Description
What makes a good family? Love or blood?
And what if you have to choose between the two?
Ethan’s parents are in jail; his Aunt works too hard; the new kid, Joshua, has a scar on his arm; a fire storm threatens the suburb, while wildflowers bloom along the school fence.
For Ethan, Audrey and their friends, it’s time to choose what’s important and what to leave behind.
Review
Ten years ago, Ethan was taken in by an Aunt that he didn’t know when his drug dealing parents were sent to jail for a long time. He was only seven when it happened, but she has been his rock ever since. So how will Ethan decide where to live when his parents are finally released next year? And do they even want him?
Ethan is an introvert who loves reading and has one mate, Biggsy. Biggsy helps his Dad in the family panel beating business and now with Dad away fighting the ever worsening bushfires, Biggsy is pretty much running the business himself. Then Joshua arrives at school and Ethan quickly recognises injuries that he is sure are being inflicted by someone. When Ethan’s suspicions are proven true, he wants to help Josh stop his father, but how will they manage it?
When Ethan brings flowers into his English class, he gains the attention of Audrey who he has always had a crush on, and when they start dating Ethan in on cloud nine.
But there is always the underlying threat from the bushfires and their cause, the lack of action on climate change. So when a rally is organised in the city during school time they all decide to attend to try to make a difference. Ethan’s act of kindness at the rally will make headlines, so maybe they did achieve their goal?
With themes of climate change and the impact on our urban environment, families - both fractured and healing, domestic violence, and the difference that one individual can make, this is a terrific Year 8 to 10 classroom novel. It is sensitive, believable and wonderfully well-written.
Reviewed by Rob
