Title: Twin Stars

Author: Charlotte Clutterbuck

Reviewer: Gabrielle Mace

Audience: Stage 3 - 4 readers

As the twins passed Athru, Sulaire felt the force of his hatred like the bear's stinking breath, and suddenly her head swam, and she saw, almost as if it was still happening, the Night of the Totems - the dark of the woods, the dim shape of the owl flitting over their heads, the ranks smell of the bear, the flash of moonlight on the salmon in its mouth.  Then her head cleared and she followed Bhoid down the track'. (p.98)

'Twin Stars' is the opening book in The Gannet Quartert series, set in Scotland in the late Mesolithic Age.  The novel follows the journey of twins, Sulaire and Bhoid, who each believe their destiny is pre-determined in their tiered society. Sulaire is a talented healer and Bhoid is a natural hunter, but both are unable to hone their skills in public as these roles are reserved for the most senior members of society. The twins battle normal sibling rivalry and jealousy, whilst also protecting and caring for one another. As the twins become separated the intensity of the story increases. Twin Stars is set on an island in Scotland and the vivid descriptions of the landscape are amazing and highly detailed, with the author having grown up on the island.

The story is a fast-paced, page-turner and sure to entice Stage 3 - 4 readers. Looking forward to reading the next instalment!

Title: The 169-Storey Treehouse

Author: Andy Griffiths

Illustrator: Terry Denton

Reviewer: Rhonda Bruce

Audience: 11+

Don't forget to read the second sign telling you not to forget to read the first sign telling you not to forget to shut the door before your start the the Weather up! (This definitely absolutely positively means YOU, Terry!)" By Order of Andy (P39)

Andy and Terry have done it again. they have added another 13 storeys to their Treehouse. The problem is, what do they put on the 169th floor? As Andy and Terry cope with Terry letting a cyclone and their doppelgangers loose, they are also discovered by the Truancy Officer who insists on taking them to school along with Jill, where they are sent to the Timeout Room on their first day. What happens next? Read it to find out.

Links to the English Curriculum

Title: The Art of Destiny (Book 2 in the Arts of War Saga) 

Author: Wesley Chu 

Reviewer: Kellie Nash

Audience: Mature 

 Jian looked aghast. 'But you can't change history.' 

'Of course, you can,' boy, said the whipfinger master, 'It's one of the biggest perks of winning wars.' (Page 97) 

This is a coming-of-age story where the child prophesied to defeat the Eternal Khan is not the chosen one. This is a coming-of-age story of chosen one, Jian, prophesied to defeat the Eternal Khan. This prophecy is wrong, and Jian is no different to the other students under the tutelage of grandmasters . We follow three protagonists, Jian, Qisami and Sali, each fighting for a different faction in this war. Chu writes them with complexity, guiding the reader to recognise each has flaws as well as admirable qualities and all sides of a war can justify their reasons to battle to the end. This is a saga celebrating magic, martial arts, and different types of heroes.  

Audience: Goodreads classifies this novel as adult. Few instances of language-use would require readers to self-censor.

Title:

Author: Anita Heiss

Reviewer: Donna Dobson

Audience: Stage 2

“With no thought for his own safety, Yarri paddled his bark canoe, leading the way with purpose, and heading out to save as many of the townsfolk as he could”.

A glossary is provided to aid the understanding of the Wiradyuri words, and there is a QR code which will help the reader learn how to pronounce the Wiradyuri words correctly.

This is an historical text with full page illustrations, and tells the story of the 1852 Great Flood of Gundagai, and the heroic actions of two Aboriginal men ( Yarri and Jacky Jacky).

The reader will gain insight into the Wiradyuri culture, local knowledge and language through the eyes of Yarri’s daughter, Wagadhanny.

KLAs: History; Geography

Title: Eleanor Jones is NOT a Murderer

Author: Amy Doak

Reviewer: Rhonda Bruce

Audience: Older Readers (contains drug references)

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry I thought you were a drug-dealing, knife-wielding psychopathic killer."

This time he does laugh. " Well, thank you Eleanor Jones for saying that." (Page 94)

An immensely readable Australian novel by author, Amy Doak.  Set in a small country town, it takes the new girl, Eleanor Jones, and has her involved in an attempted murder on her first day at a new school.  This is Eleanor's ninth school in five years. As she and her mum move so often, Eleanor has a technique for moving into new schools - stay on the outer and observe.  Unfortunately, another student that she meets on her first day and offers to help with his chemistry homework is stabbed that night and Eleanor has left the last text message on his mobile. Eleanor decides to investigate the stabbing with the help of an eclectic group of friends.  A real page-turner. 

Title:

Author: Maura Perlot

Reviewer: Donna Dobson

Audience: ES1 - Stage 2

“In a world where anything’s possible, what will you make today?”

Questions…decisions…actions…impact.

This book is a series of questions, accompanied by simple full-page illustrations that hold clues as to what is happening. Whilst a simple text, it is thought-provoking in that it encourages the reader to think about the possible answers to questions within the book. We each have a voice and a choice, and how we use our voice can bring about change for the better. The book ends with an interesting page outlining six new pedagogies for learning.

KLA: PDHPE; Science & Technology; Geography

Title: A Girl Called Justice

Author: Elly Griffiths

Reviewer: Rhonda Bruce

Audience: all students

""Stella" said Justice, "What was the name of the girl who got lost in the fog?"

"What?"

"When we first did games, you told me that Miss Thomas had once lost a girl during a cross-country run when the fog came down. What was her name?"" (Page 205)

Justice Jones knew that as soon as she saw her new school, it had the potential for murder. The Highbury House Boarding School for the Daughters of Gentlefolk lived up to her expectations - unexplained deaths, alleged hauntings, disappearing chamber maids and inedible food. When a blizzard cuts the school off from the outside world, can Justice save her friends from a killer?

A beautifully written book by the author, Elly Griffiths, who writes the "Ruth Galloway Mysteries" for adults. Highly recommended for all students.

Links to "Reading for Leisure: and the English Curriculum

Author: Samantha Smith

Reviewer: Donna Dobson

Audience: ES1 - Stage 1

“And it was full of…slimy, hungry worms. Nine hundred-&-eighty-three of them to be exact”.

A delightful alliterative text, with bold colourful collage-style illustrations. The facial expressions of the worms will amuse young readers as will the discovery of the benefits of compost, worms and worm wee. The book finishes with simple facts about worms, particularly what to feed compost worms. A picture book that would pique student’s interest in how worm farms work and their important place in the ecosystem.

KLA: Science & Technology

Title: The Crown

Author: Emily Kapff

Reviewer: Donna Dobson

Audience: ES1 - Stage 2

“We have never met, you and I. I speak from the future which is not yours yet. It is being shaped.”

A book with few words, and beautifully illustrated with delicate colours and careful detail. A girl wears a crown made from rubbish, and she stands upon a landfill hill. In the rubbish she discovers a picture book depicting the beauty of nature in a time before hers. As she ponders the wonderful animals and environments that once were, the girl encourages us to protect the world of nature now. This book would be a great resource to use to introduce a unit on environment and waste.

KLA: Science & Technology; Geography

Title: Murder by the Seaside

Edited by: Cecily Gayford

Reviewer: Rhonda Bruce

Audience: 7-10

Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smoked Indian cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt penknife in his pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be enough to aid us in our search" (Page 24).

A collection of ten classic mystery and suspense stories by writers from the Golden Age. Ranging from detectives such as Sherlock Homes, Father Brown through to Superintendent Wilson, they are very entertaining and in the short story format, makes for easy and light reading on the topical subject of "Murder"

An entertaining book of short stories by well-known Crime Fiction authors including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Michael Inness and Gladys Mitchell.

Links to "Reading for Leisure" and the English Curriculum