Aviary Wonders Inc. (PB)

FULL TITLE: Aviary Wonders Inc. Spring Catalog and Instruction Manual : renewing the world's bird supply since 2031.
AUTHOR: Kate Samworth (USA)
PUBLISHED: Clarion Books, c2014.
PAGES/ILL: 31 pages, illustrations.

PLOT:
In a future when deforestation and other environmental factors have caused many bird species to go extinct, businessman Alfred Wallis offers a catalog of parts for creating replacements, from hand-carved beaks to Italian-leather feet. Mix-and-match wings, beaks, crests, legs, and more. Clients discover problems when they try to mix and match parts that don't work together.

REVIEW:
The book takes a humorous look at a future where you can create a bird in much the same way that one would make something out of Lego, or in a build-a-bear store (except that this pet is alive). It is very creative, funny, and though-provoking.

It would be a good discussion prompt in sustainability and environmental lessons - what will the future be like if our wildlife disappears? For light-hearted imagination, children can imagine what bird they would create themselves.

AGE: 7-12. This picture book may be read/browsed by children aged 4+, but the deeper storyline, the environmental message and the humour is ideal for older children.

GENRE: Fantasy fiction
RATING: 4 1/2 - 5 stars.

Series: The League of Princes (Fic)

AUTHOR: Christopher Healy (USA)
PUBLISHED: HarperCollins, c2014.
PAGES/ILL: 516 pages, illustrations.
SERIES: The League of Princes / The Hero's Guides
FIRST BOOK: The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom

PLOT: (The Hero's Guide to Being and Outlaw -#3)
Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. Known as the League of Princes, but we know them simply as "Prince Charming". These are the princes who live in a land with Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel. And they must join forces to fight evil and save their kingdoms.

When an evil wizard plots to take over the 13 kingdoms (and his plot is a good one - frame the princes for murder, kidnap the 'victim', and get the bards to sing songs about how horrible they are), the League must pull together to clear their names and defeat evil, all while escaping prison, trolls, witches and more.

REVIEW:
Lighthearted and easy to read, with the occasional suspenseful moments, this is a fun romp.
It maintains the reader's interest with challenges which aren't solved in a single chapter, and reasonably well-developed characters.

Recommended for those looking for something in a similar vein but a bit meatier than Treasure Hunters.

Would be a good class read-aloud for grades 3-5.

AGE: 8-13. (Reading age 9+).

GENRE: Fantasy fiction
RATING: 4 - 4 1/2 stars.

Series: Princess DisGrace (Jnr Fic)

AUTHOR: Lou Kuenzler (USA)
PUBLISHED: Scholastic, c2014.
PAGES/ILL: 224 pages, illustrations.
SERIES: Princess DisGrace
FIRST BOOK: First term at Tall Towers

PLOT:
When Princess Grace arrives at Tall Towers, she ruffles some feathers. She is not what a "Princess" is "supposed" to be. She is clumsy and bedraggled.
But her heart is in the right place, and she quickly develops strong friendships. Her cousin, Princess Precious, bullies her, picks on her, and is downright nasty - so nasty her behaviour is very "un-princess-like" and a special honour (leading a parade) is taken away from her and given to Grace.
Even then, Precious tries to derail her, but Grace saves the day in the end.

Tall Towers is a boarding school for princesses, where they learn princessy things like walking with books on their heads and looking after their unicorns.

REVIEW:
To be honest, the writing is average and the plot is sappy and predictable, however it will still engage very young girls with a loveable character, while giving a positive message about friendship, trying hard, and taking pride in being yourself and doing your best.
This is one book which won't cross gender lines. You might get one boy in thousands who will read this, but only if he is a voracious reader who reads anything he can get his hands on, including his sister's books.

Recommended for girls who are looking for something a step up from Rainbow Magic.

AGE: 6-9. Interest age is 6+, but most 6 year olds won't have the ability to read at this level yet. The recommended age on the back of the book is 8+, but the storyline is unlikely to capture much interest beyond 9 (depending on the child, of course. Some girls stay happily in light fantasy about fairies and unicorns for most of primary school. There is nothing wrong with this, but this book will be scorned by girls who are starting to look for meatier reading).

GENRE: Fantasy fiction
RATING: A solid 3 stars.

Mortlock Wing of the South Australia State Library voted one of the most beautiful in the world

The Mortlock Wing at the State Library of South Australia has been listed in the top 20 most beautiful libraries in the world! Read more here.

Series: Treasure Hunters (Fic)

AUTHOR: James Phelan (Aust)
PUBLISHED: 2013
SERIES: Treasure Hunters
FIRST BOOK: Treasure Hunters

PLOT:
The Kidd siblings have grown up diving down to shipwrecks and traveling the world, helping their famous parents recover everything from swords to gold doubloons from the bottom of the ocean. But after their parents disappear n the job, the kids are suddenly thrust into the biggest treasure hunt of their lives. They'll have to work together to defeat dangerous pirates and dodge the hot pursuit of an evil treasure hunting rival, all while following the cryptic clues left by their father to find a treasure which may hold the secret to their mother's disappearance.

REVIEW:
This book is hits the target age with humour, adventure, skilled and intelligent kids outwitting adults, families sticking together, pirates, treasure, mystery, and bad guys.

It lacks substance (certainly no where near the sophistication of Harry Potter), and the plot is very unrealistic - the children are quite ok with the disappearance of both parents, every crisis is resolved within the chapter and a new one crops up in the next (which is also expeditiously and over-simply solved). However, it is exactly these elements that make for such fun and light reading for children.

Some of the humour might go over some kids' heads, but it will still be a good read for both boys and girls. Illustrations will keep the interest of some reluctant readers. It is a book for children who are looking for something quick and easy.

Could be a class read-aloud with 3-5th graders.

AGE: 8-12
GENRE: Realistic fiction with a dash of fantasy
RATING: 3 1/2 stars

RIP Matthew Richell (publisher) 1973-2014

RIP Matthew Richell, CEO of publishing house Hatchette Australia. He died in a surfing accident at Tamarama.

News item: King James Bible from 1669 found in a charity booksale

A King James Bible printed in 1669 has been found in a Lifeline charity booksale in Wahroonga. It was published by John Bill and Christopher Barker, who were printers for the King. It is missing the title page, but is still worth about $800.

My Brother's Secret (YA Fic)

AUTHOR: Dan Smith (UK)
PUBLISHED: London : Chicken House, c2014.

PLOT:
Germany, 1941. 12-year-old Karl Engel is looking forward to joining the Hitler Youth, like all boys his age.

But when his father is killed, and his family moves in with his grandparents, he discovers things that leave his faith in the Führer shaken. Everyone seems to know something he doesn't. When he joins his brother in rebellion, his life will never be the same.

REVIEW:
This book is very interesting (I read it on my lunch break over a week and it was very difficult to get back to work :) ), and could be recommended to reluctant readers and to tweens/teens interested in history. It could be included on the reading list when introducing WW2 - certainly it lends itself to further discussion about Germany and the war, and how it may have felt to be a German at that time.
I liked the progression of the main character (from a very naive and rather irritating boy to a character with courage and convictions) and the inclusion of factual information about the Edelweiss Pirates.

This book could be a class read-aloud with 6th or 7th graders.

Also in this vein (war): Boy in the Striped Pajamas or Then.


AGE: 12-15. While the actual reading level is around age 10 or 11, the topics require a little maturity if you want children to read this and understand the implications in the broader context of a complex real-life war.
GENRE: Realistic fiction / Historical fiction.
RATING: 4 - 4 1/2 stars.

The Adventures of Sir Roderick, The Not-Very Brave (Fic)

AUTHOR: James O'Loghlin (Aust)
PUBLISHED: Australia : Pan, c2014.

PLOT:
Being a knight is the last thing Roderick wants, but that's what he becomes when he saves the Queen's life. When the Queen bids her knights to seek out a wizard, he must go where he is sent, and thus begins an adventure involving an invisible girl, a talking bear (who is rather funny), the wizard, a kidnapping, giant cockroaches, and more!

REVIEW:
The bear adds some light humour, and the plot has enough twists that it stays interesting till the end. There are some moments that could be scary for some children (but certainly not as scary as Goosebumps and the like). There are themes of magic, friendship, betrayal, bravery and courage, questioning authority, trust, and self-actualisation.

It would be a good option for a third-grade read aloud (the plot would go way over the heads of some 2nd graders).

AGE: 8-12.
GENRE: Fantasy fiction.
RATING: 4 - 4 1/2 stars.

RIP Eric Hill (author) 1927-2014

RIP children's author Eric Hill, 1927-2014.