Ariana Treasure: The Fundraiser by Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern. Illus. by Karen Erasmus

For junior primary children beginning to show more interest in reading early chapter books, this new series Ariana Treasure will provide an excellent stepping stone from classroom readers. With six novels in the series, there is an opportunity for children to become familiar with Ariana and The Treasure Chest – a thrift shop which her mother owns and manages.

In this sixth and final story The Fundraiser, Ariana is devastated when she learns her mum has to sell the Thrift Shop due to financial problems. Ariana does not take the situation lightly and is determined to do something to help save the shop. She speaks with her friends both young and old, and they work together to organise and hold a fundraiser. The community pitches in as well and the day is a success. However, at the end an unexpected disaster occurs. Will the thrift shop still need to be sold or is there a surprise in store for Ariana, her mum and their local community?

The vocabulary used in this book is accessible and provides repetition. The text is large and the sentences are simple and well-spaced. The idea of using a thrift shop as a setting will provide a unique experience for some readers or a familiar one for others who visit second hand shops.

Themes: Thrift shops, Community, Fundraiser, Disappointment, Collaboration, Solutions.

Kathryn Beilby