The Yelling Stones

The Yelling Stones by Oskar Jensen (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $14.95
ISBN: 9781471404115

Reviewed by Jade Harmer

I must confess to having never read a book about Vikings until Oskar Jensen’s The Yelling Stones arrived in my mailbox, but now perhaps I could be tempted to read another.

In his debut novel, Jensen successfully blends historical facts with fiction, adding a princess and a poet to the mix and shaping a year teeming with adventure, magic, turbulence and change.

Set in the Viking court of Jelling, Denmark, in 958 AD, Jensen describes the journey of Princess Astrid and the ambitious poet, Leif. At fourteen, Astrid and Leif come from different worlds, yet it falls to this unlikely pair to unravel the visions sent by The Yelling Stones – three witches turned to stone while screaming a spell – and to save Jelling from a powerful force conjured to help abolish the old, mythological ways of the court.

Astrid and Leif’s friendship develops with humour and compassion – Astrid’s strong-will and determination complementing Leif’s patience and thoughtfulness.

Astrid is a staunch supporter of her father – King Gorm’s – court and her place within it, but soon realises that in times of feud, her own family is not beyond using her as a pawn to further their plans.

Jensen’s characters are full and interesting and I found the simplicity of his descriptions appealing. Astrid’s oldest brother and heir to the throne, Knut, became a favourite of mine after this endearing first impression: ‘He looked like he sounded: big, brown and shaggy’.

Alongside the traditional feasting and drunken debauchery associated with Vikings, Jensen introduces hungry wolves and bears, witches, trolls and a powerful winged beast as the story flows through the seasons with their rich, magical undercurrents.

The line between man and beast is often blurred.

Acknowledging the potential difficulties younger readers may have with the Norse language used throughout the novel, Jensen has included a useful quick reference key to important characters and some commonly used words; however, I never found the language distracting or misplaced.

Jensen also includes an historical note about the true events and people of Jelling, which helps to bring a degree of authenticity to the story. I enjoyed the fact that you can actually visit The Yelling Stones.

Although recommended for readers nine years and older, The Yelling Stones does contain some animal sacrifice and a draugur (or awakened corpse), so I would suggest a slightly older readership with an interest in magic, mythology, adventure, friendship or historical fiction.

Crystal Force

Crystal Force by Joe Ducie (Hot Key Books 2015)
PB RRP $16.95
ISBN: 9781471404559

Reviewed by Jade Harmer

Buckle up science fiction fans. British-born Perth author Joe Ducie, joint-winner of the Guardian and Hot Key Books Young Writer’s Prize for his debut novel, The Rig, is back with Crystal Force, an action-packed sequel. And you’re in for a roller coaster ride.

Crystal Force is predominately set on the East Coast of North America in the not too distant future, just two weeks after the events in The Rig.

With all the makings of a dark, apocalyptic tale, Crystal Force is balanced by Ducie’s charming teen protagonist, William Drake, and the development of his relationships with his sidekicks from The Rig through which Ducie introduces themes of self-esteem, identity, belonging and love. Will, Irene and Tristan may have escaped the world’s most secure juvenile detention facility, but Will’s exposure to the potentially deadly Crystal X and his resultant super powers see him on the run, struggling to distinguish friend from foe and battling to maintain his sanity.

Despite the Crystal X running through Will’s veins, his radical physical transformation, and the sheer unpredictability of his raw power, the fifteen and a half year old still remains the type of guy you want by your side.

Fiercely loyal, protective and instinctive, and with a healthy sense of humour and a voracious mutant teenage appetite, Will is driven by the desire to cure his mother of the cancer she suffers at the hands of the Alliance – global controller of all things from communication to medication.

Ducie’s background in security and intelligence adds credibility to his depiction of the global net of control cast by the powerful and ruthless Alliance.

Will and his friends share a volatile journey during which they meet potential allies, encounter an all too familiar nemesis and stand alongside enemies for the sake of human civilisation as we know it.

In an ever-changing battle field, Ducie draws contrasts between young and old, light and dark, sanity and madness, good and evil, love and hate, and, ultimately, life and death.

And when Will follows his instincts into uncharted territory, Ducie leaves friends, allies, enemies and readers alike to deliberate the consequences, and contemplate the future.

Recommended reading for thrill seekers and sci-fi fans aged 12 years and upwards.

If You Find This

If You Find This by Matthew Baker (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $14.95

ISBN 9781471404528

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

As soon as you read in the first page of this first person narrative that the protagonist eleven-year-old Nicholas Funes has an ongoing relationship with a tree that he believes is his brother, you know this is going to be quirky, and Nicholas weird.  The boy also collects prime numbers and square roots and the text is full of references to them. There is also something which irritated this reader: the words ‘forte’ and ‘piano’ are littered throughout the book to indicate mood. I found them distracting and could not see what purpose they served.

As for the story, Nicholas’ real troubles begin when his Grandfather, a family secret, is let out of prison. The old man confides he has a map to an immense fortune; the problem is that it seems as though he’s suffering from dementia. Fighting off bullies is one of Nicholas’ problems and, too, he’s upset that the family is going to have to sell off their home to solve monetary problems.

What follows next is a series of events that see Nicholas, with two unlikely accomplices, trying to engineer a break-out from a retirement home, making an agreement with a local witch and trying to solve the secrets of his family’s past.

Nicholas is a weird child indeed. I found this story challenging, trying to ignore the fortes and pianos and other oddities. But for a reader aged 11 years and up who enjoys books about strange friendships, weirdness, family secrets and dangerous adventures, then this might be a book for him or her.

If You Find This

If You Find This by Matthew Baker (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $14.95

ISBN 9781471404528

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

As soon as you read in the first page of this first person narrative that the protagonist eleven-year-old Nicholas Funes has an ongoing relationship with a tree that he believes is his brother, you know this is going to be quirky, and Nicholas weird.  The boy also collects prime numbers and square roots and the text is full of references to them. There is also something which irritated this reader: the words ‘forte’ and ‘piano’ are littered throughout the book to indicate mood. I found them distracting and could not see what purpose they served.

As for the story, Nicholas’ real troubles begin when his Grandfather, a family secret, is let out of prison. The old man confides he has a map to an immense fortune; the problem is that it seems as though he’s suffering from dementia so whether or not he has one is problematic. Fighting off bullies is one of Nicholas’ problems and, too, he’s upset that the family is going to have to sell off their home to solve monetary problems.

What follows next is a series of events that see Nicholas, with two unlikely accomplices, trying to engineer a break-out from a retirement home, making an agreement with a local witch and trying to solve the secrets of his family’s past.

Nicholas sure is weird indeed. I found this story challenging, trying to ignore the fortes and pianos and other oddities. But for a reader aged 11 years and up who enjoys books about strange friendships, weirdness, family secrets and dangerous adventures, then this might be a book for him or her.

The Beloved

The Beloved by Alison Rattle (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $15.75

ISBN 97814703798

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Sometimes mothers and daughters don’t bond from the outset. So it is with Alice Angel and her strict mother Temperance, who is from humble origins and wife of the very wealthy Alfred. 

It is 1848 and sixteen-year-old Alice, a rebellious and spirited teenager, is trapped in an unloving Victorian home with a mother who punishes her cruelly. When the book opens, the girl is strapped by the wrists overnight in her bed because she did not want to sleep in her tight corset. Papa, whom Alice loves, is often absent on business but weak when it comes to dealing with his beautiful wife. Alice’s brother Eli sides with their mother who adores him -- until a dramatic turn of events.

Escaping one day from home, Alice witnesses an enigmatic, charismatic man preaching in town. She feels strangely drawn to him, but later at home events conspire against her even more when there is an unexpected family tragedy. En route in a carriage to the madhouse, Alice escapes and eventually finds herself in the community run by the preacher who is always referred to as ‘The Beloved’. At first she feels free and happy but things are to change to such an extent she does not know where to turn.

Sometime it is difficult to find sympathy for Alice as she reacts angrily to situations, but who knows how one might act given such a restrictive life as hers? Certainly her mother comes across as a selfish, self-centred and vicious woman whose aim in life is to fit into the upper echelons of society. The Beloved explores what freedom and friendship mean and how manipulative people can behave when their wants are not met. Full of drama – sometimes melodrama – this easy to read, well-plotted and fast-paced novel is recommended for young adult (and older) readers.

Alison Rattle’s other novels are The Quietness and The Madness.

The Book of Storms

The Book of Storms by Ruth Hatfield (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 978-1-4714-0298-2

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

Danny O’Neill is an 11-year-old boy forced to do many adventurous things when his storm chasing parents disappear.

I really wanted to like this book. I loved the cover, and found the blurb intriguing. But I didn’t love it all. While parts of this book were brilliantly thought out and had me on the edge of my seat, they didn’t happen early enough in the story for me to be hooked. Sadly, there are parts that are very standard middle grade to the extent of being overly simplistic.

There was far too much thinking going on in the first half of the novel and the recurring conversations between Danny and his disbelieving older cousin Tom (a difficult character to like) made the book an overly long read.

Some of the characters are excellently written -- their voices perfect. Mitz the cat, and Shimny the pony, both add to the story as do the voice of the river and the song of the worms, clever really. Then you have the disturbing character of Sammael, a truly unsettling villain. I’ve not seen a villain quite like him in children’s literature since Lord Voldamort, actually I think he is more vicious and abusive than Voldy. He is utterly immoral and clearly missing any human empathy. He is a very strong, overpowering character. I kind of enjoyed reading him but found his nastiness just didn’t sit well with the cutesy talking animals and the over explanation of each ‘happening’.

It is as though the book was written for two completely different audiences and mashed together. Sammael deserves to have his own story, possibly something along the lines of a Criminal Minds episode.

As children often read characters older than themselves I thought eleven was too young for most of the content. This story had all the right ingredients, just in the wrong quantities. The ending is not completely expected and gives room for sequels as indicated by the final half of this novel with its change in pacing.

The book, if read in a classroom situation, could raise discussions of death, immortality, and the soul.

Jacque Duffy is the author and illustrator of the book series ‘That’s not a …’ used in all Queensland state primary schools, a picture book The Bear Said Please and one local history coffee table book. www.jacquesartandbooks.com

Harvey Drew and the Bling Bots

Harvey Drew and the Bling Bots by Cas Lester, illustrator Sam Hearn (Hot Key Books)
PB RRP $12.95
ISBN 978-1-4714-0248-7
Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

 This is a very clever follow-up to Harvey Drew and the Bin Men from Outer Space,

perfect for boys age 7 -10, and chocker-block full of writing to induce belly-aching laughter.

 Thanks to the cover illustration I was reaching for this book wanting to know more about the boy running from the aliens. Speaking of aliens, the narrator in the story worked very hard to keep the reader up to date with space information in a, “If you don’t want to know more about… stop reading now”, kind of way -- very funny indeed. The narrator constantly teases the reader and keeps the story flowing.

Harvey is the captain of the Toxic Spew, a garbage-collecting spaceship in Galaxy 43b. He has no experience of being a ship’s captain as he is an Earthling and only 10 years old. He and his crew of strange, yet wonderfully portrayed … umm… people face challenges not every human child would ever encounter but could easily relate to.

The layout of the book is clean and easy to follow. Hearn’s illustrations are a big part of the book and keep the story flowing nicely giving affirmation to the younger reader who may be a little unsure. Each black and white illustration is strong and appears to be full of life and colour.

 This story is completely entertaining yet supports real life problems .i.e. space trash. Lester has included an interesting interview with a space specialist in regards to the clean-up operation being undertaken to remove space trash.

Young readers will enjoy this book.

Jacque Duffy is the author and illustrator of the series ‘That’s not a …” learn to read books used in all Queensland State Primary Schools, The Bear Said Please picture book and one local history coffee table book.

www.jacquesartandbooks.com

Shiver the Whole Night Through

Shiver the Whole Night Through by Darragh McManus (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 978-1-4714-0409-2

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

Wow, what a powerful book. As the cover suggests the story is a little dark and ‘edge of seat’, the first chapter had me wondering just what I had picked up, so I took a deep breath, and continued reading. I soon discovered I couldn't put it down.

I normally am not a reader of paranormal, and confess to not realizing that’s what this story is at first, but I read late into the night, turning pages in a way that would have gratified the author. His writing transported me to a very unnerving place in Ireland (the guide to pronunciation of Gaelic words also helped take me there). If my experience is anything to go by, genre preference has little to do with captivating a reader.

The story begins with a boy about to end his life and the death of a school friend, uplifting, not really, but not depressing as I thought it would be. The story touches on Irish history and folklore and has some very surprising twists and turns making it a book that is difficult to put down.

Darragh McManus is an author, journalist, playwright, and screenwriter. Shiver the Whole Night Through is his first YA book. He has previously published two crime novels and a comic novel.

The book if read in a senior classroom situation would raise healthy discussion. I found it thought provoking, the serious matters of suicide, bullying, revenge, and peer pressure, are raised in this story. The characters are fully formed and each supports the main character well.

The story gives room for sequels and I am sure each would be an enjoyable read, in fact, I see a movie.

  

Jacque Duffy is the author and illustrator of picture book The Bear Said Please and the series ‘That’s not a …” learn to read books used in all Queensland State Primary Schools and one local history coffee table book.

www.jacquesartandbooks.com

The Perfectionists

The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard (Hot Key Books)
PB RRP $16.95
ISBN 978-1-4714-0434-4
Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

This is one of those non-put-downable books. It is well written, the main characters are likeable, and the pacing is fast, but I have a problem.

Sara Shepard is the author of many popular books including the Pretty Little Liars series, which I confess to not having read but have heard quite a lot about. Pretty Little Liars has sixteen – yes, sixteen -- books in the series. Don’t get me wrong, I like a series, I don’t mind a little breathing space between books. I like to let the characters have a rest too, especially after a fast-paced book like this one.

But here is my problem. The Perfectionists has a lot of characters, starting with five girls plotting revenge against the school’s most popular boy slash bully; each of those girls has her own group of secondary characters, some of which are crucial to the plot. That is a lot of characters to make mental notes about.

I was enjoying this book immensely; not only are these girls managing to get themselves into all kinds of trouble - most of the time not of their own doing - but there has been a murder. Towards the latter half I found it hard to put the book down. I read faster and faster, needing to know who the bad guy/girl is and if the girls were going to be safe.

Then it ended.

Just like that.

I have no idea if these girls whom I had become so fond of were safe.

Looks as though I will have to wait for book number two; I hope it comes out fast.

The book, if read in a classroom situation, would raise healthy discussion. The serious matters of sex, drugs, bullying, suicide and revenge are raised in this story. The characters are fully formed and each has their own story to tell.

The story obviously gives room for sequels and I am sure each would be an enjoyable read.

 Jacque Duffy is the author and illustrator of the series ‘That’s not a …’ learn to read books used in all Queensland State Primary Schools, a picture book The Bear Said Please, and one local history coffee table book.

www.jacquesartandbooks.com

 

Heap House

Heap House by Edward Carey (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 978-1-4714-0157-2

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

Set in an alternate Dickensian London Heap House is a quirky and dark read. Definitely, not everyone’s cup of tea.

I was attracted to this book because it reminded me of Edward Gorey’s characteristic dark pen and ink comics. I struggled at first with the Dickensian language, and managed to muddle up the characters, finding it difficult to get my head around the story. Once I settled though and found my way, I enjoyed it. The creepiness of the story combined with the language made me forget that it's meant to be a middle grade book. In fact I counted a few swear words in there. I do think you'd have to have a real book lover on your hands for the intended audience to get to grips with this story. It is for a patient reader.

Carey has created a strange Gothic world. Heap House and its inhabitants are isolated from the city. The Iremongers find treasure in the rubbish (heap) that keeps growing. The heap acts as an ocean and sweeps people and things out to oblivion when a storm blows in. Clod, the main character, isn’t quite like the rest of his family, he hears objects whisper and recently they’ve not just been saying names. Every Iremonger has a 'birth object': an everyday household object that they must keep with them at all times, or else they will die. Clod has an unusual talent: he can hear birth objects speak names. His own birth object, a universal bath plug, says "James Henry Hayward". Clod is seen as strange for this talent and has therefore grown up to be rather unpopular. One day he meets Lucy Pennant, an orphan who has been brought to Heap House to be a servant. When she arrives, strange things begin to happen and Lucy is blamed for them. She and Clod must find out what is happening in order to clear her name and save her from bloodthirsty Iremongers who hate all outsiders.

If you like Howl’s Moving Castle, Lemony Snicket’s Unfortunate Events and Neil Gaiman’s Coraline, then this book could be for you.

Jacque Duffy is the author and illustrator of picture book The Bear Said Please and the series ‘That’s not a …” learn to read books used in all Queensland State Primary Schools and one local history coffee table book.

Jumble Cat

Jumble Cat by Archie Kimpton, illustrator Kate Hindley (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $12.95

ISBN 978-1-4714-0278-4

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

  

Jumble Cat is a wicked romp of a story full of … well, wickedness. I can imagine boys 8 – 12 years rolling around on the floor in fits of laughter whilst reading this book.

Archie Kimpton’s Jumble Cat is fart humour with finesse. His way with words is nothing short of captivating. Not only are his words as poetically jumbled as the Cat but the way he describes certain characters is almost naughty.

The main character Billy Slipper is normal enough in a Cinderella kind of way but oddly enough, his best friend is a ninety something year old woman. Together they befriend a foul mouthed jumbled–up cat and win thousands in prize money only to have it stolen. They embark on an adventure scaling castle walls, stealing and crashing his monstrous mother’s car, so they can rescue the grungy rude cat from a demented taxidermist.

 Archie’s writing is a delight to read, and quite often I put my hand to my mouth in a No, he didn’t just say that kind of way. This excerpt is Billy’s mother Phillipa Slipper:

“Believe it or not, Phillipa Slipper was in a good mood. She was always in a good mood after her course. ‘Do you know what I learnt this evening?’ She twittered excitedly. ‘How to kill butterflies. Do you know the best way to kill a butterfly?’ She didn’t wait for an answer. ‘You could try a fly swatter, but you might leave a terrible mark on the wall. So you can either suck them out of the air with a vacuum cleaner, or if that doesn’t work, try catching them in a jar, put the lid on and watch them suffocate. Simple! And no mess.”

Jumble Cat is Archie Kimpton’s first book and I daresay not his last. The layout of the book is clean and easy to follow. Each black and white illustration is strong and gives a less confident reader a well-deserved rest.

Young readers will enjoy this book and I very much enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Jacque Duffy is the author and illustrator of The Bear Said Please picture book and the series ‘That’s not a …” learn to read books used in all Queensland State Primary Schools and one local history coffee table book.

An English Boy in New York

An English Boy in New York by Tom Easton (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 978-1-4714-0149-7

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

Oh boy I was excited when I received this book in the mail. The follow up on Boys Don’t Knit, which was quite possibly the best book for reluctant teen readers I have read in years. Once again I couldn't put Easton’s book down, except when I was wiping tears from my face. I adore Tom Easton’s characters and writing style.

An English Boy in New York, is the second book in the series. Sometimes in a series it is helpful to have read the previous book, and I believe this is the case with this book. Having said that though, I believe once the reader has read into the second chapter they would be completely hooked. Ben, the main character is still very likeable although he is less flawed, or perhaps he is flawed in slightly different ways. You still want him to succeed; you want to keep listening to his ‘voice’. In the previous book, because of an ‘accident’, and subsequent punishment and probation, he won a national knitting competition. His prize, a trip for two, executive class, to New York, to appear at another knitting event. Unfortunately, due to his continued probation he is not allowed to go until his probation officer puts her job on the line and pulls some strings.

Once he has permission, a string of unfortunate events unfolds, starting with his choice of travel companion. New York is explored beautifully through the eyes of this unusual teenager and his gangster wannabe friend Gex. I could go on forever extolling the merits of this book; it has certainly been the subject for discussion in my home.

Tom Easton has had over a dozen books published. His writing talents range from chapter books to young adult novels. An English Boy in New York and Boy’s Don’t Knit are very clever. The book is perfect for reluctant teenage readers and if read in a senior classroom situation would raise healthy discussion. I found it refreshing, the serious matters of peer pressure, sex, vandalism, and theft, are raised in this story and handled in a modern yet sensitive way without being condescending or preachy. The characters are fully formed (especially his parents) and each supports the main character well.

  

Jacque Duffy is the author and illustrator of picture book The Bear Said Please and the series ‘That’s not a …” learn to read books used in all Queensland State Primary Schools and one local history coffee table book.

Scarlet Fever

Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 978-1-4714-0304-0

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

  

Maureen Johnson’s writing style is easy to read, looks effortless, and has a certain appeal. Scarlett Fever is a sequel to Suite Scarlett. Having not read the first, I wondered if I would miss something, happily no, Scarlett Fever is a standalone. The characters arrive fully formed.

At first, I liked Scarlett’s friends more than I liked her. It is difficult to like a stalker, especially when they know they are a stalker. Once Scarlett stopped whining, cut back on her stalking, and used her wit, she shone like a Broadway Star.

Max, the anti-hero, would have to be my favorite character and I wanted to see more of him on the page. I am certain Max will feature in the next instalment as the ending (did I say ending?) was left open to interpretation (and possible book throwing). What will Scarlett do? Will she revert to her earlier patheticness and fall into the arms of her wayward Broadway Star kind of ex- boyfriend (stalker victim), or will she have the spine Mrs Amberson her Broadway Agent boss believes she has and chase down the more deserving and incredibly talented Max?

There are many characters in this story and each, including the borrowed dog Murray, was endearingly flawed, especially the younger sister Marlene. She had unlikableness incomparable to any other young child I’ve read, Maureen Johnson certainly made her come alive in a thank goodness I don’t know this kid way.

Interaction between the characters propels the story along especially in the last 2/3’s making you want to turn pages. Before that, it is mostly Scarlett whining and stalking, I wanted to slap her. She did win me over in a big way though, and perhaps the rather sad introduction was required for the reader to finally share her Ah Ha moment.

To me, the book had the same feel as Confessions of a Shopaholic, one of my favorites.

Maureen Johnson is a New York Times best-selling author of ten novels and has was selected to represent the YA category for World Book Day 2014 with the short story The Boy in the Smoke.

Jacque Duffy is the author and illustrator of picture book The Bear Said Please and the series ‘That’s not a …” learn to read books used in all Queensland State Primary Schools and one local history coffee table book.

Tribute

Tribute by Ellen Renner (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 978-1-4714-0031-5

Ebook ISBN 978-1-4714-0032-2

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

I must say I was hooked from the opening lines and first few paragraphs.

Swift. I named her for the bird. When she first came I saw something small and drab: that spent hours huddled in the corners of my father’s house…  I took her by the hand which is forbidden. I named her for the bird I loved most, and we ran through the marble halls together.

I read late into the night, enjoying the story, wanting to know what would happen to the characters I had become so fond of. This is the story of Zara, a young mage. She lives in a world where magic is power and the non-magical are slaves. Technology and literacy are forbidden, and each commoner must give up their first-born child to the mages and lifelong enslavement as servants and soldiers - these are the Tribute children.

Ellen Renner author of City of Thieves and Castle of Shadows, has woven a lively story entwining loss, a blossoming love, and action. The world she has created is recognizable and comfortable, the magic believable and the names of people and objects easily pronounceable, her turn of phrase is often beautiful. Tribute had a satisfying ending with no loose threads BUT as the reader I had unanswered questions that I am sure lead into another book.

The perfect blend of fantasy and romance, with enough bloodletting to satisfy any male reader.

Boys Don’t Knit

Boys Don’t Knit by Tom Easton (Hot Key Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 978-1-4714-0147-3

Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

I am not a target reader for this book, my teen years are behind me. In fact, when I first picked it up and noticed it was written in diary style I groaned inwardly. Not only is it aimed at teens but it would be full of a self-absorbed teenager’s thoughts too. I took a deep breath, and started reading. I soon discovered I couldn't put it down.

I read late into the night, turning pages in a way that would have gratified the author. As I mentioned, I am not this author's target audience but his writing transported me to a very happy place. If my experience is anything to go by, genre preference has little to do with captivating a reader.

Tom Easton has had over a dozen books published. His writing talents range from chapter books to young adult novels. Boy’s Don’t Knit is very clever. Ned, the main character is very likable in a completely flawed way, he is the kind of kid you want to succeed in life, you want to keep listening to his ‘voice’.

"I told Dad where I was going and he seemed really proud, like I was off to receive a Duke of Edinburgh award as opposed to what I was actually doing, which was fulfilling the terms of my probation by providing home assistance to an old lady I'd nearly killed. I suppose it's good to have his support, but if he's proud of me over this it does tend to suggest he has quite low expectations. I clearly don't need to do much to earn his respect. If I'm ever in the dock at Basingstoke Crown Court facing a thirty stretch for a triple murder, I can be sure Dad will be there in the gallery wiping away a tear, beside himself with pride at the fact that I managed to tie my own tie."

The book if read in a senior classroom situation would raise healthy discussion. I found it refreshing, the serious matters of peer pressure, sex, vandalism and theft are raised in this story and handled in a modern yet sensitive way without being condescending or preachy. The characters are fully formed and each supports the main character well.

The story gives room for sequels (I know there is one coming) and I am sure each would be an enjoyable read, in fact, I see a movie.

  

Jacque Duffy is the author and illustrator of picture book The Bear Said Please and the series ‘That’s not a …' learn to read books used in all Queensland State Primary Schools and one local history coffee table book.

An English Boy in New York, the sequel to Boys Don’t Knit is out August 2014.