Jenna’s Truth

Jenna’s Truth by N. L. King, (Serenity Press), revised edition printed 2018 PB 80 pp  RRP $16.99

Reviewed by Pauline Hosking

‘If I could have one wish it would be for Jenna’s Truth to save lives. I pray … that one teen somewhere … will come to believe their life matters and that hope exists.’ So writes N. L. King in her explanatory Author’s Motivation.

In 2012, 15-year old Amanda Michelle Todd committed suicide after being the target of horrific cyber-bullying. Her story galvanised N.L. King into writing this story of a girl who is cyber-bullied and survives.

The book begins with Jenna attempting to drown herself in the diving pool of the local swimming baths. She is saved by a teacher. Jenna then takes us back through the stages that have led to her despair.

         

A quiet, unremarkable girl who wants to fit in, Jenna can’t believe her luck when the popular Tina chooses her as a friend. But all is not as it seems. For no good reason, apart from providing vicious entertainment, Tina plans to shame Jenna. She is invited to a high school party and encouraged to drink until she’s drunk. Pictures of Jenna, half-dressed, in bed with Tina’s boyfriend, are posted on social media. The resulting humiliation almost destroys Jenna. Luckily she has an understanding teacher, a good counsellor and loving parents to help her through.

Jenna tells her story in the first 57 pages of this slim volume. The other 23 pages are crammed with useful information about where to go for help, how to report cyberbullying, teaching notes, teaching suggestions, discussion questions and an interview with the author. It has a foreword by suicide survivor Kevin Hines.

Jenna’s Truth could easily be a way for teachers’ and parents to discuss a number of difficult problems. It is recommended for mature teenagers but I think younger readers will benefit from its wisdom as well.

One quibble. Jenna is supposed to take inspiration from the actions of Pi, the fictional hero in Life of Pi. A better choice would have been to reference a book about the bravery and courage of a real person, like Touching the Void or The Librarian of Auschwitz.   

Maximus

This is an extract from Maximus, a middle-grade novel written by Steve Heron, released in 2018 by Serenity Press. Maximus is available through www.steveheron.com, some bookstores, online bookstores etc.

‘Everyone was laughing, including Maddy. I turned around to see what was so funny and saw my footy boots hanging in the rafters.

So, that’s what they were laughing at. I could see Jason laughing the most. The hot lava bubbled inside of me as their laughter fuelled the fire. This time I couldn’t hold it in. I erupted like Mount Vesuvius.

My arms swung around like a mad octopus. Somehow my fist connected with the closest person, Jason. Thwack! I felt the awful impact of flesh on flesh. His head wrenched sideways. He did a half pirouette and crashed to the ground as if someone had pulled a rug out from under his feet. Everyone gasped in shock.

I didn’t mean it. It just happened.

Everything seemed to freeze, except me. I took off.

I ran like a fugitive and hid behind the undercover area where I thought no one could find me. I curled up in a ball, put my arms on my knees and slumped my head on my arms. I was in big trouble. Kids got suspended for hitting other kids, even if they didn’t mean to.

How was I going to talk my way out of this? Everything officially sucked.

Why am I such a loser?

Dad’s words materialised in my brain: We don't solve problems with our fists, we use our words. Lately his words hit harder than fists’.

Friends

Friends by Teena Raffa-Mulligan, illustrated by Veronica Rooke (Serenity Press) PB RRP $12.99 ISBN 9780995410411

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Written in rhyming verse that could easily be sung if it had music, this clever, delightful little picture book for a 3+ years age group, reflects on just what friends are. It conveys ways friends care for one another and what they do to show it, regardless of their differences. Ideal for reading and listening to, it can be used as an introduction to poetry for the young.

An interesting collection of Australian wildlife comes together. Koalas and cockatoos, a snake and a kangaroo, a bear, bee, and possum are part of the large menagerie that carries the story. Strong, bold lines and vibrant colours make each page a stage production thanks to Veronica Rooke’s carefree interpretation. The text is free-flowing in large font set out in a thoughtful and child-friendly design. The characters are happy, playful and animated as friends are when they get together.

It’s a picture book for the very young to learn and recognize our Australian creatures while listening to verse. Friends, conveys a strong message about the role friendships play in people’s lives.

My Silly Mum

My Silly Mum by Monique Mulligan, illustrated by Veronica Rooke (Serenity Press) HB RRP $22.95 ISBN 9780994526557

Reviewed by Teena Raffa-Mulligan

This delightfully warm and funny picture book is guaranteed to add smiles to story time - and quite likely giggles. There's a generous sprinkling of humour throughout this child- and parent-friendly debut title from Monique Mulligan.

Veronica Rooke's fresh, lively cartoon-style illustrations add an extra dimension of fun to Mum's embarrassing antics and introduce a couple of extra characters to amuse young readers.The layout of the hand-drawn text on the pages is an integral part of the book’s design, along with the inclusion of some speech balloons.

My Silly Mum is a wonderfully warm-hearted celebration of the love between a mother and child and is sure to remain a popular choice on the family bedtime reading list. However, its appeal is not limited to a pre-school audience and children in the early years of primary school will also find it entertaining and readily relate to the eye-rolling and face palming a parent’s behaviour can cause.

Colouring sheets, a write-your-own-story activity and finger puppet characters from the book are available from the publisher.