Title:What will you make today?

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

Title:Harriet's Hungry Worms

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

Title: Remember Triple zero Heroes

Author: J.E. Miller

Reviewer: Donna Dobson

Audience: 7-10

“They help us all and make the world a better place to live.”

In this story a young child ‘steps into the shoes of others’ to experience what their job entails. 

The story carries a message encouraging the reader to develop an understanding and respect for the way in which people help out in the community, often putting their own lives at risk. 

This book is shortlisted on the Speech Pathology Australian Book of the Year Awards, age category 8-10 year olds, nominated for children’s language and literacy development.

Links to PDHPE Curriculum

Title: The Concrete Garden

Author: Bob Graham

Reviewer: Donna Dobson

Audience: 5+

"The picture crossed deserts and mountains and cities. It bounced across the world…"

Lockdown, children living in high rise apartments, time to venture outdoors. Armed with chalk and imagination, the children take over the concrete basketball court, creating ‘a beautiful and exotic garden…And the Queen of Swirls ruled’.

The innocence and creativity of children making the best of what’s in front of them is revealed in this book. The children create a massive piece of art that is shared online once, then quickly multiplies until it is shared around the world. 

Links to Science and Art Curriculums.

Title: The Jammer

Author: Nova Weetman

Reviewer: Rhonda Bruce

Audience: Middle Grade

"And I heard the wire door, banging my way outside to the hot summer night and no more conversations about the derby. Behind me, I hear quiet whispery voices like everyone is trying to work out how to deal with me. And everything hurts like I've taken a bad fall on wheels." (Page 68)

Fred is a twelve-year old  whose name was chosen by her Dereby-mad Mum to rhyme with her derby name, Fred the Dead. Fred lives and breathes derby and started skating as soon as she could walk. Her derby roller kit is now at the bottom of the Brisbane River. Fred is struggling with major changes in her life including grief, growing up, relationships and belonging. 

This is a book that handles coping with grief in a sensitive way and the tumultuous changes that can occur in life.

Links to the English Curriculum

 

Title: Hamish and the Double Bass

Author: Margaret Dugdale

Reviewer: Donna Dobson

Audience: 5-8 

“And the music begins! Fast, slow, loud, soft. Gentle like  rain, strong like thunder; wandering like a stream…”

Hamish is a small boy who learns to play a cello, whilst his friends learn other instruments. The children discover it takes time and practise to master an instrument, but there is joy in doing so. As Hamish grows and masters his instrument, one day he is finally ready to play a much bigger instrument. 

This book is a lovely introduction to an array of instruments and their sounds. It introduces the idea of an orchestra and how it is made up of many instruments. 

Links to Music and English Curriculums.

Title: The Great Gallipoli Escape

Author: Jackie French

Reviewer: Donna Dobson

Audience: 11+

“All of them, no matter how kind they are, or how friendly, or how much they’re like us. We have to get through the Turkish lines…This is what war is.”

The story is told from the point of view of Nipper, a 16-year-old Australian boy, who has just played cricket with the enemy, and is gifted with a small painting done by a Turkish soldier, before he has to return to the trenches. Through his experiences, we learn about the Gallipoli War, including the secret retreat.

A quick read, due to chapter size and the matter-of-fact way that the author has woven the story. It reveals the atrocities of war, without being graphic. This ensures a practical, less emotional read that will engage young readers. This story is about endurance, friendship, compassion and courage.

Links to History Curriculum (World War 1/ War & Conflict); English Curriculum (Resilience and Belonging)