Description
Getting Dusty is the much anticipated sequel to Jared Thomas' CBCA longlisted junior fiction Uncle Xbox (2023).
When Dusty bloodies his bully's nose in a soccer tournament, he finds himself grounded for a week. Feeling this is unfair, Dusty gets upset and it's up to Uncle Xbox to help him understand why his actions have consequences and that he can learn from his mistakes. If this lesson includes catching some nice waves, who is he to argue.
From the author of The Game Day series, My Spare Heart, Calypso Summer, and Songs that sound like Blood, Jared Thomas has sensitively captured Dusty's world and childhood challenges, with integrity, humour and heart.
Review
Dusty and his friends love playing soccer, but when a game at school sees Dusty take the bait of his bully, Wayde, it is Dusty who finds himself in trouble and being grounded. He can’t understand why he is the one being punished, and not Wayde, and thinks the whole situation is unfair. What else was he supposed to do?
Dusty’s mum is furious at him, but luckily for Dusty, his Uncle Rick - or Uncle Xbox as he calls him - convinces his Mum that going back to country for a while might be a way for Dusty to feel strong in himself, and realise that he isn’t a bad kid, and it might just avoid future problems.
Can spending time together, listening to the stories of elders, and then days of camping, fishing and surfing teach Dusty some valuable life lessons, or will another silly mistake undo everything that he has learnt?
This is a fabulous, easy to read story that will resonate with many students who might be trying to find their way in life, with all the challenges that this can bring! It is suitable for all readers in upper primary and lower secondary.
