Finch by Penny Matthews
Walker Books, 2018, ISBN 9781760650759
(Ages: 9-12) Highly recommended. Themes: Moving House, Country Life,
Birds, Individuality. Finch by Penny Matthews is a
beautifully written coming of age novel, weaving themes of
individuality, self-perception, family hardship, the rigours of
country life with an emotional environmental message. Her main
character Audrey's journey is poignant, sensitively portrayed and
her voice will resonate with readers stepping into their teenage
years, filled with uncertainty, questioning friendships and fitting
in with their peers.
Moving to a hobby farm in the country fills Audrey with dread, she
fears the unknown, a new school, making friends and settling into an
unfamiliar environment. Her father and younger sister's excitement
and acceptance of the change is at odds with her mother's feelings
and her own. Her mother had been the breadwinner in the city working
as a legal secretary and isn't excited by their tree change. Chloe
calls her older sister 'Nerd Girl'; she's quieter, more interested
in studying birds researching their scientific names and features
and caring for her pet finches, than all things girly.
Late at night Audrey observes a little dog moving through their
property, and no-one else notices him. She asks their old neighbour
Mavis about the mysterious dog but she has no knowledge of the small
animal. While Chloe loves the new school and quickly makes friends,
Audrey is more cautious. Her Year 7 teacher Mr Scardino welcomes
her; he shares her passion for natural sciences and humorously
encourages her to try fitting in to rural life.
While her school and home life have its ups and downs, Audrey's
forays into the surrounding bush brings her joy. She loves looking
for and identifying native birds, and this leads her to discover a
secret cave and a teenage boy who owns Snowy the dog. She finds a
connection with Finch, who loves nature and has made his home here
away from the dramas of life with his uncle.
When a heavy downpour floods the creek and cave, Audrey is worried
and she reveals her friend's secret home and raises the alarm. The
authorities unsuccessfully search for Finch and Snowy. Common
threads and conversations with Mavis unravel to reveal secret
connections. Through this difficult time, Audrey discovers an inner
core of strength and a previously unknown sense of purpose.
Penny Matthews Finch is a rich and rewarding story, filled
with hope, tinged with mystery and realistic characters that will
resonate with middle school readers. She captures the heart of rural
life, the reality of families struggling to find purpose and pulling
together when times are tough.
Rhyllis Bignell
