Product Description
A gently lyrical story about discovering Country and the importance of family, friendship and the magic of the bush, from an emerging Indigenous talent and winner of a black&write! Fellowship.
When eleven-year-old Alex moves to Adelaide from London after her mother gets engaged to a man across the globe, Alex must negotiate a new country, a new school, and (most difficult of all) a new stepbrother, the prickly teenaged Koen.
What sustains Alex in this strange new world is the wonder of the natural world around her, particularly a magnificent tree that comes to represent magic, resilience and strength.
Alex discovers the mystery of the bush, the true impact of climate change and a passion to fight for what is right.
Reviews
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environment, friendship, bushfires, first nations, blended families, bullying, racism
Alex and her Mam, Hailey, are moving from London to Adelaide to live with Hailey's new fiancé, Art, and his son, Koen. They arrive in the heat of late Spring and move into Art's house, owned by the family of Koen's friend, Eric, who lives across the road. Jason, a boy at her new school, bullies Alex, so she confides in a Giant Gum near her new house. She eventually makes friends with Luke, Carla, and Santiago who have a shared concern for the environment, and experience of racism and bullying. On a trip to Perth, Alex meets Koen's sister, Kirra, and his mum. Upon returning home to Adelaide, they are confronted by a bushfire. A raw story about discovering Country and finding the passion to stand up for injustice.
