This story was both
heartbreaking and beautiful. I loved the second-person narration of Meixing’s
journey. It was unusual but very effective in helping me understand what it’s
like to feel so alone after arriving in a new country and a new home in a big city.
The author’s compassionate and gentle approach in expressing mammoth emotions
was a standout. Metaphors and imagery contained in the work weren’t overdone. Tragic circumstances behind the move are softened by magical elements that turn
the story around.
The glasshouse is where Meixing finds solace. It holds the
sun, moon, and secrets. I loved watching her harness all her bravery to find
her place in her new world after losing almost all that she trusts and
understands—destined to become a classic.
“Heart-twisting and hopeful, bursting with big feelings and gentle magic.” (Jessica Townsend, New York Times best-selling author of the Nevermoor series)
A moving coming-of-age story about one girl’s bravery and imagination in the face of the unknown. Perfect for fans of Front Desk and Mañanaland.
Meixing Lim and her family have arrived at the New House in the New Land. Her parents inherited the home from First Uncle who died tragically and unexpectedly while picking oranges in the backyard. Her mama likes to remind Meixing the family never could have afforded to move here otherwise, so she should be thankful…
This
story was a surprise and an enjoyable read for many reasons.
Abby, the
protagonist, was annoyingly confident
and bossy. She bothered me so much that I wanted to see her put in her
place. But as the story played out, it reminded me of what makes those
middle-grade years so confusing. It took me on an emotional roller coaster that
meant I changed my mind.
This wasn’t the standard
‘bully’ type situation but a genuine portrayal of what goes on in the schoolyard.
There was no fairytale ending. Like
life, Abby’s problems didn’t vanish. She learned how to navigate and adjust to change while remaining true to herself. It is a great exploration
of expectation and letting go.
I especially loved how well the author captured
the interaction between characters.
Abby Smart is planning to have the most awesome year ever. She's the leader of the Smart Girls Club and after winning the talent quest, her dream to be a musical singer looks like it might come true.
And then Stella turns up, fluttering her mascara eyelashes.
She’s way too cool for little old Kangaroo Valley. Worst of all, she’s making Abby’s friends like ridiculous things such as makeup and new music! Abby’s plans to have a great year are being turned into dog food. Will Abby follow her friends, or follow her dreams? Because she can’t have both.
This heart-racing timeslip novel makes me grateful for those brave humans who’ve risked their lives to keep my world as safe as they could.
Set in 2000 (International Year of Peace), it’s part history, philosophy, fantasy, and biography that transported me to 1944 Budapest.
The tale was inspired by the author’s own family, who escaped Hungary during World War 2 and eventually settled in Australia.
While Louie, the protagonist, is not yet thirteen, she is put in the same position as many young people during the war.
She faces numerous dangers and must not only look after herself but must ensure her younger brothers are safe, too.
I loved the two different timelines, winter 1944 in Budapest as opposed to The Majestic Boutique Hotel in Australia three generations later.
A timely and powerful time-slip story inspired by the author's family in Budapest during the Holocaust
Louie lives with her brothers, Bert and Teddy, in a hotel run by their grandparents. It is one of Sydney's grand old buildings, rich in history ... and in secrets.
When a rose-gold locket, once thought lost, is uncovered, it sends Louie and her brothers spinning back in time. Back to a world at war: Budapest in the winter of 1944, where their grandparents are hiding secrets of their own ...
From bestselling author Susanne Gervay comes a heart-racing timeslip story inspired by her…
A triumph in free verse, this is a story about
family, belonging, and unrequited love that explores how we find our place in
the world. Realism is where it’s at.
There’s a distinctly Australian feel
that’s universally easy to connect with because of what happens. Sparse but
saying so much, it’s filled with honesty, loyalty, hard knocks, and believability.
There is no instant love in this tale. The characters act out and often
get it wrong, hurting themselves and each other. It’s all about change and
choice. The unusual overlapping story structure works really effectively to unfold
the whole. Hard-hitting but not graphic, it does not shy away from telling it
like it is. It delivers a surprising yet satisfying ending.
