Beyond Belief

Beyond Belief by Dee White, (Omnibus Books), 2020, RRP $17.99 pb

      ISBN: 9781760662516

Reviewed by Pauline Hosking

Dee White’s book was inspired by the way Muslims in Paris saved the lives of many Jewish children during World War II. This unusual and generally unrecognised true story makes Beyond Belief a valuable addition to middle grade books dealing with this period. It’s also a rattling good adventure full of suspense, with easily likeable characters and a strong evocation of place.

When France is invaded, eleven-year-old Ruben’s parents take him to the Grand Mosque in Paris. They are going to find his sister who has disappeared somewhere in the south of France. Rubin must wait, pretending to be a Muslim, until the legendary Fox appears to take him to Spain where he will be united with his family.

Unfortunately, the Mosque is not safe. It is frequently visited and searched by Nazis.  Rubin escapes with two other Jewish children, Hana and her little brother Momo. Aided by the Resistance, they have several hair-raising adventures. Finally, the three reach a farmhouse in the French countryside, far away from Spain. There, by a set of surprising circumstances, he meets his sister and learns the Fox’s identity.

Rubin emerges as a gentle, kind-hearted boy who struggles to stay brave. Faced with danger, he remembers his mother’s advice: ‘You must be strong like the cedars’.

The details of life in the mosque are fascinating and informative. Jewish and Muslim faiths have many similarities (and differences) which could spark interesting classroom discussions. 

Dee White wanted ‘to write a story about kindness, humanity and hope amidst the horror of war.’ Beyond Belief is certainly that. As such it is a useful text for our time. Highly recommended.

A Cardboard Palace

A Cardboard Palace written by Allayne L. Webster, (MidnightSun Publishing)   PB RRP$17.99   ISBN 9781925227253

Reviewed by Stefan Nicholson

The romantic, bohemian city of Paris is the setting for Allayne Webster’s new novel. Many Paris tourist landmarks are described in great detail during the course of the story, which adds to the authenticity of the author’s research.

The story is centred around a migrant shanty town on the outskirts of the city that is threatened with demolition. The poverty and hopelessness of its residents is shown through the lives of the homeless children who are forced into criminal activity by greedy opportunists and desperate parents.

The first chapter immediately introduces one of these children, Jorge, and his English criminal minder Bill who takes on the modern equivalent of a cruel Fagan.

The story follows Jorge’s struggle with Bill’s manipulation of his army of child thieves.  There is a secondary story surrounding Jorge’s love for Ada who is being forced to marry at the age of 10, accepted by the camp culture. Some of his friends die due to sickness and accident. Jorge realises some relief from his hopelessness in the guise of Australian chef Sticky Ricky who mentors him and the empowerment of his fellow companions as they rise to fight for a better life. The battle then is between the survival of Jorge and the defeat of Bill.

The first chapter is written in past tense to rapidly show the mechanism of the petty theft used by the team on a typical day.

From the second chapter on, the story is written in the present tense through the eyes of Jorge, to create a film-like effect. This is an interesting approach because the present tense allows the story to flow with the immediacy of sequential events, adding to the characterisation of Jorge.  We are there with Jorge as events unfold which makes the climax more intense and satisfying. It does however include expanded descriptions to the story line and the general element of suspense is somewhat diminished because we only see what Jorge sees and not what is happening elsewhere.

This story will be enjoyed by the intended middle-school audience, no doubt with some lively class discussions on the social issues it raises and the way it was written.

Divide and Conquer : The Infinity Ring Book 2

Divide and Conquer : The Infinity Ring Book 2 by Carrie Ryan (Scholastic Inc)
HB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-0-545– 38697-5
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

In order to save the future, Sera, Dak and Riq must fix the past and once again, the children have travelled into that past with the Infinity Ring. This time they find themselves in 885, where the Vikings are laying siege to Paris. Unable to break the code on their SQuare tablet, they cannot be sure about the task they have been set. According to history, the Vikings conquered Paris in a long and bloody battle. But should the children help Bishop Gauzelin defend Paris against the Viking attack, or should they help to ensure a smooth and bloodless transition of power?

Before long, however, Dak’s fascination with the realities of history gets him into trouble and separated from his friends. The challenge is then to stay alive among the Vikings and reunite with Sera and Riq.

As in their first adventure, much depends on recognising the Hystorians and SQ agents, remembering their history, remaining cool, and sticking to their priorities.

Another roller coaster ride, Divide and Conquer is the second instalment in the Infinity Ring series. There is no let up in the action; the friendship, humour and glimpses of historical events are just as strong as the first. The continuing ‘what if’ moments keep interest well piqued in this sequel.

After the story is read, there is the opportunity for continuing the adventure online with a fight for freedom and a race to save the first lady of the United States. Readers may use the enclosed top-secret map and log into www.infinityring.com to play along with the Hystorians in a race to save the future.

There will be much anticipation of the next book The Trap Door, where the children’s task will centre on the American Civil War and the underground railway.

The Infinity Ring is a great series for boys and girls (10+), particularly those with an interest in action, danger, historic events and time travel.

Die for Me

Die for Me by Amy Plum (Atom/Little, Brown/Hachette)

PB RRP $18.99

ISBN 978-1-907411-02-1

Reviewed by Hilary Smillie

First-time novelist, Amy Plum, has delivered a gem in Die for Me, where the undead heroes, especially Vincent Delacroix, are sophisticated, elegant, noble and drop-dead gorgeous.  Set against the background of Paris, it is almost inevitable that romance and history as well as tragedy combine with this paranormal story.

Americans, Kate and her older sister, Georgia, are orphaned when their parents are killed in a car accident. Grief-stricken, they move from Brooklyn to Paris, to live with their grandparents. It is familiar territory as many holidays have been spent in The City of Light, and both girls speak fluent French. However, their grieving is expressed differently. Georgia loves bright lights and dancing for distraction, whereas Kate simply wants to be alone to read. Goaded by Georgia to join the real world, Kate decides to take her books out of the bedroom and into the café culture.  It is while sitting with a coffee at a street café that Kate first notices a group of extremely good-looking young men, one in particular, and is noticed in return. Unaware as yet, Kate has just laid on eyes Vincent Delacroix, who seems unable to tear his eyes away from her.

Soon after, while taking an evening walk by the river, Kate and Georgia witness a string of events including an attempted suicide and rescue, and a sword fight. The boys Kate saw in the café are involved, together with another couple of huge men. Frightened, the girls take off, but not before the men study them with great interest. The girls are puzzled and intrigued, but it is not until later in the story that the significance of this incident is made plain.

When Kate next sees Vincent, her destiny is sealed.  Kate’s journey to true love is a bewildering and confusing relationship with the handsome Vincent, and the slow realization that he is not merely a handsome nineteen year old, but someone from a different era who has cycles of rebirth on a treadmill of sacrificing his life for others. His friends, too, are in this position. Called revenants, they are not human, but immortals. In Kate’s words, “an undead-guardian-angel type of monster that runs around saving human lives.” Their enemies are the numa, whose mission is to destroy the revenants and anyone else in their path.

This is a dazzling novel mid-teenage girls will love. It’s beautiful cover is enticing; the romance is sweet; and sex is very much a far-horizon thought. The imaginative storyline has great impact, with a strong mix of tenderness, intrigue, violence and the triumph of true love. The publishing managers hope the detailed setting will have readers reaching for their iPads to probe the historical sites. I dare to say when the last word of Die for Me is read, a sigh of satisfaction is guaranteed.