Author: Admin

Alistair Aiken (text), Cavan Scott (illus.), Aleksandar Sotirovski (illus.), Ali-A Adventures Game On! Puffin Books, 13 Nov 2017, 192pp.,  $29.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780141388168 Gamers will revel in this story but, for those of us who aren’t gamers, the story holds its own and gives us a true taste of the challenges found in online games. I am in awe of both the physical appearance and the subject of this book. Overall, it is an amazing, high-resolution hard cover book with stunning graphic illustration by Aleksandar Sotirovski and a fast-paced, fun read with amazing visuals that gaming fans will love, as will anyone…

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Ann Russell (text),  Lara Frizzell (illus.), Little Truff and the Whales, Ann Russell Books, 2 Oct 2017, 32pp.,  $21.00 (pbk),  ISBN: 9780473367756 Written from the perspective of Little Truff the dog, Litte Truff and the Whale takes the reader on a journey to rescue a whale a family caught in a fishing net. They call the Department of Conservation (DOC) who perform the dangerous task of cutting the net and freeing the whale. The story addresses some common misconceptions about how to rescue a whale, and carries the key messages of safety for the rescuers and respect for the whales. Little…

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Congratulations to the following authors, illustrators and publishers on being recognised on this year’s lists. Short Lists will be announced on March 27. Check local branch websites and social media for events discussing these lists, and join us to celebrate the diversity of books written for children and young adults. Links on titles to reviews on Reading Time. Book of the Year: Older Readers NB: These books are for mature readers Link to: CBCA OR 2018 Notable List [printer friendly pdf] Author TITLE ISBN Publisher Archbold, Charlie MALLEE BOYS 9781743055007 Wakefield Press Bancks, Tristan THE FALL 9780143783053 Penguin Random House…

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Melanie Schubert (text),  Abigail Kraft (illus.),  Gregory and the Grimbockle, New Wrinkle Publishing, 9 Nov 2017, 194pp.,  $23.65 (pbk), ISBN: 9780991110933 This book will get kids’ brains a-humming! Have you ever felt that you stand out in a group because of one thing about yourself that is different? Do people around you point out the obvious about you and try to make it sound terrible? 10-year-old Gregory has a large mole above his lip. It’s very hard to hide… but why should he? People around him stare and comment. Old Ethel even tries to tear it from his face. He is…

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Cynthia Hand, The Afterlife of Holly Chase,  HarperCollins Australia,  23 Oct 2017, 400pp., $19.99 (pbk), ISBN: 9781460754283 What a magnificent way to harness the inspirational power of Dickens and package these lessons for teens! Holly Chase was an obnoxious, selfish, materialistic, spoiled teenager. And she isn’t overly likable in the afterlife either. In true Dickens style Holly was visited by three spirits and given the opportunity to consider her life choices and change her attitude. Totally dissing the incredible efforts made to save her life, Holly died! Now she will forever be a 17 year old ghost set to work at…

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Alex Bell (text), Tomislav Tomic (illus.),  The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club, Faber & Faber/Allen & Unwin, Dec 2017, 344pp.,  $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780571332540 Only tried and true explorers can belong to the The Polar Bear Explorers’ Club – and only men. That is until Stella Starflake Pearl is granted permission to accompany her father, Felix and his team of scientific explorers on a quest to find the coldest part of Icelands.  However, things don’t go quite to plan.  Upon arrival at their destination, Stella and her young companions Ethan, Beanie and Shay become separated from the team.  They are on their…

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Roger Priddy, Happy Dog and Other Furry Friends (Alphaprints), Pan Macmillan, 27 Dec 2017, 14pp.,  $12.99 (hbk – board book),  ISBN: 9781783415694 Roger Priddy, Quirky Bird and Other Feathered Friends (Alphaprints), Pan Macmillan, 27 Dec 2017, 14pp.,  $12.99 (hbk – board book),  ISBN: 9781783415779 Aimed at younger children, these books are sure to delight with their use of bright colours, sensory textures and funny rhyme. These touch and feel books invitingly engage the reader with the creative use of the materials incorporated into the illustrations. A shell, banana or trumpet for a beak; leaves for wings, and flowers for eyes. Or…

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Helen Martin and Judith Simpson (text),  Cheryl Orsini (illus.), The ABC Book of Feelings, ABC Books/HarperCollins Australia, 20 Nov 2017,  32pp.,  $24.99 (hbk),  ISBN: 9780733338298 In my experience as a kindergarten teacher I have used stories as a way of engaging children in discussion and reflection. I have also created many varied and individual social stories to support children in their development and learning. The ABC Book of Feelings reminds me of a social story because it offers factual information, relative examples and opportunities for reflection. Many feelings are explored through words and illustrations; which are appropriate for the reader as…

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Award-winning author Allayne L Webster describes her inspiration for The Centre of My Everything: a hard-hitting contemporary novel following the lives of four teenagers in Mildura – and the tragedy, secrets and struggles that tether them. The author of CBCA Notable Paper Planes spent eight years writing the novel with the encouragement of her stepfather, the man to whom The Centre of My Everything is dedicated. I grew up in rural South East, South Australia. My stepfather, a Ngarrindjeri man living on Meintangk/Thangal land, raised me from the age of five. Love is a great motivator, and this novel is…

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Tania Lacy (text),  Danielle McDonald (illus.), Tracy Lacy For Classy Captain! (Tracy Lacy#2), Scholastic Australia, Nov 2017, 287pp., $14.99 (pbk),  ISBN: 9781760275969   This is a comic story about Tracy Lacy, a classic underdog figure who confronts the challenges of Year 7 and survival in the high school environment. The writer relies on cartoon humour and word play for effect. At 287 pages, this black and white graphic book is chunkier than the average novel for this age group, but the reading level isn’t challenging. It isn’t broken into chapters, instead using bold headings, subheadings, side-thought boxes, diagrams and line drawings, as…

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