Book Review: Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica by Alison Lester & Coral Tulloch

 In Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch take their readers on a fascinating exploration of Antarctica through a specially selected mix of their own and others' work, through the stages from early exploration to present day.

 

 Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Imprint: Children's

Genre: Non Fiction

Pages: 96

RRP: AU$35.00 (hard back)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica is a feast for the eyes as well as the mind. It has been published under Allen & Unwin's Children's imprint and written with ages 8 - 14 in mind however Into the Ice will truly appeal to all ages. I've always had an interest in the early explorers of Antarctica and I love how this book shows the early history and also highlights the beauty and wonder of the continent.

You don't need to have an interest in Antarctica or its history to be captivated by this beautiful hardcover compilation of photos, paintings, sketches and notes from diaries of some of the most noted explorers.

Lester and Tulloch include their own reactions and feelings of awe as they see first-hand the wonder that is Antarctica.

Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica is the perfect coffee table book. A spellbinding book that you will be urged to pick up again and again.

My rating 5 / 5 ❄❄❄❄❄

I recommend Into the Ice for all ages - 96 pages of wonder and awe.

 

 

 

Book Review: Breaking Pointe by Chenée Marrapodi

 Breaking Pointe

by

Chenée Marrapodi

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 2nd July 2024

Genre: Tween 10 - 14 years

Pages: 288

RRP: AU$17.99 (paperback) 

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Breaking Pointe

Breaking Pointe is an inspiring story about friendship, dancing and holding onto your dream.

 

Breaking Pointe is the second book by Chenee Marrapodi featuring the students of the Perth Ballet Academy. The first book is titled One Wrong Turn.

 

Valentina is worried that her parents can't afford the dance fees and she may have to give up her dream.

 

Amelia is not coping, she is tired and can't seem to focus. When she collapses and is rushed to hospital a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis shatters her world. Will she have to give up dancing?

 

Marrapodi includes themes of cultural differences, the pressure of elite dancing and the complexity of friendships when they are in competition against each other.

 

I loved that Chenee Marrapodi portrays the type1 diagnosis so accurately. From the point of view of Amelia who felt like it was a life ending diagnosis to the point of view of her parents who fretted, panicked and over reacted. Having an adult child with T1 I could relate to it all.

 

Breaking Pointe is an invaluable resource, not only for children who have been diagnosed with T1 but also their friends and teachers.

 

Breaking Pointe is a story that teaches empathy and understanding about cultural differences and living with a chronic condition.  

 

Breaking Pointe will be particularly enjoyed by girls and boys who love to dance. 

My rating 4 / 5 🩰🩰🩰🩰

 

 

Book Review: Hockey Wars 15: Graduation by Sam lawrence & Ben Jackson

 Hockey Wars 15: Graduation

by

Sam Lawrence & Ben Jackson

illustrated by Tanya Zeinalova

 

Publisher: Indie Publishing Group

Publication day: 2nd June 2024 

Series: Hockey Wars #15

Genre: Tween Fiction

Pages: 142

Source: Courtesy of the authors 

 

Review: Hockey Wars 15 Graduation

 It was a delight to follow this wholesome group of young teens as they celebrated the end of Middle School (grade 8 in the USA) and their academic and sporting achievements, cheering each other on and planning towards their futures.

 

I like that the group of girls and boys have been just friends enjoying hanging out together but now about to enter High School (turning 14) they are beginning to pair up experiencing the first thoughts of a relationship. Sweet, wholesome and good fun!.

 

Young readers will love all the fanfare of getting ready for graduation and will relate to the worries about losing friendships when they go to different high schools.

 

This edition mainly focuses on the graduation and the characters' burgeoning relationships but there are still plenty of sport filled moments with a golf day and a friendly hockey match.

 

Tanya Zeinalova's illustrations are an added delight and I loved trying to pick which illustration was which character.

 

My rating 4 /5 🎓🎓🎓🎓

Recommended age 10 -14 years

Book Review: Father of the Lost Boys (young readers ed.) by Yuot A. Alaak

 Father of the Lost Boys

by

Yuot A. Alaak

THE MECAK AJANG ALAAK STORY

 

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 4th June 2024

Genre: Middle Grade / Non Fiction

Pages: 160

RRP: AU$17.99 (softcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Father of the Lost Boys

Father of the Lost Boys for younger readers is a rewrite of the adult edition to be appropriate reading for younger readers aged 8+ years. I haven't read the adult version but I feel this book will have less graphic detail of the death and destruction rained on the people of Sudan. 

 

Yuot recounts the harrowing journey of Mecak Ajang Alaak as he walks 20,000 displaced boys aged 8-12 years, over a period of 2 years, to freedom. He was a man of tremendous moral and ethical stature and he instilled this in his son and the boys that looked to him for guidance

 

Not only is Father of the Lost Boys a wonderful story of courage and perseverance it also teaches a lot about the history of unrest in Sudan and neighbouring countries. I learnt a lot from Yuot's story. 

Reading Father of the Lost Boys gives the opportunity to teach empathy and compassion for refugees and displaced persons. A real eye opener for children to see what children in other countries deal with and how they work together and still manage to find joy in the simplest things in life.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Yuot A. Alaak currently lives in Perth with his family where he works as a mining professional, having attained degrees in geosciences and engineering. 

Recommneded age: 8 -14 years

CONTENT: death of children from hunger and exhaustion

                   children taken by wild animals

                   an execution by firing squad

                   some children drown

See Fremantle Press website for teaching notes and activities.

https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/father-of-the-lost-boys-for-younger-readers/

 

Book Review: Mawson in Antarctica by Joanna Grochowicz

 Mawson in Antarctica:

TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

by

Joanna Grochowicz

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Children's

Publication date: 4th June 2024

Genre: Children's Non Fiction

Pages: 272

RRP: $19.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Mawson in Antarctica

I've always been fascinated by the great explorers. Men and women who brave deadly conditions to advance our understanding of the world we live in.

 

Joanna Grochowicz has written a gripping rendition of Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition which ran from 1911 - 1914. Their main goal was to chart a section of the coast.

I liked the addition, in the front of the book, of a list of the men who were part of the expedition and the job each man was assigned to although, once there, it was soon clear that everyone had to pitch in wherever. 

The unforgiving landscape and the men's battle with exhaustion, hunger and frostbite is all vividly described and as I read I was never in doubt of how bitterly cold it was and how dangerous a sudden change in the weather could be.

In Mawson in Antarctica Grochowicz uses the notes and diaries kept by the explorers, plus extensive research, to recreate the ambience and conversations between the men to write a highly engaging story about ordinary men who rose to extraordinary heights of courage and endurance.

Perfectly written for the intended age group of 10 - 14 years. I love that children are not only getting a totally immersive and gripping read but they are also learning an important part of Australian history and I hope, like me, it encourages readers to search for more information on Mawson and his team of adventurers.

 

Includes insert pages of photographs taken during the expedition.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher recommended age: 10 -14 years

My age recommendation 12+ years

CONTENT: The men are reduced to eating the dogs to stay alive.

 

Book Review: Smoke & Mirrors by Barry Jonsberg

 Smoke & Mirrors

by

Barry Jonsberg

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 30th January 2024

Genre: Young Adult / Junior Fiction

Pages: 272

RRP: $19.99AU (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Smoke & Mirrors 

Barry Jonsberg writes heartfelt stories that cut to the core of serious issues and Smoke & Mirrors is no exception. With themes of fractured families, alcoholism, cancer and voluntary assisted dying Smoke & Mirrors could be a sombre read but Jonsberg adds humour to lighten the story.  

 

Grace cares about two things, magic and her grandmother. They share a sharp sense of humour and Gran can give back as much as Grace dishes out.

Grace doesn't trust anyone and when Simon offers to help her become a social media star and earn money from her magic act she doesn't trust him either but is prepared to take his help, at arm's length.

 

Smoke & Mirrors is a heartfelt story about a teen trying to find her place in the world. Grace's family have suffered a tragedy and instead of helping each other they have each turned inward blocking their loved ones out. 

When Gran is diagnosed with a terminal illness Grace volunteers to be her carer.

 

Reading Smoke & Mirrors as an adult I found the story heartbreaking, however I feel the targeted age group would connect more with the magic, how amazing and determined Grace is and how restorative her friendship with Simon is.

 

I loved the way Jonsberg revealed the twists subtly, a few words spoken, easily missed.

 

The publisher's age range is 10 - 14 years. I might be a little cautious but with the topics explored I have recommended an age range of 12 -16 years. 

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐