Swashbuckler by James Moloney

This is the cover of the edition that seems to still be in print

This is the original cover with art by Annmarie Scott

"If you really want to know, I'm wild, I'm mad, I'm absolutely furious with him. 

Why does he have to die? And my biggest fear of all is that I'll go up to that hospital and stand next to him and I won't be able to stop myself. I'll start shaking him and yelling at him. You see, now, why I can't go up to the hospital, don't you?"

Publisher blurb: ‘Cease and desist! Stand fast and release your prisoner!’

Peter, a new boy at Park Ridge school, is thankful to be rescued from the school bullies by Anton the Swashbuckler. Even if Anton does speak in such a weird way and wears outlandish garments. After this Peter and Anton become firm friends and discover that they each have family problems. Together they turn those problems into challenges to be tackled in true Swashbuckler style.

Here is a summary from the excellent Teachers Notes: Peter, along with his mother and two younger sisters, are forced to move house after his father gambles away everything that they own. Bitter and angry, Peter finds it impossible to forgive and accept his father back into his life. In fact, in Peter’s mind, he has no father. To make matters worse, Peter is cornered on his first day at Park Ridge school by the school’s most notorious bullies. He is rescued by classmate Anton, a self-proclaimed ‘swashbuckler’, who speaks in character and dresses in costume. Most kids at school think Anton has gone completely mad. However, this colourful facade hides the painful fact that Anton’s father is dying from cancer.

Swashbuckler was published in 1995. When I saw it in a school library recently I thought it would be very interesting to revisit this book as I remembered really enjoying it and also I think I have referenced it here on this blog several times as a companion book.

Has this book stood the 'test of time'?

Yes and no. The actual plot certainly has but possibly some of the reference feel outdated - such as watching videos; going to the video shop; using a camcorder; and there is one reference to smacking a child. None of these tiny things though, will reduce enjoyment for a reader.

What I liked about this book:

• It is fairly short with only 83 pages however the print size is too small. If this book is ever reprinted, I would like to see a larger font.
• The characters in this story are so well developed especially Peter.
• The 'authentic' weird way Anton speaks means this book would be good to read aloud. I will look for an audio book version. Here it is.
• There is a sequel so if young readers aged 9+ enjoy Swashbuckler they are sure to want to read about the two bullies Buzzard Breath and Brains and hear their perspective on the school rose bush vandalism.
• I like the cover of the newer edition.
• Both boys have different life struggles, but both need to find a way to forgive, in this case, their fathers.
• The issues raised in this book about terminal illness and an addiction to gambling are just as relevant today.
• The ending is very sad (I cried), but it is also realistic. Yes, there is a good outcome for Peter with his dad, but it is not a saccharine or silly happily ever after. 

Swashbuckler was part of a series from University of Queensland Press called Storybridge. All these years later I think short, action stories like this are needed especially for upper primary aged boys. I found this list of titles. I remember enjoying Sally Marshall's Not an Alien by Amanda McKay; Nathan Nuttboard Hits the Beach by Anthony Eaton; and I adored (still adore) The Big Bazoohley by Peter Carey. James Moloney also wrote one of my BEST ever Grade six read aloud titles - The Pipe - from the After Dark series. In 2014 I read Disappearing Act and I loved his Aussie Bites title Moving House. 

Swashbuckler won the CBCA Younger Readers category in 1996. I was interested to see James Moloney's book made several of the older readers short lists 2009 Kill the Possum; 2006 Honour title Lost Property; 2004 Black Taxi; 2001Touch Me; 1997 winner A Bridge to Wiseman’s Cove; 1996 The House on River Terrace; 1995 Honour title Gracey; 1994 Honour title Dougy and in 1999 the sequel to Swashbuckler - Buzzard Breath and Brains was a Honour title. You can see many of the covers here and read more about James Moloney.

Read more here

The Young Vikings

August and Jones by Pip Harry

Jones Kirby and her mum and dad have had to sell their family farm and move to the city because after years of dreadful drought they can no longer afford to live in the town of Cotton. Their new flat is small and right beside a railway line. For readers who live in Sydney you might know the suburb of Wollstonecraft. In the alternate chapters we read about August. He lives with his footy mad dad, older brother Archer who has the potential to be a football (Australian Rules Football) star, mum and his sister Lexi. I just need to make a comment about Lexi - I love her!  She is a beautiful older sister. There is a scene near the beginning of this book where August tells Lexi he has been chosen to show Jones around the school. Here is part of his conversation with Lexi that made me cheer!

"Want me to tell you the school tour I'm going to do for Jones, in order of importance?"

Her reply: "Absolutely."

So Jones has to go to a new city school leaving her two best friends back in her old class. When Jones was a baby she lost her eye to retinoblastoma. She now only has vision in one eye but she knows how to navigate her way around, she is keen on climbing and running and she is very used to answering curious questions about her prosthetic eye. 

August has his own issues at home. His dad is crazy for football but August is not a skilled player and he really does not want to practice or play this game every weekend. He prefers reading, telling jokes and learning new facts. He is also learning, thanks to Lexi, how to knit. His mum and dad keep fighting and it is clear that very soon they will separate. 

August and Jones become the very best of friends and Jones suggests they should write a bucket list. At the top of their list they put - see a sloth - but it turns out there are no sloths in Australian zoos so they have to settle for a Francois Langur monkey at our Taronga Zoo here in Sydney and best of all this monkey has a new baby named Meimei. Also on their list is running a 10km race across Sydney and climbing Mount Kosciuszko.

It is SO lucky that the class teacher asked August to show Jones around the school on her first day!

Here is the publisher blurb: Eleven-year-old Jones Kirby has just moved to Sydney from her farm in country New South Wales. She's missing her alpacas and wide-open paddocks and can't get used to her family's tiny city apartment. She's also worried that her vision is blurry - she lost her eye to cancer as a toddler. Could it be another tumour? Enrolling at her new school, Jones meets shy, awkward August Genting. He loves fun facts, the library and knitting as much as Jones loves rock climbing and being outdoors. Who would have thought they'd become fast friends? At home, August's parents are fighting. And for Jones, the news from the doctor is not good. To cheer themselves up, the pair hatch a brilliant plan: the August and Jones Must-See Bucket List. Together, this brave duo will set out to meet a rare monkey, run across the Harbour Bridge and even climb Australia's highest mountain.

Here are some review comments for August and Jones:

Kindness and love are celebrated in this story of an unusual and moving friendship. Reading Time

This was a wonderfully heart-warming story about friendship, and what it means to find that one person who will stick by you and do all they can to support you and be there for you. That you can share everything with and be yourself with. The Book Muse

In this interview with Paperbark words Pip Harry talks about writing her book during the pandemic. 

Here are the judges comments for August and Jones:

August and Jones explores complex and challenging concepts such as parental expectations, drought, unemployment, changing homes and schools, anxiety, depression and childhood cancer. The characterisation is strong, with adults and children presented in an authentic and believable way. Contrasts in family life are highlighted with Jones's supportive family juxtaposed with August's angry father, depressed mother and sibling ties. The book is written expertly and sensitively, balanced with humour, showing how friendship, love, personal strength and belief in oneself and others can help overcome difficulties, change and loss. Jones’ cancer is never used for sympathy, and she remains positive despite the hardships she faces.

As I read this book I had so many personal connections with the story. At my former school we had a student with retinoblastoma. He had lost both his eyes but nothing could stop this wonderful boy. I feel so privileged to have met him. I recognised all of the places in the story, even the cafes because I have been to many of them here in Sydney. I'm terrified of heights so I really sympathised with August when he is too frightened to ride the chair lift at the ski field. Pip Harry read a story in our Sydney Morning Herald (October 19, 2019) about two kids just like August and Jones. You need a subscription to read the article but I found this report from the ABC about Mathilde and Jarrah.

I have been reading my way through the 2023 CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) Younger Readers shortlisted titles. When the list was announced I had already read three of the six and today I completed my final title - August and Jones by Pip Harry.

Runt by Craig Silvey

Evie and Rhino by Neridah McMullin

The Raven's Song by Zana Fraillon and Bren MacDibble

Xavier in the Meantime by Kate Gordon

The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon

The early scenes in August and Jones when Jones and her family pack up their farm reminded me of this wonderful (but sadly now out of print) verse novel:

Jones has cancer. You might like to also read these books:

Exit through the Gift Shop

The Honest Truth

Sick Bay

Lenny's Book of Everything

Here are two other books by Pip Harry:

Are you there, Buddah?

The Little Wave

A Trip to the Hospital by Freda Chiu

Rani has a broken arm - she needs to go to hospital and later she will need some surgery. Momo doesn't feel well because her asthma is making it hard to breathe - she travels to the hospital by ambulance. Henry has been visiting the hospital for many years. Today he has an appointment with a physiotherapist because he needs strong muscles to help with his prosthetic leg. All three children are in safe hands. The staff work hard, they smile (we can see through their masks) and inside the hospital walls are bright colours. Hopefully it is not too scary.

Publisher blurb: Going to hospital might seem scary or worrying - you might be hurt, you might feel sick or maybe you just have to visit a friend. But don't be worried! Hospitals are amazing places filled with clever people all doing incredible things, including making you feel better. Follow Momo, Rani and Henry on three very different adventures inside a busy children's hospital. A picture book that shows children all the interesting things that happen inside a hospital, helping them feel safe and secure, and ready for their first visit.

I volunteer at a children's hospital in their library. This book is simply perfect and should be a gift to all children who have to visit hospital and it should be added to all Primary and public library collections. Oh and in the interest of full disclosure I do need to mention one of the children in this book is named Momo!

There are many things to love about Chiu’s bright and dynamic debut picture book. The clear, simple language; the inclusiveness of the illustrations (workers, visitors, patients and families); the breadth of information, covering emergency visits, scheduled operations, recovery and rehabilitation; and the person-centred focus and capabilities of hospital staff. Reading Time

Freda Chiu spent time at Liverpool hospital in the paediatric unit and her experiences really shine through in this book. You might like to linger over the end papers (front and back are different) have been designed to match messages in get well soon and thank you cards. 

A Trip to the Hospital was entered (and short listed) for our Australian Children's Book of the Year Award for a New Illustrator. I was not able to talk about this book on my blog until after Book Week which happened last month. Take a look at my post about another book from this category For Love.

The judges said: The cover of this debut picture book which depicts the main characters beaming out will do much to allay readers’ fears of going to hospital. Chiu has cleverly captured the busyness and complexity of a hospital by using a mix of page layouts. Her bold style is perfectly matched to her use of mixed media such as pencils, gouache, crayons, pastels and collage. This original style allows the reader to explore the content and the artistic media on each page in detail or to read each image as a whole. Chiu quietly introduces inclusive adult and child characters in a natural way. She does not shy away from the reality of illness and injury, but her ability to convey the individual personalities of staff members will reassure readers.

Teachers Notes are available on the publisher web site - Allen and Unwin. You can see inside this book here on Freda Chiu's page. 

The exuberant child-like illustrations, use of bright colours, inclusive adult and child characters, and the variety of page designs are all excellent features of this book. The graph paper background on the cover and on the page where we meet all the medical specialists, is also very effective. The cover is terrific – this could be a frightening topic but these three smiling children will assure young readers (and their parents) that they are in safe hands with this exploration of hospitals and medical procedures. 

Exit through the gift shop by Maryam Master illustrated by Astred Hicks

"Have you ever been to the zoo? Or a museum? Or any kind of amusement park? If the answer is yes, then you'll know what I'm talking about. The only way out is through the gift shop. Whether you like it or not! ... life kind of works in the same way. When you're on your way out, you are forced to look at gifts you would ordinarily bypass."

My name is Anahita Rosalind Ghorban-Galaszczuk but you can call me Ana. My best friend is Alexander Aaron Afu but everyone calls him Al. By the way by the end of this book you will want to hug Al - he is the bestest best friend ever. 

According to the doctor, Ana has about a year left. She has cancer (non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma). Yes that is a problem but really there's nothing she can do about that and really it is her other problem that is far more pressing - Alyssa Anderson - bully extraordinaire. 

In raw, honest, direct, authentic and often funny revelations, Ana shares with readers her final year of life. Yes I did say funny because Ana adds all of these crazy word definitions into her story. This is truly her story - we are reading it as she writes it. Here are a couple of her definitions to show you what I mean:

Nemesis (nem-uh-sis) Noun

A long-standing rival; an arch enemy, a foe, someone who makes your life so hellish that you'd rather listen to the Frozen soundtrack on loop for the rest of your life than have to deal with her ever again.

Poking the bear Colloquial expression

Doing something that may provoke a negative response from someone. Obviously poling a bear is not a smart move. That beast ain't gonna like it. At best she'll growl in your fact to express her anger and at worst, she'll hunt you down and eat you. She'll start by biting off your head and swallowing it whole, then she'll chow down on your limbs one by one and finish up by using your hair to floss her teeth. My top tip for the day: do not, I repeat, do NOT poke bears. Especially ones with flowing blonde hair and perfect teeth.

I recommend you grab a cup of Persian tea (see page 114) and settle down to read this book. You will most probably want to read the whole thing in one sitting. Please don't worry about being sad. I am someone who cries over nothing and I didn't cry so I am sure you will be fine. I actually predicted the truth about Alyssa but I won't spoil things here by saying more. 

This is a beautifully written book, exploring one young girl’s journey of facing her own death. She does confront her own mortality through the story so whilst it is deep content it is written with so much humour, joy and love, that you will remember this book long after you put it down. It is a truly joyous affirmation to make the most of everyday and to be the best person you can. Lamont Standing Order

Maryam Master has done a wonderful job of capturing not just the hard graft and fear about a terminal cancer diagnosis, but also the love and joy and crazy wonder about living and not giving up, even when facing death. NZ Book Lovers

Ana's voice bursts from the page and the reader has no choice but to be pulled into her world.  Kids' Book Review (note I disagree with ages 8-12)

Ana is very down to earth and philosophical. She has accepted her fate and is ready to make the most of the time that she has. She has quite a sense of humour and her story is written in a dramatic (comedic) way with lots of big bold words and sketches on the pages. Book Girl

My favourite bookseller from Beachside Bookshop gifted me Exit through the gift shop recently when I expressed an interest in reading this book which has a very quirky title. Now that I have finished it I sought out some reviews and once again I am in shock.  No let me say that again I am in SHOCK.  This is a book, my opinion for a mature reader aged 11+ and if asked for a category I would say this is a YA novel. And yet, once again I read that it is recommended (by one well respected reviewer) as suitable for 8-12. I shudder and shake my head. Then I read another reviewer who said 12+  and one of the standing order services here in Australian has put this book into their secondary selection. So much confusion which is concerning when there is no way any book seller can read every book!

Maryam Master was born in Iran and she moved to Australia when she was nine. She is a screenwriter and has worked to adapt three David Walliams stories for the stage. Exit through the gift shop is her first novel. Here are a set of teachers notes. This book has cartoon illustrations and lots of graphic text features by Astred Hicks who works as a book designer. 

Here are some companion reads to go with Exit through the gift shop:

The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle

The Honest Truth

Ms Bixby's Last Day

A Good Night for Shooting Zombies by Jaco Jacobs

Do you judge a book by its title?  I did for this one. Zombies did not sound like a book I wanted to read. I saw this book listed inside the back cover of A Good Day for Climbing Trees.

Then I made three discoveries. First of all I loved A Good Day for Climbing Trees by Jaco Jacobs and so I book talked it during a book week event at a small rural school. While I was talking about A Good Day for Climbing Trees one of the Year 6 students exclaimed with great excitement that she had read another book by Jaco Jacobs - A Good Night for Shooting Zombies. I was curious how this book had reached this reader in Australia (it is from South Africa) and also how a book with such an odd title could elicit such joy.

Secondly Jaco Jacobs has been nominated by IBBY in South Africa for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen medal. As a member of IBBY Australia I am very interested in this award.  Finally I was browsing a discount book store in the city last week and I spied A Good Night for Shooting Zombies at a bargain price so I picked it up.

Last night I started to read this book and by morning it was finished.  Yes it is THAT good.

I love that the title has two meanings. The group of kids, especially Vusi, are making or shooting a movie about zombies. The final scenes in the movie involve shooting the zombies - don't worry they use toy guns and this scene is actually a wonderful celebration of community.

Martin (nickname Clucky) has lots of chickens. His dad showed him how to care for them but sadly his dad has died in a tragic accident. Martin is saving the money he gets from selling the eggs. He has an important reason for doing this. 

Vusi lives next door to Martin. Vusi does not go to school because he has Hodgkin's disease. Vusi loves watching zombie movies and so he has decided to make one of his own.

Clucky meets Vusi when Vusi's dog attacks the chickens and Kathleen (a leghorn chicken) is killed. This meeting is the beginning of an important friendship. Clucky is lonely at school because he is a clever boy who does not fit in. He does not understand why this movie is important to Vusi but he is happy to be involved. Later Chris (Christine) joins them and the action really heats up. Vusi wants to find a shed where they can film some scenes from the movie. Chris has a shed but it does contain a lot of things that belong to her brother who is in jail. When local criminals discover our team of movie makers things become very dangerous.

Spoiler alert - this is a book that ends in tragedy and yet at no time does it feel sad. Using the time they had available these young friends have made special memories for themselves and for the people they love.

One aspect of this book I really enjoyed was Clucky's obsession with numbers. He calculates precisely when things happen, how long they take and he is always calculating the numbers he encounters to check if they are happy numbers. (see page 23).

"While racing home I thought of Aunt Hantie. She said that her husband died ten years ago. That amounts to 3,652 days, if you add two days for leap years. And that amounts to 86,648 hours. How do you survive that many hours when you're as lonely as she is?"

This book has been made into a movie.  You can read about it here and see the trailer. The movie is called Nul is Nie Niks Nie. 

This book was written in 2013 and translated in 2018. Here is the Afrikaans cover:

Never too sentimental or depressing, A Good Night for Shooting Zombies strikes a perfect balance of humor and heartbreak and helps to define what friendship really means. Foreword Reviews

Death is present in both reference to Clucky’s father’s accident and Vusi’s illness, but Jacobs delicately weaves it throughout the tale in a way that both celebrates life and places importance on human connection as it affects the lives of those who remain.  An emotive and enjoyable read. Kirkus

Just like the children in The Little Wave - Martin, Vusi and Chris have complex life experiences and families. I highly recommend A Good Night for Shooting Zombies. I also recommend you look for Kaline Klatteraster's tree house by Haven Kimmel; Swashbuckler by James Moloney; The Goldfish boy by Lisa Thompson and View from the 32nd Floor by Emma Cameron which is long out of print but well worth finding even though the cover is perhaps not very appealing.