The second book in the Dylan Alcott series does not disappoint. Dylan is driven to win; he loves to come first no matter what the competition. And the school sports carnival is coming up, and he is sure he will nail it on the day. The problem is nothing is going his way, his parents are interfering, he keeps losing on and off the field and then there is the party of the Year that is a complete disaster.
This is a story of a boy who is competitive and driven, who is pushing himself to win and in doing so is not being a good friend. But it is also a story about Dylan’s childhood experiences of being in a wheelchair, with a lot of humour and energy in each story. In Fair Game, Dylan must learn that sometimes winning isn’t the most important thing and sometimes being a good friend or working as a team can be more important.
I really enjoy these books as they give an insight into Dylan’s life with humour and honesty. Fair Game showed the struggle for “fairness” against wanting to fit in. There is also an aspect of being different and trying to show that you deserve your place in the team or on the field, but the story shows that there are different ways that this can happen. Dylan leans that believing in yourself, even when things are not going the way you hoped can be the best way of winning.
I really like these books and think they will appeal to any reader who enjoys a good story. The series would make a great read aloud but I think most readers will be independent readers who will enjoy the fast, fun and challenging world of Dylan and his friends. The illustrations really enhance the story and help to embed the real-life feel to the story.
An excellent read and one that I highly recommend to teachers and students.
Lothian Children's Books, 2026. ISBN: 9780734423801. (Age:13+) Very highly recommended.
Edward Heffernan and Nolan Li have a serious problem. They are sitting on the kerb under a streetlight with Police sirens bearing down on them. It’s a magnificent hook for a backstory of psychological drama recounted by the narrator for the next 350 pages.
Nolan Li is the friend Edward never wanted to have. Socially inept Nolan, the typical Nerd, drags Edward down by association – if only he could have higher status friends and be less targeted for the derision inherent in the toxic culture of elite educational institutions like Highview Grammar? Nolan couldn’t care less about social mores although he is mortified that he accidently smashed the nose of popular jock, James Crombie during a school softball game – worse, the points were never going to be counted for his sports house!
Inspired by his father's political successes and incensed by serious injury, James finds two unlikely accomplices to launch an underground student rights movement aka “Common Sense,” with the aim of dismantling the unfair competitive sports houses. Poster bombing the school with revolutionary rhetoric at night is one thing, but hacking email addresses to hit back at the school’s old boys is giving ‘Hefferlump’ and Nolan cold feet.
Nolan grasps Crombie’s agenda pretty quick and appeals to Edward to withdraw from the student revolution that had become James’ personal vendetta against the school and ‘Nackers’ the Assistant Principal in particular. But Edward is thriving on his secret association with James, which conveniently can’t be public or it will arouse suspicion that they’re heading the “Common Sense” student revolution, gaining followers by the declining dress standards.
The protagonist's essential insecurity is relatable as is the moral support of his mother, a doctor working long hours. Edward needs to make better choices, rising to the anti hero status of every coming of age story. Can he let go of his dreams for popularity, be loyal to his one real friend and take responsibility for his bad decisions?
Scott Woodard crafts a verbal time capsule of Highview Grammar's toxic culture including nuanced minor Year 9 characters navigating a time before toxic masculinity had been fully outed. Traditions and gender bias prevail and his messages resonate to call out the lingering vestiges that Australian institutions and communities are still grappling with. Poster Boys is an impressive debut and more of the same will earn Woodard a firm following with YA males who will enjoy a twisted plot line and copious self-depreciating humour.
Themes Coming of age, Bildungsroman, Friendship, School, Bullying, Toxic masculinity.
Deborah Robins
The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay by Charlie Archbold
Text Publishing, 2026. ISBN: 9781923058385. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
The Sugarcane Kids and the Mystery at Angel Bay is the third book in The Sugarcane Kids series written by South Australian author Charlie Archbold. Her first two books, The Sugarcane Kids and The Red-Bottomed Boat and The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage, have been enjoyed by eight to ten year olds who love that feeling of freedom, adventure and outwitting the evil adults.
Andy, Eli, Fletch, Bernie, Harvey, and of course four-legged Washington, are back in full swing in this new release. They love riding their bikes and being outdoors but have noticed a few changes in the natural sea environment. Crocodiles where they are not meant to be, Port Jackson shark eggs too far north and their old mate, Jerry the grouper off his food and disappearing for days on end. It is enough to get the investigative juices of these youngsters flowing and they set off for Angel Bay to try to work out what is happening to Jerry. Alongside this, mysterious amounts of dead fish are piling up on Angel Bay beach which will be catastrophic for the protection order on this once pristine bay.
The local community rallies together to clean up Angel Bay but it happens again and again. There is something up and The Sugarcane Kids will get to the bottom if it. Even if it means not being quite truthful with the adults in their lives. They are suspicious about the Babushka Environmental Detectives, concerned about the proposed resort development on Angel Bay by the pushy and persistent Raymond Royce and do not trust Royce’s niece Goodey who has come to the Bay for basketball. Will the gang be able to follow the clues and use their detective talents in solving the threat to their beautiful North Queensland home environment?
This fast paced, action packed book is a delight for readers. It offers plenty of opportunities to discover fascinating facts about the natural world and its creatures, all while following a cast of likeable characters, their families and engaging storylines.
Themes Family, Friends, Far North Queensland, Adventure, Danger, Excitement, Suspicions, Investigative Skills, Humour, Facts, Environmental Issues.
Kathryn Beilby
Casey Keys and her powerful sneeze! by Meg Riley. Illus. by Garth Cochrane
Little Book Press, 2026. ISBN: 9781923141575. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
For young children familiar with allergies and sneezing, this debut picture book, Casey Keys And Her Powerful Sneeze, will offer some fun and familiar moments especially because Casey has the most powerful sneezes ever. As recipients of the Little Book Press Mentorship Program funded by the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation, both the author and illustrator have successfully collaborated to provide an engaging, colourful and brightly presented narrative.
The skilful rhyming text is vividly enhanced by striking illustrations that magnify both the intensity of Casey’s sneezes and the delightful chaos they unleash.
So many things the whole day through make Casey sneeze- ACHOO! ACHOO!
Suds and bubble in the bath… a pigeon feather on the path… a pinch of pepper on her lunch...
the scent of roses in a bunch.
Casey feels so heartbroken by all the mess her sneezing has caused that she decides to sail away on her own. Out on the open sea, she enjoys the freedom to sneeze as loudly and as often as she likes. But she cannot help missing her friends and family back home. How will they come together to help her finally learn to manage her sneezing problem?
This delightful tale is sure to delight early years readers with its humour, playfulness and gentle fun.
Rufus Rumble lives with his Great Uncle Grumbo, sometime in the future where space travel is normal and there is a very strange group in charge of Earth.
Rufus has a ticket to space aboard Captain Clewston’s rocket, which should be the adventure of a lifetime but there are a couple of issues. The rocket is held together with duct tape, the passengers make up the WORST SPACE CREW ever and there is no going back!!
What follows is a story of a crazy crew’s travels around space as they try to find Rufus’s mum who mysteriously disappeared one day, which is why he lives with his Great Uncle, and the crazy crew. As each character gets introduced the weirder it gets; there is a merman and a pirate in the crew and a dragon.
The story is told in the first person as you would expect from a journal or diary style and there are breaks in the story as the time passes, similar to Tom Gates and is highly illustrated which bring the story to life. The story moves quickly and draws the reader in from the first page with humour and the range of characters, making this a book that will appeal to the reader. The story follows the misadventures of the crew as they discover the importance of friendship, teamwork and loyalty.
This is a brilliant new series that will appeal to the young reader and the way that the book has been illustrated and written is sure to make even a reluctant reader want to have a look. The Rufus Rumble series is bound to be a favourite on any library or home shelf and will be shared amongst independent readers who will enjoy the clever story, crazy characters, wild adventure and the clever use of hand-written notes and illustrations that lend themselves to the ridiculous, funny and occasionally disgusting events of the story.
Themes Friendship, Family, Space, Science Fiction, Space Travel, Adventure.
Mhairi Alcorn
Tales from Brook Meadow: The tale of the winter snow by Kevin Richardson
Little Steps, 2025. ISBN: 9781923306073. (Age:6+) Highly recommended.
The Tale of the Winter Snow, the fourth instalment in the Tales from Brook Meadow series by Kevin Richardson and illustrations by Caroline Hazell, is a gentle and heartwarming story that celebrates the quiet beauty of nature and the importance of caring for wildlife. Set in a peaceful reserve near the coastal town of Emsworth, this charming tale invites readers into the wintery world of Brook Meadow, where animals and nature exist in a delicate balance.
As winter arrives, a soft blanket of snow settles across the meadow, transforming the landscape into a magical wonderland. While many of the animals have retreated into hibernation for the colder months, a few watchful creatures remain active. Ollie the owl faithfully keeps watch during the quiet nights, while Victor the fox patrols the meadow during the day. Together, they ensure the meadow remains a safe and peaceful place.
The animals delight in the rare snowfall, exploring the crisp white world around them. However, their excitement soon turns to curiosity when Ollie observes some newcomers to the meadow. Determined to understand what is happening, Victor sets out to investigate. Who are these mysterious visitors? What has brought them to Brook Meadow? And could their arrival change the harmony of the meadow community?
Richardson’s storytelling is calm and thoughtful, capturing the rhythms of nature and the subtle interactions between animals. The narrative gently encourages readers to think about wildlife habitats, seasonal changes, and how animals adapt to survive. It also quietly touches on themes of conservation and the ways human activity can impact natural environments.
Caroline Hazell’s delicate watercolour illustrations beautifully complement the story, bringing the snowy meadow and its animal residents to life. The soft colours and detailed scenes add warmth and atmosphere, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the tranquil setting.
Perfect for readers who enjoy nature stories and animal adventures, The Tale of the Winter Snow is a sweet and reflective tale. Fans of the series will appreciate returning to Brook Meadow, while newcomers will be drawn in by its gentle storytelling and heartfelt message.
Themes Animals, Nature, Weather, Environment, Human Impact, Conservation, Kindness.
Michelle O'Connell
My super uncle by Dannika Patterson & Seantelle Walsh
Ford Street Publishing, 2026. ISBN: 9781922696540. (Age:3+) Highly recommended.
A warm and entertaining rhyming story of a beloved uncle, one who is always there when she needs him, and who fills her days with his wit and humour.
He may not be a super hero, a superman or someone well known, but he is able to read her mind, predict her wants and needs, and keep her smiling, happy and involved. He is her uncle, her favourite uncle. In rhyming stanzas, the things the girl and her uncle do together are revealed. From dressing up to playing sport in the back yard, playing lots of games, fixing her wounds, playing his guitar as they watch the stars, and using natural ingredients to make potions to repair broken skin, he is there when he is needed. He wows her friends with his jokes, is there to fix things that need repairing.
This lovely story slowly opens to the girl living in a female household, and readers learn that her uncle is her biological father. His part in her development is important and nourishing for all the family. It is a wonderful homage to the range of families seen in our world.
Illustrations are vibrant and heartfelt as the uncle is shown in all sorts of places; I love the image of him in a tutu and the first portraits as a superman, a lovely image of him from his feet up, giving him the look of a superhero.
The endpapers are filled with a child’s drawings of the household she lives in, cementing the difference and similarities to other households, families and ties between each of the members. And with an Indigenous element that adds a piquancy to the story.
Sunny and Storm, written by Tanya Hennessy and illustrated by Rachael McLean, is a hilariously funny and highly entertaining story that bursts with imagination, friendship and wonderfully silly language.
Sunny and Storm are not just best friends - they are Besticles: best, best, best, bestest best friends! The two girls love spending time together and filling their shared journal with the many made-up words they invent. Words like Fluffit, fiddlewallop and anivac to name just a few! This playful language contributes to the appeal of the story.
The girls live in the country, where everyday life comes with its own unique challenges - like constantly dodging piles of animal poo! Even school isn’t safe from the chaos, especially when Somewhere, the local wandering cow, often turns up anywhere and everywhere. These quirky rural moments add to the humour and give the story a lively and relatable backdrop.
When Storm and Sunny are given a whole week of reflection time at school for something they insist they didn’t do, and then it happens again, the girls decide they’ve had enough. Determined to clear their names, they set out to uncover who is really responsible. Their investigation adds a fast-paced mystery element that keeps readers engaged while still delivering plenty of laughs along the way.
Hennessy’s writing is witty, energetic and packed with comedic timing that makes the story exciting and entertaining. Combined with McLean’s amusing and animated black-and-white illustrations to perfectly complement the text; adding extra layers of humour and visual comedy.
The creative use of different fonts, bold words and varied text sizes adds another engaging dimension, helping emphasise jokes and emotions while making the pages feel lively and dynamic.
Sunny and Storm is a standout for engagement and entertainment. With its memorable characters, laugh-out-loud humour, and inventive storytelling, it’s the kind of book readers will race through and want to share with friends. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of many more adventures for these two unforgettable Besticles.
Themes Friendship, School, Country Life, Mystery, Humour, Relationships, Family.
Michelle O'Connell
The drover's son by Leah Purcell. Illus. by Dub Leffler
Danny ’s father is away for months on end, droving. Danny has had to grow up quickly and take on the roles his father would have had. He knows that soon he will have to go off with his father, and become a drover as well, but he is not keen to follow that path.
Purcell leads us into a familiar landscape, her descriptions making the reader think about where they are, and why. The loneliness of the woman is heart wrenching, although it is better than having her husband at home. She gives birth to a stillborn alone, she rallies her children, taking them for walks, explaining the landscape to them.
One day an Aboriginal man appears. He does the woodchopping, mother tells them. And he and Danny share their stories. Through his stories, Yadaka becomes a role model for Danny, one as different from his father than any he has come across. Dany sees a man who is strong and hardworking, treating those around him with interest and respect. A far cry from the father he knows.
Yardagi begins by opening Danny’s eyes to the land. This is not something he can do quickly he says, but learnt after many years of being part of the land, of listening to stories of the land, of watching, of experiencing what is about them.
Yadaki shows Danny how to make a spear, from selecting the right piece of wood, of smoothing the bark and using the fire to harden it, telling him all the while why he is doing this. He infuses Danny with how it should be used and never to throw it at the children.
Yadaka teaches Danny things he has never thought about, treating him with respect and kindness.
But one day he goes, leaving Danny to use the skills he has learnt, to tell his mother that he will never go droving. He had seen and learnt through another’s eyes the life she leads.
This wonderful reworking of Henry Lawson’s The drover’s wife, is engrossing, in its concentration on the boy and his journey.
Supported by the luminous illustrations, the landscape as shown on the endpapers, beg the readers to see it through the eyes of a family alone. And through the story each of the characters is given substance, showing their lives as they eke out a living on the land. The mother’s love is paramount and her gentle gathering of her brood, is shown through the illustrations as she protects, feeds and tells them stories. Yadaka comes into the family quietly, taking the young boy, Danny into his circle, showing him through his behaviour how another path can be taken. He teaches the boy through his stories and work, that the way his father behaves is not the only way, and teaches him skills to make his way in the world.
This retelling touches on the colonial experience, the taking of the land used by the First Nations for millennia, the role of a father in a family, and the experience of women left to cope alone in places beyond any community. It is rich with discusion points and a platform for reading The Drover’s Wife.
Themes Australian history, Droving, Aboriginal themes, Stillbirth.
Fran Knight
Ernest Rutherford and the birth of modern physics by Matthew Wright
Much has been written about Ernest Rutherford whose work in the field of particle physics and the relationship between matter, electricity and the forces involved, resulted in two Nobel prizes. In this very readable book Matthew Wright looks at his achievements through the lens of Rutherford’s personality, his New Zealand background and the international cohort of scientists working in the field with whom he worked and corresponded. Incremental observations were shared, ideas bounced off one another whilst at the same time competition was fierce to publish first and claim the next advance. Wright outlines the path taken by Western scientists building on Newton’s classical physics, questioning, testing and observing, harnessing new materials and techniques to peer deeper into the unknown.
Born near Nelson N.Z. in 1871, Ernest was one of twelve children. Originally home schooled by his mother, a teacher, he exhibited a flair for mathematics and a Physics textbook he was given at age ten engaged his interest in experimentation, something he was able to try out in his father’s milling businesses. The family valued education but was not wealthy and after a series of hard-won scholarships and some good teachers Rutherford entered Canterbury University in 1890 where his exploration of the effects of alternating current electricity on metal, inventing devices to measure and record observations shaped the way he approached physics. As Ernest reached the limits of academic progress in New Zealand a scholarship became available to study in Britain for students from the colonies. He was second choice for the only entry for New Zealand but in a sliding door moment he gained the award when the winner declined it. The author follows Rutherford’s career starting in Cambridge exploring the relationship between electricity and matter and at each step the succinct explanations keep the reader engaged, with specific examples and summaries. Occasional explanatory pages outline some of the key concepts and there are photographs, many sourced from NZ archives, while notes, glossary and bibliography invite further study. My physicist brother read and enjoyed the book saying it made him want to revisit his old textbooks while I found myself almost understanding concepts quite beyond me and wanting to read more by this author. Senior students should be encouraged to read how a research imagination, creatively asking many questions then rigorously exploring all lines of enquiry without prior knowledge of what is important can lead to scientific breakthroughs. To follow on from Rutherford from an antipodean perspective try Wizards of Oz by Brett Mason exploring the work of Oliphant and Florey.
Themes Physics, Science history.
Sue Speck
It's a twin thing: The break up by Kristin Darell. Illus. by A. Yi
Penguin, 2026. ISBN: 9781761353598. (Age:8-12)
Kristin Darell manages in It's a twin thing:the break up to nail the intense friendship issues that seem to occur, particularly for girls, at around the year 5 level of primary school. For Brooklyn and Abigail, the twin central protagonists, the problem of relationships is heightened as not only do they have school friendship groups to navigate, they have their close twin relationship to navigate simultaneously. Being a twin, it seems, is like being a close sister but on steroids.
It's a twin thing:the break up opens with Brook and Abigail on the brink of year 5 and turning eleven years old. The first scene is of the twins together at Cherry Lake standing on a high diving platform. Brook seems to be the fearless one, encouraging the more timid Abi to make the jump. The nature of their "unstoppable", "inseparable" relationship is depicted along with the fact that they are the best and closest of friends sharing a mutual friend called Chary. Something important happens. The twin's parents tell them that it is time for the girls to be separated into different classes at school for the first time ever. This break is huge for them and tiny cracks in their relationship start to happen. Wisely, as the parents communicated this difficult message, they gave the girls journals so that they could write down their thoughts (and make sense of their anxieties and challenges through journaling). The journals became, for both girls, a way of processing their emotions. Through the different styles of writing (represented by different fonts) the reader becomes aware of the differing characters of the girls. New friendships are forged, jealousies are intense and Abi and Brook, for the first time in their lives bicker and become envious of each others' new friends while feeling left out and angry. They break up and don't speak. The wider family are a wonderful buffer, with their older brother doing his best and the parents demonstrating warmth and wisdom. Other adults in the story, similarly demonstrate understanding and good judgement, particularly the teachers at Cherry Lake Primary.
Darell seems to depict the ideal conditions for girls navigating the primary/ Middle Year transition at school. Brooke and Abi learn to find their separate and individual talents and interests and they learn how to move towards being fully functioning individuals whilst maintaining a healthily close relationship as twin sisters. Darell writes with authority on the subject as she is a twin herself. The importance of sensible and kind adult mentors and a warm family in helping girls navigate these difficult years is paramount. Abi and Brooke are supported through this time by their village.
It's a twin thing:the break up will appeal to readers who enjoyed the Twinning series by Alexa Moses or Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley Twins. It would also be helpful for any girl experiencing the anxieties and hopes of a ten year old girl beginning to chart her own path through school and extra-curricular activities.
Illustrator A. Li is well-known for her illustrations of the best-selling Alice Miranda and Willa and Woof series. It's a twin thing, with the same warm and cheerful illustrations, is a new series with The break up being the first in the series. The big switch is the immediate follow up so readers will be able to follow the further adventures of Abi and Brook. This series is sure to be popular in school libraries.
Themes Twins, Shifting friendships, Year 5/6 (late primary years) school life, Family, Jealousy, Competition.
It has been a long wait since Australian writer M.L Stedman's debut novel The light between oceans (2012). The reason has to be the evident quality of Stedman's work both in terms of research and literary value. That cannot happen over night. Works such as The light between oceans and this second book A far-flung life offer profound insights into human existence with complex interwoven themes that are universal and timeless, psychological depth that probes the human mind and deeply charged moral dilemmas. Added to this there is such a high degree of descriptive power in the depiction of the physical landscape, the landscape of the characters' minds and the consequential behaviours that the reader cannot help but be powerfully moved.
An amalgam of outback noir and historical fiction, A far-flung life features small town/outback station family secrets, social isolation and an unsettling atmosphere. Stedman's topics and situations are intense, passionate and volatile. Stedman, in A far-flung life, has traced generations of the MacBride family who have lived on a remote sheep station called Meredith Downs. The power of observation and description is apparent in beautifully crafted sentences such as..." Under dust-green mulga, a lizard seeks shade and shadow; ants engineer heat-defying nests: kangaroos suck moisture from tender leaves, ears swivelling to locate a distant rumble: on the straight vermillion line that cleaves the sparse trees, a lone truck is approaching." An old man kangaroo suddenly appears in font of the truck looking like a man and Phil MacBride breaks all the rules trying to avoid the animal. This moment in time cleaves the MacBride family history into a before and after.
Who would think that one family-once respected and successful, could experience the extent of heartbreak, anguish and horror that followed that moment! Stedman takes the reader to dark places. Set chiefly in the 1960's, a period of time in Australia when societal rules were extremely rigid, A far-flung life encompasses amongst many themes: death, long convalescence, amnesia, incest, illegitimate birth, suicide, cross-dressing, cruelty, heroism, coming of age, romance, decisions about right and wrong and humane responses versus officiousness.
The characters are powerfully rendered. All are leading far-flung lives. Some are escaping horror elsewhere and wash-up at the station, some are born and bred there, some are townspeople, some are drawn out there working for mining companies and some are tied by love and duty to the station. All have been through the storms of life and all are looking for shelter. All have secrets. Matt, the quiet younger son is central to the novel. Having survived an accident that killed his father and brother, he developed amnesia. A shocking thing happened to him - a secret that could never be outed... Will it effect his ability to love..?
Other characters are strongly developed in all their strengths and weaknesses. Pete Peachey, the roo shooter, and the MacBride family have a long-term relationship of great loyalty. This kind of relationship, usually of few words but of much mutual, quiet support was not uncommon in station country. Loners found work and solitude escaping from urban areas to live on properties. Peachey was crucial to the lives of the MacBrides assisting them through the worst times and showing incredible strength of character while at the same time hiding an intense fragility. Characters in the town, like gossipy Myrtle in the post office and the new policeman who wants to dig up old files that were best left alone, represent a real threat to the MacBride family and the reader feels a visceral fear that the MacBride's fragile existence is going to be shattered. Stoic Lorna, the mother, knows part of the story. Some people are to be ever left in the dark. The question is - is it best to let some things just go? Is it better all around to keep secrets and let lives recover and flourish? What is the right and wrong? Great sacrifices are made in protecting people from the truth and burying the past. Great and quiet heroism is demonstrated.
Spanning a period from 1958-2000 CE, A far-flung life, is bookended by the strange arrival at Meredith Downs of a pearling lugger carried by a team of camels and its departure via helicopter and sling in 2000CE. This is a strange and almost surreal wonder that wraps around the story of the worst era for the MacBride family. Stedman looks back to generations before - to the..." people and kangaroos and bungarras" that have witnessed the life of the station and forward to the future. She places it all in the context of..."a timeless red landscape"...where people..."their deeds, good and bad"...were "destined to join the vast ocean of human forgetments."
What a beautiful, warm and wise book! What a powerful message! Trauma (and mighty trauma) can be overcome when there are kind, honourable, strong and wise people in our communities who look out for each other and make sure that we are safe even to their own peril and sacrifice.
As Miranda Cowley Heller, author of The paper palace says, A far-flung life is epic, grand, intimate and aching". This reader is still aching.
Themes Australian outback sheep station life, Mining, Multi-generational family history, Shame, shifting social mores, incest, Suicide, love, loyalty, the outcast, judgement, sacrifice, secrets.
Wendy Jeffrey
The belly of a wolf by Julianne Negri
UWA Publishing, 2026. ISBN: 9781760803209. (Age:15+) Highly recommended.
Red narrates her return to school after fully six months absence. Something terrible has happened. Through her inner monologue we know that her readiness is largely pretence and that Red is still grieving the loss of her best and seemingly only friend, Wolf.
Concise imagery retrospectively recalls the lives of two small town children, inseparable throughout their schooling to Grade 10. Throughout, they go by their nicknames for each other – carryover from the roles each played in their First Grade play, Little Red Riding Hood.
An echoing rendering of the human response to grief, Red’s mental blocks work against her re-entry to school where unsurprisingly her peers avoid her. With the exception of authority figures, she uses nicknames for her minor 'characters' too and we can speculate about her self-protective motivation. Bank Boy is older, kind and supportive by virtue of his car and availability. There’s concerned Older Brother and Music Girl, who with almost no encouragement is steadfast in her attempts at friendship.
Julieanne Negri is back into the difficult themes after her Almost a Fish picture book, with this senior school verse novel. It doesn’t take much foreshadowing to surmise this is a novel about rural youth suicide and a dark departure from her earlier middle school novel, The Secret Library of Hummingbird House. The sharp, bruised verses are relatable whether linear poems (chapters) to be mulled over or conversely devoured in a couple of days for that overdue book review deadline. [Hint for procrastinators.]
In senseless tragedy there is always guilt and conjecture; Whys? and If Onlys… But Negri is less concerned with Wolf’s disappointments and disproportionate fatalism. Belly of the Wolf is more cautionary in intent. Readers experience visceral evidence of the long term impact on those closest to the person. In this regard, this novel in verse succeeds almost as well as John Larkin’s YA novel, The Pause.
The cover design by Amy Daoud depicting Red Riding Hood consumed in the black belly of the wolf isn’t as literal as it seems. Negri is a writer of diverse talent and her website and blog is also highly recommended.
This charming story about a group of children who connect at a bench in the school yard that unites them as ‘The Lonely Lunch Club’ is a simple friendship tale for young readers who have progressed to chapter books. There is a simplicity and charm to the story that incorporates ideas about friendship and struggles that are school-based. As part of the ‘Your Next Read’ series of chapter books it includes a quiz at the end of this story to highlight possible reading preferences for a ‘next read’. For readers aged 5-6 who are exploring independent reading.
Themes Friendship, School, Spiders, Early chapter book.
Con, a middle schooler, is confused and consumed with inner rage, perceiving the world is against him. He narrates so we will have some inkling of his evocative inner turmoil and self-loathing, fearing that his dad left them because he was bad. When he lashes out at his regular tormentor at school, even his best friend Kyron becomes afraid of him. Suspended from school, his mother can’t risk taking any more time off work and Con’s mindset spirals during the lonely days alone in the apartment. It doesn’t help that his violent assault on Mickey has provoked Mickey's brother’s gang to get square. Afraid to leave the building, he is boosted when Mr Williams invites him to visit the rooftop garden, built by Gloria and himself.
I spread my arms out wide and I whoop. What is this? I say to Mr Williams. He’s opening the sea-green shed. What is this place? Peace, he says and he laughs…this young Con, is the Upside.
Con truly is uplifted by the vast clean sky above and Gloria’s rows of overflowing garden planters. But his salve comes from helping Mr Wilson care for the homeing pigeons. Con is awestruck by the birds' beauty, sensitivity and intelligence. He loves to handle them, admire their differently toned grey and irridescent feathers. He listens to the stories of their navigational abilities as couriers to distant towns, and feels proud they trust and accept him. Watching the impact of the old man’s kindness and later the community’s support makes this a truly heartwarming read.
Con knows he’s earned Mr Williams trust when the old man takes a trip for a few days, leaving the pigeons in his care. Before his return Con has an idea to use the birds to send his own messages far and wide in order to track down his father. But before the birds return, vandals learn about the “Upside” from Kyron, and nothing will ever be as good again – or so Con believes - Mr Wilson is not the only good guy in the neighbourhood.
Jessica Cruikshank ‘s painted cover, unlike her sketched chapter motif, is a portrait of Con surrounded by the wonders of The Upside. The publisher includes a teaser for Balen’s new novel October, October, an About the Author section and Teaching notes.
All ages will learn about a boy finding peace and beauty from being present with family, friends and nature. Katya Balen’s books convey hope and possibility through very different characters - figuring it out with a little help from humans (and animals) who keep showing up for them.
Themes Family, Acceptance, Self-belief, Bullying schools, City, Pigeons.
