Tag: plot

Huda and Me

Huda and Me is an absolute gem and as it the debut novel from H. Hayek, she has possibly inadvertently, created the challenge for a series to be born featuring Huda, a charmer of a little girl who somehow, seems to always get what and where she wants to go, once way or the other.

The story commences with Huda and her brother sitting in the airport waiting for a flight to take them to Lebanon. Huda is excited, while Akeal is just plain terrified; terrified of things going wrong, getting caught and ending up in some serious trouble. Huda is convinced her plan will go smoothly as how can it not, as although they are running away from home, they going to their parents in Lebanon.

Their parents, Hend and Ibrahim left to go to Hend’s mother in Lebanon who was very ill and her father needed her to come home and help. Although it was only for two weeks, and they were being ‘minded’ by Hend’s friend Aunt Amel, right from the first hour things were going terribly wrong.

Aunt Amal had turned them into slaves, each one had their specific tasks which were many, and life in the once happy home was a complete nightmare! Even baby Rasheed was kept with Aunt Amal all the time.

But there came a time when Huda had enough and between her and their beloved neighbour Mr Kostiki, they created a plan to go to their parents to tell them what had been happening. And so begins Huda and her favourite brother Akeal’s outrageous adventures to get to Lebanon without being stopped and sent home in serious trouble.

Crafted carefully within the storyline is a tilt at racism, when Huda is taunted about her pink, glittery Hijab and Akeal takes a stand to address the issue. Insight it offered to life in a Lebanese Australian Muslim family which adds to the warmth of the storyline, showing that regardless of culture or religion, life in family is the same for everyone, especially if they have brothers and sisters with which to contend on a daily basis. Especially mischievous siblings like Huda!

Funny, quirky and charming Huda and Me is an adventure that is full of cheek, mischief and daring as the two children find their way somehow safely across the world, with a lot of help from friends made on the way simply by Huda, being Huda!

Fast paced and engaging, Huda and Me will captivate readers in the 8-12 age range along with people who are much older, who enjoy a very good story.

April 21, 2021
Losing the Plot

By definition a Romantic Comedy novel should include two people who are perfect for each other, with one or both of them being quite vulnerable. There should be an obstacle that keeps them apart until a solution is found. The comedy can be situational or slapstick, but by the end of the story we are sure the couple will be together happily. Elizabeth Coleman has followed this formula quite successfully, has characters who are credible, interesting and who vary in age.

The main character in this story is Vanessa, recently divorced from her husband who married their marriage councillor. Nessie as her mother calls her, has two children and a large mortgage, so Mum (Joy) is living with her and pays rent. Vanessa has always had a desire to write a novel and has taken advantage of long nights to type up and send off a manuscript to a publisher.

Meanwhile a famous author, who’s work she slavishly reads, has come to town with a new novel. Unfortunately, it is identical to Vanessa’s story and it is here the problems begin. A local single Dad who is a lawyer, advises her to sue the well-known author. A love triangle develops leading to all sort of mistakes and issues.

The story is written in a lovely light hearted style. It is set in Melbourne and surrounding suburbs. The characters form a complementary group and it is here that the humour is introduced. Vanessa is a Dental Nurse, and works for Anthony, the dentist and his lovely and supportive wife Kirri. A New Zealander, Kirri is always on the look out for Vanessa. Indeed, she tells the nurse frequently to “Look out for him, he’s a ‘Dickhid’.” Joy, Nessie’s mum is also quite a character and lives life to the full.

As the story unfolds many issues arise such as those problems for single parents and people on a single income. These are the issues many of us face in real life so the ability to read about other peoples struggles and mistakes helps us to feel real. The odd chuckle along the way is a great help as well.

May 21, 2019
Cats and Robbers

In this colourful and bright large picture book, a dastardly plot is being hatched; a plot so terrible it is hard to describe, but a plot that needs to be foiled, but how?

Russell Ayto has created a capper that has the overtone of a Peter Sellers plot in Cats and Robbers, involving of course three baddies and two goodies and what seems to be a HUGE amount of loot to be had, but how to get it is the question facing the three robbers who are determined to get their hands on the loot.

An empty house, or what appears to be an empty house, proves to be too much of a temptation so the robbers lay their plans, and ever so slowly enter the house in the dead of night. But unbeknown to them they are being watched by the two precious Kitties who live there with their little old lady.

The robbers are being watched every step of the way which results in some hilarious booby traps, dastardly doings and huge amount of fun to be had before it is discovered who wins the day.

Ideal for early readers or little children who love an adventure, there are familiar and not so familiar words galore, as they peek, splaat, pyonnng and creep along the clever trail to be followed, with some serious sleuthing to be had to see if the plot can be foiled along the way.

May 11, 2019
Uncle Gobb and the Plot Plot

The story, the plot and the humour all gel together to make Uncle Gobb and the Plot Plot a good read for a beginning reader. The size of the text, and the way it is broken up ensure that there is a comfortable balance between reading and enjoyment of the tale. The mesh between the illustrations and the text add to the understanding.

Malcolm is the main character in this story. He has an unfortunate family member (his uncle), who loves to hatch a devious plot. This time it is to start a new school in his “Dread Shed,” and place it in the car park at the public school. After all Uncle Gobb has “Been to China.”

Crackersnacker is Mal’s best friend and is aware of the ruthless nature of Uncle Gobb once he devises a plan. They realise that the ultimate plan is to take over the whole school and create chaos. In the meantime, there is a plot of land next to the school and no one is sure who owns it. This could be Uncle Gob’s big chance to settle in.

Interspersing the story are some weasels; their conversation helps to clarify the story and add humour. This is the third Uncle Gobb story and one that shows the same characters and their various attempts at problem solving.

Michael Rosen is a well-known author who is able to find just the right mix of mystery, adventure and humour to keep a child reading. The hardback novel is well presented and the illustrations add to the text. The font size changes often to put emphasis on certain words and phrases.

There is lots of imagination and creativity used throughout the story, which will be enjoyed by young readers.

January 21, 2019
Terrorism in Australia – The story of Operation Pendennis

The world has for centuries been shattered by terrorist events, however the more recent ones including ‘Lockerbie/ PAN AM’, ‘The London Bombings’, “Mumbai Attacks’ and ‘September 11’ have entered our living rooms via the media. Now with 24 hour News channels and social media, there is no escaping the carnage and destruction resulting from acts of terrorism.

Australia, which is considered by the world to be one of the safest places on earth, has also seen acts of terrorism in contemporary times. ‘The 1978 Sydney Hilton Bombing’ and ‘The 2014 Hostage Crisis’ at the Lindt Café shocked the nation and alerted the population that Australia too is vulnerable to those who wish the nation harm. How do we stop an attack on our shores? Who is a terrorist? Australia’s response to terrorism has been to establish and strengthen its intelligence agencies: Australia’s law enforcement, intelligence and security organisations work collaboratively together to prevent attacks on its people and property.

In his book ‘Terrorism in Australia’ author Peter Moroney relates how from June 2004 to the arrest of the perpetrators in November 2005 Operation Pendennis, foiled the biggest (to date) planned terrorist attack on Australian soil. It uncovered jihadist cells in Melbourne and Sydney amassing guns, ammunition and bomb-making equipment to use in terrorist attacks on home soil. Nine men in New South Wales and twelve men in Victoria planned to commit a devastating attack, which was designed to kill and maim men, women and children in Australia.

The success of this counter terrorism investigation demonstrated the ultimate investigator’s skills, their tenacity, grit and resolve. It is an extraordinary story of the Australian Islamic ‘home-grown’ terrorists and the dedicated officers who thwarted them.

The book also explores how the culture of terrorist’s groups work and think; how ‘home-grown’ terrorists are radicalised. The author shares the story of the often unrecognized but tireless effort and skill of the security personnel and other investigators. The reader cannot but be in awe of these officers, how their dedication to keeping Australia safe (often at the expense of their own families) drove them to commit to their cause beyond the call of duty. He also reminds the reader of the importance of remaining vigilant to threat and emphasises the importance of calls to the terrorism hotline.

There is a great deal of mystery that surrounds terrorism. True crime readers will find this book both enthralling and revealing as Peter Moroney tries to demystify terrorism by presenting to the reader a clearer understanding.

November 12, 2018