Ella and the Call of the Wild

Ella and the Call of the Wild by Cassy Polimeni, illustrated by Hykie Breeze (UWA Publishing) PB RRP $15.99 ISBN 978-1-7608-033-60

Reviewed by Ann Harth (www.annharth.com )

Ella’s class is getting pen pals who live on the other side of Australia. Everyone is excited to share something special about themselves with a new friend from North Queensland, but Ella is worried. What’s special about her? She isn’t funny like Owen; she’s not good at gymnastics like Clara, and she isn’t artistic like her best friend, Mai.

She decides to write about the thing that interests her most – the frogs that live in her backyard bog. Ella spends hours watching and listening to the different sounds and personalities of each frog. She sends away her letter.

While waiting for a reply from her pen pal, Ranger Dan visits the class with a wombat, a snake and Finn, a banana box frog all the way from North Queensland. Ranger Dan explains that many frogs are accidentally transported from banana farms in FNQ to other parts of the country. If people don’t find and care for these frogs, they will die.

Ella becomes deeply concerned about banana box frogs and, when she finally hears from her pen pal, she discovers Billie cares too. She has frogs like Finn in her own backyard. Ella enlists her class's help and embarks on a mission to educate her town about how to save frogs that have travelled all the way from North Queensland.

Ella and the Call of the Wild really struck a chord with me. It’s beautifully written and uses effective sensory imagery that transports the young reader into the rainforests of Far North Queensland. Sound is integrated smoothly and subtly, encouraging the reader to notice the familiar more closely.

The story is told in first person and invites the reader to dive deeply into Ella’s mind, thoughts and emotions. She is relatable, likeable and has hopes and fears that will resonate with many independent readers.

Ella and the Call of the Wild is the final book of the four-part series Ella and the Frogs created by Cassy Polimeni and illustrated by Hykie Breeze. Young readers (5‑8) will become immersed in Ella’s world, where environmental facts are smoothly integrated into her story. Highly recommended.