Write and read with Dale

Review of two new children's books

2009-07-07T07:11:09Z

My Sister Has a Big Black Beard & Other Quirky Verses

By Duncan Ball

Illustrated by Kerry Millard

Published by HarperCollins Australia

PB RRP $14.99

Considering the dearth of poetry books around for children and the number of teachers crying out for them, plus the fact this collection is written by Duncan Ball who already has an established following with his Selby and Emily Eyefinger books, this book should do extremely well.

In these poems Duncan Ball’s quirky sense of humour and playful use of words and rhyme is sure to appeal to children. This is evident in the title poem and also in his ability to pick up something as small and insignificant as a bookmark or a mozzie bite shows there is nothing outside the scope of poetry.

Readers might even learn something about spelling as in the humorous Old Mrs McKeller.

This book is destined to be a hit with children who will chuckle over the poems. It is one where everyone is going to have their particular favourites, whether it is the long narrative of Amanda Hass who eats glass, or the pitfalls of eating food past its prime as in Quentin’s Lunch. One I liked was

All Poemed out

I’m poemed out

I’ve just developed poem doubt

I don’t know what to write about.

could easily be expressing the feeling of any child told to write a poem in class.

There’s the innate honesty in Epitaph for Lonely Man. What child can fail to feel the impatience of waiting to get out of school and the exuberance of Daylight Savings Spent?

It’s three o’clock

It’s I-will-soon-be-free o’clock

The whimsical black and white illustrations by Kerry Millard add to the text. I especially liked the one of Moncrieff, Mrs McKeller’s butler with his imperious look and the humorous drawing that accompanies Uncle Norm

God Is

Mark Macleod

ABC Books

HB RRP $24.95

Mark’s name is well known is the book and publishing industry, as an editor and publisher, through his involvement the CBCA and more recently picture book workshops, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that’s he’s finally decided to turn his hand to writing a picture book.

God is with it colours of traditional pink and blue cover is the type of picture book many parents and grandparents may be prompted to buy. It is cute and is very firmly centred around family and enjoying the simple pleasures of friends and creation.

The gentle text has a soft lyrical quality. Each word in the text has been chosen with care. Two of those I particularly liked were

God is

in the light of the moon and

stars that chart a shining course

above the dark that never seems to end.

And more

God is

in the changing colour of sunrise

and the shadows

that creep across your pillow

and stroke your cheek.

And more

The repetition of God Is at the beginning of each page and

And More at the end is effective and gives a pleasing sense of rhythm and unity to the text.

Mark has very carefully avoided being closely aligned to any particular spiritual belief, so it is a general look at where God is in a young child’s life – in all the things that surround them and what they see and what they do. This well crafted book highlights friendship, love, family and creation- all the things that make up the details of a young child’s life. It could be a useful introduction to teaching a young child a little about God.

I am sure a lot of people will find it very cute. and I have no doubt it will sell well. It is the type of book I can see many grandparents and other relatives reaching for to give new parents and their little ones. It would be a good book for bedtime reading.

The subdued and gentle colours of the illustrations are effective and fit the mood of the text. The simplistic illustrations of the babies didn’t particularly appeal to me, although the dog was very cute. But I’m prepared to admit that many other people will disagree and enjoy the illustrations.

another blog tour- Letters to Leonardo

2009-06-28T20:56:12Z

Today I'm delighted to be interviewing Dee White, author of the YA novel Letters to Leonardo. I read this book last week in one sitting. It is a gem and another great book from Walker Books. I suspect Walker Books will have several nominations in the next CBCA awards. Welcome Dee and let's find out more about the inspiration and writing of Letters to Leonardo.
Letters to Leonardo by Dee White.

1. Where did the inspiration for the story come from and what prompted you to want to write it?

A friend told me a story about a man who got a letter from his 'dead' mother on his twenty-first birthday. I thought, how bizarre. Then I thought, what a great premise for a story. But I was working on many other things at the time so the idea just floated around in my head space for a few years.

When I started plotting Letters to Leonardo, I realised I had to come up with a plausible explanation to explain the boy's mother's absence. In fact, I initially used the premise in a film script for uni, but my lecturer said it wasn't believeable that a child wouldn't know what had happened to their own mother.

I had a friend who had a relative with bipolar, and over the years I had come to realise how difficult this was for both the sufferer and their family. I had wanted to write about it, and bipolar was a way to explain Matt's mother's absence.

2. What for you is the most important aspect of the writing process? Is it setting, character, theme, plot etc.

I think character is the most important thing for me. My character's are always the first things to emerge in the story. They 'speak' to me and 'steal' the plot and take it in their own direction. Themes also seem to arise out of the actions of my characters. In fact, I get very attached to characters in my stories and have a lot of trouble allowing bad things to happen to them.

3. Have you always been interested in art? Who is your favourite artist? Is it Da Vinci?

I have always been interested in art, but not really known a lot about it. I think that realism is my thing - I have trouble connecting with some 'abstract' art.

I'd have to say I admire not only da Vinci's art, but his dedication to it - the fact that he was prepared to cut up dead bodies to learn about the anatomy of the human body so that he could get it right in his paintings. I confess, I'm a bit like my main character, Matt. The more Matt became obsessed with Leonardo da Vinci, the more I did.

4. How do you see art and writing fitting together? Does one inspire the other often for you?

Art seems to spring up a bit in my work even though I'm really not good at it myself. I suppose that being a writer, I understand the need for artistic expression in any form. In Letters to Leonardo, the art is really a conduit for Matt's emotions. I think that art allows my writing to take on a more visual perspective - and add depth to the feelings and experiences of my characters.

5. Why did you write it in first person? Did you consider writing in third person? If so, why do you reject it?

I started writing Letters to Leonardo in first person because it allowed me to bring my readers closer to Matt and understand what he is feeling.

I was awarded a mentorship in 2002 and my mentor persuaded me to rewrite the book in third person because she said that would allow me to build up the suspense more. But this never really worked for me. Matt felt too distant - and I felt that I couldn't show his introspection and really allow the reader to know and empathise with what he was going through.

Later on, after advice from a publisher, I went back to writing my original story in first person - and that's the one that got published.

6. What research did you need to do in writing this book?

I loved the research part of the book even though it was very time consuming and extensive.

The research process involved finding out about Leonardo da Vinci's life and works, what it's like to suffer from bipolar, and how the mental health system works.

In fact, research was such a large part of writing this book that I discussed it in detail on Mabel Kaplan's blog http://belka37.blogspot.com on the 27th June

7. What was the hardest part about writing Letters to Leonardo?

Having to do bad things to my characters.

8. What was the best?

This book took over ten years to write, and all of it has been a fantastic experience and learning curve. Probably the best part was seeing my proofs of the book, and knowing that the writing process was complete, and that I had seen it through from start to finish. Of course I was also very excited about the fact that Letters to Leonardo would soon be on bookshelves.

9. After you had written it did you test it out with any young people or other writers before sending it to a publisher? Did you change anything as a result of this? What and why?

I had wonderful writer friends read my manuscript and give me great suggestions, and I also gave drafts to young adults to read. One of them was my eldest son, and he liked what I had written but felt that the ending was too weak.

In my heart I agreed with him. The ending was predictable and didn't allow my main character the growth he deserved, but how else was I to end the book? My dilemma was that I was so close to my characters by now that I didn't want anything bad to happen to them. My son told me to stop being wimpy, and thanks to his 'encouragement', I managed to find an ending that we were both satisfied with.

10. What advice would you give to a young writer about the process of writing a novel?

I wrote over thirty drafts of Letters to Leonardo, so I suppose my advice would be to redraft, review and rewrite some more. And don't give up. If you love your story, stick with it.

11. What did you feel was the most valuable thing you learned in the process of writing this book?

I think the most valuable thing I learned was the importance of having faith in yourself and your story - and how important it is to keep rewriting until you are happy with the end result.

Thank you so much Dale for hosting me on your blog.

My pleasure Dee and I hope lots of people go and buy Letters to Leonardo. They won't be disapppointed. It's a great read. If you want to catch up on any of the other stops on the blog tour check it out below.

Below are the tour dates. Come and join me here on 29th June or stop off at any of the other sites.

24^th June 2009 http://sallymurphy.blogspot.com

Dee and Matt talk about promoting Letters to Leonardo online.

25^th June 2009 http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com

Author interview

26^th June 2009 http://thebookchook.blogspot.com

How art has been used in Letters to Leonardo

27^th June 2009 http://belka37.blogspot.com

The research process involved in writing Letters to Leonardo

28^th June 2009 http://weloveya.wordpress.com

Guest blogger – talking with Vanessa Barneveld – interactive discussion with bloggers

29^th June 2009 http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale

An author interview covering things like inspiration and perspective

30^th June http://www.letshavewords.blogspot.com

Mentors in YA fiction, and Leonardo da Vinci’s involvement in the book

1^st July Cyber launch http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com including cross to Robyn Opie’s blog http://robynopie.blogspot.com – hurdles overcome on the way to publication.

2^nd July http://persnicketysnark.blogspot.com

How the author’s life paralleled Matt’s – her growing obsession with Leonardo da Vinci

3^rd July http://bjcullen.blogspot.com

Working with a publisher and the editing process

4^th July http://sandyfussell.blogspot.com

Interview with the elusive Matt Hudson

5^th July http://teacherswritinghelper.wordpress.com

Class writing activities based on Letters to Leonardo

6^th July http://tips4youngwriters.wordpress.com

Tips 4 young writers on how Letters to Leonardo was written

7^th July http://www.JenniferBrownYA.com

Handle with Care

2009-06-23T05:17:51Z

On Sunday I started a book I’ve been itching to read for some time .Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult. I admit that I have read all of her books. Some I have not been as enamoured of. Others like My Sister’s Keeper I have loved. I’ll be interested to see the movie, which I will be reviewing for media reviews at www.families.com. Handle with Care gripped me from the word go. By the end of the first page I was well and truly hooked. A lazy Sunday afternoon and evening provided ample time to make a huge dent in the book.

Reluctantly I had to wait till late Monday afternoon to get back to the plight of Willow and her family. By Monday evening I had finished the book. It helps to be a fast reader.

In usual Jodi Picoult form, the story involves you in the lives of the characters and raises lots of questions for the reader to think about how you would react in a similar situation. If you’re a Jodi Picoult fan or a reader who likes books that tackle the hard issues with characters you can’t help but sympathize with, you’ll love this one.

another blog tour

2009-06-22T03:43:42Z

Below is the itinerary: for another blog tour. Not my book this time. I'm one of the blog hosts on 29th June. The book is
Letters to Leonardo by Dee White.

Below are the tour dates. Come and join me here on 29th June or stop off at any of the other sites.

24^th June 2009 http://sallymurphy.blogspot.com

Dee and Matt talk about promoting Letters to Leonardo online.

25^th June 2009 http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com

Author interview

26^th June 2009 http://thebookchook.blogspot.com

How art has been used in Letters to Leonardo

27^th June 2009 http://belka37.blogspot.com

The research process involved in writing Letters to Leonardo

28^th June 2009 http://weloveya.wordpress.com

Guest blogger – talking with Vanessa Barneveld – interactive discussion with bloggers

29^th June 2009 http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale

An author interview covering things like inspiration and perspective

30^th June http://www.letshavewords.blogspot.com

Mentors in YA fiction, and Leonardo da Vinci’s involvement in the book

1^st July Cyber launch http://deescribewriting.wordpress.com including cross to Robyn Opie’s blog http://robynopie.blogspot.com – hurdles overcome on the way to publication.

2^nd July http://persnicketysnark.blogspot.com

How the author’s life paralleled Matt’s – her growing obsession with Leonardo da Vinci

3^rd July http://bjcullen.blogspot.com

Working with a publisher and the editing process

4^th July http://sandyfussell.blogspot.com

Interview with the elusive Matt Hudson

5^th July http://teacherswritinghelper.wordpress.com

Class writing activities based on Letters to Leonardo

6^th July http://tips4youngwriters.wordpress.com

Tips 4 young writers on how Letters to Leonardo was written

7^th July http://www.JenniferBrownYA.com

What I've been reading lately

2009-06-18T05:30:43Z

What else have I been reading recently?

Children’s

As well as Ruby Roars and Star Jumps reviewed below, I enjoyed:

Joyride by Amy Ehrlich http://www.amazon.com/Joyride-Amy-Ehrlich/dp/0763613460

The Puzzle Ring by Kate Forsyth. http://www.kateforsyth.com.au/books/the_puzzle_ring.htm

Book notes reviews of these will appear in a future edition of Viewpoint- on Books for Young Adults.

Adult

Summertime by Liz Rigbey http://www.amazon.com/Summertime-Liz-Rigbey/dp/0425197980

– A psychological drama and a murder mystery all in one as family secrets are uncovered.

True to Form by Elizabeth Berg http://www.amazon.com/True-Form-Novel-Elizabeth-Berg/dp/0743411358

–a coming of age story and another with a lot to say about marriage, family relationships and friendship.

The Rescuer by Dee Henderson http://www.amazon.com/Rescuer-OMalley-book-6/dp/1590520734

Last in the O’Malley family series.

Apart from these I have picked up and discarded several books that failed to capture my interest. Back to that problem of after reading a good book, where to go next but I’m looking forward to getting my hands on Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult http://www.jodipicoult.com/handle-with-care.html this weekend.

I’ve also been enjoying re-reading Flame Tree selected poems by Kevin Harthttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Flame-Tree-Selected-Kevin-Hart/dp/185224545X

Ruby Roars -review

2009-06-13T04:25:52Z

Ruby Roars

Text by Margaret Wild

Illustrated by Kerry Argent

published by Allen & Unwin

Ruby Roars is a picture book destined to become a firm favourite of children as well as teacher and parents who read to them. It allows plenty of scope for exuberant participation.

Ruby is a young Tasmanian Devil who wants to be scary. But no matter what noise she makes her parents aren’t scared. Neither is Owl or Fox or Bull. The look on Bull’s face is priceless and Owl is decidedly cute. The water colour and pencil illustrations are bright, colourful and expressive. They add a great deal to the deceptively simple, sound filled text with its occasional sound rhymes. ‘Skreekle bleekle fleekle' said Fox with a grin.

Finally after a lot of practice and after lots of interesting sounds emerge, Ruby finds a way to overcome the problem. She scares Mum so she spills the knucklebone soup and scares Dad so much he drops three stitches in his n knitting, which is a lovely reversal of a usual stereotype.

I particularly like the way Mum and Dad participated in Ruby’s play and development. This is a book that will have children asking for it to be read again and again.

Those who buy this book will not only end up with a fun read but can know that a portion of the royalties due to both the author and will be donated to the Save the Tasmanian Devil appeal.

In the classroom Ruby Roars could be used to lead into discussions about persistence and not giving up, as well as about teaching about endangered animals.

poetry and fiction

2009-06-12T04:29:48Z

What I really like about being a writer and reader is being able to go from one form of writing to another. Apart form the verse novels I have read recently, poetry recently has been something sadly neglected for me, both reading of it and the writing of it. I’ve been too caught up in fiction, reading and writing as well as of course The Goanna Island Mystery http://www.blake.com.au/Aussie-Aussie-Aussie-Set-2-The-Goanna-Island-p/9781921255199.htm blog tour, which was a lot of fun.

Answering other people’s questions certainly makes you think about the writing process and how much goes on at a subconscious level and that it’s only after the event sometimes, when you pick it apart that you realize all the pre-writing that went on. My hosts asked some really interesting and thought provoking questions. If you haven’t caught up with those posts, scroll down a couple of days and you’ll find the where and when of the tour. It’ll be interesting to see whether it translates to extra sales when the next royalty statement for The Goanna Island Mystery comes in.

But back to poetry, I’ve been reading poems by Kevin Hart and Andrew Lansdown, two of my favourite poets, Sorina Higgins of a book I have here to review, Joanne Burns, Rainer Maria Rilke, David Brooks, and Christopher Buckley. I particularly liked Buckley’s Guess Work which was the poem at Verse Daily for November 20, 2008. I think it’s important when writing poetry to also be reading it. So it was a joy to get back to reading poetry and writing a poem. It’s a totally different process to writing fiction which I’ve been doing this morning and different again to writing for the marriage blog at www.families.com

Star Jumps today

2009-06-01T03:04:51Z

The verse novel is alive and well in Australia, as evidenced by Star Jumps by Lorraine Marwood.

Star Jumps takes the reader into the life of a farming family and what a clear and realistic picture it presents. The joy of children being children in such a setting is balanced by the harsh realities of farming life, made worse by prolonged drought.

Ruby, Keely, and Connor display the enthusiasm and imagination of children in the star jumps and their tunnels and mazes they create in the marshmallow weed.

In simple but evocative words the author manages to give a clear picture

I can see the rain

as crystals in the star jump paddock.

Small rain, quick-drying rain, but precious still.

A drought- time tease

A drought- time tease - Isn’t that a marvellous description of the lack of difference a small amount of rain makes? The images are very visual.

I loved the idea too of the calves

crashing into the fence,

folding like origami paper

The poet is displayed in numerous examples like these lines

quiet like a worm in wet soil,

quiet like the frost

dripping from the marshmallow weeds.

The reality of farming life shows in these few words with the difficulties associated with the birth of a new calf.

Can’t live on a farm

where birth happens so much,

without death hitching along too.

The whole description of the birth of the calf could only be written, I’m sure, by someone who had experienced it, which no doubt the author has since she grew up in rural Victoria and lived for many years on a dairy farm.

The three children are forced to confront the realty of the situation caused by the drought

the drought has dried up my day

Ruby says when she finds out how serious the situation is and the effects it is having on her family.

How about this description of the scene?

And we look at the flat-as-a-pizza country,

with all the extra topping eaten away.

Isn’t that a great description that would resonate with children?

Ruby has some ideas how she can help her family. So while this novel presents the harshness of life on the land, it also portrays the hope that exists in the hearts of many who love the farming life.

Yes, the verse novel is alive and well in Australia and Star Jump presents a vivid yet familiar picture of our land and the effect the climate has on it and some of the people who battle with the land and its vagaries.

The great cover and simple illustrations that introduce each chapter only add to the impression this book gives. Walker Books are to be congratulated on publishing beautifully presented books that convey various aspects of Australian culture.

Not Over After All

2009-05-30T00:32:43Z

So you thought the tour was over? Think again. Another date has been added to The Goanna Island Mystery . After the weekend, Sally Odgers will post an interview with me on Monday at http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com/ It’d be great if you could come and join us there as we add to The Goanna Island Mystery tour.

I was excited recently to have a copy of Star Jumps a verse novel by Lorraine Marwood land on my doorstep. Okay, the truth is I hassled the publisher till I got a copy. I’m really interested in the verse novel idea at present and think it’s an excellent way to get children who aren’t great readers reading. Yes, there will be a review on this site as soon as I can get to reading it. At the moment it’s sitting on the top of the pile on my desk tempting me to pick it up. Sadly others things need to be done first.

Oh, and just in case you forget, I'm still touring on Monday with The Goanna Island Mystery at http://spinningpearls.blogspot.com/ Love to hear any comments about the tour.

A Great Time of Year

2009-05-26T20:59:34Z

This is a good time of year. For one thing it’s when notification of PLR and ELR earnings comes out. It’s always great to see my growing list of books on that. The extra income doesn’t go astray either.

Of course at the moment I’m also enjoying travelling around from blog to blog with The Goanna Island Mystery tour. It’s interesting to see how the personality of the host blogger comes out in what they write on their blog and also in the questions they ask in interviews. I love being able to talk with other writers about writing. It’s fun answering questions about the writing of The Goanna Island Mystery. Some of those questions have sure made me think. It also made me realise how much thought, plotting and character building goes on in the writer’s mind before ever setting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. I hope some of you have been enjoying the blog tour with me. If you have, let me know what questions and answers you found interesting or helpful. Or any questions you have that weren’t answered and that you would have liked answered. And don’t forget to join me for the rest of The Goanna Island Mystery tour. Tour dates and blogs are in the entry below.

Today's the Day

2009-05-24T20:40:38Z

Today’s the day the blog tour for The Goanna Island Mystery starts. Why not follow the trail. You’ll find out lots of interesting things about the writing of the book, the mystery, the setting, the themes, the creating of a character, some interesting information about reviews.

The Goanna Island Mystery

Here are all the details of where the tour is off to starting today.

Monday 25^thDee White at http://tips4youngwriters.wordpress.com

From there The Goanna Island Mystery will be on tour to these sites.

Tuesday 26^th Sally Murphy at http://aussiereviews.blogspot.com/

Wednesday 27^th Mabel Kaplan at http://belka37.blogspot.com

Thursday 28^th Claire Saxby at www.letshavewords.blogspot.com

Friday 29^th Sandy Fussell at www.sandyfussell.blogspot.com

If you want to buy copies of The Goanna Island Mystery they are $9.95 from Blake Education http://www.blake.com.au/Aussie-Aussie-Aussie-Set-2-The-Goanna-Island-p/9781921255199.htm

For those quick of the mark, you can buy an autographed copy from me. Contact me through this blog or my website www.daleharcombe.com

The Goanna Island Mystery Tour

2009-05-20T03:02:06Z

As from Monday 25^th May I am having a blog tour for The Goanna Island Mystery. http://www.blake.com.au/Aussie-Aussie-Aussie-Set-2-The-Goanna-Island-p/9781921255199.htm If you don’t know what a blog tour is, visit this site, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aussieblogtours/

But basically it means I am taking The Goanna Island Mystery on the cyber road and being interviewed or reviewed at various other writerly blogs. So if you feel like joining me on the cyber highway, you’ll find out lots of interesting information about the nuts and bolts of how and why I wrote The Goanna Island Mystery. It will include such topics like setting, themes, where ideas come from, plot and how the writing process takes place, as well as a few surprising topics about pirates, ghosts and other things.

Here are the dates in May and the blogs where The Goanna Island Mystery will be touring.

Monday 25^thDee White at http://tips4youngwriters.wordpress.com

Tuesday 26^th Sally Murphy at http://aussiereviews.blogspot.com/

Wednesday 27^th Mabel Kaplan at http://belka37.blogspot.com

Thursday 28^th Claire Saxby at www.letshavewords.blogspot.com

Friday 29^th Sandy Fussell at www.sandyfussell.blogspot.com

So please join me and my special blog hosts next week

What I've been reading

2009-05-11T07:16:28Z

Thought I’d share a few of the other books I’ve read lately that aren’t kids and YA books but just general fiction.

The Book of Names - Jill Gregory and Karen Tintori

A great read that leaves things like The Da Vinci Code, which I found boring, for dead.

The Forgotten Garden - Kate Morton.

To me this book had what should have been a good story but it needed cutting down and a good edit. It was annoying in the way it kept chopping and changing times and from character to character. Interestingly, it had lots of blurbs telling me how gripping a read it was but I found it disappointing. Of course reading is such a subjective thing I know others will disagree. But I know at least one other person had a similar reaction to me. She made the comment before I gave my own thoughts.

Cloud Nine - Luanne Rice

Don’t read this one without the tissues. I became emotionally involved with these likeable characters.

Danger in the Shadows- Dee Henderson

After reading this one I went back to the library and got The Negotiator book 1 in the O’Malley series. Danger in the Shadows was the prequel to the series. I’ll probably try and get the rest.

Losing the Moon - Patti Callahan Henry

Interesting enough to finish but at times I would have liked to give the characters a good shake and tell them to wake up to themselves.

Drifting - Stephanie Gertler

An enjoyable read that takes you on a little different tangent to what you’re expecting.

The Risk of Darkness -Susan Hill

I hadn’t read the previous novel The Pure in Heart but this one stood alone. A good study of families and people, as well as a crime novel.

Pearl is Here!

2009-05-07T20:33:00Z

Pearl Verses the World

By Sally Murphy

Illustrated by Heather Potter

Published by Walker Books Australia

Many children feel isolated at some stage in their lives. They feel they are invisible as Pearl does and that they don’t belong. This book captures those feelings beautifully. It let’s the reader know, if they’re feeling like that, they’re not alone.

From the cover with Pearl sitting on the world hands under her chin to the last word, this book is a pearler. It’s a book that will make you laugh and make you cry. Even if you’re not a child, Pearl will pull out emotions you thought you’d forgotten about what it’s like to be a child who doesn’t quite fit in and who is dealing with things beyond her control.

Pearl lives with her Mum and her grandmother, in a family of three. At school the story is different, where everyone else is in groups. This is Pearl’s situation in her own words.

My class is made up of groups:

The footy boys’ group

The ballet girls’ group

The bus kids’ group

The rough kids group.

I am in a group of one.

What’s worse - Miss Bruff, the teacher, wants her to write poems with rhyme and rhythm. But Pearl, who is struggling to come to terms with her granny’s dementia, says.

There is no rhythm in my life.

How can I write it down

On a page

When it isn’t there?

I loved the way Miss Bruff, was presented as well meaning but not quite attuned to Pearl or perhaps to poetry either. This verse novel presents a human teacher who tries her best but doesn’t always get it right. But even teachers can learn something.

The interconnectedness of the family of three is apparent,

Granny is fading.

So are Mum and me.

If that doesn’t tear at your heart strings, there’s more to come. Yes, you will need the tissues handy. I defy you not to be moved to tears. But while it sets up the sadness of this situation, the whole story is told with a gentle sense of humour. With her unique way of expressing herself, Pearl is a delight. Look at the poignancy of the moment, when Pearl is telling her Granny about the aquarobics ladies at the pool.

Granny does not laugh.

But just for a moment

Her eyes meet mine

And I think she’s in there.

If only

She could come out

To play

Pearl’s humour is evident when writing and thinking about Prudence Jones, one of the popular girls at school. Pearl is also proactive- not the type to want to sit back and let things happen or a situation take its course if she can do anything about it. She’d love to save Granny from going into nursing home. But events are not always under her control. as she discovers.

She is understandably angry when her grandmother dies but in typical Pearl fashion she finds a way and for her, the absolutely right way, to deal with a difficult situation.

The voice of Pearl carries this story. I predict children and adults will laugh and cry with Pearl. I did. I also suggest this book will be another that will feature well in the CBCA awards.

The expressive illustrations add a poignant charm and their own humour to this verse novel. This is a book that should be in every school and local library. But don’t wait for it to come to a library near you. Go and buy your own copy.

Pearl is coming

2009-05-07T06:14:35Z

Don't forget tomorrow is the BIG DAY. Join me then for the review of Pearl Verses the World

Author: Sally Murphy
Illustrator: Heather Potter

A Good Read for Teenagers

2009-05-01T23:36:47Z

Yellow Zone

by Janelle G. Dyer

Young adult novel. $19.95

Scott and Sally Ryan find themselves in Yellow Zone after the world changes. Together, and with the help of some new friends, they learn to make a stand in a changed world.

It’s good to see a well presented novel coming out of a relatively new publishing company. I was looking forward to reading this book. The opening did not disappoint. It starts with a chase and a sense of danger. The reader is left to wonder who are the mysterious figures pursuing the journalist and what is the secret he has discovered. That sense of danger runs in various guises throughout the rest of the book.

The scene flashes forward two years to a Mardi Gras and the lone prophet trying to stem the tide and warn of God’s judgement, before whipping us off to Brisabane and a group of girls at the movies. Even at the movies the possible threat of terrorism hangs over the young girls, making Sally suspicious of the Middle Eastern man waiting outside the movie theatre.

From here, the story alternates for a time between Rome where eighteen year old Scott Ryan is holidaying and Brisbane where the rest of the Ryan family, including Scott’s younger sister, Sally, are. An explosion in Rome devastates the city and another that goes off in Paris has Scott’s parents and those of his cousins, Brad and Damien, concerned, as do the Black Hawk helicopters that fly over Brisbane and the terrifying reports on the TV. Anticipating further terrorist attacks Australia is put on high alert.

Attempts by the two families to contact their sons prove fruitless. Meanwhile in Rome there is talk of the end of the world, something Scott doesn’t even want to think about. Scott is trapped over the other side of the world from his family and unable to communicate with them. He doesn’t even know if they survived the series of bombs that exploded over Brisbane. To add to the confusion, Scott and Sally’s mother has disappeared and the family holds fears for her safety. Sally begins to question God, especially when Sally and the rest of her family end up being detained like refugees in Yellow Zone.

Meanwhile Scott is airlifted out of Europe and is shocked to find taken to Yellow Zone. While there, Scott uncovers a secret at Covenant House. The elderly and unproductive members of the community are disappearing. But what can he do, without putting his own life and those of the rest of his family at risk?

Scott and Sally, along with others under the leadership of Jack Koppel, realize they have to make a choice. If they want things to change they have to be willing to take the biggest risk to gain freedom.

The cover and title Yellow Zone are enticing and should ensure readers will pick up the book. Filled with plenty of action, as well as the budding romances that spring up between Scott and Rebekah and Sally with Ben who meet in the Yellow Zone, this novel is sure to appeal to both teenage girls and boys. There is a lot to recommend in this novel. It has an intriguing plot and a story that keeps the reader wanting to know what happens next. It’s obvious there had been a lot of thought and time put into constructing the plot and developing the characters. The characters are well defined and likeable. It also raises questions for the readers to think about after they have closed the pages of the book. I enjoyed Yellow Zone.

Given the plot line and dramatic situation raised presented this novel should have been gripping. While others may find it so, I didn’t...quite. Bu it is still an interesting novel and a good read that will have teenage readers and enthusiastic 11-12 year olds, turning the pages. Pace intensifies as the story reaches towards its conclusion.

The ending leaves one to suspect that the opening has been set up for a sequel or maybe a trilogy.

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A Pearl of a Book

2009-04-30T04:29:30Z

Last night my husband picked up this pearl which has been sitting on the table since I read it. I loved it by the way. He started to read. Put it down, as we got chatting, but then picked it up again and finished it. He doesn't normally read kids' books unless he's reading it to the grandchildren or it's mine (he was quite intrigued last week when he saw my manuscript, to think a whole novel could be written in verse) , but he agreed with my earlier comment. Lovely book. Just a tidbit. For more than that you're going to have to wait for the review. Teaser, aren’t I? The review will be up her on May 8^th. Meantime you can follow Sally’s blog tour starting tomorrow when Sally Murphy is the guest blogger at Spinning Pearls the blog of another Sally, Sally Odgers. The Pearl blog tour then takes off from there to various blogs and is coming here on May 8^th. So come back for that!

Titles and Name Change

2009-04-16T05:59:17Z

I've just seen the proofs complete with artwork for Lights, Camera, Action and my second book for young readers due out at the same time- ready for Term 3 of 2009. Instead of Library Idol, it is now Saltspray Idol. Saltspray is the seaside town the kids in both stories come from. The editor changed the title and I have to say I like it much better. I originally only stuck with the other one because I couldn't think of anything better. I don't know why. It was such an obvious choice! Aren't editors wonderful! Is anyone like me and has trouble with titles? The other day I had to call in re-inforcements for a new manuscript and run a few titles by my husband to see which he thought worked best.

I've recently read my first Steven Herrick book -The Simple Gift, which was one of my bargain purchases from the Lifeline book fair. I had heard him read his work before when he visited Orange one time as a guest author, so I knew what to expect. Why it took me so long to get round to reading one of his books, is another mystery. The Simple Gift is a deceptively simple, but deeply moving book. It sure won't be the last Steven Herrick book I read. the other vese novel I have waiting here to read is Pearl Verses the World by Sally Murphy. There'll be a review of it on this blog in early May so keep an eye out for that.

A glittering book

2009-04-15T01:33:17Z

Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool

By Odo Hirsch

Darius is part of the Bell family. His family own an estate which provides work and housing for a large number of people, including Mrs Simpson, the cook and housekeeper, Mr Bullwright who runs a building company from his apartment on the Bell estate, Mr and Mrs Deaver and their beehives, and the Fisher family. Mr Fisher was the gardener and his daughter Marguerite is a friend of Darius.

Darius knows Bell House needs repairs and is neglected in many areas, but he still loves the old house with the clock tower which is one of his favourite places. But then Darius learns that he and has family are in danger of losing the house and the land, unless they produce a suitable gift, for the town.

Traditionally known as the Bell Gift, the Gift was due every twenty five years. Past gifts had been items of magnificence like a statue, a copper spire for the tower, bell to go in the tower, a fountain and eight stained glass windows for the council chambers.

The suspense of what the Gift is to be this year, drives the story forward. But this time Hector Bell, father of Darius seems to be in denial and made no provision for the Gift.

When an earthquake occurs, Darius thinks all their problems might be solved and he has found something that would be worthy gift. But it turns out the cave he hoped was filled with rubies and gold is only vanadinite and fools gold, not worth anything. Still Darius is determined the Bells will give their gift. But as Darius finds, things do not always go to plan.

This is a delightful book that captures the reader with its story, excellent use of language and likeable characters. It is also a book about values and the things that are important in life. I anticipate kids will love it and teachers will find it a useful teaching tool. Highly recommended.

Great Theatre

2009-03-27T23:43:39Z

Wow! That was the reaction of those who saw the, The Women of Locherbie, the latest offering from the Nowra Players. The play written by Deborah Brevoort won the silver medal in the Onassis International Playwriting competition and was originally produced in New York. But last night we were presented with an admirable performance by the Nowra Players that had everyone in the theatre riveted and emotionally involved in the story.

For those who don’t know the play, as I didn’t before we went to see it, it is about a mother from New Jersey who goes to Lockerbie in Scotland looking for some traces of her son, who was one of the 243 passengers killed in the Pan Am 103 Plane Crash. The crash, which was the result of a terrorist attack, also took the lives of 16 air crew and 11 residents of the Scottish town. While there, she and her husband meet the women of Lockerbie who are trying to heal the hurt for themselves and others affected by the crash, by washing the clothes of the passengers who were killed and returning them to their family. The aim is override the act of hate with an act of love. But, of course bureaucracy steps in, making that task not so easily done.

The performances of all those involved was mesmerizing. I’ve never heard a theatre so quiet, except for the times it was broken by the comic relief of the character Hattie.

After the play finished and the enthusiastic applause, people sat for a while as though not quite wanting to break the spell or to digest what they had seen. It was a powerful play and one that I and those we went with, will be talking about for a while to come.

This is the fourth play by the Nowra players, we have seen since moving to the South Coast and all have been excellent. We are indeed blessed to have such a talented theatre group in Nowra.

A Feast of Books

2009-03-27T05:48:39Z

I should have known it would turn into a book fest . Today my darling husband and I went up to Kembla Grange for the Lifeline book fair. Usually he’s the one comes away from these things with loads of books. This time I was the one came away with more, though I consoled myself some of mine weren’t as expensive as his. My dearest was $4.and my cheapest $1.

Out of my selection 6 were poetry- a real bonus, as poetry is usually the poor relation that gets ignored at these sorts of book fairs. Three I was particularly pleased about.

Rilke – selected poems translated by C.F. MacIntyre

Wild Bees - new and selected poems- Martin Harrison- only published in 2008 and looking brand new.

The Simple Gift - a verse novel by Steven Herrick

As well I picked up bargain copies of:

A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L’Engle

The Left Overs - Eleanor Spence

I’d only said recently in an article about Eleanor Spence in Viewpoint- On Books for Young Adults, that it was a book of hers I particularly enjoyed.

Of the four fiction, one was by A Passionate Man -Joanna Trollope and The Guardian - Nicholas Sparks- both two of my favourite writers.

Of course there were the usual Grishams, Danielle Steele’s, Dan Brown etc in abundance. It was an interesting couple of hours, watching what people picked up as well as choosing our own books. Some people had bags and bags of books. A couple even had trolleys full. If you’re down that way it runs till Sunday afternoon (books on Sunday are at half price) at Kembla Grange racecourse. Entry is a gold coin donation.

Movie Time

2009-03-17T02:25:35Z

This last week has been one for movies. Despite the fact I’m not a huge fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, we went and saw, Revolutionary Road http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0959337/. He acted the part very well as did the others involved in this movie. Revolutionary Road incidentally is going to be one of the books on The First Tuesday Book Club http://www.abc.net.au/tv/firsttuesday/ next month, so that should be interesting to watch and an interesting book to read. Here's a link to Picture of a Marriage, my blog http://marriage.families.com/blog/picture-of-a-marriage which gives some of my reactions to the movie.

The other movie, which we saw the preview of it when we went to see the Revolutionary Road, was Doubt http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0918927/ starring Meryl Streep. Doubt is one of those movies where not a lot happens and yet you are absolutely engrossed in the story. It’s also one that has occupied my mind and several conversations since we saw it and that surely is the sign of a good movie. Of course it’s the same with books. It’s the book you can’t forget - that keeps lingering in your head long after the event that you know is more than just a good read.

Poetry and Fiction

2009-03-12T02:45:01Z

You never quite know what’s likely to happen in the writing world. On Sunday I was asked to come in and do a reading of poems from Kaleidoscope –my collection of poems. So at 1pm on Wednesday 18^th March I will be reading poems on radio. Tune into Bay and Basin FM, if you can. Here’s the link. http://www.bbcri.com.au/bbfm/

I’m looking forward to it. And I’ll have Kaleidoscope discounted. Instead of the usual $17.50 it will be available on that day for $ 13 posted anywhere in Australia. So, if you’re looking for a gift for someone or a book of poetry for yourself, check out some of the poems at www.daleharcombe.com. And contact me to get your copy.

The other exciting thing was recently I had read from our library The Fiction Class by Susan Breen, http://thefictionclass.com/ which I mentioned in my blog on February 23^rd. I contacted Susan who offered to send me some book marks. Then yesterday when I opened the parcel that arrived from the States, I found Susan had not only sent the book marks but a signed copy of the US version of her book, which was so thoughtful and special. It’ll be great to re-read it and helpful next time I run a creative writing workshop.

change your viewpoint

2009-03-04T02:15:46Z

For anyone interested in books for older children and young adults Viewpoint – On Books for Young Adults, which comes out of Melbourne University, is a useful read. And not because I have three items in it this issue. It gives a great overview of books that are being published for this age group from a variety of writers and reviewers like Maurice Saxby, Matt Zurbo and yours truly. As well as being reviewers, some are contributors are teachers, librarians, and authors. Viewpoint is a useful tool for finding out which books to buy that child or teenager.

In the current issue, Autumn 2009, I have two book reviews, as well as some memories of Eleanor Spence, a great lady of Australian literature, who died last year.

A Small Free Kiss in the Dark - book review

2009-03-03T05:50:53Z

A Small Free Kiss in the Dark

By Glenda Millard

If you read one children’s book this year, make it this one – the story of 12 year old Skip who in a time of war meets an odd assortment of friends. After a succession of foster homes and a life of abuse, the artistic Skip meets up with the old crippled Billy, a younger boy, Max and the dancer Tia with her baby Sixpence. These survivors of the war take refuge together in a fun fair.

This book has enough action to keep any young reader turning the pages. It also is a good story with a lyrical quality to the writing. The voice of Skip who tells the story is authentic, as he fends for himself and his assortment of friends. Skip is an enterprising, thoughtful, ingenious and complex young person caught between harsh reality and the make-believe world he invents for Max.

His interest in art, his drawings and references to specific paintings add to his character. As he narrates the story, he makes some interesting observations about life - ‘sometimes the truest things are the hardest to believe.’

There is no time frame given or explanation for what caused the war. Readers just accept that this is the state of affairs. While realistic in its portrayal of the situation, there is still an otherworldly quality as well. Although this is about war and homelessness, it is not a bleak book. Ultimately it is a book of hope.

Before I started to read this nook, I had picked up and put down several novels after the first few pages. But this one captivated me from the beginning. It’s a book that will make you think about people, about sacrifice and love and about what is important in life.

This is the first Glenda Millard book I have read and I will not be the last. It is a gem. I wish I’d written it. I predict this will feature this year on the CBCA book awards.

**** Allen & Unwin $16.95

Reviewed by Dale Harcombe

Dale is a NSW writer and reviewer