Harriet & Will, The Secret Rings

Harriet & Will, The Secret Rings by Debra Clewer (King’s Ink Imprint Lilly Pilly Publishing) Novel RRP $14.95 ISBN 978 0 6455168 0 7

Reviewed by Robyn Gillies 

Harriet is a history fanatic, so when her class is given a project to research a time and place from the ancient past, she is elated. But she is not prepared for the magic that takes her there to witness first-hand the very things she has only read about or seen on the history channel. 

Harriet and her friend Will partner up as study buddies for their class project and together they time travel to three different countries where they get to experience the daily life of the people from an earlier time.

But Harriet isn’t one to stand by when she sees an event that she thinks is unfair or unjust, so she takes action to help others, even if at times her ideas seem a little fanciful. 

Readers of this story get to learn a little about ancient Rome and Greece and medieval England during the time of Robin Hood. They will learn a few facts by osmosis and even some new words in a different language.

Young readers of about 8-12 years-old who enjoy the magic and fantasy of time travel are likely to enjoy this book as it moves along at a steady pace with simple language. It’s short chapters also mean young readers will feel they are racing through it when they say, ‘I’ve read three chapters.’

Every classroom has children like Harriet, students who are enthusiastic about their learning, and who are the defenders of the good. This book will especially appeal to those students.

The author has developed activity sheets and colouring pictures that parents or carers can download from her website, and for anyone who purchases the paperback version from the author’s website, a beautifully illustrated bookmark will be included.

The Surface Trials

 

The Surface Trials by HM Waugh (Allen & Unwin) Novel RRP $18.99 ISBN 978176118 788

Reviewed by Robyn Gillies

Set in 2605, Ammy Antares and 99 fellow competitors, all chosen from various planetary worlds, compete in the final three-day quest for the right to join the elite interplanetary Starquest Academy. Only 20 will succeed in the Surface Trials.

The competitors are placed on a little-known planet full of gigantic carnivorous plants and insects big enough to carry away a person. All they must help them get to their pick-up point is three clues, meagre rations and their collective wits. And, while all this is happening, the entire event is live streamed across the universe. All the worlds watch their every move and vote for their favourite candidate, which for Rian, uber-famous and expertly disguised heir to the universe's two greatest dynasties, adds further challenges.

And then, there is the mysterious artefact, that challenges their world view of the galaxy and the realisation that all the preparedness in the world sometimes isn’t enough when things don’t go to plan.

From the very first page, the reader is quickly drawn into the planetary world of the contestants. The language is descriptive, but not fussy: economical word choices cover a lot of ground and allow the imagination to run wild.

The key characters are young adults and their personality traits surface early so the reader gets a good sense of who they are and what is motivating them to participate in the Surface Trials which is different for each of them.

The story is full of action and surprises and moves along at a great pace, ideal for the recommended age group of 10-14 (Upper Primary/Lower Secondary).

This novel has a lot of depth to it. Yes, it’s a futuristic action-based story set on a hostile alien planet with man-eating-size carnivorous plants and other creatures, but it’s also about working together and the strength of teamwork, overcoming the fear of difference, challenging your belief systems when they don’t reconcile with what you are observing and feeling, acceptance of difference and recognition of strength in diversity. It’s also about resourcefulness, problem solving and friendship, it’s about accepting help and kindness from others when life gives us challenges that we can’t resolve on our own and seeing it as a strength and not a weakness. It’s a story about trust, resilience, overcoming genuine fear, survival against overwhelming odds, all with a touch of humour.

This book has a lot going for it. It’s definitely a page-turner and easy to recommend to young people who love action sci-fi with clever young characters. And, there’s space for a sequel! A terrific read.

There are also some great teaching resources available from Allen & Unwin’s website for educators

Felix and his Fantastic Friends

Felix and his Fantastic Friends by Ellie Cole and Caroline Keys (Scholastic Australia) HB RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781761644177

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Everyone has a different way of playing and that’s okay. But Felix is curious so embarks upon ‘Mission Friendship’ to investigate the different ways his school friends play, particularly when they are on their own.

Throughout the course of the day, Felix discovers that some of his friends love to be active, some have secret worlds and some prefer to sit and read. They are all different but all have one thing in common – they are willing to invite others into their play-world.

Author of Felix and his Fantastic Friends, Ellie Cole, is a retired Paralympian who has competed in swimming and wheelchair basketball. Her goal when writing this uplifting story was to raise awareness of difference and celebrate it by focusing on what children ‘can’ do, rather than the limitations they have.

While we may look at the range of abilities in Felix’s playground – from physical to neurological – and think it unrealistic, it is, in fact, the reality in many of our schools.

By focusing on a child’s natural curiosity and the positives they can find in others, Ellie Cole is making ‘difference’ the norm rather than the exception. A world with children who, like Felix, are curious but also respectful and inclusive, surely has to be a better world.

Caroline Keys illustrations are bright, yet whimsical, and capture the essence of each of the children Felix befriends. Combined with the text, the illustrations help make the book a joy to read – and read again.

Ideal for sharing with young children of preschool and early primary age, it’s quite refreshing to see that the publisher has identified a much broader target audience range of 3 to 10 years of age. In doing so, the importance of inclusive education and practices in the middle to upper years of primary school has been acknowledged.

This is a lovely book that should be shared between parent and child, and used in schools in tandem with other inclusive stories showing multiple perspectives.

Be the Change

 

Be the Change by Rob Greenfield and Antonia Banyard (New South Books) HB RRP $29.99 ISBN: 9781771645911

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

We all know it – our world is in trouble. But how many people are really aware of what we can do about it? How many of us – especially children – don’t feel empowered enough to do our bit because it’s so overwhelming?

Enter Rob Greenfield, environmental (zero-waste) activist and YouTube sensation who is all about raising awareness and showing us all exactly how we can help by living more sustainable lives.

Be the Change – Rob Greenfield’s Call to Kids, Making a Difference in a Messed-Up World may be an excessively long title for a book but it’s all about heart, passion and practicality.

Rob has been known to do some crazy things in the past, but his message is simple and articulated clearly throughout this book, which includes chapters on reducing clutter, dealing with rubbish (trash), food waste, conserving water and the social issue of disconnection.

Each chapter is packed full of narrative that details Rob’s various adventures and antics, along with statistics, hints and tips, and short features on others (sometimes children) who are making a huge difference one step at a time.

Even though the contents are America-based, this issue is global and just as relevant here in Australia.

The book is targeted at readers aged 8–12 years but, seriously, there is inspiration for everyone, no matter your age. That’s the point Rob is trying to make – nobody is too young or insignificant to make a difference. And no change or action is too small to bother starting.

Here’s an author who genuinely walks his talk.    

Who Might You Be? – A Tale in Tangrams

Who Might You Be? – A Tale in Tangrams by Robert Henderson (Allen & Unwin) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781760526276

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Hands up if you’ve ever been frustrated by tangram puzzles? Surely, I’m not the only one left sitting with one of the seven pieces that just won’t fit to make the picture, no matter which way I ‘flip, slide or turn’ it?

Clearly, author Robert Henderson will not be raising his hand, given he has illustrated his book Who Might You Be? with tangram pictures.

This is a really clever concept. The narrative itself is not unique – use your imagination and you can be who or whatever you want to be – but the illustrations are (to my knowledge anyway) and that’s what makes this delightful picture book really stand out.

The story starts with a rhetorical question – Who might I be? – and introduces the star of the show (the tangram) immediately. As we progress, we turn each page wondering what shape the seven geometrical pieces will become this time. We’re presented with a tiger, the Milky Way galaxy, a pirate ship and even ‘a party balloon on its very last wheeze’.

The language is playful – ‘I’m shattered. I’m scattered.’ – and often unexpected with turns ‘leftways’ and ‘rightways’, not to mention the author’s surprising realisation that they may be ‘the cakey-est kid on the street’.

Who Might You Be? A Tale in Tangrams is fun, funny and inspires imagination and creativity. Who knows, I might even be encouraged to make a copy of the tangram pattern provided in the back of the book and have a go at some of those designs.

Or maybe not. My track record is not good. But I’d be all for reading the book again and again and just enjoying the quirkiness of text and illustration.

Even though the target audience is set at children aged from 3 to 6, tangrams are for (almost) everyone – and I do see this book being enjoyed by older children (and their adults) too.  

Perfect for young readers from 3 to 7 years of age, Blueberry Farm is another heartwarming offering from this multi-award-winning author and illustrator who also brought us Leaf and Mutt Dog.

The Paperbark Tree Committee

The Paperbark Tree Committee by Karys McEwen (Text Publishing) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN: 9781922790705

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

Some books just hit all the targets when it comes to themes that children connect with – feeling left out, new environments, making friends, sibling relationships, insecurity and stuffing up. It’s a bonus when a book also has a great story with characters who you feel like you already know.

Twelve-year-old Art is happy at his small school in Queensland. He has good friends, enjoys classes and has a solid friendship with his younger – and more confident – brother Hilary. The two boys even have their own ‘group’ – the Fig Tree Committee – which convenes whenever they need to talk and help each other solve problems.

When the family are uprooted, Art finds himself having to move to Melbourne – and a bigger school. While Hilary is fine because he can fit in anywhere, Art immediately becomes a target for the school bully and, with nobody to talk to, given the fig tree is still in Queensland and his father is always too busy, Art is very much on his own.

As luck would have it, there is a vacant lot across from Art and Hilary’s new home – and in the vacant lot stands a paperbark tree. Hilary is keen to repurpose their committee, but Art is no longer so sure. He’s in high school after all, and probably too old to be hanging out with his primary school brother anyway.

Author Karys McEwen has crafted a warm, heartfelt story in The Paperbark Tree Committee. Reading it, I felt like I was right there with Art and Hilary and I really wanted to climb up into that paperbark tree with them. McEwen captured all the feels of the fear of standing out but also being left out. Because of this, and the emotional journey she takes readers on, this is exactly the sort of story I would have wanted to share as a class novel with my Year 3–5 students.

A beautiful story, perfectly suited for its target audience of readers aged 8 and beyond.

The Thylacine and the Time Machine

 

The Thylacine and the Time Machine by Renee Treml (Allen & Unwin) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN: 9781761181184

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

If you follow the news and updates in the area of science, you may be aware of the ‘science of de-extinction’. Even if you’re not, you will soon be fascinated by the concept once you enter the Violet’s world as she rushes to complete her school project in Renee Treml’s graphic novel, The Thylacine and the Time Machine.

In what appears to be a typical procrastination habit, 12-year-old Violet has left her project to the very last minute and is now under the pump to research the Tasmanian Tiger and get her project submitted by Monday morning. The problem is, it’s currently Saturday morning and Violet is easily distracted by her family, her dog and the rabbit holes of internet research.

Of course, it doesn’t help matters when she is visited by the ghost of Tasmanian Tiger, who not only sets Violet straight on her misleading name – Tassie Tigers (Thylacinus cynocephalus or thylacines if you want to be correct) are not actually tigers and were not originally exclusive to Tasmania – but then insists on taking Violet on a wild time machine ride to the past, when Thylacines roamed Australia.

Author Renee Treml has packed a huge number of intriguing facts about Thylacines, de-extinction science and a host of other extinct and endangered Australian animals into this 158-page comic strip narrative non-fiction for readers aged 8–12. The facts fly off every page in a fast and furious manner but are easy to digest and ensure you want to keep reading – not only to learn more but also to see if Violet is ever going to get this project finished.

With her background in environmental science and ecology, it’s no surprise that Treml, who also illustrated the book, is able to engage and excite readers about science – such is her own obvious enthusiasm and passion for this subject.

So, whether they’re after a humorous read (there are plenty of funny moments and banter between Violet and Thyla (the ghost Thylacine), have an interest in Tassie Tigers, or want to know more about the idea of de-extinction, The Thylacine and the Time Machine is a book middle and upper primary school students will enjoy dipping into again and again.