Publisher; Scholastic Press.

Publication’ Feb 2012.

ISBN  9781741698480

Age Group 7+

Fiction

RRP. $5 special Offer.

Reviewed by Vicki Griffin

Mozz and Leo are off on another adventure soaring through the skies on a jet to Elephant Island where the animals are in danger because a giant wave is coming and they need to save the wild life. But can Mozz convince Leo to help her, Leo can talk to the animals and she really needs his help before time runs out. I love the way Jackie French has yet again started this book with Leo and his guinea pig and a robot gorilla holding up pieces of paper with messages on them from Mozz! Leo really isn’t interested in friends and didn’t know why Mozz wanted to see him!

The gorilla held up another sign telling him to hurry but he refused until the gorilla told him who he was. He was not a robot! Not with those brown eyes! Leo continued talking to the gorilla who told him the elephants needed help and that’s why he had to go to Mozz.

In this book Leo actually gets to meet Gran and go to the underground chamber where all sorts of cool equipment is held. It is also a laboratory and a place where animals stayed who couldn’t go back to live in the wild.

An earthquake off Sumatra had created a wave that was heading for the elephants and anything else in its path, Gran explained to Leo that the elephants had ignored the tsunami signal and were all still on the beach. There life’s were in danger! Elephant Rescue is full of interesting facts about elephants along with a wild adventure many children will love. Time is ticking away as the wave approaches. Can Leo actually talk elephant? Will they listen? Will they be too late?

The terrifying water crashes around Leo as the first wave hits the shore. Will he survive and get to safety before the second wave? All these questions will be answered and more in this heart stopping adventure to save the elephants.

I found this particular Animal Rescue inspiring it really is a heart stopper and I am sure children will be delighted as their pulse races when Leo is trying to out run the wave. I love the fact that these books whilst fun have an element of education blended throughout. This would be my favourite so far an exceptional book!

Publisher; Scholastic books

ISBN 9781741699531

Released; Feb 2012

RRP $16.99

Genre; junior fiction +

Reviewed by Cassandra Griffin

It is 1932 and the Sydney harbor Bridge is being built in all its glory. We are presented with a unique view of this and of the Depression through the eyes of children.

Alice and Billy are both keeping diaries of the construction of the bridge. Through their portrayals of this great historical event readers will also gain an insight into living in Sydney during the depression. Both characters touch on poverty, politics seeing friends lose their homes and move to tent city and the general hardworking Australians. While it is clear Alice and Billy are on opposite sides of the bridge and the Depression, these two children have a lot in common.

‘MAS Sydney Harbour Bridge’ is a unique historical fiction tale. Readers are transported back to a time where instead of Christmas presents, one played street cricket with a fence paling.

Vashti Farrer has captured a major historical event in Australia and built two endearing realistic characters that readers will be able to relate to.

‘Sydney Harbor Bridge’ is targeted for ages 9 and up but this story will be enjoyed by any age. Released in the month of the 80^th Anniversary of the opening of the harbor bridge makes this story all the more special.