Tearaway Coach

Set during the Victorian Gold Rush, Tearaway Coach by Neridah McMullin, illustrated by Andrew McLean, is a story about a journey from Ballarat to Geelong in a Cobb & Co coach.

This is the blurb: When Fenton and his father catch the coach to Geelong, they have no idea that their driver of the team of powerful horses is the famous Edward Devine - 'Cabbage tree Ned' - or of the incredible adventure that lies ahead. A breathless story of bushrangers, danger, daring and escape as Fen finds himself holding the reins of the tearaway coach.

Neridah says: “I’m a descendent of gold rush immigrants (as many Australians are) so I’d always wanted to write a story set in this period. Having horses in it was the logical thing for me to do, and then in my research I read about Cabbage Tree Ned and couldn’t resist having him in it.”

Drover

Drover by Neridah McMullin, illustrated by Sarah Anthony (Walker Books) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN: 9781760653910

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Drover is responsible for getting a herd of cattle safely across the wild Australian interior. One night, a scurrying creature spooks a bullock, and all the animals take off towards the bush. With the help of the others in the company, Drover carefully rounds up the skittish cattle. When the dusty group finally reaches the town of Dajarra, the local people cheer.

In this evocative picture book aimed at kids aged four to eight, Neridah McMullin tells the stunning true story of Edna Jessop, Australia’s first female boss drover. However, youngsters are unaware that Drover is female until the end – Neridah allows Edna’s skill and bravery to shine brighter than her gender. Vivid imagery brings the Outback to life, immersing the reader in the danger and dynamism of droving.

Sarah Anthony’s rich paintings glow with the warm reds, oranges and yellows intrinsic to Australia’s harsh desert region. When trouble brews during the inky night, the bullocks’ distress charges towards the reader from midnight blue spreads. Children will adore seeking out every detail in the artworks, from the parrots gliding across the sky to the plump possum perched in a tree.

A feast for the eyes as well as the heart, Drover is a must for every Aussie bookshelf. It celebrates the resilience and determination that all drovers – men, women, European and Aboriginal – needed to survive the rugged Outback.

Evie and Rhino

Evie and Rhino by Neridah McMullin (Walker Books), Middle Grade, RRP $18.99, ISBN 978-1-760654-20-7

Reviewed by Susan Hancy

It’s no surprise that this book is shortlisted for the CBCA Younger Readers Book of the Year award. It’s a captivating and beautiful story about the bond formed between ten-year-old Evie, who hasn’t spoken in the last two years, and a shipwrecked rhinoceros.

A shipwrecked rhinoceros – how does that happen? This story is set in 1891 and based on the true event when a ship carrying a cargo of exotic animals, bound for the recently created Royal Melbourne Zoo, capsized off the South-West coast of Victoria. The author imagines an alternate destiny for the surviving cargo. A young rhinoceros, born and separated from his mother in captivity, manages to swim for shore with six rhesus monkeys on his back. They’re accompanied by two white cranes and six parrots flying overhead. Out wandering the sand dunes, Evie finds Rhino asleep on the beach, exhausted from his swim. She thinks she has found a living dinosaur and gives him food and water and cares for his wounds. Through her kindly actions, they form an instant connection.

Evie is excited to share her discovery of Rhino with Grandpa via a book illustration. He’s her sole surviving relative after the loss of her parents in a shipwreck two years prior – the cause of her grief and loss of speech. Grandpa was a highly-respected ornithologist, but there is something about one of the bird books in his extensive library that always causes him to look regretful and it’s a mystery to Evie. Grandpa allows Evie to add Rhino to their small stable of domestic animals – a horse, a cow, chickens, dogs and cats – but only temporarily because Rhino belongs to the zoo.

Grandpa does the right thing and informs the zoo by telegraph as soon as flood waters recede enough for him to travel into the closest township. Grandpa’s heart is torn between the fact that, at some point, a zoo representative will arrive to take Rhino away versus the happiness and positive developments he is seeing in Evie with Rhino’s presence. Evie can’t bear the thought of losing Rhino, especially to be locked up in an enclosure, and she does everything in her power to keep him. As the story unfolds, side plots reveal the reason for Grandpa’s regret and the fates of the other surviving creatures from the shipwreck. The love that Evie and Rhino develop for each other mends their respective broken hearts and, of course, Evie is able to ultimately keep Rhino. It would be too cruel for the story to end any other way. But how she manages to do so is the unexpected twist, and I’m not going to give that away.

This book is going to especially appeal to upper primary and middle grade girls and I can’t wait until my daughter can read this for herself. A smattering of exquisite illustrations by Astred Hicks elegantly complements this gem of a story.

DROVER

DROVER written by Neridah McMullin and illustrated by Sarah Anthony. Published by Walker Books Australia

The true story of an important pioneering woman in Australian history.

Courageous, clever and daring, Drover is one of a kind. Travelling through the heart of the outback, Drover delivers a mob of cattle. Searing heat, dust and flies, hardship and danger: these are just part of the job. But there's no place Drover would rather be. The truly remarkable story of legendary drover Edna Jessop is celebrated through stunning oil illustrations and evocative text.

Fabish the Horse that Braved a Bushfire

Fabish the Horse that Braved a Bushfire by Neridah McMullin, illustrated by Andrew McLean (Allen and Unwin) HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781925266863

Reviewed by Brook Tayla

Fabish the Horse that Braved a Bushfire is an outstanding picture book. It is a true, mysterious, intriguing and emotional story of an ex-racing horse which took seven yearlings under his wing during ‘The Black Saturday’ bushfires that swept through Victoria during 2009. Nobody knows where Fabish went to escape the fire, but he returned home with the other horses the following day – every one of them completely unscathed.

Neridah McMullin has horses in her heritage and totally fell in love with Fabish when she heard his story.  She described him as intelligent but also as having warmth not always associated with race horses. The words she uses in her story are heartfelt and compassionate, but strong too – as strong as Fabish, as strong as those that live on the land and deal with the harshness of bushfires.

There is something else I admire about Neridah’s writing: the way she incorporates ‘horse’ and ‘fire’ associated words into her story.  She incorporates words not typical in everyday language but does not shy away from using them, simplifying them, nor does she explain them.  An example of words used are: clods, yearlings, pranced, flighty, tack, whinnied, and billowing, embers, ablaze, doused, charred, desolate.

Children learn words from context, and often it is through the words in picture books that they first encounter and work out the meanings of words – sometimes on their own, through implied meaning, sometimes through discussion with adult story readers. There is a lot to talk about with this book.

The words and story come alive, too, with the illustrations of gifted Andrew McLean.  He has used a combination of watercolour paintings and sketches. Although he has stated that this is the first time that he had to draw and paint horses, you get a real sense of the emotional and personality traits of Fabish and all the horses throughout the story.  The colour palettes he uses make every page come alive so that you feel totally immersed in the world he creates.

I would recommend this book for readers 6+ years as a maturity level is needed to comprehend the complexities of the story.

The book evokes the need to re-read again and again, and also, to tell everyone you know how amazing this story about Fabish the very brave horse is.

Brook Tayla writes a blog called telltalestome@wordpress.com and would love you to drop by, read some reviews, leave a comment, and subscribe.

Harold & Grace

Harold & Grace by written and illustrated by Sean E Avery (Fremantle Press)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9-781-925-162-295

Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

Harold & Grace is a beautifully illustrated story about the power of friendship.

After a terrible storm, one slimy egg and one silky egg survive on a ‘lonely leaf growing on a tiny tree beside a little pond’. When the eggs hatch, Harold the tadpole and Grace the caterpillar quickly become unlikely best friends.

But when Harold starts to grow fins and spends more time swimming, Grace can’t join in the fun. Then one day, Harold remembers to visit his old friend at the lonely leaf, but finds that she’s gone, and only a small, silky sack remains.

Wherever could Grace be? Harold feels the full impact of his neglect of Grace and how they had grown apart.

However, Sean E Avery, cleverly brings them back together in a most humorous and thoroughly satisfying way.

I can’t help but think how much fun this picture would be in the classroom for both Pre-School and Primary students, perhaps up to Year 4 students.

It’s ideal for schools to explore both the Sustainability cross-curricular priority and Biological Science units. Project skills can be honed by the children researching the different species of butterflies and frogs that are native to Australia, as well as gaining an understanding of the life cycles of a butterflies and frogs. Harold and Grace could easily form the basis for an integrated learning unit on the theme of ‘ecology’ that could last an entire term.

The artwork is a humorous fusion of drawing and digital, the mainstay of colour palette being limited black and white tones with splashes of colour throughout.

Sean E Avery is a very talented sculptor and artist and there is no doubt his work is unique.

This is a highly recommended read for pre-school and middle primary school readers.

Neridah McMullin is the author of six books for children. Her next book is about a horse in a bushfire to be published by Allen & Unwin in 2016. Neridah loves family, footy and doing yoga with her cat Carlos (who also happens to love footy). www.neridahmcmullin.com. www.neridahmcmullin.wordpress.com

Dropping In

Dropping In by Geoff Havel (Fremantle Press)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9-781-925-162-233

Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

Dropping In is such an enjoyable read; I have to admit it had me from the blurb. From the language to the storyline, it’s a thoroughly satisfying middle reader.

Sticks and Ranga live on the same street, go to the same school and love the same things – skateboarding and PlayStation. When new kid James arrives in his wheelchair, Sticks isn’t sure they can be friends. But Sticks quickly discovers they have a lot in common. Cerebral palsy stops James from doing some things but it hasn’t dulled his sense of humour – and he’s pretty brainy, too. The only thing James can’t do is join Sticks and Ranga when they go skateboarding – or can he?

Three mates, a beat-up old couch, a couple of skateboards and a steep hill … what could possibly go wrong?

Yes, what could possibly go wrong? Alarm bells! So, this scenario sets it up beautifully for an engaging read and you will not be disappointed.

The skateboard language throughout is accurate and entertaining and Geoff Havel’s voice is authentic. It does covers some pretty serious issues such as disability, bullying, ADHD and domestic abuse but it manages to do it with an honest and engaging narration, keeping the tone light.

The characters are original and relatable and it’s one of those stories you just want to keep on reading.

Dropping In offers middle-grade readers a fast paced, feel-good introduction to some seriously important subjects.

This is a highly recommended read for middle primary school readers.

Neridah McMullin is the author of six books for children. Her next book is about a horse in a bushfire to be published by Allen & Unwin in 2016. Neridah loves family, footy and doing yoga with her cat Carlos (who also happens to love footy). www.neridahmcmullin.com www.neridahmcmullin.wordpress.com

Lucky Thamu

Lucky Thamu by Cheryl Kickett-Tucker and Jaylon Tucker (Fremantle Press)

PB RRP $9.99
ISBN 9-781-925-161-304
Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

The Waarda Series are wonderful little books. In Waarda, Noongar is the word(s), for talking and sharing stories and information.

Initiated by renowned Aboriginal artist and writer, Sally Morgan, the series is designed to support the literacy needs of Indigenous children in primary school by making books available to them written by Indigenous authors. Of course, at the same time, it introduces non-Indigenous children to the richness of Indigenous storytelling.

It’s a school holiday and ten-year-old Eli is off to stay with his Thamu (grandfather) and his Garbarli (grandmother). They live in Kalgoorlie in Western Australia and even though it’s a long trip from Perth, it’s worth it. Eli loves his Thamu. He loves listening to his stories and learning about country and about his people.

Thamu also shares his love of camping and prospecting for gold with Eli. He tells a great story about how he stumbled upon a huge gold nugget only ten years before. Eli never tires of this story and loves to hear it over and over. He can’t wait to go looking for gold nuggets with Thamu.

Thamu and Eli’s Uncle Marshall, take Eli camping at White Rabbit Patch. It’s a flat area with a dry creek bed and a large waterhole at the top end of the creek. There are low shrubs and a few trees. Thamu knows how to set up the perfect camp and they sleep in the open in their swags under the stars. They settle in and tell stories around the campfire well into the night. This is the same place Thamu found his gold nugget.

The next day they go ‘specking’ (looking for gold). Thamu explains how gold nuggets can sit half buried in the burrna yurral (red dirt) and he shows Eli how to lick it and hold it up to the sun to get a reflection from it. After ‘specking’ for a few hours, Eli becomes frustrated at having had no luck in finding gold, until he crosses path with a lucky white rabbit. Eli chases the rabbit for ages, ducking and weaving and diving. Hot and sweaty and dusty, he sits at the entrance of the rabbit burrow and finds before him…a nugget! His first gold nugget.

Beautifully told, I highly recommend Lucky Thamu. It’s a gentle read, about family and love and patience. It’s insightful, giving the reader a strong impression about what the characters’ lives and culture are all about. I very much enjoyed all the indigenous words spaced throughout the text with the English translation next to it in brackets.

Lucky Thamu is an informative and engaging story and the Waarda Series are ideal first chapter books for new readers.

Neridah McMullin is the author of five books for children. Her latest book is an Indigenous folklore story called Kick it to Me! It’s an ‘Aussie rules’ story endorsed by the Australian Football League. Neridah loves family, footy and doing yoga with her cat Carlos (who also just happens to love footy). www.neridahmcmullin.com

On a Small Island

On a Small Island by Kyle Hughes-Odgers (Fremantle Press)HB RRP $24.99
ISBN 9-781-925-161-168
Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

 On a small island, in a gigantic sea, lives Ari. Ari longs for the large ships to stop at his island, he longs to see remarkable things and to have interesting friends.
On a small island, in a gigantic sea, Ari has an idea. A dazzling idea. An irresistible idea …

This is a joyful and thought -provoking picture book (the best kind!), and it’s perfectly accompanied by wonderfully unique illustrations. Hughes-Odgers is an acclaimed Australian visual artist based in New York.

The first thing that grabbed me was the colour palette chosen for the illustrations. Cool blues and greens blended with the warmth of reds and ochre. They’re just beautiful colours and his choice of line and texture is just as interesting to look at. There’s something old fashioned about the illustrative style, it reminds me of my grandmothers art deco wallpaper that she had in her kitchen; all those shapes and triangles and patterns.

But Hughes-Odgers style is much more modern and edgy than that. It’s quirky and unusual and there is so much to see in the illustrative detail.The language is rich and enjoyable to read with an entirely satisfying ending. There is a healthy message to children: be the person you want to be and people will come to you.

Apparently, Hughes-Odgers wrote this story in a café in New York where was reflecting on the fact that you don’t have to leave home to be creative – you can use your creativity to attract people to your home instead.

On a small Island is definitely a book to take your time with, to pour over and to re-read multiple times, as you’ll always pick up something new in it. I highly recommend it.

Fremantle Press also has some terrific Teaching Resources that support this book in the classroom www.fremantlepress.com.au

Neridah McMullin is the author of five books for children. Her latest book is an Indigenous folklore story called Kick it to Me! It’s an ‘Aussie rules’ story endorsed by the Australian Football League. Neridah loves family, footy and doing yoga with her cat Carlos (who also just happens to love footy). www.neridahmcmullin.com

 

Crashing Down

Crashing Down by Kate McCaffrey (Fremantle Press)

PB RRP $19.99

ISBN 9-781-922-089-854

Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

Crashing Down is an engaging, insightful and realistic read for teenagers and adults alike.

This story is fast paced and fun and McCaffrey uses common turns of phrase that are engaging and accessible to today’s teenagers. Her writing voice and narrative is strong and genuine and written in an Australian cultural context that we would all understand.

Lucy is in Year 12 and under pressure to succeed. The last thing she needs is an intense boyfriend. So Lucy innocently breaks up with Carl at the school dance. She admits it wasn’t great timing with exams coming up, but it felt like the only way to keep her dreams on track.

Things haven’t been great with her and Carl for a while now and she knows this is the right thing to do. She feels completely smothered by him and his expectations of the future are so very different to her own. All he can talk about is living locally, with no plans of university, settling down and having kids.

Unfortunately some good decisions can have bad consequences.

Carl leaves the dance angry and hurt and stoned. Driving recklessly, he crashes his car, badly smashing up not only himself but also his best mate JD.

After coming out of his coma, Carl is a changed man. As a result of his brain injury, he’s angry and paranoid and acting completely irrationally. And he can’t remember breaking up with Lucy. She doesn’t want to hurt him so she keeps up the pretense.

Everyone is extremely upset and then McCaffrey throws in a curve ball that will send you into a spin: Lucy is pregnant. She tells Carl she doesn’t want to keep it and he has a brain aneurism! His parents then slap an ‘injunction order’ on Lucy to stop her from having the baby aborted.

Wow, this story has got it all. It’s fast past with a winding plot and complex characters. Even so it raises some valid questions about how these situations could be handled.

Crashing Down is written in a distinctive and engaging style and is thoroughly recommended to Young Adult readers.

This is Kate McCaffrey’s second novel and now I’m going to track down her first book to read!

Neridah McMullin is the author of five books for children. Her next book is an Indigenous folklore story called 'Kick it to Me'. It’s an ‘aussie rules’ story that’s being endorsed by the Australian Football League. Neridah loves family, footy and doing yoga with her cat Carlos (who also happens to love footy!).

The Last Viking Returns

The Last Viking Returns written by Norman Jorgensen with illustrations by James Foley (Fremantle Press)

HB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781921888106

Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

The Last Viking Returns is a fun and adventurous book about being brave and looking after your siblings.

Josh is as brave as a Viking warrior and not a lot worries him. But when Josh’s youngest twins go berserk (meaning they are an absolute handful and are out of control), Josh, Grandpa and Nan are at their wits end.

To get them out of the house, Grandpa suggests they visit ‘Viking World’.

‘Viking World’ is theme park about all things Viking. There’s Viking food (Bjorn Burgers – hilarious!), sideshows such as the ‘Hammer of Thor’ and the show stealing act of a Viking kings funeral re-enactment, which involves a Viking longship being set aflame.

Well, the twins clear off and of course, they appear on the longship just before it’s about to be set on fire to be sent to it’s fiery grave.

Parallel to this story, is another. Thor is up in Asgard (Viking Heaven) looking down and watching Josh. He can see that Knut (Josh’s Viking name) and the twins are in trouble but at the same time Asgard itself comes under attack from a fire-breathing dragon called Fafnir.

Knut saves the day thanks to the ‘Hammer of Thor’ and it all ends satisfactorily well.

There’s a very cool section that goes with the story that gives all sort of information about Vikings. There’s also a lot of detail in James Foley’s illustrations. Every time you read this, you will pick up something new. The emotion on Josh’s face is so real, his twins do look like they are going ‘berserk’ with the mess they make and Josh’s little dog Wolverine is wonderful.

Norman Jorgensen’s words and James Foley’s illustrations perfectly compliment each other. As with all good picture books, the words allow room for the illustrator use artwork to expand and add meaning to the story.

There are wonderfully creative Teaching Resources available on Fremantle Press’s website and on Norman Jorgensen’s author website relating to the story, children will have a ball applying the rune alphabet write their own secret messages and codes. The illustrator James Foley has a blog called http://knutthelastviking.wordpress.com, and this also gives a fascinating look at his journey in creating the artwork for this picture book.

This is a highly recommended read for primary school readers.

Neridah McMullin is the author of two books for children. Her next book is an Indigenous folklore story called 'Kick it to me!'. It’s an ‘aussie rules’ story that’s being endorsed by the Australian Football League. Neridah loves family, footy, and doing yoga with her cat Carlos (who also loves footy!).

Light Horse Boy

Light Horse Boy by Diane Wolfer, illustrated by Brian Simmonds (Fremantle Press)

HB RRP $19.95

ISBN 9-781-922-089-199

Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

In 1914 Jim and Charlie abandon the Australian outback for the excitement and adventure of the war to end all wars. But in the Light Horse they quickly discover the brutal realities of life on the frontline. And nothing will ever be the same again.

Light Horse Boy is a beautifully crafted book encompassing a culturally significant Australian story that is little known but deserves to be so much more. It’s a behind the scenes look at the legendary Light Horse Brigade and their experiences in World War I.

The story itself is delightfully well written but it’s the engaging and fascinating layout that combines text with primary source historical documents and letters, telegrams, original photos and stunning charcoal sketches done by Brian Simmonds that really grabs you. It has the intimate feel of scrapbook and it’s a story to take your time over. A story to be pored over.

Brian’s artwork is very expressive and you’ll find yourself riding on every emotion that these boys experience in their journey. Brian’s illustrative style is particularly suited to this story, the black charcoal capturing the seriousness and sadness of war.

The symbolism of friendship and mateship is iconically identified and well defined in this story. I think you can read this and understand more what it means to be Australian and why we feel the way we do about certain things.

At the beginning of the book Diane Wolfer gives an overview about the role of horses in the war and what became of them afterwards. Even though this story does cover some tragic and grim events, it doesn’t overtly dwell on them. 

Every Australian school and library should have a copy of this book.

Dianne is an author of thirteen books for teenagers and younger readers. This book is a companion book to her best selling Light House Girl. I haven’t read this one but am rushing to my local bookstore now to get it!

  

Neridah McMullin is the author of three books for children. Her latest book is an Indigenous folklore story called 'Kick it to Me!' It’s an ‘aussie rules’ story endorsed by the Australian Football League. Neridah loves family, footy and doing yoga with her cat Carlos (who also just happens to love footy!).

Kick it to Me

Kick it to Me by Neridah McMullin, illustrated by Peter Hudson (One Day Hill)
HB RRP $19.99
ISBN 9780980794861
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Hallelujah, the AFL season is nearly upon us again! But if it wasn't for Tom Wills and the Australian Aboriginal game of Marn-grook we would not have Australian Rules football at all. Kick it to Me captures the very beginnings of the greatest of sports, Australian Rules football, in this beautifully presented picture book.

Neridah McMullin takes us back to 1846 when a young Tom Wills lives in western Victoria and has his first contact with Marn-grook. Despondent over the end of the cricket season, Tom is searching for something to do. When his friend Jirra introduces him to the athleticism and fun of Marn-grook, Tom is gobsmacked and enthusiastically joins in.

Peter Hudson's colourful and lively illustrations have a freshness and vitality about them and the expressions of joy on the boys' faces as they play Marn-grook with their friends are a highlight of the book. Being Melbourne born and bred (and with a Sherrin for a soul) I can tap into this emotion. Football is exciting, it brings everyone together, it's fun!

Following the story, a fascinating biography of Tom Wills is included. Tom Wills has been credited with being the instigator of Australian Rules, blending aspects of different sports and developing the rules to create this unique game.The interaction in the text between Tom and the Aboriginal boys accurately depicts Wills' friendship with the local Djab Wurrung tribe whose language he became fluent in. As a youth, Wills attended school in Rugby and went on to study at Cambridge. On his return to Victoria, he became a leading sportsman and lobbied for a football club to be formed, working towards developing an Australian code.

There is also glossary of Aboriginal words and a forward by the Collingwood Football Club president, Eddie McGuire.

Kick it to Me is a book for young sports fans and a reminder of how Australia has managed to combine aspects of indigenous and European culture to come up with our own unique game and contribution to the sporting world.

Creepy and Maud

 Creepy and Maud by Diane Touchell (Fremantle Press)
PB RRP $19.95
ISBN 9-781-921-888-960
Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

Creepy and Maud is a highly unusual book. Hilarious and heartbreaking, Creepy and Maud charts the relationship between two social misfits, played out in the space between their windows.

Creepy is a boy who watches from the shadows, purposefully not bringing any attention to himself but keenly observing and caustically commenting on all that happens around him.

Maud lives next door to Creepy with her bedroom window facing his. She is less certain about life, emotionally suppressed and alienated and misunderstood by her parents. Maud is a confused girl with a condition that embarrasses her family, and this assures her isolation.

Together Creepy and Maud discover something outside their own vulnerability — each other’s.  A growing and unlikely friendship and develops between them through notes posted on each other’s bedroom windows.

A fascinating and different dual narrative and inner dialogue tackles the problematic issues some teens encounter, highlighting the effects certain parenting has on these young teenagers.

Creepy’s knowledge and interest in 19-century novels lets us see his inner and more complex side and it was joyful to read these quotes throughout the story. Creepy becomes my genuine hero when he becomes involved in a bizarre but genuinely funny cat-kidnapping situation.

Maud’s fragility is disturbing but all is not lost as her situation finally takes a turn for the better. For a tragic story, the ending is surprisingly uplifting.

Creepy and Maud is a fascinating first novel and highly recommended for YA fiction readers.

Neridah McMullin is the author of four books for children. Her next book is based on a true story about an Australian Lighthorse called 'Taffy Waits' set in World War I in the Battle of Beersheba. Neridah loves family, footy and her cat Carlos, who also happens to love footy.
www.neridahmcmullin.com

Mystery at Riddle Gully

Mystery at Riddle Gully by Jen Banyard (Fremantle Press)

PB RRP $14.95

ISBN 9781 921 888 748

Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

Pollo di Nozi is a reporter-in-training and the local super sleuth. She definitely has a nose for news but occasionally she does get things a little bit muddled up. Just as well her heart is in the right place.

Pollo can smell a major scoop from a mile away and when strange things start happening in Riddle Gully, Pollo can’t resist the challenge to solve it. With Shorn Connery, her sheepish sidekick pet by her side, Pollo is determined to track down the Graffiti Kid.

“Pollo di Nozi crouched behind a tombstone, watching the stranger swish through the grass. She reached out, twisted off a stalk of wild lupin and held it to the snout of the stout grey sheep clamped under her arm. She prayed it would keep him happy. Now wasn’t the time for Shorn Connery to start bleating. Pollo — supersleuth and editor of the Riddle Gully Gazette — was onto something.”

Mystery at Riddle Gully is not just another mystery story. It’s fast-paced and funny, packed with action, false leads, adventure, mystery, and the fight for an endangered animal species. It was quite spooky at times but Pollo is brave and charming.

Jen Banyard has extensive Teaching Resources that support this novel engaging learning about English Language, Literature and Literacy. The notes also suggest that the book can be used as a springboard for discussion about family relationships, endangered animals, journalism, vampires, local government, and the understanding that people are not always as they might at first appear.

This is Jen Banyard’s second book and it’s a well-written, humorous and suspenseful read for young fiction readers (10 – 14 years). I thoroughly recommend this book!

Neridah McMullin is the author of three books for children. Her latest book is an Indigenous folklore story called 'Kick it to Me'. It’s an ‘aussie rules’ story that’s being endorsed by the Australian Football League. Neridah loves family, footy, and doing yoga with her cat Carlos (who also just happens to love footy).

The Two-Hearted Numbat

The Two-Hearted Numbat by Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina (Fremantle Press)
PB RRP $16.95
ISBN 9-781-921-888-007
Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

What is a Numbat? It’s a small native Australian marsupial also known as the banded anteater or walpurti. Once they were widespread across southern Australia, and are now mainly found in Western Australia. Thankfully, these cute little guys are now protected by conservation programs.

Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina are from the Bailgu and Nyamal peoples of the Pilbara region of Western Australia and The Two-Hearted Numbat, is a story close to home, told in the style of a dreamtime story.

Numbat has two hearts—one is made of feathers, and the other is made of stone. When Numbat is wearing his feather heart, he’s soft, kind and likeable—but exhausted from helping others. When he wears his stone heart, he’s strong, hard working and clever, but not very likeable. Numbat is torn between choosing a heart of stone that promotes strength and self-confidence at the expense of caring about others, and a feather-heart that promotes compassion for others at the expense of caring about oneself.

Feeling conflicted, Numbat consults the wisest of the numbats and they encourage him to go on a journey to discover his true heart. Facing many challenges, Numbat realises he needs both strength and gentleness, and his two hearts merge into one. “I once thought I had to choose between being as strong as a stone, or as gentle as a feather. But now I know that no one is truly strong who does not also have the softness to care for others. And no one is truly caring of others who does not also have the strength to care for themselves.” Numbat gains wisdom, and becomes a great leader.

The style of the artwork is a contemporary blend of modern and traditional. The use of brightly coloured rainbows of hot pinks, deep blues and jungle greens are throughout the book. There are identifiable, key elements of indigenous art—spirals, magical auras around the numbats and aerial views of the landscape. The traditional methods of ‘x-ray’ painting is also used to show Numbat’s two hearts, clearly visible inside his body.

The Two-Hearted Numbat is a vibrant combination of beautiful visuals and narrative; it’s simple and profound and thought provoking. It is a delightful story with an important message and will appeal not only to pre-schoolers, but older readers too.

Neridah McMullin is the author of three books for children. Her next book is an Indigenous folklore story called 'Kick it to Me'. It’s an ‘aussie rules’ story that’s being endorsed by the Australian Football League. Neridah loves family, footy, and doing yoga with her cat Carlos (who also just happens to love footy). 

Jake’s Great Game

Jake’s Great Game by Ken Spillman, illustrated by Chris Nixon (Fremantle Press)
PB RRP $10.95
ISBN 9-781-921-888-502
Reviewed by Neridah McMullin


Jake’s Great Game is a fast moving, fun and lively read for junior primary readers. 


Jake decides he wants to start playing soccer and his dad takes him to buy some footy boots. Jake likes the silver ones, and he just knows he’s going to be an awesome soccer star! But Jake’s enthusiasm soon takes a nosedive, as he finds out that soccer is not as easy as he thought it would be. When he isn’t tripping, he’s slipping. His dribbling looks like bad passing and his passing looks like bad dribbling. Will he ever get his great game? Everyone else seems to have the hang of it except him.


The moral of Jake's Great Game is that if you keep trying you'll be rewarded. It’s all about persistence and application. This message is delivered through the story of Jake trying to play soccer. His initial failure (despite his new silver footy boots) is compounded by the fact that Jake’s dad isn’t very knowledgeable about soccer either, as much as he tries to help Jake. However, things greatly improve when Jake's coach recognises Jake’s instinctive ability as a goalie. Jake’s Nana provides him with lots of practice in the backyard and his first game is a an absolute triumph. Jake is an awesome soccer star goalie!


Funny, wise and beautifully told, Jake’s Great Game is a fun story for kids who are starting to read books with chapters. Chris Nixon’s black-and-white illustrations can be found on every page. You don’t need to have to have read all the other Jake Series books to enjoy this one but if you have read the others, you’ll probably want to read this one, too—especially if you like books about sport.


The Jake series are terrific stories for boys and girls from five to ten years of age and they have a range comprehensive teaching notes readily available on-line at http://www.fremantlepress.com.au/resources/teachersnotes


Neridah McMullin is the author of three books for children. Her next book is an Indigenous folklore story called 'Kick it to me!'. It’s an ‘aussie rules’ story that’s being endorsed by the Australian Football League. Neridah loves family, footy, and doing yoga with her cat Carlos (who also happens to love footy!). www.neridahmcmullin.com

Sam, Grace and the Shipwreck

Sam, Grace and the Shipwreck written by Michelle Gillespie with illustrations by Sonia Martinez (Fremantle Press)
HB RRP $24.95
ISBN 9-781-921-696-008
Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

Sam, Grace and the Shipwreck is an evocative and compelling true story about the daring rescue of the passengers and crew of the shipwrecked SS Georgette off the Western Australian coastline in 1876.
Stockman Sam Isaacs is out with his horse tracking stray cattle when he suddenly hears the cries of shipwrecked people in the wild sea off Calgardup Bay. Sam gallops back to the homestead to tell the Bussell family (whom he works for) what has happened, and their young daughter, Grace Bussell, races out and jumps on her horse. With ropes in hand, 16-year-old Grace Bussell returns with Sam to see what they can do to help. 


By this time, most of the lifeboats were breaking up in the rough sea. Urging her horse into boiling surf, beyond a line of roaring breakers, Grace and Sam reach the boats where the women and children are in great peril. With as many women and children clinging to Grace and the horse as possible, she makes for the shore, landing them safely. Sam and Grace do this over and over again until they’re exhausted. It took four hours to rescue 50 people.


Sam Isaacs and 16 year-old-Grace Bussell performed amazing acts of courage. They were awarded medals from the Royal Humane Society for their efforts and Grace's legend lives on through the name of the coastal hamlet of Gracetown, north of Margaret River in Western Australia, near the wheat belt town of Lake Grace. 


This picture book is fast paced and makes a great ‘read aloud’ book. “There is something about this morning—a quiet in the hills, a shiver in the air—something that prickles the nose of the stockman’s horse.”
It’s quite dark at times, and you can definitely feel the ‘intensity’ of the situation and the unpredictability of the rough sea. The illustrations are dramatic and unusual, involving mixed media collages, combining computer generated images with oil paintings. The images are powerful yet perfect for this amazing story.


Pitched at older primary-age children, this book should make an excellent resource for teachers and librarians trying to encourage young readers to learn more about Australia’s history. Sam, Grace and the Shipwreck has it all - adventure, bravery, history and horses! 


Neridah McMullin is the author of three books for children. Her next book is an Indigenous folklore story called 'Kick it to me!'. It’s an ‘aussie rules’ story that’s being endorsed by the Australian Football League. Neridah loves family, footy, and doing yoga with her cat Carlos (who also just happens to love footy). www.neridahmcmullin.com