Cirrus@Austlit

Anthony Hill talks about the research for his latest title 'Captain Cook's Apprentice', which ranged from an eight day journey on the Endeavor replica to a visit to 'Grass Cove' in New Zealand where ten of Cook's men were killed and eaten during the second voyage.

In this substantial review Fran Knight maintains this 'historical novel full of adventure and high drama' is a 'model of all that is best' in the faction or bio fiction form.

Cooper outlines the process, including both the daydreaming and the research, behind the writing of A Brief History of Montmaray.

Kennedy shares, and comments on, some of Tan's reflections on the imagery within his work.

Thompson credits Marchetta with finding a new perspective from which to present a fantasy, which seems 'both ancient and contemporary at the same time'. He discusses in depth the style, character development and 'political intrigue' of the novel in this review.

Wheat writes eloquently about how 'Antarctica is part of our story' and the fact that Eaton 'succeeds in explaining why it haunts us' in his review of the book. He summarises that 'there is real terror in this story - madness, mutiny, sudden violence, fierce storms, starvation and slow freezing'.

Thomas describes Shutterspeed as an 'understated general treatise on depression'. However she muses that 'building blocks for transcendence over despair' are laid for Year 12 student Dustin by the end of the book.

Ryan-Punch describes reading Tender Morsels as 'like being present at the genesis of a myth or fairy-tale before it is cleaned up, de-sexualised or Disneyfied'. She examines a variety of experiences in this novel, published as a YA novel in the United States but marketed for adults in Australia, before concluding it is a 'complex, rewarding and disturbing' read.

Paul Byrne outlines the plot, characters, and multiple perspectives of Screw Loose in this extensive review of the comic novel in which 'the author fearlessly tackles the whole spectrum of adolescent angst, ethnicities and sexual identities'.

The reviewer outlines 'the familiar Winton territory' which reappears in this novel, such as 'broken relationships, the legacy of the past, and the connection between landscape, identity and masculinity'. She describes Breath as being 'written with linguistic dexterity and insight' but is cautious about classroom use as it is ultimately about 'individuals for whom the possibility of death is all that makes life worth living'.

Jodi Wiley writes a favourable review of this graphic picture book, describing Holfeld's illustrations as engaging and filmic while using his skill to 'get the characters' emotions just right, so that you can deduce thoughts and feelings from their facial expressions'. She labels it an adventure book in which Starke's 'assured writing' guides the reader 'through the narrative effortlessly'.

Philp writes in her review of Crossing the Line that it is: 'Totally absorbing and extremely well written ... [and] would be a perfect opening point for either school or parental discussion about all aspects of self harm'.

Boyce describes the voices in this work as 'eloquent and persuasive, explaining and proposing perspectives which, should they find their rightful place alongside the processes of decision making in high places, would have the potential to shift policy beyond the current measures of assimilation intervention and integration'.

Reviews both Jackie French's book and Dig 3ft NW, the abridged version of Sarah Murgatroyd's non fiction work The Dig Tree. Both 'introduce and re-interpret' Burke and Wills expedition for new readers.