Book reviews - The Southland Times

Children's fiction

Waiting For Later

By Tina Matthews (Walker Books, RRP $27.99)

REVIEWED BY MICHELLE LEE - © Fairfax NZ News

In this busy fast-paced world of ours we sometimes use the word "later" a bit too much – especially with children – in order to get the urgent things done.

Fight for Freedom Gladiator Book 1

By Simon Scarrow (Penguin, RRP $26)

REVIEWED BY F MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

Marcus Cornelius Primus lives with his mother and father on a small farm in the Greek territories of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC. Life is good but times are hard and Marcus' father, a former army centurion, has borrowed heavily. When the debt is called in, there is no way to pay.

Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to my Daughters

By Barack Obama, illustrated by Loren Long (Random House, RRP $42.99)

Who ever would have thought the President of the United States would write a children's book? That the president could even find time to write a children's book, and an inspired and educational book to boot?

Violet Mackerel's Brilliant Plot

by Anna Branford; illustrated by Sarah Davis (Walker Books, RRP $24.99)

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

This is a delightful little book for girls aged about six to nine.

Miracle on Separation Street

By Bob Graham (Walker Books, RRP $14.99)

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

The boys aged 6 and 3 in our house thoroughly enjoyed this great little story. Jack lives with his parents and small brother Duggie on Separation Street.

The Rain Train

By Elena de Roo and Brian Lovelock (Walker Books, RRP $29.99)

REVIEWED BY MAREE FIELD - © Fairfax NZ News

Clear your throat before starting to read this one to your littlie.

Ask Tracy Beaker and Friends

By Jacqueline Wilson (Random House, RRP $19.99)

REVIEWED BY MICHELLE LEE - © Fairfax NZ News

Here's one for the kids' bookshelf: a magic diary, which allows them to ask a question, have them answered, by Tracy or her friends, and then write in their own secret thoughts or niggles.

Mirror

By Jeannie Baker (Walker Books, RRP $44.99)

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

If you're familiar with the work of Jeannie Baker you will know that this latest hardback is an absolute exquisite work of art, just like the others.

Boy Zero Wannabe Hero: The Petrifying Plot of the Plummeting Pants

By Peter Millett, illustrations by Steve May (Faber, RRP $15.99)

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

The claim is that this book will appeal to 7 to 9-year-olds who enjoy Captain Underpants and Ben 10. With three books in front of him my lead helper chose to read this one first and was not disappointed.

Ria the Reckless Wrybill

By Jane Buxton, illustrated by Jenny Cooper (Puffin, RRP $30)

REVIEWED BY MAREE FIELD - © Fairfax NZ News

Ria is a very reckless but very special young wrybill bird. Her bill curves to the left instead of the right, and she isn't afraid of anyone or anything. Her parents try to instill a fear of predators in her, but Ria isn't having any of it.

Shrek Forever After: The Novel

By Lauren Alexander (Bantam Books, RRP $16.99)

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

As fans of Shrek, our boys were keen to get their ears into this story and it didn't take long for the 6-year-old to realise that this was an alternative world.

Maori Tales of Long Ago

By A W Reed with original illustrations by A S Paterson (New Holland, $29.99)

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

This lovely collection of stories is on its third incarnation. First published in two volumes by AH and AW Reed in the 1940s, it was reissued as one volume in 1964.

Sheep on the Fourth Floor

By Leonie Thorpe (Harper Collins; RRP: $19.99)

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

Having enjoyed Leonie Thorpe's earlier novels, Archie's Adventures and Archie Saves the Day, I was excited to be able to read her latest offering, aimed at nine to 12-year-olds.

Aunt Concertina & Her Niece Evalina

By Paula Green, illustrated by Michael Hight (Random House, RRP $34.99)

REVIEWED BY ROSEMARIE SMITH - © Fairfax NZ News

Shades of the movie Second Hand Wedding here as imperious aunt trawls the junk shops with reluctant niece in tow.

Bute View

By Janice Marriott (Mallinson Rendel

REVIEWED NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

The cover of Bute View is eye-catching but the blurb of this latest childrens sci-fi from Janice Marriott just did not make the novel appeal to me. However, I remember feeling the same about Marriott's first novel in the series and then thoroughly enjoying it. There is something in the voice of first-person narrator Arlo that draws the reader in and makes the story a rollicking good read.

Buddy

By V M Jones (Harper Collins, RRP $19.99)

REVIEWED NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

Buddy was first published in 2002 and has now been re-released with a note from the author about writing the book and including some letters sent to her from school children who have loved the story.

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Angel Cake

By Cathy Cassidy (Penguin, RRP $16.95)

REVIEWED NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

Angel Cake is Cathy Cassidy's eighth novel and has no doubt been eagerly awaited by over 20,000 9 to 13-year-olds around the world. That's the number of members of the cathycassidy.com fan club, growing daily.

Saffron

By Victoria M Azaro (Mallinson Rendel)

REVIEWED NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

This is an interesting novel that should appeal to 8-year-old girls.

Lightning Strikes: Haunted

By Lorraine Orman (Macmillan, RRP: $14.99)

REVIEWED NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

This new title from the Australian Lightning Strikes series is about a ghost.

Pearl Verses the World

By Sally Murphy, illustrated by Heather Potter (Walker Books, RRP $16.99)

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

This is a beautiful story told in verse by young poet narrator, Pearl.

Dog Squad

By Meredith Costain (Walker Books)

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

Dog Squad is the latest in the Lightning Strikes series published by Walker Books in Australia.

Sheep With Boots

By Maritgen Matter and Jan Jutte (Gecko Press, RRP $24.99)

REVIEWED BY TAYLOR CHILTON - © Fairfax NZ News

This is the review for Sheep With Boots by Maritgen Matter and Jan Jutte – well it's about friendship and travel.

Storm and the Silver Bridle

By Stacy Gregg (HarperCollins, RRP $14.99)

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

This is the sixth book in the Pony Club Secrets series and I find myself wanting to go back and read volumes 1 to 5 as well as the volume released for last Christmas, Issie and the Christmas Pony.

Freaky

By Sue Whiting (Walker Books, RRP $14.99)

REVIEWED NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

Jayden is spending three weeks with the rellies at Cactus Court in Nullaloo. It's not a thrilling prospect, especially as they are cactus freaks and all spare time is spent caring for or talking about cacti.

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Sting

By Raymond Huber (Walker Books, RRP $16.99)

REVIEWED NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

Here's a lovely new story by Christchurch author Raymond Huber.

Bookmarks: Ozzie Kingsford, The Master, Bad News for Milk Bay

REVIEWED NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

Books in brief:

Bookmarks: The Wind in the Willows, Our Own Kind, Classic Poetry

REVIEWED MAREE FIELD - © Fairfax NZ News

Books in brief:

Coraline

By Neil Gaiman (Bloomsbury, RRP $18.99)

REVIEWED MAREE FIELD - © Fairfax NZ News

Coraline has just moved into a spooky old house with her parents. When they don't have enough time for her, she goes exploring, and finds a locked door that at first sight seems to lead nowhere.

Granny

By Anthony Horowitz (Walker Books, RRP $16.99)

REVIEWED NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

The reading of Granny requires rather a lot of suspension of disbelief, though Horowitz insists that the story is also semi-autobiographical. His own grandmother, who was evil through and through, is the model for the many mean grannies in this story.

Last Ride

By Denise Young, HarperCollins, RRP $26.99

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

Australian Denise Young's debut novel was first published in 2004 and has now been republished to coincide with the release of the film.

Quin Majik and the Hairy Roof Rescue

By Fleur Beale, illustrated by Philip Web, Mallinson Rendel, RRP $15

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

This is the second novel for young readers about Quin Majik.

Mischief Afoot

By Moya Simons, Walker Books

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

This Australian novel for young readers appears to be the third in The Walk Right in Detective Agency series.

Victor's Challenge

By Pamela Freeman, illustrationed by Kim Gamble (Walker Books)

REVIEWED NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

Victor's Challenge is the second in Pamela Freemans chapter book series, following Victor's Quest.

Dot Robot

By Jason Bradbury, Puffin, RRP $19.95

REVIEWED BY JUDY CLEINE - © Fairfax NZ News

This book is fun. Full of gizmos, grommets and computer geek-speak, it is aimed at the kid-adult market, and especially those who are likely to get trashed on the rugby field probably because they always win chess tournaments and can add up prime numbers in a flash.

Caesar: The True Story of a Canine ANZAC Hero

By Patricia Stroud, HarperCollins, RRP $26.99

REVIEWED BY JILLIAN ALLISON-AITKEN - © Fairfax NZ News

Caesar was the New Zealand Rifle Brigade's mascot, a bulldog with attitude and courage.

The Donkey Who Carried the Wounded

By Jackie French, HarperCollins, RRP $16.99

REVIEWED BY GWEN CHALONER - © Fairfax NZ News

Not normally drawn to war stories, and usually relying on book cover impact for my choice of bed-time reading, I was drawn into this book by the thought provoking montage of photos and sketches of soldiers and a charming donkey on the front of a slim volume.

That's Not Junk!

By Nikki Slade Robinson, published by Penguin Group, RRP $18.95

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

Lots of alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia and rhyming narrative here get the message across that one person's junk can often be someone else's treasure.

Into the Dark

Peter Abrahams (Walker Books)

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

This is American teen fiction. The protagonist is thirteen year old Ingrid Levin-Hill, and this is the third novel concerning this young sleuth.

Bookmarks: Kaspar Prince of Cats, Cork and the Bottle

REVIEWED BY NAIDA MULLIGAN - © Fairfax NZ News

Kids' fiction reviews:

The Secret of Spirits Bay

By Stephen Barker (HarperCollins, RRP $19.99)

This is a superb debut novel. It is hard to believe that Stephen Barker has only lived in New Zealand for 15 years; he really seems to get into the psyche of Maori tradition, culture and history.

Bookmarks: The Water Fight, Rugby for Rosie

Children's fiction reviews in brief:

This Morning I Met a Whale

By Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Christian Birmingham (Walker Books, RRP $29.99)

Perhaps aimed at 8-15 year olds, the purpose of this work is to alert us to the plight of whales and other living creatures at the mercy of humanity.

Whale Pot Bay

By Des Hunt (HarperCollins, RRP $18.99)

Des Hunt is fast becoming one of my favourite New Zealand authors. (Actually, I think they're all superb.)

Le Cafe Petit on O'Sullivan St

By Raymond McGrath, published by the Penguin Group, RRP $18.95

Raymond McGrath is a well-established New Zealand illustrator who has written this delightful, rhyming narrative that reminds me somewhat of Margaret Mahy's Down the Back of the Chair.

My Sister Jodie

By Jacqueline Wilson (Random House, RRP $36.99)

My Sister Jodie is extremely well written and easy to read, it was never going to have a terribly happy ending so if you can't do tragedy, don't bother reading this.