Green Valentine by Lili Wilkinson
What’s it about?
Environmental activist Astrid spends her life struggling to get people to care. She is constantly frustrated by the apathy and lack of interest from those around her – all except Hiro, the boy who works at the local shopping centre. But at school, Hiro and Astrid are from different worlds. She’s bright and popular, loved by teachers and best friend to the Queen Bee. He’s a sulky “stoner kid”, wreaking havoc for fun and waiting out the days until he can leave. If they can find a way to make the relationship work, they have a chance to make a difference to their town, the kind of difference Astrid has been hoping to make for a very long time.
Who’s it for?
Young adults, probably 14+. Especially those interested in gardening or the environment.
Would I recommend it?
Yes. I loved Astrid from very early in the book and I liked the little environmental facts thrown in unashamedly. The challenges faced by each character were realistic, there was balance given by some “eco-terrorist” types as well as the corporate sell-outs, and the heroes of the book made mistakes that I could easily relate to. I loved the way Wilkinson wove together the environmental theme with a wider theme of community, as well as some classic teen coming-of-age problems to do with friendships, family and relationships.
Would I teach it?
Yes. Obviously this would be ideal for the “sustainability” aspect of the syllabus, but I also think Astrid is a very strong character for a unit on identity or a similar theme.
What’s it about?
Environmental activist Astrid spends her life struggling to get people to care. She is constantly frustrated by the apathy and lack of interest from those around her – all except Hiro, the boy who works at the local shopping centre. But at school, Hiro and Astrid are from different worlds. She’s bright and popular, loved by teachers and best friend to the Queen Bee. He’s a sulky “stoner kid”, wreaking havoc for fun and waiting out the days until he can leave. If they can find a way to make the relationship work, they have a chance to make a difference to their town, the kind of difference Astrid has been hoping to make for a very long time.
Who’s it for?
Young adults, probably 14+. Especially those interested in gardening or the environment.
Would I recommend it?
Yes. I loved Astrid from very early in the book and I liked the little environmental facts thrown in unashamedly. The challenges faced by each character were realistic, there was balance given by some “eco-terrorist” types as well as the corporate sell-outs, and the heroes of the book made mistakes that I could easily relate to. I loved the way Wilkinson wove together the environmental theme with a wider theme of community, as well as some classic teen coming-of-age problems to do with friendships, family and relationships.
Would I teach it?
Yes. Obviously this would be ideal for the “sustainability” aspect of the syllabus, but I also think Astrid is a very strong character for a unit on identity or a similar theme.
Hate is Such A Strong Word by Sarah Ayoub
What’s it about?
Sophie Kazzi is entering her final year of high school at the all-Lebanese Catholic school, trying to find her identity and navigate around a strict father’s views on “good Lebanese girls”. After a violent incident in her town, Sophie worries about racism and her community’s reputation. But then half-Aussie Shehadie Goldsmith arrives at her school, and it seems the ugly attitudes that Sophie hates are just as prevalent closer to home.
Who’s it for?
Young adults, from about 13 or 14 up. It’s a “coming of age” story, so the key themes are identity and growing up, rather than any particular special interest.
Would I recommend it?
It’s in that middle ground, 3/5 stars territory for me. I think there’s a lot of good in this book and I really want there to be more diversity in Australian literature, but at times it felt more like a manifesto on multiculturalism and the Lebanese-Australian experience than a story. I sympathised with Sophie, but I didn’t feel strongly invested in her struggles with her father and finding an internal sense of identity. I did have high hopes for the relationship between Sophie and Shehadie and I appreciate that Ayoub gave them a nuanced, uncompromising relationship rather than a fairytale.
Would I teach it?
Probably not. I was hoping that this could be an updated choice in the vein of Looking for Alibrandi, but it didn’t quite get there for me. I do think it would be a great source for extracts, either as unseen text for exams/assessments or for classroom study on multicultural voices or modern Australian issues. As a whole novel study, I think it was repetitive at times and not quite deep enough.
What’s it about?
Sophie Kazzi is entering her final year of high school at the all-Lebanese Catholic school, trying to find her identity and navigate around a strict father’s views on “good Lebanese girls”. After a violent incident in her town, Sophie worries about racism and her community’s reputation. But then half-Aussie Shehadie Goldsmith arrives at her school, and it seems the ugly attitudes that Sophie hates are just as prevalent closer to home.
Who’s it for?
Young adults, from about 13 or 14 up. It’s a “coming of age” story, so the key themes are identity and growing up, rather than any particular special interest.
Would I recommend it?
It’s in that middle ground, 3/5 stars territory for me. I think there’s a lot of good in this book and I really want there to be more diversity in Australian literature, but at times it felt more like a manifesto on multiculturalism and the Lebanese-Australian experience than a story. I sympathised with Sophie, but I didn’t feel strongly invested in her struggles with her father and finding an internal sense of identity. I did have high hopes for the relationship between Sophie and Shehadie and I appreciate that Ayoub gave them a nuanced, uncompromising relationship rather than a fairytale.
Would I teach it?
Probably not. I was hoping that this could be an updated choice in the vein of Looking for Alibrandi, but it didn’t quite get there for me. I do think it would be a great source for extracts, either as unseen text for exams/assessments or for classroom study on multicultural voices or modern Australian issues. As a whole novel study, I think it was repetitive at times and not quite deep enough.
Cinnamon Rain by Emma Cameron
(also published as "Out of This Place")
What’s it about?
A verse novel told in three sections. Three friends find their way into adulthood without finishing high school, but in different ways. Luke is the beach bum wanting a sense of purpose to his life, drawn to people who need rescuing, and madly in love with Casey. Casey is the girl who never felt wanted, acutely aware of her status as an “accident” and trapped by her strict, unaffectionate father. Bongo, from a broken home, grieves the little brother he isn’t allowed to see and loves Casey from a distance, always aware of Luke’s feelings and his own inadequacies.
Who’s it for?
I’m struggling to put an age on this. It’s easy to read and highly accessible, preferring allusion to graphic detail. But there are some heavy themes and plenty of sexual references, so I would say probably around 15/16 year olds.
Would I recommend it?
Yes. When I was at uni, someone described poetry as “the concentrate, and prose is the cordial”. At the time I was mildly offended at the implication that prose is watered down, but in this particular instance I can see what she meant. This story is full and rich and told in so few words. I felt for the characters and loved how Cameron created complex, raw situations that detailed the struggles of three very different people without “ranking” them.
Would I teach it?
Yes, it would be a great choice for a year 10 or 11 class. The overarching theme of finding your own way in the world is highly relevant, and the poetry is easy to understand. There’s much to discuss about privilege, opportunities and backgrounds, and I love that the three characters are presented in such a way that they never seem “inferior” to their university-attending friends.
Final Thoughts
I’m cheating tonight and leaving my “final thoughts” for a final post – it’s the 28th December, so I think a “year in review” is due in the next couple of days!
(also published as "Out of This Place")
What’s it about?
A verse novel told in three sections. Three friends find their way into adulthood without finishing high school, but in different ways. Luke is the beach bum wanting a sense of purpose to his life, drawn to people who need rescuing, and madly in love with Casey. Casey is the girl who never felt wanted, acutely aware of her status as an “accident” and trapped by her strict, unaffectionate father. Bongo, from a broken home, grieves the little brother he isn’t allowed to see and loves Casey from a distance, always aware of Luke’s feelings and his own inadequacies.
Who’s it for?
I’m struggling to put an age on this. It’s easy to read and highly accessible, preferring allusion to graphic detail. But there are some heavy themes and plenty of sexual references, so I would say probably around 15/16 year olds.
Would I recommend it?
Yes. When I was at uni, someone described poetry as “the concentrate, and prose is the cordial”. At the time I was mildly offended at the implication that prose is watered down, but in this particular instance I can see what she meant. This story is full and rich and told in so few words. I felt for the characters and loved how Cameron created complex, raw situations that detailed the struggles of three very different people without “ranking” them.
Would I teach it?
Yes, it would be a great choice for a year 10 or 11 class. The overarching theme of finding your own way in the world is highly relevant, and the poetry is easy to understand. There’s much to discuss about privilege, opportunities and backgrounds, and I love that the three characters are presented in such a way that they never seem “inferior” to their university-attending friends.
Final Thoughts
I’m cheating tonight and leaving my “final thoughts” for a final post – it’s the 28th December, so I think a “year in review” is due in the next couple of days!
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