Cricket I Just Love It

Cricket I Just Love It by Alister Nicholson and Tom Jellett (Allen and Unwin) RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781760526801

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Cricket I Just Love It, is a fun, rhyming non-fiction picture book for readers of all ages, especially lovers of cricket. The delightful illustrations by Tom Jellett mesh perfectly with the text that rolls easily off the tongue.

Cricket is not just a sport for boys. This has become much more obvious over the last decade with the kid’s cricket programs like Cricket Blast, and with the higher profile women’s cricket has been getting on television. Cricket is not just five days of standing in a field anymore. With the one-day game and the amazing, action packed Twenty20 Big Bash, cricket has become an everyday sport in Summer. This quirky and fun book takes the message a step further to show that anyone can say and mean the words, “Cricket, I just love it. It really is the best.”

For newcomers to the game of cricket, Alister Nicholson explains every aspect of the game. We learn about the gear, the rules, the fielding positions, the batting shots, and the dangers of practicing inside. We are introduced to some of the legends of the game like Meg Lanning, Perry and Healy, Don Bradman, Lillee, and Ponting. It also shows that cricket is not just played on cricket ovals. You can play almost anywhere, at school, in the back yard and even at the beach. Cricket is for everyone.

One of my favourite pages in the book has an amazing illustration by Tom Jellett of a game of backyard cricket. There are boys and girls, a dog and the bowler sits in a wheelchair. The text reads, “Cricket, WE just love it! A great game for us all. Girls and boys, the young and old, the big and very small! On wheels, bare feet and four legs too, no matter what your style. Get out, enjoy some cricket… it’s sure to make you smile.” The book certainly made me smile, (and in one place, nearly wet myself laughing.)

Cricket, I just Love It is a wonderful book, from the text and illustrations to the design of the endpapers, which show fun cricket facts and the meanings of some rather whacky cricketing words. At the end of the book, there is a QR code that the reader can scan to listen to an audiobook version of the book read by the author.  I thoroughly recommend this to readers young and old. It would also make a great resource for school libraries.

Mina and the Whole Wide World

Mina and the Whole Wide World by Sherryl Clark and Briony Stewart (UQP) University of Queensland Press PB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 9780702263231

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Mina wants her own bedroom more than anything else in the whole wide world. And it is almost ready! Just one more lick of sunny yellow paint and it is hers.

Mina and the Whole Wide World is a verse novel by award winning children’s author, Sherryl Clark, and illustrated by Briony Stewart. Mina shares a room with her little brother, and none of her precious treasures are safe around him. Her new room and the freedom and privacy that she longs for, is almost ready… But Mina’s parents take in an unexpected guest, and they give her room away. Mina is so heartbroken that she cannot speak or listen. She doesn’t care that this new boy, Azzami – whose name sounds like a bumblebee – needs a place to stay.

At school, Azzami attracts the attention of bullies and Mina, caught in the crossfire, is left on the outside as well. She wishes Azzami would talk or stand up for himself. When she finds Azzami’s drawings, Mina discovers his story and really thinks about the life of this quiet boy, staying in her room.

Mina and the Whole Wide World is my second exploration into verse novels. I found it easier this time to get into the flow of the story. I read it in one sitting. The text was poetic and evocative, but simply written. The connection to Mina’s shifting feelings draws the reader into her mind and builds an emotional connection to her, and to Azzami, as her connection with him grows.

This book is beautifully written. It is emotional and heart-warming and shines a light on the heartbreak and uncertainty facing refugees, fleeing the dangers of their war-torn homes. But it does this in a gentle way that children can understand and empathise with.

 

This is a beautiful book and the lovely illustrations by Briony Stewart lift it to another level. I believe this book is both topical and important. It is a book I highly recommend for readers, both young and old.

Growing Pains

Growing Pains by Alison McLennan and Melissa Johns (EK Books) RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781925820522

 Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty 

Growing Pains is another beautifully designed picture book from EK Books. It explores the curiosity and kindness of Finn, who worries about the young tree his family has just planted in the garden.

As the weather turns cold, Finn fears that the tree might be suffering. Does it feel like he does? Is it cold, hungry, and scared out in the yard alone? But his innocent tenderness toward the tree leads him to discover, he too can be brave. This is a beautifully written story by Alison McLennan, capturing the delightful curiosity of children, although I am not sure the title completely captures the heart of the story.

The gorgeous illustrations throughout this book, by Melissa Johns are created through collage. The illustrations give the book a textural feel that make you want to run your fingers over the pictures. I would dearly love to see and touch the original art works. I particularly love how she captured Finn’s breath coming out in a cloud of steam in the frosty morning.

Growing Pains is a quiet, lovely story, and a visual delight. It also has a message for a child to discover along the way. I recommend this book as a great bedtime read and even as a resource for teachers looking at doing a collage art project with their students.

The Art of Words

The Art of Words by Robert Vescio and Joanna Bartel (EK Books) PB RRP $24.99 ISBN: 9781925820843

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

The Art of Words is a beautifully designed picture book from end paper to end paper. It is an exploration of the wonder of writing, for the child who is just discovering the magic of words. 

Through the book we find some of the amazing things about words and what we can do with them. Words can be stretched and shortened, reversed, and sewn together. They can be big, or small, colourful, or ugly. The book even shows that through punctation, words can shout, ask a question, pause, and abbreviate. And if they are stitched together into a story, they can be shared.

The Art of Words is not a traditional story picture book: however, there is a visual storyline running through the pages, of the two characters and their dog, on their journey of discovery into the wonder of words. 

The team at EK Books have produced a visually delightful book. The illustrations by Joanna Bartel are a great fit for Robert Vescio’s text. The design elements of this book are first class.

This is probably not a book a younger child would ask for as a bedtime story but for a child discovering the power of words, it is a definite winner.

Footprints on the Moon

Footprints on the Moon by Lorraine Marwood (UQP) University of Queensland Press PB RRP $16.99 ISBN: 9780702262838

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Humans are about to leave footprints on the moon, but what sort of mark can one girl make here on Earth?

Footprints on the Moon is a verse novel set in 1969, at the time of the moon landing and the anti-Vietnam War protests, as seen through the eyes of Sharnie Burley a young girl who is starting high school.

Sharnie’s life is becoming complicated; she is struggling to find friends at high school, her older sister Cas is becoming distant and secretive, rifts are growing in her family, and Gran has been forgetting things. Around her, excitement is building about the imminent moon landing, and tensions are building in town around the anti-war protests. Can Sharnie find her own way in this brave new world?

Footprints on the Moon is my first exploration into verse novels. I found it a little strange at first to read. With so few words on the page, it should have been a fast read, but I often found myself going over and examining sections of verse, probably a throw-back from dissecting poems at school. Parts of the text, although poetically written, could easily have been written across the page like a normal prose book, but overall, the verse format certainly fits and works beautifully well. It also helps draw the reader into Sharnie’s mind and strengthens the emotional connection to her.

This book is raw and emotional in a world full of uncertainty. It distils the turmoil of the times through the lens of one young girl, going through her own emotional battles. As such, this book would make an excellent accompaniment to school history texts. For adults who grew up in the sixties and seventies, the story releases a wave of nostalgia for those times. Although Footprints on the Moon uses historical events, the emotional uncertainty explored in the book is just as relevant today.

This is a wonderful book that I believe readers, both young and old, will adore.

Grumpy Monkey – Party Time

Grumpy Monkey – Party Time by Suzanne and Max Lang (Scholastic Press) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN: 9781760975104

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Grumpy Monkey – Party Time, is a delightful book about overcoming anxiety and learning it is okay not to follow the crowd.

Jim Panzee receives an invitation to Porcupine’s party, but he is anxious about going because he doesn’t know how to dance. His friends all try to teach Jim some moves, and he is swept along by their enthusiasm, all the way to the party. Unable to bear it any longer, Jim’s declaration that he doesn’t want to be there is met with disbelief… until some of the other animals confess that they are uncomfortable too.

Grumpy Monkey – Party Time is not a picture book that can be quietly to a child at bedtime (if you really want them to go to sleep). I read this to kindergarten and year one children at school and found myself being dragged into the story, doing all the voices and actions. I had to stop at times to let the children catch their breath and gather them back in as they were literally rolling around on the floor in hysterics. At the end, I was met with calls of “Read it again.”

The team at Scholastic who put this book together have done a wonderful job. Suzanne Lang’s story is tight and funny and the illustrations by Max Lang are bold and bright and suit the text perfectly. The design elements with the huge fold out centre pages add to the overall appeal. I highly recommend this book. It is one that adults will love reading to their children.

Bedtime is Boring

Bedtime is Boring by David Campbell and Daron Parton (Scholastic Press) RRP $17.99 ISBN: 9781760976507

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Bedtime is Boring is another picture book by David Campbell and Daron Parton with a theme that parents can relate to. Stupid Carrots was about having a child who is a fussy eater. Bedtime is Boring, looks at the antics of a child refusing to go to bed.

The design elements of this book are eye-catching and bright, from the fluorescent orange cover and yellow end pages. The illustrations by Daron Parton, like the earlier book, are clean and simple with no fussy backgrounds.

Billy is a young rabbit who has decided he does not want to go to bed, even when his parents insist. He has too much to do and no time for sleep. This scenario is something every parent has gone through. I don’t think David Campbell was as successful with Bedtime is Boring as it lacked some of the clever humour in Stupid Carrots.

Bedtime is Boring is a picture book that can be enjoyed by parents and children alike. I recommend this book for preschool and early school aged children.

Macca and Al, Super Pals

Macca and Al, Super Pals by Matt Cosgrove (Koala Books) HB RRP $17.99 ISBN: 9781760970246

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Macca and Al, Super Pals is the seventh book in the Macca the Alpaca picture book series. What can I say, other than these books are universally adored by children? They are clever and funny with catchy rhyming texts, wonderfully quirky illustrations, and a cast of intriguing characters.  

In Macca and Al, Super Pals, Macca and Al take their love for comic books and superheroes to the next level: they decide to become superheroes. Their antics are gut-wrenchingly funny for both children and adults. I read this book to a class of kindergarten and year one students. They were literally rolling on the floor with laughter, particularly when the scenes involved underpants. I also read the book to my eighty-year-old mother who was laughing so hard she was crying and nearly wet her pants. 

This series of picture books is one of my favourites and Macca and Al, Super Pals does not disappoint. This book is light and funny and will be loved and re-read by children of all ages. I definitely recommend this book!

League of Llamas – Undercover Llamas and Rogue Llama

League of Llamas – Undercover Llamas and Rogue Llama by Aleesah Darlison (Penguin Random House) RRP $6.99 ISBN: 9781760894191 and 

ISBN: 9781760894207

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Undercover Llamas and Rogue Llama are books three and four in Aleesah Darlison’s League of Llamas series for children. Like the first two instalments, they are a fun, and punny mix of James Bond and Mission Impossible with a bumbling Get Smart spy twist. These two books take our heroes away from the Llama Republic to exotic locations like Chickenlovakia, Ratopia and Categonia.

Phillipe Llama has a magnificent fringe, which often distracts him from his duties as an agent of LOL, the League of Llamas. His partner Lloyd has an unfortunate eating disorder. He is unable to resist the temptation to eat everything in his path. Elloise Llamaresky, the third member of their team is stylish, elegant and unlike Phillipe and Lloyd, she is a competent spy.

In Undercover Llamas, the LOL agents are going undercover in the world of pop music. They are joining the band of pop idol Bruno Llamars, on his tour of Chickenlovakia. Elloise is a big fan of the singer and Phillipe is a little jealous.

In Rogue Llama, Phillipe, Agent 0011 has been framed for a crime he did not commit. He puts on a disguise and sets off to find the true criminal. Phillipe is being hunted by both friends and enemies, and as he investigates, thing begin to make even less sense. He starts to smell a rat, or maybe an old nemesis.

These League of Llamas books are short, fun, and easy to read. They are packed full of even more interesting and wonderfully flawed characters. The amusing spy references are sure to keep parents engaged, and the llama and other animal puns will leave kids howling with laughter as they follow the antics of Phillipe, Lloyd and Elloise. The fun black and white illustrations by Simon Greiner add to the reading experience.

The League of Llamas books are adventures that play brilliantly to the funny bones of young readers. Definitely recommended.

League of Llamas – The Golden Llama and Llama Impossible

League of Llamas – The Golden Llama and Llama Impossible by Aleesah Darlison (Penguin Random House) 

RRP $6.99 ISBN: 9781760894160 and 9781760894184

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

The Golden Llama and Llama Impossible are the first two books in Aleesah Darlison’s League of Llamas books for children. They are a fun, and very pun-filled mix of James Bond, Mission Impossible and Get Smart spy dramas with wonderfully flawed, hero llamas and dastardly, evil flatulent badgers. What more could a child ask for?

Phillipe Llama has a magnificent fringe, which often distracts him from his duties as an agent of LOL, the League of Llamas. His partner Lloyd has an unfortunate eating disorder. He is unable to resist the temptation to eat everything in his path.

In the Golden Llama, these bumbling agents must find a way to stop the evil badger General Bottomburp, and find the Llama Republic’s most prized relic, the Golden Llama. To complicate matters they must solve the mystery of the alluring lady Llama in red.

In Llama Impossible, we see a runaway train, a muscle-bound, eyeball-licking gecko, a bank robbery, and dazzling diamond heist. But don’t worry, our intrepid (or ineptid) LOL agents are on the case. Is General Bottomburp up to his tricks again, or is there a new kingpin in town?

The League of Llamas books are packed full of interesting and wonderfully flawed characters. There are amusing spy references throughout the books that are sure to keep parents engaged, and so many llama and other animal puns, that kids will be howling with laughter as they follow the antics of Phillipe and Lloyd. The fun black and white illustrations by Simon Greiner add to the reading experience.

The League of Llamas books are short, fun, and easy to read adventures that play brilliantly to the funny bones of young readers. With a villain called General Bottomburp, these books are sure to be a hit, particularly with boys. Working in a primary school, I know, fart jokes still rule. Highly recommended.  

The Ghost of Howlers Beach

The Ghost of Howlers Beach by Jackie French (Angus & Robertson) PB

RRP $16.99 ISBN: 9781460757727

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

The Ghost of Howlers Beach is the latest historical fiction book for children by Jackie French and appears to be the first in a series called The Butter O’Bryan Mysteries. The story takes place on the east coast of NSW, in the early 1930’s during the Great Depression.

Twelve-year-old Butter lives in a Very Small Castle with his Father and three aunts, whose real names are not Aunt Elephant, Aunt Peculiar and Aunt Cake. Although Butter is the grandson of one of Australia’s most successful Jam Kings, he is still aware of the hardships and suffering of the people around him. This becomes more apparent after meeting three children and their dog playing cricket on his beach. Butter believes the children are from the nearby susso (sustenance payment) camp. The children are secretive and when they vanish, Butter wonders, who are these children and why they refuse his help? He is certain Gil, Olive and little Tish are hiding a secret and he is determined to uncover it.

  

You can teach children facts and figures about events in history like the Great Depression, polio epidemics, the aftermath of war, rampant unemployment and the suffering and helplessness of people who can’t even afford to feed their families. I remember learning about these topics in school, but they had no tangible effect on me because it was almost impossible to conceptualise what living in those hard times would be like.

Jackie French lures the reader into this world through the eyes of her naive and caring narrator, Butter. He comes from a wealthy family and is not suffering like the families living in the Susso camp, but his family is broken in other ways. This is a story that touches the heart and brings history to life in a way my history teachers never did.

One of the main take-a-ways from this book for me was the reoccurring theme of helplessness. The helplessness of the damaged soldiers returning from war, the unemployed and their families living in desperate poverty, the children living in fear of being taken away by the authorities, but also the helplessness of  kind-hearted people who see such enormous issues and cannot find a way that they can make a difference. This is a theme that has great relevance with current issues like the recent devastating bush fires, the refugee crisis and climate change.

The Ghost of Howlers Beach is an excellent book and I highly recommend it for readers 8-12 years old. I would also recommend it to teachers who want to bring this period of history to life for their students. There are some great teaching resources at the back of the book dealing with the cause of the Great Depression, the Susso, making do, Indigenous Dispossession, Don Bradman, as well as some interesting recipes from the time.

Brotherband – Return of the Temujai

Brotherband: Return of the Temujai by John Flanagan (Penguin Random House)

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

John Flanagan’s Brotherband books are a spin-off from his exciting and successful Ranger’s Apprentice series. Return of the Temujai is the eighth instalment in Brotherband series.

The Heron Brotherband are on a mission to check on the defences at Fort Ragnak, the one pass through the mountains between the Eastern Steppes and Skandia. The fearsome Temujai Warriors from the steppes have never given up on their ambition to conquer Skandia and they are on the move again. The border fort is secured, but if the fearsome Temujai can find another way down to the coast, all will be lost. Hal and his small crew are then sent by Erak, the Scandian leader, to investigate and do whatever it takes to stop their most formidable enemy from invading the coast.

I have read most of the Ranger’s Apprentice books, but this is the first of the Brotherband series that I have looked at. Even though, Return of the Temujai is the eighth book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. I found that it was easy to follow. The characters were well developed, and I slipped into their interactions without any of the usual confusion when picking up a series midway through. The book is full of action, clever plotting and plenty of humour.

This is an excellent book that would suit readers 8-12 years old. I would highly recommend it, particularly for reluctant boy readers who need books with loads of action and adventure. I am definitely going to catch up on the earlier books in the series and look forward to Flanagan’s next instalment.

Marlow Brown – Scientist in the Making

Marlow Brown – Scientist in the Making by Kesta Fleming (Celapene Press) PB RRP $14.95 ISBN: 9781925572186

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Marlow Brown – Scientist in the Making is the debut chapter book by author Kesta Fleming. Marlow is a feisty young girl who dreams of being a scientist, just like her uncle Quentin. However, her chaotic experiments are beginning to drive Mum crazy. With each new experiment, Marlow runs the risk of being banned from experimenting altogether. However, Marlow needs to find a way to stay on Mum’s good side while continuing to follow her dream.

Marlow and her dog, Rockstar come up with a list of experiments they can do at home. Unfortunately, most of their experiments have unexpected results that get Mum into a tizzy. It is only with the help of her uncle Quentin and her meticulous note-keeping, that Mum gives her Marlow last chance.  What could possibly go wrong?

This is a wonderful book to encourage young science-loving girls to follow their dreams. It is simply written, full of interesting facts and easy-to-follow scientific methods and procedures. Marlow is a great role model for young readers, even though her scientific endeavours aren’t always successful.  The book has lots of quirky illustrations by Marjory Gardner that enhance the text. I love the fact that, at the end of the book, the author has included an experiment for readers to try at home.

I definitely recommend this book for 7-12-year-old readers, particularly girls, although I am sure boys would enjoy the story just as much. The book is fun and easy to read. It is an excellent transition book from picture books and early readers, to junior novels.

Max Booth Future Sleuth – Film Flip

Max Booth Future Sleuth – Film Flip by Cameron Macintosh and Dave Atze

(Big Sky Publishing) RRP $12.99 PB ISBN: 9781922265104

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Set in the year 2424, Max Booth and his sleepwalking robo-dog Oscar have escaped from the Skyburb 7 Home for Unclaimed Urchins and found a home in a crate in the storeroom of the Bluggsville City Museum. Luckily, Jessie, the supervisor of the storeroom lets them live there. On occasions she even gets Max and Oscar to use their sleuthing powers to help find and identify rare historical treasures.

In this story, Max, Oscar and Jessie investigate a strange cylindrical object that turns out to be a 400-year-old film canister from the time before digital cameras. If there are images on the film, they would be rare, and valuable. Unfortunately, there are others who will stop at nothing to get the film. Max must outsmart the secretive members of the Bluggsville East Photographic Society, as well as Captain Selby and his goons from the Unclaimed Urchin Recapture Squad. 

 

This is a fun and exciting book for young readers of adventure stories. The story is fast, quirky and although written for children, adults who read it would find the story nostalgic. The book is full of cool black and white illustrations by Dave Atze that help the reader imagine the characters.

Film Flip is the fourth book in the Max Booth Future Sleuth series, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. Other titles in the series have Max investigating even stranger things like audio cassette tapes, postage stamps and even the concept of selfies.

This is a great concept for a children’s book series full of fun characters and interesting topics. I would highly recommend this book to young readers and adults who want to reminisce about the good old days.

  

Song Bird – Great Barrier Reef Rescue

Song Bird – Great Barrier Reef Rescue by Karen Tyrrell

(Digital Future Press) RRP $14:95     ISBN: 9780648161745

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Something bad is happening on Green Turtle Island. Marine creatures are dying, and Rosie’s aka Song Bird superhero’s friends are disappearing. Can Song Bird find her friends and rescue the Great Barrier Reef before it is too late?

After winning a free vacation; Rosie, her parents, sister Raven and friends Ben and Amy fly to Green Turtle Island. Unfortunately, someone has sabotaged their helicopter and Rosie must use her Song Bird superpowers to save them. That is the first clue that something is wrong. A resort with no other guests, cancelled activities, missing turtles and tropical fish washing up on the beach make it clear that her nemesis, Destructo is up to his old tricks again.

Rosie and her friends must travel through a time portal to a magical aquatic land to find a way to save the reef in her own time. To foil Destructo’s evil plot, Song Bird must overcome her fears, face mechanical sharks and discover which of her friends is betraying her.  

This is a book for young readers who love a strong female hero. It is a fantastical adventure into an underwater wonderland. The story highlights the current plight of the Great Barrier Reef, one of our wonders of the natural world.  It is fast paced, and the characters are diverse and interesting. An appendix at the back of the book has some thought-provoking information and links to sites about the Great Barrier Reef.

This is the fourth book in the Song Bird series but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. I would recommend this book to 8-12-year-old readers.

Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables - On the Lookout

Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables - On the Lookout by Tim Harris (Puffin Books) PB RRP $14.99     ISBN: 9780143793144

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

On the Lookout is the fourth book in the Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables series by Tim Harris. The book is an illustrated junior novel with action filled illustrations by James Hart. It follows the adventures of Mr. Bambuckle and the unique children of class 12B.

On the Lookout begins on the final morning of school camp where it is discovered that one of the students, Vex Vron, has gone missing. The stern and often vengeful Miss Frost is delighted for the chance to bring down the eccentric Mr. Bambuckle until he points out the rule that holds her as the executive teacher, responsible. What follows is an investigation by the students to locate the run-a-way Vex.

There are quite a few characters in this story and except for the two new students to the class, Grace and Gabby Wu, there was not a lot of character development. This is understandable as On the Lookout is the fourth book in the series. Fortunately, there is an illustrated character profile of each student at the start of the book for readers who are new to the series. The story is fast-paced, quirky and funny with lots of little side tracks from the investigation.

On the Lookout is an excellent story that would appeal to both girls and boys who love a little nonsensical humour and a cast of strange and talented characters.  This book is a fun read and would be ideally suited to reluctant 8-12-year-old readers.   

Dragon Apocalypse

Dragon Apocalypse by D.C. Green (Ford Street) PB RRP $18.99 ISBN: 9781925272680

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Dragon Apocalypse is the third book in D.C. Green's City of Monsters series. One of the quotes on the back of this book reads, “Nothing you've experienced will prepare you for this.” That is seriously true. And having not read the first two books in the series made it three times as true. In the first two chapters we meet a formidable ogre bodyguard, a harpie, a giant talking skunk and a vampire – and they are by no means even close to the strangest characters in the story. 

The heroes of this story are the Dead Gang and they have a mission to save the last Dragon, who has been poisoned and is hiding out on the Isle of Giants. They must reach the island and defeat two separate armies of monsters and cyborgs intent on the dragon’s demise. To make matters worse, the health of the dragon is linked to that of the world. So, the stakes for success are certainly high.

D.C. Green’s writing is fast paced, visual and eccentric, with a unique tapestry of slang dialogue and humour that takes some getting used to. But once you do, the story flows and the crazy-weird cast of characters come into their own. I would recommend reading the first two books in the series before attempting this book. I did end up enjoying this book much more than I thought I would. In the beginning I struggled to work out the story-line and the characters, but by midway through I had caught up and the story thundered by at a break-necked pace.

This series would suit readers from about ten years of age and up into the young adult market, especially those readers who like their stories fast and quite a bit weird.

The Book of Answers

The Book of Answers by A.L. Tait (Hachette Australia) PB RRP $14.99     ISBN: 9780734417695

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

The Book of Answers is the second book in the gripping Ateban Cipher by A.L. Tait. It follows on from the first book in the series, The Book of Secrets.

Gabe and his companions must journey across the country to a remote mountain citadel to learn the secrets of the mysterious book he has been tasked to protect. They also need to find a way to rescue Merry and Gwyn's father from the executioner and to help their new friend, Eddie - Crown Prince Edward - to help prove he is the true prince. However, the king is gravely ill and the traitors who have put a look-a-like in Eddie’s place are hot on their heels and hunting them every step of the way.  

The remote fortress of Hayden's Mont does bring answers to Gabe and his companions, but not to the questions they were seeking. The stakes for the main characters have risen dramatically from the events in the first book and the group must re-evaluate their priorities in their life or death race to foil the traitors.

The Book of Answers is an excellent second addition to the Ateban Cipher series and is sure to be a hit with both girls and boys who love a great adventure story. The mix of female and male lead characters makes the story more interesting. Gwyn's stubborn confidence and young Midge's mysterious connection with animals, compliment Gabe and Eddie's determination. The companions will all have to build their trust and work together if they are to succeed in their quest.  This book is full of adventure and intrigue and would ideally suit readers 8-12 years old.   

The Royal Ranger - The Red Fox Clan

The Royal Ranger - The Red Fox Clan by John Flanagan (Random House Australia) PB RRP $18.99 ISBN: 9780143785903

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Maddie is a secret Ranger's Apprentice under the guidance of the legendary Will Treaty. However, for one month each year she must return home and resume her identity as Princess Madelyn. At the best of times Maddie finds castle life dull but to make matters worse, she will be stuck there while her father, Horace, and Gilan, the Commandant of the Ranger Corps, are taking half the garrison of Castle Araluen to put a stop to a group called the Red Fox Clan, which wants to restore the old law of male rulers for the kingdom.

This year's visit to the castle is anything but dull. Maddie uncovers long-kept secrets and a devastating plot against the crown. She must discover the identity of the man in the red fox mask or the peace her family have worked for could be in terrible danger.

Having read John Flanagan's original Ranger's Apprentice books some years ago, I found returning to the world of Araluen comfortable and familiar. It is good to see a new generation of Rangers’ books appearing to entertain a new generation of readers.

Maddie is confident, yet still has moments of vulnerability and self-doubt that make her character more likable. The book is full of adventure, treachery and action. It has a wonderful cast of interesting characters and the pace of the action and easy flow of the writing keep the reader turning the pages. I did find some parts of the book a little predictable. It may have been a lucky guess, but I picked the leader of the Red Fox Clan as soon as he was introduced into the story. The book was a thoroughly enjoyably read with a satisfying ending and leaves the way open for book three in the series which is coming later in 2018.

The Royal Ranger - The Red Fox Clan is the second book in the Royal Ranger series of middle grade fiction. It would suit readers 8-12 years old or readers who enjoy stories of fantasy and adventure with a confident young female hero. If you haven't already, readers are encouraged to read The Royal Ranger (Book 1) although this book can be read as a stand-alone story.

Paper Magic

Paper Magic by Jeffery E Doherty (IFWG Publishing)
PB RRP $15.99
ISBN 978-0-9923020-1-6
Reviewed by Jaquelyn Muller

Paper Magic is a new fiction chapter book from author/illustrator, Jeffery E Doherty. It tells the story of Marina who is a young girl of approximately 12 or 13, who like most girls her age, harbours insecurities and feelings of self-consciousness. What makes Marina’s case different is that for a reason unknown to the reader (but not integral to the plot), Marina is confined to a wheelchair.

The author states that the book is suited to secondary school readers, however I feel that grade five and six students would follow and identify with the themes of friendships and family while being intrigued by the mysticism of the ‘paper magic’. Doherty’s simple but textual black and white illustrations support the text also making it accessible for primary readers.

The mood of the story starts somewhat solemnly with Marina observing the bright and jovial landscape of the park from the distance of her room as she contemplates starting a new school. Marina’s frustration is made clear and it encourages the reader to continue so as to understand why she can’t go outside herself. It is not evident at first that Marina has a handicap.

Marina’s family are represented by her mother and grandmother and they follow a typical mother/daughter dynamic with tensions between each of the generations, leading the reader to think this may be a serious story.  However the grandmother’s introduction of enchanted paper surprises, and it quickly transforms the plot to a lively, engaging pace.

The magic paper along with Marina’s grandmother, lead her on to an adventure in the park where she meets Toby, Amelia and Sam. Together they unlock the true potential of ‘paper magic’ and along the way discover aspects of themselves which are conveyed via light-hearted mini-plots. The descriptive used by Doherty is original without being overworked.

Marina’s disability is not the focus of the story, but a vehicle for her insecurities. The idea of making new friends, starting a new school and navigating family will be familiar to most readers making Marina easily identifiable.

The origin of the magic paper and how Marina’s grandmother came to possess it is not ratified which could be explored in a follow up story or as prequel.

I found Paper Magic thought provoking while captivating and younger readers will have opportunities to draw conclusions and predict outcomes.

Jaquelyn Muller is a published picture book author and champion for early childhood literacy campaign, Let’s Read. Jaquelyn recently had her book I Love You 5 Lollipops exhibited at the China Shanghai Children’s International Book Fair in November 2013 and she regularly conducts literacy workshops for primary school students.