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Book review: My New Best Friend

Posted on May 2, 2019June 18, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY MIA, 8, VIC

Olivia’s Secret Scribbles: My New Best Friend
by Meredith Costain, ill. Danielle McDonald,
Scholastic Australia, ISBN 9781760277062

My New Best Friend is part of the Olivia’s Secret Scribbles series. These books are fiction, written by Meredith Costain and illustrated by Danielle McDonald. I think this book and series would suit girls between 6–9 and there is another series for older girls called Ella Diaries, which is written like a diary by Olivia’s older sister.

My New Best Friend is my favourite book, written like a journal, full of special private secrets. Olivia is always up to something and even has her own experiment cupboard. This book is about school, getting a new bedroom, making a new BFF, inventions, soccer, mysteries to be solved, an annoying older sister, a cat that needs more training, a spider, setting traps and lots more.

I love this series because I especially like experiments and new inventions and I can’t wait for more. I always read the whole book in one go because I need to know what’s going to happen. I give this book 5 stars.

This is Mia’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

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Book review: Worst Camp Ever

Posted on April 29, 2019June 17, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY JESSIE, 10, VIC

Ella Diaries: Worst Camp Ever by Meredith Costain, ill. Danielle McDonald,
Scholastic Australia, ISBN 9781760157180

Worst Camp Ever is part of the Ella Diaries series. The book is a fiction book written by Meredith Costain in a diary style form, through the eyes of an Australian girl named Ella. This book and series would suit girls between 8–12. There is another series for girls a bit younger called Olivia’s Secret Scribbles, which is written through the eyes of Ella’s younger sister. The books are illustrated by Danielle McDonald, in simple but very funny and effective drawings, that often make me laugh out loud.

The books are fun, a bit naughty, focus a lot on school friendships and are filled with adventure, mostly set at school, gymnastics and at home. They also contain some new and fantastic words like ‘fantabulous’ and always have some funny poems or songs.

Worst Camp Ever is one of my favourites, as it is about going on school camp, the excitement of bunk beds, activities like the big swing and kayaking, also fears, personal challenges, enemies, playing pranks, noises at night and scary stories. There is also crazy boys, food fights, potatoes that have to be peeled, points to be earned and lost and so much more.

I have read and own all the books of this series that have been released and my sister is reading the younger version. Every time I come home with a new book I’m so excited to find out what happens next, I need to read it from start to finish in one night. I just can’t wait for more books to be released and I know you will enjoy them too. 5/5

This is Jessie’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book reviews by Hannah, Book reviews by kids

Book review: This is home

Posted on April 24, 2019April 17, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY HANNAH, 12, QLD

This is home: Essential Australian Poems for Children, selected by Jackie French, ill. Tania McCartney, NewSouth Books, ISBN 9780642279385

Hannah received a review copy of this book from Alphabet Soup.

This is Home – a book of poetry selected for children by Jackie French and vibrantly illustrated by Tania McCartney – is our story of Australia told through verse over real time. There are different sections in the book and each section describes a different part of Australian history. This gives you the freedom to only read what section you like or of reading the whole book from the start to enjoy the progression of events that have formed the country that we call home.

The anthology just radiates pure elegance. The poems are tender and beautiful and most have gorgeous illustrations to match them. The illustrations were really powerful and calming, often playing with the words and a poem’s title.

It was so impossible to choose when my mother asked me for my favourite poem. I have to admit that the ‘Laughter’ section was the one I enjoyed the most. The selection of verse throughout the book doesn’t feel the least bit rushed. The artwork and the storylines are calming and seem to encourage the reader to take time to breathe in the words and pictures. I loved that Jackie French placed the poems in chronological order as I haven’t really seen that done before in an anthology.

I do really love this book and I recommend it to all school aged kids as it is aimed at children. This one is really worth checking out.

This is Hannah’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

authors, poetry

Lorraine Marwood: writing a verse novel

Posted on April 4, 2019April 3, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

Today we’re super excited to have Lorraine Marwood visiting Alphabet Soup to talk about writing verse novels. Lorraine is an award winning Australian writer of novels, verse novels and poetry for children.

Lorraine’s latest book, Leave Taking, is about a boy and his family who are leaving their farm forever after the death of Toby’s younger sister.

Leave taking by Lorraine Marwood. Book cover.

What bought you to write Leave Taking as a verse novel?

That’s an interesting question. Often I’m asked if I write ‘normal’ stories, meaning all prose. The answer is yes I do — not everything I write is poetry or verse novels, except when the subject matter calls for a stronger emotional framework, then I use poetry. Sometimes it’s my natural voice; sometimes I sketch a character out in prose poetry much like an artist might sketch a character. Because Leave Taking has an emotional tug of saying goodbye to both a beloved place and a beloved family member, my natural instinct was to treat the story in a special prose poetry way.

For me this technique is quick and it also provides different layers for the reader to climb on and it allows us to cry or laugh at the time the reader feels a heartstrings pull.

A verse novel way of writing is like wearing a piece of comfortable clothing; I can confidently build an atmosphere and that is a huge gateway for me to enter the story. I have to feel the right atmosphere to plunge in.

What do you find most challenging about writing verse novels?

This way of writing does have pitfalls. For me it’s probably not to strike out in prose too much when it’s a blend of poetry and prose together. And to keep that consistency of words to a line and to write more rather than less, which I tend to do as a poet. I try to paint a bare sensory picture for the reader to experience and that allows them to come to the story with their own ideas and reactions.

Do you have a tip for young writers who’d like to have a go at writing a verse novel?

Start out with a tale you know well and cut it down and put your own slant on it.
Try for short sentences and short phrases.
Try to give lots of senses and details.

Here’s a start of a well-known tale — continue on! Using first person voice is a good choice for a verse novel.

Aladdin

I am waiting, watching.
My mother said, ‘Go and hunt
for bargains in the market.’

There are shouts of stall holders,
banners flapping in the breeze.
‘Pies, fresh bananas, best in town!’
‘Silk, wool, rugs, soft and hardwearing!’

And amongst all the bleats of sheep,
or goats, I hear a musical voice;
‘Lamps, I buy old lamps, I pay good money!’
Now you continue on — try for 7 or 8 words a line.

Can you tell us a bit about what you’re working on next?

I have written a ‘normal’ big book, a fantasy, a genre I love. I have written another verse novel, which is under contract with University of Queensland Press, and always I write poetry and have some school writing workshops coming up.

Thanks for asking me these insightful questions. And happy verse novel writing everyone — have a go!

Interview answers © Lorraine Marwood 2019.

Leave Taking has been shortlisted for the 2019 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award (Younger Readers category), AND shortlisted for the 2019 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.

You can read earlier interviews with Lorraine Marwood here.

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Young Writers in Action: Monkey Island in Cat Ba, Vietnam

Posted on March 22, 2019July 25, 2025 by Alphabet Soup

Monkey Island in Cat Ba, Vietnam
Elizabeth, 6, NSW

We went swimming, kayaking and visited Monkey Island. Dad and I kayaked into a tunnel. We could see the other side, so we went straight through.

There at Monkey Island my brother was standing on the beach and a monkey ran up behind him and bit him on the ankle!

My brother was okay. It was a good day.

Read other work from Elizabeth here. To send us YOUR story, poem, artwork or book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

poetry

FIRE (Young Writers in Action)

Posted on March 21, 2019July 25, 2025 by Alphabet Soup

FIRE
by Anishka, 9, QLD

The blazing flame,
Is never the same,
Cutting through the wood,
In its usual fairy mood.
Smoke fills the sky,
The fire destroys anything in its way,
The flame spreading on the road.
The fire has a feeling,
Which goes over the ceiling,
Anger and fury, hot and burning.
The rain soon makes its way,
Giving a single sun ray.
Coolness all around,
Blackness on the ground.
Fire has finished.
Rain has won,
What a mystery on its own.

Anishka is a regular contributor to Alphabet Soup. You can read her earlier work here.

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Introducing the 2019 Top Reads team

Posted on February 26, 2019March 24, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

Image: pile of books. Image from pexels.com.

We’re thrilled to introduce you to the 2019 Top Reads team.

What is the Top Reads team? Members of this team are keen readers who stop by each month to recommend a favourite read for the month, and they’re all kids like you!

INTRODUCING:

Anna, 10, VIC
Anna loves using technology at school and learning about science and the environment, issues she cares deeply about. She likes to read fiction and non-fiction books about animals because she has three pets at home – two cats and one dog. Anna’s hobbies are tennis, swimming and gymnastics.

Nicholas, 10, VIC
Nicholas likes to read most types of fiction. He also reads information books about technology and how the internet is changing, improving and going faster. Nicholas picks up a picture book now and then too because he enjoys using the pictures as clues to work out the meaning, he finds them playful and he can relate to the real-life scenarios that often feature in these texts. He plans to take up tennis as a sporting activity very soon.

Xavier, 10, NT
When he’s not reading, Xavier enjoys riding his bike, swimming and playing soccer. He is obsessed with video games, especially Yo-Kai Watch! When he grows up Xavier wants to be a doctor.

Lewis, 10, WA
Lewis loves reading, particularly entertaining/funny books and adventure stories. When he isn’t reading he loves music, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lego, scooting, fishing, kayaking, and playing with his younger brother.

Matilda, 10, NT
Matilda loves fiction, fantasy and mystery books, and hery favourite series is Harry Potter. She loves all school subjects. She’s into netball, swimming and dance, and she’s also the junior school dance captain.

Céití, 9, WA
Céití loves spending time with her chocolate labrador Flynn. She enjoys all sorts of reading and writing, playing her violin, cooking and playing water polo. Her favourite series at the moment is Harry Potter, and her favourite book is Whimsy and Woe.

Anishka, 9, QLD
Anishka loves writing poems and reading books. She started composing her own poems when she was 4 years old. She is involved in raising funds for Heart Research and Foundation through ‘Jump Rope for Heart’. She is also involved in a meditation group in the community.

Fergus, 9, WA
Fergus loves to play Lego with his brother, ride his bike, code, play with his dog and read. His favourite genres are action, adventure and magic. He has three favourite series: Ranger’s Apprentice, Brotherband and Harry Potter.

Albie May, 7, NSW
Albie May loves funny books — like Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas (which is about a vegetarian piranha) as well as books with made up words in them. She loves reading funny jokes out loud from The Ha Ha Bonk Book.

Rory, 7, WA
Rory loves to spend his day playing Lego, reading, coding and riding his scooter. His favourite authors are JK Rowling, Sally Rippin, Andy Griffiths and Jack Heath. His best place to read is in his bunk bed. When he grows up, he wants to be an archaeologist.

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Look out for the first book recommendations for 2019 on the last day of February!

Book review: My New Best Friend

Top reads: April 2019

Book review: Worst Camp Ever

Book review: This is home

Lorraine Marwood: writing a verse novel

TOP READS: March 2019

Young Writers in Action: Monkey Island in Cat Ba, Vietnam

FIRE (Young Writers in Action)

TOP READS: February 2019

Introducing the 2019 Top Reads team