So Wrong Uncensored

So Wrong Uncensored by Michael Wagner illustrated by Wayne Bryant (Billy Goat Books) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 9780994251756

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This book is the first in So Wrong, described by the publisher as ‘a humorous, hyperactive kind of series that targets 10-13 year old reluctant readers’. The series even has an accompanying website,  www.sowrongbooks.com, and book club that hopefully will attract kids who wouldn’t ever normally join a book club.

The first sign that this book is ‘different’ is on the first page with its message, ‘HEY YOO! Wee need to tork.’ It then asks the reader, ‘Isnt it tyme yoo stopped reeding boring books onse and for all?’

The invented spelling continues for some pages with cartoon heads inviting the reader to ‘…gon on… reed it now… youll luv it.’ This is followed by ‘segments’ from the book’s hero, Mitey Mikey, who is supposed to have filmed the following stories.  The first story -- in conventional spelling -- is titled ‘The Nappy’ and of course there is reference to a pooey nappy that at one stage flies through the air aimed at a dad.

As this is said to be a film, there are, of course, a number of (satirical) ads, the first being one for a ‘very private school’ (clothing not necessary). Other stories are titled ‘Soccerhead’, ‘The Veree Hungree Caterpooper’ and ‘Mitey Mikey’s Sampel Lyfe Lesson.’ Throughout the book there are black and white cartoon illustrations, some of which make use of speech balloons.

It’s all very over the top, but in what the publisher describes as ‘a bit naughty but always good-natured.’ As two former reluctant readers themselves, the author and illustrator (both Australian) have created the book (and eventually a series) they wish had existed when they were kids. It would be good to have the opinions of today’s reluctant readers. One imagines they will be attracted to the book, not just for the ‘Uncensored’ label on the front cover and the zany adventures with the frequent plot twists and surprises, but for the one-on-each page lively illustrations.

So Wrong titles are due to roll out every six to nine months; the expected audience is reluctant readers (principally boys) aged 10 to 13 years.

Coco Banjo has been Unfriended

 Coco Banjo has been Unfriended written and illustrated by N.J. Gemmell (Random House)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9780857987358

Reviewed by Jaquelyn Muller

The day Emma Chippendale decided to sit with Sally Haggerty on the bus to my grade three excursion to (the old) Parliament House in Canberra, was a dark miserable day in my then extremely short life. This was tragically relived upon reading Coco Banjo has been Unfriended.

There may be 30-something years separating myself from Coco Banjo, but the inconsolable dismay at being ditched by your best friend, is not restricted to a generation I’ll have you know.

This gorgeous graphic novel comes alive with the images working in harmony with the relatable characters that every kid experiences in primary school, right down to the cranky headmistress, who declares fun punishable by times tables and the hoity-toity mean girls hell bent on creating more misery than a soggy egg sandwich.

Coco Banjo is an off-beat little girl with a career mum who works away, so she pulls in the attention of readers with her flowery terminology and whimsical personality, however she is relatable as she grapples with the everyday challenges of being a girl in middle year primary. Clothes, sleepovers and school camp room allocations are interwoven with embarrassing parent behaviour and a repressive school dictatorship destined to quash the creativity of any ten year old.

A variety of fonts and graphics cleverly break up the text, which make this book perfect for reluctant and voracious readers alike. The pages come alive with punchy dialogue and comical illustrations in the same way that the My Life, Treehouse and Wimpy Kid book series’ have embraced the modern graphic novel.

At the root of all the chaos of Banksia Bay Public, is Coco Banjo’s commitment to positivity and kindness with enough mischief (or as I like to all it creative thinking) to get her out of trouble.  She is an empathetic character and the friend we all need through the monkey bars of life. The very Aussie backdrop is a tribute to our lucky way of life and Gemmell has shared her love of Australian culture in the scenes she has created.

The first book in the series was released earlier this year with Coco Banjo is Having a Yay Day and the third book is set for release next year with Coco Banjo and the Super Wow Surprise. Nikki Gemmell is the author of four novels for adults. Her other children’s titles include the The Luna Laboratorium and the The Icicle Illuminarium.

Drongoes

Mates: Drongoes by Christine Bongers, illustrated by Dan McGuiness (Omnibus Books)
PB RRP $11.99
ISBN 978-1-86291-982-2
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

The year five cross-country race is an important one for Jack and his mate Eric. It is really the race to end all races - the one where Jack is finally going to beat Rocket Robertson, his racing nemesis. And it is the race that Eric is finally going to make it to the finish line.

In order to achieve these goals, the boys will need plenty of training – and maybe a little help from the spangled drongoes, those cheeky birds who hang out at the creek.

Drongoes is a title in the Mates – Great Australian Yarns series and is perfect for young readers. It is an easy-read chapter book but with a storyline which will also satisfy older reluctant readers. The connotations of drongoes (one of which is a horse famous for not winning a race) adds an extra dimension to the story which older readers will appreciate without affecting younger reader’s enjoyment. The humour is appropriate for both readerships as well.

This is an appealing book to look at as well as to read. The layout is attractive, with full colour illustrations which add to the enjoyment of the reading experience. The pictures echo the humour of the text. The double spread illustration of Jack and Eric training, silhouetted in the setting sun, followed by a flock of drongoes, beautifully evokes the enormity of what the boys are trying to do.

This is a funny story highlighting the notions of winning not being everything, of loyalty, and of the great Aussie spirit of ‘giving it a go’. It will appeal to many young readers, especially those who relish a good sporting challenge. Jack and Eric are great characters to cheer for.

This will be enjoyed by children from seven and up.

An Anzac Tale

An Anzac Tale by Ruth Starke, illustrated by Greg Holfeld (Working Title Press)
HB RRP $29.95
ISBN 9781921504532
Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

Roy Martin and his best mate Wally Cardwell are among the first to enlist when Australia goes to war at the beginning of World War 1. Eager to fight for King and country, they soon discover the adventure they thought they would have is nothing but a disaster.  One day after the unsuccessful landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915, more than 2000 of their fellow ANZACs are dead.

The two mates and their new friend Tom, soon have to endure a battle against a tireless enemy, hostile surroundings, and the onset of flies, fleas, cold and disease.

This graphic novel is extraordinary for many reasons. Ruth Starke has captured the ‘aussie’ spirit of get up go really well. Australian slang of the time, words such as ‘little tacker’s ‘six bob tourists’ all add to the sense of the era.

The illustrations by Greg Holfeld help to create a unique book. The use of animals personalising the story, native animals for Australia, and the caracal lynx for the Turkish soldiers, helps the reader take a step back. This allows the horror of  war and what actually happened to penetrate.

The careful choice of language and what is told is taken hand in hand with the select illustrations. A combination of pen and ink and colour washes, used most effectively.  Most memorable is the double page spread of a confrontation between the ANZACs and the Turks…not a word is necessary and the thorough use of the illustrations says more than words ever could.

This book would be a great introduction of young readers to the topic of Gallipoli and the ANZAC campaign. With maps, timelines and pages of information, with the easy-to-read aspect of a graphic novel, it would also appeal to boys and reluctant readers.

A truly amazing and powerful picture book.

CAT-astrophe

CAT-astrophe by Robert Favretto, illustrated by Kevin Burgemeestre (Morris Publishing)
PB RRP $13.99
ISBN 9780985914790
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Rhys has detention for not showing interest in his Writing assignment. Bored out of his head and with not even a floating thought of what to write about, a ball comes through the widow, shattering both his thoughts and the glass. A brilliant idea enters his head, breaking his day-dream.

The story flows through him at great speed. It takes a peculiar, detailed form, and includes the class suck-up Alex, and Alex’s well-known, over-used story about the fish that got away, and a hilarious cat tale with a strange and questionable twist.

This book for younger readers is clever and entertaining due to the marvellous play on words that is used, and the terrific illustrations produced by the multi- talented Kevin Burgemeestre. It’s the kind of book kids love to read – full of nonsensical barbs, and smart-mouthed conversation. It comes highly recommended for reluctant readers.

Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers

Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers by Dav Pilkey (Scholastic Inc.)
HB RRP $12.99
ISBN 978-0-545 17534 0
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

George and Harold are back. For those who haven’t met them yet, George and Harold are the heroes who hypnotised their principal Mr Krupp, and turned him into comic book hero Captain Underpants. That was back in grade four.

This story, however, travels way back in time to George and Harold’s kindergarten days where they are facing another fearsome villain and bully, Kipper Krupp (and the nephew of Mr Krupp). Captain Underpants has not yet appeared so cannot help the boys in this adventure. The Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers tells the story of the funny and amazingly inventive way two kindergarten boys defeat the grade six bullies.

The comic book that the boys create - George writes and Harold draws - reflects all the action which takes place both in the school and in the minds of these small boys. The comic books enhance the ability for the adventure to be told through both text and illustration, as do the flip-o-ramas. All this makes for an interactive and interesting reading experience as well as breaking up the text, which helps less proficient readers.

The front cover promises ‘action’, ‘pranks’ and ‘laffs’ and there is plenty all three. But told through George and Harold’s comic books, prose and black & white illustrations, this story is more than just silliness and boy humour (although there is plenty of that too), it is also a fabulously plotted tale of revenge.

The playing around with time travel, which bookends the adventure of the kindergartners, is fun and the ending took me completely by surprise. Boys (and some girls) from about seven years old are going to love this ninth addition to the ongoing saga of Captain Underpants.

Pearlie and the Flamenco Fairy

15 Pearlie and the Flamenco Fairy by Wendy Harmer, illustrated by Gypsy Taylor (Random House Australia)
PB RRP $14.95
ISBN 9781742755403
Reviewed by Marian McGuinness

Pearlie is on her 15th adventure. She’s quite a fairy!

Straight away the reader is flying with Pearlie on the back of Queen Emerald’s magic ladybird over the plazas, palaces, gardens and fountains of Madrid.

Pearlie is good at a lot of things, but she’s not so sure about dancing. And that’s a problem as the lovely Spanish fairy, Florentina, with her ‘sparkling brown eyes and swirling scarlet skirt’ is throwing Pearlie a special party in her honour. Which means Pearlie has to learn to dance.

As Pearlie buckles on Florentina’s tap shoes, she hears the ‘clicketty-clack, clicketty-clack’ of Senor Philippe, the ‘sleek Spanish cricket.’ He is handsome, cheeky, moustached and passionate for the Flamenco – the ‘dance of FIRE!’

Reading out loud, Harmer’s use of tantalising techniques, brings the story to life. There are smatterings of the local language with ‘Hola’, ‘Ole’, and ‘Magnifico’. Lashings of alliteration, assonance, similes and onomatopoeia give further rhythm to Harmer’s enchanting fairy story. Young readers into their first independent reading books, may be influenced to use these devices to give their own stories as much colour as those in Florentina’s dresses.

As with learning any new skill, we understand how Pearlie feels as she ‘stumbled and bumbled’ with her ‘feet and wings all tangled up.’

Harmer’s simple but evocative description of eating tapas opens up the world of international cuisine, so that when eating out, the reader will have a better understanding of traditional foods.

Cue the castanets. It’s disaster for Pearlie as she trips. Her pearl necklace breaks and ‘boink, boink, boinks’ around her. As she flies after the pearls she unknowingly performs a beautiful flamenco to the ‘Ole!’ of the Spanish fairies. In a subtle way we learn that sometimes problems work out in the most unusual and unexpected ways.

Wendy Harmer, journalist and storyteller, has created a best seller in her Pearlie series for young readers. The animated Pearlie is now screening on Australian TV.

Talented illustrator, Gypsy Taylor, recently worked on the animated Pearlie series. She captures the colour of Wendy Harmer’s writing like a mirror. They are such a creative team.

Terratoratan (Boy Vs Beast)

Battle of the Mega-mutants - Terratoratan (Boy Vs Beast) by Mac Park (Scholastic/Pop and Fizz)
PB RRP $9.99
ISBN 978-1-921931-18-5
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Terratoratan is another story in the Boy Vs Beast series.

Border Captain Kai Masters, has learnt that the Outlands, where Border Guards banish captured mutant beasts to, is a BMC (Bordaria Master Command) research park. Here all the beasts are micro chipped so data about them can be collected.

In Terratoratan, Kai notices a fast moving black cloud heading towards the Rock Land. This begins the next action packed battle against toxic jellyfish and other pests which are cloning at a great rate as their pest-poo mixes with toxic water.

When the mega-mutant beast is cloned, it will take the joint forces of Kai and BF, Li and BC, with newcomer Akin Jango and his bionic chimp, to have any hope of winning the battle. If they can overcome the original beast, all the clones will turn to dust. The land inside the border walls will once again be safe.

Boy Vs Beast books are action packed adventures for young boys. Paced at an easy level for beginner and reluctant readers, those at this level will soon be flying though these chapter books. With many titles in the series, there are plenty of battles to keep the faster readers satisfied.

Book Review: Stink and the Midnight Zombie Walk

 Stink and the Midnight Zombie Walk by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (Walker Books)

HC RRP $24.95

ISBN 9780763656928

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

It’s only seven days before the release of Book 5 of Nightmare on Zombie Street and best friends Stink and Webster can’t wait. The release of the book at the bookstore will be followed by a midnight zombie walk through town. In combination with the Zombie festival, their school aims to reach one million minutes of reading.  But the boys have spent all their pocket money and have to find a way to get funds to buy the books. Their attempt to sell smells ends in destruction.

The boy’s grossness has no end. Although they continue to read and rack up the minutes, their world has become totally zombiefied.  They now communicate through zombie-speak. Their food is transformed into gruesome, gooey and disgusting gruel if only in their imagination.

The whole school is behind the reading target and is fully into the zombie swing of things. Everything is green and slimy. The canteen is serving zombie food and the children have gone through a temporary but grotesque transformation. Zombie sleepovers are arranged. Stinky has redesigned his ventriloquist’s dummy into a zombie doll which results in a frightening experience.

The celebrations begin along with the countdown. Lots of surprises are in store for everyone. The most important thing is that the children have read so many books that they have reached the reading target. This means they will receive books for the library donated by the townspeople while great fun has been had by all.

This is a gross, highly entertaining book ideal for reluctant young readers, mainly boys, which shows that reading can be fun. It has a profusion of equally gross illustrations which will send the senses reeling and keep the pages turning. The green cover depicts Stinky’s face in a zombie trance all over the place. It also has an attractive and well designed half-jacket with Stinky and friends doing the midnight zombie walk.  

Jake’s Balloon Blast

Jake’s Balloon Blast by Ken Spillman, illustrated by Chris Nixon (Fremantle Press)

PB RRP $10.95

ISBN 9-781-921-696-558

Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

Jake’s Balloon Blast is a fast moving, fun and lively read for junior primary readers. Jake is immediately likeable and his desire for wanting to fly is something we want all our children to believe in. His creativity and endeavour to do so are original and funny, as is his trusty side and kick and good friend Jonah. There are lessons to be learnt here, but Jake’s family are very fair and understanding, and in the end, laugh in the wake of Jake’s crazy courage.

Ken Spillman’s writing is simple, eloquent and very ‘today’ in his choice of ‘junior primary’ language. This chapter book format will suit reluctant readers. The humorous illustrations throughout the book break up the text and add fun and quirkiness.

The illustrations compliment this story perfectly. The talented Chris Nixon has drawn the illustrations in a unique grey lead format that is simple yet absolutely delightful. They are realistic snapshots of each moment in this little chapter book and you can see and feel all of Jake’s emotions: dreaming, planning, disappointment, joy, happiness, guilt, remorse and happiness again! The illustrations will definitely resonate and be identified by junior primary readers. The cover will appeal to the targeted readership with its colourful bunch of balloons.

Jake’s Balloon Blast is the third in a series and they have terrific, comprehensive teaching notes that are readily available on-line.

Hanging Out

Hanging Out by Catherine Bateson, illustrated by Adam Carruthers (Omnibus Books for Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $11.99
ISBN 978-1-86291-829-0
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton
www.buzzwordsmagazine.com

Hanging Out is another title in the excellent Mates series for younger readers. Written by one of my favourite authors, the wonderful Catherine Bateson, Hanging Out explores the rivalry between cousins Ben and Weston, and between Melbourne and Sydney.

Bateson states in her author profile that she was born in Sydney and now lives in Melbourne. I have the reverse experience of being born in Melbourne and living near Sydney and can fully testify to the ferocity of the competition between the two cities.

Melbourne boy, Ben, had been in awe of Sydney when he visited cousin Weston but true to the inter-city rivalry Ben had boasted of bigger and better things at home. Ben is aghast when Weston is to visit him and thinks he will be shown up as a fraud after boasting about such things as snorkelling in Port Phillip Bay with sharks and taking a steam train everywhere.

While Weston doesn't swim with sharks, he does see the Penguin Parade as the fairy penguins come ashore in the evening; and goes for a ride on Puffing Billy among other adventures. Weston thinks that everything in Melbourne is awesome.


Hanging Out is really just about that though - hanging out. While there maybe wonderful things to do and see everywhere you go, it is so much more enjoyable when there is someone to do and see all these things with. This is what the two boys come to realise in the end.

As with the other titles in the Mates series, the book is brilliantly presented and attractive to younger and reluctant readers. Adam Carruthers' coloured cartoon-like illustrations are full of life and fun. They are dotted throughout the book, breaking up the text. However, there is still plenty of white space so as not to overwhelm the reader. Variable fonts add to the quirkiness. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.