Well, after a week of skiing in New Zealand I am back at the desk and furiously writing between my business commitments.
Tax, superannuation, and insurance claims need sorting.
Bookweek details need to be sorted.
A trip must be taken to the library to get some more books.
I must spend a few days working on first chapters, and writing synopses for two books I wish to get published.
I just abandoned Frankie by Shivaun Plozza because I need to return it to the library. The book seems well written and I do want to keep reading it. Oh well, another day! Lots of teenage angst/conflict in this book.
(This is not a Western Australian children’s book and it is not by a Western Australian Author)
I just finished reading ‘One Would Think The Deep‘ by Claire Zorn. It is a well written book for Young Adults. The characters are well drawn.
The plot is believable.
The writing is of a high standard and it is well edited. I might be biased because of the surf setting.
(Copy copyright: Review by a Western Australian author.)
I just read Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley.
It is a young adult love story. Cath Crowley writes well; however, the book wasn’t for me. I do see a wide readership of it among young adult women. (My wife and daughter will scold me for saying it is a book for girls so I won’t say it.)
Plenty of romance, and plenty of literary references in this book, and one of the main settings is a book shop.
(Copy copyright: Reviewed by a Western Australian author.)
In The Skin of a Monster is a wonderful read. Highly recommended for Young Adults.
It is a creative story idea that works well. There is a change of direction in the latter part of the book that took me a while to get a handle on (a lesser character suddenly took on a greater role in the story) but I read the book in one sitting. And enjoyed it.
(Copy copyright: Reviewed by a Western Australian author)
I have just read ‘Yellow’ by Megan Jacobson.
It is a great job for a first time novelist.
For Young Adult readers.
(Copy copyright: Review by a Western Australian author)
I have just read ‘the bone sparrow’ by Zana Fraillon.
Morris Gleitzman said it was ‘A special book’.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, even though the material it dealt with was so HEAVY. It is a story of a Rohingya child in a Detention Centre.
The story is quite heavy handed in regards to the Detention Centre guards. Also, there are a few parts of the story that are difficult to believe. Still, a good read.
Highly recommended for children in their last year of primary school and for those in high school.
(Copy copyright: Reviewed by Western Australian author.)
Today I went to the library and grabbed a book by an author whose work I love. This author is highly respected in her field.
The cover looked clever. The blurb was intriguing.
I opened the book and saw a horrible typeface. Immediately I scolded myself for judging a book by its font, and I set myself to reading.
I lasted ten pages. Only ten pages.
I don’t know what font was used but I hope my books never have such a font.
(Copy copyright: Review by a Western Australian Author.)
Gabe Johnson Takes Over by Geoff Herbach is a funny read and I loved it. It is a Young Adult book and the hero is an overweight kid.
In an earlier form the book was called Fat Boy VS The Cheerleaders
(Copy copyright: Not a Western Australian book and not by a Western Australian author, but very funny.)
More Than This by Patrick Ness (English novelist) is a fast paced read for Young Adults. It deals with difficult issues. Definitely NOT a children’s book. Patrick Ness always writes exciting stories.
Highly recommended for Young Adults.
(Copy copyright: This is not a Western Australian book but it is a very good book for young adults)
A Friend in the Dark by Pascal Ruter is a high quality book for children of Grade 6 up. It is well written with many wonderful observations of life. The setting and characters are well drawn and intriguing. In the story a real thickhead of a kid assists a very smart girl (Marie) conceal from others her problem. Unfortunately much of the story is unbelievable. Still, if you can push this aside, you will enjoy the book.
(Copy copyright: Western Australian author commenting on children’s books, some of which are not Western Australian)
I have just finished reading The Turnkey by Allison Rushby.
I was desperate to read this book because of the gorgeous cover and the creative idea; however, I didn’t enjoy it.
It is for an audience of Year 5 competent reader upwards.
I felt the story was contrived in parts. I once submitted a book to my editor and she commented that aspects of the fantasy world I had created were obviously to satisfy the requirements of the story. The only way I could have fixed my story was to completely rewrite it, changing the plot completely.
I was reminded of this when I read The Turnkey.
I have just read ‘A Monster Calls’ by Patrick Ness.
(There is also a movie of this book.)
Wonderful book about a young man whose mother is dying and the way he deals with this.
Highly recommended for Young Adults.
(Strong messages in here. A young woman I know says she cried non-stop while reading this book.)
Patrick Ness is an English author I think, not a Western Australian author.
I have just read ‘The Rest of Us Just Live Here’ by Patrick Ness.
It is not for primary school – it is definitely for YOUNG ADULTS.
Wow! What an amazing writer.
It is a few weeks now since I’ve read a book I can recommend for young men, but I can with this book. Patrick Ness is such a clever writer.
Highly recommended for young men.
Themes include Obsessive Compulsive Behaviour, Love, Change, family relationships and friendship. 
I have just finished reading Nona and Me by Clare Atkins. I am glad it is an Honour Book from the CBCA because it deserves to be. Young Adult Girl readership. I loved reading this book for the Aboriginal culture contained within the story. Also, lots of internal conflict. 
This book is published in Victoria by Black Inc.
Recent Reads
Well, I have read quite a few books recently… that is the joy of not being a teacher for a year.
I read an adult novel by Tony Birch called Blood. I have written a Young Adult book that bears resemblance to Blood, except Blood is for Adults, and my book is written for Young Adults. Blood is wonderful and realistic and definitely an ADULT book. Very gritty.
I have just finished ‘Maybe a Fox’ by Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee. It is an emotional read. It is an easy and short read. Beautifully designed book. It dealt with the issue of grief in an interesting way. I enjoyed the book. I’d probably recommend the book for Year 6 upwards. (Mainly for girls) The setting is Vermont, America.
I am reading Nona and Me by Clare Atkins. I am half way through. It is well written with loads of internal conflict. Very clever. It is definitely a Young Adult book and suited for girls. I would recommend it highly for this audience.
I am reading Martine Murray’s book, how to make a bird.
It is not a Western Australian Children’s book but it is a CBCA short-listed book, published in 2003. The book is so well written. At different points, I was confused about the age of the protagonist, but the clever writing keeps me going. I am not rushing this book.
Murray is an accomplished writer.
I will hold off recommending the book until I have finished reading it.
Well, I have finished and I recommend it. Quality – because of the complexity of thought, I’d say it is for older readers – Year 10 upwards.
I have just read ‘In between Days’ by Vicki Wakefield (CBC Honour Book) and ‘The Flywheel’ (CBC Short-listed Book) by Erin Gough. They are similar. I forced myself to finish reading both books. I have no doubt the books have an audience with Young Adult women. I am sure that some of the YA audience love these books – but not me.
Both are definitely for Young Adults.
(Note: Both are not Western Australian Children’s Books)
I just reread Sally Morgan’s book ‘Sister Heart’.
I recommend it highly for Children in Years 4 to 7. For older readers too?
It is a simple story of a child of The Stolen Generation. It will encourage plenty of reflection and discussion.
Written in verse so not a long read, which is good for reluctant readers.
Good stuff.
I didn’t realise how different my daughter’s writing habits are from my own. Wow!
P.s. Western Australian Children’s Books are brilliant.
One True Thing by Nicole Hayes is not a Western Australian Children’s book but it is on the Western Australian Young Readers Book Awards list.
This book is ‘Chic Lit’ for Young Adults, and they will love it. Frankie’s mum is running for Premier of Victoria, and as usual there is plenty of media attention and muck racking. This book is about how Frankie deals with living in such a weird environment.
This book is quite long and the story is well constructed. Slowly, slowly Nicole Hayes builds up a tension and at the end of Part 1 the story reaches a climax where each person Frankie approaches for help lets her down. Part 2 is the slow resolution of the problems and a lot of other problems added to the mix, and Part 3 finishes it all up.
It was well written.
A podcast for those who want writing hints.
I may go back and edit this podcast to include a few more points about naming characters.
If anyone else has any ideas please send them in and we’ll acknowledge you and pop up the comments, assuming they are short. That is one of the priorities of this podcast – short and sweet.
If your writing hints are extensive, we’ll add a link to your site below.
(If you wish to add something to this post on Naming Characters, please leave a comment.)
Well, this was NOT a Western Australian Children’s book, but it was an interesting book to read – an adult book called – um, I can’t say what it is called in case a child sees the title in this blog and gets it out of the library and reads it. In fact 99% of the book is fine but that 1%?
So instead, I’ll type a summary of an interesting article I read titled ‘The Benefits of Reading’.
It makes you smarter, improves your concentration, memory and imagination. Reading makes you more interesting and it reduces boredom and depression. Reading helps ‘create’ you. It improves your empathy and vocabulary. It improves your writing skills… and the list goes on.
Looking at the above, I suppose I can say that Western Australian children’s book authors are healers. Kind of. In a sense!
I just read ‘The Sky So Heavy’ by Claire Zorn, which is on the WA young readers’ Book Awards list.
It wasn’t written by a Western Australian.
It is an exciting Young Adult novel about survival in Sydney after a ‘few’ nuclear missiles have been detonated around the world.
It is well worth reading – young adults will love it.
(Copy copyright: Not really a Western Australian Children’s book.)
I have reread a CBCA honour book called ‘Two Wolves’ by Tristan Bancks.
Older kids book – Competent Year 6 readers. A realistic story and edge-of-your-seat read.
Wonderful.
(Copy copyright: Not a Western Australian Children’s book, but a good read anyway.)
It is 12:15 on a Friday and once again I have missed the opportunity to participate in a writing marathon at the Katharine Susannah Prichard Writing Centre.
It takes me 35 minutes to drive there and 35 minutes to drive back. I might use that time to write instead. Or at least get some lunch. I’ve been writing since about 6:00 and it is time for a breather.
(Copy Copyright: Writers of all books, including Western Australian Children’s books, must drag themselves away from their desks sometimes.)
I woke at 5:30 today and had to read ‘Have You Seen Ally Queen?’ by Deb Fitzpatrick. You know I love a book that is well written and believable.
Sometimes, my own books struggle with the ‘believable’ part of it all.
When I read, I usually do a lot of predicting, but it wasn’t of any use with this book, because it kept going to places I didn’t expect. And yet, it was totally believable – good work Deb. Thanks.
(Copy copyright: Another great Western Australian children’s book (Young Adult book))
It has been a solid day writing and I planned to be in bed by 10:30. It is 11:50. The reason I am still awake is because I accidentally opened ‘Have You Seen Ally Queen?’ by Deb Fitzpatrick. (Yep – it is Young Adult)
I still haven’t finished it. I am exhausted and going to bed now.
(Copy copyright: I love those Western Australian Children’s books.)
I have taken a year off teaching, intent to write a lot and be more involved in the writing community.
I am spending a lot of time writing and on the internet raising my profile, but only a little time socialising in the writing community.
I must make more of an effort in this last area because the Western Australian Writing Community is full of quality people – generous with their praise and support. Also skilled writers.
(Copy copyright: AUTHORS of Western Australian Children’s books are a good bunch.)
Two days later and I’m still reading “Have You Seen Ally Queen?’, Young Adult novel, by Deb Fitzpatrick.
I’m enjoying it immensely. I’m only half way through the book because I am writing so much. And renovating the bathroom – slowly.
I also spent some time at Perth City’s new library. It is a quiet place and peaceful, with a few places to write.
(Copy copyright: Western Australian children’s books are more than okay.)
Blueback by Tim Winton
This book was well received when it came out in 1997 but I didn’t get around to reading it.
My mum picked it up at a secondhand store the other day so I read it.
I did enjoy the book. It is a simple story but it seems rushed in parts.
Some beautiful images in simple sentences show Winton’s strength as a writer.
Suitable for lower secondary or upper primary.
(Copy copyright: Western Australian Children’s Books dominate.)
I have just grabbed “Have You Seen Ally Queen?” by Deb Fitzpatrick.
I haven’t started it yet, so can’t make a comment about it being for kids or young adults, but I’ll read it tonight and get back to you. I anticipate it being a great read because Deb is a skilled writer and she is working with a quality publisher.
I love authors who work on the first line or paragraph of their book. The first line reads ‘I have survived.’
And…this book was a CBCA’s notable book.
I did read her book, “The Break” recently and thoroughly enjoyed it. ( I must emphasize it is an adult book).
(Copy copyright: Western Australian Children’s Books and Young Adult’s Books too.)
Just read ‘Road to Winter’ by Mark Smith. (Text Publishing 2016)
YA novel – adult themes. (Not for primary school)
Exciting and can’t-put-down book about QLD after a virus has wiped out most of the population.
Also, the issue of refugees is addressed.
Recommended for YA. It read almost as good as ‘The Knife of Never Letting Go’.
Mark Smith has written a wonderful book.
(Copy copyright: WAYRBA book – Not a Western Australian Children’s Book, but liked by Western Australian children.)
I should have started my new category blog with a review of Waer by Meg Caddy. (My beautiful daughter)
Waer is a young adult novel, suitable for Years 5 upwards but most suited to Year 7 – 12.
There are a couple of cool twists in the story that take you by surprise.
I suppose it is more of a girl’s book than a boy’s book, but that kind of comment might get me into trouble with politically correct types.
It is a story of inner strength, especially by a young female werewolf. It is a story of forgiveness and of family. There is plenty of action and blood but it doesn’t go overboard.
Obviously I am biased and will highly recommend the book. (It is on the CBCA notables list for 2017.)
(Copy copyright : Western Australian Children’s Books are better than un-sliced bread.)
Western Australian Children’s Books
Well, I have decided to catch up on my reading and the first way to do this is to read the WAYRBA (Western Australian Young Readers Book Awards) books.
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey is a 140 page book. It is a black and white comic book. I have no doubt Year 3 and 4 kids will enjoy it. Or reluctant readers from older classes.
The Bad Guys – Mission Unpluckable.
Light, fun. The heroes are a shark, wolf, piranha, snake and a tarantula.
Theme: Teamwork is the way to go.
The team break out the chickens from a chicken farm.
(Copyright: Western Australian Children’s books are magnificent.)
A year to write.
A year of presenting to children.
A year to edit.
A year to be an author.
This is another excellent site for the classroom.
You find the perfect Youtube clip to show the class, and do so.
Then, you show them the clip again through edpuzzle, in which you have asked questions.
So, the children enjoy a Youtube clip, and then they focus on the content.
They usually talk and enjoy the Youtube for the first showing, and then there is silence for the second.
As a brain break, Kahoot is excellent.
It is a simple, energizing, loud and motivational quiz system.
I alternate between content and fun quizzes.(The kids don’t realise that sometimes I am getting them to review work, or that I target children’s interests to ensure the ‘weakest’ kids become experts too.)
To use Kahoot, you sign up for no cost. You use public quizzes or make your own.
In the class I have 7 groups of 4 kids and one group of 5 children. In the middle of the day, while the children are working, I place Kahoot on the smartboard/appletv. Suddenly, the children are out of their seats and each group has an ipad. They wait for the login code and then work furiously to answer the quiz. They shout and argue and LOVE it.
Note: My winners get raffle tickets. I occasionally change the groups around. I always preview the Kahoot first(Often the night before.) to ensure the content is appropriate. In the middle of the Kahoots, I call out that the ipad must be passed along. The first Kahoots I did took 15-20 minutes but now, they are a quick and valuable classroom tool.
What is Multiplicative Thinking?
Basically, it is all about competence with multiplication. The Victorian Government seems to be promoting the idea.
Here are some problems I have put onto cards to be used in a “Quiz Quiz Trade” situation.
19 x 6 = (Hint: do 20 x 6 = 120)
101 x 5 = (Hint: Do 100 x 5 first, then add another 5)
79 x 9 = (Hint: Do 8x 9 =, then make that 80 x 9 =, then take off 9)
14 x 5 = (Hint: Do 7 x 5 =, then double your answer)
13 x 8 = (Hint: Do 10 x 8, then add 3 x 8)
101 x 6 = (Hint: Do 100 x 6, then add 6)
17 x 4 = (Hint: Do10 x 4, then add 7×4)
19 x 3 = (Hint: Do 20 x 3, then take away 1×3)
21 x 3 = (Hint: Do 20 x 3, then add 1 x 3 )
22 x 6 = (Hint: Do11 x 6 and then double it. Or do 20 x 6 and then add 2 x 6)
19 x 5 = (Hint: Do 20 x 5 and then take away 1 x 5)
19 x 6 = (Hint: Do 20 x 6 and then take away 1 x 6)
19 x 7 = (Hint: Do 20 x 7 and then take away 1 x 7)
101 x 6 = (Hint: Do 100 x 6 and then add 1 x 6)
79 x 4 = (Hint: Do 8 x 4, then add a 0 to make it 80 x 4. Now take away 4.)
79 x 5 = (Hint: Do 8 x 5, then add a 0 to make it 80 x 5. Now take away 5.)
18 x 9 = (Hint: Do 9 x 9 =, and then double your answer)
18 x 6 = (Hint: Make it half of 18 to do the sum, then double your answer.)
79 x 2 = (Hint: Do 8 x 2, then add a 0 to make it 80 x 2. Now take away 2.)
14 x 4 = (Hint: Do 7 x 4, then double your answer.)
Brainstorm all the things that YOU know about.
If you know about football write it down. Your dog. Write it down. The gap under your bed – write it down. The chickens out the back. Write it down. Skateboarding – write it down.
NOW CHOOSE one that you are going to write about. It can be anything BUT it must be something you know a lot about. Skip a few lines and write it on a line by itself.
(8 minutes)
(8 minutes)
E.g. They are dad’s special prize winning chickens. I think the chickens lay golden eggs. The chickens are my only friends in the world.
E.g. My grandfather is travelling here to see me play. I have been boasting to everyone that I am playing. I want to show off to a girl who is coming along to watch the game.
(8 minutes)
E.g. the chickens are flying. I have to work so I can’t go looking for them. I find feathers on the ground and the neighbours’ dogs are missing as well.
E.g. The coach hates me. My white footy outfit has turned pink in the wash. The school bully who hates my guts is on the other team.
(8 minutes)
You now have the outline for a magnificent story. Go, go, go! Write and love it. (45 minutes)
411. The teacher notices that my pencil is the length of my little finger and places a new pencil on my desk.
412. We have our swimming carnival and my teacher, despite a 25m lead, ends up coming equal with me. She told me that she wasted time putting on her swimming cap because she didn’t want to mess up her hair. And we laughed and laughed.
413. We are sitting on the floor in the hall, and I notice the kid beside me has wet her pants. Another kid yells, ‘Look! She has wet her pants.’ And the teacher says, ‘Everybody stand up. We are going back to class. The roof has leaked and someone has sat right in the puddle. Can that girl stop crying. Anybody could accidentally sit in a puddle. Now, can you go to the office now please. And Mrs Smith, can I see you for a moment!’ (My teacher is clever and thoughtful.)
414. I see the teacher helping a small child pop a hole into the top of their juice container (for a straw) and it squirts out in a little stream. The teacher jumps back, not wanting to spill any juice on their clothes.
415. I am on the roster to feed the fish. I love it when I arrive in the morning and get the fish food and move to the aquarium. I am suddenly the most popular person in the class because others stream towards me to watch me feed the fish. When I feed them, even the fish swim to the surface to be closer to me.
(Copy copyright: I love school when even the fish like to be near me.)
406. We are in the upper grades of primary school and are given ‘The Talk’.
407.In a music lesson, in a small group, we make up a song and then sing it to the class.
408. My friend returns from an extended holiday and I know that recess and lunch breaks will no longer be lonely.
409. I have to sit a test, but someone has already written all the answers in the booklet.
410. When I am about to be punished for not having my homework at school, but then I find it at the bottom of my school bag. Phew! I had forgotten I had completed it.
401. A bird flies into the classroom and we all have to leave the room. I love the ‘leaving the room’ but am sad about the bird flying into the glass window, and into our work that hangs from the ceiling, and making kids scream.
402. In mathematics, we draw pictures – patterns using compasses, templates, tessellations, transformations, symmetry, …
403. The teacher starts the day with a fitness session.
404. We raise awareness for International Down Syndrome Day by wearing coloured socks. I didn’t have any coloured socks, but the teacher has bought in bright coloured material, so we all cut out socks and pin them to our shirts.
405. We get a test back, and have lots of time to work through our mistakes and fix them up.
(Copy copyright: I love that our teacher always calls out the names of the children who get 100% in a test, and I know that one day my name will be called out. I only do the first 5 sums of each maths test, but I can still get 100%.)
396. My friend accidentally wipes her ice-cream on my face so I retaliate by shoving my ice-cream on her face. Four arms, two ice-creams, two faces, plenty of shouting and wrestling! Laughter and ice-cream! Life is good, and I love school.
397. A teacher walks over a mat, and the heel of her shoe sticks in it, so she stumbles but keeps walking – wearing only one shoe.
398.In Science, I make an amazing model of a lighthouse, and the teacher tells me to take a friend and go and show it to the art teacher.
399. The teacher tells us that there is no homework for the week.
400.We play a game and the girls are against the boys. Both teams are pretty serious, with most children arguing and getting passionate about the results. And somehow the game is a draw. (Mmm! Did the teacher orchestrate this? I love school.)
(Copy copyright: I love school when we have an extra catchup sport lesson.)
391. We sing songs on the bus on the way to/from a field trip(excursion).
392. The Principal is away and the teacher misbehaves. (He wears jeans and a t-shirt and gives us extra sport time.)
393. The teacher tells me to go to the office to deliver a message, but really he is letting me talk to the social worker without anyone in the class knowing. I love talking with her.
394. The teacher is nodding off at her desk, and we laugh about it.
395.We make volcanoes out of papier machè, vinegar, bicarbonate soda, and red food colouring. Then we film our volcanoes erupting. It is so cool.
(Copy copyright: I love school when the teacher misbehaves.)
386. The teacher gives us some quiet words of advice and we all listen quietly.
387.We draw pictures of faces on our fingers and make them talk to each other.
388. I think I have had a boring day, but at lunchtime the teacher calls me back and tells me how well I have worked.
389. I tell the teacher about something special I have made at home, and I ask if I can bring it in and show it to the class, and s/he says yes.
390. We make a forest, boat, maze, Christmas scene, or something else inside the classroom. (And it is huge.)
(Copy copyright: I love school when our classroom becomes another world.)
381. I haven’t ordered my sausage sizzle, so the teacher gives me hers.
382. Some children are chosen to play at the half time break of a national basketball women’s competition game, and I am one of them.
383. Our class waits at the bottom of the steps for the special needs girl to catch up with us.
384. We watch a movie in class and are allowed to lie on the floor.
385. The teacher lets us take off our shoes.
(Copy copyright: I love school when the teacher opens the windows to let some fresh air in; after we have taken our shoes off.)
376. Our writing topic is ‘autumn’ and for our cover page we place paper over a leaf and do a rubbing of it.
377. My work is used to teach the rest of the class about formatting. The teacher uses my writing to show how to fix up spelling errors, insert synonyms, use columns, and move pictures around. Afterwards, because my work is perfect, I have time to play educational games while the other children format their work.
378. The teacher asks if anyone has not finished a test and I am the only one to raise my hand, yet the teacher still gives me extra time to complete the test.
379. We play games with balloons.
380. I go to the sport bin, expecting all of the equipment to be gone, but there is some left in there, and I find the ball I want.
(Copy copyright: I love school when we play games.)
