A Flash in the Dust

A Flash in the Dust by Meg Caddy (University of Queensland Press) RRP: $21.99 ISBN 9780702271090

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

A Flash in the Dust is promoted as a YA historical thriller with queer romance. It attempts to integrate several genres and switches points of view as it tells the story - an ambitious project.

The prologue is set in Mundaring where a horrific crime is perpetrated on an unnamed woman by The Whistling Man. It's a strong and gripping opening.

Then we are taken to an asylum. The narrative shifts between Gilberta Brady and Norah Devaney. The voices are very distinct: the restrained, quiet voice of Brady, contrasted with the angry, emotional voice of Norah. Norah claims she's witnessed her mother's murder, and she's been locked up to be silenced. But no one believes her.

Brady, on the other hand, is in the asylum for keeping quiet. She doesn't get along with people

When Brady and Norah break out of the asylum, two unlikely companions join forces to find the man who murdered Norah's mother. They meet up with others and form a group of bushrangers.

The strength of this story was in the enticing opening and how well the two main characters were set up. However, as the narrative develops, another point of view is introduced: a third-person voice. I didn't enjoy this as much. The story moved between action and a queer love story. The love story spent a bit too much time exploring ideas of queerness, and it felt like the author was trying to explain queerness rather than revealing the relationship in a natural way that would make it compelling.

While plenty happens, for some reason, perhaps the movement between points of view, the restraint in Brady's voice, or the love story that's more about exploring ideas than love, made it hard for me to get into the real excitement of the action.

I think the story tried to be many things. It held a lot of promise and in terms of representing queer characters and separating different points of view, it did well. The balance of romance and tension in an historical adventure that included some very bleak settings was more difficult.

Don't Let Them Leave

Don't Let Them Leave by Mike Lucas (Penguin Books) RRP: $19.99 ISBN 9781761355462

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

Don't Let Them Leave is a historical ghost story for young adults. The prologue takes us back to North Cornwall in 1855, where we witness a frightening scene among miners. Lucas excels at creating a dark, unsettling atmosphere through the environment he chooses for his story. I felt suffocated as Lucas described the miners in eerie tunnels.

Fast forward to 1930s London, where the narrator, Charlotte, tells the tale of how she and her siblings, Jack and Emily, were orphaned. Their parents' wish is for them to live with their grandmother, whom they've never met.

You might think this is whether the kids go to live with a weird grandmother and then ... but not immediately. A quarter of the book is about the journey out to the grandmother's place. This may seem slow-moving, but the story is intriguing, and I felt compelled to read every detail.

Charlotte is a character forced to grow up early. She's responsible for dreamy, introverted Jack and young, often scared, Emily. The way she makes decisions and often has to suppress her own worries to take care of her siblings is admirable, realistic, and sad.

The children travel to a remote place called Black Island in search of their grandmother. The island, though, just does not seem right. When Charlotte tries to describe it, it's difficult - not one thing sounds wrong, and yet the whole air of it is wrong, and that's the beauty of Lucas's creation. We can feel that this isn't working, but we can't put our finger on it.

Why do comfortable things happen in the house but feel so wrong? What is so strange about the cat that appears? Who is their grandma? Will they be able to leave Black Island?

As the story progresses, the whole "strangeness that is a bit uncertain" keeps growing. There are ghosts, but it's not a heavily supernatural story. It's more about real people and how unnatural and dark they can be - when they have certain ideas. While dark, it's not a gory or explicit story. It could well frighten younger children, but the details, descriptions and level of language are suitable for younger teens. The story thrills but has a satisfying conclusion and lands on a note of relief that's right for younger audiences, even in stories with darker themes.

 

 

 

 

The Seriously Epic Holiday of Lottie Brooks

The Seriously Epic Holiday of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby (Puffin Books) RRP: $16.99 ISBN 9780241803455

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

The Seriously Epic Holiday of Lottie Brooks is the ninth book in the Lottie Brooks series, an epistolary series that, in its format and illustration style, looks like Diary of a Wimpy Kid for girls.

If you haven't read previous Lottie stories - and I hadn't - I found Lottie's age a bit difficult to place at first in this story. She's 12-13 years old, and she acts and speaks like a tween. The stick-figure drawings seem to appeal to a younger audience. Yet the story also refers a lot to boyfriends, kissing, wearing heels, bras, and so forth, with such familiarity that Lottie seems much older. She doesn't sound like a child who is only just discovering such areas of her life.

I don't think the content should worry adults, but they might find it a bit too grown-up. While Lottie has not only a boyfriend but also an ex-boyfriend, and her friends seem to have had a dating history, this isn't about explicit details. It's more about some silly fun with girls fighting over the cutest boy.

Lottie has the chance to go on a ski holiday with her friend, Amber. She's never skied before. The holiday is complicated when another family, including a snobby girl and her high-maintenance mother, joins them. Hilarity ensues not only on the ski slopes but with mean girl fights at the chalet and romantic misunderstandings and tussles.

The pretty simple cartoons do a good job of supporting the text and adding a little humour, though they are only basic, attempting to capture the flavour of a child's diary.

I wasn't completely taken by the prose style in which Lottie would "break the fourth wall" and acknowledge that the reader was reading her diary. To me, this felt a little strange, as if she might write her diary differently because it was being read, and one of the wonderful things about a diary is you feel the author is spilling their guts privately.

I suppose this leads to the next point - Lottie's diary is fun and entertaining. The hijinks with her friends read more like a description of a TV show, with slapstick or visual comedy and plenty of misunderstandings, than a diary at times. But I didn't feel like she was spilling herself to me. I felt the story lacked the secrets, emotions, and perspective that make a diary story so special. The intimacy was lacking.

However, I'm sure many readers - especially girls - will find a lot to enjoy in Lottie's adventures. It's very readable. Family, friends and enemies, competitiveness, fitting in, trying to keep up your image and are very relatable tween (and human) issues.

How to Make Friends and Go Viral by Accident

 

How to Make Friends and Go Viral by Accident by Y. K. Willemse (Rhiza Edge) RRP: $14.99 ISBN 9781761113109

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

How to Make Friends and Go Viral by Accident is one of the Rhiza Shorts series, a short fiction for teens. It's laid out as if it's a funny guide to making friends and going viral, following Hayden's journey, where, of course, he ends up doing both. Don't really expect to use it as a real guide, just a funny and touching story! 

Hayden has a stutter, and his parents want to force him into singing lessons to help him find his voice, build his confidence, and improve his social life. I was a little wary of this idea from the parents: Hayden was taking solo classes and resented the idea, so was this the right way to help him feel confident? But it propelled the story, so let's see.

As Hayden is thirteen, this story is pitched at the younger end of the teen spectrum. The language and the simplicity of the story and concepts meant I felt the story would most appeal to the lower-teen to upper-middle-grade spectrum. It's an area where many readers would welcome stories, since many books focus on readers much younger or much older.

Hayden thinks singing is for girls and suffers from his friends' teasing. His story involves befriending girls and changing people's minds - including his own - about sex stereotypes in singing. The singing lessons are a hoot. Mrs Williamson is a funny character who intersperses comedy with sympathy and wisdom. She guides rather than lectures Hayden, so he begins to discover singing and really loves it.

There are elements many teens will relate to, even if they don't relate to singing - the need to fit in, friendship, feeling nervous, finding themselves and what they really care about, being bullied, being embarrassed by parents, and laughing at parents and how they don't understand teen slang!

Willemse captures this journey well in a concise story with a lot of heart. I found Hayden someone I could cheer for and laugh with through his flaws and uncertainty. The music of his world was unifying and inspiring.

Amanda Commander: The Great Orange Bake Off

Amanda Commander: The Great Orange Bake Off by Coral Vass (Wombat Books) RRP: $12.99 ISBN 9781761112195

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

This is part of the Amanda Commander book series, though it's perfectly possible to read it as a stand-alone story. This chapter book is about the school baking competition where everyone must include a special ingredient, an orange.

Amanda's paired with Eve for the bake-off, even though she doesn't like Eve and her competitive nature. Lucia and Mai, Amanda's best friends, aren't very happy with the arrangement either, and try to help Amanda to get back with them, the Dolphin Squad.

The chapter book is presented with fun visuals that may appeal to young children. There are plenty of pictures, and some of the text is laid out as handwritten notes, diary scribbles, text messages, posters, and so on, which break up the normal writing and make it appealing. It's a good way to introduce text to young readers and keep it from being too intimidating.

Amanda's chirpy voice telling the story to us is engaging for a young reader who may relate to the excitement of a child with her friends - her interest in having a "headquarters" with her friend, and her eagerness to keep the gang together. These little childhood emotions keep the book going. 

However, the main story of the book, while it may seem fun (who doesn't like food and competition?), is ultimately not very dramatic or tense. The friendship issues are resolved a tad too easily. There didn't seem to be much difficulty in working out what to do with the orange. It's not a story for those seeking suspense, intensity or challenges in their events. The story will satisfy those who want to hang out with Amanda and the girls and enjoy a happy, comfortable time.

The Far Out Five: Snot Jelly Island

The Far Out Five: Snot Jelly Island by Olaf Falafel (Puffin Books) RRP: $19.99 ISBN 9780241732618

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

This is a chaotically funny graphic novel, all a bit here, there and everywhere, which could be seen as part of its charm, problematic, or the pointless point of it all!

Our story starts with four normal kids, Stewart, Sophie, Zainab and Jeffrey, who meet an incompetent magician at a carnival. During an electrical storm, combined with out-of-date hotdogs, a butterfly's fart and the magician's utterance of a spell, the children and the magician are transformed into a rainbow-spewing unicorn, a magical grumpy koala, a musical walking bathtub, an intellectual seabird bird and a cool seal. They're now the Far Out Five.

Now, of course, it's time for them to go on adventures.

The scene's already set for wackiness and incoherence. The adventures are mainly opportunities to tell jokes and go crazy rather than follow logical storylines - the team itself is hodge podge. But that's not a bad thing, silliness is fun. The first adventure involves quick visits to lots of different lands. Falafel makes the most of it, poking fun at Chess Island, the Kingdom of Infinite Monkeys, Mudland, and the Island of Teachers.

The real story starts about halfway through the book when the Five visit Snot Jelly Island. Here, they find many people encased in green snot jelly, frozen as statues. One survivor, Craig the Cowardly, is there to tell the tale. He's recruited along to the Far Out Five, which is thus no longer Five, to help save the island from a Medusa creature who can snot-jellify everyone with her dangerous stare.

The visuals here are vibrant and fun in mucous green. I liked that they were simple, uncomplicated drawings, brightly coloured and very in keeping with the narrative style. Falafel clearly leans into the naughty, gross fun that delights young kids, with a "Plop Ness Monster" early in the book, and plenty of farts, poos, snot and butt jokes. Some parents may think it's too much, but it's the kind of humour that will probably engage kids in the 7-10-year age bracket, especially boys.

The same age group will probably love the weird, cheery chaos with different animals, magic, and action, much of it not making much sense, but anything for a joke.

The book also includes challenging words, including many obscure elements from the periodic table, and "find the difference" activities to keep kids engaged.

However, there are some areas where Falafel skates a lot closer to the edge of what might be considered acceptable for younger kids. For instance, a phrase repeated several times in a story for fun, "clucking fork" is meant to refer to an implement owned by a mythical chicken king, but the joke is clearly meant to be a pun on foul language that parents may feel isn't appropriate.

The book is a wild and ridiculous adventure. The general story is predictable, but the details are very imaginative. I'm sure many kids would love the naughty giggles, but parents should be aware that it does push limits.

 

 

 

My Brother Otto

My Brother Otto by Ingrid Laguna (Text Publishing) RRP: $14.99 ISBN 9781923058729

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

Warning: This book should be read with a box of tissues handy.

My Brother Otto is the story of Quinn preparing for the arrival of a baby brother. We are introduced to the familiar emotions many families and prospective sisters would go through. Everyone's excited about the new baby to arrive, Otto. Mum and Alex are so interested in Baby Otto and Quinn feels sidelined. Why can't things stay the way they are? She doesn't want to share her room. She liked it better when they had time to care about her life.

 But this isn't a simple "jealous big sister" story. Otto is born prematurely and the family is thrown into turmoil when he struggles to survive. Otto will not come home immediately and must stay in the neonatal intensive care unit until he grows more. Quinn sees Mum and Alex's happy excitement turn to concern, tiredness and fear.

It's a journey that's emotionally tiring in what seems a simple story. Small moments like Baby Otto grasping Quinn's finger are amazingly powerful. Laguna has used her own experience with premature births to communicate a story about family, love, worry and loss that's authentic.

I liked how Quinn goes through many realistic stages of coming to terms with her brother's situation. She develops to become a great sister yet she's understandably upset by the attention Otto may take up and how taking care of him might change the life she's used to.

The story is told in language very accessible to children aged around 8 years and older. However accurate terminology was used that didn't seem patronising and added to the book's authenticity. The explanations for complications in premature birth were simple and well-targeted. The ideas and emotions introduced are deep and sensitively-handled. It's an ideal book for helping children to come to terms with difficult subject matter in families.  

The Fishmonger and the Pastry Chef

The Fishmonger and the Pastry Chef by Sophie Masson and Cheryl Orsini (Little Hare) RRP: $24.99 ISBN 9781761211225

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

This is a charming little matchmaking tale nestled inside the comforts of friendship, glorious memories and delicious food! This sumptuous picture book, dripping with sweet pink that reminds me of cake icing and macarons, starts with Lucas who introduces us to a seaside town in France where his two favourite people live. His Aunt Violette, a pastry chef, and the fishmonger, Cyprien.

Lucas loves Violette, and he's always happy to see Cyprien. There's a glow to the relationship between the young and old here. But the real stars of the book are the different kinds of French food. Both Masson and Orsini and pour their passion onto the page and Lucas is the embodiment of that.

Readers will look at the pastry shop with the "berets Basques with chocolate tops, tartes aux fraises, glossy with strawberries, and gateaux Russe, resplendent with hazelnut meringue and coffee cream" and lick their lips then turn the page and be bombarded with a buffet of "crusty bread and salty ham, wheels of cheese and spears of asparagus, and bright red peppers, tomatoes and cherries ... silvery shoals of fish, spiky squads of lobsters ..."

Masson doesn't hold back and doesn't simplify her food list. Some children may find certain foodie terms a little challenging, but it's a great chance for them to expand their vocabulary and immerse themselves in French foodie culture. The pictures explain those details are irresistible. Orsini has captured the joy of abundant food - she says that one of her favourite things to draw is charcuterie. This is evident here.

This book is reminiscent of Paul Gallico's Flowers for Mrs Harris where a woman with childish charm plays matchmaker against a French setting. Except instead of using French fashion as the backdrop, here it's French food. Like Gallico's book, this has a gentle charm to it that will leave a smile on your face as Violette and Cyprien discover happiness, and Lucas discovers the joy of bringing happiness to others.

The story is simple and predictable, but that works for a children's picture book. Celebrating this selfless joy is what makes this book so magical, as well as being immersed in the food culture of France.

Dear Broccoli

Dear Broccoli by Jo Dabrowski and Cate James (Affirm Kids) RRP: $24.99 ISBN 9781923022102

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

Who loves broccoli? Not Frank, who decides to write to his broccoli and tell it to stay away from his dinner. In a funny exchange, the broccoli writes back.

This is a humorous picture book exploring a well-known aversion to vegetables and the idea of having a broccoli pen pal is innovative. In the exchange of letters, Frank shows his emotional reaction to broccoli clearly with capital letters STRESSING his stress. Meanwhile, the broccoli explains its advantages in a much calmer tone, cool as a cucumber.

In fact, they discuss cucumbers. Which, as the broccoli points out, aren't even vegetables. They're fruit.

The starkly contrasting voices distinguish the characters and lend to the fun, though the language of the broccoli may lead to the book not being as accessible for very young readers. The discussion of the nutrients and stress levels might not be as interesting to the youngest of readers. There are little jokes, that adults will notice, about how dietary information is given and how so many vegetables 'are really fruit'.

The pictures are bright and simple in style, with plenty of broccoli-green throughout and capture the sad face of a child not happy to eat his greens as well as cute, animated vegetables.

The illustrations will appeal to a much younger audience while the text indicates a level of sophistication, especially in the humour, that seemed to be aimed at an older audience. It's a book that could possibly interest different audiences at several levels.

 

 

 

 

The Lastling

The Lastling by Victor Kelleher (Eagle Books) RRP: $16.99 ISBN 9780648815488

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

The topic of artificial intelligence intrigues us all nowadays. We've had stories about robots, cyborgs and androids for many years and The Lastling is a contribution by Victor Kelleher to the literature. With so many ruminations on a topic that is ever-increasingly becoming relevant to us, where does it stand?

This is the story of Guido, an android, and a human being called Verne. While reading it, I was reminded of other books that explore a robot's journey such as Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro and The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. The book also references (it's irresistible in books about robots interacting with humans!) the famous laws of robotics laid down by Isaac Asimov.

Guido is an android whose job is to guide humans through a wilderness park. His actions trigger an event that affects Verne years later, and they both set out on a quest. It is a book for children who enjoy adventure but it also introduces them to important science fiction and artificial intelligence concepts.

We have a robot interacting both with humans and a wild and natural environment: thus, while it may appeal to those who've enjoyed The Wild Robot, Guido is also a very quiet and gentle character and we see how the android interacts and grows with Verne, a human. The language brings out this aspect very beautifully.

At times it's not clear where the line is drawn between a robot and a human. It's certainly something for readers to discuss as Guido comes across close to a person. While he says he is not programmed in certain ways, he shows human sensitivities and refers to his "mind" and "senses". With the advances of artificial intelligence nowadays and some of them being able to mimic humans in ways we wouldn't expect (and falling short in ways that are unexpected, too), this may be all too real for some young readers.

This book has the elements of a good quest novel -- action, adventure, tension, and an unlikely partnership. There aren't too many twists and turns in the basic plot. What it does make us think about is whether a robot character actually makes the partnership that much different from a human one. The scary part is if the answer is that it doesn't, not that much.

The Last Tiger

The Last Tiger by Julia Riew and Brad Riew (Penguin) RRP: $26.99 ISBN 9781761357053

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

The Last Tiger has a dragon school, male and female protagonists separated by their classes in society but rebelling against the system, a love triangle, magical powers, an oppressive government system, a resistance group ... all the elements of great young adult fiction. In fact, listing these elements raises the question - can this possibly be fresh? Hasn't this been done before?

Julia and Brad Riew breathe new life into this set of tropes by basing the story around their own experience of Korean history and their grandparents' own romance. They intertwine their parents' story and use it as a frame for this fantasy involving Eunji and Seung. The story contains romance, but the focus is far more on the adventure and political parts of the plot.

It's told from both characters' perspectives, and the changing points of view are well-handled. While their backgrounds couldn't be more different, we see how Eunji and Seung are similar - neither have real control over their lives. Eunji is fated to marry to improve her family's status whereas Seung will plod along, trying to carve out a meagre living to help his family survive.

But what if this could change?

What's more, what if there is more to fight for than simply their right to do as they wish?

While some of the story plot points aren't that surprising, the journey is still gripping. The story starts with Eunji challenging herself by leaving the house without permission and Seung daring to dream he might pass a government exam. Both their restrictions and their desire to push beyond them are relatable and inspiring.

Later, both characters are on an adventure and are exploring the animal powers in the world that the Riews have created. In this world, dragons, serpents and tigers can bestow ki or powers upon humans. Tigers are almost in extinction and the existence of tiger ki is almost unknown. But if the last tiger can be preserved, hope of tiger ki may give hope to tiger colonies - and this is a threat to those who want to oppress them.

Eunji's and Seung's adventure expands, becoming much more than their struggle to find their own paths in lives to finding meaning for their people. They are forced to challenge their ways of thinking in several leaps in the book, and show real growth.

Secondary characters, in particular Kenzo and Jin, are well-written with backstories and personalities that are well crafted so we can understand their motives and see their strengths and flaws.

It's a compelling story which asks us questions about autonomy, power, trust and daring to hope. We explore a period of Korean and Japanese history. The story also poses questions about how animals are used and treated by humans and the ethics around this.

 

Squid Squad: Nothing to Sea Here

Squid Squad: Nothing to Sea Here by Aoife Dooley (Scholastic) RRP: $18.99 ISBN 9781761721069

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

Meet the Squid Squad: there's Ollie, a vampire squid, Zing a sea bunny, Barney, their pet anemone, and their other friends who each have a cool ability and make up the cool, heroic squid squad. Well, sort of heroic -- maybe more friendly and hilarious.

This is a graphic novel with fantastically funny, bright illustrations that will draw children in and keep them giggling. The story introduces our Squid Squad, and we learn some interesting and fun facts about sea creatures. I love when a story weaves in learning in an entertaining way. For instance, did you know that vampire squids are a real kind of squid (but maybe not like the vampires that you read about in other stories)? Or that sea slugs release toxins? Or that sea anemones live a very long time? You'll have to read the book to find out how long and learn more amazing sea facts!

The book combines four stories in one and it's not a conventional superhero adventure story. This isn't about fighting huge mega sea monsters and rescuing mermaids in distress. There are some main antagonists - a sea slug, a sea snail, a shark and a flounder. The stories are comic ones about hairdo competitions, parties, burping issues and magical toilets. The sea friends quarrel but find creative answers to their problems, which often involves riding a mysterious snaky unicorn. It's crazy fun.

The sea world Dooley has created involves lots of creative sea references - there is no need to ponder too deeply the exact science of it all but just to have fun with it. A cinema or 'seanema', a bakery, a diner full of delicious sea snacks where the squad can hang out, shell phones. The book is about good friends working together and having adventures and it's a delight in such an imaginative setting. Why in the crusty barnacle would you want to hang out anywhere else?

How To Train a Dad

How To Train a Dad by Sally Barns and Noémie Gionet Landry (Affirm Press) RRP: $19.99 ISBN 9781923046825

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

There are many different kinds of dads. Old dads, new dads, working dads, stepdads. Tall dads, short dads, hairy dads and bald dads. They're all lovable and wonderful and but ...

It can be a huge challenge to train them properly!

This is a fun and funny book getting your dad to work correctly and "preventing him from malfunctioning". Children will enjoy the jokes about dad being "tested" as if he were an appliance or a robot - does he have a switch? Do you have to call his name out several times to "see how dad works"?

The book cutely suggests enjoyable activities with dad as training such as "how to exercise him" - that is, play sport with him, or "re-fuel him", that is, bring him meals.

I laughed at the dad jokes’ section, but really, the whole book is a dad joke. Naturally, having to train your dad or "maintain" him like a machine that might malfunction is not a serious suggestion, but it will give children a bit of a giggle and plenty of the suggestions are harmless. The framing of training a dad is a humorous way to support warm, loving relationships between parents and children. It encourages hugs, spending time together, doing things for each other, and being aware of each other's needs.

The illustrations were suitably bold and bright. I felt it was a book both parents and children could read and enjoy over again. 

Maybe dads will find their heads being pressed as the on and off switches are being sought ... but it will be worth it when the kids are also bringing them comfort food and practising their bear hugs as part of their training regime!

Surprise Shark

Surprise Shark by Sarah Lane and Patrick Corrigan (Affirm Press) RRP: $22.99 ISBN 9781922992826

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

It isn't really a surprise that sharks don't find it easy to make friends. Others tend to think "frightening" rather than "friendly" when they see them. But ... sharks have feelings too and maybe sharks just want to have fun.

This is a rhyming picture book which starts in the ocean and our shark unexpectedly pops up. Then it brings us to many places that you wouldn't naturally think of for a shark - parties, islands, outer space ... with a simple theme - our shark finds it difficult to make friends and needs to find a solution. What could it be?

The answer doesn't seem to be trying a zillion different places and approaching more possible friends, because that's not working.

The pictures in this book illustrate the "surprise shark" and all the different environments beautifully with bright colours and expressive animal faces. The structure of both the verse and the story overall gives the book a lovely rhythm and would make it fun to read with kids, where they can anticipate beats to the story and enjoy the ride.

It's a good story of unlikely friendship with a huge dollop of humour and absurdity.

Looking for Imani

Looking for Imani by Dianne Bates (Woodslane Press) RRP: $16.99 ISBN 9781922800985

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

Dianne Bates is an award-winning author of children's books such as To The Moon and Back and The Butti Butti Bunyip. This story, a short one about an immigrant family in Australia with a Middle Eastern background, is narrated by one of the daughters, Nabila.

Nabila's younger sister, Imani, goes missing in the shops one day. The family is not sure whether she's wandered off or she's been taken but their anxiety about her disappearance rises as Imani doesn't show up. There are difficulties communicating with authorities due to language barriers.

The story shows how the family reaches into their Australian community and there is unexpected kindness. It really shows the meaning of "community spirit" in hard times.

The story is not a detective story: we are told what happens to Imani and while it is somewhat interesting, it is not a surprise. It is instead a story about people, understanding and relationships, especially people in marginalised groups. Looking for Imani is a quiet, simple and hopeful story. It encourages us to care about people who really need consideration in our communities.

This Dream Will Devour Us

This Dream Will Devour Us by Emma Clancey (Allen & Unwin) RRP: $24.99 ISBN 9781761181221

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

This Dream Will Devour Us is a young adult fantasy, starting in a magic school, in a world where an elite, powerful and rich family holds the key to all the magic and our protagonist, Nora, finds herself with a chance to get her toe in.

Does this sound familiar? There are a lot of themes here that have appeared in many other books before and you may ask yourself, can this book do something fresh with them? I'm glad to say, yes.

Nora wins a lottery to the magical Dream Gala held by the ultra-rich Lamour family. The problem is that she didn't enter. However, now that she's got the invitation, she decides she might as well exploit the opportunity and she quickly negotiates life-saving medical treatment for her brother, some cash for herself and a letter of recommendation to magic school - her dream. I liked Nora's resourcefulness immediately.

Part of the deal includes faking a relationship with the younger Lamour son, Remy, who is cold to her. Henri, the older brother, is far more charismatic and interested in negotiating. Nora is plunged into a world of spectacles, glamour, movie stars and drugs. That's how magic works in this world. The Lamours have control of levincium which gives you access to magic. In this world, magic is a science and a chemical - an intriguing idea.

While the backdrop of the story is fantasy, this is mostly about power and high society. It's a young adult version of Succession. We have impossibly rich people, we have family members squabbling about what will happen when the next becomes a director of the board, we have loyal staff and friends of the family, and we have a part-relative who's angling to get more recognition in the Lamour family. Plus, parties, drugs and paparazzi. It's an irresistible combination.

Nora thinks her main goal is to ensure her initial deal is fulfilled but soon she's unravelling secrets that the other characters she meets carry. There's more to Remy than meets the eye. Dom is a movie star and he's smooth - but can he be trusted?

A Door in the Dark (Waxways #1)

A Door in the Dark (Waxways #1) by Scott Reintgen (Scholastic) RRP: $22.99 ISBN 9781761642210

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

A Door in the Dark is the first in the Waxways series. It's a series set in a magic school - will that theme ever get old? It opens strongly with a scene where a group of students realise that there's one dead among them - and one of them must have done the deed. But who was it?

This opening sounds a bit like a whodunnit, but that's not what A Door in the Dark is at all. It's a dark fantasy, a survival quest of self-growth with a splash of romance. After this opening, we go back to the magic school before the events in the opening scene. We find out about the main characters and how they relate.

The protagonist is Ren, and she's a super-smart heroine. She's unfortunately not very likable but if you admire heroines who are extremely skillful over those who are thoughtful, charismatic or kind, Ren is the character you'll enjoy. Ren does have friends and there are attempts at showing she feels for them but she can be extremely callous.

Ren's braininess is an opportunity for the author to show off the well-thought- out magic system. At times it can feel like every step is over-explained, but the detail in the system is amazing.

The prose is smooth and easy enough to read. We build the "before the opening" story and reach the exciting prologue incident - which is then repeated, word-for-word. This is another example where the book has explained just a little too much for its readers.

While this is a magic schoolbook, we don't spend much time in the magic school. The story is about six students who are dragged out into the middle of nowhere and after there is the death, they spend most of the book figuring out how to get back. Ren, Avy, Timmons, Cora, Clyde and Theo. While their characters are distinct, none is as well-developed as Ren. A great deal of the story is predictable for those who've read fantasy, quests or dark books. However, if you are more interested in how the journey progresses rather than what each step is, that won't matter.

There are deaths, there is romance, there is use of magic. It's the magic system that keeps us hooked more so than the characters. The characters explore dark themes and even the romance doesn't lift the mood. Throughout, there's a feeling of emptiness and tragedy in everyone's souls. It's an eerie book that matches the haunting cover.

The book has a solid ending with a promise of more magic to come.

Resist: A Story of D-Day

Resist: A Story of D-Day by Alan Gratz (Scholastic) RRP: $12.99 ISBN 9781761649172

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

Alan Gratz has written many stories for younger readers with war as a theme, including the novel Allies. Resist: A Story of D-Day is a short, bonus book that expands on the character Samira Zidane, who was introduced in Allies; however, the book can also be enjoyed as a standalone adventure.

Samira lives in Nazi-occupied France in World War II. She and her mother are spies. When Samira's mother goes missing, Samira tries to rescue her with a dog, Cyrano, as her companion. During her rescue attempt, she discovers an interesting secret about the Allies' strategies in the war.

This short book plunges us immediately into the action. The pace doesn't let up; there's no wasting words or diversion into unnecessary subplots. Gratz keeps the language and story on point, which suits this thrilling adventure.

I don't know how historically accurate the description of strategies and behaviours by both the Allies and Nazis are, but they make for a compelling read. A younger audience would undoubtedly be fascinated by details such as the scenes involving the paratroopers in the war. Samira's role as a spy makes her a character who takes initiative. She demonstrates strength, self-sufficiency, and quick thinking, and she is a fantastic character for a children's story. As she searches for her mother, children will relate to her feeling of anxiety and admire her courage and resourcefulness.

The story is careful not to be too explicitly violent and to ensure the "good guys" are portrayed as having a strong ethical framework without being overly preachy.

With a brief book of this kind, Gratz cannot provide much information about World War II generally. Some knowledge is taken for granted. However, the snapshot it gives of a girl acting bravely in the war would appeal to many children.

Moreover, the doggy companion, Cyrano, assisting along the way, adds to the story's charm.

This is a quick historical adventure that won't bore readers.