See You in the Cosmos

See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng (Puffin) PB RRP $16.99  ISBN 9780141365602

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

This is a middle-grade debut novel about a space-obsessed boy's quests in life. All eleven-year old Alex wants is to launch his iPod into space. With a series of audio recordings, he will show other life forms out in the cosmos what life on Earth, his Earth, is really like. Thus the book, instead of being written in chapters, is presented as a series of five to six minute recordings with Alex’s spirited, optimistic and largely innocent voice telling the aliens ‘out there’ about all aspects of his life which is largely complicated by his depressed and unavailable mother, his long-dead father and his absent older brother.

Eleven year old Alex struggles with the big questions. Where do I come from? Who's out there? And, above all, what can I achieve? Determined to find the answers, Alex sets out with his dog Carl Sagan on a remarkable road trip that will turn his whole world upside down. First stop is the south-west high altitude rocket festival (SHARF) where he plans to launch his rocket. From there he travels further, all the time full of joy and optimism and determination. He doesn’t always get what he seeks but he is constantly brimming with a love of life and its possibilities.

Alex is a wonderful, memorable character which is reflected in the voice of this novel. There are many funny and poignant moments, and lots of wisdom from a small boy. Any reader aged 10 years and up is sure to be captivated by Alex and his quest.

Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra

Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra by Karen Tyrrell (Digital Future Press) PB RRP $14.95                                                                                                           ISBN 978-0-994-30213-7

Reviewed by Elizabeth Vercoe

The second book in the Super Space Kids series sees reluctant hero and erstwhile Super Space Kid Josh (aka Jo-Kin), called upon to step up and save not only his Commander’s younger sister and other Super Space Kids, but the whole of planet Earth. It’s a bit of a bummer though because it’s only recently that Josh has FINALLY been seen as a cool kid at school, and he doesn’t want to leave for outer space. The timing’s pretty terrible for a face-off with the evil Lord Terra and his stinking sidekick, Prince Poison…

This inter-galactic romp has everything: tough choices, talking cars that fly, heroic boys and girls, kidnapping, battles with formidable foes and dissention among internal ranks. There’s action-a-pace, annoying siblings, dodgy friends, heart-stopping adolescent moments of infatuation and, of course, planets made entirely of food.

Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra contains a smattering of many issues that will be familiar to its 7-12 year old readership, touching on ideas of doing the right thing, standing your ground, teamwork, friendship, problem solving and resilience. There’s a lovely light, humorous touch throughout and although one or two rogue words have escaped the editorial process, overall it’s a happening and pacy read (although I have to personally admit finding it hard to get into – middle-aged woman that I am!). With enough computer game terminology to engage both boys and girls, it’s also appropriate for reluctant readers. 

Wow! The Wonders of our World

Wow! The Wonders of our World by Joy Noble and Fiona Johnston, illustrated by Lucy Buxton (Elbon Books)

PB RRP $19.95

ISBN 9780994385307

Reviewed by Ashling Kwok

Wow! The Wonders of our World is a fabulous book full of interesting information that will appeal to young readers and anyone who enjoys learning about how things work.

This lovely book is jam-packed with fascinating facts that will promote curiosity, stimulate thinking and encourage children to ask more questions. Children will learn how certain things work, how they are created and their purpose in this world.

As you flick through the book, you will be amazed at the range and diversity of topics covered including the Brain, Language, Speed, Transport, and Space and Time, to name a few.

The cover of the book is bright and bold, and will entice readers to pick it up. The text is easy to read and the language reader friendly. The colourful illustrations are imaginative and creative, and bring the pages to life. They make this book a pleasure to read.

This is an engaging book that has the potential to expand young minds as they struggle to understand how the world evolved and how they can survive in our ever changing environment.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about the world we live in and to anyone looking to inspire young children to pick up a book. Once they start reading it, they will find it impossible to put it down.

A Trip to the Moon

A Trip to the Moon by Ann-Marie Finn (Dragon Tales Publishing)
PB RRP $17.95
ISBN 9780992523916
Captain Kieron by Ann-Marie Finn (Dragon Tales Publishing)
PB RRP $17.95
ISBN 9780992523930
Reviewed by Yvonne Mes

Ann-Marie Finn is a talented Brisbane based illustrator and now author. The two books reviewed here  are dedicated to her children Liam and Kieron who share the same names as the characters in the books.

A Trip to the Moon is a gentle story of Liam who longs to travel to the moon and wonders what it would be like up there. His wish comes true when a rocket suddenly lands outside his house. He and his stuffed toy travel all the way to the moon only to find out the moon isn't quite what he expected it to be.  
 
This story will appeal to young boys and girls with a healthy dose of curiosity and a fascination for the moon, rocket ships and aliens. The illustrations are fun and lively, creating a warm atmosphere with an added visual narrative involving some cheeky aliens. I loved the use of complementary colours with vivid red-oranges and emerald greens, and there was great use of dark and light. The design added to the overall look.

In Finn’s other picture book, Captain Kieron, a little boy day-dreams on the beach. When he goes for a cooling swim in the sea he finds a submarine to take him on an exploration of the ocean. He finds ocean creatures, a sunken shipwreck and haunted pirate treasure. The dream-like quality of the story and underwater adventures make for a fun reading experience.

Again the colours are gorgeous and the illustrations fun and playful. Captain Kieron with its longer text may appeal to slightly older children then A Trip to the Moon, and will be enjoyed by all adventure-loving children.  

Both stories are told in rhyme and follow the same pattern of a little boy, (I expect inspired by two little boys close to Ann-Marie Finn's heart), who go on a dream-like fantastical adventure making the reader wonder at the end if it all really happened.

Yvonne Mes is a children's writer and illustrator. Her first picture book, Meet Sidney Nolan (Random House) is scheduled for release in October 2015. www.yvonnemes.com

 

Thunderbirds —The Comic Collection

Thunderbirds —The Comic Collection by Gerry Anderson (Egmont)

ISBN 978 1 4052 6836 3

HB $39.95 RRP

Reviewed by Nean McKenzie

This collection of classic comics is presented in a beautiful hardback edition, containing 288 pages of quality original artworks. A brief introduction explains the history of this popular futuristic British series from the 60s and 70s. The TV Century 21 (TV21) series cartoons are in chronological order, beginning with The Earthquake Maker and finishing with the Lady Penelope comics. All are set in the 2060s, one hundred years in the future from when they were written.

Thunderbirds were created in Britain by Gerry Anderson in 1964. They were a popular TV series with spin-off toys from the show. The first edition of Thunderbirds comics came out in January 1965 and quickly became quite influential and a best seller for boys. The final issue of TV21 came out in 1969, but in the 1990s more Thunderbird comics were published when there was renewed interest in the TV series.

This book provides hours of entertainment for comic lovers. The detail in the pictures is faithfully reproduced in imaginative colours, tones and textures. Several comic strip artists' work is reproduced, most notably Frank Bellamy in the earlier comics. Other artists include Graham Bleathman and in the later editions, John Cooper, Eric Eden and Frank Hampson. Also included in this edition are labeled cross-sections of the Thunderbird rocket ships 1,2,3 and 4 and 5, Tracy Island and Lady Penelope's Car — Fab 1.

 

It will be interesting to see how these comics appeal to the kids of 2013. In the 1960s there was great excitement about space travel and the future. Do we feel the same way forty years later? Or can this book help re-create inspiration for reaching out to the stars? Maybe this would be a good thing.

This is a book that many parents will enjoy looking back on. It also provides an opportunity for older children and teenagers (particularly boys) who are into comics, to discover something a bit different. There is so much to see in this collection, and the adventures can be read over and over again. 5,4,3,2,1 ... Thunderbirds are go!

Hal Junior – The Missing Case

 Hal Junior: The Missing Case by Simon Haynes (Bowman Press Australia)

PB RRP $12.95

ISBN 978-1-877034-25-1

Reviewed by Emma Cameron

Living on the space station Oberon means a class camping trip, where Hal can cook over a fire, hike in forests and splash through rivers, is the best thing ever. He’s never done those things! Lighting a practise fire in the space station’s canteen sees Hal grounded. Mum, a research scientist, hosts a huge function to seek funding from VIP Grogan and, in exchange for having his grounding lifted, Hal agrees to occupy Grogan’s kid during the visit.

Alex turns out to be a snooty stuck-up girl. Yick! Her father is told that unless he allows guards to see inside the case he carries, he is unable to take it into the meeting. He entrusts it to Alex. In order to free them up for exploring the space station, Hal convinces her to store it in the spares cupboard. Once that’s done, however, they are dragged into class and ordered to help with the clean-up that teacher has on the go. It’s not enough to stop Hal from goofing off. He gains clearance from teacher to go box hunting with Alex.

The search leads to the recycling centre, where giant robots mulch everything to bits before producing useful items, like boxes. The centre’s head robot won’t allow Hal and Alex to take boxes until they bring something in exchange. In the head robot’s office Hal thinks he sees Grogan’s case. Searching for things to swap for boxes they check the supply cupboard. The case is gone!

Back in the recycling depot Hal opens the case to find a contract, signed by all planets, allowing Grogan to turn Oberon into a tourist resort. Hal and Alex snatch back the case and safely flee a very angry robot. Grogan, pleased to have the case back, reveals the contract but Hal’s last act sees it go up in flames. A furious Grogan is sent on his way, unable to carry out his plans. Will he ever return?

Young readers are likely to be quickly drawn in by the adventurous, fun, and a little cheeky character of Hal, who always hopes to ensure that only fairness prevails. The book also contains small line drawings and some funny visual jokes too. Danger, tension, humour and a great outcome combine to keep confident readers in upper primary satisfied.

Star Girl – Book 1 New Girl

Star Girl – Book 1 New Girl by Louise Park (MacMillan Education)

PB RRP $9.99

ISBN: 978 1 4202 9029 5

Reviewed by Wendy McLean

Girls, are you sick of stories about fairies or horses or unicorns? Well never fear, there is a new super hero on the block! 11-year old Adelaide Banks, aka Star Girl, is the newest student to join the SEAS (Space Education and Action School) Space Agent Program. Addie and her fellow students are learning how to protect space as they strive to graduate from Space Cadet to Space Agent.

At SEAS, students are sent on missions, for which they receive points for following instructions and successfully completing missions. They can also lose points for disobeying mission instructions or failing to successfully complete all elements of their mission. Addie and her students are equipped with all the latest gadgets for each mission, but they need to be courageous, creative and they have to learn to work together to overcome the obstacles that they encounter in their quest to save space. 

For her first space mission, Addie must join fellow student and enemy, the nasty Valentina. They must work together to discover what is melting the ice on the distant icy planet of Polare, and save the alien frozellas from extinction. 

This first book is a good indication of what girls can expect from the other books in this new series – adrenalin-packed missions, hi-tech gadgets, bizarre planets and petrifying space aliens. The lead character Addie Banks has to tackle not only these action-packed and sometimes terrifying missions, but also the normal troubles and worries that all young girls experience at school.    

This exciting and action-packed series, which combines real life and space fantasy, will appeal to girls in the lower to middle grade. 

Space Scout: The Kid Kingdom

Space Scout: The Kid Kingdom by H. Badger, cover by M. Deeble, illustrated by D. Greulich (Hardie Grant Egmont)

PB RRP $9.95

ISBN 978-192175976-5

Reviewed by Lillian Rodrigues-Pang

Space Scout is a high action low word count series written to capture the imagination of reluctant readers. It places the reader in the future, when the earth is overcrowded and water is running out. Space scouts are specially trained individuals who venture into the universe in search of a new habitable planet for humans to move to. We travel through the universe with Kip, the youngest of the space scouts at 12 years old.

Kip is a likeable main character; presented with faults and strengths. His sidekick is a half human, half arctic wolf named Finbar. Together they complete Space Scout missions in a space ship with attitude.

This book – The Kid Kingdom has a very attractive premise, a planet with no parents. Kip travels to a planet that is ruled by a 12-year-old boy (his space double) and fun is the name of the game. The planet has a giant water bomb cannon, chocolate fountains that are free for all and allows kids to ride hover boards wherever they like. As you can imagine Kip is very attracted to this planet and the way the kids live.

No adults exist on the planet, the kids grow till the age of 13 and then they reverse age to become babies again – no death and no need for parents (and their rules). Kip’s adventure there is full of page turning games and mischief. It is up to Kip’s sidekick, Finbar to remain alert and recognise danger when it presents itself.

The book contains many wonderful ‘inventions’ such as the exploding matter cap worn when playing chasing. These caps explode the wearers matter into space, rendering them instantly invisible. The effects wear off in two minutes. When an invention is mentioned it is accompanied by an illustration. My son and daughter enjoyed the illustrations and ideas they presented a lot, as the book is jam-packed with wonderful futuristic inventions.

This book is fast paced, easy reading and a lot of fun. It contains a twist at the end and delightful imagery in the text. I recommend it for boys and girls and, in particular, advanced readers of a young age as the language and ideas are clean and fun.