Review: The Boy Maeve

How often have you read the opening lines of a book and instantly been drawn in? And how often has that initial spark of intrigue been maintained throughout the entire story as it turns and twists in every possible direction?

The Boy Maeve by Kai Ash does exactly that.

Intriguing from the first sentence to the last, this debut novel is an unusual blend of coming-of-age, contemporary queer fiction, magical realism and mythology.

Maeve was adopted as a toddler and remembers little, if anything, of his birth parents or early years.  He’s a loner with his life made more difficult in the knowledge that he’s a boy in a girl’s body – and nobody will acknowledge it.

Review: S.I.G.M.A. 1: Web of Spies

Kids as heroes, solving mysteries and crimes under the noses of adults, goes way back – well before the likes of that ‘Famous Five’, the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. And it never gets old.

S.I.G.M.A. 1: Web of Spies is bestselling adult thriller author, Tim Ayliffe’s first foray into middle grade fiction territory and this book will hit with a bang – particularly for fans of Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider series.

Meet Year 9 student, Oliver (Ollie) Speed – your everyday hero whose primary goal is to come back from his disastrous performance in the previous year’s cross-country event to beat his arch-rival, Tank. He trains every day, reluctantly accompanied by his friend George’s drone, and is feeling confident he can redeem himself this year. 

Review: The Mushroom and the Flower

In a quiet forest, a mushroom with the brightest pink cap is the centre of attention. Animals gather near her for protection from the rain, shade from the sun or just as an ideal resting place. There is no doubt this stunning plant is ‘a masterpiece of nature’ and enjoys immensely her radiant features.

When a small flower slowly begins to emerge one summer’s day, raising the interests of the creatures of the forest, the mushroom is not pleased that she is no longer the centre of their attention and admiration.

Review: The Frumpling

What can I say. From the gorgeous front cover I was instantly intrigued and wanted to know who or what was a Frumpling. Then I read the opening page and instantly fell in love with this sad lonely creature. A creature that is avoided by everyone that passes by. Everyone but one, that is.

What follows is a tale of atonement, friendship and togetherness.

Review: The Rebound

For many young readers, sport is far more than an after-school activity. It's friendship, identity, belonging and a place to escape when life becomes difficult. Fiona Harris taps into this beautifully in The Rebound, a heartfelt middle-grade novel that blends the excitement of basketball with an honest exploration of grief, resilience and personal growth.

Harry Portelli has always measured his life in basketball seasons. But when tragedy strikes his family, everything changes. Missing the tryouts for his school's top team leaves him questioning not only his future in the sport but whether he wants to return to the court at all. Instead, Harry joins the Redbacks - a team where his individual talent is undeniable, but where success will depend on far more than being the strongest player.

Review: Shakespeare in the Orchard

A little bit of WWI history, a little bit of Shakespeare, teen friendships and falling outs and an Australian backdrop – there’s something for everyone in Shakespeare in the Orchard.

At fourteen, with his father killed in a horse accident and his older brother serving as a soldier in Egypt, Jack Thorning is the man of the house. Together with his mother, Ada, Jack is keeping the family apple orchard running in between school and army cadet training.

Like most of his peers, Jack is keen to ‘do his bit’ with the war effort, but despite his skill with a rifle, he is too young to enlist and, besides, his mother needs him. But still …

Review : The Case of the Viral Video : Violet and Velvets 3

Violet and the Velvets have worked hard to overcome challenges, outsmart rival groups, and make it to the televised national BandChamps final. 

They have shown, in the past two books in the series, they can work as a team, supporting each other and enjoy making music.

As finalists they get to record their song in a recording studio and make a music video just like a real band. 

But their confidence to remain as a unique group with their own sound begins to waiver as the stress begins to rise. Will starring in a music video help to preserve or destroy their essence?

Review: Fanny and Mina: The Fastest of Friends

Did you know that it wasn’t until 2020 that the number of Olympic swimming event opportunities for women equalled that available for men?

That’s just one fact that has stayed with me after reading Samantha Tidy and Hilary Cresp’s new narrative non-fiction picture book, Fanny and Mina: The Fastest of Friends.

At the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie – both in their twenties – became the first Australian female Olympic swimmers and the first women in the world to win Olympic medals in swimming.

Review: Sword Echoes : Pirate Academy 3

Welcome back to the Pirate Academy, Coral Sea Province, with most of the students back in their Barracuda Class. 

Yet again the Pirate Academy is battling against mysterious and evil forces and the students are preparing to face even more obstacles to their survival.

Neo, one of the three central characters in this action-packed adventure series, has left the academy to follow clues his renowned pirate mother left him on her trails, in order to understand his own destiny. With help from Captain December Wilde, aboard her ship Brave as the Waves, Neo follows the coordinates left for him to claim a sword bestowed to him by his mum. But now he needs to know what is the significance of the sword? 

Review: The Baby-Sitters Club Fan Edition: Baby-Sitter Summer

Appealing to new audiences as well as nostalgic fans from generations past, this fan edition stays true to the heart of Ann M Martin's enduringly popular series while weaving in contemporary updates to provide a freshness and extension of character arcs.

 
Like the original BSC Super Specials, this fan edition captures snapshots of the summer break with chapters written from the first person viewpoint of each of the babysitters starting with the iconic postcards in their handwriting.

Written by original series author Ann M Martin, along with an all-star line up of contemporary writers who are also big BSC fans, we catch up with our favourite characters and find out about the ups and downs of their summer break and how they tackled the challenges that came their way.

Review: Ben's Library

Elissa has a very real, very big problem!

She’s already read every single book on her shelf. Can it be that she’s run out of books?

Thank goodness for the school library.

On her way home, piled high with borrowed books, Elissa is moving as slow as a snail and reconsidering her decision to try and carry such a load.

But, it’s books, so she perseveres.

Review: Tiki and Jill and the Great Australian Camel Race

Some picture books are so much more than a simple story. Tiki and Jill and the Great Australian Camel Race is one of those books.

On one level, this is a recount of the real-life Great Australian Camel Race. Held from April to July 1988, this race saw camel riders race from Uluru in the Northern Territory to the Gold Coast in Queensland – a distance of over 3,000 km.

Sunday Shelfie - The Dream Keeper

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome the wonderful Anna Walker.  This week we are celebrating Anna’s beautiful picture book The Dream Keeper.

In a small boat, the turtle sets off on a journey to deliver dreams in the nearby city. Meanwhile, a young girl, scared in the night by the shadows in her room, finds comfort in her toys ... but cannot sleep. 

As the two stories unfold side by side, the young girl and the intrepid turtle must each harness their courage and overcome their fears as their worlds collide in the most wonderful, magical way

Written and illustrated by Anna Walker 

Published by Walker Books Australia

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Review: Lamington Left Behind

In her stunning graphic novel debut, Lamington Left Behind, Andrea Innocent invites readers into a haunting post-apocalyptic world where nature has all but disappeared and bots dominate the landscape. But amid the rubbish and rusting remains, Andrea shows us that hope can be found in small places.

Young Lamington, separated from her mother, fends for herself, living in her abandoned car with a new spider friend, Ulysses. When Lamington discovers the world’s precious seeds are in danger, she sets out with Ulysses and an endearing band of koalas on a courageous quest to save them, find her mother and restore the planet. Racing to beat a deadly storm and a group of troublemakers who want the seeds for themselves, Lamington's journey becomes one of unexpected twists and friendship. 

Review: Hill End Gold

With a glint of gold fever in his eye and gold lust running through his veins, since he was 18, Alfie Wilson’s dad decides to sell their Bathurst family farm and head to the goldfields at Hill End, where the latest gold strikes have been reported.

Alfie and his younger brother are immediately swept up by their father’s optimistic enthusiasm and firmly believe their father’s motto, ‘Fortune favours the bold’ will inevitably lead them to become the Wealthy Wilsons. Their mother and older sister are far more cautious and prefer the safety and security they have on their farm, even though it may not be so profitable. But as a family they begin their journey to Hill End to claim their stake purchased by their father at a gold mine near where big finds have been unearthed.

Review: The Little Girl and the Rain

When I first received a copy of The Little Girl in the Rain I instantly fell in love with whimsical beauty of the cover, with its matt finish, subtle colours and glittery raindrops. It had a somewhat modern feel but was written an illustrated by someone unknown to me, so I did some research. I was shocked to discover this beautiful book was actually first published in 1974, in what is now known as the Czech Republic.

Review: Don't Forget to Smile

Behind the elegance, discipline and applause of the ballet world lies a demanding culture of perfection, and Ariane Beeston's Don't Forget to Smile offers an honest and compelling glimpse behind the curtain.

Told through the alternating perspectives of Clara, Elle and Ben, three talented young dancers competing for a coveted place at the International Ballet Grand Prix, the novel explores what it truly costs to pursue excellence. Each protagonist faces their own personal battle: Clara struggles with the expectations of fitting the traditional ballet mould, while Elle and Ben challenge outdated attitudes and entrenched power structures within the dance world. As their individual journeys unfold, an unexpected scandal draws the trio together in surprising ways.

Review: Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery

Detective Beans is back in another full length graphic novel and no doubt his fans will be rejoicing. 

If you haven’t met Detective Beans yet it is time to join him and his sidekick, Biscuits, in their quest to solve a tricky mystery.

Decked out in his trench coat and using his newly acquired walkie talkie, this loveable kitten once again stumbles upon clues that will take him on an exciting treasure hunt and distract him from cleaning his room! 

Beans visits Captain Scuttlebeard, the reluctant pirate, to return a letter mistakenly delivered to his house. Whilst aboard his ship, Captain Scuttlebeard gives him a treasure map and Beans decides to put his detective skills into action. He begins to unravel each clue in the hope of finding a real treasure. 

Review: Sketch

Sketch is an impactful story, a picture book for older readers, created by Canadian illustrator and political cartoonist Jacques Goldstyn. 

It shares a message of hope for anyone who feels alone, out of place or misunderstood. 

Right from when Sketch was born, there was something different about him, both in looks and actions. 

In his home town, which is neat and picture perfect, and everything and everyone have their place, Sketch just doesn’t seem to fit in. 

Sunday Shelfie - The Frumpling

Happy #sundayshelfie day! It is my pleasure to welcome Jo Vanderborgh and Jo Beasley.

This week we are celebrating their delightful picture book The Frumpling. 

The Frumpling lived a lonely life, this book will tell you why.

He smelled and looked so squaffy, every beast just walked on by.

Except for one . . .

An endearing tale of help from unlikely friends . . . and the transformative power of a good wash!

Written by Jo Vanderborgh

Illustrated by Jo Beasley

Published by Walker Books Australia 

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