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The Lorikeet Tree
A sister and brother face the hardest year of their lives and discover the healing power of nature in this compelling tale from master storyteller Paul Jennings.
Emily loves the bush and the native animals on her family's reforested property, particularly the beautiful rainbow lorikeets that nest in one of the tallest trees. But then her father is diagnosed with a terminal illness, and Emily's world enters a tailspin.
Her twin brother, Alex, refuses to accept the truth. His coping mechanism is to build elaborate additions to his treehouse in the superstitious belief that it will avert disaster - leaving Emily to deal with harsh reality on her own.
When Alex secretly adopts a feral kitten, going against everything that's important to Emily, the siblings' emotions reach boiling point - with potentially dangerous consequences for them all.
A moving story of family, loss and love, from one of Australia's most beloved storytellers.
Emily loves the bush and the native animals on her family's reforested property, particularly the beautiful rainbow lorikeets that nest in one of the tallest trees. But then her father is diagnosed with a terminal illness, and Emily's world enters a tailspin.
Her twin brother, Alex, refuses to accept the truth. His coping mechanism is to build elaborate additions to his treehouse in the superstitious belief that it will avert disaster - leaving Emily to deal with harsh reality on her own.
When Alex secretly adopts a feral kitten, going against everything that's important to Emily, the siblings' emotions reach boiling point - with potentially dangerous consequences for them all.
A moving story of family, loss and love, from one of Australia's most beloved storytellers.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2023
1 person is currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Paul Jennings
277 books360 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Paul Jennings was born in Heston near London, and at the age of 6 emigrated to Melbourne, Australia on a boat. He was on the boat for 5 weeks with his family. He attended Bentleigh West Primary School and Caulfield Grammar School.
After graduating from school, he went to Frankston Teachers College (now part of Monash University) and became a teacher. He taught students at Frankston State School, Kangaroo Flat State School, the Turana Youth Training Centre, and the Royal Children's Hospital State School in Mount Eliza. He later went on to study at the Lincoln Institute of Health Science (now part of LaTrobe University) and became a speech pathologist, then worked as a Lecturer in Special Education at Burwood State College (now part of Deakin University). In 1979 he became Senior Lecturer in Language and Literature at Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (now part of Deakin University).
In 1985, Jennings' first book of short stories, Unreal! was published, during which he worked as a lecturer and wrote part-time; in 1989, he made the decision to devote his full time to writing. Many of his short stories, published between 1985 and 1991, were also adapted into the first and second series of the popular Australian television show Round the Twist.
Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (2000).
Paul Jennings was born in Heston near London, and at the age of 6 emigrated to Melbourne, Australia on a boat. He was on the boat for 5 weeks with his family. He attended Bentleigh West Primary School and Caulfield Grammar School.
After graduating from school, he went to Frankston Teachers College (now part of Monash University) and became a teacher. He taught students at Frankston State School, Kangaroo Flat State School, the Turana Youth Training Centre, and the Royal Children's Hospital State School in Mount Eliza. He later went on to study at the Lincoln Institute of Health Science (now part of LaTrobe University) and became a speech pathologist, then worked as a Lecturer in Special Education at Burwood State College (now part of Deakin University). In 1979 he became Senior Lecturer in Language and Literature at Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education (now part of Deakin University).
In 1985, Jennings' first book of short stories, Unreal! was published, during which he worked as a lecturer and wrote part-time; in 1989, he made the decision to devote his full time to writing. Many of his short stories, published between 1985 and 1991, were also adapted into the first and second series of the popular Australian television show Round the Twist.
Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (2000).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 20, 2023
I've been reading Paul Jennings books since I was in primary school and as an adult reading a lot of his contemporary works I'm always impressed with the way he is able to tackle deep, hard-hitting topics in a thoughtful and measured approach that is easily accessible by his readers. The Lorikeet Tree is no exception.
The reading notes for the book suggest that it's appropriate for younger YA audiences, which I agree with, although older middle grade readers may also enjoy it. It's a novel that deals with the difficult subject of watching a parent succumb to the effects of a terminal brain tumour. Emily, and her twin brother Alex, are 15 years older and their only parent has just been diagonsed and the outcome is not great. They live on a property where they're painstakingly trying to restore the local vegetation and encourage native animals back. Emily is dedicated to her father's dream, and his diagnosis highlights the way that people (especially young people) can react in different ways to fear.
The entire story is written as a memoir from Emily's perspective, complete with notes from her teachers grading her work, and highlights the ups and downs, the grief and the familial relationships of all the characters. It's almost slice of life in the way it's told - the language is simple and beautiful and while it's hard to read at times, there's also moments of hope.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The reading notes for the book suggest that it's appropriate for younger YA audiences, which I agree with, although older middle grade readers may also enjoy it. It's a novel that deals with the difficult subject of watching a parent succumb to the effects of a terminal brain tumour. Emily, and her twin brother Alex, are 15 years older and their only parent has just been diagonsed and the outcome is not great. They live on a property where they're painstakingly trying to restore the local vegetation and encourage native animals back. Emily is dedicated to her father's dream, and his diagnosis highlights the way that people (especially young people) can react in different ways to fear.
The entire story is written as a memoir from Emily's perspective, complete with notes from her teachers grading her work, and highlights the ups and downs, the grief and the familial relationships of all the characters. It's almost slice of life in the way it's told - the language is simple and beautiful and while it's hard to read at times, there's also moments of hope.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read
May 10, 2023Magnificent, there is so much heart in this multilayered story about courage and compromise, and the landscape of grief.
February 11, 2023
Content warnings: parent with cancer, animal cruelty, animal on animal violence (not graphic).
Rep: cis white characters.
It's been years since I've read a Paul Jennings book and his writing style is still captivating from start to finish.
This was an easy book to read, and I flew through it (when I was able to pick it up lol).
Emily's life is turned upside down when her dad is diagnosed with terminal cancer and her twin brother doesn't want to deal with the reality of the fact.
Throughout this book, Emily tries her hardest to be the strong member of the house since their dad is declining. Alex, her twin brother, insists that he can make everything right his own way and that their dad won't die.
The book is easy to read, and aimed at middle grade readers, despite the main character being 15 years old. There are heavy topics thrown in but it's written in a lighter way. Many young teens will be able to read and appreciate this one.
I was a bit mad at the fact that Paul writes "koala bear". My dude, you're an Aussie, you should know that koalas aren't bears. This should've been picked up in editing, tbh.
I talk about books at these places: Instagram / Twitter / TikTok / Blog
Rep: cis white characters.
It's been years since I've read a Paul Jennings book and his writing style is still captivating from start to finish.
This was an easy book to read, and I flew through it (when I was able to pick it up lol).
Emily's life is turned upside down when her dad is diagnosed with terminal cancer and her twin brother doesn't want to deal with the reality of the fact.
Throughout this book, Emily tries her hardest to be the strong member of the house since their dad is declining. Alex, her twin brother, insists that he can make everything right his own way and that their dad won't die.
The book is easy to read, and aimed at middle grade readers, despite the main character being 15 years old. There are heavy topics thrown in but it's written in a lighter way. Many young teens will be able to read and appreciate this one.
I was a bit mad at the fact that Paul writes "koala bear". My dude, you're an Aussie, you should know that koalas aren't bears. This should've been picked up in editing, tbh.
I talk about books at these places: Instagram / Twitter / TikTok / Blog
January 31, 2023
The Lorikeet Tree by Paul Jennings
'𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕. 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔. 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆.'
I loved reading Paul Jennings titles as a kid, so when the opportunity came up to review his latest book I was definitely a bit star struck 🤩
This book is aimed at younger readers and explores really important themes such as family, grief and loss. It is done so well and thoughtfully, all woven into a beautiful story around animals and deforestation.
The impact of deforestation and feral/introduced animals is touched on, while also showing that after some time it is possible for the native animals to come back if the environment is right for them again.
The story revolves around twin teens Emily and Alex, and is written in a memoir style story of the months leading up to their fathers passing. His cancer is incurable and the story explores these months dealing with their only caregiver deteriorating while trying to get along with each other, and keeping every day life on their acreage home running.
At times it was definitely a little bit sad and you really felt for the kids dealing with their emotions and added responsibilities but it ties up so beautiful in the end.
Paul Jennings truly is a masterful storyteller and I will be recommending this book for years to come.
The Lorikeet Tree is available from TODAY!
Thank you to @allenandunwin for the review copy!
'𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏,' 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅.
'𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎.'
'𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕. 𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔. 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆.'
I loved reading Paul Jennings titles as a kid, so when the opportunity came up to review his latest book I was definitely a bit star struck 🤩
This book is aimed at younger readers and explores really important themes such as family, grief and loss. It is done so well and thoughtfully, all woven into a beautiful story around animals and deforestation.
The impact of deforestation and feral/introduced animals is touched on, while also showing that after some time it is possible for the native animals to come back if the environment is right for them again.
The story revolves around twin teens Emily and Alex, and is written in a memoir style story of the months leading up to their fathers passing. His cancer is incurable and the story explores these months dealing with their only caregiver deteriorating while trying to get along with each other, and keeping every day life on their acreage home running.
At times it was definitely a little bit sad and you really felt for the kids dealing with their emotions and added responsibilities but it ties up so beautiful in the end.
Paul Jennings truly is a masterful storyteller and I will be recommending this book for years to come.
The Lorikeet Tree is available from TODAY!
Thank you to @allenandunwin for the review copy!
'𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏,' 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅.
'𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎.'
June 22, 2023
[3.5]
I got so distracted by a major point of conflict being a character clipping a cat's claws. THEY GROW BACK!!! IT DOESNT HURT OR INJURY THEM (as long as you clip them correctly)!!!! Cats in part scratch everything because it helps file them down. They were so dramatic over clipping cat's claws for no reason jesus
Objectively speaking though, as I picked this book to read for book club at work: this is a great book for kids. Broaches so many complex and important topics in a gentle and accessible way.
Personally speaking: I'm not sure how I feel about it being from the girl's perspective. Like I didn't think it needed to be. I'm very big on "why's a cis man writing from a girl's/woman's perspective??" Always makes me feel very iffy over it.
I got so distracted by a major point of conflict being a character clipping a cat's claws. THEY GROW BACK!!! IT DOESNT HURT OR INJURY THEM (as long as you clip them correctly)!!!! Cats in part scratch everything because it helps file them down. They were so dramatic over clipping cat's claws for no reason jesus
Objectively speaking though, as I picked this book to read for book club at work: this is a great book for kids. Broaches so many complex and important topics in a gentle and accessible way.
Personally speaking: I'm not sure how I feel about it being from the girl's perspective. Like I didn't think it needed to be. I'm very big on "why's a cis man writing from a girl's/woman's perspective??" Always makes me feel very iffy over it.
April 1, 2023
This book is an exploration of death, grief and loss from the viewpoint of 15 year old twins, Emily and Alex. Set in Warrnambool, it reminded me of the importance of animals and how they can help us to cope with difficulties in life. Do yourself a favour and read this exceptional and beautifully written book.It is suitable for students from grade 6 upwards.
March 17, 2023
Cli-Fi plus family relationships. Not the usual Paul Jennings book. Yr 7-8 readers.
December 12, 2023
Short and sweet. Tackles big topics and themes of grief and illness told from the perspective of a 15 year old without being really heavy.
March 13, 2023
Zofia loves her life in her small coastal town with her Dad. It has been just her and her father since she was a baby, after losing her mum. They do have a dog and cat too, named Pablo and Frida. Her dad often calls her feral, as Zofia is bold and loud, seeming to take up more room and space than normal eleven year olds. She’s fiery and brash, a storm personified.
The beach and the sea are Zofia’s favourite places, spending every hour she can down there with her friends from school or just she and Pablo. The water is cold most of the time, but Zofia is used to it and with her wetsuit on, she braves the waves when others wouldn’t dare.
Tom loves his quiet life with his mum in their little flat. His room is just the way he likes it, with his lights all around his room so when night falls he is ready to banish the darkness. School is rough as the other kids call him weird and either tease him or ignore him completely. Even though he knows his father can’t get to him anymore, Tom still can’t quite believe it. He’ll never forget being locked in the dark, or laughed at, and still turns to his origami to shut everything out when he’s overwhelmed.
When Zofia’s dad tells her he’s met someone, and Tom’s mum does the same, they instantly dislike the idea. Zofia’s fiery temper is stirred, and Tom tries to be happy for his mum. Neither want their lives to change. But then there’s the baby.
Tom moves in with Zofia and their parents beside the sea, trying to be brave but expecting more of what his dad dished out. Zofia can’t believe this boy who is supposed to be her age, but looks about seven, is so shy and jittery and frightened, all the time.
With a sibling on the way, both Tom and Zofia have to navigate the changes in their lives. Both have things to learn, courage to find and a new way of being together, in the making. Maybe sharing their sibling to be is a place to start?
Winner of the Carnegie Award 2022
Told in first person by both characters in alternate chapters - this story is simply beautiful.
Zofia’s character leaps off the page! She’s so tempestuous, fiery and full of energy and life. Tom is the polar opposite after a life with a commanding, impatient, controlling and abusive father, who is now where he can’t reach Tom and his mum. This contrast seems insurmountable, but slowly they find common ground through hate, anger, jealousy and guilt, and a shared project.
As they begin to understand each other, empathy, apology, kindness and friendship gradually develop. You might need tissues at the end like I did.
Absolutely gorgeous.
Age -10+ (Older readers will enjoy this novel too)
The beach and the sea are Zofia’s favourite places, spending every hour she can down there with her friends from school or just she and Pablo. The water is cold most of the time, but Zofia is used to it and with her wetsuit on, she braves the waves when others wouldn’t dare.
Tom loves his quiet life with his mum in their little flat. His room is just the way he likes it, with his lights all around his room so when night falls he is ready to banish the darkness. School is rough as the other kids call him weird and either tease him or ignore him completely. Even though he knows his father can’t get to him anymore, Tom still can’t quite believe it. He’ll never forget being locked in the dark, or laughed at, and still turns to his origami to shut everything out when he’s overwhelmed.
When Zofia’s dad tells her he’s met someone, and Tom’s mum does the same, they instantly dislike the idea. Zofia’s fiery temper is stirred, and Tom tries to be happy for his mum. Neither want their lives to change. But then there’s the baby.
Tom moves in with Zofia and their parents beside the sea, trying to be brave but expecting more of what his dad dished out. Zofia can’t believe this boy who is supposed to be her age, but looks about seven, is so shy and jittery and frightened, all the time.
With a sibling on the way, both Tom and Zofia have to navigate the changes in their lives. Both have things to learn, courage to find and a new way of being together, in the making. Maybe sharing their sibling to be is a place to start?
Winner of the Carnegie Award 2022
Told in first person by both characters in alternate chapters - this story is simply beautiful.
Zofia’s character leaps off the page! She’s so tempestuous, fiery and full of energy and life. Tom is the polar opposite after a life with a commanding, impatient, controlling and abusive father, who is now where he can’t reach Tom and his mum. This contrast seems insurmountable, but slowly they find common ground through hate, anger, jealousy and guilt, and a shared project.
As they begin to understand each other, empathy, apology, kindness and friendship gradually develop. You might need tissues at the end like I did.
Absolutely gorgeous.
Age -10+ (Older readers will enjoy this novel too)
April 13, 2023
This is one of those books which is easy to read but which pulls absolutely no punches.
Emily and Alex are 15 year old twins who live with their father in a reforestation project in rural Australia, after the death of their mother when they were six. But when they receive the devastating news that their dad has a terminal illness, they are left to navigate their feelings and have to come to terms with what might come next.
Told from the point of view of the no-nonsense Emily, who, like her father, is passionate about the bird life in the area, this is a poignant insight into her thoughts and feelings. Her brother (who, reading between the lines, I took to be autistic) is really struggling to verbalise his feelings, but he processes them by heading off to a treehouse which he and his dad built years earlier on the oldest tree on their land and which houses a band of lorikeets. Here he believes that if he keeps building he might be able to prolong his dad's life.
In the meantime, the siblings battle over a feral kitten found under their house. Emily wants rid of it as it will kill the native birds, but Alex needs something to keep his mind off things. And so does, it turns out, his dad.
This is a beautifully told tale, which will appeal to the regular band of students who want "something sad." Yet, whilst the story does deal with difficult themes, it does so with a lightness of touch which makes it very digestible.
My main criticism is that there seems to be a massive editing error in the last section. Each part is named after a season... Part 1 : Summer; Part 2 : Autumn; Part 3 : Winter... and then Part 4 I would expect to be Spring (especially because the second paragraph starts with "In western Victoria the contrasts brought by spring are extreme.") and yet it is called Summer... as is the Epilogue.
Emily and Alex are 15 year old twins who live with their father in a reforestation project in rural Australia, after the death of their mother when they were six. But when they receive the devastating news that their dad has a terminal illness, they are left to navigate their feelings and have to come to terms with what might come next.
Told from the point of view of the no-nonsense Emily, who, like her father, is passionate about the bird life in the area, this is a poignant insight into her thoughts and feelings. Her brother (who, reading between the lines, I took to be autistic) is really struggling to verbalise his feelings, but he processes them by heading off to a treehouse which he and his dad built years earlier on the oldest tree on their land and which houses a band of lorikeets. Here he believes that if he keeps building he might be able to prolong his dad's life.
In the meantime, the siblings battle over a feral kitten found under their house. Emily wants rid of it as it will kill the native birds, but Alex needs something to keep his mind off things. And so does, it turns out, his dad.
This is a beautifully told tale, which will appeal to the regular band of students who want "something sad." Yet, whilst the story does deal with difficult themes, it does so with a lightness of touch which makes it very digestible.
My main criticism is that there seems to be a massive editing error in the last section. Each part is named after a season... Part 1 : Summer; Part 2 : Autumn; Part 3 : Winter... and then Part 4 I would expect to be Spring (especially because the second paragraph starts with "In western Victoria the contrasts brought by spring are extreme.") and yet it is called Summer... as is the Epilogue.
April 5, 2023
Our Review...
Reading the latest Paul Jennings book was truly nostalgic. I have such fond memories of reading the author’s books as a primary school student who struggled in every area of life except reading. So, to now read, The Lorikeet Tree as a woman in her late 30s was incredibly healing. Written for kids aged 8 to 12, Paul has such an incredible way with stories, and the same full body emotions that I experienced as a child were recreated once again.
The Lorikeet Tree tells the story of twins, Emily, and Alex, who are thrust into the trauma of grief when their picturesque bush retreat is struck by the reality that their Dad is dying from a terminal illness.
Emily is the pragmatic sister, wise beyond her years with a big heart and a protective spirit. While Alex fails to accept that their Dad won’t recover, losing himself in his superstitious activity of adding to the treehouse that he believes will heal all.
Together, the siblings muddle their way through life, bristling at their grief and loss, navigating a world that is too unfair to fathom.
With beautiful rainbow lorikeet’s and feral kitten’s colliding, a profound representation of just how difficult life can be. With his ever sensitive, thoughtful, and powerful storytelling, this is another great example of Paul Jennings’ ability to capture the heart of children throughout the decades.
Review by Lydia @ Great Escape Books
Reading the latest Paul Jennings book was truly nostalgic. I have such fond memories of reading the author’s books as a primary school student who struggled in every area of life except reading. So, to now read, The Lorikeet Tree as a woman in her late 30s was incredibly healing. Written for kids aged 8 to 12, Paul has such an incredible way with stories, and the same full body emotions that I experienced as a child were recreated once again.
The Lorikeet Tree tells the story of twins, Emily, and Alex, who are thrust into the trauma of grief when their picturesque bush retreat is struck by the reality that their Dad is dying from a terminal illness.
Emily is the pragmatic sister, wise beyond her years with a big heart and a protective spirit. While Alex fails to accept that their Dad won’t recover, losing himself in his superstitious activity of adding to the treehouse that he believes will heal all.
Together, the siblings muddle their way through life, bristling at their grief and loss, navigating a world that is too unfair to fathom.
With beautiful rainbow lorikeet’s and feral kitten’s colliding, a profound representation of just how difficult life can be. With his ever sensitive, thoughtful, and powerful storytelling, this is another great example of Paul Jennings’ ability to capture the heart of children throughout the decades.
Review by Lydia @ Great Escape Books
August 30, 2024
3.5⭐️
Read this book with the perspective of an English teacher looking for an appropriate text to possibly teach year 7 students.
Being written from the perspective of a 15 year old girl, the language is mostly very easy to read.
While the book does deal with some heavy themes, such as the death of a parent from both tragic car accident and cancer, there is nothing too graphic about the deaths themselves but is focused on how people deal with grief and difficult situations.
One overarching theme seems to be “letting go”
The main character, a fifteen year old girl, needs to let go of her feelings - she proclaims many times she “has feelings too” and is trying to get her twin brother to face the reality of their situation but she only lets go and lets her emotions out toward the end of the novel.
Other characters face the need to let go of a love that cannot be, let go of a family member whether it’s children growing up or a parent dying, letting go of control, of expectations, of dreams. But finding that letting go leads you somewhere else.
The important note I take away is: I feel like I could write an essay responding to this book ✔️ I feel like I could have discussions about this book ✔️ and I feel that I could use this book to inspire a creative response such as realistic fiction or a memoir ✔️
Read this book with the perspective of an English teacher looking for an appropriate text to possibly teach year 7 students.
Being written from the perspective of a 15 year old girl, the language is mostly very easy to read.
While the book does deal with some heavy themes, such as the death of a parent from both tragic car accident and cancer, there is nothing too graphic about the deaths themselves but is focused on how people deal with grief and difficult situations.
One overarching theme seems to be “letting go”
The main character, a fifteen year old girl, needs to let go of her feelings - she proclaims many times she “has feelings too” and is trying to get her twin brother to face the reality of their situation but she only lets go and lets her emotions out toward the end of the novel.
Other characters face the need to let go of a love that cannot be, let go of a family member whether it’s children growing up or a parent dying, letting go of control, of expectations, of dreams. But finding that letting go leads you somewhere else.
The important note I take away is: I feel like I could write an essay responding to this book ✔️ I feel like I could have discussions about this book ✔️ and I feel that I could use this book to inspire a creative response such as realistic fiction or a memoir ✔️
May 8, 2023
I usually connect Paul Jennings with more light humour so I was surprised to read such a moving story with a more heavy and sad theme. The language and style here is easy enough but the topic - terminal illness - might make it something that is suitable for more mature middle graders.
I loved it. I loved the setting of the Australian wildlife. I felt it handled the topic of two children coping with their father's death very well, as well as the sibling tensions. It brought out the characters and the different sides of the children very well - neither was a "bad" child and both had issues to deal with and loved animals yet they had lots of clashes. It really showed how there can be more than one or even two sides to a story.
It's a quick book to read but really opens up the heart and mind, it was very memorable. I would recommend it to kids in upper primary.
I loved it. I loved the setting of the Australian wildlife. I felt it handled the topic of two children coping with their father's death very well, as well as the sibling tensions. It brought out the characters and the different sides of the children very well - neither was a "bad" child and both had issues to deal with and loved animals yet they had lots of clashes. It really showed how there can be more than one or even two sides to a story.
It's a quick book to read but really opens up the heart and mind, it was very memorable. I would recommend it to kids in upper primary.
April 7, 2023
This story had real potential but didn't meet my expectations. I think Paul Jennings needed to trust his intended audience (middle grade) more with the topics of a terminal parent, sibling rivalry and nature. Some parts of the story felt rushed or plonked in there (with Bree, especially).
I liked the character of Emily and found I could relate to her.
The whole school creative writing memoir project totally threw me and I found it didn't really work - having a teacher comment sheet between each part. I guess it was a device to get Bree back in their lives, though I think unnecessary and not handled well. It was odd.
I liked the character of Emily and found I could relate to her.
The whole school creative writing memoir project totally threw me and I found it didn't really work - having a teacher comment sheet between each part. I guess it was a device to get Bree back in their lives, though I think unnecessary and not handled well. It was odd.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2023
Definitely a tear jerker of a story
Set in Warrnambool, 15 year old twins, mum died when they were 6 and dad is now dying.
It's a very relatable story of the grieving process before death actually happens.
The focus is on the environment and the cycle of life and beauty in nature.
Quite confronting themes if you have experienced the death of a loved one
Language is fine for a middle grader, but the topic is heavy.
Set in Warrnambool, 15 year old twins, mum died when they were 6 and dad is now dying.
It's a very relatable story of the grieving process before death actually happens.
The focus is on the environment and the cycle of life and beauty in nature.
Quite confronting themes if you have experienced the death of a loved one
Language is fine for a middle grader, but the topic is heavy.
October 3, 2023
As far as young adult fiction goes, this would have to be one of the better ones I have read lately.
Simple but deep, it addresses many issues faced by teenagers without being too full of angst and cliches (note:not void) or preachy. The plot line was creative and generally an easy, well-paced read.
Nothing mind blowing, but a really solid read that I would recommend to my students.
Simple but deep, it addresses many issues faced by teenagers without being too full of angst and cliches (note:not void) or preachy. The plot line was creative and generally an easy, well-paced read.
Nothing mind blowing, but a really solid read that I would recommend to my students.
January 2, 2024
Jennings has a knack for writing in language and sentences that are relaxing to read without being dumbed-down, and he has managed to adapt it to a young adult/adult audience. His characteristic quirky characters who love nature and are kind-hearted are all here, but all pondering deeper issues around mortality, love, moral quandaries, loyalty and religion.
March 10, 2024
🦜 I grew up reading Paul Jennings books so I was stoked to see his latest book come my way. Paul is currently 80 years old and still delivering creating and engaged texts. Truly inspiring.
🌳 Get your hands on his latest book and return to the beautiful writing that Paul has crafted and mastered over his many years of writing.
🦜 Recommend for anyone aged 11 and older. RRP $19.99
🌳 Get your hands on his latest book and return to the beautiful writing that Paul has crafted and mastered over his many years of writing.
🦜 Recommend for anyone aged 11 and older. RRP $19.99
March 24, 2023
Had more than a few tears reading The Lorikeet Tree. The father has a terminal illness and his two children need to come to terms of what will eventually happen.
The story is clever and heartwarming. A fast and enjoyable read.
The story is clever and heartwarming. A fast and enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2023
A heart-rending story with many intertwined themes - conservation, grief, siblings, responsibility. A great read.
February 4, 2023
A wonderful read, with not knowing what will happen next, and the tussles between the two teens.
February 10, 2023
Big themes, beautifully explored in a sensitive manner for a younger audience. I expect to see this on CBCA shortlists!
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February 20, 2023Amazing and emotional, a short good read, simple.
February 27, 2023
A deceptively simple story. Short, easy to read, yet incredibly deep. Fantastic YA fiction with lots to discuss - family, grief, native animal protection.
March 9, 2023
Didn't quite know what to expect, but it wasn't this. Story all in all was good, but the way it was written didn't resonate with me
March 19, 2023
I'm surprised that one of our favourite Australian authors has included a koala "bear"!
May 15, 2023
A bitter sweet stroll through the native scrub.
May 28, 2023
Magnificent upper middle grade ecological fiction. You can read my full review here; http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
December 11, 2023
A good Hi Lo reader.
May 11, 2024
I'm definitely not the target audience for this book.
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