Black Dove, White Raven written by Elizabeth Wein

SINIDU TOLD ME I SHOULD AIM FOR THE SUN.

I still have a plane. There must be some way I can get Teo out safely. I think Momma’s hoard of Maria Theresa dollars is enough to pay for the travel. I am hoping my new passport is waiting for me in Addis Ababa. But Teo…Teo is trapped.

Published by Hyperion US / Egmont UK in March 2015

368 pages in printed edition

Read as NetGalley proof - sorry, I can’t comment on the artwork.

Summary from author’s own website

Em and Teo are the children of stunt pilots Rhoda and Delia, who perform daring aerobatics to appreciative audiences. But while the sight of two girls wingwalking - one white, one black - is a welcome novelty in some parts of the USA in the 1920s, it’s an anathema in others. Rhoda and Delia dream of living in a world where neither gender nor ethnicity determines their life. When Delia is killed in a tragic accident, Rhoda is determined to make that dream come true. She moves to Ethiopia with her daughter, Em, and Delia’s son, Teo.

Em and Teo adapt to scratching a living in a strange land, and feel at home here; but their parents’ legacy of flight and the ability to pilot a plane places them in an elite circle of people watched carefully by the Ethiopian emperor, Haile Selassie, who dreams of creating an air force for his fledgling nation. As Italy prepares for its invasion of Ethiopia in 1935, Em and Teo find themselves inextricably entangled in the crisis — and they are called on to help.

*****

Reviewed by K. M. Lockwood

This is exactly what those who loved ‘Code Name Verity’ and have younger relatives have been yearning for. All the passion for aviation, all the fascination of a different historical period and all the sense of adventure - in a story suitable for somewhat less experienced readers. I should add there are bonuses for older readers too - a wonderful and little-known civilisation (Ethiopia) at an intriguing moment in time, and insights into the past of America and Italy that you rarely encounter. There is a wealth of notes at the back as an extra.

And not one bit a boring history lesson.

Because you really get to know Teodros and Emilia (Teo and;Em for short), and their family background, you’re drawn through the flashbacks and complications desperate to know what happens to them. I should warn you there are some distressing moments - but overall, it left this reader with a sense of appreciation for Ethiopian culture - and hope for the future of most of the characters. No spoilers from me.

This story is ideal or those who love a big sweeping family tale in an unusual setting. It’s great for those who want to embed themselves in a culture they haven’t come across before (unless you are Ethiopian, of course - in which case you might well enjoy the two children’s perspectives anyway). There are contrasting points of view to appreciate, (Teo and Em do have their fallings-out, as well as other characters) and some character-driven humour to vary the tone. 

An enjoyment of daring escapades involving planes helps!

Mermaid by Cerrie Burnell

Once there was a boy called Luka who lived by the shore of a deep silvery sea. Luka longed to splash in the surf and dive beneath the cool water, but he couldn't swim.

Published in April 2015 by Scholastic Picture Books

Pages -32

Summary

Sylvia is an amazing swimmer. She is also strong, and very determined. But only Luka knows that she is also a mermaid! As the two become friends, they set off on a magical journey they will never forget.

****

This is the second picture book by CBeebies presenter, Cerrie Burnell, and it is just as beautiful as her first. It is so rare to see such diverse characters in picture books and this one is brimming with them. Sylvia unable to walk, but the author has seen past Sylvia's disability to make her one of the most powerful, ambitious and inspirational characters. Sylvia doesn't let her disability stop her reaching for her dreams. She can see past it, causing everyone around her to do the same. In this book, she is the teacher. She teaches Luka how to swim, really showing her disability in a positive light. 

There is a magical element to the story, when Luka dreams of Sylivia actually being a mermaid, which would be believable to anyone with an ounce of belief in magic. Mermaids would definitely need to use a wheel chair on land, because their legs just wouldn't be strong enough. There is such a magical quality to Cerrie's writing, which is only magnified by Laura Ellen Anderson's stunning illustrations. Author and illustrator make a perfect partnership, bringing back a magical appeal to picture books, often so dominated by bodily functions of late. 

This is a beautiful book that should be shared in every reception class. Every child should have the opportunity to see that disability doesn't have to be seen as a negative. So many can and do overcome their disability to still fulfil their dreams.

This Is Not A Love Story by Keren David

Love is not necessarily a good thing.  You generally end up getting hurt, or hurting someone else. Or both. 

Like last night. 

Published in May 2015 by Atom Books

Pages - 352

Summary

Kitty dreams of a beautiful life, but that's impossible in suburban London where her family is haunted by her father's unexpected death. So when her mum suggests moving to Amsterdam to try a new life, Kitty doesn't take much persuading. Will this be her opportunity to make her life picture perfect? 

In Amsterdam she meets moody, unpredictable Ethan, and clever, troubled Theo. Two enigmatic boys, who each harbour their own secrets. In a beautiful city and far from home, Kitty finds herself falling in love for the first time. 

But will love be everything she expected? And will anyone's heart survive? 

*****

Where do I start with this book???

OH MY GOD! It's brilliant. I mean seriously brilliant. One of my favourite reads so far this year. I loved everything about it and I want to shout about to everyone who will listen.

Firstly the book is set in Amsterdam. When I think of Amsterdam, I don't ever think of it as a capital of romance, because we all know it isn't. Amsterdam is better known for the seedier side of sex and romance. For this story, I think it was the perfect setting, because as the title states - this is not a love story - this is a realistic view of relationships between teens. They are fraught with insecurity, hang ups and the unknown. Unless you can actually see inside someone else' head, you really have no idea how they feel about you. While reading this book, it gave me those butterfly feelings in my stomach, as Kitty tried to work out whether Theo felt the same way about her. 

However, I don't want to label Amsterdam in this book, because the author has also shown a beautiful and cultural side to the country, that makes me want to visit it. I loved learning about Zwart Piet and how the teenagers of today react to an age old tradition. 

I loved that half the characters in this book were Jewish - such a rarity in YA fiction, showing diversity at another level. 

The best thing about this book is definitely the love triangle between Theo, Kitty and Ethan. I thought it was so well written and showed how natural love can be. Love is blind to skin colour, religion and gender. Love finds it own route to the heart it desires and has no intention of following any laws or guidelines.

An absolutely stunning read and without doubt one I would highly recommend to others. 

Spotlight on Sunny by Keris Stainton

 ‘You’ll phone us every day,’ Sunny’s dad said, squeezing her against his chest.  She could feel her hair vibrating where his mouth rested on the top of her  head.

‘Yes, I’ve said I will,’ Sunny said.’Please don’t wipe your nose on my headscarf.’

Published by Catnip in March 2015

Pages - 203

Summary

After winning a local film competition, Sunny and her best friends Kitty and Hannah are off to do a film-making course - in London! Sunny can't believe her dad has let her come on her own (even if he has asked her to phone every day...) Sunny is loving the film-making classes and hanging out with their new friend - lovely, funny Will. Sunny knows that these things don't fit with the future her parents want for her and she starts to wonder what she really wants. And that's not even the biggest thing on her mind - there's also the big secret she's hiding from her best friends...

*****

In this series, Keris Stainton presents the teenagers of today, writing about their hopes and dreams as well as the difficulties they face in life, without making a big deal about them.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the multicultural feel to it and the fact that the  main character, Sunny was a Muslim.This author is waving  the flag for a new generation of diverse main characters, by showing how individual and unique each teenager is,  celebrating their differences rather than ridiculing them.

I know very little about life as a Muslim, so it was extremely interesting to read about the customs and routines of a British Muslim teen.  Sunny’s parents are quite strict about her upbringing, and Sunny embraces their views rather than rebelling against them. She has strong religious beliefs and knows exactly what she wants out of life. She comes across as a wonderful role model and a well adjusted teen. It was fascinating to watch her blossom on her first trip away from home.

I haven’t read the first book in this series, Starring Kitty, but I will definitely be reading it soon. A fantastic portrayal of British teens.

Snowflakes by Cerrie Burnell and Laura Ellen Anderson

Once there was a little girl called Mia, who came from a city of streetlights and stars.

But Mia left her home, with its cooing pigeons and rumbling trains, and came to live with her Grandma, deep in the heart of a whispering forest.

Published by Scholastic in September 2013

Summary

Mia has come to live with her Grandma in a land of forests and snow. It isn't at all like her old life in the city, and at first she feels very different from the new children she sees. But when she watches the snow falling around her one night, Mia realises that she is just like one of the snowflakes - unique and perfect in her own way

I don’t normally review the picture books, but I couldn’t resist this one.

Snowflakes is the story of Mia, a mixed raced child from the city, who is sent to live with her white grandmother in the country. The reasons for this permanent move are never revealed, so you are left to make your own assumptions about what happened to her parents.

Mia is nervous and very aware that she looks different from the other children in the village. She is convinced she won’t fit in and make friends. It’s only when the snow arrives and Mia sneaks outside during onee evening to see it, that she realises she doesn’t have to be the same as everyone else to fit in. Just like every snowflake, every person is different. And as every snowflake is perfect, so is every human being.

This book is beautifully written. The illustrations are detailed and quite stunning, really capturing the essence of the story, giving it a magical quality. This is probably one of the first picture books I’ve seen that has dealt with diversity in children and I think the author has dealt with it sensitively. Her second picture book, Mermaids, which is due out this month, also deals with diversity in children, as the main character is disabled.

You may be familiar with the author Cerrie Burnell, as she is a well-known CBeebies presenter. Cerrie loves to write about diversity for younger children. As a single, disabled mother, with a mixed raced child, she recently told me how these were subjects that were second nature to her. If you are looking for a picture book that shows real life, then this would be an ideal book to buy for your child.