Illustrated
Written by Jaclyn Moriarty
Fantasy, Adventure, Middle Grade, #LoveOZMG
November 2017
512 Pages
Thank you to Allen & Unwin Australia
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★★★★★
I was ten years old when my parents were killed by pirates. This did not bother me as much as you might think, I hardly knew my parents.
Bronte Mettlestone's parents ran away to have adventures when she was a baby, leaving her to be raised by her Aunt Isabelle and the Butler. She's had a perfectly pleasant childhood of afternoon teas and riding lessons and no adventures, thank you very much.But Bronte's parents have left extremely detailed and bossy instructions for Bronte in their will. The instructions must be followed to the letter, or disaster will befall Bronte's home. She is to travel the kingdoms and empires, perfectly alone, delivering special gifts to her ten other aunts. There is a farmer aunt who owns an orange orchard and a veterinarian aunt who specialises in dragon care, a pair of aunts who captain a cruise ship together and a former rockstar aunt who is now the reigning monarch of a small kingdom.Now, armed with only her parents' instructions, a chest full of strange gifts and her own strong will, Bronte must journey forth to face dragons, Chief Detectives and pirates and the gathering suspicion that there might be something more to her extremely inconvenient quest than meets the eye...
From the award winning Jaclyn Moriarty comes a fantastic tale of high intrigue, grand adventure and an abundance of aunts.
Ten year old Bronte Mettlestone is embarking on a wondrous adventure, adhering to her late parents legacy despite the concerns of Isabelle, her Aunt and guardian. Patrick and Lida Mettlestone were adventurers, abandoning their only child with Isabelle then captured by pirates. The news of their demise delivered during afternoon tea. To receive her inheritance, Bronte is to travel the kingdom and empires to deliver keepsakes to ten of her father's sisters, adhering to the specific instructions precisely or fracture the Faery thread binding her itinerary. Each fracture brings impending destruction to the town of Gainsleigh and Bronte must embark on her journey alone.
Bronte Mettlestone is a wonderful young lady, curious and dependable. Abandoned as an infant, Bronte has been raised by Isabelle in the shire of Gainsleigh, her parents traipsing around the kingdom discovering new worlds and adventures before their demise.
Her first destination is Livingston and the Elivish Festival of Matchsticks. Emma has been imprisoned for thievery of a pepper grinder. Claire organises Spellbinder conventions and Sophy is a veterinarian at the animal hospital for dragons. At the precise moment, Bronte presents her offering of cinnamon, chilli flakes or sugar cubes, rousing fond memories of her patents spanning the continent. Bronte growing increasingly exasperated towards her deceased parents she was never afforded the opportunity to appreciate. An avalanche in the mountain village, Katherine Valley Boarding School, the Riddle And Popcorn Cruise Ship and the Kingdom of music, culminating in a gathering in Nina Bay to celebrate the lives of her parents.
Bronte's journey is enchanting and at only ten years of age, her adventures are gallant and delightfully whimsical. Following the instructions, Bronte discovers new friends in each town including the mysterious young barefoot boy, adding intrigue. The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone is wonderfully endearing, imaginative and effervescent.
Written by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
Non Fiction, Feminism, Shirt Stories
Published March 20th 2017
212 Pages
Thank you to Penguin Australia
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★★★★★
What if the princess didn't marry Prince Charming but instead went on to be an astronaut? What if the jealous step sisters were supportive and kind? And what if the queen was the one really in charge of the kingdom?
Illustrated by sixty female artists from every corner of the globe, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls introduces us to one hundred remarkable women and their extraordinary lives. Empowering, moving and inspirational, these are true fairy tales for heroines who definitely don't need rescuing.
Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls is inspirational. One hundred accomplished women from all around the globe who are shattering stereotypes and forging pathways for generations of women pushing against the glass ceiling in our patriarchal societies.
Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.Wonderfully illustrated by sixty female artists representing our diverse and cultural lands, illustrating women as distinguished and accomplished. As tenacious.
Amelia Earhart, an aviator from the United States and the first woman who achieved the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Coy Mathis an elementary school student and transgender girl who challenged the education department. Irish pirate Grace O'Malley refused to surrender to the English rule whilst Jacquotte Delahaye who commanded a legion of pirates with her girlfriend and fellow pirate. Kate Sheppard a New Zealand suffragette. Loren an Apache warrior among men. Mae Carol Jemison an American engineer, physician and NASA astronaut.
Each page is dedicated to a brilliant woman who has excelled in her field of expertise and accompanied by a bright and wonderfully interpretative illustration. The magnitude of women featured throughout Goodnight Stories For Rebel Girls reflect our communities, celebrating ethnicity, gender, religion, sexuality, disability and socioeconomic diversity from the Republic of Mauritius, India, Sudan, Cuba, Italy, United Arab Eremites, Canada, Russia, Burma, Mexico, Somalia, Haiti, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, China, Columbia, Kenya and western countries such as the United States, United Kingdom and of course, Australia and New Zealand.
Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls is a magnificent. A celebration of feminism for children and adults to inspire imagination and dream the impossible as possible.
A gentle warning that this review contains anti religious sentiments
Written by Rafi Mittlefehldt
Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, LGBT
Expected Publication December 1st 2016
336 Pages
Thank you to Walker Books Australia
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★★★★★
A new state, a new city, a new high school. Mike's father has already found a new evangelical church for the family to attend, even if Mike and his plainspoken little sister, Toby, don't want to go. Dad wants Mike to ditch art for sports, to toughen up, but there's something uneasy behind his demands. Then Mike meets Sean, the new kid, and hey becomes games of basketball, partnering on a French project, hanging out after school. A night at the beach. The fierce colours of sunrise. But Mike's father is always watching. And so is Victor from school, cell phone in hand.
In guarded, Carveresque prose that propels you forward with a sense of stomachdropping inevitability, Rafi Mittlefehldt tells a wrenching tale of first love and loss that exposes the undercurrents of a tidy suburban world. Heartbreaking and ultimately life affirming, It Looks Like This is a novel of love and family and forgiveness, not just of others, but of yourself.
Fifteen year old Mike is a wonderful young man. An artist, attentive student and a son who honours thy father and thy mother. His father is a deeply religious man and an active participant in his local church since moving from Wisconsin to Somerdale a few months prior. Their religious teachings are of abstinence and romantic relationships are exclusively between a male and female union. That doesn't cease the taunting from his peers and whispers of queer within the halls. Whispers also echoed at home.
When new student Sean arrives, Mike begins to push the boundaries of his same sex attraction, despite what the church has preached. When Sean and Mike are chosen to work on a media project together, the two soon become inseparable. Beyond the carefree friendship and genuine smiles, Mike and Sean are attracted to one another. Shared moments, feather light touches and an exploration of their feelings. Emotionally and physically.
Until being caught.
In a deeply religious town, same sex relationships are unnatural, forbidden and while Sean is beaten and abused, Mike is forced into a program provided by the ministry, freeing teens of their impure thoughts. Mike wants to love freely, passionately and without abandon. Peers, parents and church be damned.
My Thoughts
It Looks Like This is phenomenal, rage inducing and absolutely heartbreaking. Having only just turned the final page, I was compelled to gather my thoughts and emotions, frantically, passionately through tears and sorrow.
The narrative is told from almost fifteen year old Michael's point of view. Although young, he's a mature young man that finds himself taking an interest in the same sex. Mike never identifies himself to the reader as being gay, but finds himself attracted to boys. He's intelligent and sensitive, passionate about his art and despite his lack of enthusiasm, indulges in his father's strong religious beliefs. His only ally is his younger sister Toby, who herself is intuitive and wise beyond her years. The accusatory whisper queer of his peers are echoed by his father, a tense relationship of unrealistic expectations.
Sean is attractive and charismatic, capturing Mike's attention when the two teens are assigned to collaborate on a media project. The boys develop a blossoming friendship and start to explore their feelings for one another. Even as Mike and Sean explore their sexuality, their relationship was defined by gentle touches without labels. It was exquisite and quietly beautiful.
I stare back because I don't know what else to do and all I can think about is how green those eyes are. Then the corner of his mouth turns up, just barely. He says, I'm Sean. I Say, Yeah. Mike. And then people start coming inside the classroom.
The Grace Fellowship are adamant in their view towards same sex relationships, impure thoughts are not only forbidden but punishable. I can't even begin to articulate how infuriating and intolerant Michael's parents were, especially his father. He allowed the church to dictate and impede on his relationship with his son and through his own prejudice, he seemed to believe Michael was ill with a cure that only faith could provide. I felt irate. So fucking irate. Sexuality is not an illness nor a condition that requires remedying. Our sexuality doesn't equate to being insignificant and although I'm not a religious person, the church seems to define being queer with being impure. Oh. Fuck. No. It Looks Like This highlights the influence of the church and their intolerant and outdated judgement.
While Sean is being physically punished, Michael is consigned to Inner Peace, a wellness program for teens with impure thoughts which is not only uncomfortable but alludes to indecency within the parish.
It Looks Like This is ultimately a cautionary depiction, emphasising the brave and often heartbreaking reality of prejudice and bigotry. Beautifully written and all consuming, debut author Rafi Mittlefehldt has composed a compelling narrative with veracity and compassion. Just phenomenal.
Timothy says, The harm is that you're more likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases, Practising homosexuals are also more likely to suffer from depression and drug abuse, and their relationships are at least twice as likely to fail as heterosexual relationships. According to studies, it's also not an ideal environment in which to raise children.It's the same bullshit argument in which the church uses to platform against same sex marriage, which still is yet to be legalised in Australia. Any individual or organisation who seeks to deny marriage equality has no fucking right to dictate who we can and cannot love. Click here to learn more about marriage equality and to lend your support.
It Looks Like This is ultimately a cautionary depiction, emphasising the brave and often heartbreaking reality of prejudice and bigotry. Beautifully written and all consuming, debut author Rafi Mittlefehldt has composed a compelling narrative with veracity and compassion. Just phenomenal.
The Imaginary
Written by A. F Harrold
Illustrated by Emily Gravett
Middle Grade, Fantasy
Published November 1st 2014
240 Pages
Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia
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Middle Grade, Fantasy
Published November 1st 2014
240 Pages
Thank you to Bloomsbury Australia
Add to Goodreads
Rudger is Amanda’s best friend. He doesn't exist, but nobody's perfect.Only Amanda can see her imaginary friend, until the sinister Mr Bunting arrives at Amanda's door. Mr Bunting hunts Imaginaries. Rumour says that he eats them. And he's sniffed out Rudger. Soon Rudger is alone, and running for his imaginary life. But can a boy who isn’t there survive without a friend to dream him up?A brilliantly funny, scary and moving read from the unique imagination of A.F. Harrold, this beautiful book is astoundingly illustrated with integrated art and colour spreads by the award winning Emily Gravet.
Starring Jules: Third Grade Debut
(Starring Jules: Book Four)
Written by Beth Ain. Illustrated by Anne Keenan Higgins
Middle Grade
Published in Australia September 2014
176 Pages
Thank you to Allen and Unwin
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(Starring Jules: Book Four)
Written by Beth Ain. Illustrated by Anne Keenan Higgins
Middle Grade
Published in Australia September 2014
176 Pages
Thank you to Allen and Unwin
Add to Goodreads
How I Know I'm Not In Second Grade Anymore by Jules Bloom
1. My new teacher wears Hawaiian shirts and runs a tight ship (which has a lot do with a certain behaviour chart).
2. There is a very third grade sounding project called the Wax Museum, which has nothing to do with wax and everything do with turning into an important famous person.
3. I also have to turn into someone else at sitcom rehearsal, and let's just say I'm glad there is no behaviour chart there!
Jules is a third grader at last! But so far, the reviews aren't so good. Her new teacher makes her feel totally tongue tied. Charlotte shows up on the first day wearing the one thing Jules really wants but will never get. And she already has homework, researching a famous person to become for the class wax museum project. But how will she decide who to be when she barely knows who she is in the first place?
Even worse, her after school sitcom rehearsals are harder than ever, and the TV show is about to air for all the world to see. Jules needs to find her inner superstar if third grade is ever going to be a smash hit.
Children's, Poetry, Diversity
Published July 1st 2014
112 Pages
With thanks to Walker Books Australia
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★★★★★
I have not got used to my new mum, even though I love her, I absolutely love her but I miss my happy, painting, dancing, gardening, smiling mum.
Amber Rose and her family are dealing with tragedy and change. But sometimes hope suddenly blooms...
From the award winning author of Pearl Verses the World and Toppling comes a story about resilience and the importance of family.
Amber Rose can still remember what life was like before her mum's accident, when days were spend tending to her flowers, painting, singing and Amber was simply know as her Yellow Rose. With baby brother Jack, her car collided with a truck and although Jack was saved by his infant car seat, Amber's mum has been left with a brain injury and can no longer walk, talk or even sing. So when her classroom is hosting a Mother's Day High Tea, Amber worries that her friends and peers won't understand why her mum isn't like all the others.
After the accident, Amber's family sold their home and moved into a house where now Aunty Fi helps to take care of Amber and Jack. So when Amber asks Aunty Fi to come to the Mother's Day High Tea, she assumed it would be to assist Amber's mum. Amber is scared that the other kids will either be frightened or tease her mother, and Amber as well. But Amber loves her mum, and who said all mum's need to be the same?
Roses Are Blue was not only a beautiful children's story about acceptance, but it promotes diversity and the message of family and unconditional love. The storyline follows Amber, who is still learning to cope with her mother's accident. She's a bright young girl who loves her mother dearly, but after an incident at a supermarket, now worries how other children will react to her wheelchair bound mum. It isn't long before Amber starts to see glimpses of her mother before the accident, the sparkle in her eyes returning and attempting to sing along with the song she sang to Amber as a child, who Amber now sings to baby Jack. It's incredibly touching and through adversity, Amber finds hope that her mother will return to her again one day.
The illustrations sprinkled throughout are simply beautiful, they accompany the poetic style verse with a whimsical magic, and will give children a point of reference when discussion Amber's mum's condition, her friends and even baby Jack. When the Mother's Day High Tea finally arrives, the illustrations show the diversity between the mum's attending, of a different ethnicity, different careers or even an eclectic personal sense of style.
I simply adored it.
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