is a bully. Gwyn’s father. AtebanA.L.Tait Cipher # 2 He isn’t physically violent, but he Their only hope is to get to the is controlling and manipulative. Author: A.L.Tait King, who is close to death, and Nate is terrified of the dark ISBN: 978-0734417695 convince him that Eddie is his true and Gary made that worse by Published: 27/03/2018 son before it is too late.Otherwise removing the light globes in their Publisher: Lothian an imposter, puppet of the home. 2. Nate, hurt by his father’s PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION » greedy, corrupts Lord Sherborne departure (their family broke An orphan in exile. A band of and his cronies, will take the up because his dad fell in love rebel girls. And a prince whose throne. But with all Sherborne’s with a woman he worked with), throne has been stolen. Come on power and might to contend with, told his dad Gary was a much a journey full of danger, intrigue, the children will have to use all better dad than his biological adventure and incredible secrets. their talents to turn a precarious dad was, rather than admit what situation around. Ultimately it will was really going on. It is only ‘The Ateban Cipher,’ Lucien be little Midge, who struggles to when the truth comes out that continued, ‘is also known as the learn and read like others do, who his dad and his grandmother are Book of Answers.’ has the greatest talent of all. able to help Nate and his mum ‘Answers to what?’ Eddie asked. and the relationship between This second book in the series, them is restored. 3. Like Sam, Lucien sighed. ‘Everything.’ is another wonderful read

bookcurator.com.au | 21 by Australian author A.L.Tait, Five wall. are the Aus – they are the only with a similar flavour to classic ones with technology. When Hidden among Mama’s few tales of Robin Hood. Highly Serendipity’s path crosses possessions was a map which recommended. favourably with an Au – Miss suggests there is life outside of Caritas – Serendipity learns first- Major themes: quest, adventure, Lahn Dahn, and a place where hand how Aus live, dress and eat political machinations, imposter, horses live and roam freely - out (eating food like asparagus and family, friendship, corruption, beyond the wall and the Minister’s potato drizzled with herbs and faith, teamwork, dyslexia grip. So, with the help of a trader butter, unlike the soggy potato boy called Tab and his little dog Content Notes: Gabe is she is used too). But, it is evident Mouse, Serendipity heads into illegitimate (p54-55). that even the Aus are controlled the unknown, searching for the by the “Minister”. beautiful creatures she’s always dreamed of. Unbeknown to Serendipity, Recommended Age: 9 to 13 years the locket her mother left her Suitable class novel: NO But the Minister is behind them, contains a map. A curious Miss Good read rating: determined to hunt her down... Literacy value rating: Caritas discovers the map inside » OUR REVIEW the locket and interprets the map In this futuristic novel, Serendipity with Serendipity and encourages lives in her “pod” in the city of her to escape the patrolled Lahn Dan. So much died off after city, and find the horses on the the “Gases” – people, animals map (for as far as everyone in and the countryside. Those that Lahn Dan has been told, there are left have their private, social are virtually no animals left, and working lives controlled by especially no horses). the government. The streets are However, to try to escape Lahn now quiet and people rush by, Dan is to put oneself in real avoiding one another. danger – to risk being sentenced A Whisper Like all other “Pbs” in Lahn Dan, to “Two Swords” (that is, frozen Serendipity must work on the to death). With the threat of ofZillah Bethell Horses lotments (or with the pigs and Serendipity being put into Author: Zillah Bethell goats), 5 days a week, in return an orphanage, the Professor ISBN: 978-1848125766 for a small amount of food. She accompanies Serendipity on Published: 21/02/2018 must attend Storytelling (along her planned escape from Lahn Publisher: Piccadilly Press with all other Pbs) when she is Dan. However, at the last minute, the Professor realises his work » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION not working. Storytellers are employed by the Ministry to teach in Lahn Dan (once known as Serendipity loves horses. No-one the Pbs about what the world London), is not finished. The in Lahn Dan has ever seen one, was like before the “Gases” and Professor decides to stay, and apparently they died out before to educate them about the rules unbeknown to Serendipity, he the Gases - but there are statues of Lahn Dan. It is at this point that begins a revolution against the of them around the city, paintings we meet Professor Nimbus, who Minister and his lies. and drawings too if you know is a Storyteller and Serendipity’s With twists and turns to follow, where to look. And there’s the good friend. Serendipity attends Serendipity experiences an little lost wooden horse Mama Professor Nimbus’ classes, and adventure that uncovers a new gave Serendipity when she was after the death of her mother world she never thought existed, little. asks her to become his Assistant and secrets that have been kept When Mama dies, Seren is taken Storyteller. from her for many years. She finds under the wing of Professor Aus, Cus and Pbs (the terms new friendship in Tab, a young Nimbus, a storyteller. Nimbus drawn from gold, copper and smuggler boy, and his dog Mouse, is kind and knowledgable, but lead), form the distinctions and together they reclaim their Seren has started to question the between the people in Lahn Dan freedom, but not without many Minister’s rule and life beyond the and only came into use after the near escapes from the Ministers’ high, impenetrable Emm Twenty- “Gases”. The most privileged Police Force.

22 | The Book Curator: April 2018 This unusual story offers plenty Lem meets Tobin. Quirky and other than Tobin’s traumatised of adventure and concludes with determined, he’s the CEO of Dad, too scared to leave the a happy ending, with the Minister Bigfoot Detectives, Inc. and woods. There is palpable overthrown and the people of sole investigator for the town. poignancy when Tobin’s mother Lahn Dan freed for good and Lem is reluctantly enlisted as is reunited with the husband she Serendipity finding the horses. his assistant. Together, they try thought she’d never see again, to capture a shot of the elusive and this joy brings new pain for Serendipity’s adventures are beast on film, but what they find is Lem who knows she’ll never again the basis of lifelong friendship even more amazing. get to hold her mama. But she and love. It is this friendship that also realises that Charlie is her bonds readers to her story. » OUR REVIEW family now and that she should Major themes: the future, The author of Bigfoot, Tobin & hold tight to him. brainwashing/propaganda in a Me, Melissa Savage, is a therapist This is a strong and compelling government controlled society, for children and families and this story that explores the topic the aftermath of chemical special interest shines through in of terrific grief for children and warfare, love and friendship, her writing. The story is about two adults alike in a warm tale of death and violence child detectives who are trying to enduring love, family, friendship sight ‘Bigfoot’ in the local woods Content Notes: God is very and healing. of Willow Creek. But these are occasionally mentioned in a not your average happy go lucky Major themes: grief, loss, moving simplistic sense as the God Man. kids as both are struggling with away from home, making new Death is touched on, and there terrible grief. Tobin is the son of friends, Bigfoot, war, PTSD, is the threat of violence/death a soldier who went Missing in enduring love, community toward both children and adults Action while serving in Vietnam Content Notes: Charlie tells Lem and didn’t make it home. Tobin Scotty’s (bigfoot’s) story – he was now lives with his mother, a sole Recommended Age: 10 years + captured and tortured in a jungle parent. Suitable class novel: NO prison (p275). Good read rating: Lemonade was named by her Literacy value rating: mother after her favourite saying, ‘If life gives you lemons, Recommended Age: 10 to 13 years make lemonade.’ The lemons in Suitable class novel: NO Lemonade’s life include the death Good read rating: Literacy value rating: of her mother and the loss of her home: She has had to move away to live with a grandfather she barely knows, Charlie, in Willow Creek. She has also never known her father. Lemonade tells Tobin ‘I don’t have a Dad, … Mama told me he didn’t want to be a father when I was born.’

Bigfoot,Melissa Savage Tobin & Me Author: Melissa Savage As the children work through ISBN: 978-1911077183 their grief, Lemonade draws Published: 1/07/2017 strength on the memories Publisher: Chicken House she has of her bold and sunny mother and throughout most of » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION the book Lemonade feels ‘like Lemonade’s mother named a volcano ready to spew lava in her for her favourite saying: every direction’. But by the end of When life gives you lemons, chapter 43, Lem begins to heal so make lemonade. But now her that for the first time she has no mum’s dead. After relocating volcano bubbling up, no feeling of to her grandpa’s place in quicksand trying to drown her. Bigfoot-obsessed Willow Creek, And Bigfoot turns out to be none

bookcurator.com.au | 23 Russian heiress who lives in a Russia. The horses and their beautiful country palace on the manoeuvres are detailed in a way Russian Tundra. that will appeal to horse-lovers of all ages. There is an epilogue Her father, Count Orlov is which explains more of the facts, fascinated by breeding animals though still from the character to perfection and so Anna is Anna’s point of view. surrounded by all kinds of animal friends including her pet dog Igor, The deeper issue of the Count’s and even a Siberian tiger named obsession with perfection and Boris. But Anna and the Count are his insistence on culling all young especially fond of horses. that fail to meet his high standard

TheStacy Gregg Diamond Horse is approached well and effectively The Count buys an exquisite Author: Stacy Gregg educates readers in the wrongs of Arabian race horse and hopes ISBN: 978-0008124403 eugenics. to breed a line from him and Published: 1/05/2017 impress the Empress, Catherine Major themes: horses, Russia, Publisher: Harper Collins the Great. After a tragic accident carriage-racing, equestrianism, » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION that nearly kills Anna the great circus performance, sibling stallion dies and all hopes lie in rivalry, eugenics, justice, hope, A frozen palace and a sparkling the expected foal he has fathered. perseverance secret – an epic Russian When the foal is born, the Count adventure awaits! A priceless Content Notes: There are no is disgusted by his strange diamond necklace holds a secret concerns with language but there appearance and orders him killed. – the stories of two very different are some scary scenes, such as But Anna secretly saves the foal, Russian girls… wolves threatening to attack Drakon, and rears him in a place Anna, and her brother menacingly Anna Orlov is the daughter of of hiding. and deliberately putting Anna’s a Count and lives in a beautiful Anna inherits a beautiful and rare life at risk. Count Orlov has also snowbound palace that is home black diamond necklace from reportedly killed a defenceless to a menagerie of wonderful her mother and when she wears young soldier, as recalled by the animals: tigers, wolfhounds the necklace in front of a mirror Orlov groomsman, Vasily (p.123- and, of course, horses. And she she sees a girl from another time, 124). is also the owner of a beautiful wearing an identical gem. The heirloom – a priceless diamond girl in the mirror is Valentina, a necklace. But when Anna defies modern day circus performer who her father’s wishes and secretly Recommended Age: 9 to 12 years rides a pink stallion who turns out Suitable class novel: NO raises a young colt alongside to be none other than an Orlov Good read rating: her pet tiger cub, her actions will Literacy value rating: Trotter – descended from Drakon. have far reaching consequences. Valentina escapes the harsh life And soon Anna, her tiger and her of the circus to train as a star horse will be fighting for survival equestrian Olympian, overcoming in the frozen tundra of Siberia. her fears and realising her Valentina Romanov is a circus dreams. performer with a very special The two stories run in parallel horse and big dreams. A girl who as each girl grows in ability and sees beyond the bright lights each horse develops more skill of the big top. A horse with an and loyalty to its owner. Both incredible future… Valentina and Anna grow in An epic adventure of horses, confidence and faith in their trusty friendship and sparkling secrets! horses and prevail despite many » OUR REVIEW who stand against them. Anna Orlov is like so many other This is a work of fiction, however, horse-loving little girls in the it is well researched and strongly world, except that she is also a based on the facts of the Orlov Trotter breed and its origins in

24 | The Book Curator: April 2018 AND ME explores where we have so much more. The character of come from and where we are Rorty is adorable, especially the moving to - it’s about the magic naïve way he initially approaches of DNA, the power of identity, and different situations. All the the importance of caring for each characters are well developed other. with Kofi the real mainstay. » OUR REVIEW A beautifully written story with plenty of humour, that will also Kofi’s father is developing a cause you to think about the way microchip that can be inserted we treat those who are different into the brain to help people who to ourselves. The Starman are disabled and/or paralysed control their worlds. It’s currently Major themes: friends, family, Sharonand Cohen Me in research phase. bullying, animal experiments, Author: Sharon Cohen mind control, missing link, Meanwhile, Kofi is receiving ISBN: 978-1786540089 telepathy, telekinetics, escape, strange messages from someone Published: 8/08/2017 hunt, trust, military support, called Rorty Thrutch. Naturally Publisher: Hachette ethics, ancestry, DNA he ignores them at first, but the » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION messages continue. Content Notes: 1. Much like primitive tribes, the forest is like He wasn’t an alien, I was sure of Eventually he finds Rorty—a pre- a god to Rorty – it gives shelter, that. It was more like he’d walked human hominid from a tiny island warmth and food, so when things in through an ancient door from near the Gulf of Guinea—scared go wrong he thinks it’s because the past ... except he was here, in and half dead on a suburban the forest has been asleep. He my bedroom and his misty forest roundabout, and takes him creates a ‘Molimo’ (it’s actually a was somewhere real on Planet home. Unsure what to do, he piece of bamboo pole but to him Earth. confides in his best friend Janie. it is representative of the forest They discover that Rorty was Twelve-year-old Kofi first spots spirit) and holds a ceremony to snatched from his home by a local the prehistoric human on a ‘feed’ it custard creams in the professor who has been illegally supermarket roundabout. He hope of being reunited with Pogsy experimenting on him using Kofi’s is small and dark and curled (p132-135). 2. Kofi tells Rorty that father’s computer chips. The into a tight ball. His name is when a star dies it creates all the chips have given Rorty amazing Rorty Thrutch and he has zero bits that make our skin, hair, nails, abilities that enabled him and his memory of how he ended up blood etc. and all that makes ‘wife’ Pogsy Blue to escape. But in the unexceptional village of up the forest, eg. atoms (p135). Rorty doesn’t know where Pogsy Bradborough, or why he’s being 3. During a class presentation, is and the professor’s heavies are hunted... Jocelyn explains to the class that out searching for them both. Kofi soon finds out that Rorty can all animals and plants have a do amazing things. He can copy, When things start disappearing common ancestor that lived 1.6 paste and delete objects, using and Kofi seems able to do billion years ago (p302). She also only the power of his mind. This is amazing magic tricks, Professor explains that 99.9% of human the discovery of the century and Quix gets wind. When he DNA is shared eg. wherever mad, greedy scientists will stop at eventually steals Rorty back, someone is from and whatever nothing to track him down. Kofi confides in his parents and they look like, we are all pretty other friends. A successful plan is much the same. 4. Professor Quix Kofi and best friend Janie are on hatched and eventually Rorty and considers that Rorty and Pogsy a mission. Not only must they Pogsy are reunited and returned are the missing link in human protect Rorty, but they have to to their distant home. evolution (p201). find his missing girlfriend Pogsy Blue, too. This is a thoroughly entertaining and fast paced read. At the end Our prehistoric ancestors have of the day it could be distilled Recommended Age: 10 to 14 years crashed headlong into the 21st Suitable class novel: YES down to ‘bad guys get their Good read rating: century and time is running out comeuppance’, but the journey to Literacy value rating: to save them... THE STARMAN get to that point makes this book

bookcurator.com.au | 25 a passion for reading books, but “You need quiet?” Owen asked, in particular the ever popular ‘Kiel looking out over the firewall. Gnomenfoot Series’. Owen would Something fluttered in the do just about anything to escape streams of ones and zeros, and a horrifically boring maths class. Owen stood up on his digital toes to get a better look. To look at, Bethany appears the same as any other young “No, your voice just irritates me.” girl her age. But the secret she The ending is unexpected and keeps close to her heart is quite surprising but leaves the reader astounding. Imagine if someone with a warm glow. could fall in love with a fictional

StoryMelissa Savage Thieves character, and that character Major themes: manipulation, Author: James Riley could remove himself from the power and control, good versus ISBN: 978-1481409209 story and live in the real world. evil, laws of nature, need for Published: 15/12/2016 Furthermore, what if the person balance, science, magic, making Publisher: Simon & Schuster from the real world and the choices, happiness at any cost, fictional character were to have family, loss, traditional ways » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION a child? Bethany is that child, and versus technological evolution Life is boring when you live in the yes, she is half human and half Content Notes: Mild violence. real world, instead of starring fictional. She possesses the gift in your own book series. Owen to transport herself within the knows that better than anyone, stories, inside the books, take Recommended Age: 9 to 13 years what with the real world’s people with her, and then jump Suitable class novel: YES homework and chores. But Good read rating: back to reality on a whim. Literacy value rating: everything changes the day Owen When Owen manipulates Bethany sees the impossible happen—his into taking him into one of the classmate Bethany climb out of Kiel Gnomenfoot books, things a book in the library. It turns out go terribly wrong, for both the Bethany’s half-fictional and has fictional world and the real world. been searching every book she To make matters worse, there is a can find for her missing father, a war going on between the leaders fictional character. of the two planets, Magisteria Bethany can’t let anyone else and Quanterium. A war just as learn her secret, so Owen makes dangerous as a war could be in her a deal: All she has to do is take the real world, but possibly more him into a book in Owen’s favorite so, as it is a war between science Kiel Gnomenfoot series, and he’ll and magic. Operation Hotel never say a word. Besides, visiting Owen swallowed hard. This book the book might help Bethany Charlie: Operation was turning darker than the last find her father… Or it might just SeriesDJ Stutley few. “At least we’re safe behind destroy the Kiel Gnomenfoot Author: DJ Stutley this firewall,” Owen told her. series, reveal Bethany’s secret to ISBN: 978-0980676273 “Right?” the entire world, and force Owen Published: 1/04/2018 to live out Kiel Gnomenfoot’s final The story hopped back and forth Publisher: Other (very final) adventure. between the real world and the » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION fictional, however, each chapter » OUR REVIEW stayed consistently within When Hadron Crawford fled What if it were possible to its present world so as not to Victoria with his sister and her two transport yourself and others confuse the reader. Also, moving children, he thought they could from one dimension to another? between reality and fiction added start a new life of anonymity in What if those two dimensions to the suspense and will keep the Perth, Western Australia. Instead, were reality and fiction? young reader turning the pages. the family finds themselves in a Owen is an ordinary young boy There is a good, healthy dose of terrifying run for their lives. humour throughout. with a vivid imagination. He has Hadron’s sister, Leera, is

26 | The Book Curator: April 2018 kidnapped, and then the other action, family, missing persons, of the galaxy, and Abel and Noemi family members are snatched kidnapping, solving mysteries will discover a secret that could from their home. In a strange save Genesis and Earth... or Content Notes: Not applicable. twist of fate, they end up in the destroy them all. protective custody of Detective A stunning blend of action- Sergeant Scott Backer, guarded Recommended Age: 13 years + packed science fiction and love by the SAS and a formidable Suitable class novel: NO against the odds. In this thrilling soldier named Piper. Good read rating: and romantic sequel to Defy the Literacy value rating: » OUR REVIEW Stars, bestselling author Claudia Gray asks us all to consider what Fans of DJ Stutley’s Operation drives us, and where we truly series won’t be disappointed by belong. this thrilling seventh instalment, which can easily stand alone. » OUR REVIEW Where there are missing children, Noemi Vidal is a starfighter pilot there is Detective Sergeant helping defend Genesis against Scott Backer and his team from Earth in the Liberty War. Her fellow the Coulter Unit of the Western pilots no longer trust her because Australian Police. When Scott she couldn’t destroy Abel (the receives a call from Josh Thomas, only human/mech hybrid). While a fellow officer in Victoria, she could have used him to end asking for his help in locating DefyClaudia Gray the Worlds the war, it would have cost him a missing mother and her two Author: Claudia Gray his life. The wealthy and powerful small children, Scott sends his ISBN: 978-1471407055 scientist Burton Mansfield, partner, Detective Andrew Hallen Published: 28/03/2018 inventor of the mechs, used his to assist. When Andrew reports in Publisher: Bonnier own DNA to create Abel, intending with a vital and surprising piece » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION him to become the vessel for of information, Scott realises the his own mind, so he could live missing family are right under his Noemi Vidal has returned to her forever. But Abel has a mind of his nose and he puts a plan in place planet, Genesis, as an outsider - own … while Andrew flies back to Perth. ostracised for refusing to end the Liberty War by sacrificing Abel, When Earth attacks Genesis with Scott soon realises his own family the most advanced mechanical a biological weapon, the planet could be in danger as he discovers man ever made. is almost crippled. Noemi thinks he is up against a potential hit they will send her to get help, man, a double kidnapping, and a She dreams of travelling through but instead she is instructed to possible murder. What he didn’t the stars again, and when a travel to Earth and advise them of expect to find is that he knows deadly plague arrives on Genesis, Genesis’ surrender. But Mansfield who the hired “hit man” is. Scott Noemi gets her chance. The has other ideas. He captures needs help, and it comes from the only soldier to have ever left her Noemi as soon as she leaves the most unexpected source. planet, it will be up to her to save relative safety of her planet, with its people. If only she wasn’t flying the intent of using her to force As always, this author’s right into a trap. Abel to give him what he wants—a characters are well developed way to live forever. and the storyline, with as many Abel, now fully aware of his soul twists as a pretzel, will capture and captaining his own Vagabond Noemi discovers that Mansfield and enthral readers—even when ship, never dreamed he’d see and a cohort of the wealthy from they might think they’ve worked it Noemi again, not when the entire Earth are heading to a distant out, they’re likely wrong. Despite universe stands between them. settlement—one they have kept the subject matter, this book But when his creator Burton secret from the many people is a clean read appropriate for Mansfield delivers news of desperate to find a new planet teenagers, with age-appropriate Noemi’s entrapment, Abel knows to live on before Earth gives out action you would expect from this he must save her, even if it means entirely. They intend to continue genre. risking his own life. their mech experiments on Haven without any oversight. Major themes: police case, crime, Danger lurks in the dark corners Immortality through science is

bookcurator.com.au | 27 their goal… and she’s had to fight hard to get thing she wants the most … the world to see her for who she Could it be that a human girl Another enjoyable, fun and truly is. and an extraordinary mech are sweetly romantic read from exactly whose needed to end Then she meets Fab. He’s six Jenny McLachlan, an author who the 30 year war and change the foot two, Polish and a passionate is skilled at creating interesting galaxy forever? believer in--well, just about characters and shies away from everything, but most of all Annie the stereotypical teen romance. Favourite Quote: Mechs don’t and good old fashioned romance. Highly recommended. have the ability to care; humans The moment Fab sees Annie, he’s do, and yet often choose not to Major themes: cerebral palsy, wildly drawn to her and declares care at all. (p171) disability, independence, self- she must be his girl. Annie’s reliance, friendship, romance, Major themes: moral dilemma, horrified. She doesn’t want to be Wuthering Heights, dangers of science fiction, cybernetics, anyone’s anything, especially if it social media biological warfare, greed, self- means losing her independence. sacrifice, love, romance, scientific Content Notes: 1. Language: But then Annie finds herself ethics, quest for immortality, grief, bitch x 2, dick x 4, bloody x 2. 2. falling for Fab. As things go deeply friendship, courage Annie drinks alcohol at a party, wrong, Annie realises that love and passionately kisses her friend Content Notes: 1. Language: can make you do wild, crazy Jim. When he sees the photos on bloody x 1, bastard x 2, shit x 1. 2. things, and so she sets out to win social media, Fabian thinks she Kissing (p310, 369). 3. Infrequent his heart with a romantic gesture must be a very different person moderately graphic violence. of truly epic proportions! to the girl he thought he knew. To » OUR REVIEW show him how much she cares, pragmatic Annie comes up with a Recommended Age: 12 to 17 years Annie has mild cerebral palsy grand romantic gesture relating Suitable class novel: NO that sometimes confines her to to Wuthering Heights. Good read rating: a wheelchair. When she applies Literacy value rating: to Cliffe College her parents are freaked out, but Annie knows she needs to grow past her learning Recommended Age: 13 to 16 years Suitable class novel: NO support and the constraints of her Good read rating: disability. Literacy value rating: At Cliffe the very pragmatic Annie meets Fabian, a Polish immigrant who sees the world very differently and has no problem arguing about it (it’s a curious consequence of Annie’s disability that people don’t want to challenge her). Their opposing Truly,Jenny McLachlan Wildly, Deeply Author: Jenny McLachlan views of Wuthering Heights make ISBN: 978-1408879740 their English class infinitely more Published: 1/04/2018 interesting! Publisher: Bloomsbury With a group of new friends, Annie BelowDan Smith Zero is enjoying her independence and » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION Author: Dan Smith isn’t about to become anyone’s ISBN: 978-1910655924 Annie is starting college. She can’t girlfriend, despite Fabian’s gently Published: 1/04/2018 wait. No more school, no more determined wooing. It’s only Publisher: Chicken House uniform, and no one telling her when she nearly ruins everything what to do. It’s the start of a new that Annie realises she has » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION adventure and Annie’s not going become to good at protecting Zak, who has an inoperable to let anyone or anything get in herself from the pity, comments brain tumour, is with his sister the way of that. Freedom matters and stares that she is in danger of and parents when their private to Annie. She has cerebral palsy protecting herself from the very plane is disastrously diverted.

28 | The Book Curator: April 2018 Wrecked on a remote research Zac is sure they are trying to outpost in the Antarctic, tell him something very, very they find themselves in an important, about something abandoned base. Then Zak’s ancient that lies beneath parents disappear, and the bases the ice … but with the Broker equipment starts 3D-printing keeping watch, whose hunger nightmarish spider-like creatures. to accumulate more and more is Zak’s bizarre visions appear to unabated by his incredible wealth, suggest a link to something else will he discover the secret before beneath the ice which only he can it is too late? An enjoyable and understand... fast paced science fiction story for young teens. » OUR REVIEW MaydayKaren Harrington Major themes: science fiction, Author: Karen Harrington There are 32 people from eight Antarctica, Mars settlement, ISBN: 978-0316298032 families training in Antarctica for greed, corruption, initiative, Published: 27/02/2018 life on Mars. Their base is called family, friendship, environmental Publisher: Hachette Outpost Zero and is run by the issues, ecology, brain cancer, Exodus Project. The families » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION creation myths, DNA were selected from across the Wayne Kovok lives in a world of globe, based on their skills and Content Notes: 1. Infrequent After. After his uncle in the army intelligence. mildly graphic violence. 2. The was killed overseas. After Wayne people of the settlement are Australian girl Sofia, her younger and his mother survived a plane being controlled by the spider brother Pablo and their parents crash while coming back from the drones, who have implanted have been at the base for two funeral. After he lost his voice. technological ‘bugs’ in their months. A few weeks after they brains. Zac eventually discovers Wayne has always used his love arrived a team of men working it is for their own protection, and of facts to communicate (‘Did you for research company BioMesa they are ultimately returned to know more people die each year turned up. Their goal was to normal. 3. The swarm of insects from shaking a vending machine investigate the Chasm, a huge (from the ice core) are an ark of than from shark attacks?’). crack that had appeared in the DNA and genomes with some Without his voice, how will he Antarctic ice several months relation to the Big Bang and wow the prettiest girl in school? before. Sofia doesn’t understand contain everything to create life (a How will he stand up to his why BioMesa should be allowed kind of genetic Noah’s ark). They drill-sergeant grandfather? And to keep secrets from the others have been hiding under the ice how will he share his hopes with at Outpost Zero. She sneaks and must be protected so that his deadbeat dad? It’s not until into their lab and removes an ice when humans destroy the earth, Wayne loses his voice completely core to show Doc Blair. The core they can create life again. This is that he realizes how much he contains a small cocoon. very clearly a science fiction story. doesn’t say. Filled with Karen Meanwhile Zac Reeves and his Harrington’s signature heart older sister May are on the way to and humor, Mayday tackles an Outpost Zero with their parents, Recommended Age: 11 to 14 years unforgettable journey of family who need to repair the cutting Suitable class novel: NO and friendship. edge spider drones they built for Good read rating: Literacy value rating: » OUR REVIEW the Exodus Project a few years before. After a terrible storm Trivia-loving plane crash survivor nearly knocks them out of the sky, Wayne features at the core of they manage to land but quickly this heart warming story about discover there is something very dealing with the aftermath of a wrong at Outpost Zero. The only traumatic event and regaining signs of life are some weird bug- confidence even though the self like creatures, but there aren’t any has been physically damaged. bugs in Antarctica … Wayne and his mother survive The spider drones, designed to a plane crash and much of the help, seem strangely aggressive. story concentrates on Wayne’s

bookcurator.com.au | 29 adjustment to coping with » OUR REVIEW his horrific physical scars, his It is very clear from the outset lack of a speaking voice and of this novel that the author his emotionally challenging has extensively researched the memories of the crash which he material needed in order to give needs to process if he is to move authenticity to the perspective of forward. his protagonist who is blind. He Although it certainly isn’t fast has also given his protagonist, paced, the ongoing project for Will, an endearing quality of being Wayne to recover his uncle’s at peace with his condition and funeral flag that was lost during a certain humour which takes the plane crash keeps the story LoveJosh Sundquist and First Sight the edge off any unwarranted propelled towards a goal. This Author: Josh Sundquist comments he receives from project reaps personal benefits ISBN: 978-0316305365 others who don’t understand him. for Wayne as he learns to stand Published: 27/02/2018 Love and First Sight is, therefore, up to his degrading father, acquire Publisher: Hachette a comfortable read because new friendships and to develop » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION the tension has been taken out a closer relationship with his and readers can appreciate the seemingly heartless grandfather. On his first day at a new school, realistic sensory descriptions blind 16-year-old Will Porter Mayday will challenge readers to provided by Will to remind them accidentally groped a girl on the consider their attitudes towards of his unique perspective of his stairs, sat on another student in persons of physical difference world. the cafeteria, and somehow drove and the effects of inflicted a new classmate to tears without Written completely from Will’s bullying. Its powerful ending ever saying a word. High school point of view, readers will be leaves the reader thinking “wow, can only get better from there, confronted with his hardships and that was so good”. right? trying circumstances surrounding Major themes: difference, his love interest, Cecily. As Will starts to find his footing, bullying, trauma, dysfunctional he develops a crush on a sweet It becomes clear at the start of families, cancer, losing loved ones but shy girl named Cecily. Then their friendship that Cecily is Content Notes: Not applicable. an unprecedented opportunity withholding personal information arises: an experimental surgery from Will and the reader, along that could give Will eyesight with Will, will be curious about what her secret actually is. Recommended Age: 12 to 15 years for the first time in his life. But Suitable class novel: YES learning to see is more difficult Author Josh Sundquist deals very Good read rating: than Will ever imagined, and he Literacy value rating: respectfully with the themes of soon realizes that the sighted difference, prejudice, depression world has been keeping secrets. and, ultimately, with the message It turns out Cecily doesn’t meet that it’s our characters and traditional definitions of beauty-in personalities which matter more fact, everything he’d heard about than our outside appearances, her appearance was a lie by their especially where love and so-called friends to get the two attraction are concerned. of them together. Does it matter Major themes: Difference, what Cecily looks like? No, not prejudice, bullying, depression, really. But then why does Will feel the beauty within versus outside so betrayed? appearances. Filled with humor and breath- Content Notes: Not applicable. taking poignancy, this is a story about how we relate to each other and the world around us, and how Recommended Age: 13 to 16 years love is one thing you don’t need to Suitable class novel: YES see to believe. Good read rating: Literacy value rating:

30 | The Book Curator: April 2018 The event that links them is that Tash and Morgan are thrown Tash was present when Mallory more closely together when they went missing from a carnival have to collaborate on a school when Tash was staying with her project that plays into the themes Aunt Alley, turning up seven days of the novel – Tash with her later all dishevelled, bleeding photography and Morgan with his and with hair pulled out, not art. This project also takes them remembering anything about the back to the now deserted carnival past week and unable to speak. which is quite creepy and the reader will expect bad things to Tash tells her parents and the happen. police that she saw somebody

SmallSarah Epstein Spaces take Mallory but no one believes The novel is told in the first- Author: Sarah Epstein her. The Fishers leave town to person narrative, alternating ISBN: 978-1921977381 make a new start and Tash lives between Tash’s childhood voice Published: 1/04/2018 the next eight years having and her teenage voice. Both are Publisher: Walker Books people believe that she tells lies unreliable. to get attention. » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION The ‘then’ chapters include The disturbing element to the transcripts of Tash’s psychiatric Tash Carmody has been story is that for the majority of sessions and newspaper reports, traumatised since childhood, the book the reader doesn’t know which allow readers to form their when she witnessed her what the truth is and what is own opinions to a certain extent. gruesome imaginary friend imaginary, who to trust and who The flashbacks help build tension Sparrow lure young Mallory Fisher not to trust. The novel is set in and pacing. away from a carnival. At the time the mid north coast of New South nobody believed Tash, and she Three possible scenarios develop: Wales. The first is the fictional has since come to accept that 1. It could all be real, 2. It could small coastal town of Port Sparrow wasn’t real. Now fifteen be some type of psychological Bellamy where Tash and most of and mute, Mallory’s never spoken trauma with Tash’s imagination the other characters live and the about the week she went missing. covering up a reality that is too second is an hour’s drive away in difficult to accept, 3. It could be a As disturbing memories the rural area of Greenwillow and supernatural phenomenon. resurface, Tash starts to see Willow Creek where Tash’s Aunt Sparrow again. And she realises Alley has her home. When Aunt Alley invites Tash to Mallory is the key to unlocking stay with her again—at the same Tash, now aged 17, is trying to get the truth about a dark secret time as Mallory and Morgan are on with her life, having come to connecting them. Does Sparrow staying at their nearby holiday the belief (after much therapy) exist after all? Or is Tash more house—the resolution to the story that she imagined the abduction. dangerous to others than she unfolds. The reader will be able to As she wants to leave home after thinks? work out what happens but the school to go to university she ending is quite violent, frightening » OUR REVIEW is concentrating on convincing and suspenseful. This debut novel by Sarah her parents she is emotionally It turns out that there is a Epstein is a psychological stable and can look after herself, connection between Sparrow, thriller. It focuses around a however the past keeps haunting who is real and a drug addict and dark secret linking two of the her. Aunt Alley who is a drug dealer, main characters,Natasha (Tash) When the Fishers return to Port and his childhood sweetheart. Carmody and Mallory Fisher. The Bellamy Tash’s life becomes The major theme is lack of trust complicated narrative structure more complicated as her that expands to include a sense alternates chapters between the memories start resurfacing. She of injustice and powerlessness. past, the ‘then’ and the present gets emotionally involved with When those who are close to us the ‘now’. In the ‘then’ Tash is Mallory’s brother Morgan who don’t believe us or we can’t trust eight-years-old and Mallory is six- she knew as a child. Morgan them, it makes us extremely years-old. The‘ now’ has Tash as is also affected by Mallory’s vulnerable. a 17-year-old in Year 12 at school disappearance as he blames and Mallory as a 15-year-old. himself. This is a cleverly constructed

bookcurator.com.au | 31 novel with the alternating » OUR REVIEW chapters of past and present This is a poignant and adding to the element of tension. imaginative exploration of There are lots of twists and turns wealth inequality and the that give the novel a pacy style. complexity of the situation. It Metaphors, clever phrases and is a thought-provoking read for sharp and believable teenage those interested in policies re tax dialogue add to the atmosphere. cuts for big corporations and tax The title of the book invokes havens for the super rich etc. Tash’s phobia of being locked The setting is a fantasy world in small places, but also the where people’s size depends psychological state where she MunmunJesse Andrews on their wealth so the littlepoor doesn’t know if she can trust the Author: Jesse Andrews are the size of rats. Most have small space inside her head. ISBN: 978-1760523596 nothing so they are that size only Published: 28/03/2018 There is a depth to this story that because the government of the Publisher: Allen & Unwin readers will enjoy. The character, Yewess holds some munmuns plot and setting all enlighten the » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION in account for them. The super theme and there is much to think In an alternate reality a lot like our rich are the size of tall buildings about. world, every person’s physical with others, the middlepoor and Major themes: drugs, addiction, size is directly proportional to the middlerich, different scales in psychological thriller, suspense, their wealth. The poorest of between. claustrophobia, fear, bullying, the poor are the size of rats, Part of the fun of the story is its selective mutism, abduction, and billionaires are the size of main character, Warner and his dissociative amnesia, secrets, skyscrapers. sister Prayer. Their house was crime, mental illness, family, Warner and his sister Prayer stepped on by a boy, Jasper, who photography, romance, friendship are destitute - and tiny. Their was being pushed around by Content Notes: Language: shit size is not just demeaning, but his friends. Warner’s dad was x 12, Christ/Jesus x 9 (p24, 99, dangerous: day and night they crushed. His mum had her spine 121, 142, 214, 247, 266, 340, 365, face mortal dangers that bigger snapped by a cat and is now bastard x 3, bitches x 3, bloody richer people don’t ever have to crippled. She’s a religious woman hell x 1. 2. Kissing (p145, 179). think about, from being mauled with great faith in the Lord King by cats to their house getting God. Both Warner and Prayer stepped on. have plans to get more munmun and scale up but Warner’s plan Recommended Age: 14 years + There are no cars or phones built Suitable class novel: NO didn’t meet his mother’s approval. Good read rating: small enough for them, or schools Literacy value rating: or hospitals, for that matter - Prayer’s plan is to go to law school there’s no point, when no one and find a rich husband. Warner that little has any purchasing and his friend Usher (who’s in love power, and when salaried doctors with Prayer) go with her. She ends and teachers would never fit in up at a stag party. Warner fires a buildings so small. Warner and gun attempting to rescue her and Prayer know their only hope is to lands in jail. He is taken from the scale up, but how can two little jail to be part of a school project poors survive in a world built for Kitty, the daughter of a rich against them? family where the father, Hue has political aspirations and believes From the bestselling author of Me showing that education can help and Earl and the Dying Girl comes the littlepoor will help his career. a brilliant, warm, skewering social novel for our times in the tradition Prayer meanwhile gets married of Great Expectations, 1984 and to Paddy who runs a food stand. Invisible Man. She upscales, he downscales. It doesn’t last as he gambles

32 | The Book Curator: April 2018 himself into debt. He divorces 225). 5. ‘pillowy skin beneath her off to the Canadian wilderness Prayer but Warner talks Hue tits’ (p270). 6. His tutor Markfive with ten-year-old Jacey, another into helping her. Neither Warner (who has a drug problem) member of the support group, nor Prayer do well at school but introduces Warner to study and her mom, his summer goes Prayer tries hard and is very drugs and anxiety medication. from bad to worse. He can’t ambitious. Warner describes the effects of imagine how eight weeks of the combination of “study drugs canoeing and camping could be The gift Warner has is strong and fake weeds anxmeds” on his anything but awful. Yet despite creative dreaming in Dreamworld. behaviour (p250-251). 7. As part his expectations, the vast and This is the fantasy nightime world of his money-making scheme, unforgiving backcountry just while the real world is called Warner fills Dreamworld with might give Rakmen a chance to Lifeanddeathworld. Usher is horror some of which is drawn find the way back from broken ... if kidnapped by a gang who use from biblical apocalypse. “God is he’s brave enough to grab it. his mathematical ability to scam a King Kong. God is a Godsilla. The munmun off big companies. A unique, heartfelt, and King Kong Godsilla God is coming gorgeously written story of the Warner goes to rescue him but is (p358). power of wilderness to heal. captured himself. His courage in Amber J. Keyser’s debut novel is fighting insects saves his life. He a wrenching and brutally honest comes up with a scheme with his Recommended Age: 15 years + story of adversity and hope. sister to make lots of mummuns Suitable class novel: YES using his dreaming skills. He Good read rating: » OUR REVIEW Literacy value rating: becomes a super rich giant and It’s been 10 months since wrecks the homes and lives of the Rakmen’s baby sister died. Ten giant rich. However. his revenge months of group therapy at may not bring the change he Promise House with the kids wants... of other families facing their The littlepoor have no own tragedies. Ten months of schooling so some of Warner’s watching their mums trying to spelling is phonetic eg keep it together when all they coreandteen (quarantine) and want to do is fall apart. When he runs his words together eg Mrs Tatlas, one of his high school whatereverittakes which we learn teachers, turns up with her at the end is something his late no-longer-pregnant body and father did. There is a freshness The Way Back 10-year-old daughter Jacey, he and originality about the idea, doesn’t want to be drawn into the language and the style of this fromAmber J. Keyser Broken their pain. His own is enough. But story. Author: Amber J. Keyser Jacey sees in Rakmen some kind ISBN: 978-1541514881 of kindred spirit and considers Major themes: power of money, Published: 1/04/2018 him her own personal superman. inequality, social justice, revenge, Publisher: Walker Books family, power, greed, persevering When Mrs Tatlas plans to go to love, courage, friendship. » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION her uncle’s cabin in the Canadian wilderness for the summer, Content Notes: 1. Language: shit Rakmen Cannon’s life is turning Jacey insists she won’t go unless x 13, f**k x 4 (p277,369,375,376), out to be one sucker punch after Rakmen goes too. He’s horrified pissing you off x 1, Jesus x 1 another. His baby sister died at the idea—after all, who wants to (p368). 2.Brief discussion of in his arms, his parents are on go on holiday with their teacher, homosexuality, using term the verge of divorce, and he’s let alone one that is falling apart ‘gayboys’ (p62). 3. Discussion flunking out of high school. The at the seams—but his parents about stag party. Prayer attends only place he fits in is with the insist. They need some space to the party because he ‘doesn’t other art therapy kids stuck in sort out their crumbling marriage want his sis banging’ (p79). 4. the basement of Promise House, and also want to make sure he Warner is talked into smoking otherwise known as support stays out of trouble, something weed and it doesn’t go well. group central. Not that he wants he doesn’t seem too good at He ends up vomiting etc. His to be there. Talking doesn’t bring these days. parents are very upset. (p217- back the dead. When he’s shipped

bookcurator.com.au | 33 The cabin is worse than he » OUR REVIEW imagined. Instead of spending This is quite a good read told from the summer water skiing on the the different points of view of lake as his parents imagined, they its two main characters. Emma are in the middle of nowhere in a has created her own online ramshackle building that is more game OtherLANDS which she reminiscent of a falling down hasn’t told her parents about shack than a holiday destination. even though her father works When the water pipes burst it is in the industry. Her mother is an the final straw—Mrs Tatlas insists increasingly cynical, very busy the three of them go ‘au large’, a doctor. Neither parent has time term used to describe a trip in the More Than for her so Emma increasingly wilderness.

WeBrigid Kemmerer Can Tell relies on Ethan, a gamer she met Four days out from anywhere, Author: Brigid Kemmerer online. However, she also has a Mrs Tatlas falls and breaks her ISBN: 978-1408885079 best friend Cait but distance has foot. Rakmen felt helpless at his Published: 1/04/2018 grown between them as Cait sister’s death, helpless in the Publisher: Bloomsbury becomes more involved with face of the raw grief as the adults her artistic make-up and Emma around him fell apart, but now » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION with her gaming. There’s also an he’s the only one capable of doing Rev works hard to keep the online nemesis, Nightmare who anything. Responsible for yet demons of the time before his sends crude sexist messages. another little girl, he must draw adoption at bay ... until a letter Emma wants to follow in her on all his courage to find help, from his father after his 18th father’s footsteps as she looks before it is too late … birthday brings the trauma of his up to him while resisting her Favourite Quote: ’We didn’t die. childhood hurtling back. Emma mother’s attempts to force her We’re kinda broken, that’s true. escapes real life by perfecting into medicine. And you’re right. It is scary, but we the online game she built from Rev (short for Revolution but have to keep going. Broken bits scratch. Coding is way easier originally named Abraham) lives and all.’ (p198) than facing her parents’ nasty with foster parents who adopted relationship or the growing Major themes: grief, loss, him after he came there as a 7 distance with her best friend year old. He carries physical and family crisis, therapy, friends, ... But when an online troll’s miscarriage, Canada, trekking, emotional scares from his abusive harassment starts to escalate, father who headed up a religious canoeing, choices, courage, she fears for her safety. responsibility, resilience cult. His father tracks him down When Rev and Emma meet, and begins an email exchange Content Notes: 1. Language: shit they’re buckling under the based on Bible verses. This x 11, bitch x 1, dick x 1, piss x 3. 2. weight of their secrets. Though evokes fears from the past but A single crude comment: ‘Juan both of them find it hard to put Rev doesn’t tell Geoff and Kristin had screwed her doing crank and their problems into words, they his adoptive parent. Geoff and tequila shots’ (p17). 3. Reference connect instantly and deeply. Rev Kristen foster 14 year old Matthew to suicide in the context of and Emma’s problems might be who’d had number of carers. needing to choose to live (p102- worlds apart, but they promise to At the most recent one, he was 3, 119). 4. Brief reference to scars help each other no matter what. sexually abused by an older boy on Molly’s arm, i.e. she had been But promises are made to be which he keeps secret. There is cutting (p127-8). tested and some things hurt more tension between the two boys. than we can tell. Emma is walking her dog, Texas, one evening when she meets Recommended Age: 15 years + A dark and beautiful novel about Suitable class novel: NO learning to be fearless and set Rev or rather Texas does. Rev is Good read rating: your secrets free. An intense and huddled against a church wall. Literacy value rating: gripping love story that will speak She recognises him as a year to fans of John Green and Jennifer ahead of her at school. He’s Niven known as the Grim Reaper as he always wears a hoodie to

34 | The Book Curator: April 2018 cover the scars. There is instant uses scripture to frighten and » OUR REVIEW attraction. manipulate him. He even cut a This emotionally charged story verse into the boy’s skin (p202- Emma’s parents decide to follows three young people who 203,304,338,108). 3. Other divorce. This isolates Emma develop a friendship and discover language: ‘prick’ x 1 (p259), c**t x 1 further and deepens her a purpose for their lives after an (p299), shit x 1 (p340). relationship with Ethan. However, accidental meeting in Central she gains a new understanding of Park, New York. During the course her parent’s relationship. of one day they connect with Recommended Age: 15 years + each other, mature emotionally Rev’s friend Declan’s father is in Suitable class novel: NO jail for driving drunk and causing Good read rating: and find mutual support for the Literacy value rating: an accident which killed his sister. loss each has faced or is facing. Now’s he’s 18, Declan and Rev Despite deep psychological scars visit Declan’s Dad in prison. This they find a way to help each other gives Rev the courage to visit his survive, change and look forward own father. He finds him, as mean to the future. and manipulative as ever, dying This novel is extremely character of lung cancer in a hospice. He driven with the three main wants Rev to end his life. Rev was characters being Freya, Harun always concerned he’d be violent and Nathaniel, each being unique and cruel like his father but he with their own perspective of the draws on the love and resources world. They are all going through given to him by his adoptive an emotional crisis where they parents and walks away. feel very lost and alone. Young

IGayle Have Forman Lost My Way During this time, Emma discovers adult readers will recognise Author: Gayle Forman her mother is selling the house. the emotions even if they are ISBN: 978-1471173721 She asks Ethan to come to get navigating different situations. Published: 1/04/2018 her. He turns out to be a 29 year Publisher: Simon & Schuster Freya is a young singer on the old psycho who kidnaps her edge of stardom. Her mother and might have killed her if the » PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION is a force behind her success tracking device on her phone Around the time that Freya loses and when her sister Sabrina is hadn’t alerted Rev who coms to her voice while recording her excluded from the “Sisters K” her rescue. Most relationships are debut album, Harun is making duo Sabrina leaves home. Freya’s sorted and all ends happily ever plans to run away from home to Ethiopian father returned to after. find the boy that he loves, and Ethiopia for his mother’s funeral This is quite an in-depth Nathaniel is arriving in New York and never returned which left exploration of hurt that is kept City after a family tragedy leaves Freya devastated. Then, on top hidden and how vulnerable this him isolated on the outskirts of of losing her father and her sister makes the characters. However, it Washington state. she loses her singing voice as she also explores the power of love. is recording her first album. Her After the three of them collide in manager is a very tough person Major themes: family, abuse, Central Park, they slowly reveal and Freya fears that he will drop secrets, courage, young love, the parts of their past that they her as one of his clients. friendship, reality, sexism, haven’t been able to confront,and gaming. together, they find their way back Harun is a Pakistani Muslim who to who they’re supposed to be. is secretly gay. He has a sexual Content Notes: 1. Crude relationship with James who he comments ‘boot the bitch, Told over the course of a loves but hasn’t told his very bitches’ Nightmare’s single day from three different traditional family. He is ashamed communication is usually crude perspectives, this is a story about of his sexuality and is deeply and sexist with references to the power of friendship and being unhappy about it as he loves his bitches, sucking and having true to who you are. family dearly. something shoved in your mouth. He calls it trash talk , Nathaniel has flown from his (eg. p6,7,18,36). 2. Rev’s father remote forest home to New

bookcurator.com.au | 35 York and we assume that he emotions displayed. Readers will has come to stay with his father be exposed to both the languages as he keeps calling him on his of Pakistan and Ethiopia as well phone but it goes to voice mail. as the cultures of both countries. As the day progresses we find Harun’s Muslim heritage is out that his father has died and particularly important to his story. the end of the novel reveals that The parable of the frog in the Nathaniel has come to New York heating pot of water slowly to kill himself by jumping off the boiling to death is referred to and George Washington Bridge. His is used as a metaphor for the father has been mentally ill and young characters to be aware of has been very child-like for all what is happening in their lives. of Nathaniel’s life and Nathaniel has been his unofficial carer. His Readers will find this novel a short father has always told Nathaniel read, getting absorbed in the that they are a “fellowship of two”, characters’ stories very quickly. similar to the theme of “The Lord Both the plot and the dialogue of the Rings” and now he feels add depth to the teenagers’ story completely alone and without as they gain a stronger sense of purpose. He realises that a maturity. It is a heartrending story “fellowship of two” is not enough. but has some lighter moments It needs more people. Overall the story ends on a note of hope for the future. The plot of the novel entails the concept of the intersecting lives Major themes: friendship, of three strangers. It is told using loneliness, homosexuality, both past and present tense from deception, family relationships, the first-person perspectives of empathy, secrets, loss, love, Freya, Harun and Nathaniel. The choices, mental illness, music, author skillfully uses flashbacks hope to tell the backstories, and it all Content Notes: 1. Language: shit flows seamlessly. There is also x 5, f**k, x 14, bitch x 4, douche x 1, the presence of an omniscient piss/pissed x 4, boner x 1, faggot x narrator. The story is thought- 1. 2. Relationship/sexual content: provoking and deeply satisfying. Harun and James kiss (p16), Freyer The main theme of the novel and Nathaniel kiss (p195), “hot is about loss. Each character for Jasmine” (p36) “throbbing has lost or is in the process of between legs” (p37) Sex scene losing something important to between Harun and James (p. 98). them. They have to learn to deal with this loss, make choices for Recommended Age: 18 years + themselves and move on with a Suitable class novel: NO sense of confidence. They also Good read rating: have to learn to rely on and trust Literacy value rating: other people to understand them as well as being true to themselves. The novel celebrates the power of friendship, humans connecting with each other despite them coming from a range of backgrounds. This is a beautifully written novel with polished prose that is solidly woven to explore the range of

36 | The Book Curator: April 2018 USEFUL INFORMATION

USEFUL INFORMATION

KidLitVic ALIA Share it Conference Websites & apps 19 May, 2018 Resource Sharing Futures Power of Pictures Melbourne, VIC 10 – 11 May, 2018 Canberra, ACT CLPE’s online resources for tinyurl.com/l9sgezl teachers of primary literacy. tinyurl.com/ycpttlr8 NT Writers’ Festival tinyurl.com/yahozdzj 24 – 27 May, 2018 ALEA Workshop Darwin, NT What’s So Hard About Reading? National Simultaneous Storytime 19 May, 2018 tinyurl.com/ybazkmbr Get involved: event activities Sydney, NSW and teachers’ notes for Hickory Big Sky tinyurl.com/ya6vxba3 Dickory Dash. Readers & Writers Festival 25 – 27 May AIS Teacher Librarian Conference alia.org.au/nss#getinvolved Geraldton, WA 25 May, 2018 5 Min Librarian Sydney, NSW tinyurl.com/ybn2ht5w 18 excellent podcasts or tinyurl.com/ybfpaa3d

librarians. SA Christian Schools tinyurl.com/y844zo4p Library Conference Conferences & 25 May, 2018 seminars West Lakes, SA Festivals & 2018 Diverse Learners tinyurl.com/y8w7bleq Conference Christian Schools literary events 30 April - 30 May, 2018 Library Conference Queenscliffe Literary Festival 28 – 30 May, 2018 See website for specific location 4 – 27 May, 2018 Sydney, NSW information related to each State Point Lonsdale, VIC and Territory. tinyurl.com/j6oopab tinyurl.com/mkf523s tinyurl.com/y9wpdx44 Boonah Writers’ Festival Reading Doctor Workshop 5 – 6 May, 2018 Teaching Kids To Read Quote of the Boonah, QLD 7 May, 2018 boonahwritersfestival.com Hindmarsh, SA Month Clunes Booktown Festival tinyurl.com/l4euxm4 5 – 6 May, 2018 Whenever you read a Round Table on Information Clunes, VIC good book, somewhere in Access for People with Print tinyurl.com/ybg6hcqv Disabilities the world a door opens to allow in more light. Scribblers Festival 5 – 8 May, 2018 Sydney, NSW 9 – 13 May, 2018 - Vera Nazarian Claremont, WA printdisability.org scribblersfestival.com.au

Do you have a quote, website, conference or other news you’d like to share? Please email [email protected]

bookcurator.com.au | 37 INDEX

This issue’s titles in alphabetical order

A Whisper of Horses Never Lose Hope: The Story of Zillah Bethell...... 22 Australia’s First School Mark Wilson...... 14 Alfred’s War Rachel Bin Salleh...... 12 Operation Hotel Charlie DJ Stutley...... 26 Below Zero Dan Smith...... 28 Project Droid #1: Science No Fair! Nancy Krulik & Bigfoot, Tobin & Me Amanda Burwasser...... 16 Melissa Savage...... 23 Small Spaces Bill Baillie: The Life and Adventures Sarah Epstein...... 31 of a Pet Bilby Ellis Rowan...... 17 Story Thieves James Riley...... 26 Break Your Chains: The Freedom Finders The Book of Answers: Emily Conolan...... 17 The Ateban Cipher # 2 A.L.Tait...... 21 Brindabella Ursula Dubosarsky...... 18 The Diamond Horse Stacy Gregg...... 24 Defy the Worlds Claudia Gray...... 27 The Dream Bird Aleesah Darlison...... 12 Drought Jackie French...... 13 The Knight Who Said No Lucy Rowland...... 15 Fearless Frederic Felice Arena...... 20 The Light Jar Lisa Thompson...... 20 I Despair of My Hair Ann-Marie Finn...... 12 The Starman and Me Sharon Cohen...... 25 I Have Lost My Way Gayle Foreman...... 35 The Unicorn Quest Kamilla Benko...... 19 Love and First Sight Josh Sundquist...... 30 The Way Back from Broken Amber J. Keyser...... 33 Mayday Karen Harrington...... 29 Truly, Wildly, Deeply Jenny McLachlan...... 28 Message in a Sock Kaye Baillie...... 14 Uncle Shawn and Bill and the Almost Entirely Unplanned Missing Marvin Adventure Sue deGennaro...... 15 A.L.Kennedy...... 16

More Than We Can Tell Young MacDonald Brigid Kemmerer...... 34 Guiseppe Poli...... 13 Munmun Jesse Andrews...... 32

My Australia Julie Murphy...... 14

My Mum is a Magician Damon Young...... 15

38 | The Book Curator: April 2018 UPCOMING TITLES What’s on the horizon

What’s on the horizon

bookcurator.com.au | 39 Special Offer CBCA Short List & Notables 2018

Extra Discounts + Bonus Offer Detailed Reviews

40 | The Book Curator: April 2018