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THE BookCurator THE LIBRARIAN’S GUIDE TO BOOKS FOR KIDS & TEENS

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THE CBCA AWARDS 2017 NOTABLES

Detailed reviews on the CBCA Notable APR 2017 ISSN 2204-5708 CBCA SUPPLEMENT titles to help you choose WELCOME ABOUT THE PUBLISHER The Book Curator is published by Apt School Resources, an Australian business jointly owned by two families EDITORIAL who share a passion for books and a determination to provide outstanding service to our members. In this bumper special supplement, you’ll find reviews of the CBCA short list and notable We help schools all over the country by titles, from all categories of this year’s awards! providing them with access to helpful information, detailed reviews and the With so many great books to choose from, we latest fiction titles for their libraries. hope you find them helpful when making your purchasing decisions. Our goal is to provide the resources librarians need to choose the best With our special bonus ofer, when you spend books for their school library across a over $275 on CBCA titles (at our specially wide range of genres, age groups and formats. We provide a wide range of discounted prices), you’ll also receive a copy of The Book Curator’s services to help support our members Book Week Ideas & Activities publication valued at 39.95 free of so they can get the best return for their charge. This valuable resource is being published June 10th. time and their budget. Enjoy the many fabulous books just waiting to be found! This magazine (previously called Review) and our service have 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 to ROWENA BERESFORD build an outstanding library for your school community. PS. If you have any comments on The Book Curator or suggestions on what we could improve or include in future issues, please call 02 8985 9435 or email your In addition to library titles, we source feedback to [email protected] and supply a wide range of interesting and efective resources to help teachers, counsellors and chaplains work with and support their students. Understanding trafc light ratings We also help equip teachers and school leaders with professional development The trafc lights are a grading system to assist schools with conservative resources. collection policies to easily identify which reviews to read more closely.

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2 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement Contents

» EARLY CHILDHOOD: 11 MY PERFECT PUP 17 ARCHIE - NO ORDINARY SLOTH SHORT LIST Sue Walker Heath McKenzie 6 GARY 11 THE CAT WANTS CUSTARD 17 BLUE SKY, YELLOW KITE Leila Rudge P Crumble Janet A. Holmes 6 CHIP 12 BIRD AND BEAR AND THE 18 SOMETHING WONDERFUL Kylie Howarth SPECIAL DAY Raewyn Caisley 6 NANNIE LOVES 12 THE WHOLE CABOODLE 18 A SOLDIER, A DOG AND A BOY Kylie Dunstan Lisa Shanahan Libby Hathorn 6 ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS 12 LITTLE CHICKEN CHICKABEE 18 MR CHICKEN ARRIVA A ROMA RAIN Janeen Brian Leigh Hobbs Cori Brooke 13 PIG THE WINNER 18 COLOURS OF AUSTRALIA 7 THE SNOW WOMBAT Aaron Blabey Bronwyn Bancrof Susannah Chambers 13 DREAM LITTLE ONE, DREAM 19 NEW YEAR SURPRISE! 7 GO HOME, CHEEKY ANIMALS! Sally Morgan Christopher Cheng Johanna Bell 13 TAKE TED INSTEAD 19 SOMEWHERE ELSE Cassandra Webb Gus Gordon » EARLY CHILDHOOD: 13 BEAR MAKES DEN 19 SPARK NOTABLES Jane Godwin & Michael Wagner Adam Wallace 14 TOGETHER ALWAYS 20 THE SISTERS SAINT-CLAIRE 7 TWIG Edwina Wyatt Carlie Gibson Aura Parker 20 CAPTAIN SNEER THE BUCCANEER 8 MOLLY AND MAE Penny Morrison Danny Parker » PICTURE BOOKS: 20 THE FABULOUS FRIEND MACHINE 8 JOEY COUNTS TO TEN SHORT LIST Nick Bland Sally Morgan 14 THE PATCHWORK BIKE 21 BLUE, THE BUILDER’S DOG 8 THE 12th DOG Maxine Beneba Clarke Jen Storer Charlotte Calder 14 MECHANICA 21 DESERT LAKE 8 LITTLE BEAR’S FIRST SLEEP Lance Balchin Pamela Freeman Lesley Gibbes 15 HOME IN THE RAIN 21 CHOOKS IN DINNER SUITS 9 DUCKS AWAY! Bob Graham Diane Jackson Hill Mem Fox 15 OUT 22 PANDAMONIA 9 SMILE CRY Angela May George Chris Owen & Chris Nixon Tania McCartney 15 ONE PHOTO 22 SNAIL AND TURTLE RAINY DAYS 9 AGATHA AND THE DARK Ross Watkins Stephen Michael King Anna Pignataro 16 MY BROTHER 22 ON THE RIVER 10 HELLO LITTLE BABIES Dee Huxley, Oliver Huxley, Tifany Roland Harvey Alison Lester Huxley 23 CIRCLE 10 WHERE IS BEAR? Jeannie Baker Jonathan Bentley » PICTURE BOOKS: 23 DON’T CALL ME BEAR 10 TEN LITTLE OWLS NOTABLES Aaron Blabey Renee Treml 16 DOG LOST 23 HELLO! 10 WILD PA Brian Simmonds Tony Flowers Claire Saxby 16 SMECK 24 GRANDPA’S BIG ADVENTURE 11 OH, ALBERT Ben Redlich Paul Newman Davina Bell 17 CRUSTS 24 MILO: A MOVING STORY 11 ZELDA’S BIG ADVENTURE Danny Parker Tohby Riddle Marie Alafaci

bookcurator.com.au | 3 Contents (cont.)

24 REFLECTION 29 WITHIN THESE WALLS 39 THE FAIL SAFE Rebecka Shleberg Robyn Bavati Jack Heath 25 BOOMERANG & BAT 30 MRS WHITLAM 39 TOAD DELIGHT Mark Greenwood Bruce Pascoe Morris Gleitzman 25 STANLEY 30 CAPTAIN JIMMY COOK 40 THE SHARK CALLER Colin Thompson DISCOVERS THIRD GRADE Dianne Wolfer Kate Temple, Jai Temple 25 HATTIE HELPS OUT 40 FREEDOM SWIMMER Jane Godwin, Davina Bell Wai Chim 26 CYCLONE » YOUNGER READERS: 41 ELIZABETH & ZENOBIA Jackie French NOTABLES Jessica Miller 26 SMALL THINGS 41 DAUGHTER OF NOMADS: 31 WHAT’S IN A NAME Mel Tregonning THE TALES OF JAHANI #1 Myles Walsh Rosanne Hawke 26 MELBOURNE WORD BY WORD Michael McMahon 31 WORMWOOD MIRE: A STELLA 42 BLUEBERRY PANCAKES FOREVER MONTGOMERY INTRIGUE Angelica Banks 27 A PATCH FROM SCRATCH Judith Rossell Megan Forward 42 LILY IN THE MIRROR 31 THE LOST SAPPHIRE Paula Hayes 27 WELCOME TO COUNTRY Belinda Murrell Joy Murphy, Lisa Kennedy 43 THE OTHER CHRISTY 32 WICKED’S WAY Oliver Phommavanh Anna Fienberg 43 FIZZ AND THE POLICE DOG 33 YONG: THE JOURNEY OF TRYOUTS: FIZZ 1 AN UNWORTHY SON » CRICHTON AWARD Lesley Gibbes Janeen Brian FOR NEW ILLUSTRATORS 44 THE PEARL SHELL DIVER 33 THE SECRETS WE KEEP Kay Crabbe * These titles also appear in Nova Weetman other categories. 44 IRIS AND THE TIGER 34 POCKET ROCKET: Leanne Hall 27 THE PATCHWORK BIKE ELLYSE PERRY 1 Maxine Beneba Clarke Ellyse Perry, Sherryl Clark 45 MAGRIT Lee Battersby 27 MECHANICA 34 RUBY RED SHOES Lance Balchin GOES TO LONDON 46 SQUISHY TAYLOR AND THE Kate Knapp BONUS SISTERS 27 A PATCH FROM SCRATCH Alisa Wild Megan Forward 35 THE TWINS OF TARTARFELL James O’Loghlin 46 THE FAMILY WITH 27 MELBOURNE WORD BY WORD TWO FRONT DOORS Michael McMahon 35 THEOPHILUS GREY AND THE Anna Ciddor TRAITOR’S MASK 27 SMALL THINGS Catherine Jinks 47 DAYSTAR Mel Tregonning Anne Hamilton 36 THE UNFORGETTABLE WHAT’S 27 WELCOME TO COUNTRY HIS NAME 47 RUBY WISHFINGERS Joy Murphy, Lisa Kennedy Paul Jennings Deborah Kelly 36 SHOOT-OUT AT THE ROCK: 48 CYBERTRICKS Goldie Alexander » YOUNGER READERS: TOMMY BELL BUSHRANGER BOY Jane Smith SHORT LIST 37 ARTIE AND THE GRIME WAVE 27 DRAGONFLY SONG Richard Roxburgh Wendy Orr 37 LIZZIE AND MARGARET ROSE 28 ROCKHOPPING Pamela Rushby Trace Bella 38 WHEN THE LYREBIRD CALLS 28 A MOST MAGICAL GIRL Kim Kane Karen Foxlee

4 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement » OLDER READERS: » EVE POWNALL SHORT LIST INFORMATION BOOKS 48 WORDS IN DEEP BLUE SHORT LIST Cath Crowley 61 SPELLBOUND: MAKING 49 FRANKIE PICTURES WITH THE A-B-C Shivaun Plozza Maree Coote 50 ONE WOULD THINK THE DEEP 62 A-Z OF ENDANGERED ANIMALS Claire Zorn Jennifer Cossins 51 YELLOW 62 FABISH Megan Jacobson N McMullin, A McLean 52 THE BONE SPARROW 62 WILLIAM BLIGH: A STORMY Zana Fraillon STORY OF TEMPESTUOUS TIMES Michael Sedunary 53 WAER Meg Caddy 63 AMAZING ANIMALS OF AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL PARKS Gina Newton 63 THE GIGANTIC BOOK OF GENES » OLDER READERS: Lorna Hendry NOTABLES 53 EVERYTHING IS CHANGED Nova Weetman » EVE POWNALL 54 THE INVISIBLE WAR INFORMATION BOOKS Ailsa Wild NOTABLES 54 THE OCEAN OF THE DEAD: 63 NELLIE MELBA: AUSTRALIA’S SHIP KINGS # 4 NIGHTINGALE Andrew McGahan Cassy Liberman 55 BECOMING AURORA 64 RESOURCE: STORIES OF Elizabeth Kasmer AUSTRALIAN INNOVATION IN 56 MY BEST FRIEND IS A GODDESS WARTIME Tara Eglington Jennet Cole-Adams 56 THE HOUNDED 64 THE ABC BOOK OF FOOD Simon Butters H Martin, J Simpson 57 OUR CHEMICAL HEARTS 64 SOCKS, SANDBAGS & LEECHES Krystal Sutherland Pauline Deeves 58 FORGETTING FOSTER 65 ALIENS, GHOSTS AND Dianne Touchell VANISHINGS Stella Tarakson 59 THE SIDEKICKS Will Kostakis 65 DEGAS: AN ART BOOK FOR KIDS Kate Ryan 59 LADY HELEN AND THE DARK DAYS CLUB Please note: the remaining Notable Alison Goodman books in this category have also 60 A TOASTER ON MARS been listed in other award Darrell Pitt categories. Their reviews can be 60 THE STARS AT OKTOBER BEND found in those sections. Glenda Millard

bookcurator.com.au | 5 BOOK REVIEWS

EARLY CHILDHOOD SHORT LIST

Chip Nannie Loves Author: Kylie Howarth Author: Kylie Dunstan ISBN: 978-1760400736 ISBN: 978-1921504839 Published: 1/3/16 Published: 28/3/16 Gary Publisher: Five Mile Press Publisher: Working Title Press

Author: Leila Rudge » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION ISBN: 978-1925081695 Chip, like most other gulls, is wild about Nannie lives on a farm with rolling hills, Published: 1/516 chips. He likes fat chips, skinny chips, a muddy creek, and lots of animals. But Publisher: Walker Books sandy or crunchy or soggy chips. But, what Nannie loves most is when her most of all, he loves Joe's chips from family comes to stay. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Joe's Chip Van beside the sea. Chip, like » OUR REVIEW Gary the pigeon can't fly. When his most other gulls, can be a little intrusive Nannie loves her farm, her animals, her racing pigeon friends head of in their on his search for chips. So, one day, Joe family and her husband and they all travel basket, Gary stays at home. He erects a sign near his van warning love her! An adorable picture book for organises his scrapbook of travel people not to feed the seagulls. Chip is preschoolers depicting life on Nannie mementos and dreams about the devastated, so he plans a way to get and Grandpa's farm. adventures the other pigeons are back into Joe's good books, thus gaining having. But when Gary accidentally access once more to his favourite food. Collage style illustrations show a sense ends up a very long way from home, he of fun and the satisfaction of a happy, » OUR REVIEW discovers that flying is not the only family life. way to have adventures. A fun picture book and very relatable for Recommended age: 3 to 5 years anyone who has experienced trying to » OUR REVIEW eat fish and chips at the seaside whilst Gary and his friends were racing fending off noisy gulls. pigeons, only he couldn't fly. This didn't suppress his interest though and he When Chip is deprived of his favourite loved hearing about the races and food he and his fellow gulls hatch an noted all the details in his scrapbook. ingenious plan, inspired by a local air He was very organised. When a mishap show. Soon they're performing lef him in the city on his own, his amazing aerobatic feats and wowing detailed notes enabled him to find his customers at Joe's Fish Van. In own way home. And what an gratitude Joe feeds them all the fish adventure he had to tell! and chips they want.

It's nice to come across a picture book Very humorous with fun illustrations with an unusual subject matter, let and a punchy text. The underlying All I Want for alone a humorous story and an theme is one of consequence. If you're important lesson. A fun picture book rude and obnoxious then things will be Christmas is Rain showing that, though we may not have taken away from you, but ingenuity/ Author: Cori Brooke the abilities of our peers, our strengths industry may bring rewards. ISBN: 978-1925059717 may lie in other areas. Well composed Recommended age: 4 to 5 years Published: 1/11/16 with fun illustrations. Publisher: New Frontier Publishing Gary is also a Notable in the Picture Books category. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Recommended age: 3 to 7 years

6 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement An Australian Christmas is threatened humans, who are all enduring the EARLY CHILDHOOD when drought takes hold. A little girl conditions. NOTABLES has only one wish for rain. Will her wish The endearing rhyming verse tells of come true? his journey and where the snow is » OUR REVIEW falling on each bird or animal. The A timely Australian story about a little illustrations exude a sense of fun and girl’s wish for rain to end the drought in are beautifully drawn. Sure to become their rural town and revitalise her a much loved favourite. family’s farm. Recommended age: 3 to 6 years It’s Christmas-time and Jane decides that the best person to ask for rain is Santa, who has come for his yearly visit to the town’s children.

The book’s rhyming verses are simple and sweet, emphasising the Twig earnestness in Jane’s pleas. When Christmas arrives and Jane wakes up to Author: Aura Parker the sound of rain, the watercolour ISBN: 978-1760157067 illustrations transform from still-life to Published: 1/11/16 full of movement. The ending is joyful, Publisher: Scholastic Press as Christmas should be. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Recommended age: 2 years + Go Home, Heidi is a stick insect, long and thin like Cheeky Animals! the twig of a tree. It's her first day at Bug School, where she hopes to learn Author: Johanna Bell lots and make new friends. But no-one ISBN: 978-1760291655 will talk to her and no-one will play Published: 1/5/16 with her at lunch. No-one even notices Publisher: Allen & Unwin her! Perhaps she's blending into the twigs a little too well? Luckily, Miss Orb » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION comes up with a plan to help Heidi In this lively follow-up to Too Many stand out. Cheeky Dogs, the camp is invaded by all kinds of cheeky feral animals who » OUR REVIEW are finally chased away by the resident A beautifully illustrated story about cheeky dogs. individuality and friendship, as seen The Snow Wombat through the eyes of Heidi, a young stick » OUR REVIEW insect starting out at Bug School. Author: Susannah Chambers The second book of cheeky animal ISBN: 978-1760113810 stories doesn't disappoint, with Pam Heidi can’t seem to be noticed by Published: 1/6/16 glad to see the cheeky dogs back. anyone when she starts at her new Publisher: Allen & Unwin However, they're being cheeky and lazy school. Mrs Orb, the spider-teacher, and letting a whole host of new mistakes Heidi for a hatstand and her » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Territory animals overrun the camp. fellow students think she is a twig. Snow on the stockman's hut, Snow on When Heidi is weaved into a class art No one's happy, they're eating the crows, Snow on the woollybutt, project, everyone is startled to realise everything and the camp dogs are Snow on my NOSE! that she is a student just like them. So doing nothing, until eventually ... It's a big journey through the snow for that Heidi can be recognised wherever a little wombat, meeting animals, birds A humorous look at the seasons and she goes, the class pitches in together and people along the way, but there's life in Territory Aboriginal camps. The to make her a beautiful scarf. This no place like home. story's a delight and the illustrations, sensitive story encourages the reader though child-like are full of fun, humour to look for the hidden treasures in life, » OUR REVIEW and detail. Very enjoyable. both figuratively and literally with its The delightful tale of a wombat in the Recommended age: 3 to 6 years illustrations. High Country returning through the Recommended age: 3 years + snow to his burrow. Along the way he meets many alpine creatures and a few

bookcurator.com.au | 7 » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION In the summer holidays, a game of backyard cricket brings the whole neighbourhood together, and no one loves the game more than Arlo the dog. He's the fastest fielder there is, but there's a big problem: he never gives up the ball!

Forced to watch from the sidelines, Arlo is determined to get back on the Molly and Mae Joey Counts to Ten team - he just needs to prove that he is a great cricketer afer all. Author: Danny Parker Author: Sally Morgan The 12th Dog captures the joy of ISBN: 978-1742975276 ISBN: 978-1760121266 backyard cricket and the hilarity of Published: 1/10/16 Published: 1/2/16 owning a dog. Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont » OUR REVIEW » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION A great story and very relatable, Friendship is like a train journey. There Experience the rhythm of life in the especially for those who know dogs are happy moments, boring moments bush as Joey and his mum go about who refuse to return balls. and exciting moments. There is anger their day. Arlo loves backyard cricket, but though and loneliness, and there is » OUR REVIEW he's a superb fielder he just won't forgiveness, and the thread of A very Australian counting picture book return the ball. Consequently he's friendship runs through everything, like for preschoolers. With Aboriginal style banished to twelfh man every match. rail tracks through the countryside. illustrations and a mix of Australian One day, however, something changes Brilliantly rendered by Danny Parker birds, mammals and reptiles, it's bound to and he's the match winner. Soon and Freya Blackwood, Molly and Mae is appeal. We follow Joey through a day, everyone wants him on their team! A a portrait of the most delightful and as his mother continuously asks what lovely story with wonderful emotionally rich train journey he can see. An approaching storm illustrations, full of humour and fun. imaginable. changes their behaviour and afects Very Australian. » OUR REVIEW those around them. Recommended age: 4 years + A lovely rendition of true friendship, A gentle rhyming text and easily told through the metaphor of a long identified illustrations reinforce the distance train journey. counting opportunities and additional The young girls Molly and Mae have actions. much in common and enjoy playing Recommended age: 3 years + together. However, as with any relationship a few ill-judged words can be devastating and cause a relationship breakdown. The right words can build bridges and heal what was broken.

This is a well thought out look at childhood friendship; their ups and downs, joyous and sad moments. Little Bear's There's wonderful insight within both First Sleep the text and illustrations and one can't help but feel connected to the two Author: Lesley Gibbes friends. A worthwhile story exploring ISBN: 978-1743624012 the emotions of friendship. The 12th Dog Published: 1/9/16 Publisher: Scholastic Australia Molly and Mae is also a Notable in the Author: Charlotte Calder Picture Books category. ISBN: 978-0734416919 » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Recommended age: 4 years + Published: 22/12/16 Little Bear is in the cave with his Publisher: Hachette Australia mother and father, who have settled down for their big winter sleep. But

8 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement Little Bear has a problem - he can't get Using non verbal and verbal cues it’s to sleep! He snuggles and sings and designed for the very young and sofly strokes his ear. Will Little Bear be slightly older. The cute characters are able to get to sleep before springtime? seen in various real life situations, which kids can easily relate to and » OUR REVIEW discern why a smile or a cry can Who hasn't tossed and turned, trying to happen. get to sleep, but, sleep just won't come? An important picture book that will be a valuable resource. In this instance it's Little Bear's first Recommended age: 3 years + winter's hibernation, but whilst his parents are soon fast asleep he's too Smile Cry: How do awake. He tries everything, counts his You Feel Today? toes, sings a lullaby, but it's only once he snuggles down between his parents Author: Tania McCartney that he falls fast asleep. Guess who's ISBN: 978-1921966989 first to arise in the Spring? A charming Published: 2/3/16 and relatable picture book. Publisher: Other

Recommended age: 3 years + » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Fun, flip-over picture book for children that reads from both front and back. Smile/Cry is an innovative picture book for young kids, showcasing the full Agatha & the Dark emotional range of their formative years. Author: Anna Pignataro ISBN: 978-1760402075 Readers' follow three adorable Published: 1/10/16 characters - piglet, bunny and cat - as Publisher: Bonnier Publishing they react emotionally to a variety of events and circumstances from » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION everyday life. Agatha is scared of the dark, and Ducks Away! From an 'ate all the pies' smile to an George is just making things worse. 'ice-cream plopping down’ cry; from a When Agatha is accidentally locked in a Author: Mem Fox 'cosy under blanket’ smile to a 'need a dark room at kindergarten, her body ISBN: 978-1760158514 band-aid quick’ cry, children will trembles like jelly. How will she ever Published: 1/11/16 empathize with the tear-jerking sleep in her own bed tonight? A story Publisher: Omnibus calamity of a popped balloon or lost about learning to face your fears. toy, or feel the smiley warmth of a » OUR REVIEW » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION being tickled. A mother duck and her five little ducks We all have fears or phobias, young The clever 'flip book' format means waddled out one day. Onto a bridge, children especially so. In this endearing that the 'Smile' story reads from front then – ducks away! A quacking new picture book, kindergarten children and to back, while the 'Cry' story reads from classic, from the best-selling team of their teacher express their fears. back to front, with both delicious Mem Fox and Judy Horacek. A kids book narratives meeting in the middle. Agatha hates the dark and that's not with counting and dilemma. helped either when George declares A heartfelt picture book that will be » OUR REVIEW that monsters live in it. When she's treasured for years, Smile/Cry is perfect briefly shut in a cupboard she gets very A joyous counting picture book from a for ages 3 and upwards. frightened. perennial favourite. Told with a fun » OUR REVIEW rhyming verse, it follows the exploits of On the way home, George again five ducklings and their mother. Within An informative review of emotions for declares that there's probably a one to five there's addition and young children, which reads from both monster under her bed which puts her subtraction and the illustrations clearly front and back. of sleeping. Only when she tells her show and correspond to the text. Smiles are discussed and dissected parents are they able to help her deal Simple, but well done. from one direction whereas cries are with this fear in a fun way. Recommended age: 2 years + looked at from the other.

bookcurator.com.au | 9 Well done with an easy to follow text, Author: Jonathan Bentley goes down? The cutest little animals ideal as a discussion starter. ISBN: 978-1760122911 come out to play, of course. Recommended age: 3 years + Published: 1/2/16 Teach your own little critter to count to Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont ten in this beautiful board book featuring baby native animals running, » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION hopping, swimming, eating and playing Where is Bear? Where can he be? No from dusk to dawn. one goes to bed without their faithful bear. But this irresistible story has a » OUR REVIEW surprise in store! A lovely counting board book featuring nocturnal Australian » OUR REVIEW birds and mammals. There’s a A young boy gets increasingly gentle rhyming verse depicting the frustrated in the search for his missing young animals night time habits. teddy bear. With the aid of an unseen The one to ten count is reinforced helper he turns the place upside down, by the endearing illustrations, with Hello Little Babies but there's no sign of Bear. The reader the reader learning the names of knows where one bear is, but its not some well known creatures. Author: Alison Lester the right one. Recommended age: 18 months + ISBN: 978-0733330414 Eventually young Theodore discovers Published: 1/12/16 Bear's whereabouts and can finally go Publisher: ABC Books to sleep. A well constructed picture » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION book with a fun story and great illustrations. From the precious early days of a baby's life to those first tentative steps, There's good usage of questioning so much changes over a year. A warm vocabulary which could be expanded and tender picture book for families on. In a nice touch, the boy is called everywhere. Theodore, which opens up further discussion. » OUR REVIEW Where is Bear? is also a Notable title in A charming look at a developmental the Picture Books category. period within a child's first year of life. Babies from various cultural Recommended age: 3 years+ Wild Pa backgrounds are used to illustrate how Author: Claire Saxby they eat, sleep, play, move and explore ISBN: 978-0857988003 within their homes. Published: 1/8/16 A gentle rhyming verse incorporates Publisher: Random House lots of simple actions which are reinforced by the endearing » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION illustrations. A soothing read aloud Come celebrate the adventurer lurking picture book. in every grandad, pop and pa. My Pa is Recommended age: 2 years + not a quiet Pa, a sit-and-read-the- news Pa. My Pa is a Wild Pa and Wild Pa's are lots of fun. » OUR REVIEW Ten Little Owls A joyful story about how a boy sees his Author: Renee Treml father as a ‘Wild Pa’. A young boy ISBN: 978-0143780564 describes his father not as a ‘quiet Pa’, Published: 29/8/16 but a ‘Wild Pa’, a ‘chase-me-through- Publisher: Random House the-dunes Pa’. He describes his father and their close relationship in a way » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION that is clear and touching, a boisterous Nine little dingos howl at the moon. Ten adventure. little owls hoot a goodnight tune. What However, afer the messes have been Where Is Bear? happens around Australia when the sun made and the action has passed, his

10 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement father is a ‘wash-the-pile-of-dishes Pa’, repetition. The illustrations actively and that’s okay with the son as well. reinforce events and are full of The language throughout the story is humour. A very enjoyable picture book. simple and dynamic, with richly Recommended age: 3 years + coloured illustrations. Endearing, with lessons about love and teamwork. Recommended age: 3 years +

My Perfect Pup Author: Sue Walker ISBN: 978-1925059601 Published: 1/6/16 Publisher: New Frontier

Zelda's Big » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Adventure One puppy sits excitedly in a pet shop waiting for the perfect home. Will it be Oh, Albert Author: Marie Alafaci the twins, Milly and Max, or Joe who ISBN: 978-192566382 takes him home? Author: Davina Bell Published: 1/8/16 ISBN: 978-0670078608 Publisher: Allen & Unwin » OUR REVIEW Published: 18/7/16 A lovely picture book which shows that Publisher: Penguin » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION our pets ofen choose us, not Zelda has big plans - she wants to be necessarily the other way around. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION the first chook in space. She leaves Though Tiny seems the perfect pup for Following a week in the life of a busy nothing to chance and packs food, fuel Milly and Max, once he starts to grow it family, this story is as much a and a cosy nesting box. But will she becomes obvious he’s not for them. celebration of contemporary domestic make it without the help of her friends? Not that he minds, as he’s determined life as it is the story of a greedy but Great fun to read aloud, this wonderfully to find the perfect owner. When Joe loveable family pet. illustrated story shows that for a plucky walks through the door he knows he’s Many children will recognise the chook like Zelda, the sky is never the found his new owner. limit ... rhythms of their own families in the Rechristened Horse, he’s in his busy chaos of this household's routine, » OUR REVIEW element, running around the farm as all where the days of the week Zelda is determined to be the first sheep dogs should. correspond to extracurricular activities. chook in space and takes all the steps A really endearing tale full of love, but At its heart, this is the story of the needed to prepare. When she gets to also with an important message of strong bond of love that children share the tasks that she needs help with, her choosing your dog wisely. Great with animals, and the unifying role that friends fail her. They just can’t be graphics, full of humour with an pets play in family life. bothered. Zelda is disappointed but she’s engaging text. not about to let their lack of interest » OUR REVIEW Recommended age: 4 years + stop her. She keeps pursuing her goal Though Albert gets his just desserts, and eventually achieves it. Her so- afer eating all manner of items, a trip called friends are quick to claim credit to the vet causes his loving family to where none is due. Zelda is proud to acknowledge how much they love him, have been on such a big adventure— no matter how naughty he is. she might even bring some friends with A lovely story about a very naughty her next time! dog who just can't help himself. Each Recommended age: 4 years + day Albert eats a diferent item of a diferent colour or shape whilst the item's owner is elsewhere. Consequently, there's some useful vocabulary, word association and

bookcurator.com.au | 11 The Cat Wants Bird and Bear are the best of friends. Full of lots of silly rhyming verses, this It's Bird's birthday and she has a very uncomplicated picture book Custard special day planned - they are going to nevertheless ofers some useful the park. vocabulary and counting exercises Author: P Crumble from one to ten. Hidden on each page are ISBN: 978-1760155780 This early learning picture book looks at opposites, shadow play, and images of dogs which equate to the Published: 1/7/16 number being discussed. Publisher: Scholastic friendship. A beautiful follow-up picture book to Bird and Bear by award-winning Recommended age: 3 years + » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION illustrator Ann James. Meet Kevin, the opinionated feline Explores early learning concepts - who is full of cat-titude. Kevin has great for sharing! a craving. He wants custard, and » OUR REVIEW he wants it NOW! Follow the A charming picture book about hilarious antics of a cat trying to friendship, a special day and a hunt for get its human companion to give opposites. him what he wants, including the extreme length of using his own Today is Bird's birthday, but Bear's body to spell the word CUSTARD! pretending not to know. They're of to Will he succeed? the park for a fun day out and to play their favourite game, hunting for » OUR REVIEW opposites. If Bear finds something tall, Little Chicken Kevin the cat displays typical feline then Bird must find something short. disdain for the food his owner is Finally Bear lets on he knows it's Bird's Chickabee special day and they share a cake. offering and demands custard instead. Author: Janeen Brian His owner fails to take the hint and so A lovely example of friendship in ISBN: 978-0994385338 he stakes out the fridge instead. Finally action. Published: 1/1/16 it opens and he hops inside, only to Recommended age: 2 years + Publisher: Raising Literacy Aust discover that custard isn't what he craved afer all. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION A humorous tale which will especially Finally, the day has arrived! Four appeal to cat owners and those beautiful eggs hatch and four interested in animal behaviour. delightfully flufy chickens emerge. One Recommended age: 3 years + little chicken quickly realises she’s diferent, but not sure why.

In a quest to find answers and hopefully a friend, she sets of to explore the farm. Danny Snell’s illustrations are superb. With the use of acrylic paint, pencil and collage on card The Whole Caboodle he has endearingly and perfectly captured the farm yard scenery, the Author: Lisa Shanahan animals and all of Little Chicken ISBN: 978-1743629321 Chickabee’s conflicting emotions. Published: 1/4/16 An outstanding picture book of the Publisher: Scholastic highest quality which focuses on Bird and Bear and diferences, perseverance, problem » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION solving and ultimately friendship. the Special Day Wakey-wakey Peachy Pear, my fuzzy- » OUR REVIEW Author: Ann James wuzzy Grizzly Bear, my tootsy- wootsy ISBN: 978-1760402808 Fizzyjig, my hurdie-gurdie Whirligig! Unfortunately we have been unable to Published: 1/5/16 Who shall we see at the park today? A review this title. Publisher: Five Mile Press playful pup takes the lead on a stroll to the park, where many new friends will » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION be found! » OUR REVIEW

12 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement Dream Little One, The sleepyhead of this charming story is asked several times to go to bed by Dream his mother, but keeps offering different people or animals in his place. Author: Sally Morgan Sometimes it’s his dog Red, or his ISBN: 978-0670078868 brother Seb, or even the goldfish Ed. Published: 2/5/16 Publisher: Penguin The rhyming and repetitive nature of the story is comforting and the colour » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION palette of the illustrations is sof and soothing. This book is helpful for young When Moon shines and earth breathes children who are difcult to convince Pig the Winner a breath of deepest night dream, little of bedtime. one, dream into the peace of a Author: Aaron Blabey wonderful world. From sunrise to night- Recommended age: 2 to 5 years ISBN: 978-1760154288 time, celebrate the wonders of nature Published: 1/3/16 with this rhythmic and radiant bedtime Publisher: Scholastic story.

» PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION » OUR REVIEW Pig was a pug and I'm sorry to say if he A captivating, poetic verse takes the didn't come first it would ruin his day. reader on a journey through nature, Won't he ever learn?! Pig, the world's celebrating the wonder which is our greediest Pug, won't play fair. He'll do environment and the diversity of anything to win! Another laugh-out- creatures found here. loud book from the best-selling creator Illustrated in a contemporary of Pig the Pug and Pig the Fibber. Indigenous style with bold and colourful » OUR REVIEW drawings. There is some useful vocabulary which is also reinforced by Bear Makes Den Another winner from one of Australia's the actions of the diferent animals. finest picture book creators. Author: J Godwin and M Wagner Recommended age: 3 years + ISBN: 978-1760110017 Continuing the Pug and Trevor story, Published: 27/1/16 the humorously rhyming text tells of Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pig's drive to win at any cost. Unfortunately, while challenging poor » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION old Trevor to a speed eating race, he Bear loves to get things done. He can swallows his food bowl too. However, make just about anything! He even his faithful mate is there to save the builds a wonderful den. But something day (as usual!). is missing. What could it be? From this Though Pug changes his outlook talented trio comes a warm, playful somewhat aferwards, he still can't picture book about what truly makes a help cheating sometimes! home. Great fun, with the usual wacky » OUR REVIEW illustrations and a delightful story. Take Ted Instead Bear appears to have everything he Recommended age: 4 to 7 years Author: Cassandra Webb needs - the perfect home and all the ISBN: 978-1925059533 creature comforts - but still he's not Published: 1/2/16 happy. Though he's a very self sufficient Publisher: New Frontier Publishing sort of chap and makes all the things he needs for modern living, he soon » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION realises that materialism doesn't make It’s bedtime for one tired little boy. Why the perfect place to live afer all. For should he go to bed when everyone that he needs friends - and the more else in the house is still awake? He has the merrier! a plan ... A salient tale nicely disguised in this » OUR REVIEW charming picture book. Humorously illustrated in quite a simple style. Recommended age: 3 to 7 years

bookcurator.com.au | 13 Quite simply written, but all the huts, and boxes that at some point stronger for it, with the illustrations contained computers and the latest nicely capturing the afection the homewares. two friends have for each other. The main theme is the ingenuity of Recommended age: 4 to 7 years children to create play and use their imagination. After all in a world before electronics, that’s what we all did! Recommended age: 4 to 8 years PICTURE BOOKS SHORT LIST Together Always Author: Edwina Wyatt ISBN: 978-1742979632 Published: 01/03/2016 Publisher: Hardie Grant » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION What happens when the dearest of friends want to go in diferent directions? This perceptive story about individuality tells how friends find Mechanica ways to be together, even when Author: Lance Balchin they are apart. Sensitive and The Patchwork Bike ISBN: 978-1760401085 evocative illustrations bring love, Author: Maxine Beneba Clarke Published: 1/9/16 bafement and loneliness to life in ISBN: 978-0734416681 Publisher: The Five Mile Press this endearing ode to timeless Published: 25/10/16 friendship. Publisher: Hachette Australia » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION » OUR REVIEW At the end of the 23rd Century, Earth Pig and Goat have been best friends » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION can no longer support wildlife. The forever and do everything together When you live in a village at the edge warnings have been ignored. As many - no matter what. When Goat is of the No-Go Desert, you need to make Earth species begin to disappear, a new drawn by the largeness of the world your own fun. That’s when you and form of life emerges as clever human and wants to see what is out there, your brothers get inventive and build a designers create robotic creatures in a Pig reluctantly tags along but his bike from scratch, using everyday nostalgic link to the past. items like an old milk pot (maybe mum heart just isn’t in it. Collectors and sanctuaries across the is still using it, maybe not) and a used It comes to the point where he can’t globe collect and display Mechanica for flour sack. You can even make a bear to stay, and Goat can’t bear to the general public's enjoyment. But numberplate from bark, if you want. return. The friends separate, but the something goes terribly wrong. The end result is a spectacular bike, things they have learnt from each perfect for going bumpity-bump over This beautiful picture book, created by other remain. When Pig feels small sandhills, past your fed-up mum and Australian illustrator and author Lance and afraid, he tells stories to right through your mud-for-walls Balchin, is an encyclopedia of Mechnica encourage himself the way Goat had home. creatures with a strong steampunk style always done for him. When Goat and fictional narrative. can’t sleep, he hums a tune, the A delightful story from multi award- way Pig always did for him. The winning author Maxine Beneba Clarke, Incredibly detailed and beautifully friends think of each other ofen. beautifully illustrated by street artist realised illustrations supported by a Van T Rudd. narrative thread which features a 15 Then one day Goat returns, and the year-old heroine - Liberty Crisp. A » OUR REVIEW pair are happily reunited. From then picture book that children will pore over on there are times when they are There’s a poignancy to this picture again and again - if they can keep it off physically together and times when book which almost borders on the their parent's coffee table! they are physically apart, but no surreal. Rudd’s illustrations look as if A cautionary tale which will provoke matter what, they are together always. they were created on old cardboard discussion. A beautifully evocative story of the packaging, creating a juxtaposition power and bond of true friendship. between the homemade bike and mud

14 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement » OUR REVIEW Francie and her mum, who is expecting a A little girl and her mother have fled And now for something completely baby girl, are driving home from their homeland, making the long and different. Imagine that we've managed to Grandma's in the heavy rain. When treacherous journey by boat to seek pollute and destroy our planet enough to they're still far from home, they stop asylum. Timely, powerful and moving, cause the wholesale extinction of all for a picnic. And as the car steams up, Out celebrates the triumph of the wildlife. By 2200 there's none lef and Francie presses her little finger on the human spirit in the darkest times, and vast areas are uninhabitable. window, spelling out 'Daddy' and the many paths people take to build a 'Mummy' and leaving one space free, new life. In response corporations begin to ready and waiting for the name of her create Mechanica, artificial life forms to » OUR REVIEW soon-to-be sister. A beautifully replace the extinct ones. Though A charmingly perceptive account of a observed celebration of the way initially benign, they eventually young girl and her mother fleeing their inspiration can, and ofen does happen interbreed becoming more and more homeland and arriving in Australia as in the most ordinary and unlikely of dangerous leading to the Homo- asylum seekers aboard a rickety boat. places. Mechanica wars. Though they have both settled and are » OUR REVIEW This account describes and provides a starting to integrate, they ofen think of brief history of what could be is just a This gentle tale has the usual Bob home, especially where their father/ vehicle to show case the author's Graham charm, injections of humour husband may be. incredible and imaginative illustrations. and observations of everyday life. On It's a very factual account, told through the trip home from Grandma's, Francie the young girl's eyes, as she recalls Though technically not Steampunk and her mum negotiate both the aspects of the journey and snippets of (Atomic Punk?!) it would be hard to appalling road conditions and the tricky school and family life in a new and classify it in any other meaningful way. question of what to call the soon-to- strange country. The illustrations are something out of be-born baby. This discussion passes science fiction, being a fusion of animal the time, as they move slowly with the There's a lovely thread wound through and machine and for all intents and trafc and stop for a mid trip picnic. each illustration, a golden ribbon, purposes look as if they could indeed which has many uses and is a reminder The steamed up windows become exist. of home. Finally, on the last page, her Francie's palette, as she writes father joins them, evocatively written Wonderfully imaginative, which should prospective names. Inspiration strikes and illustrated with plenty of food for inspire some young minds into the and mum chooses the name Grace. engineering field. thought. As well as being on the Picture Book Recommended age: 5 years + Recommended age: 8 to 12 years short list, Home in the Rain is an Early Childhood Notable title. Recommended age: 3 to 6 years

Home in the Rain One Photo Author: Bob Graham Author: Ross Watkins ISBN: 978-1406368239 Out ISBN: 978-0670077977 Published: 1/10/16 Published: 29/8/16 Publisher: Walker Books Author: Angela May George Publisher: Penguin ISBN: 978-1743629000 » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Published: 1/6/16 » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Publisher: Scholastic From multi-award winning author- From Ross Watkins, the illustrator of illustrator Bob Graham comes a tender, The Boy Who Grew Into a Tree, and Liz » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION touching story of family life, perfect for Anelli, comes this moving picture book sharing when a new baby is on the ‘I'm called an asylum seeker, but that's about family, the failings of memory way. not my name’. and the strength of love. Told in

bookcurator.com.au | 15 stunning prose, with poignant artwork, A moving story told with tenderness. this book is a celebration of what we The black and white illustrations are hold dearest. very atmospheric and evocative. » OUR REVIEW Recommended age: 5 years + Though only mentioned in the acknowledgments, this wonderfully poignant picture book captures what PICTURE BOOKS an Alzheimer’s suferer and their family go through. NOTABLES When his father comes home with an old film camera and starts to take Smeck photos of strange things, his son and Author: Ben Redlich wife are perplexed that they aren’t in ISBN: 978-1922081650 them. Afer his death, they discover the Published: 1/10/16 photographs weren’t for him to Publisher: Windy Hollow remember things by but for his family to remember him by. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Beautifully written and truly heart Welcome to the world of Smeck, a warming. fantastical, piratical adventure on the Recommended age: 5 to 8 years high seas. Dog Lost » OUR REVIEW Author: Brian Simmonds This is a wonderfully conceived and ISBN: 978-1922081612 painstakingly crafed picture book. The Published: 1/8/16 illustrations are all created from models Publisher: Windy Hollow hand crafed by the author. When you see the detail you can appreciate the » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION efort and time taken in order to accomplish this project. This story is inspired by the heroic accounts of dogs that miraculously find The story follows Smeck, a music their way home after long periods of loving flea, who lives on a desert island. being lost. Some inner sense of Though previously content, he longs to knowing guides them back home. A broaden his horizons and so sets sail My Brother longing and bond of love and loyalty for adventure. He eventually meets a drives them forward. Mankind owes so mermaid called Minnie, but before he can Author: Dee, Oliver, Tifany Huxley much to our faithful best friend. get to know her is captured by nasty ISBN: 978-1921504853 pirates. Published: 18/7/16 » OUR REVIEW Publisher: Working Title Press This beautifully illustrated picture book Forced to do all the hideous chores, not only accounts the heroic lost dogs including washing the crews » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION who somehow find their way back underpants, he's eventually rescued by When a gentle creature sets out to search home, it also educates readers on the Minnie with the help of a friendly sea for a lost brother, we are taken on an Australian Outback. monster. Returning to his island he ethereal journey across land and sea to now has a myriad of things to sing Come on a journey with Dog as he strange, beautiful and faraway places. about. finds his way back to his home and » OUR REVIEW master afer being swept up in a storm. Well worth it, even if it was just to explore and appreciate the creativity A beautiful work exploring the grief one Dog treks through striking Australian behind it. brother feels over the loss of his landscapes and meets some of the sibling. Looking for connections he residents—some not so nice! Recommended age: 4 years + visits places they used to go, but can't Dog Lost truly shows the bond and love find him. One night he has a vision and between man and dog and depicts that sees his brother surrounded by light in even the harshest landscape could a land that is pure, beautiful and safe, never keep man’s best friend apart and realises that he will always be with from his master. him, carried in his heart and memories. Recommended age: 4 years +

16 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement Great fun with some excellently dead pan illustrations. Recommended age: 4 to 6 years

Crusts Archie - No Author: Danny Parker Ordinary Sloth ISBN: 978-1742979830 Author: Heath McKenzie Published: 1/8/16 ISBN: 978-1760067892 Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont Published: 1/3/16 Blue Sky, Yellow Kite Publisher: Bonnier Publishing » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Author: Janet A. Holmes Jacob is just one of millions who won’t » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION ISBN: 978-1760124229 eat their crusts. But he is one in a Published: 1/11/16 It is widely known that sloths like to million when it comes to bright ideas. Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont sloth! All day and all night. Well, most When tiny creatures from a distant sloths, that is. crumbling planet seek Jacob’s help, he » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION sets out to do what he can with his big Archie was a sloth. But, while all the Sometimes we want a thing so much box of uneaten crusts. other sloths like to flop and snooze and we can't prevent ourselves from taking sloth about, Archie liked to leap and A story about crusts and intergalactic it. But when a girl steals her friend's swing. travel by powerhouse creative duo beautiful yellow kite, she is swamped Danny Parker and Matt Ottley. Archie - No Ordinary Sloth is the story with turmoil. A story about desire, guilt of a little sloth who is very energetic. and forgiveness. » OUR REVIEW The other sloths eventually tire of his » OUR REVIEW As children there are usually a few busy antics and ask him to leave. things we don't like eating or doing and Daisy is mesmerized by Williams' no amount of persuasion will change Archie leaves and discovers some new beautiful yellow kite, so mesmerized that our mind. In this quite whimsical friends who are also diferent in their when he hands her the reel, she sets picture book, Jacob refuses to eat his own special ways. But Archie still of back home, without so much as a crusts and though his mother tries to misses his sloth friends. Acting on backward glance.. some sage advice from an elephant, exhort him, 'They'll make your hair Putting it in her secret hiding place, she Archie returns home to find his friends curly' he declines point blank. He does looks at it everyday, but doesn't fly it. in danger. Will his fast-thinking and however stockpile them. This may Finally, she sets it free once more and fast-action ways save them? Will they seem bizarre, but turns out to be a spies William watching her. Taking it ever accept his diference? godsend for a small alien race whose home, she returns it, along with a own planet is disintegrating. It needs a A story about acceptance and 'sorry' note. Later that day William new crust and where better to find diference. Sloths are an increasingly appears with the kite and a kite making some!? popular animal, featuring in the kit, so together they make a new one Certainly not your run of the mill zeitgeist for the last few years. Humour just for Daisy. will help engage the young reader. picture book, it' a surreal flight of A lovely story which illustrates fantasy along the Hitchhikers Guide to » OUR REVIEW beautifully how desire can lead to guilt the Galaxy mould. A wonderfully humourous look at how and remorse and eventually The illustrations are a delight, the being diferent doesn't necessarily forgiveness. The text is nicely aliens adorable and the story odd, but mean you can't fit in. measured and the illustrations bold and colourful. it's great fun. Whilst Archie is full of vitality and Recommended age: 5 years + beans, his fellow sloths are, well sloth Recommended age: 4 to 7 years like. They don't care for his high spirits and energy, but when he saves them from a maurauding tiger all is forgiven.

bookcurator.com.au | 17 Something A Soldier, A Dog Mr Chicken Wonderful and A Boy Arriva a Roma Author: Raewyn Caisley Author: Libby Hathorn Author: Leigh Hobbs ISBN: 978-0670078455 ISBN: 978-0734416377 ISBN: 978-1925266771 Published: 29/1/16 Published: 22/3/16 Published: 24/8/16 Publisher: Penguin Australia Publisher: Hachette Publisher: Allen and Unwin

» PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Sam likes to pull things apart and put From award-winning Australian author Mr Chicken has been to Paris and London, them back together, and think about Libby Hathorn and acclaimed illustrator but his taste for travel is insatiable - how things work. But he is sometimes Phil Lesnie, an exquisitely illustrated now it's time to visit Rome, a city of so busy doing this, he forgets his and deeply moving story of the ancient wonders and delicious things chores on the family farm. Then one Somme. A moving story, told to eat. day he creates something truly completely in dialogue, about a young » OUR REVIEW wonderful. Australian soldier in the battle of the Another fascinating overseas excursion Somme. Walking through the fields » OUR REVIEW with Mr Chicken, this time visiting the away from the front, he finds what he As the title says this picture book is Italian capital. The usual landmarks are thinks is a stray dog, and decides to really something wonderful, which will taken in, but it's Mr Chicken's penchant adopt it as a mascot for his company. bring a smile to everyone who reads it. for gelato which really steals the show. Then he meets Jacques, the homeless As it's based on a true story, it's even orphan boy who owns the dog. The A fun, Roman themed ofering, more endearing. soldier realises that Jacques needs the showing aspects of modern and Sam is a very inquisitive boy. He likes dog more - and perhaps needs his help ancient Italian life. As usual the to know how things work and why. as well. illustrations are full of humour Unfortunately this means he ofen gets depicting Mr C's crazy antics. With stunning illustrations from Phil distracted from his chores, but his Lesnie, this is a deeply moving Recommended age: 5 to 7 years mum doesn't mind, she sees the bigger celebration of friendship in times of picture. war. A Soldier, A Dog And A Boy was One day Sam is inspired by all the junk inspired by Libby Hathorn's months of in the shed and builds an egg catching research on her uncle, who survived machine for the chook house. His dad Gallipoli but went on to fight at the reckons it truly is 'something Battle of the Somme and was killed wonderful'. there in 1917 at just twenty years old. A lovely story about creativity and » OUR REVIEW freedom to be inspired, with incredibly An encounter on the field of Flanders evocative illustrations. sees a young Anzac befriend first a Recommended age: 4 to 6 years scrawny dog and then his equally scrawny owner, a young boy called Jack. Initially he wants to keep Victoire Colours of Australia as a mascot, but with Jack reluctant to give him up he ofers to help them out Author: Bronwyn Bancrof instead. However, it then dawns on him ISBN: 978-1742976914 to look afer both of them at camp. Published: 1/9/16 Publisher: Hardie Grant Recommended age: 5 years +

18 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION » OUR REVIEW When his friend drops by to sample his Deep love of country inspires Bronwyn A quite sumptuous account of Chinese cakes they regale him with tales of far Bancrof's poetry and the richly layered New Year festivities held in a small flung places and beautiful sights. hues of Colours of Australia. Each line village in the north. Spying an ad for a hot air balloon, speaks a diferent voice, each image George and his friend Pascal set about The story follows a young boy's stirs a diferent mood, and all combine making one. Eventually, they are attempts to discover what important task to evoke the miracle of colour with soaring above the Earth visiting all the he'll be given during the upcoming which we are surrounded. marvelous places that they've heard celebrations. It ofers a fascinating look about. » OUR REVIEW at a traditional way of life which is fast An engaging picture book with A fascinating account of colours and disappearing, but also reflects the interesting collage style illustrations images and how they are perceived important of festivals within Chinese which incorporate old advertising from an indigenous perspective. The culture. images. There's a lot of humour and author's use of words is mirrrored This is a quite detailed account which George is a wonderful character. poignantly in the vivid illustrations takes the reader through all the Recommended age: 5 to 7 years which unfold the more you look at important elements from the food up them. An excellent combination, which to the culminating Dragon Dance. will hopefully open the readers' eyes to An appendix ofers a lot more in depth more than a quick glance at the colours information. Highly recommended. around them. Recommended age: 6 to 9 years Recommended age: 5 to 8 years

Spark Author: Adam Wallace ISBN: 978-1925272406 Published: 3/10/16 New Year Surprise! Somewhere Else Publisher: Ford Street Publishing Author: Gus Gordon » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Author: Christopher Cheng ISBN: 978-0670078851 ISBN: 978-0642278838 I began as a tiny spark in the dry grass. Published: 31/10/16 Published: 1/2/16 All I wanted was a friend. I found one in Publisher: Penguin Publisher: Harper Collins the wind, who helped me grow, who helped me fly! In the end, though, was » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION the wind really my friend at all? George has no interest in exploring the Little Brother is told by his brother and Through personification, a first-person world. He’s far too busy at home his friends that he's too small to help perspective and superb illustrations baking fine pastries. Or so he tells out at the Spring Festival. He's too little that give life to the text as Wind did to everyone when they invite him along to fly a kite and he's not strong enough Spark, Wallace and Plant bring the fire on their wonderful adventures. But to hold a dragon pole. But Father says to life - something that has no control when his friend Pascal digs a little he has a special job to do. What can it over its journey or its destiny, focusing deeper, the real reason George won’t be? He knows its not hanging the on the here and now rather than leave home is finally revealed. lanterns up, as Father has already done reflecting on the afermath and the that. He knows its not choosing the » OUR REVIEW aferwards as most stories with such a treats from the hawker as Father has George doesn't go anywhere because focus do. already chosen a duck. He knows its he believes he can't fly and though a » OUR REVIEW not serving tea or lighting fire crackers friend ofers to help, it seems that he's A wonderful, evocative story of the as he did those jobs last year. Follow right. It's just as well that he's content spark from a thoughtlessly discarded Little Brother through the village to find to stay home and bake the most cigarette that turns into a flame and out what his special job is. wonderful pastries.

bookcurator.com.au | 19 then with the wind's help, a raging the illustrations a joy, making this a exercise in spotting opposites, be it bushfire. wonderful picture book. situations, emotions or actions. As the story unfolds, the flame grows Four of the girls have been to the Recommended age: 3 years + and with encouragement from his market before, but when little Cecile 'friend', the wind, is soon out of control. joins them for the first time, she wants Finally, Spark realises that what started to sell her delicious home baked cakes. out as a game, has turned deadly and With her parents’ blessing she's he longs to stop. allowed, but despite all her eforts, no- one is buying. With Wind's help he turns back in on himself, and, for the first time, sees the Then towards the end of the day, the destruction they've wrought. Finally, Queen arrives unexpectedly! On tasting Spark dwindles to a small flame and Cecile’s scrumptious cakes, she decides then to nothing. Meanwhile, when the she needs them at the palace every rains come, new life quickly springs day and an entrepreneur is born. forth. A wonderful tale of a determined little The Fabulous Beautifully written and illustrated, this mouse with a quality product, a dream book captures the bushfire scenario and an opportunity. Very well done and Friend Machine exceedingly well. highly recommended. Author: Nick Bland Recommended age: 6 to 10 years Recommended age: 4 to 8 years ISBN: 978-1760277659 Published: 1/10/16 Publisher: Scholastic

» PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Popcorn is, quite simply, the friendliest chicken at Fiddlesticks farm! When she finds a Fabulous Friend Machine in the barn, she sets about making some brand new friends. But behind the screen of the Fabulous Friend Machine, maybe her new friends are not so friendly afer all.

A cautionary tale from the globally The Sisters Captain Sneer best-selling Nick Bland. Saint-Claire the Buccaneer » OUR REVIEW When Popcorn the chicken finds a Author: Carlie Gibson Author: Penny Morrison Fabulous Friend Machine in the barn, ISBN: 978-1760291563 ISBN: 978-1922179609 she soon gets obsessed with her online Published: 1/10/16 Published: 1/9/16 friendships, at great cost to her real life Publisher: Allen & Unwin Publisher: Walker Books ones. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION When they eventually meet in real life, This is the tale of the sisters Saint- Ahoy there, me hearties! Meet Captain she discovers her ‘new friends’ aren’t Claire, who lived with their parents Sneer - a most boastful buccaneer! who she thought they were at all - in Odette and Pierre, Harriet, Violet, He's rough and tough. He's brave and fact they are wolves! Beatrice, Minette, and little Cecile, we bold. He sails the seas in search of gold! Popcorn is in more danger than she must not forget! » OUR REVIEW realises from those pesky wolves, until her friends get in on the action and A delightful rhyming tale about five An endearing picture book where the send them on the way. The wolves fabulous French mice who love food, humorous rhyming verse doesn't match hightail it out of there and the Fabulous fashion and family, and a story about how the excellent illustrations. For instance, Friend Machine goes with them. greatness can come in any size. when the text states 'my crew is safe » OUR REVIEW with me in charge’, the picture shows A salient tale about both the dangers of online relationships, and the An absolutely delightful rhyming tale, the Captain cowering behind the mast! importance of real life friends in this set in a French village, that tells the There are plenty of other examples for digitally driven world. story of a mouse family with five children to discover, so it's a useful daughters. The verse is exquisite and

20 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement Told in a humorous, insightful style that really misses being part of a team, so kids will easily relate to. Highly it's back to work for him. recommended. A lovely story about friendship, Recommended age: 4 to 8 years independence and team work, with wonderfully humorous illustrations. Recommended age: 3 years +

Chooks in Dinner Suits Author: Diane Jackson Hill ISBN: 978-1921833380 Published: 1/6/16 Blue, Publisher: New South Publishing The Builder's Dog Desert Lake » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Author: Jen Storer On a tiny island lives a waddle of Little ISBN: 978-0670077809 Author: Pamela Freeman Penguins. But their numbers are Published: 29/8/16 ISBN: 978-1921529436 dwindling. Swampy Marsh knows what Publisher: Penguin Published: 1/6/16 to do, but no one will listen. Soon he Publisher: Walker Books can count the last few penguins on the » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION fingers of one hand. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Meet Blue, the Builder's Dog. On the The desperate townsfolk give Swampy, It's raining up north and soon construction site, he's part of the team. and his friends Max and Mimi, one everything will change for the desert He guards the tools, signs the concrete chance. Will his solution work? Will lake. The dry salt bed of Kati Thanda- slabs and keeps stickybeaks away. But Swampy save the Little Penguins of Lake Eyre shimmers in the desert heat. Blue doesn't have a house of his own. Middle Island? The builder has one. The chippie has But far up north, the rains have come. A warmly funny account of one man’s one. The architect and the big bosses Water is flooding into empty riverbeds quest to save a penguin colony, with have one. So he decides to quit and and swirling down towards the lake. two very unusual helpers. This story is build one himself. Soon everything will change. based on events that took place on » OUR REVIEW » OUR REVIEW Middle Island, Warrnambool and have A very Australian tale and ode to man's An informative picture book about Lake become well known to the public. Eyre and how it changes once the rains best, working, friend. Afer all, what's a This true story, which features both come. There's a two part narrative, one building site without a dog?! human and animal heroes, has been the story and then some more detailed written as a heartwarming tale by Blue loves going to work with his information on particular creatures or Diane Jackson Hill. Craig Smith’s lively master and is as much a member of events. the team as anyone. There's so much illustrations capture all the drama and for him to do that he's never bored. He These are distinguished via the use of humour of the predicament and the does, however have one niggle. He has diferent fonts and text sizes. Some characters involved. more unusual words are highlighted in to sleep in the shed whereas everyone » OUR REVIEW else has a house and he just doesn't bold as a means of introducing new A fascinating account of one man and feel that's right, so one day he quits vocabulary. his community working to save a and sets about constructing his own The illustrations are colourful, detailed colony of Little Penguins near dream kennel. The builder's a little and quite dramatic. A well executed Warrnambool. Through complacency bewildered but accepts his decision. picture book worthy of inclusion in and ignorance the colony was almost every library collection. Shortly afer completion, a terrible wiped out, but a local farmer, by storm blows his new abode to bits and Desert Lake is also a Notable in the Eve thinking outside the box, was able to blue is lef with no shelter. His master Pownall Information Books award. ofer a viable solution. He used his own rescues him and Blue realises that he Recommended age: 5 years + Marrema sheep dogs to keep wild dogs and foxes at bay.

bookcurator.com.au | 21 A wonderful tale, beautifully told and illustrated. A true inspiration. Chooks in Dinner Suits is also a Notable in the Eve Pownall Information Books category. Recommended age: 3 to 6 years

Snail and Turtle On the River Rainy Days Author: Roland Harvey ISBN: 978-1760112455 Author: Stephen Michael King Published: 1/7/16 ISBN: 978-1760159061 Publisher: Allen & Unwin Published: 1/7/16 Publisher: Scholastic » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Roland Harvey and his new pelican » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Pandamonia friend are off on an adventure to walk, It's a rainy day and Turtle loves to fish, canoe, raft, windsurf, sail, paddle- Author: Chris Owen & Chris Nixon splish, splosh, splash through the steam, houseboat and even fly their ISBN: 978-1925163339 puddles. Good morning, Snail! he cries. way along the Murray River, from its Published: 24/6/16 But Snail doesn't feel like coming out of smallest beginnings in the high country Publisher: Fremantle Press his shell. Turtle waits patiently and to where it meets the sea. creates a beautiful shelter for his friend » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION from the rainy days. Maybe Snail and Together they discover the story of the When visiting the zoo, whatever you the sun will come out tomorrow. river: its secrets, history, ecology, do, don’t wake the panda! Join in the people and animals. And you're invited, » OUR REVIEW fantastic fun as one grumpy panda too! A beautiful and thought-provoking sets of a frenzy of wild partying. A delight for all ages from the creator story about friendship, with fun and of the bestselling At the Beach series. » OUR REVIEW colourful illustrations. Wonderful! An excellent example of an » OUR REVIEW Every day, it is raining in the jungle and engaging rhyming verse full of humour, Turtle wants his friend Snail to spend A wonderfully humorous and clever word play and denoting cause time with him. But Snail won’t come informative look at the Murray Darling and efect. Though the verses are more out of his shell, no matter what Turtle Basin. From it's origins in the Snowy numerous than many other picture does. Mountains all the way to the sea at books, the quality of the writing and Goolwa it's a fascinating journey along Turtle builds a shelter over Snail out of variety of vocabulary used more than Australia's premier river system. compensates. I dare say a whole zoo's leaves and twigs and painted swirls, With historical accounts, facts, natural worth of creatures has been mentioned but it’s only when Turtle reassures Snail and man made wonders and a plethora too! that he can stay in his shell for as long as he needs, that Snail feels safe of wildlife, it's a thoroughly researched The premise is what will happen if a enough to come out the next morning. work. zoo visitor wakes up the slumbering Sometimes, what a friend truly needs is Of course, it's Roland Harvey's quirky Panda. Pandamonium of course, reassurance. illustrations which really make this ending in a near riot! How the creatures fabulous picture book, but combined react is depicted through clever use of This story has threads of maturity that with the factual text it's an out and out vocabulary and the wonderful line cut will make it a firm favourite for years to winner. As per usual, there's so much style illustrations. come. going on that you need a full day to Recommended age: 3 years + A real winner and great for reading catch every nuance. aloud. Recommended age: 6 to 10 years Recommended age: 4 to 8 years

22 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement All in all an informative work which helps show the plight of many shore birds in our rapidly developing world. Circle is also a Notable in the Eve Pownall Information Books award. Recommended age: 5 years+

Circle Hello! Author: Jeannie Baker Illustrator: Tony Flowers ISBN: 978-1406338010 ISBN: 978-0642278876 Published: 1/6/16 Published: 1/4/16 Publisher: Walker Books Publisher: New South Publishing

» PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION From the creator of the critically Yiasou! That’s ‘hello’ in Greek! Or would acclaimed Where the Forest Meets the Don't Call Me Bear you like to speak Chinese? What about Sea and Mirror, comes a poetic, eco- Author: Aaron Blabey Italian or Korean? Murinhpatha or conscious picture book which explores ISBN: 978-1760159849 Kaurna? the complex, inter-dependency of Published: 1/8/16 Meet 12 Australian friends who can nature. Publisher: Scholastic speak diferent languages. They tell us This is the story of the little-known Bar- how to count from 1 to 10, say hello and tailed Godwit who, following invisible » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION goodbye and lots of other words in pathways that have been used for G'day my name is Warren, and I've got their languages about play, food, thousands of years, undertakes the something to share. Just because I'm hobbies and clothes. longest unbroken migration of any bird, furry doesn't mean that I’m a bear. Once we’ve said hello, we can watch a total of 11,000 kilometres, flying from Warren the Koala is many things a Emiko playing the Japanese drum and Australia and New Zealand to their marsupial, cute and furry, a bit of a Pilinh performing an Aboriginal dance. breeding grounds in the Arctic and grump but the one thing he's not is a We can see how to make gnocchi with back again. bear! Sophia and flat bread with Amal. Facing hunger and treacherous » OUR REVIEW This book is an introduction to 12 conditions to reach their destination, languages spoken most frequently in their flight is one of bravery, tenacity and Since Captain Cook first set eyes on a Australian homes, plus three strength, and Jeannie's stunning mixed koala and uttered the immortal words Indigenous languages. The languages media collages, inspired first-hand by 'Hey! A bear!', that misinformation has are: Chinese, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, the spectacular landscapes of Alaska persisted. Not even Sir Joseph Banks Japanese, Kala Lagaw Ya, Kaurna, and China, will amaze readers, and take could set the record straight. But Korean, Lebanese Arabic, them on an extraordinary visual Warren the koala is determined to get Murrinhpatha, Thai and Vietnamese. journey to the corners of our Earth. the point across. He is not a bear! Illustrated in a cartoon style, the » OUR REVIEW You'll learn about marsupials. You'll learn about bears. And you'll also learn pictures add humour and fun to A fascinating insight into the life cycle about a cranky koala called Warren! A language learning. Each language and and migratory journey of the Bar-tailed delightfully humorous tale from the culture is introduced by a child Godwit, which undertake the longest master of quirky picture books. Highly character - and you might spot a koala migrations of any creatures. It recommended. or two. Selamat tinggal! That’s summers in both hemispheres, but ‘goodbye’ in Indonesian! must travel 11,000km from it's breeding Recommended age: 4 years + » OUR REVIEW grounds in Alaska to Australia and New Zealand. Follow twelve Australians from diferent cultural backgrounds as they This beautifully illustrated picture book talk about things in their native follows that journey, with wonderfully language. From simple ‘hello’ and detailed collage style pictures and ‘goodbye’ to favourite foods, clothes, informative text.

bookcurator.com.au | 23 dance and traditional festivals it's a push his kennel home. Here his friends good and simple introduction to are relieved to see him and he's finally diferent cultures and languages. able to apologise to Snombo. Some There’s a large appendix with a wonderful language, great imagery and pronunciation guide and additional info memorable illustrations. on each country represented. Simply set Recommended age: 6 years + out and easy to follow in a fun style. Hello is also a Notable title in the Eve Pownall Information books category. Recommended age: 3 to 6 years Milo: A Moving Story Author: Tohby Riddle ISBN: 978-1760111632 Published: 1/4/16 Publisher: Allen & Unwin

» PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Reflection Milo's life is almost entirely Author: Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg unremarkable. He lives in a solid kennel ISBN: 978-1922179050 in an okay part of town. Every other Published:1/4/16 day he has a job delivering parcels. Grandpa's Big Publisher: Walker Books Then Milo's life is turned upside down Adventure by an argument with his friend » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Snombo, followed by a strange wild Author: Paul Newman storm that leaves him and his kennel in This poignant picture book is about ISBN: 978-0670078172 a precarious place. So begins Milo's remembering those who serve at war. Published: 1/8/16 surprisingly remarkable journey back to Lef! Lef! Lef! Right! Lef! We make our Publisher: Penguin his friends. way in the dark. A family journeys » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION A warm and whimsical adventure by through the early morning darkness. A group of young men huddle in a cold A warm and funny story shared by the acclaimed creator of My Uncle's muddy trench. grandfather and grandson, from new- Donkey and Nobody Owns the Moon. Reflection is a powerful tribute to those comer Paul Newman and award- » OUR REVIEW winning illustrator Tom Jellett. who have served their country. Another interesting ofering from the Rebecka's sparse text manages to With glimpses of water safety and unconventional Tohby Riddle. carry the weight of the subject with overcoming fears, this book is full of Set in a big city and featuring Milo and elegance and great emotion. jokes and visual enjoyment for the his good friends, it's a lovely story of Features beautiful ink and watercolour whole family to read together, and friendship, moods, displacement and drawings by Robin Cowcher, illustrator perfect for Father's Day. forgiveness. of Little Dog and the Christmas Wish. » OUR REVIEW Usually solid and reliable, one day Milo This picture book is a great way to A delightful tale about a young boy wakes up all out of sorts and takes it introduce children to the history of taking swimming lessons from his out on his friend Snombo. Feeling bad Australia and its role in various Grandpa and listening to tall tales aferwards, his attention is piqued by a conflicts around the globe. whilst he does. Grandpa's stories are growing wind. Soon a gale is blowing Child readers will be able to connect to farfetched to say the least, but sparkle and he and his kennel are tossed about. the story through the family depicted with humour and clever word play. Waking in the morning, he finds himself attending a dawn service. Teachers will perched precariously on a roofop high Tom Jellett's illustrations, as usual, find it a great tool to initiate classroom above the city. bring the story to life and capture the discussion. mischievousness of Grandpa's tale, Pondering recent events, he is » OUR REVIEW especially how he changes into pyjamas eventually helped by a migratory bird, at night whilst swimming around the Carlos. With the help of a window This book is a sombre reminder of world! Great fun. cleaner, Milo and his friend are soon Australia’s involvement in various wars — from the Boer War to Afghanistan. Recommended age: 3 to 7 years back on terra firma, where Carlos helps

24 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement Inspired by a family attending an eventually toured England in 1868 in is playing with his red ball in the park. ANZAC dawn service, the book uses defiance of the authorities. From their When another dog takes his ball, simple phrases to parallel moments in the service to element in military life on sheep stations to crossing the Stanley is heart broken. Luckily the ball service and war. globe it's a wonderful story of natural is returned the next day and a sporting ability and determination. It's friendship blossoms between Gerald’s Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg’s simple interesting how sport can bring mum and the owner of the other dog. narrative is powerful and takes the different races and cultures together, reader on a journey through the That serendipitous meeting changes all given the prevalent prejudices at the various wars Australia has proudly their lives and soon they are not alone time. A great story, well told and served in. Robin Cowcher’s illustrations any more - Gerald has a new dad and a definitely recommended on so many accompany the narrative in a beautiful step sister, and Stanley a new levels. Boomerang & Bat is also a water colour aesthetic. She uses playmate, Lulu. Notable in the Eve Pownall Information symbolism to parallel moments in war Books award. An excellent picture book, both very with the dawn service: such as relatable and humourous. Sure to Recommended age: 7 to 12 years ceremonial cannon fire and searching become a firm favourite! for bombs in the harsh Afghanistan Recommended age: 3 to 7 years desert. This educational picture book is the perfect resource for teachers and parents alike, to teach their children of the ANZACS and the rest of Australia’s military service. Recommended age: 6 years +

Stanley Author: Colin Thompson Hattie Helps Out ISBN: 978-0733332852 Published: 1/3/16 Author: Jane Godwin & Davina Bell Publisher: ABC Books ISBN: 978-1743435434 Published: 24/2/16 » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Publisher: Allen & Unwin From the creator of Fearless comes a » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Boomerang & Bat new canine tale. It's a busy day at Hattie's house. Author: Mark Greenwood It was very quiet in Stanley's house. There's a lot to do before Dad's ISBN: 978-1743319246 There were no brothers or sisters, no birthday party. Hattie is being very Published: 1/5/16 dads or grannies, not even a cat, a helpful, until it's time for her afernoon Publisher: Allen & Unwin budgie or a goldfish. nap. Hattie's not even sleepy! But Stanley lives with his human, Gerald, Mama looks tired. Very tired. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION and Gerald's mum. Life is peaceful, but A delightfully funny story about a little sometimes Stanley feels quite lonely. In 1868 a determined team of girl with big ideas, from a winning But then one day another dog steals Aboriginal cricketers journey across the combination of creators. world to take on England's best. Led by his favourite red rubber ball at his park, star all-rounder Johnny Mullagh, and and sets in motion a chain of events » OUR REVIEW wearing caps embroidered with a that will change Stanley's life forever. A charming tale about a helpful young girl who shows initiative and boomerang and a bat, they delighted » OUR REVIEW crowds with their exceptional skill. From undertakes the final preparation for her Colin Thompson’s illustrations are the the creators of Jandamarra, this is the Dad's birthday party (while her worn standout, but the quirky story-line also remarkable story of the real first out Mother sleeps). Naturally, the captures the reader in this wonderfully eleven. results are a little diferent than endearing tale about love, family, expected! » OUR REVIEW friendship and life. Stanley dotes on his The fascinating true story of the shy, nerdy owner Gerald, escorting him This is a gentle, heartwarming story Aboriginal cricket team which to and from school. His favourite thing which is very relatable. Freya

bookcurator.com.au | 25 Blackwood's beautiful illustrations are, tragic death of the author/illustrator as always, sensitively matched to the due to mental illness. text, resulting in a lovely picture book. Recommended age: 10 to 18 years Recommended age: 3 to 6 years

Small Things Author: Mel Tregonning ISBN: 978-1742379791 Published: 1/9/16 Publisher: Allen & Unwin Cyclone Melbourne » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Word By Word Author: Jackie French The best art gives a voice to the ISBN: 978-1743623596 voiceless parts of our lives, and Small Author: Michael McMahon Published: 1/2/16 Things does so with heartfelt precision.' ISBN: 978-1760126674 Publisher: Scholastic Shaun Tan..An ordinary boy in an Published: 1/9/16 ordinary world...With no words, only Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION illustrations, Small Things tells the story Pile the presents by the tree, though of a boy who feels alone with his » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION clouds spiral out at sea. Wind snarls, worries, but who learns that help is Word by word, sound by sound, sight skies weep grey, but Santa’s sleigh is always close by. by familiar sight, this is a book that on its way! evokes the spirit of Melbourne. Take a A universal story, told simply and with meander through Melbourne’s iconic Christmas Eve, 1974 is marked indelibly breathtaking beauty, about dealing landmarks and hidden gems, and soak into the Australian psyche, as the night with sadness, anxiety, depression, up the distinct Melbourne atmosphere, tropical Cyclone Tracy devastated the heartache or loss, and finding your way page by page. city of Darwin. Now, over 40 years in the world. later, Jackie Frenchs lyrical rhyming text » OUR REVIEW » OUR REVIEW tells the story of a city’s indomitable There's a wonderful retro styled them There’s something magical about a spirit, and Bruce Whatley’s sumptuous to this rather unique picture book, wordless picture book done well. The illustrations bring to life the powerful which reminds one of posters from the calibre of the black and white drawings force of the storm to a whole new first half of the twentieth century. generation of readers. in this ofering is quite simply, phenomenal. There’s a touch of Manga There's no perspective, or shading, just » OUR REVIEW to them, and so much obvious emotion simple flat colour and evocative This outstanding book tells the story of that it would make a great study for art imagery. The one word 'title' of each Cyclone Tracy, which devastated students. page spawns a corresponding image of Darwin in 1974. It's also a testimony to something or somewhere unique to The story follows a Grade A student human resilience. Told from a young Melbourne. As a concept it's quite whose scores start to slip afer he’s boy's point of view, the rhyming text is powerful and would appeal to adults as ostracised at school. Because he’s lost powerful and hypnotic, adding weight much as children. some self belief, worry starts to creep to the darkly evocative pictures. It's in and begins eating away at him. In the classrooms it would be good for primarily illustrated in muted browns Finally he confides in his family, but word association and spawning a and greys. Only at the end does the sees it influencing his class mates so myriad of questions. Though tone lighten, as rebuilding begins and he decides to help them, as he himself Melbourne-centric, it's generic enough life starts to return to normality.' was helped. This is an outstanding for widespread appeal and usage. Beautifully conceived and executed by picture book created in graphic novel Recommended age: 5 years + an award winning duo. Highly style with a very important message recommended. about worry and its afect on our Recommended age: 5 years + wellbeing. Shaun Tan helped complete some of the images, following the

26 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION YOUNGER READERS Welcome to the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri People. We are part of this SHORT LIST land and the land is part of us. This is where we come from.

Wominjeka Wurundjeri balluk yearmenn koondee bik. Welcome to Country. » OUR REVIEW The Wurundjeri people's traditional lands include Melbourne and A Patch surrounds. This picture book relates From Scratch their Welcome to Country message and explains a little of their history and Author: Megan Forward beliefs. It ofers an opportunity to ISBN: 978-0670078295 understand this culturally important Dragonfly Song Published: 28/3/16 ceremony in a deeper way. Being told Publisher: Penguin in English, the reader can experience Author: Wendy Orr the meaning behind it and why being ISBN: 978-1760290023 » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION given permission to enter traditional Published: 1/7/16 Jesse and Lewis want to grow their lands was and is respectful. Publisher: Allen & Unwin own fruit and vegies, just like people do Recommended age: 5 to 7 years on a farm. They're going to dig and » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION build, plant and grow, and when they're There are two ways of looking at finished they're going to have a feast! Aissa's story. She's the miracle girl who escaped the raiders. Or she's the » OUR REVIEW CRICHTON AWARD cursed child who called the Bull King's There's an enthusiasm which exudes FOR ILLUSTRATORS ship to the island... from the knowledgeable writing in this SHORT LIST wonderful picture book, which is truly The firstborn daughter of a priestess is cast out as a baby, and afer raiders kill infectious. Detailing how one family The short list for the the started growing their own in a suburban her adopted family, she is abandoned Crichton Award for New backyard, it's a great introduction to at the gates of the Great Hall, Illustrators is: being more self sufcient. Told with a anonymous and mute. Called No- lot of detail and informative illustrations ✴ Van T Rudd for The Patchwork Name, the cursed child, she is raised a it's sure to whet the appetite of Bike (review page 14) slave, and not until she is twelve does aspiring green thumbs everywhere! she learn her name is Aissa: the ✴ Lance Balchin for Mechanica dragonfly... Recommended age: 5 to 8 years (review page 14) Now every year the Bull King takes a ✴ Megan Forward for A Patch tribute from the island: two 13-year-old from Scratch (review this page) children to brave the bloody bull dances in his royal court. None have ✴ Michael McMahon for ever returned - but for Aissa it is the Melbourne Word by Word (review only escape... page 26) Aissa is resilient, resourceful, and fast - ✴ Mel Tregonning for Small but to survive the bull ring, she will Things (review page 26) have to learn the mystery of her true ✴ Lisa Kennedy for Welcome to nature... Country (review this page). A riveting, mythic Bronze Age adventure from award-winning author Welcome To Country Wendy Orr. Author: Joy Murphy & Lisa Kennedy » OUR REVIEW ISBN: 978-1922244871 A great adventure, well-told, set in Published: 1/8/16 Bronze Age Crete and steeped in the Publisher: Walker Books culture of that time. The focus is on Aissa, the first-born daughter of the

bookcurator.com.au | 27 Lady, the priestess who calls up the mother finally recognises her and she A much more detailed follow on from sun and sings to snakes. However, comes into her rightful place as the the excellent Rivertime. Full of Aissa is rejected because she is born firstborn daughter and future Lady. indigenous references, heaps of with extra thumbs. Her father cuts Much of the story is told in blank verse camping, hiking know-how and a them of but he dies shortly aferwards. which gives it an ancient saga feel. plethora of information on Australian The wise-woman Kelya takes the child Major themes: adventure, survival, fauna and flora (so much so, it is almost to a farmer's wife whose baby died. animal-whispering, bull dancing, as if the book was written by a Four years later, raiders attack, burn ancient Crete, Bronze age religious committee, all wanting their favourite the farmhouse, kill the farmer and culture and worship subject matter included). kidnap his wife and children. Aissa was Rivertime ofered a simpler 'towny goes Please be aware: 1. As you would hidden and told to stay silent until her on outdoor adventures with his uncle for expect given the era and the setting, mama came for her. She then begins to the first time' experience. there are numerous references to the live her life as an abandoned child, an worship of gods and goddesses. The In contrast, Rockhopping ofers a outcast, a cursed child. She can't speak priestesses perform ceremonies and detailed account of hiking in the and becomes a slave serving the consult oracles. There are also shrines Grampian Mountains of Western servants, spat on and beaten and where oferings are placed. All of this Victoria along with it's history, culture, called No-Name. was part of the culture of that time and and fauna and flora. The ships of the Bull King visit the place. There isn’t any great detail to Recommended age: 6 to 12 years island demanding tribute. The island these references and no graphic must also supply a 12-year-old boy and scenes (eg. p123, 181, 182). 2. girl to become bull-dancers. This is References to Aissa having her first required each Spring. If the bull period (p316). dancers survive and return, they will free their island from paying tribute. Aissa is cast out of the servants' Recommended age: 9 to 12 years quarters to die but learns to survive on Suitable class novel: NO her wits living wild. She saves the life of Good read rating: %%%%% %%%%% Luki, the boy chosen to be a bull Literary value rating: dancer and is taken in by the wise- women as their servant. She felt she would be chosen as a bull dancer but another girl is. An earthquake strikes A Most Magical Girl the island on the day the tribute is due. Author: Karen Foxlee The other girl dies and Aissa and Luki ISBN: 978-1848125742 leave on the ship to join others taken Published: 28/9/16 from other islands to become the bull Publisher: Piccadilly Books dancers for that year. On arrival in Crete, they undergo training. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Aissa knows she can call insects and Magical machines, wizards, witches, animals with her mind and she mysterious underworlds, a race against inadvertently calls the priestess's cat. Rockhopping time - and two most magical girls. The priestess notices and Aissa Author: Trace Balla Annabel Grey has been brought up to be becomes a trainee priestess. However, ISBN: 978-1760112349 a very proper Victorian young lady. But later she calls a bull about to gore one Published: 1/4/16 being 'proper' isn't always easy - of the dancers and robs the gods of Publisher: Allen & Unwin especially when you can sometimes see blood so is sent back to bull dancing. marvellous (as well as terrifying) things Four of them survive including Luki. In » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION in puddles. But parlour tricks such as the celebrations, Aissa sees her Mama Join Clancy and Uncle Egg on a these are nothing compared to the now married to another farmer in Crete rambling, rockhopping adventure in world that Annabel is about to enter... and with a new family. She longs to live Gariwerd (the Grampians), to find the Afer the rather sudden departure of with her but this isn't possible. source of the Glenelg River. A story her mother, Annabel is sent to live with However, she does recover her ability about following your flow, and the her aunts. They claim to be Shoreditch to speak. Aissa returns to her island but unexpected places you may go... witches, and from a very old family line isn't recognised as the cursed No- » OUR REVIEW of them too. They're keen to introduce Name. She's greeted as a visiting Annabel to their world of foreign priestess. However her real

28 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement transformation, potions and flying she manages to grasp the Moreover » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION broomsticks (which seem to have wand. The ultimate showdown occurs Whatever is coming, we'll face it strong personalities of their own) but between Mr Angel and Annabel - together, as a family. As long as we're are horrified when Annabel announces where, of course, good wins out. Mr together, we'll be okay. For Miri and her not only does she not know any magic, Angel is eaten by the very machine he family, life in Warsaw is full of simple young ladies shouldn't believe in such planned to overrun the magical world joys. The smell of freshly baked challah, things. But before Annabel has time to with. the pink flowers that bloom in their decide whether she does or not, she is This is a simplistic Victorian fantasy that courtyard, the promise of summer swept into an urgent quest. has charm and the generic storyline of holidays, and Fridays when everyone The trees of Highgate have been 'special and pretty protagonist must comes together to celebrate Shabbat. whispering to Kitty - an extraordinary save the world from the evil adults'. But the Nazis have a hold on Europe, urchin of a girl, who Annabel's aunts While an enticing read, A Most Magical and have stepped up their seem very fond of - and so have the Girl does not deviate much from the discrimination and attacks on Jews. fairies. They talk of a terrible, dark cliche magical plot we've all become How can Miri's family stay together, magic that wants to devour all of familiar with. Nevertheless, it's a book when the invading Nazis come to London. And of a most magical girl who that you won't want to put down destroy them? Miri's world closes in on might be able to stop it .... This sparkling because of its humour, adventures and her, as she and her family are forced and enchanting story is sure to bewitch likeable characters. into the ghetto, where they must try to you, so curl up in front of the fire, and Major themes: friendship, magic, survive, against impossible odds. prepare to be swept away ... adventure, destiny, good versus evil » OUR REVIEW » OUR REVIEW Please be aware: 1. This book has Miri and her family have lived a simple Annabel is just as any proper young high levels of fantasy and magic. It is a and happy life in their home in Warsaw. lady should be. That is, until she is sent world of witches, wizards, human- But following the German invasion, away by her mother to live with her eating trolls, broomsticks, werewolves, they experience the progressive witch great-aunts. They introduce her to faeries, dragons, wands and dark destruction of Jewish culture and a world of broomsticks, potions and magic. 2. Mr Angel creates an army of lifestyle. From the freedom of normal spells. dark creatures known as Shadowlings life the bonds gradually tighten. (description p.74) from his dark-magic However, something evil is brewing in More ‘laws’ are added each day that extracting machine. He also carries a London. Mr Angel has created a dark- limit her parents ability to feed their very powerful wand that can vanquish magic extracting machine that feeds on family and earn their livelihood. others into dust. He is eaten by his own widows' handkerchiefs and dead Eventually they are moved into the machine (P.290). babies' socks. He plans to create an ghetto where walls are built around army of shadowlings with it to conquer them until they are closed of from the the magical world and take down the Recommended age: 9 to 12 years world. They had even take the dignity Great and Benevolent Magical Society. Suitable class novel: NO out of death. Having seen almost all %%%% The only person who can stop him: Good read rating: her family taken or killed, 10-year-old Literary value rating: %%%% Annabel, of course. Miri is eventually smuggled out of the Accompanied by a wild girl named ghetto and taken to a Polish couple Kitty, Annabel journeys under London who keep her hidden. When their to retrieve the Moreover Wand - the neighbour gets suspicious, her only only thing that can stop Mr Angel. chance of survival is to live in the cellar, However, a trialling adventure awaits hidden quietly in the darkness. As the the two girls as they must pass months pass she wonders if she will through a magical wall of faery bone, ever make it out of their alive ... navigate the maze of Trollingdom with There have been a lot of books written humanling -eating trolls, across the about the Holocaust. What makes Lake of tears and fool the great Wyrm Within These Walls diferent, is the way (the dragon) that guards the wand. the gradual tightening of restrictions Meanwhile, Mr Angel keeps growing and the shif over time from freedom stronger and his shadowling army Within These Walls to absolute destitution and destruction is depicted. You really get a sense of grows. They attack Annabel's great- Author: Robyn Bavati how the changes crept up on people, and aunts and the London society of ISBN: 978-1760152857 the seemingly mindless laws about wizards. Eventually, these shadowlings Published: 1/4/16 every single aspect of life that were find Annabel in the underground Publisher: Scholastic London rivers and kidnap her just when actually incredibly intentional and

bookcurator.com.au | 29 closed every conceivable loophole until world to ride it in. Before too long there was little chance of escape. For Marnie is gifted Mrs Margaret Maggie this reason it is an important addition Whitlam, a beautiful, big Clydesdale to Holocaust literature in school bold, fearless and able to jump libraries. anything. From the very first ride, Information in the back of the book Marnie and Maggie get more adventure refers to Courage to Care, a program than they bargained for. Soon Marnie is (available in Australia) inspired by those learning to negotiate newfound who helped the Jews despite the risks, friendships, pony club and how to challenges us to take action when we stand up for what she believes in. Will see injustice in society today, not just her friendship with George Costa, Captain Jimmy be bystanders. It addresses prejudice, another outsider, make being accepted racism and discrimination. More harder? Or will being true to yourself be Cook Discovers information can be found at the hardest decision Marnie makes? www.couragetocare.com.au regarding » OUR REVIEW Third Grade school programs. Young Aboriginal girl Marnie is gifed a Author: Kate Temple, Jai Temple Major themes: Warsaw, German magnificent horse by a grieving local ISBN: 978-1760291938 invasion, Holocaust, Jewish life and mother following the death of her Published: 1/5/16 customs, family, grief, loss, courage, daughter in a car crash. Marnie is Publisher: Allen & Unwin kindness, survival, hope ecstatic initially, but very mindful of the trauma the dead girl's family is going » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Please be aware: As you would through. She soon discovers that Jimmy Cook is finding History Week a expect given the topic, Miri, her family there's some resentment for her good bit boring until Ms Fennel starts and the Jewish people of Warsaw sufer fortune too, but some sage advice from banging on about Captain Cook. Then - terribly under the Nazi regime, however the knowledgable stable owner helps. bingo! Turns out he and Captain Cook this is appropriately handled for the have a lot in common. Here are three of target age group. On her first ride she and her horse, Mrs Whitlam, rescue a drowning toddler the big ones: they are both named and with the assistance of a popular James Cook; they are both great local boy, resuscitates him. This act explorers; and they both look great in a Recommended age: 10 to 14 years raises her profile and helps defuse the tricorn hat. Funny fiction for those who Suitable class novel: YES resentment. love Tom Gates and Timmy Failure. Good read rating: %%%% Literary value rating: %%%% A well written story, with a typical » OUR REVIEW Aussie feel, as is synonymous with this When Jimmy Cook discovers Captain author. The interactions between Marnie James Cook could have been his and her family are very humorous and ancestor he vows both to never take add some brevity to an otherwise quite of his own tricorn hat and to travel to intense read. Hawaii to appease the native tribes. That's all easily said, but not so easily Major themes: loss, good fortune, done when you're a third grader. family, advice, resentment, indigenous, However, a cereal company promotion rescue, acceptance, new friends, horses comes to the rescue with the prize of a Please be aware: There are no family trip to you know where - but concerns in this book how to win it?

Jimmy sets one scheme in motion, but Mrs Whitlam Recommended age: 9 to 12 years when it results in his classmates Suitable class novel: YES constipated the Headmaster bans it Good read rating: %%%% Author: Bruce Pascoe Literary value rating: %%%% and worst of all his nemesis Alice Toolie ISBN: 978-1925360240 wants the major prize too. Thankfully, Published: 1/6/16 an unlikely source comes to his aid and Publisher: New South Publishing he's able to travel to Hawaii, where things aren't quite what he expected. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION A fun and amusing read which will Marnie Clark of Curdie Vale can ride but appeal to this age group. The humour she doesn’t have a horse. She dreams is quite dry though so some may go of owning one and having the whole over their heads.

30 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement Major themes: school, project, These aren’t the only mysteries. There family, friends, competition, history, are rumours of monsters and whispers ancestors, righting wrongs. of ghosts. When Stella and her cousins Please be aware: No concerns. solve those mysteries, they will find more than they bargained for, including answers to questions Stella has had for Recommended age: 7 to 10 years a very long time … Another wonderful Suitable class novel: NO book in the Stella Montgomery Good read rating: %%%% Literary value rating: %%%% Intrigues, and the sequel to the multi- award-winning Withering-by-Sea. Wormwood Mire Major themes: Victorian gothic, YOUNGER READERS Author: Judith Rossell mystery, family secrets, botany, monsters, exotic creatures, invisibility, NOTABLES ISBN: 978-0733333019 Published: 1/11/16 twins, villains, travelling freak shows Publisher: Harper Collins Please be aware: 1. There are no actual ghosts. Stella has a twin sister. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION When one is visible, the other is invisible, The highly anticipated sequel to 2014's hence the rumours of ghosts. 2. A runaway bestseller Withering-By-Sea. monster bites Mr Flint and he turns into When Stella Montgomery returned to stone, falls and shatters on the rocks the Hotel Majestic cold and wet but below (p261). 3. Stella’s mother was exhilarated by adventure, the Aunts turned into stone by the same monster. were furious. Now they are sending Stella away to the old family home at Wormwood Mire, where she must live Recommended age: 10 years + with two strange cousins and their Suitable class novel: NO What's In a Name? governess. Good read rating: %%%% Literary value rating: %%%% Author: Myles Walsh But within the overgrown grounds of ISBN: 978-0992395018 the mouldering house, dark secrets Published: 1/10/16 slither and skulk, and soon Stella must Publisher: Boh Books be brave once more if she's to find out who - or what - she really is ... » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION » OUR REVIEW The story is about how the anglicised name of author came to his family. The When Stella is sent to join Cousin story is also about how the author's Frederick’s children, Strideforth and family history has many bits and pieces Hortense, at the family’s rambling that are not known to him or his other mansion, Wormwood Mire, she is family members. This is one attempt to horrified at the prospect. Her one find those missing pieces. glimmer of hope is that she might be able to find out more about an old The Lost Sapphire » OUR REVIEW photograph she found in Aunt Unable to track his family history, the Temperance’s album showing two Author: Belinda Murrell author has drawn on historical events to small babies. Could one of them ISBN: 978-1925324112 create one. Whether this happened to possibly be her? Published: 16/05/2016 his father or even grandfather is unknown, Publisher: Random House Despite her fears, the other children but Aboriginal people were given are very friendly, even if Hortense only anglicised names and separated from » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION communicates in animal noises. their country. It’s a credible tale and one Marli is staying with her dad in Wormwood Mire is a strange, dark the author will keep pursuing. It also Melbourne, and missing her friends. place and they find it hard to get makes for an enlightening read and is a Then she discovers a mystery – a servants. The previous owner, diferent take from the usual fare. This crumbling, abandoned mansion is to be Wilberforce Montgomery, kept a bizarre book emphasises the importance of returned to her family afer ninety collection of plants and animals, which identity, ancestry and belonging. years. Marli sneaks into the locked the children stumble upon. Recommended age: 6 yo 10 years garden to explore, and meets Luca, a boy who has his own connection to

bookcurator.com.au | 31 Riversleigh. A peacock hatbox, a box (particularly her Russian ancestry) and boy called Horrendo finally tip the camera and a key on a velvet ribbon the story of her family in the present balance? ... A high-seas pirate provide clues to what happened long day. In her determination to keep adventure about scoundrels and ago ... Riversleigh in the family, Luca and Marli blaggards, devilish treachery, and In 1922, Violet is fifeen. Her life is one concoct a plan. One that might just see finding the most precious treasure of of privilege, with boating parties, Marli and her mum in Melbourne for a all ... Anna Fienberg's fabulous new picnics and extravagant balls. An army very long time … high-seas pirate adventure, with of servants looks afer the family – A pleasant story of family history, grief, scoundrels and blaggards, devilish including new chaufeur Nikolai loss and reconciliation. treachery, and pirates who long for a Petrovich, a young Russian migrant.. bit of comfort - great reading from the Major themes: Melbourne, grief, loss, Over one summer, Violet must decide world of Horrendo's Curse. broken families, family history, Russian what is important to her. Who will her » OUR REVIEW émigrés, prejudice, restoration, hope sister choose to marry? What will Violet An interesting take on the pirate genre, learn about Melbourne’s slums as she Please be aware: No concerns. as this book foregoes the defies her fathers orders to help a swashbuckling norms, concentrating friend? And what breathtaking secret is Recommended age: 9 to 14 years instead on the relationships and the Nikolai hiding? Violet is determined to Suitable class novel: NO authoritarian rule of the captain. As all control her future. But what will be the Good read rating: ̣̣̣̣ Literary value rating: ̣̣̣̣ the crew started as kidnapped boys it's price of her rebellion? also a study on how characters develop and change according to » OUR REVIEW circumstances. Marli’s mother is an expert on historic Primarily this is the story of Will (aka Celtic culture. When she is ofered a Wicked), who's kidnapped shortly afer short term contract lecturing at his mother vanishes. At age 10 he's the Cambridge, Marli can’t believe she is look out, one of the most important being sent to her father in Melbourne and dangerous jobs on the ship. He's for the summer holidays. It’s been four also the captain's favourite. His abilities years since her parents separated. SO in the rigging, and his 'teacher's pet' Marli was 10-years-old when her father TITLE status make him unpopular with the lef afer being ofered a promotion in other crew members, so he leads a his home town of Melbourne. fairly isolated existence. When her dad takes her to see Didi (her Wicked's Way Over the year his heart hardens to the grandfather) he surprises them both point that he cares about no one. The with the news that he’s inherited a Author: Anna Fienberg arrival of a new batch of boys signals a rundown mansion called Riversleigh on ISBN: 978-1743319901 change. One of the new boys - the banks of the Yarra River. Published: 01/03/2016 Publisher: Allen & Unwin Horrendo - soon has the entire crew at Riversleigh was built by Marli’s great- his beck and call, save Wicked and the » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION great-great grandfather in the 1880s, Captain. A mutiny follows and the but it has been almost 90 years since Will could walk a tightrope and juggle captain is set adrif. Wicked joins them the Hamilton family lived there. Since bananas as he went. 'One day you'll be to Devil Island, the boy's home, but then it’s been a nursing home, a school the star of a circus,' his mother told leaves promptly. Rowing to a nearby and even a convalescent home for him. 'But until then, you must be a island, he's reunited with the Captain, soldiers during World War II. secret.' For each year pirates came to who has a favour to ask, but it's one Didi wants it torn down, while Marli’s the islands to steal young boys for which will finally awaken Will from his dad sees it as a development their crew. And if that happened to you, self imposed stupor and lead to a opportunity - one that will get him out well, you may as well kiss your life reunion he couldn't have predicted. goodbye. So what's a young lad to do of financial strife. But it captures Marli’s A wonderful and well constructed story when his mother disappears and attention, and with Luca Costa (great- which boys and girls will enjoy. The pirates arrive at his door? grandson of the old gardener), she crew are generally bufoons "Pirates of keeps going back. What happened to Will takes courage from a crazy truth- the Carribbean" style, while the Captain Violet, her great-grandmother, to make telling parrot, and his mother's advice: is an almost inhuman mythical figure. her leave Riversleigh forever? Marli is 'Keep putting one foot in front of the There's plenty of humour, plenty of determined to find the answers. other and your eyes on the prize.' But interesting characters and a storyline The story alternates between 1922 and will this be enough to survive the perils which will keep the reader engrossed. the unfolding of Marli’s family heritage at sea? And will that infuriatingly polite Definitely worthwhile.

32 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement Major themes: pirates, kidnapping, It’s the 1850s and news of the gold to life at sea, treasure hunt, family, be found in Australia has spread to relationships, friendship, trust, China. When his father determines they homesickness, mutiny, survival, will travel from Guangdong to the changing your ways, new life goldfields of Ballarat Yong has no Please be aware: There are no real choice but to go along with him, concerns. Wicked's abilities in the leaving his little brothers and sister, rigging are seen as magic - really he grandmother and best friend Chen has just inherited his father's head for behind. He carries his most precious heights (p57-64). The Captain is possession with him – the silk scarf referred to as a ghost due to his that belonged to his mother. The Secrets We Keep seemingly inhuman traits (p85). As Headman of the village, Yong’s Horrendo has been 'cursed' to be polite father is in charge not just of Yong but Author: Nova Weetman and never swear (p239). The Librarian of the villagers who go with them. It is ISBN: 978-0702254215 is telling a story that has a witch in it a wild ocean journey and their arrival is Published: 28/3/16 (p236-237). no better – instead of being delivered Publisher: UQP to their intended destination, they are dumped of the ship and must find » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION more money and assistance to make Clem Timmins has lost it all – her Recommended age: 8 to 12 years the long overland voyage to Ballarat. A Suitable class novel: YES house, possessions and clothes. Now Good read rating: ̣̣̣̣ guide is found, but he is a drunk and living in a tiny flat with her dad, she has Literary value rating: ̣̣̣̣ not to be trusted. to go to a new school far from what Everywhere they turn it seems people she knows. are plotting to steal from them, to trick On her first day, Clem meets Ellie. To fit them and take advantage of their lack in, Clem reveals a secret and of understanding. But Yong has a secret immediately regrets sharing too much – two actually. His father has been with her new friend. How can Clem face teaching him to speak English (a secret everything in her life when all she wants it must be if he is not to show up the to do is run away? other villagers), and his abiding anger » OUR REVIEW at his father for selling his mother’s scarf (although when his father falls ill, Clem Timmins is a small, 11-year-old girl he discovers that he didn’t sell the whose life is turned upside down when scarf at all – it is wrapped around his a fire destroys her house. Clem and her Yong: The Journey body). When his father dies it is only dad move into a small flat with virtually Yong’s skills with English that save them. nothing but the clothes on their back and a few giveaways. No phone, no of an Unworthy Son This is the story of a boy and his dad, jewelry, no toys and no mum. Author: Janeen Brian who doesn’t understand him (and vice ISBN: 978-1925126297 versa). A culture that expects him to be She goes to a new primary school, not Published: 01/08/2016 honourable and obedient in every way, really wanting to make friends, but Ellie Publisher: Walker Books and a journey across a harsh and latches onto her when Clem tells her unforgiving land far from home. that her mum has died in the house » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION fire. Ellie’s mum has cancer and is not Major themes: gold rush, Chinese doing well. Despite herself, Clem begins Yong doesn't want to leave Guangdong migrants, Chinese culture, honour, to like Ellie and they form a fast to travel to the goldfields of Ballarat. But father/son relationship, racism, friendship under very emotional as the firstborn son, he has no choice. cheating/trickery/thieving, wisdom circumstances. On the long and treacherous journey, Please be aware: bloody (p216), Yong strives to be an honourable son, Clem doesn’t totally open up to Ellie of fight (p231-3) while he and his father face many her emotions, particularly those around hardships and dangers. But in his heart her mother. Clem naturally has a he knows the shameful truth - that his division in her life, before and afer the honour is a lie. Can a journey change Recommended age: 9 to 12 years fire and suppresses much of her anger lives? Has Yong the courage to face Suitable class novel: YES and resentment. Good read rating: %%%% what lies ahead? Tam (Ellie’s best friend) gets jealous Literary value rating: %%%% easily and makes life difcult for Clem. » OUR REVIEW

bookcurator.com.au | 33 But Ellie and Clem have an All Ellyse wants to do is play sport. understanding of each other that Tam Cricket, soccer, touch footy, athletics - just doesn’t get. Of course, that’s until you name it! But now that she's in high Ellie comes over to Clem’s house to find school, playing sport and having fun Clem’s mother trying to talk to Clem! doesn't seem so simple. Then confusion and anger are rife. For starters, there's more homework, Clem had grown such anger towards her and a mix-up with her electives has her mother that she made up a story that stuck with debating! Ugh. Then her she was dead. Clem and Ellie go friends, Jazz and Charlie, don't invite her through a stage of avoiding each other when they go rollerskating. To top it of, but eventually are able to be more open mean Ms Parkes won't let her on the Ruby Red Shoes and develop a new friendship, one that school cricket team because she thinks even Tam might be able to share. Ellyse is too small. Could life be more Goes to London unfair? This is a sad, but very engaging story full Author: Kate Knapp of emotion. The characters have to Luckily, she still has club cricket. Her ISBN: 978-0732297626 overcome their negative attitudes team are a sure bet to make the grand Published: 7/11/16 towards each other and themselves. final, and Ellyse can't wait to get out Publisher: Harper Collins Eventually they grow together, with the onto the pitch with her mate Jamie. Will promise of healthy, loving relationships. Ellyse be able to handle the challenges » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION of high school and still find time for all Major themes: overcoming grief and Ruby and her grandmother love to her sports? loss, jealousy, forgiveness, family, travel and now they are in London, the relationships, anger, lying, truth » OUR REVIEW home of red buses, red phone boxes and red letter boxes. No wonder Ruby's Please be aware: There are no Though short for her age, her lack of red shoes feel especially at home in concerns with this book. stature did not stop Ellyse Perry from participating in the sports she loved. this wonderful city! However, when she moves from » OUR REVIEW Recommended age: 11 to 14 years Primary to High School she discovers Suitable class novel: YES Continuing this popular and award Good read rating: %%%% there's only one cricket team and all winning series, Ruby travels to London Literary value rating: %%%% the players are seniors. with her Babushka to visit family. She Even the coach has it in for her due to enjoys all the sights, experiencing all her size. Ellyse doesn't give up that that the British capital has to ofer, easily though, and whilst starring for including its wintery weather. The best her local league team, manages to experience though is spending time impress her school captain and with family and hearing old stories. teammates. When a new coach is An enjoyable story line, full of detail appointed she's a ‘shoe in’. with very descriptive illustrations and a An enjoyable read which is all about pleasing flow. natural ability plus being coachable. If Major themes: family, holiday, you can't listen to learned advise, then London, sightseeing, winter you won't get far. It's nice to read about girls playing diferent sports too Please be aware: No concerns. Ellyse Perry 1: instead of the expected ones. Well written, with a good pace and an Recommended age: 5 to 7 years Pocket Rocket engaging story. Suitable class novel: NO Good read rating: %%%% Author: Ellyse Perry; Sherryl Clark Major themes: cricket, school, ability, Literary value rating: %%%% ISBN: 978-0143781240 teamwork, friendship, supportive Published: 3/10/16 parents, prejudice, jumping to Publisher: Random House conclusions

Please be aware: No concerns. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Find out where it all began for Ellyse Perry, Australia's most prominent Recommended age: 6 to 10 years sportswoman! Suitable class novel: YES Good read rating: %%%% Literary value rating: %%%%

34 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement Edward is scared because it’s Theophilus Grey & dangerous, but goes after him because the king gives him an ultimatum, bring the Traitor's Mask Bart back or he will deem Edward’s little brother his heir. Author: Catherine Jinks ISBN: 978-1760113612 Along the way, Edward has to decide if Published: 23/3/16 he wants to continue to make Publisher: Allen and Unwin decisions that help him survive, or to do what he knows is right. Dani and » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Bart have to face that they are not You have too much honour for this actually brother and sister and learn to The Twins of trade, my dear. Abandon it now, while be friends, despite harboring secrets you still can. Tintarfell from each other. In eighteenth-century London, 12-year- This is a charming, enjoyable adventure Author: James O'Loghlin old linkboy Philo Grey has spent most that will help readers think about how ISBN: 978-1743548097 of his childhood out on the streets, their decisions afect their lives and the Published: 30/8/16 collecting information to sell. One of his lives of others. Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia best customers, Mr Bishop, pays him Major themes: adventure, orphans, good money for intelligence about the » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION love, sacrifice, fear, courage, sacrifice Jacobites, who are plotting to Orphaned twins Dani and Bart have overthrow King George. Please be aware: The villain, Randling lived and worked at Tintarfell Castle for drains others brains to gain power But spying on the Jacobites is a as long as they can remember. Nothing (p98, 286). Edward tricks Randling and dangerous business - especially when remarkable has ever happened to them helps Dani kill him by placing a knife Philo becomes the target of a rival - until the day Bart is kidnapped. As behind her back, out of everyone’s gang of linkboys. And then there's Dani and the devious Prince Edward try view. Dani stabs him and he dies Philo's old master, Garnet Hooke, who's to find him, strange becomes even (p307). 3. In order to save Bart, Dani never forgiven Philo for leaving him. stranger when they encounter a sacrificed most of her life—she will live Garnet feels so betrayed, he'll stop at sarcastic giant, a mysterious sorcerer, a just three years more. The only way nothing. retired witch and a warthog named that can be reversed is via another act Flango. Dani and Bart must decide how Luckily, Philo has friends as well as of self-sacrifice. Bart is determined to far they will go to save themselves, the enemies. He can trust his crew of restore her life and tries to throw kingdom, and each other. linkboys, his team of informants, and himself of the castle. However, Edward his staunch friend Nathaniel Paxton, a » OUR REVIEW manages to catch him and chooses to surgeon with a background in take his place. He doesn’t die, but Dani and Bart are orphans living at espionage. Tinterfall Castle. Orphans are effectively becomes paralysed in both legs and his Even his new friend, actress and slaves, they cannot leave the castle and right arm (p310-11). 4. Occasional non- master of disguise, Caroline Cowley, is must do whatever they are told. graphic violence. a valuable ally. But with his enemies Prince Edward sometimes plays with closing in, Philo has to ask himself: Dani and Bart because there aren’t Where should his loyalties really lie? many 14-year olds in the castle. Recommended age: 11 to 14 years And how far should they take him? Edward’s father is to watch his son ride Suitable class novel: YES %%%%% » OUR REVIEW a huge horse, but Edward is petrified. Good read rating: Literary value rating: %%%% He manipulates Bart into taking his As well as a ripping good yarn the place. However, on the ride, Bart is story, being set in 1750's London, is kidnapped. infused with a wonderful sense of those times. Dani escapes the castle to look for Bart and manages to track them using her There are lots of informed, historical keen intelligence, logic and some lucky anecdotes which lend authenticity and clues. Edward is forced to look for Bart atmosphere to a thoroughly enjoyable too, as the king becomes very tense tale, full of espionage, political when he finds out that Bart has been machinations, revolt and trust. taken. Dani doesn’t matter, but Bart is This sequel builds on the first book, as important. Philo is drawn ever deeper into the murky waters of political espionage.

bookcurator.com.au | 35 With the Jacobites intent on wanted. First, I blended in with things. Author: Jane Smith overthrowing King George, it's an But on the second day I changed. I ISBN: 978-1925275940 increasingly dangerous game. mean, really changed. Published: 5/7/16 When Philo is exhorted to learn the art The hilarious story of a boy with an Publisher: Big Sky Publishing of disguise, he builds a lasting bond unusual problem, from children's book » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION with his teacher, a successful actress. legend Paul Jennings. Includes fantastic It's this new friendship which sustains look-and-find colour illustrations. Tommy Bell, Bushranger Boy is a series him when he starts questioning the tasks featuring Tommy’s time travelling » OUR REVIEW he's asked to do. escapades that take him face-to-face Being shy, Jeremy tends to blend into with some of Australia’s most Philo's sense of duty to his friend, crew the background hoping not to be seen. notorious bushrangers. and informants is also fully tested, as He was already quite good at this The hero of the series, Tommy Bell, circumstances conspire against some. before discovering initially that he lives in regional NSW in contemporary Doing the right thing pays of in the could match his surroundings like a times but is able to travel back in time end and having friends in high places chameleon. helps too. A great read. to the gold rush days by wearing an old Eventually though he could literally bushranger’s hat that he discovered on Major themes: 1750s London, change into whatever he wants. These his grandfathers farm. friends, conspiracy, espionage, turf war, traits prove quite useful as he Each book brings Tommy and his disguise, trust, honour unfortunately upsets a bikie gang, friends up close and personal with one traumatises an obnoxious family friend Please be aware: ‘by God’ (p55, of Australia’s well known outlaws. With and unexpectedly reunites his runaway 162, 204) ‘for the love of each adventure there is plenty of danger father with his Mum. Christ’ (p67, 162, 204). and excitement: armed hold-ups, sieges, In between he helps a stray dog and frauds, shoot-outs, police chases, jail releases and then recaptures a mob of time and much more. monkeys from the local zoo. Recommended age: 10 to 14 years Each book cleverly incorporates a Suitable class novel: NO A good, fun read which totally engages parallel story from Tommy’s 21st %%%%% Good read rating: the reader. The illustrations definitely Literary value rating: %%%%% century life that tests his friendships add to the enjoyment of the novel and and develops his character. infuse humour. Tommy Bell has been sent to work on Major themes: family, shyness, his grandparents farm for the school loner, chameleon like abilities, stray holidays. He doesn’t want to go, but dogs, dogs, monkeys, family reunion when he discovers an old bushrangers Please be aware: No concerns. hat hidden in a cave, everything changes.

Suddenly he is sent back to the gold Recommended age: 6 to 9 years Suitable class novel: NO rush days and finds himself face-to- Good read rating: %%%% face with the bushranger Captain Literary value rating: %%%% Thunderbolt! At first, the life of a bushranger seems full of thrills and The Unforgettable adventure. But Tommy soon learns that it is full of danger as well What's His Name » OUR REVIEW Author: Paul Jennings Tommy Bell is just starting to show ISBN: 978-1760290856 signs of heading down the wrong path, Published: 26/10/16 having kicked a fellow student and Publisher: Allen and Unwin stealing his donut. As punishment he'll spend the holidays working at his » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION grand-parents farm near Uralla. Initially Even before all this happened I had Tommy is angry, but on arrival he never been like the other kids. I tried settles in and is overjoyed when told he not to be seen. If I climbed a tree or hid Shoot-out at the can ride one of their horses, Combo, among the bins, no one could find me. Rock: Tommy Bell anytime. 'Where's What's His Name?' they'd say. His favourite pastime is riding at the Then, one weekend, I got what I Bushranger Boy Pony Club, so this is awesome. The duo

36 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement set out to explore the farm with Combo Artie and Bumshoe’s attempt to solve things are sorted and the crooks are leading them to a secret cave. Here the mystery sparks a chaotic chain of behind bars. Tommy finds an old hat which, when he events that involves kidnapping, Major themes: bullying, friendship, puts it on, transports him back to the puppy-dog cutlets, modern art and grief, dysfunctional family, eccentricity, Colonial times. Soon he's having an pioneering the sport of the bungee- adventure, crime gang adventure with the renowned wedgie. Please be aware: The pet Bushranger Captain Thunderbolt. It’s a sticky situation and if Artie’s going consumption and attempts at Afer subsequent trips back in time, his to escape, he might need help from cannibalism are a bit on the dark side attitude starts to change and he's very family, friends, a little old lady, a small but otherwise this is a great tale of helpful around the farm. He's also very dog and the Fartex 120Y. adventure with some freaky characters keen on early Australian history! A riotously funny adventure from the and comic black and white illustrations. A great little adventure for young multi-talented Richard Roxburgh. readers. Tommy's very enthusiastic and » OUR REVIEW his experience of living history instills a This story by celebrity Richard desire to learn more, it also shapes his Recommended age: 8 to 12 years Roxburgh will particularly appeal to Suitable class novel: NO changing attitude. Good read rating: %%%% boys. It’s the tale of a young lad, his Literary value rating: %%%% Major themes: school, holidays, best mate and a cast of dastardly farm, attitude, bushrangers, Colonial characters up to no good who get their Australia, horse riding just deserts in the end. Please be aware: There are no There is a bit of help from family and concerns. neighbours. Artie and Bumshoe discover a cave of 'possibly-stolen- stuf'. Things and pets have gone Recommended age: 6 to 9 years Suitable class novel: MAYBE missing, including Gladys's tortoise Good read rating: %%%% Gareth. Literary value rating: %%%% Gladys lives next door to Artie, his grieving and depressed Mum and his angry, phone-obsessed sister, Lola. Things haven't been good at home Lizzie and since his Dad died but Gladys' family provide food and comfort. Margaret Rose Things go wrong when Artie and Author: Pamela Rushby Bumshoe stake out the cave. That's ISBN: 978-1742991528 when they meet Mary (so named Published: 1/10/16 because of a mis-spelling in his face Publisher: Omnibus tattoo), Funnel-web (who has filed teeth) and the boss McGrime, who is » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION also the mayor and the father of Nate, London, 1940. Bombs are falling and Artie and the Artie's nemesis. 10-year-old Margaret Rose survives a Grime Wave The boys have a couple of run-ins with deadly raid, but her family home is the gang, one of which ends in the destroyed. Author: Richard Roxburgh cellar of the Grimes' residence. That's ISBN: 978-1760292140 In faraway Townsville in Queensland, when they discover the Grimes' family Published: 1/10/16 her aunt is ready to take her in, eat the stolen pets and plan to eat Publisher: Allen & Unwin although her 11-year-old cousin Lizzie is them as well. not so sure. But first there is a long and » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Fortunately Aunty-boy, her dog dangerous voyage to a strange Artie and his best friend Bumshoe have Macaroni with her arsenal of inventions country, also at war. Margaret Rose stumbled upon a Cave-of- Possibly- come to the rescue. Artie goes back to knows it's not going to be easy, and Stolen-Stuf, and along with it a gang rescue Gareth but is recaptured and Lizzie is not about to make it any of shady characters, including scary used in a plot to capture Gladys. He easier. escapes and his mother wakes from Mary, fang-toothed Funnel-web and » OUR REVIEW her mental fog and attacks with a golf the devious Mayor Grime. It’s 1940 and 10-year-old Margaret club. It's only a matter of time before Rose is at her home in London. Her

bookcurator.com.au | 37 mum couldn’t bear for her to be Brief, non descriptive mention of Twelve-year-old Madeleine is staying at evacuated to the country. Her cousin the Parsees in India placing their Mum Crum’s (her grandmother’s) while Lizzie is at home in Townsville, dead in stone towers (p135-6). her parents are otherwise occupied. Australia, where the efects of the war Mum Crum is a colourful character, and have been minimal – but it won’t be a staunch feminist who sometimes that way for ever. wishes her granddaughter had a Recommended age: 8 to 12 years greater appreciation for the rights she When Margaret Rose’s parents are Suitable class novel: YES killed in a raid, she has no choice but to Good read rating: %%%% now enjoys and what it took previous %%%% go and live with her grandmother and Literary value rating: generations to fight for them. Aunty Rita. It’s a far from ideal When they find a beautiful pair of situation. Gran has dementia and Aunty vintage shoes, Madeleine volunteers to Rita works at a munitions factory. She take the to the local museum. This is far more concerned with her own leads to her slipping back in time to the wellbeing than with that of Margaret year 1900, just six months before Rose. Federation, straight into the home of a privileged, wealthy family called the When CORB become aware of her Williamsons. The diferences are stark. home situation, they contact her Australian family and arrange for One of the Williamson girls, Gert, Margaret Rose to take a ship to explains her presence by telling the Australia. The journey is a long one, family she is a school friend from New and going to live with family she has South Wales who has come to stay. never met before is hard, but her aunt When the Lyrebird She helps Madeleine navigate the (Lizzie’s mum) is so like her own Calls difculties of a diferent time. mother that she can’t bear to let her Mr Williamson is involved in politics and go. Author: Kim Kane is actively working towards the Adjusting to Australian life is a ISBN: 978-1741758528 establishment of the Commonwealth. His challenge, made more so by the Published: 1/11/16 sister, who lives with them, is a continual friction between her and Publisher: Allen & Unwin sufragette who lives in the house cousin Lizzie. Margaret Rose is waves banners on the steps of continually fearful that the Children’s » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION parliament. Despite what he thinks, Overseas Reception Board (CORB) who When Madeleine is shipped of to stay Aunt Hen isn’t trying to stop organized her move to Australia will with her eccentric grandmother for the Federation, just to make sure women send her away to someone else. It holidays, she expects the usual: politics, (and others) are included. happened to some of the children she early-morning yoga, extreme health When Aunt Hen takes Gert and met on the journey and she can’t bear food, and lots of hard work. Instead, Madeleine into town, they discover she the thought of having to go away. Madeleine tumbles back in time to is also the secret publisher of The Hens’ 1900, where the wealthy Williamson But when the war creeps closer and Convention, a sufragette news sheet. family takes her into their home, the threat of Japanese invasion When Madeleine eventually makes it Lyrebird Muse. becomes far more real, Margaret Rose home, she discovers that Gert and Aunt discovers that family really is for life. At a time when young girls have no Hen are more closely connected to An enjoyable story told in alternating power and no voice, set against a each other—and to Madeleine—than she chapters that switch between Margaret backdrop of the struggles for ever imagined. Inspired by Aunt Hen’s Rose and Lizzie’s point of view. A great emancipation, federation and Aboriginal example, Madeleine realises she can book for helping children understand rights, Madeleine must find a way to fit make a diference, right where she is. some of the pressures faced by in with the Williamson family's four Major themes: Australian history, children their own age during the sisters - beautiful, cold Bea; clever, time slip story, sufragettes, family second world war. awkward Gert; adventurous, rebellious secrets, feminism, politics, indigenous Charlie; and darling baby Imo - as she Aboriginal rights, federation, class Major themes: World War II, searches desperately for a way home. distinctions, illegitimate children, gender bombing raids, grief, loss, fear, danger, Meanwhile, the Williamson girls' roles, activism, making a diference journey, orphans, dementia, child enchanting German cousin, Elfriede, emigration, Townsville, family, bombing Please be aware: 1. Language: ‘holy arrives on the scene on a heavenly of Darwin, adoption frigging moly’ x 1 (p148), bugger (p206), wave of smoke and cinnamon, and ohmigod x 1 (p290). 2. Mrs Williamson Please be aware: 1. Language: ‘oh threatens to shatter everything. my god’ (p17), ‘bloody kids’ (p191). 2. hosts a Friends of the Spirit World » OUR REVIEW meeting where ‘a medium comes to

38 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement the house and tries to contact people from Besmar, or an innocent teen who have passed to the other recruit from Kamau?He's running out of side’ (p215-6, 223-225). Alfred Deakin time to decide. If he doesn't help a was also an active spiritualist. It was a renegade spy steal a politician's subject of considerable interest during briefcase, his two countries could end the Victorian era. The girls sneak into up in a full blown nuclear war - the kind the meeting and the medium’s eforts that no one wins. are described in some detail » OUR REVIEW (p236-249). Mrs Williamson had three An enjoyable fast paced read from an baby boys who died, and this is what increasingly popular novelist. makes her susceptible to the medium’s promises—her desire to speak to her The story takes place over about three Toad Delight little boys. 3. Madeleine notices days, so is chock full of non stop Author: Morris Gleitzman something is going on between Mr action. ISBN: 978-0143309239 Williamson and Elfriede (p218) and she Relations between the bordering Published: 8/1/16 and Gert later witness them kissing countries of Besmar and Kamau are Publisher: Penguin (p233-4). During the Spirit World hostile to say the least. Both have meeting, the medium speaks in armies of spies in each other's territory » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION German and basically outs Elfriede and and the prospect of an all out nuclear Even more desperate to save his family Mr Williamson. Later, afer their war is an imminent one. from ending up on his stack of inattention almost causes little Imo to squashed relatives, Limpy takes his drown, Mrs Williamson takes charge Enter Fero, an 11 year old Besmari super quest to the airwaves. and Elfriede is sent away. spy. Unfortunately for him he's been caught and put through a Kamauan When a TV cooking show kidnaps brainwashing programme. However, it Goliath to be their main ingredient, hasn't fully worked and he's starting to Limpy sets out to rescue him and ends Recommended age: 10 to 13 year get glimpses of who he really is. up on camera himself. Can Limpy use Suitable class novel: YES his 15 minutes of fame to get humans Good read rating: %%%%% Realising his handlers suspect this, he Literary value rating: %%%% escapes and tries to return to Besmar. to lay of the cane-toad squashing? Or Meeting up with some fellow agents, will that be a recipe for disaster? his priorities change and he's soon in a A stirring saga of bravery, sacrifice and race against time to prevent a nuclear prime-time warts-and-all adventure. holocaust. Tasty. A good, tense, but fun read which will » OUR REVIEW keep the reader hooked. There's plenty It's not easy being sympathetic of clever spy stuff, weaponry, tech and towards cane toads, but this wonderful too much action to keep track of. Being ofering imbues them with such catapulted over the border, had to be a character that one can't help but feel highlight though! empathy towards them. The characters are strong, believable, Following the exploits of family with the story a good reminder of the oriented and socially responsible Limpy dangers of nuclear weapons, especially The Fail Safe and his huge and not very smart cousin in the hands of paranoid people. Author: Jack Heath Goliath, it's your typically bizarre and ISBN: 978-1925266078 Major themes: countries at war, funny Gleitzman ofering. spying/spies, brain washing, action, Published: 1/9/16 The story principally revolves around escape, mission, preventing nuclear Publisher: Allen & Unwin Goliath being chosen for a cooking attack, paranoia, mistrust show, unfortunately he's not a guest - » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Please be aware: There are no real he's the main ingredient!! Limpy sets Fero knelt down. As he put his hands concerns with this book. out to rescue him amid lots of up he turned his head to look at the revulsion, distrust and plain man pointing the gun. It was Wilt. Fero awkwardness. tried to look shocked. Dad? What are As a side story Limpy is also trying to you doing here?' Recommended age: 10 to 14 years Suitable class novel: NO change people's perceptions of cane %%%% Everyone seems to know who Fero is - Good read rating: toads, but with his fellow toads focused Literary value rating: %%%% except Fero. Is he a ruthless boy soldier

bookcurator.com.au | 39 on eating everything in sight it's an secrets will the ocean reveal if she uphill battle. does? A great read with some valid points » OUR REVIEW raised about introduced species, bio Afer the death of her twin brother Ray, control, perceptions and ignorance. Izzy and her mother return to their Major themes: cane toads, gluttony, family island in Papua New Guinea for cooking show, perceptions, family, love, the first time in three years, taking his friendship, rescue mission ashes with them. Please be aware: No concerns. Ray’s physical absence is an abyss of grief, yet Izzy still senses his presence. Much has changed on the island since Freedom Swimmer their last visit. The islanders are torn Author: Wai Chim Recommended age: 9 to 12 years between the pressure to modernise in ISBN: 978-1760113414 Suitable class novel: NO order to survive and the efect of Good read rating: %%%% Published: 1/9/16 %%%% modernisation on their traditional way Literary value rating: Publisher: Allen & Unwin of life and beliefs.

Only a shark caller can put things right, » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION but with Ray gone, there is no-one lef This incredible tale about two boys' to restore harmony between their clan swim from mainland China to Hong and the ocean – except for Izzy. Kong in search of freedom from Having grown up in Australia, Izzy isn’t poverty and oppression is inspired by a sure she believes in the old ways true story. anymore, but she does want to help » OUR REVIEW her brother to find peace and their clan A fascinating story set in China during to survive. To dive into the deep takes the 1960s/70s telling of the fanaticisms courage, but so does letting go. of the Red guard and the plight of the An intriguing anthropomorphic fantasy country's peasants under Chairman The Shark Caller steeped in cultural beliefs and the Mao. mystique of the sea. Author: Dianne Wolfer It follows Ming and his burgeoning ISBN: 978-0143780557 Major themes: grief, loss, tragedy, friendship with a Red Guard member, Li, Published: 1/8/16 family, twins, islander culture, traditional who is sent to his village to learn about Publisher: Random House lifestyle, impact of modernisation, real socialism. Village life is tough and shark calling, restoring the balance very diferent for the city born Red » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Please be aware: 1. Izzy’s mum has Guard. Li soon starts to see how the Isabel is on a plane heading back to her both Christian and clan belief s (p18). system is corrupt and when his father island birthplace in Papua New Guinea. “Sorcery is a big thing in PNG. Like is arrested for counter revolutionary Izzy is looking forward to seeing her Mum, villagers can be devout Christians ideas, his status immediately changes. family again, but there's another tragic and still believe in evil masalai and Ming meanwhile has secretly been reason for the trip. Izzy's twin brother, poisen men. Dad said puripuri was just planning to swim across the bay to Ray, died in a freak diving accident, and superstition, but for Mum puripuri is Hong Kong and freedom. His father Izzy and her mum are taking his ashes everywhere.” (p73). 2. Pyrena, an attempted the swim, but didn’t make it, home for traditional death ceremonies. ancestor, is ‘stuck’ in the darkness and bringing eternal shame on the family. wants revenge. She waits for someone Afer they arrive, Izzy realises things When Li declares that he’ll join Ming, who she can trade places with so she have changed since their last visit. the two plan their escape. However Logging threatens the community's can be free (p189). 3. There are strong only Ming succeeds, and he thinks Li way of life and sharks no longer themes of ancient magic and ancestral must have drowned. A few years later answer the song of the shark callers. beliefs. he discovers that Li was attacked by a Izzy's cousin Noah explains that the shark but rescued and imprisoned. clan needs someone to undertake a A wonderful account of a little known traditional diving ritual. The person must Recommended age: 10 to 14 years refugee route and an insightful look at be a twin from the shark calling lineage. Suitable class novel: YES China during this turbulent time. The dive will be perilous. And Izzy is the Good read rating: %%%% last twin. Will she have the courage to Literary value rating: %%%% Major themes: Chinese cultural attempt the dive? And what deep, dark revolution, peasant life, Red Guard,

40 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement friendship, rural traditions, escape, life relieved when her eforts seem to in Hong Kong, refugee come to nothing. Please be aware: 1. Language: But strange things begin to happen at whore (p13). 2. As you would expect Witheringe House, especially in the from a a book set in China, there are East Wing, where Elizabeth and references to their beliefs. These Zenobia have been forbidden to include: a joke about ‘sexy fox explore. Why do the flowers and vines spirits’ (p83), village superstitions on the wallpaper in the nursery seem (p87-88), Feng recites the words of to be alive? Could it have something to Mao to the boys in the village, including do with the strange book that tells a a story of a Foolish Old Man and his diferent story afer midnight? And Daughter of sons, in which Buddha sends an angel what really happened to Tourmaline all (p132-3), mention of shrines and old those years ago? Nomads: The Tales deities that they are not supposed to Elizabeth and Zenobia is a wonderfully worship anymore as communism is of Jahani # 1 mysterious middle-grade adventure determined to strip them of their story about friendship and courage and Author: Rosanne Hawke religious beliefs (p156), When Li’s father the power of imagination. ISBN: 978-0702253935 (a fugitive) returns, Li initially thinks he Published: 27/6/16 » OUR REVIEW is a ghost (p188-189). Publisher: UQP Elizabeth and her imaginary friend Zenobia travel with her father to his » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION childhood home, Witheringe House. First Moon of Summer, 1662: Fourteen- Recommended age: 12 to 15 years Suitable class novel: YES Zenobia’s latest obsession is year-old Jahani lives peacefully in the Good read rating: %%%% clairvoyance. Before that it was village of Sherwan. But havoc is %%%% Literary value rating: anatomy, and then fortune telling, but brewing in the Mughal Empire with nothing fascinates her more than tyrants and war lords burning villages ghosts. She is currently reading The in their quest to rule the northern World Beyond: A Clairvoyant’s Guide to kingdoms. the World of Spirits. After an assassin strikes in a bazaar, When Elizabeth finds a book dedicated Jahani discovers her life is not as it to ‘dearest Tourmaline’, she discovers seems. Before long, she is fleeing with that her father had a sister who her mysterious protector Azhar. Will their disappeared as a child. During a journey to the Qurraqoram Mountains séance, she seems the figure of a girl lead Jahani to danger or to her destiny? moving in the wallpaper. It is » OUR REVIEW Tourmaline, who has been trapped We join with fourteen year old red- there since she was a child. If Elizabeth haired Jahani on her epic journey of and Zenobia don’t get her out soon, Elizabeth and self- discovery as she gradually she will be stuck there forever … Zenobia uncovers some long-held secrets to Major themes: ghosts, clairvoyance, her familial heritage and identity. Author: Jessica Miller invisible friends, toxicology, plant Set against the historical background ISBN: 978-1925355031 grafing, broken families, restoration of the 1660’s Mughal Empire, this novel, Published: 29/8/16 Please be aware: 1. Strong contains a fantastical turn with carpet Publisher: Text Publishing supernatural themes. 2. Elizabeth’s flying modes of transport and Jahani’s mother ran away with an opera singer. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION unique gif for being intuitively attuned 3. Some violence. to the cautionary “voices” of her Timid Elizabeth and her unusual and personal horse and snow leopard. fearless friend Zenobia arrive at Witheringe House, the old manor The novel’s sense of adventure comes where Elizabeth's father and his Recommended age: 10 years + from the points of tension that are beloved sister Tourmaline lived as Suitable class novel: NO created when Jahani’s life suddenly Good read rating: 3.5 children. becomes a quest for survival as she Literary value rating: 4 finds herself fleeing from the constant Zenobia loves it: she's convinced it's danger that surrounds her. haunted and is eager to make contact with a spirit presence. Elizabeth is

bookcurator.com.au | 41 Her protector, and the hero of the story, Winter has fallen in the world of story, This engaging read will certainly is Akhar who makes it his mission to and at Brown Street, Tuesday's maintain the appeal of the Tuesday ward of any fear or attack made upon typewriter lies silent. McGillycuddy Adventures series. Jahani. There’s potential love interest Far away in the Peppermint Forest, Major themes: death, grief, stirring between the two protagonists Vivienne Small fears that she will never friendship, authors, imagination, which is expected to eventuate in again feel the touch of the sun. But creativity, literary characters, story subsequent novels in this series. when the mysterious Loddon appears within a story, moving on, resilience, Jahani’s desire to belong with “her in Vivienne's treehouse, he brings with adventures people” is strong as she strives to him terrible danger. Without warning, Please be aware: Brief passing progress towards the destiny which Tuesday is swept up into the world of mention of fairies (p34, 202) and awaits her. story as she has never seen it before. witches (p231). The story leaves readers longing for In this forbidding and unfamiliar place - more of Jahani’s exciting adventures and and without her beloved dog Baxterr at looking forward to the unraveling of her side - Tuesday becomes Loddon's her secrets. They will eagerly await captive. But who exactly is this strange Recommended age: 8 to 12 years book 2: The Leopard Princess. Suitable class novel: YES boy? And will she find a way to defeat Good read rating: %%%% Major themes: identity, belonging, him? Literary value rating: %%%% trust, purpose and destiny, good vs evil Blueberry Pancakes Forever will capture Please be aware: Religious the hearts of everyone who is superstitions (Jahani wears a silver entranced by the power of story. taveez necklace to ward of evil spirits) » OUR REVIEW p.4, recognition of spiritual blessings (a The McGillycuddy household has custom of burning rue to inhale become a place of deep sorrow vapors) p.45, Jahani praying to Qhuda following the passing of Tuesday’s (God) p. 35 36 and other references beloved father. Sarah (her mother and made to Qhuda throughout, reference a world famous author) is naturally to the Demon King’s pir (foreteller) p87-9 grief stricken and is barely functioning.

Into this sadness comes an old family friend, Collette, who sweeps the Lily in the Mirror Recommended age: 13 to 15 years melancholy away and encourages the Suitable class novel: YES girls to once again put pen to paper. Good read rating: %%%%% Author: Paula Hayes Literary value rating: %%%%% But first Sarah must visit the mystical ISBN: 978-1925163872 World of Story, a secret world known Published: 1/8/16 only to writers, for a spot of R and R. Publisher: Fremantle Press It isn’t long before Tuesday is also summoned there, but it is by nefarious » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION means, and she finds herself being held With a new friend who needs her help, captive by an insane creation from her and an older brother who needs to get mother’s childhood. Her only hope lies a life, Lily will require all eleven fingers with her mother’s renowned literary at her disposal, plus a hefy slice of character, Vivienne Small, and her Grandad's chocolate ganache cake, to faithful winged dog Baxterr, who has fix a long-forgotten mystery that's very sensed trouble and coerced Collette close to home. into joining him on a rescue mission. » OUR REVIEW Blueberry An interesting story within a story, with Lily has always wanted something the real people caught up in their interesting and ‘supernatural’ to Pancakes Forever fictional world facing a monster of their happen, and when she goes to stay Author: Angelica Banks own creating. Things initially seem with her beloved grandfather for two ISBN: 978-1760110451 pretty dire, but there is one thing weeks, her wish certainly comes true. authors have in spades - imagination - Published: 1/6/16 Her grandmother Lucy is in a nursing and if ever a particularly sticky Publisher: Allen & Unwin home nearby, and when Lily starts situation called for blueberry pancakes exploring her mysterious room, she then this is it! » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION finds a finger inside an old tin. Then she hears a voice—it’s coming from a girl

42 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement trapped in the mirror, and her name is Christy's one solace is baking with her Major themes: culture clash, also Lily … Auntie who suggests they bake a cake assimilation, school, friendship, Lily in the mirror (Lily 2) is Lucy’s twin for Christy to share with her class on kindness, meanness, family, baking, sister. When they were girls they her birthday. Maybe a sweet treat can family history befriended a ghost called Edgar. Then win them over and Christy might find a Please be aware: There are no Lily and Edgar had an argument and he friend. She just didn't expect it to be concerns with this book. pushed her into the mirror by accident. Christie. They couldn’t get her out and she has When Christie is ditched by her besties, been stuck there ever since. Lucy kept the two girls who share a name strike her company, but now Lucy is in a an unlikely friendship. Christy lets down Recommended age: 10 to 13 years Suitable class novel: YES nursing home with dementia, and Lily her guard, revealing secrets about her Good read rating: %%%% has been alone. When Lucy takes a weird upbringing with her clean- Literary value rating: %%%% turn for the worse, it is up to young Lily obsessed Grandpa. But Christy soon to make sure the sisters can be realises that she and her new friend together once again … are worlds apart.

Major themes: family, ghosts, Can she ever shake of her Grandpa's sisters, sibling relationships, bullying, strange habits? And will the two girls separation, reunion ever have more in common than just Please be aware: Strong their name? supernatural themes. » OUR REVIEW Christy and her Grandpa have only lived in Australia for a few years. Originally from Cambodia, they live Recommended age: 10 to 13 years near his daughter, her Aunt. Her Suitable class novel: NO Good read rating: %%%% mother having died before they Fizz and the Police Literary value rating: %%%% emigrated. Though thankful for the life Dog Tryouts: Fizz 1 they now lead in a safe and prosperous country, old habits die hard. Author: Lesley Gibbes Her Grandpa is a total clean freak, due ISBN: 978-1760112851 to trauma he sufered during the Published: 1/6/16 Khmer Rouge period. Though Christy Publisher: Allen & Unwin speaks english well she finds it difcult to make friends at school with nearly » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION everyone ignoring her. Meet Fizz - the daring dog detective! Fizz wants to be a police dog. He's However things change when she brave, clever and super-fast, but Fizz bakes a cake, with her Aunt's help, and doesn't look like a police dog. His family takes it to school for her class mates. are show dogs and companion dogs, It's so good that everyone suddenly not working dogs. The Other Christy notices her, even the 'it' girl Christie. Fizz longs for adventure, and he's When Christie has a falling out with her Author: Oliver Phommavanh determined to try out at the Sunnyvale friends it's Christy she tentatively asks ISBN: 978-0143505723 City Police Station. There, he is the if she's okay and over the period of a Published: 13/6/16 smallest, flufest dog in the line-up, few weeks a friendship is born. Publisher: Penguin and he meets fierce Amadeus, who There are a lot of positives to be taken definitely wants to be top dog. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION from this excellent book. It deals with » OUR REVIEW For the last two years, Christy Ung has assimilation, culture clashes, cliches, been in the same class as the loud- making friends, kindness and shows Fizz is small, white and flufy and mouthed Christie Owens -and now it's how children can be so mean to other doesn’t want to follow in the family 3rd time unlucky in 6C. kids without any real reason. tradition of being a show dog. He wants to be a police dog. Christie Owens is the popular one so This last point in particular would make everybody calls Christy Ung, the Other it a good class novel, but all the rest Consequently, against some opposition Christy. She moved from Cambodia in makes it a definite. A great read from and with a little trepidation, he attends Year 4 and is still a loner at school. an insightful writer on a topic I'm sure the tryouts for the Police Dog he's very familiar with. Academy. Not fitting the usual mould,

bookcurator.com.au | 43 he’s looked down on by the other, idea of walking on the sea floor, but the bigger dogs, but playing to his competition is fierce, and the only strengths he’s able to outwit them, captain who will take him on runs the pass all the tests and even be selected worst outfit in the fleet. for special training. With the constant danger of shark An enjoyable early reader about attack and the storm of the century strengths, boundaries, overcoming approaching, can Sario provide for his adversity and perceptions and family and realise his dream? following your dreams. It ofers an » OUR REVIEW endearing premise, a lovable central A fascinating fictional account of what character and an entertaining storyline. life was like for Torres Strait Islanders, Major themes: dogs, friendship, and young pearl divers in particular, Iris and the Tiger police training, bullying, following your during the pearling boom at the end of dreams, succeeding the 19th century. Author: Leanne Hall Please be aware: There are no It ofers great insight into a little ISBN: 978-1925240795 concerns with this book. understood period of Australia's Published: 27/1/16 colonial history, one which was violent, Publisher: Text lawless, deadly and awash with slavery. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Though this story is fictional, the Recommended age: 6 to 9 years impact that the pearling industry and Twelve-year-old Iris has been sent to Suitable class novel: YES Spain on a mission: to make sure her Good read rating: %%%% colonialism had on the local Pacific Literary value rating: %%%% Islanders was profound. elderly and unusual aunt, Ursula, leaves her fortune - and her sprawling Christianity was introduced and estate - to Iris's scheming parents. But flourished, but their traditional way of from the moment Iris arrives at Bosque life went through great upheaval as the de Nubes, she realises something isn't modern world encroached. quite right. There is an odd feeling The story follows a teenage boy, Sario around the house, where time moves who joins a pearling boat in order to slowly and Iris's eyes play tricks on her. earn money to treat his sick mother. It's While outside, in the wild and untamed well told, doesn't hold back on the forest, a mysterious animal moves treatment he endured as a black through the shadows. Just what is Aunt islander (although told appropriately Ursula hiding? for the age group) and is a valuable reminder of the prevailing attitudes of But when Iris discovers a painting The Pearl-shell the time. named Iris and the Tiger, she sets out to uncover the animal's real identity - Valuable for its detail on the Australian Diver putting her life in terrible danger. pearling industry, traditional life, Author: Kay Crabbe colonial rule and the impact of new ‘A surrealist mystery (what could be ISBN: 978-1760290474 cultures on older ones. This title is more intriguing than that?) and a Published: 1/4/16 definitely recommended, includes fantastic journey through life, art and Publisher: Allen & Unwin detailed and informative footnotes. families. Wise, whimsical, delightfully original and altogether charming.’ Major themes: Australian history, » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Cassandra Golds pearling industry, late 1800s, Torres Sario lives with his family on a remote Strait Islander culture, colonial rule, 'Reminiscent of Elizabeth Goudge's Torres Strait island, which he never cultural change, bullying classic The Little White Horse, full of wants to leave - but the winds of mystery and an enchanting sense of Please be aware: There are no change are stirring. elsewhere.' Martine Murray concerns with this book. The year is 1898 and the pearl-shell » OUR REVIEW trade is at its height. When his father is At her parent's behest, twelve-year-old coerced to join a white trader on his Iris travels to Spain to visit her eccentric pearling lugger, 13 year old Sario must Recommended age: 9 to 13 years aunt at her fabulous home, Bosque de go to work as a swimming diver to Suitable class novel: YES Nubes (the Cloud Forest). She has been support the family. He can earn more Good read rating: %%%% Literary value rating: %%%% told to ingratiate herself so Aunt Ursula as a pump diver, and is excited by the will leave her the property when she

44 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement dies - with her parents as guardians of killed in a car accident. The car she died forgotten as the tiny graveyard world course! in is on the estate and has a life of its that surrounds her. Ursula's brother James Freer was a very own (like a wild animal) because it was One night as Magrit and Master Puppet famous surrealist painter, and his painted with teeth and claws. 4. At sit atop of their crumbling chapel, a works command huge sums of money. Ursula’s bequest, Iris and Jordi play a passing stork drops a baby into the Very few are in private hands. James game called Exquisite Corpse (or graveyard. Defying Master Puppet's and Ursula shared the home afer the automatic drawing ). This is a drawing demands that the baby be disposed of, death of James' wife, Iris. But this is no game, where you fold a piece of paper and taking no heed of his dire ordinary home. and each person draws one section, warnings, Magrit decides to raise the without knowing what the other baby herself. Not long after Iris' arrival she discovers sections are. It was a favourite with there is more to the famous paintings surrealist artists and is also used as a She gives him a name: Bugrat. Magrit that fill the house - and to the word game for writing stories. Their loves Bugrat like a brother, friend and inhabitants of Bosque de Nubes - than creation is a bear’s head on the body of son all rolled into one. But Master she had been led to believe. a spider with scaly legs wearing Puppet and the newly discovered It's a place of wonder and magic, and sneakers (picture p69). They later find it skeleton girl know all too well what will with her new friend Jordi Iris is running around the gardens (p69-73, happen when Bugrat grows up - that increasingly determined to help keep p146-7). 5. On the Day of the Dead, the truth about them all will be the developers away. Ursula, Iris and their friends picnic at the revealed. Something Magrit refuses to graves of James and Iris, to remember face. When she discovers her parents are them (p223-4). » OUR REVIEW intrinsically involved in the plan to turn the fabulous property into an This strange, atmospheric tale is set in amusement park, Iris is faced with a a forgotten graveyard surrounded by apartments. Ten-year-old Magrit’s only difcult decision: Comply with her Recommended age: 10 to 13 years parents' plan or help protect the magic Suitable class novel: YES friend is Master Puppet, a skeleton she %%%% forever. Good read rating: built from bones and other bits and %%%%% Literary value rating: pieces she found in the graveyard. A wonderfully creative, intriguing and When a stork drops a baby into the engaging fantasy tale of surrealism cemetery yard, Master Puppet tells her come to life in a place where to kill it. everything is diferent than it seems, Alice in Wonderland style. There's also Having lived in and around the dead all a valuable underlying theme of right her life, Magrit sees nothing wrong with and wrong ('things don't have to be a death—it’s just normal. Life is far more crime for them to be wrong' - p190) and confusing, but she knew enough to of standing up for your principles. realise that killing the baby would be Highly recommended. wrong.

Favourite quote: Who knew that Instead she raises him on squished history could feel so heavy. (p97). worms, and names him Bugrat. Those first few years of his life are her Major themes: surrealism, art, Magrit happiest ever. Until one day he goes in painting, families, greed, magic, right the corner of the graveyard she has versus wrong, principles, choices, Author: Lee Battersby forbidden him to go, and she must face forgery, friendship, adventure, gender ISBN: 978-1925081343 her deepest, darkest fear … stereotypes, inheritance, Published: 1/3/16 intergenerational relationships Publisher: Walker Books Major themes: death, graveyards, fear, ghosts, life, love Please be aware: 1. There are » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION rumours Aunt Ursula is a witch but it Please be aware: Magrit lived in one For fans of Neil Gaiman's Coraline, isn’t true. For example, Iris discovers of the apartments, but as a small child Tinder and David Almond; a haunting the maid, Elna, drinks with friends afer she fell out of the window into the tale about accepting the truth about a night out and Elna raves about Ursula graveyard and nobody found her. She yourself, presented in a gothic gif being a witch and taking life from the survived there for a few years until package. young - it is not true at all (p127-8, 148). dying of tetanus at the age of ten. The The magic is in the paintings. 2. The Magrit lives in an abandoned cemetery corner of the graveyard that terrifies surrealist paintings come to life, so all with her friend and advisor, Master her is the corner where her body lies. It kinds of crazy things happen in the Puppet, whom she built from bones forces her to accept that she is dead house and surrounds. 3. Iris Freer was and bits of graveyard junk. She is as and Bugrat must go back to the living.

bookcurator.com.au | 45 Master Puppet ‘speaks’ to her, but in Eventually the girls have to reveal Based on the author's real family, the reality he is the voice of her negative John’s existence in order to reunite him Rabinovitches dance, laugh and cook self-talk. with his distraught father. their way through an extraordinary life An easy read with some silliness, some in 1920s Poland. In the classic tradition, more serious topics and some home this highly readable story is fascinating, truths. The desire to fit in is engaging and as warm as freshly Recommended age: 10 years + baked bread. Suitable class novel: YES understandable, but not at any cost. Good read rating: %%%% The story flows nicely and is well » OUR REVIEW Literary value rating: %%%%% written for the audience. The author has done an excellent job of Major themes: blended family, providing a snapshot of Orthodox stepsisters, secret runaway, help, Jewish family life in Poland in the 1920s. It friendship, revenge, pranks, is based on the real life experiences and acceptance, becoming close. family of the author's grandmother who was 10-years-old at this time. Please be aware: The prank involves leaving dog poo on a The main focus is on the rituals, neighbour’s front door mat in superstitions, food and family retaliation for his perceived nastiness traditions of a Rabbi's family. The to their mum. outside world rarely impinges. One of the main storylines is 15 year old Adina's arranged marriage to a 17 year old boy she doesn't meet until their Squishy Taylor and Recommended age: 5 to 9 years wedding day. Suitable class novel: NO the Bonus Sisters Good read rating: %%%% It is a story that reveals a world most Literary value rating: %%%% of its young readers would view as Author: Alisa Wild taking place on another planet. For ISBN: 978-1760126759 older readers, the knowledge of what's Published: 1/2/16 ahead casts a shadow. The author Publisher: Hardie Grant wants to stay in the moment but she does reveal that of the eleven » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION members of the Rabinovitch family, An apartment full of questions on a only three survive WWII. Her Nana street full of mysteries. Why does Nomi is, of course, one of those. Squishy have to share everything with A very readable story giving insight into her new step-sisters? Why is her next- a diferent culture and a diferent time. door neighbor the crankiest man in the world? Why are green jelly snakes the Major themes: Orthodox Jewish yummiest? Who's that hiding in the life, family life in 1920s, arranged basement? The Family with marriages, large families » OUR REVIEW Two Front Doors Please be aware: None. The Learning to get along with your traditions do include a number of Author: Anna Ciddor stepsisters isn’t necessarily an easy superstitious practices. ISBN: 978-1925266641 task when the whole blended family Published: 24/2/16 thing is new. When your stepsisters are Publisher: Allen & Unwin twins it’s even harder. Recommended age: 8 to 12 years Thankfully Squishy and one of the » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Suitable class novel: NO %%%% twins have a secret which bonds them. Good read rating: Meet the Rabinovitches: mischievous Literary value rating: %%%% There’s a young runaway living in the Yakov, bubbly Nomi, rebellious Miriam, basement. Smuggling food to ‘John solemn Shlomo, and seven more! Smith’ brings them closer, but the other Papa is a rabbi and their days are full of twin is suspicious and soon learns their intriguing rituals and adventures. But secret. the biggest adventure of all is when big With their new found rapport the girls sister Adina is told she is to be married also plot a smelly revenge on their at the age of fifeen - to someone she nasty neighbour, which backfires on has never met. Squishy big time.

46 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement missing prince and Madmerry, a girl full of surprises. Together they lead an adventure to save the day. First Ansey is abducted and held hostage by a frost giant, but escapes with a talisman. Owing to tumultuous, magical events, their world has many earthquakes and begins to fold in on itself. The seven adventurers gather other talismans (powers) that will help them in their Daystar: The Days journey to defeat the Dark Sleeper. Ruby Wishfingers They must fight manticores, facilitate a Are Numbered truce between mistrusting races Author: Deborah Kelly ISBN: 978-1925139631 Author: Anne Hamilton (dwarves, giants and humans), escape Published: 1/3/16 ISBN: 978-1925139518 a mob of common folk and a pitiless, Publisher: Wombat Books Published: 1/2/16 mist-woman that traps travellers. Publisher: Wombat Books The non-stop action eventually leads » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION to a conflict between the races, the Ruby Wishfingers is an ordinary girl » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION seven children and the Dark Sleeper. with an extraordinary name. Only What's to stop me killing you and Afer some problem solving and nobody else seems to think so. That is taking the Powers? The giant raised the working together, the children save the until Ruby Wishfingers wakes up with a sword. All I see is a dwarf, a pony and day and Fern is zapped back to this strange feeling in the tips of her seven children, none of whom is even world. fingers. She soon finds out that there is remotely capable of resisting the might Author Anne Hamilton has drawn her far more to being a Wishfingers than of Uller Princekiller. inspiration from the works of CS Lewis having a funny name. For centuries, the knights, dwarves, and GK Chesterton, with a focus on a Ruby can wish for whatever she wants giants and sages of Auberon-Zamberg non-violent story line. Extensive school with her wish fingers. However, she have been intent on a single quest. resources exist to support the book for soon realises that they create more They're all searching for The King Who classroom use, including black line trouble than good. Guards the Gate. Prophecy speaks of masters. Ruby Wishfingers will take you on a him as one of seven protectors who There is deeper meaning to the magical adventure, featuring talking will defeat the armies of night and presentation of the story as well as an cats, jelly bean rain and pocket-sized overcome the Dark Sleeper. enjoyable experience for the reader. unicorns. The last thing anyone is expecting is Major themes: fantasy, good versus that these seven protectors are » OUR REVIEW evil, autism, working together, ordinary children. Ruby Wishfingers is a very ordinary girl resolution of historical racial tension, who discovers she has extraordinary » OUR REVIEW overcoming lack of trust, acceptance, powers. Her fingers begin to tingle one Daystar is an intricate, multifaceted, unity day and she discovers that whatever literary, fantasy fiction in which Fern is Please be aware: The book is set in she wishes for will come true. She mistakenly plucked out of this world a fantastical world. However the explores this new power with glee until during a school sports day. She is met fantasy is quite peaceful. things start to go wrong. Ruby wishes by Hector, the white fox, Ginevra, the that her favourite toy unicorn would white fawn and a white owl nicknamed come to life and he does. Boody in another world where animals can talk and be understood by certain Recommended age: 10 to 15 years But Skydancer has a taste for Ruby’s people. Suitable class novel: YES mother’s lace curtains and tablecloths %%%% Good read rating: and things go downhill very fast as the On realising Fern’s sudden appearance is Literary value rating: %%%%% life-size unicorn eats his way around a portent of impending doom, the White the house. Three from the White Tree decide to take her to the king. Boody, on having But there’s worse to come as Ruby Fern’s glasses explained, develops a turns everything in her backyard into fixation with the concept of sunglasses. treats and then it begins to rain jelly- beans. They are joined by Ansey, a dreamer who wishes to be a knight, Dallan, a

bookcurator.com.au | 47 Ruby has an ally in her grandmother an increasingly dangerous world, six Recommended age: 10 years + Suitable class novel: NO who lives in a caravan at the bottom of quarrelsome youngsters must come Good read rating: %%% the garden, with a very large and together as a team. Literary value rating: %%% grumpy cat, Jupiter. Granny Wishfingers » OUR REVIEW helps Ruby understand her new powers The main characters in this unusual and to fix the various disasters which story are four Hatchlings. It’s 20,043 her wishfingers have caused on this OLDER READERS AD and the children’s lives are limited to extraordinary Saturday. SHORT LIST their small cells, where they spend Eventually, everything turns to normal their days during school work and again, except that Ruby discovers she is practicing ‘endgames’. They are never to have a new baby brother or sister. allowed to meet in person due to the This is a lovely tale of magic and risk of disease, they can only visit each nonsense, woven through with a other as avatars. Their needs are met strong message about the importance by Tutor-Holos. of finding our identity and being When ComCen (the giant computer satisfied with things just the way they that controls and informs their lives) were meant to be. sends them to the 21st Century where Major themes: identity, family they are to study a nuclear family. But relationships, wishful thinking, there is far more to it than that, and hereditary traits the Hatchlings must learn to work together as a team. Unbeknownst to Words in Deep Blue Please be aware: There are no them, the outcome of this so called concerns with this book. Author: Cath Crowley virtual mission is one that will afect all ISBN: 978-1742612386 of humanity. Published: 30/8/16 The underlying themes in this book Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia Recommended age: 5 to 9 years focus on environmental issues which Suitable class novel: NO ofers plenty of opportunity for class » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Good read rating: %%%%% Literary value rating: %%%%% discussion. The story tends to jump Second-hand bookshops are full of from scene to scene. This and other mysteries. This is a love story. It's the issues could have been resolved with a story of Howling Books, where readers more thorough edit. write letters to strangers, to lovers, to poets, to words. It's the story of Henry Major themes: science fiction, Jones and Rachel Sweetie. They were future, environmental issues, best friends once, before Rachel sustainability, caring for our planet, moved to the sea. Now, she's back, cooperation, independence, cults, working at the bookstore, grieving for teamwork, survival, virtual reality her brother Cal. She's looking for the future in the books people love, and Please be aware: 1. The Hatchlings the words that they leave behind. face a number of dangers, including a gang called the Snouts, who ride pig » OUR REVIEW masks to make themselves more Rachel is in pain after losing her brother Cybertricks intimidating, and don’t hesitate to take during her last year of high school. She what they want. 2. There is a strange reminisces about her best friend Henry Author: Goldie Alexander scene where the Hatchlings and their who she hasn't spoken to for years since ISBN: 978-1741308884 21st century friends take of their she moved away because he started Published: 1/1/16 clothes to see what they look like dating a girl, Amy, that Rachel didn't like. Publisher: Five Senses Education naked. They. comment on genitalia and Rachel was secretly in love with Henry. the diferences in development and This intimate look at teenage romance » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION gender (p57-8). 3. The Hatchlings spend follows Henry and Rachel as they fall in In a far flung future Pya, Zumi, Jafet some times with a pseudo-Christian love. Most of the book Henry is pining and Trist, live in tiny Cells cared for by cult called The Children. Their leader over Amy, who is presented as a tutor-holos, and only communicate calls the Hatchlings ‘Devil’s spawn’. shallow and selfish girl who treats through their avatars. Pya narrates how Henry badly with an of and on the giant computer ComCen sends relationship as it is convenient for her. them back to 2043 A.D. where they Rachel is in a state of grief over her meet Rio and Charlie. But to survive in

48 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement brother which she does not even tell occurrence), hits him with a large hard her friends about. backed book, breaks his nose, bruises When Rachel returns to her hometown his face in various places and his pride. with a sad heart she takes a job at the Frankie is suspended indefinitely. bookshop that Henry (and his sister Frankie continues to meet with Xavier George's parents own). She supports and begins to like him. He’s a talented Henry through his break up and helps artist and begins to recognise that to make Amy jealous by kissing Henry. many of the local beautiful graffiti art Afer that kiss Henry starts to realise can be attributed to him. Xavier has his how he cares for Rachel. own set of problems, mainly being in debt to many people, thousands of There is a weaving tale of multiple Frankie dollars worth. loves and lost loves, including Henry and George's parents who are facing Author: Shivaun Plozza Then Xavier stops contacting Frankie. divorce, George's secret admirer who ISBN: 978-0143573166 This concerns her and she begins turns out to be Cal (the dead brother), Published: 28/3/16 investigating what has happened to and numerous other letters lef Publisher: Penguin him. This takes her to his father Bill, who between the pages of the books for all was instrumental in Frankie being » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION to read. The story draws you in and it is dumped in the shopping centre when easy to imagine the setting, including Great dialogue and strongly paced. she was four. It also intertwines her the secondhand books, and all the Frankie's a gutsy character with a lot of path with Nate, a thief with whom she nostalgic atmosphere. heart. can’t decide if she likes or hates. The secondary characters create just Melina Marchetta Frankie Vega is angry. Over the course of the investigation as much emotion as the main Just ask the guy whose nose she broke. Frankie has meetings with her school characters, including when Rachel Or the cop investigating the burglary principal and psychologist. However, finally tells George that her brother Cal she witnessed, or her cheating ex- Frankie refuses say anything about is dead, afer George admits to Rachel boyfriend or her aunt who's tired of why she hit the boy in the library, that she was in love with him. giving second chances. anything that could help her case and generally does her best to be This coming of age story has strong and When a kid shows up claiming to be downright difficult. In fact, after one of beautiful themes of overcoming loss, Frankie's half brother, it opens the door the meetings she makes things love and inner strength. to a past she doesn't want to remember. And when that kid goes dramatically worse by getting into Major themes: death, grief, teenage missing, the only person willing to help is another fight with the same boy and angst, love sick teenage boy, books, a boy with stupidly blue eyes and her ex-boyfriend. past stories, love letters secrets of his own. Frankie finds out that her mother is in a Please be aware: 1. Language: f**k x Frankie's search for the truth might local hospice. She goes to see her and 23, shit x 16, dick x 5. 2. Henry is change her life, or cost her everything. realises how pathetic she is and that "mismanaging a hard-on" with his she doesn’t want to turn out like her. girlfriend, Amy, who is breaking up with » OUR REVIEW She finds the last piece of the puzzle of him (chapter 1). Later he says because Frankie’s mother dumps her at a Xavier’s disappearance, that he was Amy always smells of laundry powder shopping centre while she’s playing going to try and steal money from a that will always give him a hard-on. 3. with farm animals at the age of four. drug dealer. Frankie goes to the Rachel reflects on having sex when she Her mother was a prostitute and drug meeting place, even though she was was in Year 10 and how it made her feel addict only teaching Frankie poor social supposed to be going to see the board (p157). There are numerous other times habits (e.g. only looking afer one’s own for her school to explain her actions. sex is mentioned. 4. Henry is bullied selfish interests and lying to get out of and taped naked to a pole (p212). 5. any particular sticky situation). She finds Xavier’s dead body, is expelled and enrols in a TAFE high Henry and Rachel have sex at the end, Frankie’s aunt, Vinnie, raises her from school course. It is only in the very end but it is behind closed doors (p335). the age of four to her current that she realises that she needs to predicament in grade 12. Frankie has forgive herself, her friends, Vinnie, Xavier just found out that she has a half and even her mother to move forward brother, Xavier, 14 years old. This takes Recommended age: 15 years + and avoid becoming the type of person Suitable class novel: YES an emotional toll on Frankie. Good read rating:%%%% that consumed her mother. %%%% A student she doesn’t like says Literary value rating: Major themes: unforgiveness, distasteful things to her in the library. broken families, disadvantage, She loses her temper (a frequent

bookcurator.com.au | 49 abandonment, search for truth, diferent world from urban Sydney—a criminal activity, persistence beach suburb near Wollongong. Please be aware: 1. Throughout the Minty is the happy-go-lucky cousin he story Frankie is involved in remembered. He’s pleased to see him considerable criminal activity. She and ready to pick up where they lef of. shows no remorse and essentially Yet the boy who ofen wet his bed in blames other people for her own terror at the thought of going home has inability to control herself. 2. Frankie is grown into a muscly golden surfer boy, generally rude all the time both within one with a real shot at a pro career. her thought life and to anyone and Minty’s older brother Shane is almost the everyone. For example, Frankie has a One Would opposite. He’s sullen and unfriendly. It’s nick-name for the school receptionist, clear Shane doesn’t want Sam around sponge-bum-square-tits (page 24). It is Think the Deep and he takes every opportunity to let used repetitively. She people names Sam know that. and generally does her best to get Author: Claire Zorn under people’s skin. 3.Language: shit x ISBN: 978-0702253942 Aunty Lorraine is rough but real. She’s 127, 31 x bitch/slut, f**k x 55, price/ Published: 30/5/16 had to deal with more than her fair cock/dick x 34 etc.etc. 4.Frankie’s Publisher: UQP share and has the scars to prove it. Her friends are of similar character. partner Glen was violent and explosive » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Frankie’s best friend, Cara, has four and they only made their eventual brothers who all have nicknames, Sam stared at the picture of the boy escape because he was jailed for ‘nine-mill’, machete’ ‘gas leak’ and about to be tipped of the edge of the armed robbery. world: the crushing weight of water ‘dagger’ because that’s how Cara says When Sam starts to exhibit some of the about to pummel him. Sam knew that she’s going to kill them (page 35). 5. same violent tendencies— albeit out on moment exactly, the disbelief that Numerous drug and alcohol references. the streets—there’s no way she’s going what was about to happen could even 6.Sexual references: Frankie explains to let him stick around. Sam doesn’t be possible. The intake of breath before that she has no online presence since want to be that person, but sometimes the flood. the #FrankieVegaIsAFuglySlut thing the rage builds inside him until he feels (page 35). She has been sexually active Sam has always had things going on in like he has to let it out. with her ex-boyfriend (page 37). his head that no one else understands, It’s in danger of destroying him and However, they broke up because he even his mum. And now she's dead, it's those around him. The music of Jef had sex with another girl behind the worse than ever. With nothing but his Buckley serves as a pressure relief science block at school. A boy at their skateboard and a few belongings in a valve to help him calm down. But when school taps on the glass of a room garbage bag, Sam goes to live with the Buckley drowns after walking into the where Cara and Frankie are hiding out. strangers his mum cut ties with seven Mississippi and being swamped by the He’s cupping his testicles and licking years ago: Aunty Lorraine and his wake of a speedboat, Sam is forced to the glass (p132). 7.Frankie’s self- cousins Shane and Minty. ask himself the question: ‘Am I the one loathing, lying and awful behaviour Despite the suspicion and hostility walking into the water or the man continues for almost the entire book. It emanating from their fibro shack, Sam behind the wheel of the boat?’ As the is only in the last two pages, afer she reverts to his childhood habit of walls start to come down, he discovers finds Xavier’s dead body, that she following Minty around and is soon the most explosive truth of all. comes to realise that she needs to surfing with Minty to cut through the seek forgiveness and change her This tale of a boy cast adrif and static fuzz in his head. behaviour. As such, there is no little eventually finding his way home is room to express the journey of But as the days slowly meld into one insightful and believable. Claire Zorn forgiveness. another, and ghosts from the past continues to exhibit an incredible ability reappear, Sam has to make the to imbue her characters with life and ultimate decision - will he sink or will personality —their flaws and their value he swim. carefully unfurled line by line until you Recommended age: 17 years + feel as if you’re inside their skin. Suitable class novel: NO » OUR REVIEW Good read rating: %%%% On a summer night in 1997, Sam’s Favourite quote: “...Jono reminded Literary value rating: %%%% mother dies unexpectedly of a brain Sam too much of a person he couldn’t aneurism, he has no-one to turn to be, with a family he couldn’t have.” (p259) except the family he hasn’t seen for Major themes: grief, loss, identity, seven years. He’s soon in a completely dysfunctional families, family secrets, surfing, domestic violence, anger,

50 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement mental illness, indigenous, racism, Author: Megan Jacobson Toward the end of the story, a major music, adoption, jealousy, peer ISBN: 978-0143573333 twist occurs when Kirra discovers that pressure, gender inequity in sport, Published: 1/2/16 Boogie wasn’t the popular and well- attitudes towards women Publisher: Penguin liked victim he represented himself as. Please be aware: 1. Frequent use of He was, in fact, a bullied and despised » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION shit and bloody, dick/dickhead, f**k x student who decided to kill himself 21, bugger x 5, Christ/Jesus x 7, bastard If fourteen-year-old Kirra is having a when the girl he loved rejected him in x 1, bitch x 4, 2. Use of alcohol and mid-life crisis now, then it doesn't bode favour of another boy. That couple drugs (realistic and not promoted as well for her life expectancy. Her so- turned out to be none other than positive), eg. p161-2. 3. The attitudes of called friends bully her, whatever Kirra’s parents. Minty, Shane and their mates towards semblance of a mother she had has We are ofen told through the opinions girls are juxtaposed against Sam’s been drowned at the bottom of a gin of other characters how intelligent developing relationship with Gretchen. bottle ever since her dad lef them for Kirra is, but rarely see it played out in They talk about and treat girls like another woman, and a teenage ghost her dialogue or behaviour. Noah, the livestock. “If you didn’t sleep with any is speaking to her through a broken boy she admires, tells her on several girl you had the opportunity to you phone booth. occasions that she’s far more brilliant were a loser ... His own virginity felt like Kirra and the ghost make a pact. She'll and perceptive than he is, and then a shameful disease.” (p153). Sam knows prove who murdered him almost twenty makes several intuitive observations all it’s not enough to stay out of their years ago if he makes her popular, gets through the story which seem to repulsive talk. He knows the right thing her parents back together, and promises indicate that he is actually the more to do would be to tell them to shut up, not to haunt her. But things aren't so insightful of the two. but peer pressure keeps him silent simple, and Kirra realises that people Kirra’s big moment comes when she (p162). 4. Gretchen invites him over can be haunted in more ways than one. addresses a crowd of high achievers, when there’s no-one home. They are » OUR REVIEW challenging them to show country kids about to have sex for the first time why being smart is worth it, since it’s when he gets a flashback to the This book’s blurb makes it sound as if only ever earned her contempt from moment of his mother’s death. He puts the story could be either whimsical or her peer group. This seems to be her on his clothes and walks out of the dark. It’s definitely the latter, a dark and reason for keeping her intelligence to house, leaving her with no answers potentially disturbing story at times. herself. She does it to such an extent (p243-5). To try and forget he gets Kirra Barley is a fourteen-year-old who that not even the reader notices. drunk on whisky and picks a fight is bullied and shamed at school by the (p246-7). 5. When the secret that broke popular girls she badly wants to fit in It never occurs to Kirra that Boogie’s side their family apart 7 years ago is finally with. Her father, Lark, has recently of their pact seems over confident, revealed, Sam discovers that Glen moved out and lives close by with since he’s dealing with the fixed (Lorraine’s ex partner and father to another woman. Kirra’s devastated emotions of several people who have Minty and Shane) is also his father. mother, Judy, has become a heavy already made firm decisions. What alcoholic. All this forms the backdrop of power does she think he can possibly Kirra’s life when she comes across the wield to change minds and hearts voice of a ghost at the other end of a which are firmly made up? Recommended age: 15 years + deserted phone line in a lonely Later, when we discover the true story Suitable class novel: YES Good read rating: %%%% telephone booth. behind his suicide, his behaviour makes Literary value rating: %%%%% He claims to have been a boy named even less sense. His genuine motive for ‘Boogie’ who was murdered by the making contact is his desire to build a local police sergeant twenty years relationship with the daughter of the earlier, when he accidentally witnessed girl he loved, but why bother bringing him killing his wife. down a man he knows is innocent? Sergeant McGinty still holds the same The book’s main theme is about not ofce twenty years later. Boogie asks taking your cues from the ‘popular’ Kirra to prove who murdered him so he people, or altering your true essence to can move on the next life. In return, he suit others and fit in. It also aims to promises to help her become more show that those who set themselves popular, get her parents back together, up as worthy of being listened to are and not haunt her. He is essentially a ofen the same people whose shallow tortured soul unable to move on to a opinions matter the least. Yellow more peaceful spiritual plane until this Major themes: bullying, family is dealt with. breakdown, murder, mystery,

bookcurator.com.au | 51 alcoholism, rage, suicide, the spirit fences is all he has ever known. But as sure the world can no longer ignore world he grows, his imagination gets bigger their plight. too, until it is bursting at the limits of his Please be aware: There are strong This is a beautifully crafted, thought world. supernatural themes, as Boogie is provoking story told from the point of depicted as a ghost who has been The Night Sea brings him gifs, the view of a child that will cause you to earthbound and lonely for twenty faraway whales sing to him, and the rethink what you know about the plight years. Some low grade language such birds tell their stories. The most vivid of people in detention centres. It makes as bugger, shit, prostitute, whoreface, story of all, however, is the one that clear the efects of incarceration and a and slut. Underage drinking occurs, arrives one night in the form of Jimmie, lack of hope, not just on those locked such as Chapter 24, when Kirra gets a scrufy, impatient girl who appears behind the walls but on those who guard drunk and throws up at Noah’s party from the other side of the wires, and them. (page 179 to 187). Kirra decides to take brings a notebook written by the Favourite quote: “I put the shell to her mother’s alcoholism into her own mother she lost. my ear and listen again, real hard. I’m hands and ties her up to monitor the Unable to read it, she relies on Subhi to pretty sure I can hear just the whisper amount she is able to drink (page 173 to unravel her own family's love songs and of my ba’s voice in there. Calling out to 178). Events are ofen described in tragedies. Subhi and Jimmie might both me. Telling me he’s on his way. Telling graphic detail. Main characters tend to find a way to freedom, as their tales me that it’s not much longer now, fight back with the same weapons the unfold. But not until each of them has because it’s already been nine whole bullies use, using words to wound, tear been braver than ever before. years and that’s a long time to wait for and pierce, as well as physical violence. » OUR REVIEW a ba to come on by. Someday, it whispers. And the sound of the whisper Subhi is a refugee in an Australian is as brilliant as a thousand stars being detention centre. He was born at the born.” (p8) Recommended age: 15 years + centre, so it’s the only life he has Suitable class novel: NO Major themes: refugees, detention Good read rating: %%%% known for the past nine years. He Literary value rating: %%%% dreams of the day when they will be centres, displaced people, reunited with his ‘ba’ (father), who incarceration, peer group pressure, wasn’t able to come with his pregnant bullying, friendship, stories, hope, loss mother and older sister Queeny as they of hope fled from Burma (they are Rohingya – Please be aware: 1. Mild infrequent one of the most persecuted minorities language: bloody x 8 (p54, 144, 61, 149, in the world). 155, 158, 159, 160), bugger x 2 (p140, Jimmie is a little girl who lives nearby with 227). 2. There are minor references to her father and brother. Her mother died violence and self-harm. They are not three years ago, and just before she graphic, descriptive or included did she gave Jimmie a little sparrow gratuitously. These include carved of bone (hence the book title). ‘whumping’ (banging your head into something as a response to distress), Afer hearing the other kids at school some of the refugees stitch their lips talking about how easy it is for those in The Bone Sparrow together (p142, 167), reference to a boy the camps and how much free stuf being badly hurt afer being put into Author: Zana Fraillon they get given, Jimmie wants to see for the men’s camp and then trying to ISBN: 978-0734417138 herself. Published: 28/6/16 bleed himself out on the fence (p58), Publisher: Hachette She remembers her mother talking suicide watch (p136), Eli is killed by one about how wrong it was to keep them of the guards (p196-199) » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION locked up. Jimmie has no concept of what it means to be incarcerated or in Sometimes, at night, the dirt outside danger, so she isn’t scared to sneak in to turns into a beautiful ocean. As red as the camp. Recommended age: 12 years + the sun and as deep as the sky. I lie in Suitable class novel: YES %%%% my bed, Queeny's feet pushing up Subhi and Jimmie become friends, Good read rating: Literary value rating: %%%%% against my cheek, and listen to the bonding over the stories they share waves lapping at the tent. during her night time excursions. But when the inevitable happens and Subhi is a refugee. Born in an tensions rise to breaking point, it soon Australian permanent detention centre becomes apparent that people without afer his mother fled the violence of a hope will do almost anything to make distant homeland, life behind the

52 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement This is a suspense filled, fast paced their homes and they learn from their fantasy novel for young adults. It is a journey as will the reader. story of violent conflict, love and loss Major themes: violence, torture, and ultimately one of resolution and fantasy, relationships, quests, love, peace. loss, self belief, good and evil, conflict, There are two main protagonists, loyalty, revenge, resentment, guilt, Lycaea and Lowell, as well as a large anger, social inequality, magic, cast of supporting characters. Each of paranormal, coming of age, werewolves the main characters is a waer—humans Please be aware: 1. Frequent who can take the form of a wolf when violence. 2. As you would expect from a they choose. They each follow a quest. Waer fantasy there is magic and werewolves. The novel follows the classic fantasy 3. References to prostitution (whoring - Author: Meg Caddy genre incorporating imaginative p121, brothel - p131, ‘selling her body’ - ISBN: 978-1922182210 themes, involving magic and p185). 4. Leldh and Lowell fall in love Published: 1/3/16 supernatural events where the reader and they ‘soul-bond’ as as a couple Publisher: Text is transported into a diferent and and kiss (p262-263) unique world that operates outside the » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION ordinary laws of the universe. The As night fell, something stirred the heroes have to cope in extraordinary darkness. Birds shrieked, rising into the situations. Recommended age: 13 years + air as the peace cracked and fell apart. Suitable class novel: YES At the same time the structure is one Good read rating: %%%% Flashes of crimson uniform cut the Literary value rating: %%%% of a quest novel as the heroes travel a smothering black of the woods. The journey. They leave their normal smell of smoke lifed through the relatively stable world because of an boughs and choked the leaves. A drum event, they meet antagonists and beat out a steady pulse as soldiers tore OLDER READERS mentors along the way, they have over the dead leaf matter, hacking their NOTABLES obstacles to overcome and tests to way through the web of forest. strengthen character. The prisoner ran. When Lowell Sencha Eventually they have to meet and finds the strange girl lying as if dead on conquer an ultimate ordeal, gain their the riverbank, he is startled to find that reward, restore the world to the way it she is like them: waer. Human, but able was and gain wisdom along the way. to assume the form of a wolf. The writing is multi-layered and The Sencha family's small community originally clever with humour to add has kept itself sequestered and lighter moments. Great use of literary unnoticed, free from persecution. The devices such as varied sentence arrival of a fellow traveller, and a structure, comparisons, metaphors and hunted one at that, threatens their very irony along with the excellent survival. Sure enough, the soldiers of descriptions of settings and feelings the blood-purist Daeman Leldh soon Everything Is provide good teaching opportunities as descend on the village searching for well as examples for readers to use as her, burning and slaughtering. Changed models. Lowell and the mysterious stranger are Author: Nova Weetman This quest novel explores universal among the few to escape. And now ISBN: 978-0702254161 human emotions that will appeal to they must find their way to the city of Published: 03/10/2016 adult readers along with the young Luthan where, she says, they will find Publisher: UQP adult audience. It demonstrates a people to help them bring down triumph of spirit and self-belief where Daeman Leldh. If she can persuade » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION internal conflicts are as great as the them not to kill her. If only we could all go back to the way physical ones. It demonstrates the it was before…Jake and Alex. Best This brilliant young adult fantasy debut importance of the journey itself and mates. One terrible mistake. Two lives from young Australian writer Meg stepping outside one's comfort zone to that will never be the same. Told in Caddy sees the emergence of an mature and grow. reverse, this powerful and gritty novel exciting new talent in speculative fiction. Both Lycaea and Lowell find peace at moves through the wreckage of a » OUR REVIEW the end when they are able to return to

bookcurator.com.au | 53 broken friendship, back to the moment kissing) p126. 3. Drinking at a party wrong, as we cut to what is happening when everything changed. (p35-36), remembering the first time inside her. they got drunk (p53). Here the story is intense as wave of » OUR REVIEW beneficial bacteria and viruses try to This incredible story starts with the Recommended age: 14 to 18 years fight of the invading dysentery devastating impact of the character’s Suitable class novel: YES bacteria. Told in blow by blow detail it's ̣̣̣̣̣ choices and progresses in reverse to Good read rating: an insight into how wonderful the Literary value rating: ̣̣̣̣̣ the point where they made those human body is. choices. The WWI backdrop shows especially The skill it takes to write a novel in how trench warfare aided the spread of reverse that can actually be read in many infectious diseases and how it was both directions (chapter by chapter almost impossible to prevent them. A rather than word for word) is fascinating, worthwhile read. astounding. Recommended age: 10 years + Alex and Jake have been best friends for 12 years. They were once inseparable – but not any longer.

Jake comes from a low socio economic background but despite this he is one of the best students – or he was until The Invisible War the accident happened. Author: Ailsa Wild Alex’s father has had his name down at ISBN: 978-0992587253 an exclusive private school since he Published: 20/8/16 was born. The plan has always been to Publisher: Scale Free Network move him there for his senior years, but the diferences between he and » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Jake have become even more The Ocean of the pronounced since his father inherited a One Nurse. Trillions of microbes. A Dead: Ship Kings 4 huge house in a wealthy area. deadly WWI battle. France, 1916. While treating a patient Author: Andrew McGahan Jake longs to hold on to their with dysentery, Sister Annie Barnaby ISBN: 978-1760292188 friendship, but all Alex wants is to encounters a strain of lethal bacteria. Published: 27/7/16 move on and forget what happened. As the invaders journey deep into her Publisher: Allen and Unwin The tragedy that changes their lives gut, the resident microbes must fight and the shifing sands of guilt, regret to survive. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION and self interest make this a poignant, The cataclysmic final book in the Ship thought provoking and valuable read. Annie’s life hangs in the balance. Enter Kings series. In search of a new world, This book would make an excellent the phage, deadly predators, ready to Dow and Nell must face the final class novel. Outstanding. wage war to protect their host. frontier - the treacherous Doldrums. Favourite quote: The more I … let Created by a team of scientists, artists, Their journey will be filled with people think one thing when the truth is educators, writers' historians, The wonders; the rewards could be great - something diferent, the closer I am to Invisible War is a graphic novel like no but the cost might be everything, for being a person I don’t like much. (p48) other. there are good reasons why none who Major themes: choices, grief, » OUR REVIEW have sailed the Ocean of the Dead tragedy, accidents, friendship, growing A fascinating account of how our have returned to tell the tale. up, taking responsibility, cause and body's immune system works on the » OUR REVIEW efect, growing apart, socio economic microbiotic level. Ocean of the Dead is the fourth and disparity Set in WWI France and told in graphic final book in a series describing the Please be aware: 1. Language: shit x novel style, it follows a dysentery adventures of Dow Amber. Their 30, Jesus x 1 (p26), bastard x 1, f**k x 12 victim. From initial infection to full on journey across the Doldrums, an (p23, 29, 98, 122, 155, 190, 218, 257), 'gut' warfare, we journey with Nursing equatorial expanse of the ocean some bloody x 4, dick/head x 5. 2. Kissing Sister Annie as she initially and 4 thousand miles across that have p43, 52, 128, 179, 137-8, 195-6, 211, brief obviously goes about her duties. never been crossed, continues. Many mention of his hand up her uniform Eventually she realises something is have tried, few have returned and p115, brief reference to erection (from those that have tell of tales of a mist

54 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement that kills, the dead walking on water overcome the prejudice they faced. As and various other horrors. a young man he joined a travelling The journey is filled with challanges. boxing troupe and was headed for Just when the crew are about to revolt fame and fortune when a terrible car and turn back, out of nowhere Diego's accident killed his wife. Jack was ship appears with cannons at the driving. He’s been blaming himself ever ready. He orders Dow and Nell, Dow's since. partner and co founder of the entire Rory understands guilt. She lives with it adventure, to visit. everyday. Four years ago her father. If she had been at home at the time, Nell is no ordinary woman, she is what perhaps he would have made it. is called a scape goat, having the Becoming Aurora Instead, the then 12-year-old had snuck ability to prophecy. Dow and Nell meet out to play in the park with Cam. with Diego and his scape goat, Uyall, Author: Elizabeth Kasmer who is dreadfully deformed. Nell is ISBN: 978-0702254208 Jack has mentored at-risk youth for forced to stay on the new world. Uyall Published: 29/8/16 years, as a boxing coach. One of those tells them that only one ship will reach Publisher: UQP boys is Essam, whose friends own the the southern land. restaurant Rory and her ‘friends’ » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Eventually the two ships reach the vandalised. As Rory gets to know Tonight we are wolves. Our pack moves inner Doldrums, where no wind ever Essam (and is ultimately responsible as one, past empty shop fronts and blows. Hardship keeps occurring and for giving him the chance to say faded billboards. before long they meet the Sunken, goodbye to Jack), her perspective creatures native to the inner Doldrums Sixteen-year-old Rory is at a changes. And when her eforts on that kill many of the crew and sink the crossroads in her life. While her gang Jack’s behalf lead to what could be New World. A bargain is eventually plans its next move in a racially serious trouble, his community stands struck and Dow continues to the motivated turf war, Rory is sentenced behind her, in a way her gang never did southern land battling fatigue, thirst, to spend her summer at an aged care … disease and starvation. facility. She’s proud of taking the rap A wonderful read set in the Sunshine for a crime her gang committed and Coast of Queensland, this book has a Major themes: adventure, sea reading to a feisty old boxing champion gently evolving plot about racism, voyage, ship board life, sacrifice, isn’t going to change that. changing perspectives, kindness, courage, danger But what happens when Rory’s community and moving forward. Please be aware: 1. Light to path intersects with migrant boxer moderate non graphic violence. 2. Favourite quote: I reach for Jack’s Essam’s and she becomes the When the Sunken attack the ships they hand … it feels weightless already. The victim, not the perpetrator? Can stop only when Uyall has his deformed skin on his hands is paper thin, covered she find the courage to face her face and body revealed. Recognition of in liver spots and bruises, and I think past and become the girl her dad common ancestry occurs between about the journey those hands have called Aurora? Uyall and Sunken almost instantly. The taken … His knuckles are swollen and Sunken have quite diferent body bony, crippled by years of throwing » OUR REVIEW anatomy and are gifted with short term punches. Yet these are also the same Rory and Cam have been best friends premonition, such that the humans are hands that have been held out, ready for years, so when Cam gets involved never able to strike the Sunken. to catch lonely souls like Essam and with a local group of thugs, Rory However, the prophesying ability is me. (p184). follows. When they vandalise a local greater (further in time) in Uyall and Major themes: racism, gangs, grief, Indian restaurant and spray paint “go Nell. loss, boxing, art, community service, back to where you came from” on the legal system, vandalism, valuing the walls, Rory is the only one arrested. To elderly, intergenerational relationships, avoid a criminal record, she must regret, guilt, refugees, forgiveness, complete community service hours at a Recommended age: 15 years + reconciling the past, kindness, Suitable class novel: NO local nursing home. community, friendship, consequences, Good read rating: %%%% Literary value rating: %%%% Amongst other tasks, Rory must spend choices, romance half an hour each day reading to an old Please be aware: 1. Infrequent low man in the high care ward. Jack Sanford level language: bugger x 3, bloody x 12, doesn’t exactly welcome her presence. bastard x 1, bitch x 2, shit x 6. 2. Jack’s family were Polish migrants who Infrequent non graphic violence. 3. changed their name in order to Kissing.

bookcurator.com.au | 55 some other reason besides being Adriana's best friend. In the meantime, Recommended age: 13 to 17 years she's committed to helping Adriana Suitable class novel: YES Good read rating: %%%%% manage the throngs of potential Literary value rating: %%%%% suitors that are texting, emailing and adding Emily on Facebook in the hope of an introduction to 'the goddess', as Adriana is still pretty shy around boys and no-one's made her want to step out of her shell. That is, until she sees the brand new The Hounded and super cute guy in Emily's art class. The one who really is called Theo Author: Simon Butters James and makes Emily laugh. The one ISBN: 978-1743053959 who doesn't seem all that afected by Published: 24/6/16 Adriana's appearance. Publisher: Wakefield Press Two best friends crushing on one very » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION My Best Friend is a cute guy - someone's going to get their heart broken. My Best Friend is a Eliza wasn't at the bus stop that Goddess Goddess is about what happens to a morning. The bus drove right on past and all Eliza's friends peered out to see Author: Tara Eglington friendship when two girls change - and where she'd gone. It was a mystery. A ISBN: 978-0732299903 not just on the outside. scandal. Eliza's disappearance was the Published: 1/11/16 » OUR REVIEW hottest trending topic online. People Publisher: Harper Collins Superficially this is a ‘best friends break knew something was up, but what? up over a boy’ tale with a large splash » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Nobody knew she was with me, of ‘Mean Girls’. However it has far more Montgomery Ferguson, the lowest of Two best friends crushing on one very to offer than you would expect, and in the low. So it was that I first got to cute guy - someone's going to get their reality is a multi-layered story dealing hang out with Eliza Robertson, the heart broken. with the complexities of friendship, hottest girl in school with a heart of Emily has been friends with Adriana teen social structures, life changing sheer contempt. I couldn't have been since Year One, way back when Adriana grief, bullying, self esteem and much happier. had a huge gap between her teeth and more. On his fifeenth birthday, Monty is at was super skinny. Emily wasn't any less An enjoyable, easy read in the style of rock bottom. Ignored by his parents, awkward looking, but the girls are the a chick lit novel that delivers so much bullied at school, and with a brain best of friends and that is the way it more than it promises. Highly that's prone to going walkabout, he's has always been. recommended. all by himself. Until he meets the black When Adriana's mother dies, very Major themes: friendship, grief, dog for the first time. It's just like any suddenly, everything changes. Adriana's betrayal, jealousy, broken trust, other dog, except that only Monty can father accepts a job in Borneo and the romance, bullying, first crush, broken see it. And it talks. And Monty's not girls spend Year 10 apart. Despite the families, insecurity, art, self esteem, sure whether it's a friend - or a foe. But rubbish internet connection (on beauty, social structures, social media the black dog gets him talking to Adriana's side of things) the girls Please be aware: 1. Language: bitch pretty, popular Eliza Robertson for the manage to stay in touch. x 9, bastard x 4, bloody x 1, Jesus x 5. 2. first time. It takes him to places he's And then Adriana returns home. And Some kissing and mild inference of never been. And eventually it will take she has gone from awkward to desire. 3. Mild mentions of breasts and him, and the people around him, to the AMAZING and turned into a goddess! showing your backside of in short very edge. But the saving grace is that Adriana is shorts on Instagram etc. The Hounded is a book about no diferent on the inside. She's still the depression and working out who you same best friend Emily knows and really are, from one of Australia's most loves, and they're certainly not going to prolific children's television writers. lose their friendship over the fact that Recommended age: 13 to 17 YEARS Adriana has lucked out genetically. Suitable class novel: NO » OUR REVIEW Good read rating: %%%%% Emily just wishes that one guy, any Literary value rating: %%%%% Fifeen-year-old Monty is not in a great guy, would want to get to know her for place. His mother is a mentally ill chain smoker who seems almost unaware he

56 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement exists. His dad is physically present but (p98-99). Eliza and Monty play chicken not much else. Monty also has an with a train (p41) and sneak into a undiagnosed eating disorder—his way dance club (p185-7). Mild underage of controlling his world. drinking (p150, 159). 3. Eliza ‘borrows’ a Then a black dog comes to visit, and girl’s phone, takes a photograph of her whether he is friend or foe is yet to be cleavage and shares it with everyone in determined. The dog tells him he’s school. The girl in question has to leave there to help him with Eliza (a girl he school as a result. 4. Eliza tells Monty likes who lives a few doors down), but to take his clothes of and get into her is that all he is there for? bed. Her only purpose is to shock her dad by pretending they have been Meanwhile Monty discovers the secret having sex. Nothing actually happens Our Chemical that has been destroying his family all (p123-6). 5. Afer drinking beer for the Hearts along—he has a severely mentally first time, Monty kisses Pippa and then disabled brother. His parents kept Silas cries. A video of the moment goes viral Author: Krystal Sutherland at home until he was four, but when and he is cyber bullied mercilessly. It is ISBN: 978-0143573906 Monty was born, his father insisted that this event that crushes his friendship Published: 3/10/16 Silas would have to go into care. It was with Eliza. 6. Monty is beaten up by the Publisher: Penguin the only way he could be sure Monty school bully. They urinate on him and wouldn’t get hurt during one of Silas’s put some chemical concoction from » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION violent outbursts. His mother can science class in his pocket that burns a John Green meets Rainbow Rowell in hardly bear the guilt. terrible hole in his skin. He is in hospital this irresistible story of first love, When his burgeoning friendship with for weeks and has to have skin grafs broken hearts, and the golden seams Eliza goes south, the dog is quick to (p180). When he gets out he goes to that put them back together again. point out his failings. And when Eliza the boy’s house and shoots a spear Henry Page has never been in love. He kills herself, he discovers his isn’t the gun near him to frighten him of. The fancies himself a hopeless romantic, only family with secrets, and the dog’s boy wets himself (p187). 7. Monty’s but the slo-mo, heart palpitating, can't- true nature soon becomes clear … mother tries to gas herself (only eat-can't-sleep kind of love that he's alluded to, not described) and ends up A powerful story dealing with a range been hoping for just hasn't been in the in a mental hospital where she of difcult topics, including suicide, cards for him: at least not yet. Instead, eventually begins to face her guilt without the gritty darkness that you he's been happy to focus on his grades, about Silas (p209-10, 253). 8. Monty is ofen find in YA. While it doesn’t shy on getting into a semi-decent college getting his life together when Eliza kills away from addressing real issues, the and finally becoming editor of his herself (p240-1). He discovers unsent story is ultimately hopeful. Highly school newspaper. messages on her phone. Her uncle was recommended. abusing her. He takes the proof to her Then Grace Town walks into his first Favourite quote: “Silas, with the father who does nothing. Uncle moves period class on the third Tuesday of mental capacity of a toddler, had to another state and gets a job as a senior year and he knows everything's worked out something I hadn’t even youth worker. The dog tries to convince about to change. Grace isn't who Henry come close to grasping. Every living Monty to do the same, first in the train pictured as his dream girl: she walks being needed action. Existence required tunnel (p244-5) and later in his room with a cane, wears oversized boys' movement. If you denied this simple (273-6). His mum helps him understand clothes, and rarely seems to shower. fact, you just stopped working. You’d resilience and how to resist the dog But when Grace and Henry are both fall into the darkness. That was when when it calls. chosen to edit the school paper, he the dog would become your quickly finds himself falling for her. friend.” (p232). It's obvious there's something broken Major themes: mental illness, cyber about Grace, but it seems to make her Recommended age: 15 years + bullying, bullying, eating disorders, Suitable class novel: YES even more beautiful to Henry, and he depression, friendship, consequences, Good read rating: %%%%% wants nothing more than to help her put %%%%% homelessness, cognitive impairment, Literary value rating: the pieces back together again. And compartmentalisation, family secrets, yet, this isn't your average story of boy sexual abuse, suicide, dealing with meets girl. suicidal thoughts, resilience, choosing Krystal Sutherland's brilliant debut is to live, hope equal parts wit and heartbreak, a Please be aware: 1. Language: Jesus potent reminder of the bittersweet (p83), shit x 1 . 2. Skinny dipping bliss that is first love.

bookcurator.com.au | 57 » OUR REVIEW out of me’ ‘oh God that’s not what I at first. Foster and Dad giggle about it. Henry, high school senior, falls in love meant.’ Henry’s best friend Lola is gay, But the forgetting gets worse. And with new girl Grace. Grace is deeply her girlfriend Georgia visits a few times suddenly no one is laughing anymore. grieving and emotionally a wreck afer during the book. Writer’s view of gay A heartbreaking story about what it her boyfriend died in a car accident relationships – a matter of biology. The means to forget and to be forgotten. school magazine ofce has a ‘sex that lef her leg injured – just 3 months » OUR REVIEW ago. couch’ where the previous editor had Foster’s dad values stories and loves to sex with girlfriend in open room with They develop a weird relationship tell them to Foster at every large glass window. Voodoo spoken of where he loses his virginity and they opportunity. He encourages Foster to several times as a possibility for why never actually consider each other create, love and share stories too. Then Grace was behaving the way she boyfriend/girlfriend. Their relationship the stories start drifting away … and so behaved. Crass conversations train wrecks and they don’t end up does Foster’s father. Ultimately especially pg 35 Halloween drinking together. diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s, his party – parents were fine with it. progressive decline is heartbreaking. Henry believes he has the perfect Parents gave Henry condoms. Henry parents who never fight. There is one loses virginity (not overly graphic thank The book is narrated by 7-year-old case in the story where he notices they goodness) Henry thinks of porn in Foster Sumner, whose world is turned don’t show any afection towards each comparison to his first time, it reads as upside by the changes in his father and other in front of him. though looking at porn is normal. the efect those have on his family as a whole. His mother is barely holding it Afer his split with Grace, his older together, and doesn’t have the capacity sister, Sadie, adds to his pain when she to be the person Foster needs her to tells him that his parents lived under Recommended age: 15 years + be. the same roof as friends to give him a Suitable class novel: NO stable home. They fell out of love and Good read rating: %% Some years ago Foster’s mum was hit %%% made her promise not to tell him. Literary value rating: by a drunk driver and sufered serious Sadie, a divorced single mum, tells him injuries. While she eventually recovered, no love lasts forever, but it’s worth it one side of her face is permanently for the excitement in the beginning. paralysed. She is both incredibly fearful Afer landing his dream job for senior, of illness and feels indebted to her editing the school paper, with all his husband for being there when she drama chasing Grace, the first edition needed him. She’s a drowning woman of the newspapers is about to fail, who doesn’t just refuse a life buoy but when Sadie, helps him break into the at times knocks it out of her rescuers school on the weekend to get the hands. paper finished. This is a masterfully crafed, evocative and touching book, which highlights the Our Chemical Hearts does not end with progressive nature of what is happily ever afer, based on the story ultimately catastrophic change that that unfolded, the ending was raw and Forgetting Foster can easily break a family apart. There’s realistic. I found by half way, I was Author: Dianne Touchell no conclusion, just the gentle losing interest because of the use of ISBN: 978-1760110796 realisation (almost a whisper) that if crass language and the underpinning Published: 1/7/16 they are to make it, they must learn to of the author’s point of view that was Publisher: Allen & Unwin let go of their expectations and routine, coming through. Eg Love never lasts and make each day the best they can. forever, sex is no big deal. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Favourite quote: There are stories in Major themes: teen relationship, Foster suddenly recognised the feeling everything. They are all around you, dysfunctional family, friendship, that rolled over him and made him feel waiting to be discovered. You just have social issues, teen drinking, driving sick. It was this: Dad was going away to look for them ... Tell stories to recklessly, coming of age/sexual somewhere all on his own. And Foster whoever will listen, and then listen to relationship was already missing him. theirs. Please be aware: Swearing - S F Foster Sumner is seven years old. He Major themes: early onset bombs are dropped frequently along likes toy soldiers, tadpole hunting, Alzheimer’s disease, family, shame, with many others. The way God and going to school and the beach. Best of bullying, unintentional neglect, Jesus are used might ofend some ... eg all, he likes listening to his dad's storytelling, community services, ‘Jesus, Grace. I don’t even know what to stories. But then Foster's dad starts survival, financial stress. say. Jesus.’ ‘Jesus you scared the crap forgetting things. No one is too worried

58 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement Please be aware: 1. Language: f**k x » OUR REVIEW Major themes: friendship, death, 3 (p41, 42, 203), bitch x 1, Jesus/Christ x The Sidekicks, written by Will Kostakis, swimming, drugs, relationships, 6 (p69, 81, 91, 123, 175), shit x 5, bloody admirably demonstrates the pain and grief, peer pressure, binge drinking, x 2. 2. As the Alzheimer’s progresses, pleasure of the world of teenage boys. recklessness behaviours include collecting his ‘shit’ This novel shows how they deal with Please be aware: 1. Language: shit x in an ice cream container, making grief when they lose someone who’s 50+, f**k x 17, gay slurs (p71, 72, 74, 131), inappropriate comments, accusing his central to their lives. dickhead x 2, Christ/Jesus x 3 (p126, wife of bringing her boyfriend home The characters are realistic, with all 154, 218), bastards x 1, bugger x 1. 2. (instead of realising the man is a care their flaws and their diferences and Other Issues: Selling essays Drug worker), paranoia and violence. This is while they are not best friends they taking/dealing (pp. 46, 125 Alcohol (p. all dealt with appropriately for the age have a shared grief. 79) Homosexuality (Ryan and Todd group. 3. Miss Watson (their next door kissing p. 40) Death (Isaac falls into The novel is made up of three novellas, neighbour and Foster’s babysitter), water and drowns) bullies his father and slaps him. The each told from the point of view of a violence would have escalated but diferent boy. Ryan, the Swimmer, tells Foster wouldn’t leave the room as she his story first, then Harley, the Rebel insisted (eg. P109). and lastly Miles, the Nerd. Recommended age: 15 years + Suitable class novel: NO As each tell their story the reader Good read rating: %%%% learns about the other two from the Literary value rating: %%%% perspective of the narrator. Ultimately Recommended age: 13 to 16 years Suitable class novel: YES the three points of view overlap to give Good read rating: %%%%% the reader a deeper insight into the %%%%% Literary value rating: personal and individualistic nature of each boy. The plot advances from when Isaac dies afer falling into the water while skylarking with school friends. From then on the story follows each boy as he comes to terms with the death of their best friend.

Isaac, although not alive, is in many respects the main character. He is the Lady Helen and the hero to his three close friends, Ryan, Harley and Miles. Up until now they Dark Days Club The Sidekicks have just been there because they Author: Alison Goodman were all friends with Isaac - his ISBN: 978-0732296094 Author: Will Kostakis sidekicks. Now he is gone they have to Published: 1/1/16 ISBN: 978-0143309031 establish a new relationship with each Publisher: Harper Collins Published: 29/2/16 other so they can fill the gap he has Publisher: Penguin lef in their lives. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION As well as grieving this brings out A tantalising new trilogy set in Regency » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION insecurities and uncertainties for them. London from the award-winning author The Swimmer. The Rebel. The Nerd. All Isaac knew secrets about each one that of Eon and Eona. Ryan, Harley and Miles had in common he did not share with the others, thus London, April 1812. Lady Helen Wrexhall was Isaac. They lived different lives, had he was a trusted and respected friend. is set to make her debut at the court of different interests and kept different This contemporary novel is honest and Queen Charlotte and ofcially step into secrets. But they shared the same best heartbreaking as the teenagers cope polite Regency society and the marriage friend. They were sidekicks. And now with the devastating experience and mart. Little does Helen know that step that Isaac's gone, what does that make their grief and try to get on with their will take her from the opulent drawing them? lives. But it is also uplifing as the rooms of Mayfair and the bright lights Will Kostakis, award-winning author of author writes about the boys of Vauxhall Gardens into a shadowy The First Third, perfectly depicts the discovering who they are through the world of missing housemaids and pain and pleasure of this teenage mourning process. They learn to see demonic conspiracies. the kindness in each other and develop world, piecing together three points of Standing between those two worlds is a new friendship. view with intricate splendour. Lord Carlston, a man of ruined

bookcurator.com.au | 59 reputation and brusque manners. He training, Helen is forced to witness this. is his teenage daughter, who is believes Helen has a destiny beyond Brief descriptions of photographic kidnapped by renowned intergalactic the ballroom; a sacred and secret duty. pornography and masturbation. villain Benjamin Badde. Plus there's Helen is not so sure, especially when Demons inhabiting human bodies. 2. some bar/drinking scenes and a little she discovers that nothing around her Violence. Very graphic descriptions of a gore. is quite as it seems, including the rotting corpse. That said, it's a thoroughly enjoyable enigmatic Lord Carlston. Against a read and if you're a Hitchhikers or backdrop of whispered secrets in St Doctor Who fan then you'll probably James's Palace, soirees with Lord Byron love it. and morning calls from Beau Brummell, Recommended age: 18 years + Suitable class novel: NO The story follows Black Carter's Lady Helen and the Dark Days Club is a Good read rating: %%%% delightfully dangerous adventure of Literary value rating: %%%% attempts to capture Badde, who not self-discovery and dark choices that only has his daughter but is planning a must be made - whatever the seriously big crime. It's very tongue in consequences. cheek with some great, if irrelevant, side commentary by the narrator. » OUR REVIEW The actions happen on a futuristic This unusual novel is a mash up of Earth full of all manner of zany Regency Romance and paranormal YA. inventions and weird aliens. Good fun. The regency perspective is fairly well done and suggests the author is a Major themes: future, sci fi, aliens, Georgette Heyer fan, although the robots, police work, villain, kidnapping, writing is not as seamless. The AI, pursuit paranormal aspects are somewhat Please be aware: drinking / drunk convoluted, and involve demonic (p1, 230), a god - Tygon (p22), evolution forces that feed on sexual desire A Toaster on Mars (p40), blood and body parts (p106). (amongst other things). Author: Darrell Pitt Essentially Lady Helen, an orphaned ISBN: 978-1922182869 heiress whose parents are Published: 30/5/16 remembered only with shame, is being Recommended age: 12 years + Publisher: Text Publishing Suitable class novel: NO presented to polite society in order to Good read rating: %%%% make a good marriage. However she is Literary value rating: %%%% » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION no ordinary woman. Helen discovers The year is 2509 and earth is a rather she is one of only six Reclaimers in polluted blue dot that sufers from England, whose role is to guard society global warming, overpopulating and against the demonic forces hidden not enough people using deodorant. amongst them. That discovery will take her into places that a lady of her Blake Carter, star agent with the breeding wouldn’t even know about, let Planetary Bureau of Investigation, isn't alone visit, and expose her to sensuous having a good day. First he's beaten up darkness and despair. by a bunch of religious zealots, and then he's assigned a robot: sorry, cyborg: as She has been told that her role is his new partner, right before his ex- imperative if England is to be kept safe. wife calls to tell him his daughter has But when she is given a secret letter gone missing. from her mother, Helen learns that knowing who to trust will be far more His car keeps criticising his driving, and The Stars at difcult than it first appeared … finally, to top things of, the world is held to ransom by his nemesis, evil Oktober Bend Major themes: Regency London, genius Bartholomew Badde. Can things high society, treason, family secrets, Author: Glenda Millard get any worse? Yes! quest, good versus evil, demonic ISBN: 978-1743315897 forces, sensuality, lust, trust, truth » OUR REVIEW Published: 27/1/16 Please be aware: 1. Very strong At first glance this wouldn't seem to be Publisher: Allen & Unwin supernatural themes. Some of the a young adult novel. The main » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION demonic characters feed on sex and character's a washed up police detective drain people’s life force while saddled with a new cyborg partner. The Alice is fifeen, with hair as red as fire ‘fornicating’ with them. As part of her only school aged person to even appear and skin as pale as bone, but

60 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement something inside her is broken. She has There is some relief from Alice’s EVE POWNALL AWARD acquired brain injury, the result of an amateur expression for readers when assault, and her words come out slow Manny narrates events and we gain INFORMATION BOOKS and slurred. But when she writes, much insight into the traumatic life SHORT LIST heartwords fly from her pen. She writes from which he has come and him poems to express the words she can't becoming accustomed to the say and leaves them in unexpected Australian way of life. places around the town. The novel is enriched with beautiful Manny was once a child soldier. He is images and symbols to encapsulate the sixteen and has lost all his family. He status of Alice and Manny’s appears to be adapting to his new life circumstances, such as references to in this country, where there is comfort birds, flying and running. and safety, but at night he runs, The Stars of Oktober Bend is highly barefoot, to escape the memory of his recommended as a novel for class past. study due to its pertinent themes and When he first sees Alice, she is sitting imagery. on the rusty roof of her river-house, Major themes: dealing with past Spellbound: looking like a carving on an old- tragedies, abandonment/loss of family, Making Pictures fashioned ship sailing through the diference and otherness, small town stars. social status and prejudice, bullying, with the ABC » OUR REVIEW brain injury, war refugee/immigrant, Author: Maree Coote belonging, protection, survival, The Stars at Oktober Bend succeeds in ISBN: 978-0992491727 forgiving self and others, revenge, helping readers to understand Published: 1/12/15 redemption diference in the representation of its Publisher: Melbournestyle Books two central characters and narrators: Please be aware: Superficial Alice, a 15 year old girl who has an descriptions of violence: Manny’s recall » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION acquired brain injury, and Manny, a war of soldiers attack on his family (110), A brand new take on Typographic refugee and immigrant to Australia. Alice’s rape attack (111, 171-172), Design creates unique Letter Art Through their otherness and the O’Leary’s football attack on Manny pictures. Every image is made with the prejudice that they endure for diferent (205) verbal sexual innuendo (82 135). letters that spell its very name. reasons, Alice and Manny become firm Mild language, eg. shit x 8. Features famous faces, places and friends as they each come to terms things from all around the world, plus with their tragic pasts by sharing them famous people and places from with one another bit by bit. Melbourne and Australia. Recommended age: 13 to 16 years Alice, in particular, refers to her feelings Suitable class novel: YES » OUR REVIEW %%%%% of being separated from humanity Good read rating: Literary value rating: %%%% A unique and intriguing concept, which because of her brain injury and clearly will appeal to both gifed artists and struggles to find her identity and place those with no traditionally perceived of belonging in a limited world. artistic ability. Creating an image using In the chapters which Alice narrates, the just the letters which make up it’s author has stylistically reflected Alice’s name ofers an exciting challenge and brain injury and the disjointedness of encourages creativity through use of her thoughts. The uneven sentences creative thinking, font design and and lack of punctuation is a little tricky perception to read at first, however, the author This step by step guide to letter art or intentionally uses this technique to typographical poetry helps students to relate the persona of Alice and allow recognise letter shapes in the natural readers to emphasise with her lack of environment and enhances their mental clarity. observational skills. With modern Alice’s narration moves between technology the possibilities are virtually narrative and free verse poetry for her limitless. gifed and fluent writing shows her The book is divided into easy to feelings about the state of her life more understand sections, from beginner to efectively than talking does.

bookcurator.com.au | 61 advanced, with a myriad of exercises text. All animals also include an » OUR REVIEW and examples to follow. Intriguing. interesting fact. A moving tale of animal heroism in the Recommended age: 10 years + This book would be a great resource to face of a terrible bushfire. Based on a junior students in learning about the true story, it tells the tale of Fabish, a environment, to help them develop an retired racehorse, and how he understanding of the diferent levels of protected seven yearlings from risk for animals and what can be done Victoria’s Black Saturday bushfire. to reduce these risks. Whilst the trainer protected the other Students are likely to engage in the racehorses, he released Fabish and the interesting and valuable information yearlings to fend for themselves, not that is presented in a simple easy to really anticipating he would see them digest format. again. A great story, well told, with very evocative illustrations. Recommended age: 6 to 10 years Recommended age: 6 to 9 years A-Z of Endangered Animals Author: Jennifer Cossins ISBN: 978-0987594662 Published: 2/11/16 Publisher: Red Parka Designs

» PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION From the Amur Tiger to the Zebra Duiker, this book is a beautiful Fabish anthology of 26 of the world's William Bligh endangered animals, with full colour Author: Neridah McMullin, Author: Michael Sedunary illustrations, information about each Andrew McLean ISBN: 978-0994289537 animal and quirky facts. ISBN: 978-1925266863 Published: 1/1/16 » OUR REVIEW Published: 1/8/16 Publisher: Berbay Publishing Publisher: Allen & Unwin 26 animals are highlighted between A and Z in this book focussed on » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION encouraging children and families to This third in a series on the British Fabish was a handsome grey appreciate the risks to endangered and settlement of Australia, peels back the racehorse. In his racing days, he wasn't vulnerable animals. layers of some of the most incredible the fastest horse, but he always tried circumstances in Australia’s colonial The animals include more commonly his hardest. And when he retired, history, and invites young readers to known species such as gorillas, pandas Fabish took care of the yearlings in a examine what lies below the surface. and elephants. But the list also includes paddock far away from the training some specific less known animals such track. Fabish showed the flighty young » OUR REVIEW as the Umbrellabird, Vaquita, a Duiker horses what was expected of a A highly informative overview of the and the Kakapo. racehorse. later part of William Bligh's career. It, naturally, includes the two mutinies Each section includes a listing of its One hot summer day, a wild wind blew against him for which he is best known status (vulnerable, endangered and up and the yearlings were restless. Then in the mutiny on the Bounty and the critically endangered); an estimate of Fabish smelled smoke. Fire was coming, Rum Rebellion. the remaining population, a description fast. The trainer threw open the gate of the animal including what it looks and said, 'Go now!' Fabish neighed to Both these are covered, with some like and its size and where it lives. the young ones and they galloped away. background details and actions at the time. His position as Governor of NSW, There are also mentions of the risk to All through the night, the fire raged and during a changing period in it's history, each of these animals. Each page the trainer battled to save the will be of most historical interest to spread has a cartoon style picture for racehorses in the stables. But what local readers. readers to look at while they read would become of Fabish and the through the large and easy to read yearlings? Could he save them from the firestorm?

62 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement The illustration style is akin to the old There are accompanying maps EVE POWNALL AWARD style sketches / watercolours made by showing in which National Parks it is the early explorers. likely to be found as well as its overall INFORMATION BOOKS distribution. A beautifully put together Recommended age: 8 to 12 years NOTABLES publication, with stunning photographs and informative information. Recommended age: 7 years +

Nellie Melba: Amazing Animals Australia's of Australia's Nightingale National Parks The Gigantic Book of Genes Author: Cassy Liberman Author: Gina Newton ISBN: 978-1925386042 ISBN: 978-0642278883 Author: Lorna Hendry Published: 1/1/16 Published: 1/10/16 ISBN: 978-1742034102 Publisher: Brolly Books Publisher: National Library Aust Published: 5/5/16 Publisher: Wild Dog Books » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Australia’s Nightingale tells the story of With its enticing and colourful design » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Australia's first great international and its fascinating information, this is a Genes are the blueprint for life. They musician, from her early days in book that children will want to pour are found inside the cells of all living Melbourne, through the hard days in over -either at home, in the classroom organisms, and are responsible for how northern Australia, and on to her or on a road trip. a plant or animal looks and grows. international career and her eventual This book brings together 55 national Welcome to The Gigantic Book of retirement at Coombe in the Yarra parks, selected across all Australian Genes! Valley. states and territories, and over 120 » OUR REVIEW » OUR REVIEW animals. It is divided into seven A simplified overview of genetics for A sumptuously illustrated and sections according to habitat young readers. It explains how genes fascinatingly detailed account of Dame (woodlands and grasslands; forests; are the instruction manual for all life and Nellie Melba’s life. If you know nothing rainforests; arid zones; mountains; how minute variations govern how we about Australia’s Nightingale before wetlands and waterways; coasts, oceans look, act, change and survive. It looks reading this informative book, you’ll be and islands), each including a number at familial characteristics and why well versed in her life aferwards. of national parks and a selection of the some people can do certain things and Though only an overview, her drive fish, reptiles, frogs, birds and mammals provide simple tests for the reader to dedication and ambition shines that inhabit them. try. through, as does her astonishing At the end of the book is a section on It's well done, simple to follow and a success as a woman in late Victorian 'little critters' - beetles, spiders, good starting point on which to times. The support of her father and butterflies, grasshoppers, bugs and so introduce the subject. her love for her son, show the on. Please be aware: As you would importance of family to her. » OUR REVIEW expect, evolution is discussed. As mentioned, the illustrations are a A fascinating look at some of Australia's Recommended age: 7 to 10 years true delight, being generally done in an unique and better known animals. Each art nouveau style. Definitely worth entry includes indepth details about the consideration, if only as an example of animal itself, its lifestyle and habitat. the tremendous determination which women had to have in order to

bookcurator.com.au | 63 succeed in such a male dominated This book recognises the innovation, non-fiction title, taking children on a world. ingenuity, and creativity displayed by journey from the paddock, the orchard, Recommended age: 10 years + many Australians during wartime. the garden to their own kitchen. » OUR REVIEW » OUR REVIEW A fascinating account of Australians’ In our increasingly urbanised world resourcefulness during times of war, awareness of where the food we eat whether they be on the battle ground, comes from is often not thought about as a prisoner of war or on the home or simply unknown by younger front. generations. This information picture One of a series produced by the book looks at our basic foodstuffs, Australian War Memorial it ofers a explains their origins and looks at detailed insight into the myriad of processing and distribution. inventions which generally helped save There's simple questions to answer and lives. From periscope rifles in the things to ponder. It's simply told, laid out trenches of WWI, through camouflage easily and accompanied by Resource: Stories of and deception techniques to POW's understandable and informative ingenuity and medical advances, it illustrations. Australian Innovation really is a testimony to man's creative A good starting point. abilities. in Wartime Recommended age: 3 to 6 years Accompanied by many historical Author: Jennet Cole-Adams photographs and documents and ISBN: 978-0992583989 information on each person’s Published: 1/1/16 achievements. The text is detailed, Publisher: Dept of Veteran Afairs informative and engaging. » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION Definitely worthy of consideration, as A resourceful person finds unique and it's a little diferent to the usual clever ways to overcome challenges – wartime fare. a quality that is much needed during Recommended age: 8 to 12 years times of conflict.

Over the last century, Australians have demonstrated resourcefulness during wartime in many ways, from surviving Socks, Sandbags in harsh environments without specialist equipment, to deceiving the and Leeches enemy with ingenious plans or inventing Author: Pauline Deeves new and efective weapons. ISBN: 978-0642278845 This book explores examples of Published: 1/1/16 Australian wartime innovation, some of Publisher: National Library of Aust which occurred in Australia – in laboratories, offices and homes – and » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION some on the battlefields where The ABC Ivy and her mother live in Australia, far Australians have fought. away from where the Great War is Book of Food raging. They have moved in with Aunt As a nation, Australia has made Hilda, whose flat is so small that Ivy significant contributions to war related Author: H Martin and J Simpson has to sleep under the kitchen table. innovations that help service men and ISBN: 978-0733334269 Not only that, but she also has to women to operate efciently and Published: 1/3/16 empty Aunt Hilda’s chamber pot! The safely. Publisher: Harper Collins Pests live in the flat on one side and, on Many Australians have received » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION the other side, lives grumpy old Mr honours or awards during wartime for From the bestselling creators for The Wilson who has a deep secret. innovations. Resourcefulness, however, ABC Book of Cars, Trains, Boats and is a quality so frequently displayed by Ivy writes to her father, who is fighting Planes and The ABC Book of Seasons service men and women from all overseas. She tells him all about life at comes a delightful introduction to the nations that it ofen goes unnoticed. home: how the family has little money; world of food. A gloriously illustrated how she and other children have to

64 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement sew sandbags, knit socks and roll up Read about the investigations and Each chapter includes imagery of bandages for the war; how she volunteers weigh up the facts - do you believe the famous Parisian landmarks such as the for the Cheer Up Society, making cups ofcial explanations for these weird Louvre, the Palais Garnier - home of of tea at the wharf when the hospital and wonderful events? the ballet - and the Eifel Tower, ships come in; and how the Big Pest enabling children to take a visual tour » OUR REVIEW collects leeches for the hospital. of Paris while learning about its An interesting compilation of the weird, relevance to Edgar Degas. » OUR REVIEW bizarre and mysterious gleaned from A fascinating insight into life in actual events and Australian folklore. It » OUR REVIEW Australia during the period of the Great looks at mythical creatures, including Following the life of renowned artist War. Told in the form of letters from a the Yowie and Drop Bear, haunted Edgar Degas; this book looks at his school girl to her soldier father and places, UFO sightings, unsolved upbringing, love of Paris and eventual using posters, newspaper articles, disappearances and other strange desire to be a painter. Not only is it his advertisements and propaganda from goings on. It's a veritable A-Z of bush story, but to a degree it's the story of the time. legends and anyone interested in this Paris too, as this famous city underwent The young girls' naive observations and aspect of Australian history, both old or many changes during his lifetime. the Government propaganda are of recent, will be fascinated. Though some These two stories combine as Degas most interest and give the reader a real can be explained, it shows that there is paints horses at the new racecourse or sense of the feelings of everyday still a lot we don't know. ballerinas at ballet schools that were Australians. Recommended age: 10 years + being rejuvenated by the renaissance of Paris. A beautifully conceived and executed book which deserves a place in every He was also famous for his depictions library. of ordinary working folk at their Recommended age: 7 years + mundane jobs. This book ofers wonderful insights and is a good starting point for anyone interested in the artist himself or in Paris. There's quite a bit of additional information and even some french phrases to learn. Recommended age: 6 years + Degas: An Art Book for Kids Author: Kate Ryan ISBN: 978-1925432138 Aliens, Ghosts and Published: 8/8/16 Vanishings Publisher: National Gallery of Aust

Author: Stella Tarakson » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION ISBN: 978-1925324969 Degas: An Art Book for Kids is a lively Published: 31/10/16 and fun book written and developed Publisher: Random House specifically for children. Guided by two illustrated characters, Snail and Pigeon, » PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION this publication invites young readers Have you heard the most bizarre tales to discover the artist Edgar Degas, and from around Australia? Did a UFO drag explore the arrondissements of Paris a family's car of the road in the middle where he grew up, lived and sourced of the outback? How did rocks rain inspiration. from the sky in WA? And what became of the prime minister who went into the Featuring gorgeous illustrations, surf and was never seen again? alongside reproductions of Edgar Explore the strangest tales, most Degas's work, children are provided incredible encounters and creepiest with interesting facts about Degas's urban legends in Australia's history. artistic techniques and French culture.

bookcurator.com.au | 65 INDEX

This issues titles in alphabetical order

A Most Magical Girl Chooks in Dinner Suits Go Home, Cheeky Animals! Karen Foxlee ...... 28 Diane Jackson Hill ...... 21 Johanna Bell ...... 7 Circle Grandpa’s Big Adventure A Patch From Scratch Jeannie Baker ...... 23 Paul Newman ...... 24 Megan Forward ...... 27 Colours of Australia Hattie Helps Out A Soldier, A Dog and A Boy Bronwyn Bancrof ...... 18 Jane Godwin, Davina Bell ...... 25 Libby Hathorn ...... 18 Crusts Hello Little Babies A Toaster on Mars Danny Parker ...... 17 Alison Lester ...... 10 Darrell Pitt ...... 60 Cybertricks Hello! Goldie Alexander ...... 48 Tony Flowers ...... 23 A-Z Endangered Animals Jennifer Cossins ...... 62 Cyclone Home in the Rain Jackie French ...... 26 Bob Graham ...... 15 Agatha and the Dark Anna Pignataro...... 9 Daugher of Nomads: The Tales of Iris and the Tiger Jahani #1 Leanne Hall ...... 44 Rosanne Hawke ...... 41 Aliens, Ghosts and Vanishings Joey Counts to Ten Stella Tarakson ...... 65 Daystar Sally Morgan ...... 8 Anne Hamilton ...... 47 All I Want For Christmas is Rain Lady Helen and the Dark Days Cori Brooke ...... 6 Degas: An Art Book For Kids Club Kate Ryan ...... 65 Alison Goodman ...... 59 Amazing Animals of Australia’s Desert Lake Lily in the Mirror National Parks Pamela Freeman ...... 21 Paula Hayes ...... 42 Gina Newtown...... 63 Dog Lost Little Bear’s First Sleep Archie - No Ordinary Sloth Brian Simmonds ...... 16 Lesley Gibbes ...... 8 Heath McKenzie...... 17 Don’t Call Me Bear Little Chicken Chickabee Artie and the Grime Wave Aaron Blabey ...... 23 Janeen Brian ...... 12 Richard Roxburgh ...... 37 Dragonfly Song Lizzie and Margaret Rose Bear Makes Den Wendy Orr ...... 27 Pamela Rushby ...... 37 Jane Godwin, Michael Wagner ...... 13 Dream Little One, Dream Magrit Sally Morgan ...... 13 Lee Battersby ...... 45 Becoming Aurora Elizabeth Kasmer ...... 55 Ducks Away! Mechanica Mem Fox ...... 9 Lance Balchin ...... 27 Bird and Bear and the Special Day Elizabeth and Zenobia Melbourne Word by Word Ann James ...... 12 Jessica Miller ...... 41 Michael McMahon ...... 27 Blue Sky, Yellow Kite Everything is Changed Milo: A Moving Story Janet A Holmes ...... 17 Nova Weetman...... 53 Tohby Riddle ...... 24 Blue, The Builder’s Dog Fabish Molly and Mae Jen Storer ...... 21 Nerida McMullin, Andrew Danny Parker ...... 8 McLean...... 62 Mr Chicken Arriva a Roma Blueberry Pancakes Forever Fizz and the Police Dog Tryouts: Leigh Hobbs ...... 18 Angelica Banks ...... 42 Fizz #1 Mrs Whitlam Lesley Gibbes ...... 43 Boomerang and Bat Bruce Pascoe ...... 30 Mark Greenwood ...... 25 Forgetting Foster Dianne Touchell ...... 58 My Best Friend is a Goddess Captain Jimmy Cook Discovers Tara Eglington ...... 56 Third Grade Frankie Shivaun Plozza ...... 49 My Brother Kate Temple, Jai Temple ...... 30 Dee Huxley, Oliver Huxley, Tifany Freedom Swimmer Huxley ...... 16 Captain Sneer the Buccaneer Wai Chim ...... 40 Penny Morrison ...... 20 My Perfect Pup Gary Sue Walker ...... 11 Chip Leila Rudge ...... 6 Kylie Howarth ...... 6 Nannie Loves Kylie Dunstan ...... 6

66 | The Book Curator: CBCA Awards Supplement Nellie Melba: Australia’s Nightingale Spellbound: Making Pictures with The Stars at Oktober Bend Cassy Liberman ...... 63 the A-B-C Glenda MIllard ...... 60 Maree Coote ...... 61 New Year Surprise! The Twins of Tintarfell Christopher Cheng ...... 19 Squishy Taylor and the Bonus James O’Loghlin ...... 35 Sisters Oh, Albert The Unforgettable Alisa Wild ...... 46 Davina Bell ...... 11 What’s His Name Stanley Paul Jennings ...... 36 On the River Colin Thompson ...... 25 Roland Harvey ...... 22 The Whole Caboodle Take Ted Instead Lisa Shanahan ...... 12 One Photo Cassandra Webb ...... 13 Ross Watkins ...... 15 Theophilus Grey Ten Little Owls and the Traitor’s Mask One Would Think The Deep Renee Treml ...... 10 Catherine Jinks ...... 35 Claire Zorn ...... 50 The 12th Dog Toad Delight Our Chemical Hearts Charlotte Calder ...... 8 Morris Gleitzman ...... 39 Krystal Sutherland ...... 57 The ABC Book of Food Together Always Out H Martin, J Simpson ...... 64 Edwina Wyatt ...... 14 Angela May George ...... 15 The Bone Sparrow Twig Pandamonia Zana Fraillon ...... 52 Aura Parker ...... 7 Chris Owen, Chris Nixon ...... 22 The Cat Wants Custard Waer P Crumble ...... 11 Meg Caddy ...... 53 Pig The Winner Aaron Blabey ...... 13 The Fabulous Friend Machine Welcome to Country Nick Bland ...... 20 Joy Murphy, Lisa Kennedy ...... 27 Pocket Rocket: Ellyse Perry 1: Ellyse Perry, Sherryl Clark ...... 34 The Fail Safe What’s in a Name? Jack Heath ...... 39 Myles Walsh ...... 31 Reflection Rebecka Sharpe Shleberg...... 24 The Family With Two Front Doors When the Lyrebird Calls Anna Ciddor ...... 46 Kim Kane ...... 38 Resource: Stories of Australian Innovation in Wartime The Gigantic Book of Genes Where is Bear? Jennet Cole-Adams ...... 64 Lorna Hendry ...... 63 Jonathan Bentley ...... 10 Rockhopping The Hounded Wicked’s Way? Trace Balla ...... 28 Simon Butters ...... 56 Anna Fienberg ...... 32 Ruby Red Shoes Goes to London The Invisible War Wild Pa Kate Knapp ...... 34 Ailsa Wild...... 54 Claire Saxby ...... 10 Ruby Wishfingers The Lost Sapphire William Bligh: A Story of Deborah Kelly ...... 47 Belinda Murrell ...... 31 Tempestuous Times Michael Sedunary ...... 62 Shoot-out at the Rock: The Ocean of the Dead: Tommy Bell Bushranger Boy Ship Kings # 4 Within These Walls Jane Smith ...... 36 Andrew McGahan ...... 54 Robyn Bavati ...... 29 Small Things The Other Christy Words in Deep Blue Mel Tregonning ...... 27 Oliver Phommavanh ...... 43 Cath Crowley ...... 48 Smeck The Patchwork Bike Wormwood Mire: A Stella Ben Redlich ...... 16 Maxine Beneba Clarke ...... 27 Montgomery Intrigue Judith Rossell ...... 31 Smile Cry The Pearl-shell Diver Tania McCartney ...... 9 Kay Crabbe ...... 44 Yellow Megan Jacobson ...... 51 Snail and Turtle Rainy Days The Secrets We Keep Stephen Michael King ...... 22 Nova Weetman ...... 33 Yong: The Journey of an Unworthy Son Socks, Sandbags and Leeches The Shark Caller Janeen Brian...... 33 Pauline Deeves ...... 64 Dianne Wolfer ...... 40 Zelda’s Big Adventure Something Wonderful The Sidekicks Marie Alafaci ...... 11 Raewyen Caisley ...... 18 Will Kostakis ...... 59 Somewhere Else The Sisters Saint-Claire Gus Gordon ...... 19 Carlie Gibson ...... 20 Spark The Snow Wombat Adam Wallace ...... 19 Susannah Chambers ...... 7

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