John Flanagan, The Tournament at Gorlan (Ranger’s Apprentice: The Early Years #1), Random House, 16 September 2015, 400pp., $18.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781742759302 This is the first novel in the Ranger’s Apprentice: The Early Years series written by well-known Australian author John Flanagan. In a medieval-style world where highly skilled fighters called Rangers are called on to protect their king, the treacherous Baron Morgarath is drawing together disloyal knights and barons under his own banner. King Oswald is wasting away possibly poisoned by Morgarath and word has it that Prince Duncan is causing havoc in the north. Rangers, Halt and Crowley,…
Author: Admin
Mac Barnett (text), Patrick McDonnell (illus.), The Skunk, Five Mile Press, Nov 2015, 32pp., $19.95 (hbk), ISBN 978 1 760067823 This picture book originated in the USA where it was one of the New York Times’ 10 best illustrated books for 2015. In addition, Barnett and McDonnell are Caldecott Honour recipients and McDonnell draws a comic strip, Mutts, that is syndicated to over 700 newspapers worldwide. Even without that recognition, it is clear that this duo are consummate professionals. Skunks are not native to Australia but this should not prevent young readers enjoying the humorous story of an unnamed man…
Cece Bell, I Yam a Donkey, Koala Books/Scholastic Australia, 1 Nov 2015, 32pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781742761701 Children who have no trouble with grammar and pronunciation may find this picture book fun but it’s hard to be convinced that this nonsense story would be the most helpful way to assist those having such difficulties. The constant misunderstandings between a yam and a donkey over these problems could well lead to further confusion rather than clarification. The black comedy of the Roald Dahl-like ending is as unexpected as it is amusing but for this reader that is the book’s strongest point.…
CBCA (Tas Branch) member Jenni Connors shares some of her favourite books for young readers… Known to my young friends as ‘Jenni, the Book Lady’, I thrust a book into little hands from infancy. The following list represents some titles from recent years that have found favour both with me and with children. The list begins with titles suitable to share with babies, through to those with a story for four and five year olds. Kissed by the Moon, Alison Lester (Viking, 2013) How I Love You, Anna Pignataro (Scholastic, 2014) Let’s Go to Sleep, Margaret Wild & Michelle Dawson…
Elise Hurst, Adelaide’s Secret World, Allen & Unwin, Nov 2015, 32pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN: 9781743313350 I don’t usually write reviews for Reading Time. As Reviews Editor, my job is to gather the books sent to us by generous publishers, despatch them to our team of reviewers, then load the reviews they write up to the website. But when Adelaide’s Secret World by Elise Hurst landed on my desk I was awestruck. Such a beautiful and moving tale of loneliness, love and the magic of finding one who understands the workings of your soul – a soulmate – I couldn’t let it…
CBCA Board and Branch Committee members suggest some great summer reading options… Board member Julia Davenport says: “I am going to read My Two Blankets by Irena Kobalb and Freya Blackwood. I think this is such a timely book as Australians look to understand more about the experiences of new arrivals to our country. Where better to start than this book for children?” Felicity Jagavkar, Office and Admin Manager, CBCA (NSW Branch) suggests: The Strays by Emily Bitto (winner of the Stella Prize), which she especially enjoyed due to her fond memories of studying Australian…
Stuart David. Jackdaw and the Randoms. Hot Key Books, 1 Oct 2015. 256pp., $16.95 (pbk) ISBN 9781471404696 Jack Dawson, known to his friends as the Jackdaw, is an ideas man. He doesn’t like school and doesn’t do particularly well there, mostly because he’s thinking of anything other than the work he’s supposed to be doing. On one occasion when he is suspended from class yet again for inattention, he has a brainwave – an app which will stop students from getting into trouble when they are not paying attention in class. He regards this idea as a stroke of genius,…
Terry Pratchett, The Shepherd’s Crown, Doubleday/Random House, 27 August 2015, 352pp., $45.00 (hbk), ISBN: 9780857534811 Sir Terry Pratchett’s publishing achievements are testimony to his skill as a wordsmith. He died in March 2015 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, but his legacy will live on. It was therefore fitting that this final Discworld novel was published in 2015, and like a prophecy in a parallel universe, the complex character Granny Weatherwax also dies. But unlike Sir Terry, she anointed a successor to carry on. Finding someone to live up to her creator’s standards would be immeasurably harder. Sir Terry’s fans…
Jen Storer (text), Lucinda Gifford (illus.). The Fourteenth Summer of Angus Jack, ABC Books, 1 Sept 2015, 325pp., $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 97808733334436. Author Jen Storer describes this book as a mishmash of the books, films and music she has loved. The plot revolves around Angus Jack and his sister Martha who are having trouble adjusting to their new seaside home, and feeling angry at being neglected by their widowed father. But when a second-hand bookshop opens next door, they are all pulled into a mysterious adventure. The storyline is interesting and imaginative, although the adventure Angus Jack and Martha find…
N.J. Gemmell. Coco Banjo has been Unfriended (Coco Banjo #2), Random House Australia, 1 Sept 2015, 192pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780857987358 The latest offering from author/illustrator Nikki Gemmell’s Coco Banjo series is a gem. From start to finish, this book was entertaining. As the mother of three teenage daughters, I appreciated how accurately Gemmell tapped into the ups and downs of ‘girl world’, especially the fickle world of friendships. The illustrations added to the enjoyment of reading. I especially liked the illustrated letters, and the fact each character had their own signature pictogram. The characters all fitted together well and…