The Disappearing Circus

The Disappearing Circus by Kate Gordon and Helen Edwards (Riveted Press) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN 9781763526099

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Ivy and Emme are runaways, both heading north from their respective villages. Both girls are running from sadness, broken families, and broken hearts. Initially unknown to each other, the pair find themselves captured inside a scarlet red circus tent in the Midmoors.

 

The pair soon discover that this circus is a far cry from any ordinary circus. The Disappearing Circus is ‘all about the past and the never-was’. It is a captivating blend of ghosts, myths, extinct creatures, and children of the ‘real and now’, thanks to Ivy and Emme’s arrival.

Ivy and Emme are soon tasked with the overwhelming challenge of showcasing their talents to save the circus. However, both girls believe they have no distinguishing talents to attract the large crowds required. The girls learn and grow together by sharing their stories, facing their past, and keeping memories alive.

The Disappearing Circus is an imaginative and multi-layered middle grade novel seamlessly co-authored by Kate Gordon and Helen Edwards. The multiple themes include family, friendship, belonging, grief, courage, self-belief, hope, magic, and possibility.

My Brother Finch

My Brother Finch by Kate Gordon (Simon and Schuster) ISBN: 978064586937 RRP $17.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

How do you continue your life when a member of your family disappears?

Wren is about to begin high school. She should be excited and looking forward to this milestone event. But it’s been three long years since she saw her younger brother and now everyone knows her as the girl whose brother went missing.

Gordon has created a tender story about older sister, Wren, who doesn’t quite know how to move on without her younger brother, Finch. Nobody knows what happened to him. Or to another girl Ava who also disappeared on the same day, in the same place as Finch. Her family were wealthy and got most of the attention. Finch was slowly forgotten.

Gordon doesn’t shy away from the sadness felt in different way by all members of the family. Nor does she avoid the guilt that weighs heavily on this young character. Gordon’s masterful writing tackles both strong issues of guilt and depression with care and consideration that creates an even bigger impact on the reader.

The story is told through Wren’s point of view, but scattered throughout the story are conversations she has with her missing brother. This clever and unique approach is used by Gordon to facilitate conversations between Wren and her brother. He tries to encourage Wren to make friends with the new girl, Freddie, check up on the other strangely quiet girl Ava, and most importantly, keep living her life. There is also a third narrative as Wren’s wrestles with her subconscious and the conversations she has with herself. All three are carefully constructed with just enough conversation that it doesn’t slow the overall storyline down; instead supports it to move forward. Each dialogue included has a distinct voice, along with a certain font printed within the book which is helpful and enjoyable.

This story will keep you curious until the very end. It will also pull on your heart strings. Keep some tissues handy!

My Brother Finch is suitable for a 12+ year-old readership.

Esme in the Limelight

Esme in the Limelight by Kate Gordon (Riveted Press) PB RRP $16.99 ISBN 9780645869316

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Esme is a fifteen-year-old girl who is happiest when she is working in the local milk bar and listening to soundtracks from musicals. However, she constantly feels like she is ‘not enough’ and does not like herself. Esme does not live up to her parents’ high expectations and she is often made to feel worthless by their snide comments, their absence, or their constant praise of her perfect sister, Ro.

In the recent past, Esme’s self-loathing drew her to the positive and charismatic Amy, an older girl at school. Well-meaning Amy convinced Esme that she needed a drastic makeover and bombarded her with positive quotes and affirmations. However, while Esme craved Amy’s constant validation, deep down she knew she was wearing a mask and she never felt like herself.

To add to Esme’s despair, she learns that the owners of her beloved milk bar are going to sell it, and she becomes overwhelmed with sadness. She feels like the milk bar is all she has. Fortunately, new, and old friends are there to support her and help her realise that she is so much more than what she believes.

Esme in the Limelight is an emotive middle grade novel about finding yourself. It is highly recommended for mature readers aged 11 years and older. The novel’s themes include mental health, friendship, empathy, people-pleasing, shame, and hope. Gordon explores complex issues with great care including depression, body image, emotional abuse, toxic positivity, and eating disorders.

Esme in the Limelight is a companion novel to Aster’s Good Right Things, Xavier in the Meantime, and Indigo in the Storm.

Whalesong

Whalesong by Kate Gordon (Riveted Press) PB RRP $16.95 ISBN: 9780645218022

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

If you loved Playing Beattie Bow and enjoy a mix of historical fiction, magic and timeslip adventure, you’re going to love Kate Gordon’s Whalesong.

Aberdeen Knopwood lives in modern-day Hobart, a city full of history where her family have lived for generations. Passionate about the environment, Aberdeen wants to make a difference in the world but, being shy and having just lost her best friend, is struggling to find her place and her voice. She despairs of her ability to make change, after all, change comes from action not from thinking or wanting.

Then, her father gives her a special gift – an antique chronometer. Aberdeen is confused. It’s a beautiful instrument but why would she need an old timepiece used to help sailors navigate by the stars?

Soon after receiving the gift, however, Aberdeen gets a sense there is something more mystical and powerful about the chronometer. A mysterious girl starts appearing and seems to be beckoning Aberdeen to follow her. When she finally does, Aberdeen finds herself in a place familiar, yet not. It’s Hobart but newer. And, amidst the tall ships in the harbour, there are men with harpoons and the song of whales.

Before long, Aberdeen finds herself on a mission to change history and, in the process, to perhaps even find herself, her voice and her place in the world.

Kate Gordon grew up in Tasmania, in a small town by the sea and has drawn beautifully on her love of this part of the country and its history to bring readers this tale of hope for our future and the message that, yes, one person can make a difference.

An ideal junior fiction story for readers aged 9 to 12, who are on the cusp of finding their voice and make their mark, the character of Aberdeen will resonate with readers of all ages. Whether you’re after some history, a touch of magic, a powerful story about the environment or just a beautifully crafted tale, Whalesong will have something for you.

The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow

The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow by Kate Gordon (University of Queensland Press) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 9780702263484

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

‘I have to be special, somehow, to make up for everything.’

Orphaned when a lightning strike kills his parents, Jackdaw Hollow is adopted and raised by the lonely headmistress of Direleafe Hall, a boarding school for girls. Jackdaw is content with his life until, at the age of twelve, he overhears a conversation that leads him to question whether he is at fault for the death of his parents.

Despite a close friendship with Angharad, the school cook, Jackdaw starts looking for more, believing his life has no purpose – that he has no calling. He is soon befriended by Florence, Nell, and Lucy, three ghosts who reside at Direleafe Hall. They guide him towards Angeline, another orphan who, they say, will help Jackdaw find his calling.

Angeline has her own troubles, however, and soon Jackdaw finds himself in above his head – unable to ‘save’ Angeline (because she does not wish to allow anyone to save her) and still without a calling of his own.  

Readers will find themselves connecting with at least one of the characters in the story whether it’s gentle Jackdaw whose ‘brain works differently, is all’, independent Angeline who cares not ‘if you use words that wrong-about as long a person knows what you mean’, wise Angharad who believes ‘the world is positively brimming with next times’ or even one of the ghost girls who only want to help but occasionally ‘go too far’.

Kate Gordon’s enchanting and lyrical language delights at every turn of the page and is beautifully complemented by Rachel Tribout’s whimsical illustrations that serve to bring the characters and scenes to life.

The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow absolutely speaks to the needs of its midgrade audience as Kate Gordon explores the world of 8 to 12-year-olds who are beginning to express their identities and trying to understand their place and purpose in life.

The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow

The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow by Kate Gordon (University of Queensland Press) PB RRP $14.99 ISBN: 9780702263484

Reviewed by Kellie Nissen

‘I have to be special, somehow, to make up for everything.’

Orphaned when a lightning strike kills his parents, Jackdaw Hollow is adopted and raised by the lonely headmistress of Direleafe Hall, a boarding school for girls. Jackdaw is content with his life until, at the age of twelve, he overhears a conversation that leads him to question whether he is at fault for the death of his parents.

Despite a close friendship with Angharad, the school cook, Jackdaw starts looking for more, believing his life has no purpose – that he has no calling. He is soon befriended by Florence, Nell, and Lucy, three ghosts who reside at Direleafe Hall. They guide him towards Angeline, another orphan who, they say, will help Jackdaw find his calling.

Angeline has her own troubles, however, and soon Jackdaw finds himself in above his head – unable to ‘save’ Angeline (because she does not wish to allow anyone to save her) and still without a calling of his own.  

Readers will find themselves connecting with at least one of the characters in the story whether it’s gentle Jackdaw whose ‘brain works differently, is all’, independent Angeline who cares not ‘if you use words that wrong-about as long a person knows what you mean’, wise Angharad who believes ‘the world is positively brimming with next times’ or even one of the ghost girls who only want to help but occasionally ‘go too far’.

Kate Gordon’s enchanting and lyrical language delights at every turn of the page and is beautifully complemented by Rachel Tribout’s whimsical illustrations that serve to bring the characters and scenes to life.

The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow absolutely speaks to the needs of its midgrade audience as Kate Gordon explores the world of 8 to 12-year-olds who are beginning to express their identities and trying to understand their place and purpose in life.

Thyla

Thyla by Kate Gordon (Random House)

HB RRP $17.95

ISBN 978-1-8647-1881-2

Reviewed by Oliver Phommavanh

Thyla is a novel for teenagers and essentially an Aussie paranormal story, cut from the same cloth as Twilight but without the melancholy romance.

Tessa is a girl, found in the Tasmanian bush, without any memories. She’s taken care of by a policewoman, Connolly and placed into a boarding school. Connolly lost her own daughter in the bush, so it’s an emotional time for both her and Tessa.

Gordon does a wonderful job in drip-feeding information as the narrator Tessa regains her memory. Seasoned readers will be able to pick up on the clues straight away. It quickly becomes obvious that Tessa is not from this time and there’s a little humour as she learns how to adapt and cope with things like cars and stereo speakers. So Tessa is a freak and she gets churned through the gossip machine and social hierarchy. She also has to re-discover her own original state with animal instincts that take over her life. 

  

Gordon comes up with a convincing tale that weaves Australian colonial history into the mix. It’s a refreshing take from other paranormal novels, where readers just have to assume that these ‘creatures’ exist. The last third of the novel may just be a set up for the sequel, but it’s an intriguing one nonetheless.

Thyla is a great novel that will please paranormal fans. It’s recommended for ages 13 and up.