Butterfly Girl

Butterfly Girl by Ashling Kwok, illustrated by Arielle Li (EK Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781922539564

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

In the country, Olivia has a bevy of beautiful butterflies to keep her company. But when she moves to the cheerless city, her fluttering friends cannot find her. She waits and whirls, sings and swirls … yet she is still alone. An idea strikes Olivia – she needs to fill her balcony garden ‘with her butterflies’ favourite things’. Her neighbours follow suit, and soon the air is alive with ‘butterflies dancing across the sky’, as well as the happy chatter of new friends bonding over the wonders of nature.

Ideal for kids aged four to eight, Ashling Kwok’s light and lovely tale explores the power of empathy to build connections that banish loneliness. Olivia’s affinity for the butterflies attracts the attention of nearby residents, opening lines of communication within the apartment complex. The neighbours cultivate not only colourful gardens, but also a vibrant community. At the end of the book, Ashling has included easy-to-follow instructions so youngsters can grow their own butterfly garden.

Arielle Li uses subtle changes in hue to convey the emotional journey within the story. Olivia’s initial joy is reflected in the verdant country garden and vivid insects hovering around her; her city isolation is cloaked in browns and greys. But Arielle gives the reader a reason to hope for a positive outcome. Throughout the book, Olivia continues to wear pink – a sign of kindness and compassion. And the readers’ faith is rewarded when Olivia inspires the transformation of drab balconies into lush oases, and a bounty of brilliant wings flit into view.

Children will come away from Butterfly Girl with a new appreciation of nature as a source of healing and harmony. When we construct a chrysalis of care around us, we metamorphose into humans with heart.

Butterfly Girl

Butterfly Girl by Ashling Kwok & Arielle Li (EK Books) PB HB RRP $24.99 9781922539564

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Ashling Kwok is a talented Sydney-based children’s author who writes heart centred stories. Arielle Li is a Taiwanese-Australia illustrator who lives in Adelaide and started her career in 2019. She has illustrated two other picture books for EK Books.

Olivia’s best friends are butterflies. She can’t imagine her world ever being without them. Everything changes when Olivia and Mum move to the city. Even her singing doesn’t bring the butterflies back until Olivia’s heart flutters with an idea.

Ashling Kwok’s words bring the beauty of butterflies and nature to life. The title is catchy and the opening sentence creates warmth and delight. Olivia only had butterfly friends. Whenever she sang to them, they came. Kwok takes the reader into Olivia’s world and lets them feel her love for butterflies. On sunny days, they danced and whirled, and fluttered and twirled. Her sentences are simple and effective and allow the story to be felt. Still her butterfly friends stayed away.

Thoughtful language matches the butterfly theme and Olivia’s dance movements mirror butterflies. She danced and whirled…and fluttered… and twirled. The words allow plenty of room for the illustrations and the ending suits the story perfectly. But there was always room for more in Olivia’s butterfly world. The backmatter adds value with thoughtful instructions on how to grow a butterfly garden.

Arielle Li’s soft gentle illustration style suit this story. The cover is soft and pretty in pastels and really draws the eye. The joy of butterflies is instantly felt. Butterflies fill spreads in fluttery arrays and Oliva is shown as a thoughtful caring girl. Golden hair, soft brown eyes, and short pink overalls. The illustrations Li has created use different colour shades and light for Olivia and the butterflies to be the focus. She also makes great use of different perspectives. I love the double page spread that looks down on the balcony from an angle. The white space and vignettes and page spreads all work well with the story arc. 

Butterfly Girl is a picture book story for 3-8 years that celebrates the beauty of butterflies and nature. Butterflies are popular with children and this story is sure to be too. This gorgeous book will appeal to children, parents, educators, and libraries.

 

The Battle

The Battle by Ashling Kwok, illustrated by Cara King (EK Books) HB RRP $24.95 ISBN: 9781925820409

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

The first day of school can be a frightening experience. Thankfully, Edward has his armour to protect him from the dragons and ogres at knight school. But when he is asked by ‘a thunder of dragons’ to play hide and seek, Edward soon realises that his armour ‘always gets in the way’. Fear turns to fun, and Edward’s armour falls away. He sees that there really are no dragons and ogres in the playground, only children – ‘just like him’.

Told with an endearing simplicity, Ashling Kwok’s story will appeal to children aged four to nine who are anxious about starting kindergarten or moving to a new school. She cleverly envisions the self-preservation instinct as armour, transforming an abstract idea into a concrete concept that youngsters can more easily understand. As they see Edward shake off his mental shield by courageously seeking connection with others, young readers will be emboldened to overcome their own insecurities.

Cara King’s characterisation of the creatures is charming, adding to the subtle message that school is not a scary place. Colours pop from the spreads like fireworks, contrasting vividly with Edward’s grey armour in a stunning visual representation of the brightness of friendship versus the dullness of being alone. When Edward laughs away his armour, this warmth is carried through the pages with touches of red in a feather, the children’s cheeks, their jumpers, and a ball.

Gentle language and genial images join forces in The Battle to lead the readers to victory. In the process, youngsters discover that if they let down their guard, they have a chance to find real happiness.

Lola and Grandpa

Yvonne Low’s debut picture book, Lola and Grandpa, written by Ashling Kwok and published by Little Pink Dog Books is being released on 5 May 2020.  

Lola and Grandpa is the story of a young girl and the tender, loving relationship she shares with her grandpa. When Lola’s grandpa passes away, she struggles to cope. However, as time passes Lola starts to remember all the special times they shared. She can see her grandpa reflected in all the things around her and realises that even though he is no longer physically with her, they will always remain connected.

Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake

Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake by Rob Lloyd Jones (Walker Books) PB RRP: $14.99   ISBN: 9781406361445

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok     

Join Jake Atlas and his twin sister, Pan, on a thrilling journey through the Egyptian desert as they search for their missing parents, and try to save them from being turned into mummies by an evil dead.

One day Jake is a simple schoolboy with terrible grades and a bad attitude. The next day, he is a member of a super high-tech treasure hunting team, working with shady tomb robbers to locate his parents.

On the surface, the Atlas family appear to be quite normal. But Jake is hiding an addiction to stealing, Pan is concealing her genius for fear of being bullied, and the siblings can't stop fighting – with each other or with their parents, stuffy professors of Ancient History.

Everything changes the day Jake and Pan discover the truth about their parents. They are suddenly thrown into an unknown world, full of mystery and intrigue.

Jake's quick thinking in tricky situations comes in handy as it helps them get out of tight spots, while Pan's intelligence and photographic memory enables the pair to solve the clues along the way. Jake and Pan end up working together, and eventually come to understand one another.

Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake is a riveting page-turning adventure by award-winning author Rob Lloyd Jones. It is action packed and will keep readers intrigued from the moment they open the book.

It is recommended for readers aged 9 and over, and is highly recommended.

Hooray for Birds!

Hooray for Birds! by Lucy Cousins (Walker Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9780763692650

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Beautiful birds in exuberant colours take centre stage in this fun-filled book by Maisy creator Lucy Cousins.

Hooray for Birds! is a beautiful, interactive book that encourages young children to flap their wings, swoop through the sky, and tweet and sing like a bird. Children are invited to go wild and have fun as they imagine the kinds of adventures they could go on if they were busy little birds.

This clever book provides children with the opportunity to learn about our feathered friends in an enjoyable way. Although the animals are not named, the description that accompanies each picture allows readers to guess the type of bird featured. This gives parents a chance to interact with their children and teach them about these amazing creatures.

This book is a masterpiece in layout and design. The cover is incredibly appealing with its bright, bold colours and the illustrations are simply divine. The large pages and font will appeal to young children. It is recommended for readers aged 2 years and over.

Hooray for Birds! takes children on an exciting, entertaining journey that ends at night when it is time for everyone to get some sleep. It makes this book a great bedtime read as it not only encourages children to use their imaginations but to also get a good night’s sleep.

Amazing Australians in their Flying Machines

Amazing Australians in their Flying Machines by Prue and Kelly Mason, illustrations by Tom Jellett (Walker Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781922244635

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Can you imagine what the world was like before we had aeroplanes? Imagine how long it took to get anywhere and how isolated we were from the rest of the world.

Amazing Australians in their Flying Machines shares the stories of 10 brave Australians who took to the skies and changed aviation forever. These Australians had vision and courage, and it is thanks to them that we can travel through the air.

The authors were inspired to write this book after they bought a vintage plane in 2000. Both licensed pilots, they started researching the history of their purchase and were intrigued by what they uncovered.

This book is overflowing with interesting facts about aeroplanes and aviation, and is not only interesting to read but also highly informative.

Did you know that women weren’t allowed to fly until 1927, even though men were permitted to fly 15 years earlier? Well, after reading this book you will have lots of impressive facts to wow your friends and family with.

Amazing Australians in their Flying Machines is one of the most visually appealing books on the market. It is beautifully designed with fun illustrations from Tom Jellett and archival photography of each of the Australians featured.

It is a wonderful educational tool for children and is great for classroom discussions. It features "Did You Know" sidebars, three amazing facts about each of the people featured and friendly, informative text that is enjoyable and entertaining to read.

This book is perfect for readers aged 9 years and over, and is a brilliant gift for young readers interested in aviation and Australian history.

Rock Pool Secrets

Rock Pool Secrets by Narelle Oliver (Walker Books) HB RRP $24.99 ISBN 9781922179357

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Lift the flaps and discover the amazing hidden treasures hiding in the rock pools. At first glance there is nothing much to see but rock pools are full of secrets that only the most observant eyes will uncover.

These gorgeous creatures can hide away in crevices and seaweed, and often go unnoticed camouflaged against the rocks. Take a peak under the flaps and see how many marvels of the sea you can find. 

Readers will be introduced to a selection of creatures which live in rock pools. Get acquainted with the colourful crabs, tiny shrimp, sea slugs, goby fish and turban snails showcased in this lovely book.

Rock Pool Secrets features beautiful linocut artwork by award-winning author/illustrator Narelle Oliver. The colour palette is bright and will appeal to young readers while the big, easy-to-use flaps will ensure that even the youngest of readers will be able to get involved.

Play peak-a-boo with the sea creatures or have fun counting the number of creatures you can find on each page. This book offers hours of endless fun for parents and children to share.

The text is clear and simple to read, making it suitable for children aged 4 years and over. There is also a glossary with information about the different creatures found in rock pools which makes this book a wonderful educational resource for both school and home use.

Rock Pool Secrets is an engaging and entertaining book and is highly recommended.

A World of Information

A World of Information by Richard Platt, illustrated by James Brown (Walker Books) HB RRP $29.99   ISBN 9781406370843

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

The first thing you notice about this book is the stunning cover that immediately catches your eye. The next thing you will see is the incredible artwork littered across every page of this magnificent book.

A World of Information is a treasure trove of knowledge. It is overflowing with fascinating facts and figures that will expand young minds and teach them about the world. Readers will spend hours flicking through the pages, soaking up all the information in this veritable feast for the eyes.

This clever reference book covers over 30 diverse topics including time zones and tectonic plates, the human eye, the periodic table of elements, organs of the body, and the solar system.

Do know how much clouds weigh? Do you know the anatomy of the human skeleton? How about the structure and atmosphere of planet earth? These are just some of the answers you will discover in this stylish and informative tome.

A World of Information is the brainchild of celebrated author Richard Platt who has managed to create an engaging fact-filled book that both children and adults will enjoy reading. The illustrations by James Brown are captivating and contemporary, with a charming retro feel that will engage and enthrall readers.

Although it is recommended for ages 7+, this book is perfect for anyone who loves to learn. The fact that it is so aesthetically pleasing makes it a wonderful gift for every occasion and a great coffee table book.

Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor’s Story

Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor’s Story by Caren Stelson (Walker Books) HB RRP $27.99   ISBN 9781467789035

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

This book is a nonfiction narrative about a time in history we would sooner forget. It is the true story of 6-year old Nagasaki atomic bomb survivor, Sachiko Yasui, and her long journey to find peace.

On August 9, 1945 Sachiko’s life was forever changed. At 11.01am she was playing outside with four other children when an atomic bomb exploded half a mile away. Moments later those children were dead and her country was left in total devastation.

In the days and months that followed, Sachiko lost family members to radiation sickness, her hair fell out and she woke up screaming in the night. She found strength and understanding in the writings of Helen Keller, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr, which influenced her eventual decision to speak about this horrendous event.

When writing this book, author Caren Stelson had unprecedented personal access to Sachiko, conducting hours of in-person interviews, which enabled her to create a personal and moving history.

It is a story that is at times difficult to read but it also a story that needs to be shared, as it not only offers a remarkable new perspective on the final moments of World War II but also the horror and aftermath that ensued.

Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor’s Story is a beautifully presented work, overflowing with stunning photographs and short essays on topics such as ‘Racism and War’ and ‘Long-Term Effects of Radiation’. 

It is a wonderful educational tool for children as it will not only teach them about world history but also help them understand why this atrocity can never, ever happen again.

Alby and the Cat All Holed Up

Alby and the Cat All Holed Up by Leanne Davidson (LJD Books) PB RRP $9.95 ISBN 9780980724134

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Alby and the Cat All Holed Up is the third instalment in this delightful series about a clever guide dog and his mischievous feline friend.

In this book for children aged 5 to 7 years, Alby, Jim and Ellen visit a local school to talk to children about what it is like to be blind and to share their experiences with having a guide dog,

While they are there, Alby notices a familiar face in the crowd, a young boy who previously terrorised him and caused him great distress. Alby is agitated and can’t stop thinking about the boy.

Cat advises Alby to take revenge but in an unexpected turn, Alby gains the upper hand and has to make an important decision. What should he do? Forgive and forget, or make the boy pay?

Leanne Davidson wrote this series based on her father’s experience with guide dogs. Leanne’s dad was blinded in an industrial accident years ago and had a beautiful black guide dog called Duke for 13 years who changed his world.

Leanne wanted the readers, and children in particular, to know how wonderful and special guide dogs are, and the difference they make in the life of a visually impaired person.

Alby and the Cat All Holed Up is a lovely book about friendship, courage and the power of forgiveness. It a great tool for educating young children about how to behave around visually impaired people and guide dogs, and is highly recommended.

An Artist’s Alphabet

An Artist’s Alphabet by Norman Messenger (Walker Books) HB RRP $29.99 ISBN 9781406346763

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

An Artist’s Alphabet is an exquisite alphabet book that will delight anyone who appreciates beautiful works of art. Flick through the pages and watch ordinary letters of the alphabet transform into incredible artworks that will take your breath away.

This intriguing book is overflowing with beautifully crafted images drawing on such themes and styles as botanical, woodblock, watercolour, mythology, classical and modern.

Go a visual journey and watch capital ‘A’ become an acrobat standing atop a horse. There’s a colony of beetles attached to the leaves they’ve munched, creating a big and small letter B. And two kingly beasts that create the letter K.

An Artist’s Alphabet was created by Norman Messenger, an established artist who gave us The Land of Never Believe and the wonderful Imagine. Just like his previous works, this book will have readers glued to every page as they study the stunning detail in each surreal image.

An Artist’s Alphabet is for readers of all ages. It is the perfect gift for art lovers and book collectors, and will make a fantastic coffee table book. It is unique and breathtaking, and a visual feast for the eyes.

A captivating book and highly recommended.

Willy and the Cloud

Willy and the Cloud by Anthony Browne (Walker Books) HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781406366969

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Willy and the Cloud is a touching and sensitive story about worry, anxiety, and the way it makes us feel.

One day, Willy the chimp goes to the park. The sun is shining but a cloud hovers over him and follows him everywhere he goes. Willy can’t enjoy the park and can’t have fun because the cloud won’t go away.

Willy reports the cloud to the police but they just laugh at him. He’s tries to hide from it but when he goes outside, it is still there. Willy realises that there is only one thing he can do. He will have to stand up to it. Once he does, the cloud disappears and sunshine fills the sky. Willy heads back to the park but this time he has fun.

Willy and the Cloud was created by international bestseller and former Children's Laureate, Anthony Browne. He is a master wordsmith who has published over 48 books and won every major prize in children’s literature.

This book is designed for ages 3+ years. It uses simple language to explain a difficult concept and gets the message across perfectly. The illustrations are exceptional and the colour palette suits the mood of the story and helps reader empathise with Willy.

Willy and the Cloud is an insightful story and an essential book for young children. It deals sensitively and positively with a difficult topic and shows readers how powerful the mind can be. It is highly recommended.

Home in the Rain

Home in the Rain by Bob Graham (Walker Books) HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781406368239

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Home in the Rain is the beautiful, heartwarming story of Francie and her mum who are driving home from Grandma’s in the pouring rain. The rain is so heavy and the journey so long that the car windows fog up. Francie wets her finger and writes the words ‘Mum’, ‘Dad’ and ‘Francie’ on the windows, leaving the back window free for the name of her soon-to-be sister.

Still far from home, Francie and Mum stop for a picnic. While they enjoy Grandma’s plum jam sandwiches, Francie starts to wonder what her new baby sister’s name will be. Could it be Alice, or Emma, or maybe even Zoe? Mum assures Francie that somewhere out there is a name that will fit the baby perfectly.

When Francie and Mum finish their picnic, they set off on the rest of their journey, eventually reaching their destination. By the time they get home, the name of Francis’s new sister has been scribbled across the back window.
Home in the Rain is another magnificent book from multi-award winning author-illustrator Bob Graham, who has a knack for producing high quality stories that touch the heart and warm the soul. The text is delightful and the illustrations are so endearing they bring the story to life.

Home in the Rain is perfect for children aged 3+ years and families expecting a baby. It is a lovely story about how the simple things in life can create the most memorable moments. It will captivate the hearts of young and old and become a firm family favourite.

Smart About Sharks

Smart About Sharks by Owen Davey (Walker Books) HB RRP $27.99

ISBN 9781909263918

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Get ready to learn everything you ever wanted to know about the fascinating world of sharks in this beautifully illustrated compendium.

Smart About Sharks is overflowing with detailed information and fascinating facts that will answer every question you ever had about the most feared and misunderstood creatures of the sea.

Did you know that sharks can detect electrical currents from other creatures? Or that the average shark has 40 to 45 teeth? These are just some of the amazing facts featured in this wonderful book.

Smart About Sharks covers topics such as what sharks eat and how they hunt. It also takes a look at the more unusual species of shark including the carpet shark, frill shark and pyjama shark, and features a scaled diagram that compares the sizes of different sharks.

This book is the brainchild of talented, award winning illustrator Owen Davey, who has managed to create an incredibly informative reference book that is also a pleasure to read. It is his second book devoted to a single animal. Last year he released the popular Mad About Monkeys, an illustrated guide to the world’s 250 species of monkey.

Smart About Sharks is perfect for readers of all ages. It is a beautifully designed book and will be a fabulous addition to any library.

Captain Sneer the Buccaneer

Captain Sneer the Buccaneer by Penny Morrison (Walker Books)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781922179609

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Get ready for a rollicking good time with this fun, rhyming story about a boastful pirate. Captain Sneer thinks he is rough and tough and bold and brave, but readers soon find out things are not what they seem. Join Captain Sneer and his merry men as they go on an adventure sailing the seas in search of treasure.

This comical tale by Penny Morrison is packed with action which will delight young readers and leave them wanting more. The illustrations by Gabriel Evans are fantastic and the exquisite colour palette brings the images to life.

Readers will delight in the energetic, rhythmical nature of the text, which will encourage children to read along and become involved in the story.

Imagine how much fun children will have reading these words aloud:

“I’m Captain Sneer, the buccaneer. My crew salute when I pass near.
I’m rough and tough, I’m brave and bold. I sail the seas for gold, gold, GOLD!”

Captain Sneer the Buccaneer is a creative, humorous, and entertaining tale that children and adults will enjoy. It will appeal to both boys and girls and will soon become a family favourite.

A Child of Books

A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers (Walker Books)

HB RRP $27.99

ISBN 9781406358315

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

A Child of Books is one of the most beautiful books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It is an absolute masterpiece in concept and design.

On the surface it appears to be just another lovely picture book but delve deeper and you will soon uncover a magical world where words and images collide to create a magnificent piece of art.

A Child of Books is the story of a young girl who sails her raft across a sea of words, arriving at the house of a small boy and calling him away on an adventure.

Through a forest of fairy tales and across mountains of make believe, the two travel together on an amazing journey that unlocks the boy’s imagination. Now a lifetime of magic and adventure lies ahead of him.

A Child of Books features lovely words and elegant images by Oliver Jeffers, along with Sam Winston’s typographical landscapes, shaped from excerpts of children’s classics and lullabies.

It is a stunning prose poem that pays homage to the history of literature, based on the stories and influences that impacted the creators.

See how many excerpts of children’s classics and lullabies you can find intertwined in the illustrations.

It’s difficult to express how truly lovely this book is. There is nothing else like it on the market. It is a beautiful, timeless treasure that I thoroughly recommend to readers of all ages. 

Shield

Shield by Rachael Craw (Walker Books) PB RRP $27.99  ISBN 9781922179647

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Get ready to be taken on the ride of your life in the latest instalment from New Zealand author Rachael Craw.

Shield is the final book in the popular Spark trilogy. The first part of this gripping young adult sci-fi series, Spark, was released in 2014 to rave reviews, followed by Stray in 2015.

In the latest book, the drama continues but this time Evie is out of options. She must comply with the Affinity Project in order to survive. Evie must obey their rules, play their deadly games and give up Jamie.

When Evie decides to help a small group of Shields trying to affect change, she finds herself in all sorts of trouble. Counsellor Knox is determined to reveal her secrets and tie her to the Affinity Project for life. To protect her family, Evie must betray those closest to her. The odds of success, and of Evie’s survival, are slim.

Shield is a fast paced, action-packed thriller that will grab reader’s attention from the very first page. It is an original, exciting story with underlying themes of friendship, loyalty, courage and love.  

Shield is perfect for teenagers with a passion for sc-fi and for anyone who enjoyed The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins and the Maze Runner Trilogy by James Dashner.

Rachael Craw is a prolific talent as evidenced by her latest book. She has the ability to produce brilliant work that is well-written and contains just the right amount of action and excitement to enthral readers.

A great read and highly recommended.

Pattan’s Pumpkin

Pattan’s Pumpkin by Chitra Soundar illustrated by Fran Lessac (Walker Books) HB RRP $27.99   ISBN 9781910959442

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Pattan’s Pumpkin is an Indian flood story, reminiscent of the traditional Noah’s Ark tale. It is the story of Pattan, a kind and caring man who stumbles upon an ailing flower and decides to plant it near his hut and nurture it back to life. Pattan watches the flower gain strength and its yellow flowers blossom in the glorious sun.

One day, to Pattan’s surprise, he notices that the flower has transformed into a magnificent pumpkin that is bigger than the goats, bigger than the elephants, and is actually so tall that it reaches the summit of the mountain.

When a terrifying storm arrives and the waters rise, Pattan’s quick thinking and imagination help him devise a clever plan that enables him to rescue the whole village from impending disaster.

Pattan’s Pumpkin is written by well-known author, Chitra Soundar, who was born and raised in India, a place where traditions, festivals and mythology are a way of life. Over the years, Chitra has produced a wonderful array of books in various genres.

The illustrations by award winning artist Frane Lessac are striking and vibrant, and the colour palette is so rich that the images practically leap off the page.

Pattan’s Pumpkin is a sweet tale for readers aged 4-8 years. The text is easy to read and has a soft, gentle tone that will soothe young readers at bedtime and have them happily dozing in no time at all.

Pattan’s Pumpkin is a beautiful book and the perfect addition to your picture book library.

The Deep Enders

­The Deep Enders by Dave Reardon (InspireInc - Reardon Media Pty Ltd)

PB RRP: $16.95

ISBN: 1518815138

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok       

Get ready to be taken on the ride of your life in this action-packed adventure that follows the exploits of three outsiders trapped in a wild Australian pearling town as WWII swirls around them.

With his home and family torn apart after the attack on Pearl Harbor, 16-year-old Murph Turner is evacuated to stay with family in the exotic town of Broome on Australia’s far northern coastline.

An outsider in an unfamiliar environment, Murph falls for Micki, a beautiful, mysterious girl on the run from the authorities, and meets Banjo, an Aboriginal scamp with pyrotechnic tendencies and a great sense of humour. All three are running from their past and quickly form a strong bond.

As war clouds gather on the horizon, the trio are propelled into a deadly conspiracy that could shatter their world and destroy everyone they love.

The Deep Enders examines the role of friendship and love in a time of panic and racial injustice. It is a story about the power of friendship and how it can help overcome even the toughest of obstacles.

The cover of this book is enticing and invites readers to enter a world of intrigue and mystery. The pages are packed with dialogue and action that combine to create a gripping tale that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

The Deep Enders is the first YA novel from well-known journalist and ghost writer Dave Reardon. This talented writer has the ability to create characters that are one can identify with, and situations that produce enough drama and tension to captivate readers and hold their interest until the very end. 

It’s a great read, highly recommended.