Stephanie Plum bk. 22. Headline, 2015. ISBN 9781472201652
(Age: 16+) Recommended for fans of the series. The Stephanie
Plum series is back with the 22nd book, and readers will
welcome the familiar themes and humour that Janet Evanovich offers.
Stephanie is chasing a student, Ken Globovic (Gobbles) who was
supposed to have beaten up the Dean of Students at Kiltman College
and has not appeared for his court date. At the same time Doug
Linken has been gunned down in his back yard and Stephanie becomes
involved as Joe Morelli, her boyfriends and Ranger, the darkly
handsome security expert try to find the murderer.
I had not read many of the more recent novels in the series, but
found that little had changed: Stephanie is still involved with Joe
Morelli, although this time he breaks the relationship off; Ranger
is still alluring and hot and prepared to supply her with an
unlimited number of cars, and Lula and Grandma Mazur provide some
wonderful side-splitting lines.
The mystery surrounding Gobbles builds up to a surprising climax and
Stephanie proves once again that she can overcome almost
insurmountable obstacles. There are some moments of suspense but it
is the humour that keeps the reader absorbed.
Fans of the series will be happy to sit back and read this happily
entertaining escapist novel, a perfect summer read.
Pat Pledger
Who's Afraid? by Maria Lewis
Hachette Australia, 2016. ISBN 9780349411149
(Age: Adult) Paranormal. Werewolves. Scotland. Romance. Tommi is a
young Scottish woman who visits New Zealand in search of her father.
Once there she is flung into frightening situations as she discovers
her birthright as an exceptionally powerful werewolf. Lorcan
MacCarthy turns up as her Protector, inveigling himself as her
flatmate in Dundee and guiding her through the stages of her ability
to change into a werewolf. The training that he gives her in the
martial arts are essential for her to survive in a world where her
evil half-brother Stephen wants her and centuries old people are
watching what powers she will bring to the centuries old battle that
is going on.
I enjoy urban fantasy and Who's afraid has a fresh take on
the werewolf scenario. Tommi, with her bright blue hair, her plans
to complete a Master's Degree and her ability to set up art shows,
is a great main character. The few friends she has, she cares for
deeply and her relationship with them is fleshed out really well as
the reader begins to learn about her life in Dundee. Meanwhile
Lorcan is an enigmatic character, and the growing attraction between
the two is a slow smoulder throughout the novel. I enjoyed the fact
that Tommi was prepared to examine her feelings and what was good
for her in a relationship, while Lorcan was a patient, stoic warrior
Guardian.
The action heats up towards the last third of the book, when Tommi
comes into her own, and there are lots of surprises and twists to
keep the reading fully involved in what's happening. The book ended
in a satisfying way, not on the common action cliff-hanger, and left
the reader wanting to know what was in the future for both Tommi and
Lorcan.
The interesting locations of New Zealand and Scotland set it apart
from others in the genre. The next in the series could well be set
in Berlin, so that is one to look forward to.
This is sure to appeal to readers of paranormal urban fantasy,
although a near rape, party scenes and drugs make it more suitable
for an adult or new adult audience.
Pat Pledger
Clancy of the Undertow by Christopher Currie
Text, 2015. ISBN 9781925240405
(Age: 14+) Recommended. This book is an easy read about Clancy who
is 16, coming to terms with her sexuality, and living in a country
town. It is the beginning of the summer holidays and Clancy, despite
having a part time job, has time on her hands. The Australian
country town and countryside is painted delicately, giving the
reader a genuine feeling of being there.
The story fleshes out a typical Australian family, complete with
inappropriate behaviours, arguments and lots of love. After a
tragedy involving Dad, the Underhill family members cope in the best
way they know how while grappling with the judgmental 'bogans' in
the small town community who attempt to ostracise the family.
Clancy's efforts to connect with her Dad are tender and evocative of
the Australian way: fathers retreating to the shed and finding it
difficult to reveal their true feelings. Clancy's ambivalence toward
her Mum (who has 'greeting-card racks worth of motivational quotes')
is played out with humour and insight.
Clancy's membership of the Nature Club introduces her to the new
girl in town, Nancy. This is a complicated developing friendship as
both are holding secrets that have affected their lives deeply.
Clancy is also drawn in to older brother Angus' search for the Beast
of Barwen. Readers from Northern NSW and Queensland will be well
acquainted with the very popular urban myth (going by a variety of
names) of a panther/mountain lion that haunts the bush.
Clancy has a crush on a Sasha. Her inner turmoil is believable as
she worships from afar and also when the totally unexpected happens
- Sasha notices her. The reader is presented with a birds-eye view
of the uncertainty and self-deception that overtakes a teenager in
love for the first time.
The themes of friendships, family relationships, bullying and
difference are explored sensitively in this book with an Australian
flavour and humour that could possibly leave some readers not from
Australia a little flummoxed.
Linda Guthrie
Phoenix rising by Bryony Pearce
Stripes Publishing, 2015. ISBN 9781847154507
(Age: Young adult) Highly recommended. Themes: Dystopian literature;
Environmental issues; Piracy; Adventure. This is amazing! It is a
cross between an environmental disaster story and Pirate adventure,
with a teen hero discovering his own strengths, rising to overcome
opposition while working on a risky salvage operation on the high
seas. A blurb quote describes it as 'Junk-Punk'. Whatever the genre,
it is an entertaining read.
A preface with clips of newspaper headlines gives some idea of the
reasons this world is so different to our own. As an example of a
dystopian futuristic world, it is unique and gives the reader a view
into a disastrous view of the world following a major environmental
disaster. The oceans are seething with 'junk', which is either a
major shipping hazard or is being salvaged and repurposed in a new
world where power sources cannot be relied upon, and those in power
cannot be trusted. The pirates are out for themselves and will not
let anything get in the way in their search for 'treasure'. The
Phoenix is the vessel upon which Toby sails as a self-trained ship's
engineer. His coming of age and his acceptance as a mature member of
the crew comes after he attempts to rescue a ship stowaway from an
attack from a rival pirate ship. There is a violent encounter, a
potential romance and renewed respect from his own crew, and
eventually the wounded vessel makes its way into further danger.
This book is full of drama, and is well-written. It will definitely
be enjoyed by young adult readers. It is stirring, fast-paced and .
. . there will be a sequel! Unusually for a YA book, there is no
offensive language, and although there are violent encounters and
sword fights which might be problematic on film for a young
audience, in text this imagination limitation just makes the story
spectacular.
Carolyn Hull
Career of evil by Robert Galbraith (AKA J.K. Rowling)
Cormoran Strike, bk. 3. Hachette, 2015. ISBN 9780751563580
(Age: 18+) Recommended. This is the third book in the Cormoran
Strike series, but can read as a stand-alone. This book
continues story of Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott who work as
Private Investigators.
The story explores a range of relationships: Cormoran with his
mother (now dead), Robin with her fiance, Matthew, and the
complicated relationship shared by Robin and Cormoran. Cormoran is
also strongly connected to the three suspects in this murder
mystery: Donald Laing, Noel Brockbank, and Jeff Whittaker. And these
relationships underpin the plot of the book. An interesting addition
to the relationships is that of Shanker to Cormoran and Robin.
Shanker has a pivotal role in the book, exuding the virtues loyalty
and honour from behind an unkempt and very smelly exterior.
The relationship between Cormoran and Robin is deftly examined
throughout the story, and is the glue that holds the plot together.
Relationship to self is also explored in an interesting way through
including Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) in the plot. This
disorder causes sufferers to seek to have an otherwise healthy body
part amputated. Here the story presents two very opposing views and
gives the reader opportunity to learn more about the personalities
of Cormoran and Robin.
The tone of the segments written from the point of view of the
killer in the story is extremely gruesome, to the point of excess at
times. There is an unevenness to the writing that leaves the reader
confused at times. The very obvious hints in the story, as to who
the suspect really is, are seemingly missed by Robin and Cormoran,
and this doesn't fit with the impression otherwise generated for the
reader: that Robin and Cormoran are a tight team, missing nothing.
There is, however, some very welcome relief throughout the story in
the form of black humour, such as Cormoran's remark upon the
delivery of a leg by courier, 'And it's not even my size.'
Musically knowledgeable readers will enjoy the references to Blue
Oyster Cult and the song lines that are from this group that open
each chapter of this captivating book.
Linda Guthrie
Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, and Deborah Biancotti
Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781925266955
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. 'Every Power Has A Price'. Reading
this book is like reading a graphic novel, with the pictures all
unfolding in your head as the images take the story and literally
run. Impossible to put down, this is a story told seamlessly by
three authors, creating a world that is believable and
extraordinary.
Is there anything special about being born in the year 2000? This
book tells us there might be. We meet ordinary teenagers with
extraordinary powers. Every power has a price, with some more costly
than seem bearable. They refer to themselves as 'Zeroes, not Heroes'
and the book places the reader right in the middle of the action as
the reluctant heroes are coming to terms with their abilities.
Ethan (Scam), Nate (Bellwether), Thibault (Anonymous), Kelsie (Mob),
Riley (Flicker) and Chizara (Crash) each tell the story from their
perspective. This is well crafted and leaves the reader feeling
empathy and compassion for these flawed and thoroughly engaging
characters.
This is a book that explores the themes of acceptance, forgiveness,
friendship and trust. Kelsie and Thibault have complicated and
conflicted relationships with family that invite the reader to
ponder the necessary and difficult act of forgiveness. All
characters have a part to play in expanding on the nature of
consequence. The heroes grapple with the consequences of their
powers and the reader is compelled to think more deeply about the
implications of wielding great power.
An important additional theme in the book is the power of
collaboration. The social super powers of the group are the subject
of ethical and moral consideration by the characters in this book.
From the understanding they are being manipulated by their 'glorious
leader', to the crowds that seize the super power and take it beyond
the control of the teen characters, this book presents food for
thought in our current social media environment.
Linda Guthrie
Silence is Goldfish by Annabel Pitcher
Hachette, 2015. ISBN 9781780620008
(Age: 13+) Recommended. 'I am Pluto. Silent. Inaccessible.
Billions of miles away from everything I thought I knew.'
Did you, as a child, look around and wonder if you belonged in your
family? Are you a person who thought they must have been adopted?
Tess has just read that her father, Jack, is not really her father.
Not only that, but he was revolted by his first sight of her.
Tess is an introverted 15 year old and her already uncomfortable
world has been turned upside down. Now she is looking through eyes
that see everything Jack and her mother do as somehow sinister and
deceitful. She begins a mute protest, refusing to speak to anyone.
Her once strong, and mutually strengthening relationship with her
friend Isabel is the first casualty of this decision.
Tess' relationship with her Grandmother is touching and genuinely
caring. It also serves as another lens through which Tess examines
her parents and relatives.
Tess has been ruthlessly bullied at school, and on the internet.
Being mute escalates the bullying and Tess survives this torment by
relying on Mr Goldfish. Mr Goldfish acts as confidante and ally. The
challenges to Tess' thinking and decisions are generated by Mr
Goldfish and at times prevent her immaturity and naivety overtaking
her. He helps her understand that people are not always as they
appear, even when you think you know them really well.
This book sensitively probes the intensity of the teenage years
through the themes of friendship, family relationship, bullying and
body image. The bullying is unfortunately not addressed or resolved
in this story. The characters are believable and there is humour
provided by Mr Goldfish that serves to break the tension.
Linda Guthrie
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School by Jeff Kinney
Puffin Books, 2015. ISBN 9780143309000
(Age: 7-12) The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are still as
popular as ever and the new title (number 10 in the series), Old
School will please DOWK fans.
As usual Greg has many misadventures and mishaps. His Mum has
convinced the town to unplug and be electronics free, his granddad
has moved into Greg's bedroom and Greg has to share with his little
brother Manny, his lemonade stall has problems and volunteering in
the community has it's drawbacks.
Despite his original misgivings, Greg ends up going on camp to
Hardscrabble Farm. Life at the camp involves a variety of unpleasant
activities and experiences but the biggest issue is the camp story
of Silas Scratch, an undead farmer who couldn't be killed. The
constant fear of his appearance impacts on all the campers, but Greg
is determined to discover more about this scary character.
I laughed out loud at several parts of this story, the little
brother Manny with his 'no pants' antics, the not to be crossed girl
scouts and the grandfather driving the car were very funny.
The amusing storyline and simple cartoon illustrations are still a
hit and the book appeals to confident and less independent readers
alike.
I recommend this book to the many old and new fans of DOWK and
suggest that readers from 7 to 12 years will enjoy this novel.
You can hear Jeff Kinney talk about his book here.
Jane Moore
Lady Helen and the Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
Lady Helen bk. 1. Angus & Robertson, 2015. ISBN
9780732296094
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Regency period. Paranormal. Lady
Helen Wrexhall is a young woman, about to be presented to Queen
Charlotte and ready to be launched in Regency society and into the
marriage mart. She is haunted by the memory of her mother who was
tainted by the reputation of being a traitor, and when she meets the
dark and dangerous Lord Carlston, she finds it very difficult to
believe that she has another destiny that of a member of the Dark
Days Club, fighting demons and rescuing people.
Goodman's research into the Regency period provides a fascinating
background to the story of Lady Helen, just making her debut, and
seeking a suitable man to marry. Marriage was the only way that a
woman could secure her future and the lack of independence and
economic power that were the lot of women was graphically described.
Lady Helen, although very intelligent, remains a Regency lady,
shopping, riding in the Park and looking over prospective suitors.
The customs, the shops, the clothes, and many real characters like
Beau Brummell, Lord Byron and the Regent himself too, are all
vividly described and make compelling reading for anyone who is
interested in this period of history. An especially interesting
aspect was the relationship between Lady Helen and the many servants
in the house, including Darby her ladies' maid and young Berta who
goes missing.
I loved the combination of Regency setting and paranormal
excitement. As more of the demonic world is revealed and Lady
Helen's acquaintance with the dark Lord Carlston grows, she is
plunged into great danger and sees first-hand what the demons in her
world get up to. She has inherited powers and a secret duty and has
to decide whether she will become part of the Dark Days Club and
ostracised by the ton, or marry a Duke and become a matron leading
high society.
It was a great read, one that lovers of the Regency period, and
authors like Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen and Mary Robinette Kowal
are sure to enjoy. I am eagerly looking forward to the next in the
series.
Pat Pledger
Friday Barnes: No rules by R. A. Spratt
Random House Australia Children's, 2016. ISBN 9780857987013
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Themes: Problem-solving; Detective story;
School mystery; Humour. Friday Barnes is a student wonder - with
amazing problem-solving and detective skills. However her fashion
skills are suspect!
This is the fourth book in the Friday Barnes Series, and at the
beginning of the book she is deported to Switzerland and spends a
period of time in the no-man's land of the Airport in a citizen-less
state. Her detective skills and ability to read clues help her to
solve a diplomatic mystery. During this time away from her
peculiarly run school, Highcrest Academy, a series of unusual and
potentially disastrous events occur that have need of her remarkable
detective skills. She returns to Highcrest in time to assist the
famously good-looking Ian in clearing his name, to prevent the new
Deputy Principal from introducing a new pedagogy of freedom and to
assist the headmaster in restoring his school to its normal state of
disorder.
This is another book that understands a younger reader's demand for
adventure, mystery and young heroines. The adults in this book have
a Dahl-esque incompetence needing the wisdom of the young Friday
Barnes. It includes a series of mysteries and moves along at a
rollicking pace, rarely bogging down in detail. [R. A. Spratt has
written for Television, and the fast-paced, science themes would
appeal to a reading audience that has grown up with TV
entertainment.]
Recommended for readers aged 10+. This child-detective is aged 12,
and the beginnings of romance are hinting their arrival. A young
High School reader will still enjoy the implied quirky humour of
this book.
Carolyn Hull
Wilf the mighty worrier battles a pirate by Georgia Pritchett
Ill. by Jamie Littler. Quercus Books, 2015. ISBN 9781848669079
(Age:7-8) Recommended. Themes: Worry, Pirates, Boys, Adventure,
Humourous Stories. Young Wilf comes from a long line of worriers;
his family tree includes Norman the Neurotic, Annie the Anxious and
Freddie the Fretful. His current set of worries focuses on the
actions of Alan his evil next-door neighbour - who comes from a long
line of evil doers. Alan determines to follow in the footsteps of
pirate Long John Alan a distant relative. When Wilf enquires about
the necessary equipment - a ship, a parrot and an eye-patch, the
whole kerfuffle begins.
Anxiety and worry are Wilf's constant companions, even playing with
his best friend Stuart the woodlouse, knitting, whistling and
constantly referring to his new self-help leaflet do not really
help. Things take a turn for the worse when Alan begins to build a
pirate ship in his front yard. In seventeen days with a little help
from Kevin Phillips the dog, the vessel is complete and the worst
pirate in the world is ready to set sail. Wilf, Dot his baby sister
and Stuart unfortunately become stowaways on board trying to find
Dot's stolen bucket and spade . . .
Crazy scenes with an array of quirky characters, ably accompanied by
Jamie Littler's cartoon illustrations take the reader on an
action-filled adventure. Kerfuffle after kerfuffle occurs, with
several false finishes, Wilf learns to think fast, bringing the
story to a big finale. Has Wilf learned his lesson, has he stopped
worrying, no? Georgia Pritchett promises more adventures to come.
Rhyllis Bignell
Australia to Z by Armin Greder
Allen & Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760113186
(Age: all) Highly recommended. Australia, Racism, Icons. The image
of the globe with a magnifying glass being held over the continent
of Australia, warns us that this is not the usual A-Z of Australia,
with its koalas and Opera House but an acerbic positioning, a
sharper view of the cultural icons of Australia. And with these
cultural symbols under such a spotlight we are forced to look at
them in a different way, to look at things we hold dear with
questioning eyes.
Greder uses his black edged illustrative technique to great effect,
making many images standing out against the white background, with
seemingly few deft strokes encompassing all that needs to be said.
The first two, A and B herald the tone of the book, as A is
Aborigine showing a lone figure standing on the headland watching
the approach of a sailing ship, and B is Boat People, with a small
boat of refugees crossing the expansive ocean. What a contrast. Two
different groups of people approaching Australia for quite different
reasons. And anyone seeing these images will question Australia's
attitude to the three groups today.
To point out only a few amongst the smorgasbord of razor edged
images is difficult. Many made me stop in my tracks, N, Nationalism
shows a large, booted male individual caped in an Australian flag,
reminiscent of the Cronulla riots ten years ago, and R, Rupert shows
the eyeless man whose influence over the land of his birth seems
never ending.
No matter what the image created, each impels the reader to think
more about what is shown, from Yakka for hard work, Vegemite with a
child eating the stuff that visitors are always enjoined to try,
Waltzing Matilda, with the swaggie' s hat in the middle of the
billabong. Several are laugh out loud, Esky, Gold Coast, Ikea, for
example, while others bring a lump to the throat, Digger, Pokies,
Kangaroo.
A mirror is held up to our society, pointing out things about us
which are hard to digest, but necessarily need to be discussed,
especially when our National Anthem forms an appendix underlining
the difference between some of our icons and the words we sing at
occasions of importance. We all know the words parrot fashion, but
reading them shows the divide between what we sing and what actually
happens.
This is a brilliant piece of theatre, one which classes can unpick,
discuss and debate, looking at the icons presented from a fresh
perspective, reading our national anthem with greater care, and
pondering how we can be changed for the better.
Fran Knight
The reluctant jillaroo by Kaz Delaney
Allen & Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781925266061
(Age: 12+) Recommended. Horses, Riding school, Twins, Romance,
Mystery. Hearing Harper fall over her skateboard with a sickening
crack, Heidi knows that all her dreams have fallen apart. Due to go
to jillaroo school the very next day, Harper is in surgery and
together the girls plot for Heidi to take her place at the school
out west. It is Hayley's chance to excel and gain points towards a
scholarship to the prestigious agriculture college at Tamworth, her
dream school, so they switch. As twins no one will notice, but Heidi
is a surfer, not a rider, so disaster looms for Heidi as she gets
off the bus and spies her surroundings at Winmaroo.
She has ridden before but is certainly not as proficient as her
sister so she is relieved when given a quiet horse for the ten days.
But onto the scene comes Trent a school friend of Hayley's and with
Chaz being very protective and Vee asking questions she is not sure
she can pull it off.
And that is before they begin the course.
And with the constant patter of tiny feet along the rafters, and the
green python wrapped around the beams, not to mention the
possibility of snakes, Heidi's first night is one of trepidation.
It is clear form the start that Vee is hiding something, she seems
diffident and unsure, but the two strike up a friendship. Trent on
the other hand questions Hayley and she is on her guard, especially
after ringing her sister and finding out that he is he biggest rival
and she didn't know he would be there.
And Chaz, well Chaz is a person of interest, a handsome intriguing
young man who seems to like her.
A gently funny story about sticking up for your sister, of getting
yourself into a perilous situation without thought for you own
safety but only caring that your sister gets her dream school, this
novel has broad appeal. Heidi is determined but full of questions,
dogged but unsure, watchful and anxious.
We are looking over her shoulder as she learns the skills of the
jillaroo trade, milking the cows, fencing, drafting, drenching, line
dancing, and everything to do with horse care and riding.
When more things are stolen, one of the girls, Vee, is suspected and
removed from the camp. But Heidi is not convinced that she is the
thief and sets a trap to find the real one. Her investigations and
the final exposing of her real identity brings the story to an
exciting and unexpected conclusion.
An involving and easily absorbed story about life on a station,
peppered with romance and mystery, but also very funny episodes, not
least of which are because the twins have swapped places, this will
appeal to middle school readers, particularly girls.
Fran Knight
My mum has depression by Nina Mitchell
Ill. by Piet van Rosmalen. Self-published: www.nutsaboutnina.com.au (to
buy copies of this book)
Recommended. Themes: Mental Illness; Depression. This sensitive
picture book gives an insight into depression for a young child and
his mother. Using appropriate metaphor the mother explains to her
child what depression feels like for her. Then she explains some of
the small ways that her child can help her. The child's perspective
is only briefly touched on, 'I love it when Mum smiles'. But this in
itself speaks volumes. The reminder at the end of the book is that
whatever the circumstances, his mother is still his mother, is part
of the gentle therapy of the book.
The Illustrations are delightful with clever use of bright colours.
The Mother's depression is indicated with sombre tones, but hopeful
and bright colours are never far away when the child is present.
This clever symbolic use of colour keeps the book hopeful.
This would make a good resource for School Counsellors or Pastoral
Care Workers as it would open up discussion with young children
about depression and could perhaps be used to explore a child's
feelings and emotions in response. A young family struggling with
depression might also find it useful in sharing their own responses.
Carolyn Hull
The ghost by the billabong by Jackie French
Matilda series. Angus & Robertson, 2015. ISBN
9780732295295
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Historical novel, 1960's Australia,
Man on the moon. Choosing subject headings is very difficult as
French crams so much into her historical novels: hints about the
growing equality of women, attitudes in the 60's to domestic
violence, opposition to war, the imminent landing on the moon, the
tracking station in Canberra . . . the list goes on. Reading any of
these books beginning with A waltz for Matilda is like
reading a great sprawling romance covering generations of
characters, all with some relationship with each other and the land,
believable characters set against an impeccably researched
background. And I love them all.
Australia's history rolls past your eyes, and amongst the history,
family dramas, fights and reconciliations, births and deaths, French
blends some of the ballads that used to be far more well known: The
man from Snowy River, Waltzing Matilda, Clancy of
the Overflow, The road to Gundagai and My country.
The multi layered relationships between the protagonists are
developed over many years and the length of the books needed to make
these believable take the readers on their journey, keeping them
reading to the end.
In The ghost at the billabong, we meet again Matilda, now in
her eighties, nursing her dying husband, Tommy. Into their house
comes a stray, a girl called Jed who says she is Tommy's great grand
daughter. Matilda tells her to leave, having had free loaders make
such claims before, but she relents and Jed is taken to stay with
her daughter in law, Nancy who cares for disabled children on the
weekend.
Here Jed learns to shake off some of her past hurt, gain their trust
and prove she is who she says she is. A tall order, but a story that
is so well plotted and told that it takes you willingly with it to
the conclusion.
While Jed learns more about the family, they have investigators
checking her story and although Jed reveals some of her past, most
is a closed and scary book. With Tommy's unwavering interest in the
work being done by the tracking stations in Australia for the
upcoming landing on the moon, Jed treks to Canberra and finds work
at Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station reporting back to Tommy on
weekends. The weaving of the moon landing through the story will
fascinate the readers, especially the little known work done in
Australia.
And if five is not enough, then French has said there will be number
six and even another in her notes at the end of this absorbing read.
I have relished them all for their reminders of times past and
intriguing mysteries, but above all the credible story of a broad
acre family reflecting so much of what has happened in Australia
since Federation.
Fran Knight
