The Ghost of Howlers Beach by Jackie French

Butter lives in a Very Small Castle built by his grandfather who made his fortune from jam. Also living in the Very Small Castle are his dad, three aunts and some servants. The aunts seem to have very odd names but really they are left over nick names from the childhood. Aunt Elephant (Ellen), Aunt Cake (Kate) and Aunt Peculiar (Petunia). I really enjoyed meeting these strong and forthright women. Butter is a nickname too because he is known for always saying 'but'. We never do find out his real name. The year is 1932 - The Depression. Living near Butter are people on welfare who have set up a make shift camp. It is called a susso camp because the people are living on government handouts or 'the susso'.

One day Butter sees three young children playing cricket on the beach. He asks to join in their game but then they somehow disappear. Could they be ghosts? It turns out they are not ghosts but they are living hidden lives. Butter needs to find out why and he needs to help these kids who are frightened, alone and very hungry.

Jackie French has penned a really good Australian yarn.  I have had this book on my too read pile for a month or more but I kept putting it to one side because, sorry Jackie, but I really don't like the cover illustration. Of course the old adage applies "don't judge a book by its cover" - The Ghost of Howlers Beach is an easy read and a warm-hearted story that gives the young reader good insight into life in 1930s Australia. You may love the cover or it may not appeal to you but either way I recommend this book for readers aged 9+.

Warning don't read this book when you are hungry. There is so much delicious food in this story.  Luckily there are some recipes at the back of the book.  Here are some of the treats:

"Chicken soup, bubbling rich with vegetables
buttered toast with a dish of plum jam
egg and lettuce sandwiches
a big plate of lamingtons"

"Chicken and salad sandwiches.
And some Neenish tarts, an apple, an orange, a banana, some dates
and iced cocoa and lemon barley water."

"Sunday lunch was always a big saddle of lamb that Cookie put onto roast slowly by itself in its nest of potatoes and carrots and pumpkin ... (with) beans or peas or buttered cabbage."

Neenish Tarts

There must be plans for more books about Butter and his family of aunts because the cover of this book says: "The Butter O'Bryan Mysteries" and the publisher web site includes #1 in the title. Put this book on your 'to read' list but you will need to wait a couple of months. The Ghost of Howlers Beach will be published in March 2020. Huge thanks to Beachside Bookshop for my Advanced copy.

You can read more about the 1930s in Australia in Sweet Adversity; and the Our Australian Girl series featuring Ruby.