September Reviews

30 new reviews have been added to the site so far this month. You can read them by clicking on the links.

Children's Book Review: April, by Gabrielle Lord Reviewed by Sally Murphy

The next instalment in the Conspiracy 365 series.

Book Review: Blue Skies, by Fleur McDonald Reviewed by Sally Murphy

A tale of love, loss and renewal.

Children's Book Review: A Ute Picnic, by Lorraine Marwood Reviewed by Sally Murphy

An outstanding poetry collection.

Picture Book Review: Look See, Look at Me, by Leonie Norrington Reviewed by Sally Murphy

A celebration of childhood and community life.

Children's Book Review: Get a Grip, Cooper Jones, by Sue Whiting Reviewed by Sally Murphy

What do you do when life's spinning out of control?

Children's Book Review: Where There's Smoke, by John Heffernan Reviewed by Sally Murphy

Stay to fight. Fight to stay.

Non Fiction Book Review: The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles, by Chris Coulthard-Clark Reviewed by Sally Murphy

Invaluable reference for students of Australian history

Nonfiction Book Review: Australian Classics, by Jane Gleeson-White Reviewed by Sally Murphy

50 great writers and their celebrated works.

YA Book Review: Moment of Truth, by Michael Pryor Reviewed by Sally Murphy

The fifth title in the Laws of Magic series.

Picture Book Review: Peeking Ducks, by Krista Bell & Sally Rippin Reviewed by Claire Saxby

Curious ducklings.

Children's Book Review: Bindi Wildlife Adventures - Trouble at the Zoo, by Chris Kunz Reviewed by Claire Saxby

It’s Bindi’s birthday.

Children's Book Review: The Littlest Witch, by Martine Allars Reviewed by Claire Saxby

Birthday surprises.

Children's Book Review: Hanging Out, by Catherine Bateson Reviewed by Claire Saxby

Ben's cousin is coming.

Children's Book Review: Barnesy, by Allayne Webster Reviewed by Claire Saxby

A 'Mates' story.

Book Review: Thrill City, by Leigh Redhead Reviewed by Sally Murphy

Simone Kirsch is back.

YA Book Review: The Innocents, by Nette Hilton Reviewed by Claire Saxby

Small town secrets.

YA Book Review: Guardian of the Dead, by Karen Healey Reviewed by Claire Saxby

Beyond the myth and the mists.

Children's Book Review: Alice Miranda on Holiday, by Jacqueline Harvey Reviewed by Claire Saxby

It's holiday time!

Children's Book Review: Tikki the Tricky Pixie, by Tiffany Mandrake Reviewed by Claire Saxby

Tikki wants to be bad.

Picture Book Review: There's a Goat in My Coat, by Rosemary Milne Reviewed by Claire Saxby

A poetry collection.

Children's Book Review: Sucked Out, by John Parker Reviewed by Claire Saxby

Eyeball on the loose!

Children's Book Review: Diary of a Soccer Star, by Shamini Flint Reviewed by Claire Saxby

Soccer is easy, right?

Children's Book Review: Our Australia Alice Springs, by Phil Kettle Reviewed by Claire Saxby

Touring around.

Children's Book Review:The Dragon's Lie by Kym & Oliver Lardner Reviewed by Sally Murphy

Friendship and freedom.

YA Book Review: Flyaway, by Lucy Christopher Reviewed by Sally Murphy

Saving the swan changes everything.

Picture Book Review: Tatiara, by Jo Oliver Reviewed by Sally Murphy

Healing comes.

YA Book Review: India Dark, by Kirsty Murray Reviewed by Sally Murphy

Based on a true story.

YA Book Review: Water, by Geoff Havel Reviewed by Sally Murphy

Secrets always float to the surface.

Book Review: Eric, by Shaun Tan Reviewed by Sally Murphy

A little treasure.

YA Book Review: Happy as Larry, by Scot Gardner Reviewed by Sally Murphy

An extraordinary tale of an ordinary family.

New Reviews

Plenty of new reviews added to Aussiereviews in August - 26 of them, in fact. You can check them out by clicking on the links below. Enjoy!

Children's Book Review: Aztec Attack and Battle Bust-Up, by Charlie Carter Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Battle Boy books 5 and 6.
Picture Book Review: Mirror, by Jeannie Baker Reviewed by Dale Harcombe
A stunning book.
YA Book Review: Wavelength, by AJ Betts Reviewed by Emily Murphy
A rich sensory experience.
YA Book Review: Descent, by Charlotte McConaghy Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Book 2: The Strangers of Paragor
YA Book Review: What Next, Tilda B? by Kathryn Lomer Reviewed by Sally Murphy
A novel about finding yourself.
Children's Book Review: Little Else Series, by Julie Hunt Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Adventures in Little Else.
Children's Book Review: How to Talk to a Frill-Neck Lizard, by James Moloney Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Fun Aussie yarn.
Children's Book Review: Chicken Stu, by Nathan Luff Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Always expect the unexpected.
YA Book Review: Slice, by Steven Herrick Reviewed by Claire Saxby
A new prose novel.
Picture Book Review: Littledog, by Katrina Germein Reviewed by Claire Saxby
A little dog arrives.
Children's Book Review: Dead Man's Gold, by Michael Torres Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Adventure in the Australian Outback.
Children's Book Review: Barlay, by Cheryl Kickett-Tucker Reviewed by Claire Saxby
The bush has its secrets.
Picture Book Review: Sam's Bush Journey, by Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Bush wisdom.
YA Book Review: A Girl Like Me, by Penny Matthews Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Absorbing.
Children's Book Review: Grimsdon, by Deborah Abela Reviewed by Claire Saxby
After the wave.
Picture Book Review: All Together Now, by Phil Cummings Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Going camping.
Picture Book Review: Count My Kisses, Little One, by Ruthie May Reviewed by Claire Saxby
A first counting book.
Children's Book Review: The Magic Fair, by Sally Morgan Reviewed by Claire Saxby
All the fun of the fair…and more.
YA Book Review: Thirteen Pearls, by Melaina Faranda Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Part of the Girlfriend Fiction series.
Nonfiction Book Review: I Love Me, by Bev Aisbett Reviewed by Sally Murphy
A guide to being your own best friend.
YA Book Review: The Limping Man, by Maurice Gee Reviewed by Sally Murphy
The conclusion to the Salt trilogy.
Children's Book Review: Burned, by Meredith Costain Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Third in the Year in Girl Hell series.
Nonfiction Book Review: The Feel Good Body, by Jennifer Fleming & Anna-Louise Bouvier Reviewed by Sally Murphy
7 steps to easing aches and looking great.
Book Review: The Devil's Tears, by Steven Horne Reviewed by Sally Murphy
An absrobing story.
Children's Book Review: March, by Gabrielle Lord Reviewed by Sally Murphy
The third in the Conspiracy 365 series.
Children's Book Review: Dumped, by Meredith Costain Reviewed by Sally Murphy

I have just added nine new reviews to Aussiereviews. Click on the links to read them.

Enjoy!

Picture Book Review: Ned Kelly and the Green Sash, by Mark Greenwood Reviewed by Sally Murphy

A wonderful historical picture book.

Book Review: The Marriage Club, by Kate Legge Reviewed by Sally Murphy

No one really knows what goes on inside a marriage.

Children's Book Review: Summer Days, by Lenny Pelling Reviewed by Sally Murphy

First in the pen-pals forever series.

Children's Book Review: The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, by May Gibbs Reviewed by Sally Murphy

Including Little Ragged Blossom and Little Obelia.

Children's Book Review: One Perfect Pirouette, by Sherryl Clark Reviewed by Sally Murphy

Following your dreams can be hard.

Nonfiction Book Review: Tasmania's Convicts, by Alison Alexander Reviewed by Sally Murphy

How felons built a free society.

Children's Book Review: The Hunt for Ned Kelly, by Sophie Masson Reviewed by Sally Murphy

Part of the My Australian Story series.

Picture Book Review: Baby Wombat's Week, by Jackie French Reviewed by Sally Murphy

Sequel to Diary of a Wombat.

Children's Book Review: Chess Nuts, by Julia Lawrinson Reviewed by Sally Murphy

The game is set to change.

It's been a while - in fact I didn't post a single new review in June - although I was busy reading wonderful books and even writing reviews. But, because I had such a busy month I didn't actually get the reviews posted.

So, last night I remedied that by posting 22 new reviews on the Aussiereviews site, some by myself and others by fellow reviewer Claire Saxby. You can read the reviews by clicking on the links below. Enjoy - I'll be posting more soon.

Children's Book Review: Saving Pandas, by Dr Carla Litchfield Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Hello Panda!
Children's Book Review: Girls Only, by Kerrie Hess Reviewed by Claire Saxby
How to plan a party.
Children's Book Review: Esty's Gold, by Mary Arrigan Reviewed by Claire Saxby
From Ireland to the Goldfields.
YA Book Review: Fury, by Shirley Marr Reviewed by Claire Saxby
What lies beneath the gloss?
Children's Book Review: Crooked Mick, by Dave Luckett Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Aussie Tall Tales.
Children's Book Review: Pearlie in Central Park, by Wendy Harmer Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Pearlie's in New York.
Children's Book Review: Who Wants to Be a Billionaire, by Colin Thompson Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Book 9 in The Floods series.
Children's Book Review: Alice-Miranda at School, by Jacqueline Harvey Reviewed by Claire Saxby
First in a new series.
Children's Book Review: Slowcoach Turtle, by Kyle Mewburn Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Pop Hooper is in town!
YA Book Review: Somme Mud, by Private Edward Lynch Reviewed by Claire Saxby
One man’s experience of war.
Picture Book Review: I Love My Mum, by Anna Walker Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Ollie B is back.
YA Book Review: Finding Freia Lockhart, by Aimee Said Reviewed by Claire Saxby
How (not) to be a successful teenager.
YA Book Review: After January, by Nick Earls Reviewed by Claire Saxby
What happens when school is over?
Picture Book Review: The Wonky Donkey, by Craig Smith Reviewed by Sally Murphy
APRA Children's Song of the Year, 2008.
Children's Book Review: Conspiracy 365 - February, by Gabrielle Lord Reviewed by Sally Murphy
The second in this action-packed series.
Picture Book Review: Hunting for Dragons, by Bruce Whatley Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Dragons are everywhere.
Book Review: Below the Styx, by Michael Meehan Reviewed by Sally Murphy
A complex read.
Picture Book Review: My Country, by Dorothea Mackellar & Andrew McLean Reviewed by Sally Murphy
A lovely gift.
Picture Book Review: Zoobots, by Bruce Whatley & Ben Smith Whatley Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Crazy creatures.
Nonfiction Book Review: Looking for Lionel, by Sharon Snir Reviewed by Sally Murphy
How I lost and found my mother through dementia.
Children's Book Review: Hot and Cold Reviewed by Sally Murphy
The first in the EJ12 Girl Hero series.
YA Book Review: Solace & Grief, by Foz Meadows Reviewed by Sally Murphy
The Rare Book One.

What a busy month it has been at Aussiereviews. We have added twenty new reviews over the past week, so if you are a looking for a great read, click on the following links.   Picture Book Review:The Little Yellow Digger and The Bones, by Betty & Alan Gilderdale Under the landslide. Children's Book Review: Camelot, by Colin Thompson A new series.  Children's Book Review: Scratch Kitten and the Ghost Ship, by Jessica Green A new adventure.     Children'sBook Review:The Tsunami Book, by Dr Gill Jolly More than a tidal wave.
Picture Book Review: Pirate Peter and the Pig, by Simon Grant A pet for a pirate.  Children's Book Review: Pilot & Huxley and the Holiday Portal, by Dan McGuiness Pilot and Huxley are back!   Picture Book Review: Papa's Little Penguin, by Anna Pignataro For Fathers' Day.  Children's Book Review: Nanny Piggins and the Runaway Lion, by R. A. Spratt New Nanny Piggins adventures.  Young Adult Book Review: The Wrath of the Silver Wolf, by Simon Higgins A new Moonshadow adventure.  Children's Book Review: How to Draw Mythical Creatures, by Marc McBride Create your own characters.  Picture Book Review: Fairies, by Alison Maloney All abouut fairies.  Picture Book Review: Bear and Chook by the Sea, by Lisa Shanahan A new Bear and Chook adventure.  Children's Book Review: Battlefield, by Alan Tucker One boy's war.  Children's Book Review: Aussie Legends, by Tom Baddley Some famous Australians. YA Book Review: Dancing in the Dark, by Robyn Bavati An absorbing tale about following your dreams.  Book Review: Blood Moon, by Garry Disher A wonderful crime fiction offering.  Children's Book Review: Style Files, by Amanda Nicholls The first in the Totally Stylin' series.  Cook Book Review: The AWW Cooking School Learning to cook Step-by-Step. Picture Book Review: Itsy-Bitsy Babies, by Margaret Wild & Jan Ormerod Ideal for cuddle time.  Picture Book Review: Wibbly Wobbly Street, by Trudie Trewin Whimsy and fun on every page.  Children's Book Review: Duck for a Day, by Meg McKinlay A novel to love. Thanks for dropping by!

I added seven new reviews to the Aussiereviews website last night. As always, there's a bit of a mix, including picture books, children's, YA, adult fiction and nonfiction. Click on the links to see the reviews,

Picture Book: Gina the Dancing Queen, by Marisa Alo
Feel the rhythm.
Picture Book: Delilah's Dream, by Ian Trevaskis & Janine Dawson
Very cute.
YA: About a Girl, by Joanne Horniman
Beautiful.
Children's: The Land of Dragonay, by Sally Morgan and Ambelin, Blaze & Ezekiel Kwaymullina
Stopwatch Book 3.
Fiction: Torn Apart, by Peter Corris
New in the Cliff Hardy series.
Fiction: What Kate Did Next, by Lisa Heidke
It's time for Kate to follow her dreams.
Nonfiction: Max Your Marks, by Rowena Austin & Annie Hastwell
Tips from top students on how to conquer year 12.

The shortlists for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards were announced today. They are as follows (with links to any titles which have been reviewed on Aussiereviews). I love awards season :)

The Christina Stead Prize for Fiction

 

•Summertime by J.M. Coetzee

 •Wanting by Richard Flanagan

 •The World Beneath by Cate Kennedy

 •88 Lines about 44 Women by Steven Lang

 •Ransom by David Malouf

 •Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

  

Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-Fiction

 

•The Water Dreamers: The remarkable history of our dry continent by Dr Michael Cathcart

 •Churchill and Australia by Graham Freudenberg

 •Piano Lessons by Dr Anna Goldsworthy

 •The Wolf by Richard Guilliatt and Peter Hohnen

 •Kill Khalid by Paul McGeough

 •Up from the Mission: Selected Writings by Noel Pearson

 

Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry

 

•The Sonnet According to 'M' by Jordie Albiston

 •The Darwin Poems by Emily Ballou

 •Storm and Honey by Judith Beveridge

 •The Striped World by Emma Jones

 •White Camel by Morgan Yasbincek

 

Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature

 

•Hollywood Ending by Kathy Charles

 •Worldshaker by Richard Harland

 •Liar by Justine Larbalestier

 •A Small Free Kiss in the Dark by Glenda Millard

 •Vulture's Gate by Kirsty Murray

 •When the Hipchicks Went to War by Pamela Rushby

 

Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature

 

•Krakatoa Lighthouse by Allan Baillie

 •Grace by Morris Gleitzman

 •Alive in the Death Zone by Lincoln Hall

 •The Billionaire's Curse by Richard Newsome

 •The Hero of Little Street by Gregory Rogers

 •Harry and Hopper by Margaret Wild and Freya Blackwood

 

Community Relations Commission Award

 

•Leave to Remain: A Memoir by Dr Abbas El Zein

 •Reclaiming Patriotism: Nation-Building for Australian Progressives by Dr Tim Soutphommasane

 

UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing

 

•Things We Didn't See Coming by Steven Amsterdam

 •Hollywood Ending by Kathy Charles

 •Document Z by Andrew Coome

 •Siddon Rock by Glenda Guest

 •Little White Slips by Karen Hitchcock

 •The Ice Age by Kirsten Reed

 

Script Writing Award

 

•Bright Star by Jane Campion

 •East West 101: Episode 13 by Kristen Dunphy and Michael Miller

 •Mary and Max by Adam Elliot

 •Tangle: Episode 1, Yellow Amendments by Fiona Seres

 •Fairweather Man by Aviva Ziegler and Veronica Fury

 •Samson and Delilah by Warwick Thornton

 

NSW Premier's Prize for Literary Scholarship

 

•Robert Louis Stevenson in the Pacific: Travel, Empire and the Author's Profession by Dr Roslyn Jolly
•Networked Language by Professor Philip Mead
•Literary Activists: Writer-intellectuals and Australian Public Life by Dr Brigid Rooney

Winners in each category will be announced on May 17.  NSW Residents are also invited to vote in the People's Choice award. you can also read the judges' comments about each of the shortlisted titles on the awards website.

CBCA Awards Shortlist, 2010

Those of you who know me and/or follow this blog might know that I am both an author and a book reviewer. Usually, I manage to keep the two things separate, but today I'm not sure it's possible. See, normally, when the CBCA Awards shortlist is announced, I would share the list or a link to it here for your pleasure.

But today, as well as sharing the list with you, I  also want tos hare my absolute delight that for the first time in 30 books - I'm ON THE SHORTLIST  (excuse my yelling. I'm a little excited).

So, resuming normal programming, today the shortlist for the CBCA Chidlren's Book of the Year Awards has been announced, and is as follows:

Book of the Year: Older Readers


These books are for mature readers.

CHRISTOPHER, Lucy Stolen (Chicken House)

CLARKE, Judith The Winds of Heaven (Allen & Unwin)

LARBALESTIER, Justine Liar (Allen & Unwin)

METZENTHEN, David Jarvis 24 (Penguin Group Australia)

MILLARD, Glenda A Small Free Kiss in the Dark (Allen & Unwin)

TANGEY, Penny Loving Richard Feynman (University of Queensland Press)


Book of the Year: Younger Readers

Intended for independent younger readers.

FENSHAM, Elizabeth Matty Forever (University of Queensland Press)

HIRSCH, Odo Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool (Allen & Unwin)

LESTER, Alison Running with the Horses (Viking, Penguin GroupAustralia)

MCINTOSH, Fiona The Whisperer  (Angus & Robertson,HarperCollinsPublishers)

MURPHY, Sally Illus. POTTER, Heather  Pearl Verses the World (Walker Books)
STORER, Jen Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children (Viking, Penguin Group Australia)


Book of the Year: Early Childhood

Intended for children in the pre-reading to early reading stages.

BLAND, Nick The Wrong Book (Scholastic Australia)

BOOTH, Christina Kip (Windy Hollow Books)

DUBOSARSKY, Ursula  Illus. JOYNER, Andrew The Terrible Plop (Viking, Penguin Group Australia)

GLEESON, Libby Illus. BLACKWOOD, Freya Clancy & Millie and the Very Fine House (Little Hare )
SHANAHAN, Lisa Illus. QUAY, Emma Bear & Chook by the Sea Lothian (Children’s Books, Hachett)

THOMPSON, Colin  Illus. DAVIS, Sarah Fearless ABC Books (HarperCollinsPublishers)


Picture Book of the Year

Intended for an audience ranging from birth to 18 years. (Some books may be for mature readers).

COOL, Rebecca  Text: MILLARD, Glenda  Isabella’s Garden (Walker Books)

DANALIS, Stella Text: DANALIS, John  Schumann the Shoeman (University of Queensland Press)

HARVEY, Roland To the Top End: Our Trip Across Australia (Allen & Unwin)

HOBBS, Leigh Mr Chicken Goes to Paris (Allen & Unwin)
OLIVER, Narelle Fox and Fine Feathers (Omnibus Books, Scholastic Australia)

ROGERS, Gregory The Hero of Little Street (Allen & Unwin)


Eve Pownall Award for Information Books

Intended for an audience ranging from birth to 18 years. (Some books may be for mature readers).

CLODE, Danielle Prehistoric Giants: The Megafauna of Australia  (Museum Victoria)

M is for Mates: Animals in Wartime from Ajax to Zep Department of Veterans’ Affairs in association with the Australian War Memorial

MACINNIS, Peter  Australian Backyard Explorer National Library of Australia

PATRICK, Tanya Illus: HUTCHESON, Nicholas  Polar Eyes: A Journey to Antarctica CSIRO

REEDER, Stephanie Owen Lost! A True Tale from the Bush (National Library of Australia)

YALATA & OAK COMMUNITIES with  MATTINGLEY, Christobel Maralinga: The Anangu Story Allen & Unwin


Where a book has been reviewed on Aussiereviews I have linked to  that review. Congratulations to all authors, illustrators and publishers with books on the list. The winners will be announced in August, in time for Children's Book Week.

It's been a busy month on Aussiereviews, with twenty two new reviews added. You can clcik on the links to check out the ones you're interested in:

Nonfiction Book Review: Great Moments in Australian History, by Jonathan King

Accessible history.

Children's Book Review: Jaguar Warrior, by Sandy Fussell
Brilliant.

YA Book Review: The Devil You Know, by Leonie Norrington
Set in Australia’s Northern Territory.

Picture Book Review: It's a Jungle in Here, by Steve Wide
The jungle is everywhere.

Young Adult Book Review: After, by Sue Lawson
Gripping.

Young Adult Book Review: Surf Ache, by Gerry Bobsien
Ever been surfing?

Children's Book Review: Horse Mad Whispers, by Kathy Helidoniotis
Title 7 in Horse Mad series.

Children's Book Review: A Belt Around My Bum, by Martin Chatterton
A new Willy Waggledagger adventure.

Children's Book Review: Send Simon Savage, by Stephen Measday
An adventure in time.

Children's Book Review: Edie Amelia and the Monkey Shoe Mystery, by Sophie Lee
Edie Amelia is an unusual girl.

Children's Book Review: Dragon Blood Pirates Series Three, by Dan Jerris
Arrrrr!

Children's Book Review: Big Book of Verse for Aussie Kids, edited by Jim Haynes
A wonderful collection.

Picture Book Review: Sarah's Heavy Heart, by Peter Carnavas
Gorgeous.

Picture Book Review: Schumann the Shoeman, by John & Stella Danalis
A beautifully wrought fable.

YA Book Review: Hostage, by Karen Tayleur
A fast-paced journey.

Picture Book Review: Hairy Maclary, Shoo, by Lynley Dodd
The invincible Hairy Maclary is back.

Picture Book Review: Possum and Wattle, by Bronwyn Bancroft
A visual delight.

Book Review: Lovesong, by Alex Miller
Beautiful.

YA Book Review: Genius Wars, by Catherine Jinks
The conclusion to the Genius trilogy.

Book Review: Manhattan Dreaming, by Anita Heiss
Chick-lit at its best.

Book Review: The Children's Writer, by Gary Crew
What happens to those caught up in a writer's world?

Book Review: Come Back to Me, by Sara Foster

A wonderful debut novel.

Seven New Reviews

I have today added seven new reviews to Aussiereviews. Books reviewed are:

Liar, by Justine Larbalestier

Forbidden Fruit, by Kerry Greenwood

I Spy Dad! by Janeen Brian and Chantal Stewart

Cleo, by Helen Brown

Navigating Teenage Depression, by Gordon Parker and Kerry Eyers

Angel Fish, by Lili Wilkinson

Lessons for a Werewolf Warrior, by Jackie French

A nice range of books, from serious nonfiction, to cute picture book. Enjoy!

Sunday Reading

As the result of a Twitter post (tweet), I've just spent an interesting fiteen minutes reading blog posts, when I should have been working on updating Aussiereviews. The tweet linked to a new blog post, but that blog post was in response to an older one, so I'll share the links in cronological order.

Firstly, in August, Jessica Crispin blogged about Jeff Vandemeer's book Booklife, and why it made her skin crawl here.
More recently, Jeff was able to get Jessica to agree to be interviewed on his blog here, about her opinions, as well as making his own comments about those opinions.

It's great reading - and has also given me much food for thought both as an author and as a reviewer. Enjoy!

ABR Top Ten Australian Novels

The Australian Book Review has today announced the results of its reader poll of favourite Australian novels, releasing the list of the top twenty, as voted by readers. You can read the annotated list here. Youc an also see a full list of the 290 novels nominated here

How many of the top ten have you read?

Aurealis Award Winners and New reviews on Aussiereviews

The annual Aurealis awards ceremony was held last night in Brisbane. These awards honour the best Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror offerings for the previous twelve months.

The winners are as follows. Wherever possible I have linked the publication titles to reviews, on Aussiereviews, or elsewhere.

best science fiction novel

Andrew McGahan, Wonders of a Godless World, Allen & Unwin


best science fiction short story

Peter M. Ball, ‘Clockwork, Patchwork and Ravens’, Apex Magazine May 2009

best fantasy novel

Trudi Canavan, Magician's Apprentice, Orbit

best fantasy short story - Joint winners

Christopher Green, ‘Father’s Kill’, Beneath Ceaseless Skies #24

Ian McHugh, 'Once a Month, On a Sunday’, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #40, Andromeda Spaceways Publishing Co-operative Ltd

best horror novel

Honey Brown, Red Queen, Penguin Australia

best horror short story - Joint winners

Paul Haines, 'Wives', X6, Coeur de Lion Publishing

Paul Haines, 'Slice of Life - A Spot of Liver', Slice of Life, The Mayne Press

best anthology

Jonathan Strahan (editor), Eclipse 3, Night Shade Books

best collection

Greg Egan, Oceanic, Gollancz

best illustrated book/graphic novel

Nathan Jurevicius, Scarygirl, Allen & Unwin

best young adult novel

Scott Westerfeld, Leviathan Trilogy: Book One, Penguin

best young adult short story

Cat Sparks, ‘Seventeen’, Masques, CSFG

best children’s (8-12 years) novel

Gabrielle Wang, A Ghost in My Suitcase, Puffin Books

best children’s (8-12 years)
short fiction/illustrated work/picture book

Pamela Freeman (author), Kim Gamble (illustrator), Victor's Challenge, Walker Books Australia


Also, in the past week I have uploaded a swag of new reviews to Aussiereveiws - 23 in total. You can access the following reveiws from the hhome page at Aussiereviews.

The Wicked War on Planet Whimsy, by L. M. Moriarty
The Hollow Tree, by Jacob G. Rosenberg
Spirit of Hope, by Bob Graham
Howzat! by Brett Lee & Michael Panckridge
Fifteen Love, by R. M. Corbett
Australia at the Beach, by Max Fatchen
How to be the Perfect Princess
The ABC Book of Dinosaurs
A Letter From Luisa, by Rowena Mohr
Gamers' Quest, by George Ivanoff
Come By Chance, by Madeline Winch
A History of Cricket, by Catherine Chambers
Anzac Heroes, edited by George Low
The Borgia Ring, by Michael White
100 Ways to Happy Children, by Dr Timothy J. Sharp
The Pony Patch Collection, by Bernadette Kelly
Crocodile River, by Diana Lawrenson
Sharp Shooter, by Marianne Delacourt
Wildlife in Australia, by Louise Egerton
Halloween in Christmas Hills, by Karen Tayleur
Hush, Hush! by Margaret Wild & Bridget Strevens-Marzo
The Wheels on the Bus, illustrated by Mandy Foot
The Dangerous Book of Heroes, by Conn Iggulden & David Iggulden

Enjoy!

Nine New Reviews Posted

Happy new year! I have started off the new year by adding nine new reviews to Aussiereviews. Personal favourites were the two children's books - Tensy Farlow and The Whisperer. Both superb offerings.

YA Book Review: Time of Trial, by Michael Pryor
Reviewed by Tom Murphy
The fourth title in the Laws of Magic series.
YA Book Review: Fill Out This Application and Wait Over There, by Ruth Starke
Reviewed by Sally Murphy
A funny diary format story.
YA Book Review: My Private Pectus, by Shane Thamm
Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Footy, cars and a caved-in chest.
Nonfiction Book Review: Kickstart My Heart, by Lana Penrose
Reviewed by Sally Murphy
A carnival of dating disasters.
Children's Book Review: Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid Children, by Jen Storer
Reviewed by Sally Murphy
A wonderful gothic novel.
Book Review: Transported - A Pioneer’s Story, by Terry Spring
Reviewed by Kathryn Duncan
An inspirational story.
YA Book Review: The Old Kingdom Chronicles, by Garth Nix
Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Acclaimed trilogy - Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen.
YA Book Review: Posse, by Kate Welshman
Reviewed by Sally Murphy
A novel with bite.
Children's Book Review: The Whisperer, by Fiona McIntosh
Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Riveting.

Check back often for lots more reviews in 2010.

I have uploaded five new reviews to Aussiereviews tonight:

Picture Book Review: Sheep, Goat and the Creaking Gate, by Claire Saxby & Judith Rossell

Nonfiction Book Review: The Sisters Antipodes, by Jane Allison

Book Review: The Sea Bed, by Marele Day

YA Book Review: Swerve, by Phillip Gwynne

Picture Book Review: The Lamington Man, by Kel Richardson & Glen Singleton



Enjoy!

Snowy's Christmas Blog Tour Week 9

Time for another stop on the Snowy's Christmas blog tour. This week I am visiting with the lovely Sandy Fussell, at Stories are Light, talking about Christmas stories, and what makes them special. We'd love to see you there.

If you’ve missed any of the other tour stops, you can find them at:
Week One: 4 October Deescribe Writing Blog
Week Two: 11 October Write and Read With Dale
Week three: 18 October Alphabet Soup Blog
Week Four: 25 October Let’s Have Words
Week Five: 1 November Sally Murphy’s Writing for Children Blog (you’re here)
Week Six: 8 November Aussiereviews Blog
Week Seven: 15 November Samantha Hughes’ Blog
Week Eight: 22 November Robyn Opie’s Writing Children’s Books Blog
Week Nine: 29 November Stories are Light
Week Ten: 6 December The Aussie Christmas Blog
Week Eleven: 13 December Tales I Tell

Snowy's Christmas Blog Tour: Week Seven

It's Sunday, which means another stop on the Snowy's Christmas blog tour. Today I'm breakfasting with my friend, talented WA illustrator Samantha Hughes. Drop by for some bacon and eggs at this link.


If you’ve missed the start of the tour, you can follow it at:
Week One: 4 October Deescribe Writing Blog
Week Two: 11 October Write and Read With Dale
Week three: 18 October Alphabet Soup Blog
Week Four: 25 October Let’s Have Words
Week Five: 1 November Sally Murphy’s Writing for Children Blog (you’re here)
Week Six: 8 November Aussiereviews Blog
Week Seven: 15 November Samantha Hughes’ Blog
Week Eight: 22 November Robyn Opie’s Writing Children’s Books Blog
Week Nine: 29 November Stories are Light
Week Ten: 6 December The Aussie Christmas Blog
Week Eleven: 13 December Tales I Tell

Great News

Wonderful wonderful news today – especially if you are an Australian author, illustrator or publisher. The Australian government has decided NOT to alter the rules regarding Parallel Importation restrictions (PIR) for books. The minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs, Craig Emerson, this morning issued a press release announcing this decision – you can read the release here.


You can also read more about the celebrations on the Saving Aussie Books blog – and, if you’ve hiding under a rock for the past year and don’t know about this debate, you can browse the same blog for loads of information.

Or, you can simply join me in celebrating a victory for commonsense. One great way to celebrate is to go to your local bookstore and buy an Aussie book. Let’s support the bookstores and ensure their longevity. Independent bookstores, especially, would have been adversely affected by these changes – yet they are the bookstores which seem to actually know about, and support Australian books.

So, what are you waiting for? Start partying – and reading. Aussie Aussie Aussie!

Snowy's Christmas Blog Tour: Week Six

Welcome to week 6 of the Snowy’s Christmas blog tour, which stops here today. In previous stops we’ve talked about the inspiration behind the book, and the writing and illustration process. Today, since the tour is stopping here at a blog devoted to reviews, I thought I might chat a little about reviews and what is like when the reviewer (that’s usually me) becomes the reviewed (when I’m the author).

Firstly, a little about me as a reviewer. I own and manage website Aussiereviews, also writing the bulk of the reviews you’ll find there. My reviews are aimed primarily at parents, teachers and readers, being not heavily academic or analytical. My reviews are also generally positive. I have an unofficial policy that if I strongly dislike a book for any reason then I simply don’t review it, rather than posting a damning review. My reasoning for this is that I simply don’t have time to review every book that comes my way, so I would rather focus on the good ones. Having said that, if I see deficits in an otherwise good book, I am prepared to mention them. I have no desire to mislead potential readers, who are the intended audience of my reviews.

So, being an active reviewer, how does it feel for me to be reviewed by other people? Honestly? Great. As well as the reviews starting to come in for Snowy’s Christmas, I’ve also had a swag of reviews this year for my other new release, Pearl Verses the World. Most of the reviews have been positive, and it feels wonderful to know that people love my book. As a reviewer myself, I know that the reviewer is not writing the review for me, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t benefit from the affirmation.

But what about if the review is negative? That’s harder. So far, Snowy has had only positive reviews, but Pearl Verses the World had one review which was a real shocker. It was a print review, so I can’t link to it, but it basically said the book was depressing, unrealistic and shouldn’t be read. The reviewer, in spite of having the book in front of them, also managed to misname the author. To be honest, though, I was probably only mildly annoyed. After all, I’d been lucky enough to get lots of really outstanding reviews for the same book, so I figured that this one reviewer was having a bad day. Or maybe, just maybe, that book was just not a good fit for that reviewer. After all, not every book will be loved by every reader. And as an author it is unrealistic to think that every reviewer will feel the same about your book.

Which leads me to my next point – how I respond to reviews. Established review etiquette is that the author/illustrator/publisher should not respond to reviews – that includes trying to answer the reviewer’s opinions, as well as simply thanking the reviewer. The reasoning is that this breaks down the professional remove between reviewer and reviewed. I actually agree with this wisdom – to a point.

Pre the internet, that remove was supported by the fact the reviewer and the reviewed would not cross paths terribly often – apart from, of course, industry functions, conferences and the like. However, in the new internet age, everyone is closer to everyone else. Through social networking, especially, reviewers, authors, editors, publishers, publicists rub shoulders on a daily basis. In this world, it seems almost silly to pretend that the review process does not exist. As a reviewer, I do regularly receive emails and messages from people thanking me for reviews. I don’t expect them, but I understand why people send them. To date, I’ve only had one email from an author complaining about my review. This was difficult, especially as I felt that the author had misinterpreted my review, but I did respond politely to this email. I might add here that it is because of this close contact through social networking and so on that I don’t accept review copies directly from authors. By insisting that books come from publishers I am able to maintain some distance between myself and the author until after I have written the review.

As an author, I try to not respond to reviews of my own books, because of this etiquette - with the exception of reviews which appear as part of one of my blog tours. In this instance, I do thank the reviewer because, although the review copy has come from the publisher, the blog visit has usually been instigated by me.

So, to Snowy's Christmas. To date Snowy has had, as I’ve said, some wonderful reviews, from:

Dee White, who said “It’s a truly Australian Christmas story with Aussie animals and landscapes. The tale is beautifully told by Sally Murphy, and David Murphy’s bright, funny illustrations give the book extra bounce.” (You can read her full review HERE)

Rebecca Newman, who said “this is a great picture book for celebrating Christmas in the heat.” (You can read her full review HERE)

Dale Harcombe, who said “It’s lovely to see an Aussie Christmas book that reflects the wildlife, colour and landscape of Australia instead of snow etc.” (You can read her full review HERE)

Pat Pledger, who said “In her captivating story with an Australian setting, Sally Murphy has managed to capture the spirit and fun of Christmas, while exploring the theme of fitting in and finding your own niche in life.” (You can read her full review HERE)

Being reviewed can be confronting. But I suppose the best advice I can give any author is to remember that every review is only one person’s opinion. And every review, good or bad, is publicity for your book.

If you want to learn more about Snowy’s Christmas you can follow the rest of the Snowy’s Christmas blog tour at the following links. See you there:

Week One: 4 October Deescribe Writing Blog
Week Two: 11 October Write and Read With Dale
Week three: 18 October Alphabet Soup Blog
Week Four: 25 October Let’s Have Words
Week Five: 1 November Sally Murphy’s Writing for Children Blog (you’re here)
Week Six: 8 November Aussiereviews Blog
Week Seven: 15 November Samantha Hughes’ Blog
Week Eight: 22 November Robyn Opie’s Writing Children’s Books Blog
Week Nine: 29 November Stories are Light
Week Ten: 6 December The Aussie Christmas Blog
Week Eleven: 13 December Tales I Tell

Snowy's Christmas is available across Australia in bookstores, Kmart and Myer,a nd online from stores including Booktopia.

New Reviews

Phew! What a busy day. I have been busy on a big update of Aussiereviews and have finally finsihed. There are twenty new reviews for your enjoyment. You can click on the links to peruse the ones you're interested in:

Children's Book Review: The Visconti House, by Elsbeth Edgar Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Solving a mystery brings two friends together.
Children's Book Review: Australian & World Records 2010 Reviewed by Calum Murphy
More than 250 amazing records.
Children's Book Review: Pilot and Huxley, by Dan McGuiness Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Hop aboard for a wild ride.
Graphic Novel Review: Captain Congo and the Maharaja’s Monkey, by Ruth Starke Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Captain Congo’s new adventure.
Children's Book Review: Dog Squad, by Meredith Costain Reviewed by Claire Saxby
A new Lightning Strikes novel.
Children's Book Review: the Locket of Dreams, by Belinda Murrell Reviewed by Claire Saxby
A gold link to the past.
Picture Book Review: I Love My Dad, by Anna Walker Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Ollie and his dad.
Children's Book Review: By the Picking of My Nose, by Martin Chatterton Reviewed by Claire Saxby
A wacky tale of Shakespeare's childhood.
Picture Book Review: Together, by Anna Pignataro Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Mother-child love.
Picture Book Review: Clem Always Could, by Sarah Watt Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Learning to swim.
Children's Book Review: Robot Riot, by Andy Griffiths Reviewed by Claire Saxby
A new 'Schooling Around' story.
YA Book Review: In the Shadow of the Palace, by Judith A Simpson Reviewed by Claire Saxby
An adventure in long-ago India.
Children's Book Review: The Smartest Dog of All, by Ian Horrocks Reviewed by Claire Saxby
A boy and his dog.
Children's Book Review: Pyro Watson and the Hidden Treasure, by Nette Hilton Reviewed by Claire Saxby
Adventures by the sea.
Book Review: Picnic at Hanging Rock, by Joan Lindsay Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Another Popular Penguin.
Book Review: Of a Boy, by Sonya HartnettReviewed by sally Murphy
A gently moving tale.
YA Book Review: The Immortal, by Michael Panckridge Reviewed by Sally Murphy
A gripping story.
Graphic Novel Review: Scarygirl, by Nathan Jurevicius Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Amazing.
Children's Book Review: Yikes! by Alison Lester Reviewed by sally Murphy
In Seven Wild Adventures Who Would You Be?
Children's Book Review: The Land of Mirthful, by Sally Morgan Reviewed by Sally Murphy
Book Two in the Stopwatch series.