The End of the Alphabet

Title: The End of the Alphabet
Author: CS Richardson
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Adult
Format: Book – Library

Synopsis: When Abrose Zephyr has a check up at 50, he is told he has a mere month to live. So he gathers his wife and a list and heads off to visit a variety of places in alphabetically order. But is this what they really need to be doing?

What I thought: This came from a recommendations from Jules at Jules' Book Reviews - way back in January 2010! Obviously you can't rush me!
This is a nice quick read- I managed it in a lunch hour plus a bit before bed. It has a lovely lyrical quality and the writing flows beautifully. The vagueness of what disease Abrose has makes sure the reader focus' on the journey, not the destination. It's full of lovely little symbols (like Ambrose's intials - A-Z) and has hidden depths. Well recommended

Recommended for: people after a good, intelligent, quick read.

Challenges: 100+ Challenge, TwentyEleven Challenge, A-Z Challenge

Black Foxes

Title: Black Foxes
Author: Sonya Hartnett
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Young Adult
Format: Book – Library

Synopsis: Tyrone Sully is young, rich and orphaned. Bored with staying around his estate, Wilde Hyde, he sets off with his best friend and companion, Oscar and his cousin Silke on a trip that will influence the rest of their lives.

What I thought: In this book, Hartnett moves away from the modern world and back into early 19th Century England and to tell you the truth, it didn’t work for me to start with. The book jumped from event to event, at times with what appeared to be no real connection. Of course, in the end, everything was tied together and it all made sense. It was worth persevering with the book, but the length (over 400 pages) and the seemingly directionless plot could make a less dedicated reader give up early. In typical Hartnett style, the ending could leave the reader feeling unfulfilled and not sure what the purpose of the book was. For me, this was not one of Hartnett’s best.

Recommended for: Hartnett fans

Challenges: 100+ Challenge,  For the love of YA Challenge, Aussie YA Challenge

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Author: J.K Rowling
Series: Harry Potter
Genre: Fiction
Audience: Children/ Young Adult
Format: Book - Personal Collection

Synopsis: Harry Potter is just an ordinary boy living with his horrible aunt, uncle and cousin. Then one day, Harry finds out he is not as ordinary as he thinks. Not only is he a wizard, he is famous in the wizarding world. So off he goes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardary to begin on the path of his true destiny.

What I thought: The other week a friend and I went to see the final movie in the Harry Potter series. I loved it, thought they did an excellent job. Of course, it did mean that the moment I went home I wanted to read the books again! So being the anal person I am, I started with the first and plan to work my way through! What I am pleased to say is that the book stands the test of time. Given I have re read it every time a new book came out, plus a few extras, you could expect the thrill of it to diminish each time. It doesn’t. It’s just as exciting to read it this time as it was the first time I read it. In fact, in some ways it is better, as you know to look for little things and you become aware as the books go just how much the characters are growing. My only regret at the moment is I have a stack of library books (what’s new!) that I have to get through before I move onto book 2!

Recommended for: everyone! A true classic

Challenges: 100+ Challenge. I’m not adding this to my YA challenges as I feel it’s not really a YA book, more a children’s.

Children's Book Council 2011 Picture Book Shortlisted Books

This post will review all six shortlisted books for the Picture Book Category of the Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards. I also select what I think should be the winner and the two honour books. The awards will be announced on August 19, and it will be interesting to see how my judging matches those from the CBC!

The Picture Book Category is made up of books intended for children in the birth to 18 months category, although some books may be for mature readers. The six shortlisted books are:

Mirror by Jeannie Baker
Why I Love Australia by Bronwyn Bancroft
Hamlet by Nicki Greenberg
Two Peas in a Pod by Chris McKimmie
Family Forest by Kim Kane; Illustrated by Lucia Masciullo
My Uncle's Donkey by Tohby Riddle

REVIEWS

  Family Forest by Kim Kane; illustrated Lucia Masciullo

The teller of this story (name unknown) sets out to explain her family tree. But as with so many blended families, they are lucky enough to have a family forest.

This is a lovely look at modern families. Filled with humour and fantastic illustrations, family forest delves into siblings, half siblings, step siblings, parents, step parents and partners. (instead of husband or wife) In the end is all equals the same thing family. One of the things I really liked about the illustrations in this book is the ambiguity of the narrator’s gender. At first I assumed it was a girl, but when I looked again, it could just as easily be a boy. For me this allows the reader to attach the gender they identify most with. I would see this as being a great book to use in primary schools to introduce the concept that there is no such thing as a normal or typical family. Really, the only thing it needed was a same sex couple!

 Mirror by Jeannie Baker

Mirror is told from two points of view – one a boy in Sydney, the other a boy in Morocco. Since Arabic is read right to left, the book has been designed so the


Western and Moroccan stories can be read in tandem. In classic Jeannie Baker style, Mirror is a story told in collage pictures. One of the things I love about this form of story telling is the open ended nature of it. It allows the reader to study the pictures and make their own story. What Baker does in this though, is provide the reader with the ability to compare and contrast the lives of two children in two very different parts of the world. Everything from their transport, food and recreation can be explored and examined.
 

Why I Love Australia by Bronwyn Bancroft
 
In this book, Bancroft lists and illustrates a variety of reasons she loves Australia. The illustrations in this are gorgeous - bright and bold. On the surface the text and pictures are simple, but as you look beyond you discover hidden depths. On each page is a picture of a person hold a coolamon – a type of wooden bowl – that has smoke drifting from it. This is to represent a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony which is used to show respect for another’s language group or country. Bancroft has used this figure as the host of each landscape she has represented in her pictures. This could lead into a discussion on the importance of that respect and why we need to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land we inhabit. The book is also a great way to look at the large variety of differing landscapes in Australia and how they can all be part of the reason we love this country.
 

Two Peas in a Pod by Chris McKimmie
 
Violet and Marvin are best friends. They have lived on the same street together forever and are just like two peas in a pod. But then one day Violet moves. I loved the illustrations in this book. Mixed media, crazy, non uniform. It feels a little like how a kid would illustrate it. The message is lovely too. Even when friends move away (even if it is all the way to the moon!) they can still be friends.
 
 
 

My Uncle's Donkey by Tohby Riddle
 
My Uncle’s Donkey can do lots of things – most of them you wouldn’t expect a donkey to do! OK, I’m happy to admit I don’t get this book. The pictures are lovely, they text with the pictures is mildly amusing. I also understand that the picture book category can encompass picture books for older readers. However, I don’t see the appeal for My Uncle’s Donkey at any level. When I read a picture book I try to imagine what age group I would read it to and why – to provoke discussion, for fun, to illustrate a teaching point. I would see no reason to read this to any class and if I did, I think I would just get perplexed looks.
 

Shakespeare's Hamlet by Nicki Greenberg
 
Shakespeare's Hamlet completely retold in a graphic novel form.


Wow! Let me just say that again...WOW!! This was fantastic. Nicki Greenberg "stages on the page" Shakespeare's Hamlet in a form that will engage teenage readers and possibly open their eyes to Shakespeare. And here's the thing - I'm not a big reader of Shakespeare. Apart from the stuff we had to read at school, like most people, I struggle with it. Put on the stage or screen and I'm there, love it, but I don't read it. This I read and enjoyed. I've seen other works done is a story book or comic book form, but I think the reason this worked so well is Greenberg took it completely outside the norm by making her characters non human. I'm not sure what they were , part monkey, part alien, but they weren't human and it worked. And the pictures are lush and gorgeous. I hope she does more, in fact, I'd love to see Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing or Merchant of Venice!

The Siege of Macindaw

Title: The Siege of Macindaw
Author: John Flanagan
Genre: Fiction
Series: Ranger's Apprentice
Audience: Young Adult
Format: Book - Library

Synopsis: In an isolated area in the north, Will needs to find some fighting men to help him recaputure the castle taken by Sir Keren who plans to hand the castle over to the Scotti, giving them easy access to the rest of Arulen. And then there is the rescue of Alyss that needs to happen too. Can Will find the help he needs and recaputure the castle before it's too late.

What I thought: Yet another excellent book in this series. Really, if you have a boy aged 10 or above who likes a good story, this is an excellent series to direct them to. As with a lot of these types of series, the situations are getting a little more dangerous, the concepts a little more complex. Like Harry Potter, it's a series that grows with the reader and is well worth the read.

Recommended for: those who want a quality YA fantasy series.


Challenges: 100+ Challenge, For the love of YA Challenge, Aussie YA Challenge

Children's Book Council 2011 Early Childhood Shortlisted Books

This post will review all six shortlisted books for the Early Childhood Category of the Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards. I also select what I think should be the winner and the two honour books. The awards will be announced on August 19, and it will be interesting to see how my judging matches those from the CBC!

The Early Childhood Category is made up of books intended for children in the pre-reading to early reading stages. The six shortlisted books are:

The Tall Man and the Twelve Babies by Tom Niland Champion & Kilmeny Niland; Illustrated by Deborah Niland
The Deep End by Ursula Dubosarsky; Illustrated by Mitch Vane
Noni the Pony by Alison Lester
It's Bedtime, William by Deborah Niland
Look See, Look at Me by Leonie Norrington; Illustrated by Dee Huxley
Maudie and Bear by Jan Ormerod; Illustrated by Freya Blackwood

REVIEWS

It's Bedtime, William! by Deborah Niland

William has a hundred reasons why he shouldn’t go to bed, but his parents (like all good parents do!) will not have a bar of it. One night, there is a lion in his room, but he his parents don’t believe him. Together the lion and William tire themselves out until it really is time to go to bed!

This book is gorgeous. I  have kids and the excuses they come up with are pretty impressive. The pictures are stunning, especially the two page spread of when William first finds the lion asleep in his bed. The story is quick paced and would be a fantastic read a loud with both children and parents getting a lot out of it. In the end, you too will wish you found a lion asleep in your bed!

Look See, Look at Me! by Leonie Norrington; illustrated by Dee Huxley

“Look see, look at me I’m so much bigger now I’m three.” Begins Look See. A wonderful list of all the things you can do when you are three.

This story needs to be read with a boastful tone. Full of all the wonderful things a three year old is impressed with, you can hear the pride in the child’s voice in this story. But for me, what really makes this book is the illustrations. I love Dee Huxley and she has excelled in this. Using pastels on coloured paper, she has set the illustrations in the Australian outback, using deep rich ochre colour for the red earth. Her characters are Aboriginal and each illustration gives a feeling of space and warmth. Stunning.

 Noni the Pony by Alison Lester

Noni the Pony lives on a farm with her best friends Dave Dog and Coco the Cat. Together they play and look after each other as they romp through the day.

A classic Alison Lester. A lovely rhythmic story that just begs to be read aloud and lovely simple illustrations that are bright and cheery.

 Maudie and Bear by Jan Ormerod; illustrated by Freya Blackwood.

Maudie and Bear is a collect of 5 short stories (approx 9 pages each) starring of course, Maudie and Bear. Covering the extensive preparations needed for a bike ride, a lovely homage to the three bears, making sure snacks are made just right, making up and telling stories, this book is perfect for a quick read of one story or a more committed story time of the lot.

This is gorgeous! Blackwood’s illustrations add a lovely whimsical feel to the book and Maudie and Bear’s warm, close relationship just oozes off every page. My favourite would be Home, Sweet Home where Maudie enters a (cubby) house, tastes the porridge, sits in the chairs and tries the beds before running back home when the bears come back, “arriving in a bit of a tizz!” Blackwood dressed Maudie is a red hat and coat for this delightful tale, lending it a true three bears feel.

 The Deep End by Ursula Dubosarsky; illustrated by Mitch Vane

Becky is almost ready to move from being a frog to a platypus at her swimming lessons. All she has to do is go in the deep end. But the water down there is dark and wavy, is she brave enough to go in the deep end?

Dubosarsky manages to put a lot of feeling into a very short chapter book in this. I could really feel Becky’s fear of going in the deep end. When Becky uses her imagination to get to the end of the pool, it was perfect. I have taught swimming and one of the hardest things is getting a child who is scared of not being able to touch, to venture past that point. I often used noodles and said they were horses, cars, motorbikes, anything to get them down the end. Durbosarsky doesn’t make light or fun of Becky’s fear, but lets her character conquer it in her own way, showing other children that really, there is nothing to be scared of.

 

The Tall Man and the Twelve Babies – Tom Niland Champion and Kilmeny Niland; illustrated by Deborah Niland

A tall man, twelve babies (called Alistair or Charlene), one cat, one tiny apartment and a very funny story!

Love it!! This is what I would call a rollicking good read. The story flows, the illustrations are gorgeous! I love the fact that all the babies are named Alistair or Charlene – makes it so much easier when there are twelve of them!

Children's Book Council 2011 Younger Readers Shortlisted Books

This post will review all six shortlisted books for the Younger Readers Category of the Children's Book Council Book of the Year Awards. I also select what I think should be the winner and the two honour books. The awards will be announced on August 19, and it will be interesting to see how my judging matches those from the CBC!

The Younger Reader's Category is made up of books intended for younger independent readers. The six shortlisted books are:

Just a Dog by Michael Gerard Bauer
Henry Hoey Hobson by Christine Bongers
Violet Mackeral's Brilliant Plot by Anna Brandford; illustrated by Sarah Davis
The Red Wind by Isobelle Carmody
Duck for a Day by Meg McKinlay; Illustrated by Leila Rudge
Toppling by Sally Murphy; Illustrated by Rhian Nest James

REVIEWS Toppling by Sally Murphy; illustrated by Rhian Nest Jones James likes dominoes. Not the game, he likes to build patterns and then topple them. He also has a best friend - Dominic. But one day Dominic gets ill and no one seems to know what is going to happen and so James' life begins to topple. Toppling touched a chord in me. When I was 12, a school friend was diagnosed with an illness that would see her dead within 12 months. It's a very tough lesson to learn at that age - you are not immortal and neither are your friends. So many passages in Toppling resonated with me. Written in verse, it manages to convey the confusion and uncertainty that goes with this situation. Usually she's all smiley and happy but when she needs to warn or remind or complain she wears her serious face. She's wearing it now. But it's different today. Most times the serious face doesn't go all the way to her eyes so we know that she isn't really all that cross or upset. This time, though, the serious look goes all the way to her eyes. When she speaks I start to understand why. Class, she says I have something to tell you. I know that look and I know those words and reading them took me right back to sitting in the hall in a group of fellow year 6 students being told one of our classmates would not be going to high school with us. Martin captures it perfectly. Fortunately her book has a little more hope than my story. In the end you are still not sure if Dom will make it, but you know he has a chance and a lot of good friends to see him through.  Just a Dog by Michael Gerard Bauer Mr Mosely is not just a dog. He is a member of the family and in this book, Corey tells his Mr Mosely stories to show how important a dog can be. This is a great book about a dog and his role in the family. While all else changes, Mr Mosely and his devotion stays steady. He is loving, caring, protective and forgiving. Corey tells his Mr Mosely stories exactly how you would imagine a 10/11 year old boy would and as he tells them, you get an insight into the family and the important role Mr Mosely plays in holding them all together.  The Red Wind written and illustrated by Isobelle Carmody It starts as the normal preparation for winter for the two brothers. Zluty heads off to the Northern forest to gather honey, sap and mushrooms while Bily prepares things at home. But when a strange red mist appears in the sky and devastation follows in it's wake, the brothers have to fight just to survive. I'm a big fan of Isobelle Carmody. I love her Obernewtyn series. This is aimed at a younger audience, yet maintains all of Carmody's quality.  This is the first of a series and while it does set the scene for the second book, it also provides the reader with a fantastic story that leaves them wanting more. I look forward to the second book. Henry Hoey Hobson by Christine Bongers  Henry is starting his sixth school in seven years. He doesn’t expect to fit in, but it would be nice if he wasn’t the only boy in year 7. And to make matters worse, his classmates think he’s a vampire. He himself thinks the new neighbours are vampires. But as the year progresses, Henry finds out that being different isn’t always bad, and the neighbours are definitely not what they seem. Poor Henry. Here is a child making the best of a bad situation. Struggling along with his mother to survive in a world that is difficult and sometimes cruel. What I love about this book though, is Henry overcomes and deals with a lot, but without being unrealistic. I’ve met kids like Henry when I was teaching – kids who were doing it tough but had a wonderful resilience to them. What was ultimately rewarding about this book was Henry’s perseverance and resilience pays off and he makes friends, experiences success and discovers a family and support system he never knew he had.  Duck for a day by Meg McKinlay; illustrated by Leila Rudge Abby desperately wants to take home the class duck, Max. But everything has to be perfect to be allowed to take Max home. And Noah from next door wants to take Max home too. Can Abby make everything perfect enough for Max and will she be able to look after him properly? Meg McKinlay has used Duck for a Day to illustrate how things are not always as they seem, and sometimes, the person you think would be the least amount of help to you is the most helpful after all. Best of all, the lesson of not judging a book by its cover is applied to both children and adults alike. I also think it also shows that perseverance in achieving your goals is worthwhile and does yield results. Violet Mackeral's Brilliant Plot by Anna Branford; Illustrated by Sarah Davis Violet Mackerel wants the little blue china bird that she sees at the market every Saturday. In order to get such a lovely, special item however, she needs more than an ordinary plan – she needs a plot, a brilliant plot. Violet Mackerel’s Brilliant Plot is a brilliant book.  The way Violet goes about raising the money for her blue china bird is charming. Personally I would love to be like Violet’s mother who obviously accepts Violet’s plots and doesn’t lose it when they involve digging up half the backyard! Violet Mackerel’s Brilliant Plot is a lovely story about what is important in life and how a bit of perseverance and creative thinking can lead to many wonderful things.