Thursday, April 3, 2025

The Bridges by Tom Percival


With busy parents and no books in her life Mia lives in a grey sad world. Then one day a kind person leaves a book on her doorstep. If you look closely you can see the giver of this gift. Mia begins to read her new book and the world opens up. There are adventures and colours and new friends and best of all she has something wonderful to share.

Publisher blurb: Mia feels alone; so alone that it's as if she lives on a small island, far out to sea. But then one day, Mia is given a book - the first she has ever been able to call her own. As Mia reads the book, bridges appear and her island fills with colour and life. And the more Mia reads, the stronger the bridges become, opening up a world of connection and hope...  Because a book can take you anywhere...

See inside The Bridges here

This is a book you could use as a jumping off point to talk about the 2025 Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Week slogan.


Here are some review comments about The Bridges:




Look for these other splendid books by Tom Percival:




Frank and Bert book series by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

 


Back in 2022 I talked about the first book from this series. This week I spied another and then made the wonderful and surprising discovery that Frank and Bert - the one where Bert plays football - is actually the fourth book. I am a huge fan of Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

Here is the blurb for each of these titles:

Frank and Bert: Frank and Bert are the best of friends and they LOVE to play hide and seek. But Bert the bear isn’t quite as good at hiding as he thinks he is . . . and Frank ALWAYS wins! Every. Single. Time.
But when it’s Bert’s turn to hide, and Frank has to decide between winning again OR making his friend happy, Frank learns that friendship is always the true winner. (Read the Kirkus review)

Frank and Bert: The One where Bert Learns to Ride a Bike: Bert isn’t very good at riding a bike. Here’s what happens. It always starts well, but then Bert wibble-wobbles all over the place, until . . . Oops! Whoops! Ouch! Do you see what I mean? Bert is CERTAIN he can ride his bike as well as Frank, but he is very wobbly! And even when they BOTH try riding Frank’s bike . . . it still goes very wrong! Will the best friends make it all the way down from the big hill? Of course! All they need is a little bit of confidence and trust in each other! (Read the Kirkus review)

Frank and Bert: The One with the Missing BiscuitsFrank and Bert are off for a picnic in the countryside. And Bert has brought a delicious surprise! But when he falls asleep, Frank can’t resist taking a peek . . . WOW! Bert has made Frank’s FAVOURITE biscuits! Surely, he won’t mind if Frank eats one . . . or two . . . or three . . . (Read the Kirkus review)

Frank and Bert: The One where Bert Plays Football: Meet Frank and Bert. They LOVE football and Frank is teaching Bert everything he knows . . . until Barbara turns up, the local football legend, and Frank drops everything to play with her. Poor old Bert. But when Frank finds himself in trouble, it’s Bert, his BFF, who is always there for him . . .

These should all be added to your primary school library. They are perfect discussion starters when you are talking about friends and friendships and kindness. 

The end papers in "The one where Bert plays football" are patterned like footballs (or soccer balls as we might call them here in Australia) in a vibrant hot pink. Frank is trying to teach Bert how to play but Bert either kicks the ball way too far or he trips over it. Then along comes Barbara and we have the classic story trope - twos company threes a crowd. To make matters worse Barbara is a football champion. In fact the book and Frank both say she's "the greatest football player IN THE WORLD." Frank is in heaven - Barbara wants to play with him! but this means he ignores his old friend. In an interesting twist this time it is the famous Barbara who kicks the ball high into a tree. Perhaps even soccer stars can miscalculate their kicking. Frank climbs the tree but:

"I'm a bit scared of heights, and I wish Bert was here, and I wish I hadn't gone off with Barbara, and I wish I hadn't ignored Bert, and if only I'd been a better friend."

At this point it would be good to just pause and let these words sink in. Is there a way for Frank and Bert to find each other again? And what about Barbara should she be allowed to join their game? And does it make any difference that Barbara is a girl soccer player?

I am not a sport fan, but I do love the way Chris Naylor-Ballesteros shows in this book that every position in a team is important. Not in an unkind way, but I cheered when Bert showed Barbara he also has soccer skills - it would be great to have him on your team!

I found an online seller with each of these titles for around AUS$20 each - which is a really good price for a set of books that are sure to be popular with readers and teachers. 

I previously adored this book by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros:




Wednesday, April 2, 2025

International Children's Book Day 2025




For International Children's Book Day 2025 IBBY Australia have made a video to showcase the work of seven Australian organisations whose work matches the mission statements of IBBY:

Mission

  • to promote international understanding through children's books
  • to give children everywhere the opportunity to have access to books with high literary and artistic standards
  • to encourage the publication and distribution of quality children's books, especially in developing countries
  • to provide support and training for those involved with children and children's literature
  • to stimulate research and scholarly works in the field of children's literature
  • to protect and uphold the Rights of the Child according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child



Thank you to all the organisations who participated in our video - learn more about each of them from these links:

Our World full of Wonder by Jevita Nilson illustrated by Jess Racklyeft


This book is published by the CSIRO here in Australia. I did not read the blurb and I didn't focus on the cover when I first 'dived in'.  In my mind the places in this book were in Australia so imagine my surprise when I discovered I had just been on a journey around the world and had seen places that were totally new to me and others that should have been familiar such as one from Australia - The Great Barrier Reef and Iguzau Falls in South America.

"There is a place where the night sky is a ballet of light, where ghostly greens swirl above snow-capped mountains, and reflections dazzle the darkness."

Aurora Borealis



"There is a place where the rocks are streaked with colour, where ancient mountains rise from the land, and time has revealed a hidden rainbow palette."

Rainbow Mountain China (Zhangye National Geopark)


"There is a place where a mysterious cave holds magical wonders, where explorers climbed over monstrous crystals glistening in the depths of Earth."

Cave of the Crystals Mexico (Sierra de Naica in Chihuahua)


Here are all the places you can visit in this book - it is sure to inspire young (and old) travellers:

- Aurora borealis, North Pole
- The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- The Rainbow Mountains, China
- Reynisfjara Beach (black sand beach), Iceland
- Lake Hillier, Australia
- Sequoia National Park, United States of America
- Catatumbo lightning, Venezuela
- The Cave of the Crystals, Mexico
- Valley of Flowers National Park, India
- Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil
- Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, Madagascar
- Vaadhoo Island (Sea of Stars), Maldives

Here is a list with examples of the exquisite vocabulary used in this book: ballet of light; multicoloured maze; rainbow palette; fairy-floss water; streaks of silver pierce the clouds; the torrent's roar; eerie shadows; and illuminating the moonless night.

Here is the blurb from the back cover: Explore fascinating phenomena and places around the world in this vibrant picture book. Our world is full of amazing natural wonders. From sparkling seas and towering trees, to valleys, lakes and waterfalls, there are extraordinary places that seem too magical to be true but can be found right here on planet Earth. There are ghostly green lights of the aurora borealis near the North Pole, and exquisite rainbow mountains in China. There is a lake in Australia so pink it looks like fairy floss, and giant crystal caves hidden below Mexico. These are just some of the incredible places you will discover in Our World Full of Wonder. Shall we go explore?

Here are the brief Scholastic Teacher's Notes. There is a link on the publisher page to a more detailed set of teaches notes.

I wonder why oh why this book did not make the 2025 CBCA Eve Pownall (Non Fiction) notables list - this is a book that SHOULD be added to your school library. If you purchase standing orders from a supplier you may already have this book. This is a book to treasure in your library and it would also be a wonderful gift for a child aged 8+. 

You can see more books by Jess Racklyeft. Here is the second book in this series:



Earth's wildlife is nothing short of extraordinary. There are colour-changing chameleons in the forests of Madagascar and cliff-climbing goats in the European Alps. There are fluorescent fish in the depths of the Mariana Trench and wildfire-surviving echidnas in the Australian bush. Our World of Wild Wonders explores the unique animal species that inhabit our planet. Some mighty, some meek, but all wondrous in their own special way. Shall we go explore?


Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Hans Christian Andersen Award Nominees for 2026


The Hans Christian Andersen Award is the highest international recognition given to creators of children’s books whose complete works have made an important, lasting contribution to children's literature. The Author's Award has been given since 1956 and the Illustrator's Award since 1966. The Award consists of a gold medal and a diploma, presented at a ceremony during the biennial IBBY World Congress which in 2026 will be held in Ottawa, Canada. 

At the end of the nomination period on 15 February 2025, 78 candidates from 44 countries were confirmed as nominees to the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Awards. Among these, 41 are nominated in the Writing category and 37 are nominated in the Illustration category. This is in an unprecedented volume of candidates and the highest-ever number of participating countries. 

I will pen a post with more details about many of these fabulous book creators over the coming weeks. 



Here are a few names for you to investigate if you are reading this in Australia:

Authors: 
Emily Rodda (Australia)
Pam Munoz Ryan



Illustrators:
Bruce Whatley (Australia)
Emily Gravett 
Sophie Blackall (see her dossier here) Ruby's wish is one of her five books sent to the HCAA Jury. 
Leo Timmers
Oyvind Torseter (I have read his books The Hole and Brown)
Elena Odriozola (see her dossier here)


Art by Elena Odriozola (Spain) for the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2022




IBBY Australia are thrilled to announce our HCAA nominees: Bruce Whatley (illustration) and Emily Rodda (writing).





I have fond memories of Bruce Whatley visiting my school library in Lithgow, NSW not long after his first book The Ugliest Dog in the World was published. I am so pleased that we have submitted his book One Tree by Christopher Cheng as one of the five titles sent to the jury. It has the most stunning illustrations.






I read Bob the Builder to thousands of Grade Two kids in my school library. I also read the small Solo title Green Fingers to many groups. Emily Rodda is the author of over 100 books. His name was Walter is one of the five books sent to the HCAA jury.

Meet the illustrator Lemniscates


When I see the name Lemniscates on a book cover I know it will be a special book for the youngest children. Her books are always filled with interesting art and curious subjects.


Carme Lemniscates is an award-winning author, illustrator and designer of children’s books who sees each book project as a complete undertaking in which the text, illustrations and graphic design converge with the same spirit from beginning to end. In 2010, after more than fifteen years of illustrating and designing children’s books for publishers, she founded Lemniscates Studio in her home city of Barcelona to create her own children’s book projects, which she both writes and illustrates.

Lemniscates Studio is an author/illustrator/designer collective that creates children's books and storybook apps. Established in Barcelona in 2010, Lemniscates has a special interest in books that encourage creative thinking and curiosity about subjects such as nature, the environment, friendship, adoption, fear and self-acceptance.

Illustration from Birds by Carme Lemniscates



Here is the newest book from Lemniscates due for publication later this year:


When Paloma arrives at the big building with so many other children living there, she stays silent and watches. But soon the cozy red carpet beckons—a place for her to draw and make friends, learn the language and learn to read. More change looms, however, and the children learn they'll have to leave their beloved carpet behind, so Paloma and her friends get creative and imagine a fitting farewell for their magic carpet.

These are a set of spiral bound board books for babies introducing them to famous poets. There is also one about Shakespeare and also about Edgar Allan Poe.


Trees which is one of the covers I shared at the top of this post, has a very simple but also lyrical text:

"Trees sleep in winter and wake up in spring. They bear fruit in summer and drop their leaves in autumn. Trees have their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. ... Trees cannot change their place in the world, so they are patient and learn to live where they are."

I previously talked about Silence




Monday, March 31, 2025

Jed Greenleaf by Kieran Larwood illustrated by David Wyatt




Feather, Bone, Claw, Fire, Leaf and Iron - the Guilds - who will gain power this year?

About this book: Albion city is governed by a puppet queen, secretly controlled by Lord Cromwell, and strange magic is afoot as six Guilds all compete to rule it. Although the Leaf Guild is the weakest, no one has reckoned with newcomer Jed Greenleaf’s extraordinary ability to transform into a half-tree, covered over with bark . . . he just needs to learn how to harness that power. Could he be the hero that the Guild needs to win at the tournament? It just might be that this year Jed can turn over a new leaf in the history books,and bring glory to the decaying Guild and peace to Albion.  Books Up North

Here are some children's book tropes that apply to this book:

  • The chosen one – A character who is destined to save the world or defeat a great evil.
In this book his name is Jed.

  • A magic school – A school for magical arts exists where the character goes to study and train.
Jed is taken to Yggdrsail House which is actually a house inside a giant tree and the home of Guild of Leaf. There he begins his training for the Arthanfest competition.

  • The wise old mentor – A powerful mentor figure helps train/guide the hero.
Madame Stump and her husband are in charge of training for the Guild but Jed's mentor or inspiration is actually the dead hero Jack Greenleaf

  • The dark lord – An ultimate evil or antagonist that stirs up trouble in the world
Cromwell and Lady Ireton have been drugging Queen Jane. The are totally corrupt and the Arthanfest competition has been rigged so either Iron or Fire always win.

  • A magic sword – The hero wields an enchanted blade with magical properties and powers.
Jed does not have a sword but he has his armour in the form of very thick tree bark and he has the power to manipulate trees and bushes.

  • A magical creature sidekick – A unicorn, dragon, sprite, etc. joins the hero on the journey
There are levels of power for Guild members. Jed has no idea he is able to reach level three until he meets a tree dryad.

  • A quest – The hero must journey to obtain some object or defeat some evil.
Jed is attacked while competing at Arthanfest. His new family are all captured. Working with his new friends Phoebe (Claw Guild) and Nxy (Bone Guild) they have just two days to save his family and expose the crimes of the Iron and Fire Guilds. The queen needs to know the truth and Cromwell must be defeated. There were times in this story that I simply gasped out loud at the treachery and danger. 

  • A magical world – The story is set in a world where magic is real and commonplace.
Each of the Guild champions can transform into their specific gift for example bark for Jed who is from the Leaf Guild. There are historical references in this setting to with names like Oliver Cromwell; Dick Turpin; and Samuel Johnson. 

  • A magical object – The use of a magic ring, wand, amulet, chalice, or similar item.
Every guild has an amulet which is the source of their power. At Arthanfest the Guilds complete for to collect magickal globes.

  • Magical creatures – Appearance of elves, dwarves, goblins, orcs, trolls, etc.
Jed has his tree dryad. I loved his way of speaking. "Larkspur and lavender, that be good work ye did last night, laddie ... We sozzled them redjackets like a gaggle of dumplings."

  • The outcast hero – The hero is a misfit in some way and doesn’t fit in.
Jed is an orphan. As a young boy he was very unwell and so he is small and seemingly quite weak. He has been badly bullied by one of the young farm workers with the awful name of Sam Gigglemug. 

  • Nature magic – Magic tied to the elements or forces of nature.
Members of the Guild of Leaf gain power from trees especially oak trees.

  • Evil queen/king – A tyrannical monarch that needs to be overthrown.
Cromwell is not a monarch but he is evil and must be overthrown.

  • Discovery of powers – The hero finds they have magical abilities they didn’t know about before.
When Jed is taken to Yggdrsail House it is obvious he has reached level one and can transform his skin into bark. On his first day Mr Stump discovers Jed can also perform at level two because he can talk to plants and as the danger increases when he is on the run from the soldiers is it clear he has reached level three and has the help of the tree dryad.


I spied this book in a local bookshop (Three Sparrows) and saw the detail on the cover that this book was by the author of Podkin One-ear which is a book series I loved.

Jed Greenleaf has 433 pages but I gobbled up over 250 pages today because it is so fast paced. This is one of those stories that you know will end in a mammoth battle of good versus evil. And yes it does. I also hoped the ending of this book would have a satisfying conclusion - and yes it does and great news this is a standalone book. Readers aged 10+ who enjoy stories of good and evil with heroes and quests are sure to enjoy this richly told story. 

Look for other books by Kieran Larwood:






The Elephant and the Sea by Ed Vere


As a young elephant, Gabriel dreams of sailing the high seas. When he asks the sailors they say:

"You're a bit young, lad. Come back when you're older. Come back when you're stronger."

So, over the following days, months and years, Gabriel reads books about sailing, he practices his rowing and of course, because he is a young elephant, he grows bigger and stronger. I imagine you have guessed what happens when he asks the sailors again if he can join them.

"Oh, Gabriel, you've grown a bit! You're too big for the boat, lad! We're sorry."

Gabriel is not crushed. He is a problem solver. He builds his own boat and luckily it is finished just in time because a huge storm hits the coast, and the sailors are way out at sea and in danger of drowning. Our young hero Gabriel saves the day, but this is not the end. The other sailors can see his talent and so together they build an even bigger boat so everyone can join in. 

When you talk to your young library group about this book, after reading and enjoying the story, you could talk about the story structure which begins in the present when Gabriel is an old elephant remembering his past, then there is a series of flash back scenes about his childhood and journey into boat building and ultimately the rescue and then the story returns to the present with Gabriel reminiscing about his past. You can see inside this book here. This book was published in 2024 and is available here in Australia in paperback for a really affordable price so you should consider adding this little gem to your school library. If you have a music teacher in your school, it would be fun to learn some sea shanties.

There is so much to love about this book: the repeated ‘heave ho’ of the seamen; the animals in the harbour, mending nets and building boats; the lifeboat crew ... (and) it is the detail that will fascinate readers from 3 years upwards; old Gabriel has a cat called Milou, and young Gabriel is depicted with a very small cat in his duffel coat pocket, or following him as he runs through the harbour, or sitting beside him as he gazes at the sea through his window. And the seagulls alone are worth following through the book as they echo the mood of every page in this delightful fable of determination and courage. Just Imagine

If you loved the problem solving and determination of young Stella in Stellaphant then you must look for The Elephant and the Sea. 



Here is another book by Ed Vere:


Sunday, March 30, 2025

How to Sail to Somewhere by Ashleigh Barton




"Bea turns away, blinking her eyes back into focus. She can't believe that, after all this time dreaming about it, Somewhere is actually so close she can see it."

There are two girls in this story, Bea and Arabella, and quite unexpectedly their lives collide. Arabella is in Bea's class at school but Arabella is one of those popular girls who always has a swarm of other girls around her. Bea has never even spoken to her. 

"Arabella has always seemed like the kind of person who doesn't want to speak to Bea, but may be Bea has been wrong about that too. ... hanging with Arabella is like hanging with royalty. Arabella is pretty and rich and confident. She's also somehow stony, like nothing bothers her ... This makes her untouchable, alluring and being her friend is an instant ticket to being popular. And Bea can't understand it, but popular is all anyone seems to want to be. They're not concerned about being nice or smart or clever ... or resourceful or creative or pioneering or anything like that."

What Bea doesn't know is that Arabella is not really friends with all of those girls. Bea, herself, has one or two good friends but they always head away from this small seaside town in the summer. She usually has her uncle to keep her company because her extremely busy parents disappear very early each day and always return late at night. Usually, summer is her time of joy when her uncle Bryon comes to stay. He is a fantastic uncle and together they have so much fun but this year he has not come and no one has told her why or if they have told her she simply does not understand. Before he left last year Byron showed Bea a map and said that next summer, they would sail together to a small star-shaped island off the coast called Somewhere. 

Here is a description of Byron:

His smell "that combination of freshly washed cotton, chewing gum and his peppermint shampoo."
And "the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed and how his smile was always slightly crooked or the way he always listened when you spoke, watching you like what you had to say was genuinely interesting even if you were just telling him why sandwiches are better without their crusts."

I mentioned there are two girls in this story. Everyone knows Arabella lives in a mansion with solid gold doorknobs and marble walls and an indoor swimming pool and fifteen cars. Bea is amazed to be invited there by Arabella and then she is even more amazed to discover none of this is true. And then Arabella shows Bea that she also has a map of the island named Somewhere and suddenly this summer it seems these two girls are destined to become friends.  The girls make a plan to sail to Somewhere. Bea wants to go there because it was the place her uncle promised they would go to together but why does Arabella so desperately want to go there and also how is the old fisherman Ray connected with all of this? And what about Uncle Bryon he is not here and yet somehow he seems to be directing the action with mysterious clues, secret keys, hidden rooms and one very special book. I loved the way the girls used their local library to search for more information about the island. 

There is something truly comforting about a story that is filled with delicious food. Ashleigh Barton has included a wonderful cafe in her story. Arabella's dad works there, and he is happy, as all good chefs are, to share his food with an appreciative audience. Bea is given food at home but it is nowhere near as delicious as the food served at Fishbone. Older readers might make the connection about the nourishment of food and Bea's need for comfort. Arabella has delicious food from her father but she too has an emptiness inside because she is holding onto a dreadful misunderstanding about her own absent mother. 

Add this book to your book shopping list - it is sure to be enjoyed by keen readers aged 9+. And after reading this book you will also want to go to your own local fish cafe or perhaps enjoy a picnic of cheese and pickle sandwiches, honey cake with strawberry jam and homemade lemonade. 

If you are book talking this new Australian book with your library group I would begin with these sentence:

"Where are you going to go?"  "I don't know. I'll go anywhere. Somewhere."

How could this be misinterpreted?  What if there is an island off the coast called Somewhere?

Here are some detailed teachers notes by Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright. And here are the webpages for Ashleigh Barton. How to Sail to Somewhere was published just four days ago so it will be in your local bookshop right now!

Publisher blurb: Beatrice Glass - Bea - lives in a tiny fishing village that's sleepy all year until the summertime, when the tourists flock in and most of the locals leave. But summer is also when Bea's favourite person in the entire world, her fun and hilarious uncle, Byron, comes to stay. On their last day together the previous summer, Byron had given Bea an intriguing antique book containing a map of Somewhere, a mysterious island off the coast, and promised that next summer they'd sail to Somewhere together for their best adventure yet. That was last year. Now summer has arrived, but Byron hasn't. And now it looks like he never will. Are the book and Byron's disappearance linked? Byron has left some clues for Bea - a scavenger hunt of sorts designed to bring her and her new friend, Arabella, together and give Bea one last magical summer. Could Somewhere hold the key to both Bea's and Arabella's future?

My 2025 CBCA Younger Readers notable and short list predictions were totally wrong but anyway I am going to say that How to Sail to Somewhere is sure to be a 2026 notable - fingers crossed. 

It’s evocative and emotional, without being syrupy or sanctimonious. I predict that readers will not only fall in love with these characters, but with the setting itself. Here’s one to add to forthcoming ‘best of’ lists without a doubt. Just so Stories

Companion books:


This is book is a perfect match with How to Sail to Somewhere - highly recommended.










A Horse Called Now by Ruth Doyle illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey


The horse is named Now and she is very wise. When the farm animals rush up to her full of worries she gently questions their fears. The Rabbits are sure a Fox chasing them but Now suggests they stop and look around. Can they see the Fox? No. Perhaps they should just enjoy some dandelions. Hen is sure the Magpie is after her chicks. But Now suggests she should look up. Can Hen see a swooping bird. No. 

"At this moment all is well. Why don't you search for some juicy grubs?

The Sheep is also very afraid but Now reassures her she is quite safe. Then a thunderstorm arrives - nothing to worry about - Now leads them all safely into the barn. Oh no - there are animals in the barn - are they scary? No. It's an old Fox, Magpie and a small puppy. 

"Now told the others. 'There's nothing to fear. Fox is looking somewhere warm to rest, Magpie only wants to collect shiny things and the Farmer's new dog is just a puppy, scared of the storm."

Anxiety is often about the 'what if' scenario. The animals express this as 'might'.

"... it might be his scarlet coat .... it might be his huge tail that trails fire ... he might sneak up ..."

"Magpie might have a beak as sharp as a famer's knife ... she might have wings that wrap and trap us"

This book could be quite didactic, but it is not. You could use this book to talk to young children about fear, anxiety, perception of danger, and point of view. I recommend you add this book to your school library. Nosy Crow consistently produce terrific books. 

The illustrations are also beautiful. A Horse Called Now was published in 2024 and it is available in paperback for a very good price.



Most mindfulness primers are a list of directives; this tale has the slow-moving grace of a fable. Kirkus

Doyle’s prose is beautiful and descriptive, introducing young readers to a lovely and sophisticated use of language through onomatopoeia, similes, and a rich vocabulary. Finkeldey’s expansive illustrations lend a vintage charm ...  School Library Journal

A Horse Called Now beautifully encapsulates the journey of overcoming worries and embracing the present moment. ‘When I’m afraid, I breathe in and out and let the feelings come . . . and then go. Nothing lasts forever.’ In today’s world, mental health awareness is paramount, especially for young children. The story instils the notion that it’s perfectly alright not to feel okay at times, and that seeking help is a commendable action. Through its narrative, A Horse Called Now emphasises the significance of friendship and support networks. Just Imagine

Here are two other books by Ruth Doyle:



Alexandra Finkeldey is a freelance artist based in Kingston, Canada. Her book titles include:  On a Mushroom Day by Chris Baker (Tundra Books, 2024), Saving the Spotted Owl by Nicola Jones (Kids Can Press, 2023), The Boy, the Cloud and the Very Tall Tale by Heather Smith (Orca Books, 2023), When the Storks Came Home by Isabella Tree (Ivy Kids, 2022) True Stories of Animal Heroes: Talala by Vita Murrow (Frances Lincoln, 2021). 




Saturday, March 29, 2025

The Wrong Way Home by Kate O'Shaughnessy



"... we know Dr Ben certainly isn't perfect - we all know he has a nasty temper. 
He doesn't lose it often, but when he does watch out."


This is such a powerful story, but my descriptions might surprise you. All through the story I wanted Fern to fail. I know that sounds very strange, but she and her mother have fled the cult where Fern has lived since she was just six years old. Fern has of course been totally indoctrinated by the cult leader but readers aged 12+ are sure to insights that go beyond the way Fern sees her former life.

Opening sentence: "Before we came to live at the Ranch, Mom and I were like tumbleweeds."

Early on in the story there are hints that the leader of this place - Dr Ben - is all about control. The girls and women are all sitting in room knitting. Fern is watching her friend Meadowlark struggling with this task. When Dr Ben walks into the room everyone falls silent. 

"He drops in like this occasionally. It's never on a schedule - sometimes he'll surprise us twice in three days; other times he won't come around for months ... I'm not the only one who's nervous. I see a flash of eyes all around me, the tucking of hair behind ears and shifting of bodies."

"Everything we have - everything The Ranch provides us - is because of him. ... And as long as you live up to his ideals, life is beautiful. It all makes sense."

Dr Ben has come to summon Fern to his office. Once there he tells her it is time for her rite. He also says she should 'prepare for the unexpected.'

"After your rite, you're considered an adult, and you're entrusted with a lot more responsibility. Most of the time it happens around the spring equinox of the year you turn fifteen. But I don't even turn thirteen for another six months."

Every part of the conversation between Dr Ben and Fern feels like a manipulation. As a reader I found him very sinister right from the beginning. Something is very wrong here - he is asking her to do the rite when she is so young. The last time some kids were sent to do their rite a boy named Rain died. You will also read that Fern's mum has been put on a water diet so she can refocus her thinking. 

Have you noticed these names - Fern, Meadowlark, Rain and mum's name is Magnolia (real name Jamie Silvana) - yes everyone has changed their name when they joined this cult. 

"Choosing a new name - one that reflects the beauty of nature - is something everyone does at the Ranch. For your first few months you aren't called anything at all. Dr Ben says it's so you can 'readjust your self-perception' ... to strip yourself of your old identity entirely, so you can commit yourself to a new one. ... I'm not sure how the name 'Dr Ben' relates to something in nature, but I'm sure it does. I've always been too nervous to ask, because I bet it's short for something obvious, and I'd feel stupid once it was explained to me."

I do need to say Fern does not even know the word cult let alone have any understanding of what this means. That word is not mentioned until page 242. When she and her mother escape and re-enter the 'real world' there is so much that Fern (her real name is Frankie) has to learn. The children don't go to a regular school at The Ranch. It's purpose is to raise:

"A generation who will understand how to live in harmony with the land. How to be ready to survive the fallout of war, climate change, of disaster. I do not take this responsibility lightly. Because it's coming, sooner than society thinks. And to survive you need to be tough. You need to go through the gauntlet of hardship and come out the other side stronger."

Think about all the things Fern might not know - computers, American history, money, the enjoyment of reading a fiction story, sweet treats like croissants, and that television is not dangerous. She also encounters lots of new words such as Amish, VIP, tag sale, marzipan, and bewildered. Thank goodness for Fern's new friend Eddie, for her wonderful science teacher and for library books and helpful librarians. 

When Fern and her mother reach the other side of America, Fern begins to plan their return. In her mind life at the Ranch was good and that is the place where she felt cared for and supported.  She knows there are no mobile phones (not true) at the Ranch and no computers so she decides she should write a letter to Dr Ben. The post office lady cannot help and of course stamps and envelopes require money. Then she realises she does not have an address. She is enrolled at school and another student reluctantly shows her how to search the internet. Fern finds the name of a local private detective but when she visits his office he asks for $300. How can Fern raise that much money? Luckily Mum didn't pick this town by chance - she knows a lady who lives there. Bab's is so kind. She offers Fern a job clearing out the old rooms above her tearooms. But all of this takes time. Fern is in a rush to get back to the Ranch but this time allows her to grow in her realisation that perhaps life was not quite so perfect and that Dr Ben was not trustworthy - but then she does post that letter, and her world comes tumbling down. I think I held my breath through the final chapters of this book I was so worried about Fern.

I sometimes wish I could have read a book for kids that I’ve encountered today as a child myself. This is one of those books. At what point does the average reader figure out that Fern may be in the wrong? When do their loyalties switch to the mom? Do they ever? While the adults amongst us are screaming “DON’T GET IN THAT VAN!” at the book, do kid readers feel the same way? I can’t help but think that this book would be an amazing bookclub read with children. Their reactions would be incredible.  ... Fuse8 Betsy Bird - please read her whole review!

Betsy also says: It’s a cleverly written and supremely literary story, while also remaining pretty gripping in its telling. Trust me, you won’t know what hit you after you finish it.   

A strong, emotionally intelligent story. Kirkus Star review

The Wrong Way Home is an unforgettable, propulsive story of a girl learning to trust her inner voice. With a fresh premise, compelling characters, and an atmospheric setting, this book is impossible to put down. It tackles cults, a rarely mentioned subject in children’s literature, with age-appropriate sensitivity and is sure to spark plenty of discussion in and out of the classroom. Reading Middle Grade

I learnt a new word in this book 'kasha' - it is a type of buckwheat.

Here is an interview with the author Kate O'Shaughnessy (note this page is full of advertising). And here is her web page where you can find her other books. 

Publisher blurb: Twelve-year-old Fern believes she's living a noble life--but what if everything she's been told is a lie?  This is a huge-hearted story about a girl learning to question everything—and to trust in herself. Fern’s lived at the Ranch, an off-the-grid, sustainable community in upstate New York, since she was six. The work is hard, but Fern admires the Ranch's leader, Dr. Ben. So when Fern’s mother sneaks them away in the middle of the night and says Dr. Ben is dangerous, Fern doesn't believe it. She wants desperately to go back, but her mom just keeps driving. Suddenly thrust into the treacherous, toxic, outside world, Fern can think only of how to get home. She has a plan, but it will take time. As that time goes by, though, Fern realizes there are things she will miss from this place—the library, a friend from school, the ocean—and there are things she learned at the Ranch that are just...not true. Now Fern will have to decide. How much is she willing to give up to return to the Ranch? Should she trust Dr. Ben’s vision for her life? Or listen to the growing feeling that she can live by her own rules?

I read an ebook copy of The Wrong Way Home. Here in Australia this book will be available in June [9780593650769]. Watch this video where Colby Sharp talks about his reaction to this amazing book. The wrong way home is a 2025 Newbery Honour book

The most obvious companion book in my view is this very old Australian title: