New ‘Books+Publishing Junior’ reviews out now
Books+Publishing’s first Junior newsletter contains 12 reviews of books publishing in February and March 2018.
Two books scored the maximum five-star rating: a new picture-book collaboration between Jane Godwin, Alison Lester and the children of the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, The Silver Sea (Affirm Press, March), and Ellie Marney’s YA novel, White Night (A&U).
Bookseller Anica Boulanger-Mashberg describes The Silver Sea as a ‘visually sumptuous’ and ‘impressively cohesive collaboration’ that ‘stands alone without leaning on its social value’. ‘The Silver Sea will serve equally well as an oft-read bedtime story or classroom text. It’s a rare example of community collaboration with master artists genuinely succeeding.’
In her five-star review, Bec Kavanagh praises White Night for its vivid evocation of the rural community setting and its honest depiction of the intelligence and emotions of young people. ‘Marney brings her trademark knack for suspense to a story that challenges ideas about gender, family, love and the environment,’ writes Kavanagh. ‘White Night is frank, sexy and clever.’
Also reviewed are:
Picture books:
A Boat of Stars: New Poems to Inspire and Enchant (ed by Margaret Connolly & Natalie Jane Prior, ABC Books, March); Hickory Dickory Dash (Tony Wilson and Laura Wood, Scholastic, February); I Wanted a Giant Chocolate Egg but All I Got Was This Stupid Book (Merv Lamington, illus by Makoto Koji, Affirm Press; March); and Some Girls (Nelly Thomas, illus by Sarah Dunk, Piccolo Nero, March).
Younger readers:
Breaking News: Kensy and Max Book One (Jacqueline Harvey, Random House, March); The Endsister (Penni Russon, A&U, February); From Nerd to Ninja: Ninja Kid Book One (Ahn Do, Scholastic, March); Lucy’s Dawn (Juliet Blair, NLA, March); Stephanie Chiocci and the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Chase: Footy Stars Book One (Matt Porter, Ford Street Publishing, February); and Turtle Trackers (Samantha Wheeler, UQP, March).
This month’s newsletter also contains an interview with Alison Lester and Jane Godwin about their collaboration on The Silver Sea, and an interview with Nelly Thomas about Some Girls and the successful crowdfunding campaign behind the book.
To read the full newsletter, click here. Sign up to the Junior newsletter here.
Category: Recently published by B+P
