Justin D'Ath

I remember Victoria's Black Saturday vividly with the horrific destruction the fires caused. "47 Degrees" brought those memories back. The reader follows 12-year-old Keelie on that fateful day as the firestorm hits Flowerdale. While D'Ath stresses that "47 Degrees" is a work of fiction, it is still based on his own experiences and includes photos of his fire ravaged home and his two whippets, and Holly, who play a major role in this book.

"47 Degrees" is a frightening read, and I was especially concerned with the father's decision to stay because he thought his fire plan would keep the family safe. Thankfully, Keelie and her father left just in time and escaped to Yea. Throughout the story, it was impossible not to admire Keelie's courage, level-headedness and determination, despite her growing dread.

Although this book is confronting and clearly shows the devastation, terror and loss so many Victorians faced that day, it also demonstrates the beauty of community spirit and the kindness of strangers.

"47 Degrees" is a sold read for older primary students.… (mais)

Read this in 2 hours for VPRC. Zeelie and her father are on their Flowerdale property on a day when the temp hits 47 . they are listening to the radio for alerts and Dad is preparing house in case of fire. Z is in charge of animals. Unfortunately their mother and brother have left property as brother broke his arm . Mum took the car with the towbar meaning they can't move horse. Only have their Dad's van if need to evacuate, themselves, precious belongings, three dogs and the horse. Then the power goes out and they can smell smoke...what will they do?… (mais)

Hate the cover of this book as I think it will put kids off reading it AND what it depicts NEVER happens in the book!
Set in the fictitious African country of Zantuga, this is the story of Sunday Balewo, the only son of the president, who finds himself on the run when his parents are blown up by a “suicide baboon” a hybrid animal that has been taught to press a red button on its backpack when it recognises a face in the hope of a reward.
One nearly blows up Sunday in the quadrangle of his school but he escapes in a car that it also jumps on, when the car crashes Sunday thinks he is safe until the baboon chases him to the roof of a nearby building. Here the baboons luck runs out as it has strayed into another baboon troop’s territory and they attack it.
The ensuing battle causes the wires in the bomb pack to break and Sunday discovers something strange about the baboon- it can talk!
Its name is Three and it tells Sunday that it “is not monkey, is ‘brid”(hybrid). It displays a great deal of intelligence but demonstrates that it had no idea that it was a suicide bomber.
As Three and Sunday try to escape the soldiers who have now taken over Zatunga, Sunday learns more and more about the type of man his father was and the injustices in his country. Oh and there is also the American girlfriend who helps him hide out in a warehouse too.
Kept thinking Sunday was younger than 16...in my head he ranged from 11 to 14. The end was sad but predictable although the epilogue kind of eased the sadness a bit.
Bit at start is a great read aloud.… (mais)

Cooper's grandfather has just died and his funeral is on the same day that Outdoor Ed camp starts so Cooper is late. He is driven to the camp by an ex-Wallaby who knew Coopers' Pop (who also played for the Wallabies) but that doesn't save him from being put in a cabin with kids he doesn't know and partnered with a girl in the kayak trials. When the instructor is handing out helmets, Cooper and Lily are given yellow helmets and all of Cooper's mates get red ones. Cooper is so frustrated, he makes him and Lily swap helmets with two other students and sneak onto the red helmet bus. But there is a reason that he and Lily were given yellow helmets and they find out on the rapids.… (mais)