Pearly and Pig and the Lost City of Mu Suvan

Pearly and Pig and the Lost City of Mu Suvan by Sue Whiting (Walker Books) PB RRP $15.99 ISBN: 9781760655457

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

What child doesn’t want to be an Adventurologist? The job allows you travel the world, see nature at its best and help, little by little, to make a difference and save our planet.

Pearly Woe certainly wants that life. She wants to follow in the footsteps of her Grandpa Gordon, her mum Angel and her dad Ricky. And she wants to achieve it all with her trusty and loyal companion, Pig, by her side. Pearly is very well equipped for the role, with her quirky ability to understand and speak animal tongue – a skill nobody else in her family possesses.

The thing is – Pearly is a worrier. The other thing is that mishaps tend to follow her wherever she goes. The two problems don’t exactly lend themselves to becoming a fully-fledged member of Adventurologists’ Guild any time soon.

Pearly and Pig and the Lost City of Mu Suvan is the second book in Sue Whiting’s Pearly and Pig series. In the first book (Pearly and Pig and the Great Hairy Beast), Pearly survives her trip to Antarctica as a stowaway on an icebreaker and manages to find both her parents and Pig (who was pig-napped). This time, Pearly finds herself with Pig and her family on the Mekong River, heading for Anachak and ready to help her parents and grandfather find the lost city of Mu Suvan.

The Woes soon realise there is more missing that just the city – the King and his entire kingdom are gone too, with only the King’s brother and a few of his followers left behind, along with a host of animals, particularly monkeys. There is a scary rumbling afoot as well, and the residents are convinced is has to do with the Divine Sow, the current one of which just happens to be Pig’s mother.

Feeling very unwelcome and foiled at every attempt to assist, Pig is locked away and Pearly’s parents disappear when they go in search of the lost city. Then, Pearly herself ends up lost in the jungle.

How will she get out of this? Will the monkeys help her, or are they on the side of the King’s brother and his minions? And, does that lost city even exist?  

Sue Whiting is the author of a wide range of children’s literature, from picture books through to young adult, with stories that never fail to inspire. Pearly and Pig and the Lost City of Mu Suvan does not disappoint and fits beautifully into the junior fiction genre, appealing to readers aged 8 and over who love adventure.

  

The Book of Chance

The Book of Chance by Sue Whiting, (Walker Books), 2020, RRP $17.99 pb

ISBN: 9781760651367

Reviewed by Pauline Hosking

Here’s a really suspenseful page-turner. Each tiny nugget of information builds to a shocking reveal. 

Chance is a happy Year Seven student, living with her caring Mama, Nadia. Next door is the Deng family, former refugees from South Sudan, who have become Chance and Nadia’s extended family and best friends. Chance believes her father Steve died in a fire the day she was born. Her mother has written journals chronicling their lives entitled The Book of Steve, The Book of Nadia and The Book of Chance.

The novel begins in the present. Something catastrophic has happened and Chance is being interviewed by the police. No further information is given. The sense of mystery and secrets will immediately intrigue young readers. 

The story then jumps back 37 days to the Beginning of the End, the day Chance’s life began to unravel. Almost by accident she is given compelling evidence that contradicts what she believes is the story of her birth. When she confronts Nadia demanding the truth, Nadia admits that Chance is adopted. This is a huge shock, but worse follows. Although Nadia swears she doesn’t know Chance’s real parents, Chance finds a photo of two young people who died in a car crash. The woman looks so much like her, Chance wonders if this is her real mother.

A four-week-old baby was also believed to have died in the crash, although no remains of the baby were found. Chance struggles to make sense of the information. Is she the baby? What would that mean? Confused and sick in her stomach, Chance enlists the help of a journalist to find out more.

She’s a very black and white girl who believes something is either right or wrong. The truth or a lie. She is horrified when she discovers that her life has been built on lies. Although it is also true that Nadia really loves and cares for her. They have been happy. Plus, Nadia has led an exemplary life helping refugees adapt to the Australian way of life. To what degree does the truth of Chance’s present, balance the lie of her past?

The decision about what to do next is taken out of Chance’s hands. An associate of the journalist reports the situation to the police.

Sue Whiting based the book on a real crime that was committed in 1998 and not solved until 2017.  It is some comfort that this story, and I hope the real event, has a hopeful ending.

The Book of Chance is a compelling read, perfectly pitched for a middle-grade to younger YA readership. It poses many questions about the levels of right and wrong, and what it means to take responsibility for your actions. There’s an interesting sub-plot concerning trolling on social media which cleverly links the themes. Highly recommended. 

The Book of Chance

The Book of Chance by Sue Whiting is a page-turning mystery/suspense novel for readers aged 10 to 14 years set in Wollongong, NSW. It tells the story of almost thirteen-year-old Chance Callahan’s quest to find her own truth, only to discover that her life is in fact a big fat lie – #biggestfakeever! 

Inspired by a true crime, the novel explores truth and lies and the grey area in between, the impact of social media, the importance of family, and ultimately ponders the notion that maybe being truthful is really just a great big lie.

Missing

Missing by Sue Whiting (Walker Books Australia) PB RRP $17.99

ISBN 781760650032

Reviewed by Liz Ledden

‘In the dead of the night we run away.’ From the very beginning of new middle grade mystery Missing by Sue Whiting, we’re drawn into 12-year-old Mackenzie’s plight. Her bat biologist mother is missing – last seen on a field trip in Panama. And now, Mackenzie and her father are boarding a plane to try and find her.

The clever structure of this story sees each chapter veering between ‘Now’ and ‘Then’ as Mackenzie puts together the pieces of what may have happened. Mackenzie’s inner journey is one of denial and determination as she clings to the idea that her mother might still may be alive.

The writing is tight and compelling, with a strong and relatable voice in Mackenzie. The real places in the story, from the southern Sydney suburbs to the streets of Panama, are vividly brought to life. As you hurtle towards the end of the story (and yes, this is a book you’ll want to devour in one go), the tension and emotions intensify until the stunning final scene.

Based on the startling statistic that nearly 38,000 people are reported missing each year in Australia, Missing is a heartbreaking yet hope-filled exploration of the ones left behind.

Platypus

Platypus by Sue Whiting, illustrated by Mark Jackson (Walker Books)

HC RRP $27.95

ISBN 9781922077448

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Story and information are so tightly wound together in this stunning book it is hard to separate one from the other. That’s why the text is written in two sizes. The story is in larger font and the additional information is in smaller text.

The detailed full page illustrations created with mixed media draw the reader into the water world of the platypus, one of the few venomous mammals in the world. The full page illustrated sequence is broken only twice. Once it shows two pictures on one page of platypus emerging and submerging. The second is at the end where platypus snuggles into his burrow after long hours of foraging.

Male and female habits are exposed. Parenting methods, nesting habits, and how the nestlings are protected are revealed. Hints on their personal grooming and their fat storing tails are also uncovered. Earthy colours, tangled tree roots, shapely rocks and running water fill the pages.

This is a superbly visual book on the life and habit of the ‘puzzling platypus’. It is the kind of book parents and family want to buy for their children. It will mesmerise them as they read and learn about these fascinating mammals.  Overseas visitors will want to take this book of incredible beauty home with them. Schools and libraries should rush to get this on their shelves.

Mark Jackson has done an outstanding job translating Sue Whiting’s text. The covers, end papers and everything in between is of the highest quality. It is suited to the 6 - 100 age groups, and for discerning collectors of magnificent picture books.

A Swim in the Sea

A Swim in the Sea by Sue Whiting, illustrated by Meredith Thomas (Walker Books)
HC RRP $27.95
ISBN 9781921150494
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

What a gifted author Sue Whiting is. Everything she creates has meaning and beauty, regardless of genre. In A Swim in the Sea the child Bruno is off on his first day at the beach. With repetition and alliteration, the sharp text shows his preparation, excitement, then trepidation and finally his joy at being at the beach. The words gain momentum then collapse in union with the waves they describe, and that are depicted in full force by the illustrator.

But the words would be just words without the outstanding full page illustrations created with acrylic paints by Meredith Thomas. She brings life to the text and the story the pictures tell, is more than what the author has written. There is no mention of the dog in the story, yet the dog is very much a part of the show. He is Bruno’s shadow and does what he does, feels what he feels, and makes the reader believe that the story is about him.

Here are two brilliant creators totally in sync with one another. Beautiful and stylish in every way, with a cover that speaks volumes about the contents, this book is a must for the 3+ age group and lovers of exceptional picture books.

Portraits of Celina

Portraits of Celina by Sue Whiting (Walker Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 9781922077479

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

The multi-talented Sue Whiting has produced a riveting read full of intrigue and mystery. The outstanding cast of characters in perfect co-ordination with the excellent writing and exceptional storyline sends the reader spiralling through a ghostly tale of murder and retribution.

  

The spirit of Celina who has been dead for over forty years, has invaded Bayley’s life. Bayley is identical in appearance and the same age as the dead girl when she disappeared. The opening of an old trunk containing Celina’s clothes releases hidden secrets and unspoken of mysteries.

 What does Celina want of Bayley? How can she go about solving a forty year old mystery and getting justice when she’s struggling to cope with a desolate mother who has lost the plot, an older sister who is bent on self-destruction, and a younger brother who needs her as the family grieves over the accidental loss of a father.

This is an extremely well-crafted novel that will keep the reader turning the pages from the first sentence to the last word as it exposes portraits of Celina, and the role that Bayley must play in freeing her. 

Get a Grip, Cooper Jones

Get a Grip, Cooper Jones by Sue Whiting (Walker Books)

PB RRP $16.95

ISBN 9781921529788

Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Thirteen-year old Cooper Jones’ easy going way of life is changing. He’s arguing with his single mum and constantly thinking about a dad he’s never known. Add to that, the troubled but gorgeous Abbie has come to stay next door and Cooper goes through the first pangs of attraction and all the confusion that inevitably involves.

Sue Whiting writes in an engaging manner which draws the reader into the world of Wangaroo Bay. Get a Grip, Cooper Jones is set during a hot, dry summer in a ‘surfie’ town. Not that Cooper likes the beach. He fears it, preferring instead swimming training at the local pool. However, Cooper must confront his fear of the ocean when a bushfire sweeps through and he must swim to get help for Abbie who has been bitten by a brown snake.

Readers will relate easily to Cooper Jones and all his foibles. There is great humour and warmth in this book and it is one that upper primary and lower secondary school kids are bound to enjoy.