Tag Archives: Warfare

Dec30

The Beatryce Prophecy – Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Sophie Blackall.

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Walker Books Australia

October 2021

ISBN: 9781529500899
Imprint: Walker
Australian RRP: $24.99
New Zealand RRP: $27.99

It goes without saying that anything Kate writes is superlative, but what I love especially is her ability to create narratives that are so completely different to those by anyone else, as well as her own creative diversity. From the chivalrous Desperaux to the amazing Ulysses, the friendship of Raymie, Louisiana and Beverly and the delicate Edward Tulaine and so much more, we have long recognised her superiority as a writer. Now Kate has created a medieval fantasy that will utterly bewitch readers with the charm and magic of both characters and plot.

We shall all, in the end, be led to where we belong. We shall all, in the end, find our way home

In a land beset by war and violence a prophecy causes a usurper king to be wary of a young girl. When a mysterious child is found curled up with a very cranky goat in the stable of a monastery, a gentle monk takes it upon himself to be her protector. As Brother Edik tends to Beatryce, who seems to have lost her memory, he discovers she has a dangerous secret – one which could bring disaster down upon all connected with her.

Beatryce’s journey to safety, along with the unfortunate looking monk, a wild boy who is in possession of a dangerous sword and a man who once was a king, is a tale of courage and loyalty, danger and the power of words. Part-fairy tale, part-fable, this is a story that will linger with the reader for some time and one to which readers will return to savour again its beauty, both text and the medieval-styled illustrations and illuminated letters.

As we have already seen with several of Kate’s books, I predict this could well be taken up at a movie adaptation given its memorable characters, not least of which is the obstreperous goat, Answelica, another truly stand-out animals from Kate’s imagination.

This was a binge-read for me and I am giving it a big promotion as a read-aloud for our middle primary kiddos when school resumes. I highly recommend it to you for your readers from around year 4 upwards.

Sep16

The National Archives: World War II The Story Behind the War that Divided the World – Nick Hunter

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9781526605580

Bloomsbury

ISBN: 9781526605580
Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books

RRP: $17.99

Given the continued interest shown by young people in the history of the World Wars, not to mention those students who are studying this period of modern history, this book is a valuable addition to any shelves.

Nick Hunter holds a degree in modern history and has produced over 50 books for young people on a wide variety of topics. Crammed full of photographs, original documents, artefacts and more this is a cornucopia of information for any reader interested in the war that split the world and has had so much bearing on the global situation of contemporary times.

Covering both the war in Europe and that in the Pacific all aspects are included from the rise of Hitler and the Nazis to espionage, coding to the Blitzkrieg, from the lives of women and children in wartime to propaganda as well as occupation and resistance and tales of heroism as well as much more. Despite its slender size the amount of information contained within is amazing and so written that any reader from around ten years upwards will be able to grasp the significant facts.

The book also includes a timeline, glossary, links to further reading as well as an insight into physical reminders such as preserved buildings and monuments.

Personally I found it quite a fascinating read and enjoyed seeing items and photographs previously unknown/unseen.

Highly recommended for your lovers of nonfiction as well as your history buffs.

Apr23

ANZAC Day 2017

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Two books which it seemed appropriate to save for this year’s commemoration – both of them not to be missed.

 

Kokoda: Younger Readers edition – Peter FitzSimons

kokoda.jpg

OCT 25, 2016 | 9780734417435 | RRP $14.99

Hachette Australia

Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books

Journalist Peter FitzSimons has proven himself as Australia’s top non-fiction writer, consistently leading bestseller lists. The original edition of Kokoda was described as ‘engrossing narrative’ (Sydney Morning Herald) and its success with the audience spoke for itself.

In some inspired publishing, this edition has been produced for young adult/teen readers and will be a valuable addition to any library, particularly in the study of Modern History and Australia/Asia relations.

In 1942 young Australian soldiers – so young that many were still teenagers – were confronted by a campaign that was so seemingly impossible that it still beggars belief.  Faced with the Imperial Japanese forces these legendary diggers took on some of the wildest and untamed terrain in the world and became a force with which to be reckoned.

Take a look inside here. It is quite simply un-put-downable.

Highly recommended for secondary students from Year 7 upwards.

Sachiko – Caren Stelson

sachiko

ISBN: 9781467789035
Imprint: Lerner PG – Carolrhoda Books
Walker Australia-HEDS
November 1, 2016

Australian RRP: $27.99
New Zealand RRP: $29.99

No doubt many of us would think we are pretty familiar with the tragic history of the atomic blasting of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. We’ve shared many recounts and also more fictionalised accounts of this terrible time.

This non-fiction totally changed my understanding of this event and its hideous aftermath.

Sachiko Yasui was six years old when Nagasaki was ripped apart on August 9th 1942. In the process her family and their after-life was also torn to shreds.

The clouds parted

Pikadon!

Toshi. Aki. Ichiro. They are gone now.

So is Misa.

My father.

My mother.

I nearly died too.

So Sachiko began a talk to primary school children fifty years after the event. Through all her struggles in the intervening years she had kept quiet about her family’s tragedy and the ongoing problems she and her parents faced.

Since that time she has continued to share a message of the importance of peace to schools and groups.

Caren Stelson spent many hours in interviewing Sachiko and researching primary sources to construct what is the most moving history of this disaster I’ve ever experienced.

She has used photographs of both Sachiko and Nagasaki to illustrate the non-fiction narrative as well as including copious references, notes, glossary and more.

Again, this is an important book for the study of modern history but more than that it is a testament to the faith that can endure and salvage a person’s life from circumstances more dire than any of us can imagine.

Highly recommended for readers from around 12 years upwards.