Howzat Pat! Money mystery by Pat Cummins, Dave Hartley

A young Pat Cummins plays for an under-11 mixed-gender cricket team that is in contention to win this year’s competition, but it is the chance for their cricket club to host the first regional game of the the Big Bash League that sets his team alight. Learning to communicate well is the focus for their next game but collecting trash from a mysterious bush-site will keep them busy in the lead up to the final as they help their team to raise funds. Pat finds something that he initially fails to disclose and the secret may have big consequences. Is the secret from the bush going to upset his concentration and can they really raise the funds they need? And is there really a ‘Bigfoot/Hairyman’ creature in the bush? 

Weaving a mystery with links to recycling, aboriginal culture and cricket, and maybe even a crime, creates a wonderful story with heart. Young sport-loving readers will connect to the young passionate cricketers and the mystery is intriguing enough to keep the pages turning. The sport-interest is high and the fear-factor is fairly low-key, so this book will appeal to male or female readers aged 8-12. It is great to have indigenous characters and voices within this story too. (And a cricket coach who is a cricket ‘Sensei’ adds a hint of Karate Kid wisdom!) Even reading-resistant kids will enjoy this book.

Themes: Cricket, Teamwork, Communication, Mystery, Recycling, Fundraising, Indigenous characters.

Carolyn Hull