Be Home For Armageddon

 Be Home for Armageddon by Luke Edwards (Omnibus)
PB RRP $16.99
ISBN 978-1-86291-941-9
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Be Home for Armageddon starts with a bang when something falls from the sky creating a huge crater in a suburban street. Making it even more mysterious is the terrifying suction which draws objects into the crater at random intervals.

No-one in the neighbourhood seems quite sure about what to do and it falls to Victor and Soo, science nuts, lovers of sci-fi movies and addicts of old arcade games, to investigate what they hope is an alien invasion. After discovering what has moved in to the crater in Grundell Street, they enlist the reluctant help of their science teacher Mr Blake.

Although Victor, Soo and Blake are comfortable with the new residents, the Holingtons, the rest of the streets residents’ are not. Victor’s mother decides it would be best to move, far away. Then a gift from the Holingtons, with which they hoped to win favour with their neighbours, creates even more problems and the three realise that the Holingtons may not be quite so harmless after all.

This is a great science fiction story for young teenagers. It has an original premise, with twists and turns that surprised me many times. Although I didn’t always understand the scientific content (black holes, sentient beings, planet systems and computer technology) many science fiction readers will, and it didn’t detract from the storyline for me anyway. And the ever present vague sense of approaching doom kept me hooked until the end.

This adventure will appeal to both male and female readers. There are strong characters of both genders and it is a straight forward sci-fi adventure without added issues, coming of age problems or romance distractions. It is a light read and the often amusing banter between Victor and Soo keeps this adventure bouncing along.  

The Staring Owl

The Staring Owl written and illustrated by Luke Edwards (Omnibus for Scholastic Australia) 

HB RRP $22.99 

ISBN 9781862919112

Reviewed by Dawn Meredith.

A singularly unique book, this volume grabs you straight away with its cover – an owl with huge, staring, golden eyes. The size of the book (208x135) is a very comfortable format and the matte finish works well with the glossy yellow eyes.

Owl is a born champion starer and finds it difficult to understand why people object to something he thinks is perfectly natural. In looking for employment he considers the Air Force, becoming a therapist or a spy, but each of these jobs has its limitations for someone who loves to stare, unblinking, for hours. The only sanctuary he finds is in the art gallery. Until one day…

Edwards’ style of illustration reminds me of Matisse. Heavy charcoal  lines, simple shapes, good solid composition. The only colour on each page is reserved for Owl’s staring eyes. I found by the time I reached the end of the story my eyes were wide open and my brows raised. Hilarious!

The writing is unpretentious, humorous and emotionally accessible for children:

          Unfortunately, most people aren’t used to being stared at. Owl’s piercing gaze could make them very uneasy. It was hard for Owl too. Everyone treated him like some kind of weirdo.

You get the feeling Owl knows what it’s like to be on the outer social rim, looking in, bewildered. Many children may relate to this feeling. I know I do! I did enjoy this book and I think its quirky subject matter make it fun to read.

Scholastic provide teacher’s notes written by Anita Jonsberg which can be downloaded here: http://www.scholastic.com.au/schools/education/teacherresources/assets/pdfs/StaringOwl.pdf

Dawn Meredith writes from the Blue Mountains. She was awarded a May Gibbs Writer’s fellowship in 2011. You can follow her exploits here: www.dawnmeredithauthor.blogspot.com