The Book of Whispers

The Book of Whispers by Kimberley Starr (Text Publishing)

PB RRP $19.99   ISBN 9 781925 3555 12

Reviewed by Wendy Fitzgerald

Australian author, Kimberley Starr has an MA in medieval literature and teaches English in Melbourne. Her latest book, The Book of Whispers won the 2015 Text Prize for best manuscript written for young adults and children. It was published in October 2016.

The Book of Whispers is a captivating medieval adventure story set back in the 11^th century at the time of the first crusade. It starts in the Falconi estate in San Gimignano, Tuscany back in the Year 1096AD.  We follow young Luca on his quest from Italy, through Turkey and Syria to Jerusalem to help free Jerusalem from the Saracens.

Luca can see evil demons but he must hide this gift. On the way Luca meets Suzan and they form a special bond. It is Suzan who helps Luca unravel the mysteries of the ancient ‘Book of Whispers.’

With the rest of the army, Luca and Suzan face bloody battles, starvation, thirst and sickness. They must defeat the demons, Luca’s step brother and the evil priest, Ramberti in order to save Jerusalem. 

I quote- ‘I wanted to tell a story that made history as interesting as I’ve always found it by telling it in a way that had characters kids could relate to with a compelling narrative that made them keep asking what happens next.’ (Kimberley Starr)

I really like the combination of brilliantly researched history, fantasy (the demons and the magic book), action, suspense and romance. I connected strongly with the characters and I like the use of duel narrative where Starr moves cleverly from Luca to Suzan.

‘My story came from my interest in travel and fascination with how historical events connect to modern life,’ Starr said.

Kimberley has definitely achieved this by addressing contemporary issues such as faith, racism, war, displacement and colonisation. 

I loved this book and highly recommend The Book of Whispers to readers from 14 years old and older.

Sarah, Misty and Scribbles’ Journey to the House by the Sea

Sarah, Misty and Scribbles’ Journey to the House by the Sea written by Jacqueline Johnson, illustrated by Frances Español (Partridge Publishing)

PB RRP $15.95

ISBN 978-1-48282-990-7 

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

Sarah the ragdoll, Misty the toy rabbit and Scribbles the teddy bear all have different problems with their eyes and none of them can see very well.  They keep bumping into things and falling down stairs causing other toys to make fun of them.  Sarah, Misty and Scribbles were very sad because they couldn’t join in with any games.  Some of the toys saw their sadness and decided to help them – ensuring that their world was safe and accessible.  After that, Sarah, Misty and Scribbles were happy again and always thankful for the help of their friends.

Sarah, Misty and Scribbles’ Journey to the House by the Sea is the debut picture book from Australian author Jacqueline Johnson.  It is a gentle story that has been written to raise awareness and understanding about vision impairment in younger children. 

Sarah, Misty and Scribbles are struggling to cope in their surroundings as they are unable to see properly.  Adding to the difficulty of their situation is the lack of understanding they receive from some of the other toys – both regarding the nature of their impairments and the challenges they are facing.  They feel isolated and alone.  However, not all of the toys are indifferent and they work together to provide the trio with everything they need to be able to re-join and enjoy their world.

This is a lovely story that covers a lot of ground: how vision impairment can seem to those who do not have to live with it; the sort of attitudes that young sufferers can face; and the type of tactics and tools that people need to be able to interact successfully with the world around them.  Telling the story from the perspective of those with impaired vision allows the reader to develop empathy and understanding; important qualities that should be nurtured in young children.

Frances Español’s full-page illustrations are fun and colourful; with subtle features to reflect the mood and little details to support the intention of the story.

Sarah, Misty and Scribbles’ Journey to the House by the Sea is sweet book with an important message.  It would be a valuable resource for parents and teachers that want to encourage discussion and awareness of vision impairment.

Jacqueline Johnson has a Bachelor of Arts, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and a Masters in Special Education.  She currently works as an Orientation and Mobility Instructor and through this role she has developed a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding vision impairment.  She can be found online at http://www.sarahmistyandscribbles.com/.

Zenna Dare

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Zenna Dare by Rosanne Hawke (Rhiza Press
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN 978-1-925139-03-7
Reviewed by Peta Biggin

When Jenefer moves to the old family home in country Kapunda, she encounters a secret from the past.  What sort of life did Gweniver, her great-great-great-grandmother lead?  What connection did she have to the glamorous young singer Zenna Dare?  Jenefer’s curiosity develops into a passion and she is taken on a journey that spans five generations, from Cornwall to Australia.  Her pursuit of the mysterious Zenna Dare brings reconciliation in more ways than Jenefer could ever have imagined.

Zenna Dare is the latest book from Australian author Rosanne Hawke.  It is a lovely book that moves along with a good pace.  The simplicity of the premise is misleading – a teenage girl’s search into her family history; the story touches on such a broad range of topics, from the sense of dislocation at moving towns to Victorian social conventions; genealogy to racial prejudice and the treatment of Aboriginals.  Never, however, is the story bogged down with extraneous details.

 A typical teen, Jenefer sees life with a very limited perspective.  It is her search into the life of her great-great-great-grandmother, Gweniver, which opens her eyes to the wider world; and not only as a means of appreciating her own situation.  As Jenefer delves deeper into her family’s past, she also starts to gain an appreciation of her newfound friend Caleb’s family history.  As an Aboriginal, Caleb has very different family stories and secrets to tell.  It helps Jenefer become present to the treatment of the Aboriginals – both now and throughout Australian history.  Whilst the topic is not the central focus of the book, it provides an interesting counterpoint to Jenefer’s discovery of her past and a gentle reminder of the backdrop of European settlement.

Caleb also presents as the romantic interest in the story.  However, I particularly liked that it was a sub-plot that did not dominate.  Whilst it was clear that a budding relationship between the two was developing, the book did not digress into a teenage romance.

 I really enjoyed Zenna Dare; finding it both an easy and interesting read.  The amount of research that has gone into it is evident and the book goes a long way to reminding us of the amazing, interesting and heartbreaking stories that exist within our own families.

  
Rosanne Hawke is an Australian, award-winning author of over twenty books.  Her titles include: Shahana, Taj and the Great Camel Trek and The Messenger Bird.  Rosanne was an aid working in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates for ten years and now teaches Creative Writing at Tabor Adelaide.  She lives in South Australia with her family.  She can be found online at: http://www.rosannehawke.com/