This post was added by Rebecca Newman. Rebecca is a children's writer and poet, and the editor of the Australian children's literary blog, Alphabet Soup.
For more about Rebecca visit: rebeccanewman.net.au.
If you live near Perth, WA, make sure you’re at the State Library of WA on 17 November for the 2024 Young Readers Day Out!
Meet some of WA’s most well-known children’s book authors and illustrators for a morning packed with activities, including: • Helping illustrators compete in an interactive illustration duel • Learning how to draw your favourite book characters • Peeking behind-the-scenes to find out how these stories come to life • Meeting and chatting with twelve children’s book authors and illustrators.
This event is suitable for book-lovers of all ages, but perfect for ages 0-12. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Meet these amazing book creators: Rebecca M. Newman Kelly Canby Sharon Giltrow Ash Harrier Steve Heron Laura Holloway Lorraine Horsley Kylie Howarth Chenée Marrapodi Jevita Nilson Kristy Nita Brown Renae Hayward
Cost: $20 + booking fee
Each ticket includes: • Entry for up to 6 people • 1 x $20 voucher at the Boffins Books pop-up shop on the day • Gift bag with bookmarks, colouring-in sheets and more
Date: Sunday, 17 November 2024, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Paws by Kate Foster, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760652661
Olivia’s review of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition.
What do you do when you’re trying to make cool friends? This is what 11-year-old autistic Alex thought about a lot. Alex knows the signs of emotions, so there is no fooling this young boy. This boy is sensitive to sound so reading this touching book just might make your friendship better. Sometimes we don’t know how people react to different situations, so this book certainly displays different perspectives making it even more intriguing.
This heart-warming story is set in Alex’s neighbourhood. At home Kevin, Alex’s cockapoo, is his best friend, and their bond can not be broken but making a friend with similar styles is his focus, especially with high school next year. He has an older brother Ned, Mum, and Dad and together they live in a quiet street close to school. When Alex is driving home one day from school and spies an advertisement on the coolest dog competition PAWS, he peers back and sees that it is coming to his town. He decides to enter Kevin in the competition and trains him up for days, but on the day with his older brother holding up time he ends up in a twist on what to do, this problem left me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Discover all kinds of friendship as you dive into the world of kindness and balance in companionship as Alex (and Kevin) also discovers that you can be yourself to make cool friends, cool friends can be defined differently and the best way to find your cool friend is by being your own, unique self.
This story left me with a message – friends come when you least expect, and things happen the way they are meant to. Friends who are meant for you might just need a little finding. This touching storyline might just make rain run rivers into your eyes as you experience what true friendship is. Paws shows that friendship isn’t one universal fit, and you do not have to be the best to make cool friends. This book is packed with detail from Kate Foster’s own perspective as an autistic author, and it is great to see other situations in another point of view
I read this book for book club, and it is an easy, nice read that can be read by 8-year-olds to any age group as all parents in the book club loved it. Ultimately Paws is not just a read it is an experience, and it leaves a mark of the heart-warming storyline long after the final page is turned. I rate this book 5 stars and I could gladly read it over and over again without getting bored.
If you are looking for a story on real friendship this is the one.
Olivia’sreview was longlisted in the Primary category of Alphabet Soup’s 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. The competition is now closed, but we publish book reviews by young writers all year round. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
The publisher provided a review copy of this book.
How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald, ISBN 9780702268717, University of Queensland Press.
REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC
Sam is an eleven-year-old who loves world records. Sam isn’t the smartest and his mum thinks he needs to focus on school more than his records. Sam can spend hours or even days reading a world record book. Even at school he and his best friend are called the world record guys.
Sam’s world is a world record. When a class project is assigned or presenting to the class your proudest moment, Sam can’t think of anything. This makes him want a world record even more. All the people he knows are good at something; his best friend Vihaan is a great artist, his sister is a soccer superstar, and even his classmate Leah is a champion at spelling. This is Sam’s chance to have the spotlight. Soon Sam’s world falls apart. The people important to him get annoyed with his obsession with world records.
The story also touches upon the importance of friendship and the support of loved ones. As Sam navigates through the challenges of school and personal aspirations, he learns valuable lessons about determination and the true meaning of success. The journey of Sam’s pursuit of a world record and his experiences in fifth grade are both heartwarming and inspiring. It’s a story that resonates with anyone who has ever dreamed big and faced obstacles along the way.
I rate the book five out of five and I think it is a must-read and keeps you on your seat. Carla Fitzgerald, the author, did a wonderful job of entertaining the reader while teaching important life stories. I hope you enjoy the book if you read it.
How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five is out now! Ask for it at your favourite bookstore or local library.
I am Rebel by Ross Montgomery, Walker Books, ISBN 9781529502909
Rebekah’sreview of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition.
This heartachingly tender quest novel is an adventure from the very first page.
In Ross Montgomery’s I Am Rebel, readers are whisked away into a world where bravery and imagination collide. Set against the backdrop of a dystopian, war-torn world, this middle-grade novel introduces us to a canine protagonist, Rebel, who embodies the true essence of loyalty. As I journeyed through its pages, I found myself captivated by Rebel’s courageous spirit and the profound themes woven into Montgomery’s narrative tapestry. I Am Rebel not only entertains but also challenges young readers to experience the world in a refreshingly new way.
Rebel is a good dog, and he loves his simple, perfect life on the farm with his owner, Tom — until one day, the war comes too close …
Now Tom is determined to join the rebellion to defeat the king’s men. But Rebel knows war is dangerous, and he will stop at nothing to save the human he loves, meeting unexpected friends along the way.
The main characters of this story include Rebel, Tom, and the animals Rebel befriends on his journey to find Tom: – Rebel’s role in this story is key; the book is told from his perspective and his role is just to be the true embodiment of doggedness. He stops at nothing to find Tom or help his friends, and he is caring, kind and courageous. At one point, he says:
I’m Tom’s dog, and he’s my boy. And if he’s stepped right inside the jaws of death, then I’m going to follow him into them and bring him back out.
– Tom is a determined 12-year-old, and he lies that he is 16 so that he can join the rebellion. Tom’s role in this story is to be Rebel’s goal to reach.
– Rebel’s animal friends provide him with shelter and help him navigate his way to the High Castle, where Tom is.
The themes in I am Rebel are meaningful and deep, especially in the dystopian world that Rebel must navigate through.
Themes of friendship, love and loyalty are explored in this book. Rebel’s hunt for Tom is the central message of this story, and it displays all of these.
The author, Ross Montgomery, has woven these themes in such a way that they are rooted in every nook and cranny that they can be.
Montgomery uses much description, and as I delved deeply into this book, it was as if I could feel pain, or heat, or rushing water. The emotive language is heartwarming, and the tension keeps you on the edge of your seat. There are parts where you bury your face in the pages and say: “No! It can’t end there!” Montgomery has used these elements in a perfectly balanced way.
Some other feedback from other readers:
“I Am Rebel both broke my heart and made it sing. This book is as close to perfect as it’s possible to get.” Natasha Farrant.
“A beautiful, heartfelt adventure.” Sophie Anderson.
Overall, this book is a classic; with strong themes, description, and the occasional dash of humour, it’s a treasure of writing.
Rebekah’sreview was longlisted in the Primary category of Alphabet Soup’s 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. The competition is now closed, but we publish book reviews by young writers all year round. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
Wongutha Tales: Bawoo Stories & Badudu Stories by May L. O’Brien, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760993412.
REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC
Aashi received a review copy of this book.
Wongutha Tales are stories from May L. O’Brien’s childhood and Dreamtime stories.
My favourite Bawoo story was ‘Why Emus Can’t Fly’. ‘Why Emus Can’t Fly’ is about the emus who would always brag about how they flew but when the other animals got annoyed they lost their power of flight. The moral of the story was: don’t brag, instead treasure and be humble with your gift and you will keep that gift. I enjoyed reading Wongutha Tales and learning about the Dreamtime stories. The message of the ‘Why Emus Can’t Fly’ story is so important and teaches a valuable lesson about humility and gratitude. I think it’s a great reminder to appreciate our talents and not boast about them.
It’s amazing how stories like these can contain such timeless knowledge. Wongutha Tales provides a unique perspective on life and nature, and the Dreamtime stories are deeply rooted in Aboriginal culture. I believe learning from different cultures and their teachings is crucial to broadening our understanding of the world. These stories have certainly left a lasting impression on me, and I look forward to exploring more indigenous literature.
I rate this book 5 stars out of 5 as it was a fascinating read. I enjoyed learning about the stories. I found the storytelling to be captivating and engaging. The way May L. O’Brien shared her childhood experiences and the Dreamtime stories was truly amazing. I was drawn into the world of Wongutha Tales and felt like I was alongside the characters as the tales unfolded.
Overall, this was not just an entertaining read, but also a fascinating one. It’s a book that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in Indigenous culture, storytelling, and valuable life lessons intertwined in captivating narratives.
Ashleigh Barton writes picture books and junior fiction series for children. Before writing full time, she pursued her love of books (children’s books especially) by working in some of Australia’s biggest publishing houses. Today we’re chatting to Ashleigh about the first two books in her new Freddie Spector, Fact Collector series, illustrated by Peter Cheong.
From the publisher:
Fast-paced and humorous, this series is all about an everyday eight-year-old boy whose love of facts and extraordinary imagination come together with unexpected and hilarious results.
Go for Gold: Freddie is obsessed with facts about sport. It’s all he talks about: weird sports, Olympic sports, extreme sports, athletes and sporting history. And, when the medals for the school sports carnival go missing and the carnival is about to be cancelled, Freddie realises it’s up to him to solve the mystery and save the day.
Space Cadet: Freddie is obsessed with facts about space. It’s all he talks about: stars, planets, galaxies, astronauts, space travel – and, of course UFOs and extraterrestrials. And, after noticing some very suspicious goings-on, Freddie realises it’s up to him to discover the answer to a burning question: could aliens have landed in his neighbourhood?
You must have a large collection of facts to keep Freddie going in the series! What’s the most startling fact you’ve unearthed so far?
Yes, I did so much research to collect Freddie’s facts! I actually spent more time researching than writing. My goal was to find facts that were as interesting, fun or as unusual as possible – things you probably wouldn’t be learning at school. The most startling facts for me would probably the effects space has on the human body. For example, you grow taller since there’s no gravity compressing your spine, you experience muscle and bone mass loss, and your vision can change. It did not make me want to go to space!
The first two books in the series are sports-themed (Go for Gold) and space-themed (Space Cadet). Do you have a favourite sport you like to take part in … or to watch at a sports carnival or the Olympics?
Well, funnily enough I’m not much of a sporty person at all. I did play a lot of different sports growing up – netball, basketball, software, tennis, touch football, soccer and swimming – but was pretty average at all of them. I based Freddie’s dread of the sports carnival on my own experience as a child.
Peter Cheong illustrates the Freddie Spector series and we love his humorous black-and-white illustrations. Did you discuss your characters with Peter during the book’s production?
I love Peter’s work too! And no – we didn’t work together at all. Peter completely did his own thing and brought the characters to life based on reading the story. I think he did an incredible job and I really love the way he’s portrayed Freddie and the other characters.
Do you have a tip for kids who’d like to write their own mystery?
My tip for kids who’d like to write their own mystery would be to think about ways to keep the reader guessing. If the reader is trying to figure out what happened, they’re going to want to keep reading the story. Think about clues and twists and red herrings (clues that are intentionally misleading), you can include along the way.
What’s next for you and your writing?
At the moment, I’m working on some books that I haven’t shown anyone yet, but next year I’ve got a new middle grade novel and a picture book I’m super excited about. The novel, which will be published in May, is called How to Sail to Somewhere and the official tagline is: “A story of lost and found, of friendship, family, hope and the power of the ocean, for middle-grade readers who love a mystery.” The picture book will be out a bit later in the year and is called Hedgehog Echidna. Another very talented illustrator is currently working on the illustrations, but I’m not sure how much more I can say about that one yet!
The first two books in the Freddie Spector, Fact Collector series are out now! Ask for them at your favourite bookshop or local library.
Adoette by Lydia Monks, Andersen Press, ISBN 9781839131905
Jonathan’s review of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition.
I love this book because it is about the past and present. I really like the last page because it is so colourful and full of nature!
Adoette means ‘big tree’ and this book has taught me how hard it is to fight for something you love. I felt calm and peaceful when I was reading this book. I actually liked the sad part because it made the people come together. I would recommend this book to other kids because it’s fun!
Jonathan’sreview was longlisted in the Junior category of Alphabet Soup’s 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. The competition is now closed, but we publish book reviews by young writers all year round. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
Smarty Pup: Pawsome Genius Friends Fur-ever by Anh Do, illustrated by Anton Emdin, Allen and Unwin, ISBN 9781760526399
Emma’sreview of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition.
Smarty pup is funny because the pup JJ can talk. JJ gets hit with purple goo that is from space. This book will make you laugh because JJ saves the day and he is a smart dog.
I liked reading it because I have a dog. I love the pictures because they are colourful like a comic. He looks cute.
Emma’s review was longlisted in the Junior category of Alphabet Soup’s 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. The competition is now closed, but we publish book reviews by young writers all year round. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
The Deadlands: Hunted by Skye Melki-Wegner, Walker Books, ISBN 9781529516241
Nick’sreview of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition.
The Deadlands: Hunted is an action-packed book about two dinosaur kingdoms at war. The main character, Eleri, a dinosaur, joins a group of exiles after being banished to the Deadlands after an act of treachery to his kingdom. In the Deadlands, Eleri and the other exiles discover something that changes everything, but knowing this secret puts them in grave danger. Will Eleri and the exiles survive or be slaughtered trying?
When I read The Deadlands I was always on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next. However, at the same time you get to see Eleri and the exiles build up heartfelt relationships that help them overcome challenges and be a stronger herd.
I would recommend this book for readers between 10-year-olds to adults because it is too complex for younger children.
My dad and I loved The Deadlands: Hunted and were disappointed there’s only three in the series. Five stars.
Nick’s review was longlisted in the Primary category of Alphabet Soup’s 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. The competition is now closed, but we publish book reviews by young writers all year round. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
Ruby Red Shoes by Kate Knapp, HarperCollins Australia, ISBN 9780732293628
Winnie’sreview of this book was longlisted in the 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition.
Ruby Red Shoes by Kate Knapp is a heartwarming story about a hare called Ruby. She lives in a beautiful caravan with her kind grandmother, Babushka Galina Galushka. They spend their days in their beautiful garden, growing fruits and vegetables and lots of flowers. Ruby loves singing to the plants and birds in her garden.
I enjoyed reading this book because the pictures and words makes my heart warm. I really like the look of Ruby’s caravan. The pictures are very detailed and colourful and I love them.
I would recommend reading Ruby Red Shoes to anyone who enjoys a gentle and calming book.
I give this book 10 out of 10.
Winnie’s review was longlisted in the Junior category of Alphabet Soup’s 2024 Young Reviewers’ Competition. The competition is now closed, but we publish book reviews by young writers all year round. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!
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