Adele Broadbent's Blog, page 13

Scarlet Defender of the Universe

Scarlet thought her adventure began with the boy floating outside her window, but it was much earlier than that. Scarlet is a high achiever and her little brother is not. In fact he couldn’t care less about rules and schoolwork and behaving himself – all things Scarlet took seriously.

From Scarlet’s point of view, her little brother got away with murder in their home, allowed to do things she is not. She finds him incredibly annoying and scoffs at his insistence that he will soon become Defender of the Universe. He’s planning to reply to the ad for this position in the back of his Beano comic. But it’s Scarlet’s application (sent in jest) that gets a response.

Sensible Scarlet cannot believe what the boy (named Jasper) is telling her outside her two storey bedroom window. Defender of the Universe? Her? After having an argument with her mum about her little brother (again), Scarlet throws sensible out of the window as she steps onto a hoverboard, and is whisked off to an invisible spaceship.

Inside, she meets an incredibly clever egg-shaped robot, and a very very, VERY cute alien called Pom Pom. When news reaches them that a smelly alien race resembling giant blobs with frog eyes are travelling the universe sucking up planet cores to keep their hot chocolate warmer for longer, Scarlet and Jasper jump into action.

It’s not long before Scarlet realises, that although Jasper looks like a human boy, he is a little different. All the decisions fall upon her shoulders – especially when Planet Earth is next on the alien blob’s list!

 

Funny and full of action, tension and ‘Oh no!’ moments.

Sibling rivalry at home kicks off the strangest decision of Scarlet’s life – launching her into an adventure across the galaxy and back again. Time travel, lasers, speed of sound cosmos jumps and laughs propel this illustrated story along.

The narrator speaks directly to the reader from the very first lines, making sure they are in fact a human child and not a Panda. This story will not be suitable for Panda’s.

As this is Scarlet’s first journey in her new job, she must learn the capabilities of her new spaceship and the robot that controls it. She is shocked and pleasantly surprised over and over at the possibilities before her.

Scarlet Defender of the Universe would make a fun read aloud, as there is so much happening and you never know what will happen next!

 

Author – James Davis

Illustrator – Dotty Sutton

Age – 7+

 

 

 

(2025, Harper Collins, Action, Adventure, Bullies, Family, Friendship, Humour, Sci Fi, Funny, Aliens, Cute creature, Sibling rivalry, Annoying little brother, Courage, Robot, Quick thinking, Teamwork, Tension, Spaceships, Video games)

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Westfallen

Now that they are older, Henry misses hanging out with his friends Frances and Lukas. They are all so different now, but when he calls them to say their shared pet gerbil has died, they gather together over the hole Henry has dug in his back yard. But this hole has something already in it.

They pull out a box and find an old radio inside. Hiding it in an old garden shed, they wonder if it will work.

Three other children are wondering the same thing. Alice, Artie and Lawrence are looking at Alice’s brother’s old homemade radio after Alice rescued it before the rubbish truck arrived. When they hear a voice on the other end, they can’t believe it. Swapping names is easy, but they begin to realise that something isn’t quite right.

When they realise they are talking to three kids 79 years in the future, they struggle to get their head around it. In fact, they are standing in exactly the same shed, on the same street. Comparing places in their town, they learn that things change over the years.

With the help of Henry, Frances and Lukas from 2023, Alice, Artie and Lawrence try to save their favourite store in town. The flow on effects in 2023 are soon felt, and they quickly understand that messing with time can be incredibly dangerous.

Just a word in the wrong ear can change entire lifetimes, and even their country’s future. What have they done, and can it be undone?

 

Told in two viewpoints set 79 years apart, Westfallen had me hooked from cover to cover. Not only is it a ripping read, the contrasts between two sets of friends in 2023 and 1944 was brilliantly portrayed in dialogue and events. Throw in a completely different reality on top and the fates of not only the main characters but an entire country, spiral downwards in a tension filled narrative.

The engaging premise and plot had me reading Westfallen in nearly one sitting, only to find it was the first in a trilogy. I was split between feeling gutted that this episode cut off in a thrilling way and I’ll have to wait until the next book, and knowing there will be more in this series.

If you love stories about war, time-travel, friendship loyalty and courage, Westfallen is the series for you!

Loved it.

 

Authors – Ann Brashares & Ben Brashares

Age – 9+

 

 

 

(2024, Bloomsbury, Time Travel, Friendship, Gerbil, The Butterfly effect, 1944, 2023, World War 2, WWII, War, Family, Future, Past, Radio, Well, Racism, Thrilling, Tension, Nazis, Alternate future, Ramifications, Flow on effects, Historical, Multiple Viewpoints, Trilogy, Series, Rescue, Mystery)

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The Fists of the Father

Ted Taylor can only remember his father in their family home as a violent drunk. Now in his mid 20’s, Ted marvels at the fact that he has followed that cycle of violence and his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, into the world of international boxing.

His father, who he hasn’t called Dad in a very long time, was successful, but fell from grace in the Australian boxing world a few years before. His grandfather, who everyone calls Pop, is a successful trainer, looking after both Ted’s father and himself and taking them to fighting fame.

But Ted has been struggling with Pop’s decisions to keep him in the middleweight world, when he wants to strive for the heavyweight division. Meanwhile, his father has been working hard and is fighting his way back to glory.

At the possibility of a Taylor vs Taylor fight, the promoters are champing at the bit to get them in the ring together. They know the fans will eat it up.

As Ted’s personal life is imploding, his boxing career has the possibility of skyrocketing. There are debts to pay, but what about the price his body and brain are paying in every fight?

Guilt consumes him from his teens, which rises up when he isn’t totally focussed on his training. Caught between these emotions of anger, guilt, and committing to a new relationship, Ted must make the decision of his life.

 

Intergenerational trauma, memory and ultimately a showdown waiting in the wings drives this story.

Ted Taylor hates the memories of his violent father but excels in the boxing ring under his grandfather’s training. These constant connections to family (no matter how dysfunctional) fuel both anger, resentment and love throughout the novel.

Tension rises as Ted moves from middleweight to heavyweight divisions and greedy promoters do everything they can to get Ted and his father in the ring against each other.

There is much at stake, and Covid restrictions hinder and increase tension in equal measure. Boxing fan or not, I was ‘on the edge of my seat’ at the side of  the boxing ring in each fight portrayed in this novel – caught between wanting a win, and wanting Ted to step away from the sport that could ultimately kill him.

 

Author – Daniel Tamone

Age – 16+ – Adult

 

 

 

(2024, Action, Bullies, Conflict, Family, Love, Boxing, Boxing ring, Father Son relationships, Toxic masculinity, Domestic Violence, Fighting, Deals, Gambling Debts, Injury, Brain injuries, Punching, Anger, Emotions)

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I Don’t Want To Read This Book

The title of this book is read aloud by the narrator of this hardback picture book, before they go on to explain why they hate reading books so much.

As pages pass, the narrator points out all the annoying things in books they don’t like. Words, words, words. Which of course make up sentences, and who wants to read sentences?

Lots of sentences form paragraphs of course, and they are even worse than sentences and words, in the narrators opinion. They go on and on, and the narrator would much rather be doing something involving YouTube or cake or even better, both at the same time. Who has got time to read a book?

Words with silent letters are up for debate, along with long words that mean the opposite. How ridiculous!

Even the most famous part of books gets a hard time by this very cranky narrator (by now), even if THE END, is possibly the best part of the book. But in fact of course, this book has now been read.

 

Funny, clever and entertaining with many different fonts and colours – and of course, lots of words scattered across the pages.

This is one of a series of picture books aimed especially at non-book connoisseurs, but will make everyone who reads it smile. This will be perfect for years three and four (NZ), breaking through to reluctant readers with humour, and narrator authenticity.

 

Author – Max Greenfield

Illustrator – Mike Lowery

Age – 7+

Picture Book

 

 

(2021, Scholastic, Books, Reading, Reluctant readers, Sentences, Paragraphs, Different stories, Humour, Funny)

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Dave Pigeon (Zombies)

Skipper the pigeon knows his friend Dave is a terrible storyteller, but is immediately intrigued when Dave says…

“Do you want to hear a spooky story, Skipper?”

It’s only seconds in when Skipper realises he’s been sucked in again. Dave spends more time talking about his nemesis, the neighbour’s canary, than anything spooky. His feud with Tinkles the canary is legendary and it takes some convincing for Dave to shut up about him.

Dave’s story does go somewhere spooky though. He saw the the neighbour (Him-Next-Door) with a bowl, and it had something in it. Alas it isn’t the bones of his enemy, but something even better – sweets!

This definitely gets Skipper’s attention, and soon there is more to watch and wonder about. Something strange is happening in their home. There are many bags of sweets involved and orange and black decorations too. It’s too early in the year for The Big Dinner Day with the sparkly tree, so what is going on?

The more Skipper and Dave watch, the weirder things get. Until they are truly horrified at what is happening! The house is been over-run with zombies!

 

This is the first Dave Pigeon book I have read, and I’m definitely going to look for more.

Dave Pigeon (Zombies) made me laugh out loud as I read, as bird buddies Dave and Skipper chat, argue, and discuss what’s going on in the house near the shed where they live.

With lots of funny illustrations sharing the tale and the squabbles happening along the way, I’m sure young readers will love Dave and Skipper too. The comedy is perfection with set ups throughout and with a little toilet humour to finish with a flush.

Readers are also treated to an extract from another of this author’s series – Bad Panda at the rear of the book. 

 

Author – Swapna Haddow

Illustrator – Sheena Dempsey

Age – 6+

 

 

 

(2024, Allen & Unwin, Faber, Humour, Animals, Family, Friendship, Series, Horror, Pigeons, Zombies, Costumes, Halloween, Sweets, Lollies, Cat, Fear, Funny, Laugh out loud)

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Wizardry to Wētā Verse

From food to fauna, colour and cats, Wizardry to Wētā Verse is a collection of poems for 5-10 yr olds by award winning poet and NZ author, Elena De Roo.

There is also food, seasons, outside and inside poems. Many rhyme but some do not, but each is a celebration of wordplay, emotions and a playful look at the world around us.

The best way to experience these gems is to read them out loud, to yourself or those who are lucky to be close by, to fully appreciate them.

Do not rush them, but let them blend from your tongue into your imagination and out into the world, then turn the page and begin another.

This collection would make a great read aloud in a classroom, or a fun way to first experience poetry. Every reader or listener will find a poem that speaks to them and their own experiences.

Dive in and find one (or ten) that you love.

 

Author – Elena de Roo

Illustrator – Juliet de Roo

Age – 5-10 year olds

 

Find out more about Wizardry to Wētā Verse and its writer here

 

 

 

 

(2024, The Cuba Press, Aotearoa, NZ, New Zealand Poet, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Wētā, Colour, Animals, Seasons, Food, Word Play, Imagination, Nature, Goblins, Rhyme, Poetry)

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Batkiwi and the Big Wet

One evening, friends Bat and Kiwi are cruising through the NZ bush when they come across something very strange.

It is blue like a summer sky, round and shaped like a shell. What on earth can it be?

Wary, they don’t get too close and continue on their way, hoping it will go away on its own.

Back in their burrow, summer sails on outside. Their animal friends aren’t happy though because summer is supposed to mean sunshine, and they hadn’t had much of it lately. A little rain is fine, but they are all missing the summer sun.

Early one morning, Bat and Kiwi have just settled in for their sleep during the day when the sky darkens outside. When they investigate, looking up in wonder, they see black tumbling storm clouds swallowing the sky. It begins to rain. And rain, and rain, with no sign of stopping.

Water is flooding burrows, and swamping nests! Once again, Batkiwi become the superheroes of the forest, leaping into action with quick thinking and teamwork.

 

Batkiwi are back, saving their fellow forest friends again – this time from too much rain!

Batkiwi and the Big Wet adds to much needed stories for young children about flooding, especially after recent NZ events. It also adds to the much loved and requested superhero genre, and is kiwi through and through.

New Zealand flora and fauna are seen on the pages of this third book in this popular picture book series, giving young readers another place to experience and learn them all.

I’m a big fan of this NZ superhero duo. Yay for Batkiwi!

 

Author – Melinda Syzmanik

Illustrator – Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Publisher – Scholastic NZ

Picture Book

 

 

 

(2025, Scholastic NZ, NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, Action, Adventure, Animals, Courage, Series, Bat, Kiwi, Native Birds, Storm, Flood, Danger, Rain, Kunekune, Pig, Rescue, Teamwork)

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The Dare

It’s the last weeks of Marley’s senior year at her small town high school, which means senior dares are soon to be passed around. This was once a fun but adrenaline filled rite of passage, but in the past few years, some of the dares have become dangerous and frightening. Not only completing the dare a scary prospect, NOT completing the dare is just as scary.

The brothers of the most powerful and wealthy family have dished out the dares each year, and someone who refused was made a terrible example of, ruining lives.

Marley isn’t happy at the fact that her ex best friend Rhett Wilder is the one dealing dares this year. They used to be together constantly until one day Rhett just stopped talking to her for no reason. Now a few years down the track, she has never forgiven him. He proves he is worth hating as he saves the worst dares for her and her friends – Atlas, Lucia, and Jesse.

They too know what’s at stake and can’t let anything tarnish their future plans of football and college. They accept worse and worse dares – just to get it over with. But one dare goes terribly wrong and Marley knows they will all be changed forever.

She struggles with their secret, and her friends can see it. They turn on her, becoming even more paranoid about her spilling the truth, than she is. Still, she is being eaten up by guilt – until she learns the truth about her so called friends.

One crime after another stirs up their town and tension builds to a powerful and crazed crescendo. Marley has to save herself from everyone who is out to lay all the blame at her door.

 

Natasha Preston has done it again with a plot driven YA novel that delivers twists, betrayal, spilled secrets and revenge.

Main character Marley discovers that the friends that have been by her side all through high school are not the people she thought they were, and she is out to prove them wrong about her too. This rachets up the tension and paranoia builds in everyone, as the body count rises.

Told in Marley’s point of view, we get to know her more than her friends. Emotions run high throughout, but failing friendships, gut punch betrayals and keeping terrible secrets mess with Marley’s head, until they steel her resolve.

An entertaining read.

 

Author – Natasha Preston

Age – 13+

 

Find more thrilling reads by Natasha Preston here

 

 

 

(2024, Betrayal, Crime, Friendship, Murder, Mystery, Revenge, School, Secret, Dares, Accident, Relationships, Drugs, Money, Power, Land, Police, Small town, Consequences, Guilt, Body, Paranoia)

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Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo

Metty (Meticulous) Jones is nervous about getting her tattoo. She is now ten, and this is the age when all children receive a tattoo to guide their fate. Her father’s tattoo is of a ship with sails unfurled – guiding him to become a captain of great ships. Even if he is terribly seasick for most of the time.

Her mother has a rose and spends her life travelling the world, meeting people and having lots of fun without them. Still, she does arrive in time to stand with Metty’s father as their much loved daughter receives her fate.

When done, Metty is devastated to show them her skull laying in the palm of a glove. Doesn’t this mean she will murder people with magic? Murder is frightening enough, and magic is strictly controlled in her city of London. The prophetess who gave her this tattoo is supposed to be a friend of her mothers. How could she be given such a terrible fate?

Metty is told to keep her tattoo hidden and not to tell a soul about it, and spends the next year with her father, constantly worrying what she is capable of, and frightening the house staff with the possibilities.

Feeling very alone when her father tells of a trip he must make, she is increasingly worried when he doesn’t return. When his sister arrives to take her to live with her, Metty is relieved, worried and wary in equal measure of what her future might bring.

 

Inkbound is a whole new fantastical world to discover! This is a world where a special kind of ink fuels all kinds of magic. It allows travel by lighting, anti-gravity for entire cities, and machines that supply your every desire.

Readers get to explore and discover the world of a magical floating city named New London along with main character Metty, and meet an intriguing cast of characters. There is a small pet gargoyle, a child of the streets, a mysterious boy under the guardianship of her Aunt and a secret society wreaking havoc on her world.

Metty is easy to cheer for as she is determined, funny and brave, especially when it comes to finding her missing father.

If you could choose your fate, what tattoo would you like to have on your tenth birthday? There is an index of Common Fates in the back of the book for you to choose from.

This is the first book in the series, and now that Metty has revealed the truth, where will this take her next?

 

Author – Philippa Leathley

Age – 8+

 

 

 

(2025, Harper Collins NZ, Action, Adventure, Betrayal, Conflict, Family, Fantasy, Friendship, Magic, Secret, Series, Secret Society, Ink power, Floating Cities, Series)

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All Better Now

Covid 19 was terrible for the world, but a new virus is spreading. Called the Crown Royale, this virus kills 1 in 25 people.

Mariel Mudroch has other things on her mind. Homeless and trying to look out for herself and her mother, they are keen to get their impounded car back. A deal with the friend of a friend to break out the Grinch (their name for the car) doesn’t go to plan and soon they don’t even have that to sleep in.

Tiburon Tigre Escobendo (Ron for short) isn’t worried about where to sleep. He has homes around the world to choose from as his father is the 3rd richest person in the world. He has other problems, like avoiding the feelings that have caused him to try and take his own life.

Morgan doesn’t worry about anything or anyone but herself. A job interview, although the weirdest she has ever been on (in her late teens), drastically changes her life.

Mariel is suddenly on her own, Ron walks away from his father’s wealth, and Morgan makes the most of a sudden inheritance.

As the virus enters their lives, they must make choices about their futures. If they catch it and survive, they know the consequences. Recoverees are content, happy and willing to do anything to help others.

Billionaires have been said to have given away everything, people are working together, and hate, greed and the desire for ‘things’ has gone.

But where does that leave all those still trying to make money by selling those things? If no one works any more, how will society as we know it survive?

 

The huge contrasts between the three main characters in their late teens made this a compelling read. Then the rich and poor, kind and devious, young and old contrasts added more.

Stir in the moral dilemma of wanting to catch the Crown Royale virus to be free of all capitalist trappings   or   wanting to keep your life as it is, and All Better Now is a very intriguing read.

Neal Shusterman has woven a tale of three main characters in third person, interspersed with others around the world, linking them all together seamlessly as a virus runs rampant.

The race to find a vaccine sparks less than humane practises as billions are on the line, probably even more. But as influentual people contract the virus and then just don’t care about money any more, the balance tips back and forth for the future of humanity.

The ending made it obvious there is more to come. Thank goodness!

 

Author – Neal Shusterman

Age – 13-18

 

 

 

(2025, Walker Books, Dystopian, Science, Pandemic, Vaccine, Illness, Sickness, Deaths, Fever, Contentment, Giving away fortunes, World’s richest man, Communes, Kindness, Alpha spreader, Immune, Road Trip, Immunise, Lab, Trials, Choice, Capitalism)

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