Shalott – Into the Unknown

Shalott – Into the Unknown by Felicity Pulman (Holmes House Press) PB ISBN: 9781922389602

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Shalott – Into the Unknown is the first book in Felicity Pulman’s new retelling of her earlier Shalott series, extensively re-written for a new generation. In her own words, “They’re now a lot more magical, although they’re essentially the same story.” And the book is certainly magical.

“The Lady of Shalott” by John William Waterhouse (1888) is one of my favourite paintings. It took my breath away, and I have a print hanging on the wall in my office. It is obvious that the poem by Tennison (the inspiration for the painting) has deeply affected Pulman as much as it did Waterhouse, as well as Cassie, the main protagonist in the story. Cassie’s quest is to change the fate of the Lady of Shalott, saving her along with King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table.

The book has a Narnia feel about it. Although this was all supposed to happen in a computer program, Cassie, and a group of four other teenagers are transported to the magical kingdom of Camelot. What Cassie, her twin sister El, their friend Meg, and two boys, Stephen, and Lev (who they barely know) discover in this fantastical medieval world challenges everything they believe. Their story intertwines with the characters from Arthurian legend, King Arthur himself, the tragic lovers Lancelot and Guinevere, Mordred, and the ambitious Morgan le Fay.

Pulman has woven a tale of intrigue and courage, with a cast of interesting characters. The teens are all complex and wonderfully flawed. Their lives are fleshed out and deftly developed during their attempts to help Cassie complete her quest, and to discover a way to transport themselves home.

This is a delightfully imaginative story mixing Arthurian legend with modern day technology. This book will appeal to both girls and boys, teens, and young adults, especially fans of historical fiction.

 

James Tedesco – Red vs Blue

James Tedesco – Red vs Blue by James Tedesco and Heath McKenzie (Pan Macmillan Australia) PB RRP $14.99     ISBN: 9781760982928

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

James Tedesco – Red vs Blue is the second book from the Tedesco/Mckenzie team about the early rugby league life of legend player, James Tedesco. The book is full of cool characters and fun illustrations and follows young James as he attempts to start up a new under 12’s team in the local competition.

For readers who don’t know James Tedesco, nicknamed Teddy, he is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL. He is a Dally M winner; a NSW State of Origin back-to-back winner; and a back-to-back NRL grand-final winner. He has played for Italy and Australia at international level. It is obvious from the book that Teddy had a great love of and talent for the game since childhood.

The story is entertaining and full of adventure and misadventure as Tedesco tries to put together his new team, the Camden Blue’s. His plan is hampered when half of his former teammates have moved away or taken up new sports. Recruiting new players for his team is urgent, tricky, and often amusing. Time is running out because their game against their archrivals, Camden Red’s is fast approaching.

This is definitely a fun book and a must read for any young rugby league fans. It is an easy read and a good story with quirky illustrations by Heath McKenzie.

 

The Golden Tower

The Golden Tower by Belinda Murrell (Puffin Books) PB RRP $16.99  ISBN: 9781760897093

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

The Golden Tower is a middle grade fantasy adventure by Belinda Murrell, one of Australia’s most respected children’s authors. Sophie travels from Australia to stay with her grandmother in England, but never in her wildest dreams could she imagine where she will end up.

While exploring the ruins of an ancient roman villa near her grandmother’s house, Sophie encounters a strange cat. She follows it through a hidden cleft in the rock, only emerge into Tuscia, a wonderous world of flying horses, magic, mystery and danger. She meets Isabella and Bia, discovering the terrible fate their stepmother has planned for them. With only the help of a stable boy and a talking cat, Sophie must discover if she is brave enough to try and save her new friends.

This story explores how a learning disorder can destroy a person’s confidence and self-esteem, and the struggle needed to overcome their disability. The story also draws upon the rich tapestry of Italian fairy tales and history of strong females from Renaissance Italy.

The Golden Tower blends history and fantasy to build a rich and magical setting. The cast of strong female characters will make this book a favourite for young girls, but there is enough action and adventure in these pages to win over male readers as well. The ending holds an unexpected twist and although all the clues were there, but it still came as a surprise to me.

This book is highly recommended.

Mountain Arrow – Book Two of The Burning Days

Mountain Arrow – Book Two of The Burning Days by Rachel Hennessy (Midnight Sun) YA Science Fiction RRP $19.99 ISBN: 9781925227741

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Mountain Arrow is the second instalment of the post-apocalyptic Burning Days series by Rachel Hennessy, following on from River Stone. Pandora is reluctantly settling back into life in her village, still torn between her chosen partner Matthew, and Bayat, the young hunter from the Mountain People. She also harbours guilt over her friend Fatima who went missing during their mission in the first book. Pandora is determined to leave the village to find her missing friend. Her plans are complicated when Bayat and his people arrive in her village.  

This volume of the series delves deeper into village life, which, although interesting, tended to slow the action of the story. Pandora’s indecision about following her heart or her parent’s expectations was angsty and at times grated like fingernails on a chalkboard.

The interludes in the first book, shown through the letters to Pandora from her mother are mirrored in Mountain Arrow through tape recordings by Fatima. These sections were a highlight for me, coming closer to the action of the first book. It is apparent that Mountain Arrow is the setup for the conclusion of the series in the next book. I have higher hopes for the next book.

Hennessy has created an interesting cast of characters in an exciting post-apocalyptic world. There are questions still to be answered about the city and the creation of the strange once human feral creatures inhabiting it.

Although Mountain Arrow is a lot slower than River Stone, I would recommend it to readers 12 years+ and fans of character-driven dystopian fiction.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold

Gold by Jackie Kerin and Annie White (Ford Street Publishing) RRP: $24.95 ISBN: 9781925804539

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Gold is an illustrated non-fiction picture book about the goldrush in the Victorian goldfields, and four men who struck it big. The Blanche Barkley nugget was one of the biggest gold nuggets ever found in Australia. Although the government at the time tried to keep the find a secret, word got out and triggered the Victorian goldrush.

Gold is a non-fiction book but Jackie Kerin’s text reads like a story. It is evocative and in parts poetic. Young readers who thrive on factual texts will find this book exhilarating. There are several pages of cameo appearances at the back of the book from the diggers, young Blanche, for who the nugget was named, through to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. These expand on the historical importance of the story. The illustrations by Annie White are delightful and bright. They capture the feel of the gold diggings and complement the text beautifully.

The gold rush in Australia is a staple history subject in primary schools and Gold would make an excellent learning resource. I definitely recommend this book for both Stage 1 and Stage 2 teachers to enhance their lessons on this subject. This is a must-have book for school libraries.

Stupid Carrots

 

Stupid Carrots– by David Campbell and Daron Parton (Scholastic Press) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN: 9781760970024

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Stupid Carrots is a picture book with a theme every parent can relate to -- having a child who is a fussy eater. From end page to end page, this book is beautifully designed. The colour palette is appealing, and the illustrations are clean and simple with no fussy backgrounds. The text and illustration both work to enhance the other in this delightful picture book.

Betty is a young rabbit who has decided that carrots are stupid, and she does not like them, and she will not eat them. Her attempts at convincing her parents of this fact are amusingly flawed and absolutely typical of my own children’s attempts to avoid food they had never tried but were still convinced they hated.

Stupid Carrots is a book that can be enjoyed by parents and children alike. The entire team who put this book together have done a wonderful job. I definitely recommend it for preschool and school-aged children. It is a fun attention grabber, sure to leave them laughing.

Dry to Dry

Dry to Dry – by Pamela Freeman and Liz Anelli (Walker Books) RRP $26.99 ISBN: 9781760650285

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Dry to Dry is an illustrated non-fiction picture book about the changing seasons in Kakadu National Park. As the seasons move from dry to wet and back to dry, this book showcases how the astonishing variety of plants and animals have been shaped by the changing landscape.

Pamela Freeman has threaded a story about the abundance of life in Kakadu, through the dramatic changing of the seasons. Each page is accompanied by factual notes that make this book an educational treasure. Liz Anelli’s illustrations are delightfully painted and packed full of hidden detail.

From end page to end page, Dry to Dry is a visual delight. After reading the book, I showed it to the Stage 2 teachers at the school where I work. They were excited by its educational potential. Not only is it a great picture book to read, it is packed full of interesting facts about the diversity of life in the Kakadu.

This is a must have book for every school library.

Ling Li’s Lantern

Ling Li’s Lantern – by Steve Heron and Benjamin Johnston (Midnight Sun Publishing) Picture Book  RRP $29.99 ISBN: 9781925227673

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Ling Li’s Lantern is a beautifully illustrated picture book about compassion and kindness. It is written in the style of a traditional Chinese folktale, where a father tries to show his children the true meaning of wisdom.

Ling Li and her two older brothers are set a challenge to test their wisdom. They have one day to go to the marketplace and return with something to fill their empty pagoda. Ling Li’s brothers are clever and practical and complete the task quickly. How can she prove herself to her father, when she returns from the marketplace with only a lantern to light her way?  

Ling Li’s Lantern is a heart-warming story that shows the reader that a kind and compassionate heart is more valuable than money or winning a challenge. Steve Heron’s story is wonderfully imagined and enhanced through the delightful illustrations of Benjamin Johnston. He has captured the cultural feel of the story perfectly. His generally muted colour palette makes Ling Li’s yellow outfit shine, like the bright lantern she returns home with.

This is a lovely and quiet picture book with a great message. It would make an excellent addition to any child’s library. Definitely recommended.