The bother with the Bonkillyknock Beast by Karen Foxlee
Allen & Unwin, 2024. ISBN: 9781761470226. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
Miss Mary-Kate is back but this time she is off on holidays with her Granny and her Granny’s old friends to the Scottish Highlands or so she thinks. Mary-Kate is longing for a quiet holiday, drinking tea and eating scones while her mum is away but instead finds herself included in the World Society of Monster Hunters’ conference.
As shy Mary-Kate and the two other novice monster hunters are about to discover all is not well at the castle they are staying in and a beast is causing havoc. The village of Bonkillyknock is well known for the Loch Morgavie Monster who is silent and does not leave the water. However, this beast is breaking into the kitchen, howling at night and wrecking the cushions.
As Mary-Kate and her new friends start to investigate they uncover an old tragedy and a missing fortune that could be attributed to the howling. While they are investigating they are delayed by the castle owner who seems more interested in destroying the beast rather than solving the problem and this is not what the Monster Hunters code allows. One of her new friends must decide between family and his new friends and they must all work together to prove that children can sometimes achieve great things even when the adults around them think they are too young.
This book is a brilliant stand-alone read, however, readers who enjoy this book will love the first two in the series. Mary-Kate is an extremely likable character, especially as she talks herself into being brave and discovers the monster in each story.
The Bother with the Bonkillyknock Beast is a fabulous book for young readers and will keep them reading long after they should have been asleep, and although this is a book about monsters it isn’t scary, the reader will be sympathising with the monster and wanting Mary-Kate to solve the mystery.
This book and the other two in the series would be perfect for a class read aloud, a read alone or even as a class novel. It is a fabulous book and one that I can see become a favourite that is read more than once.
Leaves is a gentle story that tells of the strong relationship between a wise old tree and a young sapling. They form a strong bond as the older tree shares poignant life’s lessons across the seasons.
They walked above a peaceful valley,
and she saw some of his leaves had fallen.
“Do not worry,” he told her. “Some moments you must let go.
But remember to keep the dear ones near-
for good memories will shelter you from the storm.
And great ones will keep you warm.
The older tree eventually fades away but the memories and life lessons will live on. The thoughtful prose used throughout this story will resonate with adults sharing this story with younger readers. There is plenty of opportunity for discussion about how we can learn from the older generation.
The striking illustrations showcasing the changing landscapes through the seasons create an emotive mood and enhance the written text.
Themes Trees, Life Cycle, Emotions, Seasons, Relationships, Memories.
Kathryn Beilby
Wear a purple poppy by Fiona White. Illus. by Kathleen O'Hagan
Wear a Purple Poppy is an informative picture book that provides a comprehensive yet easily accessible text to introduce primary school-aged children to the role animals played during two world wars and later conflicts. In 2019, the Australian Parliament declared 24 February the National Day for War Animals and this book clearly explains the idea of wearing the purple poppy and what it is recognition for.
The striking front cover displays animals in a field of purple poppies with an embossed purple title as well as a purple spine, that will immediately draw the reader’s attention to the book. Beginning with a poem written as a tribute to the animals that served during war, the book then goes onto explain the types of work undertaken by these animals. Animals discussed in the story include donkeys, horses, mules, dogs, elephants, pigeons, cats and camels. The role horses, donkeys, camels and mules played in carrying personnel, belongings, artillery and supplies will be familiar to many. Dogs and pigeons helped to carry messages, elephants in Burma were used to build bridges and carry rations and belongings for refugees, and even cats had a vital role in keeping the rat population in check! During the war many of the animals were killed or injured but their loyalty was indisputable. Throughout the book are detailed full page illustrations which perfectly complement and add depth to the text.
Teacher notes are available. Included in the excellent teacher notes are extensive lists of further resources for picture books, graphic novels, junior fiction, junior & YA non-fiction, and websites. A treasure trove of resources to support planning, teaching and learning.
For those readers who loved Hannah Gold’s first novel The Last Bear, you will be thrilled to learn her sequel Finding Bear is just as exciting and engaging. Along with all of the main characters from the first book: April, Dad, Tor, Lise and of course Bear, there are also four new important characters introduced to April and Bear’s story: Maria, Hedda, Jurgen and baby Peanut.
It is seventeen long months since April and Bear said goodbye. April is back home but unsettled, unhappy and bereft from being away from Bear. Dad is in the beginning of a new relationship with Maria, April is bullied at school and struggles to fit in, and more worryingly has a constant niggling fear that something is not right with Bear. In her dreams she hears his roar and during daylight hours she feels his need for her.
News comes from Svalbard that a polar bear has been shot and April is certain it is Bear. She begs her dad to take her back to the Arctic to search for the injured bear and he reluctantly agrees. Their trip to the Arctic in the winter is one of renewed friendships, unbelievably cold weather, anxiety, misunderstandings, survival, and terrible danger. But the startling discovery of Bear and his incredible reason for calling April back to the Arctic will leave the reader full of anticipation of how the situation April finds herself in will be resolved.
Throughout this beautifully written and heartwarming story, the author shares the emotion of the unbreakable bond shared by April and Bear and the serious damage climate change is doing to the Arctic environment and the animals that inhabit the area. There is hope expressed though, that one small caring step by each and every person may help save the planet.
The striking hardcover of Finding Bear is in tonal shades reminiscent of the Northern Lights and has bold gold lettering. Coupled with the stunning black and white images, illustrator Levi Pinfold has added to the engagement of the reader by providing a greater understanding of the both the bleakness and beauty of the Arctic environment. In the final pages there is an important author’s note to read as well as a valuable resource list and further readings suggestions.
The Last Bear and Finding Bear would be wonderful class novels to share with students.
Post-lockdown Melbourne and 28-year-old Marnie has had enough of the dating scene, resigned to remaining single after five failed relationships in 10 years. By turns she supports and seeks support from her lonely older sister, new mum Nicola and her new housemate, serial dater Claud as she works in the local café and wonders if this is all life has to offer. As she routinely turns down the relentless requests for a date from a co-worker, Sam, she exchanges flirty texts with Isaac even though he already has a girlfriend. Through much of the novel, Marnie keeps busy and falls into quite inappropriate relationships, as she tries to fight off ‘the lonelies’. However she eventually realises that she had been seeking validation through being loved, and had lost her identity as she twisted herself into what she thought her partners wanted.
Interspersed with the traditional text are numerous blocks of phone messages and records of missed calls which give the novel a contemporary feel. The time stamps on them are a clever way of indicating who is playing hard-to-get and refusing to answer, as Marnie’s various relationships, with both friends and family, progress and stall.
Billed as a rom-com, Crushing nevertheless delivers some insightful commentary on what women often give up in order to maintain a relationship and questions how easy it is for them to maintain their individuality. It is a light-hearted, humorous take on contemporary dating, but given the age of the main characters, and the regular use of alcohol, numerous sexual references and sex scenes, Crushing would be best suited to a more adult audience.
Themes Romance, Dating, Friendship, Personal growth.
Margaret Crohn
Feel the flame by Lochana Radaliyagoda. Illus. by Juliette Dudley
Little Steps, 2023. ISBN: 9781922833693. (Age:6+) Highly recommended.
Seventeen year old author Lochana Radaliyagoda has written a thoughtful story encouraging young girls to dream big. Her story advocates a strong belief that girls can aspire to do what ever they want and once that flame is fuelled there is no stopping them.
This narrative is told through the eyes of Princess Lana who discovers in her extensive castle library that boys are prominently featured in positions of power and held in high regard in her kingdom, whereas girls are not considered in the same way. She begins to question whether this is the way across all countries and decides to travel the world.
Princess Lana travels through Pakistan and hears the voice of Malala Yousufzai who fought for the right for girls in her country to go to school. In Sweden, the passionate voice of Greta Thunberg is heard encouraging people to act for climate change. In Australia, Princess Lana hears the words of Julia Gillard: ‘Nuture your sense of self, who you are in your own eyes, and not who you are in others.’ Finally in the US, she hears Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s important words which began as spark from her own mother.
On returning home, Princess Lana’s new ideas are not welcomed by her parents but she continues to share her beliefs that girls can do anything with as many as possible in her kingdom. Her fire from within will hopefully spark a fire in others.
This story is an engaging read with a strong and important message to be shared in a gentle yet powerful way. The illustrations in a soft palette beautifully capture the mood and emotions of the story. There is additional information about each of the four role models mentioned and a suggestion for further reading.
It is Edward's first day at knight school and to protect himself from the battles he expects to face, he puts on his full suit of armour. Sitting in the back of the Great Hall surrounded by unfriendly creatures, he is mortified when the king asks him to tell the others about himself. Even though at home he likes to fight giants and ogres, here at knight school he seems to be surrounded by them and he is not so brave. And when one sits beside him on the bench as he starts to eat his lunch, things are r-e-a-l-l-y scary...
It is that time of the year again when the prospect of Big School is looming closer and closer and some of our little ones are getting really apprehensive. There is a mixture of nerves that can become overwhelming. So stories like these that not only show that fears are shared but they can be overcome are welcome as they offer such reassurance. Cleverly illustrated showing the ogres and dragons as ordinary boys and girls and the concept of the physical armour holding him back in the same way that mental armour does, Edward comes to some new understandings and discovers this school-thing isn't as frightening after all.
This is one to add to your collection to share to give an added dose of confidence and show that even the bravest can feel nervous.
Themes Starting school, Fear.
Barbara Braxton
Penny Platypus lends a hand by Chelsea Schar-Grant. Illus. by Aaron Pocock
Little Steps, 2023. ISBN: 9781922833471. (Age:4+)
A number of well-known Australian animals show how they help out either in their community or home. Penny Platypus plants trees, Sam Snake helps out in the surf, Collin Cockatoo is a coach, Kristina Koala helps at home, Dan the Dingo leads at dancing, Kevin Kangaroo jumps for fundraising, Emma Emu tidies up her home and her neighbourhood, Billy Bilby is a volunteer, Chris Crocodile looks after his neighbour, Andy the Australian Sheepdog joins in a fundraising walk, Ed the Echidna helps his mate and Kate Kookaburra helps herself by having a bath!
The full page illustrations are bright, colourful and full of detail. There is quite a lot to see on each page and children will enjoy the visual images throughout the book. This book lends itself to promoting discussion with young children about how they might be able to help and show kindness to others.
Themes Australian Animals, Helping, Community, Making A Difference.
As a fan of historical fiction, Georgette Heyer and detective novels, I was thrilled to read the blurb of The Agency for Scandal, promising a story about an all-female detective agency, a feisty young heroine who has a crush on a Duke and missing jewels. Then I read that it had been nominated for the 2024 Yoto Carnegie Medal and I knew that I was in for a treat.
Isobel Stanhope looks like the perfect wallflower. She hovers in alcoves at balls, and wears nondescript clothes, making it easy to overlook her. But she is hiding a lot of secrets. She has a crush on the Duke of Roxton but he can never remember her name. Her family has lost its wealth and she has had to find a job to support her ailing mother and brother who is away at school. At night she has another persona, masquerading as Kes, a youth who is an expert pick lock, working for the Aviary, where Mrs Finch operates an all-female agency that investigates cases where women desperately need help. When she becomes involved in stealing a mysterious brooch, she and the Duke pair up together, donning various disguises to unravel the secrets it is harbouring. As they work together the duo get to know each other and the Duke is forced to examine a society where women have no rights and are dominated by husbands and brothers.
With a deft hand, Wood describes the role of women in the late 19th century as the women from the Aviary help those in distress from husbands who gamble away their money or threaten their sanity. This serious theme is cleverly brought to light in the Aviary’s cases and Izzy’s thoughts about marriage.
I finished this charming book in two sittings, and although it was over 500 pages long, it had wide margins and attractive illustrations as chapter headings, making it an easy read. And of course, the fast-paced plot and budding romance made it difficult to put down. Fans of the Enola Holmes books by Nancy Springer, the Bridgerton series as well as books by Georgette Heyer are likely to enjoy The Agency for Scandal, and those who like espionage in a modern setting could turn to Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu.
Themes Detectives, Women, Upper classes, Great Britain - 19th century.
A kind of spark is the debut novel by Elle McNicoll. It was published in 2023 and was closely followed by Like a charm. A kind of spark is a warm and well-constructed novel. This reader recommends the latter Like a charm more strongly than A kind of spark as the growth in McNicholl's authorial skill such as the increased depth of skill in creating setting and historical background makes the second book of more value to children as a piece of literature. However, A Kind of spark is an enchanting, funny and heartbreaking novel and recommended too.
Elle McNicholl offers more than many current writers, who it seems, espouse the neurodiversity or disability or genderdiversity agendas with a thin narrative woven around the cause that they wish to promote. McNicholl, by contrast, does not allow the issue to eclipse the story. She offers rich settings and interesting characters who are able to time travel or at least tap into periods of history. This creates multi layers to her stories that make her books a worthwhile contribution to the literature that our children are exposed to that goes far beyond agenda-driven offerings.
In A kind of spark, we see the world directly through the first person authorial voice of Addie. Addie comes from a very warm, funny and interesting family. She and her sister are both autistic and McNicholl describes the autistic view of the world as being supercharged, supersensitive to particular stimuli and a special and valuable thing. Through Addie's clear descriptions we see the good and the bad in people and a very clear sense of justice. Addie is a fighter. When she discovers that her village was a centre of witch trials and witch hunts in previous times, she fights to have a memorial built to recognise those poor hunted women and girls who suffered because, like Addie, they were a little different. Modern day cruelty to the child who is different is demonstrated in the character of Miss Murphy, Addie's school teacher. Nasty classroom and playground incidents raise uncomfortable questions about the treatment of autistic children, especially those who have meltdowns, in mainstream classrooms today.
Addie has a visceral connection with a tree in Juniper Woods where witches were tortured and hung in the past. After a school excursion to this tree awakens her understanding, she researches and campaigns to raise funds for a public apology in the form of a memorial in her village that had previously and still did prefer to close its eyes to the facts of the past.
Through the lively, feisty, strongly sensitive and clear-eyed intelligence of Addie, the reader is invited into a lived view and experience of autism. McNicholl has cleverly linked the outsider/ difference experience of autism with the possibility that the "witches" of the past were simply poor girls and women who could have been autistic or at least just a little different to the mainstream. The hunting and killing of witches in the past and the bullying of autistic children by their peers, some adults and ostracism within communities today may be ignorant behaviours and prejudices that have not improved much over the years. Further ostracism of difference is exemplified by the enigmatic Mrs Miriam Jensen who lives on the periphery of the village (really within the woods) who is treated by the villagers as something of a strange old woman. At the culmination of the story Addie tries to push through a crowd of people to thank Mrs Jensen..."But she seemed to vanish." McNicholl knows how to create ambiguity...
A kind of spark would be a great book to read to classes aged 10+ especially if the aim is to help children accept and understand difference in their peers or even in themselves. The delightful Addie is a character who children will relate to and the other characters are far from flat. The storyline and authorial voice are captivating.
A kind of spark is warmly recommended along with other books by Elle McNicholl.
Abundance is all around you by Lauren McLeish. Illus. by Aleksandra Szmidt
Little Steps, 2023. ISBN: 9781922833969. (Age:3+)
Abundance is All Around You is a bright and colourful picture book that shares the joy of all the things nature provides. With clever rhyming couplets, the book explores various different habitats from land, sea and sky and what familiar things can be found there.
See the layers of petals on the flowers,
and clusters of leaves on the trees.
The family of ants marching along,
and swarms of buzzing bees.
This is an enjoyable read to share with early years students and with an explanation of some of the more unfamiliar words such as abundance, awe and droves, it will be one to read time and time again. The full page illustrations are full of creatures to find and identify and beautifully complement the text.
Themes Nature, Rhyme.
Kathryn Beilby
The very big sum by Adrian Dudek. Illus. by Naya Lazareva
Little Steps, 2023. ISBN: 9781922678928. (Age:7+) Recommended.
The Very Big Sum is a surprise read. The text is quite lengthy but it cleverly rhymes and tells the story of two siblings who try to get out of doing chores by solving a huge mathematical problem set by their mum. They have to add up all the numbers from 1 – 100!
They begin by adding each individual number starting at 1 + 2 = 3, 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 and so on. BUT they realise this will take ages and they will never get outside to play.They sneakily grab a calculator but mum is one step ahead and has removed the batteries. They then begin to think harder about the problem and look at other strategies for adding up so many numbers. In the end they come to a very clever solution and solve the problem in no time, impressing their mum.
This is an entertaining read and will encourage children to see if the children in the story calculated correctly.The illustrations are delightful with bright colour and full of expression and definitely add to the busyness of the story, and the huge effort to solve the maths problem!
With an emphasis on the word YOU, this picture book asks questions to encourage readers to think about how they contribute to the environment in which they live. The children are camping and when they get up in the morning, questions are asked about the practical aspects of the day. Do you make your own bed, or breakfast, onto the more imaginative: did you make believe, or make noise, or make friends. Each question will encourage young readers to think about how they contribute to their family’s day, and their environment as they live each day.
The emphasis changes as children are asked about making a discovery, a decision, a team and a plan. Each of these challenge the readers to think about things outside themselves, as they work with others. They can affect change working together. A challenge again appears, as children are asked to make a start, make progress, make time for others, and time for themselves.
The scope of the tale opens as the question is asked if they are making time for today and then tomorrow, pointing them in the direction of planning something for the future. This leads back to the opening question, ’In a world where anything’s possible, what will you do today? ‘
Designed to encourage readers to think about change and what part they may play, the questions on each page will stimulate plenty of thought and discussion as children ponder their part of their world.
Subtle, understated illustrations fill every page, showing children at their campsite, making decisions making friends, planning, deciding, even making mistakes.
Readers will readily identify with the activities shown on each page, and add their own list of when they make decisions, or made the bed, or friends.
On the last page is a diagram of the six understandings promoted in the text and illustrations, encouraging children to participate in the world in which they live. Teacher's notes are available.
As we have come to expect, 'Knights of' publishing company has published in debut novelist Samantha Baine's Harriet versus the universe, another novel that enhances the voice of people with disability. In this instance it is the first person narrative of Harriet, a ten-year-old girl with a hearing disability that we hear. The reader is immersed, through Harriet's chatty voice and access to her thinking, into her world. The text is accompanied by the cheerful cartoon-like artwork of Ella Masters (cover art) and Jessica Flores (interior artwork). The font is large with the combination of text and artwork making Harriet versus the universe a simple and engaging read for young readers.
The plot is reassuringly predictable. Harriet normalises and describes the use of hearing aids and the origin of her deafness. She describes school, bullying, friendships and living with her dad. When she stays with her grandma, her life changes as aliens, an alien organisation and new friends enter her life. As a result of the discovery of a special skill associated with her hearing aids, Harriet is able to save the world - with the help of her friends.
There is a warmth and wisdom exuded through the authorial voice. Quotable quotes include...'The house actually reminded me of Robin as it was all chilled out on the surface but you could see there was stuff going on underneath...' and ...'maybe the ground flowers were like the horrible kids at my old school and I was like a plant in a pot because I didn't fit in.' Any child who feels on the outer would find comfort in the sassiness and quirkiness of Harriet.
Harriet meets a person called Robin who can't decide whether 'they' is a girl or a boy. 'On Monday I felt like a girl and today I feel like a boy and so I'm both. Sometimes I don't want to be a boy or a girl.' Harriet accepts this thoughtfully by employing the analogy of comparing Robin's admission to her own wanting to be grown up sometimes and a child at other times. From then on Robin is referred to by the pronoun 'they' and the possessive 'their'. This is new for this reader and most children. Teachers and librarians should have a 'heads up' re this aspect of the book in order to avoid possible issues in the hands of the wrong reader. At the same time, this book treats the subject of gender identity issues with a gentle nonchalance and this would be comforting for children with the same issue who need to see themselves represented in literature.
Each chapter is bookended by a double-page spread of one of Harriet's imaginary planets. This interrupts the flow of the narrative but may be enjoyed by some readers who might be encouraged to make up imaginary lands of their own.
Harriet versus the universe is a humorous first novel for well-known English comedian and actor Samantha Baines. It could be particularly enjoyed by children with gender identity issues and /or hearing disabilities and could provide awareness about the current correct use of gender specific pronouns.
Themes Gender identity, Hearing disability, Bullying, Family, Aliens and space.
Imagine if you could enter another person’s mind, their mental ‘house,’ and explore the hidden rooms, and even shuffle some memories so that they are not so dominant; basically rearrange the furniture a bit. For Bernie Moon, as a child, it starts as fun, stepping inside, and switching around some experiences. It was a game called House that she played with her best friend Katie. But for the two young girls, pre-menstruation, it led to some disturbing incidents, a school boy expelled, and a teacher dead.
With menopause, later in life, Bernie finds a new surge of power, sparked by the murder of a woman jogging in a park at night. Her rage is fuelled by the social media posts that blame the victim, running alone. She starts to wonder if she can identify the perpetrator by stepping into their thoughts. Thus, she encounters Woody, actually a friend of her husband, planning his drink spiking conquest of a vulnerable young waitress.
Harris’s novel found its naissance in the #MeToo campaign and the Sarah Everard murder in the UK. It is without doubt an angry book; the anger of the menopausal woman’s rage against all the men that have kept her confined over the years, afraid of expressing an opinion, afraid of provoking HIS anger. With menopause, Bernie finds a return to the long suppressed mind-altering powers of her youth, and with the aid of the rescued waitress, sets out to rebalance the world a bit.
This is a really intriguing book, it is never clear whether Bernie’s super mind-altering capabilities are real or not, but the mystery keeps the reader drawn in, especially with the recurring question of what really dwells in the mind of Bernie’s husband. The novel gives expression to all the anger and vengeance of the #MeToo movement; women’s rage against the abuse and oppression they have endured.
I thought the story was leading up to a very predictable ending, but Harris surprises us with a fascinating twist that opens up new suggestions. This is a highly original, compelling novel, with its mix of magic, feminism, modern issues and mystery. It would certainly merit discussion in a book group.
For further insight into Joanne Harris’s motivation for writing Broken light, read her blog post on Tumblr.
