Review blog

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Jul 28 2010

The Emerald Casket by Richard Newsome

Text, 2010. ISBN 9781921656453.
Expect a giggle in the opening pages as the author's use of description makes scenes come to life as we meet the bumbling constable from The Billionaire Trilogy. Of course, I knew I would enjoy the book when my 13 year old son was competing with me to read it. It might be aimed at teens but adults who enjoy a mystery will love it too.
The Emerald Casket is Book 2 in The Billionaire Trilogy and you don't need to have read Book 1, The Billionaire's Curse, to get involved or understand this exciting quest with 13 year old billionaire Gerald and his friends, twin siblings, Ruby and Sam. Of course, reading this one will make you want to go out and read it.
The Emerald Casket starts a few weeks after their last adventure in Book 1 and the three friends are off to India for a well earned break. The holiday soon turns into a race to discover the whereabouts of the emerald casket before their arch nemesis, Sir Mason Green, gets there. They encounter a deadly cult, discover Gerald's family tree goes back thousands of years, see the wonderful sites of India, and make new friends along the way.
From the streets of England to the bustling cities of India, the three friends discover the meaning of true friendship and teamwork as they try to stop Sir Mason Green's attempts to uncover an amazing treasure with an unknown power and with a billion dollar fortune at their disposal, anything is possible.
Kylie Kempster

Jul 28 2010

Ransom by David Malouf

Vision Australia, 2009. Audio book. Read by Ron Haddrick. ISBN 978186484826142. Random House, 2009.
David Malouf's novel, Ransom retells part of Homer's Iliad, the epic poem which recounts the story of the Greek hero Achilles and the siege of Troy. Far from simply retelling this classic story, Malouf focuses on one small part, at the end, where Priam, the elderly King of Troy goes to Achilles to try and ransom the body of his son Hector. Malouf elaborates in his own lyrical language, each detail and justification; Achilles sent mad by grief and guilt; Priam needing to take some action, rediscovering the part of him that is just a man and father. The focus is close and on those small interactions which bring a story to life, like the sharing of the daughter-in-law's pancakes and the touching relationship between the carter and his intelligent little mule. There is the feeling of a war that has gone on too long and of lives nearing their end. Nothing will be left but stories to be told and elaborated on, long after all are dead.
Malouf's interest in storytelling makes this audio book version an appropriate way to engage with the novel. Ron Haddrick's eloquent reading whisks us through the Iliad story and brings the wholly original character detail of Priam and Somax, the muleteer, vividly to life. At approximately 5 hours listening this Vision Australia audio book (presumably unabridged, not stated), is an accessible way to experience Malouf's writing and to become immersed in the story. My immediate response when finished was to put in the first CD to go back and pick up what I'd missed; a further reading of the prose would now reveal the structure and nuts and bolts that this remarkable writer has used to construct this modern classic.
Sue Speck

Jul 28 2010

Sex and other stuff: The A-Z of everything you need to know by

Black dog books, 2010. ISBN 9781742031194
(Age 12+) Non fiction. Recommended. 200 pages packed with information about sex and stuff, presented in a dictionary format, will have huge appeal to the newly emergent teenager looking for knowledge, answers to questions and facts, facts, facts. This is an objective, factual and easy to read dictionary which will have broad appeal to all kids in secondary school, be they gay or straight, in a relationship of not, wanting to know the facts for r themselves so they have an opinion and information at their fingertips with which to refute some of the misinformation which abounds at that age.
Ranging from the expected inclusions such as STI's, AIDS, homosexuality, Contraception, Oral Sex, Anal Sex and so on, there are also things like, Infertility, Emergency Contraception, Consensual Sex and Pornography, as well as some I had heard of but didn't really know what they meant. I know now. Each of the amazing array of things covered is treated with a purposeful and reasonable approach, allowing the reader to take in the information without feeling that they have been preached at. Each of the facts given allows the reader to make up their own mind about the facts presented, and I am sure many recess and lunch times will be spent discussing the information made available in this book.
Annie Rose's background as a nurse who has worked in Family Planning and sex education in schools, gives her an insight into what kids need to know, and she has ably presented these facts in Sex and other stuff. The list of addresses and websites at the end of the book allow the reader to further explore the subject of the book, and find places where they can talk to someone who knows what to say and how to say it to an teenage audience.
Fran Knight

Jul 27 2010

Vampires: The un-history of the undead by Tony Thompson

Black dog books, 2010. ISBN 9781742031316.
Non fiction. Recommended. Just when you thought the vampire euphoria was dying down, up pops this most readable account of the history of vampires and their place in myth, fiction, film and television. I wish this little gem was around when researching for an article penned for Magpies earlier this year, To Fang or not to fang, it would have been indispensible in giving me a readable overview of the background to the Twilight phenomenon that besieges us today.
Thompson begins with the story of the writing of Frankenstein and The Vampyre in 1819, when a party which included Shelley and Byron, staying at a villa in Italy, resolved to write a horror story. What Shelley and Byron wrote is unknown but out of that idea came Dr John Polidori's The Vampyre, along with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and these two novels set in train a genre of horror story still being read today. From there Thompson goes back in time to give the vampire myth an historical perspective, showing how villages were torn apart by the fear of vampires, graves opened and the most horrific things done to bodies in the belief that vampires stalked their towns. Several stories held sway, but it was not until 1897, that Bran Stoker's Dracula appeared and gave the model for those seen ever since.
An account of film and television appearance by this character follows, with a brief summary of each of the major influences, Bela Lugosi, Nosferatu, the Hammer films of the 1950's, Blade, Buffy and Twilight, amongst others.
An engaging read, which includes a sound index, informative contents page, and a great reference list allowing the avid reader to read further. A list of Required Viewing (film) Required Reading (novels) and Required Listening (music) adds to the fun of pursuing this theme. I enjoyed this book immensely; the content added to my knowledge and gave me leads to further explore the vampire genre, and with some of the films, books and music available on the internet, my spare hours will be filled. Middle school readers will lap it up (sorry!). Come and meet Edward's ancestors.
Fran Knight

Jul 27 2010

Daisy and the trouble with Christmas by Kes Gray

Red Fox, 2010. ISBN 9781862304970.
Junior Fiction. One in the series about the lovable but slightly odd young girl, Daisy, this one revolves around her involvement in Christmas. It is the time of the year that she really enjoys, but it has its troubles. Mainly the trouble with Christmas is that the excitement starts in September, and then all the way to December are all the other chores she must do to prepare for the big day. She must write letters, and decide what to ask for, she must be involved with the Christmas play at school, then of course November has Guy Fawkes Night with its attendant bonfire. All of these things cause trouble to the girl as she tells us what happens on each of these nights, showing us the trouble she gets into as a result of her excitement. A lovely story to read out loud, this book gives a different view of Christmas than the one usually presented in books for children, and so will be a refreshing change to have in the classroom at that time of the year.
Fran Knight

Jul 27 2010

The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz

Ill. by Angela Barrett, Candlewick, 2010. ISBN: 9780763636746.
(Age 8+) Highly recommended. Flory the fairy was born at night and, unlike many other night fairies, had beautiful wings. Before she was three months old, the wings were crunched by a bat, leaving her to adapt to a whole new way of life and having to find the best way to survive. In the garden, created by a 'giantess', Flory settled into a nesting box which had been hung for the wrens and began to observe the visitors to the garden and its bird feeders. Here, Flory decides to live as a day fairy and, when a squirrel comes to threaten her, she begins to develop the magical abilities which will ensure her safety when she meets other creatures. Finally, she comes to build new friendships and alliances allowing her to grow and come to accept herself.
This is a gentle, magical adventure story about a feisty little fairy and should appeal to the young but more capable female readers, aged about 8 and up. Schlitz's story contains small adventures in each chapter, set out with double spacing to make it accessible to the younger child. There is sufficient action to keep the audience engrossed and is beautifully supported by Barrett's beautiful full colour illustrations, with at least one appearing in every chapter and a thumbnail print at the beginning of each. A highly recommended read.
Jo Schenkel

Jul 26 2010

The Necromancer: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott

Doubleday, 2010. ISBN: 9780385618298.
Highly recommended for ages 10 and up. When the twins, Sophie and Josh Newman, return to San Francisco, their arrival is marred by the appearance of their friend Scatty's twin, Aoife of the Shadows. Almost as soon as they arrive, Sophie is kidnapped from their Aunt's house and Josh immediately tries to go to her rescue. Not only must the twins try to protect themselves but they need to discover just who can be trusted as they work to develop their powers. They face many threats, with Dee and Virginia Dare plotting together to gain ultimate power. In order to do this, Dee is planning to create an army of creatures and bring the Mother of the Gods back to life. For this to happen, however, he will need a necromancer; a role which he believes can be carried out by the 'twins of legend'.
This is the fourth book in the series and continues with many twists and turns and a myriad of characters, some from history and some from myth and legend, as the twins race against the clock to save their friends and the world from its ultimate destruction. With so many different strands and locations in the story, it continues to be unpredictable and entertaining. Scott has again written a highly engrossing novel which will be devoured by the more capable readers of fantasy.
Jo Schenkel, Pilgrim School

Jul 26 2010

Arnie Avery by Sue Walker

Walker Books, 2010. ISBN 978 1 921529726.
Recommended. What started out as a regular Saturday afternoon at the local pool turns into a nightmare. Family night is becoming increasingly odd with Mum seeming to be disengaged with life and an unexpected test produces disastrous results. Can life get any worse?
When Arnie's friend Belly has an asthma attack while trying to teach Arnie to box, a chain of events occurs that helps Arnie to see life more clearly and enables him to find a solution to his problems. Arnie is dealing with loss, a school bully and a dysfunctional family. It is hard to imagine a successful solution to his problems. However as the novel develops Arnie gains strength from unexpected sources and manages to resolve his issues in a successful and rewarding way.
This is an excellent junior novel about relationships, friends and family with strong characters and storyline.
Tracy Glover

Jul 26 2010

Tiger Moth and the dragon kite contest by Aaron Reynolds

Series: Tiger Moth (Graphic novels). Raintree Publishers, London, 2010. ISBN 9781408216691.
(Ages 8+) This new series of graphic novels revolves around the exploits of Tiger Moth, and his side kick, Kung Pow, primary school ninjas. To celebrate Chinese New Year with his classmates, Tiger's teacher sets up an Antennae School Kite competition. Tiger's rivals, the Fruit Fly Boys, scoff at the idea, but become involved in a very nasty way, trying to upstage Tiger and his friends, and sabotage the competition.
This book is in full colour, has easily identified characters, easy to read script with lively and involving illustrations. This particular book gives facts about Chinese New Year and kite flying, which add to the fun, and the whole is served well by a page showing the main characters at the start, with a page about the author and illustrator, a glossary, discussion and writing points and then information about other graphic novels within the series, at the end of the book. The stories and illustrations are attractive and easily digested, and will be readily picked up by middle primary students.
Others in the series include: Insect ninja; Kung Pow chicken, The fortune cookies of weevil, The dung beetle bandits and The pest show on earth.
Fran Knight

Jul 23 2010

Darkwater by Georgia Blain

Random House, 2010. ISBN 978 1864719833.
(Age 15+) Recommended. The waterfront suburb is like an island, water on three sides, an enclave of well known streets, some shops, a school and the riverside, where the kids hang out after school and on weekends. Kids ride their bikes around the streets; they run messages, do chores at home, drop in to see friends. Their lives are uncomplicated. It is 1973; some smoke a little dope, others have close boyfriends and girlfriends, they all go to school together and most have known each other since kindergarten. But Amanda Clarke is dead: murdered, her body found half floating in the water near where they all meet. It splinters the group like nothing else. They become suspicious and wary of each other; their once safe suburb now locks its doors, with parents picking the children up after school, and warning them to be on their guard.
Winter writes her dairy, revealing the facts and beliefs of her group, speaking for the senior students at her school. She knew Amanda, but only as a girl in a higher grade, part of the group which included her brother, Joe. Through the diary the writer examines all the events surrounding the murder and so details all the characters. They become real people, grieving for their lost friend, but also harbouring beliefs about who killed this popular girl.
The book is a fascinating look at the loss of innocence, the change of a once trusting community to one where people look upon their neighbours with suspicion. And Georgia Blain has drawn this community with an elegant ease. No word is out of place, the whole is meticulously researched, the times recreated with an eye for detail which is stunning. From the intellectually disabled boy and his mother, cocooned in their house by the sea, to the women striving for some independence, the developer attempting to build on the last piece of untouched waterfront land, the green bans and intimidation within the building industry; all are part of a background which firmly places the story in the 70's. The school too, the wallpaper of the lives of its students, plays a part in the developing story which is redolent of the intertwining lives of this group of teenagers.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and recommend its inclusion in secondary libraries and in a list of texts for year 9 and above.
Fran Knight

Jul 23 2010

The important things by Peter Carnavas

New Frontier, 2010. ISBN 9781921042287.
(Age 4-8) Recommended. Christopher's mother does everything, from painting the house by day and reading novels at night. She 'had to do everything, for his father had faded from their lives.' One day she decides to collect small things that had belonged to his father, like a cracked mug, a hat and pair of old slippers, and takes them to the second hand shop. A few days later, they start to reappear in the house.
This is a heart touching story about a single parent family. Adults who read it aloud to children will be truly touched by the thought of Christopher's mother giving away unimportant things in an effort to forget Christopher's father. Children will identify with Christopher, knowing that quite often, unimportant things have special memories. The depiction of the special bond between mother and son is also touching. The mother is prepared to bring back home all the unimportant things for Christopher to help him remember his father, even though, as Carnavas beautifully shows in one picture, they make her sad.
Carnavas' illustrations perfectly capture the mood of the mother and child. The reader immediately senses the despondency of the mother as she looks at the little things left behind by Christopher's father. Her love shows through clearly as she plays games with Christopher. Christopher's joy at having his father's possessions back is drawn exquisitely as he plays the piano, wearing his father's hat and slippers.
I was particularly struck by the idea of a father fading away from their lives, and I am sure this will strike a chord with young readers. I'm certain that this book will become very special for those children who live in a single parent family, as it is so insightful about the feelings of both the parent and child.
Pat Pledger

Jul 23 2010

Blood Ninja by Nick Lake

Atlantic, 2010. ISBN 9781848873872.
(Age 13+) We all know that vampires are enormously popular at the moment. This book seeks to capitalise on this popularity with an added Japanese ninja twist. The protagonist of Blood Ninja is a teenage boy called Taro from a small fishing village in 1565 feudal Japan. Taro's life changes dramatically one night when his bed-ridden father is beheaded as he sleeps and in his father's defence Taro is also killed only to be brought back to life by the bite his protector Shusaka, who was once a samurai turned vampire and ninja. Taro along with his orphaned over-weight best-friend are then forced to flee the small village to find refuge from the ruler of their territory Lord Odo who has ordered Taro's death. Taro, Hiro and Shusaka then move to safer refuge by the cover of night, because sunlight can kill vampires, fighting battles along the way. The quest takes another turn when Taro decides he want to take revenge on his father's death by personally assassinating Lord Oda. Concepts of vampires and ninjas are somewhat challenged and at times difficult to comprehend in this book but the regular fight action keeps the story moving, even if it a bit violent for a younger age group, with beheadings and sword gashes described in detail. This book would be recommended for those teenage readers of other vampire, ninja or Japanese fantasy books. These readers might then be looking forward to any follow-up books that are likely to stem from this book in a future series.
Adam Fitzgerald

Jul 21 2010

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Retold by Michael Burgan. Series: Graphic Revolve. Raintree Publishers, 2009. ISBN 9781406213539.
Recommended. The perennial favourite, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, first published in1818, is given the graphic novel treatment in this highly inviting comic version of the well known story. Dr Frankenstein has spent years experimenting with flesh dug from the cemetery, attempting to recreate life. He eventually succeeds but is so appalled with what he has done, that he searches for his creature to kill him. The moral decisions that must be made by both creator and creation are given play in this full coloured graphic novel.
The series, Graphic Revolve, also includes favourites such as 20,000 leagues under the sea (Jules Verne) Alice in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll), The wizard of Oz (Frank Baume), The jungle book (Rudyard Kipling) amongst others.
Each is abbreviated, but covers all the themes found in the novels, and they are brightly coloured, a nice size to hold and read, and have attractive inviting covers. At the end of each book is a glossary, topic questions and writing points as well as information about the author and the original version of the book, while the opening pages of the book gives a drawing of each of the characters, As one who received her first introduction to the classics of literature through classic comics in the 1950's, I warmly recommend these. They will have broad appeal to those looking for a quick read, those who want an introduction to the classics, a class where a box of these is made available for reading time, a parent who wants their child to have some background to classical literature and those who want a graphic novel.
Fran Knight

Jul 21 2010

Lucy the Lie Detector by Marianne Musgrove

Random House, 2010. ISBN 978 1 741664553
The character of Lucy was originally introduced to us in Marianne's earlier novel Lucy the Good and returns to solve the dilemma of modern life about what makes a lie and what is just embellishing the truth and are they really the same thing.
Early in the story Lucy damages the family's new car and blames the accident on her younger brother, Calvin. Lucy is alarmed when the consequences for her actions are more severe than first thought and she tries to make amends only to find another situation arising where her actions are again questionable. Eventually Lucy takes her embellishing of the truth to a level that has her truly worried about the consequences.
The story reaches a satisfactory ending and the involvement of a guinea pig and camel make the story enjoyable for younger readers.
Tracy Glover

Jul 21 2010

The Queen must die by K.A.S. Quinn

Atlantic Books, 2010. ISBN: 978 1848873704
(Suggested reading level 12-15) First in The Chronicles of the Tempus trilogy.
In this novel, Katie Berger-Jones-Burg, a contemporary American teenager, time travels to London in 1851 where she becomes embroiled in a sinister plot to assassinate Queen Victoria. Time slips are acceptable in making historical fiction meaningful and alive, especially when witnessed and interpreted by people whose language and life experience is familiar to the reader's. I found the start of the story tedious however, as the author introduces Katie's dysfunctional rock star mother and paints the picture of a girl who feels lonely, perhaps even unwanted as her mother meets a series of unsuitable men with whom she conducts brief and unfulfilling relationships. The reader is also made aware that Katie has visions of tormented figures, strangely dressed, whom she instinctively understands are from an earlier century. This is uninspiring and clumsy. Katie escapes into her private world of literature, reading widely and eclectically and it is whilst she reads a published series of letters written by Princess Alice, one of Queen Victoria's six daughters that she falls asleep and awakens in Alice's bedroom. Making friends with Alice and James, the son of the Royal Doctor, Katie learns that a movement is afoot to murder the Queen and the trio investigates, skulking about the Palace's labyrinth of secret chambers and corridors whilst following intruders in the dead of night. Fantasy elements aside, the story is laughably implausible, given the confines of regal households of the time and the most ungainly conversations and thought monologues occur as the author awkwardly attempts to inform the reader and develop the plot. As the characters seek to understand how and why Katie time traveled, whilst attempting to keep her presence secret, a major feature of the story in the construction of the Crystal Palace for the 1851 London Exhibition is introduced. This is genuinely interesting and educational yet I felt that the story could have been so much more appealing had the author explained the Royal genealogy and details of national history earlier and more clearly. At the conclusion, I was left thinking that the author had a justifiable fascination with this period but assumed readers were similarly informed. Whilst much of this novel is excruciating to the adult reader, hopefully teenagers will be captivated by the fantasy, mystery and action so that they are unaware of the various flaws.
Rob Welsh

Jul 20 2010

Inside my head by Jim Carrington

Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN: 978140880277.
(Suggested reading age 14-17 years) Recommended. Jim Carrington writes about adolescent bullying, set in modern rural England using four main characters. Zoe has recently moved reluctantly from London with her family and must face the trepidation of starting at a new school. Knaggs is a nasty, manipulating bully who victimizes Gary over his appearance, social position, accent and any minute detail which gives him an opportunity to torment. David is Knaggs' friend who initially tolerates the mindless taunting but gradually appreciates that his lack of courage in objecting to the bullying is tantamount to endorsing it .
The narrative flows through the thoughts and experiences of Zoe, David and Gary, presented in character chapters which provide alternate insights. Assigning importance to the character David was a clever strategy. A clear attempt is made to enlighten readers who might not identify themselves as bullies but who must appreciate the serious consequences which arise from tacit approval of a bully's actions and failure to censure victimization. Young people readily understand bullying behaviour and few approve, yet the majority witness bullying of some sort and whether they support the bully without meaning or wanting to is the lesson within this novel. This is a touching, sad story and because it is realistic, the reader readily appreciates that relentless, damaging taunts and practical jokes cause the lonely suffering presented in the narrative.
Carrington deals with issues such as self-harm, psychiatric illness and suicide in an interesting manner. Whilst the tortured Gary stoically endures daily misery and inevitably wrestles with such notions, minor characters experience the worst of these outcomes in their lives which interplay through the main story. Accordingly Carrington acknowledges the brutal realities but enables his central characters to strive for more positive outcomes, rather than consigning them to a hopeless end which young people don't need to read. The conversational language is authentic and accordingly strong swearing is present but not excessively recurrent or foul. The Norfolk location, the characters, their families, teachers and school are readily transferable to any setting. Teachers, parents and students can learn from this tale which concludes less convincingly than it begins.
Rob Welsh

Jul 20 2010

The serpent's tale by Gary Crew and Matt Ottley

Lothian, 2010. ISBN 9780734410283.
Picture book. Playing on the word 'tale' by both author and illustrator gives the reader a tantalising narrative about the universality of story in this picture book for all ages. The boy pesters his mother into buying him an amulet at the market. The metal charm is of a snake grabbing its own tail, and the boy when asleep dreams the dreams of the ages. From the first men, fighting for survival, to times of war, discovery and loss, the tale of man is the same, beginning anew with each generation. When the boy wakes the next morning, his mother opens the curtain onto a world at war, and implores him to pack and run, to see what the story will be in the future.
The tale of men is the same tale, and the snake and its tail appear on most pages, emphasizing the place a story in our lives. Ottley's illustrations parallel and augment the story, taking the story onto another level altogether, with his scenes of war and destruction, juxtaposed with scenes of a mother's love, courage, and a possible future. The snake can be picked out even on the endpapers, and will cause delight with younger readers. Each illustration has a hidden depth and will entice readers to look past what they first see, to discover parallels and hints of differing episodes in man's story.
Overlaid with the whiff of myth and legend, the book will initiate much discussion in classes across the board, as the students delve into the nature of story, its place in our world and its universality.
Fran Knight

Jul 20 2010

Scarygirl by Nathan Jurevicius

Allen and Unwin, 2009. ISBN 9781741753707.
(Age 8+) Picture book/Graphic novel. Abandoned by a dumpster along with a host of other rubbish, Scarygirl meets Blister, a cool giant octopus, who takes on the role of her mentor and guardian. Determined to find the man who pervades her fantastical dreams, Scarygirl leaves the peninsula on which she lives, with Bunnuguru, a giant rabbit. Surviving all manner of obstacles, deep ravines, trees looking like giant men, narrow winding bridges, monster filled forests, the pair find themselves in a city where even greater danger lurks. Dressed as a pirate, Scarygirl finds a cafe of sorts where she is directed to an auction house only to see the captured Blister on sale for all to look at and mock.
Scarygirl's endearing smile pervades the whole story, inviting the reader to follow her into all sorts of dangerous situations. Halfway through the novel is an intermission, where Jurevicius takes the opportunity to tell the reader about how the characters are created and drawn, and I can imagine many readers wanting to stop here to try and create the characters for themselves. But the story of Scarygirl will draw them back to read how she succeeds in her quest, the bright, colour filled pages of drawings grabbing the reader's attention all over again.
Readers will love spying out all the hidden and half hidden nuances on each page: Scarygirl's claw hand, the faces in the forest, the fire monster, the amazing cafe in part two, with reminiscences of Star Wars and the Arabian Nights, all adding up to a pleasurable and enthralling reading experience.
A story of love and friendship, Scarygirl displays the talent of Nathan Jurevicius and his creations have taken on a life of their own in websites, model figures and merchandise which readers will want to research.
Fran Knight

Jul 19 2010

Ice Lolly by Jean Ure

Harper Collins, 2010.
(Ages 9+) Recommended. When teen fiction as a genre began to grow, Jean Ure was there at the forefront and I have fond memories of devouring A Proper Little Nooryeff and See You Thursday during my own adolescence. In recent years Ure has focused more on pre-teens and her books always combine realism with warmth and gentle humour that leave readers both satisfied and secure.
After Mum dies Laurel has to live with her Mum's brother and his family. Under duress the ghastly Aunty Ellen allows Laurel to keep her beloved but elderly cat, Mr Pooter. However, life is far from easy as Laurel grieves for her unconventional Mum, struggles at her new school and develops an ice queen persona to keep her feelings under wraps. Her twin consolations are her love of books and her relationship with the sympathetic school librarian, Mrs Caton.
When Mr Pooter develops kidney problems and Aunty Ellen wants him 'dealt with' Laurel decides to run away. It's only when an old friend of her Mum appears on the scene that Laurel and Mr Pooter finally find someone who is on their side.
This is a gentle story which gets under the skin - the account of Laurel's books being boxed up and banished to the attic and her abortive visit to Mrs Caton during the school holidays really resonated. Laurel's avoidance of emotion is sensitively handled and the warm and fuzzy ending makes this suitable for younger readers who are just beginning to investigate the complexities of families and relationships.
Ice Lolly may not provide the gritty realism of Jacqueline Wilson, but there is sufficient heartache and drama for young readers to really feel for Laurel, while giving them the reassurance and pleasure of a 'happily ever after' conclusion.
Claire Larson

Jul 19 2010

Where's Wally? The Incredible Paper Chase by Martin Handford

Walker Books, 2009. ISBN: 9781406324464.
(All ages) Wally's back-if you can find him!
'The search for Wally continues through more astounding scenes in this new classic title in the Where's Wally? Series. As Wally travels through worlds of dinosaurs, soldiers and clowns he leaves a tiny piece of paper to look for in every scene. Can you find it?' Walker Books Press Release
Wally is a global phenomenon. I couldn't believe that over 47 million copies have been sold across 30 countries - although on reflection of the popularity of this series in my own school library I am really not that surprised. Wally is a cultural icon, even appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine - I doubt there are too many book characters with that claim to fame.
Creator Martin Handford spends about 2 months completing each scene, using a list of jokes, puns and funny happenings as his starting point. As you carefully scan over the pages looking for that ever elusive Wally your eye is continuously drawn to the different interactions and humour within the page. Each time you open the book and try again to find Wally (I haven't on every page yet), you notice new characters come to life.
This version of Wally also comes with the added bonus of fold out board game and press out circus, making the journey with Wally even more interactive for those who are young and young at heart.
I am sure this latest in the Where's Wally series, containing all the old favourite characters along with some kooky new ones will appeal to all Wally hunters.
Zana Thiele