A Dolphin for Naia

A Dolphin for Naia by Northern Beach Writers’ Group

(Self-Published) 

PB RRP $15.99

ISBN 978-0-9942006-1-7

Reviewed by Francine Sculli

When a book conjures multiple story questions and powerful themes that leave you yearning for the answers in the first few pages, you know that you are in for an absorbing read -- which is exactly how A Dolphin for Naia starts.

Within moments of opening this novella, I was chasing the answers to the story questions raised: What happened to Naia? Where are Grams and Mase going? Who is the Parliament? Why have this family separated and why is Mase so angry with his parents? These questions create a flawless narrative tension that drive through the book like an unrelenting heartbeat.

We travel right by our thirteen-year-old protagonist Mase’s side, on a mysterious and hair-raising adventure as he searches for some of these answers himself. A year after losing his little sister Naia, we are thrown head first into the family dynamics as Mase and his Grams take on the important job of decoding his parent’s cryptic messages and driving a truck across New South Wales to deliver his parent’s very important invention to them in Manly; a dolphin-looking robotic that has seemingly made Mase’s life hell for the past year.

But as Mase and his Gram zoom down the highway – escaping waiters, receiving text messages from the robotic dolphin, recruiting the services of old circus folk, breaking down and calling on “the parliament” for an emergency escape –  the answers start to present themselves to Mase and the very thing he once thought was the reason for his family splitting apart quickly becomes the thing that brings them back together. The dolphin holds a lot more importance than Mase could ever have imagined and when he is finally reunited with his parents at Manly Beach, he discovers that they too have been coming to grips with the death of Naia and fighting for the very thing Mase wished for – his sister to be with them.

A Dolphin for Naia is more than just a thrill-a-minute. It’s a touching tale of the love, family, memory and loss and all the tiny things that connect us. The Northern Beach Writers Group has outdone itself for their second co-written and co-illustrated teenage novella, and it is hardly surprising that this book has taken out the 2014 WABIAD prize for ‘Best Book.

Plenty

Plenty by Ananda Braxton-Smith (Walker Books)
PB RRP $14.95
ISBN 9781742032429
Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

The immensely talented Ananda Braxton-Smith delights us once again with her unique voice with new work for teenage readers. She addresses themes such as family ties, memory, and the place of story in children’s lives as promoter for understanding others, and one’s self.

Ten year old Maddy and her family are moving from the only home she’s ever known to the country area of Plenty. It’s where her grandmother lives alone, in the early stages of dementia. Maddy can do little other than be angry at her parents for taking her away from everything familiar, including all her friends.

When Maddy reaches Plenty, everything beautiful that surrounds her appears ugly in comparison to what she left behind. When she meets her grandma Mad, she begins to thaw. Stories of Mad’s life and a similar interest in orchids fill empty spaces in Maddy created by the move.

At school, when Maddy is seated with the Sudanese refugee Grace, then coupled with her on a project, her world begins to reshape. The story of Grace’s life and her family’s struggle through change and adaption helps Maddy count her blessings and view her new and changing life with acceptance.

With clever wordplay and a prose style all her own, Braxton-Smith has created a moving and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to all ages. I loved every page of this book that I couldn’t put down until the last sentence.  

Forgotten

 Forgotten by Cat Patrick (Hardie Grant Egmont)
PB RRP $22.95
ISBN 9781921690624
Reviewed by Vicki Stanton

Fortunate enough to have received a special advanced copy of Cat Patrick's debut novel Forgotten, I pulled it out of the to-read pile and read it in a day. Nothing got done until I had finished reading about London Lane, the girl who cannot remember the past but sees her future. Patrick has received a concept so original and long after I finished reading the story I wondered if I would cope as well as London with such a condition.

Each night as London sleeps her memories of the past are wiped at 4.33 am. She copes with the help of a supportive mother and a system of writing notes about the events of each day, her outfit, what she needs to bring to school etc. London has forward memory of what the future holds for her and those around her but she is perplexed when she meets and falls in love with Luke. (As I did!) She cannot see him in her future and cannot remember him in her past. Disturbing visions of  a funeral begin to plague her and revelations of a family tragedy in the past may provide keys to London's unique condition.

Patrick's writing style is simple and eloquent. the work is uncluttered and such is her skill the story is never confusing. Patrick has chosen first person, present tense to tell London's story allowing the reader to see and, more importantly, feel exactly as London does.

Not due for release until June, I highly recommend you pencil this book in as one of the ones to buy for 2011. You won't be disappointed.