I quite enjoyed this book because I learnt about Ghana. The dialogue was strange and I see this as an accurate portrayal of children’s speech in Ghana.
I learnt about the slums in Ghana as well. The only thing I question is “Would a child get a scholarship JUST because she has lost an eye?” I wish this issue was addressed. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to readers in Years 4 to 6.
This book by Cate Whittle was particularly good at the start. The author strictly adhered to cause and effect, which I enjoyed.
A year 4 reader would enjoy it. I suppose it is about 8000 words, at a guess. The story is about a new kid at school who doesn’t believe in dragons, which results in the protagonist’s dragon beginning to fade away. The punchline is Believe in Yourself. I think the last quarter of the book needed attention from an editor.
It may have been a CBCA notable in 2018.
The first time I read ‘The Elephant’ I must have been in a rush, and I didn’t think much of it. After rereading the book I appreciate it so much more. I think it is excellent, with delightful images and gentleness which adults will particularly enjoy when reading to children. It is a story of a little girl dealing with her father’s depression after her mother dies. Plenty of messages in the book, some of which come to you in a second reading. There is a nice little twist in the tail which will make you smile.
(Copy copyright: West Australian Author – Grey things can be colourful. )
It goes without saying that Rodda writes well.
The Shop at Hoopers Bend is well written but it didn’t grab me. I suppose the theme is something along the lines of ‘Everything is connected’. Rodda even gives a magical explanation of why this may be the case. With the magic alluded to, the reader believes in all the strange coincidences. The story is complete and everything has its place. The story is also warm and gentle, revealing the value of family, friends and place. Emily Rodda is a clever storyteller.
I found it hard to believe in the amazing increase in rental opportunities that suddenly arose for the shop. I also couldn’t believe that a stranger would take a girl in off the street without at least speaking to her parents/aunt? These two crucial aspects of the novel are what put me off.
I recommend the novel for a good Year 6 (and upwards) reader. It is between 60,000 and 70,000 words long. All main characters are female, and the baddies are the guys. Ha! It is definitely more of a girls’ book than a boys. It was shortlisted for the 2018 CBCA.
Felice Arena writes well. The book has captured the essence of Paris at the time, or how the author thinks it was, and the reader believes this.
The start is very slow. It took a quarter of the book before I was hooked.
I think there are too many incidental moments where the hero saves someone.
I don’t think the ending worked! The killer doesn’t mind losing a really expensive gem! I don’t know why the hero was not disposed of, after he was in the hotel room of the killers!
Despite my criticisms I enjoyed the book. I just think the editor needed to pick up a few things.
Recommended for Year 6 Boys and Girls. More of a Boys book.
What makes this book so valuable is the following, taken from the Western Australian curriculum.
The range of literary texts for Pre-primary to Year 10 comprises Australian literature, including the oral narrative traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, as well as the contemporary literature of these two cultural groups, and classic and contemporary world literature, including texts from and about Asia.
This book is all about a Torres Straight Islander boy and his life as a Pearl-shell diver. I think the inclusion of so much history has interfered with the writing, however, it is an informative book which I enjoyed. There is plenty of suspense but the pacing needs work as does the characterization. Also, many problems are not resolved. Does his mother survive? He was working for money but did the cyclone rob him of this? What happened to his dad? Does he find out what happened to his cousins? Whatever happened to the sea captain who was chasing him?
Still I would recommend this book, especially to teachers to read so as to cover the curriculum, probably for Years 5, 6 and 7.
Also, I recommend the book for children in upper primary and lower secondary school who want to learn about Australian history. It is well researched.
Karen Foxlee has written a wonderful fantasy book for primary children. Unfortunately I have been sick, my wife has been sick, the dog was sick, my fish have died, I have been searching the internet for pictures of fish and cutting them out, and stringing them in my aquarium, so I have only read half the book. But I have thoroughly enjoyed the part I have read. This book is recommended for upper primary and lower secondary children.
For some reason I have never been grabbed by the books of Wendy Orr, but this has changed with DragonFly Song. What a superb book for upper primary or secondary readers. My wife and daughter will scold me for saying it is a girl’s book. I don’t know how many words are in the book because many of the pages are formatted as verse. It is a lengthy fantasy book. I enjoyed the book and recommend it to lower secondary school girls.
The Icarus Show by Sally Christie is well written and clever. POV is handled so deftly. The start was interesting, the middle was clever and the ending was quite good. Most of it was believable. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I think a young adult audience would too. Sally Christie is a skilled writer and I’d be keen to read more of her work.
I am not really sure what to make of this book. The illustrations are an unusual, gentle and pleasing style. The writing isn’t noteworthy. The story ending is unbelievable yet also predictable. It is a short book for girls. I wouldn’t recommend it as a read aloud for a class, but a Year 5 to 8 girl might appreciate it.
I have read a book by Kate Di Camillo I did not enjoy. This is a simple story idea which was stretched out to book length, and it shouldn’t have been. It is for a young age reader (Year 4 maybe), but I think they’d get bored.
I think Kate is writing a few books in a series. I much rather her publications were based on what she loved to write, rather than what a publisher wants her to write. Sigh.
Reviewed by Western Australian author of children’s books.
This is a Young Adult book. I thought the start was brilliant but afterwards, so much of the story just seems unbelievable. Later, the implausibility is justified, but the twist is too late in the book. The story started believable but then went on to become some weird crud. Still, I think a Young Adult (boys and girls) would enjoy the book because of the start, the love interests, and the weird twists of plot.
Reviewed by Western Australian author of children’s books.
Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George is written for the young and competent reader. The book is quite long (maybe around 50,000 words) and the young protagonist outwits the evil invader by pulling all sorts of tricks. e.g. Hiding all the chamber pots. It is a light read and young readers will love it.
(Copy copyright: By a Western Australian children’s author who loves books.)
Argh! I did not think Kate DiCamillo could write ANOTHER excellent book but she has. I am in the middle of Flora and Ulysses, and loving it. This book is highly recommended.
Once again, she has written a book that has a good plot and it is also enjoyable to read. The cadence of her writing is comforting. I don’t know how she does it.
This book can be read by children in Year 4, 5 and 6. And it is also an excellent read-aloud book for children in this age group.
Teachers can use this book as an entry point into superheroes and poetry.
(Reviewed by a Western Australian author of children’s books.)
I think Year 4 children would love this book. It is also probably good as a read-aloud book for Year 4 children.
As a class activity, children could design their own alien. Decide what it eats, where it sleeps, etc. They could also design a wanted poster and write a letter. They could also write a list of foods.
In fact, the children could even write their own book. They could include a section on farts and poops which would be particularly entertaining for them.
The children could also be taught about the need to draw simple characters so they can be replicated many times. In Olga and the smelly thing from nowhere there are so many illustrations.
(Copy copyright: By Western Australian Children’s author who enjoyed this book.)
Overall, this is a well-written book. I didn’t believe Amy’s uncertainty about her parents’ relationship. I had to force myself to keep reading past Sophie’s questions about boyfriends. I loved the move to the old people’s home.
At the half way point of the book I put it down because there was little to compel me to keep reading. Does Dad get something famous to attract customers to his family general store? Does Amy find out why her mum doesn’t forgive her grandfather? How will the story finish? Who cares?
After reading the reviews of this book it sounded like many issues were raised in the latter pages.
Well, I picked up the book again and read to the end. Another issue was raised immediately and it kept me interested. All the loose ends were tied off in a believable way. The book is realistic and well-written. I didn’t like all the girlfriend/boyfriend guff, but I know the general audience for the book will.
A Year 5 to Year 8 girl would probably LOVE this book if they can keep reading past the halfway mark. This is also a good read-aloud book for a teacher of Year 5 to 7 girls.
(Copy copyright: Reviewed by Western Australian children’s author who writes books – funnily enough.)
This is a Year 4 level book. It has all the excitement and magic of Harry Potter except at a Year4 Level. A teacher could read this to a class, or a Year 4 – 6 child read it for enjoyment. It is quite a long book at 340 pages, but there are only about 200 words per page = 64000 words.
It is quite large print.
Three animals – a bird, a frog and a cat – set off to save a kingdom. Two of them have magic and one(The cat/narrator) doesn’t. The dimwitted frog made me laugh out loud a few times.
Lots of goodies vs baddies situations. Plenty of magical animals – an evil seven-headed dragon, levitating cats, spying eyeball fish. An orphan cat.
This book is about friendship, making mistakes and being forgiven. It is also about betrayal and that animals are better at saving kingdoms than people. If you have a kingdom that needs saving get a frog, cat and bird.
Copy copyright: Western Australian Author reviewed this.
These books by Dana Simpson are collections of short stories/reflections on life/ jokes as seen through the eyes of an extremely, utterly beautiful, gorgeous unicorn and her rather plain human side-kick. They insult each other and many of the jokes revolve around the vanity of the unicorn, but they are also best friends.
It is all in comic form, much like Garfield.
There were quite a few laugh aloud moments.
I am trying to find a good book to read to Year 4s. Year 4 kids would read this one themselves.
(Copy copyright: Reviewed by a Western Australian Author who reads a lot and who also writes a lot – books mainly.)
This is a funny book because Ivy is so stupid and tends to say whatever she is thinking. She is brutally honest. Such a long book for this age group tends to go all blah blah and dull in the middle, but not Anyone but Ivy Pocket. The author cleverly introduces so many characters and with each there is mystery and intrigue. I found myself guessing that this or that character was evil. I found myself guessing all sorts of things about the necklace and diamond. Anyway, I am halfway through the book and enjoying it.
I just had to keep reading. I was disappointed with the end of the book, but overall it was a wonderful exciting read. I am looking for a good book to read to a class of Year 4 children. This book is super for individual readers, but not to read to a class.
I recommend this book for children in Years 5 to 9. It is more of a girl’s book with nearly all of the characters female. A keen boy reader will also enjoy it.
(Copy copyright: Reviewed by a Western Australian author who coincidentally writes books.)
What a funny book!
I did laugh out loud heaps.
But I am not sure who the book is written for/marketed to.
It was recommended to me as a book to read to 9 year olds, but I wouldn’t consider it. They’d miss most of the humour. I just opened a page at random and found “…a metaphor, Dr. Dundledorf. An analogy. A symbolic tale.”
I just opened another page at random. “And I cannot digress. And I cannot defend the agency from its debilitating demise.”
Perhaps it could be read to 12 year old children. Or maybe 11 year old children in an advanced private school whose dads potter on the stock exchange. “From the Young Entrepreneur’s Fun.”
(Copy copyrighttted by a Western Australian Children’s Author who coincidentally writes children’s books.)
I am almost finished reading Mallee Boys.
It was awarded the “Winner Adelaide Festival Unpublished Manuscript Award”.
I almost stopped reading after about 30 pages because I had lost track of all the characters. Instead I made an effort to go back and reread some sections. I am glad I did because I have enjoyed this ‘coming of age’ book about two brothers also coming to terms with their mother’s death.
It is a teen book but also within the scope of being in the Young Adult category. Even though there are footy games, dirt bikes, and fights, there is also plenty of reflection on these events, which made me think it was written by a female. (Wow! Have I just put my foot in my mouth.)
I have finally managed to get past the first two chapters of this book. I have put it down twice before, but now I am loving it. Ben Okri somehow makes the mundane spiritual. He has created a weird and wonderful world. I am reading a few chapters each couple of days and cannot imagine reading it in one sitting.
This is an amazing book for adults.
I am now adding to this a month later. I ended up skim-reading the last part. The plot didn’t hold me. Sigh.
There is another book similar to this that I have read recently. It is called ‘The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree’.
I reread this book yesterday. It is a YA book about the developing relationship of two young adults who support each other in a world of sickness and pain.
Highly recommended. It grabs you in and you have no choice but to read it in one sitting.
I believe someone is making a TV series of it over in the USA.
Good stuff.
Well, I have finished reading quite a few books recently, so need a few more. My son has a copy of The Running Man, so that is next up. The quality of the writing in the first few pages has me very interested. This YA book comes highly recommended so I will keep you posted.
(On an aside – I love having this year off, giving me the opportunity to read.)
Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes.(All ages)
Anyone who has not read this for a while should do so. It is just wonderful. Suitable for all ages.
The Troll Bridge by Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran (Young adult graphic novel)
This is for Young adults. A few of the illustrations will scare the younger readers. It is a book with a message that you need to think about.
Pandamonia by Chris Owen and Chris Nixon (Lower Primary)
This is one of the best rhyming picture books I have read in a long time. (It is for children in lower primary) I gave a copy to my little nephew and I know he will love it.
Journey to the Stone Country by Alex Miller (Adult book – Miles Franklin winner 2003)
I am sure that many readers might put this book down and describe it as too SLOW. But I have such praise for this book. What a brilliant read. I highly recommend it.
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.