Spirit of the Crocodile

Spirit of the Crocodile by Aaron Fa’Aoso & Michelle Scott Tucker with Lyn White. Allen & Unwin 2025. MG paperback RRP $19.99. ISBN 9781743317099.

Reviewed by Debra Williams

Twelve-year-old Ezra lives on the island of Saibai, part of the Torres Strait. He loves his family, his friends, a laugh and – almost more than anything – a dare. When one of his dares goes wrong, he realises he needs to make some decisions about helping out and measuring up. He learns that there is more than one way to look at nearly everything, especially after a fall-out with his dad, when he almost sparks what could have been a fatal incident with his young brother.

 

When a large crocodile appears, staring at Ezra, his best friend asks whether the crocodile is directly looking at Ezra. When the reptile appears a second time, Ezra realises that he is bringing a signal of change to everyday life and the future.

A violent storm and flooding put everyone to the test. Ezra and his friend Mason must be more resilient and mature than ever, as they desperately work to help others. Ezra, formerly reluctant to move into higher schooling and his early teen years, has a re-assessment of everything valuable and important to himself, his family and his community.

The author has added an interesting note with information about croc-infested Saibai Island, which has a population of around 300 people. Whilst the characters and certain events are fictional, much of the information is based on reality. Saibai is closely connected to surrounding islands, including Thursday Island. Saibai has a primary school, airport and health centre. Children need to go to other islands for their higher education. There is the underlying theme of how important the effect of climate change is to the Saibai population, where permanent inundation by rising tides is a constant reality, bringing serious effects and erosion on their crops and water supply.

This is a gentle tale of friendship, coming to maturity, the importance of close-knit community and connecting with your totem spirit animal and will be enjoyed by those aged 11+.

Tyenna: Through My Eyes

Tyenna: Through My Eyes – Australian Disaster Series by Julie Hunt and Terry Whitebeach, edited by Lyn White (Allen and Unwin) Paperback RRP $16.99 ISBN 9781760877019

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Tye spends summer holidays with her grandparents, in Tasmania, in the pristine wilderness of Clancy’s Point. Her relationship with her Mum, is up and down, and the time away in Tasmania offers her stability. Tye’s best friend Lily lives next door, and they share a love of the land and nature. Tye longs to take part in conservation projects and to learn more about taking care of the environment. This thrilling novel is about Tyenna’s experience of the terrifying 2019 Tasmanian bushfires.

Julie Hunt and Terry Whitebeach have developed a suspenseful and engaging text. The threat of a dangerous bushfire and a runaway boy keeps the reader on edge and wondering if they will survive. The characters are strong, and their voices are gripping. Each character is distinct and well developed. A range of character age groups are included, along with a wombat called Myrtle who creates havoc. This story builds empathy and understanding on many topics including – the elderly, bushfires, conservation, Aboriginal perspectives, education, friendships, family dynamics, LGBT and foster children are a few.

Tye is raw and honest with a believable teenage voice. ‘Why didn’t you tell her where you really are?’ Bailey looks down. ‘She might send me away.’ ‘Your auntie wouldn’t do that!’ Tye says. The text is educational and layered with lots of information about bushfire preparation and firefighting. Scientific names for flora and historical facts are included. Immediately a text comes in from Lukas. Hey, RUOK Just seen footage of burnt World heritage areas down your way. Ecological disaster. Are they going to wait till all the Gondwanian species are wiped out before they act? Or is it up to us? The text is a mix of short and long sentences that pace the story beautifully. What I particularly like about this text is that the reader is encouraged to think and question and be curious.

Tyenna: Through My Eyes is a wonderful story about family, friendship and community all working together during a bushfire emergency. I can see this book being used in schools because it’s a multilayered text that raises discussion about bush conservation and climate change. It is a book that will be a gripping read for children aged 11 – 14 years.