Secrets of the Water Meadow

Secrets of the Water Meadow by Dawn Meredith

All her life Freya has been told that the havfruer of the deep, green fjord are dark angels who lure children into the water and drown them. But Freya is certain that if she sings a havfrue to the shore, they can be friends. To her surprise and joy, it works! Family secrets come to the surface too, making all the adults upset. Freya’s sister Lisbet suddenly becomes angry and depressed holding in a secret of her own. And so Freya seeks comfort and advice from Lorelei, her havfrue friend, that no one else has seen. When someone she loves falls into the cold waters and is in danger of drowning, can Freya really trust this mysterious, oddly beautiful creature to help? Or will Lorelei choose the darker side of her nature?
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Strandafjord, in Norway, Secrets of the Water Meadow is an evocative, rich world where the senses are tingled, and love is deep as the fjord itself. No matter what conflict simmers in the Askvold family, the ties are strong and the patience to persist in healing wins out. 

Book available from 40 South Publishing and also online - https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Water-Meadow-Dawn-Meredith/dp/0645983543 

Amulet: Waverider

Amulet: Waverider (Book 9) by Kazu Kibuishi (Scholastic) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9781761520754

“After her confrontation with Ikol, Emily finally understands the stone's power and what she must do to defend Alledia from the shadows. As she travels to Typhon to help her mom and Navin, Prince Trellis returns to the Kingdom of the Elves to save his countrymen -- and confront the fraud who has seized power in the absence of a king. The threat of darkness follows all Stonekeepers closely, and it will take the strength of both new friends and old foes to conquer it... and survive.”

Amulet is a fantasy adventure graphic novel series, with full colour artwork, suitable for middle grade readers. Waverider is the ninth and final instalment in the Amulet series. It includes themes of self-belief, courage, resilience, leadership, and teamwork and would appeal to readers who enjoy good vs. evil tropes. It is recommended to read the series in sequential order to fully appreciate the characters and their motives.

Walking the Rock Country in Kakadu

Walking the Rock Country in Kakadu by Diane Lucas, Ben Tyler and Emma Long (Allen & Unwin) HB RRP $29.99 ISBN9781761067860

This book shows a breathtaking encounter with the magnificent rock country of Australia's iconic Kakadu National Park, from the highly acclaimed creators of Walking in Gagudju Country: Exploring the Monsoon Forest.

From the authors of the bestselling Walking with the Seasons in Kakadu comes this rich and fascinating book bringing together First Nations Australian knowledge, language, and history with Western science. This is the second of a proposed series of three titles, with the final titles to focus on the floodplains.

Diane Lucas and Ben Tyler share stories, knowledge, and their love of the land on a walk through one of Australia’s most ancient and beautiful ecosystems, introducing Kyndjeyehmi language, one of the languages of Kakadu and western Arnhem Land, along the way.

Illustrator Long’s detailed and beautifully rendered images vividly depict the rich and varied plant and animal life of this unique place, encouraging young and old to see, hear, smell, and feel the land and experience how Aboriginal people and lived and walked Country for thousands of years. Her fly pages of insect life among flowers, other plants, and rocks are stunning, and her interior pages are detailed and beautiful.

This is not a typical picture book insofar as the text is long and detailed as a family walks through the country observing wildlife in all its forms. As the text continues, there is frequent use of native words, like ‘Marrawuddi’ (or white-bellied sea eagle), and ‘Karlkki’ (or tadpoles).

At the end of the book there is an illustrated glossary of these words. And, too, there are longish acknowledgements from the book’s three creators.

Grace the Amazing

New Release: Timely and Important Middle Grade Novel

From guinea pigs to magic. From friends to frayed family dynamics. From sparkling red shoes to quiet hugs with dad and everything in between. Aleesah Darlison’s latest middle grade novel, Grace the Amazing, has it all … and it all originated from Aleesah’s own childhood and the special relationship she had with a beloved teacher.

What would you do if you were about to lose your best friend … forever. Grace Marshall is eleven years old. She’s curious and creative and dreams of becoming a magician called Grace the Amazing! Grace’s only friend is her art teacher, Pamela. When she discovers that Pamela is ill, the fragile certainties Grace relies on threaten to slip away. On her mission to find a cure for Pamela using miraculous magic, Grace asks the big questions about life, love, and friendship. A sensitive story filled with joy, heart, and special bonds that last a lifetime.

Published by Wombat Books and available online and from all good bookstores. More information at: https://wombatrhiza.com.au/grace-the-amazing/.

If it’s Not True, it Should Be

By Felicity Pulman

If it’s not true, it should be is a collection of essays collated and edited by Paul Ashton, adjunct professor  and co-founder of the Australian Centre for Public History at UTS. This collection, written by both academics and authors, gives a fascinating insight into the craft of writing creative non-fiction/historical fiction for children and Y/A.

As one of the contributing authors, I found it fascinating to read where the other contributors found their inspiration (photographs, family histories, memorabilia, ‘ephemeral objects’ etc) and how they went about researching and writing their books, blending research with imagination to make history come alive for their readers. How much historical detail is too much? How far can you take liberties with the truth?  And how do you bridge what is known with what you imagine might have happened ‘to make history immediate, personal and accessible to readers at all levels.’

I found having to revisit and analyse the novels I mentioned in my essay (The Janna Chronicles, A Ring Through Time and Ghost Boy) was a challenge, but it also revealed some interesting insights, both of a personal nature and with regard to what I’ve learned about the craft of writing during my writing journey. I also shared some of my misgivings about writing in the age of ‘cancel culture’ and whether the truth of times gone by needs to be skewed to the sensitivities of the present if one wants to be published!

Contributors to the collection include Clare Halligan of Walker Books who writes from a publisher’s point of view; Stephanie Lee-Ling Ho who recognised a gap in novels about Singapore and set about filling it; Alison Lloyd, who stresses how important it is to stay true to the facts and to beware of anachronisms; and Sarah Luke who talks about ‘the problem of ghostly girls’ – filling the gaps and silences of history. Both Sophie Masson and Stephanie Owen Reeder speak of being inspired by photographs, the former on seeing a photograph of ‘the Kelly gang,’ which led her to write the award-winning The Hunt for Ned Kelly. Stephanie’s book Lennie the Legend was inspired by a black and white photograph of ‘a small boy in a funny hat’ who rode his pony Ginger Mick about a thousand kilometres from Leongatha in Victoria to Sydney so that he could witness the opening of the Harbour Bridge. Philippa Werry, a non-fiction writer from New Zealand, explores historical aspects of  New Zealand as well as some of the amazing creatures that inhabit it. In my case it’s sometimes a ‘voice’ or a vision that has inspired a story or taken it in a different direction. 

Other contributors include Peter Stanley and Pauline O’Loughlin. Each and every one of these authors shines a light on what life was like in the past, and the magical process of ‘bridging the gap between imagination and accuracy.’

If it’s not true it should be is published by Halstead Press and is also available from booksellers on line like Booktopia and Amazon.

The Cave

The Cave by Victor Kelleher (Eagle Books) ISBN: 9790645378863 PB RRP $19.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

After a disastrous encounter with the Beast, Irian and Ulana find themselves fighting for survival in a prehistoric world. Along the way they meet an unusual woman, Trug. The three form an unlikely team as they fight to survive every day against the elements, and ferocious prey that hunt them.

As the three characters continue their journey, we meet new characters who are just as important to the storyline. Pivotal in fact, so that Irian, Ulana and even Trug can find their way in the harsh world in which they live. The journey each makes takes them on a path to a new world, a new existence, and new future.

Kelleher creates a prehistoric world in a way that is both familiar and unfathomable. He leads the characters on a journey where the descriptive writing is detailed enough that the reader can easily imagine being on the journey with them. The characters he has created are so unique, so individual and so enjoyable that they will each stay with the reader long after the final page has been read. Trug is like the grumpy grandma that everyone loves, even with her spiky comments. A perfect addition of wise and witty to young and serious personalities.

There are some topical, as well as hard-hitting themes within this novel that could be unpacked with the right target audience. Trauma and grief is one such heavy theme that could easily be discussed through Kelleher’s sensitive approach to writing Irian. Another discussion could be around kin verse community: what really makes a family? This could be discussed at length with many examples offered throughout the novel.

This book has a great blend of action, adventure, tension, and humour. The Cave is suitable for a 12+ year readership.

To and Fro

To and Fro by Anton Clifford-Motopi (Allen & Unwin) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN 9781761180378

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Twelve-year-old Sam is nearing the end of primary school and he is ready to move on. He has had enough of school concerts, adventure playgrounds, and school hats that do not fit his head properly because of his afro. Sam is of mixed race; he got his white skin from his Australian mother and his afro from his Black South African father, who he has never met.

Sam has always been confused about his heritage and is not quite sure where he fits in, which makes his school assignment ‘Who am I and where do I come from?’ especially challenging for him. When Sam receives an opportunity to meet his father, he is full of nerves, anticipation, and hope that he will find the clarity he has been searching for.

To and Fro is a middle grade novel inspired by the author’s own experiences. Its themes include identity, belonging, puberty, racism, stereotypes and microaggression. This book would appeal to readers aged 10 years and older who enjoy humorous stories about growing up and finding your way. Note: there is some cheeky language throughout the book including multiple mentions of farts, balls, and the ‘rude finger’.