Regal Beagle – Vijay Khurana & illustrated by Simon Greiner

ISBN: 9780857983701

Published: 01/10/2014

Imprint: Random House Australia Children’s

Extent: 128 pages

RRP $14.99

What a delight it was to spend a few moments reading this delightful nonsensical piece of whimsy from Vijay Khurana at the end of a long tiring day!  This is a perfect little book for newly independent readers venturing into chapter books with a lot of fun, easily identifiable ‘goodies’ and ‘baddies’ plus a very insightful example of not judging on appearances alone.

When a very much loved Queen of a small kingdom dies leaving no heir, the country is temporarily at a loss as to their next move. Searching through long forgotten archives, the protocol is discovered. Should the ruling monarch die without an heir, the throne goes to the king or queen’s best friend. In this case, the Queen’s best friend is Lucy – her beagle.

Despite the protestations of the conniving and clearly nefarious Lord Runcible, who has his own designs on the crown, Lucy is duly crowned and begins her reign with impressive success, despite being a canine.  However, Runcible contrives a dastardly plan to remove Lucy and seize power for himself. As one might imagine, Lucy is rescued by a most unlikely saviour – but that would be a spoiler if I told you, so you will just need to read it for yourself.

Very much in the vein of the Dick King-Smith books (such a long-time favourite of mine and, I know, of many children) this really is a refreshing and enjoyable read.  I think it would make an excellent read-aloud for classes of smaller humans as well as a terrific take-home book for those who are spreading their reading wings.

As I’ve said to many students over the years – often you need a ‘lolly’ book. A break from the intense or well-meaning texts with layers of meaning- not that there is anything wrong with those at all. This week, this was my ‘ lolly’ book – sweet and satisfying.

Highly recommended for readers 7 -9 particularly, both boys and girls.

Coming soon – teacher notes will be available at the Random House link here.

The One and Only Jack Chant – Rosie Borella

RRP $15.99

Amber has finished school and her friends have all left town – scattered to universities and other places but somehow Amber is just not sure what she wants to do or where she wants to go. Biding time and wanting to earn some money while she decides, Amber does a three month training as a carer for the elderly and is able to secure a job in the local nursing home. Tranquil Banks (or Tranquil Blanks to locals) has only been open for a year and so the facility has been a welcome addition to the community and people are happy knowing their elderly residents are being cared for by professionals.

However, Amber shortly realises that the philosophy of the facility’s owner/manager Mrs Ingersoll is not always aligned to the best interests of her senior citizen residents – nor is she supportive or even appreciative of her hard-working staff.

Amber enjoys the work and is very capable and compassionate with her charges but is baffled by both their references to a mysterious ‘Jack’ and then her own meeting with this strange boy who looks like he’s from another place and time. As is revealed, Jack is indeed from another time, having suffered at a tragic accident at the very same location of the new Tranquil Banks over eighty years previously.

When Amber’s much-loved elderly neighbour Vera is unwillingly forced into the nursing home by her family, it is Amber and Jack who join forces to support her in her final requests. Jack’s mysterious calling to this place and connection with the residents is revealed in the process.

Curiously, this is another recently received review book which has resonated on a personal level for me given my mother’s situation in a very similar nursing home and at times, this made me feel like slapping Mrs Ingersoll, the owner, sharply 🙂 –  I was heartily pleased to see her outcome and the initiative shown by Amber to take the nursing home to a new and improved future.

As Rosie Borella’s first novel this is both competently and engagingly written with deft touches of humour as well as pathos. Described as a ‘coming-of-age- story, it is that and more as Amber discovers more about herself, the elderly and others as well as her path in life. It is certainly insightful into a sadly too common treatment of our elderly by some, and the saving compassion of others to provide our older people with a dignified, comfortable and happy twilight. The sweet romance between Amber and the enigmatic Jack is delightful and readers will relish the interaction between the two.  Readers will also no doubt empathise with Amber’s somewhat turbulent relationship with her parents – a common theme for sixteen year olds everywhere.

Highly recommended for Upper Primary/Lower Secondary with particular appeal to girls.

Emilio: Through My Eyes – Sophie Masson

 RRP $15.99

Sophie Masson continues the excellent work in this series by providing readers with an action-packed and vivid account of one boy’s experience in Mexico City. Emilio Lopez lives with his mother, a moderately successful businesswoman, in one of the world’s most dangerous cities. Rife with crime, conflict and ongoing raging drug wars, Mexico City is a place of stark contrasts between the have’s and have-not’s, the criminals and the law-abiding citizens and the guilty and the innocent.

Kidnapping for ransom is an increasingly used tactic by drug gangs particularly in this city. When Emilio’s mother is kidnapped purely on the basis of her upcoming partnership with an American company, their family is plunged into intense despair and a frightening nightmare. Working closely with the family, the police and a sympathetic liaison officer, support the family as they work against the clock to save their loved one.

Emilio is an engaging character with a strength and determination that is both mature and admirable. The warmth of his family is a bulwark to his distress in this awful episode of his young life.

Not so graphic nor confronting as to be disturbing, but realistic enough to impress on young readers the dangers faced by other children in less fortunate circumstances, this novel would shape the reader’s understanding of the conflicts experienced in other countries. Further, there will be some students who have come from similar situations for whom this novel will resonate. Caution would be advised before sharing this with some who may find it too strikingly traumatic in an echo of their own personal experiences.

Additionally, readers are introduced to the vibrant and colourful Mexican culture and traditions, enhancing their world view (connecting to the Australian Curriculum in the Literature strand as well as Geography).

Allen & Unwin have provided excellent teaching notes here and a book trailer here. There is also a video interview with Sophie Masson here.

This is #4 in the ‘Through My Eyes’ series conceived by Lyn White and a portion of the proceeds goes to UNICEF. While I have not read others in the series, if they are of this calibre, I believe they would all be a very worthy addition to your shelves for Upper Primary to Lower Secondary.