TEACHERS
TEACHERS
UPPER PRIMARY - JUNIOR SECONDARY
Action/Adventure
The Jack Brown Series: Jack Brown and the Labyrinth of the Bats and Jack Brown and the Path of the Python by Greg Pyers (ABC Books, 2006).
Jack Brown and the Labyrinth of the Bats was included in the 'Curriculum Collection' of the Library Services of the Queensland Department of Education in Australia, with this review: 'Initial full-blown action effectively launches the reader into this easy-to-read adventure/mystery that sustains perilous exploits throughout. The first book in the 'Jack Brown' series, it is a cross between The famous five and Jumanjii, providing a plethora of appeal for the upper primary/lower secondary audience. The dynamic thirteen-year-old duo of 'animal clairvoyant' Jack Brown and his cousin Molly, a martial arts expert, will enthral the reader. Animal poaching, hidden gold coin smuggling and other criminal activities abound in an involved plot that unwinds quickly. Contrasting geographical settings of the African jungle and English countryside add interest and variety….'
Humour
The Just...! Series: Just Tricking!, Just Annoying! and Just Stupid! by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton (Macmillan, 1998 and 1999)
Fun, comic stories narrated by a young practical joker named Andy with cheeky, graffiti style illustrations by Terry Denton.The stories get more annoying and more stupid as you progress through the series. Hilarious. A sure way to get kids who have been resistant to reading to get right into it.- The Octavius O'Malley Series: Octavius O'Malley and the Mystery of the Exploding Cheese, Octavius O'Malley and the Mystery of the Missing Mouse and Octavius O'Malley and the Mystery of the Criminal Cats by Alan Sunderland, illustrated by Ben Redlich (Angus & Robertson, 2006, 2007, 2008.)
Someone has just blown up the biggest cheese factory in town, and Inspector Octavius O'Malley is on the case. But even as the steaming globs of melted cheese are still running down the walls, it becomes clear that there is something very strange about this case and something very strange about Inspector O'Malley as well. The case is strange because all of the clues point to a notorious gang of mice, and yet something is not quite right. And Inspector O'Malley is strange because he has fur, and a tail, and long whiskers...... These adventure storis are whodunits filled with humour and excitement. But they are also stories about prejudice and intolerance, and about how differences that seem enormous at first can turn out to be very small in the end.
Multicultural Issues / Tolerance / “Fitting in”
- Sarindi and the Lucky Bird by Janine M Fraser and illustrated by Kim Gamble (Angus & Robertson)
A heart warming story set in Indonesia about whether it is the lucky bird or good old fashioned hard work and enterprise that will enable a poor family to improve their lot. Short listed for the CBC Awards in 2002. 
Abdullah’s Butterfly by Janine M Fraser and illustrated by Kim Gamble (Angus & Robertson)
A tourist learns why it is important for Abdullah to catch butterflies. At first she is horrified that the beautiful creatures are being “hunted”. The language of the story is beautiful and the message is all about how understanding breeds tolerance.
The Octavius O'Malley Series: Octavius O'Malley and the Mystery of the Exploding Cheese, Octavius O'Malley and the Mystery of the Missing Mouse and Octavius O'Malley and the Mystery of the Criminal Cats by Alan Sunderland, illustrated by Ben Redlich (Angus & Robertson, 2006, 2007, 2008.)
Someone has just blown up the biggest cheese factory in town, and Inspector Octavius O'Malley is on the case. But even as the steaming globs of melted cheese are still running down the walls, it becomes clear that there is something very strange about this case and something very strange about Inspector O'Malley as well. The case is strange because all of the clues point to a notorious gang of mice, and yet something is not quite right. And Inspector O'Malley is strange because he has fur, and a tail, and long whiskers...... These adventure storis are whodunits filled with humour and excitement. But they are also stories about prejudice and intolerance, and about how differences that seem enormous at first can turn out to be very small in the end.- Refugee: The Diary of Ali Ismail, by Alan Sunderland, was published by Scholastic in 2006 as part of the “My Story’ series.
Mystery
- Leaving It to You by Wendy Orr (Angus & Robertson, 1992)
Linda’s teacher has organised for their class to visit elderly people. She’s not keen at first but increasingly develops a real interest in and forms a relationship with “cranky old Mrs Pugh’. When she goes into hospital, her antiques start to disappear. Linda wonders whether the thief also wants to get rid of Mrs Pugh. How will she find out? Short listed in the CBC Awards.
GOLVAN ARTS MANAGEMENT • PO Box 766, Kew, Victoria 3101 Australia • golvan@ozemail.com.au