The Skin I’m In

The Skin I’m In by Steph Tisdell (Pan Macmillan Australia) RRP $26.99 ISBN: 9781760984977

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

Layla is preparing for her final year of secondary school. She is trying to get ready for the most important year of her school life, not fight with her mum, work out her friendship circle, and get used to her troubled cousin Marley coming to live with them for a while. Oh, and work out how her indigenous culture fits in with her world.

Layla’s rocky road of being a teenager and finding her identity is a road that many teenagers will connect with. Making the right friends, going to parties, getting schoolwork done, and having crushes are all part of the teenage years. Layla makes some impulsive choices, but she also shows her vulnerable side in the choices and the angst that comes with some of them. Tisdell can write with a direct yet vulnerable style, so it is easy to become a fan of Layla and hope that things work out for her.

Tisdell creates Layla’s world with a gritty dose of reality. She doesn’t sugarcoat the complexities of growing up as a teenager and adds another layer of additional challenges for Laya who is not only a teenager but an aboriginal teenager in a predominately white world.

Tisdell has woven some big personality-supporting characters into Layla’s world that both challenge and support Layla as she navigates the world around her. The Skin I’m In has quick and easy-to-read chapters and is suitable for a 13+ year-old readership.

Hover Car Racer

Hover Car Racer by Matthew Reilly, illustrated by John Hanna (Pan Macmillan Australia) PB RRP $24.99 ISBN 978 176126895

This is a graphic novel adaptation of Matthew Riley’s blockbuster 2012 novel, Hover Car Racer. Here is how the story begins: ‘The world was changed forever with the invention of the hover car. Much of the fuss had to do with the inventor’s decision to make this amazing piece of technology free to everyone.’ The story then segues into a hover car race in which Jason Chaser participates. However, his car has mechanical problems, and he must improvise. He wins himself a place at the International Race School, where racers either make it on to the Pro Circuit – or they crash and burn.

But Jason is an outsider. He’s younger than the other racers. His car, the Argonaut, is older. And on top of that, someone doesn’t want him to succeed at the school and will do anything to stop him. This means Jason isn’t just fighting for his place on the starting line – he’s racing for his life.

This is an action-packed book which will likely appeal to boys aged 12 years and older.

The 169 Storey Treehouse

The 169 Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, illustrations by Terry Denton (Pan Macmillan Australia) PB ISBN9781760987855

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

So far there have been 13 books in this best-selling series, and this is the thirteenth (and perhaps the last). In the 169^th storey book, Andy and Terry have built what they say is their biggest and most astonishing treehouse yet. It has everything a young reader could wish for including an electric pony stable, a Santa land, a NOISY level, a kangaroo-riding range, a 100% edible gingerbread house and more.

In this book, Terry leaves open the door of the Whatever-Weather-You-Want level at the time a tornado is blowing. He, Andy, and their friend Jill, enlist people and animals from all over the treehouse to help push them up the steep tree against the gusty tornado so Terry can shut the door. 

In the next chapter, Mr Bunkoff, a school truant officer, tries to get the three friends to enroll in school, but they manage to escape (using the tree’s elevator). They arrive at the hall of funhouse mirrors where they have an adventure with a trio of doppelgangers, ending in them being tied up. And there’s more…

Like all the books in the series, there’s non-stop adventure, imaginative characters, and lots of unlikely, zany adventures. The end of this book includes such things as inflatable underpants, a flying rabbit, a UFO, rampaging monkeys, a tranquiliser gun, a demolished school, a supersonic paper aeroplane, a Grabinator, and finally, a 13-storey treehouse school.

Every page of illustrations needs a pair of eyes alert to all the humorous happenings, and there are thousands of them!

This 250-page story is the product of incredibly fertile imaginations and writing and illustrating talents. No wonder kids are hooked!

Bill and the Dream Angel

Bill and the Dream Angel by Lucinda Riley and Harry Whittaker, illustrated by Jane Ray (Pan MacMillan Australia) ISBN 978-1-5290-5119-3 RRP $26.99 (HB)

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

Bill and the Dream Angel is a picture book about Guardian Angels, moving house and overcoming one’s fears. It tells the story of Bill, who moves with his family to the country, where he has a larger room and lots of space to play football in the garden. However, at night he sees a large pair of eyes staring back at him from outside his window, which freaks him out (not surprisingly). Even though his mum tells him there are no such thing as monsters, he wants to go home to their old flat in the city. The story shifts to Destiny the dream angel, who sees from on high what is really going on. Through influencing people’s dreams, she helps Bill to see that the eyes belong to a family of owls who live in the roof. Once this is explained, Bill is no longer afraid.

This attractive picture book is a generous length of fifty-two pages, with several double-spread pages of illustrations only. The pictures are colourful with lots of detail, depicting the English countryside, the new house, Destiny the Dream Angel, and the owls that live in the roof. A Guardian Angel bookmark is attached to the book with a ribbon. This is a book for early primary children, rather than preschoolers, given the larger number of words and the theme of facing your anxieties.

The authors are a mother and son: prolific adult writer Lucinda Riley (who died in the summer of 2021) and her son Harry Whittaker, a BBC presenter. Bill and the Dream Angel is based on stories Lucinda used to tell Harry, when he was a child growing up in Ireland. It is part of a series of Guardian Angel books including Grace and the Christmas Angel and Rosie and the Friendship Angel.

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.

 

Girls in Boys’ Cars

 

Girls in Boys’ Cars by Felicity Castagna (Pan Macmillan Australia) PB RRP $18.999 ISBN 9781760982980

Reviewed by Kathleen Grace

The debut YA novel of this author, The Incredible Here and Now, won the Prime Minister’s Award for Literature, was named the IBBY Honour Book for Australia and was a finalist for the CBCA Book of the Year for older readers. With such accolades behind her and the fact her books have been published internationally, any reader would expect a great read. Unfortunately, Girls in Boys’ Cars didn’t do it for me. 

The first ten chapters of this YA novel introduce Rosa, a not-so-confident, cynical teenager, and her Fijian Indian best friend, Asheeka, in a meandering story as the two friends hang around together, dress up and watch boys. The book’s narrative only revs up in the eleventh chapter named for the book’s title where the two friends travel and have adventures together.

Here, with the setting western Sydney, Rosa and her Asheeka, tired of hiding who they are from their parents and of trying to get boys to see them as more than props in their lives, take off in Asheeka’s boyfriend’s over-modified Ford Falcon with the vague idea of embarking on a road trip. It is only when she is in Arnold’s stolen car that Rosa begins to come to life and becomes a more active and interesting character. The girls’ journey of self-discovery sees them literally go through (bush) fire and ends with a police charge that puts Rosa in a juvenile correction centre while Asheeka goes missing.

Interspersed with chapters about the road trip, are chapters set in juvie where Rosa meets with her therapist, Maree. Rosa says, ‘My life was a series of excerpts cut and pasted from all the books I read in some random order.’ This is a good description of the style of this novel which uses a conversational tone, flipping from topic to topic, relationship to relationship. Rose says, ‘Most stories don’t really go ahead in straight line.’ This self-conscious narrator frequently refers to writing the book with lines such as ‘so all right, I didn’t get to put too much sex in the last chapter, but I’m still trying to work out how to structure this novel.’

Overall, this novel feels uneven. It makes me want to read other books by Castagna, especially the award-winning ones, to see how they compare with this one.

The Quest Diaries of Max Crack

The Quest Diaries of Max Crack written and illustrated by Jules Faber (Pan Macmillan) PB RRP $12.99 ISBN 9781760783907

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This is a visually appealing novel for readers aged 9+ years insofar as it is presented as an exercise book with lined pages. As well, the entire book is not the conventionally presented book with pages of printed chapters. Instead, the words look hand-printed and there are illustrations, with cartoon characters, on every page. Faber makes use of lists, speech balloons and much more so the book looks immensely interesting and appealing.

The story is told from the point of view of the protagonist Max Crack who lives with his family in Piddown. In introducing himself, he lists four embarrassing things he’s done, such as ‘farted on the cat’ and ‘drank Dad’s aftershave and thought I was a ghost’.

The quests to which Max refers are his goals which include making a ‘super’ best friend. This happens on 1 July (events are often dated) when Max almost drowns after being hit on the head by a supermarket trolley, but is saved by a boy, Frankie, who is one of ten children (all featured and named in illustrated break-out boxes).

There’s lots to read in this amusing and quirky book, including visual asides (such as how to dogpile and what a dinosaur glow man looks like). Max and Frankie undertake many adventures including selling comics at a school fete, searching for buried treasure and solving mysteries. Using a list at the start of the year, Max manages to solve all his quests and makes a best friend along the way. Highly recommended.

What I Like About Me

What I Like About Me by Jenna Guillaume (Pan Macmillan Australia), PB RRP $16.95 ISBN: 9781760559120

Reviewed by Pauline Hosking

Here’s a positive tale about teenage body image and body-love. Jenna Guillaume spent more than half a decade in the features department of Girlfriend magazine and knows what will appeal to girl readers in their teens, and what may help some of them.

Maisie Martin is a plus-size sixteen-year-old who spends most of her time hiding her body from the world. Her summer seems to be going from bad to worse. Her father stays home rather than going on holiday to Cobbers Bay as usual, leading Maisie to fear her parents are breaking up. Then her best friend Anna hooks up with the boy Maisie’s been crushing on for years.

The novel is a series of diary entries written for a school assignment. What begins as a homework chore ends up as an account of how Maisie doesn’t let anything, or anyone, hold her back from something she really wants to do.

She wants to enter the Miss Teen Summer Queen Pageant which her totally gorgeous, slim, older sister Eva won years before. Since Maisie won’t even go swimming because it would show off her body, how will she summon the courage to enter the pageant?

Luckily her crush’s best friend, Beamer, is also holidaying at Cobbers Bay. He reveals he’s been attracted to Maisie for ages and overcomes her initial lack of interest. She meets a heap of new people who boost her confidence, replacing the rather one-sided relationship she had with Anna. Then she takes a long, hard look in the mirror and makes a list of all the things she likes about herself. The list begins with seven entries and ends, some pages later, with thirteen. The last few are:  No. 10. My midriff. No.11. My guts. No.12 My dancing feet. No.13. My heart.

The story is not a total fairy tale. There is a good reason why her father is stressed. Eva turns out to be human and not completely perfect. Maisie doesn’t win the beauty pageant but ultimately, she wins much more. 

This should be a very popular read. It’s both funny and moving, with a sprinkling of romance. Girls will find Maisie’s world easy to relate to.

Tucked into the book is a card with space for readers to list ten things they like about themselves. The author suggests that, when making their list, readers should treat themselves the way they treat their best friend - never putting them down and always noticing their good qualities. It’s a constructive, helpful idea.

Recommended. 

Fluffy Chick

Fluffy Chick  by Rod Campbell (Pan Macmillan Australia)  PB RRP $14.99  ISBN 978-1-5098-3435-8

Reviewed by Bev Murrill

A beautiful little book for pre-readers and toddlers, this delightful little story of Fluffy Chick, who lives on a farm, is typical of the genre in this series.

Each page is full of brightly coloured pictured and one character on the page has an aspect of its body that can be stroked, touched, and rubbed, to give a sense of what that animal’s skin or fur may feel like.

Little ones always love this kind of book, replete as it is with early learning opportunities to find out more about the world around them. Mums and Dads too find this an easy read with lots of laughter and encouragement to make the noises these animals would make.

This book is a must for any family with littlies who want to explore their world. 

Ottoline and the Purple Fox by Chris Riddell (Pan Macmillan Australia)

RRP $19.95 ISBN 978-1-4472-7792-7

Reviewed by Ramona Davey

The moment I saw this book I could not help myself but to touch its beautiful hardback cover and turn it over to study the ornately gold decorated spine. It is a beautiful book to look at and hold.

Ottoline and the Purple Fox is the fourth book in the series about a young girl Ottoline and her companion, the strange hairy Mr Munroe. Together they have adventures as Ottoline’s parents travel the world seeking to find interesting objects to add to their ever-growing collection.

In this book Ottoline organises a dinner party. Guests get an unusual invitation that tells them what to wear. The reader gets one, too. This is a great idea. The book is full of ways to encourage the reader to interact with the story. Labels are scattered throughout the pages.  And the games played at the party are the type that the reader could try out with his or her own friends, for example:

Truth or Stair: Tell a true story or climb the stairs

Or

Pillow Island Hopping: Jump from pillow to pillow without touching the floor.

The book is heavily illustrated and there is so much to see, so many tiny details to stop and look at in Chris Riddells’s intricate drawings. The illustrations are in very thin black pen with the odd splash of purple. There are menus to browse, lists to check, poems to ponder and Ottoline’s notes to read.

There are lots of references to Chris Riddell’s other books within the illustrations so the reader can check out his other stories.

The book is a great fast read and can be read in one sitting. It is ideal for 8-10 year olds.

Andy G, Terry D, the Brave Tea-Lady and the Evil Bee

Andy G, Terry D, the Brave Tea-Lady and the Evil Bee by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton (Pan Macmillan Australia, 2013)
PB RRP $6.99
Reviewed by Di Bates

Teachers trying to get young children to learn how to read love books like this latest contribution by the Griffiths and Denton team. In the style of Dr Seuss, the book is written in verse with strong rhythm and regular rhyme. The focus is on the sound that ‘ee’ makes, with words like ‘lady,’ ‘tree’, ‘free,’ ‘enemy’ and ‘me’ showing the young reader how many words with this sound can rhyme.

The story is one with which young children are familiar – the chase scenario. A bee sees a child and begins a pursuit. A second person – Terry D – gets involved in the race to flee the bee and thereafter follows a lady selling tea. Up a tree they go followed by the bee; luckily the lady manages to trap the bee in her tea pot so all ends well.

The illustrations are typical of Denton’s cartoon style with lots of movement from one page to the next as the pursuit continues. There is lots of white space which children love in the book and the cover, despite its very long title, is attractive and zany.

At the front of the book is a photograph of Denton with his mop of blonde, curly hair grabbing a resigned Griffith in a bear hug: it’s zany and sets the tone for this book which should appeal to readers from five years and up. A special feature of the book is the back page of coloured covers showing all of Griffith’s books which are so popular with children, including The Cat on the Mat is Flat and The Big Fat Cow that Goes Kapow, two more books which seem designed to help the new or struggling reader. Doubtless the publisher is on a winner with this book series.

Time Thieves (Omega Squad)

 Time Thieves (Omega Squad) by Charlie Carter (Pan Macmillan Australia)

PB RRP $12.99

ISBN: 978-1-7426-1093-1

Reviewed by Wendy McLean

Get Reading! is a nationwide campaign focused on inspiring more Australians to discover or rediscover the pleasure of reading. Time Thieves, Charlie Carter’s newest offering, has been included in this year’s Get Reading’s selection of ‘50 Books You Can’t Put Down’ for good reason. It’s a dramatic and thrilling series that will engage even the most reluctant reader.

Time Thieves is the first book in Charlie Carter’s Omega Squad series, which follows on from the very successful Battle Boy series. In the newest offering, Napoleon Augustus Smythe (aka Battle Boy 005) has been promoted to Battle Agent 005. In the Battle Boy series Battle Boy 005 was a sole agent travelling back through time, under the guidance of Professor Perdu, to spy on the past and solve famous historical mysteries. But now he is Battle Agent 005, part of an elite team of Time Troopers. He must work together with his other Omega Squad team members, Winston Garibaldi (aka Battle Agent 004) and Amazon Diana (aka Battle Agent 009), to undertake Operation Battle Book.

Operation Battle Book is run by the mission controller, Professor Perdu. The Battle Agents must enter Professor Perdu’s Battle Books (super-strong metal caskets containing compressed energy of past battles) and collect important data for her research. But working as a team with the super smart BA004, the girl with attitude BA009 and super soldier TEX, proves a real difficulty for Battle Agent 005. And not only do the three Battle Agents struggle to operate as a team, they also become the target of sabotage as clandestine forces seek to destroy Professor Perdu and her Operation Battle Book. The three Battle Agents must overcome their differences to work as a team and find out who is stealing time and energy in an attempt to destroy Professor Perdu’s Operation Battle Book.

The Omega Squad series is compelling and action-packed and will appeal to both those who are familiar or new to the Battle Boy and Battle Agent series. Readers will be taken on a journey through time to discover who is stealing time and energy bundles from the Battle Books. Charlie Carter (aka the famous Australian author John Heffernan) has cleverly reinvented the history lesson in action-packed and relevant ways that will appeal to boys and girls aged 6-10 years.

Readers can check out the other Battle Boy books at: http://www.battleboy.com.au/. The next installment in the Battle Agent series History Hackers will be released in December 2012.

Battle Boy – Book 15 Underwater War

Battle Boy – Book 15 Underwater War by Charlie Carter (Pan Macmillan Australia)

PB RRP $9.99

ISBN: 978 0 330 40432 7

Reviewed by Wendy McLean

The highly successful Battle Boy series is a dramatic and thrilling series that combines science fiction, history and adventure all into one. In each book, 11 year old Napoleon Augustus Smythe (Battle Boy 005) travels back in time as a Human Data Collecting Device (a HD-CD) – to spy on the past and solve famous historical mysteries. Each intriguing mission lands Battle Boy right in the thick of famous battles and military exploits. Battle Boy is guided through his missions by Professor Perdu and a multitude of hi-tech gadgets.

Book 15 is just as gripping as the earlier books, with Napoleon heading back in time to the famous Battle of the Atlantic – the longest battle of the Second World War. Napoleon must survive the underwater wars between Allied battleships and German U-boats. With this mission possibly his most dangerous Napoleon will need every bit of his survival gear (Simulskin, Boot Boosters and Chameli-Shirt) to survive!

The Battle Boy Series is a compelling, action-packed series that will engage even the most reluctant reader. The books are short, and are divided into eight to twelve easy to read chapters. The text is broken up by black and white illustrations of Napoleon’s special survival gear and dramatic battle scenes. The author Charlie Carter has cleverly drawn on famous historical battles and events and reworked them into action-packed adventures that will appeal to boys and girls aged 6-10 years.

Readers can check out the other Battle Boy books at: http://www.battleboy.com.au/