A bunch of mini-reviews

So many books, so little time… to review them. So here I go again with a whole bunch of mini reviews.

Footy Dreaming by Michael Hyde (2015)
This is a young adult novel about two footy-playing teenagers in a small Australian town. They are from different backgrounds, but they share a common dream — to play in the AFL. I’m not in the least bit a footy fan. But I loved this book. It is about so much more than football. It’s about friendship and family, prejudice and small-town life. But most of all, it is about the importance of chasing your dreams. Yes, there were a couple of passages dealing with game play that lost me momentarily… but it also managed to give me some appreciation of the game. The writing is straightforward and accessible, and you really get into the heads of two boys. And it’s an uplifting, feel-good book.

Henry Hoey Hobson by Christine Bongers (2010)
This is a middle-grade novel about 12-year-old Henry, who finds himself the only boy in Year 7 at his new school, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. He also isn’t Catholic, has no father and is finding it impossible to make friends. Add in some unusual new neighbours and a school swimming carnival, and you’ve got a really engaging read. It’s one of those delightfully perfect books, hitting all the right marks in terms of character, plot and emotion.

Holes by Louis Sachar (1998)
I saw the film version a number of years ago and loved it. And I finally got around to the book. It’s a middle grade novel about a teenager sent to a boys’ juvenile detention centre, Camp Green Lake, for a crime he didn’t commit. It’s a remarkable book that is nothing like what you would expect it to be. Themes of destiny, coincidence, history, prejudice, family and friendship all mash up into this story told over several different time periods, with everything culminating at the end. It is unexpected and it is brilliant!

Small Steps by Louis Sachar (2006)
This is a sort-of sequel to Holes, but is about two of the other boys from Camp Green Lake, rather than Stanley. Set two years later, it is more YA than middle grade, and more clearly about prejudice (dealing with both race and disability). But there are other themes in there too — friendship, love, honesty, pop music and celebrity. The violence towards the end was a bit of a shock… but that’s probably what it was there for. It’s a very different book from Holes, but equally unexpected and just as good.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne (2006)
A middle grade novel about the young son of a Nazi who befriends a Jewish boy in a concentration camp. It is tense, unnerving, beautiful and heartbreaking. It is really interesting for its deliberate omission of certain terms, names and details. Quite an amazing novel, and although it is aimed at children, thus not directly confronting the brutality of the era, I defy anyone to read this and not be affected.

Goth Girl and the Fete Worse Than Death by Chris Riddell (2014)
This is the sequel to Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse [See mini review]. It is a gorgeous illustrated kids novel, about Ada Goth, only child of Lord Goth of Ghastly Gorm. Ada must deal with secret agents, vampires, a lady’s maid with a secret, a fete and a bunch of celebrity chefs. Like the first book, it is full of bizarre characters, unlikely situations and wonderful literary and pop culture reference. Charming, witting and thoroughly engaging.

The Secret of the Fortune Wookie by Tom Angleberger (2012)
This delightfully Star Wars-y kids’ novel is the third book in the Origami Yoda series. Star Wars obsessed Dwight, along with his wisdom-dispensing origami Yoda finger puppet, is suspended from school. With the help of an origami Wookie, his friends rally together to help get him back. I loved the first book (see review), but doubted the author’s ability to stretch this bizarre concept beyond it. I was wrong. Book 2 was just as good (see review), and so is book 3. Heaps of fun!

The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppet by Tom Angleberger (2013)
Yep… this is book 4 in the Origami Yoda series. This time around the Star Wars obsessed kids and their origami finger puppets take on the school administration and the Department of Education in an endeavour to rid themselves of the new FunTime Education System — an insidious evil, designed to raise standardised test scores. Great fun, with a nice set-up for the next instalment (which I am very much looking forward to).

Doctor Who: Time Trips (2015)
All eight novellas collected in this anthology were originally published as eBooks in 2014. They were then collected together with an added short story and released in a lovely hard cover edition in 2015. I had already read Trudi Canavan’s story, “Salt of the Earth”, as an eBook, and it is definitely a standout in the collection. It’s an interesting anthology, with stories from best selling authors Cecilia Ahern, Jake Arnott, Jenny T Colgan, Stella Duffy, Nick Harkaway, Joanne Harris and AL Kennedy. Every story, bar one, really hits the mark in terms of character and exciting adventure, often with an unusual perspective. Given the high quality of the stories, it’s odd to have one jump out as a poorly characterised and confused mess. Perhaps I simply missed the point of “The Bog Warrior”, but it just didn’t work for me as Doctor Who, or as a story in and of itself. Bar this one story, Time Trips is a great read.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1892)
A while back I bought myself a box set of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes books. Being pocket-sized hard covers, they have become my travel reading. [see review of A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of the Four] This book is the first collection of Holmes short stories. They are a cracking good read — never dull; always zipping along at a wonderful pace. And they continue to surprise. Unlike in many of the adaptations, the Holmes in these stories doesn’t always know everything, and doesn’t always get things right. And occasionally the levels of violence also surprise. Reading this book was a pure joy.

That’s it for now. More soon!

Catch ya later, George

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Review: Four – A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth

The saddest thing in the world is when an excellent trilogy concludes. So HUZZAH for those brilliant authors who write extra stories for us hungry fans. Veronica Roth’s Divergent trilogy is mind-blowingly famous. And have you snabbled her short stories about Four, yet? Because you need to.

Four: A Divergent Collection was just perfection. I couldn’t be any more happy with this little skydive back into the Divergent world. There’s a collection of four (duh) short stories and the whole book comes to around 300-pages. It’s like a little snack. I’m nearly disappointed that some stories were so so short. But that’s just me in denial that the series is now officially over.

So let’s break it down and talk about EACH story, shall we?

** WARNING: May contain spoilers for the first book, Divergent, BUT NOT for Insurgent or Allegiant!**

STORY #1: THE TRANSFER
I loved this one the most! It really showed Four when he was just little Tobias…basically a kicked puppy. OH HE WAS SO LITTLE AND SCARED. He longed for a better life but just was just absolutely resigned to being beaten by Marcus. This story was the most powerful. My only critique is…exactly HOW did Marcus make everyone basically forget he had a son? I mean, Four would’ve had to go to school…and it said people just ignored him. But seriously? No one took an interest in him??? Even Tris, curious little Tris, never knew much about him and definitely didn’t recognise his face when Divergent kicks off. So weird.

STORY #2: THE INITIATE
This is when Tobias turns into Four. It’s awesome. I love getting to know a younger Shauna and Zeke too. Back in the good ol’ days when the training made sense and wasn’t run by Eric. Okay, though, I have to admit, Eric wasn’t scary an intimidating enough. I thought he’d have more of a rivalry going with Four, but Eric is basically in the background.

STORY #3: THE SON
Four has an angry dark side. He’s getting all tall and strong now. Bashing people up. Being a big meanie. Training to be a leader. It definitely fleshes out his character and we see so much from his point-of-view. This one is fills in some backstory about Jeanine Matthews, the Erudite Leader.

STORY #4: THE TRAITOR
This one is actually WHEN Divergent’s happening. It includes a lot of scenes we already know from Tris’ POV. I have to admit this is my least favourite. I’ve already read it! I was just seeing it from Four’s moody persepctive. I love Four, don’t get me wrong, but his thoughts didn’t seem radically different to Tris’ in Divergent, so the double-up made me squint occasionally. I do feel like I understand Four’s feelings for Tris better. He was crushing on her soooo early and she never knew it. Adorable. And also we get a sneak peek into Four’s dating life, pre-Tris. His date with a Dauntless girl lasted 5 minutes and I laughed and laughed and laughed. POOR DEAR.

All in all? This is incredible and a must-read for any Veronica Roth fans. It’s best read AFTER Divergent, but you could read it before Insurgent and Allegiant if you wished it. I wanted to give it 4-stars because…well, HIS NAME IS FOUR. But it needs 5-stars, without a doubt. I hope Veronica Roth keeps writing!

[PURCHASE HERE]

Picture Books for Stubborn Kids

In typical toddler fashion, my youngest daughter (aged two and a half) has developed the “NO! I don’t like it!”, and the “Don’t want it!” approach to almost everything offered, much to the delight of her parents (that’s me). If you’re a parent or teacher of children anywhere between two and five years old, and understand the complexities of little independent, strong-willed minds, then these few books are perfect for lightening the mood and reinforcing positive behaviour.

I Don’t Want to Eat My Dinner, David Cornish (author, illus.), Harper Collins Publishers, 2014.

Shortlisted in the 2015 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards (3-5 years) is the subtly coercing ‘I Don’t Want to Eat My Dinner’ by David Cornish.

My youngest child loves this book (okay maybe there’s something she likes!) with its repetitive and funny phrasing, bold and in-your-face animated scenes and familiar culinary dishes. My only wish is that Rollo would convince her to eat her meals.
We’ve tried pretending to be hungry dinosaurs gnashing on our leafy greens. We’ve tried transforming into intergalactic smush beasts and firing carrots into our mouths like Rollo did. Alright, I admit we haven’t ridden on a chicken drumstick like a knight in shining armour. But none of these approaches seem to work. She won’t fall for it. But when Rollo (and my daughter’s older sister) are seen polishing off their dessert, my little one is always quick to want to get to that part!

‘I Don’t Want to Eat My Dinner’ is cleverly and humorously written and illustrated to have readers fascinated by the realms of imagination, as well as exploring fun ways to encourage the pickiest of eaters to gobble up everything on their dinner plate. Perhaps my little girl is still a bit young for this kind of pretend play, but parents of fussy kids from age four will relish having this savory book as a handy recipe for quenching those dinner time blues (and greens).

Mike I Don’t Like, Jol and Kate Temple (authors), Jon Foye (illustrator), ABC Books, 2014.
Shortlisted in the 2015 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards (3-5 years).

If there’s one thing in the world that makes you happy, could it be ice cream by any chance? It definitely does for Rollo and for my little girl, but for Mike I Don’t Like, that’s about all he likes. He’s so picky about his tastes that he goes as far as disowning his own book!

When his friend kindly offers him half his sandwich, Mike berrates the poor fellow, going off about the way it smells, and looks, and his dislike for his lunchbox and books. Mike’s rant continues.
“I DON’T like that MILK. I don’t like THAT JUICE. I don’t like ANTLERS on a MOOSE!”
Lizards, barky dogs, meowing cats, washing his hair, worms and bugs, lice, baths, flowers, cheese, pickles, tickles, bats, shoes, smells from kangaroos, carrots, gibbons squawking, kisses, crabs, blue whales, spooky barn owls, packing away and pirate parties, are just some of the few things on his ‘dislikes’ list! Until he spots that ice cream… I wonder if Mike will get what he deserves?

An absolutely hilarious performance by Mike I Don’t Like with his ranting rhyming couplets in bold and capitalised handwritten text. The big-mouthed, egg-shaped Mike with his skinny arms and legs, scarce teeth and tiny beady eyes makes for a perfect-looking brat. The punchy, eye-catching and farcical illustrations immediately get you smiling, and by the end of the book, with its clever punch line to wrap it up, you’ll be whinging about having sore cheeks.

Ingenious, hysterical and completely over the top, ‘Mike I Don’t Like’ is a sure fire way of teaching those youngsters this important lesson: Keep Calm and Be Positive.

I Don’t Like Koala, Sean Ferrell (author), Charles Santoso (illus.), Scholastic, 2015.

Now here’s a boy who knows exactly what he doesn’t like…it’s his toy Koala. Adam is horrified when he opens his gift only to discover the most terrible terrible that ever was. With his stalking, asymmetric yellow eyes and his mysterious appearances at every turn, this creepy toy would give anybody the heebie-jeebies.

But what to do with an unwanted toy? Put it away…away is a lot of places. Take it far, far away…far away is closer than you think. Adam shouts, “I don’t like Koala!” but his parents ignore his pleads for help. Finally Adam comes to realise that Koala, with his terrible terrible face and his terrible terrible claws and his watching, watching eyes, is in fact, just the comfort he needs. And who is freaked out by Koala now?

Another cleverly written story that keeps us guessing, giggling, and a bit on edge is unequivocally matched with the quirky and melodramatic illustrations that add so much charisma to every scene. Santoso’s pencil etching technique and moody hues create a perfect sense of movement and verve through a tale that is somewhat dark and distrurbing.

Although Adam doesn’t like Koala, plenty of preschoolers will adore the cheekiness, frivolity and affection that emanates from this imaginative story of overcoming fear and asserting one’s independence. It’s wicked!

Anything but Boring – A collection of Board Book reviews

I’m not sure how or why but I’ve still got many of the board books of my childhood and now, those from my daughter’s early learning days.

Their very construction may have something to do with standing up to the test of time. Maybe, I just can’t bear to part with them because of what they represent, an intensely intimate time of shared firsts, revelations, and discoveries.

Board books not only symbolize these never to be repeated phases of a child’s development but also crucially supply growing intellects with those first initial stepping stones towards visual and verbal literacy.

Here are some fun newbies to add to your collection.

Big Books by Natalie Marshall. I absolutely love the look and feel of these large format board books. The Big Book of Silly allows pre-schoolers to revel in the surreal and silly, like a rhino eating three hundred jellybeans before bed for instance (however perhaps this is not as silly as it sounds to a child). As with the Big Book of Happy, it is illustrated with loud colour-filled pages of big bold characters prompting very young readers to question their own happy and silly moments. Too much fun to pass up.

The Five Mile Press May 2015

Lisa Kerr is another Aussie author whose Cheeky Monkey Manners builds on her Cheeky Monkey series character and uses vibrant full-page colour to harness young attention spans.

Cheeky Monkey is not so much rude as ‘unknowing’ and with the help of his extremely tolerant jungle pals eventually comes to understand and use his ‘please’ and ‘thankyous’ correctly.

Repeating scenarios and a square compact size makes these books idea for introducing and enforcing manners in pre-schoolers.

The Five Mile Press May 2015

Another vibrant set of books perfectly suited for fledging imaginations is the Magic Car Wash series, a family collaboration by Rosie Smith, Bruce Whatley, and Ben Smith Whatley.

Kit the mechanic owns a car wash and small but eclectic fleet of vehicles in the town of Tyre Flats. (Don’t you love the connections?) The thing is, whenever the cars drive through the car wash, magical things happen; front and back ends mix and match resulting in some curious combinations…and adventures.

Beginner readers will get a real buzz of out these Transformers meets Cars tales. They provide the idea vehicle from which to explore concepts of fear, friendship, spatial awareness and direction, and the benefits of working together to achieve great results. I adore the simple colourful graphics, exploration of language and brilliant little twisty endings of these books. Robust (super thick glossy pages means these books will last for a long time on the book shelves of even the most active readers) yet cute enough to win over boys and girls, and hopelessly appealing, the Magic Car Wash series is another great example of board books on offer from The Five Mile Press May 2015. Titles include The Giant Mouse, The Runaway Car and Red’s First Fire.

Lastly but not least (there are still so many to fawn over) a little bit more magic…Possum Magic. Mem Fox and Julie Vivas have joined formidable forces again to develop a series of beautifully bound board books aimed at pre-schoolers and based on their perennial picture book favourite, Possum Magic. Animals led the way, now followed by, Actions, an exploration of ‘doing’ words.

Words that inspire action in various modes are lovingly represented by Vivas’ cheerful illustrations. Familiar yet brimming with new eye-catching detail, each spread features two different verbs demonstrated by those endearing Possum Magic bushland characters we’ve come to love.

If you like eating (lamingtons), reading (in comfortable places) and dancing (under starlit skies), you will love Possum Magic, Actions and so will little ones aged 0 – 4 years of age.

Scholastic Australia 2015

Here’s another hot off the press. Pig Kahuna Pirates! by author illustrator, Jennifer Sattler just corkscrewed its way across my desk. This chunky little board book follows in the wake of Pig Kahuna and Sattler’s previous Chick ‘n’ Pug picture book creations. Goofy, cutesy characters bounce through seemingly parochial situations yet inspire adventure and genuine expressions of love.

The porcine brothers, Fergus and Dink spend a day at the beach together caught in a world of pirates and brotherly disagreement until Fergus realises the value of his baby brother. Heavily textured illustrations ably capture the emotions and the ambient beauty of the day. A great board book addition for those with siblings under 5 years old.

Bloomsbury Children’s Books July 2015

The Book Brief: The Very Best New Release Books in August

Each month we bring you the best new release books in our Book Brief.

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Fiction Books

Close Your Eyes by Michael Robotham

A mother and her teenage daughter are found murdered and a clinical psychologist is called in to help the investigation. Nothing is as it seems about the mother or her daughter or indeed the investigator. This is another intricate crime novel from Robotham that will keep you guessing right to the end. Chris

Circling The Sun by Paula McLain

Beryl Markham was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic east to west. However that is really just the tip of the iceberg. She was a most remarkable woman in many ways. A dare devil, an adventurer, a woman who loved men but made some bad choices. She was friends with Karen Blixen until she fell in love with her long term partner. She grew up pretty wild and free in Kenya without the restraints of an English education or a mother. She loved animals; she respected the local tribes’ people and hunted with them. She was expelled from various schools in Nariobi because she was a bad influence. She could not understand why she could not train horses and fly both of which she did very well. Do you remember The Paris Wife? This is even better! Chris

The Marriage Of Opposites by Alice Hoffman

Set on the tropical island of St Thomas in 1807. A novel of slavery, racism and bigotry yet the population all live together in some sort of harmony. Rachel has an arranged marrage and a marriage of love. When she gives birth to her tenth child prejudice reaches a new level one that is not going to be tolerated. He wants to be an artist. He is very talented and in fact is the future Camille Pissarro. Chris

A Guide To Berlin by Gail Jones

A group of six international travellers, two Italians, two Japanese, an American and an Australian, meet in empty apartments in Berlin to share stories and memories. Each is enthralled in some way to the work of Vladimir Nabokov, and each is finding their way in deep winter in a haunted city. A moment of devastating violence shatters the group, and changes the direction of everyone’s story.

Wind/Pinball by Haruki Murakami

Wind/Pinball includes Haruki Murakami’s first two novels, published back-to-back, available for the first time in English outside Japan. With a new introduction by the author. Published as a reversible hardback. A must for Murakami fans.

The Long Way To A Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

I totally loved this book. This sucked me in from the opening sentence and still has not let me go. The moment I finished I started missing all the characters straight away and want to get back to this universes as quickly as possible. This is science fiction at its best; expansive, alien, full of worlds, peoples and technology to explore but at the same time containing an essence and humanity that captures perfectly what we all strive for in our lives. Jon

Armada by Ernest Cline

At once gleefully embracing and brilliantly subverting science-fiction conventions as only Ernest Cline could, Armada is a rollicking, surprising thriller, a classic coming of age adventure, and an alien invasion tale like nothing you’ve ever read before-one whose every page is infused with the pop-culture savvy that has helped make Ready Player One a phenomenon.

Non Fiction Books

Women I’ve Undressed by Orry Kelly

Found in a pillowcase, the fabulous long-lost memoirs of a legendary Hollywood designer – and a genuine Australian original. Orry-Kelly created magic on screen, from Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon to Some Like It Hot. He won three Oscars for costume design. He dressed all the biggest stars, from Bette Davis to Marilyn Monroe. He was an Australian. Yet few know who Orry-Kelly really was – until now.

Blindsided by Michael Lynagh

A memoir that explores the fragility and meaning of life, even if you happen to be a Wallaby legend. It’s the unthinkable for anyone – to be blind-sided by a life-threatening illness in the prime of life, with no prior warning and no time to prepare loved-ones for a life after you.

James Halliday Wine Companion 2016

The 2016 edition has been completely revised to bring you up-to-the-minute information. In his inimitable style, Halliday shares his extensive knowledge of wine through detailed tasting notes, each with vintage-specific ratings, alcohol content and price, advice on optimal drinking as well as individual information on the wineries and winemakers.

Sonnyball by Paul Kent

Sonny Bill Williams is a superstar in three sports, an icon around the world. SBW proves a modern truth. That in this new sporting world success is everything and memory is short. And no matter the code, when it comes to Sonny Bill Williams, everyone – clubs, fans, sponsors, media – ends up playing Sonny Ball.

Thermo-Struck by Kim McCosker

With a busy lifestyle, you can rely on Thermo-Struck when preparing dinner for your family or entertaining your friends. A bounty of healthy meals, home-cooked from scratch and full of nutrients, in just a fraction of the time traditionally required.

When We Were Young & Foolish by Greg Sheridan

When We Were Young and Foolish traces Greg’s own journey from impoverished childhood in Sydney’s inner west, on to his formative years at university and then The Bulletin, and in doing so also illuminates the formative years and experiences of his friends would who go on to be prime ministers, premiers and senior cabinet ministers. It offers new and personal insights into the people they were as students and twenty-somethings, and the events, philosophies, demons and relationships that helped make them the people they are.

From Venice to Istanbul by Rick Stein

From the mythical heart of Greece to the fruits of the Black Sea coast; from Croatian and Albanian flavours to the spices and aromas of Turkey and beyond – the cuisine of the Eastern Mediterranean is a vibrant melting pot brimming with character. Packed with stunning photography of the food and locations, and filled with Rick’s passion for fresh produce and authentic cooking, this is a stunning collection of inspiring recipes to evoke the magic of the Eastern Mediterranean at home.

Rugby World Cup 2015: The Official Tournament Guide

The must-have companion to world rugby’s biggest event. England is the tournament host, and this book contains everything fans will need, from venue guides to detailed information on every team in the finals, key players, playing strengths, coaches, past form and a prediction of teams’ hopes of success.

Childrens’ Picture Books

What’s Up Mumu by David Mackintosh

MuMu is just not feeling right today. AND THAT’S THAT. Does her best friend Lox have enough tricks to make things right. Perhaps with lots of fun and laugher MuMu will feel better. A fun and clever story about friendship and patience. Jan

The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty by Beatrice Alemagna

Eddie knows her Mum would love a Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty for her birthday but what is it and where will she find one. Join her as she tours the charming French town for the perfect present. Another enchanting picture book from the author of A Lion in Paris. Jan

Brave As Can Be by Jo Witek

This delightfullly illustrated picture book is great for toddlers who are afraid of the dark, thunderstorms and many other scary issues. In this lyrical story an older sister explains to her little sister what she did to overcome her fears. The fears that once felt so huge are now a speck of dust. Jan

Books for Young Readers

The 65-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths

Andy and Terry’s ever-expanding treehouse just got zanier! It now features a room where it’s always your birthday, a time machine, a lollipop shop … and that’s the boring stuff! Just how much more whacky can their treehouse get? You’ll have to read the book to find out…

Hooked On Netball by B. Hellard & L. Gibbs

Meet Maddy and her friends from the Gems! Maddy can’t wait to play her first game of netball with her new team. She’s been training hard and can’t wait to try out her skills. But Maddy’s excitement soon turns to nerves when she realises that things might not go exactly as she imagined. What position will coach Janet put her in? What if she gets asked to sit on the bench? Suddenly, the netball courts are the last place Maddy wants to be!

The Cut Out by Jack Heath

Meet Fero: an ordinary teenager, uninitiated in the art of espionage, who just so happens to look exactly like Troy Maschenov, a ruthless enemy agent with plans to launch a devastating attack. With the clock ticking, Fero is recruited to impersonate Troy and infiltrate enemy territory. But does the rookie have what it takes? Fans of CHERUB and Alex Rider rejoice – there’s a new hero in town! Simon

Childrens’ Non Fiction

Rugby World Cup 2015 Fact File

The 2015 Rugby World Cup is just weeks away, and there’s no better way to hone your knowledge than with this easy-to-follow guide. There are profiles of all 20 finalist teams and star players, puzzles and quizzes, and match-by-match progress charts you can fill in during the tournament. Mine’s already filled in with predictions: Wallabies to win the Cup, of course! Simon

Books for Young Adults

Green Valentine by Lili Wilkinson

Astrid wants to change the world – she is an environmental activist, popular, clever, perfect. Hiro just wants to survive – he is grouchy, rude and thinks school is not important. Can their common belief that the world needs to be made a better place bring them together. Jan

Risk, Meet Fleur Ferris

Thanks for speaking to Boomerang Books Blog, Fleur.

Thanks you for having me on the blog Joy.

Your new YA novel, Risk (Random House Australia) is creating a buzz in Australian YA circles. I believe that it has a very important message, told as an engaging story. Is it your first published work? Have you met any other YA authors?

Risk is my first novel to be published. I’ve met a few YA writers in person, and many more online. It is great to be a part of the Australian YA community, everyone is very friendly and supportive. I hope to catch up with a few YA authors (in person) at the Bendigo Writers’ Festival in August.

Why did you write Risk?

A number of incidents involving predators meeting and grooming girls online and then luring them away occurred in my local area. I’m a family friend to one of the girls and was shocked that she was almost a victim to this type of predator. This girl (then 14 years old) is a smart, well-adjusted girl who doesn’t go looking for trouble. It frightened me that trouble found her. I started looking into cases and researching how predators use social media to find victims. I found out that anyone can use a proxy box to hide their identity, even from the police. During the process an idea for a book came to me.

Your character Taylor comments that the guy she meets online doesn’t seem like a stalker. What does an online stalker seem like?

Great question! I wish I had a great answer. Taylor, the fifteen-year-old character in Risk, thought that an online stalker would be outwardly creepy, or have other obvious, indicative traits. But once Taylor got chatting to one particular guy online she didn’t question him because he was so nice. It is impossible to know if people you meet online really are as they seem.

Apart from encouraging young people to read Risk how can we protect them?

I believe education is the key. Discussing online dangers and possible strategies to adopt will help people (of any age) avoid falling victim to online predators. Increasing awareness of online dangers will hopefully lead to a person making better, and more cautious, decisions about information they give out as well as meeting online friends in the real world. As long as there are online places to meet people, online predators will exist and education about this needs to start early.

Who have you modelled the two protagonists, Taylor and Sierra on?

Initially, Taylor and Sierra were modelled on my nieces who were fifteen and sixteen years of age at the time Risk was written.

Sierra likes Taylor Swift. Do you like her too or have you featured her for another reason?

I do like Taylor Swift and her music. Over the years I have enjoyed learning about her journey to stardom and I admire her. She is strong, intelligent, funny and artistic. Taylor (and her music) inspires me.

What have you enjoyed reading recently or in the past?

The neighbour by Julie Proudfoot is incredible. The pause by John Larkin, Cooper Bartholomew is dead by Rebecca James, Pieces of sky by Trinity Doyle and All the bright places (audiobook) by Jennifer Niven are all brilliant YA books. I’m also reading Jacqueline Harvey’s Clementine Rose Series with my kids and I am enjoying these books as much as my kids are.

Are you writing something else at the moment? If so, could you tell us about it?

I have just signed a contract with Random House for my next YA novel. The title is unconfirmed at this stage, but I can say it is another contemporary stand-alone and sits well alongside Risk. It will be out mid next year.

That’s fantastic news. All the very best with it, Fleur.

Boomerang Book Bites: Stealing People by Robert Wilson

Two years after the events of You Will Never Find Me Charlie Boxer’s life is nearing some normalcy. Normal for a kidnap consultant whose services offer a little bit extra revenge on the side. His relationships with his ex-wife Mercy and daughter Amy are back on track and his relationship with Isabel is blossoming. However things are about to get very complicated, very fast.
http://www.boomerangbooks.com.au/Stealing-People/Robert-Wilson/book_9781409148203.htm
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Georgie Donaghey in the Spotlight; ‘Lulu’ Makes her Debut

It’s not enough to just want something and hope that it will be delivered to you on a silver platter. Unfortunately for most of us, life isn’t that simple. What we try to teach our kids is that you absolutely can achieve your aspirations, your goals, your dreams, but it takes work, persistence and determination. In this same fashion, this is all too true for first time picture book author, Georgie Donaghey. Her dedication to her writing, the foundation of the successful Creative Kids Tales for emerging authors, and the establishment of The Author’s Shelf, are all what make her journey to publication so inspiring.

Her new book, ‘Lulu’, gorgeously illustrated by Ann-Marie Finn, published by Dragon Tales Publishing, is simply scrumptious! Lulu; a sweet, ice-fishing polar bear, has a dream. A dream to dance. With courage and resolve, Lulu abounds success, but in the end she discovers that all the popularity in the world doesn’t compare to the comfort and affection of family and friends. And she enjoys the best of both worlds.

Read Dimity’s fab full review of the divine Lulu here.

Now, let’s take a peek into the creative mind of Georgie Donaghey.

Congratulations on the latest release of your first picture book, ‘Lulu’! How did you be celebrate its launch?

With lots of family and writer friends at Sutherland Shire Library. Over 100 people attended. It was like a dream. Susanne Gervay launched Lulu, and I was joined by Deborah Abela, Emma Cameron, Di Bates, Bill Condon and lots of other well-wishers. I wanted to make sure my first launch was extra special so went a little crazy making polar bear cupcakes, chocolates, a Lulu slice (just like LCM’s), goody bags, craft activities such as colouring sheets, polar bear masks. I read Lulu to the kids on an iceberg made from white faux fur and cushions.

Where did the inspiration for this story come from?

I am one of those crazy authors where their characters speak to them. Lulu actually began in the playground of my daughter’s school. I was tapping away on my iPad while waiting to do my first author talk to my daughter’s class, and the opening line popped into my head. ‘Polar Bear’s life was quite cosy and nice, with mountains of fish and even more ice.’ Lulu’s name came during the publishing stage.

How does ‘Lulu’ resonate with you?

Lulu followed her dream no matter what obstacles were in her way. I, like many other authors, have received too many rejections to count. Instead of being discouraged I wear them like a badge of honor and continue to believe and follow my dreams.

‘Lulu’ has a beautiful underlying theme of ambitiousness and following one’s dreams. What special message would you like Lulu’s readers to take away from the story?

If you work hard and believe in your dreams, anything is possible.

‘Lulu’ is written with a graceful poetic rhythm, perfectly suiting your charming polar bear dancer. Do you often write in rhyme, and is this your preferred style of writing?

I’m not fond of rhyme only because you have to be spot on with it. You can’t fool kids, the rhyme has to flow. To publish a poorly written book is a disaster so I tried to fight the rhyme and just write Lulu as a story but clearly the rhyme won. Would I do it again? Well Lulu has a brother who has a story to tell and I am also working on another rhyming manuscript about an octopus. Fingers crossed.

What were your most rewarding and challenging aspects of creating ‘Lulu’?

Challenging would be of course getting the rhyme just right. I experienced both highs and lows from conception to launch. You need a thick skin, and a lot of patience in this industry to deal with rejections and obstacles you face along the way.

I love illustrator, Ann-Marie Finn‘s soft, pastel-looking textures and delicate shades of blues and pinks. What was it like collaborating with her? How much creative license did you allow Ann-Marie in the design process?

As with most publishers the illustrator was appointed by the publisher. There was no collaboration between Ann-Marie and I. I think there was only one brief chat with Kaylene and then Ann-Marie just did her own thing. Needless to say I am very happy with how Lulu turned out. Ann-Marie is also a Director of Dragon Tales Publishing.

How would you describe your first publishing experience with Dragon Tales Publishing?

An experience to remember.

Your literary websites ‘Creative Kids Tales’ and ‘The Author’s Shelf’ are fantastic resources for emerging authors and illustrators, and have brought their readers and listeners a plethora of inspirational information and entertainment over the past 4 years. What has been your most valuable piece of advice given or favourite experience with a visiting author?

Thanks for the lovely comments. Gosh! How long is a piece of string? I loved chatting with all my guests on The Author’s Shelf and took something away from each interview. Probably the stand-outs would have to be Posie Graeme-Evans (creator of McLeod’s Daughters, Hi5 and many other great Aussie dramas), Jackie French. In fact Jackie and I had such a good time on air she came back for a second show.
Tony Flowers & Nick Falk were fun to interview together. Tony joined me in the studio and illustrated in between answering questions with Nick. Andy Griffiths was a delight, and Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants) was lots of fun too.
For Creative Kids Tales I have interviewed 38 guests including Mem Fox, Graeme Base, Jacqueline Harvey, Kate Forsyth, Belinda Murrell, Leigh Hobbs, Nick Bland, Paul Jennings and many other household names. That number is growing with guests lined up well into 2016.
I have received lots of valuable tips over the last few years. The best way to share them is via my Top Tips page http://www.creativekidstales.com.au/tips/top-tips. One of the pages on CKT I am most proud of is the testimonials page. Beautiful words from beautiful people …………

Can you tell us a bit about your experience speaking at the 10th CYA Conference? What an exciting honour!

I thought hosting a fortnightly radio show was nerve-racking and then chairing a panel at last year’s Kids & YA Festival at the NSW Writers’ Centre was enough to give me butterflies on my butterflies. I have been to a few CYA’s now and have proudly worn the hat of chief tweeter. Again this year I juggled tweeting and posting on Facebook for the duration of the conference. Standing at that microphone and delivering my speech to 160 attendees was fun and nerve-racking. My four minutes flew by, and I had many comments from attendees saying my journey resonated with them. They were comforted by the fact our journeys were similar, and they were inspired to continue chasing their dreams.

What’s next for Georgie Donaghey? What other projects do you have on the go?

I’m always setting the bar higher. I have a lot of things planned for Creative Kids Tales, and The Author’s Shelf is beginning to take shape into something new and very exciting. It’s a bit hush hush at the moment. I’m writing, editing and submitting. Fingers crossed I can announce my next book soon.

Thank you for your insights into your publishing journey, Georgie! Looking forward to seeing more from you!

Thanks, Romi, it’s been a lot of fun.

Click on the links to get in touch with Georgie Donaghey at Creative Kids Tales and on Facebook.

Review – Lulu

At first glance, life on the icy floes may seem appealing. (Unless you reside in SE Queensland as I do with no real concept of what cold is until you have to live through ‘an unseasonably cold winter’ with little more than a cotton tee-shirt and a pair of bed socks). In Lulu’s world, there is more ice than you can shake an Eskimo at and ‘mountains of fish’ to sate the largest appetite. What more could a young polar bear desire? Yet like many of us closeted in the everyday cosiness of the familiar, Lulu harbours dreams and a hankering to fulfil them.

Lulu’s name ribbons across the sweetly simple cover of Georgie Donaghey’s debut picture book, Lulu. Along with illustrator, Ann-Marie Finn, Donaghey has created a tale that will strike at least two chords with many young readers aged three and above: the need to chase one’s desires no matter how ambitious and dancing.

Expounding these themes, Donaghey uses carefully nurtured verse to draw the reader along with Lulu who sets off alone in pursuit of her dream of performing on the big stage. It’s not really a case of running away, rather running to somewhere. Pirouetting on the snow for her Arctic friends just doesn’t cut it for her anymore and in true grass-is-greener style, or in this case, the lights-are-brighter-than-the-aurora-borealis style, Lulu eventually conquers her ambitions, finds her place on stage and performs for many seasons in the big city.

It’s a life filled with glamour and fame, highbrow audiences and gratifying reviews but sadly not with true friends. Turns out, the ice is greener after all and eventually the call of home lures Lulu back.

Donaghey does well to point out to young readers that it’s okay to have dreams and great aspirations. We don’t always attain our goals, but sometimes, if we want them hard enough, dreams do come true. Lulu was lucky enough to experience the realisation of her strongest desires but also to realise that her most steadfast believers, her friends would always be there waiting for her no matter how far away her dreams took her. This conveys a positive message of security for children, stressing the importance of being self-assured.

Finns’ considered colour choices for the illustrations are uncomplicated revealing mood, time and place with minimal clutter. White space replicates the vast pristine landscape of Lulu’s home with subtle colour shifts and blends from polar blues and whites to snowflake- pretty sunset yellows used to maximum effect on what could have been a monochromatic environment to illustrate. Little blips of pink provide contrast and encourage little eyes to focus on Lulu, the true star of the show.

With its soft matt cover (in this paperback edition), comfortable rhythm, and pleasing artwork it is hard not to be warmed by this story set on the ice.

Pop over to Romi’s interview with Lulu author, Georgie Donaghey now for more interesting insight into the creation of this plucky little polar bear and the fiercely determined creator behind her.

Lulu is now available, here.

Dragon Tales Publishing June 2015

Review: Only Ever Yours by Louise O’Neill

You know those books that make you sit back and go, “Um, woah” and then are super hard to talk about because they’ve messed with your brain so much? WELL. Only Ever Yours by Louise O’Neill definitely fits in that category. It’s the kind of book that makes you think. It took me ages to formulate thoughts. WHAT DO I THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK? Is it a masterpiece or a terror? Or both?

Both. Both, for sure.

It’s set in a futuristic world were women are treated as…objects. They exist for men’s pleasure. They are nothing. An insult is, “Don’t be academic.” It’s the most sickening society I’ve ever read and I found it quite tough to read about. It’s narrated by a school of 16-year-old girls where their entire LIFE’s PURPOSE is to make a man happy at some point. To be chosen and married and used. They’ll only have sons because women are “made” in this society. And if there’s a glitch? They just terminate the girl. LET ME JUST SCREAM. I hated the society with a fiery passion — but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad book. Contrary. It set up the world-building so thoroughly I was totally invested in the story and couldn’t put it down. But it’s pretty much not for the faint of heart. And if you, like me, are really passionate about feminism, then it’ll rile you badly.

It also prodded today’s society’s view of things. Like the definition of beauty and how people treat those with mental illnesses. It exaggerated them. But the nugget of realism drove the book home hard.

These girls must be “perfect”. They can’t be fat. They constantly chant how evil and horrible “fat girls” are. It’s sickening. It basically just shredded me…the way they had bulimia and anorexia and how this impacted their psychological health too. The girls don’t even have capitals for their names. Because they’re not worth it. Omg.

The writing is utterly addictive. I think the entire book was a tad too long. Like it made a point — YES FOR SURE — but sometimes it felt like it was just repeating the same horror story again and again and again and…nunngh. I get twitchy when a book’s pacing is off.
It doesn’t have a conclusive ending. The moment I closed the book, I wanted to how, “BUT WHAT WAS THE POINT???” It does have a point — it’s a story with a point but no conclusion. I did struggle with that, but at the same time, I think it made the book stick in my head longer because I couldn’t stop mulling over it’s themes. This was a good but sickening book. I felt uncomfortable the entire time. It is 100% depressing. It is 1000% well-written and thought provoking and feels stabbing and….basically you need to read it.

If you are tired of the average YA “dystopian trends” — try this. It is unique and psychological and intense and woah.

“She’s beautiful, but it’s a faded beauty now, as if she’s been washed too many times.”

[PURCHASE HERE]

Go Set A Watchman

While I won’t deny I’ve been beside myself with anticipation awaiting the release of Harper Lee’s Go Set A Watchman, I’ve simultaneously been terrified about how it might read, for the publishers announced it would be printed in its organic, unedited form.

Go Set A Watchman is, after all, a kind of first draft rejected by publishers that facilitated Lee writing something vastly improved and iconic.

As a writer who also works as an editor, I see both sides of the fence. I am acutely aware of the value of a good edit—even the most talented writer benefits from some precision editing help.

I worry that we’re about to read—and judge her on—a not yet fully polished work. Lee is an undeniably exquisite writer, but the Harry Potter rejection myth arguably carries too much weight in our collective conscience. The book is no doubt good, but I doubt it was rejected in the first place without some feasible reason.

In fact, I’d hazard a guess the book’s less an overlooked gem than a book that’s good, but that led to something better. And without the benefit of an edit, as To Kill A Mockingbird itself had, it’s likely to pale in comparison.

Or worse, be the kind of thing you couldn’t resist reading, but that ever so slightly diminished your love for, and fascination with, the original text. For me, that was the extra the Picnic At Hanging Rock chapter, which that demonstrated finishing with the however infuriating unsolved mystery was a vastly better way to end.

But then, contention about whether the hermited Lee actually gave permission for Go Set A Watchman to be published, I realised I’ve become something like the pedants we’ve all encountered along the way. Everyone’s an expert, it seems, and everyone has an opinion on how a book could or should be better.

The hype around Lee’s book reminds me of the following two takes on the pedant issue. The first, a Buzzfeed in-joke if Jane Austen had received feedback on Pride and Prejudice from a peer in a writing class.

It includes such gems as:

I don’t usually read chick lit, but I didn’t hate reading this draft of your novel, which you’re calling Pride and Prejudice.
Anyway, good job. I do have a couple of notes to share, in the spirit of constructive criticism.
Also, why five sisters? How about just two?
Anyway, while this isn’t something I would pick up on my own to read, I still enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Thanks for letting me take a look, and let me know if you need any more help with it.

AdWeek carries the theme with its hypothetical client feedback for famous writers (F Scott Fitzgerald, Joseph Heller, and Salman Rushdie are among an esteemed crowd who spent time working in advertising to pay for the privilege of being a poorly paid writer).

The client feedback includes:

Great powwow earlier, but the team and I have just a few notes…
The title Catch 22 is a little ambiguous. Can we be more direct?
Could the characters be a little more working class and in line with our ‘strivers and survivors’ demographic?
Let’s rethink the adulterous theme running throughout. It is NOT on brand.
…can we add a cat? Everyone loves cats.
One last thing: Does it have to be a book?

So when I do manage to crack the spine of this breathily awaited Go Set A Watchman, which I have to admit I don’t think has a particularly great title, I’ll try to remember everyone’s an expert when it’s not their work and to respect Lee’s narrative decisions (including surrounding what I’m hearing is something to do with making Atticus slightly racist).

Regardless of what Go Set A Watchman covers and how it reads, or even why Lee chose that title, even Lee’s first drafts are likely to read vastly better than my best final drafts.

The book’s a precursor to a masterpiece and probably has a lot to offer both as a standalone piece of work and in its greater, other-book context. And it’ll give us more insight into, and a richer understanding of, this incredible author’s writing talent and approach. Inner pedant, be gone.

Boomerang Book Bites: Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee

I fell instantly in love with this book though. Having done a re-read of To Kill A Mockingbird in preparation I instantly fell into step with the voice of Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch. At 26 years old the character we already know is all there, which makes sense because this is the same character, at the same point, who narrates To Kill a Mockingbird. Jean Louise is returning home from New York for her annual trip to Maycomb County. A lot has changed since we were last in Maycomb.
http://www.boomerangbooks.com.au/Go-Set-a-Watchman/Harper-Lee/book_9781785150289.htm
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Struggling Book Children

Some thought-provoking Australian novels for children have appeared recently. Standouts include New Boy by Nick Earls (Puffin), Run, Pip, Run by J.C. Jones (Allen & Unwin), Dropping In by Geoff Havel (Fremantle Press), Birrung the Secret Friend by Children’s Laureate, Jackie French (Angus & Robertson) and Plenty by Ananda Braxton-Smith (Black Dog Books, Walker Books).

Nick Earls uses some of his own experiences as an Irish boy moving to Australia in one of his best works for children so far, New Boy.

Earls’ character, Herschelle moves to Australia and has to deal with bullying and racism as a white South African who speaks English. His teacher looks Chinese but speaks with an Australian accent. Herschelle was popular and sporty but is now paired with Max, who looks like a nerd. Humour, and embarrassment, is derived from misunderstanding of Australian slang and idioms, such as ‘bring a plate’. This book is a very clever twist on the usual refugee story. Displacement comes in many forms.

Run, Pip, Run by newcomer J.C. Jones is quite a hard-hitting story about a 10-year-old girl who lives with an old man and tries to manage alone when he is taken to hospital. Her teacher, Mr Blair, is intuitive and tries to help her, endangering his own position. Pip is an engaging, resourceful character. This novel makes important points about child welfare and children at risk.

I loved the humour in Geoff Havel’s The Real Facts of Life when I read it years ago. He has created more appealing characters in his latest novel for children, Dropping In.

Stick and Ranga are adventurous and include new boy, James, who has cerebral palsy, in their stunts. A girl, Jess, also joins their group, and Stick isn’t quite sure how he should act around her.

Jackie French has begun a new series for younger readers with Birrung the Secret Friend.

Sydney’s early European colony is brought to life through the eyes of Barney who is welcomed into the home of clergyman, Richard Johnson and his wife when he is starving. Aboriginal girl, Birrung, also lives there. Johnson’s love and care, even at the risk of his own health, for the people around him is told through the likable lens of Barney’s eyes and voice.

And Ananda Braxton-Smith’s story, Plenty about 10-year-old Maddy who has to move to the country is a stunner. Maddy loved her home and friends but gradually falls under the spell of her Nana’s indigenous orchids and learns what home and sanctuary really are from Sudanese refugee girl, Grace. The writing and imagery is first-rate.

Review: Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee

The book everyone is talking about. The book no one thought they would ever see. Fifty Five years after To Kill A Mockingbird we have a sequel….

Firstly I think it is really important to remember the context of this book while reading it. This book was written before To Kill A Mockingbird. Before all its success, before the film, before we all mythologized it’s characters and it’s meaning. Go Set A Watchman has not been edited in anyway since the manuscript was found and was written in mid-1950s America; a time, place and society facing great change and upheaval.

But in saying all that it is pretty hard to escape the shadow of the book that was published first. To Kill A Mockingbird is held up as a beacon in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, despite it being set in the 1930s. But it’s message of equal rights is a powerful one, not just across racial lines but class ones as well. It is one of the few books taught in school that resonates with nearly every child who has to read it and still means something to them years later. But there is a danger in that too. The idealism of youth, the putting of someone on a pedestal to represent all that we believe in. And it is this danger that is at the heart of Go Set A Watchman.

I fell instantly in love with this book though. Having done a re-read of To Kill A Mockingbird in preparation I instantly fell into step with the voice of Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch. At 26 years old the character we already know is all there, which makes sense because this is the same character, at the same point, who narrates To Kill a Mockingbird. Jean Louise is returning home from New York for her annual trip to Maycomb County. A lot has changed since we were last in Maycomb. The Second World War has changed the entire country but recent Supreme Court decisions mean there are great ramifications on the horizon for The South. Jean Louise returns to a home she doesn’t quite recognize, the place and the people. When she begins to also doubt those people closest to her, her whole sense of self and the world around her she thought she knew and could depend on starts to shift on it’s axis.

As the reader this sense of tilted axis comes earlier than it does for Scout. Because the book was written before To Kill A Mockingbird there are details slightly out of place or missing. Jem’s fate is glossed over to begin with, which makes sense as this was written first, but in the context of the reader it feels slightly callous. The same with Dill. As Scout tries to come to terms with the hard truths she has discovered we flashback to Scout’s childhood and get to fill in the blanks of her growing up between the books and you can see why Harper Lee’s original editor suggested she flesh out the backstory the way she eventually did.

The heart of Go Set A Watchman though is the tearing down of ideals, shining examples that, while noble, are impossible to realize. I can totally understand why many readers are not prepared to have their view of To Kill A Mockingbird and it’s characters change and there is a point a third of the way into this book that totally broke my heart (Scout’s more so). But that is the underlying message of this book, that we do a disservice to what we believe in by putting our ideas or the people we want to represent our ideals up on a pedestal, above reproach. And while it takes great courage to stand up for what we believe in it also takes courage to understand every point of view and to challenge not only differing points of view but also our own.

Much has been made about how our idea of Atticus Finch is changed by this book. But our idea of Atticus Finch has already be changed over the last 55 years. We are more influenced by the idea of Atticus as played by Gregory Peck than by the character in the original book and he has become a folk hero above and beyond what he was ever intended to represent.

For me the character that has always captivated me was Scout. It was her innocence and honesty that drove the story of To Kill A Mockingbird home and it is her courage and dignity that give Go Set A Watchman it’s heart and compassion. For me she is the character we should admire and aspire to. She is not perfect, she does not conform to an ideal, but she is honest and true, stubborn and understanding.

In many ways Go Set A Watchman is a more confronting book than To Kill A Mockingbird. It is much more challenging in its ideas and the questions and answers it poses are not clear or easily digestible. It will divide opinions and we will be talking about this book for many months and many years to come. And isn’t that the real measure of a great book?

Buy the book here…

Why You Should Be Reading YA Author, Derek Landy’s, Books

If you haven’t read any books by YA author, Derek Landy, then you’re missing out. He’s written a whole conglomeration of books centred around a living skeleton (it’s awesome, trust me) and now his latest book Demon Road is releasing in August. Which is exciting. Are you excited? I AM EXCITED.

But in case you’re staring at this blog post and mumbling, “But who the heck is Derek Landy?” then I have an epic list of reasons you need to acquaint yourself with his writing. ASAP.

REASONS YOU SHOULD BE READING DEREK LANDY’S BOOKS

1. He’s the inventor of Skulduggery Pleasant. Skulduggery is a sassy skeleton detective, bent on saving the world from evil magic. He stars in a 9-book series, which brings me to…

2. Derek Landy writes A LOT. You know that awkward moment when you find a newly beloved author and run about the streets shrieking their greatness? And then you find they only wrote one book, omg, no no no?! Derek Landy will NOT let you down like that. Along with the 9-book Skulduggery Pleasant collection, there is a hoard of novellas (some over 200 pgs as well, so they’re basically books in themselves) and also his new American-set series to look forward to.

3. Did I mention he’s Irish? WELL. HE’S IRISH. Magical, dark fantasy, set in Ireland is just plain terrific.

4. His humour is perfectly dry and witty. Sarcastic wit is my favourite. Skulduggery and his apprentice, Stephanie Edgley, have an almost Sherlock/Watson relationship. They banter. They look out for each other. Their quips are the kind you’ll want to frame on your wall.

“I’m not going to just stand by and do nothing,” she said through gritted teeth.
“You can, as I said, cheer my name, if you want.” ~ Death Bringer, book 6

5. Derek Landy is awesome in interviews. In this interview he answers the question of “where do you get your ideas from” with “from my brain”.

6. Derek Landy is ridiculous funny on twitter. You know how some authors just tweet links and news about their books? Well, Derek Landy tweets about his writing process and, just so you know, authors who’ve published copious books still find themselves staring at blank screens.

7. His newest book, Demon Road, has an epic first sentence. He just released it on his blog.

“Twelve hours before Amber Lamont’s parents tried to kill her, she was sitting between them in the principal’s office, her hands in her lap, stifling all the things she wanted to say.”

8. Demon Road is about a road trip. Which seems kind of obvious given the title, I know I know. But how many books have you read where the main character is forced on a road trip because demons, killer cars, vampires, and undead serial killers are chasing her?

9. The names of his characters are THE BEST. You will find very few Sue and Bobs, here. The characters in Skulduggery Pleasant (I mean, that name alone is awesome!) sport names like: China Sorrows, Tanith Low, Valkyrie Cain, Nefarian Serpine, and Kenspeckle Grouse.

10. Derek Landy’s books are always full of action and adventure. I’ve only read 6 of the Skulduggery Pleasant books so far (hey! I’m working on this!) but there’s always an epic mix of magic and danger and wit. No lagging plots. No boring monologues. His writing is golden. Seriously, how does he do this?

**Look out for Demon Road‘s August 27th release!**

Win a Father’s Day Hamper of Books

Looking for great gifts to buy for your Dad? Books make fantastic gifts for Father‘s Day! And to make your job easier, we’ve released our 2015 Father‘s Day Catalogue.

If you order from our Father‘s Day Catalogue before midnight on Sunday 30 August, you’ll get FREE shipping on your order when you use the promotional code code 4dad at the checkout.

PLUS, by using the promo code, you’ll also go into the draw to win a Father‘s Day book hamper worth over $1000.

Follow the links below to order your books from Boomerang Books today:

Song, Poem and Rhyme Picture Books

Children connect with songs and rhymes. This innate quality allows young readers and listeners the ability to play and experiment with sounds with ease. Not only do these lyrical stories lend themselves to a range of engaging and interactive experiences, but their audience is also given opportunities to learn the mechanics of language, sequences and meaning of the text. The following few picture books explore some well-known tunes and traditional tales in new and innovative ways that will relate to their readers, both young and old. Some great for a giggle, some for a wiggle, and one for learning about things that jiggle!

The Croc and the Platypus, Jackie Hosking (author), Marjorie Crosby-Fairall (illus.), Walker Books, 2014.

From the lyrical talent of Jackie Hosking, with the superbly detailed and dynamic acrylic paintings by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall, ‘The Croc and the Platypus’ bounds its way from outback Australia straight into our hearts.
To the age-old tune of ‘The Owl and the Pussycat’, here our water-loving, ‘Aussie’ pair set off, not to sea in their pea-green boat, but across the desert in their rusty Holden ute. Featuring typical Australian and Indigenous treasures and proper slang, including didgeridoo hullabaloos, sheep-shearing blokes, a cocky, lamingtons and the beauty of the Southern Cross above Uluru, the platypus and the croc embark on an extraordinary camping adventure.
‘The Croc and the Platypus’ is a charming Aussie rendition of the classic song with its romping, rollicking nature and perfectly suited sandy tones and animated characters. Primary school children will adore these unlikely mates and all that our native outback has to offer.

Silly Squid! Poems about the Sea, Janeen Brian (author), Cheryll Johns (illus.), Omnibus Books, 2015.

Following on from the ‘Silly Galah!’ poem book, award-winning Janeen Brian, together with illustrator Cheryll Johns, dive into more fact-finding fun with the wonderfully entertaining ‘Silly Squid! Poems about the Sea’.
Learning about underwater sea creatures in this book is far from boring. I love how Brian cleverly gets the reader involved. She doesn’t simply spill facts onto the page, but through a nicely cantered metre and interesting information, she encourages discussion with prompting, questioning and expression. Find out fascinating facts, like how a sea star regrows an arm, that a daddy leafy sea dragon helps the eggs to hatch, a squid is not silly because it can colour-change, and that fairy penguins don’t carry wands or grant wishes.
Discovering the world of sea life has never been more captivating with the fun poetry and vivid, bold acrylic paintings. ‘Silly Squid!’ is a valuable resource for primary aged children both in and out of the classroom.

The Cow Tripped Over the Moon, Tony Wilson (author), Laura Wood (illus.), Scholastic, 2015.

A hilarious version of the old nursery rhyme, ‘Hey Diddle Diddle’, with a most persistent, hard-working cow and his ever-so supportive friends. ‘The Cow Tripped Over the Moon’ takes us back on the journey of how the cow ultimately succeeded in jumping over the moon. With exuberant rhyme and comical, distinct illustrations, it takes this hapless cow seven moon attempts before he finally conquers this mighty challenge. From tripping over, to hitting a hot air balloon, slow run-ups, riding meteorites and blazing bottoms, Cow hits an all-time low. But the encouragement of his dog, cat, dish and spoon mates sparks the determination in this fiesty creature, and the rhyme ends happily ever after.
Adorably whimsical and witty with clever plays on the classic rhyme, ‘The Cow Tripped Over the Moon’ is perfect for a snuggle and a giggle before a preschooler’s bedtime.

Some other great song books to add to your list:

10 Cheeky Possums, Ed Allen (author), Claire Richards (illus.), Scholastic, 2015.

From the crazy silly series from Scholastic and Ed Allen, including ’10 Clumsy Emus’, ’10 Spooky Bats’ ’10 Hooting Owls’, ’10 Silly Wombats’, and ’10 Funny Sheep’, is the latest in the collection; ’10 Cheeky Possums’.
Each book contains the same rhythmic style and format, taking the reader from ten animals down to one, to the tune of ’10 Green Bottles’. There are always lively scenes and funny ways that the animals disappear from sight, like being inauspiciously swept off into the distance.
Whilst some unconventional phrasing to fit the verse, this series is an entertaining and interactive concept aimed at young preschoolers and the development of number recognition and counting skills. There are certainly plenty of opportunities for exploration and manipulation in the areas of numeracy and the arts.

Little Barry Bilby had a Fly upon his Nose, Colin Buchanan (author), Roland Harvey (illus.), Scholastic Australia, 2015.

By legendary author and musician Colin Buchanan, and charismatic, witty illustrations by Roland Harvey, is the gorgeously humorous and charming ‘Little Barry Bilby had a Fly upon his Nose’.
Crafted from the classic ‘Little Peter Rabbit’ song, this Aussie version takes us bouncing and itching along as a group of helpless native animals escape the invasion of their bizzy buzzy bush bug pests by jumping into the creek.
With rollicking lyrics in three verses, repetition and alliteration, preschoolers can easily gauge the rhythm and language, allowing for a most appealing and engaging song (and dance) time experience. The bonus CD adds an extra dimension to the drama, particularly for those adults who may need some help staying on key!

Fantasy for Young Readers

Martine Murray is the acclaimed Australian writer of The Slightly True Story of Cedar B Hartley, the Henrietta series and, for older readers, How to Make a Bird. Her new book is Molly and Pim and the Millions of Stars (Text Publishing).

Molly’s life is set in the real world but her story has fantastical elements, particularly because her mother is an uncommon woman who has created a home without straight walls and corners; cooks chocolate-and-cashew balls and black-eyed pea autumn stews; uses an earthy magic to heal, nurture and grow; and accidentally becomes a tree. Molly hides the truth from her best friend, Ellen, but confides in Pim, a boy she thinks is tough but who also recognises wonder. “Pim was like a walk in the woods at dusk: full of darkness and brightness both at once, he was restless and unfitting, pouncing on ideas and lifting them out of the dark.”

The writing is sensory and lyrical, with awe-inspiring imagery, especially about stars. The singular characters share the book’s themes of truth and showing your true self with its primary-aged readers.

Alice Hoffman writes for adults as well as children, with The Museum of Extraordinary Things and Practical Magic (also a movie with Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock), but her latest children’s book, Nightbird (Simon & Schuster) has a similar tone and atmosphere to Molly and Pim.

12-year-old Twig’s mother has a mystical trait akin to that of Molly’s mother. They live in an old Massachusetts farmhouse with an apple orchard. Twig’s mother bakes apples, makes lavender honey butter and understands herbal remedies.

Hoffman also uses star imagery. When Twig is not allowed to perform in a play she says, “ I just stored up my hurts, as if they were a tower made of fallen stars, invisible to most people, but brightly burning inside of me.”

Like Molly, Twig doesn’t feel she can reveal the truth about her family. The secret she hides is that her brother has wings but, unlike Molly’s nasty neighbours the Grimshaws, who want to cut down the fast-growing tree, the sisters who have moved into the cottage next-door to Twig’s become her confidantes.

Twig and her new friend Julia compare their favourite books and authors. These include Wuthering Heights and E. Nesbit. Twig sometimes feels like the White Rabbit in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, panicked if she’s late or her family secret is discovered.

These exceptional fantasies could be read individually or together. Their mystical, surreal touches transform the everyday into the wondrous.

Classics to cherish – Old tale picture book reviews

Don’t you love that emphatic certainty a below-twelve year-old has whenever they hear a remix of a song dating from the golden oldie era? ‘They got that song from such and such movie, Mum!’ Um well, no actually it was around way before me…Stories evoke similar conviction.

Modern retellings of classic children’s stories might seem like a cheeky waste of time, but timeless tales and parables reclothed in sleek modern attire have an astonishing way of finding hanging space in a child’s heart. After all, they are encountering these tales for the first time. Sharing golden oldies with them is a sure fire way of rekindling your love for favourite tales as well. Here are a handful of ‘new’ classics to curl up with together.

We begin our journey with Alice in Wonderland: Down the Rabbit Hole. This is a large substantial picture book retelling of Lewis Carroll’s spectacularly well-known fantasy tale from the late eighteen hundreds.

Loud and outlandish like the very bizarre world Alice plummets unexpectedly into, this re-telling commemorates the 150^th Anniversary of Alice’s journey. Many of the most famous phrases are included in a parred down text, which showcases some of Carroll’s most notable characters: Alice, the White Rabbit, and The blue Caterpillar.

Ever changing, yet strangely familiar and forever charming, Eric Puybaret’s dashingly abstract illustrations establish just the right amount of plausibility for our wide-eyed, take-it-as-it-comes adverturine, Alice. An excellent pre-emptive introduction for littlies before they embark on the original version.

Retold by Joseph Rhatigan and Charles Nurnberg

Koala Books February 2015

In keeping with le Lapin theme, The Velveteen Rabbit is a sublime re-release of the 1922 classic children’s story by Margery Williams Bianco. Lovers of the Toy Story notion that toys have their own very real wants and needs just like to their young owners will coo with delight over this bedside tale. The Velveteen Rabbit will melt the strongest of hearts with its ‘nursery magic is strange and wonderful’ credence.

Bianco’s original text is faithfully reproduced and swathed in the softest, silken images befitting this dreamy tale by first time picture book illustrator, Helen Magisson. Subtle and sweet enough to want to take up and cuddle, the charm of The Velveteen Rabbit will ‘last for always’. Read our full Boomerang review and interview with Helene Magisson, here.

New Frontier Publishing March 2015

Slipping a CD into a picture book is a natty little bonus that enlivens a tale and adds extra dimension to its delivery. Justine Clarke is no stranger to delivering entertaining songs and stories to children and it’s her interpretation of this song adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale classic, The Ugly Duckling, that youngsters are going to warm to.

Written by Frank Loesser, this rendition is the same snappy paced version sung by the late Danny Kaye in the 1952 movie, Hans Christian Anderson.

The illustrations of Nathaniel Eckstrom are visually enchanting and bring to life the tale of a socially ousted signet that matures into the most beautiful and noble of all the creatures on the pond.

A timeless tale enhanced and best appreciated with the accompanying CD performance.

Scholastic Australia October 2014

Speaking of timeless tales, The Once Upon a Timeless Tale collection by Little Hare Books gives children several fairy-tale titles to choose from in handy-to-hold sized, hard covered picture books with plenty of child and bookshelf appeal.

Hugely collectable, stories of yesteryear are retold in a simply laid out style, which confident readers can easily tackle themselves. Pre-schoolers will appreciate snuggling up with a new tale each night and get a kick of the beguilingly beautiful artwork accompanying each tale by various well-known illustrators such as Tamsin Ainslie, Ann Walker and Anna Pignataro to name but a few.

Henny Penny, the tale of an apprehensive hen who predicted the end of the world when she felt a bit of the sky fall on her tail, is one in a list of many familiar stories; Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood, The Princess and the Pea and Jack and the Beanstalk amongst many many others. They come in CD audio versions as well. Find your favourites and please don’t forget to share them!

Little Hare Books, HGE 2014

Review: Every Breath by Ellie Marney

I absolutely loved and adored Every Breath by Ellie Marney. I DID! I put off reading it for a few stupid reasons and yes I am ashamed. But I was nervous to try it because:

I totally adore Sherlock Holmes and I didn’t want to read a bad retelling,
The cover is not pretty. I’m shallow, but HEY. At least I’m honest.
The title does nothing for me. It doesn’t even hint that the book is a crime/thriller/mystery.

But I should never have hesitated because Every Breath was pure PERFECTION. Plus it’s by an Australian author. What is not to love?!

It was a perfect YA Sherlock Holmes adaption. Mostly because it was really realistic. It wasn’t about two kids who go snooping for crimes like a revamped Nancy Drew. These two Aussie teens kind of trip into the murder of a homeless guy that they knew and they can’t let it go until it’s SOLVED. Plus they defer and reference the actual Sherlock Holmes, which I adored because it wasn’t a “take over”, it was more honorary. These two kids just happened to be named James Mycroft and Rachel Watts. Mycroft is a forensic genius and Rachel has a knack for medicine. I loved the gender bending of John Watson/Rachel Watts, too!

And it’s so so very Australian. Which just fills me with immense joy. I felt like dancing around the house singing, “It speaks my language!” (You can tell I read a lot of American books, can’t you?) They use “arvo” and “bikkie” and “cuppa”. They call Rachel “Rache” for short (such an Aussie thing to do) and sarcasm and “she’ll be right mate” attitudes come easier than cuddly emotion. I just love how Australian it is, okay?!

The characters (and development) are probably just the. best. ever. It’s narrated in first person by Rachel, who is epic. She’s a bit of an open book, and gets smothered in disbelief and righteousness and rules. But at the end of the day, she’s a ripper of a friend. Since her family just moved from the country to the city, she’s dealing with a lot of “I don’t fit in” and homesickness, which was uber relatable.

Then there was the adorable, eccentric Mycroft. He’s not as narcissistic as the original Sherlock, which was actually refreshing. He claims to be a social moron, BUT, he makes friends with just about anyone and everyone. Literally every second person he’s like, “Oh, hallo, Bob, how’s the wife and kids” and it always stumps Rachel how he just KNOWS everyone. Mycroft has a tragic past and he forgets to eat, and he notices everything, and he has scars, and he pretends his life is fine, but he huuurts. The tortured little darling hurts. omg. Plus he and Rachel have one of the most fantastic friendships of EVER. It was refreshing to read about a friendship so strong as theirs too, although it hinted that it might move off platonic in later books.

The only things I didn’t like?

The book starts with this confusing after-the-school-yard-brawl scene. It was confusing and jarring. I like books to start with action, BUT STILL. To this day, I’m not even exactly sure what that first chapter was about.
I still don’t know HOW Rachel and Mycroft met. Did the book not say? Did I miss it? Was it brushed over because it didn’t matter? I’m curious and hope this, too, gets explained in later books!

But otherwise? I’m a billion percent in love with this book. I need the rest of the trilogy ASAP. I loved the mystery, I loved the deductions, I loved how it was all so realistic and very Australian, and I loved the character exuberant amounts.

[PURCHASE HERE]

Re-Reading To Kill A Mockingbird

In anticipation of the new Harper Lee novel, Go Set A Watchman, (out July 14) I decided it was the perfect time for a re-read of To Kill A Mockingbird. I don’t think I’ve read the book since high school and the movie is still so dominant in my mind so it was a great pleasure to revisit the text.

It is very easy to judge To Kill A Mockingbird against contemporary novels. The coming-of-age genre has increased exponentially as has the feisty, intelligent young heroine since it was published in 1960. The book is also heavy on the idealism with little room for subtlety. But is the novel’s context that makes it the enduring classic we all love. For its time and place it was, and still is, a very important novel. Mainly because the issues confronted in the novel in 1930s Alabama still exist today, around the world.

We all know the novel is a book about our prejudices and it was really interesting to see how Harper Lee adds our prejudices to the story in increments. Firstly our prejudices based on money, class and poverty. Then our prejudices based on the unknown and how we believe in rumours, good and bad, to fill the void. And then finally our prejudices based on race and skin colour. As Scout learns from each of her experiences of these prejudices she is slowly introduced to the injustices of the world around her until she is finally confronted with how systematic these prejudices are entrenched in society and the true consequences of the injustice these prejudices create.

It is little wonder this books is almost compulsory reading for every high school student around the english-speaking world. There probably is a case that To Kill A Mockingbird would be considered a Young Adult novel if it was published today, a category which certainly did not exist in 1960, although I think it still stands as a novel for all readers to enjoy. It is the ultimate coming-of-age story because we wish our children to experience the same formation of the world that Scout does. And at the same time aspire to be on par with Atticus Finch, an almost a mythical character now, a literary moral compass.

To Kill A Mockingbird is not a perfect novel but it is a seminal work of 20th century literature which is why it is a novel that will endure for many decades and many generations still to come. I fell instantly back in step with Scout and Jim and the powerful ending with Boo Radley brought a tear to my eye once again.

I await Go Set A Watchman with equal parts excitement and trepidation.

Have you re-read To Kill A Mockingbird or are you planning to? Let us know your thoughts about revisiting this classic of 20th century literature.

Australian YA and other fiction in London

I’m just back from a tour of (mostly indie) London bookshops.

My visit to the Tower of London was enhanced after seeing Sonya Hartnett’s Children of the King, which alludes to the missing princes held captive by their uncle Richard III in the Tower, in a Notting Hill bookshop.

Australian YA, as well as children’s and adult literature, held its head high with sightings of Amanda Betts’ brilliant Zac and Mia, (which I reviewed here) and works by Kirsty Eagar and Melina Marchetta. I was so pleased to see my favourite Marchetta, On the Jellicoe Road on the shelves there. Watch out for the movie.

Karen Foxlee seems to be appreciated much more in the UK and US than in Australia. I saw Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy (for children) and The Midnight Dress. (I reviewed The Midnight Dress for the Weekend Australian here.)

And Jaclyn Moriarty has had a strong following overseas, which her own country is finally catching up with now she is winning YA awards here. Her sister, Liane’s Big Little Lies, the best seller for adults, was everywhere.

Margo Lanagan’s The Brides of Rollrock Island, published here as Sea Hearts was visible and I also noticed another crossover series, Tales of the Otori by Lian Hearn.

It was great to see some of the incomparable Isobelle Carmody’s stunning YA works. Along with many others, I can’t wait for The Red Queen, the final in the Obernewtyn Chronicles, which is being published this November. This series is world class and dearly loved. How will Elspeth Gordie’s story conclude?

Shaun Tan’s Rules of Summer rules the world. It was everywhere, and even featured in bookstore displays.

Marcus Zusak’s The Book Thief still has a high profile but Graeme Simsion’s The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect for adults seemed to be even more popular. Like Rules of Summer, Rosie was everywhere, which makes me anticipate my upcoming conversation with Graeme at the Brisbane Writers’ Festival in September even more eagerly. It is so difficult to write humour and we spent a car trip recalling anecdotes from his books and laughing aloud.

Australian children’s books were highly visible, particularly multiple titles by Morris Gleitzman, including his holocaust series beginning with Once.

The latest in the series, the chilling Soon, is now available in Australia, although not quite yet in the UK. Andy Griffiths’ and Terry Denton’s Treehouse series was as ubiquitous as London’s red, double decker buses and John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series was also popular. I spied books by Emily Rodda and it was a thrill to see Anna Fienberg’s stand-alone children’s novel, Louis Beside Himself, as well as her Tashi series, illustrated by Kim Gamble.

Some Australian adult authors taking shelf space were Peter Carey (Amnesia), David Malouf, Evie Wyld (All the Birds, Singing), Hannah Kent (Burial Rites), Tim Winton (Breath), Steve Toltz (Quicksand) and Richard Flanagan’s The Narrow Road to the Deep North.

A few standout OS YA authors on the shelves included Mal Peet (who I’ve written about here), Frances Hardinge (Cuckoo Song and Fly By Night) and Patrick Ness, whose latest YA novel, The Rest of Us Just Live Here, will be available in August. It’s one of his best.

Australian YA Fiction: Meet Nova Weetman, author of Frankie and Joely

My upcoming YA column for the Weekend Australian profiles four new novels by Australian women. One of the books I selected for the column is Frankie and Joely (UQP) by Nova Weetman. Nova gives some fascinating insights into her work in the following interview.

What’s your background in books, Nova?

My first YA novel The Haunting of Lily Frost came out last year. I also published two books in the Choose Your Own Ever After series last year. Before I started writing YA and middle grade, I published lots of short stories for adults and worked as a children’s television writer.

Your new novel Frankie and Joely is about both the city and country. Have you lived in both and where are you based now?

I grew up in Wonga Park, a tiny spot of a town up the Yarra from Warrandyte. My childhood was all about riding horses, catching yabbies in the dam and canoeing. Of course I fled that life when I turned 18 and moved to the heart of Melbourne. Now I live in Brunswick, a busy inner-city suburb with my kids and partner. But I still go camping a lot because I love the Australian bush.

Are you more like Frankie or Joely? Tell us why.

That’s a hard one. I think maybe I started out like Joely as a teenager. I was a bit insecure and emotionally needy, and possibly I’ve become more like Frankie as I’ve got older – less competitive, kinder, more loyal. But I’ll always have Joely’s pale, sunburn-prone skin!

What would your ideal friend be like?

A lot like Frankie. She’s loyal, loving, generous, kind and Joely is the centre of her world. Occasionally she loses herself around boys, but she is very emotionally insightful and I like how thoughtful she is about other people.

I love how Frankie carries her novel around and how she re-reads it ‘studying each sentence so that she can try to understand the author. Sometimes she imagines how the story would read if she wrote it.’ Is this what you do as a reader?

When I was fifteen, the same age as Frankie, all I wanted was to be an author. I used to rewrite my favourite Agatha Christie novels on an old black typewriter. I had a suitcase of props – a horseshoe, a deck of cards, and a piece of green velvet. All the things I imagined Agatha Christie would have in her arsenal. She was such a mystery that I wanted to understand her.

Frankie’s obsession with Picnic at Hanging Rock is borrowed from my own. It was, and still is, one of my favourite novels. But I never wanted to be the author of it; I wanted to be one of the girls in it. My grandparents lived near Hanging Rock and I grew up thinking the story was true. I still remember the day I found out that it wasn’t. It was worse than being told Santa didn’t exist.

I think now as a reader I love losing myself in other people’s books. Sometimes, if they are completely brilliant, then I wish I’d written them myself.

Which other literary friendships have made an impression on you?

I’ve always liked unlikely literary friendships, like the one between Miranda and Sara in Picnic at Hanging Rock because Sara is so waifish and lost. The tragic friendship between Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby still intrigues me. And a great contemporary female friendship is the one between Skylark Martin and Nancy in Simmone Howell’s book, Girl Defective.

(I reviewed Girl Defective in the Weekend Australian here.)

What other books have you enjoyed reading?

I love reading, and I enjoy a really wide range of books. I read a lot of Australian YA. Authors like Pip Harry, Claire Zorn, Simmone Howell, Melissa Keil and Ellie Marney to name a few. But I also enjoy reading adult fiction, particularly anything written by AM Homes. One of my favourite adult novels I read last year was John Williams’ book Stoner.

I really enjoyed your 2014 YA novel, The Haunting of Lily Frost. It’s contemporary realism tinged with a ghost story. Could you tell us why you wrote it like that?

My mum was very ill when I wrote Lily Frost, and I think looking back, I was trying to grapple with the prospect of her dying, but in a very removed way. Ghosts let you talk about death, and let you examine it from a distance. The book starts with Lily recounting the time she almost died as a child and this sense of her imminent death is then played out through the narrative. Lily has to imagine how it feels to die and that’s what I was doing around that time.

All the best with your new book and thanks very much, Nova.

Thanks for the interview Joy!

What Is It? Fables & Parables For All Readers

Today I thought I’d take a closer look at the differences between fables and parables and come up with some recommendations for readers of all ages who enjoy a little learning with their leisure.

A fable is: a short story that conveys a moral to the reader, typically with animals as characters.

A parable is: a short story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson.

Fables
The first fable that comes to mind is the story of the hare and the tortoise who race each other. Everyone knows this one, the race seems unfair in the beginning because the hare is so fast, but he becomes smug knowing he’s going to win and takes a break to rest. Meanwhile, the slower tortoise continues to plod along and cruises past for the win. The moral of this fable is: slow and steady wins the race. If you want to teach your young ones this lesson, then check out The Tortoise and the Hare by Gerald Rose or Tortoise Vs Hare the Rematch by Preston Rutt and illustrated by Ben Redlich.

Most iconic of all is the collection of fables collated by the slave and storyteller Aesop in ancient Greece, of course it’s Aesop’s Fables. Check out this hardback edition of Aesop’s Fables illustrated by Ernest Griset, it contains more than 300 stories bound to please.

For YA and adult readers looking for a good fable to read, there’s: The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-mi Hwang, Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, Watership Down by Richard Adams and of course Animal Farm by George Orwell.

Parables
Recently I read The Pearl by John Steinbeck, which started me off thinking about parables and fables in the first place, and is about greed. Having said that, the first parable that comes to mind for me is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This book that has sold millions of copies all around the world, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it a few years ago.

Those looking for religious principles in their reading would do well to check out The Shack by William P. Young, it’s a real life-changing read. The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason is a collection of parables set in ancient Babylon based around financial wisdom and how to achieve wealth and financial independence.

A parable that’s on my TBR list is A Christmas Carol by none other than Charles Dickens. Even though I already know what the parable is, I still think it’d be nice to read it in the lead up to Christmas this year.

So, what’s your favourite fable or parable? Have any of them changed the way you think about the world? I’d love to know, so tell us in the comments below.

Double Dipping – Picture book therapy

When medical conditions affect children or the people in their lives, one of the most daunting aspects of their situation is how to cope. The management of a disease or disability is one thing, the understanding why they have it and why others react the way they do is another.

Picture books are marvellous non-invasive ways of presenting expositional information on a variety of tricky-to-handle topics in relatable formats for young readers. Here are two hot-off-the press releases that tackle two such ailments yet are still stories of substance and integrity.

Emily Eases her Wheezes by Katrina Roe and Leigh Hedstrom, is a delightful tale about a very energetic elephant, Emily. Always full of energy, Emily loves to scooter, leap, and twirl. Unfortunately, Emily suffers from asthma as approximately 1 in 10 Australian children do.

Being unable to play with her friends and live the active lifestyle she craves frustrates Emily to the point where she is willing to risk wheezes and coughs just to have fun. Such behaviour results in her relying on her puffer more and more until she is relegated to remaining quiet in her room. Her friends are slow to appreciate that ‘you can’t catch asthma’ but miss her friendship so much that they use their 21^st century-Generation Z data-retrieving smarts and soon discover an activity they can all do…swimming.

As Emily’s lungs grow stronger so too does her chance to race with her team in the summer swimming carnival. Will this plucky little heroin keep her wheezes under control long enough to win the day?

Emily Eases her Wheezes is a delicately sobering tale about a condition with which many younger readers will resonnate. Roe’s crisp contemporary narrative couples easily with Hedstrom’s big bold illustrations. I found the epilogue-style overview of asthma in children at the end of the book interesting as well.

Asthma is a disease I’ve been aware of since childhood, however I can honestly say, this is one of the first books I’ve encountered that has presented its manifestation and control in children in such a clear, simple and entertaining fashion. Well done.

Wombat Books Rhiza Press June 2015

Newspaper Hats by Phil Cummings and Owen Swan is an incredibly intelligent and beautifully sensitive look at a family dealing with the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease.

Georgie visits her grandpa’s nursing home regularly with her father. But rather than it being an ominous outing to a place she is fearful of, Georgie looks forward to arriving at the sky-blue door because it is a room ‘full of sunshine’ with stacks of old newspapers as tall as city buildings; her grandpa’s world.

However, Grandpa is becoming more and more vague and forgetful. Georgie is desperate to know if her remembers her, but repeated enquires are met with far away recollections of his youth. With child-like innocence and gentle tenacity, she tries to connect with him through these memories and the photographs on his dresser until, by chance she discovers a simple act that unites not only the rest of the nursing home community but also, the relationship between she and Grandpa.

Cummings’ unrushed narrative pulses gently with visceral images, doors that slide open like curtains; thunderclouds that taste like dust; they leave your heart swooning with emotion until the very last word.

Through using the simple joy of making paper hats and the subtle historical connection to memory with noteworthy newspaper headlines of the 20^th century, Newspaper Hats unfolds into a powerful yet immensely touching story of what binds a family together.

Swan’s watercolour and pencil on paper artwork is subdued and mindful of the weightiness of the subject matter lurking just below the surface of the text. It is neither grim nor foreboding, rather the illustrations float across the pages with infinite optimism like a paper hat carried away on the breeze.

A beautiful book on many levels from a potent teller of poignant tales and my pick for pre-schoolers as a catalyst for caring, sharing, and understanding.

Scholastic Press July 2015

Review: All Fall Down (Embassy Row #1) by Ally Carter

I am quite pleased with Ally Carter‘s latest book All Fall Down. I had high expectations since her NYT bestselling series, Gallagher Girls, is such an excellently hilarious series, but All Fall Down definitely stands on it’s own! It features Grace, snarky and bitter, and granddaughter of a powerful ambassador. Oh and she’s looking for her mother’s killer.

I admit! I was dubious at the beginning! The first 100-pages didn’t grab me and I was trembling in my fuzzy socks that the book would plummet into an untouchable basket. THEN IT WOWED ME.

Unlike Gallagher Girls, this new series is not about spies or espionage. It’s set in a made up country (like Genova from The Princess Diaries!) where there’s an entire street of embassy houses. So Israel, Brazil, Russia, USA, etc. are all door-to-door. Technically when you visit a house, you’re “in Russia”. Grace pretty much has PTSD after witnessing her mother’s death. She’s convinced her mother was murdered by a scarred man. Basically she spends the entire book getting into raucous trouble, making bad decisions, snarking left-right-and-centre, and chasing after an elusive killer that no one (but her) believes is guilty.

Grace was a very dynamic character. But kind of hard to swallow at times because she was such a brat. The rudeness did make my eyeball twitch once or twice.

And the secondary characters?! Let us take a moment to hug their wonderfulness:

Noah: who is half Israeli and half Brazilian…He elects himself Grace’s Best Friend. It’s adorable. HE’S HILARIOUS.
Alexei: He’s Russian and was Grace’s older brother’s friend in the past (phewf that’s not complicated). He enters the book as Grace’s overbearing surrogate brother and he was kind of awful and domineering.
Megan: She’s like a computer genius.
Rosie: She’s a really smart 12 year old who knows everything, apparently, and is like a ninja when she sneaks after people.

The writing was fast and light and easy to read. The tone could’ve been middle-grade even, if the characters had been 12+. (They acted that way…ahem.) But instead they’re 16 and dubiously immature at times. STILL. This is definitely a book younger teens will enjoy. Literally no swearing or heavy romance.

I did have a few quibbles. Not too many, though.

Grace is pretty rude and dismissive.
None of the female characters seemed as fleshed out or interesting as the boys.
Repetition. Eh, there was just a lot of repeating dialogue (like every third sentence is “ARE YOU OKAY, GRACE?” when obviously she’s not, or Grace saying “I’M NOT CRAZY” when maybe she is, just a little).

I enjoyed All Fall Down. The plot wasn’t fast-paced, but it was engaging and the cliffhanger was torture. I ADORE shocking endings and I sat there with my mouth impersonating a cod-fish. I have a lot of questions and I’m desperately hopeful the sequel will answer them.

“The obvious,” Noah goes on, a little out of breath, “being that he is probably some super secret assassin or something. And I’m not as tough as I look.”
“That’s OK,” I tell him. “I’m way tougher than you look.”

[PURCHASE ALL FALL DOWN HERE]

Trace Balla’s Time to Shine

Up-and-comer author illustrator, Trace Balla, has quickly hit the scene with the recent success of ‘Rivertime‘, being both shortlisted in the 2015 Children’s Book Council of Australia Picture Book of the Year Awards, and winning this year’s Readings Children’s Book Prize. Her work stems from a background in art therapy, animations and community involvement, with a strong focus on environmental themes. Let’s enter the magical tales of nature, love and loss with her two books, ‘Rivertime‘ and ‘Shine’.

Rivertime, published by Allen & Unwin in 2014.

You know a book’s going to be special when the front cover is graced with both an entrancing illustration and a testimonial by acclaimed environmentalist, David Suzuki, telling us about the delight and magic that awaits inside. I’m already loving the endpapers that greet us with a wonderfully hand-drawn menagerie of native birds at the front, and other flora and fauna at the back, all ready to be spotted along our river journey.

Boxed vignettes, speech bubbles of handwritten dialogue and endearing pencil drawings form the visual and sensational adventure that we embark on with characters, ten year old Clancy and his Uncle Egg. When number-loving Clancy is finally big enough, his bird-loving uncle plans a ten-day (or 240-hour, or 14,400-minute) paddling trip along the Glenelg River, minus all the technological gadgets. At first, Clancy is grumpy, but as the days pass, so does his temperamental attitude. The pair encounter beautiful wildlife, serene views and fascinating people of the land. Clancy learns to appreciate the beauty of nature and its creatures, a few camping skills, and particularly, to conquer the jetty exit! I just adore the tranquility, including scenes of ‘timelessness’; of gentle, seemingly-infinite rivertime drifting and star gazing on double page spreads. Final pages include a map of the canoe trip on Bochara (the Glenelg River), and the author’s inspiration for the story following her own river journey, away from the modern world.

‘Rivertime‘ is a calming influence on what is normally a chaotic lifestyle for most of us. It lets us take a breath, or a few, and enjoy the Australian river ride, encouraging its readers to connect with, and hopefully strive to sustain, our unique and wonderful natural environment. Paddling up this river is a true delight; ‘oar-some’ to be explored independently and as part of a class discussion.

Download a handy pocket bird-watching guide to accompany Rivertime here.
And, look out for Trace Balla’s sequel to ‘Rivertime’; ‘Rock-hopping’.

Shine; a story about saying goodbye, published by Allen & Unwin in 2015.

From an intensely raw place in her heart, Trace Balla wrote ‘Shine’ for her sister’s children after the sudden passing of their father. From the dedication page, this book takes the reader on an emotional journey, even for those who haven’t experienced loss of great magnitude.

With its heavenly, Indigenous-look line and dot paintings, and equally sentimental Dreamtime essence in the words, we are introduced to a shimmering light amongst the golden stars; a young horse called Shine. As the planets align, he meets the lovely Glitter, and together they are blessed with two little sparkles, Shimmer and Sparky. When Shine has to return to his star, the family weep golden tears that form a huge golden ocean. But this is the part that really got me… As they climb the steepest of mountains to reflect upon its beauty, Glitter explains that its vastness represents the endless and enduring love they have for Shine and for each other. Finally, it’s the brightest, most special star of all amongst the twinkling night sky that allows them a deep and beautiful sleep.

‘Shine’ is a touching story that sensitively deals with ‘saying goodbye’ in a simple, yet profound way. Trace Balla cleverly uses yellow and blue hues not only to represent the shine amongst the dark, but also as the hope and love amongst the tragedy of loss.

A metaphorical beauty for young children, with the power of everlasting love at its core.

Both these stories inspire an appreciation for every moment spent with the things that matter most in this world, and far beyond it…