By: A. L. Tait
Genre: YF - Children's / Teenage fiction & true stories
Published by: Scholastic Australia
Published: 01 May 2025
ISBN: 9781761528361

Description

I feel her in the breeze that makes the dahlias bob, and in the scent of the roses ...


After moving to the city from the country, Willow Bright feels like she’s lost her mum all over again—and landed on another planet. Her clothes are wrong, her taste in music is wrong, and even the food she eats is wrong. But when Willow spots a pattern in a series of puzzling accidents and mishaps, she forms an unlikely friendship—and finds new purpose. Can Willow solve the mystery and find room to be herself along the way? Or will her plot to run home to the wide-open spaces and memories of her mum land Willow in even more trouble?


A middle-grade story about growing up, grief, finding your place in the world and the restorative benefits of nature.


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Review

Willow Bright has spent her life in the rural town of Jack’s Creek, living on a cattle station with her Dad, after her Mum died when she was young. Her lifestyle was carefree, and she loved it.


But things changed at Jack’s Creek and her Dad had to find another job in the mines, Willow finds herself living with her Aunt Cressida and cousin Fleur in the busy suburb of Barrack Hill. They are strangers to her, and she feels completely out of place living in such a confined space. And it doesn’t help that Fleur is going out of her way to make her feel very unwelcome.


So Willow comes up with a plan. She is not going to stay in Barrack Hill – she is going back home. But to do that she will need money and, therefore, a job. But she is just not sure how she is going to sort that bit out...


Craving the freedom that she previously had, Willow goes for a walk around the suburb in the mornings. It is on one of these outings that she comes across an overgrown garden, which she discovers belongs to an old man named Mr Belrose. Can she help him restore his garden to its former glory, with the help of her friends Cos and River, and raise the money she needs to get home as well?


But when Willow starts to realise that everything is not as it seems in Barrack Hill, and she finds herself caught up in it, getting back home might be harder than she thinks...


This is a wonderful story about adjusting to a new life, being true to yourself, accepting friends and family for who they are, dealing with grief and helping others. Willow’s determination and attitude make her a character that you will love, and her relationship with Mr Belrose (Mr B) highlights how important connection and companionship are to older people. This will be enjoyed by those in middle to upper primary.


Reviewed Sam