Feeling wrong. Feeling out of place. Feeling like you don’t belong. Many teenage readers will identify with the feelings of the three friends in Troy Hunter’s novel. Gus, Shell and Kane are three young people, each struggling with identity issues. For Kane, three years older than the others, it’s a crisis after finishing school, to find his football aspirations stalled by a difficult knee injury; for Shell, it’s a sense of not being the same inside as she appears on the outside, and for Gus, it’s a longstanding feeling that somehow he is out of sync with the world, ‘like every part of him is wrong’.
Gus’s life is not easy. He is gay, he is the fat kid, his father has been killed in a car accident, and he has become the carer to his mother whose legs were badly injured in the same crash. He is on meds and is seeing a psych, after finding relief in cutting himself. There is a warning at the start of the book that this novel includes references to self-harm, and there are help sites listed at the end, but while there are references to the cuts, this is not an aspect that is overly dwelt on. It is part of the whole picture of the ‘fishhooks’ of feelings that beset him.
Very early on, it seems there might possibly be some validation for Gus’s feelings of not belonging, when he comes across a website showing AI mock-ups of how missing children might look years after their disappearance, and there staring at him is his own face. Is it possible that he was an abducted child? Are his ‘parents’ actually kidnappers? Gus has always wanted to be a police investigator, could it be that the victim in his first investigation case is actually himself?
It is a thrilling ride as the three friends band together to investigate. The reader is not quite sure whether the similarity of the photo image is just a coincidence that will eventually be explained, or whether the three are actually venturing into a dangerous unsolved crime. But the evidence seems to build up, and provide some justification for the tension between Gus and his mother. The chapters move quickly as the three draw closer to finding out the truth. Curiosity and suspense will keep the reader turning the pages.
Gus and the missing boy is a crime thriller for young adult readers, at the same time giving validation to teenage feelings of anxiety and confusion about their place in the world. It is also a powerful portrayal of how true friendship and loyalty can provide the support to work through problems and reach a sense of self-acceptance. This is an excellent book for YA readers, highly recommended.
Shower Land: Break the Curse, written by Nat Amoore and accompanied by James Hart's awesome illustrations, is a highly entertaining and fun journey into the fantastical world of ten-year-old Felix. This imaginative tale follows Felix's unexpected adventure when a mundane morning routine catapults him into a land of unexpected dangers and endearing friendships.
Skilfully capturing the essence of childhood frustrations and family dynamics through Felix's exasperation with his dad and younger brother Olly's incessant jokes, Amoore takes the reader on a highly amusing adventure. When Felix finds himself experiencing the shower’s portal powers, transporting him into an unknown medieval life, his longing for home and family takes on a new perspective.
Felix is shocked when he finds himself in an open grassy field with soldiers wielding swords and farmers tossing pitchforks, but worse than that, when he looks down, he realises he is naked. Grabbing an abandoned shield to cover his modesty, he escapes to try to find some clothing. Locating medieval clothes on a backyard line, he has his first encounters with Noah, a mute boy, and his twin sister Elsie. While Noah is not that impressed to see his clothes being borrowed, he soon understands the predicament, and a firm friendship is formed. From cob crunching dragons to angry farmers and fortune tellers, can Felix navigate this realm safely and resolve tricky situations in order to return home, or will he be stuck in this time zone forever?
Shower Land: Break the Curse is more than just a tale of adventure; it's a celebration of humour, imagination, friendship, communication and the bonds that unite us. With its relatable protagonist and richly imagined world, this book is sure to captivate young readers and adults alike, leaving them eagerly awaiting Felix's next escapade.
Themes Humour, Medieval times, Friendship, Portals, Problem solving, Communication, Family.
Michelle O'Connell
Your brain is a lump of goo by Idan Ben-Barak and Christopher Nielsen
Allen & Unwin, 2024. ISBN: 9781761180156. (Age:4+) Highly recommended.
Telling us all about our brains is a riveting excursion behind the scenes look through the lump of goo about the size of a pineapple, sheltered by our skulls the epicentre of all that goes on in our bodies. Everything works as the hundreds of billions of cells connect with each other to make us feel joy, or fear, or help us walk or think. Everything we do is controlled by this lump of goo. It looks like jelly but we cannot touch it, it is sensitive, so treat is with care. We keep changing, by writing, drawing, singing and talking, thinking and imagining. Although all lumps of goo are similar we are all different, and see things differently.
This is a fun way of looking at the brain and all that is does for us. At the end of the book are two pages of facts about the brain which will intrigue younger readers especially after reading the book with its vibrant illustrations and basic information about the brain. Lots of facts are divulged about the brain, its size, shape, usage and need for care, but the book also tells us that sometimes we forget and that is fine, sometimes we make things up in our heads and it seems to come from nowhere, and sometimes we dream and that is fine too. There is still lots to know about the brain and what it does and this book will help younger readers along that path. The mixed media illustrations form a funny backdrop to the text, using a pineapple for comparison, making sure that the readers can visualise the complexities of what is being said.
Laura Wood has written a charming retelling of the classic Cinderella tale in A single thread of moonlight. Iris was the apple of her father’s eye until he remarried. Her new stepmother and two stepsisters are cold, and when her father died in mysterious circumstances, she fears for her life. She runs away to London where she is fortunate enough to be taken under the wing of a seamstress and the embroidery skills her mother taught her make her a valuable employee. Then handsome Nicholas Wynter comes into the shop one day and Iris is given the chance to have revenge on her stepmother. Posing as an heiress, she goes to her old country home to help Nicholas’ own plan of vengeance and at the same time try to reclaim her inheritance.
Wood manipulates the well-known story of Cinderella, with a feisty heroine who is courageous enough to run away from danger and then make a living for herself. The wicked stepmother is portrayed well as evil and conniving, but the reader will have some sympathy for a woman who must look after herself and her daughters in the late 19th century, when she cannot own her own property. And of course, Nicholas Wynter is a swoon-worthy hero and the romance between the pair sparkles.
This is another feel-good story from Wood with witty dialogue and wonderful background of a fashion house with gorgeous clothes and upper-class life in a country mansion. Readers may enjoy others by Wood like Under a dancing star,The agency for scandal and A season for scandal and would find it worthwhile chasing up Eva Ibbotson’s lovely romances.
Themes Romance, Women, Upper classes, Great Britain - 19th century.
Collision Course, the exciting twelfth instalment in R.A. Spratt's well-loved Friday Barnes series is here! Bringing another dose of clever sleuthing and high-stake adventures, the readers will not be disappointed.
Once again, the audience will find themselves immersed in the world of the courageous young detective, Friday Barnes. As the story quickly unfolds, Friday finds herself embroiled in a whirlwind of danger and intrigue when she is falsely accused of terrorism and faces imminent arrest by the Paris police. Friday must quickly decide what her next steps will be.
Luckily, she has her great allies, Melanie and Ian to help work out a plan. Friday discovers her mother has already been arrested in Switzerland, and together they must navigate a perilous path to clear her name and uncover the truth behind the sinister plot that threatens the Barnes’ family. But, how will she possibly get across the border undetected, help her mother and clear her own name? This will definitely need some ingenious strategies!
Friday Barnes, with her super sharp intellect and unflappable determination, once again proves herself to be a force to be reckoned with. Fearlessly tackling each new challenge that comes her way, alongside her loyal friends Melanie and Ian, Friday embarks on a thrilling journey.
Friday must navigate and manoeuvre her way amongst her very intriguing physicist family members, police and lawyers. However, with Ian’s sudden disappearance, can Friday focus on each twist and turn that is thrown at her, or will everything become too much?
Spratt, has again, masterfully weaved a web of suspense as Friday cleverly navigates each crime as it unfolds, and keep readers guessing until the very end. Collision Course is a must-read for fans of the Friday Barnes series and newcomers alike. With its gripping storyline, compelling characters, and expertly crafted suspense, this latest novel is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating another one of Friday's adventures.
Another in the series of Play School books published by ABC Books in the Mindfully Me project, promotes a positive, friendly introduction to the next stage in the education of Maurice.
Told with the characters, Little Ted, Big Ted, Jemima, Humpty and Kiya listening to a talk by the representative from the big school, Mr Bao, he reveals some of the customs required when getting ready to go to the big school. There is talk about shoes, uniform and backpack, but when Maurice brings in a pile of equipment, he is gently told they are for camping, not school. Big Ted then shows him what things he needs to take in his backpack.
Maurice gets a funny feeling in his stomach but Big Ted helps him by telling him how to meet his new friends, introducing himself and telling them what he likes to do. When Big Ted drops Maurice off at school, he ha a funny feeling in his tummy as he prepares to leave.
The new class does a range of great things, including painting and reading, and when a bell sounds, Maurice is told that means a change of lesson. Outside he introduces himself to another new person and the two then build a castle in the sand pit. The day passes by very quickly and before he knows it, Big Ted is waiting for him at the door.
The Play School Mindfully Me series helps children and their carers tackle life's challenges together - big or small in a way that takes the reader on a journey with Maurice, in this case, through a situation they will all encounter, giving them guidelines about what to expect and how to react.
Themes Play school, Mindfully me (series), Preparation, School.
Fran Knight
The key to deceit by Ashley Weaver
Tor Books, 2023. ISBN: 9781250889935. (Age:15+) Recommended.
The key to deceit is second in the series featuring Electra McDonnell (Ellie) and follows A peculiar combination. It continues the story of a family once engaged in breaking open safes and theft and now engaged in working for the government. Ellie misses the adrenaline thrill she once had when unlocking a difficult code but is more than happy to serve her country. When Major Ramsey wants her to unlock a bracelet on the wrist of a woman found floating in the Thames she agrees and they become involved in uncovering a spy network working for the Germans.
Set in London just before the beginning of the Blitz in 1940, The key to deceit will delight readers who enjoy a suspenseful spy thriller with plenty of danger. Ellie is a feisty young woman who uses her skills to break the codes on locks and her intelligence to work out clues to the espionage ring. Major Ramsey is the strong silent type and there is a hint of romance with both the Major and Ellie’s friend Felix on the scene. A secondary mystery thread is Ellie’s search for evidence that her mother did not murder her father and she slowly gains some new insights into this as the novel progresses.
This can be read as a standalone but beginning with A peculiar combination will flesh out the characters for the reader. It is an easy-to-read book that should appeal to readers who like historical fiction combined with a spy thriller and murder mystery. I will be sure to pick up the next in this series, Playing it safe.
Themes Mystery, Espionage, World War 2, London.
Pat Pledger
Who am I? I'm a duckling by Liv Wan, illus.
Catch a Star, 2023. ISBN: 9781922326850. (Age:1+) Recommended.
One in a number of books in the Who am I? series published by New Frontier, the book about a duckling will have instant appeal to the very young, just learning to hold and open a book. Study board books are great introductions, and combined with am engrossing theme concerning a variety of animals, told simply and surrounded by wonderful bright illustrations, younger children will be enthralled.
In the duckling book, various traits are given about an animal, then the question ‘Who am I?’ is posed, answered by opening a flap to find the picture of the animal. In this book, children will see the difference between a cow, a horse, a duckling, pig, when on the last page the flap reveals a mirror, subtly including them in the carnival of animals. The background detail shows a little of the environment in which these animals live, and a few other animals are included, encouraging recognition by the reader. They will love this board book, sturdy and strong, brightly coloured and detailed, giving range to a host of learning about animals.
Themes Animals, Farm life, Recognition, Question and answers, Lift the flap, Board book.
I loved The agency for scandal and when I saw that the second in the series, A season for scandal, had been published I had to read it immediately. Laura Wood has done it again – writing a witty, romantic mystery with wonderful characters and a delightful background featuring Bloom’s Florist shop and the meaning of flowers.
Marigold Bloom accidentally drops a book on Oliver Lockhart’s head in a bookshop, and bursts into tears with this latest misfortune in her day. Her fiancé has broken off their engagement, his father has propositioned her and put the family business into danger. Oliver gives her a card for the Aviary, an agency to help women in distress, and there she finds not only assistance for her plight, but the chance to become an investigator. Oliver Lockhart needs the help of the Aviary to uncover the truth behind the return of his long-lost sister, and Mari finds herself masquerading as Oliver’s fiancée in his cold Yorkshire castle.
The trope of dark, ill-tempered hero and optimistic heroine is managed with a light hand by Wood. Readers who read The agency for scandal would remember Oliver from there, and it was great to see him gradually being drawn out of his isolation by Mari, who has a sunny nature but is also well organised and a very skilled botanist. The romance takes centre stage, but the mystery is also gripping as Mrs Finch and her detectives try to work out just why Oliver’s newly discovered sister might be a fraud.
I eagerly await the next in the series and continue to read Wood’s backlist. These books are feel-good escapist reads and lovers of mystery and romance are likely to enjoy them and perhaps books by Eva Ibbotson and Georgette Heyer could also be recommended.
Casey Henderson, aka Casey_Flow, came to notoriety through her gaming ability in the game Skywake. Her involvement in a gaming tournament introduced her to a group of teammates and in Skywake: Invasion (Book 1 of this series) they were abducted by aliens and needed to use their gaming skills to fight back. In this final book in the series, they are again back on earth and needed to bolster the local resistance’s efforts in overcoming the alien invaders. In the course of Casey’s adventures in the cosmos she has unlocked telepathic and telekinetic skills that are needed to fight against the alien forces acting against earthly existence. The world is in turmoil, and it seems that the young gamers and their new friends in the resistance movement are the only ones agile enough to have any hope to counter the formidable oppression of the invaders with their advanced technology. Casey and her friends must intervene in the search for an array of additional hidden alien technology which would unfairly bolster the current invaders’ power. Can they get there in time, and will Casey’s brother, Pete, be a hindrance or a help to their efforts?
This is the kind of sci-fi adventure that will impress gamers and young teen readers. The heroes are from the quick-witted gaming community that are used to jumping, shooting, blasting and problem-solving in a constantly evolving, rapid-fire environment. They come from different backgrounds, but their combined talents make them formidable opponents. When pitted against aliens (and enabled with some alien enhanced abilities too) they become ‘super-human’ in more ways than one. Adults are superfluous in this game-like environment. I was impressed by the excitement and tension created in this sci-fi adventure and wish I had read all the books in the series. The young characters had quirky, adventurous qualities (as all good gamers do), tempered by occasional teenage reticence in the face of life-threatening danger, and yet they display courage in the face of fire. I admired their perseverance and quick spins out of danger. This is the kind of book (and series) that the 10-14 year old cohort will love. It has strong male and female characters, action aplenty, intriguing aliens and weaponry, and twists in the plot that are unexpected. A worthy book to recommend to this age group that will keep them away from their own gaming pursuits. (I also loved the homage to some older games - eg space invaders, and game arcade history.)
Jack and his middle school friends are aboard Public-School ship 118 which is stranded on Earth after the rest of its human population has mysteriously vanished. This book is a sequel to Seventh Grade vs. the Galaxy and continues the story which I would describe as a Science Fiction version of a Percy Jackson adventure. Jack, Ari and Becka are continuing their space training around the empty cities while their ship is being repaired. Once they finally take off in the PSS 118 it is captured by a robot army who are commanded by the powerful Minister. Jack and his friends are working hard to find out what happened to their families from Earth but there always seems to be someone on the inside ruining their efforts. Could there be a traitor in their midst?
The narrative is interspersed with diary entries which gives different perspectives and reveals much about each character’s thoughts and feelings. There is an abundance of action and fight scenes to keep the story moving and many references to futuristic tech and weaponry to satisfy the fans of this genre. Robots and robot technology play a major part in the story and the questions about whether robots could take over the world could form an interesting discussion for classrooms in Technology.
Themes Science fiction, Robots, Aliens, Life on other planets.
Gabrielle Anderson
Has anyone seen Charlotte Salter? by Nicci French
Simon & Schuster, 2024. ISBN: 9781398524095. (Age:16+, Adult) Recommended.
The author duo Nicci Gerrard and Sean French have written a memorable thriller that not only describes the investigation into the disappearance of Charlotte Salter but the effects that the disappearance has on her family and friends. When Charlotte Salter does not turn up for her husband’s 50th birthday party, her children, especially fifteen-year-old Etty, become increasingly worried. It is not like her to be late, but when Etty contacts the police, her fears are brushed aside. When Charlotte’s coat is found by the river and the body of her friend Duncan Ackerley is found in the river the police conclude that the pair were having an affair and that Duncan murdered her and then committed suicide. Thirty years later Morgan Ackerley, now a successful documentary maker, comes back and persuades his brother Greg to join him in making a podcast about the disappearance. This stirs up trouble with a suspicious fire turning to murder. Detective Inspector Maud O’Connor is sent to Glensted to take over the investigation and uncovers secrets from the past.
The novel is divided into three parts: Part 1 1990 events around the disappearance, Part 2 2022 the podcast, and Part 3 the investigation by O’Connor. French writes sympathetically of the Salter family, each member coming alive, with their characters, with flaws and strengths, giving a vivid picture of the family dynamics. Charlotte Salter is beautiful and loved by all, while Alec Salter is shown as a faithless husband. I was most drawn to Etty a strong and determined teen.
One of the highlights of the novel for me was the portrayal of the damage that never knowing what happened to Charlotte had on the whole family. Etty at 15 is bold and strong, living a life of a teenager with friends and parties. Thirty years later, she is tightly controlled and mourning the loss on one brother. Meanwhile Morgan Ackerly, an unpopular young teen, has achieved international success and is confident and sure of his ability to uncover some of the secrets surrounding Charlotte and his father.
The third section of the novel is given over to police procedure as Detective Inspector Maud O’Connor casts fresh eyes not just on the death by arson, but on the missing woman and dead man from thirty years ago. She is intelligent and intuitive and comes to a stunning conclusion that was a complete surprise for me.
Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? is a gripping story with enough twists and turns to make it hard to put down.
Fiona McIntosh brings back DCI Jack Hawksworth in the 5th mystery featuring this charismatic detective and his off-siders. This can be read as a stand-alone, as I did, but I am sure that readers will want to go back to read others in the series to see the development of the characters. In Foul Play, McIntosh examines extortion of superstar athletes as her main theme. When footballer Luca Bruni receives a photograph showing him in a hotel room with a woman, he swears that he was not involved and refuses to pay the ransom, instead getting in the police to investigate. Hawksworth and his team uncover numerous counts of athletes being swindled, all of whom have paid the ransom money, rather than going through the police and facing the inevitable media scandals. Luca Bruni is stubborn and is determined to bring the perpetrators of the extortion racket to justice, even though he must navigate marriage problems with his pregnant wife. When a brutal murder that Jack’s colleague Geoff is investigating overlaps with the extortion case the suspense is ramped up as the two teams investigate.
The action and tension were well paced and the sporting background and issues surrounding celebrity gave depth to the mystery. I particularly liked reading about young Luca’s life as a potential football star and the work and sacrifices he had to undergo to become a megastar. Jack is a very likeable character and details about his personal life were enjoyable, as were details about his teammates Kate and Geoff.
Foul play was hard to put down and easy to read because of its gripping plot. I certainly will be seeking out more books featuring Jack and his team.
Basil and Terry are neighbours, but they have nothing in common.Terry is passionate about sport but needs help with his reading to improve his schoolwork.Basil is an avid reader, so he is roped in to help Terry every Saturday morning, a task he is not looking forward to.They begin by reading from an old copy of The complete Fairytales of the Brothers Grimm, and when Basil accidentally opens a magic portal, Gretel lands in his bedroom asking them for their assistance. She needs them to help her to find Hansel, who is missing from his fairytale and must be found before disaster strikes fairytale land. She transports them to Fairytale land, and they must unravel the mystery of Hansel's kidnapping or face Deep Trouble (which is an unknown punishment, but scary nonetheless). Filled with all the witches, princesses, princes, conmen and troublemakers from all the fairytales you can think of, readers will be amused by the antics of these characters when they are not in their particular stories. Basil and Terry are well developed through the story and come to appreciate each other through their experiences together, proving that the even the most unlikely children can become friends.
This is a very entertaining story revolving around fairytales and the characters in them.It gives the reader a completely different perspective on these stories.It will even appeal to some older readers and would be a great read aloud in class.
Pirates of Darksea is a spellbinding tale that will captivate readers of all ages with its irresistible blend of adventure, magic and heart. Catherine Doyle’s masterful storytelling transports audiences to a world where the impossible becomes possible.
Eleven year old Chris desperately wants to join the legendary pirate kings who sail the seas of Darksea. He heads down to the shores on the night of a full moon with his younger brother, Max, but is left deeply disappointed with no ship appearing on the horizon. Sending a note, he hopes for another opportunity to sail amongst the magical world.
Two years later, Chris has become gravely ill and is in hospital, and Max is really struggling without his older brother at home. When a nuisance bird named Squawk appears with Chris’ letter, Max is tricked into following him; thrusting him into an adventure he never imagined.
Heading over the rogue wave to cross the horizon, Max’s adventures begin on the famous ship, the Stolen Sunrise. He must learn very quickly to navigate the magical waters of Darksea, as there is great darkness there at the moment. The stardust is waning and the captain of the ship, Eliza O’Malley has lost her courage to protect the magical ocean.
Max finds a trusty ally in Ruby and together they decide to tackle the malicious vessel, the Dreadmaker, who is destroying Darksea’s good magic. Along the way they encounter a myriad of challenges, each more daunting than the last. Can Max defeat the evils of the Dreadmaker and restore Darksea, or will it be destroyed forever?
Catherine Doyle masterfully crafts a landscape teeming with vibrant imagery and intense tension, drawing readers in with interwoven danger and wonder. Max's journey is one of resilience and determination, as he confronts his fears head on in a bid to restore balance to Darksea and fight for his brother. His unwavering bravery in the face of adversity serves as a poignant reminder of the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit.
