The Invincibles Power Up

The Invincibles Power Up by Peter Millet, illustrated by Myles Lawford (Scholastic) PB RRP $12.99  ISBN 9781775435990

Reviewed by Wendy Haynes

The Invincibles Power Up is a graphic novel for 7 to 10 year old readers. In the beginning pages of the book, the reader is introduced to the characters and team that make up Team Two. Tana is the leader of the team and main character, and he wants nothing more than to be selected for Team One this year.

The story starts with the team members meeting for practice at the old Arakino sports stadium. First to practice after Tana is Scotty, who is a prankster and brings a lot of humour to the story. Muzza then shows up: he is the first in his family to take up competitive sports.

Tana had received a text from Zinnie and friend Andy who want to join the team, but when they turn up for practice, they are girls.

Tana leads the team through some practice drills, but the weather changes. Clouds become thick, heavy, and brooding. Before long strikes of lightening appear across the sky. And before the team knows it, they are blasted.

This blast gives them superpower, and they soon work out that their superpowers only last for as long as a football game -- eighty minutes. Even sheep can fly. Of course, they have fun exploring their newfound powers.

A big game is coming up between the All Greats and the Conquerors. But Tricky Ricky, a retired fullback and the coach of the Conquerors, plots with the help of A-Bots to take revenge on the All Greats.

Two Team, now The Invincibles, hear of Tricky Ricky’s plot and work together to save the day.

Peter Miller highlights the importance of working as a team and finding your own superpower. The story is easy to read and loaded with humour.  The black and white illustrations by Myles Lawford add depth to the story with wonderful, and someone fun images.

Johnny Danger Lie another Day

Johnny Danger Lie another Day by Peter Millett, (Penguin Random House) HB RRP $14.99 ISBN 9780143309055

Reviewed by Jaquelyn Muller 

Combining the class and gadgetry of James Bond and the pun-filled (yet age appropriate) humour of Austin Powers, Johnny Danger explodes in this spy-loving adventure for 8-12 year old children.  Johnny Dangerfield is so desperate to be a spy he creates a fake online spy identity (Johnny Danger) but his plans take a Mach 3 trajectory when M16 recruits Johnny to help them save the world. If anyone finds out he is just a school boy pretending to be a spy, being grounded will be the last of his problems.

This latest Johnny Danger case in Lie another Day from Peter Millett, (Boy Zero Wannabe Hero and the award winning, The ANZAC Puppy) features spy faker Johnny Dangerfield, his stoic partner Penelope Pounds and a cast of conniving criminal appear in a riotous chapter book for middle-grade readers. 

Johnny and his spy partner must thwart a plan to poison the human race that lead them on a submarine mission to the Amazon jungle. Defeating evil no-gooders such as Dr Disastrous, Major Pain and henchmen 2A and 2B, (affectionately known as the number 2s) is not all work for Johnny, as this light-hearted book reflects on the horrors of older (and somewhat vengeful) siblings and unhinged parents that readers in this age group will relate to. 

The story’s school and home references warm readers to Johnny’s character and his constant challenges. Expecting anyone to save the world AND make their bed is surely unreasonable if not downright disrespectful!  

The Anzac Puppy

The Anzac Puppy by Peter Millett, Illustrated by Trish Bowles (Scholastic NZ)

PB RRP $15.99

ISBN 978-1-77543-097-1

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

'In the middle of the night, in the middle of the winter, in the middle of a war, a puppy was born.'

Lucy names the puppy Freda but sadly the family cannot afford to keep her so a passing young soldier, Sam, adopts her and takes her with him to war. Sam and Freda become fast friends, comforting each other through harsh times on the battle front, with Freda becoming a mascot for all the young men fighting in the trenches.

The Anzac Puppy is a beautifully written book. It is a story about the realities of war, the hardships, the friendships and love. It has wonderful sentence construction with much internal repetition such as 'The long, cold nights at the front soon turned into long, terrifying months'. This is a lovely story to read.

The illustrations are soft and sensitive, depicting the emotions of people along with the bleakness and isolation of war and the warmth of reunion.

Inspired by the true story of Freda, a Great Dane who was mascot to the NZ Rifle Brigade during World War I, the author has done meticulous research. The facts of this ‘real’ Freda are given in an equally readable illustrated double page spread at the back of the book.

Ending on a positive note, the echoing of the story’s beginning creates a satisfying conclusion which will appeal to early primary aged children, especially dog lovers.