Into the Sideways World

Into the Sideways World by Ross Welford (Harper Collins Children’s Books) Paperback, Middle Grade/ YA $14.99 ISBN 978 0 008 33384 3

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks 

Into the Sideways World is an adventure story that explores family, science fiction and sliding door moments. What if at a particular moment at the exact same time a different choice was made in another parallel world? I love the concept of not going backwards or forwards in time but travelling sideways. Imagine a parallel world that shows a better version of your world and you find a way to travel there. The themes explored in this book are family, friendships, the environment and war.

Willa and Manny have trouble fitting in at school and when they become friends and explore a cave one full moon they are swept away into an alternative world. When they return, no one believes them.

Bestselling author Ross Welford doesn’t disappoint when he takes us into the world of twelve-year olds, Willa, and Manny. He creates strong characters in believable worlds. I think it’s his eyes mainly: as green and as shiny as a halved kiwi fruit, and starey and sad. The language paints such vivid pictures for the reader. The dialogue reveals inner character traits and viewpoints.  I thought I’d tell you about myself.  Save time, you know? 

Information from our world is woven into the text and this makes the alternative world seem real. ‘‘All We Are Saying Is Give Peace A Chance!’ It’s a line from a John Lennon song from ages ago in big letters.’ And we’d made pictures on the school printer of lots of peaceful people. There was Lennon himself, Martin Luther King, Jnr and Jesus, and Nelson Mandela and Mother Theresa of Calcutta, and M.D Gandhi, and loads of others.’

The text builds reader knowledge and there are smaller stories within the larger story that keep the reader engaged and hooked. It is a nail biting read to see if Willa and Manny will make it back to their real world in time.

This is a thought-provoking, funny, thrilling book for readers of 10 years and up that will find its way onto many shelves. It’s imaginative and inspiring because it creates active thinking and questioning in the reader as they travel inside an engrossing story.

The dog that saved the world

The dog that Saved the World by Ross Welford (Harper Collins) PB RRP   $14.99 ISBN 9780008256975

Reviewed by Claire Stuckey

Georgie and her friend Ramzy chill out together but one day they meet a rather interesting old lady who invites them to her crazy, scientific, virtual reality dome!  As usual, Georgie is accompanied by Mr Mash her "mishmash" rescue dog. Georgie and Ramzy spend more time with Dr Pretorius trialling further uses of her virtual reality worlds they soon learn the highlights and problems of the technology. Meanwhile, as a volunteer of the St Wolf's dig rescue, Georgie unwittingly breaks hygiene regulations and initiates the spread of a deadly disease not only putting every dog in the country at risk, but outbreaks then spread worldwide.

There are car chases, night time break-ins via poo chutes, hospital break outs, giant scorpions and heart-breaking scenes of families without their beloved pets but MR Mash and his doggy DNA provide a cure in the future. The question is can they wait that long? This is a great book with some very real concepts including friendship, poverty and bravery embedded.

Mix in computer technology, action and global health issues and the author has achieved a title that will be popular with middle school readers. I now want to go and read her other book, The 1,000-year-old boy.  This book is for ages 10+ years.

What not to do if you turn Invisible

What not to do if you turn Invisible by Ross Welford (Harper Collins Children’s Books) PB RRP $14.99   ISBN 9780008156350

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

From the author of Time Travelling with a Hamster comes another creative and entertaining read. It’s every child’s dream to be invisible and I suspect even some adults.  This book would suit from 9 years old onwards.

The text is cleverly crafted to grab the reader’s attention and ensure they keep on reading.

 

‘On the way to the kitchen I catch a glimpse of myself in the long hallway mirror. Well, I say ‘myself’. What I really see is a pair of jeans and my favourite red T-shirt walking by themselves.’

The story is deceptively simple to read and surprisingly very different.  The book uses humour to explore that terrifying topic of trying to find yourself and where you fit in this world. This includes within your own family, with your friends and at school. 

There are bullies and loud mouths that make Ethel feel isolated. Thirteen-year-old Ethel has a very painful problem, a bad case of spots.  Just like anyone else with a very painful problem Ethel tries to find a solution. With the help of her mate Boydy Ethel hides her invisibility and along the way they solve a mysterious mystery.

Without giving away too many secrets Ethel finds her identity and inner strength and as well as a happy fit with her place in the world.

Teachers will enjoy reading this book to their class just for fun or for discussion about bullying and friendship. 

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